Fig. 4

DNMT3B elevated the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and the formation of extracellular matrix in HG-induced RTECs. (A) The protein expression of DNMTs was assessed via Western blotting using RTECs after stimulation with high glucose (n = 3); (B) the protein expression and (D) mRNA expression of DNMT3B were assessed in DKD renal tissue from mice (n = 6); (A) the protein expression and (C) mRNA expression of DNMT3B were measured in high glucose (HG)-stimulated RTECs (n = 3); (E) IHC was used to detect the expression of DNMT3B in DKD renal tissues, and the percent positive area was scored using Image J; (F) the protein expression and (G) mRNA expression of ECM-related markers (E-cadherin and fibronectin) and β-catenin were assessed via Western blotting and qPCR using high glucose-stimulated RTECs after transfection with or without DNMT3B-shRNA for 48 h; (H) the protein expression and (I) mRNA expression of ECM-related markers (E-cadherin and fibronectin) and β-catenin were assessed via Western blotting and qPCR using high glucose-stimulated RTECs after transfection with or without DNMT3B-OE plasmid. (J) the protein expression of SFRP5 were assessed via Western blotting using high glucose-stimulated RTECs after transfection with or without DNMT3B–OE plasmid for 48 h; The data are expressed as means ± SDs. RTECs, renal tubular epithelial cells. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, and ****p < 0.000 vs. control.