Uteroglobin: Physiological role in normal glomerular function uncovered by targeted disruption of the uteroglobin gene in mice

Blastokinin or uteroglobin (UG) is an evolutionarily conserved, steroid-inducible, homodimeric, multifunctional, secreted protein with potent immunomodulatory/antiinflammatory properties. Recently, a UG-receptor expressed on several malignant and normal cell types has been characterized. Although the biochemistry, structural, and molecular biology of UG have been extensively studied, its physiological function(s), until recently, remained unknown. By generating UG-null (UG(-/-)) mice, we determined that an essential role of UG is to prevent severe renal disease caused by an abnormal deposition of predominantly multimeric fibronectin (Fn) and collagen in the glomerulus. The molecular mechanisms by which UG prevents this disease in control (UG(+/+)) mice, at least in part, is attributable to its high-affinity binding to Fn and the formation of Fn-UG heteromers, which counteract both Fn-Fn and Fn-collagen interactions, required for abnormal tissue deposition. In addition, by inhibiting secretory phospholipase A(2)(sPLA(2)) activity and decreasing the level of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), UG may indirectly prevent the activation of integrins leg, (alpha(5)beta(1)) that enhance abnormal tissue deposition of Fn. The mechanism(s) of UG action is likely to be even more complex, because it also functions through a receptor-mediated pathway that has not yet been clearly defined. Nevertheless, the UG gene-knockout mice provide a valuable animal model for investigation of human glomerulopathies in general and familial Fn-deposit glomerulopathy in particular. (C) 1998 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.