Renal Tubule IL-2 Expression Differs in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus

The purpose of this study was to detect in situ expression of IL-2 in kidney and its relationship with fibrosis markers, E-cadherin(E-cad), collagen-1(Col-1) and a-smooth muscle actin (a-SMA) in T1DN and T2DN. Streptozocin(STZ)-induced T1DN, high fat diet combined with STZ induced T2DN and db/db mice models were used and found that the expression of IL-2 protein in local renal tissues of T1DN mice was decreased, while increased in T2DN and db/db mice. Benazepril then increased IL-2 expression and alleviated fibrosis marker molecules in the kidney of T1DN mice. Blocking IL-2 with basiliximab in db/db mice increased local Th17/Treg ratio, not CD3+CD4+T cells. In additional, insulin intervention had no effect on the change of IL-2 protein level in renal tissues of both T1DN mice or db/db mice.