| Research Abstract |
In the glomerulus, the endocapillary region is a closed space surrouded by the glomerular basement membrane comprised of a capillary lumen, endothelial cells (ECs), mesangial cells (MCs), and mesangial matrices. Our working hypothesis is that loss of morphological and functional regulation by intrinsic cells and/or matrices may induce MCs dysfunction, leading to the pathological changes such as proliferation, enhanced extracellular matrix synthesis, MCs migration and mesangial interposition in the endocapillary region. By the aid of research grant (No.06670215,1994) from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, we were able to establish the culture method of rat aortic ECs (T Oite el al. MicrovascRes50 : 113,1995). Using these ECs, we have examined the potentially functional moleculepresent on rat MCs surface in coculture system. During the research period (1994-1995) supported by the above described grant, we have obtained the following results ; 1.Some specific molecules, associated with Thy-1.1 antigen was preseent on cultured rat MCs. One ofthem had a specific epitope which was concentrated on the side of the MCs that faces with ECs in coculture system .2.COS cells transfected with cDNA for Thy-1.1 ware able to be used for analysis of the relevant epitope (T Oite etal. Exp Nephrol 1996, in press) . 3.An animal model of progressive glomerulosclerosis was developed by administeringa single iv injection of monoclonal antibody against this epitope to unilaterally nephrectomized rats (Cheng QL et al Clin exp Immunol 102 : 181,1995). 4.Expression of collagen type I and III was increased in glomeruli from these rats at the levels of protein and mRNA.
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