Angiotensin II mediates high glucose-induced TGF-beta1 and fibronectin upregulation in HPMC through reactive oxygen species.

Objective: To demonstrate the presence of an independent renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the peritoneum and to determine the role of locally produced angiotensin (Ang) II in high glucose-induced upregulation of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 and fibronectin by human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMC).

Methods: In cultured HPMC, the expression of mRNAs for angiotensinogen, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1), and TGF-beta1 was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction; ACE, AT1, and fibronectin proteins by Western blot analysis; and Ang I, Ang II, and TGF-beta1 proteins by ELISA. Dichlorofluorescein (DCF)-sensitive cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured by fluorometry.

Results: HPMC constitutively expressed all the components of RAS, and 50 mmol/L D-glucose (high glucose) significantly increased angiotensinogen, ACE, and AT1 mRNAs and ACE, AT1, and Ang II proteins. Ang II increased TGF-beta1 and fibronectin protein expression and DCF-sensitive cellular ROS. Losartan prevented Ang II-induced increase in cellular ROS. Both losartan and captopril inhibited high glucose-induced upregulation of TGF-beta1 and fibronectin expression in HPMC in a dose-dependent manner. Antioxidant catalase and NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenyleneiodinium effectively inhibited Ang II-induced TGF-beta1 and fibronectin protein expression.

Conclusions: The present data demonstrate that HPMC constitutively express RAS, that Ang II produced by HPMC mediates high glucose-induced upregulation of TGF-beta1 and fibronectin expression, and that Ang II-induced TGF-beta1 and fibronectin expression in HPMC is mediated by NADPH oxidase-dependent ROS. These data suggest that locally produced Ang II and ROS in the peritoneum may be potential therapeutic targets in peritoneal fibrosis during long-term peritoneal dialysis.