Correlation of Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1alpha & Transforming Growth Factor-beta1 Expression and Progression of Renal Allograft / 대한이식학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 and Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha are renal fibrogenetic cytokines involved with the fibrosis of renal allograft. The aim of this study was to investigate TGF-beta1 and HIF-1alpha in renal allograft patients. METHODS: Between January, 1995 and February, 2005, we performed 72 renal allograft biopsies from 61 recipients. Immunohistochemical studies were performed with a immunoperoxidase technique using the primary antibody, rabbit anti-human TGF-beta1 polyclonal antibody (C-teminus, 11,000, Santa-Cruz Biotechnology, Santa Cruz, CA, USA) and mouse anti-human HIF-1alpha monoclonal antibody (clone H1alpha 67-sup, 11,000, Novus Biological Inc., Littleton, CO, USA). RESULTS: Tubular and interstitial TGF-beta1 expressions in CAN were higher than other groups, showing significant differences (P<0.05). HIF-1alpha expression in CAN was much higher than other groups (P<0.05). The glomerular TGF-beta1 expression of the heavy proteinuria (2.5 gm/day <) group was significantly higher than the low proteinuria group (<1.0 gm/day) (P<0.05). The tubular TGF-beta1 expression of the graft functioning group was significantly lower than the graft loss group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, HIF-1alpha expression in renal allograft strongly suggests the development of CAN as well as tubular or interstitial TGF-beta1 expression. TGF-beta1 expression in the glomerulus shows significant correlation with the amount of 24 hours urine protein. The tubular TGF-beta1 expression has strong correlation with graft survival.