Published in:
01-09-2010 | Nephrology - Review
Does Arkadia contribute to TGF-β1-induced IgA expression through up-regulation of Smad signaling in IgA nephropathy?
Authors:
Xiao-Zhao Li, Jun-Tao Feng, Cheng-Ping Hu, Ze-Qi Chen
Published in:
International Urology and Nephrology
|
Issue 3/2010
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Abstract
Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is an immune-complex-mediated glomerulonephritis characterized by the presence of IgA deposits in mesangial and paramesangial regions. However, the exact mechanism involved in IgA deposition is still unknown. TGF-β1 that mediates the progression of IgAN is well established as a critical IgA class (isotype) switching factor, and Smad proteins are critical intracellular mediators in the expression of TGF-β1-targeted genes, which suggest that TGF-β signaling has been implicated in the primary pathogenesis of IgAN. Arkadia, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, can amplify TGF-β signaling through regulating Smads degradation. When these findings are considered together, it is of interest to explore how Arkadia and Smad signaling affect TGF-β1-induced IgA expression in IgAN. Therefore, we propose that Arkadia could positively contribute to TGF-β1-induced IgA secretion through up-regulation of Smad signaling in the pathogenesis of IgAN.