Different localization and expression of protein kinase C-beta in kidney cortex of diabetic nephropathy mice and its role in telmisartan treatment.

Aim: This study aims to investigate the localization and expression of protein kinase C-beta I and beta II in kidney cortex of diabetic nephropathy mice and their roles in telmisartan treatment.

Methods: 18 mice were randomly divided into three groups: normal group, diabetic nephropathy group and telmisartan-treated group. The localization and expression of protein kinase C-beta I and beta II were measured with confocal immunofluorescence laser scanning microscopy, immunohistochemistry and western blotting.

Protective effect of sulodexide on podocyte injury in adriamycin nephropathy rats.

This study examined the effect of sulodexide on podocyte injury in rats with adriamycin nephropathy (AN). A total of 36 healthy male SD rats were randomly assigned to three groups: control group, AN group and sulodexide treatment group. Rat models of AN were established by a single tail intravenous injection of adriamycin (6.

Downregulation of CD2-associated protein impaired the physiological functions of podocytes.

Emerging evidences show that CD2-associated protein (CD2AP) is involved in podocyte injury and the pathogenesis of proteinuria. However, the exact molecular mechanism by which CD2AP exerts its biological function is elusive. We knocked down CD2AP gene by target siRNA in conditionally immortalized mouse podocytes, which showed lowered cell adhesion and spreading ability (P<0.

High glucose promotes the CTGF expression in human mesangial cells via serum and glucocorticoid-induced kinase 1 pathway.

The role of serum and glucocorticoid-induced kinase 1 (SGK1) pathway in the connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression was investigated in cultured human mesangial cells (HMCs) under high glucose. By using RT-PCR and Western blot, the effect of SGK1 on the CTGF expression in HMCs under high glucose was examined. Overexpression of active SGK1 in HMCs transfected with pIRES2-EGFP-S422D hSGK1 (SD) could increase the expression of phosphorylated SGK1 and CTGF as compared with HMCs groups transfected with pIRES2-EGFP (FP) under high glucose or normal glucose.

Effect of Micardis on the expression of renal medulla aquaporin-2 in diabetic mice.

In current study, the effect of angiotensin receptor blocker Micardis on the localization and expression of aquaporin-2 (AQP2) was investigated in the renal medullary collecting duct of mice with diabetic nephropathy (DN). Mice were divided into three groups: normal group, DN group and Micardis-treated group. Six weeks after establishment of STZ-induced DN model in mice, the expression of AQP2 in renal medulla was detected measured by semiquantitative immunofluorescence histochemistry and Western blot techniques, and the localization of AQP2 by confocal immunofluorescence laser scanning microscopy.

[Urine protein from patients with lupus nephritis stimulates transdifferentiation and high expression of collagen in renal tubular cells].

Objective: To investigate the effects of urine protein on the renal tubular-interstitial fibrosis in the patients with lupus nephritis (LN).

Methods: Protein was isolated and purified from the urine of six patients with primary LN, 1 male and 5 females, aged 27.4, and incubated with renal tubular cells of the line HK-2 for 0, 1, 2, 12, 24, or 48 h respectively.

[Role of CD2-associated protein in podocyte differentiation.].

To study the cellular changes and the potential role of CD2-associated protein (CD2AP) in podocyte differentiation, conditionally immortalized murine podocyte cell line was cultured in RPMI 1640 medium under permissive condition at 33 °C. After transfection with CD2AP small interfering RNA (siRNA) the cells were shifted to non-permissive condition at 37 °C. Simultaneously, untransfected cells were taken as differentiation control.

[Protein kinase C-betaI, betaII in mouse diabetic nephropathy kidney and its relation to nephroprotective actions of the angiotensin receptor blocker telmisartan].

Objective: To investigate the localization and expression of protein kinase C (PKC)-betaI, betaII in diabetic nephropathy (DN) mouse kidney and its relation to angiotensin receptor blocker telmisartan (Micardis).

Methods: Eighteen mice were divided into three groups: normal group, DN group and Micardis-treated group (n = 6, each group). The expression of PKC-betaI, betaII, transforming growth factor- beta 1 (TGF-beta1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in glomeruli was measured by semiquantitative immunofluorescence histochemistry, the localization of PKC-betaI, betaII was detected by confocal immunofluorescence laser scanning microscopy and the expression of PKC-betaI, betaII in renal cortex, outer and inner medulla were evaluated by semiquantitative Western blotting.

Effect of telmisartan on expression of protein kinase C-alpha in kidneys of diabetic mice.

Aim: To investigate the effects of angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) telmisartan on the expression and distribution of protein kinase C (PKC)-alpha in the kidneys of diabetic mice.

Methods: Diabetic mice were induced with streptozotocin and a group of them were randomly selected for treatment with telmisartan. After 6 weeks, the expression and localization of PKC-alpha in the renal cortex, and the outer and inner medulla were assessed by immunohistochemistry and semiquantitative Western blotting.

Role of connective tissue growth factor in extracellular matrix degradation in renal tubular epithelial cells.

In order to investigate the effects of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) on plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression in renal tubular cells induced by transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) and to explore the role of CTGF in the degradation of renal extracellular matrix (ECM), a human proximal tubular epithelial cell line (HKC) was cultured in vitro. Cationic lipid-mediated CTGF antisense ODN was transfected into HKC. After HKC were stimulated with TGF-beta1 (5 microg/L), the mRNA level of PAI-1 was detected by RT-PCR.

Different expressions of protein kinase C-alpha, beta I and beta II in glomeruli of diabetic nephropathy patients.

In current study, the expressions of protein kinase C (PKC)-alpha, beta I and beta II as well as their correlation to the expression of transforming growth factor-beta I (TGF-beta I) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were investigated in glomeruli of normal renal tissues taken from human kidney tumors and kidney tissues from patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN). The accumulation of glomerular extracellular matrix (ECM) was determined by PAS staining, the expressions of PKC-a, PKC-beta I, PKC-beta II, TGF-beta I and VEGF were measured by semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry. Our results showed that in glomeruli of normal renal tissues, PKC-alpha and beta II had a strong expression whereas the expression of PKC-beta I was weak; in glomeruli of DN patients, the expressions of PKC-alpha, PKC-beta I, VEGF and TGF-beta I and the accumulation of ECM increased significantly, but the expression of PKC-beta II decreased markedly.

Apoptosis signaling pathway in a subtotal nephrectomy rat model.

To investigate the role and mechanisms of apoptosis and apoptosis signaling pathway in 5/6 nephrectomy rat model (SN(x)), the mRNA and protein levels of caspase-3, -8, -9 and apoptosis were detected by in situ end labeling (TUNEL), immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, Western-blotting 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 26 and 40 weeks after 5/6 nephrectomy rat model was made respectively. The rats in the model group developed glomerular sclerosis and renal interstitial fibrosis. The number of the apoptototic cells in glomeruli, renal tubule and renal interstitium was remarkably higher in the model group than that in the control group (P < 0.

A potential pathological role of angiopoietins expression in glomeruli during progressive glomerulisclerosis related to podocyte injury.

A potential pathological role of angiopoietins (Ang) in glomeruli following podocyte injury-induced progressive glomerulosclerosis was explored. Eighty male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into sham operation group (Sham, n = 25), Uninephrectomy group (UPHT, n = 25) and Uninephrectomy+Daunorubicin group (DRB, n = 30). In DRB group, daunorubicin (5 mg/kg) was injected via tail vein on the 7th and 14th day after uninephrectomy.

Changes in angiopoietin expression in glomeruli involved in glomerulosclerosis in rats with daunorubicin-induced nephrosis.

Aim: To study the potential pathological role of endogenous angiopoietins in daunorubicin-induced progressive glomerulosclerosis in rats.

Methods: Seventy male Wistar rats were allocated randomly into a daunorubicin group (DRB; n=40) or a control group (n=30). The rats in the DRB group were injected with DRB (15 mg/kg), in their tails.

Analysis of proteomic components of sera from patients with uremia by two dimensional electrophoresis and matrix assisted laser desorption/ ionization time of flight mass spectrometry.

The different sera proteomic components between uremia patients and normal subjects were studied through two-dimensional gel electrophoresis technique. Immobilized pH gradient two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2DE), silver staining, ImageMaster 2D 5.0 analysis software, matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-TOF-MS) and IPI human database searching were used to separate and identify the proteome of the sera from the patients with uremia.

Expression of connective tissue growth factor in renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis in rats and its pathogenic role.

In order to explore the role of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in the pathogenesis of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis, 48 Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham-operated and unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) group. On the postoperative day 1, 3, 7 and 14, the rats were killed and the kidneys were removed. The renal tubulointerstitial injury index was evaluated according to the MASSON staining.

Effect of lipo-prostaglandin E1 on mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis in rats.

The antinephritic effect of lipo-prostaglandin E1 prostaglandin E1 incorporated in lipid microspheres was investigated using an experimental model of mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN). Twenty-two female rats were randomly divided into nephritic group (N, n = 6), lipo-prostaglandin E1 treated group (NL, n = 8) and control group (C, n = 6). Lipo-prostaglandin E1 was given intravenously at 40 microg x kg(-1) x d(-1) from the 6th week to the 8th week.

[Role of connective tissue growth factor in human renal tubular epithelial cell transdifferentiation in vitro].

Objective: To observe the effect of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) on the transdifferentiation of human renal tubular epithelial cells and to explore the influence of CTGF antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ASODN) transfection on the transdifferentiation process induced by transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1).

Methods: Human renal tubular epithelial cells of the strain HKC were cultured and divided into 3 groups: (1) negative control group, (2) low dose CTGF group, treated with recombinant human CTGF (rhCTGF) with the terminal concentration of 2.5 microg/L, and (3) high dose CTGF group, treated with rhCTGF with the terminal concentration of 5.

[High glucose stimulates synthesis of fibronectin in human mesangial cells via serum and glucocorticoid induced protein kinase-1 signaling pathway].

Objective: To investigate the role of serum and glucocorticoid induced kinase-1 (SGK(1)) pathways in fibronectin (FN) synthesis in human mesangial cell (HMC) under high glucose condition and the mechanism by which SGK(1) contributes to glomerulosclerosis in diabetic nephropathy (DN).

Methods: HMCs were cultured and transfected with (P)IRES2-EGFP-(S422D) SGK(1) mutant (SD), plasmid containing SGK(1) dominant activation mutant, or blank plasmid. Non-transfected HMCs were used as control group.

Significance and expression of serum and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase in kidney of mice with diabetic nephropathy.

To investigate the expression and the role of three isoforms of Serum and Glucocorticoid-inducible Kinase (SGK) in experimental diabetic nephropathy (DN), 12 male C57BL/6 mice of 8-weeks-old were divided into two groups. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic nephropathy and normal controls were analyzed at the end of the 4th week after the induction of diabetes. Renal hemodynamics and histological studies were performed.

The effect of connective tissue growth factor on human renal tubular epithelial cell transdifferentiation.

To investigate the role of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in transdifferentiation of human renal tubular epithelial cell (HKC), in vitro cultured HKC cells were divided into 3 groups: negtive control, low dose CTGF-treated group (rh CTGF, 2.5 ng/ml) and high dose CTGF-treated (rhCTGF, 5.0 ng/ml).

Connective tissue growth factor regulates the key events in tubular epithelial to myofibroblast transition in vitro.

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) has been reported to play an important role in mediating the profibrotic effects of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in various renal diseases. To elucidate the role of CTGF in renal tubular epithelial-myofibroblast transdifferentiation, we examined the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), vimentin, tenascin-C, and collagen IV expression upon the stimulation of CTGF in cultured human proximal tubular epithelial cell line (HKC), and further investigated the effects of endogenous CTGF blockade on the transdifferentiation process induced by TGF-beta. It is revealed that upon the stimulation of recombinant human CTGF (rhCTGF, 2.

Role of connective growth factor in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and fibronectin expression induced by transforming growth factor beta1 in renal tubular cells.

Background: Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) contributes greatly to renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis, which is the final event leading to end-stage renal failure. This study was designed to investigate the effects of CTGF antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) on the expressions of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and fibronectin in renal tubular cells induced by transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) in addition to the role of CTGF in the accumulation and degradation of renal extracellular matrix (ECM).

Methods: A human proximal tubular epithelial cell line (HKC) was cultured in vitro.

Role of connective tissue growth factor in renal tubular epithelial-myofibroblast transdifferentiation and extracellular matrix accumulation in vitro.

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) has been reported to play an important role in mediating the profibrotic effects of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis. To further elucidate the role of CTGF in renal tubular transdifferentiation and extracellular matrix (ECM) metabolism, we examined the time-course of CTGF, alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), fibronectin and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1) gene expression upon the stimulation of TGF-beta1 (5 microg/L) in cultured human proximal tubular epithelial cell line (HKC), and further investigated the effects of endogenous CTGF blockade. On reverse transcriptional-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis, TGF-beta1 upregulated CTGF gene expression, preceding that of alpha-SMA, fibronectin and PAI-1.