Glucose transporter in human glomerular mesangial cells modulated by transforming growth factor-beta and rhein.
AIM
To identify GLUT1 in human mesangial cells and its regulation by TGF-beta1 and rhein.


METHODS
Identification of GLUT1 was performed in human mesangial cells by analyzing its mRNA expression, protein product, and functional assay. The effects of TGF-beta1 and rhein on glucose uptake and GLUT1 mRNA expression in mesangial cells were examined by [3H]-2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake and Northern blotting analysis.


RESULTS
It was found that human mesangial cells do express functional GLUT1. The 2-DOG uptake of mesangial cells was markedly increased by TGF-beta1 stimulation with simultaneous elevated expression of GLUT1 mRNA. Increased glucose uptake and GLUT1 mRNA expression in mesangial cells induced by TGF-beta1 were markedly attenuated by rhein in a dose-dependent manner.


CONCLUSION
We found that functional GLUT1 did present in human mesangial cells. TGF-beta1 stimulated the glucose uptake in mesangial cells through upregulation of GLUT1 expression, this effect of TGF-beta1 could be antagonized by rhein.