Epidermal growth factor receptor mimotope alleviates renal fibrosis in murine unilateral ureteral obstruction model

Macrophages have been recognized as a vital factor that can promote renal fibrosis. Previously we reported that the EGFR mimotope could alleviate the macrophage infiltration in the Sjögren's syndrome-like animal model. In current study, we sought to observe whether the active immunization induced by the EGFR mimotope could ameliorate renal fibrosis in the murine Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction (UUO) model. A series of experiments showed the EGFR mimotope immunization could ameliorate renal fibrosis, reduce the expressions of fibronectin, α-SMA and collagen I and alleviate the infiltrations of F4/80+ macrophages in UUO model. Meanwhile, the EGFR mimotope immunization could inhibit the EGFR downstream signaling. Additionally, the frequency of and F4/80+CD9+/FAS+ macrophages significantly increased in spleen after the EGFR mimotope immunization. These evidence suggested that the EGFR mimotope could alleviate renal fibrosis by both inhibiting EGFR signaling and promoting macrophages apoptosis.