Because increased activation of Axl by the PS homolog Gas6 has been implicated in DN progression, we further examined the role of PS in DN.<b>Results</b> In human kidneys, glomerular PS expression was elevated in early DN but suppressed in advanced DN.
Frequency of GG, GA and AA genotypes are similar in diabetic nephropathy and control groups according to GAS6 intron 8 c.834 + 7G > A polymorphism (p = .837).
To demonstrate the specific role of Gas6, we showed that these findings were recapitulated in STZ-induced Gas6-knockout mice and confirmed the role of Gas6 in the development of diabetic nephropathy in vivo.