Anti-OSM Antibody Inhibits Tubulointerstitial Lesion in a Murine Model of Lupus Nephritis

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of oncostatin M (OSM) in tubulointerstitial lesion (TIL) in lupus nephritis (LN). We found that OSM was highly expressed in the renal tissue of LN mice. OSM is one of the interleukin-6 cytokine family members. In order to clarify the role and mechanism of OSM in LN, mice with LN were treated with anti-OSM antibody or isotype antibody. We evaluated the tubular epithelial-mesenchymal transdifferentiation (EMT) by detecting the E-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and fibronectin (FN) expression. We analyzed the inflammation by observing the monocyte chemotactic factor-1 (MCP-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) expression and calculated the tubulointerstitial fibrosis area by Masson staining. The results showed that anti-OSM antibody, rather than isotype antibody, improved EMT, inflammation, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. In addition, the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 1 and STAT3 signaling was activated by tyrosine phosphorylation in LN mouse renal tissue, indicating that the phosphorylated STAT1 (p-STAT1) and p-STAT3 were involved in kidney injury. Moreover, decreased p-STAT3 instead of p-STAT1 has been observed after anti-OSM antibody injection. Thus, we concluded that OSM is associated with TIL in lupus nephritis, which may be connected with the activation of STAT3 rather than that of STAT1.

Effects of chronic volume expansion and enalapril on chronic cyclosporine nephropathy

Prolonged treatment with cyclosporine (CS) results in an irreversible renal lesion consisting of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy, as well as prominent hyperplasia of the juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA). Ischemia to the tubulointerstitial compartment caused by intense CS-mediated renal vasoconstriction may contribute significantly to the development of this lesion. To explore the potential role of volume contraction and activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the genesis of this lesion, we have employed a recently described rodent model of chronic cyclosporine nephropathy (CCN). Over 28 days of CS therapy, animals received plain drinking water, 1% saline, or enalapril (ENAL), 50 mg/l in drinking water. At the end of 28 days, Na+ balance in saline-treated animals was markedly positive, and plasma volume was increased; however, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) did not change, and the tubulointerstitial lesion and JGA hyperplasia as evaluated by morphometric techniques were unaffected. Enalapril-treated animals were relatively hypotensive with lower GFR than CS controls. Enalapril conferred no protection against the development of tubulointerstitial disease and exacerbated the development of JGA hyperplasia and hyperkalemia. We conclude that volume contraction is not an important contributor to the reduced GFR, tubulointerstitial lesion, or JGA hyperplasia associated with long-term CS treatment. Blockade of the RAS also conferred no protection against the development of tubulointerstitial disease but resulted in worsening of JGA hyperplasia and hyperkalemia.