Expression of growth arrest-specific gene 6 and its receptors in a rat model of chronic renal transplant rejection.
BACKGROUND
Growth arrest-specific gene 6 (Gas6) is involved in a number of cell functions that include proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and mesangial cells. The proliferation of these cells is a feature of chronic rejection (CR) after kidney transplantation. Therefore, we examined the gene expression of Gas6 and its receptors Rse, Axl, and Mer in a rat model of CR.


METHODS
The rat model of CR was established in Lewis rat recipients of Fisher kidney transplants. The level of mRNA was measured by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The proteins were detected by immunohistochemical staining and Western blot analysis.


RESULTS
Gas6 mRNA was extensively expressed in kidney tissue of both allografts and isografts. There was significant increase in expression of Gas6 mRNA in allografts at 4 weeks posttransplantation. Immunohistochemical study showed that Gas6 and its receptor Rse proteins were highly expressed in kidney tissue. Western blot analysis has also confirmed that Gas6 and Rse proteins are expressed in kidney tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that Gas6 and its receptors have an as yet undefined role in kidney function and/or development and may be involved in the pathogenesis of CR. The action of Gas6 in rat kidney is mainly mediated through the Rse receptors rather than the Axl and Mer receptors.
Yin
Jian L
JL
Department of Renal Medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.
Pilmore
Helen L
HL
Yan
Yi Q
YQ
McCaughan
Geoffrey W
GW
Bishop
G Alex
GA
Hambly
Brett D
BD
Eris
Josette M
JM
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D007672:Kidney Cortex / Q000378:metabolism; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000276:immunology; D014185:Transplantation, Isogeneic / Q000276:immunology; D000099255:Growth Arrest-Specific Protein 6
D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D000099255:Growth Arrest-Specific Protein 6