title: [Connective tissue growth factor mediates high glucose-induced down-regulation of podocalyxin expression in mouse podocytes].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To detect the effect of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) on podocalyxin expression in mouse podocytes exposed to high glucose in vitro and explore the possible pathway involved.
  
  
  METHODS
  The expression vector carrying a small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting CTGF was transfected into mouse podocytes cultured in the presence of 1 g/L glucose (normal control), 4.5 g/L glucose (high glucose group), 1 g/L glucose + 3.5 g/L mannitol (iso-osmolar control group). The changes in the protein expression levels of podocalyxin, CTGF and ERK1/2 in the cells in response to the treatments were investigated using Western blotting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  High glucose exposure for 24 and 48 h resulted in significantly decreased expression of podocalyxin and increased CTGF in the podocytes (P<0.05). Phosphorylation of ERK1/2 occurred as early as 30 min after the exposure, and the activation was maintained till 24 h. Transfection of the cells with siRNA targeting CTGF significantly inhibited these changes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CTGF is an important mediator of high glucose-induced podocyte damage and decreases the protein level of podocalyxin by the ERK1/2 pathway. CTGF-specific siRNA can alleviate high glucose-induced podocyte injury, suggesting its potential value in treatment of diabetic nephropathy.
authors: Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China. E-mail: gz163@yahoo.cn
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