Renal Damage in Obstructive Nephropathy Is Decreased in Skp2-Deficient Mice

Ubiquitin-dependent degradation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 mediated by SCF-Skp2 ubiquitin ligase is involved in cell cycle regulation. Proliferation of tubular cells is a characteristic feature in obstructed kidneys of unilateral ureteral obstruction. Comparing Skp2+/+ mice with Skp2−/− mice, we investigated the involvement of Skp2, a component of SCF-Skp2 ubiquitin ligase for p27, in the progression of renal lesions in unilateral ureteral obstructed kidneys. mRNA expression of Skp2 was markedly increased in the obstructed kidneys from Skp2+/+ mice and peaked 3 days after unilateral ureteral obstruction. Renal atrophy, tubular dilatation, tubulointerstitial fibrosis, and increases in α-smooth muscle actin expression, the number of tubular cells, and proliferating tubular cells positive for Ki67 were observed in the obstructed kidneys from Skp2+/+ mice; however, these findings were significantly attenuated in Skp2−/− mice. The p27 protein level was increased in the obstructed kidneys but was significantly greater in Skp2−/− mice. The number of Ki67-positive p27-negative cells was lower in obstructed kidneys from Skp2−/− mice than Skp2+/+ mice, whereas that of Ki67-negative p27-positive cells was greater in Skp2−/− mice. These findings suggest that p27 accumulation, which results from SCF-Skp2 ubiquitin ligase deficiency in Skp2−/− mice, is involved in the amelioration of renal damage induced by obstructive nephropathy.