Expression of Renal Transforming Growth Factor-β and Its Receptors in a Rat Model of Chronic Cyclosporine-Induced Nephropathy

ObjectiveWe sought to detect expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) as well as its receptors type I (TRI) and type II (TRII) in rat kidneys during chronic cyclosporine (CsA)-induced nephropathy.MethodsTwenty four rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups: group 1; NSD (control, n = 8) were administered a normal sodium diet, group 2; LSD (n = 8) were administered a low sodium diet, group 3; CsA (n = 8) were sodium-depleted rats administered Neoral by gastric gavage in a model of chronic CsA-induced nephropathy. TGF-β1, TRI, and TRII proteins, as well as TRI and TRII mRNAs were measured in the CsA-treated rat kidneys by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, respectively. Semiquantitative results were shown by image analysis.ResultsThe expression of TGF-β1, TRI, TRII, TRI mRNA, and TRII mRNA were all increased in CsA-treated rat kidneys, compared with NSD or LSD (P < .05).ConclusionOur study showed that the ligand of TGF-β1 and its receptors TRI, TRII were all up-regulated. It may be important inhibit the expression of TGF-β1 or its receptors in patients who suffer from chronic CsA-induced nephropathy.