title: Epithelin mRNA expression in polycystic kidney disease.
abstract: Epithelins are polypeptides that are preferentially expressed in epithelial cells and modulate growth. Epithelin expression is predominant in tissues of epithelial origin such as the kidney, spleen, lung, placenta, and colon. Because polycystic kidney disease involves abnormal proliferation of the proximal and/or distal tubule epithelial cells, we investigated epithelin mRNA expression in polycystic kidneys of mice homozygous for the mutation. Epithelin mRNA was highly expressed in the polycystic kidneys of homozygous mice when compared with the heterozygotes or wild type controls. A study on the time course of epithelin expression indicated that epithelin mRNA expression paralleled cyst formation and progression of the disease. A 2-fold increase in expression was observed at Day 15, a stage when cystic changes were first visible. This increase in expression was also observed at Day 21, a stage of maximum disease pathology, which ultimately results in the death of the animal. In situ hybridization localized epithelin mRNA predominantly to the epithelial cell layer surrounding the cysts. The high levels of epithelin in epithelial cells suggest a role in renal epithelial cell proliferation and cyst formation in polycystic kidney disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Renal Pharmacology, SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, King of Prussia, PA 19406, USA.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nambi
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Fredrickson
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Brooks
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D000077155:Granulins; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000235:genetics*; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000235:genetics*; D006579:Heterozygote; D006720:Homozygote; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D017044:Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Recessive / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000077155:Granulins; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D006133:Growth Substances; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger