Early changes in gene expression that influence the course of primary glomerular disease

Kidney Int. 2007 Aug;72(3):337-47. doi: 10.1038/sj.ki.5002302. Epub 2007 Apr 25.

Abstract

Serial changes in glomerular capillary loop gene expression were used to uncover mechanisms contributing to primary glomerular disease in rat models of passive Heymann nephritis and puromycin nephrosis. Before the onset of proteinuria, podocyte protein-tyrosine phosphatase (GLEPP1) expression was transiently decreased in the nephrosis model, whereas the immune costimulatory molecule B7.1 was stimulated in both models. To relate these changes to the development of proteinuria, the time of onset and intensity of proteinuria were altered. When the models were induced simultaneously, proteinuria and anasarca occurred earlier with the collapse of glomerular capillary loops. Upregulation of B7.1 with the downregulation of GLEPP1, Wilms' tumor gene (WT1), megalin, and vascular endothelial growth factor started early and persisted through the course of disease. In the puromycin and the combined models, changes in GLEPP1 expression were corticosteroid-sensitive, whereas B7.1, WT1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and most slit diaphragm genes involved later in the combined model, except podocin, were corticosteroid-resistant. There was a very early increase in the nuclear expression of podocyte transcription factors ZHX2 and ZHX1 that may be linked to the changes in gene expression in the combined proteinuric model. Our studies suggest that an early and persistent change in mostly steroid-resistant glomerular gene expression is the hallmark of severe and progressive glomerular disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B7-1 Antigen / genetics
  • B7-1 Antigen / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology*
  • Glomerulonephritis / genetics*
  • Glomerulonephritis / pathology
  • Glomerulonephritis / physiopathology*
  • Glomerulonephritis, Membranous / genetics
  • Glomerulonephritis, Membranous / pathology
  • Glomerulonephritis, Membranous / physiopathology
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
  • Kidney Glomerulus / metabolism*
  • Kidney Glomerulus / pathology
  • Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-2 / genetics
  • Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-2 / metabolism
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Nephrosis / genetics
  • Nephrosis / pathology
  • Nephrosis / physiopathology
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases / genetics
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases / metabolism
  • Proteinuria / genetics
  • Proteinuria / pathology
  • Proteinuria / physiopathology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptor-Like Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases, Class 3
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism
  • WT1 Proteins / genetics
  • WT1 Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • B7-1 Antigen
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-2
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • WT1 Proteins
  • Zhx1 protein, rat
  • Zhx2 protein, rat
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases
  • Ptpro protein, rat
  • Receptor-Like Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases, Class 3