›› 2014, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (2): 170-177.

• Original Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Expression of CNP/NPR-B axis and NPR-C/NEP elimination pathways in rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction 

ZHAO Xueqi1, WANG Jing2, KONG Haibo1, HU Bo1, HU Peng1   

  1.  (1. Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, Anhui, China; 2. Nanjing Children's Hospital, Nanjing 210000, Jiangsu, China)
  • Received:2013-06-06 Published:2014-02-15 Online:2014-02-15

Abstract:  Objectives To study the expression features of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP)/ natriuretic peptide receptor-B (NPR-B) axis and two parallel elimination pathways, natriuretic peptide receptor-C (NPR-C) and neutral endopeptidase (NEP) in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) rats. Methods CNP, NPR-B, NPR-C, NEP, Col-IV and type IV collagen (Col-IV) mRNA and proteins were determined by in situ hybridization, real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry and western blot in UUO rats at 24h, 72h, 1w, 2w, 3w, 1m, 2m and 3m. Results CNP expression tended to be higher immediately after ligation and declined along with the progression of disease, occurring predominantly in tubular epithelial cells. A high-level CNP may attribute to the elevated expression of NPR-B in the early phase of UUO. Conclusions NEP and NPR participate in the regulation of CNP expression in tubulointerstitial fibrosis. The gradual increased expression of NPR-C and NEP may cause the subsequent decline of CNP.