Effect of erythropoietin on high glucose-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells / 中华肾脏病杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of erythropoietin (EPO) on human renal tubular epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by high glucose. MethodsCultured HK-2 cells were divided into 5 groups normal control group, osmolarity control group, high glucose group, high glucose with EPO (5 U/ml)group and high glucose with EPO (10 U/ml)group. The mRNA expression of α-SMA, TGF-β1, Smad2, ILK of cells were measured by RT-PCR. The levels of intracellular α-SMA and TGF-β1 protein were measured by immunocytochemistry. ResultsCompared with the control groups, mRNA expression of α-SMA, TGF-β1, Smad2, ILK and protein expression of α-SMA and TGF-β1 were increased after high glucose treatment (P<0.01). Compared with the high glucose group, EPO 5 U/ml or EPO 10 U/ml remarkably down-regulated the expression of α-SMA, TGF-β1, Smad2 and ILK (P<0.01). ConclusionEPO can inhibit the progression of EMT and the up-regulation of TGF-β1, Smad2 and ILK induced by high glucose.