RGD Reference Report - Interferon-gamma inhibits experimental renal fibrosis. - Rat Genome Database

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Interferon-gamma inhibits experimental renal fibrosis.

Authors: Oldroyd, SD  Thomas, GL  Gabbiani, G  El Nahas, AM 
Citation: Oldroyd SD, etal., Kidney Int. 1999 Dec;56(6):2116-27.
RGD ID: 10755746
Pubmed: PMID:10594787   (View Abstract at PubMed)
DOI: DOI:10.1046/j.1523-1755.1999.00775.x   (Journal Full-text)

Interferon-gamma inhibits experimental renal fibrosis. BACKGROUND: Recent evidence has implicated myofibroblasts as a cell type responsible for the laying down of extracellular matrix components during fibrosis in a number of organs. In this study, we examined the capacity of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) to inhibit the activation of fibroblasts to the myofibroblastic phenotype and hence reduce the extent of renal scarring in the rat subtotal nephrectomy (SNx) model using a novel method of intrarenal delivery. METHODS: Rats were divided into four groups: sham, SNx (group 1), SNx + drug vehicle (group 2) and SNx + IFN-gamma (400 units/day; group 3) for 30 days. Rats were sacrificed on days 15, 30, 45, and 90 following SNx. RESULTS: Clinical data showed a marked reduction in proteinuria in the group treated with IFN-gamma (161 vs. 280 mg/24 hr by day 45, P < 0.01) and a preservation of the creatinine clearance (1.16 vs. 0. 84 ml/min by day 45, P < 0.05) when compared to the SNx or SNx + vehicle groups throughout the time course. Immunohistochemical staining for alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) revealed a reduction in myofibroblastic cell types (6.5 +/- 3.1% glomerular alpha-SMA in group 3 compared with 14.8 +/- 4.2% glomerular alpha-SMA in group 2, P < 0.05, 3.8 +/- 1.4% tubulointerstitial alpha-SMA in group 3 compared with 8.8 +/- 2.0% tubulointerstitial alpha-SMA in group 2 on day 45, P < 0.05). There was also a reduction in immunostaining for collagens III and IV in the IFN-gamma-treated group. Scoring for both glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis in the IFN-gamma group (group 3) was lower than the other two operated groups. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that IFN-gamma, administered at a dose of 400 units/day, has a strong inhibitory effect on myofibroblasts and that as a possible result of this action, renal fibrosis is reduced and renal function is preserved in the rat SNx model. The IFN-gamma renoprotective effect lasted only for the extent of its administration and subsided when discontinued.

RGD Manual Disease Annotations    Click to see Annotation Detail View
TermQualifierEvidenceWithReferenceNotesSourceOriginal Reference(s)
renal fibrosis treatmentISOIfng (Rattus norvegicus)10755746; 10755746 RGD 
renal fibrosis treatmentIDA 10755746 RGD 

Objects Annotated

Genes (Rattus norvegicus)
Ifng  (interferon gamma)

Genes (Mus musculus)
Ifng  (interferon gamma)

Genes (Homo sapiens)
IFNG  (interferon gamma)


Additional Information