The expression of CD44 in rat glomerulosclerosis

Objective To clarify the possible role of CD44 in the pathogenesis of progressive glomerulosclerosis in rats. Methods The glomerulosclerosis model in rat was established by injecting daunomycin. Immunohistochemistry.in situ hybridization and colour pathological image analysis system were used to evaluate the relationship between CD44 expression and the progressive pathological changes of glomerulosclerosis at different time. Results CD44 and its mRNA expressions of glomerulosclerosis increased markedly in endothelial cells,podocytes,epithelial cells of Bowman's capsule,me-sangial cells. CD44 positive area per cell and the percentage of CD44 mRNA positive cells in glomeruli increased in progressive glomerulosclerosis. They correlated positively with glomerular sclerosis index (r1 =0. 754,r2 =0. 744). Conclusion CD44 may play a pivotal role in pathogenesis of progressive glomerulosclerosis.