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BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

Oleanolic acid attenuates TGF-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in NRK-52E cells

Authors: Wei-ming He, Jia-qi Yin, Xu-dong Cheng, Xun Lu, Li Ni, Yi Xi, Gui-dong Yin, Guo-yuan Lu, Wei Sun, Ming-gang Wei

Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in the progression of renal interstitial fibrosis, which finally leads to renal failure. Oleanolic acid (OA), an activator of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), is reported to attenuate renal fibrosis in mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction. However, the role of OA in the regulation of EMT and the underlying mechanisms remain to be investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of OA on EMT of renal proximal tubular epithelial cell line (NRK-52E) induced by TGF-β1, and to elucidate its underlying mechanism.

Methods

Cells were incubated with TGF-β1 in the presence or absence of OA. The epithelial marker E-cadherin, the mesenchymal markers, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibronectin, Nrf2, klotho, the signal transducer (p-Smad2/3), EMT initiator (Snail), and ILK were assayed by western blotting.

Results

Our results showed that the NRK-52E cells incubated with TGF-β1 induced EMT with transition to the spindle-like morphology, down-regulated the expression of E-cadherin but up-regulated the expression of α-SMA and fibronectin. However, the treatment with OA reversed all EMT markers in a dose-dependent manner. OA also restored the expression of Nrf2 and klotho, decreased the phosphorylation of Smad2/3, ILK, and Snail in cells which was initiated by TGF-β1.

Conclusion

OA can attenuate TGF-β1 mediate EMT in renal tubular epithelial cells and may be a promising therapeutic agent in the treatment of renal fibrosis.
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Metadata
Title
Oleanolic acid attenuates TGF-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in NRK-52E cells
Authors
Wei-ming He
Jia-qi Yin
Xu-dong Cheng
Xun Lu
Li Ni
Yi Xi
Gui-dong Yin
Guo-yuan Lu
Wei Sun
Ming-gang Wei
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 2662-7671
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-018-2265-y

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