草酸钙结晶肾损伤模型小鼠肾小管上皮细胞转分化的实验研究

目的:研究乙醛酸盐诱导所致草酸钙结晶肾损伤模型小鼠中肾小管上皮细胞转分化的发生情况。方法:选择C57BL/6J小鼠连续腹腔注射乙醛酸盐建立草酸钙结晶肾损伤模型,应用HE染色及冯库萨染色分别观察肾组织结构变化及钙盐沉积情况,并应用免疫荧光双染、Western-blot观察肾小管上皮细胞间充质转分化(epithelial mesenchymal transtion,EMT)的情况。结果:随着连续腹腔注射乙醛酸盐时间的延长,小鼠肾组织HE染色结果显示,近端肾小管管腔逐渐扩张,且肾小管上皮细胞逐渐出现肿胀及变形,基底膜逐渐裸露;冯库萨染色结果显示近端小管腔内黑色钙盐沉积逐渐增加;免疫荧光双染、Western blot结果均显示肾小管上皮标志E-cadherin及Pan-ck逐渐丢失,而间质标志α-SMA及Vimentin的表达则逐渐增加,Western blot检测结果显示随着乙醛酸盐干预的增强,Rho相关卷曲螺旋形成蛋白激酶(rho associated coiled coil forming protein kinase,ROCKI)表达也逐渐增加,且在干预第3天即达高峰。结论:乙醛酸盐诱导所致草酸钙结晶肾损伤模型早期即出现EMT,启动了肾间质纤维化的进程。     

MiR-663a Inhibits Radiation-Induced Epithelium-to-Mesenchymal Transition by Targeting TGF-β1

Objective miR-663 a has been reported to be downregulated by X-ray irradiation and participates in radiation-induced bystander effect via TGF-β1. The goal of this study was to explore the role of mi R-663 a during radiation-induced Epithelium-to-mesenchymal transition(EMT).Methods TGF-β1 or IR was used to induce EMT. After mi R-663 a transfection, cell migration and cell morphological changes were detected and the expression levels of mi R-663 a, TGF-β1, and EMT-related factors were quantified.R...     

Salt-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in Dahl salt-sensitive rats is dependent on elevated blood pressure

Dietary salt intake has been linked to hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Accumulating evidence has indicated that salt-sensitive individuals on high salt intake are more likely to develop renal fibrosis. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) participates in the development and progression of renal fibrosis in humans and animals. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of a high-salt diet on EMT in Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rats. Twenty-four male SS and consomic SS-13^BN rats were randomized to a normal diet or a high-salt diet. After 4 weeks, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and albuminuria were analyzed, and renal fibrosis was histopathologically evaluated. Tubular EMT was evaluated using immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR with E-cadherin and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). After 4 weeks, SBP and albuminuria were significantly increased in the SS high-salt group compared with the normal diet group. Dietary salt intake induced renal fibrosis and tubular EMT as identified by reduced expression of E-cadherin and enhanced expression of α-SMA in SS rats. Both blood pressure and renal interstitial fibrosis were negatively correlated with E-cadherin but positively correlated with α-SMA. Salt intake induced tubular EMT and renal injury in SS rats, and this relationship might depend on the increase in blood pressure.     

Myocardial contraction and hyaluronic acid mechanotransduction in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transformation of endocardial cells

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of endocardial cells is a critical initial step in the formation of heart valves. The collagen gel in vitro model has provided significant information on the role of growth factors regulating EMT but has not permitted investigation of mechanical factors. Therefore we sought to develop a system to probe the effects of mechanical inputs on endocardial EMT by incorporating hyaluronic acid (HA), the primary component of endocardial cushions in developing heart valves, into the gel assay. This was achieved using a combination collagen and crosslinkable methacrylated HA hydrogel (Coll-MeHA). Avian atrioventricular canal explants on Coll-MeHA gels showed increased numbers of transformed cells. Analysis of the mechanical properties of Coll-MeHA gels shows that stiffness does not directly affect EMT. Hydrogel deformation from the beating myocardium of explants directly led to higher levels of regional gel deformation and larger average strain magnitudes associated with invaded cells on Coll-MeHA gels. Inhibition of this contraction reduced EMT on all gel types, although to a lesser extent on Coll-MeHA gels. Using the system we have developed, which permits the manipulation of mechanical factors, we have demonstrated that active mechanical forces play a role in the regulation of endocardial EMT.