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Role of Krüppel-like factor 6 in transforming growth factor-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of proximal tubule cells

¹Kolling Institute, Department of Medicine, Royal North Shore Hospital and University of Sydney, Sydney; and ²Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia

Submitted 31 January 2008 ; accepted in final form 18 August 2008

Krüppel-like factor 6 (KLF6) is a DNA-binding protein containing a triple zinc-fingered motif and plays a key role in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, and development. More recently it has been implicated in hepatic fibrosis via its binding to the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β control element. In the kidney, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a major contributor to the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis, with TGF-β1 being a key mediator of EMT. The present study aimed to determine the role of KLF6 and TGF-β1 in EMT in proximal tubule cells. To determine the relevance in clinical disease, KLF6 was measured in kidneys of streptozotocin-induced diabetic Ren-2 rats and in cells exposed to high (30 mM) glucose. TGF-β1 was confirmed to induce EMT by morphological change, loss of E-cadherin, and gain in vimentin expression. KLF6 mRNA expression was concomitantly measured. To determine the role of KLF6 in EMT, the above markers of EMT were determined in KLF6-silenced (small interfering RNA) and KLF6-overexpressing proximal tubule cells. KLF6 overexpression significantly promoted a phenotype consistent with EMT. High glucose induced KLF6 in proximal tubule cells (P < 0.05). This increase in KLF6 in response to high glucose was TGF-β1 mediated. In an in vivo model of diabetic nephropathy KLF6 increased at week 8 (P < 0.05). KLF6 plays a permissive role in TGF-β1-induced EMT in proximal tubule cells. Its upregulation in in vivo models of diabetic nephropathy suggests it as a potential therapeutic target.

diabetic nephropathy; interstitial fibrosis; transcription factor

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