Impact of STAT1-siRNA transfection on the expressions of STAT3 and transforming growth factor β1 in human glomerulur mesangial cells induced by high glucose

Objective To observe the cell proliferation and the protein expression of STAT1,phosphorylation of STAT1 (p-STAT1), STAT3, p-STAT3 and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in human glomerulur mesangial cells (HMCs) induced by high glucose after STAT1-siRNA transfection. Methods Three STAT1-siRNA sequences were designed and synthetized. HMCs in 6-well plate were transiently transfected with STAT1-siRNA using Lipofectamine 2000. After transfection for 48 h or 72 h, STAT1 mRNA and protein expression were detected by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively, to choose the effective sequence in later experiments. After transfection for 24 h and stimulated with 25 mmol/L glucose for 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, cell proliferation was measured by MTT assays, the protein expressions of STAT1, p-STAT1, STAT3 and p-STAT3 were detected by Western blotting, the expression of TGF-β1 was detected by ELISA in each group. Results High glucose could stimulate HMCs proliferation. The protein expressions of p-STAT1, p-STAT3 and TGF-β1 were increased in the group stimulated by high glucose (P＜0.05). The protein expressions of p-STAT3 and TGF-β1 were further increased in HMCs induced by high glucose after STAT1-siRNA transfection (P＜0.05). Conclusions Under high glucose conditions, JAK-STAT signal transduction pathway of HMCs can be activated, then it is far greater when HMCs are induced by high glucose after STAT1-siRNA transfection. The secretion of TGF-β1 is increased in HMCs under the state of high glucose, and it is further increased after STAT1-siRNA transfection, which is related to the kidney fibrosis.