Phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta induces epithelial mesenchymal transition in human peritoneal mesothelial cells / 中南大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the role of phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta) inducing epithelial mesenchymal transition in human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMC).@*METHODS@#Primary HPMC was harvested from human omental tissue and maintained under defined in vitro conditions. The expression of p-GSK-3beta and total GSK-3beta in HMPC was detected by Western blot after incubation with different concentrations (0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 mmol/L)of LiCl at different time points (0, 1, 3, 6, and 12 h). The protein expression of E-cadherin and alpha-SMA was also examined after treatment with 20 mmol/L LiCl according to different time courses. The intracellular distribution and expression of alpha-SMA were determined by indirect immunofluorescence.@*RESULTS@#LiCl stimulated phosphorylation of GSK-3beta and the effect was time-dependent and concentration-dependent to limited extent (P<0.05). The expression of alpha-SMA increased (P<0.05) and the expression of E-cadherin decreased significantly (P<0.05) after 24 h stimulation by 20 mmol/L LiCl. The indirect immunoflurescence showed that the expression of alpha-SMA in HPMC increased significantly after 24 h incubation with 20 mmol/L LiCl.@*CONCLUSION@#The phosphorylation of GSK-3beta leads HMPC to epithelial mesenchymal transition and provides new clue for the treatment of peritoneal fibrosis.