ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) on aristolchic acid induced renal tubular epithelial cell trans-differentiation to look for new therapeutic approach for aristolchic acid nephropathy (AAN).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In vitro cultured human proximal renal tubular epithelial cell line HK-2 cells were treated with different concentrations of BMP-7 (75 ng/mL, 150 ng/mL and 300 ng/mL) after trans-differentiation of the cells was induced by AA (10 microg/mL). Levels of alpha-SMA mRNA and protein expressions were detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>BMP-7 reversed the AA inducing alpha-SMA expressions in HK-2 cells in a dose-dependent manner.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>BMP-7 can inhibit the trans-differentiation of human renal tubular epithelial cell induced by AA, thereby might be a new potential drug for AAN prevention and treatment.</p>