Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important pro-fibrotic event in which tubular epithelial cells are transformed into myofibroblasts. Nucleoside transporters (NT) are regulated by many factors and processes, some of which are involved in fibrosis, such as cytokines, inflammation, and proliferation. Equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1) has been proved to be the most widely expressed adenosine transporter. In that sense, ENT1 may be a key player in cell damage signaling. Here we analyze the role of human ENT1 (hENT1) in the EMT process in proximal tubular cells. Addition of the main inducer of EMT, the transforming growth factor-β1, to HK-2 cells increased hENT1 mRNA and protein level expression. ENT1-mediated adenosine uptake was also enhanced. When cells were incubated with dipyridamole to evaluate the potential contribution of ENT1 to EMT by blocking its transport activity, EMT was induced. Moreover, the knock down of hENT1 with siRNA induced EMT and collagen production in HK-2 cells. Kidneys isolated from ENT1 knockout mice showed higher levels of interstitial collagen and α-SMA positive cells than wild-type mice. Our results point to a new potential role of hENT1 as a modulator of EMT in proximal tubular cells. In this sense, hENT1 could be involved in renal protection processes, and the loss or reduced expression of hENT1 would lead to an increased vulnerability of cells to the onset and/or progression of renal fibrosis.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1521-1528 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Journal of Cellular Physiology |
| Volume | 227 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 2012 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Physiology
Cite this
New role of the human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT1) in Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in renal tubular cells. / Guillén-Gómez, Elena; Pinilla-Macua, Itziar; Pérez-Torras, Sandra; Choi, Doo Sup; Arce, Yolanda; Ballarín, José A.; Pastor-Anglada, Marçal; Díaz-Encarnación, Montserrat M.
In: Journal of Cellular Physiology, Vol. 227, No. 4, 04.2012, p. 1521-1528.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - New role of the human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT1) in Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in renal tubular cells
AU - Guillén-Gómez, Elena
AU - Pinilla-Macua, Itziar
AU - Pérez-Torras, Sandra
AU - Choi, Doo Sup
AU - Arce, Yolanda
AU - Ballarín, José A.
AU - Pastor-Anglada, Marçal
AU - Díaz-Encarnación, Montserrat M.
PY - 2012/4
Y1 - 2012/4
N2 - Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important pro-fibrotic event in which tubular epithelial cells are transformed into myofibroblasts. Nucleoside transporters (NT) are regulated by many factors and processes, some of which are involved in fibrosis, such as cytokines, inflammation, and proliferation. Equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1) has been proved to be the most widely expressed adenosine transporter. In that sense, ENT1 may be a key player in cell damage signaling. Here we analyze the role of human ENT1 (hENT1) in the EMT process in proximal tubular cells. Addition of the main inducer of EMT, the transforming growth factor-β1, to HK-2 cells increased hENT1 mRNA and protein level expression. ENT1-mediated adenosine uptake was also enhanced. When cells were incubated with dipyridamole to evaluate the potential contribution of ENT1 to EMT by blocking its transport activity, EMT was induced. Moreover, the knock down of hENT1 with siRNA induced EMT and collagen production in HK-2 cells. Kidneys isolated from ENT1 knockout mice showed higher levels of interstitial collagen and α-SMA positive cells than wild-type mice. Our results point to a new potential role of hENT1 as a modulator of EMT in proximal tubular cells. In this sense, hENT1 could be involved in renal protection processes, and the loss or reduced expression of hENT1 would lead to an increased vulnerability of cells to the onset and/or progression of renal fibrosis.
AB - Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important pro-fibrotic event in which tubular epithelial cells are transformed into myofibroblasts. Nucleoside transporters (NT) are regulated by many factors and processes, some of which are involved in fibrosis, such as cytokines, inflammation, and proliferation. Equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1) has been proved to be the most widely expressed adenosine transporter. In that sense, ENT1 may be a key player in cell damage signaling. Here we analyze the role of human ENT1 (hENT1) in the EMT process in proximal tubular cells. Addition of the main inducer of EMT, the transforming growth factor-β1, to HK-2 cells increased hENT1 mRNA and protein level expression. ENT1-mediated adenosine uptake was also enhanced. When cells were incubated with dipyridamole to evaluate the potential contribution of ENT1 to EMT by blocking its transport activity, EMT was induced. Moreover, the knock down of hENT1 with siRNA induced EMT and collagen production in HK-2 cells. Kidneys isolated from ENT1 knockout mice showed higher levels of interstitial collagen and α-SMA positive cells than wild-type mice. Our results point to a new potential role of hENT1 as a modulator of EMT in proximal tubular cells. In this sense, hENT1 could be involved in renal protection processes, and the loss or reduced expression of hENT1 would lead to an increased vulnerability of cells to the onset and/or progression of renal fibrosis.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84855756223&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84855756223&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/jcp.22869
DO - 10.1002/jcp.22869
M3 - Article
C2 - 21678404
AN - SCOPUS:84855756223
VL - 227
SP - 1521
EP - 1528
JO - Journal of Cellular Physiology
JF - Journal of Cellular Physiology
SN - 0021-9541
IS - 4
ER -