目的：大量研究表明内源性结缔组织生长因子(CTGF)在肾小管间质纤维化(TIF)进程中发挥了重要作用,为进一步阐明外源性CTGF的作用机制,该实验探讨了重组人结缔组织生长因子(rhCTGF)刺激对人肾小管上皮细胞(HK2)转分化和胶原合成的作用。方法：rhCTGF 5 ng/mL刺激HK2细胞,用倒置显微镜观察细胞形态学变化,同时在刺激后0,3,6,12,24,48 h各点收集细胞,RT-PCR检测上皮细胞钙粘蛋白(E-cadherin)、α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)、胶原Iα1(Col Iα1)和胶原IVα1(Col IVα1)mRNA表达变化。结果：rhCTGF 5 ng/mL刺激使HK2细胞形态由椭圆形转为梭形,下调E-cadherin mRNA表达,上调-αSMA mRNA表达,但对Col Iα1和Col IVα1mRNA表达没有影响。结论：外源性CTGF能导致HK2细胞转分化,但不能促进其胶原合成。

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of recombinal human connective tissue growth factor(rhCTGF) stimulation on epithelial-myofibroblast transdifferentiation (EMT) and collagen-synthesis in human renal tubular epithelial cell line(HK2) in vitro. METHODS: The cultured HK2 cells were stimulated with rhCTGF of 5 ng/mL.The morphological changes were observed under an inverted microscope. The cells were collected at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hrs after rhCTGF stimulation. The expression of E-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen Iα_1 (Col Iα_1) and collagen IVα_1(Col IVα_1) mRNAs were detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS: rhCTGF stimulation changed the HK2 cell appearance from oval to fusiform, down-regulated the E-cadherin mRNA expression and up-regulated α-SMA mRNA expression, but had no effects the Col Iα_1 and Col IVα_1 mRNA expression. CONCLUSIONS: Exogenous CTGF can mediate the EMT but has no collagen-synthesis effects on HK2 cells.