RGD Reference Report - Overexpression of interleukin-13 induces minimal-change-like nephropathy in rats. - Rat Genome Database

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Overexpression of interleukin-13 induces minimal-change-like nephropathy in rats.

Authors: Lai, KW  Wei, CL  Tan, LK  Tan, PH  Chiang, GS  Lee, CG  Jordan, SC  Yap, HK 
Citation: Lai KW, etal., J Am Soc Nephrol. 2007 May;18(5):1476-85. Epub 2007 Apr 11.
RGD ID: 2290347
Pubmed: PMID:17429054   (View Abstract at PubMed)
DOI: DOI:10.1681/ASN.2006070710   (Journal Full-text)

IL-13 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of minimal-change nephrotic syndrome. This study aimed to investigate the role of IL-13 on the development of proteinuria and expression of podocyte-related genes that are associated with nephrotic syndrome. IL-13 was overexpressed in Wistar rats through transfection of a mammalian expression vector cloned with the rat IL-13 gene, into the quadriceps by in vivo electroporation. Serum IL-13, albumin, cholesterol, and creatinine and urine albumin were measured serially. Kidneys were harvested after day 70 for histology and electron microscopy. Glomerular gene expression of nephrin, podocin, dystroglycan, B7-1, and IL-13 receptor subunits were examined using real-time PCR with hybridization probes and expressed as an index against beta-actin. Protein expression of these molecules was determined by immunofluorescence staining. The IL-13-transfected rats (n = 41) showed significant albuminuria, hypoalbuminemia, and hypercholesterolemia when compared with control rats (n = 17). No significant histologic changes were seen in glomeruli of IL-13-transfected rats. However, electron microscopy showed up to 80% of podocyte foot process fusion. Glomerular gene expression was significantly upregulated for B7-1, IL-4Ralpha, and IL-13Ralpha2 but downregulated for nephrin, podocin, and dystroglycan. Immunofluorescence staining intensity was reduced for nephrin, podocin, and dystroglycan but increased for B7-1 and IL-4Ralpha in IL-13-transfected rats compared with controls. In conclusion, these results suggest that IL-13 overexpression in the rat could lead to podocyte injury with downregulation of nephrin, podocin, and dystroglycan and a concurrent upregulation of B7-1 in the glomeruli, inducing a minimal change-like nephropathy that is characterized by increased proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hypercholesterolemia, and fusion of podocyte foot processes.

RGD Manual Disease Annotations    Click to see Annotation Detail View
TermQualifierEvidenceWithReferenceNotesSourceOriginal Reference(s)
lipoid nephrosis  ISOIl13 (Rattus norvegicus)2290347; 2290347 RGD 
lipoid nephrosis  IMP 2290347 RGD 

Gene Ontology Annotations    Click to see Annotation Detail View

Cellular Component
TermQualifierEvidenceWithReferenceNotesSourceOriginal Reference(s)
extracellular space  IDA 2290347 RGD 

Objects Annotated

Genes (Rattus norvegicus)
Il13  (interleukin 13)

Genes (Mus musculus)
Il13  (interleukin 13)

Genes (Homo sapiens)
IL13  (interleukin 13)


Additional Information