Permeability, ultrastructural changes, and distribution of novel proteins in the glomerular barrier in early puromycin aminonucleoside nephrosis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS:

It is still unclear what happens in the glomerulus when proteinuria starts. Using puromycin aminonucleoside nephrosis (PAN) rats, we studied early ultrastructural and permeability changes in relation to the expression of the podocyte-associated molecules nephrin, α-actinin, dendrin, and plekhh2, the last two of which were only recently discovered in podocytes.

METHODS:

Using immune stainings, semiquantitative measurement was performed under the electron microscope. Permeability was assessed using isolated kidney perfusion with tracers. Possible effects of ACE inhibition were tested.

RESULTS:

By day 2, some patchy foot process effacement, but no proteinuria, appeared. The amount of nephrin was reduced in both diseased and normal areas. The other proteins showed few changes, which were limited to diseased areas. By day 4, foot process effacement was complete and proteinuria appeared in parallel with signs of size barrier damage. Nephrin decreased further, while dendrin and plekhh2 also decreased but α-actinin remained unchanged. ACE inhibition had no significant protective effect.

CONCLUSIONS:

PAN glomeruli already showed significant pathology by day 4, despite relatively mild proteinuria. This was preceded by altered nephrin expression, supporting its pivotal role in podocyte morphology. The novel proteins dendrin and plekhh2 were both reduced, suggesting roles in PAN, whereas α-actinin was unchanged.

• Authors: Fredrik Dunér, Karin Lindström, Kjell Hultenby, Jenny Hulkko, Jaakko Patrakka, Karl Tryggvason, Börje Haraldsson, Annika Wernerson, Erna Pettersson
• Journal: Nephron. Experimental nephrology (Nephron Exp Nephrol) Vol. 116 Issue 2 Pg. e42-52 ( 2010) ISSN: 1660-2129 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 20588063 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Chemical References

• Membrane Proteins
• Nerve Tissue Proteins
• Proteins
• dendrin
• nephrin
• plekhh2 protein, rat
• Actinin
• Puromycin Aminonucleoside

Topics

• Actinin (biosynthesis)
• Animals
• Kidney Diseases (pathology, physiopathology)
• Kidney Glomerulus (drug effects, ultrastructure)
• Male
• Membrane Proteins (biosynthesis)
• Nephrosis (metabolism, pathology, physiopathology)
• Nerve Tissue Proteins (biosynthesis)
• Permeability
• Proteins (metabolism)
• Proteinuria (physiopathology)
• Puromycin Aminonucleoside
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley