Abstract:

Objective To investigate the effects of high glucose and Rapamycin intervention on the expression of type Ⅳ collagen and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in podocytes. Methods Mouse podocytes cultured in vitro were divided into blank control group, high permeability group, high glucose group and high glucose+Rapamycin intervention group. The expression of type Ⅳ collagen α3 chain (COL4A3) mRNA, type Ⅳ collagen α5 chain (COL4A5) mRNA, MMP-9 mRNA and MMP-9 protein in podocytes of each group was detected by Real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The contents of type Ⅳ collagen in the supernatants of culture fluid were determined by ELISA. Results Compared with control group, the expression of COL4A3 mRNA and COL4A5 mRNA in podocytes and the contents of type Ⅳ collagen in the supernatants of culture fluid in high glucose group were significantly increased (P<0.05), while the expression of MMP-9 mRNA and MMP-9 protein in podocytes was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with high glucose group, the expression of COL4A3 mRNA and COL4A5 mRNA in podocytes and the contents of type Ⅳ collagen in the supernatants of culture fluid in high glucose+Rapamycin intervention group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while the expression of MMP-9 mRNA and MMP-9 protein in podocytes was significantly increased (P<0.05). Conclusion Rapamycin could reverse the abnormal expression of type Ⅳ collagen and MMP-9 in podocytes treated with high glucose.

Key words: Rapamycin, podocyte, high glucose, type Ⅳ collagen, matrix metalloproteinase