Contraction of tubulointerstitial fibrosis tissue in diabetic nephropathy, as demonstrated in an in vitro fibrosis model

lncRNA MALAT1 mediated high glucose-induced HK-2 cell epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and injury

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and injury of tubular cells play critical roles in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN). lncRNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) has been shown to be involved in DN progression. However, whether MALAT1 induces EMT and injury in tubular cells is unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of MALAT1 on human proximal tubular cells (HK-2 cells) and the underlying mechanism. We performed qPCR to detect MALAT1, E-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). Additionally, we conducted Western blot analyses to measure E-cadherin, α-SMA, cyclin D1, c-Myc, and β-catenin in HK-2 cells cultured with normal glucose and high glucose (HG) and in transfected cells or cells treated with LiCl and DKK-1. The β-catenin localization was observed using immunofluorescence, and the protein levels of NGAL and KIM-1 were evaluated by ELISA. We found that HG-upregulated MALAT1 decreased E-cadherin and increased α-SMA, KIM-1, NGAL, cyclin D1, c-Myc, and β-catenin in HK-2 cells. LiCl exposure increased the expression of α-SMA but decreased that of E-cadherin on the base of knocking down MALAT1, and decreased NGAL and KIM-1 expression. DKK-1 showed the opposite effects. Our results suggested that upregulated MALAT1 induced EMT in HG-treated HK-2 cells through activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. However, MALAT1-mediated injury in HK-2 cells was not mediated by activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Our results indicate that MALAT1 might serve as a novel therapeutic target for suppressing the progression of DN.

Tissue Transglutaminase, Not Lysyl Oxidase, Dominates Early Calcium-Dependent Remodeling of Fibroblast-Populated Collagen Lattices

Cell-populated collagen gels have provided significant insight into the cellular contractile mechanisms and cell-matrix interactions that are necessary for compacting and remodeling extant matrix. Nevertheless, little research has been devoted towards determining how cells entrench these deformations that contribute to establishing a preferred mechanical state. To this end, we examined the roles of two covalent matrix cross-linkers, i.e. tissue transglutaminase and lysyl oxidase, during global remodeling of the free-floating fibroblast-populated collagen lattice. Inhibition of tissue transglutaminase resulted in a reduced rate of compaction compared to controls during early remodeling (up to 2 days). In contrast, inhibition of lysyl oxidase did not alter the early compaction of these lattices, but it reduced the compaction after 2 days of culture. Acute inhibition of different contractile mechanisms suggested further that calcium-dependent contractility may have dominated during the initial remodeling of the collagen lattice before giving way to calcium-independent contractility at later times. In summary, these findings suggest that early remodeling of the free-floating collagen lattice is facilitated by calcium-dependent cell contraction while entrenchment is dominated by a tissue transglutaminase-mediated cross-linking of the extant matrix. As remodeling continues, however, lysyl oxidase increases its contribution, perhaps by consolidating de novo collagen fibrils into fibers to continue the remodeling while the cells transition to a more sustained, calcium-independent contractility. These results promise to influence future tissue engineering studies as well as computational simulations aimed at understanding matrix remodeling in complex in vivo situations.

The influence of fasudil on the epithelial-mesenchymal transdifferentiation of renal tubular epithelial cells from diabetic rats

To investigate the influence of fasudil on the epithelial-mesenchymal transdifferentiation of renal tubular epithelial cells from diabetic rats and explore the mechanisms of this effect. Wistar rats were randomly divided into the following three groups: control, diabetes and fasudil-treatment. All rats were sacrificed after three months of feeding with or without fasudil treatment. Pathological changes to the glomeruli and renal interstitium were studied using Periodic acid-Schiff's staining and Masson staining, respectively. Expression of ROCK1, alpha-SMA, E-cadherin and the distribution of beta-catenin in rat renal cortex were revealed by immunohistochemistry. Changes in the MYPT1 phosphorylation profile and alpha-SMA, E-cadherin and membrane beta-catenin expression were revealed by western blot. Changes in the levels of ROCK1, E-cadherin and total beta-catenin mRNA expression were analyzed by real-time PCR. Fasudil treatment notably attenuates renal interstitial fibrosis in diabetic rats. Compared to the control rats, diabetic rats showed elevated phosphorylation of MYPT1, increased expression of ROCK1 and alpha-SMA, decreased expression of E-cadherin and membrane beta-catenin, and increased expression of ROCK1 and total beta-catenin mRNA, decreased expression of E-cadherin mRNA. Fasudil treatment of diabetic rats resulted in attenuated MYPT1 phosphorylation, decreased ROCK1 and alpha-SMA expression, increased E-cadherin and membrane beta-catenin expression, and reduced ROCK1 and total beta-catenin mRNA expression, increased expression of E-cadherin mRNA. In conclusion, fasudil may reduce the epithelial-mesenchymal transdifferentiation and renal interstitial fibrosis in diabetic rats through a mechanism by which ROCK activity is inhibited, which further facilitates the recovery of the cell-cell adhesions among renal tubular epithelial cells and adhesion complex formation.

Rho kinase inhibition attenuates LPS-induced renal failure in mice in part by attenuation of NF-kappaB p65 signaling

Rho kinase signaling regulates inflammatory cell migration and chemokine production. We therefore investigated the mechanisms of Rho-kinase-dependent inflammation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced renal failure. C57/BL6 mice received intraperitoneal LPS with or without daily treatment with specific Rho kinase inhibitors (Y-27632 or HA-1077; 5 mg/kg). Rho kinase inhibitors were applied in a preventive (12 or 1 h before LPS) or a therapeutic (6 h after LPS) scheme. Both protected renal function and decreased tubular injury in LPS-treated mice. Enhanced Rho kinase activity was inhibited by HA-1077 in capillary endothelial cells, inflammatory cells, and tubuli by analysis of Rho kinase substrate phosphorylation. Early neutrophil influx was reduced by HA-1077 without reduction of the proinflammatory cytokine TNFalpha. In contrast, HA-1077 decreased the influx of monocytes/macrophages coinciding with reduced expression of the NF-kappaB-regulated chemokines CCL5 and CCL2. We therefore examined NF-kappaB signal transduction and found that NF-kappaB p65 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation were reduced by Rho kinase inhibition. IkappaBalpha degradation was not altered during the first 6 h but was reduced by HA-1077 at later time points. NF-kappaB p50-deficient mice were similarly protected from renal injury by Rho kinase inhibition further supporting the prominent role for p65 in Rho kinase inhibition. Together, these data suggest that Rho kinase inhibition by preventive or therapeutic treatment effectively reduced endotoxic kidney injury in part by attenuation of NF-kappaB p65 activation.