Study on lead-induced activation of rat renal interstitial fibroblasts and the related mechanisms

Lead is a common industrial toxicant and has been proved to be associated with the kidney damage.

To investigate the effect and mechanism of lead on expression of rat renal interstitial fibroblast activation related protein.

The expression of activation related protein mRNA was measured by real-time PCR in the NRK/49F treated by lead acetate with different concentrations (0, 0.5, 1 and 2 µmol/L). The effects of lead acetate on the level of fibronectin (FN) and signal transduction factors (Smads protein) expression were observed by Western blot.

The mRNA expression of activation-related protein increased significantly after the cells were stimulated by lead acetate for 24 h. The lead acetate-treated group could upregulate the p-Smad2, p-Smad3 and FN protein expression compared with the control group. The level of Smad2/3 protein expression did not change in all groups, the expression of SnoN decreased significantly compared with the control group.

Lead acetate could increase the mRNA expression of activation-related factors. It could promote inflammatory reaction induced by TGF-β via Smad signaling pathway. Lead acetate has the effect on inducing the renal fibrosis.