Expression of apoptosis-related genes in chronic cyclosporine nephrotoxicity in mice

Chul Woo Yang, Gregory R. Faulkner, Ihab M. Wahba, Tracy A. Christianson, Grover C. Bagby, Dong Chan Jin, Hanna E. Abboud, Takeshi F. Andoh, William M. Bennett

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

83 Scopus citations

Abstract

To define the mechanism of cyclosporine (CsA)-induced apoptosis, we investigated the expression of apoptosis-related genes in experimental chronic CsA nephrotoxicity. Mice on a low-salt (0.01%) diet were given vehicle (VH, olive oil, 1 mg/kg/day), or CsA (30mg/kg/day), and sacrificed at 1 and 4weeks. Apoptosis was detected with deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) stain, and the expressions of apoptosis-related genes were evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, immunoblot or immunohistochemistry. The activity of caspase 1 and 3 was also evaluated. The CsA group showed increases in apoptotic cells compared with the VH group (54±41 vs. 3±3, p <0.05), and the number of apoptotic cells correlated well with interstitial fibrosis scores (r = 0.83, p <0.01). The CsA group showed a significant increase in Fas-ligand mRNA (0.20 vs. 0.02amol/pg total RNA, p <0.05) and Fas protein expression (146% vs. 95%, p <0.05), compared with the VH group. The CsA group showed significant increases in ICE mRNA (0.21 vs. 0.03amol/μg total RNA at 4weeks, p <0.05) and CPP32 mRNA (0.18 vs. 0.03amol/μg total RNA at 4weeks, p <0.05), compared with the VH group. The enzymatic activity of ICE (16.6 vs. 7.9 pmol/μg/h, p <0.05) and CPP32 protease (15.6 vs. 2.7pmol/μg/h, p 0.<05) proteases were increased in the CsA group, compared with the VH group. The ratio between bax and bcl-2 protein increased significantly in the CsA group (5.3-fold), compared with the VH group. Levels of p53 protein also increased in the CsA group. Immunohistochemical detection of Fas, Fas-ligand, ICE and CPP32 revealed strong immunoreactivity in renal tubular cells in areas of structural injury. These findings suggest that local activation of the apoptosis-related genes is associated with CsA-induced apoptotic cell death.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)391-399
Number of pages9
JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation
Volume2
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2002

Keywords

  • Apoptosis
  • Cyclosporine
  • Mice

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Transplantation
  • Pharmacology (medical)

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