AEG-1 participates in high glucose-induced activation of Rho kinase and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in proximal tubular epithelial cells

ABSTRACT

Objective: To prove whether astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) plays a role in high glucose-stimulated Rho kinase activation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human renal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells. Methods: The protein levels of AEG-1, alpha-smooth muscle actin, E-cadherin and MYPT1 were determined by Western blot. Results: AEG-1 protein level was upregulated in HK-2 cells stimulated with high glucose. AEG-1 siRNA downregulated Rho kinase protein expression and blocked high glucose-induced EMT. Conclusions: Our results show that AEG-1 acts a key role in high glucose-induced activation of Rho kinase and EMT in HK-2 cells.