Expression of renal transforming growth factor-beta and its receptors in a rat model of chronic cyclosporine-induced nephropathy.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to detect expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta1) as well as its receptors type I (TRI) and type II (TRII) in rat kidneys during chronic cyclosporine (CsA)-induced nephropathy.


METHODS
Twenty four rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups: group 1; NSD (control, n = 8) were administered a normal sodium diet, group 2; LSD (n = 8) were administered a low sodium diet, group 3; CsA (n = 8) were sodium-depleted rats administered Neoral by gastric gavage in a model of chronic CsA-induced nephropathy. TGF-beta1, TRI, and TRII proteins, as well as TRI and TRII mRNAs were measured in the CsA-treated rat kidneys by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, respectively. Semiquantitative results were shown by image analysis.


RESULTS
The expression of TGF-beta1, TRI, TRII, TRI mRNA, and TRII mRNA were all increased in CsA-treated rat kidneys, compared with NSD or LSD (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study showed that the ligand of TGF-beta1 and its receptors TRI, TRII were all up-regulated. It may be important to inhibit the expression of TGF-beta1 or its receptors in patients who suffer from chronic CsA-induced nephropathy.
Bing
P
P
Surgery Department, West China Hospital, SiChuan University, Guoxuexiang 37, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China. Pengbing84@hotmail.com
Maode
L
L
Li
F
F
Sheng
H
H
D000818:Animals; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000633:toxicity*; D004039:Diet, Sodium-Restricted; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics*; D012964:Sodium / Q000172:deficiency; D012982:Sodium, Dietary; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics*
D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D012982:Sodium, Dietary; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016572:Cyclosporine; D012964:Sodium