The study about expression and role of latent TGF-beta binding protein (LTBP) in glomerulonephritis

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TGF-beta is deeply involved in renal fibrosis and there are two forms of active and latent types in TGF-beta. Latent TGF-beta is composed of large latent TGF-beta complex with latent TGF-beta binding protein (LTBP) and small latent TGF-beta complex without LTBP.In this study, we have examined the expression of TGF-beta protein, LTBP protein and mRNA in two forms of nephritis ; acute self-limiting nephritis induced by 1 injection of ainti-thymocyte serum (ATS) and chronic progressive nephritis induced by 2 shots of anti-thymocyte serum. In normal kidneys, TGF-beta protein is localized in glomerular endothelium and distal tubules, while LTBP protein and mRNA are found in glomerular epithelial cells and distal tubules. In acute nephritis, increased expression of TGF-beta and LTBP are observed in glomerular endothelium, mesangium, and epithelial cells but not in interstitial cells. In chronic progressive nephritis, Increased expression of TGF-beta LTBP protein and mRNA are demonstrated in glomeruli and tubulointerstitial area. These results suggest that in nephritic kidneys, large latent TGF-beta complexes are produced in glomeruli and sustained expression of large latent TGF-beta complex in tubulointerstitial area may contribute to renal fibrosis.