Expression and role of integrin-linked kinase and collagen IV in human renal allografts with interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) and collagen IV in renal allografts with interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IF/TA) in kidney transplant recipients, and explore its relationship with transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) expression and the pathogenesis of IF/TA.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical assay and computer-assisted genuine colored image analysis system were used to detect the expression of ILK, TGF-beta(1) and collagen IV in the renal allografts with IF/TA. The association between TGF-beta(1), collagen IV and ILK, as well as the relationship between their expressions and the pathological class of IF/TA, was analyzed. 10 specimens of healthy renal tissue were used as controls.


RESULTS
The expression levels of ILK, TGF-beta(1) and collagen IV in renal allografts were significantly higher, compared to normal renal tissues (P<0.001), and the expressions tended to increase along with the increase of pathological class of IF/TA. In IF/TA group, the expression of ILK was positively correlated with the expression of TGF-beta(1) and collagen IV (r=0.976 and r=0.912, respectively; P<0.001 for both).


CONCLUSIONS
It is suggested that by the data that ILK might mediate the mechanism through which TGF-beta(1) promote the abnormal deposition of ECM in renal allografts with IF/TA. ILK might play an important role in the progression of the interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy of human renal allografts and the development of chronic renal allograft dysfunction.
Yan
Qiang
Q
Dialysis and Kidney Transplantation Center of PLA, No 181 Hospital of PLA, Guilin 541002, Guangxi, China.
Sui
Weiguo
W
Xie
Shuiyong
S
Chen
Huaizhou
H
Xie
Shenping
S
Zou
Guimian
G
Guo
Junjun
J
Zou
Hequn
H
D024141:Collagen Type IV / Q000378:metabolism*; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000201:enzymology; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D007684:Kidney Tubules / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009395:Nephritis, Interstitial / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D000099200:Scaffold Protein ILK
D024141:Collagen Type IV; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D000099200:Scaffold Protein ILK