Plasmin is not protective in experimental renal interstitial fibrosis

Abstract

Background. The plasminogen-plasmin system has potential beneficial or deleterious effects in the context of renal fibrosis. Recent studies have implicated plasminogen activators or their inhibitors in this process. Methods. The development of renal interstitial fibrosis was studied in mice genetically deficient in plasminogen (pig-/-mice) and littermate controls (plg+/+ mice) by inducing unilateral ureteric obstruction (UUO) by ligating the left ureter. Results. Collagen accumulation in the kidney was decreased in plg-/- mice at 21 days compared with plg+/+ mice by hydroxyproline assay (plg+/+ 19.0 ± 1.2 μg collagen/mg tissue, plg-/- 15.6 ± 0.5 μg collagen/mg tissue, P = 0.04). Macrophage a..