Role for TGF-beta in cyclosporine-induced modulation of renal epithelial barrier function

J Am Soc Nephrol. 2007 Jun;18(6):1662-71. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2006050527. Epub 2007 Apr 25.

Abstract

It was previously shown that cyclosporine A (CsA) increases transepithelial resistance in MDCK cells. Activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade seems to be pivotal to the CsA-induced increase in transepithelial electrical resistance (TER). This study examined the role played by TGF-beta in mediating the CsA-induced activation of ERK1/2 and the resulting increase in TER in MDCK cells. Paracellular permeability across MDCK monolayers after various treatments was assessed by measurement of TER. TGF-beta secretion was measured by Western blot and ELISA. Activation of the ERK1/2 pathway and tight junction protein expression were also assessed by Western blot analysis. CsA increased production and secretion of TGF-beta and expression of the TGF-beta receptor II. Exogenous addition of TGF-beta1 activated ERK1/2 and increased TER across MDCK monolayers, both of which were attenuated by the MEK inhibitor U0126. Neutralizing antibodies against TGF-beta1 and the TGF-beta receptor II significantly reduced the CsA-induced increase in TER. Both CsA and TGF-beta1 increased expression of tight junction proteins claudin-1 and zonula occludens 2. Inhibition of the p38 MAPK pathway also attenuated the TGF-beta1-induced increase in TER. The results presented here suggest that the CsA-induced modulation of paracellular permeability may be mediated, at least in part, by an increase in TGF-beta production.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies / pharmacology
  • Butadienes / pharmacology
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cyclosporine / pharmacology*
  • Dextrans / pharmacokinetics
  • Dogs
  • Electric Impedance
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Epithelial Cells / drug effects*
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate / analogs & derivatives
  • Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate / pharmacokinetics
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology*
  • Kidney / cytology
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases / metabolism
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / physiology
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / metabolism
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / metabolism
  • Nitriles / pharmacology
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Pyridines / pharmacology
  • Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism
  • Tight Junctions / drug effects
  • Tight Junctions / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / immunology
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Butadienes
  • Dextrans
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Imidazoles
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Nitriles
  • Pyridines
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • U 0126
  • fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran
  • Cyclosporine
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases
  • Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II
  • Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate
  • SB 203580