THROMBIN ACTIVATION AND FIBRIN DEPOSITION IN MURINE LUPUS NEPHRITIS:INHIBITORY EFFECTS OF "SHENLE / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

To determine thrombin activation and fibrin deposition in the development of lupus nephritis in MRL lpr/lpr mice and the inhibitory effects of "shenle". "Shenle" (4g/(kg?d) orally) was administered daily to MRL lpr/lpr mice at the age of 8 weeks. After treatment for 20 weeks, we compared thrombin receptor (Protease Activated Receptor-1, PAR-1) expression with immunohistochemistry and fibrin deposition with MSB(Martius-Scarlet-Blue)staining in renal sections. PAR-1 mRNA expression was analyzed with RT-PCR method in the two groups. With the development of murine lupus nephritis, we observed an increase in thrombin receptor mRNA and severe fibrin deposition in renal tissue in the control group, while thrombin receptor protein expression was strikingly downregulated, suggesting its continuous activation and degradation. "Shenle" inhibited PAR-1 activation significantly and it was correlated with reduced fibrin deposition. These results suggested that thrombin activation may play an important role in the development of glomerulonephritis in MRL-lpr mice. "Shenle" ameliorated the murine renal lesions probably by inhibiting thrombin receptor activation and fibrin deposition.