Role of β-catenin signaling pathway in the epithelial to mesenchymal transition induced by parathyroid hormone in renal tubular epithelial cells / 中华肾脏病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2 cells),and determine the role of β-catenin signaling pathway.Method The expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA),E-cadherin and β-catenin in HK-2 cells was measured by real-time PCR,Western blotting and immunofluorescence technique.The signaling pathway by which PTH activated EMT in HK -2 cells was identified by using synthetic β-catenin siRNA.Results Parathyroid hormone (10-10mol/ L) increased α-SMA expression and decreased E-cadherin expression in HK-2 cells (P＜ 0.01,respectively).Untreated cells showed the expression of E-cadherin,whereas α-SMA staining was noticeably increased in cells treated with PTH.β-catenin activity was significantly increased after exposed to PTH.Theα-SMA expression was decreased strongly and E-cadherin expression was increased after β-catenin siRNA transfection (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion PTH significantly induces epithelial to mesenchymal transition in HK-2 cells throughβ-catenin signaling pathway.