Effects of albumin on the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme in human proximal tubular cells / 中华肾脏病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the influence of albumin on the expression of angiotensin-eonverting enzyme (ACE) in cultured human proximal tubular ceils (HK-2). Methods HK-2 cells were exposed to 2.5, 5, 10 g/L bovine serum albumin (BSA) for 6 h and 12 h respectively. The expression of ACE in HK-2 cells was detected by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot. Results Compared to the control group, the expression of HK-2 cells ACE mRNA treated for 12 h with different concentrations of BSA (2.5, 5, 10 g/L) significantly increased (P<O.05). Furthermore, Western blot analysis showed that the expression of ACE protein induced by BSA significantly increased (P<0.05). Treated with BSA (10 g/L) for 6 h and 12 h, the expression of ACE mRNA significantly increased in a time-dependent manner (P <0.05, respectively), and the ACE protein expression significantly increased (P<0.05, respectively). Conclusion BSA can induce ACE up-regulation in proximal tubular cells, which may lead to the increased production of local Ang Ⅱ and finally contributes to the intrarenal activation of renin angiotensin system (RAS).