title: Evidence for a role of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 in the induction of postglomerular albuminuria in diabetic nephropathy: amelioration by soluble TGF-beta type II receptor.
abstract: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) has previously been implicated in the progression of diabetic nephropathy, including the onset of fibrosis and albuminuria. Here we report for the first time the use of a high-affinity TGF-beta1 binding molecule, the soluble human TGF-beta type II receptor (sTbetaRII.Fc), in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy in 12-week streptozotocin-induced diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats. In vitro studies using immortalized rat proximal tubule cells revealed that 50 pmol/l TGF-beta1 disrupted albumin uptake (P < 0.001 vs. control), an inhibition significantly reversed by the use of the sTbetaRII.Fc (1,200 pmol/l). In vivo studies demonstrated that treatment with sTbetaRII.Fc reduced urinary albumin excretion by 36% at 4 weeks, 59% at 8 weeks (P < 0.001), and 45% at 12 weeks (P < 0.01 for diabetic vs. treated). This was correlated with an increase in megalin expression (P < 0.05 for diabetic vs. treated) and a reduction in collagen IV expression following sTbetaRII.Fc treatment (P < 0.001 for diabetic vs. treated). These changes occurred independently of changes in blood glucose levels. This study demonstrates that the sTbetaRII.Fc is a potential new agent for the treatment of fibrosis and albuminuria in diabetic nephropathy and may reduce albuminuria by reducing TGF-beta1-induced disruptions of renal proximal tubule cell uptake of albumin.
authors.affiliation: Program in Membrane Biology, Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Simches Research Center, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. leileata.russo@receptor.mgh.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Leileata M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: del Re
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Herbert Y
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000419:Albuminuria / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D024141:Collagen Type IV / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D007687:Kidney Tubules, Proximal / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D000077294:Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013311:Streptozocin; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D024141:Collagen Type IV; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D013311:Streptozocin; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D000077294:Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II