Objective To investigate the role of genistein (Gen) in the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) induced by parathyroid hormone (PTH) in human renal tubular epithelia cells. Methods Real-time PCR, Western blotting and reporter gene assay were employed to detect the role of Gen in PTH-induced CTGF expression in HK-2 cells. The activity of NF-κB was measured by EMSA to investigate the mechanism by which PTH induced CTGF expression in HK-2 cells. Inhibitors of NF-κB signaling pathway were used to ascertain which signal pathway was involved. Results HK-2 cells had basic amount of CTGF mRNA and protein, which, however, increased significantly after treatment with PTH, and the luciferase activity increased to a higher level as compared with control group after treatment with 10-10 mol/L PTH for 12 h (1.89±0.08 vs 0.99±0.03, P＜0.01). Gen decreased the expressions of CTGF mRNA and protein induced by PTH in dose-dependent manner. The NF-κB of nucleus was inactivation without PTH, while the activity of NF-κB significantly increased after exposed to PTH, with the maximal response of PTH at a concentration of 10-10 mol/L and the best stimulating time at 30 minute. The NF-κB inhibitor PDTC reduced the increase of CTGF transcript levels in response to PTH stimulation. Gen blunted PTH-mediated NF-κB activation. Conclusion Gen inhibits CTGF expression induced by PTH through bloking NF-κB signaling pathway in human renal tubular epithelial cells.

Objective To investigate the effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2 cells),and determine the role of β-catenin signaling pathway.Method The expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA),E-cadherin and β-catenin in HK-2 cells was measured by real-time PCR,Western blotting and immunofluorescence technique.The signaling pathway by which PTH activated EMT in HK -2 cells was identified by using synthetic β-catenin siRNA.Results Parathyroid hormone (10-10mol/ L) increased α-SMA expression and decreased E-cadherin expression in HK-2 cells (P＜ 0.01,respectively).Untreated cells showed the expression of E-cadherin,whereas α-SMA staining was noticeably increased in cells treated with PTH.β-catenin activity was significantly increased after exposed to PTH.Theα-SMA expression was decreased strongly and E-cadherin expression was increased after β-catenin siRNA transfection (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion PTH significantly induces epithelial to mesenchymal transition in HK-2 cells throughβ-catenin signaling pathway.

Objective To initially map the gene responsible for autosomal dominant familial IgA nephropathy of a Chinese family by exclusive the five loci that had been reported with linkage analysis.Methods The genetic pattern of the familial IgA nephropathy was identified and the genomic DNA was extracted from the blood samples collected from the family members.Short tandem repeat (STR) inside the loci that had been reported was selected,such as 2q36,3p23-24,4q26-31,6q22-23,17q12-22,and the data with two-point linkage analysis were performed.Results Autosomal dominant inheritance pattern was demonstrated in phenotypes of the family and there was no linkage relationship in the above five loci of chromosomes because the maximum two-point LOD score was 0.39 at D17S1868.Conclusion Following exclusion of the loci which had been reported,there are other new pathopoiesis loci of FIgAN and it reveals that FIgAN has the genetic heterogeneity according to initial result at the same time.

Objective To explore the effect of serum uric acid on the clinical manifestations,pathological characteristics and prognosis of IgA nephropathy.Methods Four hundred and fifty-six cases of primary IgA nephropathy confirmed by renal biopsy from Jan 2007 to Oct 2010 in the Ji'nan Military General Hospital were reviewed retrospectively.The clinical manifestations and pathological characteristics of all the patients were analyzed,x2-test and t-test were used for statistical analysis.Results There were 127 cases with hyperuricemia in 456 IgAN patients (27.9％).The mean age,percentage of male patients,number of patients with hypertension,the serum cholesterol and triglyceride level,body mass index (BMI),serum creatinine and 24 hour urine protein level in hyperuricemia group were significantly higher than those with normal serum uric acid (P＜0.01).The renal pathological changes,glomerular score (8.1 ±0.8 v 5.3t0.9 ),tubulointerstitial score (4.2±0.4 vs 2.7±0.4) and vasculopathy score ( 1.43±0.60 vs 0.76±0.29) in the hyperuricemia group were more severe than those with normal serum uric acid (P＜0.01).Conclusion High level of serum uric acid can affect IgA nephropathy significantly.It is effe-ctive to delay the kindey damage and progression of IgA nephropathy by decreasing the level of uric acid and control the clinical parameters listed above.

Objective To investigate the effects of Tim-3 on the renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI),and explore the role of monocyte-macrophage cell system.Methods Totally 72 C57BL/ 6 mice were randomly divided into four groups (n =18 each).(1) IR + Tim-3 rnAb group (experimental group):Each mouse was intraperitoneally injected with 200μg of anti-Tim-3 mAb and the IR model of mouse kidney was established after 1 day;(2) IR + IgG monoclonal antibody group (negative control group):each mouse was intraperitoneally injected with anti-IgG mAb (200 μg) and the IR model of mouse kidney was established after 1 day;(3) IR group:mouse kidney IR model was established only;(4) Control group:mouse kidney IR model was not established.At 6,24 and 48 h after IR respectively,venous blood of 6 mice in each group was taken from the infrarenal vein.Scr and CystinC were detected and PAS staining was used to observe the pathological change of renal tissues.Cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining.Pax,bcl-2 and caspase-3 expression in renal tissue was detected by Western blotting.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the distribution of Tim-3 and activated macrophage cells.Flow cytometry and ELISA were used to evaluate the level of Tim-3 and inflammatory cytokines secretion respectively.Results Compared with control group,the Tim-3 expression was dramatically increased in IR group and I/R + Tim-3 mAb group.The serum Scr and CystinC levels were increased in IR group,and Tim-3 blocking decreased the levels of serum Scr and CystinC (P＜0.05).PAS and TUNEL staining showed that renal injury score and apoptotic index were higher in IR group than those in control group.Tim-3mAb significantly decreased those markers,and ameliorated the renal tubulointerstitial injury induced by IRk The expression levels of Caspase-3 and Bax/bcl-2 was increased in IR group,but deceased by Tim-3mAb.IR induced F4/80 + distribution and inflammatory cytokines secretion in renal tubular interstitial tissues,while Tim-3mAb down-regulated F4/80 + activation and the levels of inflammatory cytokines.Conclusion The findings demonstrated Tim-3 may promoted renal IRI through regulating mononuclear phagocyte system function.