Hypoxia induces apoptosis in SV40-immortalized rat proximal tubular cells through the mitochondrial pathways, devoid of HIF1-mediated upregulation of Bax

Tetsuhiro Tanaka, Norio Hanafusa, Julie R. Ingelfinger, Takamoto Ohse, Toshiro Fujita, Masaomi Nangaku

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

64 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Chronic hypoxia is a major contributor to tubulointerstitial injury in various renal diseases and apoptosis is apparently involved. Although many studies report hypoxia-induced apoptosis in cultured tubular cells, information has been limited in proximal tubular cells, those from the most susceptible portion of renal tubules against hypoxia. This study was to confirm a role for apoptosis in hypoxic proximal tubular cells and to investigate its association with HIF-1. Temperature-sensitive SV40-immortalized rat proximal tubular cells (IRPTCs) showed apoptosis in 21.9±2.9% by hypoxia (0.2% O2, 48h), with alterations in mitochondrial signaling such as Bcl2 and caspase-9. Bax mRNA was unaffected during the process. However, treating IRPTCs at the nonpermissive temperature showed an upregulation of Bax by hypoxia, which was abrogated by overexpressing dominant-negative HIF-1α. These findings extend previous reports on hypoxia-mediated tubular cell apoptosis and demonstrate the possible involvement of HIF-1 as an upstream molecule of Bax.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)222-231
Number of pages10
JournalBiochemical and biophysical research communications
Volume309
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2003 Sept 12
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Bcl2
  • Caspase-9
  • IRPTC
  • p53

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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