ROCK1 Induces Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Glomeruli to Aggravate Albuminuria in Diabetic Nephropathy.

ABSTRACT: Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) can cause loss of tight junctions, which in glomeruli are associated with albuminuria. Here we evaluated the role of EndMT in the development of albuminuria in diabetic nephropathy (DN). We demonstrated that EndMT occurs in the glomerular endothelium of patients with DN, showing by a decrease in CD31 but an increase in α-SMA expression. In glomeruli of db/db mice, there was an increased ROCK1 expression in the endothelium plus a decreased CD31-positive cells. Cultured glomerular endothelial cells (GEnCs) underwent EndMT when stimulated by 30 mM glucose, and exhibited increased permeability. Meanwhile, they showed a higher ROCK1 expression and activation. Notably, inhibition of ROCK1 largely blocked EndMT and the increase in endothelial permeabi

SUBMITTER: Peng H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4740844 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature