Renal ischemia-reperfusion induces release of angiopoietin-2 from human grafts of living and deceased donors

DK de Vries, M Khairoun, JHN Lindeman… - …, 2013 - journals.lww.com
DK de Vries, M Khairoun, JHN Lindeman, IM Bajema, E de Heer, M Roest
Transplantation, 2013journals.lww.com
Background Recent insights suggest that endothelial cell (EC) activation plays a major role
in renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Interactions between ECs and pericytes via
signaling molecules, including angiopoietins, are involved in maintenance of the vascular
integrity. Experimental data have shown that enhancement of Angiopoietin (Ang)-1 signaling
might be beneficial in renal I/R injury. However, little is known about the role of angiopoietins
in human renal I/R injury. Methods In this study, EC activation and changes in angiopoeitins …
Abstract
Background
Recent insights suggest that endothelial cell (EC) activation plays a major role in renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Interactions between ECs and pericytes via signaling molecules, including angiopoietins, are involved in maintenance of the vascular integrity. Experimental data have shown that enhancement of Angiopoietin (Ang)-1 signaling might be beneficial in renal I/R injury. However, little is known about the role of angiopoietins in human renal I/R injury.
Methods
In this study, EC activation and changes in angiopoeitins are assessed in human living-donor (LD) and deceased-donor (DD) kidney transplantation. Local release of angiopoietins was measured by unique, dynamic arteriovenous measurements over the reperfused kidney.
Results
Renal I/R is associated with acute EC activation shown by a vast Ang-2 release from both LD and DD shortly after reperfusion. Its counterpart Ang-1 was not released. Histologic analysis of kidney biopsies showed EC loss after reperfusion. Baseline protein and mRNA Ang-1 expression was significantly reduced in DD compared with LD and declined further after reperfusion.
Conclusions
Human renal I/R injury induces EC activation after reperfusion reflected by Ang-2 release from the kidney. Interventions aimed at maintenance of vascular integrity by modulating angiopoietin signaling may be promising in human clinical kidney transplantation.
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins