Abstract:

[Abstract] Objective  To investigate the effects of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on the expression of Ski in cul tured rat mesangial cells treated by transforming growth factor (TGF-β1). Methods  The mesangial cells were pre-treated with different concentrations of ATRA for 24 h, and then stimulated with TGF-β1 (10 μg/L) for 24 h. The cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 method. The Ski mRNA expression was determined by real time-PCR. The protein expression of Ski was determined by Western blot analyses. The localization of Ski was observed by confocal fluorescence microscopy. Results  Compared with the control group, TGF-β1 significantly enhanced the proliferation and the expression of Ski mRNA and protein in rat mesangial cells (P < 0.05). ATRA significantly inhibited mesangial cell proliferation induced by TGF-β1 in a dose-dependent manner. In ATRA groups, Ski mRNA and protein were increased significantly. Additionally, Ski protein was mainly localized in nucleus, and fluorescence intensity was significantly increased in nucleus, while decreased in cyto? plasm in ATRA groups. Conclusion  ATRA could inhibit TGF-β1 induced mesangial cell proliferation through up-regulat? ing the expression of Ski and inhibiting it translocation from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.

Key words: Rat Mesangial cells, All-trans retinoic acid, Transforming growth factor –β1, Ski