Involvement of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in the development of renal interstitial fibrosis in mouse obstructive nephropathy

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Renal fibrosis is a common finding in progressive renal diseases. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We investigated the role of MMP-2 and the effect of inhibition of MMPs on the development of renal fibrosis. Renal fibrosis was induced in MMP-2 wild-type (MMP-2+/+) mice by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Renal histopathology, EMT-associated molecules, and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were examined during the development of interstitial fibrosis. UUO-renal fibrosis was also induced in MMP-2 deficient (MMP-2−/−) and MMP-2+/+ mice treated with minocycline (inhibitor of MMPs). In MMP-2+/+ mice, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were expressed in damaged tubules, and their activities increased in a time-dependent manner after UUO. Interstitial fibrosis was noted at day 14, with deposition of types III and I collagens and expression of markers of mesenchymal cells (S100A4, vimentin, α-smooth muscle actin, and heat shock protein-47) in damaged tubular epithelial cells, together with F4/80+ macrophage infiltration. Fibrotic kidneys expressed EMT-associated molecules (ILK, TGF-β1, Smad, Wnt, β-catenin, and Snail). In contrast, the kidneys of MMP-2−/− mice and minocycline-treated MMP-2+/+ mice showed amelioration of renal fibrosis with reduced expression of markers of mesenchymal cells in tubular epithelial cells, inhibition of upregulated EMT-associated molecules, and suppression of macrophage infiltration. The results suggested that MMP-2 have a pathogenic role in renal interstitial fibrosis, possibly through the induction of EMT and macrophage infiltration. Inhibition of MMPs may be beneficial therapeutically in renal fibrosis.