Impaired nephrogenesis in rats with congenital obstructive uropathy

Screening and identification of the differentially expressed proteins in neonatal rat kidney after partial unilateral ureteral obstruction

Renal fibrosis, considered to be a common consequence of progressive renal disease, involves glomerulosclerosis and/or tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Currently, research is focused on investigating potential mechanisms to prevent or reverse the damage caused by fibrosis. Under the influence of cytokines, chemokines and other signaling molecules, the cellular interactions that regulate the development of interstitial fibrosis are complex. Epithelial‑mesenchymal transition (EMT) has emerged as an important pathway leading to the generation of matrix‑producing fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in diseased kidneys. The proteomics study compared the protein profiles between the time points of podocyte EMT and tubular cell EMT in a partial unilateral ureteral obstruction (PUUO) model in rats. Proteins isolated from the PUUO group and corresponding sham rat kidney tissues were subjected to 2‑D gel electrophoresis and were then identified by mass spectrometry. In total, 43 proteins with differential expression were identified, which were reported to be involved in the regulation of the cytoskeleton and actin, glucose metabolism, cell apoptosis, mitochondrial energy metabolism, oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Electron transfer flavoprotein, β polypeptide was detected by immunoblot analysis and its mRNA levels were determined in renal tissues. The results demonstrate protein alterations that reflect the pathology of the obstructed kidneys, and thus may aid in understanding the pathogenesis of obstructive nephropathy.

Interactions between cytokines, congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract and chronic kidney disease

Fetal hydronephrosis is the most common anomaly detected on antenatal ultrasound, affecting 1-5% of pregnancies. Postnatal investigation has the major aim in detecting infants with severe urinary tract obstruction and clinically significant urinary tract anomalies among the heterogeneous universe of patients. Congenital uropathies are frequent causes of pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD). Imaging techniques clearly contribute to this purpose; however, sometimes, these exams are invasive, very expensive, and not sufficient to precisely define the best approach as well as the prognosis. Recently, biomarkers have become a focus of clinical research as potentially useful diagnostic tools in pediatric urological diseases. In this regard, recent studies suggest a role for cytokines and chemokines in the pathophysiology of CAKUT and for the progression to CKD. Some authors proposed that the evaluation of these inflammatory mediators might help the management of postnatal uropathies and the detection of patients with high risk to developed chronic kidney disease. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to revise general aspects of cytokines and the link between cytokines, CAKUT, and CKD by including experimental and clinical evidence.