Effects of RGD-containing peptide on the signalling molecule focal adhesion kinase in glomerular mesangial cells

Objective:To investigate the signalling mechanism of anti-adhesive RGD-containing peptide regulating the biological behaviors of human glomerular mesangial cells （GMCs）.Methods:The methods of cell culture and reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） were applied to observe the changes of cellular morphology and the expression of cytoplasmic signalling molecule focal adhesion kinase （FAK） in GMCs. Results:RGD peptide could inhibit the adhesion between GMCs and extracellular matrix triggering the detachment and subsequent apoptosis of GMCs, during the process of which FAK mRNA expression was found to be down-regulated.Conclusion:Our results suggest that the signalling molecule FAK may have an important role in regulating the adhesion and survival of GMCs.