Effect of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) on gene expression profile of human tubular epithelial cells and bioinformatic analysis

Objective The aim of this study was to explore the effect of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) on gene expression profile of human tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) and perform related bioinformatics analysis, so as to provide theoretical and experimental basis for further investigation of the effect of TGF-β on renal functions and its mechanism. Methods HK-2 cells cultured in vitro were randomly divided into normal control group and TGF-β-induced group. After culturing for 48 h, the Illumina sequencing platform was used to test the effect of TGF-β on the gene expression in HK-2 cells, and the DAVID database was applied to examine differentially expressed genes (mRNA) for its concentrated GO function and biological pathway concentration analysis based on KEGG database. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR was used to verify the results of the gene expressing profile. Results After HK-2 cells were treated with TGF-β for 48 h, a total of 279 genes, including 121 up-regulated genes and 158 down-regulated ones, which are associated with calcium ion binding, lipid metabolism, cellular adhesion, vascular calcification and inflammatory reactions. The result of RT-PCR was consistent with those of gene sequencing analysis. Conclusions TGF-β probably regulate the function of renal tubular epithelial cells through multiple pathways.