Erythropoietin inhibits complement 3a-induced renal tubular epithelial to mesenchymal transition / 中华肾脏病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effects of erythropoietin (EPO) on complement 3a (C3a)-induced renal tubular epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Methods The HK-2 cells were divided into 6 groups namely control group,EPO group,TGF-β group,TGF-β+EPO group,C3a group and EPO+C3a group.The mRNA and protein expressions of α-SMA,E-cadherin and C3 were investigated by RT-PCR,Western blot and immunofluorescence respectively. Results Compared with control group and EPO group,the mRNA and protein expressions of α-SMA in HK-2 cells were up-regulated after the intervention of C3a or TGF-β (all P＜0.05).On the contrast,the mRNA and protein expressions of E-cadherin were down-regulated(P＜0.05),the mRNA and protein expressions of C3 were enhanced (all P＜0.05).However,all those above effects of C3a or TGF-β were inhibited after the intervention of EPO (all P＜0.05). Conclusion EPO is capable of suppressing the epithelial to mesenchymal transition induced by C3a.