Wnt/β-catenin信号途径在高糖诱导肾小管上皮细胞转分化中的作用

目的探讨Wnt/β-catenin信号途径在高糖诱导肾小管上皮细胞转分化中的作用。方法体外培养人近端肾小管上皮细胞（HKC）,分为正常糖组、甘露醇对照组及高糖组。采用免疫细胞化学观察β-连环蛋白（β-catenin）表达情况;Westernblot检测Wnt4、β-catenin、E-钙粘蛋白（E-cadherin）和α-平滑肌肌动蛋白（α-SMA）表达水平;逆转录-聚合酶链反应检测Wnt4和β-cateninmRNA表达水平。结果高糖组较正常糖及渗透浓度对照组Wnt4蛋白及mRNA、α-SMA蛋白表达增高,E-cadherin表达降低,β-catenin总蛋白及mRNA水平无明显变化,细胞浆及核内蛋白表达增强。高糖刺激肾小管上皮细胞Wnt4及核β-catenin蛋白表达呈时间依赖性,于高糖刺激后12h增强,24h达到高峰。结论Wnt/β-catenin信号通路可能参与了高糖介导的肾小管上皮细胞转分化过程。     

SB239063通过抑制TNF-α和p38MAPK，减轻香烟烟雾暴露变应性鼻炎大鼠MKP-1的表达

摘要 目的：探讨p38MAPK抑制剂SB239063对香烟烟雾暴露变应性鼻炎大鼠p38MAPK信号通路、TNF-α、MKP-1表达的影响。方法：先构建变应性鼻炎（AR）大鼠模型,然后给予AR大鼠被动吸入香烟烟雾（CS）,再行腹腔注射AR大鼠SB239063（100 mg/kg）,分为AR组、AR+CS组、AR+CS+SB239063组。造模后对各组大鼠进行症状学评分;苏木精-伊红（HE）染色法观察大鼠鼻黏膜的形态学变化;实时荧光定量PCR（RT-PCR）检测鼻黏膜p38MAPK、MKP-1 mRNA的表达水平;酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)分析外周血、脾脏TNF-α的含量;Western blots检测鼻黏膜p38MAPK、p-p38MAPK、MKP-1蛋白的表达水平。结果：与AR组比较,AR+CS组大鼠的过敏症状（P<0.05）加重;鼻黏膜嗜酸性粒细胞（P<0.05）、中性粒细胞浸润（P<0.01）增多; MKP-1 mRNA及其蛋白的表达水平均升高（P<0.001）;外周血、脾脏TNF-α的表达水平升高（P<0.001）;p-p38MAPK蛋白的表达水平升高（P<0.001）。与AR+CS组比较,AR+CS+SB239063组大鼠过敏症状评分下降（P<0.01）;鼻黏膜中嗜酸性粒细胞、中性粒细胞计数下降（P值均< 0.05）;p38MAPK mRNA的表达水平降低（P<0.05）,MKP-1 mRNA及其蛋白的表达水平下降（P<0.001）;外周血、脾脏TNF-α的表达水平降低（P值均< 0.001）;p38MAPK、p-p38MAPK蛋白的表达水平降低,差异均具有显著统计学意义（P值均 < 0.001）。结论：SB239063通过抑制TNF-α、p38MAPK及其自磷酸化,减轻香烟烟雾暴露变应性鼻炎大鼠MKP-1的表达。     

白介素-1β对高糖刺激的人肾小管上皮细胞转分化的影响

目的探讨炎症细胞因子白介素-1β（interleukin-1βIL-1β）对高糖刺激的人肾小管上皮细胞转分化的影响。-方法体外培养人肾近曲小管上皮细胞株（HKCs）,随机分为正常对照组（5.5 mmol/L normal glucose）;高糖组（30 mmol/L high glucose）;高糖＋IL-1β（5ng/ml）组。分别于处理后24h、48h、72h收集细胞,采用免疫细胞化学染色和Western蛋白印迹法检测细胞角蛋白-18（cytokeratin-18 CK-18）、α-平滑肌肌动蛋白（α-smooth muscle actinα-SMA）水平。结果高糖能够诱导肾小管上皮细胞α-SMA蛋白的合成增加,而肾小管上皮细胞的标志物CK-18的表达逐渐减少;IL-1β与高糖同时刺激可使肾小管上皮细胞α-SMA蛋白表达进一步增多,而其自身标志物CK-18的表达则明显下降。结论炎症因子IL-1β能增强高糖对肾小管上皮细胞转分化的作用。     

p~(38)MAPK在IL-18诱导肾小管上皮细胞转分化中的作用

目的:白细胞介素18(IL-18)可诱导肾小管上皮细胞转分化,本研究探讨其是否是通过p38MAPK途径而起作用。方法:应用不同浓度的p38MAPK通路特异性阻断剂SB203580(0、5、10、20μmol/L)预孵育人近端肾小管上皮细胞(HK-2细胞)30min后,加入IL-18(100ng/ml)共培养24、48、72h。应用RT-PCR法检测α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)mRNA的表达水平;应用ELISA法测定细胞浆中α-SMA蛋白质含量。结果:SB203580呈剂量依赖性地抑制IL-18诱导的HK-2细胞α-SMA基因表达(P0.05)。结论:p38MAPK通路是调控IL-18诱导肾小管上皮细胞转分化的主要信号通路之一。     

转化生长因子β1和Snaill参与糖尿病大鼠肾小管上皮细胞向间充质细胞转变

本文旨在观察转化生长因子β1(transforming growth factor-β1,TGF-β1)和锌指转录因子Snaill在糖尿病(diabetesmellitus,DM)大鼠.肾组织中的表达,并初步探讨它们与肾小管上皮细胞向间充质细胞转变的关系.链脲佐菌素(streptozotocin,STZ)诱发大鼠DM,按病程分为2、4、8、12、16、20、24周、16周胰岛素治疗(16wA)、20周胰岛素治疗(20wA)和24周胰岛索治疗(24wA)组(n=6).其中胰岛素治疗组动物从第13周起用胰岛素控制血糖至正常水平,每一时点均设鼠龄匹配的正常对照组.测定各组血糖、24 h尿蛋白、血肌酐(serum creatinine,Scr)、肾脏指数.PAS染色光镜观察肾脏病理学改变.免疫组织化学检测肾脏SnMll、TGF-β1、α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-smooth muscle actin,α-SMA)、E-钙黏素和纤连蛋白(fibronectin,FN)的表达;Western blot检测肾皮质SnailI、TGF-β1和E-钙黏素蛋白表达.RT-PeR检测肾皮质Snaill和E-钙黏素mRNA表达.结果显示:(1)DM各组大鼠的血糖、24 h尿蛋白、Scr、肾脏指数均较正常对照组明显升高(P<0.05,P<0.01),胰岛素治疗组大鼠上述指标均较DM组显著降低(P<0.01).(2)TGF-β1和Snmll免疫组织化学阳性染色见于DM各组大鼠肾小管,正常对照组未见阳性表达,胰岛素治疗组大鼠弱阳性表达,并随治疗时间延长而减少.从16周开始在DM大鼠肾小管上皮细胞可见α-SMA蛋白阳性表达,胰岛素治疗组大鼠未见α-SMA蛋白表达;DM组大鼠E-钙黏素蛋白阳性染色明显少于正常对照组.(3)DM组大鼠肾皮质TGF-β和Snaill蛋白以及Snaill mRNA表达较正常对照组显著增高(P<0.01),胰岛素治疗组大鼠则显著低于DM组(P<0.01);DM组E.钙黏素mRNA和蛋白表达与TGF-β1和Snaill呈相反变化.结果提示,TGF-βl和Snaill可能参与DM大鼠肾小管上皮细胞向问充质细胞转变,胰岛素治疗可抑制两者表达并阻断肾小管上皮细胞向间充质细胞转变.     

α1, 2-岩藻糖转移酶基因转导对人卵巢癌细胞RMG-I p38MAPK信号通路介导的凋亡的影响

以α1,2-岩藻糖转移酶基因转染前后卵巢癌细胞RMG-I、RMG-I-H为细胞模型,用细胞免疫荧光方法检测转染前后细胞p38MAPK和p-p38MAPK的细胞内定位,RT-PCR和Western blot方法从mRNA和蛋白质两个水平检测转染前后细胞p38MAPK表达的变化;以兔抗人IgG抗体处理组为对照,分别利用RT-PCR和Western blot方法检测Lewisy单克隆抗体处理前后RMG-I-H细胞p38MAPK mRNA和蛋白质表达水平的变化;以0.1%DMSO为对照,用流式细胞仪(FCM)检测p38MAPK特异性抑制剂SB203580处理后RMG-I-H凋亡比率的变化,并利用RT-PCR和Western blot方法检测caspase-3的mRNA和蛋白质水平的变化;用RT-PCR方法检测卡铂和SB203580处理后p38MAPK及caspase-3表达的变化.结果表明,RMG-I与RMG-I-H的p38MAPK蛋白主要定位在细胞质,p-p38MAPK蛋白定位在细胞核,转染后p38MAPK的mRNA水平明显高于转染前(P<0.05);Lewisy单克隆抗体处理后RMG-I-H细胞p38MAPK m...     

转化生长因子β1和snail1参与糖尿病大鼠肾小管上皮细胞向间充质细胞转变

本文旨在观察转化生长因子β1（transforming growth factor-β1,TGF-β1）和锌指转录因子Snail1在糖尿病（diabetes mellitus,DM）大鼠肾组织中的表达,并初步探讨它们与肾小管上皮细胞向间充质细胞转变的关系。链脲佐菌素（streptozotocin,STZ）诱发大鼠DM,按病程分为2、4、8、12、16、20、24周、16周胰岛素治疗（16wA）、20,周胰岛素治疗（20wA）和24周胰岛素治疗（24wA）组（n=6）。其中胰岛素治疗组动物从第13周起用胰岛素控制血糖至正常水平,每一时点均设鼠龄匹配的正常对照组。测定各组血糖、24h尿蛋白、血肌酐（serum creatinine,Scr）、肾脏指数。PAS染色光镜观察肾脏病理学改变。免疫组织化学检测肾脏Snail1、TGF-β1、α-平滑肌肌动蛋白（α-smooth muscle actin,α-SMA）、E-钙黏素和纤连蛋白（fibronectin,FN）的表达;Western blot检测肾皮质Snail1、TGF-β1和E-钙黏素蛋白表达。RT-PCR检测肾皮质Snail1和E-钙黏素mRNA表达。结果显示：（1）DM各组大鼠的血糖、24h尿蛋白、Scr、肾脏指数均较正常对照组明显升高（P〈0．05,P〈0．01）,胰岛素治疗组大鼠上述指标均较DM组显著降低（P〈0．01）。（2）TGF-β1和Snail1免疫组织化学阳性染色见于DM各组大鼠肾小管,正常对照组未见阳性表达,胰岛素治疗组大鼠弱阳性表达,并随治疗时间延长而减少。从16周开始在DM大鼠肾小管上皮细胞可见α-SMA蛋白阳性表达,胰岛素治疗组大鼠未见α-SMA蛋白表达;DM组大鼠E-钙黏素蛋白阳性染色明显少于正常对照组。（3）DM组大鼠肾皮质TGF-β1和Snail1蛋白以及Snail1 mRNA表达较正常对照组显著增高（P〈0．01）,胰岛素治疗组大鼠则显著低于DM组（P〈0．01）;DM组E-钙黏素mRNA和蛋白表达与TGF-β1和Snail1呈相反变化。结果提示,TGF-β1和Snail1可能参与DM大鼠肾小管上皮细胞向间充质细胞转变,胰岛素治疗可抑制两者表达并阻断肾小管上皮细胞向间充质细胞转变。     

三七皂苷单体Rg1对低氧高二氧化碳肺动脉平滑肌细胞p38MAPK表达的影响

目的:研究三七皂苷单体Rg1对低氧高二氧化碳肺动脉平滑肌细胞(PASMCs)p38MAPK表达的影响。方法:分离、纯化SD大鼠PASMCs,实验用2至5代细胞,实验分六组:常氧组(N组),低氧高二氧化碳组(H组),DM-SO对照组(HD组),Rg1干预组(RgL、RgM、RgH组)。采用Western blot检测磷酸化p38MAPK蛋白表达,RT-PCR检测p38MAPK mRNA的表达。结果:Westernblot、RT-PCR结果显示,HD组p-p38MAPK蛋白和p38MAPK mRNA表达明显高于N组(P<0.01),RgL、RgM、RgH组不同程度抑制了p-p38MAPK蛋白和p38MAPK mRNA和的表达(P<0.01),并呈剂量依赖关系。结论:三七皂苷单体Rg1对低氧高二氧化碳条件下PASMCs有保护作用,其机制可能与抑制p38MAPK的表达有关。     

高脂喂养大鼠肾小管上皮细胞SREBP-1、TGF-β1、α-SMA的表达和细胞外基质沉积

目的:探讨高脂喂养对大鼠肾脏小管上皮细胞SREBP-1、TGF-β1、α-SMA表达和细胞外基质(ECM)的影响。方法:高脂饲料喂养大鼠12周后,油红O检测肾脏脂质沉积,Masson染色检测肾小管间质细胞外基质沉积,免疫组化、Western blot和原位杂交检测SREBP-1、TGF-β1、α-SMA和FN的表达。结果:高脂喂养后大鼠体重明显增加,血糖、甘油三酯和胰岛素均升高,油红O检测显示大鼠肾小管上皮细胞内出现明显脂滴。SREBP-1蛋白和mRNA在肾小管上皮细胞内表达,高脂组高于正常对照组,分别是正常组的1.88倍和1.85倍;TGF-β1和α-SMA也定位于肾小管上皮细胞胞浆并出现上调。Masson染色显示高脂喂养大鼠肾间质ECM沉积增多,纤维粘连蛋白FN检测也显示模型组表达强于对照组。结论:高脂饮食喂养可能通过上调肾脏小管上皮细胞SREBP-1表达使细胞内脂滴沉积,并进一步诱导TGF-β1、α-SMA合成而导致细胞外基质堆积。     

高糖诱导肾小球系膜细胞表达TNFα-的机制探讨

目的:初步探讨高糖诱导肾小球系膜细胞表达肿瘤坏死因子α(TNFα-)的机制。方法:分别用p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(p38MAPK)特异性抑制剂SB203580、核因子-κB(NFκ-B)特异性抑制剂PDTC预刺激肾小球系膜细胞30 min,再以高糖(20 mmol/L)干预48 h后,分别采用RT-PCR法检测系膜细胞内TNFα-mRNA水平,Western blot法检测系膜细胞内磷酸化p38MAPK蛋白水平、细胞核及细胞浆NFκ-B p65蛋白水平。结果:与低糖对照组相比,高糖可促进肾小球系膜细胞内TNFα-mRNA表达,以及p38MAPK、NFκ-B蛋白活化;SB203580(10 mmol/L)、PDTC(10 mmol/L)预刺激肾小球系膜细胞均可抑制高糖诱导肾小球系膜细胞表达TNFα-,且SB203580可抑制高糖诱导系膜细胞内NFκ-B蛋白活化。结论:p38MAPK-NFκ-B信号途径参与介导高糖诱导肾小球系膜细胞表达TNFα-。     

Mycophenolic acid inhibits albumin-induced MCP-1 expression in renal tubular epithelial cells through the p38 MAPK pathway

Proteinuria is a well-established exacerbating factor in chronic kidney disease. Although the mechanisms of albumin-induced tubulointerstitial damage have been extensively studied, the influence of mycophenolic acid (MPA) on tubular epithelial cells has not been sufficiently elucidated. MPA, the active metabolite of mycophenolate mofetil, is a potent, non-competitive, and reversible inhibitor of inosine-5′-monophosphate dehydrogenase, the rate-limiting enzyme for de novo purine synthesis. Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) is a 76-amino-acid chemokine thought to be the major chemotactic factor for monocytes. MCP-1 is found in macrophage-rich areas of atherosclerotic lesions. However, the mechanisms regulating MCP-1 expression by MPA in renal tubular epithelial cells were still unclear. In this study, the inhibitory effect of MPA on MCP-1 expression by albumin-induced renal tubular epithelial cells was investigated, and the roles of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) pathway were explored. MPA attenuated albumin-induced expression of MCP-1 mRNA and protein. The experiment suggested that MPA actively inhibited protein of MCP-1. The inhibitory effect of MPA on MCP-1 expression was mediated by the sequential attenuation of p38 MAPK expression. These inhibitory effects were partially inhibited by SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK. Taken together, these results suggest that the negative modulation of MCP-1 by MPA is partly dependent on p38 MAPK pathway.     

Protective effect of cyclic AMP against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity

We reported earlier that reactive oxygen species are implicated in necrotic injury induced by a transient exposure of cultured renal tubular cells to a high concentration of cisplatin but not in apoptosis occurring after continuous exposure to a low concentration of cisplatin. We report here the protective effect of cyclic AMP against cisplatin-induced necrosis in cultured renal tubular cells as well as cisplatin-induced acute renal failure in rats. Several pharmacological agents that stimulate cyclic AMP signaling, including the nonhydrolyzable cyclic AMP analogue dibutyryl cyclic AMP, forskolin, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, and a prostacyclin analogue, beraprost, prevented cisplatin-induced cell injury in a protein kinase A-dependent manner. Cisplatin enhanced lipid peroxidation, decreased CuZn superoxide dismutase (SOD) while enhancing MnSOD activity, and increased cellular tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) content. The elevation of TNF-alpha content and cell injury induced by cisplatin were attenuated by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors including SB203580 and PD169316. Indeed, cisplatin increased the number of phosphorylated p38 MAPK-like immunoreactive cells. These intracellular events were all reversed by antioxidants such as N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and glutathione or cyclic AMP analogues. The in vivo acute renal injury after cisplatin injection was associated with the elevation of renal TNF-alpha content. The cisplatin-induced renal injury and the increase in TNF-alpha content were reversed by NAC or beraprost. These findings suggest that cyclic AMP protects renal tubular cells against cisplatin-induced oxidative injury by obliterating reactive oxygen species and subsequent inhibition of TNF-alpha synthesis through blockade of p38 MAPK activation.     

Calcitriol regulates angiotensin-converting enzyme and angiotensin converting-enzyme 2 in diabetic kidney disease

To investigate the effects of calcitriol on angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE2 in diabetic nephropathy. Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats were treated with calcitriol for 16 weeks. ACE/ACE2 and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) enzymes were measured in the kidneys of diabetic rats and rat renal tubular epithelial cells exposed to high glucose. Calcitriol reduced proteinuria in diabetic rats without affecting calcium-phosphorus metabolism. ACE and ACE2 levels were significantly elevated in diabetic rats compared to those in control rats. The increase in ACE levels was greater than that of ACE2, leading to an elevated ACE/ACE2 ratio. Calcitriol reduced ACE levels and ACE/ACE2 ratio and increased ACE2 levels in diabetic rats. Similarly, high glucose up-regulated ACE expression in NRK-52E cells, which was blocked by the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580, but not the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor FR180204 or the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor SP600125. High glucose down-regulated ACE2 expression, which was blocked by FR180204, but not SB203580 or SP600125. Incubation of cells with calcitriol significantly inhibited p38 MAPK and ERK phosphorylation, but not JNK phosphorylation, and effectively attenuated ACE up-regulation and ACE2 down-regulation in high glucose conditions. The renoprotective effects of calcitriol in diabetic nephropathy were related to the regulation of tubular levels of ACE and ACE2, possibly by p38 MAPK or ERK, but not JNK pathways.     

Sustained Oxidative Stress Causes Late Acute Renal Failure via Duplex Regulation on p38 MAPK and Akt Phosphorylation in Severely Burned Rats

Background

Clinical evidence indicates that late acute renal failure (ARF) predicts high mortality in severely burned patients but the pathophysiology of late ARF remains undefined. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that sustained reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced late ARF in a severely burned rat model and to investigate the signaling mechanisms involved.

Materials and Methods

Rats were exposed to 100°C bath for 15 s to induce severe burn injury (40% of total body surface area). Renal function, ROS generation, tubular necrosis and apoptosis, and phosphorylation of MAPK and Akt were measured during 72 hours after burn.

Results

Renal function as assessed by serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen deteriorated significantly at 3 h after burn, alleviated at 6 h but worsened at 48 h and 72 h, indicating a late ARF was induced. Apoptotic cells and cleavage caspase-3 in the kidney went up slowly and turned into significant at 48 h and 72 h. Tubular cell ROS production shot up at 6 h and continuously rose during the 72-h experiment. Scavenging ROS with tempol markedly attenuated tubular apoptosis and renal dysfunction at 72 h after burn. Interestingly, renal p38 MAPK phosphorylation elevated in a time dependent manner whereas Akt phosphorylation increased during the first 24 h but decreased at 48 h after burn. The p38 MAPK specific inhibitor SB203580 alleviated whereas Akt inhibitor exacerbated burn-induced tubular apoptosis and renal dysfunction. Furthermore, tempol treatment exerted a duplex regulation through inhibiting p38 MAPK phosphorylation but further increasing Akt phosphorylation at 72 h postburn.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that sustained renal ROS overproduction induces continuous tubular cell apoptosis and thus a late ARF at 72 h after burn in severely burned rats, which may result from ROS-mediated activation of p38 MAPK but a late inhibition of Akt phosphorylation.     

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors attenuated advanced glycation end products-induced renal tubular hypertrophy via enhancing nitric oxide signaling

Advanced glycation end products (AGE) and angiotensin II were closely correlated with the progression of diabetic nephopathy (DN). Nitric oxide (NO) is a protective mediator of renal tubular hypertrophy in DN. Here, we examined the molecular mechanisms of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and NO signaling responsible for diminishing AGE-induced renal tubular hypertrophy. In human renal proximal tubular cells, AGE decreased NO production, inducible NOS activity, guanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) synthesis, and cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) activation. All theses effects of AGE were reversed by treatment with ACEIs (captopril and enalapril), the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), and the PKG activator 8-para-chlorophenylthio-cGMPs (8-pCPT-cGMPs). In addition, AGE-enhanced activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were clearly reduced by captopril, enalapril, SNAP, and 8-pCPT-cGMPs. The abilities of ACEIs and NO/PKG activation to inhibit AGE-induced hypertrophic growth were verified by the observation that captopril, enalapril, SNAP, and 8-pCPT-cGMPs decreased protein levels of fibronectin, p21 ^Waf1/Cip1, and receptor for AGE. The results of the present study suggest that ACEIs significantly reduced AGE-increased ERK/JNK/p38 MAPK activation and renal tubular hypertrophy partly through enhancement of the NO/PKG pathway.     

Involvement of both tumor necrosis factor-α-induced necrosis and p53-mediated caspase-dependent apoptosis in nephrotoxicity of cisplatin

We previously reported that necrosis occurs predominantly in porcine renal tubular LLC-PK₁ cells, when the cells were exposed transiently to a high concentration of cisplatin. Moreover, we demonstrated that generation of reactive oxygen species and subsequent production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) through phosphorylation of p38 MAPK are implicated in the pathogenesis of cisplatin-induced renal cell injury. However, some TUNEL-positive cells appeared in renal proximal tubules of rats after systemic injection of cisplatin, suggesting an involvement of apoptosis. In the present study, we found in LLC-PK₁ cells that both apoptosis and necrosis were elicited when the cells were exposed to 200 μM cisplatin for 1 h followed by incubation for 24 h in the presence of 20 μM cisplatin. The cisplatin-induced necrosis was largely attenuated by the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine, while apoptosis was prevented by the specific inhibitors for caspases-2, -8, and -3 and a p53 inhibitor pifithrin-α but not by the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580. On the other hand, SB203580 attenuated the cisplatin-induced increase in TNF-α production. These findings suggest that p53-mediated activations of caspases-2, -8 and -3 play a key role in cisplatin-induced renal cell apoptosis, while oxidative stress-induced TNF-α synthesis via p38 MAPK phosphorylation contributed to the necrosis.     

HIV-1 gp120-induced tubular epithelial cell apoptosis is mediated through p38-MAPK phosphorylation

BACKGROUND: HIV-associated nephropathy is accompanied by significant tubular alterations in the form of tubular cell proliferation, apoptosis, and microcystic dilatation. In the present study we evaluated the role of CD4 receptors in HIV-1-induced tubular cell injury. METHODS: To confirm the presence of CD4 receptors in tubular cells, immunocytochemical, Western and Northern blot studies were carried out. To determine the downstream effect of CD4 and gp120 interaction, we evaluated the effect of gp120 on tubular cell p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity and phosphorylation. To establish causal relationships between gp120, CD4, and p38 MAPK pathways, we studied the effect of anti-CD4 antibody and SB 202190 (an inhibitor of p38 MAPK) on gp120-induced tubular cell apoptosis. RESULTS: Proximal tubular cells in culture as well as in intact tissue showed expression of CD4 (immunocytochemical and Western blot studies). Cultured tubular cells also showed mRNA expression for CD4 (Northern blot studies). Gp120, at concentrations of 10-100 ng/ ml, triggered tubular cell apoptosis; however, this effect of gp120 was inhibited by anti-CD4 antibody. SB 202190 also inhibited gp120-induced tubular cell apoptosis. In addition, gp120 promoted tubular cell p38 MAPK phosphorylation in a time- and dose- dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Gp120 through interaction with CD4 triggers tubular cell apoptosis. This effect of gp120 on tubular cells is mediated through phosphorylation of p38 MAPK.     

The role of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway in high glucose-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of cultured human renal tubular epithelial cells

Background

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition of tubular epithelial cells, which is characterized by a loss of epithelial cell characteristics and a gain of ECM-producing myofibroblast characteristics, is an essential mechanism that is involved in tubulointerstitial fibrosis, an important component of the renal injury that is associated with diabetic nephropathy. Under diabetic conditions, p38 MAPK activation has been reported in glomeruli and mesangial cells; however, studies on p38 MAPK in TECs are lacking. In this study, the role of p38 MAPK in AP-1 activation and in the EMT in the human proximal tubular epithelial cell line (HK-2) under high glucose concentration conditions is investigated.

Methodology/Principal Findings

A vector for small interfering RNA that targets p38 MAPK was constructed; the cells were then either transfected with p38 siRNA or pretreated with a chemical inhibitor of AP-1 and incubated with low glucose plus TGF-β1 or high glucose for 48 h. Cells that were not transfected or pretreated and were exposed to low glucose with or without TGF-β1 or high glucose for 48 h were considered to be the controls. We found that high glucose induced an increase in TGF-β1. And high glucose-induced p38 MAPK activation was inhibited by p38 siRNA (P<0.05). A significant decline in E-cadherin and CK expression and a notable increase in vimentin and α-SMA were detected when exposed to low glucose with TGF-β1 or high glucose, and a significant raise of secreted fibronectin were detected when exposed to high glucose; whereas these changes were reversed when the cells were treated with p38 siRNA or AP-1 inhibitor (P<0.05). AP-1 activity levels and Snail expression were up-regulated under high glucose conditions but were markedly down-regulated through knockdown of p38 MAPK with p38 siRNA or pretreatment with AP-1 inhibitor (P<0.05).

Conclusion

This study suggests that p38 MAPK may play an important role in the high glucose-induced EMT by activating AP-1 in tubular epithelial cells.