Role of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in p38MAPK Signaling Pathway and Extracellular Matrix Accumulation in Renal Tissue of Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

Abstract

BMSCs can effectively reduce the accumulation of extracellular matrix in renal tissues of rats with FSGS. This study intends to investigate the effect of BMSCs on extracellular matrix accumulation in renal tissues of rats with FSGS. 60 female mice aged 3 weeks were randomly assigned into control group, model group, transplantation group, positive control group and p38MAPK signaling pathway agonist group (agonist group) followed by analysis of renal histopathology, body weight, kidney weight and renal weight index of rats, expression of Col-IV, FN, MMP-9 protein and mRNA, as well as P38MAPK, P-CREB protein expression. The body weight, kidney weight and kidney weight index of rats in control group, transplant group and positive control group were significantly lower than those in model group and agonist group (P < 0.05) without differences among control group, transplantation group, positive control group, model group and agonist group (P > 0.05). COL-IV and FN protein and mRNA expression was higher in control group, transplantation group and positive control group, while MMP-9 expression was lower. However, agonist group and model group showed opposite profile of these proteins (P < 0.05). The protein expressions of p38MAPK and P-CREB in control group and transplantation group were lower than those in model group, positive control group and agonist group (P < 0.05) without significant difference among other groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, BMSCs can reduce the accumulation of extracellular matrix and glomerular sclerosis, thereby controlling FSGS progress.