[Influence of angiotensin-(1-7) on cell activation in rat renal interstitial fibroblasts induced by aldosterone].

AIM

To explore the influence of angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] on cell activation and extracellular matrix secretion in rat renal interstitial fibroblasts (NRK-49F) induced by aldosterone (ALD).

METHODS

The NRK-49F cells were cultured in vitro, and then were divided into control group, ALD group, Ang-(1-7) group, and ALD+Ang-(1-7) group. When the cells were cultured for 48 h, the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) (a sign of cell activation) was detected by immunocytochemistry; the level of collagen type I (Col I ) in the cultured supernatant was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). When the cells were cultured for 30 min, the expressions of phosphorylated and total ERK1/2 (pERK1/2, tERK1/2) in the cell lysate were detected by Western blotting.

RESULTS

Compared with control group, the expressions of α-SMA, Col I and the Phos/Total ERK1/2 ratio in ALD group and ALD+Ang-(1-7) group increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with ALD group, the expressions of α-SMA, Col I and the Phos/Total ERK1/2 ratio in ALD+Ang-(1-7) group decreased significantly (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Ang-(1-7) can inhibit ALD-induced cell activation and decrease the secretion of Col I in rat renal interstitial fibroblasts. Inhibition of ERK1/2 pathway may play an important role in this process.