The proteome microenvironment determines the protective effect of preconditioning in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury

Chronic effects of repeated low-dose cisplatin treatment in mouse kidneys and renal tubular cells

Cisplatin is a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug for cancer treatment, but its nephrotoxicity may lead to the deterioration of renal function. Previous work has been focused on cisplatin-induced acute kidney disease, whereas the mechanism of chronic kidney disease after cisplatin chemotherapy is largely unknown. In the present study, we have characterized the mouse model of chronic kidney defects induced by repeated low-dose cisplatin treatment. We have also established a relevant cell culture model. In the animal model, C57 mice were given weekly injection of 8 mg/kg cisplatin for 4 wk. This led to a sustained decline of kidney function. These mice showed loss of kidney mass, interstitial fibrosis, continued activation of inflammatory cytokines, and appearance of atubular glomeruli. In the cell model, the BUMPT mouse proximal tubular cell line was treated four times with 1-2 μM cisplatin, resulting in low levels of apoptosis and the expression of fibrosis proteins and profibrotic factors. These data suggest that repeated treatment with low-dose cisplatin causes long-term renal pathologies with characteristics of chronic kidney disease.

A knowledge-guided kidney cell census-reconciling bulk omics with cellular heterogeneity?

Clark et al. present a curated knowledge-based census of 43 known canonical kidney cell types, based on calculated contribution to total kidney mass and expression of molecular markers. Their study illustrates limitations of bulk transcriptomics but also provides guidance to their fruitful interpretation. In the light of their findings, the use of bulk sequencing datasets in conjunction with single-cell transcriptomics could contribute to the exploitation of integrative omics analyses in kidney research.