OBJECTIVETo determine whether hyperglycemia activates NFAT2 in cultured podocytes to cause podocyte apoptosis and explore the role of NFAT2 in high glucose-induced podocyte apoptosis.

METHODSImmortalized mouse podocytes were cultured in the presence of normal (5.3 mmol/L) or high glucose (10, 20, 30, and 40 mmol/L) or pretreated with 11R-vivit (100 nmol/L) or cyclosporine A (500 nmol/L) before exposure to 20 mmol/L glucose for different durations (0.5-48 h). The activation of NFAT2 in the podocytes was detected using Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay. The role of NFAT2 in hyperglycemia-induced podocyte apoptosis was explored by observing the inhibition of NFAT2 activation by 11R-vivit using flow cytometry. Intracellular Ca was monitored in high glucose-treated podocytes using Fluo-3/AM. The mRNA and protein expressions of the apoptosis gene Bax were detected using real time-qPCR and Western blotting.

RESULTSExposure to high glucose in the medium time- and dose-dependently activated NFAT2 in cultured podocytes. Pretreatment with cyclosporine A or 11R- VIVIT completely blocked nuclear accumulation of NFAT2. Treatment with 11R- vivit also inhibited high glucoseinduced apoptosis in cultured podocytes. Exposure to high glucose obviously increased [Ca]I in the podocytes to cause activation of calcineurin and the subsequent increment of nuclear accumulation of NFAT2 and Bax expression.

CONCLUSIONSHigh glucose-induced apoptosis in podocytes is mediated by calcineurin/NFAT2/Bax signaling pathway, which may serve as a potential target for therapeutic intervention.