Changes in expression of four molecular marker proteins and one microRNA in mesothelial cells of the peritoneal dialysate effluent fluid of peritoneal dialysis patients

The aim of this study was to detect the expression of microRNA-200c and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the mesothelial cells of the peritoneal dialysate effluent fluid of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, and to investigate the association between microRNA-200c and peritoneal mesothelial cell EMT. Twelve patients who had recently started continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (PD start group) and 16 patients who had been undergoing peritoneal dialysis for >6 months (PD >6 months group) were randomly chosen for the isolation, culture and identification of effluent cells. qPCR and western blot analysis were used to detect the expression levels of microRNA-200c and the levels of four cellular marker proteins, E-cadherin, vimentin, fibronectin (FN) and COL-1, in effluent cells. The results showed that the effluent cells in peritoneal dialysis were peritoneal mesothelial cells. The level of E-cadherin protein expression was significantly lower in the PD >6 months group than in the PD start group, while vimentin, FN and COL-1 protein expression levels were significantly increased in the PD >6 months group. microRNA-200c in the PD >6 months group was significantly downregulated. The E-cadherin protein expression level was significantly decreased and vimentin, FN and COL-1 protein expression levels were significantly increased in the PD >6 months group. The level of microRNA-200c was significantly reduced in the PD > 6 months group, suggesting that microRNA-200c may be associated with EMT.