The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 limits murine mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis.
BACKGROUND
Mesangial cell (MC) proliferation underlies increased matrix accumulation in glomerulonephritis (GN), and the resolution of MC proliferation occurs largely through apoptosis. Proliferation and apoptosis are controlled by specific cell cycle proteins, where cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors such as p21 bind target cyclin-CDK complexes. However, the role of p21 in acute mesangial proliferative GN is not known. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that p21 regulates MC proliferation and apoptosis in anti-MC serum-induced GN.


METHODS
Age and sex matched wild-type (p21+/+) and p21-deficient (p21-/-) mice were injected with sheep anti-MC serum. Renal function (BUN, urinary albumin excretion), histology, DNA synthesis (BrdU. Ki-67) and apoptosis (TUNEL) were quantified at day 6 and day 12 (n = 6-8/time point).


RESULTS
In p21+/+ mice, anti-MC-serum induced mild MC proliferative GN, and glomerular p21 expression was increased. Renal function was worse in nephric p21-/- mice. PAS and silver staining revealed that p21-/- mice had typical features of MC proliferative GN with focal segmental tuft necrosis, focal mesangiolysis and focal mesangial hypercellularity. Occasional features of podocyte injury (swelling, vacuolization) were noted. Double immunostaining confirmed increased mesangial cell DNA synthesis in nephritic p21-/- mice at day 6. In contrast, there was no difference in glomerular apoptosis in nephritic p21+/+ and p21-/- mice at each time point. Glomerular lesions were accompanied by severe glomerular and tubulointerstitial fibrosis in p21-/- mice.


CONCLUSIONS
This data shows that the CDK-inhibitor p21 regulates the MC proliferative response to immune-mediated injury. In contrast, p21 does not alter the apoptotic response, resulting in a delayed resolution in nephritic p21-/- mice.
Monkawa
Toshiaki
T
Division of Nephrology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
Pippin
Jeffrey
J
Yo
Yoshikage
Y
Kopp
Jeffrey B
JB
Alpers
Charles E
CE
Shankland
Stuart J
SJ
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000378:metabolism; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*; D005355:Fibrosis; D005920:Glomerular Mesangium / Q000473:pathology*; D015432:Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000473:pathology; D007684:Kidney Tubules / Q000473:pathology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000473:pathology; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012756:Sheep / Q000097:blood; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D003176:Complement C3; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21; D007074:Immunoglobulin G