Objective      To determine the effect and mechanism of Klotho on the epithelia-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HK-2 cells induced by fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2).       Methods        The effect of FGF2 on HK-2 cells morphology with and without pre-incubation of Klotho was observed. The expression levels of epithelial marker cytokeratin and mesenchymal marker vimentin were detected by immunofluorescence

and the expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)

E-cadherin and ERK1

/2 were detected by Western blotting.       Results        After incubated with FGF2 (100 ng/mL) for 48 h

HK-2 cells turned into long-spindled shape

and the intercellular space markedly increased. The expression of epithelial marker E-cadherin significantly decreased (

P

0.05)

while the mesenchymal marker α-SMA increased (

P

0.05)

indicating that FGF2 could induce EMT in HK-2 cells. The pre-incubation of Klotho could markedly inhibit the EMT induced by FGF2 and the expression of pERK1/2 in HK-2 cells (

P

0.05).       Conclusion      Klotho can inhibit FGF2-induced EMT via attenuating the activation of FGF2 signaling pathway

and may participate in the development of renal interstitial fibrosis.