[The effect of IL-18 on E-cadherin expression and its possible intracellular pathway in HK-2 cells].

Aim: To explore the effect of NF-kappaB signaling pathway in interleukin-18-induced transdifferentiation in renal proximal tubular cells.

Methods: In IL-18 stimulation groups, HK-2 cells were challenged with different concentrations (0, 1, 10, 100 microg/L) of IL-18 for 72 h; In SN50 preincubation groups, HK-2 cells were incubated with 100 mg/L SN50 for 30 min before IL-18 was added. At the end of the incubation, the expression of E-cadherin was determined by the combination of immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR.

Results: Percentage of E-cadherin positive expression HK-2 cells was decreased by IL-18 in dosage dependant manner. Expression of E-cadherin mRNA in HK-2 cells was also decreased by IL-18 in dosage dependant manner. Recovered the mostly part of expression of E-cadherin was found after HK-2 cells were pretreated with SN50.

Conclusion: IL-18-induced transdifferentiation of RTECs is suppressed by blocking NF-kappaB signaling pathway. IL-18-induced transdifferentiation of RTECs at least is partly via NF-kappaB pathway.