C-反应蛋白诱导人肾小管上皮细胞凋亡

目的:探讨与微炎症状态相应的C-反应蛋白(CRP)水平是否诱导肾小管上皮细胞凋亡。方法:以微炎症状态相应的CRP浓度刺激HK-2细胞。采用AnnexinⅤ-FITC、PI染色和流式细胞术检测凋亡细胞的百分率。采用Hoechst 33258染色观察肾小管上皮细胞凋亡的形态学改变。比色法检测细胞caspase-3活性。Real-time PCR检测促凋亡基因bax、抗凋亡基因bcl-2的mRNA表达。结果:CRP呈剂量和时间依赖性地诱导HK-2细胞凋亡,细胞凋亡在CRP浓度为10 mg/L时达高峰,在20 mg/L时则以晚期凋亡和坏死为主。Hoechst 33258细胞核染色显示CRP作用的HK-2细胞呈现染色质浓缩、碎裂或染色质边集等细胞凋亡的特点。CRP增高细胞caspase-3的酶活性、上调促凋亡基因bax的表达和下调抗凋亡基因bcl-2的表达。结论:CRP轻度增高可诱导肾小管上皮细胞凋亡。

C-reactive protein induces apoptosis in human renal tubular epithelial cells

ATM: To explore whether the C-reactive protein (CRP) level in microinflammation state induces the apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells. METHODS: HK-2 cells were stimulated with recombinant human CRP. Annexin-FITC-PI staining and flow cytometry were used to detect the percentage of apoptotic cells. Morphology observation of apoptosis was assessed by Hoechst 33258 staining. Caspase-3 activity was measured by a colorimetric assay. The expression of apoptotic gene bax and anti-apoptotic gene bcl-2 at mRNA levels was determined by real-time PCR. RESULTS: CRP induced apoptosis of HK-2 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The maximal apoptotic effect of CRP concentration was 10 mg/L CRP at concentration of 20 mg/L. CRP treatment was associated with the characteristic morphological features of apoptosis such as condensation, fragmentation or margination of nuclear chromatin. CRP exposure increased caspase-3 activity, up-regulated the mRNA expression of Bax and down-regulated the mRNA expression of Bcl-2. CONCLUSION: Slightly increased CRP level has the potential to induce apoptosis of renal tubular cells.