title: Clinical significance of fibroblast-specific protein-1 expression on podocytes in patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We previously reported that fibroblast-specific protein 1 (FSP1) is a marker of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tubulointerstitial fibrosis. The EMT-like changes observed in podocytes are reportedly associated with podocyte detachment which may cause focal glomerulosclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In cross-sectional studies, we analyzed podocyte expression of FSP1 immunohistochemically using renal biopsy specimens from 31 patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and 39 patients with minimal change disease (MCD). We also semiquantitatively analyzed glomerular expression of FSP1 mRNA using laser capture microdissection and real-time PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that FSP1 was localized to podocytes in both FSGS and MCD patients; however, the number of FSP1(+) podocytes per glomerular profile was significantly higher in patients with FSGS than in those with MCD, and there was a corresponding difference in the levels of FSP1 mRNA. FSP1(+) podocyte counts per glomerular profile in FSGS patients correlated significantly with the prevalence of glomerulosclerosis and the extent of interstitial type-I collagen-positive areas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Taken together, these data suggest that podocyte expression of FSP1 could shed light on the potential linkage between EMT-like changes, detachment of podocytes from the glomerular basal membrane and the pathophysiology underlying FSGS.
authors: First Department of Internal Medicine, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
authors: Ken-Ichi
authors: K
authors: Samejima
authors: Kimihiko
authors: K
authors: Nakatani
authors: Daisuke
authors: D
authors: Suzuki
authors: Osamu
authors: O
authors: Asai
authors: Hirokazu
authors: H
authors: Sakan
authors: Shuhei
authors: S
authors: Yoshimoto
authors: Yukinari
authors: Y
authors: Yamaguchi
authors: Masaru
authors: M
authors: Matsui
authors: Yasuhiro
authors: Y
authors: Akai
authors: Masao
authors: M
authors: Toyoda
authors: Masayuki
authors: M
authors: Iwano
authors: Yoshihiko
authors: Y
authors: Saito
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers; D001706:Biopsy; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002452:Cell Count; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005923:Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009395:Nephritis, Interstitial / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009402:Nephrosis, Lipoid / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D050199:Podocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D000071999:S100 Calcium-Binding Protein A4; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000071999:S100 Calcium-Binding Protein A4; C077591:S100A4 protein, human