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Yasuda H, Fukusumi Y, Ivanov V, Zhang Y, Kawachi H. Tacrolimus ameliorates podocyte injury by restoring FK506 binding protein 12 (FKBP12) at actin cytoskeleton. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21983. [PMID: 34662453 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202101052r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
FKBP12 was identified as a binding protein of tacrolimus (Tac). Tac binds to FKBP12 and exhibits immunosuppressive effects in T cells. Although it is reported that Tac treatment directly ameliorates the dysfunction of the podocyte in nephrotic syndrome, the precise pharmacological mechanism of Tac is not well understood yet. It is also known that FKBP12 functions independently of Tac. However, the localization and the physiological function of FKBP12 are not well elucidated. In this study, we observed that FKBP12 is highly expressed in glomeruli, and the FKBP12 in glomeruli is restricted in podocytes. FKBP12 in cultured podocytes was expressed along the actin cytoskeleton and associated with filamentous actin (F-actin). FKBP12 interacted with the actin-associated proteins 14-3-3 and synaptopodin. RNA silencing for FKBP12 reduced 14-3-3 expression, F-actin staining, and process formation in cultured podocytes. FKBP12 expression was decreased in the nephrotic model caused by adriamycin (ADR) and the cultured podocyte treated with ADR. The process formation was deteriorated in the podocytes treated with ADR. Tac treatment ameliorated these decreases. Tac treatment to the normal cells increased the expression of FKBP12 at F-actin in processes and enhanced process formation. Tac enhanced the interaction of FKBP12 with synaptopodin. These observations suggested that FKBP12 at actin cytoskeleton participates in the maintenance of processes, and Tac treatment ameliorates podocyte injury by restoring FKBP12 at actin cytoskeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidenori Yasuda
- Department of Cell Biology, Kidney Research Center, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yoshiyasu Fukusumi
- Department of Cell Biology, Kidney Research Center, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Veniamin Ivanov
- Department of Cell Biology, Kidney Research Center, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Kidney Research Center, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kawachi
- Department of Cell Biology, Kidney Research Center, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
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2
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Wrede C, Hegermann J, Mühlfeld C. Novel cell contact between podocyte microprojections and parietal epithelial cells analyzed by volume electron microscopy. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2020; 318:F1246-F1251. [PMID: 32249613 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00097.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Podocytes are highly specialized cells with a clear cell polarity. It is known that in health and disease, microvilli protrude from the apical surface of the podocytes into the urinary space. As a basis to better understand the podocyte microprojections/microvilli, the present study analyzed their spatial localization, extension, and contact site with parietal epithelial cells (PECs). Using different electron microscopic (EM) techniques, we analyzed renal corpuscles of healthy young adult male C57BL/6 mice fixed by vascular perfusion. Serial block-face scanning EM was used to visualize entire corpuscles, focused ion beam scanning EM was performed to characterize microprojection/microvilli-rich regions at higher magnification, and transmission EM of serial sections was used to analyze the contact zone between podocyte microprojections and PECs. Numerous microprojections originating from the primary processes of podocytes were present in the urinary space in all regions of the corpuscle. They often reached the apical surface of the PEC but did not make junctional contacts. At high resolution, it was observed that the glycocalyx of both cells was in contact. Depending on the distance between podocytes and PECs, these microprojections had a stretched or coiled state. The present study shows that microprojections/microvilli of podocytes are a physiological feature of healthy mouse kidneys and are frequently in contact with the apical surface of PECs, thus spanning the urinary space. It is proposed that podocyte microprojections serve mechanosensory or communicative functions between podocytes and PECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Wrede
- Institute of Functional and Applied Anatomy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Research Core Unit Electron Microscopy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jan Hegermann
- Institute of Functional and Applied Anatomy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Research Core Unit Electron Microscopy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christian Mühlfeld
- Institute of Functional and Applied Anatomy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Research Core Unit Electron Microscopy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Bennett J, Cassidy H, Slattery C, Ryan MP, McMorrow T. Tacrolimus Modulates TGF-β Signaling to Induce Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Human Renal Proximal Tubule Epithelial Cells. J Clin Med 2016; 5:jcm5050050. [PMID: 27128949 PMCID: PMC4882479 DOI: 10.3390/jcm5050050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2015] [Revised: 04/16/2016] [Accepted: 04/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process which describes the trans-differentiation of epithelial cells into motile mesenchymal cells, is pivotal in stem cell behavior, development and wound healing, as well as contributing to disease processes including fibrosis and cancer progression. Maintenance immunosuppression with calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) has become routine management for renal transplant patient, but unfortunately the nephrotoxicity of these drugs has been well documented. HK-2 cells were exposed to Tacrolimus (FK506) and EMT markers were assessed by RT PCR and western blot. FK506 effects on TGF-β mRNA were assessed by RT PCR and TGF-β secretion was measured by ELISA. The impact of increased TGF-β secretion on Smad signaling pathways was investigated. The impact of inhibition of TGF-β signaling on EMT processes was assessed by scratch-wound assay. The results presented in this study suggest that FK506 initiates EMT processes in the HK-2 cell line, with altered expression of epithelial and myofibroblast markers evident. Additionally, the study demonstrates that FK506 activation of the TGF-β/ SMAD pathways is an essential step in the EMT process. Overall the results demonstrate that EMT is heavily involved in renal fibrosis associated with CNI nephrotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Bennett
- Centre for Cell Signaling and Inflammation, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK.
| | - Hilary Cassidy
- Renal Disease Research Group, School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Craig Slattery
- Renal Disease Research Group, School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Michael P Ryan
- Renal Disease Research Group, School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Tara McMorrow
- Renal Disease Research Group, School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland.
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Loser K, Balkow S, Higuchi T, Apelt J, Kuhn A, Luger TA, Beissert S. FK506 Controls CD40L-Induced Systemic Autoimmunity in Mice. J Invest Dermatol 2006; 126:1307-15. [PMID: 16470176 DOI: 10.1038/sj.jid.5700185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmunity results from loss of mechanisms controlling self-reactivity. Autoimmune disorders play an increasingly important role and CD40-CD40 ligand (CD40L) interaction on immunocompentent cells is able to break established immunotolerance. To study the effects of the calcineurin-inhibitor FK506 on CD40L-induced systemic autoimmunity, CD40L transgenic (tg) mice, which spontaneously develop a mixed connective tissue-like disease, were treated with FK506 after onset of overt autoimmunity. Interestingly, FK506-treated CD40L tg mice showed significantly reduced autoimmune dermatitis scores and markedly decreased numbers of lesional infiltrating leukocytes. This finding was associated with diminished lymphadenopathy induced by FK506 treatment. Furthermore, FK506 suppressed the development of cytotoxic/autoreactive CD8(+) T cells as evidenced by the reduced expression of T cell activation markers in treated CD40L tg mice. Importantly, FK506 induced a significant reduction in autoantibody titers in the serum of CD40L tg animals. As CD40L tg mice develop nephritis leading to loss of renal function proteinuria was determined after FK506 injections. Notably, FK506 treatment re-established renal function as indicated by significantly reduced uric protein concentrations of treated CD40L tg mice. Together, these findings show the beneficial therapeutic effects of FK506 for the treatment of CD40L-induced autoimmunity. Additionally, these results demonstrate that FK506 is able to suppress ongoing severe autoimmune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Loser
- Department of Dermatology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
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Shi Y, Yoshihara F, Nakahama H, Ichimaru N, Yazawa K, Sada M, Goto R, Kawano Y, Moriyama T, Takahara S, Okuyama A, Kangawa K. A novel immunosuppressant FTY720 ameliorates proteinuria and alterations of intrarenal adrenomedullin in rats with autoimmune glomerulonephritis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 127:233-8. [PMID: 15680492 DOI: 10.1016/j.regpep.2004.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2004] [Accepted: 12/10/2004] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
FTY720 has been originally developed as a new immunosuppressive agent, which prolongs graft survival in organ transplantation. Adrenomedullin (AM) participates in the regulation of sodium homeostasis and has renoprotective effects. The possible involvement of renal AM in the pathophysiology of glomerulonephritis (GN) and the effect of FTY720 has been evaluated in rats. HgCl2 (1 mg/kg body weight) was inoculated subcutaneously 3 times/week for a total of 2 weeks. FTY720 (3 or 10 mg/kg) was inoculated subcutaneously daily. The proteinuria, urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) excretion and serum total cholesterol levels were increased and serum albumin level was reduced in rats with HgCl2-induced GN compared with controls. FTY720 reduced proteinuria (3 mg/kg: -25%; 10 mg/kg: -41%), urinary NAG excretion (-11%; -52%) and total cholesterol level (-21%; -55%) in a dose-dependent manner. Renal AM level and its mRNA expression were increased in rats with GN compared with controls (Peptide Cortex: +69%; Medulla: +82%; mRNA Cortex: +25%). Interestingly, FTY720 additionally increased these levels (Peptide Cortex: +38%; Medulla: +39%; mRNA Cortex: +20%). Renal AM levels correlated with urinary NAG excretion and creatinine clearance. These results suggest that FTY720 suppresses the renal damage in rats with GN and renal AM may participate in the pathophysiology of GN and the renoprotective effects of FTY720.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Shi
- Department of Urology, Osaka University School of Medicine, Japan
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Shi Y, Yoshihara F, Nakahama H, Goto R, Sada M, Kawano Y, Moriyama T, Yazawa K, Ichimaru N, Takahara S, Kangawa K. Mycophenolate mofetil prevents autoimmune glomerulonephritis and alterations of intrarenal adrenomedullin in rats. Eur J Pharmacol 2004; 489:127-33. [PMID: 15063164 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2004.02.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2003] [Revised: 01/20/2004] [Accepted: 02/26/2004] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
We studied the effects of mycophenolate mofetil, a specific inhibitor of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, on the mercuric chloride induced autoimmune glomerulonephritis in Brown Norway rats and also on the renal contents of adrenomedullin. In the rats with autoimmune glomerulonephritis, plasma and renal tissue adrenomedullin levels were increased significantly. Coadministration of mycophenolate mofetil resulted in prevention of autoimmune glomerulonephritis and also in maintaining of plasma and renal tissue adrenomedullin levels at control levels. Adrenomedullin mRNA expressions in the renal cortex were also higher in the rats with autoimmune glomerulonephritis. Significant positive correlations were found between renal cortical adrenomedullin levels and urinary Na+ and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase excretion. A significant negative correlation between renal cortical adrenomedullin levels and creatinine clearance was also found. These results suggest that mycophenolate mofetil suppresses the renal damage in rats with autoimmune glomerulonephritis and renal adrenomedullin may participate in the pathophysiology of autoimmune glomerulonephritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Shi
- Department of Urology, Osaka University School of Medicine, Japan
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Yang LY, Huang WJ, Hsieh HG, Lin CY. H1-A extracted from Cordyceps sinensis suppresses the proliferation of human mesangial cells and promotes apoptosis, probably by inhibiting the tyrosine phosphorylation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL. THE JOURNAL OF LABORATORY AND CLINICAL MEDICINE 2003; 141:74-83. [PMID: 12518171 DOI: 10.1067/mlc.2003.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
H1-A, a pure compound used in traditional Chinese medicine, is effective in the treatment of autoimmune disorders of MRL lpr/lpr mice. We have previously reported that after 8 weeks of oral therapy with H1-A, 40 microg/kg/day, MRL lpr/lpr mice demonstrated significantly less proteinuria, lower serum creatinine levels, and less renal mesangial proliferation than mice in an untreated group. To clarify the pharmacologic properties of H1-A, we studied its cellular and subcellular effects in cultured human mesangial cells. Our results show that H1-A inhibits cell proliferation and promotes the apoptosis of interleukin (IL)-1- and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-activated human mesangial cells in vitro. Uptake of tritiated thymidine was nearly totally suppressed by the addition of 12.5 micromol/L H1-A (counts per minute decreased from 3905 +/- 70 to 141 +/- 5). The population of S-phase cells decreased from 15.5% +/- 1.7% to 10.0% +/- 0.3%, and G0 + G1 phase cells increased from 68.8% +/- 0.07% to 74.6% +/- 0.05%. This suppression was not a result of cytotoxicity. Apoptosis of human mesangial cells was detectable after treatment with 12.5 or 25 micromol/L H1-A. Using immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting, we found that H1-A inhibits tyrosine phosphorylation of human mesangial proteins and that Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL were probably among these proteins. These findings suggest that H1-A modulates some subcellular signal-transduction pathways and changes the balance between proliferation and apoptosis of mesangial cells in vitro or in vivo. H1-A may be effective in the management of autoimmune disorders, and the modulation of the signal transduction proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL may represent a target for future pharmacologic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Yu Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan.
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Imada T, Komorita N, Kobayashi F, Naito K, Yoshikawa T, Miyazaki M, Nakamura N, Kondo T. Therapeutic potential of a specific chymase inhibitor in atopic dermatitis. JAPANESE JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY 2002; 90:214-7. [PMID: 12499574 DOI: 10.1254/jjp.90.214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
A novel therapeutic mechanism may be the key to improving the chief symptoms and signs of atopic dermatitis (AD), which are persistent pruritus and high serum IgE. We demonstrate here that mast cell chymase may be a possible initiating factor and that the orally active specific inhibitor Y-40613 may have a therapeutic potential in the treatment of AD. We found that Y-40613 (2-[5-amino-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,6-dihydro-6-oxo-1-pyrimidinyl]-N-[1-[(5-methoxycarbonyl-2-benzoxazolyl)carbonyl]-2-phenylethyl]acetamide) dose-dependently suppressed the scratching response in a mouse pruritus model, with inhibitory efficacy enhanced by combination with conventional drugs, suggesting that chymase contributes to the development of pruritus by a unique mechanism or mechanisms. In fact, chymase injected in the model induced the scratching response. In vitro IgE production from mouse B cells was increased by purified rat chymase and suppressed by Y-40613. Increased serum IgE observed in Brown Norway rats injected with mercury chloride was suppressed by Y-40613. Furthermore, Y-40613 lowered ear thickness as well as serum IgE level in a mouse contact dermatitis model. Taken together, these findings suggest that the specific chymase inhibitor Y-40613 may ameliorate symptoms of AD through the dual inhibition of the chymase-dependent IgE production pathway and itching sensation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teruaki Imada
- Pharmaceuticals Research Division, Mitsubishi Pharma Corporation, Yokohama, Japan.
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Hir MLE, Keller C, Eschmann V, Hähnel B, Hosser H, Kriz W. Podocyte bridges between the tuft and Bowman's capsule: an early event in experimental crescentic glomerulonephritis. J Am Soc Nephrol 2001; 12:2060-2071. [PMID: 11562404 DOI: 10.1681/asn.v12102060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Although experimental crescentic glomerulonephritis starts with an endocapillary inflammation, the crescents themselves seem to originate from the proliferation of parietal epithelial cells (PEC). In this study, an attempt was made to disclose a link between the two processes by a morphologic analysis of early stages of the disease. Mice were immunized with rabbit IgG in complete Freund's adjuvant on day -6. At day 0, they received an intravenous injection of a rabbit antiglomerular basement membrane serum. On days 3, 6, and 10, the kidneys were fixed by vascular perfusion for examination by light and electron microscopy. On day 3, morphologic alterations affected mainly the endocapillary compartment; most podocytes appeared to be intact. On day 6, alterations of podocytes were widespread, including foot process effacement and prominent microvillous transformation, and some crescents were found. On day 10, crescents were found in 40% of glomeruli. The most surprising finding was podocytes that adhered to both the glomerular basement membrane and the parietal basement membrane, thus forming bridges between the tuft and Bowman's capsule. Those podocyte bridges were sparse on day 3 but were regularly encountered on days 6 and 10 in glomeruli without crescents and also as a component of crescents. They were interposed between PEC and later between the cells of a crescent without formation of junctional connection with these cells. It is proposed that the spreading of podocytes on the parietal basement membrane represents a lesion of the parietal epithelium and that this process initiates the proliferation of PEC to form a crescent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel LE Hir
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | - Wilhelm Kriz
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Heidelberg, Germany
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Nakahama H, Obata K, Sugita M, Oka K, Moriyama T. Co-administration of furosemide augments tacrolimus-induced impairment in kidney function in rats. Ren Fail 2001; 22:525-34. [PMID: 11041285 DOI: 10.1081/jdi-100100894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Sodium-depletion in rats reproduces functional and morphological tacrolimus nephrotoxicity observed in man. Potent diuretics induce sodium-depletion. Our objective was to determine the effect of a loop diuretic furosemide on tacrolimus-mediated functional and pathological impairment of the kidney in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups; group 1, rats received vehicle (saline) only; group 2, rats were treated with tacrolimus (1 mg/kg body weight) and furosemide (5 mg/kg body weight); group 3, rats were treated with tacrolimus alone; and group 4, rats were treated with furosemide (5 mg/kg body weight) alone. On day 28, tail blood pressure was measured and the rats were placed in metabolic cages for urine collection. After 24 hr the rats were sacrificed. Tacrolimus alone tended to cause growth retardation, hypotension, hypomagnesemia and a rise in blood urea nitrogen. Furosemide co-administration enhanced the effects of tacrolimus on hypotension, hypomagnesemia and a rise in blood urea nitrogen. The renal histology characterized by cytoplasmic vacuolization of the proximal tubules was not different between the rats treated with both tacrolimus and furosemide and the rats treated with tacrolimus alone. A strong immunostaining for FKBP-12, a tacrolimus-binding protein, was observed in the medulla of the kidneys of rats treated with tacrolimus either with or without furosemide. These results indicate that furosemide further augments tacrolimus induced impairment in kidney function, and that furosemide should be used with discretion in patients on tacrolimus therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Nakahama
- Division of Hypertension and Nephrology, National Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan.
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Jain S, Bicknell GR, Nicholson ML. Tacrolimus has less fibrogenic potential than cyclosporin A in a model of renal ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Br J Surg 2000; 87:1563-8. [PMID: 11091246 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2168.2000.01576.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cyclosporin is associated with significant chronic nephrotoxicity, manifest in the long term mainly as renal fibrosis. There have been claims that tacrolimus is a less fibrotic drug than cyclosporin, and this study was designed to determine the effect of the two drugs on the expression of fibrosis-associated genes. METHODS Male Wistar rats underwent clamping of the right renal pedicle for 45 min together with left nephrectomy; this model has previously been shown to be associated with upregulation of fibrosis-associated genes. Experimental groups (six animals per group) received cyclosporin A 10 mg/kg daily, tacrolimus 0.2 mg/kg daily or no treatment. Animals were killed at 16 weeks, and the renal cortical expression of fibrosis-associated genes was studied by means of quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Tacrolimus-treated animals developed significantly less proteinuria and had lower serum creatinine levels than those receiving cyclosporin. Tacrolimus administration also significantly reduced the expression of transforming growth factor beta and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1, both the products of genes associated with fibrosis. Although cyclosporin treatment reduced levels of the matrix-degrading enzymes, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 and MMP-9, this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION Tacrolimus has less nephrotoxicity than cyclosporin in this model. It also appears to have less fibrogenic potential, and this may have implications for the choice of long-term immunosuppressant in renal transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Jain
- Department of Transplant Surgery, Leicester General Hospital, UK
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