The Effects of Different Immunosuppressants on Chronic Allograft Nephropathy by Affecting the Transforming Growth Factor-β and Smads Signal Pathways

ObjectiveThis study investigated the effects of various immunosuppressants on chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) by affecting transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and Smads signal pathway.MethodsVascular smooth muscle cells (VMSC) from rat aorta were incubated for 6 or 12 hours with various immunosuppressants. Cyclosporine (CsA) (3 μg/mL), FK506 (1 μg/mL), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (0.3 μg/mL), rapamycine (Rapa) (10 μg/mL), CsA (1 μg/mL/MMF 0.3 μg/mL). We used the Sprague-Dawly Wistar rat accelerated kidney sclerosis model. Before transplantation, the kidney was preserved 1 hour in 0°C to 4°C heparin sodium chloride solution to reinforce the cold ischemia injury. The rats were divided into eight groups (each group n = 8): group A, pseudo-OP; group B, isotransplantation; group C, CsA 6 mg/kg  ·  d; group D, FK506 0.15 mg/kg  ·  d; group E, MMF 20 mg/kg  ·  d; group F, Rapa 0.8 mg/kg ·  d; group G, CsA 3 mg/kg  ·  d + MMF 20 mg/kg  ·  d. The serum creatinine levels and pathological changes, according to the Banff scheme, were observed at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks posttransplantation. Immunohistochemistry and quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reactions were used to end localize and quantitate the expression of TGF-β1 and Smad 2, 3, 7 in VMSC and in the transplanted kidney.ResultsCsA and FK506 stimulated gene expression and protein production of TGF-β1, smad2, and smad3, but inhibited expression of smad7 both in VSMC and in the transplanted kidney. In contrast, MMF and Rapa down-regulated gene expression and protein production of TGF-β1, smad2, 3 while up-regulating expression of smad7. There was no significant difference between the CsA group and the FK506 group, as well as the MMF group and the Rapa group. The group treated with CsA + MMF was similar to the MMF and the Rapa groups.ConclusionOur study suggested that various immunosuppresants affected differentially TGF-β1 and Smads signal pathways in rat VSMC and kidney grafts. CsA and FK506 can cause CAN, owing to up-regulated expression of smad2 and smad3, and down-regulation of smad7 expression. MMF and Rapa can prevent the CAN progression, because of down-regulation of the expression of smad2 and smad3, with increased smad7 production.