Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in CAPD Patients

Do, Jun Young

Abstract

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important etiologic factor for the development of peritoneal fibrosis in CAPD patients. Mesothelial cells are main source of trans-differentiated fibroblasts under stress from the bioincompatible peritoneal dialysate. In our study there was no difference in dialysate TGF-beta and VEGF between the low and high GDP groups during an initial 12 months. However, after adjusting with D-CA125, the low GDPs group showed a significantly lower D-TGF-beta/D-CA125 and D-VEGF/CA125 during the initial 12 months. Among the adjusted peritoneal growth factors for CA125, VEGF/CA125 and TGF-b/CA125 were factors significantly associated with greater EMT in this study. Adjustment of the peritoneal growth factor for effluent CA125 (surrogate for mass of HPMCs) revealed significant association with EMT suggesting that the fibroblastoid transition from HPMCs could be affected by the amount of intraperitoneal growth factors (TGF-b, VEGF) per unit mass of HPMCs. There was significant improvement in both cell score and D-CA125 at the sixth and 12th months after switching from a high GDPs solution to a low GDPs solution. Use of icodextrin solution in patients who had average peritoneal transport showed not only better systemic effects such as decreased glucose absorption via dialysate but also preservation of the peritoneum, including less EMT and high mesothelial bulk mass. In conclusion, Therapy with low GDP solution including icodextrin may positively impact preservation of the peritoneal membrane integrity and prevention of peritoneal fibrosis with time on PD.