title: Enhanced expression of ANGPTL2 in the microvascular lesions of diabetic glomerulopathy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most important microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We studied the expression characteristics of angiopoietin-like 2 (ANGPTL2), a novel DN-associated growth factor identified in our previous gene chip screening.
  
  
  METHODS
  Glomeruli were microdissected from renal biopsies from 24 patients with DN and 8 donor controls. The expression of ANGPTL2 was assessed by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, and then correlated with clinical and pathological indices of glomerular injury.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Consistent with the results of the gene chip experiment, abundant expression of ANGPTL2 was found more frequently in diabetic glomeruli as compared to donor controls (95 vs. 38%, chi(2) = 15.9, p < 0.01). ANGPTL2 mRNA upregulation was more prominent in glomeruli with less microaneurysm (22 vs. 66%, p < 0.05), inflammatory influx (6 vs. 50%, p < 0.05) or endothelial foam cell formation (11 vs. 53%, p < 0.05). Immunostaining revealed an upregulation of ANGPTL2 protein in hypertrophied diabetic glomeruli, mainly distributed in podocytes, which were supposed to be the origin of ANGPTL2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The upregulation of ANGPTL2 in diabetic glomerulopathy shows a close relationship to abnormal microvasculature and endothelial inflammation. ANGPTL2 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic glomerulopathy.
authors.affiliation: Nanjing University, School of Medicine, Research Institute of Nephrology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Jing-min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Shan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Cai-hong
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Zhi-hong
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Lei-shi
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000091302:Angiopoietin-Like Protein 2; D000075802:Angiopoietin-like Proteins; D042682:Angiopoietins; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: C485792:ANGPTL2 protein, human; D000091302:Angiopoietin-Like Protein 2; D000075802:Angiopoietin-like Proteins; D042682:Angiopoietins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins