Serotonin enhances the production of type IV collagen by human mesangial cells

Serotonin enhances the production of type IV collagen by human mesangial cells. Background The plasma concentration of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in diabetic patients is higher than that in normal subjects. Since recent reports have demonstrated the presence of 5-HT 2A receptor in glomerular mesangial cells, it is possible that 5-HT may be involved in the development of diabetic nephropathy through the 5-HT 2A receptor in mesangial cells. Because expansion of the glomerular mesangial lesion is a characteristic feature of diabetic nephropathy, we examined the effect of 5-HT on the production of type IV collagen by human mesangial cells. Methods Human mesangial cells were incubated with 5-HT with or without 5-HT receptor antagonists, protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor or transforming growth factor- β (TGF- β ) antibody. Type IV collagen mRNA and protein concentration in medium were measured by Northern blot analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. TGF- β mRNA and bioactivity in the medium were measured by Northern blot analysis and bioassay using mink lung epithelial cells, respectively. Results 5-HT stimulated the production of type IV collagen by human mesangial cells, which was inhibited by ketanserin and sarpogrelate hydrochloride, 5-HT 2A receptor antagonists, but not by ondansetron, a 5-HT 3 receptor antagonist. 5-HT increased the bioactivities of both active and total TGF- β . However, the 5-HT-enhanced production of type IV collagen was completely inhibited by an anti-TGF- β antibody. Furthermore, a PKC inhibitor, calphostin C, inhibited the 5-HT-induced increase in type IV collagen secretion, and the activity of membrane PKC was increased by 5-HT. Phorbol ester activated type IV collagen production as well as active and total TGF- β . Calphostin C completely inhibited the 5-HT-enhanced activity of active TGF- β , but did not inhibit exogenous TGF- β -induced increase in type IV collagen secretion. Conclusions Our results suggest that 5-HT-enhanced production of type IV collagen by human mesangial cells is mediated by activation of PKC and subsequent increase in active TGF- β activity.