title: Effects of mycophenolate mofetil on kidney function and phosphorylation status of renal proteins in Alport COL4A3-deficient mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We investigated the effects of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) on kidney function and on protein phosphorylation in a mouse model for the human Alport syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  COL4A3-deficient (COL4A3-/-) mice were randomly allocated to receive a placebo (PLC COL4A3-/-) or MMF treatment (MMF COL4A3-/-). Wild type mice (WT) were used as controls. Changes in serum creatinine, total protein and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), concentrations of mycophenolic acid (MPA) and its glucuronide metabolite (MPAG), serum protein electrophoresis, urine dipstick chemistry and sediment were measured. Changes in the phosphorylation status of renal proteins and histology were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MMF influenced kidney function and protein phosphorylation. Serum creatinine and BUN were lower in MMF treated compared to PLC treated COL4A3-/- mice. Serum albumin and alpha-1 globulins were significantly decreased while serum creatinine, alpha-2 globulins, urine dipstick protein, leukocyte esterase, hemoglobin and red blood cells were all increased in both COL4A3-/- groups compared to WT. Differential 2DE-gel analysis identified six phosphorylated kidney protein spots that were significantly altered by MMF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that the MMF treatment in this murine model moderately improved kidney function and reversed the phosphorylation status of six renal phosphoprotein spots to that seen in WT mice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Center Goettingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37099 Goettingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Darinka Todorova
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Petrova
authors.affiliation: Clinics of Gastroenterology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Frank Christian
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Schultze
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Gunnar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brandhorst
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Klaus-Dieter
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Luchs
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany ; Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Group, Goettingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Christof
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lenz
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany ; Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Group, Goettingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Henning
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Urlaub
authors.affiliation: Clinics of Nephrology and Rheumatology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rubel
authors.affiliation: Clinics of Nephrology and Rheumatology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gross
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Philip D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Walson
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oellerich
keywords: Alport syndrome; Kidney fibrosis; Mycophenolic acid; Protein phosphorylation