Activation of AMPK by metformin inhibits TGF-β-induced collagen production in mouse
renal fibroblasts.
Life Sci 2015;
127:59-65. [PMID:
25744403 DOI:
10.1016/j.lfs.2015.01.042]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2014] [Revised: 01/04/2015] [Accepted: 01/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
AIMS
To clarify whether activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) by metformin inhibits transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)-induced collagen production in primary cultured mouse renal fibroblasts and further to address the molecular mechanisms.
MAIN METHODS
Primary cultured mouse renal fibroblasts were stimulated with TGF-β1 and the sequence specific siRNA of Smad3 or connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) was applied to investigate the involvement of these molecular mediators in TGF-β1-induced collagen type I production. Cells were pre-incubated with AMPK agonist metformin or co-incubated with AMPK agonist metformin and AMPK inhibitor Compound C before TGF-β1 stimulation to clarify whether activation of AMPK inhibition of TGF-β1-induced renal fibroblast collagen type I expression.
KEY FINDINGS
Our results demonstrate that TGF-β1 time- and dose-dependently induced renal fibroblast collagen type I production; TGF-β1 also stimulated Smad3-dependent CTGF expression and caused collagen type I generation; this effect was blocked by knockdown of Smad3 or CTGF. Activation of AMPK by metformin reduced TGF-β1-induced collagen type I production by suppression of Smad3-driven CTGF expression.
SIGNIFICANCE
This study suggests that activation of AMPK might be a novel strategy for the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) partially by inhibition of renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF).
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