Abstract:

Objective To investigate the effects of high glucose on F-actin cytoskeleton and expression and distribution of cytoskeleton related proteins of podocytes in mice. Methods Mouse podocytes cultured in vitro were divided into normal control group, high permeability control group and high glucose group. The expression and distribution of F-actin, α-actinin-4 and vinculin in podocytes were determined by immunofluorescence staining. The expression of α-actinin-4 and vinculin protein in podocytes was detected by Western blotting. Results In normal control group and high permeability control group, F-actin existed in the form of tension fibers in podocytes, and α-actinin-4 mainly located around cells and in actin microfilaments and membrane ruffles. However, F-actin tension fibers decreased, and α-actinin-4 moved into inner cytoplasm in high glucose group. There was no significant difference in the distribution of vinculin among groups. Western blotting revealed that the expression of α-actinin-4 protein in high glucose group was significantly lower than that in normal control group (P＜0.001), and there was no significant difference in the expression of vinculin protein among groups (P>0.05). Conclusion High glucose may induce F-actin cytoskeleton reorganization and cytoplasmic translocation of α-actinin-4, and may suppress the expression of α-actinin-4 in podocytes.

Key words: podocyte, high glucose, F-actin cytoskeleton, α-actinin-4, vinculin