Biomedical subjects

F Thaiss

Publications and source records attributed to F Thaiss.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

High glucose induces type 1 hexokinase gene expression in isolated glomeruli of diabetic rats and in mesangial cells.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic nephropathy, which is characterized by renal hypertrophy and accumulation of extracellular matrix, is one of the leading causes for end-stage renal disease. Pathophysiological changes, which finally lead to the development of diabetic nephropathy, act through an increase in the intracellular NADH/NAD ratio and the activation of the polyol and protein kinase C pathways. The first rate-limiting enzymes in intracellular glucose metabolism are the hexokinases, which catalyze the phosphorylation of glucose. Therefore, in order to examine a possible link between increased glucose metabolism and the development of diabetic nephropathy mRNA and protein expression as well as enzyme activity of type 1 hexokinase were examined in kidneys of control and diabetic rats and in mesangial cells. METHODS: Diabetes in rats was induced by intravenous injection of streptozotocin and animals were treated or not treated with insulin. RNA or protein was extracted from isolated glomeruli at different time intervals. In addition, glomerular mesangial cells were incubated in high glucose medium and hexokinase expression determined along with enzyme activity. RESULTS: The experiments demonstrate a significant increase in gene and protein expression of type 1 hexokinase in glomeruli of diabetic rats throughout a three week observation period. Insulin therapy reduced glomerular type 1 hexokinase mRNA expression. Gene expression and hexokinase enzyme activity were also increased in mesangial cells grown in high glucose medium. CONCLUSION: The present experiments demonstrate that the expression of type 1 hexokinase is increased in isolated glomeruli of diabetic animals and is regulated by high ambient glucose concentrations. These results add further evidence to the fact that the kidney is one of the tissues most sensitive to high glucose levels in diabetes.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Mechanisms underlying endothelial dysfunction in diabetes mellitus.

Incubation of endothelial cells in vitro with high concentrations of glucose activates protein kinase C (PKC) and increases nitric oxide synthase (NOS III) gene expression as well as superoxide production. The underlying mechanisms remain unknown. To address this issue in an in vivo model, diabetes was induced with streptozotocin in rats. Streptozotocin treatment led to endothelial dysfunction and increased vascular superoxide production, as assessed by lucigenin- and coelenterazine-derived chemiluminescence. The bioavailability of vascular nitric oxide (as measured by electron spin resonance) was reduced in diabetic aortas, although expression of endothelial NOS III (mRNA and protein) was markedly increased. NOS inhibition with N:(G)-nitro-L-arginine increased superoxide levels in control vessels but reduced them in diabetic vessels, identifying NOS as a superoxide source. Similarly, we found an activation of the NADPH oxidase and a 7-fold increase in gp91(phox) mRNA in diabetic vessels. In vitro PKC inhibition with chelerythrine reduced vascular superoxide in diabetic vessels, whereas it had no effect on superoxide levels in normal vessels. In vivo PKC inhibition with N:-benzoyl-staurosporine did not affect glucose levels in diabetic rats but prevented NOS III gene upregulation and NOS-mediated superoxide production, thereby restoring vascular nitric oxide bioavailability and endothelial function. The reduction of superoxide in vitro by chelerythrine and the normalization of NOS III gene expression and reduction of superoxide in vivo by N:-benzoyl-staurosporine point to a decisive role of PKC in mediating these phenomena and suggest a therapeutic potential of PKC inhibitors in the prevention or treatment of vascular complications of diabetes mellitus. The full text of this article is available at http://www.circresaha.org.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and osteopontin differentially regulate monocytes recruitment in experimental glomerulonephritis.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the mechanisms of monocyte/macrophage (M/M) infiltration in a rat model of anti-glomerular basement membrane glomerulonephritis (GN). We focused on chemokines and osteopontin, which are known regulators of M/M recruitment. METHODS: Using immunohistology, in situ hybridization, and Northern blotting, the expression levels of chemokines and osteopontin were evaluated in isolated glomeruli and tubules 4, 10, and 20 days after the induction of GN. In vivo blocking experiments were performed by application of neutralizing antibodies against osteopontin and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). RESULTS: In nephritic animals, high glomerular MCP-1 and RANTES (regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted) expression levels were observed on days 4 and 10. The tubular expression of MCP-1, however, was only slightly enhanced. In contrast, tubular osteopontin production was maximally stimulated (day 10) and paralleled with peaks of albuminuria and tubulointerstitial M/M infiltration. Application of an anti-osteopontin antibody ameliorated tubulointerstitial and glomerular M/M recruitment, whereas treatment with an anti-MCP-1 antibody selectively reduced glomerular M/M recruitment. However, tubulointerstitial M/M infiltration remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: These studies show that chemokines and osteopontin are differentially expressed in glomeruli and tubules in this model of GN. Chemokines play a primary role in the glomeruli, whereas osteopontin has a predominant role in tubulointerstitial M/M recruitment. The roles of chemokines and osteopontin may thus be dependent on the renal compartment and on the disease model.

Albuminuria↗

PubMed2001

Renal handling of human apolipoprotein(a) and its fragments in the rat.

The sites and mechanisms of the catabolism of atherogenic lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) are not well understood. Lp(a) is increased in patients with end-stage renal disease, suggesting a renal catabolism of Lp(a). To gain a better insight into renal handling of Lp(a), we established a heterologous rat model to study the renal catabolism of human Lp(a). Pure human Lp(a) was injected into Wistar rats, and animals were sacrificed at different time points (30 minutes to 24 hours). Intact Lp(a) was cleared from the circulation of injected rats with a half-life time of 14.5 hours. Strong intracellular immunostaining for apolipoprotein(a) (apo(a)) was observed in the cytoplasm of proximal tubular cells after 4, 8, and 24 hours. Apolipoprotein B (apoB) was colocalized with glomerular apo(a) 1 to 8 hours after Lp(a) injection, but renal capillaries and tubules remained negative. No relevant amounts of apo(a) fragments were found in the plasma of rats after injection of Lp(a). During all urine collection periods, apo(a) fragments with molecular weights of 50 to 160 kd were detected in the urine, however. Our results show that human Lp(a) injected into rats accumulates intracellularly in the rat kidney, and apo(a) fragments are excreted in the urine. The kidney apparently plays a major role in fragmentation of Lp(a). Despite the fact that rodents lack endogenous Lp(a), rats injected with human Lp(a) may provide a useful heterologous animal model to study the renal metabolism of Lp(a) further.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Renovascular hypertension does not influence repair of glomerular lesions induced by anti-thymocyte glomerulonephritis.

BACKGROUND: Systemic hypertension is a risk factor for progression of renal disease. However, it is not clear whether hypertension has an effect on healing or regression of immune-mediated glomerular damage. To evaluate this effect, we applied a model of glomerulonephritis in rats with two-kidney, one-clip hypertension and studied the effect of hypertension on the healing process of this nephritis. METHODS: The anti-thymocyte serum (ATS) glomerulonephritis was induced in rats six weeks after initiation of two-kidney, one-clip hypertension, when blood pressure was already increased. Renal structure and function were examined six weeks later. Glomerular expression of alpha smooth muscle actin, the cell cycle inhibitor p27Kip1, and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) was evaluated by Western blotting. Glomerular proliferation, monocyte infiltration, and fibronectin were examined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Decreased survival, an increase of proteinuria, as well as increased glomerular and tubulointerstitial damage, were found in hypertensive rats compared with normotensive rats. Expression of fibronectin, alpha-smooth muscle actin, TGF-beta, and p27Kip1 was increased in the nonclipped kidney. Complete healing of the glomerular changes associated with the nephritis occurred in normotensive nephritic rats. Surprisingly, complete healing of the nephritis was also found in the clipped as well as nonclipped kidneys of renovascular hypertensive rats. No significant differences could be found for survival, proteinuria, glomerular size, proliferation, monocyte/macrophage infiltration, sclerosis, tubulointerstitial damage, as well as expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin, TGF-beta, fibronectin, and p27Kip1 between hypertensive rats with and without nephritis. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that renovascular hypertension does not influence healing of the glomerular lesions in the anti-thymocyte serum nephritis. This is a rather surprising observation and leaves the question open of which role, in fact, blood pressure may have on the reparative phase of an acute glomerulonephritis, or whether its role depends on the type of glomerulonephritis.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Effect of renovascular hypertension on experimental glomerulonephritis in rats.

Systemic hypertension is a major risk factor that determines the rate of progression of kidney disease. The underlying mechanisms, however, are incompletely understood. To gain insight into these mechanisms, the present study was undertaken to characterize the effects of renovascular hypertension on the course of anti-thymocyte antibody-induced glomerulonephritis. Glomerulonephritis was induced in rats 6 weeks after the initiation of two-kidney, one-clip hypertension, when blood pressure was already increased. Structure and function of the clipped and the nonclipped kidney were examined 5 days later. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was measured by inulin clearance. The induction of nephritis did not alter the blood pressure in either hypertensive rats or normotensive controls. Albuminuria increased slightly in normotensive rats after the induction of nephritis, whereas no significant differences were found between hypertensive rats with or without nephritis. No significant differences were found for the GFR values of normotensive controls and nephritic animals or for values in the clipped kidney with or without nephritis. However, the GFR of the nonclipped kidney was significantly reduced in nephritic animals as compared with all other groups. Morphologic evaluation revealed that hypertensive rats with nephritis exhibited a combination of characteristics of nephritis and hypertensive glomerular injury. Histologic findings of nephritis, such as glomerular binding of rabbit IgG and glomerular proliferation and mesangial matrix expansion, were similar after the induction of nephritis in controls and in the clipped and nonclipped kidneys of hypertensive animals. However, intraglomerular microaneurysms were significantly more often found in the non-clipped kidneys after the induction of nephritis. Hypertension-induced deterioration of glomerular function was not associated with marked morphologic deterioration but rather with a combination of the characteristics of nephritis and hypertensive glomerular injury.

Albuminuria↗

PubMed1999

Cyclooxygenase metabolites mediate glomerular monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 formation and monocyte recruitment in experimental glomerulonephritis.

BACKGROUND: Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) has been shown to play a significant role in the recruitment of monocytes/macrophages in experimental glomerulonephritis. Whereas a number of inflammatory mediators have been characterized that are involved in the expression of MCP-1 in renal disease, little is known about repressors of chemokine formation in vivo. We hypothesized that cyclooxygenase (COX) products influence the formation of MCP-1 and affect inflammatory cell recruitment in glomerulonephritis. METHODS: The effect of COX inhibitors was evaluated in the antithymocyte antibody model and an anti-glomerular basement membrane model of glomerulonephritis. Rats were treated with the COX-1/COX-2 inhibitor indomethacin and the selective COX-2 inhibitors meloxicam and SC 58125. Animals were studied at 1 hour, 24 hours, and 5 days after induction of the disease. RESULTS: Indomethacin, to a lesser degree the selective COX-2 inhibitors, enhanced glomerular MCP-1 and RANTES mRNA levels. Indomethacin enhanced glomerular monocyte chemoattractant activity an the infiltration of monocytes/macrophages at 24 hours and 5 days. CONCLUSIONS: Our studies demonstrate that COX products may serve as endogenous repressors of MCP-1 formation in experimental glomerulonephritis. The data suggest that COX-1 and COX-2 products mediate these effects differently because the selective COX-2 inhibitors had less influence on chemokine expression.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 mediates collagen deposition in experimental glomerulonephritis by transforming growth factor-beta.

BACKGROUND: Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) plays a significant role in the recruitment of monocytes/macrophages in experimental glomerulonephritis (GN). Because recent evidence points to possible profibrogenic effects of leukocyte-derived factors in GN, this study was designed to evaluate the role of the chemokine MCP-1 in the fibrogenesis of experimental GN. METHODS: Rats with an anti-thy-1-induced GN were treated with a neutralizing antiserum against MCP-1. Glomerular collagen type IV, as a marker of glomerular matrix deposition, was assessed by Northern and Western blotting and immunohistology. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), an important mediator of this matrix expansion, was studied by Northern and Western blotting. RESULTS: The induction of GN resulted in a significant increase of glomerular collagen type IV deposition and TGF-beta synthesis. The neutralization of MCP-1 significantly reduced the enhanced collagen type IV protein synthesis and deposition without affecting collagen mRNA expression. However, both the enhanced transcription and protein synthesis of TGF-beta were inhibited by anti-MCP-1 antiserum in nephritic animals. CONCLUSIONS: In this model of GN, MCP-1 has a fibrogenic effect through the stimulation of TGF-beta. MCP-1 is thus not only important for the recruitment of inflammatory cells, but also mediates glomerular matrix accumulation.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Leptin stimulates proliferation and TGF-beta expression in renal glomerular endothelial cells: potential role in glomerulosclerosis [seecomments].

BACKGROUND: Leptin inhibits food intake and increases energy expenditure. Although the kidney expresses abundant transcripts of the short form of the leptin receptor (Ob-Ra), a role for this hormone in renal function remains unclear. Because individuals with massive obesity who may exhibit increased leptin serum concentrations develop renal glomerulosclerosis, we studied whether leptin can influence renal growth and profibrogenic processes. METHODS: The effects of recombinant leptin on proliferation and synthesis of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) was investigated in cultured glomerular endothelial cells of the rat (GERs) and syngeneic mesangial cells. Furthermore, leptin receptor expression and potential signal transduction pathways were evaluated in GERs. In addition, leptin was also infused for different time periods (72 hr and 3 weeks) into naive rats. RESULTS: Recombinant mouse leptin induced proliferation of GERs, but not of syngeneic mesangial cells. Coincubation with angiotensin II and leptin exerts additive proliferative effects in GERs. An antileptin-receptor antibody totally abolished this proliferation but did not influence serum-induced proliferation. GER expressed high affinity receptors of the Ob-Ra type (Kd, 4 nM; Bmax, 9700 receptors/cell). Leptin also stimulated phosphorylation of STAT1alpha, and kinase inhibitors attenuated proliferation, suggesting a pivotal role of phosphorylation in this process. Incubation of GERs with leptin also induced mRNA expression of TGF-beta1 and enhanced secretion of this profibrogenic cytokine. Short-term leptin infusion (72 hr) into naive rats induced a significant proliferation, mainly restricted to glomerular endothelial cells, and enhanced glomerular TGF-beta1 mRNA levels. In rats continuously infused for three weeks with leptin, glomerular TGF-beta1 expression was still enhanced, and an additional increase in glomerular collagen type IV mRNA and protein expression was detected. These animals revealed an increase in proteinuria compared with control-infused rats. CONCLUSION: Our findings are the first in vitro and in vivo demonstration that leptin is a renal growth and profibrogenic factor. These results may be an important contribution to our understanding of how leptin can contribute to renal damage, characterized by endocapillary proliferation and subsequent development of glomerulosclerosis, in pathophysiological situations with high circulating levels such as in diabetics or obese individuals. Although the effects of leptin itself are moderate, growth-promoting and profibrogenic effects may be enhanced in concert with other factors such as angiotensin II.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Glomerular expression of p27Kip1 in diabetic db/db mouse: role of hyperglycemia.

Early diabetic nephropathy is characterized by glomerular hypertrophy. Previous studies in vitro have demonstrated that mesangial cells exposed to high glucose are arrested in the G1-phase of the cell cycle and express increased levels of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1. The present study was performed to investigate the renal expression of p27Kip1 in db/db mice, a model of diabetes mellitus type II. Glomerular p27Kip1 protein, but not mRNA expression, was strongly enhanced in diabetic db/db mice compared with non-diabetic db/+ littermates. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that this stimulated expression was mainly restricted to the nuclei of mesangial cells and podocytes, but glomerular endothelial cells occasionally also stained positively. Quantification of p27Kip1 positive glomerular cells showed a significant increase of these cells in db/db mice compared with non-diabetic db/+ animals. Although tubular cells revealed a positive staining for p27Kip1 protein, there was no difference between db/+ and db/db mice. Immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that p27Kip1 protein associates with Cdk2 and Cdk4, but not with Cdk6. To test for the influence of hyperglycemia on cell cycle arrest and p27Kip1 expression, mesangial cells were isolated from db/+ and db/db mice. There was a similar basal proliferation when these cells were grown in normal glucose-containing medium (100 mg/dl). However, raising the glucose concentration to 275 to 450 mg/dl induced cell cycle arrest in db/+ as well as db/db mesangial cells. Increasing the medium osmolarity with D-mannitol failed to induce p27Kip1 expression in mesangial cells. Transfection of cells with p27Kip1 antisense, but not missense, phosphorothioate oligonucleotides facilitated cell cycle progression equally well in db/+ and db/db mesangial cells. Furthermore, p27Kip1 expression was comparable in both cell lines in normal glucose, but increased in high glucose medium. Our studies demonstrate that p27Kip1 expression is enhanced in diabetic db/db animals. This induction appears to be due to hyperglycemia. Expression of p27Kip1 may be important in cell cycle arrest and hypertrophy of mesangial cells during early diabetic nephropathy.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

L-arginine suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of RANTES in glomeruli.

Endotoxemia leads to the infiltration of inflammatory cells in glomeruli and the tubulointerstitium of the kidney. The ultimate mechanisms for this infiltration, however, are not entirely clear. In this study, the glomerular formation of the chemokine RANTES (regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted) was examined in an in vivo model of endotoxemia to evaluate the role the local release of chemokines might play in the regulation of this inflammatory cell infiltrate. Since the beneficial effects of nitric oxide (NO) on immune-mediated tissue injury have been reported, we also examined possible interactions between the chemokine RANTES and the L-arginine/NO pathway. To induce endotoxemia, rats were injected intraperitoneally with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Glomeruli were isolated over a 24-h time period, and RANTES was assessed by Northern blotting, a chemotactic assay, and a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The chemokine release was associated with increased glomerular infiltration of monocytes/macrophages. LPS also stimulated the mRNA expression of inducible NO synthase and increased the release of nitrite into the supernatants of isolated glomeruli. Supplementation of L-arginine intake increased the release of glomerular nitrite and reduced glomerular RANTES expression after the injection of LPS. Inhibition of the L-arginine/NO pathway by the unspecific NO synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methylester significantly increased glomerular RANTES mRNA expression and the number of infiltrating glomerular macrophages. These data demonstrate that L-arginine suppresses glomerular RANTES formation and suggest that the chemokine-mediated recruitment of glomerular macrophages in LPS-induced endotoxemia can be modulated by the L-arginine/NO pathway.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Angiotensin II stimulates expression of the chemokine RANTES in rat glomerular endothelial cells. Role of the angiotensin type 2 receptor.

Glomerular influx of monocytes/macrophages (M/M) occurs in many immune- and non-immune-mediated renal diseases. The mechanisms targeting M/M into the glomerulus are incompletely understood, but may involve stimulated expression of chemokines. We investigated whether angiotensin II (ANG II) induces the chemokine RANTES in cultured glomerular endothelial cells of the rat and in vivo. ANG II stimulated mRNA and protein expression of RANTES in cultured glomerular endothelial cells. The ANG II-induced RANTES protein was chemotactic for human monocytes. Surprisingly, the ANG II-stimulated RANTES expression was transduced by AT2 receptors because the AT2 receptor antagonists PD 123177 and CGP-42112A, but not an AT1 receptor blocker, abolished the induced RANTES synthesis. Intraperitoneal infusion of ANG II (500 ng/h) into naive rats for 4 d significantly stimulated glomerular RANTES mRNA and protein expression compared with solvent-infused controls. Immunohistochemistry revealed induction of RANTES protein mainly in glomerular endothelial cells and small capillaries. Moreover, ANG II- infused animals exhibited an increase in glomerular ED-1- positive cells compared with controls. Oral treatment with PD 123177 (50 mg/liter drinking water) attenuated the glomerular M/M influx without normalizing the slightly elevated systolic blood pressure caused by ANG II infusion, suggesting that the effects on blood pressure and RANTES induction can be separated. We conclude that the vasoactive peptide ANG II may play an important role in glomerular chemotaxis of M/M through local induction of the chemokine RANTES. The observation that the ANG II- mediated induction of RANTES is transduced by AT2 receptors may influence the decision as to which substances might be used for the therapeutic interference with the activity of the renin-angiotensin system.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed1997

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 mediates monocyte/macrophage influx in anti-thymocyte antibody-induced glomerulonephritis.

Chemokines are a family of chemotactic cytokines whose participation in inflammation in vivo remains to be established. To study the role of monocyte-chemoattractant-protein-1 (MCP-1) on the glomerular accumulation of leukocytes, rats received a neutralizing anti-MCP-1 antiserum following the induction of an glomerulonephritis by an anti-thymocyte antibody (ATS). The infiltration of monocytes/macrophages (M/M) and granulocytes was analyzed by immunohistology. When studied by Northern blotting, glomerular mRNA levels of MCP-1, and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) increased at three hours and 24 hours following the induction of the injury. The glomerular mRNA expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) only increased marginally, whereas the expression of the chemokine RANTES was not enhanced. In animals that received anti-MCP-1 antibody glomerular MCP-1 mRNA expression increased. However, the chemoattractant activity for monocytes released into supernatants of isolated glomeruli was reduced. The anti-MCP-1 antibody did not affect glomerular IL-1 beta, ICAM-1 or RANTES mRNA levels. The induction of glomerulonephritis was associated with an increased glomerular recruitment of polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMNs) at three hours and M/M at 24 hours, when compared with controls. The anti-MCP-1 antiserum significantly reduced the glomerular M/M infiltration at 24 hours by 40%, but was without effect on glomerular PMN recruitment or growth of the resident glomerular cells. These studies demonstrate that MCP-1 is an important mediator for monocyte recruitment in this model of glomerulonephritis. The reduction of M/M infiltration might affect this glomerular injury.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Prostaglandin E2 stimulates expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 in cultured rat mesangial cells.

Prostaglandins of the E-series have been demonstrated to reduce extracellular accumulation of collagens in some models of glomerulonephritis. This effect is partially due to reduction of collagen formation by mesangial cells. The potential effects of prostaglandins on the expression of collagen degrading enzymes in mesangial cells are largely unknown. Since rat mesangial cells generate a matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) that specifically degrades collagen type IV, the effects of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on transcription, steady-state mRNA levels, extracellular enzyme activity and protein concentration of this proteinase were evaluated. Mesangial cells (MC) were incubated with PGE2 (2 microM) for different time-periods (1 to 48 hr), and steady-state mRNA levels of MMP-2 were determined by Northern blotting. PGE2 increased MMP-2 mRNA levels beginning at one hour of incubation and remained elevated up to 24 hours. Nuclear run off experiments revealed that the PGE2-induced increase in mRNA expression for MMP-2 is due to stimulated gene transcription. Western blot analysis and zymography revealed that MMP-2 protein production and enzyme activity was also enhanced by PGE2. The cAMP analogue 8-bromo-cAMP increased MMP-2 mRNA levels, suggesting that PGE2-induced generation of intracellular cAMP plays a role in MMP-2 induction in MC. These studies demonstrate that PGE2 stimulates the transcription, protein formation and enzyme activity of MMP-2 in cultured rat MC. This effect may contribute to the prostaglandin mediated reduction of extracellular collagen deposition in glomerulonephritis.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

PubMed1997

High glucose stimulates expression of p27Kip1 in cultured mouse mesangial cells: relationship to hypertrophy.

Hypertrophy of mesangial cells is an early hallmark of diabetic nephropathy. We have previously shown that murine mesangial cells (MMC), cultured in high-glucose medium, are arrested in the G1 phase of the cell cycle and undergo hypertrophy. This study was undertaken to test whether high glucose-containing medium influences the expression of p27Kip1, an inhibitor of G1 phase active cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK). Incubation of MMC, in the absence of other factors for 48-96 h, in medium containing high D-glucose (450 mg/dl), stimulated p27Kip1 protein expression but failed to influence mRNA abundance. These effects were independent of the osmolarity of the medium. High glucose-stimulated expression of p27Kip1 involved activation of protein kinase C and was partly dependent on induction of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). Immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that only small amounts of p27Kip1 protein from MMC grown in high-glucose medium preferentially associates with CDK2 but not with CDK4. The p27Kip1 antisense, but not missense, oligonucleotides inhibited high glucose-stimulated total protein synthesis and facilitated G1 phase exit. Our data showed for the first time that expression of p27Kip1 protein is pivotal in mesangial cell hypertrophy induced by high ambient glucose. These findings may be important in the deciphering of molecular processes causing diabetic glomerular hypertrophy.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Angiotensinase A gene expression and enzyme activity in isolated glomeruli of diabetic rats.

One of the characteristics of early diabetic nephropathy is glomerular hyperfiltration and hyperperfusion. Many factors have been suggested to induce glomerular hyperperfusion among which are an increased production of vasodilatory prostanoids, an increased synthesis of nitric oxide, a reduced responsiveness of afferent glomerular arterioles to vasoconstrictor stimuli due to diabetic metabolic disturbances and a decreased receptor density for angiotensin II. It has been known for years that angiotensin II is formed locally due to the local activation of the renin angiotensin system. The local angiotensin II concentration, however, is not only regulated by the synthesis rate but also by the local degradation through activation of an aminopeptidase. The main finding of the present study was that the mRNA expression and activity of the angiotensin II degrading enzyme, angiotensinase A, was increased twofold in diabetic rats at 5 weeks and that the increase in mRNA expression was suppressed by insulin therapy and short-term treatment with the angiotensin II antagonist saralasin, whereas angiotensinase A enzyme activity was only reduced by saralasin and not by insulin. These results demonstrate that the angiotensin II degrading exopeptidase angiotensinase A is activated in diabetic glomeruli. This increased activity may be an additional mechanism to explain glomerular hyperfiltration and hyperperfusion in early diabetic nephropathy.

Albuminuria↗

PubMed1996

Prostaglandin E1 inhibits collagen expression in anti-thymocyte antibody-induced glomerulonephritis: possible role of TGF beta.

To test whether or not prostaglandins mediate extracellular matrix formation in immune-mediated glomerular disease, rats with anti-thymocyte antibody-induced glomerulonephritis were treated with prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) (250 micrograms/twice daily/s.c.). Glomerular expression of collagen types III and IV was assessed by Northern blotting, immunohistology and Western blotting. Proliferation of glomerular cells was evaluated by staining for the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and consecutive cell counting. At day five after induction of the disease, glomerular mRNA levels of collagen types III and IV were three- to fivefold higher compared with non-nephritic controls. Similarly glomerular deposition of these collagens was markedly increased when assessed by immunohistology. The treatment of nephritic rats with PGE1 reduced the increased glomerular mRNA levels as well as the protein concentration and the deposition of extracellular collagens. The number of PCNA positive cells which was significantly higher in nephritic rats when compared with control animals (24 hr, nephritis 2.53 +/- 0.33 and Control 0.26 +/- 0.06, P = 0.011; 5 days, nephritis 5.10 +/- 1.13 and Control 0.75 +/- 0.08, cells per glomerular cross section, P = 0.03) was reduced by PGE1 (24 hr, nephritis+PGE1 0.44 +/- 0.30, P = 0.0001; 5 days, nephritis +/- PGE1 1.91 +/- 1.84 cells per glomerular cross section, P = 0.001). Prostaglandin E1 also ameliorated the glomerular infiltration of monocytes at 24 hours (nephritis 4.36 +/- 2.82, nephritis + PGE1 2.20 +/- 1.82, cells per glomerular cross section) and five days (nephritis 1.51 +/- 0.58, nephritis+PGE1 1.12 +/- 0.61, cells per glomerular cross section). To further characterize possible mechanisms by which PGE1 reduces extracellular matrix deposition, the glomerular expression of transforming growth factor (TGF-beta), and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) was assessed by Northern blotting. Nephritic glomeruli showed increased mRNA levels of TGF-beta at day 5 and IL-1 beta at 24 hours when compared with control kidneys. Treatment of the animals with PGE1 inhibited the mRNA expression of TGF-beta and IL-1 beta. These data demonstrate that PGE1 reduces the glomerular expression of extracellular matrix proteins in anti-thymocyte antibody-induced glomerulonephritis, suggesting a beneficial role of prostaglandins in this proliferative glomerular immune injury. The effects of PGE1 might be mediated by inhibition of TGF-beta and IL-1 beta production.

Alprostadil↗

PubMed1996

Prostaglandin E1 reduces the glomerular mRNA expression of monocyte-chemoattractant protein 1 in anti-thymocyte antibody-induced glomerular injury.

To study whether prostaglandins (PG) can regulate the mRNA expression of monocyte-chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) in glomerular immune injury, MCP-1 mRNA levels were evaluated in anti-thymocyte antibody (ATS) -induced glomerular injury by Northern blotting and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Immune injury was induced in vivo by the intravenous application of ATS to male Wistar rats and in vitro by the perfusion of isolated rat kidneys with ATS and rat serum. In vivo 3 h and 5 days after antibody application, glomerular mRNA expression of MCP-1 was markedly enhanced compared with controls. In the isolated perfused kidney, antibody and complement also induced an increase in MCP-1 expression at 10 min and 60 min after antibody perfusion. When the rats were treated with PGE (250 micrograms, twice daily), the increase in MCP-1 expression was reduced. This was associated with a reduction of intraglomerular recruitment of monocytes/macrophages. In the isolated perfused kidneys, PGE1 (1 mg/L) prevented the antibody- and rat serum-stimulated increase in glomerular MCP-1 mRNA expression. These data demonstrate that PGE1 reduces glomerular MCP-1 mRNA expression in glomerulonephritis and in the isolated perfused rat kidney after induction of immune injury with antibody and complement. The data suggest that prostaglandins might mediate MCP-1 effects in glomerular immune injuries.

Alprostadil↗