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Biomedical subjects

W A Border

Publications and source records attributed to W A Border.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Natural inhibitor of transforming growth factor-beta protects against scarring in experimental kidney disease.

The central pathological feature of human kidney disease that leads to kidney failure is the accumulation of extracellular matrix in glomeruli. Overexpression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) underlies the accumulation of pathological matrix in experimental glomerulonephritis. Administration of an antibody raised against TGF-beta to glomerulonephritic rats suppresses glomerular matrix production and prevents matrix accumulation in the injured glomeruli. One of the matrix components induced by TGF-beta, the proteoglycan decorin, can bind TGF-beta and neutralize its biological activity, so decorin may be a natural regulator of TGF-beta (refs 3, 4). We tested whether decorin could antagonize the action of TGF-beta in vivo using the experimental glomerulonephritis model. We report here that administration of decorin inhibits the increased production of extracellular matrix and attenuates manifestations of disease, confirming our hypothesis. On the basis of our results, decorin may eventually prove to be clinically useful in diseases associated with overproduction of TGF-beta.

Animals

The 260-kDa transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta binding protein in rat glomeruli is a complex comprised of 170- and 85-kDa TGF-beta binding proteins.

In a previous study (MacKay, K., Robbins, A. R., Bruce, M. D., and Danielpour, D. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 9351-9356) we showed that rat glomeruli contain transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1 binding proteins with apparent molecular masses of 260, 170, and 85 kDa (Gl-260, Gl-170, Gl-85) as determined by electrophoresis under nonreducing conditions. We demonstrate here that Gl-260 is a complex of 170- and 85-kDa TGF-beta binding proteins. Under denaturing conditions the integrity of Gl-260 is maintained through the cross-linking of one monomer of the disulfide-linked TGF-beta 1 homodimer to Gl-85 and of the other monomer to the 100-kDa subunit of Gl-170. In addition, some Gl-260 complexes are maintained by direct cross-linking of Gl-85 to the 100-kDa subunit of Gl-170. One-dimensional peptide maps of Gl-85 and the 100-kDa subunit of Gl-170 indicate that they have distinctly different ligand binding domains. In contrast, peptide maps of Gl-85 and the type II receptor of normal rat kidney fibroblasts are similar. The biological responses of isolated glomeruli to TGF-beta appear to parallel those of cultured glomerular cells which are without detectable Gl-170 and Gl-260 binding proteins.

Affinity Labels

In vivo interactions of TGF-beta and extracellular matrix.

TGF-beta, a multifunctional cytokine, plays an important role in embryogenesis and in regulating repair and remodeling following tissue injury. Many of the biological actions of TGF-beta are mediated by widespread effects on deposition of extracellular matrix. TGF-beta stimulates the synthesis of individual matrix components including proteoglycans, collagens and glycoproteins. TGF-beta also blocks matrix degradation by decreasing the synthesis of proteases and increasing the synthesis of protease inhibitors. Finally, TGF-beta increases the synthesis of matrix receptors and alters their relative proportions on the surface of cells in a manner that could facilitate adhesion to matrix. All of these events have largely been demonstrated in vitro in cultured cells. In an experimental model of glomerulonephritis we have shown that TGF-beta is responsible for the accumulation of pathological matrix in the glomeruli following immunological injury. Furthermore, all three of TGF-beta's actions on extracellular matrix--increased synthesis, decreased degradation and modulation of receptors--have now been documented to be involved in matrix deposition in vivo in this model. Administration of the proteoglycan decorin suppressed TGF-beta-induced matrix deposition in the nephritic glomeruli, thus confirming a physiological role for decorin as a regulator of TGF-beta. Inhibitors of TGF-beta may be important future drugs in treating fibrotic diseases caused by overproduction of TGF-beta.

Animals

Production of extracellular matrix by glomerular epithelial cells is regulated by transforming growth factor-beta 1.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) has widespread effects on extracellular matrix production by many cultured cell lines and appears to play a role in the pathological accumulation of extracellular matrix that accompanies inflammatory and fibrotic diseases such as glomerulonephritis. Earlier experiments have shown that mesangial cells respond to TGF-beta 1 with a marked increase in the production of two chondroitin/dermatan sulfate proteoglycans, decorin and biglycan, but their production of other matrix components elevated in glomerulonephritis is not substantially affected by TGF-beta 1. Since the glomerular epithelial cells are also thought to contribute to matrix production in the glomerulus, we examined the ability of these cells to produce some of the nonproteoglycan matrix components in response to TGF-beta 1. Exposure of glomerular epithelial cells to TGF-beta 1 increased the production of fibronectin and type IV collagen, in addition to biglycan. Enhancement of the cell layer accumulation of laminin was also observed. These results show that TGF-beta 1 has a differential effect on extracellular matrix production by epithelial and mesangial cells from glomeruli. TGF-beta 1 released in the glomerulus secondary to injury could thus affect both cell types and lead to increased intraglomerular production of proteoglycans, whereas the increased fibronectin, type IV collagen, and laminin may primarily originate from the epithelial cells.

Animals

Glomerular matrix accumulation is linked to inhibition of the plasmin protease system.

TGF-beta plays a pivotal role in the pathological accumulation of extracellular matrix in experimental glomerulonephritis. Increased TGF-beta expression leads to increased synthesis and deposition of extracellular matrix components while administration of anti-serum to TGF-beta suppresses the major manifestations of the disease. We hypothesized that TGF-beta might also enhance matrix accumulation by decreasing matrix turnover via effects on protease/protease inhibitor balance. Plasmin is a potent protease capable of degrading a variety of matrix molecules. Plasmin generation from plasminogen is regulated by plasminogen activator(s) (PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor(s) (PAI). In this study PA activity was markedly reduced and PAI-1 synthesis dramatically increased when TGF-beta was added to normal glomeruli. Diseased glomeruli also showed decreased PA activity, increased PAI-1 synthesis and increased PAI-1 deposition into matrix. Administration of anti-TGF-beta serum to glomerulonephritic rats blocked the expected increase in glomerular PAI-1 deposition. Thus changes in the PA/PAI balance favoring accumulation of matrix are induced by TGF-beta in normal glomeruli and are present in nephritic glomeruli when endogenous TGF-beta production is high. Our findings implicate the plasmin protease system in tissue repair following acute glomerular injury and suggest another mechanism by which TGF-beta enhances the matrix accumulation characteristic of many glomerular diseases.

Animals

Dietary protein restriction rapidly reduces transforming growth factor beta 1 expression in experimental glomerulonephritis.

Dietary protein restriction has been shown to slow the rate of loss of kidney function in humans with progressive glomerulosclerosis due to glomerulonephritis or diabetes mellitus. A central feature of glomerulosclerosis is the pathological accumulation of extracellular matrix within the diseased glomeruli. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) is known to have widespread regulatory effects on extracellular matrix and has been implicated as a major cause of increased extracellular matrix synthesis and buildup of pathological matrix within glomeruli in experimental glomerulonephritis. In the present study, it is shown that administration of a low protein diet to rats rapidly reduces the elevated expression of TGF-beta 1 mRNA and TGF-beta 1 protein that is known to occur within glomeruli after induction of glomerulonephritis. Compared to a normal protein diet, glomerulonephritic rats receiving the low protein diet did not develop an increase in glomerular extracellular matrix and showed significantly less proteinuria. Glomeruli isolated from glomerulonephritic rats fed the normal protein diet showed a marked increase in proteoglycan synthesis on day 7 of disease and were demonstrated to be secreting increased amounts of TGF-beta 1 into the medium, whereas glomeruli at the same point in time isolated from rats on a low protein diet showed no increase in proteoglycan production or TGF-beta 1 secretion. These results suggest that a mechanism of the rapid therapeutic effect of a low protein diet on experimental glomerulonephritis is through suppression of TGF-beta 1 expression and prevention of the induction of extracellular matrix synthesis within the injured glomeruli.

Animals

Role of TGF-beta 1 in experimental glomerulonephritis.

Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the kidney characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix within the damaged glomeruli. We have shown that TGF-beta 1 is unique in regulating the production of proteoglycans and matrix glycoproteins by glomerular cells in vitro. In an experimental model of glomerulonephritis in rats we found increased proteoglycan and fibronectin synthesis by cultured nephritic glomeruli, which was greatly reduced by addition of antiserum to TGF-beta 1. Conditioned media from glomerular cultures induced elevated proteoglycan synthesis when added to normal cultured mesangial cells. This stimulation was blocked by addition of TGF-beta antiserum. Glomerular histology showed mesangial matrix expansion with a time course that roughly paralleled that of the elevated proteoglycan synthesis by the nephritic glomeruli was increased. Administration of anti-TGF-beta 1 at the time of induction of glomerulonephritis suppressed the elevated extracellular matrix production and dramatically attenuated histological manifestations of the disease. Our results provide direct evidence for a causal role of TGF-beta 1 in the pathogenesis of the experimental disease and suggest a new approach to the therapy of glomerulonephritis.

Animals

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 induces extracellular matrix formation in glomerulonephritis.

Extracellular matrices can be important in disease. Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the kidney that is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix within the damaged glomeruli. We have shown that transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) is unique in regulating the production of proteoglycans and matrix glycoproteins by glomerular cells in vitro. In an experimental model of glomerulonephritis in rats, we found increased proteoglycan and fibronectin synthesis by cultured nephritic glomeruli, which was greatly reduced by the addition of antiserum to TGF-beta 1. Conditioned media from glomerular cultures, when added to normal cultured mesangial cells, induced elevated proteoglycan synthesis. The stimulatory activity of the conditioned media was blocked by addition of TGF-beta 1 antiserum. Glomerular histology showed mesangial matrix expansion in a time course that roughly paralleled the elevated proteoglycan synthesis by the nephritic glomeruli. At the same time there was an increased expression of TGF-beta 1 mRNA and TGF-beta 1 protein in the glomeruli. Administration of anti-TGF-beta 1 at the time of induction of glomerulonephritis suppressed the elevated extracellular matrix production and dramatically attenuated histological manifestations of the disease. A small proteoglycan, decorin, also inhibits the activity of TGF-beta, potentially providing an alternative format for the prevention of TGF-beta activity. Our results provide direct evidence for a causal role of TGF-beta 1 in the pathogenesis of the experimental disease and suggest a new approach to the therapy of glomerulonephritis.

Animals

IgA antibasement membrane nephritis with pulmonary hemorrhage.

Goodpasture's syndrome has characteristically been described as being mediated by IgG antibodies. We have recently seen a 55-year-old man who developed renal failure and hemoptysis; a renal biopsy showed linear deposits of IgA and C3 involving glomerular and tubular basement membrane. Serologic tests for detecting (IgG) antiglomerular basement membrane antibodies were negative. Elution studies of kidney and lung showed the presence of an IgA antibasement membrane antibody only. The patient's serum contained IgA, but not IgG, antibodies reactive with glomerular and tubular basement membrane of normal human kidney and alveolar basement membrane of normal human lung. Attempts to transfer disease with the patient's IgA antibody to a monkey and to Lewis and Brown-Norway rats were unsuccessful. Immunoglobulin A antibasement membrane antibody must be considered in the design of immunoserologic procedures for the diagnosis of Goodpasture's syndrome.

Animals

Renal damage with intestinal bypass.

Renal function and biopsies were studied in 18 patients, 7 to 108 months after intestinal bypass. Enteropathy was found in 12 and hyperoxaluria in 16. Every biopsy showed a type of focal interstitial nephritis, tubular atrophy, fibrosis, and glomerular hyalinization. Damage ranged from minimal to extensive and renal function from normal to end-stage failure. Tubular injury had resulted partly from oxalate deposits. However, in 10 patients no oxalate crystals were seen. In eight others, most of the damaged areas were remote from crystal deposits. Immunoglobulin M and C3 deposits, found in glomerular capillaries and the messangium in six of 11 specimens, and the presence of circulating immune complexes in five of 10 patients, in addition to the extraintestinal organ involvement, suggested immune complex mesangial injury as one factor in bypass nephropathy. With progressive impairment of renal function, a biopsy appears justified. If damage is significant, the bypass should be dismantled.

Adult

Partial lipodystrophy, C3 nephritic factor and clinically inapparent mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis.

A case of partial lipodystrophy with C3 nephritic factor was found to be associated with mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis although all clinical parameters of renal function were normal. Diagnosis of mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis required renal biopsy. Nephriti factor obtained from this patient was immunochemically related to nephritic factor isolated from the serum of patients with typical mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis without partial lipodystrophy.

Adult

Detection of circulating immune complexes in patients with glomerulonephritis.

A panel of three immune complex (IC) assays was used in this study to test sera from patients with glomerulonephritis (GN): the Raji cell radioimmune assay (IRCA), the radio-labeled C1q binding assay (IC1qBA), and the microcomplement consumption test (MCT). The sensitivity and specificity of each assay was evaluated in preliminary studies, and the greater sensitivity (5 to 10microgram of aggreagated human gamma-globulin (AHG) per ml of serum) and IgG specificity of the IRCA was apparent. Problems related to the preliminary heat inactivation of test sera, the interaction of C1q with substances other than IC, and the effects of suboptimal storage of test sera were experienced with the MCT and, to a lesser extent the IC1qBA. The individual reactivities of the different assays were exploited by using them in combination. Thus ICs were detected by one or more of the assays in 87% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 65% of patients with GN associated with other systemic diseases, and 39% of patients with primary GN. ICs were detected more frequently in patients with acute GN than chronic GN, and in patients with low serum C3, C4, and properdin factor B (C3PA) levels.

Acute Disease