Influence of pathologic factors on phenotypic transformation of renal tubular epithelial cells in vitro / 中华肾脏病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the effects of high albumin, high glucose and low bovine serum on the phenotypic transformation of renal tubular epithelial cells. Methods The normal human kidney proximal tubular eel] line (HKC) was cultured for 30 days in the presence of high albumin (1.5 g/L), high glucose(25 mmol/L) and low bovine serum(2% ) . Morphological changes were observed by electronic microscopy. Immunohistochemistry stain was used to examine the expression of cytokeratin, vimentin, a-SMA, collagen Ⅰ and TGF-pl protein. Western blot was applied to further detect the process of collagen I protein expression, and in situ hybridization was used to examined the expression of collagen Ⅰ gene. Results Renal tubular epithelial cells cultured in high albumin, high glucose and low bovine serum showed obvious morphologic changes, including elongated shape, decrease of microvilli and mitochondria, and increase of rough endoplasmic reticulum under electronic microscopy. Immunohistochemistry stain revealed the reduction of cytokeratin, and enhancement of vimentin, ?-SMA, TGF-?1 and collagen Ⅰ. Western blot demonstrated that the expression of collagen Ⅰincreased in a time-dependent manner, and in situ hybridization showed that collagen type Ⅰ mRNA increased as well. Conclusion High albumin, high glucose and low bovine serum induce phenotypic transformation of renal tubular epithelial cells into mesanchymal cells.