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Wang X, Sun Z, Fu J, Fang Z, Zhang W, He JC, Lee K. LRG1 loss effectively restrains glomerular TGF-β signaling to attenuate diabetic kidney disease. Mol Ther 2024:S1525-0016(24)00410-6. [PMID: 38910328 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling is a well-established pathogenic mediator of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). However, owing to its pleiotropic actions, its systemic blockade is not therapeutically optimal. The expression of TGF-β signaling regulators can substantially influence TGF-β's effects in a cell- or context-specific manner. Among these, leucine-rich α2-glycoprotein 1 (LRG1) is significantly increased in glomerular endothelial cells (GECs) in DKD. As LRG1 is a secreted molecule that can exert autocrine and paracrine effects, we examined the effects of LRG1 loss in kidney cells in diabetic OVE26 mice by single-cell transcriptomic analysis. Gene expression analysis confirmed a predominant expression of Lrg1 in GECs, which further increased in diabetic kidneys. Loss of Lrg1 led to the reversal of angiogenic and TGF-β-induced gene expression in GECs, which were associated with DKD attenuation. Notably, Lrg1 loss also mitigated the increased TGF-β-mediated gene expression in both podocytes and mesangial cells in diabetic mice, indicating that GEC-derived LRG1 potentiates TGF-β signaling in glomerular cells in an autocrine and paracrine manner. Indeed, a significant reduction in phospho-Smad proteins was observed in the glomerular cells of OVE26 mice with LRG1 loss. These results indicate that specific antagonisms of LRG1 may be an effective approach to curb the hyperactive glomerular TGF-β signaling to attenuate DKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Wang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Nephrology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zeguo Sun
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Jia Fu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Zhengying Fang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Weijia Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - John C He
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Renal Section, James J. Peters Veterans Affair Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, USA.
| | - Kyung Lee
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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Shao KM, Shao WH. Transcription Factors in the Pathogenesis of Lupus Nephritis and Their Targeted Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1084. [PMID: 38256157 PMCID: PMC10816397 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototype inflammatory autoimmune disease, characterized by breakdown of immunotolerance to self-antigens. Renal involvement, known as lupus nephritis (LN), is one of the leading causes of morbidity and a significant contributor to mortality in SLE. Despite current pathophysiological advances, further studies are needed to fully understand complex mechanisms underlying the development and progression of LN. Transcription factors (TFs) are proteins that regulate the expression of genes and play a crucial role in the development and progression of LN. The mechanisms of TF promoting or inhibiting gene expression are complex, and studies have just begun to reveal the pathological roles of TFs in LN. Understanding TFs in the pathogenesis of LN can provide valuable insights into this disease's mechanisms and potentially lead to the development of targeted therapies for its management. This review will focus on recent findings on TFs in the pathogenesis of LN and newly developed TF-targeted therapy in renal inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasey M. Shao
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Wen-Hai Shao
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
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