Podocyte-selective overexpression of the TGF-ß1 receptor type II (TbRII) enhances diabetic nephropathy in STZ induced transgenic rats

Background: Glomerular TGF-ß1 is increased early in the course of diabetic nephropathy. The podocytes are sources and targets of TGF-ß1. This study addresses the hypothesis that increased TGF-ß1 in diabetic rats stimulates the development of diabetic nephropathy via selective signalling in podocytes. Methods: Transgenic rats carrying the TGRTßRII driven by the podocin promoter were generated. Transgene expression was verified by Northern blotting, in-situ hybridization and Western blotting. Glomerular expression profiling was performed by real time RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. At 2 months o…