Nontoxic concentration of ochratoxin A decreases the dosage of cyclosporine A to induce chronic nephropathy model via autophagy mediated by toll-like receptor 4

Cyclosporine A (CsA) extracted from the products of fungal fermentation is used to develop a chronic nephropathy model. However, it has numerous side effects. Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin that induces renal injury. We developed a chronic nephropathy model to lessen the side effects of CsA by administration of nontoxic dosage of OTA, and investigated the underlying mechanism. C57BL/10 wild-type mice, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) −/− mice, and...