Sublytic Complement C5b-9 Complex Induces The Proliferation Of Glomerular Mesangial Cells And Secretion Of Extracellular Matrix Associated With NF-κB Activation

AIMS: To explore the effects of sublytic C5b-9 ( SC5b-9 ) complex on the rat glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs), and whether the expressions of proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), fibronectin (FN) and α-smooth muscle antin (α-SMA) in GMCs by SC5b-9 stimulation are up-regulated in vitro or not. In addition, to detect whether nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is activated along with the proliferation of GMCs induced by SC5b-9. METHODS: (1) The rat GMCs were cultured in vitro and identified through light microscope (LM), electron microscope (EM), functional test and immunohistochemical staining of the antibodies for actin, desmin and keratin. (2) The GMCs were divided into SC5b-9 group, anti-thymocyte serum (ATS) group, inactivation human serum group and cultured medium group. The mRNA of both PCNA and FN were measured by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) at 40 minutes after above-mentioned treaments. The expressions of PCNA, α-SMA and FN as well as NF-κB p65 were examined by immunohistochemical staining at 40 minutes, 6 hours and 18 hours. Moreover, the expression of FN was detected by western blot at 6 hours and 18 hours. (3) The GMCs were divided into SC5b-9 group, PDTC + SC5b-9 group and cultured medium group, the...