title: Piwil 2 gene transfection changes the autophagy status in a rat model of diabetic nephropathy.
abstract: This study aims to investigate effects of Piwil2 on autohpagy in a DN rat model. Sixty health SD rats were selected and divided into four group, including normal group, control, DN and Piwil2 therapy group. DN model (DN group) was established by injecting the streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) into rats. Piwil2 therapy group was injected with viral plasmid carrying Piwil2 mRNA to DN rats. The urinary protein concentrations were determined by placing the animals in individual metabolic cages for a timed urine collection every 8 weeks. Blood and soleus muscle samples were collected after animals were sacrificed. Blood glucose was examined by using commercial detection kits. Western blot assay was employed to examine expression of Beclin 1 and LC3 (LC3 I and LC3 II) protein. Results indicated that urinary protein levels were remarkably higher in DN group compared to Normal and Control group (P<0.05). Blood glucose values were also increased in DN group compared to Normal and Control group (P<0.05). Body weights decreased significantly in DN rats compared to Normal group and Control group (P<0.05). Expression of Beclin 1 protein and LC3 proteins was significantly decreased in DN group compared to Normal and Control group (P<0.05). However, Piwil2 transfection could enhance level of Beclin 1 and LC3 protein significantly compared to DN group. In conclusion, the Tiwil 2 mRNA transfection could obviously enhance the autophagy biomarker, including Beclin 1 and LC3 protein, which indicates that the Tiwil 2 treatment has improved the autophagy in diabetic nephropathy rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephropathy, The 1st Affiliated Hospital of Sichuan Medical University Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Weihua
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Sichuan Medical University Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Maoping
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephropathy, The 1st Affiliated Hospital of Sichuan Medical University Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Urology Surgery, The 1st Affiliated Hospital of Sichuan Medical University Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephropathy, The 1st Affiliated Hospital of Sichuan Medical University Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephropathy, The 1st Affiliated Hospital of Sichuan Medical University Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Santao
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D060565:Argonaute Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D001343:Autophagy; D000071186:Beclin-1; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications*; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013311:Streptozocin; D013997:Time Factors; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D060565:Argonaute Proteins; D000071186:Beclin-1; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D013311:Streptozocin; C512829:Becn1 protein, rat; C526109:Anxa3 protein, rat; C000611007:Piwil2 protein, rat
keywords: Beclin 1; Diabetic nephropathy; LC3 protein; Piwi2 gene; autophagy