Different localization and expression of protein kinase C-beta in kidney cortex of diabetic nephropathy mice and its role in telmisartan treatment.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to investigate the localization and expression of protein kinase C-beta I and beta II in kidney cortex of diabetic nephropathy mice and their roles in telmisartan treatment.


METHODS
18 mice were randomly divided into three groups: normal group, diabetic nephropathy group and telmisartan-treated group. The localization and expression of protein kinase C-beta I and beta II were measured with confocal immunofluorescence laser scanning microscopy, immunohistochemistry and western blotting. The expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 and vascular endothelial growth factor in glomeruli was detected by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
Compared to the normal mice, the expression and localization of protein kinase C-beta I and beta II are differed in diabetic nephropathy mice, with increased expression of protein kinase C-beta I but decreased level of protein kinase C-beta II. Meanwhile, the expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 and vascular endothelial growth factor showed increase in the glomeruli of diabetic nephropathy, compared to the controls. Also, protein kinase C-beta I exhibited a positive correlation to transforming growth factor-beta 1 (r = 0.649, P = 0.030), but no correlation to vascular endothelial growth factor (r = 0.387, P = 0.079). Telmisartan treatment exercised significant beneficial role in diabetic nephropathy, which is associated with protein kinase C-beta I, but not beta II.


CONCLUSIONS
The expression and localization of protein kinase C-beta I and beta II differ in the diabetic nephropathy, and such difference is associated with the pathogeneses of diabetic nephropathy.
Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang, China.
Jianqing
J
Wang
Department of Orthopedics, First People's Hostipal Of Yuhang District Hangzhou 311100, Zhejiang, China.
Fu
F
Qin
Department of Nephrology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong university of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030, China.
Anguo
A
Deng
Department of Nephrology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong university of Science and Technology Wuhan 430030, China.
Lijun
L
Yao
Diabetic nephropathy; protein kinase C; telmisartan; transforming growth factor-beta1; vascular endothelial growth factor