Defective expression of Tamm-Horsfall protein/uromodulin in COX-2-deficient mice increases their susceptibility to urinary tract infections. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2005 Jul;289(1):F49-60
Date
03/03/2005Pubmed ID
15741608DOI
10.1152/ajprenal.00134.2004Scopus ID
2-s2.0-20844457162 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 25 CitationsAbstract
Mice lacking a functional cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene develop abnormal kidneys that contain hypoplastic glomeruli and reduced proximal tubular mass, and they often die of renal failure. A comparison of kidney-specific gene expression between wild-type and COX-2-deficient mice by cDNA microarrays revealed that although more than 500 mRNAs were differentially expressed between the two strains of mice depending on their ages, the genes encoding pre-pro-epidermal growth factor (pre-pro-EGF) and Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP)/uromodulin were aberrantly expressed in the kidneys of COX-2 -/- mice at all stages of their development. Downregulation of EGF could potentially affect renal development, and THP/uromodulin gene has been implicated in abnormal kidney development and end-stage renal failure in humans. We assessed in detail mechanism of defective THP/uromodulin gene expression and its potential consequences in COX-2-deficient mice. Consistent with the microarray data, the steady-state levels of THP/uromodulin mRNA were severely reduced in the COX-2 -/- kidney. Furthermore, reduced expression of renal THP/uromodulin, as assessed by Western blot and immunohistological methods, was closely corroborated by a corresponding decline in the urinary secretion of THP/uromodulin in COX-2 -/- mice. Finally, we demonstrate that the bladders of COX-2 -/- mice, in contrast to those of the wild-type mice, are highly susceptible to colonization by uropathogenic Escherichia coli.
Author List
Dou W, Thompson-Jaeger S, Laulederkind SJ, Becker JW, Montgomery J, Ruiz-Bustos E, Hasty DL, Ballou LR, Eastman PS, Srichai B, Breyer MD, Raghow RAuthor
Stanley J. Laulederkind Research Scientist II in the Physiology department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AnimalsCyclooxygenase 2
Escherichia coli Infections
Female
Gene Expression Profiling
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
Kidney
Male
Mice
Mice, Knockout
Mucoproteins
Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases
Urinary Tract Infections
Uromodulin