Fig. 4

SDMA inhibits STAT4 expression in fibrotic kidneys. Volcano plots showing differentially expressed genes between NS and SDMA injected mice upon UUO operation, which was identified by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) (A). Gene ontology (GO) function enrichment analysis of SDMA downstream genes (B). Heatmap of expression values of genes enriched in the category of transcription regulator activity (C). Gene expression values are displayed by applying progressively brighter shades of red (up-regulated) or blue (down-regulated). Quantitative PCR analysis of mRNA levels of representative SDMA downstream genes in kidneys between NS and SDMA treated mice upon UUO operation (D–M). The expression of STAT4 were analyzed by Western blotting and quantified in UUO (N–O) and UIRI (P–Q) kidneys treated with NS or SDMA. The expression of STAT4 were analyzed by Western blotting and quantified in TGF-β stimulated HK2 renal epithelial cells in the presence of NS or various concentration of SDMA (R–S). These results are from three independent experiments. Data represent mean ± SD. NS represents not significant. *p < 0.05. **p < 0.01. ***p < 0.001