Development of disease model pigs suitable for diabetic complications research

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This study aimed at identifying the characteristics of transgenic(tg) pigs as a research model for diabetes and its complications. Tg pigs carrying a mutant gene, human HNF-1alpha(P291fsinsC), responsible for maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 3, were obtained by in vitro fertilization using the cryopreserved sperm from tg founder. The tg pigs maintained a high blood glucose level(>200mg/dl). The oral glucose tolerance test showed that the recovery of the blood sugar levels of the pigs was significantly delayed compared with non-tg pigs. The hypoplasia of the islets of Langerhans was confirmed by the histopathological image of the tg pigs' pancreas. The histopathological image of the tg pigs' kidney showed a nodular lesion typical of diabetic nephropathy in humans. Also, retinal hemorrhages and cotton-wool spots were confirmed in the tg pigs. These data demonstrate that the tg pigs is a promising model for research into diabetets and its complications.