A high concentration of glucose alters the production of tPA, uPA and PAI-1 antigens from human mesangial cells.

Abstract To elucidate a role of tPA, uPA and PAI-1 for the development of diabetic glomerulosclerosis, the effect of high glucose concentration on the production of both basal and thrombin-mediated tPA, uPA and PAI-1 antigens from human mesangial cells was investigated. The culture of mesangial cells in the presence of high glucose (33 mM) for 11 days resulted in an increase in the synthesis of tPA and uPA when compared with that in normal glucose concentration (5 mM). In contrast, the cells grown in high glucose produced less PAI-1 than those in normal glucose. Thrombin stimulated dose-dependently the production of tPA, uPA and FAI-1 from the cells grown in either 5 or 33 mM glucose. However, the magnitude of the increase in tPA, uPA and PAI-1 from the cells grown in high glucose was less than that in normal glucose. These results suggest that the plasmin activity in mesangial cells may increase under a high glucose condition, leading to increased proteolysis of mesangial matrix. In addition, either fibrinolysis or proteolysis mediated by thrombin may be altered by high glucose concentration. Therefore, it is postulated that the turnover of mesangial matrix may be increased in diabetic nephropathy.