Role of PDGF B-Chain and PDGF Receptors in Rat Tubular Regeneration after Acute Injury

Various polypeptide growth factors are generally considered to be involved in the regulation of the nephrogenic process both after acute renal injury and during renal development. Because platelet-derived growth factor B-chain (PDGF-B) has been reported to be expressed in immature tubulus of the developing kidney, PDGF-B could play a role in the process of tubulogenesis. We examined the expression of PDGF-B and PDGF receptors alpha and beta and their localization in kidneys after ischemia/reperfusion injury. The mRNA expressions of PDGF-B, PDGFR-alpha, and PDGFR-beta were enhanced after injury. In the immunohistochemical analysis and/or in situ hybridization, PDGF-B and PDGFR-alpha, beta were expressed after reperfusion in the S3 segment of the proximal tubuli, where they were not expressed normally. The expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and vimentin were concomitantly observed with PDGF-B and PDGFRs in the tubular cells of injured S3 segment at 48 hours after injury. Next, the inhibition of the PDGF-B/PDGFRs axis with either Trapidil or Ki6896, which was found to inhibit the phosphorylation of PDGFR-beta selectively, resulted in a rise of serum creatinine, higher mortality rate, abnormal regenerating process, and suppressed proliferation of tubular epithelial cells. These findings suggest that the PDGF-B/PDGFRs axis is involved in the proliferation of injured tubular cells and plays an important role in the regeneration of tubular cells from acute ischemic injury.     

Expression of galectin-1 and galectin-3 in renal cell carcinoma; immunohistochemical study

Background and aimsGalectins comprise a large family of calcium independent lectins. Galectin-1 and galectin-3 contribute to neoplastic transformation, angiogenesis, and tumor metastasis in some cancers. This study aimed at studying the immunohistochemical expression of both galectin-1 and galectin-3 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) variants and detecting the possible association of galectins with various clinicopathological parameters.Materials and methodsSections from 67 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of RCC variants were stained with galectin-1 and galectin-3. Expression was assessed in tumor tissue and adjacent renal parenchyma and was correlated with clinicopathological criteria.ResultsIn apparently normal renal parenchyma adjacent to tumor tissue, galectin-1 was expressed in 27 (40.2%) of specimens in renal tubules and glomeruli, while 34 (50.7%) of specimens showed galectin-3 expression in renal tubules sparing glomeruli. In tumor tissue, galectin-1 showed high expression in 47 (70.1%) and low expression in 20 (29.9%) of specimens. Galectin-3 had high expression in 15 (22.4%) and low expression in 52 (77.6%) of specimens. Significant association was detected between expression of galectin-1 and galectin-3 and the type of RCC (P = 0.032) and (P = 0.006), respectively. Significant inverse association was detected between the expression of galectin-3 and the presence of tumor haemorrhage and necrosis (P = 0.014) and (P = 0.039), respectively.ConclusionGalectin-1 and galectin-3 are overexpressed in RCC with different percentage in different subtypes. Galactin-1expression is more in tumor tissue than surrounding renal parenchyma suggesting that it has a carcinogenic role. Galectin-1 and galectin-3 overexpression in chromophobe RCC suggests that they may have diagnostic role.     

Cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II)-induced acute renal failure in the rat. Correlation of structural and functional alterations

Studies were undertaken to examine the relationship between renal morphologic and functional alterations during the development of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (CDDP)-induced acute renal failure (ARF). Control and CDDP-treated rats (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) were housed in metabolic cages for the purpose of renal function determinations. Renal morphology was studied by light and electron microscopy at 6, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours following treatment. Six hours following CDDP administration, morphologic alterations consisting of nucleolar segregation, ribosome dispersion, and the formation of aggregates of smooth endoplasmic reticulum were observed throughout the P3 portion of the proximal tubule located in the outer stripe of the outer medulla and medullary rays. These changes became more frequently observed throughout P3 during the course of the study. At 24 and 48 hours, focal changes were also observed involving the P1 and P2 segments of the proximal tubule which make up the pars convoluta. ARF, indicated by a reduced creatinine clearance, was first apparent 48 hours following CDDP administration. The development of ARF was associated with focal, primarily sublethal, cell injury throughout the proximal tubule. By 72 and 96 hours necrosis primarily affecting P3 became widespread, and renal function progressively worsened. The establishment of ARF prior to the development of tubular necrosis suggests that the processes of tubular obstruction and/or tubular fluid backleak are not involved in the initiation of ARF in this model. Instead, the alterations involving P1 and P2 appear to be most important during the early stages of CDDP-induced ARF. The severity of the convoluted tubular injury at 48 hours showed a significant correlation with the degree of renal function impairment. The tubular injury affecting P3 did not correlate with the loss of renal function at any of the time points studied. However, tubular injury in P3 did appear responsible for some degree of renal function impairment at 72 and 96 hours, probably as a result of tubular obstruction and/or tubular fluid backleak.     

Distribution of the galectin-1 mRNA in the rat nervous system: its transient upregulation in rat facial motor neurons after facial nerve axotomy

Galectin-1 is a member of the animal lectin family that displays conserved consensus sequences and similar carbohydrate binding specificities. Recent analyses revealed that galectin-1 plays an important role in the process of nerve regeneration. We analyzed the topological expression of galectin-1 mRNA in adult rat nervous system. Galectin-1 mRNA was predominantly observed in the cell bodies of neurons such as oculomotor nucleus (III), trochlear nucleus (IV), trigeminal motor nucleus (V), abducens nucleus (VI), facial nucleus (VII), hypoglossal nucleus (XII), red nucleus, and locus ceruleus. Neurons in pineal gland and dorsal root ganglia expressed galectin-1 mRNA. We next tested whether the axotomy of facial nerve altered the expression of galectin-1 mRNA in motor neurons. In the adult rats, the axotomy of facial nerve induced transient upregulation of galectin-1 mRNA around 6 h after axotomy. These results indicate that galectin-1 may play roles in the early event of the nerve injury and regeneration through the transient change of its expression level.     

Activation of Src kinase in platelet-derived growth factor-B-dependent tubular regeneration after acute ischemic renal injury

We previously reported that the platelet-derived growth factor B-chain (PDGF-B)/PDGF receptor (PDGFR) axis is involved in tubular regeneration after ischemia/reperfusion injury of the kidney. In the present study, we examined the activation of Src tyrosine kinase, a crucially important signaling molecule for PDGFR, and assessed the role of Src in PDGF-B-dependent renal tubular regeneration afterischemia/reperfusion injury. Immunoblot using clone 28, a monoclonal antibody specific for the active form of Src kinases, demonstrated increased active Src expression in the injured rat kidney 6 hours after reperfusion with peak activation at 12 hours. In vitro kinase assay confirmed increased Src activity that concurred with PDGFR-beta activation as detected by the increment of receptor-phosphorylated tyrosine. Immunohistochemistry using clone 28 demonstrated that active Src was preferentially expressed in the S3 segment of the proximal tubule in reperfused kidney, where it is not normally expressed. This enhanced expression of active Src was co-localized with the increased PDGFR expression in the tubular cells that were undergoing cell proliferation cycle. Trapidil administration suppressed Src and PDGFR-beta activation in the reperfused kidney and resulted in deteriorated renal function. These findings suggest that active Src participates in PDGF-B-dependent regeneration of tubular cells from acute ischemic injury.     

Heat shock protein expression is highly sensitive to ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat kidneys

Renal injury is known to trigger upregulation of many intracellular signal proteins, but those most sensitive in responding to renal injury remain debatable. We used gene microarray analysis to compare gene expression in rat kidneys subjected to early ischemia-reperfusion injury (30 min of renal ischemia and 3 hr of reperfusion) with non-ischemic kidneys as controls. Among 31,100 genes analyzed, microarray analysis revealed 21 genes with >3-fold increase in expression in ischemic kidneys compared to control non-ischemic kidneys. These upregulated genes included heat shock protein 70 (43-fold), heat shock protein 27 (12-fold), heme oxygenase-1 (10-fold), kidney injury molecule-1 (8-fold), and several subtypes of S100 calcium-binding proteins (3.1- to 7.5-fold). Following a prolonged reperfusion period (48 hr) after 30 min of ischemia, acute tubular necrosis was obvious in the S3 segment of proximal tubules of ischemic kidneys. Injured proximal tubules showed upregulated expression of heat shock protein 70 by immunohistochemistry and by Western blotting. These data suggest that heat shock proteins (eg, heat shock protein 70, heat shock protein 27, and heme oxygenase-1) are crucial for renal cell response to ischemic injury and that heat shock protein 70 is a highly sensitive intracellular marker of ischemia-reperfusion injury.     

Calcitriol Directly Sensitizes Renal Tubular Cells to ATP-Depletion- and Iron-Mediated Attack

Vitamin Ds have been reported to have diverse effects on cell homeostasis, leading to suggestions that they have therapeutic applications extending beyond their traditional actions on the Ca2+/parathyroid/bone axis. As some of these potential indications carry an inherent risk of acute renal failure (ARF; eg, cancer chemotherapy and organ transplantation), the goal of this study was to assess whether vitamin Ds directly affect renal tubule injury responses. Cultured human proximal tubular (HK-2) cells were exposed to physiological or pharmacological doses of either calcitriol (D3) or a synthetic vitamin D2 analogue (19-nor) for 3 to 48 hours. Their impact on cell integrity (percent lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and tetrazolium dye MTT uptake) under basal conditions and during superimposed injuries (ATP depletion/Ca2+ ionophore or iron-mediated oxidant stress) were determined. As vitamin Ds can be anti-proliferative, cell outgrowth ([3H]thymidine uptake and crystal violet staining) was also tested. Finally, the action of D3 on in vivo ARF (glycerol-induced myoglobinuria) and isolated proximal tubule injury responses were assessed. D3 induced a rapid, dose-dependent increase in HK-2 susceptibility to both ATP-depletion/Ca2+-ionophore- and Fe-mediated attack without independently affecting cell integrity or proliferative responses. In contrast, D2 negatively affected only Fe toxicity and only after relatively prolonged exposure (48 hours). D3 dramatically potentiated in vivo ARF (two- to threefold increase in azotemia), suggesting potential in vivo relevance of the above HK-2 cell results. Proximal tubules, isolated from these glycerol-exposed mice, suggested that D3 can worsen tubule injury despite a parodoxic suppression of H2O2 production. In contrast, D3 had a mild negative impact on cellular energetics (depressed ATP/ADP ratios), and it accentuated plasma membrane phospholipid breakdown. The latter was observed in both glycerol-treated and control tubules, suggesting a primary role in the injury- potentiation effect of D3. Vitamins D(s) may directly, and differentially, increase proximal tubule cell susceptibility to superimposed attack. This property should be considered as new uses for these agents are defined.     

Expression of epidermal growth factor and its receptor in rabbits with ischaemic acute renal failure

Urinary immunoreactive epidermal growth factor (EGF) levels decrease, and renal immunoreactive EGF levels increase in rats with ischaemic acute renal failure (ARF). We investigated the immunohistochemical localization of EGF and EGF receptor in rabbits with ischaemic ARF to clarify the significance of renal EGF. Male New Zealand White rabbits underwent right nephrectomy prior to a 60 min renal artery clamp. At 3, 6, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after ischaemia, serum urea nitrogen and serum creatinine were determined. Guinea pig anti-rabbit EGF antibody and monoclonal anti-EGF receptor antibody were used for the primary incubation. EGF was immunolocalized to the ascending limb of Henle and the distal convoluted tubule in the normal right kidneys. However, in the post ischaemic left kidneys at 6, 24, 48 and 72 h, immunoreactivity of EGF was associated with proximal tubules. In the normal kidneys, antibody to EGF receptor reacted with distal tubules and collecting ducts. In the ischaemic kidneys, EGF receptor was localized in the basolateral membrane in the proximal tubules. The expression of EGF and EGF receptor in renal tubules may play an important role in repair following ischaemic renal damage.     

Hyperthermia: effects on renal ischemic/reperfusion injury in the rat

Hyperthermia (39.5 degrees C) worsens experimental ischemic acute renal failure (ARF). We assessed whether it does so by affecting the ischemic and/or reperfusion injury phase and if its influence is mediated through changes in kidney ATP content and xanthine oxidase-mediated oxidant stress. Rats were subjected to 25 minutes of renal pedicle occlusion and hyperthermia was imposed during ischemia alone, reflow alone (0 to 30, 30 to 60, and 60 to 90 minutes), ischemia + reflow, or without ischemia. Hyperthermia's effects on ischemic/reperfusion adenylate pools lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde), and the severity of ARF were assessed in comparison with normothermic ischemic controls. Hyperthermia confined to ischemia profoundly worsened ARF whereas during immediate reflow (0 to 30 minutes) hyperthermia had only a mild ARF-potentiating effect. During late reflow (greater than 30 minutes) or in the absence of ischemia, hyperthermia caused no damage. Hyperthermia had only a brief negative impact on ischemic ATP content, just slightly lowering it during the first 5 minutes of ischemia. Nevertheless, much greater ischemic damage resulted, reflected by increased proximal tubular brush border membrane sloughing at the end of vascular occlusion. Hyperthermia imposed only during reflow did not affect ATP concentrations. Hyperthermia increased end-ischemic purine base concentrations by 10% due to increased ATP degradation. However, reperfusion lipid peroxidation did not result and xanthine oxidase inhibition (by oxypurinol) conferred no protection. Conclusions: (a) Hyperthermia worsens ARF predominantly by affecting ischemic, not reperfusion, injury; (b) xanthine oxidase is not an important mediator of hyperthermic-ischemic ARF; and (c) hyperthermia has a quantitatively trivial impact on ischemic ATP levels. This suggests that hyperthermia principally worsens ARF by magnifying the consequences of energy depletion (e.g., membrane damage) more than by worsening energy depletion, per se.     

Morphologic, biochemical, and molecular evidence of apoptosis during the reperfusion phase after brief periods of renal ischemia.

A multiparametric analysis to demonstrate that even brief periods of arterial clamping can initiate extensive cell loss in a rat kidney through the process of apoptosis during the 48-hour period after reperfusion was performed. Microscopic examination of rat renal tissues subject to a 5-, 30-, or 45-minute period of complete ischemia showed the presence of apoptotic bodies both within and occasionally between renal tubules, appearing as early 12 hours after reperfusion, and increasing in numbers at 24 hours. Furthermore, DNA extracted from such reperfused renal tissue demonstrated the appearance of a distinct "ladder" pattern of DNA fragments after electrophoresis in agarose gels, a phenomenon commonly associated with cells undergoing apoptosis and in contrast to the predominant smear pattern obtained after electrophoresis of DNA extracted from necrotic renal tissue. Finally, messenger RNA (mRNA) encoding sulfated glycoprotein-2, a gene product previously identified to apoptotic renal cells, was found to be highly expressed in the 30-minute arterial clamped rat kidney after 24 hours of reperfusion, but was not detectable in mRNA extracted from renal tissue after 24 hours chronic infarction. This study demonstrates that a combination of morphologic, biochemical, and molecular markers can be used to distinguish predominant modes of cell death in varying forms of tissue injury. Application of these analytical techniques to renal vascular injury has distinguished that brief periods of complete ischemia initiates a form of cell death (apoptosis) during a subsequent reperfusion phase that is drastically different from cellular necrosis induced by prolonged severe ischemia.     

Neutralization of Groα and Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-2 Attenuates Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

Previous studies have provided strong evidence for a role for neutrophils in mediating pathology during reperfusion of ischemic tissues. CXC chemokines including interleukin-8, KC/Gro alpha, and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2, direct neutrophils to tissue sites of inflammation. In the current study we tested the efficacy of antibodies to KC/Gro alpha and MIP-2 in inhibiting neutrophil infiltration into kidneys during reperfusion after 1 hour of warm ischemia using a mouse model. KC mRNA and protein were produced within 3 hours after reperfusion of the ischemic kidneys. MIP-2 mRNA and protein were twofold to fourfold lower than KC and were at low levels until 9 hours after reperfusion. Only 60% of mice subjected to ischemia/reperfusion injury survived to day 3 after reperfusion. Treatment with rabbit neutralizing antibodies to both KC and MIP-2 inhibited neutrophil infiltration into ischemic kidneys during reperfusion, restored renal function as assessed by decreased serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels to near normal levels, and resulted in complete survival of treated animals. Finally, treatment with both antibodies significantly reduced histologically graded pathology of kidneys subjected to ischemia/reperfusion injury. Collectively, the results indicate the efficacy of neutralizing the chemokines directing neutrophils into ischemic kidneys during reperfusion to inhibit this infiltration and attenuate the resulting pathology.     

Involvement of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and osteopontin in renal tubular regeneration and interstitial fibrosis after cisplatin-induced renal failure

The kidney has a capacity to recover from ischemic or toxic insults that result in cell death, and timely tissue repair of affected renal tubules may arrest progression of injury, leading to regression of injury and paving the way for recovery. To investigate the roles of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL/lcn2) and osteopontin (OPN/spp1) during renal regeneration, the expression patterns of NGAL and OPN in the cisplatin-induced rat renal failure model were examined. NGAL expression was increased from day 1 after injection; it was seen mainly in the completely regenerating proximal tubules of the cortico-medullary junction on days 3–35; however, the expression was not seen in abnormally dilated or atrophied renal tubules surrounded by fibrotic lesions. On the other hand, OPN expression was increased from day 5 and the increased expression developed exclusively in the abnormal renal tubules. NGAL expression level well correlated with the proliferating activity in the regenerating renal epithelial cells, whereas OPN significantly correlated with the α-smooth muscle actin-positive myofibroblast appearance, expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, and the number of CD68-positive macrophages. Interestingly, rat renal epithelial cell line (NRK-52E) treated with TGF-β1 decreased NGAL expression, but increased OPN expression in a dose-dependent manner. Because increases of TGF-β1, myofibroblasts and macrophages contribute to progressive interstitial renal fibrosis, OPN may be involved in the pathogenesis of fibrosis; on the contrary, NGAL may play a role in tubular regeneration after injury. Expression analysis of NGAL and OPN would be useful to investigate the tubule damage in renal-toxicity.     

Lack of galectin-1 results in defects in myoblast fusion and muscle regeneration.

Galectin-1 has been implicated in the development of skeletal muscle, being maximally expressed at the time of myofiber formation. Furthermore, in the presence of exogenous galectin-1, mononuclear myoblasts show increased fusion in vitro. In the current study, we have used the galectin-1 null mouse to elucidate the role of galectin-1 in skeletal muscle development and regeneration. Myoblasts derived from the galectin-1 mutant showed a reduced ability to fuse in vitro. In galectin-1 null mutants, there was evidence of a delay in muscle fiber development at the neonatal stage and muscle fiber diameter was reduced when compared with wild-type at the adult stage. Muscle regeneration was also compromised in the galectin-1 mutant with the process being delayed and a reduced fiber size being maintained. These results, therefore, show a definitive role for galectin-1 in fusion of myoblasts both in vitro, in vivo, and in regeneration after recovery from induced injury.     

Citrinin nephrotoxicity in rats: A light and electron microscopic study

Citrinin, a myocotoxin produced by Penicillium citrinum, causes hepatic and renal damage. This study describes light and electron microscopic changes in rat kidneys at intervals of 24, 48, 72, and 96 hr following administration of 50 mg/kg citrinin. Twenty-four hours after treatment, the most prominent change was cytoplasmic vacuolization of epithelial cells of proximal convoluted tubules. This vacuolar change involved clusters of proximal convolutions. Such focal changes were distributed throughout the cortex. Other components of the cortex and medulla appeared relatively normal morphologically; distal tubular damage was not observed. At 48 hr following administration of citrinin, multifocal areas of necrotic proximal convoluted tubules were observed. Extensive mineral deposits were present in the necrotic areas. Intact proximal and distal tubules were observed between the necrotic areas, and components of the medulla were not appreciably altered. At 72 hr, various degrees of regeneration of proximal tubular epithelial cells were noted in areas of necrosis in the cortex. Ninety-six hours following citrinin administration, tubular regeneration was still prominent and, in some cases, kidneys appeared completely normal morphologically.     

复方丹参对大鼠脑缺血再灌注后大脑皮层神经细胞凋亡和Bcl-2 mRNA表达的影响

为了探讨中药复方丹参对大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注后大脑皮层神经细胞凋亡及Bcl-2mRNA表达的影响和保护作用,本研究采用大脑中动脉内栓线阻断法(MCAO)造成局灶性脑缺血再灌注模型,应用原位末端标记(TUNEL)和原位杂交技术检测大鼠大脑皮层神经细胞凋亡和神经细胞Bcl-2mRNA的表达,并进行图像分析。结果显示:缺血再灌注组凋亡神经细胞主要位于缺血侧大脑皮层缺血边缘区(半暗区);缺血侧大脑皮层缺血边缘区神经细胞Bcl-2mRNA的表达在缺血再灌注2h后升高,随着缺血再灌注时间的延长逐渐增强;复方丹参保护组神经细胞Bcl-2mRNA的表达明显强于缺血再灌组(P<0.01),凋亡神经细胞数明显低于缺血再灌组(P<0.01)。上述结果说明复方丹参可通过上调神经细胞Bcl-2mRNA的表达,抑制神经细胞凋亡,减轻缺血再灌注对大鼠大脑皮层神经细胞的损伤。     

Pretreatment with simvastatin upregulates expression of BK-2R and CD11b in the ischemic penumbra of rats

Inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductases, collectively known as statins, have been shown to minimize cerebral ischemic events in patients. We assessed the mechanisms of simvastatin pretreatment in preventing cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats using a model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Rats were pretreated with simvastatin 14 days prior to MCAO induction. At 3, 24, and 48 hours after reperfusion, bradykinin levels in the ischemic penumbra were assayed by ELISA, mRNA levels of bradykinin B2 receptors (BK-2Rs) and CD11b were measured by fluorescent quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR), and co-expression of microglia and BK-2Rs was determined by immunofluorescence. Simvastatin had no effect on bradykinin expression in the ischemic penumbra at any time point. However, the levels of BK-2R and CD11b mRNA in the ischemic penumbra, which were significantly decreased 3 hours after ischemia-reperfusion, were increased in simvastatin-pretreated rats. Moreover, the co-expression of BK-2Rs and microglia was confirmed by immunofluorescence analysis. These results suggest that the beneficial effects of simvastatin pretreatment before cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats may be partially due to increased expression of BK-2R and CD11b in the ischemic penumbra.     

葡萄糖转运体3在脑缺血/再灌注后半影区表达的变化及意义

目的:研究大鼠局灶性脑缺血不同缺血时间和不同再灌注时间的脑梗塞体积比、皮质半影区葡萄糖转运体3(GLUT3)转录水平和蛋白水平的表达。方法:用线栓法复制大鼠局灶性脑缺血模型,用Kontron IBAS2.5全自动图像分析系统检测脑梗塞体积比;剥取缺血半影区皮质组织,采用反转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)测定GLUT3 mRNA水平的变化;用免疫组织化学方法半定量测定GLUT3蛋白水平的变化。结果:脑缺血1 h后再灌注组的脑梗塞体积明显小于缺血3 h再灌注组梗塞体积。GLUT3自3 h即开始升高,24 h到达高峰,1周时仍高于假手术对照组;缺血3 h再灌注组在3 h有一下降点,然后升高,24 h到高峰,1周时接近正常水平。GLUT3蛋白水平的表达与mRNA相符合。结论:GLUT3在缺血半影区的表达上调,可能是机体对缺血／再灌注的保护性反应。