Accelerated glomerular injury in hemi-nephrectomized transgenic mice of mesangial cell-predominant serpin, megsin.
Mesangial cells play a critical role in the maintenance of normal glomerular functions such as matrix remodeling and immune complex disposal. We recently identified a novel human mesangium-predominant gene, megsin, which is a new member of the serine protease inhibitor (serpin) superfamily. While our previous studies demonstrated progressive mesangial matrix expansion and an increase in the number of mesangial cells in megsin transgenic mice, it took 40 weeks to develop these manifestations. Here we performed hemi-nephrectomy to accelerate glomerular injury in megsin transgenic mice. Hemi-nephrectomized transgenic mice developed focal segmental mesangial expansion, which was associated with proteinuria. Megsin has thus a biologically relevant influence on the development of glomerular damage. The hemi-nephrectomized model of this transgenic mouse might serve as a tool to investigate the mechanisms of glomerular disease.
Onogi
Hiroshi
H
Preventure Program, Office of Technology Transfer, Japan Science and Technology Cooperation, Tokyo, Japan.
Inagi
Reiko
R
Nangaku
Masaomi
M
Ueda
Yasuhiko
Y
Miyata
Toshio
T
Kurokawa
Kiyoshi
K
D000818:Animals; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D005920:Glomerular Mesangium / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000276:immunology; D007700:Kinetics; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009392:Nephrectomy; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000209:etiology; D015843:Serpins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
D007136:Immunoglobulins; C491938:Serpinb7 protein, mouse; D015843:Serpins; D003165:Complement System Proteins