Figure 4

Effects of Imatinib on tubulointerstitial matrix protein expression 20 weeks after induction of chronic anti-thy1 glomerulosclerosis (cGS). Shown are tubulointerstitial matrix accumulation (A) and protein expression of TGF-β1 (B), fibronectin (C) and TIMP-1 (D). Administration of Imatinib was started 7 days after injection of anti-thy1 antibody into uni-nephrectomized rats (cGS + Imatinib). Nonnephritic animals with (1-K Control) and without uninephrectomy (2-K Control) received an injection with similar volumes of PBS. The relative degree of matrix accumulation was calculated by computer-based morphometric analysis. Matrix protein production was determined in extensively minced individual cortical tissues cultured at a density of 10 mg/mL for 48 h (*p < 0.05 and **p < 0.01 vs. cGS).