| Objective: To evaluate the expression of cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor p21 in lupus nephritis and the relationship between the expression of p21 and disturbed apoptosis and cell proliferation of renal tissue and histopathological or clinical changes. To study the protective effect of leflunomide on MRL/lpr mice and the expression of p21.Methods: MRL/lpr mice were divided into two groups : leflunomide group and control group to observe the change in proteinuria, serum creatinine, histopathological changes and the expression of p21, p53, TGFβ1 and PCNA in renal tissue, apoptosis in renal tissue was detected by in situ nick-end labeling technique(TUNEL).Results: Compared with control group, MRL/lpr mice with leflunomide treatment had lower levels of proteinuria and serum creatinine. The active index of renal tissue, ratio of mesangial area in kidney glomerule were decreased after treatment. The expression of p21, TGFβ1 and PCNA in renal tissue significantly decreased after treatment. The expression of p21 in renal tissue had line relationship with TGFβ1,PCNA,proteinuria and serum creatinine.Conclusion: The expression of p21 in renal tissue of MRL/lpr mice increased and associated with the change of renal function and disturbed apoptosis and proliferation in renal tissue. Leflunomide have good efficacy in the treatment of MRL/lpr mice. the expression of p21 may at least in part be induced by TGFβ signal pathway and leflunomide may inhibit the expression of p21 via inhibition of TGFβ signal pathway. |
PDF Full Text Request