Development of gene expression signatures for high glucose-induced renal tubular fibrosis

To further explore differentially expressed genes in high glucose-induced renal tubular fibrosis cells, we used whole transcriptome microarray expression profiling as a discovery platform to identify genes with a potential role in the high glucose-induced renal fibrosis process. Low-glucose stimulation (5.5 mM glucose) and high-glucose stimulation (25 mM glucose) of human renal tubular HK2 cells identified a consensus profile of 644 highly expressed genes to distinguish high-glucose fibrotic renal tubules from control samples. Gene expression was measured in fibrotic kidney tubules after exposure to 25 mM glucose for 72 hours. Three independent experiments were performed, each using a different batch.