Advanced glycation end products increase collagen-specific chaperone protein in mouse diabetic nephropathy

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) appear to contribute to the diabetic complications. This study reports the inhibitory effect of OPB-9195 (OPB), an inhibitor of AGEs formation, and the role of a collagen specific molecular chaperone, 47-kDa heat shock protein (HSP47) in diabetic nephropathy. Transgenic mice carrying nitric oxide synthase cDNA fused with insulin promoter (iNOSTg), lead diabetes mellitus. The iNOSTg mice at 6 month age represented diffuse glomerulosclerosis and the expression of HSP47 was markedly increased in the mesangial area in parallel with increased expression of type I and IV collagens. OPB treatment ameliorated glomerulosclerosis in the iNOSTg mice associated with the decreased expression of HSP47 and type I and IV collagens. The expression of transforming growth factor-b (TGF-b) was increased in glomeruli of iNOSTg mice, and decreased after treatment with OPB. To confirm these mechanisms, cultured mesangial cells were stimulated with AGEs. AGEs significantly increased the expression of HSP47, type IV collagen and TGF-b mRNA. Neutralizing antibody for TGF-b inhibited the overexpression of both HSP47 and type IV collagen in vitro. In conclusion, AGEs increase the expression of HSP47 in association with collagens, both in vivo and in vitro. The processes may be mediated by TGF-b.