Gadolinium chloride promotes proliferation of HEK293 human embryonic kidney cells by activating EGFR/PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways

Prolonged exposure to gadolinium-based contrast agents has been reported to trigger nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in end stage renal disease patients. However, the exact molecular mechanisms are not fully understood, and no effective therapy is available to date. In the present study, we report that gadolinium chloride (Gd3+) concentration- and time-dependently promoted the proliferation of HEK293 human embryonic kidney cells by increasing DNA...