Follistatin, an Activin Antagonist, Ameliorates Renal Interstitial Fibrosis in a Rat Model of Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction

Figure 1

Expression of activin A, activin receptors, and follistatin in kidneys after UUO. (a) Total RNA was extracted from contralateral and UUO kidneys at the indicated times after surgery. Expression of βA subunit for activin A, activin type I receptor (ActRI), activin type II receptor (ActRII), and follistatin was examined by RT-PCR. (b) Expression of βA subunit for activin A in kidneys after UUO was measured by real-time PCR. Data are presented as mean ± SE (𝑛=3). ^∗∗𝑃<0.01 versus normal kidney. N.S., not significant. (c) Localization of βA subunit for activin A in normal kidneys was examined by immunostaining. Magnification: ×1000. (d) Localization of βA subunit for activin A in the kidneys at 7 days after UUO was examined by immunostaining. Magnification: ×1000.

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