Transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) and other targets of tumor necrosis factor-alpha converting enzyme (TACE) in murine polycystic kidney disease.

ABSTRACT: Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) is abnormally expressed in autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD). Tumor necrosis factor-alpha converting enzyme (TACE), a metalloproteinase, mediates TGF-alpha processing. In this study, we sought to determine whether TGF-alpha was an absolute requirement for renal cystogenesis and whether its absence would modulate disease severity or related growth factors/receptors expression. Bpk heterozygotes were bred with TGF-alpha null mice to produce cystic and noncystic offspring with or without TGF-alpha. Assessments included kidney weight (KW), body weight (BW), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and kidney and liver immunohistology. Western analysis assessed kidney expression of amphiregulin (AR), epidermal growth factor (EGF), heparin-bindi

SUBMITTER: Nemo R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1570100 | biostudies-literature | 2005 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature