Abstract
The matricellular protein secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) modulates cell adhesion, proliferation, matrix deposition, and tissue remodeling. SPARC has been shown to regulate the expression of collagen type I and transforming growth factor-beta1 in mesangial cells and to be highly expressed during tubulointerstitial fibrosis in rat angiotensin (ANG) II infusion models. We hypothesized that SPARC is a downstream effector of ANG II and that loss of host SPARC function provides a protective effect on renal damage and fibrosis associated with ANG II hypertension. Our results revealed that cultured primary mesangial cells displayed a concentration-dependent increase in SPARC expression in response to ANG II. After a 14-day chronic infusion of ANG II, hypertensive SPARC-null mice exhibited significantly attenuated levels of urinary and renal indicators of oxidative stress and inflammation and decreased renal perivascular and tubulointerstitial fibrosis relative to wild-type hypertensive controls. Moreover, the observed renal protective changes in SPARC-null mice were found to be independent of blood pressure. These results identify SPARC as an effector of ANG II signaling and suggest an important role for SPARC in mediating ANG II-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis.