Cellular apoptosis and proliferation in experimental renal fibrosis

Abstract

We have shown a time-dependent increase in apoptosis and PCNA antigen positive staining in the sub-total nephrectomy model of chronic renal failure correlating with the progression of renal fibrosis. PCNA staining did not match analysis for mitosis and was considered to overestimate the number of proliferating cells in the tissue. With this reservation in mind and taking into account the relative time-frames in vivo of apoptosis and proliferation; apoptosis potentially outweighs proliferation by a factor of 2 8-fold, when examined over the same time period. Consequently, even small changes in the finite numbers of apoptotic cells become highly significant. Our results have shown the definite role of apoptosis within progression of renal damage and highlighted how it may contribute to the progression of tubular atrophy and play a role in the pathogenesis of tubulo-interstitial scarring.