Renal expression of transforming growth factor-β inducible gene-h3 (βig-h3) in normal and diabetic rats

Abstract

Background. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of kidney diseases characterized by glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. TGF-β is secreted in a latent form requiring extracellular modification to become biologically active. TGF-β inducible gene-h3 (βig-h3) is a recently identified TGF-β- induced gene product. The present study sought to examine βig-h3 expression in normal and diabetic rats. Methods. βig-h3, TGF-β1 and α1 (IV) collagen gene expression were assessed by Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization in 20 Sprague- Dawley rats, randomly assigned to receive streptozotocin (diabetic, N = 11) or citrate buffer al..