Title:The Expression and Molecular Mechanisms of Matrix Metalloproteinase- 9 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Renal Interstitial Fibrosis in Rats
Volume: 24
Issue: 12
Author(s): Shujun Lin, Wenshan Lin, Zhiqing Zhong, Hongzhen Zhong, Tianbiao Zhou*Wenjuan Weng
Affiliation:
- Department of Nephrology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, 515041,
Shantou, China
Keywords:
Renal interstitial fibrosis, matrix metalloproteinase-9, vascular endothelial growth factor, transforming growth factor-β1.
Abstract:
Objective: To explore a new approach for the treatment of renal interstitial
fibrosis (RIF), we detected the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) and
vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
Methods: Twenty-four male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 2-
week normal control (2NC) group, 4-week NC (4NC) group, 2-week unilateral ureteral
obstruction (2UUO) group, and 4-week UUO (4UUO) group. We performed left ureteral
ligation on UUO groups. Then, we sacrificed the rats of the 2NC group and 2UUO
group at 2 weeks and the other groups at 4 weeks after the surgery.
Immunohistochemistry and western blot were applied to detect the expression of
MMP9, VEGF, fibronectin (FN), type IV collagen (Col-IV), and transforming growth
factor-β1 (TGF-β1). MMP9 levels reduced after UUO surgery. Its expression was less
in the 4UUO group than in the 2UUO group (P<0.05). The expression of VEGF, TGF-
β1, FN, and Col-IV was higher in UUO groups than in NC groups (P<0.05). The
expression of these indicators was higher in the 4UUO group than in the 2UUO group
(P<0.05).
Results: In the correlation analysis, MMP9 levels in UUO groups had a negative
correlation with the expression of TGF-β1, VEGF, Col-IV, FN, and RIF index (all
P<0.05). In UUO groups, VEGF levels had a positive correlation with the expression of
TGF-β1, Col-IV, FN, and RIF index (all P<0.05).
Conclusion: In conclusion, with the aggravation of RIF lesions, MMP9 levels
decreased, and VEGF levels increased. Whether there is a mutual inhibition
relationship between them remains to be confirmed by further experiments.
