Next Article in Journal
Large-Scale Plasma Analysis Revealed New Mechanisms and Molecules Associated with the Host Response to SARS-CoV-2
Previous Article in Journal
Oncolytic Viruses and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Preclinical Developments to Clinical Trials
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
IJMS
Volume 21
Issue 22
10.3390/ijms21228628
ijms-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles thumb_up
...
Endorse textsms
...
Comment
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Renoprotective Effects of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin against Tacrolimus-Induced Renal Injury

by
Jeong-Hoon Lim
,
Eun-Joo Oh
,
Se-Hyun Oh
,
Hee-Yeon Jung
,
Ji-Young Choi
,
Jang-Hee Cho
,
Sun-Hee Park
,
Yong-Lim Kim
and
Chan-Duck Kim
*
Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu 41944, Korea
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(22), 8628; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21228628
Submission received: 26 October 2020 / Revised: 9 November 2020 / Accepted: 13 November 2020 / Published: 16 November 2020
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics)
Browse Figures
Versions Notes

Abstract

:
The protective effects of alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) in tacrolimus (TAC)-induced renal injury was evaluated in a rat model. The TAC group rats were subcutaneously injected with 2 mg/kg TAC every day for four weeks. The TAC with AAT group was cotreated with daily subcutaneous injections of TAC and intraperitoneal injections of AAT (80 mg/kg) for four weeks. The effects of AAT on TAC-induced renal injury were evaluated using serum biochemistry, histopathology, and Western blotting. The TAC injection significantly increased renal interstitial fibrosis, inflammation, and apoptosis as compared to the control treatment. The histopathological examination showed that cotreatment of TAC and AAT attenuated interstitial fibrosis (collagen, fibronectin, and α-SMA staining), and α-SMA expression in Western blotting was also decreased. Immunohistochemical staining for inflammation (osteopontin and ED-1 staining) revealed improved interstitial inflammation in the TAC with AAT group compared to that in the TAC group. The TAC treatment increased renal apoptosis compared to the control treatment, based on the results of increased immunohistochemical staining of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL), increased caspase-3 activity, and lower Bcl-2 to Bad expression ratio. However, AAT cotreatment significantly changed these markers and consequently showed decreased apoptosis. AAT protects against TAC-induced renal injury via antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects.

1. Introduction

The potent calcineurin inhibitor, tacrolimus (TAC), was introduced in 1984. Currently, the TAC-based immunosuppressive regimen is the globally preferred treatment in kidney transplant (KT) recipients [1,2]. However, despite the effective immunosuppressive property, long-term TAC treatment causes irreversible kidney injury and adversely affects long-term graft survival [3]. The histopathologic features of TAC-induced renal injury are arteriolar hyalinization, vasoconstriction, interstitial fibrosis (IF), tubular atrophy, and apoptosis [4,5,6]. The pathophysiologic mechanism remains unclear; however, several in vivo and in vitro studies have identified that inflammatory mediates and apoptosis are linked to TAC-induced nephropathy [7,8,9].
Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is a member of the serine protease inhibitor superfamily and can inhibit other proteases, such as cysteine aspartic proteases [10,11]. AAT has a broad range of inhibitory functions, including anti-inflammatory properties and, as a result, can limit tissue injury resulting from proteases [12]. Moreover, AAT protects against apoptosis in various types of cells, such as peritoneal mesenchymal cells, beta cells, and hepatocytes [13,14,15]. In particular, it is known that the AAT’s inhibitory function of cysteine proteases of the caspase family, such as caspase-3, plays an important role in preventing apoptosis [15].
Based on these findings, we have assumed that the anti-inflammatory effect and antiapoptotic function of AAT can attenuate TAC-induced nephrotoxicity. Thus, the present study was designed with the aim of investigating the renoprotective effects of AAT using an experimental rat model for TAC-induced renal injury.

2. Results

2.1. Effect of AAT on the Basic Parameters

Table 1 shows the basic parameters. After 5 weeks of treatment, the TAC treatment caused a significant decrease in weight gain as compared to the vehicle (VH) treatment (TAC vs. VH; p < 0.001). Weight gain in the TAC-treated rats was unaffected by AAT (TAC vs. TAC + AAT; p > 0.05). The serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels were higher in the TAC and TAC + AAT groups as compared to that in the VH group (TAC vs. TAC + AAT; both p < 0.001). Concomitantly administered AAT with TAC decreased the serum BUN and creatinine as compared to the TAC treatment (TAC vs. TAC + AAT; both p < 0.01). The measured serum TAC trough levels after 5 weeks were similar between the TAC and TAC + AAT groups (TAC vs. TAC + AAT; p > 0.05), indicating that AAT did not affect the TAC concentration.

2.2. Effect of AAT on Renal Fibrosis in TAC-Induced Renal Injury

In the comparison of histopathology, the TAC group showed significantly increased collagen deposition in the trichrome stain compared to the VH group (TAC vs. VH; p < 0.001, Figure 1); however, cotreatment of TAC and AAT reduced collagen deposition compared to TAC (TAC vs. TAC + AAT; p < 0.01). Immunohistochemical staining for fibrosis markers, fibronectin (Figure 2), and α-SMA (Figure 3A) showed increased staining in the TAC group as compared to that in the VH group (TAC vs. VH; both p < 0.001) and the stained degree of fibronectin and α-SMA were reduced in the cotreated TAC and AAT group as compared to that in the TAC group (TAC vs. TAC + AAT; p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively).
Further, Western blotting analysis of the kidneys revealed a significant increase in the α-SMA expression in the TAC group over the VH group (TAC vs. VH; p < 0.01); however, the α-SMA expression was decreased in the group treated with TAC and AAT together as compared to the group treated with TAC (TAC vs. TAC + AAT; p < 0.01) (Figure 3B).

2.3. Effect of AAT on Inflammation in TAC-Induced Renal Injury

Immunohistochemical staining for OPN and ED-1 was used to evaluate the changes of inflammation. OPN expression was dramatically increased in the TAC group as compared to that in the VH group (TAC vs. VH; p < 0.001). In particular, OPN was stained in areas with active inflammation (Figure 4). The TAC and AAT cotreatment group revealed a significant reduction in the OPN expression as compared to the TAC group. There were few ED-1 positive cells in the VH group; however, the number was significantly increased after TAC treatment (TAC vs. VH; p < 0.001) (Figure 5). Cotreatment with AAT decreased the number of ED-1 positive cells as compared to TAC treatment alone (TAC vs. TAC + AAT; p < 0.001).

2.4. Effect of AAT on Apoptosis in TAC-Induced Renal Injury

In order to evaluate the antiapoptotic effect of AAT in TAC-induced renal injury, we performed the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay, measured the caspase-3 activity, and determined the Bcl-2/Bad expressions. In the immunohistochemical staining, there were significantly more TUNEL-positive cells in the TAC group than in the VH group (TAC vs. VH; p < 0.001), and apoptosis was decreased with AAT cotreatment (TAC vs. TAC + AAT; p < 0.001) (Figure 6). Caspase-3 activity was significantly higher in the TAC group than in the VH group (TAC vs. VH; p < 0.01), while it was decreased in the AAT cotreated group as compared to that in the TAC-treated group (TAC vs. TAC + AAT; p < 0.01) (Figure 7A). We also conducted immunoblotting analysis of Bcl-2 and Bad expression to identify the antiapoptotic pathway. The Bcl-2 to Bad ratio was lower in the TAC group as compared to that in the VH group (TAC vs. VH; p < 0.01), however, the ratio was higher in the AAT cotreated group than in the TAC-treated group (TAC vs. TAC + AAT; p < 0.01) (Figure 7B).

3. Discussion

In this study, we have demonstrated the protective effect of AAT against TAC-induced renal injury. AAT exhibited anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects in TAC-induced nephrotoxicity; AAT treatment also reduced renal fibrosis. Our results suggest that AAT treatment in patients with long-term medication of TAC, such as KT recipients, can prevent and reduce chronic TAC nephrotoxicity.
TAC is the most widely using calcineurin inhibitor in KT recipients [2]. However, chronic TAC nephropathy caused by the long-term use of TAC is a major cause of late graft failure in KT recipients [16]. Therefore, researchers are interested in reducing nephrotoxicity, and several trials have been conducted to inhibit the various pathophysiologic pathways involved in TAC-induced nephrotoxicity [3,17,18]. We have focused on the effects of AAT on renal fibrosis, inflammation, and apoptosis. AAT plays an important role not only in protease inhibition, but also in inflammation inhibition and tissue protection [13]. AAT modulates both the activation and maturation of antigen-presenting cells [19,20,21], inhibition of various caspases, and improvement of the mitochondrial membrane stability [22]. Thus, AAT downregulates proinflammatory cytokines and upregulates anti-inflammatory mediators [19,21,23], with these properties, AAT attenuates tissue fibrosis and prevents apoptotic cell death [19,24,25,26]. The function of AAT has not yet been identified in TAC-induced nephrotoxicity; however, it has been verified in the present study.
The patchy striped pattern of IF is a common feature of chronic TAC nephrotoxicity because TAC-induced nephrotoxicity preferentially involves the medullary rays [27]. The IF is a structural hallmark with collagen deposition that correlates with progressive and chronic kidney disease; further, it is a more consistent predictor of renal function impairment than glomerular injury [27,28,29]. We demonstrated the antifibrotic effect of AAT in TAC-induced renal injury through histopathology and immunoblotting assay. Fibronectin is a major extracellular matrix protein that acts as a chemoattractant of fibroblasts [30]; α-SMA is used as a fibrogenic activity indicator of activated tissue fibrogenic cells [31,32]. The results are consistent with our previous studies that have confirmed the antifibrotic effect of AAT in unilateral ureter obstruction and renal ischemia reperfusion injury models [33,34]. In our previous study, we have identified the relevant antifibrotic pathway of AAT treatment, that is, the suppression of the TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway [33]; the AAT’s antifibrotic effect in TAC nephropathy would also have been achieved via the inhibition of the TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway.
TAC treatment causes inflammatory cell infiltration and the production of proinflammatory cytokines in the kidneys [9]. TAC treatment-induced inflammation causes the development and amplification of fibrosis [35]. AAT exerts anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing neutrophil chemokine release and reducing superoxide production by neutrophils [36,37]. In order to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of AAT on TAC-induced renal injury, we identified two inflammatory markers (OPN and ED-1). OPN is known to possess cell adhesive and migratory properties [38,39]. In particular, OPN binds strongly to macrophages, resulting in prominent macrophage infiltration [40,41]. In the in vitro and in vivo TAC nephropathy studies, tubular OPN expression was avidly associated with macrophage infiltration and subsequent tubulointerstitial injury [3,42]. Our results were also consistent with these findings; OPN was overexpressed in the TAC group, notably in the inflammatory areas. However, the cotreatment of TAC and AAT lowered the OPN expression, supporting the reduction in inflammation with AAT treatment. Moreover, ED-1 is a well-known pan-macrophage marker [43]; TAC treatment induced increased ED-1 staining; however, ED-1 staining was decreased with AAT cotreatment. These results show that reduced infiltration of macrophages after AAT treatment and that the anti-inflammatory effects of AAT contribute toward the protection from TAC-induced renal injury.
Apoptosis is a process of programmed cell death; unlike necrosis, apoptosis does not involve inflammation. TAC induces dose- and time-dependent renal cell apoptosis, and apoptosis plays an important role in TAC-induced renal injury [44,45,46]. We also confirmed the antiapoptotic effect of AAT aside from antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory effect. Caspase-3 is known to be a crucial mediator of apoptosis owing to its catalyzing role in many key cellular proteins [15]. AAT directly binds to caspase-3 and inhibits the activity [47]. In our results, AAT also inhibited caspase-3 activity, and caused decreased apoptosis in TAC-induced renal injury. Activation of the mitochondrial pathway has been identified as the main apoptotic pathway in TAC-induced renal injury [44]. In order to clearly confirm the antiapoptotic effect in TAC-induced apoptosis, we evaluated the Bcl-2 and Bad protein expressions. Both, Bcl-2 and Bad are members of the Bcl-2 family; they play the opposite roles of antiapoptosis (Bcl-2) and proapoptosis (Bad), in particular, they control the intrinsic (mitochondrial) apoptosis at the upstream of the apoptotic pathway [48,49]. Further, our results showed a lower ratio of Bcl-2 to Bad expression in the TAC-treated group than in the VH group; however, the ratio was increased in the AAT cotreated group as compared to that in the TAC group. This suggests that AAT prevents mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway in chronic TAC nephrotoxicity.
The present study confirmed that AAT treatment prevented chronic TAC nephrotoxicity in an experimental rat model. The renoprotective effects of AAT in TAC-induced nephrotoxicity were manifested as renal fibrosis, inflammation, and apoptosis, especially, AAT would directly attenuate tubulointerstitial inflammation and renal cell apoptosis. Because of the multifactorial benefits, AAT treatment is expected to improve the long-term graft survival in KT recipients. However, there are certain limitations of this study. The experimental model for TAC-induced nephrotoxicity was established in rats. Further, it has been reported that asymptomatic healthy individuals also have decreased AAT levels [50]; therefore, the effect of AAT in human subjects is unclear. Moreover, we did not measure the functionally active AAT levels. The presence of the inactivated forms of AAT has been reported previously [51] and might attenuate the effect of AAT. In addition, we did not evaluate the effect of post-administration of AAT. Well-designed clinical studies are needed to verify the effectiveness of AAT in human subjects.
In conclusion, AAT attenuates TAC-induced renal injury in an experimental rat model via antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects. Our results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of AAT in protecting against chronic TAC nephrotoxicity.

4. Materials and Methods

4.1. Experimental Design

Eight-week-old male Sprague–Dawley rats (Hyochang Science, Daegu, South Korea), initial weight 220–230 g, were sheltered in a facility free of pathogens with a 12-h light/dark schedule, and they had free access to food and water at the animal care facility of Kyungpook National University. The animal experiment protocol was approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee at the Kyungpook National University (KNU-2019-0007; approval date: 9/1/2019), and all experiments on animal performed in this study were based on ethical guidelines for animal studies. The schematic experimental design is shown in Figure 8. The rats were fed with a low-salt diet (0.05% sodium, Teklad Premier, Madison, WI, USA). Tacrolimus (CKD Bio Corporation, Seoul, South Korea) was dissolved in olive oil (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA) to the final concentration of 1 mg/mL. After acclimatization and a low-salt diet for 1 week, the rats were randomized into 4 groups and were treated daily for 4 weeks as follows: subcutaneous injection with olive oil (1 mg/mL) (VH group; n = 6); intraperitoneal injection with AAT (80 mg/kg) (AAT group; Aralast; Baxter Healthcare, Vienna, Austria; n = 6); subcutaneous injection with TAC (2 mg/kg) (TAC group; n = 6); and simultaneous treatment with TAC and AAT (TAC + AAT group; n = 6).

4.2. Quantification of Tacrolimus

Serum tacrolimus concentrations were measured using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (MyBiosource, San Diego, CA, USA) as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Values were calculated using a standard curve.

4.3. Renal Function and Histopathological Studies

The serum levels of BUN and creatinine were measured using a Hitachi 7600 automated biochemistry analyzer (Hitachi, Tokyo, Japan). From each of the experimental groups, the kidney tissues were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde (pH 7.4) then embedded in paraffin. Two-micrometer tissue sections were processed for analysis. Standard protocols were used to stain these tissue sections with periodic acid-Schiff and Masson’s trichrome to evaluate histological changes and collagen deposition, respectively. Regions of collagen deposition in Masson’s trichrome stained kidney sections were measured using an image analysis program (i-solution; Image & Microscope Technology Inc., Daejeon, South Korea).

4.4. Immunohistochemistry

Immunohistochemical staining was performed using by anti-fibronectin (1:100; Abcam, Cambridge, UK) antibodies, anti-α-SMA (1:100; Abcam, Cambridge, UK), anti-osteopontin (OPN) (1:1000; MPIIIB10, obtained from the Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA), and anti-ED-1 (1:100; Abcam, Cambridge, UK). EnVision-HRP kit (Dako, Carpinteria, CA, USA) was used for detection. Counterstaining of all the sections was performed using Mayer’s hematoxylin. A Leica DM IRB inverted microscope (Leica Microsystems, Wetzlar, Germany) equipped with a CoolSNAP HQ camera (Photometrics, Tucson, AZ, USA) was used to examine immunolabeling. The quantitation of fibronectin and ED-1 positive area was measured with an image analysis program (i-solution, Image & Microscope Technology Inc., Daejeon, South Korea).

4.5. Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase-Mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) Assay

The TUNEL assay was performed using the Click-iTTM TUNEL colorimetric IHC Detection Kit (Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA, USA) for immunohistochemistry as per the manufacturer’s protocol. The number of TUNEL-positive cells was counted in 10 fields at 400× magnification and normalized per mm2 of tissue.

4.6. Measurement of Caspase-3 Activity

We used a colorimetric assay kit (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA) to measure caspase-3 activity in the kidney homogenates as per the manufacturer’s protocol. The kidney homogenates were incubated with fluorometric caspase-3 substrate (Ac-DEVD-pNA) in assay buffer. A control reaction mixture containing the caspase-3 inhibitor (acetyl-DEVD-CHO) in assay buffer was used in order to explain nonspecific hydrolysis of the substrate. The two mixtures were incubated at 37 °C for 90 min, and the absorbance was measured at 405 nm.

4.7. Western Blotting Assay

Immunoblotting using kidney tissues was performed with primary antibodies against α-SMA (1:5000; Sigma-Aldrich), Bcl-2 (1:1000; Cell Signaling Technology, Danvers, MA, USA), and Bax (1:1000; Cell Signaling Technology). Antigen−antibody reaction sites were detected with horseradish peroxidase conjugated secondary antibodies (1:2000; Dako, Glostup, Denmark) using an enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) advanced detection system (GE Healthcare, Little Chalfont, UK). We quantified the band densities using densitometry and compared those to the expression of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). The band pixel intensities were analyzed by computerized method performed by Scion Image (Scion, Frederick, MD, USA).

4.8. Statistical Analysis

Data are presented as means ± standard error of the mean values. Experiments were repeated at least thrice. Statistical analyses were performed using Kruskal–Wallis test, followed by post hoc Mann–Whitney U test with Bonferroni correction. The analyses were performed with SPSS (version 20.0, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). p < 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, J.-H.L. and C.-D.K.; methodology, E.-J.O. and S.-H.O.; validation, E.-J.O., J.-H.L. and C.-D.K.; formal analysis, J.-H.L. and J.-H.C.; investigation, J.-H.L., E.-J.O., S.-H.O. and C.-D.K.; resources, E.-J.O., S.-H.O. and C.-D.K.; data curation, J.-H.L., E.-J.O. and S.-H.O.; writing—original draft preparation, J.-H.L. and E.-J.O.; writing—review and editing, H.-Y.J., J.-Y.C., J.-H.C., S.-H.P., Y.-L.K. and C.-D.K.; supervision, J.-H.C. and C.-D.K.; project administration, C.-D.K. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research was supported by the Korea Health Technology R&D Project grant through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), funded by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea (grant number: HI15C0001), and supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (2020R1I1A3068253).

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

References

  1. Luisa, R.; Monroy Funes, M.A. Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Triple Immunosuppression Scheme in Kidney Transplant (Tacrolimus, Mycophenolate Mofetil and Corticosteroids); InTech: London, UK, 2011. [Google Scholar]
  2. Axelrod, D.A.; Naik, A.S.; Schnitzler, M.A.; Segev, D.L.; Dharnidharka, V.R.; Brennan, D.C.; Bae, S.; Chen, J.; Massie, A.; Lentine, K.L. National Variation in Use of Immunosuppression for Kidney Transplantation: A Call for Evidence-Based Regimen Selection. Am. J. Transplant. 2016, 16, 2453–2462. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  3. Zhang, L.Y.; Jin, J.; Luo, K.; Piao, S.G.; Zheng, H.L.; Jin, J.Z.; Lim, S.W.; Choi, B.S.; Yang, C.W.; Li, C. Shen-Kang protects against tacrolimus-induced renal injury. Korean J. Intern Med. 2019, 34, 1078–1090. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  4. Shihab, F.S.; Bennett, W.M.; Tanner, A.M.; Andoh, T.F. Mechanism of fibrosis in experimental tacrolimus nephrotoxicity. Transplantation 1997, 64, 1829–1837. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  5. Wang, L.; Kubodera, S.; Ueno, A.; Takeda, M. Effects of nitric oxide synthesis inhibition on FK506-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Ren. Fail. 2001, 23, 11–19. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  6. Jeong, H.J. Diagnosis of renal transplant rejection: Banff classification and beyond. Kidney Res. Clin. Pract. 2020, 39, 17–31. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  7. Jin, J.; Lim, S.W.; Jin, L.; Yu, J.H.; Kim, H.S.; Chung, B.H.; Yang, C.W. Effects of metformin on hyperglycemia in an experimental model of tacrolimus- and sirolimus-induced diabetic rats. Korean J. Intern Med. 2017, 32, 314–322. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  8. Jin, J.; Jin, L.; Luo, K.; Lim, S.W.; Chung, B.H.; Yang, C.W. Effect of Empagliflozin on Tacrolimus-Induced Pancreas Islet Dysfunction and Renal Injury. Am. J. Transplant. 2017, 17, 2601–2616. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  9. Lim, S.W.; Jin, L.; Piao, S.G.; Chung, B.H.; Yang, C.W. Inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase IV protects tacrolimus-induced kidney injury. Lab. Investig. 2015, 95, 1174–1185. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  10. Jedicke, N.; Struever, N.; Aggrawal, N.; Welte, T.; Manns, M.P.; Malek, N.P.; Zender, L.; Janciauskiene, S.; Wuestefeld, T. α-1-antitrypsin inhibits acute liver failure in mice. Hepatology 2014, 59, 2299–2308. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  11. Toldo, S.; Seropian, I.M.; Mezzaroma, E.; Van Tassell, B.W.; Salloum, F.N.; Lewis, E.C.; Voelkel, N.; Dinarello, C.A.; Abbate, A. Alpha-1 antitrypsin inhibits caspase-1 and protects from acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. J. Mol. Cell Cardiol. 2011, 51, 244–251. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  12. Jonigk, D.; Al-Omari, M.; Maegel, L.; Müller, M.; Izykowski, N.; Hong, J.; Hong, K.; Kim, S.-H.; Dorsch, M.; Mahadeva, R.; et al. Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of α1-antitrypsin without inhibition of elastase. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2013, 110, 15007–15012. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  13. Lim, J.H.; Park, S.M.; Yook, J.M.; Ahn, J.S.; Choi, S.Y.; Oh, S.H.; Jung, H.Y.; Choi, J.Y.; Cho, J.H.; Park, S.H.; et al. Alpha-1 antitrypsin inhibits formaldehyde-induced apoptosis of human peritoneal mesothelial cells. Perit. Dial. Int. 2020, 40, 124–131. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  14. Zhang, B.; Lu, Y.; Campbell-Thompson, M.; Spencer, T.; Wasserfall, C.; Atkinson, M.; Song, S. Alpha1-antitrypsin protects beta-cells from apoptosis. Diabetes 2007, 56, 1316–1323. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  15. Porter, A.G.; Jänicke, R.U. Emerging roles of caspase-3 in apoptosis. Cell Death Differ. 1999, 6, 99–104. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  16. Jevnikar, A.M.; Mannon, R.B. Late kidney allograft loss: What we know about it, and what we can do about it. Clin. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 2008, 3 (Suppl. 2), S56–S67. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  17. Al-Harbi, N.O.; Imam, F.; Al-Harbi, M.M.; Iqbal, M.; Nadeem, A.; Al-Shahrah, O.A.; Korashy, H.M.; Al-Hosaini, K.A.; Ahmed, M.; Bahashwar, S. Treatment with aliskiren ameliorates tacrolimus-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. J. Renin. Angiotensin Aldosterone Syst. 2015, 16, 1329–1336. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  18. Luo, K.; Lim, S.W.; Jin, J.; Jin, L.; Gil, H.W.; Im, D.S.; Hwang, H.S.; Yang, C.W. Cilastatin protects against tacrolimus-induced nephrotoxicity via anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic properties. BMC Nephrol. 2019, 20, 221. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  19. Marcondes, A.M.; Karoopongse, E.; Lesnikova, M.; Margineantu, D.; Welte, T.; Dinarello, C.A.; Hockenbery, D.; Janciauskiene, S.; Deeg, H.J. α-1-Antitrypsin (AAT)-modified donor cells suppress GVHD but enhance the GVL effect: A role for mitochondrial bioenergetics. Blood 2014, 124, 2881–2891. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  20. Lewis, E.C.; Mizrahi, M.; Toledano, M.; Defelice, N.; Wright, J.L.; Churg, A.; Shapiro, L.; Dinarello, C.A. alpha1-Antitrypsin monotherapy induces immune tolerance during islet allograft transplantation in mice. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2008, 105, 16236–16241. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  21. Elshikha, A.S.; Lu, Y.; Chen, M.-J.; Akbar, M.; Zeumer, L.; Ritter, A.; Elghamry, H.; Mahdi, M.A.; Morel, L.; Song, S. Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Inhibits Dendritic Cell Activation and Attenuates Nephritis in a Mouse Model of Lupus. PLoS ONE 2016, 11, e0156583. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  22. Emtiazjoo, A.M.; Hu, H.; Lu, L.; Brantly, M.L. Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Attenuates Acute Lung Allograft Injury in a Rat Lung Transplant Model. Transplant. Direct. 2019, 5, e458. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  23. Bata, J.; Revillard, J.P. Interaction between alpha 1 antitrypsin and lymphocyte surface proteases: Immunoregulatory effects. Agents Actions 1981, 11, 614–616. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  24. Zhou, X.; Shapiro, L.; Fellingham, G.; Willardson, B.M.; Burton, G.F. HIV replication in CD4+ T lymphocytes in the presence and absence of follicular dendritic cells: Inhibition of replication mediated by α-1-antitrypsin through altered IκBα ubiquitination. J. Immunol. 2011, 186, 3148–3155. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  25. Shahaf, G.; Moser, H.; Ozeri, E.; Mizrahi, M.; Abecassis, A.; Lewis, E.C. α-1-antitrypsin gene delivery reduces inflammation, increases T-regulatory cell population size and prevents islet allograft rejection. Mol. Med. 2011, 17, 1000–1011. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  26. Berger, M.; Liu, M.; Uknis, M.E.; Koulmanda, M. Alpha-1-antitrypsin in cell and organ transplantation. Am. J. Transplant. 2018, 18, 1589–1595. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  27. Farris, A.B.; Alpers, C.E. What is the best way to measure renal fibrosis? A pathologist’s perspective. Kidney Int. Suppl. 2014, 4, 9–15. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  28. Nath, K.A. Tubulointerstitial changes as a major determinant in the progression of renal damage. Am. J. Kidney Dis. 1992, 20, 1–17. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  29. Risdon, R.A.; Sloper, J.C.; De Wardener, H.E. Relationship between renal function and histological changes found in renal-biopsy specimens from patients with persistent glomerular nephritis. Lancet 1968, 2, 363–366. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  30. Yokoi, H.; Mukoyama, M.; Sugawara, A.; Mori, K.; Nagae, T.; Makino, H.; Suganami, T.; Yahata, K.; Fujinaga, Y.; Tanaka, I.; et al. Role of connective tissue growth factor in fibronectin expression and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Am. J. Physiol. Renal. Physiol. 2002, 282, F933–F942. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  31. Hinz, B. Myofibroblasts. Exp. Eye Res. 2016, 142, 56–70. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  32. Bochaton-Piallat, M.-L.; Gabbiani, G.; Hinz, B. The myofibroblast in wound healing and fibrosis: Answered and unanswered questions. F1000Research 2016, 5. F1000 Faculty Rev-752. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  33. Cho, J.-H.; Ryu, H.-M.; Oh, E.-J.; Yook, J.-M.; Ahn, J.-S.; Jung, H.-Y.; Choi, J.-Y.; Park, S.-H.; Kim, Y.-L.; Kwak, I.S.; et al. Alpha1-Antitrypsin Attenuates Renal Fibrosis by Inhibiting TGF-β1-Induced Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition. PLoS ONE 2016, 11, e0162186. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  34. Jeong, K.H.; Lim, J.H.; Lee, K.H.; Kim, M.J.; Jung, H.Y.; Choi, J.Y.; Cho, J.H.; Park, S.H.; Kim, Y.L.; Kim, C.D. Protective Effect of Alpha 1-Antitrypsin on Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury. Transplant. Proc. 2019, 51, 2814–2822. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  35. González-Guerrero, C.; Cannata-Ortiz, P.; Guerri, C.; Egido, J.; Ortiz, A.; Ramos, A.M. TLR4-mediated inflammation is a key pathogenic event leading to kidney damage and fibrosis in cyclosporine nephrotoxicity. Arch Toxicol. 2017, 91, 1925–1939. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  36. Bucurenci, N.; Blake, D.R.; Chidwick, K.; Winyard, P.G. Inhibition of neutrophil superoxide production by human plasma alpha 1-antitrypsin. FEBS Lett. 1992, 300, 21–24. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  37. Ralston, D.R.; Marsh, C.B.; Lowe, M.P.; Wewers, M.D. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies induce monocyte IL-8 release. Role of surface proteinase-3, alpha1-antitrypsin, and Fcgamma receptors. J. Clin. Investig. 1997, 100, 1416–1424. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  38. Denhardt, D.T.; Guo, X. Osteopontin: A protein with diverse functions. FASEB J. 1993, 7, 1475–1482. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  39. Giachelli, C.M.; Schwartz, S.M.; Liaw, L. Molecular and cellular biology of osteopontin: Potential role in cardiovascular disease. Trends Cardiovas Med. 1995, 5, 88–95. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  40. Ophascharoensuk, V.; Giachelli, C.M.; Gordon, K.; Hughes, J.; Pichler, R.; Brown, P.; Liaw, L.; Schmidt, R.; Shankland, S.J.; Alpers, C.E.; et al. Obstructive uropathy in the mouse: Role of osteopontin in interstitial fibrosis and apoptosis. Kidney Int. 1999, 56, 571–580. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  41. Giachelli, C.M.; Lombardi, D.; Johnson, R.J.; Murry, C.E.; Almeida, M. Evidence for a role of osteopontin in macrophage infiltration in response to pathological stimuli in vivo. Am. J. Pathol. 1998, 152, 353–358. [Google Scholar]
  42. Khanna, A. Tacrolimus and cyclosporinein vitro and in vivo induce osteopontin mRNA and protein expression in renal tissues. Nephron Exp. Nephrol. 2005, 101, e119–e126. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  43. Damoiseaux, J.G.; Döpp, E.A.; Calame, W.; Chao, D.; MacPherson, G.G.; Dijkstra, C.D. Rat macrophage lysosomal membrane antigen recognized by monoclonal antibody ED1. Immunology 1994, 83, 140–147. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
  44. Hisamura, F.; Kojima-Yuasa, A.; Kennedy, D.O.; Matsui-Yuasa, I. Protective effect of green tea extract and tea polyphenols against FK506-induced cytotoxicity in renal cells. Basic Clin. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 2006, 98, 192–196. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  45. Jin, J.; Jin, L.; Lim, S.; Yang, C. Klotho Deficiency Aggravates Tacrolimus-Induced Renal Injury via the Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase-Akt-Forkhead Box Protein O Pathway. Am. J. Nephrol. 2016, 43, 357–365. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  46. Kim, H.S.; Lim, S.W.; Jin, L.; Jin, J.; Chung, B.H.; Yang, C.W. The Protective Effect of Febuxostat on Chronic Tacrolimus-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats. Nephron 2017, 135, 61–71. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  47. Petrache, I.; Fijalkowska, I.; Medler, T.R.; Skirball, J.; Cruz, P.; Zhen, L.; Petrache, H.I.; Flotte, T.R.; Tuder, R.M. Alpha-1 antitrypsin inhibits caspase-3 activity, preventing lung endothelial cell apoptosis. Am. J. Pathol. 2006, 169, 1155–1166. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  48. Gross, A.; McDonnell, J.M.; Korsmeyer, S.J. BCL-2 family members and the mitochondria in apoptosis. Genes Dev. 1999, 13, 1899–1911. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  49. Bogdał, M.N.; Hat, B.; Kochańczyk, M.; Lipniacki, T. Levels of pro-apoptotic regulator Bad and anti-apoptotic regulator Bcl-xL determine the type of the apoptotic logic gate. BMC Syst. Biol. 2013, 7, 67. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  50. Holzscheiter, L.; Beck, C.; Rutz, S.; Manuilova, E.; Domke, I.; Guder, W.G.; Hofmann, W. NGAL, L-FABP, and KIM-1 in comparison to established markers of renal dysfunction. Clin. Chem. Lab. Med. 2014, 52, 537–546. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
  51. Eisner, C.; Faulhaber-Walter, R.; Wang, Y.; Leelahavanichkul, A.; Yuen, P.; Mizel, D.; Star, R.; Briggs, J.; Levine, M.; Schnermann, J. Major contribution of tubular secretion to creatinine clearance in mice. Kidney Int. 2010, 77, 519–526. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
Ijms 21 08628 g001 550
Figure 1. Effect of alpha-1 antitrypsin on collagen deposition in tacrolimus-induced renal injury. (A) Trichrome staining (200× magnification). (B) Quantitative analysis of collagen deposition area. Data are presented as means ± standard errors; *** p < 0.001 vs. VH; ## p < 0.01 vs. TAC. Abbreviations: VH, vehicle group; AAT, alpha-1 antitrypsin treatment group; TAC, tacrolimus treatment group; TAC + AAT, tacrolimus and alpha-1 antitrypsin cotreatment group.
Figure 1. Effect of alpha-1 antitrypsin on collagen deposition in tacrolimus-induced renal injury. (A) Trichrome staining (200× magnification). (B) Quantitative analysis of collagen deposition area. Data are presented as means ± standard errors; *** p < 0.001 vs. VH; ## p < 0.01 vs. TAC. Abbreviations: VH, vehicle group; AAT, alpha-1 antitrypsin treatment group; TAC, tacrolimus treatment group; TAC + AAT, tacrolimus and alpha-1 antitrypsin cotreatment group.
Ijms 21 08628 g001
Ijms 21 08628 g002 550
Figure 2. Effect of alpha-1 antitrypsin on fibronectin staining in tacrolimus-induced renal injury. (A) Immunohistochemical staining for fibronectin (200× magnification). (B) Quantitative analysis of fibronectin staining area. Data are presented as means ± standard errors; *** p < 0.001 vs. VH; ## p < 0.01 vs. TAC. Abbreviations: VH, vehicle group; AAT, alpha-1 antitrypsin treatment group; TAC, tacrolimus treatment group; TAC + AAT, tacrolimus and alpha-1 antitrypsin cotreatment group.
Figure 2. Effect of alpha-1 antitrypsin on fibronectin staining in tacrolimus-induced renal injury. (A) Immunohistochemical staining for fibronectin (200× magnification). (B) Quantitative analysis of fibronectin staining area. Data are presented as means ± standard errors; *** p < 0.001 vs. VH; ## p < 0.01 vs. TAC. Abbreviations: VH, vehicle group; AAT, alpha-1 antitrypsin treatment group; TAC, tacrolimus treatment group; TAC + AAT, tacrolimus and alpha-1 antitrypsin cotreatment group.
Ijms 21 08628 g002
Ijms 21 08628 g003 550
Figure 3. Effect of alpha-1 antitrypsin on α-SMA staining and expression in tacrolimus-induced renal injury. (A) Immunohistochemical staining for α-SMA (200× magnification) (Left). Quantitative analysis of α-SMA staining area (Right). (B) Immunoblotting analysis of α-SMA. Data are presented as means ± standard errors; ** p < 0.01 vs. VH; *** p < 0.001 vs. VH; ## p < 0.01 vs. TAC; ### p < 0.001 vs. TAC. Abbreviations: VH, vehicle group; AAT, alpha-1 antitrypsin treatment group; TAC, tacrolimus treatment group; TAC + AAT, tacrolimus and alpha-1 antitrypsin cotreatment group.
Figure 3. Effect of alpha-1 antitrypsin on α-SMA staining and expression in tacrolimus-induced renal injury. (A) Immunohistochemical staining for α-SMA (200× magnification) (Left). Quantitative analysis of α-SMA staining area (Right). (B) Immunoblotting analysis of α-SMA. Data are presented as means ± standard errors; ** p < 0.01 vs. VH; *** p < 0.001 vs. VH; ## p < 0.01 vs. TAC; ### p < 0.001 vs. TAC. Abbreviations: VH, vehicle group; AAT, alpha-1 antitrypsin treatment group; TAC, tacrolimus treatment group; TAC + AAT, tacrolimus and alpha-1 antitrypsin cotreatment group.
Ijms 21 08628 g003
Ijms 21 08628 g004 550
Figure 4. Effect of alpha-1 antitrypsin on osteopontin staining in tacrolimus-induced renal injury. (A) Immunohistochemical staining for osteopontin (200× magnification). (B) Quantitative analysis of osteopontin staining area. Data are presented as means ± standard errors; *** p < 0.001 vs. VH; ### p < 0.001 vs. TAC. Abbreviations: VH, vehicle group; AAT, alpha-1 antitrypsin treatment group; TAC, tacrolimus treatment group; TAC + AAT, tacrolimus and alpha-1 antitrypsin cotreatment group.
Figure 4. Effect of alpha-1 antitrypsin on osteopontin staining in tacrolimus-induced renal injury. (A) Immunohistochemical staining for osteopontin (200× magnification). (B) Quantitative analysis of osteopontin staining area. Data are presented as means ± standard errors; *** p < 0.001 vs. VH; ### p < 0.001 vs. TAC. Abbreviations: VH, vehicle group; AAT, alpha-1 antitrypsin treatment group; TAC, tacrolimus treatment group; TAC + AAT, tacrolimus and alpha-1 antitrypsin cotreatment group.
Ijms 21 08628 g004
Ijms 21 08628 g005 550
Figure 5. Effect of alpha-1 antitrypsin on ED-1 staining in tacrolimus-induced renal injury. (A) Immunohistochemical staining for ED-1 (200× magnification). (B) Quantitative analysis of ED-1 staining area. Data are presented as means ± standard errors; *** p < 0.001 vs. VH; ### p < 0.001 vs. TAC. Abbreviations: VH, vehicle group; AAT, alpha-1 antitrypsin treatment group; TAC, tacrolimus treatment group; TAC + AAT, tacrolimus and alpha-1 antitrypsin cotreatment group.
Figure 5. Effect of alpha-1 antitrypsin on ED-1 staining in tacrolimus-induced renal injury. (A) Immunohistochemical staining for ED-1 (200× magnification). (B) Quantitative analysis of ED-1 staining area. Data are presented as means ± standard errors; *** p < 0.001 vs. VH; ### p < 0.001 vs. TAC. Abbreviations: VH, vehicle group; AAT, alpha-1 antitrypsin treatment group; TAC, tacrolimus treatment group; TAC + AAT, tacrolimus and alpha-1 antitrypsin cotreatment group.
Ijms 21 08628 g005
Ijms 21 08628 g006 550
Figure 6. Effect of alpha-1 antitrypsin on apoptosis detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay in tacrolimus-induced renal injury. (A) Immunohistochemical staining for TUNEL staining (400× magnification). (B) Quantitative analysis of TUNEL-positive cells. Data are presented as means ± standard errors; *** p < 0.001 vs. VH; ### p < 0.001 vs. TAC. Abbreviations: VH, vehicle group; AAT, alpha-1 antitrypsin treatment group; TAC, tacrolimus treatment group; TAC + AAT, tacrolimus and alpha-1 antitrypsin cotreatment group.
Figure 6. Effect of alpha-1 antitrypsin on apoptosis detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay in tacrolimus-induced renal injury. (A) Immunohistochemical staining for TUNEL staining (400× magnification). (B) Quantitative analysis of TUNEL-positive cells. Data are presented as means ± standard errors; *** p < 0.001 vs. VH; ### p < 0.001 vs. TAC. Abbreviations: VH, vehicle group; AAT, alpha-1 antitrypsin treatment group; TAC, tacrolimus treatment group; TAC + AAT, tacrolimus and alpha-1 antitrypsin cotreatment group.
Ijms 21 08628 g006
Ijms 21 08628 g007 550
Figure 7. (A) Effect of alpha-1 antitrypsin on caspase-3 activity, and (B) Bcl-2 and Bad protein expression in tacrolimus-induced renal injury. Data are presented as means ± standard errors; ** p < 0.01 vs. VH; ## p < 0.01 vs. TAC. Abbreviations: VH, vehicle group; AAT, alpha-1 antitrypsin treatment group; TAC, tacrolimus treatment group; TAC + AAT, tacrolimus and alpha-1 antitrypsin cotreatment group.
Figure 7. (A) Effect of alpha-1 antitrypsin on caspase-3 activity, and (B) Bcl-2 and Bad protein expression in tacrolimus-induced renal injury. Data are presented as means ± standard errors; ** p < 0.01 vs. VH; ## p < 0.01 vs. TAC. Abbreviations: VH, vehicle group; AAT, alpha-1 antitrypsin treatment group; TAC, tacrolimus treatment group; TAC + AAT, tacrolimus and alpha-1 antitrypsin cotreatment group.
Ijms 21 08628 g007
Ijms 21 08628 g008 550
Figure 8. Schematic diagram of the study design. Abbreviations: VH, vehicle group; AAT, alpha-1 antitrypsin treatment group; TAC, tacrolimus treatment group; TAC + AAT, tacrolimus and alpha-1 antitrypsin cotreatment group; s.c., subcutaneous injection; i.p., intraperitoneal injection.
Figure 8. Schematic diagram of the study design. Abbreviations: VH, vehicle group; AAT, alpha-1 antitrypsin treatment group; TAC, tacrolimus treatment group; TAC + AAT, tacrolimus and alpha-1 antitrypsin cotreatment group; s.c., subcutaneous injection; i.p., intraperitoneal injection.
Ijms 21 08628 g008
Table
Table 1. Basic parameters.
Table 1. Basic parameters.
VH (n = 6)AAT (n = 6)TAC (n = 6)TAC + AAT (n = 6)
Baseline BW, g254.3 ± 5.0253.0 ± 7.0253.0 ± 5.2256.7 ± 5.5
Last BW, g400.3 ± 8.9397.7 ± 14.7364.3 ± 6.4 ***358.7 ± 12.8 ***
BW gain, g146.0 ± 10.8144.7 ± 18.4111.3 ± 7.2 ***102.0 ± 14.4 ***
Serum BUN, mg/dL16.1 ± 1.015.5 ± 1.461.1 ± 8.9 ***45.0 ± 4.8 ***, ##
Serum creatinine, mg/dL0.40 ± 0.040.39 ± 0.030.67 ± 0.11 ***0.53 ± 0.05 ***, ##
TAC con, ng/mLNANA26.3 ± 4.825.7 ± 5.1
Values are presented as mean ± SD; *** p < 0.001 vs. VH; ## p < 0.01 vs. TAC. Abbreviations: VH, vehicle group, AAT, alpha-1 antitrypsin treatment group; TAC, tacrolimus treatment group; TAC + AAT, tacrolimus and alpha-1 antitrypsin cotreatment group; BW, body weight; BUN, blood urea nitrogen; TAC con, tacrolimus concentration.
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Lim, J.-H.; Oh, E.-J.; Oh, S.-H.; Jung, H.-Y.; Choi, J.-Y.; Cho, J.-H.; Park, S.-H.; Kim, Y.-L.; Kim, C.-D. Renoprotective Effects of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin against Tacrolimus-Induced Renal Injury. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21, 8628. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21228628

AMA Style

Lim J-H, Oh E-J, Oh S-H, Jung H-Y, Choi J-Y, Cho J-H, Park S-H, Kim Y-L, Kim C-D. Renoprotective Effects of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin against Tacrolimus-Induced Renal Injury. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2020; 21(22):8628. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21228628

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lim, Jeong-Hoon, Eun-Joo Oh, Se-Hyun Oh, Hee-Yeon Jung, Ji-Young Choi, Jang-Hee Cho, Sun-Hee Park, Yong-Lim Kim, and Chan-Duck Kim. 2020. "Renoprotective Effects of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin against Tacrolimus-Induced Renal Injury" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 21, no. 22: 8628. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21228628

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop