title: Increased TGF-alpha and EGF Receptor mRNA expression in response to neonatal unilateral partial ureter obstruction in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the potential role of members of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family in altered renal growth caused by partial ureteral obstruction in the developing obstructed and non-obstructed kidneys.
  
  
  METHODS
  During anesthesia either the upper fourth (n = 6-7) or the upper two-thirds of the left ureter (n = 6-7) were embedded into the psoas muscle in newborn rats resulting in mild or severe partial unilateral obstruction, respectively, which was maintained during the following 24 weeks. Sham-operated control rats were prepared in parallel (n = 6-7). Real time PCR assays were used to quantify mRNA encoding EGF, TGF-alpha, HB-EGF and EGF receptor. The expression of ribosomal RNA was determined to relate the specific mRNA expression of members of the EGF system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Relative expression of TGF-alpha and EGF receptor mRNA levels were elevated significantly both in the severe and mild obstructed kidney compared with the contralateral or sham-operated kidneys after 24 weeks of obstruction. However, the expression of neither EGF nor HB-EGF was changed after obstruction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The increased expression of TGF-alpha and its receptor in the obstructed kidney might be related to a cell-survival function in the affected cells possibly by protecting them from entering apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, NBG, Aarhus Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark. vakurbor@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Mustafa Vakur
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Bor
authors.forename: Ymin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Boe S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Sorensen
authors.forename: Jan Guo
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Jorgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Frokiaer
authors.forename: Jens Christian
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Djurhuus
authors.forename: Ebba
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nexo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051381:Rats; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000235:genetics*; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D066246:ErbB Receptors