Albumin Induces Apoptosis In Rat Tubular Epithelial Cells

Objective To study the molecular mechanism through which albumin induces apoptosis in tubular epithelial cells in vitro.Methods Cultured renal tubular epithelial cells were incubated with delipidated, endotoxin-free bovine serum albumin (BSA) 20mg/ml for 0.5, 1,2, 6,12, and 24 hours. NF-κB activity was assessed by electrophonetic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Osteopontin (OPN) mRNA expression was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry.Result Albumin promoted apoptosis in the cultured tubular epitheiia cells. Albumin stimulated NF-KB activity and up-regulated the expression of OPN compared with control (P<0.05).Conclusion Albumin induced tubular epithelial cell apoptosis through stimulation of NF-κB activity and upregulation of OPN mRNA expression.