Cell Biology – Immunology – Pathology
Kidney International (2002) 62, 422–433; doi:10.1046/j.1523-1755.2002.00452.x
Angiotensin II regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor and receptors Flt-1 and KDR/Flk-1 in cyclosporine nephrotoxicity
Fuad S Shihab, William M Bennett, Jorge Isaac, Hong Yi and Takeshi F Andoh
Divisions of Nephrology and Anatomic Pathology/ARUP Laboratories, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Legacy Solid Organ and Cellular Transplantation Services, Portland, Oregon, USA
Correspondence: Fuad S. Shihab, M.D., Division of Nephrology, University of Utah Medical Center, 4R312 School of Medicine, 50 N. Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132, USA. E-mail: Fuad.Shihab@hsc.utah.edu
Received 27 June 2001; Revised 18 January 2002; Accepted 4 March 2002.
Abstract
Angiotensin II regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor and receptors Flt-1 and KDR/Flk-1 in cyclosporine nephrotoxicity.
Background
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is involved in angiogenesis, wound healing and inflammation. VEGF exerts its effect via the tyrosine kinase receptors Flt-1 and KDR/Flk-1. We have previously shown that VEGF is up-regulated in a chronic cyclosporine (CsA) nephrotoxicity model. Our current study examined the role of angiotensin II (Ang II) blockade with enalapril (E) or losartan (L) on VEGF in this model.
Methods
Pair-fed salt-depleted rats were administered vehicle, CsA, CsA + nilvadipine, CsA + hydralazine/hydrochlorthiazide (HCTZ), CsA + E or CsA + L, and were sacrificed at 7 or 28 days. Physiologic and histologic changes were studied in addition to the mRNA expression of VEGF and its receptors Flt-1 and KDR/Flk-1 by Northern blot, and the protein expression of VEGF by Western blot.
Results
While all groups achieved similar blood pressures and creatinine clearances, the amelioration in nephrotoxicity was observed only with Ang II blockade. VEGF mRNA and protein expressions increased with CsA and became significantly reduced with Ang II blockade. Flt-1 expression was similar in all groups; it decreased early and remained low. On the other hand, KDR/Flk-1 mRNA expression was higher at seven days in all groups, except in the +E and +L groups where it was significantly lower, and then became further down-regulated at 28 days.
Conclusions
The increased VEGF expression in chronic CsA nephrotoxicity seems to be related to up-regulation of Ang II. In addition, VEGF probably exerted its effect via the KDR/Flk-1 receptor. The actions of VEGF in this model remain speculative, but may be related to its effect on macrophage infiltration or matrix deposition.
Keywords:
chronic nephrotoxicity, enalapril, fibrosis, losartan, immunosuppression, macrophages, matrix
