Expression of EpCAM is up-regulated during regeneration of renal epithelia.

Full Abstract

The human epithelial cell adhesion molecule (hEpCAM) is involved in epithelial morphogenesis and repair of epithelial tissues. We hypothesized that changes in hEpCAM expression in vivo correlate with regeneration of renal epithelia after ischaemia/reperfusion injury (IRi). Unilateral IRi was performed on kidneys of hEpCAM transgenic mice. Changes in hEpCAM expression were investigated by quantitative RT-PCR in renal cortex and medulla dissected by laser dissection microscopy and expression patterns of hEpCAM in regenerating kidneys were assessed by immunohistochemistry. The mechanism of hEpCAM promoter activation was investigated in vitro, by real-time bioluminescent imaging in HK-2 cells and in primary tubular epithelial cells (PTECs) subjected to hypoxia and reoxygenation. In vivo, the transcription of the human epcam gene significantly increased in the renal cortex during tubular re-epithelialization (p < 0.01). Moreover, the number of tubuli that expressed hEpCAM protein more than doubled in the renal cortex during regeneration. De novo expression of hEpCAM was detected in the S1 segments of proximal tubuli. Under hypoxic conditions in vitro, activity of the hEpCAM promoter was up-regulated two-fold in the HK-2 proximal epithelial cell line. Moreover, both in primary proximal epithelial cells and in HK-2 cells, hEpCAM protein expression was increased after hypoxia and reoxygenation. The significant up-regulation of hEpCAM during post-ischaemic renal regeneration in vivo and during in vitro hypoxia indicates that hEpCAM expression is associated with renal regeneration.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Trzpis, M (M); McLaughlin, P M (PM); van Goor, H (H); Brinker, M G L (MG); van Dam, G M (GM); de Leij, L M (LM); Popa, E R (ER); Harmsen, M C (MC);

Affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Groningen, The Netherlands.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: The Journal of pathology (J Pathol), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Oct; vol 216 (issue 2) : pp 201-8

Dates: Created 2008/09/10; Completed 2008/10/21;

PMID: 18702175, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Animals
Anoxia - metabolism; pathology
Antigens, Neoplasm - analysis; genetics; metabolism
Cell Adhesion Molecules - analysis; genetics; metabolism
Cell Line
Epithelial Cells - metabolism; pathology
Humans
Immunohistochemistry

Immunohistochemistry
Kidney - pathology; physiology
Mice
Mice, Transgenic
Promoter Regions (Genetics)
Regeneration
Reperfusion Injury - metabolism; pathology
Up-Regulation

Associated Chemicals: Antigens, Neoplasm (0) ; Cell Adhesion Molecules (0) ; TACSTD1 protein, human (0)

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

See 100+ related articles.