Modification of immunoreactive EGF and EGF receptor after acute tubular necrosis induced by tobramycin or cisplatin

Acute tubular necrosis induced by aminoglycoside antibiotics and various other nephrotoxins is followed by a regenerative process which leads to the restoration of damaged tubules. Several lines of evidence indicate that tubular regeneration is mediated by polypeptide growth factors such as epidermal growth factor (EGF). Previous studies devoted to cisplatin nephrotoxicity have shown that this agent causes tubular cystic degeneration possibly related to an impairment of renal tissue repair. Thus, we examined on a comparative basis the time course of the regenerative response subsequent to tubular damage induced by tobramycin or cisplatin, particular attention being paid to renal EGF and its receptor. Female Sprague-Dawley rats (160-180 g body weight) were treated during 4 consecutive days with daily doses of 200 mg/kg tobramycin i.p. (BID) or 2 mg/kg cisplatin (once a day). Sham-treated rats were given 0.9% NaCl i.p. following the same protocol. Groups of experimental animals (n = 5-10) were terminated at increasing time intervals (1, 4, 7, 14, 21, 60 days) after cessation of treatment. One hour prior to sacrifice, each individual received i.p. 200 mg/kg 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) for the immunohistochemical demonstration of cell proliferation. Blood was collected at the time of sacrifice in order to assess glomerular filtration rate by measuring serum creatinine and BUN levels. Kidneys were analyzed with respect to total EGF determined by RIA in renal tissue homogenates, and soluble EGF was assayed in extracts prepared by centrifugation. Renal tissue was processed for the immunohistochemical detection of S-phase cells, of EGF, of EGF receptors, and of the intermediate filament vimentin, the latter being used as a marker of epithelium dedifferentiation. In absence of nephrotoxic alterations, EGF was immunolocalized in distal tubules, whereas EGF receptor immunostaining was seen in proximal tubules cells. Vimentin immunostaining was confined to glomeruli and blood vessels. Tobramycin and cisplatin caused acute tubular necrosis in proximal convoluted tubules and proximal straight tubules, respectively. Tissue damage was accompanied by renal dysfunction reflected by an elevation of serum creatinine and BUN levels. Tubular necrosis was followed by a proliferative response indicative of tubular regeneration. Regenerative hyperplasia was associated with a reduction of total immunoreactive EGF due to a decrease of tissue-bound proEGF. Tubules undergoing regenerative repair were characterized by a disappearance of EGF receptors and the presence of immunoreactive vimentin. In tobramycin-treated rats, renal dysfunction lasted for 4-7 days and was fully reversible, as indicated by the return of serum markers to normal values.