Angiotensin stimulates TGF-beta1 and clusterin in the hydronephrotic neonatal rat kidney

Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) induces activation of the renin-angiotensin system and upregulation of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1; a cytokine modulating cellular adhesion and fibrogenesis) and clusterin (a glycoprotein produced in response to cellular injury). This study was designed to examine the regulation of renal TGF-beta1 and clusterin by ANG II in the neonatal rat. Animals were subjected to UUO in the first 2 days of life, and renal TGF-beta1 and clusterin mRNA were measured 3 days later. Rats were divided into treatment groups receiving saline vehicle, ANG, losartan (AT(1) receptor inhibitor), or PD-123319 (AT(2) receptor inhibitor). ANG stimulated renal TGF-beta1 expression via AT(1) receptors, a response similar to that in the adult. In contrast, clusterin expression was stimulated via AT(2) receptors, a response differing from that in the adult, in which ANG inhibits clusterin expression via AT(1) receptors. We speculate that the unique response of the neonatal hydronephrotic kidney to ANG II is due to the preponderance of AT(2) receptors in the developing kidney.