Effect Of Erythropoietin On High Glucose-Induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition In Renal Proximal Tubular Epithelial Cells And Its Mechanism

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of erythropoietin on human renal tubular epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) induced by high glucose.Methods: Cultured HK-2 cells were divided into 5 groups:natural control group,osmolarity control group, high glucose group,high glucose with EPO(5 U/mL)group and high glucose with EPO(10 U/mL)group.The mRNA expression ofα-SMA,TGF-β1,Smad2,ILK of cells were measured by RT-PCR. The level of intracellularα-SMA and TGF-β1 proteins were measured by immunocytochemistry.Results: Compared with the control groups,Increased mRNA expressions ofα-SMA,TGF-β1,Smad2,ILK and protein expressions ofα-SMA and TGF-β1 were observed after high glucose treatment(P<0.01).Compared with the high glucose group,EPO 5 U/mL or EPO 10U/mL remarkably down-regulated the expressions ofα-SMA,TGF-β1,Smad2 and ILK(P<0.01).Conclusions: EPO can inhibit the progression of EMT and the upregulation of TGF-β1,Smad2 and ILK induced by high glucose.