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Updated: Sep 21, 2026
Assessment of Kidney Function in Mouse Models of Glomerular Disease
Published on: June 30, 2018
Expression of mRNA's of cytokines and growth factors in experimental glomerulonephritis
T Onbe1, N Kashihara, Y Yamasaki
1Third Department of Internal Medicine, Okayama University Medical School, Japan.
Abstract:
A variety of cytokines and growth factors have been recently shown to modulate the growth of mesangial cells and the synthesis of the mesangial matrix. We examined chronological change of mRNA expression of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), and the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-B chain in glomeruli of nephrotoxic serum nephritis using reverse transcription and the polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. Expression of TNF-alpha mRNA increased immediately after induction of nephrotoxic serum nephritis. Levels of IL-1 beta and PDGF-B chain mRNAs increased at 24 hr and remained elevated for 4 weeks. TGF-beta 1 mRNA expression increased significantly at 24 hr, peaking at 2 weeks. The chronological changes of these cytokines and growth factors were associated with two phases of inflammation in this model. Among them, expression of PDGF-B chain mRNA preceded mesangial proliferation and expression of TGF-beta 1 preceded accumulation of mesangial matrix, indicating that these two growth factors contributed to these histological alterations.
Insights
This study tracks key inflammatory molecules in nephrotoxic serum nephritis. Platelet-derived growth factor B and transforming growth factor beta 1 mRNA expression preceded key kidney tissue changes.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Cytokines and growth factors influence mesangial cell growth and matrix synthesis.
- Nephrotoxic serum nephritis is a model for studying glomerular injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the chronological changes in mRNA expression of specific cytokines and growth factors in nephrotoxic serum nephritis.
- To correlate these molecular changes with histological alterations like mesangial proliferation and matrix accumulation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to quantify mRNA levels.
- Examined glomeruli from rats with induced nephrotoxic serum nephritis.
Main Results:
- Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) mRNA increased immediately post-induction.
- Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-B chain mRNA levels rose at 24 hours and persisted for 4 weeks.
- Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) mRNA showed a significant increase at 24 hours, peaking at 2 weeks.
- PDGF-B chain mRNA expression preceded mesangial proliferation, and TGF-beta 1 mRNA preceded matrix accumulation.
Conclusions:
- The temporal expression patterns of TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, PDGF-B, and TGF-beta 1 correlate with distinct phases of inflammation in this nephritis model.
- PDGF-B and TGF-beta 1 play crucial roles in mediating mesangial proliferation and matrix expansion, respectively.
