Hyaluronan induces monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression in renal tubular epithelial cells

Hyaluronan (HA) is a nonsulfated glycosaminoglycan that accumulates in the renal interstitium in immune-mediated kidney diseases. The functional significance of such HA deposition in the kidney has not been elucidated. Several studies have suggested that HA may exhibit proinflammatory effects. Since chemokines such as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) play an important role in the recruitment of leukocytes in renal injury, this study tested whether HA and its fragments could promote MCP-1 production by renal parenchymal cells. Mouse cortical tubular cells were stimulated with fragmented HA or with high molecular weight HA (Healon) in vitro and were examined for MCP-1 expression. Fragmented HA, but not Healon, increased MCP-1 mRNA within 30 min with a peak after 2 h. In addition, a 10-fold increase of MCP-1 protein in the supernatant was found after a 6-h stimulation with fragmented HA. The enhanced MCP-1 mRNA and protein expression in response to HA was dose-dependent between 1 and 100 microg/ml. Upregulation of MCP-1 protein production could be blocked by preincubation with actinomycin D or cycloheximide, suggesting that MCP-1 mRNA and protein expression in response to HA are based on de novo synthesis. The HA-stimulated MCP-1 production was also inhibited with anti-CD44 antibodies, suggesting that MCP-1 is upregulated at least in part by signaling through CD44. In summary, fragmented HA markedly stimulates renal tubular MCP-1 production by mechanisms that involve binding to the HA receptor CD44. It is hypothesized that the accumulation of HA in immune renal injury could participate in the recruitment and activation of inflammatory cells in vivo through production of MCP-1.