ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect of syndecan-4 on the proliferation and extracellular matrix (ECM) secretion of human mesangial cells(HMC) stimulated by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and to evaluate the role of syndecan-4-PKCα pathway. Methods The expression of syndecan-4 in HMC was observed by immunofluorescence. After the down-regulation of syndecan-4 in HMC by RNA interference, the cell proliferation was detected by MTT. The secretion of fibronectin (FIN), type IV collagen, type Ⅰ collagen was assessed by ELISA. The copy number of syndecan-4 and PKCα was measured by fluorescent quantitation PCR at different time points. Results Syndecan-4 was expressed in HMC. bFGF could promote the cell proliferation and ECM secretion together with the PKCα copy number per million house-keeping genes of HMC, which could be reversed by the syndecan-4 siRNA transfection (MtT: 48-60 h, P<0.01; FiN: 24 h, P<0.01, 48-96 h, P<0.05; type Ⅳ collagen: 72-96 h, P<0.05; PKCa: 0 h, P<0.05, 12-48 h, P< 0.01). Conclusion Syndecan-4 may regulate the proliferation and ECM secretion of HMC stimulated by bFGF through syndecan-4-PKCα pathway.