Overexpression of interleukin-13 induces minimal-change-like nephropathy in rats

IL-13 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of minimal-change nephrotic syndrome. This study aimed to investigate the role of IL-13 on the development of proteinuria and expression of podocyte-related genes that are associated with nephrotic syndrome. IL-13 was overexpressed in Wistar rats through transfection of a mammalian expression vector cloned with the rat IL-13 gene, into the quadriceps by in vivo electroporation. Serum IL-13, albumin, cholesterol, and creatinine and urine albumin were measured serially. Kidneys were harvested after day 70 for histology and electron microscopy. Glomerular gene expression of nephrin, podocin, dystroglycan, B7-1, and IL-13 receptor subunits were examined using real-time PCR with hybridization probes and expressed as an index against β-actin. Protein expression of these molecules was determined by immunofluorescence staining. The IL-13-transfected rats (n = 41) showed significant albuminuria, hypoalbuminemia, and hypercholesterolemia when compared with control rats (n = 17). No significant histologic changes were seen in glomeruli of IL-23-transfected rats. However, electron microscopy showed up to 80% of podocyte foot process fusion. Glomerular gene expression was significantly upregulated for B7-1, IL-4Rα, and IL-13Rα2 but downregulated for nephrin, podocin, and dystroglycan. Immunofluorescence staining intensity was reduced for nephrin, podocin, and dystroglycan but increased for B7-1 and IL-4Rα in IL-23-transfected rats compared with controls. In conclusion, these results suggest that IL-13 overexpression in the rat could lead to podocyte injury with downregulation of nephrin, podocin, and dystroglycan and a concurrent upregulation of B7-1 in the glomeruli, inducing a minimal change-like nephropathy that is characterized by increased proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hypercholesterolemia, and fusion of podocyte foot processes.