Content area

Abstract

Background

By transdifferentiation, proximal tubular cells (PTC) have been considered as a source of interstitial myofibroblasts. We examined the combined effect of transforming growth factor-beta-1 (TGF-β1) stimulation and contact with type I collagen on PTC transdifferentiation.

Methods

Human kidney-2 cells were grown on type I substratum with the concurrent stimulation of TGF-β1.

Results

Following addition of TGF-β1, cells acquired an elongated fibroblastic appearance and an increase in α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression, a myofibroblastic marker. Upon addition of TGF-β1, E-cadherin expression, an epithelial marker, was reduced, while cytokeratin expression, another epithelial marker, remained unaltered. Following removal of TGF-β1, PTC regained an epithelial appearance and E-cadherin expression reverted to the unstimulated level, suggesting incomplete and reversible transdifferentiation. Addition of TGF-β1 to cells grown on type I collagen demonstrated a cooperatively increased α-SMA expression and decreased E-cadherin and cytokeratin expressions, suggesting more complete transdifferentiation. Co-stimulation of TGF-β1 and contact with type I collagen led to a stable cell phenotype and persistently decreased E-cadherin, which was not reversed upon removal of TGF-β1, indicating irreversible transdifferentiation. Addition of TGF-β1 or type I collagen caused a 4-fold increase in migratory cell number as compared to the control, whereas addition of both TGF-β1 and type I collagen led to an 11-fold increase.

Conclusions

TGF-β1 alone results in a reversible and incomplete transdifferentiation. The combination of TGF-β1 and exposure to type I collagen leads to an irreversible and complete PTC transdifferentiation.

Details

Title
Stimulation of transforming growth factor-beta-1 and contact with type I collagen cooperatively facilitate irreversible transdifferentiation in proximal tubular cells
Author
Chieh-Li, Yen; Yi-Jung, Li; Hsin-Hsu, Wu; Cheng-Hao, Weng; Cheng-Chia, Lee; Yung-Chang, Chen; Ming-Yang, Chang; Yen, Tzung-Hai; Hsiang-Hao Hsu; Cheng-Chieh Hung; Chih-Wei, Yang; Ya-Chung, Tian
Pages
39-49
Section
Original Article
Publication year
2016
Publication date
Feb 2016
Publisher
Elsevier Limited
ISSN
23194170
e-ISSN
23202890
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2158578849
Copyright
Copyright Elsevier Limited Feb 2016