[Expression of c-met in human kidney fibroblasts induced by high glucose in vitro and the regulation of Radix Astragali].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of high glucose on the expression of c-met in human kidney fibroblasts in vitro, and to explore the regulation of Radix Astragali.


METHODS
A cell culture system of human kidney fibroblasts was developed in vitro. The human kidney fibroblasts were divided into normal control group, high glucose group and mannitol group. Expressions of c-met and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) mRNAs were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the expressions of c-met protein were analyzed by Western blot method after 6-, 12-, 24-, 48- and 96-hour culture. The human kidney fibroblasts were also cultured with 10% Radix Astragali containing serum; the expressions of c-met mRNA and protein were detected after 24- and 48-hour culture.


RESULTS
Compared with the normal control group, expression of c-met mRNA in the high glucose group was significantly increased after 12-hour culture (P<0.05), arriving at the peak after 24-hour culture (P<0.01). The level of TGF-beta1 mRNA was higher in the high glucose group than that in the normal control group after 24-hour culture (P<0.05), arriving at the peak after 96-hour culture (P<0.01). Forty-eight hours after treating with 10% Radix Astragali containing serum, the levels of c-met mRNA and protein in fibroblasts were increased, and were higher than those in the high glucose group (P<0.01, P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
High glucose can induce the expressions of c-met mRNA and protein in earlier period, and then inhibit the expressions. Radix Astragali can up-regulate the expressions of c-met mRNA and protein of human kidney fibroblasts, which may be one of its action mechanisms in delaying the progression of diabetic nephropathy.
Mou
Shan
S
Department of Nephrology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China. shan_mou@hotmail.com
Ni
Zhao-Hui
ZH
Zhang
Qing-Yi
QY
D027885:Astragalus propinquus / Q000737:chemistry*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology*; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000166:cytology; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met; D005947:Glucose