title: Paired box 2 induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition in normal renal tubular epithelial cells of rats.
abstract: Epithelial‑mesenchymal transition (EMT) is considered to be a crucial stage of renal fibrosis. Previous studies have indicated that paired box 2 (PAX2) affects renal fibrosis, likely by regulating EMT. Therefore, we examined whether PAX2 directly induces normal renal tubular EMT in vitro. Recombinant PAX2 plasmid was transfected into a renal tubular epithelial cell line (NRK52E) derived from normal rats. The optimal time‑point was evaluated through fluorescence detection, western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Morphological alterations were examined using phase‑contrast microscopy. At the optimal time‑point of transfection, the expression of E-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibronectin and snail was analyzed by western blotting and real-time PCR. PAX2 expression in NRK52E cells transfected with PAX2 plasmid reached its peak at 72 h post‑transfection. The transfected cells became elongated. PAX2 transfection induced a fibrotic phenotype of NRK52E cells with increased expression of α-SMA, fibronectin and snail as well as decreased expression of E-cadherin. The optimal time-point for transfection efficiency was 72 h. In conclusion, PAX2 induces renal tubular mesenchymal transition in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Nephrology and Rheumatology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, PR China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yubin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Yongchang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D048430:Cell Shape; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / Q000235:genetics; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D007684:Kidney Tubules / Q000166:cytology*; D008297:Male; D051762:PAX2 Transcription Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D010957:Plasmids / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D000071250:Snail Family Transcription Factors; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D015820:Cadherins; D005353:Fibronectins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D051762:PAX2 Transcription Factor; D000071250:Snail Family Transcription Factors; D014157:Transcription Factors; C551986:PAX2 protein, rat; C000604450:Snai2 protein, rat; C498862:Acta2 protein, rat