Decreased Renal Expression of the Putative Calcium Oxalate Inhibitor Tamm-Horsfall Protein in the Ethylene Glycol Rat Model of Calcium Oxalate Urolithiasis.

Abstract

Unlike other calcium oxalate inhibitors, such as osteopontin, renal message and protein for Tamm-Horsfall protein was decreased in ethylene glycol treated rats. Tamm-Horsfall protein expression did not decrease until aggregates of crystals had been deposited in the kidneys, while osteopontin expression began to increase almost immediately. Comparisons of the data on kidneys and urine obtained by RNA or protein blot analysis and immunochemistry underscore the need to examine tissue and urine by multiple techniques to obtain the most accurate assessment of how protein expression is changed by a given treatment.