Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells contribute to renal repair in IgA nephropathy rat / 中华肾脏病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe whether bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can promote the repair of IgA nephropathy and to explore its possible mechanism. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups which were MSCs injection group, normal saline(NS) infusion group and healthy control group. IgA nephropathy model was established by the improving method with BSA +SEB +CCl4 in former two groups. MSCs of SD rats were continuously cultured in vitro and identified with specific surface antigens by flow cytometry and osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. MSCs were labeled with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) in vitro before transplanted. At 1st and 4th week after MSCs injection, the changes of body weight, urine protein, renal function, histopathology and IgA immunofluorescence were observed. MCP-1, TGF-β1 in urine were detected by ELISA. The expression of MCP-1, TGF-β1 in kidney were examined by RT-PCR. The cytokines and BrdU labeled MSCs were detected by immunohistochemistry to observe the disposition in kidney. Results At the end of the first week of MSCs transplantation, MSCs group urine protein (36.86±4.78) mg/24 h, serum creatinine (53.50±6.28) μmol/L, and the NS group urine protein (66.98±5.86) mg/24 h, serum creatinine (82.50±8.36) μmol/L, the differences between two groups were significant (P<0.05). At the same time, the content of MCP-1, TGF-β1 in urine and expression in renal tissue of MSCs group were obviously less than those of NS group (P <0.05). At the end of the 4th week, the body weight, histopatholngy, IgA immunofluorescence of MSCs group were remarkably improved as compared with those of NS group. The content of MCP-1, TGF-β1 in urine and expression in renal tissue, and renal pathological change in MSCs group had no significant differences as compared with those of healthy control group. As the time passed, the disposition of BrdU-labeled MSCs in kidney was taper. Conclusions MSCs injection contributes to renal repair in rat IgA nephropathy. The mechanism may partly depend on adjusting the excretion of cytokines in renal microenvironment and/or other functions rather than completely depend on their differentiation to renal cells.