Expression of Thymus and Activation-regulated Chemokine in die Kidney of MRL/lpr Mice / 中国医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the expression of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine(TARC)in the kidney of MRL/lpr mice and to elucidate the molecular pathogenesis of lupus nephritis.Methods The 24-hour urine protein of 4 MRL/lpr mice of 16 weeks of age and 4 age-and sex-matched BALB/c mice was measured.The expressions of TARC mRNA and protein in the kidneys of MRL/lpr mice and BALB/c mice were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot,respectively.Results The 24-hour urine protein and the expression level of TARC mRNA were significantly higher in MRL/lpr mice than in BALB/c mice(P＜0.05).The expression of TARC protein was detectable only in MRL/lpr mice.Conclusion The expression of TARC increases in the kidney of mice with systemic lupus erythematosus,suggesting that TARC may be involved in lupus nephritis in mice.