Objective:To observe the effect of Lupus Recipe on the expression of PPARγ and TNFα with IFNγ induced CD40 mRNA and RANTES mRNA on renal tubular epithelial cells(HK-2).Methods:Rats weighted 180～230 g were randomly divided into control group and treated group.The treated group was treated with Lupus Recipe(10 g·kg-1·day-1) daily

and the control group was given the same volume of PBS.Rats were sacrificed at 7 days after treatment.Serum of rats were collected.HK-2 cells were cultured in DMEM/F12 with 10% fetal bovine serum in vitro and were divided into following groups: the DMEM medium control group.the normal rat serum group and the Lupus Recipe contained serum group

IFNγ(50 μg·mL-1)+TNFα(10 ng·mL-1) group

IFNγ(50 μg·mL-1)+TNFα(10 ng·mL-1) with 10% drug-contained serum groups and IFNγ(50 μg·mL-1)+TNFα(10 ng·mL-1) with 10% normal rat serum group

The expression of PPARγ protein was measured by Western-blotting analysis and the expression of CD40 mRNA and RANTES mRNA was measured by RT-PCR.Results:HK-2 cells expressed low levels of PPARγ

CD40 mRNA and RANTES mRNA.Drug-contained serum of Lupus Recipe can up-regulate the expression of PPARγ protein.Activation of HK-2 cells by TNFα and IFNγ resulted in an enhanced expression of CD40 mRNA and RANTES mRNA;The Drug-contained serum of Lupus Recipe can significantly blocked CD40 mRNA and RANTES mRNA expression in HK-2 cell line induced by IFNγ plus TNFα.Conclusions:Drug-contained serum of Lupus Recipe up-regulated the expression of PPARγ protein and decreased CD40 and RANTES mRNA expression induced by IFNγ plus TNFα in HK-2 cells.These immune modulation and anti-inflammation effects were partially mediated by PPARγ-dependent pathways and it could be one of the mechanisms of Lupus Recipe in preventing and treating LN.