Distinct effects of mycophenolate mofetil and cyclophosphamide on renal fibrosis in NZBWF1/J mice

Abstract

Progression to chronic renal failure varies between patients with lupus nephritis. We compared the effects of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and cyclophosphamide (CTX), on renal histology and cellular pathways of fibrosis in murine lupus nephritis. Female NZBWF1/J mice were randomized to treatment with vehicle, methylprednisolone (MP) alone, MMF + MP or CTX + MP for up to 12 weeks, and the effects on clinical parameters, renal histology, and fibrotic processes were investigated. Treatment with MMF + MP or CTX + MP both improved survival, renal function, and decreased anti-dsDNA antibody level and immune complex deposition in kidneys of mice with active nephritis. Vehicle-treated mice showed progressive increase in mesangial proliferation, inflammatory cell infiltration and renal tubular atrophy, associated with PKC-α activation, increased TGF-β1 expression and increased matrix protein deposition. MP treatment alone did not have any significant effect. MMF + MP or CTX + MP treatment for 12 weeks reduced these abnormalities. MMF + MP was more effective than CTX + MP in suppressing fibrotic mediators, histological fibrosis score and expression of TGF-β1, fibronectin and collagen I in the kidney. Results from in vitro experiments on human mesangial cells (HMC) showed that mycophenolic acid (MPA) was more effective than CTX in suppressing PKC-α activation and TGF-β1 secretion induced by human polyclonal anti-dsDNA antibodies. While both MPA and CTX decreased TGF-β1- and TNF-α-induced fibronectin synthesis, only MPA decreased IL-6 induced fibronectin synthesis. MPA and CTX show distinct effects on fibrotic and inflammatory processes in NZBWF1/J murine lupus nephritis, suggesting that MMF + MP may be more effective than CTX + MP in preserving normal renal histology in lupus nephritis.

• Cyclophosphamide
• mesangial cells
• methylprednisolone
• mycophenolate mofetil
• lupus nephritis
• renal fibrosis

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. This study was supported by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council General Research Fund (HKU 7366/04M) and University Merit Award, the University of Hong Kong CRCG Grant (10203731), UGC Matching Grant Schemes (Phases IV, V and VI), the Estate of the late Mr. Chan Wing Hei, and a kind donation from Mr G. King. S. Yung is supported by the Wai Hung Charitable Foundation Limited and the “Yu Chiu Kwong Chair in Medicine” Endowment Fund awarded to T. M. Chan.