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Mitrotti A, Giliberti M, Di Leo V, di Bari I, Pontrelli P, Gesualdo L. Hidden genetics behind glomerular scars: an opportunity to understand the heterogeneity of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis? Pediatr Nephrol 2024; 39:1685-1707. [PMID: 37728640 PMCID: PMC11026212 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-023-06046-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a complex disease which describes different kinds of kidney defects, not exclusively linked with podocyte defects. Since nephrin mutation was first described in association with early-onset nephrotic syndrome (NS), many advancements have been made in understanding genetic patterns associated with FSGS. New genetic causes of FSGS have been discovered, displaying unexpected genotypes, and recognizing possible site of damage. Many recent large-scale sequencing analyses on patients affected by idiopathic chronic kidney disease (CKD), kidney failure (KF) of unknown origin, or classified as FSGS, have revealed collagen alpha IV genes, as one of the most frequent sites of pathogenic mutations. Also, recent interest in complex and systemic lysosomal storage diseases, such as Fabry disease, has highlighted GLA mutations as possible causes of FSGS. Tubulointerstitial disease, recently classified by KDIGO based on genetic subtypes, when associated with UMOD variants, may phenotypically gain FSGS features, as well as ciliopathy genes or others, otherwise leading to completely different phenotypes, but found carrying pathogenic variants with associated FSGS phenotype. Thus, glomerulosclerosis may conceal different heterogeneous conditions. When a kidney biopsy is performed, the principal objective is to provide an accurate diagnosis. The broad spectrum of phenotypic expression and genetic complexity is demonstrating that a combined path of management needs to be applied. Genetic investigation should not be reserved only to selected cases, but rather part of medical management, integrating with clinical and renal pathology records. FSGS heterogeneity should be interpreted as an interesting opportunity to discover new pathways of CKD, requiring prompt genotype-phenotype correlation. In this review, we aim to highlight how FSGS represents a peculiar kidney condition, demanding multidisciplinary management, and in which genetic analysis may solve some otherwise unrevealed idiopathic cases. Unfortunately there is not a uniform correlation between specific mutations and FSGS morphological classes, as the same variants may be identified in familial cases or sporadic FSGS/NS or manifest a variable spectrum of the same disease. These non-specific features make diagnosis challenging. The complexity of FSGS genotypes requires new directions. Old morphological classification does not provide much information about the responsible cause of disease and misdiagnoses may expose patients to immunosuppressive therapy side effects, mistaken genetic counseling, and misguided kidney transplant programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adele Mitrotti
- Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
| | - Marica Giliberti
- Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Di Leo
- Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Ighli di Bari
- Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Paola Pontrelli
- Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Loreto Gesualdo
- Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
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Ibrahim M, Khalife L, Abdel-Latif R, Faour WH. Ghrelin hormone a new molecular modulator between obesity and glomerular damage. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:10525-10533. [PMID: 37924451 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08866-8] [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: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
The incidence of glomerular diseases is increasing worldwide due to increased prevalence of obesity which is a major risk factor for type-2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disorders.Ghrelin, an orexigenic peptide hormone, has been implicated in obesity, and its impact on the pathology and function of the kidneys was found to be significant. Ghrelin known to regulate energy homeostasis and growth hormone release, has been shown to modulate critical signaling pathways involved in the health and survival of podocytes. These derangements directly affect glomerular function and manifest as impaired glomerular filtration barrier and leakage of albumin into urine. Although the pathological features of the above-mentioned disorders are different, they interestingly lead to similar clinical features of glomerular damage. The pathological events are majorly initiated by endocrine imbalance leading to abnormal activation of downstream signaling pathways involved in the development of glomerulosclerosis. In fact, obesity increases the risk of developing chronic kidney disease by altering the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and adipokines, activating the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), promoting lipotoxicity, oxidative stress and fibrosis within the kidneys. Whilst these bioregulators are well described, their direct involvement in renal homeostasis is still mostly elusive. This review summarized previous and recent evidence on the endocrine properties of ghrelin and perivascular adipose tissue involved in modulating kidney physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maroun Ibrahim
- Gilbert & Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, P.O. Box 36, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Lynn Khalife
- Gilbert & Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, P.O. Box 36, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Rania Abdel-Latif
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Miniya, Egypt
| | - Wissam H Faour
- Gilbert & Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, P.O. Box 36, Byblos, Lebanon.
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Dan Hu Q, Wang H, Liu J, He T, Tan R, Zhang Q, Su H, Kantawong F, Lan H, Wang L. Btg2 Promotes Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis via Smad3-Dependent Podocyte-Mesenchymal Transition. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2304360. [PMID: 37749872 PMCID: PMC10646233 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202304360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Podocyte injury plays a critical role in the progression of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Here, it is reported that B-cell translocation gene 2 (Btg2) promotes Adriamycin (ADR)-induced FSGS via Smad3-dependent podocyte-mesenchymal transition. It is found that in FSGS patients and animal models, Btg2 is markedly upregulated by podocytes and correlated with progressive renal injury. Podocyte-specific deletion of Btg2 protected against the onset of proteinuria and glomerulosclerosis in ADR-treated mice along with inhibition of EMT markers such as α-SMA and vimentin while restoring epithelial marker E-cadherin. In cultured MPC5 podocytes, overexpression of Btg2 largely promoted ADR and TGF-β1-induced EMT and fibrosis, which is further enhanced by overexpressing Btg2 but blocked by disrupting Btg2. Mechanistically, Btg2 is rapidly induced by TGF-β1 and then bound Smad3 but not Smad2 to promote Smad3 signaling and podocyte EMT, which is again exacerbated by overexpressing Btg2 but blocked by deleting Btg2 in MPC5 podocytes. Interestingly, blockade of Smad3 signaling with a Smad3 inhibitor SIS3 is also capable of inhibiting Btg2 expression and Btg2-mediated podocyte EMT, revealing a TGF-β/Smad3-Btg2 circuit mechanism in Btg2-mediated podocyte injury in FSGS. In conclusion, Btg2 is pathogenic in FSGS and promotes podocyte injury via a Smad3-dependent EMT pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong‐ Dan Hu
- Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicinethe Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical UniversitySichuan646000China
- Department of Medical TechnologyFaculty of Associated Medical SciencesChiang Mai UniversityChiang Mai50200Thailand
- Department of Nephrologythe Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical UniversitySichuan646000China
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western MedicineSouthwest Medical UniversityLuzhou646000China
| | - Hong‐Lian Wang
- Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicinethe Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical UniversitySichuan646000China
| | - Jian Liu
- Department of Nephrologythe Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical UniversitySichuan646000China
- Department of Nephrologythe Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical UniversitySichuan646000China
| | - Tao He
- Cancer Medicine InstituteCollege of Basic Medical SciencesSouthwest Medical UniversitySichuan646000China
| | - Rui‐Zhi Tan
- Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicinethe Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical UniversitySichuan646000China
- Department of Medical TechnologyFaculty of Associated Medical SciencesChiang Mai UniversityChiang Mai50200Thailand
| | - Qiong Zhang
- Department of Nephrologythe Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical UniversitySichuan646000China
| | - Hong‐Wei Su
- Department of Urologythe Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical UniversitySichuan646000China
| | - Fahsai Kantawong
- Department of Medical TechnologyFaculty of Associated Medical SciencesChiang Mai UniversityChiang Mai50200Thailand
| | - Hui‐Yao Lan
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciencesthe Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong999077China
| | - Li Wang
- Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicinethe Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical UniversitySichuan646000China
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western MedicineSouthwest Medical UniversityLuzhou646000China
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Ozdemir A, Tumkaya L, Kalcan S, Uyan M, Karakaya A, Demiral G, Celik Samanci T, Mercantepe T, Cumhur Cüre M, Cüre E. The effects of TNF-α inhibitors on carbon tetrachloride-induced nephrotoxicity. Clin Exp Hypertens 2022; 44:291-296. [PMID: 34964416 DOI: 10.1080/10641963.2021.2018600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), employed in various industrial fields, can cause acute damage in renal tissues. This study investigated the therapeutic effect of the TNF-alpha inhibitor Infliximab on TGF-ß and apoptosis caused by acute kidney image induced by CCl4. METHODS Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned into control, CCl4, and CCl4+ Infliximab groups. The control group received an isotonic saline solution, and the CCl4 group 2 mL/kg CCl4 intraperitoneally (i.p). The CCl4+ Infliximab group was given 7 mg/kg Infliximab 24 hours after administration of 2 mL/kg CCl4. Kidney tissues were removed at the end of the experiment and subjected to histopathological and biochemical analysis. RESULTS The application of CCl4 led to tubular necrosis, inflammation, vascular congestion, and increased Serum BUN and creatinine values. An increase in caspase-3 activity also occurred in the CCl4 group. However, Infliximab exhibited an ameliorating effect on kidney injury by causing a decrease in the number of apoptotic cells. Tissue ADA and TGF-ß values of the CCL4 group were significantly higher than the values of the control group (p = .001, p < .001 respectively) and CCL4+ Inf group (p = .004, p = .015, respectively). CONCLUSIONS This study shows that Infliximab ameliorates nephrotoxicity by reducing lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in acute kidney damage developing in association with CCl4 administration. These findings are promising in terms of the ameliorating role of TNF-alpha inhibitors in acute kidney injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Ozdemir
- Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Rize, Turkey
| | - Levent Tumkaya
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Rize, Turkey
| | - Suleyman Kalcan
- Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Rize, Turkey
| | - Mikail Uyan
- Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Rize, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Karakaya
- Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Rize, Turkey
| | - Gokhan Demiral
- Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Rize, Turkey
| | - Tugba Celik Samanci
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Rize, Turkey
| | - Tolga Mercantepe
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Rize, Turkey
| | | | - Erkan Cüre
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ethica Incirli Hospital, İstanbul, Rize, Turkey
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Hackl A, Zed SEDA, Diefenhardt P, Binz-Lotter J, Ehren R, Weber LT. The role of the immune system in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. Mol Cell Pediatr 2021; 8:18. [PMID: 34792685 PMCID: PMC8600105 DOI: 10.1186/s40348-021-00128-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) in children is characterized by massive proteinuria and hypoalbuminemia and usually responds well to steroids. However, relapses are frequent, which can require multi-drug therapy with deleterious long-term side effects. In the last decades, different hypotheses on molecular mechanisms underlying INS have been proposed and several lines of evidences strongly indicate a crucial role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of non-genetic INS. INS is traditionally considered a T-cell-mediated disorder triggered by a circulating factor, which causes the impairment of the glomerular filtration barrier and subsequent proteinuria. Additionally, the imbalance between Th17/Tregs as well as Th2/Th1 has been implicated in the pathomechanism of INS. Interestingly, B-cells have gained attention, since rituximab, an anti-CD20 antibody demonstrated a good therapeutic response in the treatment of INS. Finally, recent findings indicate that even podocytes can act as antigen-presenting cells under inflammatory stimuli and play a direct role in activating cellular pathways that cause proteinuria. Even though our knowledge on the underlying mechanisms of INS is still incomplete, it became clear that instead of a traditionally implicated cell subset or one particular molecule as a causative factor for INS, a multi-step control system including soluble factors, immune cells, and podocytes is necessary to prevent the occurrence of INS. This present review aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge on this topic, since advances in our understanding of the immunopathogenesis of INS may help drive new tailored therapeutic approaches forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Hackl
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany. .,Department of Internal Medicine II and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
| | - Seif El Din Abo Zed
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Department of Internal Medicine II and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Paul Diefenhardt
- Department of Internal Medicine II and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Julia Binz-Lotter
- Department of Internal Medicine II and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Rasmus Ehren
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Lutz Thorsten Weber
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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Löwen J, Gröne EF, Groß-Weißmann ML, Bestvater F, Gröne HJ, Kriz W. Pathomorphological sequence of nephron loss in diabetic nephropathy. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2021; 321:F600-F616. [PMID: 34541901 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00669.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Following our previous reports on mesangial sclerosis and vascular proliferation in diabetic nephropathy (DN) (Kriz W, Löwen J, Federico G, van den Born J, Gröne E, Gröne HJ. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 312: F1101-F1111, 2017; Löwen J, Gröne E, Gröne HJ, Kriz W. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 317: F399-F410, 2019), we now describe the advanced stages of DN terminating in glomerular obsolescence and tubulointerstitial fibrosis based on a total of 918 biopsies. The structural aberrations emerged from two defects: 1) increased synthesis of glomerular basement membrane (GBM) components by podocytes and endothelial cells leading to an accumulation of GBM material in the mesangium and 2) a defect of glomerular vessels consisting of increased leakiness and an increased propensity to proliferate. Both defects may lead to glomerular degeneration. The progressing compaction of accumulated worn-out GBM material together with the retraction of podocytes out of the tuft and the collapse and hyalinosis of capillaries results in a shrunken tuft that fuses with Bowman's capsule (BC) to glomerular sclerosis. The most frequent pathway to glomerular decay starts with local tuft expansions that result in contacts of structurally intact podocytes to the parietal epithelium initiating the formation of tuft adhesions, which include the penetration of glomerular capillaries into BC. Exudation of plasma from such capillaries into the space between the parietal epithelium and its basement membrane causes the formation of insudative fluid accumulations within BC spreading around the glomerular circumference and, via the glomerulotubular junction, onto the tubule. Degeneration of the corresponding tubule develops secondarily to the glomerular damage, either due to cessation of filtration in cases of global sclerosis or due to encroachment of the insudative spaces. The degenerating tubules induce the proliferation of myofibroblasts resulting in interstitial fibrosis.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Based on analysis of 918 human biopsies, essential derangement in diabetic nephropathy consists of accumulation of worn-out glomerular basement membrane in the mesangium that may advance to global sclerosis. The most frequent pathway to nephron dropout starts with the penetration of glomerular capillaries into Bowman's capsule (BC), delivering an exudate into BC that spreads around the entire glomerular circumference and via the glomerulotubular junction onto the tubule, resulting in glomerular sclerosis and chronic tubulointerstitial damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Löwen
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Wilhelm Kriz
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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Development of Biomarkers and Molecular Therapy Based on Inflammatory Genes in Diabetic Nephropathy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22189985. [PMID: 34576149 PMCID: PMC8465809 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) is a debilitating consequence of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes affecting the kidney and renal tubules leading to End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). As diabetes is a world epidemic and almost half of diabetic patients develop DN in their lifetime, a large group of people is affected. Due to the complex nature of the disease, current diagnosis and treatment are not adequate to halt disease progression or provide an effective cure. DN is now considered a manifestation of inflammation where inflammatory molecules regulate most of the renal physiology. Recent advances in genetics and genomic technology have identified numerous susceptibility genes that are associated with DN, many of which have inflammatory functions. Based on their role in DN, we will discuss the current aspects of developing biomarkers and molecular therapy for advancing precision medicine.
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Lamana GL, Ferrari ALL, Gontijo JAR, Boer PA. Gestational and Breastfeeding Low-Protein Intake on Blood Pressure, Kidney Structure, and Renal Function in Male Rat Offspring in Adulthood. Front Physiol 2021; 12:658431. [PMID: 33967827 PMCID: PMC8100335 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.658431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Our previous studies demonstrated that maternal protein-restricted (low-protein, LP) 16-week-old offspring had pronounced nephron number reduction and arterial hypertension associated with an unchanged glomerular filtration rate (GFR). An enhanced gomerular area may be related to increased glomerular filtration and overflow, which accounts for glomerular filtration barrier breakdown and early glomerulosclerosis. The effect of protein restriction during gestational and breastfeeding periods is unknown. Method: The functional e-structural kidney evaluation was obtained using lithium and creatinine clearance, kidney morphometry, immunoblotting, and immunostaining analysis in 16 and 24-week-old LP offspring compared to age-matched NP progeny. Results: Low protein rats' progeny had significantly reduced birth weight, without previous catch-up growth phenomena, in parallel with a decreased adiposity index. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) glomerular expression was significantly enhanced in the LP group. Also, the LP offspring had a 38% lower nephron number and an increased glomerular volume. They also presented with a higher cardiac index and arterial blood pressure compared with age-matched NP offspring. The LP rats exhibited augmented Na+/K+-ATPase in the proximal segments, and NOS1 immunoreactivity in whole renal tissue was associated with sodium retention in the proximal nephron segments. We also found significantly enhanced collagen content associated with increased TGFβ1 and ZEB1/2 renal immunoreactivity in LP offspring compared with NP offspring. Increased hypertrophy markers in LP podocytes were associated with an amplified IL-6/STAT3 pathway activity. Conclusion: To our knowledge, these are the first data demonstrating renal functional and structural changes in protein restriction during gestation and lactation model of fetal programming. The fetal-programmed adult offspring showed pronounced structural glomerular disorders with an accentuated and advanced fibrosis stage, without a change in the GFR. These findings suggest that the glomerular enhanced TGF-β1 action may induce ZEB1/2 expression that may cause glomeruli epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Besides, decreased nephron number in the LP offspring with preserved glomerular function may be related to protective or even attenuate the activated IL-6/STAT3 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Leme Lamana
- Fetal Programming and Hydroelectrolyte Metabolism Laboratory, Nucleus of Medicine and Experimental Surgery, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences at State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Ana Leticia Luchiari Ferrari
- Fetal Programming and Hydroelectrolyte Metabolism Laboratory, Nucleus of Medicine and Experimental Surgery, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences at State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - José Antonio Rocha Gontijo
- Fetal Programming and Hydroelectrolyte Metabolism Laboratory, Nucleus of Medicine and Experimental Surgery, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences at State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Aline Boer
- Fetal Programming and Hydroelectrolyte Metabolism Laboratory, Nucleus of Medicine and Experimental Surgery, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences at State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
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Shabaka A, Cases-Corona C, Fernandez-Juarez G. Therapeutic Insights in Chronic Kidney Disease Progression. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:645187. [PMID: 33708784 PMCID: PMC7940523 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.645187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been recognized as a leading public health problem worldwide. Through its effect on cardiovascular risk and end-stage kidney disease, CKD directly affects the global burden of morbidity and mortality. Classical optimal management of CKD includes blood pressure control, treatment of albuminuria with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers, avoidance of potential nephrotoxins and obesity, drug dosing adjustments, and cardiovascular risk reduction. Diabetes might account for more than half of CKD burden, and obesity is the most important prompted factor for this disease. New antihyperglycemic drugs, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter 2 inhibitors have shown to slow the decline of GFR, bringing additional benefit in weight reduction, cardiovascular, and other kidney outcomes. On the other hand, a new generation of non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist has recently been developed to obtain a selective receptor inhibition reducing side effects like hyperkalemia and thereby making the drugs suitable for administration to CKD patients. Moreover, two new potassium-lowering therapies have shown to improve tolerance, allowing for higher dosage of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors and therefore enhancing their nephroprotective effect. Regardless of its cause, CKD is characterized by reduced renal regeneration capacity, microvascular damage, oxidative stress and inflammation, resulting in fibrosis and progressive, and irreversible nephron loss. Therefore, a holistic approach should be taken targeting the diverse processes and biological contexts that are associated with CKD progression. To date, therapeutic interventions when tubulointerstitial fibrosis is already established have proved to be insufficient, thus research effort should focus on unraveling early disease mechanisms. An array of novel therapeutic approaches targeting epigenetic regulators are now undergoing phase II or phase III trials and might provide a simultaneous regulatory activity that coordinately regulate different aspects of CKD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Shabaka
- Nephrology Department, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Clara Cases-Corona
- Nephrology Department, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
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10
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Lee HS, Suh JY, Kang BC, Lee E. Lipotoxicity dysregulates the immunoproteasome in podocytes and kidneys in type 2 diabetes. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2021; 320:F548-F558. [PMID: 33586497 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00509.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Palmitic acid (PA) leads to lipotoxicity in type 2 diabetes and induces oxidative stress in podocytes. Oxidized cellular proteins are degraded by proteasomes. The role of proteasomes in PA- or oxidative stress-induced podocyte injury and pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN) is unknown. We investigated the effects of PA on expression of 20S and 26S proteasomes, proteasome activator 28 (PA28) regulators, and the immunoproteasome in cultured podocytes and renal cortical tissues of db/db and db/m mice using Western blot analysis. Glomerular areas and glomerular basement membrane (GBM) widths of db/db and db/m mice were examined using morphometry. Short-term incubation of PA or low levels of H2O2 upregulated only the immunoproteasome in cultured podocytes. Long-term exposure of podocytes to PA ultimately downregulated the immunoproteasome as with other proteasomes, whereas oleic acid (OA) or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) restored the PA-induced decreased protein levels. In db/db mice, renal cortical immunoproteasome expression with PA28α was significantly decreased compared with db/m mice, and glomerular areas and GBM widths were significantly increased compared with db/m mice. Feeding of an OA-rich olive oil or EPA-rich fish oil protected db/db mice against the reduced renal cortical immunoproteasome expression, glomerular enlargement, and GBM thickening. These results demonstrate that lipotoxicity downregulates the immunoproteasome in podocytes and kidneys in type 2 diabetes and that OA and EPA protected type 2 diabetic mice against decreased renal cortical immunoproteasome expression and the progression of DN. Given this, lipotoxicity-induced podocyte injury with impaired immunoproteasome expression appears to play an important role in the pathogenesis of DN.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In podocytes, PA rapidly induced immunoproteasome expression but ultimately decreased it, while OA and EPA restored the decreased immunoproteasome levels. In the renal cortex of type 2 diabetic mice, immunoproteasome expression was significantly decreased, whereas feeding of OA-rich olive oil or EPA-rich fish oil diets protected them against the reduced immunoproteasome expression and progression of diabetic nephropathy. Thus, lipotoxicity-induced podocyte injury with impaired immunoproteasome expression may be related to the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Soon Lee
- Renal Pathology Lab, Hankook Kidney and Diabetes Institute, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji Yeon Suh
- Renal Pathology Lab, Hankook Kidney and Diabetes Institute, Seoul, Korea
| | - Byeong-Choel Kang
- Graduate School of Translational Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eugene Lee
- Renal Pathology Lab, Hankook Kidney and Diabetes Institute, Seoul, Korea
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Shen Y, Feng F, Sun H, Li G, Xiang Z. Quantitative and network pharmacology: A case study of rhein alleviating pathological progress of renal interstitial fibrosis. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 261:113106. [PMID: 32553981 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The current network pharmacology model focuses mainly on static and qualitative characterisation between drugs and targets or molecular pathway networks, but it does not reflect the multi-scale, dynamic and quantitative process of drug action. AIM OF THE STUDY In this study, we developed a new model known as quantitative and network pharmacology (QNP) to characterise the dynamic and quantitative interventions of drugs within a multi-scale biological network. MATERIALS AND METHODS Firstly, we used a systems biology method to construct a molecule-cell dynamic network model to simulate the pathological processes of diseases. Secondly, according to the principles of enzymatic kinetics, we generated a multi-scale drug intervention model to simulate the intervention of drugs in multi-scale networks at different concentrations and pathological stages. Finally, we took rhein treatment of renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) as an example to illustrate the QNP model. RESULTS We successfully constructed the a QNP model that includes both a multi-scale dynamic network disease model and drug intervention model. The QNP model accurately simulated the pathological process of RIF, and the simulation results were validated by a series of cell and animal experiments. Meanwhile, the QNP model demonstrated that rhein can delay the pathological process at the studied concentrations of 5 nM, 10 nM, and 20 nM, and can also exert a better therapeutic effect on fibrosis before the proliferation stage of RIF. Furthermore, through uncertainty and sensitivity analysis, we identified that FAK and Smad3 may be potential targets for RIF. CONCLUSION Our QNP model provides a molecular-cellular understanding of the pathological mechanisms of RIF, serving as a new approach and strategy for the construction of dynamic multi-scale network model of diseases and drug intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiting Shen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China; Pharmaceutical Department, Ningbo Women & Children's Hospital, Ningbo, 315012, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Feng Feng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
| | - Hao Sun
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China; Pharmacy Department, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Guowei Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
| | - Zheng Xiang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
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12
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Orphal M, Gillespie A, Böhme K, Subrova J, Eisenreich A, Kreutz R. TMEM63C, a Potential Novel Target for Albuminuria Development, Is Regulated by MicroRNA-564 and Transforming Growth Factor beta in Human Renal Cells. Kidney Blood Press Res 2020; 45:850-862. [PMID: 33080601 DOI: 10.1159/000508477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Transmembrane protein (TMEM) 63C is a member of the TMEM gene family and was recently linked to glomerular filtration barrier function and albuminuria. Its molecular function and expression regulation are largely unknown. OBJECTIVE In this study, we set out to characterize the regulating impact of microRNAs (miRNAs) such as miRNA-564 (miR-564) on TMEM63C expression in renal cells. Also, we examined the influence of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) on TMEM63C expression and the potential impact of TMEM63C inhibition on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in renal cells and on cell viability in human embryonic kidney 293 cells (HEK 293). METHODS Expression analyses were done using real-time PCR and Western blot. Dual luciferase assay was performed to determine the miRNA-mediated expression control. Cell viability was assessed via trypan blue exclusion staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS MiR-564 reduced TMEM63C expression in HEK 293 and human podocytes (hPC). The treatment of renal cells with TGF-ß led to an increased expression of TMEM63C. Moreover, a reduced TMEM63C expression was associated with a changed ratio of EMT marker proteins such as α-smooth muscle actin versus E-cadherin in HEK 293 and decreased nephrin expression in hPC. In addition, cell viability was reduced upon inhibition of TMEM63C expression in HEK 293. This study demonstrates first mechanisms involved in TMEM63C expression regulation and a link to EMT in renal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Orphal
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Allan Gillespie
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Karen Böhme
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jana Subrova
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Eisenreich
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Reinhold Kreutz
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Berlin, Germany,
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13
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Farias JS, Santos KM, Lima NK, Cabral EV, Aires RS, Veras AC, Paixão AD, Vieira LD. Maternal endotoxemia induces renal collagen deposition in adult offspring: Role of NADPH oxidase/TGF-β1/MMP-2 signaling pathway. Arch Biochem Biophys 2020; 684:108306. [DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2020.108306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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14
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Bukosza EN, Kornauth C, Hummel K, Schachner H, Huttary N, Krieger S, Nöbauer K, Oszwald A, Razzazi Fazeli E, Kratochwill K, Aufricht C, Szénási G, Hamar P, Gebeshuber CA. ECM Characterization Reveals a Massive Activation of Acute Phase Response during FSGS. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21062095. [PMID: 32197499 PMCID: PMC7139641 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21062095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The glomerular basement membrane (GBM) and extra-cellular matrix (ECM) are essential to maintain a functional interaction between the glomerular podocytes and the fenestrated endothelial cells in the formation of the slit diaphragm for the filtration of blood. Dysregulation of ECM homeostasis can cause Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Despite this central role, alterations in ECM composition during FSGS have not been analyzed in detail yet. Here, we characterized the ECM proteome changes in miR-193a-overexpressing mice, which suffer from FSGS due to suppression of Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1). By mass spectrometry we identified a massive activation of the acute phase response, especially the complement and fibrinogen pathways. Several protease inhibitors (ITIH1, SERPINA1, SERPINA3) were also strongly increased. Complementary analysis of RNA expression data from both miR-193a mice and human FSGS patients identified additional candidate genes also mainly involved in the acute phase response. In total, we identified more than 60 dysregulated, ECM-associated genes with potential relevance for FSGS progression. Our comprehensive analysis of a murine FSGS model and translational comparison with human data offers novel targets for FSGS therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Nora Bukosza
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University Budapest, Tűzoltó u 37-47, 1094 Budapest, Hungary; (E.N.B.); (G.S.); (P.H.)
- Clinical Institute for Pathology, Medical University Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (C.K.); (H.S.); (N.H.); (S.K.); (A.O.)
| | - Christoph Kornauth
- Clinical Institute for Pathology, Medical University Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (C.K.); (H.S.); (N.H.); (S.K.); (A.O.)
- Clinical Division of Hematology and Hemostaseology, Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Karin Hummel
- Vetcore Facility for Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (K.H.); (K.N.); (E.R.F.)
| | - Helga Schachner
- Clinical Institute for Pathology, Medical University Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (C.K.); (H.S.); (N.H.); (S.K.); (A.O.)
| | - Nicole Huttary
- Clinical Institute for Pathology, Medical University Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (C.K.); (H.S.); (N.H.); (S.K.); (A.O.)
| | - Sigurd Krieger
- Clinical Institute for Pathology, Medical University Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (C.K.); (H.S.); (N.H.); (S.K.); (A.O.)
| | - Katharina Nöbauer
- Vetcore Facility for Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (K.H.); (K.N.); (E.R.F.)
| | - André Oszwald
- Clinical Institute for Pathology, Medical University Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (C.K.); (H.S.); (N.H.); (S.K.); (A.O.)
| | - Ebrahim Razzazi Fazeli
- Vetcore Facility for Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (K.H.); (K.N.); (E.R.F.)
| | - Klaus Kratochwill
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Molecular Stress Research in Peritoneal Dialysis, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology and Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Christoph Aufricht
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology and Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Gabor Szénási
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University Budapest, Tűzoltó u 37-47, 1094 Budapest, Hungary; (E.N.B.); (G.S.); (P.H.)
| | - Peter Hamar
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University Budapest, Tűzoltó u 37-47, 1094 Budapest, Hungary; (E.N.B.); (G.S.); (P.H.)
| | - Christoph A. Gebeshuber
- Clinical Institute for Pathology, Medical University Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (C.K.); (H.S.); (N.H.); (S.K.); (A.O.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-1-40400-51840
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Frahsek M, Schulte K, Chia-Gil A, Djudjaj S, Schueler H, Leuchtle K, Smeets B, Dijkman H, Floege J, Moeller MJ. Cre recombinase toxicity in podocytes: a novel genetic model for FSGS in adolescent mice. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2019; 317:F1375-F1382. [PMID: 31588799 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00573.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we show that inducible overexpression of Cre recombinase in glomerular podocytes but not in parietal epithelial cells may trigger focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in juvenile transgenic homocygous Pod-rtTA/LC1 mice. Administration of doxycycline shortly after birth, but not at any other time point later in life, resulted in podocyte injury and development of classical FSGS lesions in these mice. Sclerotic lesions were formed as soon as 3 wk of age, and FSGS progressed with low variability until 13 wk of age. In addition, our experiments identified Cre toxicity as a potentially relevant limitation for studies in podocytes of transgenic animals. In summary, our study establishes a novel genetic model for FSGS in mice, which exhibits low variability and manifests already at a young age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Frahsek
- Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Kevin Schulte
- Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.,Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Arnaldo Chia-Gil
- Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sonja Djudjaj
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH University of Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Herdit Schueler
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Katja Leuchtle
- Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Bart Smeets
- Department of Pathology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Henry Dijkman
- Department of Pathology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jürgen Floege
- Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Marcus J Moeller
- Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.,Heisenberg Chair for Preventive and Translational Nephrology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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16
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Lopes TG, de Souza ML, da Silva VD, dos Santos M, da Silva WIC, Itaquy TP, Garbin HI, Veronese FV. Markers of renal fibrosis: How do they correlate with podocyte damage in glomerular diseases? PLoS One 2019; 14:e0217585. [PMID: 31220088 PMCID: PMC6586273 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Renal fibrosis is the result of the interaction of cellular and molecular pathways, which is induced by sustained glomerular injury and involves the podocytes and multiple profibrotic factors. In this study, we investigated the correlation of the mRNA expression of podocyte proteins and profibrotic factors with renal fibrosis measured in renal biopsies of patients with primary and secondary glomerulopathies. METHODS Eighty-four adult patients with primary or secondary glomerular diseases and 12 controls were included. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Seventy-two percent of the renal biopsies were done less than one year from clinical disease manifestation. The quantification of the podocyte-associated mRNAs of alpha-actinin-4, podocin, and podocalyxin, as well as of the profibrotic factors TGF-β1, CTGF, and VEGF-A were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The percent positive area of renal fibrosis was measured by immunohistochemistry staining, using anti-CTGF and anti-HHF35 antibodies and unpolarized Sirius Red. Correlations between the expression of tissue mRNAs and the positive area of fibrosis for the measured markers were made by Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. RESULTS In relation to control biopsies, podocyte-specific proteins were downregulated in podocytopathies, in proliferative nephritis, in diabetic kidney disease (DRD), and in IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Messenger RNA of TGF-β1, CTGF, and VEGF-A was upregulated in patients with podocytopathies and in DRD but not in proliferative nephritis and IgAN. Tissue mRNA expression of TGF-β1, CTGF, and VEGF-A were strongly correlated with renal fibrosis, as measured by HHF35; however, the correlation, albeit significant, was moderate for Sirius Red and weak for CTGF. The percent positive area of renal fibrosis measured by Sirius Red was similar between podocytopathies and DRD and significantly higher in podocytopathies compared to IgAN or proliferative nephritis. CONCLUSIONS In patients with glomerular diseases, the mRNA of TGF-β1, CTGF, and VEGF-A correlated positively with the extent of renal fibrosis, and the positive area of fibrosis was larger in the podocytopathies and in DRD as measured by Sirius Red. The pathways connecting podocyte damage and activation of profibrotic factors to kidney tissue fibrosis need to be better investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Giulianni Lopes
- Postgraduate Program in Medicine: Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology Applied to Nephrology, Center for Experimental Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Maysa Lucena de Souza
- Postgraduate Program in Medicine: Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology Applied to Nephrology, Center for Experimental Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Mariane dos Santos
- Postgraduate Program in Medicine: Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology Applied to Nephrology, Center for Experimental Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - William Israel Cardoso da Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology Applied to Nephrology, Center for Experimental Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Thiago Pereira Itaquy
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology Applied to Nephrology, Center for Experimental Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Henrique Iahnke Garbin
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology Applied to Nephrology, Center for Experimental Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Francisco Veríssimo Veronese
- Postgraduate Program in Medicine: Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology Applied to Nephrology, Center for Experimental Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Division of Nephrology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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17
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Regmi A, Liu G, Zhong X, Hu S, Ma R, Gou L, Zafar MI, Chen L. Evaluation of Serum microRNAs in Patients with Diabetic Kidney Disease: A Nested Case-Controlled Study and Bioinformatics Analysis. Med Sci Monit 2019; 25:1699-1708. [PMID: 30835718 PMCID: PMC6413564 DOI: 10.12659/msm.913265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) can result in end-stage kidney disease and renal failure. This study aimed to examine the expression of serum microRNAs (miRNAs), miR-20a, miR-99b, miR-122-5p, and miR-486-5p, and to use bioinformatics data to investigate the pathways involved in DKD. MATERIAL AND METHODS Serum miRNAs were obtained from 25 healthy volunteers, 50 patients with non-complicated type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and 42 patients with T2DM and DKD. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of serum miRNAs. Specificity and sensitivity of the association between serum miRNAs in DKD were evaluated by analysis of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC). Serum miRNAs and clinical parameters of the patients were compared. Bioinformatics data analysis accessed the miRNA targets involved in the pathways related to the pathogenesis of DKD. RESULTS Serum levels of miR-99b and miR-122 significantly increased, and mir-20a and miR-486 decreased in the DKD group compared with healthy controls. Serum levels of miR-20a, miR-99b, miR-486-5p, and miR-122-5p were significantly correlated with albuminuria, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), blood glucose and lipid profiles. ROC curve analysis showed that diagnostic accuracy of serum levels of miR-99b for DKD was superior to miR-486-5p, miR-122-5p, and miR-20a, resulting in AUCs of 0.895, 0.853, 0.80, and 0.697, respectively. These four miRNAs regulate several genes affecting oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS Serum miR-99b, miR-486-5p, miR-122-5p, and miR-20a were differentially expressed in patients with T2DM and DKD and should be evaluated further as potential biomarkers for DKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Regmi
- Department of Endocrinology, Wuhan Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China (mainland)
| | - Geng Liu
- Department of Endocrinology, Wuhan Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China (mainland)
| | - Xueyu Zhong
- Department of Endocrinology, Wuhan Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China (mainland)
| | - Shengqing Hu
- Department of Endocrinology, Wuhan Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China (mainland)
| | - Rong Ma
- Department of Endocrinology, Wuhan Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China (mainland)
| | - Luoning Gou
- Department of Endocrinology, Wuhan Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China (mainland)
| | - Mohammad Ishraq Zafar
- Department of Endocrinology, Wuhan Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China (mainland)
| | - LuLu Chen
- Department of Endocrinology, Wuhan Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China (mainland)
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18
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Guo Q, Wang J, Ge Y, Malhotra DK, Dworkin LD, Wang P, Gong R. Brain natriuretic peptide mitigates TIMP2 induction and reinstates extracellular matrix catabolic activity via GSK3β inhibition in glomerular podocytes exposed to a profibrogenic milieu. Am J Transl Res 2019; 11:964-973. [PMID: 30899395 PMCID: PMC6413260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) has a demonstrable anti-fibrotic effect on diverse organ systems, including the kidney. To understand the molecular mechanism underlying this renoprotective effect, the efficacy of BNP was examined in an in vitro model of glomerular sclerosis by exposing glomerular podocytes to transforming growth factor (TGF)β1-containing media that recapitulates the profibrogenic milieu in chronic glomerular disease. BNP mitigates extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation in TGFβ1-treated podocytes, as evidenced by Sirius red assay and staining, concomitant with a restoration of the ECM catabolizing activity, as assessed by pulse chase analysis. This effect was in parallel with a mitigating effect on TGFβ1-elicited overexpression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)2, a key inhibitor of a multitude of ECM-degrading metalloproteinases. Mechanistically, glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)3β, a key player in pathogenesis of podocyte injury and glomerulopathies, seems to be involved. BNP treatment considerably induced GSK3β inhibition, marked by inhibitory phosphorylation at the serine 9 residue, and this significantly correlated with the abrogated TIMP2 induction in TGFβ1-injured podocytes. Moreover, genetic knockout of GSK3β in podocytes is sufficient to attenuate the TGFβ1 induced TIMP2 expression and ECM deposition, reminiscent of the effect of BNP. Conversely, ectopic expression of a nonphosphorylatable GSK3β mutant abolished the inhibitory effect of BNP on TGFβ1-elicited TIMP2 overexpression and ECM accumulation, signifying an essential role of GSK3β inhibition in mediating the effect of BNP. Collectively, BNP possesses an anti-fibrotic activity in glomerular epithelial cells. This finding, if validated in vivo, may open a new avenue to the treatment of glomerulosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiongqiong Guo
- Department of Hemopurification Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, and College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and TechnologyLuoyang, China
| | - Junxia Wang
- Department of Hemopurification Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, and College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and TechnologyLuoyang, China
| | - Yan Ge
- Institute of Nephrology, Blood Purification Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou, China
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of MedicineToledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Deepak K Malhotra
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of MedicineToledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Lance D Dworkin
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of MedicineToledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Pei Wang
- Institute of Nephrology, Blood Purification Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou, China
| | - Rujun Gong
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of MedicineToledo, Ohio, USA
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Hara M, Oohara K, Dai DF, Liapis H. Mitotic Catastrophe Causes Podocyte Loss in the Urine of Human Diabetics. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2018; 189:248-257. [PMID: 30472210 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2018.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Mitotic catastrophe (MC) is a major cause of podocyte loss in vitro and in vivo. We evaluated urine samples (n = 184 urine samples from diabetic patients; n = 41 patients) from diabetic patients and determined the presence of podocytes in the urine and studied their characteristics, specifically asking whether apoptosis versus MC is present. We also evaluated diabetic glomeruli in renal biopsy specimens by electron microscopy (n = 54). A battery of stains including the antibody to podocalyxin (PCX) were used. PCX and podocytes (PCX+podo) showed nuclear morphologies such as a i) mononucleated normal shape (8.7%), ii) large and abnormal shape (3.8%), iii) multinucleated with or without micronucleoli (31.2%), iv) mitotic spindles (8.2%), v) single nucleus and denucleation combined (10.3%), and vi) denucleation only (37.0%). Large size/abnormal shape, multinucleation, mitotic spindles, and a combination of single nucleus and denucleation were considered features of MC (53.5%). Dual staining of PCX+podo was positive for Glepp 1 (50%), whereas none of PCX+podo were positive for nephrin, podocin, leukocyte, or parietal epithelial cell markers (cytokeratin 8), annexin V, cleaved caspase-3, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling. Ten percent of PCX+podo were positive for phosphorylated vimentin. Electron microscopy identified cellular and nuclear podocyte changes characteristic of MC. The majority of urine podocytes in diabetic patients showed MC, not apoptosis. This noninvasive approach may be clinically useful in determining progressive diabetic nephropathy or response to therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dao-Fu Dai
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Helen Liapis
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Renal Pathology, Arkana Laboratories, Little Rock, Arkansas.
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20
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Lee E, Lee HS. Peroxidase expression is decreased by palmitate in cultured podocytes but increased in podocytes of advanced diabetic nephropathy. J Cell Physiol 2018; 233:9060-9069. [PMID: 30132841 PMCID: PMC6686159 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.26875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
High levels of serum free fatty acids (FFAs) are associated with lipotoxicity and type 2 diabetes. Palmitic acid (PA) is the predominant circulating saturated FFA. PA induces mitochondrial superoxide and hydrogen peroxide (H2O
2) generation in cultured podocytes. To elucidate the role of PA in antioxidant defense systems in diabetic nephropathy (DN), cultured podocytes were exposed to 250 μM PA for 1–24 hr, and protein expressions of catalase, peroxiredoxins (Prxs), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were examined by western blot analysis. PA induced an early transient increase in the Prx1, Prx2, and GPx1 levels in podocytes, but not catalase. Long‐term exposure of PA to podocytes significantly decreased the protein levels of Prx1, Prx2, GPx1, and catalase. Coincubation of PA‐treated cells with oleic acid, however, restored the expression of these proteins. In advanced human diabetic glomeruli, H2O2 generation was elevated as shown by increased fluorescence of dichlorofluorescein. Strong immunostaining for Prx1, Prx2, GPx1, and catalase was observed in the podocytes of advanced human DN, wherein transforming growth factor‐β1 staining was also positive. These results suggest that podocytes are susceptible to PA‐induced oxidative damage with impaired peroxidase activity and that peroxidases have futile antioxidant effects in the podocytes in the late stages of DN. Given this, PA‐induced podocyte injury via inadequate peroxidase response to H2O2 appears to play an important role in the pathogenesis of DN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Lee
- Renal Pathology Lab, Hankook Kidney and Diabetes Institute, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Soon Lee
- Renal Pathology Lab, Hankook Kidney and Diabetes Institute, Seoul, Korea
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21
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Estrella MM, Parekh RS. The Expanding Role of APOL1 Risk in Chronic Kidney Disease and Cardiovascular Disease. Semin Nephrol 2018; 37:520-529. [PMID: 29110759 DOI: 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2017.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Variants of the APOL1 gene, found primarily in individuals of African descent, are associated with various forms of kidney disease and kidney disease progression. Recent studies evaluating the association of APOL1 with cardiovascular disease have yielded conflicting results, and the potential role in cardiovascular disease remains unclear. In this review, we summarize the observational studies linking the APOL1 risk variants with chronic kidney and cardiovascular disease among persons of African descent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle M Estrella
- Kidney Health Research Collaborative, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; Department of Medicine, San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - Rulan S Parekh
- Division of Nephrology, Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, SickKids Research Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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22
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Yao Y, Zhao X, Xin J, Wu Y, Li H. Coumarins improved type 2 diabetes induced by high-fat diet and streptozotocin in mice via antioxidation. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2018; 96:765-771. [PMID: 29641229 DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2017-0612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Coumarins extensively exist in plants and are utilized against diabetes in some folk medicines. Recent studies have demonstrated that oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the etiology and pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus. We investigated the antioxidant ability of 3 coumarins (osthole, esculin, and fraxetin) in type 2 diabetes. After being fed a high-fat diet, ICR mice were exposed to low doses of streptozotocin and then treated with experimental coumarins for 5 weeks. We found osthole, esculin, and metformin significantly lowered fasting blood glucose, HOMA-IR, and 3 blood lipids (total cholesterol, total triglyceride, free fatty acids), and increased insulin levels, while fraxetin only enhanced insulin levels and lessened free fatty acids. Both osthole and esculin had antioxidative effects in pancreas through elevating the activities of glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase; fraxetin, however, merely heightened catalase activity. By contrast, 3 coumarins significantly increased those antioxidase activities in liver. Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed 3 coumarins, especially osthole, attenuated cellular derangement, blurry fringes of hepatic sinusoid and extensive vacuolization due to hepatocellular lipid accumulation, and lessened inflammatory infiltration in pancreas. The glomerular and islet structure of diabetic mice were improved, with reduced mesangial matrix and glomerular basement membrane thickening. Therefore, our study supports that coumarins could be promising candidates against type 2 diabetes through antioxidative mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanfa Yao
- a Institute of Pharmacology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China.,b College of Biomedical Engineering & Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Xuqin Zhao
- a Institute of Pharmacology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Jinxia Xin
- a Institute of Pharmacology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Yingqi Wu
- a Institute of Pharmacology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Hanbing Li
- a Institute of Pharmacology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China.,c Section of Endocrinology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
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23
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Berberine attenuates podocytes injury caused by exosomes derived from high glucose-induced mesangial cells through TGFβ1-PI3K/AKT pathway. Eur J Pharmacol 2018; 824:185-192. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2018.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2017] [Revised: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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24
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Immunology of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. Pediatr Nephrol 2018; 33:573-584. [PMID: 28451893 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-017-3677-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Revised: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) is as yet unknown, but several lines of evidence indicate that the immune system may play a crucial pathogenic role in non-genetic INS. The most important of these are, first, the effectiveness of therapy based on immunosuppression and, second, a vast body of data derived both from experimental models and from patient studies that implicate T cells and more recently B cells as major players in INS pathogenesis. However, recent findings also suggest a direct role of podocytes as drivers of the disease process, and the interplay between the glomerulus and the immune system is still being elucidated. In this review we provide an overview of current knowledge on the role of different components of the immune system in determining disease. Advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of INS may help drive new, more tailored therapeutic approaches.
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25
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Doublier S, Zennaro C, Musante L, Spatola T, Candiano G, Bruschi M, Besso L, Cedrino M, Carraro M, Ghiggeri GM, Camussi G, Lupia E. Soluble CD40 ligand directly alters glomerular permeability and may act as a circulating permeability factor in FSGS. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0188045. [PMID: 29155846 PMCID: PMC5695800 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
CD40/CD40 ligand (CD40L) dyad, a co-stimulatory bi-molecular complex involved in the adaptive immune response, has also potent pro-inflammatory actions in haematopoietic and non-haematopoietic cells. We describe here a novel role for soluble CD40L (sCD40L) as modifier of glomerular permselectivity directly acting on glomerular epithelial cells (GECs). We found that stimulation of CD40, constitutively expressed on GEC cell membrane, by the sCD40L rapidly induced redistribution and loss of nephrin in GECs, and increased albumin permeability in isolated rat glomeruli. Pre-treatment with inhibitors of CD40-CD40L interaction completely prevented these effects. Furthermore, in vivo injection of sCD40L induced a significant reduction of nephrin and podocin expression in mouse glomeruli, although no significant increase of urine protein/creatinine ratio was observed after in vivo injection. The same effects were induced by plasma factors partially purified from post-transplant plasma exchange eluates of patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), and were blocked by CD40-CD40L inhibitors. Moreover, 17 and 34 kDa sCD40L isoforms were detected in the same plasmapheresis eluates by Western blotting. Finally, the levels of sCD40Lwere significantly increased in serum of children both with steroid-sensitive and steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (NS), and in adult patients with biopsy-proven FSGS, compared to healthy subjects, but neither in children with congenital NS nor in patients with membranous nephropathy. Our results demonstrate that sCD40L directly modifies nephrin and podocin distribution in GECs. Moreover, they suggest that sCD40L contained in plasmapheresis eluates from FSGS patients with post-transplant recurrence may contribute, presumably cooperating with other mediators, to FSGS pathogenesis by modulating glomerular permeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Doublier
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Cristina Zennaro
- Department of Medical, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Luca Musante
- Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation and Laboratory on Pathophysiology of Uremia, G. Gaslini Children Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Tiziana Spatola
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Giovanni Candiano
- Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation and Laboratory on Pathophysiology of Uremia, G. Gaslini Children Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maurizio Bruschi
- Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation and Laboratory on Pathophysiology of Uremia, G. Gaslini Children Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Luca Besso
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Massimo Cedrino
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Michele Carraro
- Department of Medical, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gian Marco Ghiggeri
- Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation and Laboratory on Pathophysiology of Uremia, G. Gaslini Children Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Camussi
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- * E-mail: (EL); (GC)
| | - Enrico Lupia
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- * E-mail: (EL); (GC)
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26
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Yang Q, Sun M, Chen Y, Lu Y, Ye Y, Song H, Xu X, Shi S, Wang J. Triptolide protects podocytes from TGF-β-induced injury by preventing miR-30 downregulation. Am J Transl Res 2017; 9:5150-5159. [PMID: 29218112 PMCID: PMC5714798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 11/11/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Triptolide is known to have a strong anti-proteinuric effect through direct protection of podocytes from injury and is used to treat glomerular diseases. However, the mechanism underlying its protective effect on podocytes remains elusive. MiR-30 family has recently been shown to be essential for structural and functional homeostasis of podocytes but is downregulated by injurious factors, leading to podocyte injury. In the present study, we explore whether Triptolide protects podocytes through preventing miR-30 downregulation. Since TGF-β signaling is a critical mediator in various podocyte injuries and we previously found that TGF-β induces podocyte injury through downregulating miR-30s, we thus used TGF-β-induced podocyte injury model to address the issue. We found that Triptolide is capable of protecting cultured podocytes from TGF-β-induced cytoskeletal injury and apoptosis, as expected. Consistently, Triptolide also prevented TGF-β-induced signaling activation of MAPK p38, NFkB (p65) and calcineurin/NFATC3, which are known to be downstream mediators of podocyte injury. Meanwhile, Triptolide was found to completely prevent TGF-β-induced miR-30 downregulation, indicating that Triptolide protects podocytes by sustaining miR-30 expression. Mechanistically, we found that Triptolide can prevent TGF-β-induced Smad2/3 phosphorylation/activation, which likely underlies miR-30 restoration by Triptolide. We also performed ex vivo study and found that Triptolide prevented TGF-β-induced miR-30 downregulation and Smad2/3 phosphorylation in the isolated glomeruli of mice or rats. Thus, our study has provided novel insights into the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effectiveness of Triptolide on podocytopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Yang
- National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of MedicineNanjing 210002, China
| | - Mengjie Sun
- National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of MedicineNanjing 210002, China
| | - Ying Chen
- National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of MedicineNanjing 210002, China
| | - Yuqiu Lu
- National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of MedicineNanjing 210002, China
| | - Yuting Ye
- National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of MedicineNanjing 210002, China
| | - Hui Song
- National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of MedicineNanjing 210002, China
| | - Xiaodong Xu
- National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of MedicineNanjing 210002, China
| | - Shaolin Shi
- National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of MedicineNanjing 210002, China
| | - Jinquan Wang
- National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of MedicineNanjing 210002, China
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27
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Liao MC, Zhao XP, Chang SY, Lo CS, Chenier I, Takano T, Ingelfinger JR, Zhang SL. AT 2 R deficiency mediated podocyte loss via activation of ectopic hedgehog interacting protein (Hhip) gene expression. J Pathol 2017; 243:279-293. [PMID: 28722118 DOI: 10.1002/path.4946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Revised: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2 R) deficiency in AT2 R knockout (KO) mice has been linked to congenital abnormalities of the kidney and urinary tract; however, the mechanisms by which this occurs are poorly understood. In this study, we examined whether AT2 R deficiency impaired glomerulogenesis and mediated podocyte loss/dysfunction in vivo and in vitro. Nephrin-cyan fluorescent protein (CFP)-transgenic (Tg) and Nephrin/AT2 RKO mice were used to assess glomerulogenesis, while wild-type and AT2 RKO mice were used to evaluate maturation of podocyte morphology/function. Immortalized mouse podocytes (mPODs) were employed for in vitro studies. AT2 R deficiency resulted in diminished glomerulogenesis in E15 embryos, but had no impact on actual nephron number in neonates. Pups lacking AT2 R displayed features of renal dysplasia with lower glomerular tuft volume and podocyte numbers. In vivo and in vitro studies demonstrated that loss of AT2 R was associated with elevated NADPH oxidase 4 levels, which in turn stimulated ectopic hedgehog interacting protein (Hhip) gene expression in podocytes. Consequently, ectopic Hhip expression activation either triggers caspase-3 and p53-related apoptotic processes resulting in podocyte loss, or activates TGFβ1-Smad2/3 cascades and α-SMA expression to transform differentiated podocytes to undifferentiated podocyte-derived fibrotic cells. We analyzed HHIP expression in the kidney disease database (Nephroseq) and then validated this using HHIP immunohistochemistry staining of human kidney biopsies (controls versus focal segmental glomerulosclerosis). In conclusion, loss of AT2 R is associated with podocyte loss/dysfunction and is mediated, at least in part, via augmented ectopic Hhip expression in podocytes. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Chun Liao
- Université de Montréal, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Tour Viger, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Xin-Ping Zhao
- Université de Montréal, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Tour Viger, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Shiao-Ying Chang
- Université de Montréal, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Tour Viger, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Chao-Sheng Lo
- Université de Montréal, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Tour Viger, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Isabelle Chenier
- Université de Montréal, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Tour Viger, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Tomoko Takano
- McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Julie R Ingelfinger
- Pediatric Nephrology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shao-Ling Zhang
- Université de Montréal, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Tour Viger, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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28
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Amarante MK, de Oliveira CEC, Ariza CB, Sakaguchi AY, Ishibashi CM, Watanabe MAE. The predictive value of transforming growth factor-β in Wilms tumor immunopathogenesis. Int Rev Immunol 2017; 36:233-239. [PMID: 28481647 DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2017.1291639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Wilms tumor is the most common kidney malignancy in children, especially in children aged less than 6 years. Although therapeutic approach has reached successful rates, there is still room for improvement. Considering the tumor microenvironment, cytokines represent important elements of interaction and communication between tumor cells, stroma, and immune cells. In this regard, the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) family members play significant functions in physiological and pathological conditions, particularly in cancer. By regulating cell growth, death, and immortalization, TGF-β signaling pathways exert tumor suppressor effects in normal and early tumor cells. Thus, it is not surprising that a high number of human tumors arise due to alterations in genes coding for various TGF-β signaling components. Understanding the ambiguous role of TGF-β in human cancer is of paramount importance for the development of new therapeutic strategies to specifically block the metastatic signaling pathway of TGF-β without affecting its tumor suppressive effect. In this context, this review attempt to summarize the involvement of TGF-β in Wilms tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marla Karine Amarante
- a Laboratory of Study and Application of DNA Polymorphisms, Department of Pathological Sciences , Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina , Londrina-Paraná , Brazil
| | - Carlos Eduardo Coral de Oliveira
- a Laboratory of Study and Application of DNA Polymorphisms, Department of Pathological Sciences , Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina , Londrina-Paraná , Brazil
| | - Carolina Batista Ariza
- a Laboratory of Study and Application of DNA Polymorphisms, Department of Pathological Sciences , Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina , Londrina-Paraná , Brazil
| | - Alberto Yoichi Sakaguchi
- a Laboratory of Study and Application of DNA Polymorphisms, Department of Pathological Sciences , Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina , Londrina-Paraná , Brazil
| | - Cintya Mayumi Ishibashi
- a Laboratory of Study and Application of DNA Polymorphisms, Department of Pathological Sciences , Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina , Londrina-Paraná , Brazil
| | - Maria Angelica Ehara Watanabe
- a Laboratory of Study and Application of DNA Polymorphisms, Department of Pathological Sciences , Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina , Londrina-Paraná , Brazil
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29
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Lee E, Choi J, Lee HS. Palmitate induces mitochondrial superoxide generation and activates AMPK in podocytes. J Cell Physiol 2017; 232:3209-3217. [PMID: 28214337 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Studies have shown that high levels of serum free fatty acids (FFAs) are associated with lipotoxicity and type 2 diabetes. Palmitic acid (PA) is the predominant circulating saturated FFA, yet its role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN) is not clear. Recently, one study suggested that mitochondrial superoxide production is related to AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity in diabetic mice kidneys. To elucidate the link between PA and oxidative stress and AMPK activity in DN, we compared the cultured murine podocytes exposed to PA and oleic acid (OA). Incubation of cells with 250 μM PA or OA induced a translocation of CD36, a fatty acid transport protein, with intracellular lipid accumulation. PA, but not OA, induced mitochondrial superoxide and hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) generation in podocytes, as shown by enhanced fluorescence of MitoSOX Red and dichlorofluorescein (DCF), respectively. Costimulation of PA-treated cells with the H2 O2 scavenger catalase abolished the PA-induced DCF fluorescence. Only PA induced mitochondrial damage as shown by electron microscopy. The AMPK activity was determined by immunoblotting, measuring the ratio of phosphorylated AMPK (p-AMPK) to total AMPK. Only PA significantly increased the p-AMPK levels compared with controls. Addition of catalase to PA-treated cells did not affect the PA-stimulated p-AMPK levels. Collectively, our results indicate that PA induces mitochondrial superoxide and H2 O2 generation in cultured podocytes, which may not be directly linked to AMPK activation. Given that, PA seems to play an important role in the pathogenesis of DN through lipotoxicity initiated by mitochondrial superoxide overproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Lee
- Renal Pathology Lab, Hankook Kidney and Diabetes Institute, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin Choi
- Renal Pathology Lab, Hankook Kidney and Diabetes Institute, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Soon Lee
- Renal Pathology Lab, Hankook Kidney and Diabetes Institute, Seoul, Korea
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30
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Müller-Deile J, Dannenberg J, Schroder P, Lin MH, Miner JH, Chen R, Bräsen JH, Thum T, Nyström J, Staggs LB, Haller H, Fiedler J, Lorenzen JM, Schiffer M. Podocytes regulate the glomerular basement membrane protein nephronectin by means of miR-378a-3p in glomerular diseases. Kidney Int 2017; 92:836-849. [PMID: 28476557 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2017.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Revised: 02/11/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The pathophysiology of many proteinuric kidney diseases is poorly understood, and microRNAs (miRs) regulation of these diseases has been largely unexplored. Here, we tested whether miR-378a-3p is a novel regulator of glomerular diseases. MiR-378a-3p has two predicted targets relevant to glomerular function, the glomerular basement membrane matrix component, nephronectin (NPNT), and vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF-A. In zebrafish (Danio rerio), miR-378a-3p mimic injection or npnt knockdown by a morpholino oligomer caused an identical phenotype consisting of edema, proteinuria, podocyte effacement, and widening of the glomerular basement membrane in the lamina rara interna. Zebrafish vegf-A protein could not rescue this phenotype. However, mouse Npnt constructs containing a mutated 3'UTR region prevented the phenotype caused by miR-378a-3p mimic injection. Overexpression of miR-378a-3p in mice confirmed glomerular dysfunction in a mammalian model. Biopsies from patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and membranous nephropathy had increased miR-378a-3p expression and reduced glomerular levels of NPNT. Thus, miR-378a-3p-mediated suppression of the glomerular matrix protein NPNT is a novel mechanism for proteinuria development in active glomerular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janina Müller-Deile
- Department of Medicine/Nephrology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Salisbury Cove, Maine, USA.
| | - Jan Dannenberg
- Department of Medicine/Nephrology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Salisbury Cove, Maine, USA
| | - Patricia Schroder
- Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Salisbury Cove, Maine, USA
| | - Meei-Hua Lin
- Division of Nephrology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Jeffrey H Miner
- Division of Nephrology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Rongjun Chen
- Department of Medicine/Nephrology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Thum
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Imperial College London, National Heart and Lung Institute, London, UK; REBIRTH Excellence Cluster, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jenny Nyström
- Departments of Physiology and Nephrology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Hermann Haller
- Department of Medicine/Nephrology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Salisbury Cove, Maine, USA
| | - Jan Fiedler
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Johan M Lorenzen
- Department of Medicine/Nephrology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH Excellence Cluster, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Mario Schiffer
- Department of Medicine/Nephrology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Salisbury Cove, Maine, USA.
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31
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Eikrem Ø, Skrunes R, Tøndel C, Leh S, Houge G, Svarstad E, Marti HP. Pathomechanisms of renal Fabry disease. Cell Tissue Res 2017; 369:53-62. [PMID: 28401309 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-017-2609-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Øystein Eikrem
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. .,Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Rannveig Skrunes
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Camilla Tøndel
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Pediatrics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Sabine Leh
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Gunnar Houge
- Center for Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Einar Svarstad
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Hans-Peter Marti
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
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Vincenti F, Fervenza FC, Campbell KN, Diaz M, Gesualdo L, Nelson P, Praga M, Radhakrishnan J, Sellin L, Singh A, Thornley-Brown D, Veronese FV, Accomando B, Engstrand S, Ledbetter S, Lin J, Neylan J, Tumlin J. A Phase 2, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Study of Fresolimumab in Patients With Steroid-Resistant Primary Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis. Kidney Int Rep 2017; 2:800-810. [PMID: 29270487 PMCID: PMC5733825 DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2017.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Revised: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Steroid-resistant focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (SR-FSGS) is a common glomerulopathy associated with nephrotic range proteinuria. Treatment goals are reduction in proteinuria, which can delay end-stage renal disease. Methods Patients with SR-FSGS were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial of fresolimumab, a monoclonal anti−transforming growth factor−β antibody, at 1 mg/kg or 4 mg/kg for 112 days, followed double-blind for 252 days (NCT01665391). The primary efficacy endpoint was the percentage of patients achieving partial (50% reduction) or complete (< 300 mg/g Cr) remission of proteinuria. Results Of 36 enrolled patients, 10, 14, and 12 patients received placebo, fresolimumab 1 mg/kg, and fresolimumab 4 mg/kg, respectively. The baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urinary protein/creatinine ratio were 63 ml/min/1.73 m2 and 6190 mg/g, respectively. The study was closed before reaching its target of 88 randomized patients. None of the prespecified efficacy endpoints for proteinuria reduction were achieved; however, at day 112, the mean percent change in urinary protein/creatinine ratio (a secondary efficacy endpoint) was –18.5% (P = 0.008), +10.5% (P = 0.52), and +9.0% (P = 0.91) in patients treated with fresolimumab 1 mg/kg, fresolimumab 4 mg/kg, and placebo, respectively. There was a nonsignificant trend toward greater estimated glomerular filtration rate decline in the placebo group compared to either of the fresolimumab-treated arms up to day 252. Discussion The study was underpowered and did not meet the primary or secondary endpoints. However, fresolimumab was well tolerated and is appropriate for continued evaluation in larger studies with adequate power.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavio Vincenti
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Kirk N Campbell
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Loreto Gesualdo
- Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Consorziale Policlinico di Bari, U.O.C Nefrologia, Dialisi e Trapianto, Bari, Italy
| | - Peter Nelson
- University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Manuel Praga
- Complutense University, Investigation Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Lorenz Sellin
- Klinik für Nephrologie, Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Medical School, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ajay Singh
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | | | - Sara Engstrand
- Sanofi, Cambridge, Massachusetts is the former affiliation of SE, SL, JL, and JN
| | - Steven Ledbetter
- Sanofi, Cambridge, Massachusetts is the former affiliation of SE, SL, JL, and JN
| | - Julie Lin
- Sanofi, Cambridge, Massachusetts is the former affiliation of SE, SL, JL, and JN
| | - John Neylan
- Sanofi, Cambridge, Massachusetts is the former affiliation of SE, SL, JL, and JN
| | - James Tumlin
- University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
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Protein Array-Based Detection of Proteins in Kidney Tissues from Patients with Membranous Nephropathy. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:7843584. [PMID: 28337458 PMCID: PMC5350302 DOI: 10.1155/2017/7843584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2016] [Revised: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Membranous nephropathy (MN) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease in which proteins related with plenty of biological processes play an important role. However, the role of these proteins in the pathogenesis of MN is still unclear. This study aimed to screen differential proteins in kidney tissue samples from MN patients by using protein arrays and determine the pathways involved in the pathogenesis of MN. This study first tested a quantitative protein array (QAH-INF-3) and two semiquantitative protein arrays (L-493 and L-507) with normal renal tissue and identified L-493 as the most appropriate assay to compare protein levels between MN tissues and normal control tissues. The L-493 array identified 66 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) that may be associated with MN. The gene oncology (GO) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analyses revealed several processes potentially involved in MN, including extracellular matrix disassembly and organization, cell adhesion, cell-cell signaling, cellular protein metabolic process, and immune response (P < 0.05). We suggest that these different pathways work together via protein signaling and result in the pathogenesis and progression of MN.
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Influence of the Expression of Inflammatory Markers on Kidney after Fetal Programming in an Experimental Model of Renal Failure. J Immunol Res 2016; 2016:9151607. [PMID: 28018922 PMCID: PMC5149704 DOI: 10.1155/2016/9151607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2016] [Revised: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective. To evaluate the expression of inflammatory markers in experimental renal failure after fetal programming. Methods. The offspring aged two and five months were divided into four groups: CC (control dams, control offspring); DC (diabetic dams, control offspring); CFA (control dams, folic acid offspring, 250 mg/Kg); and DFA (diabetic dams, folic acid offspring). Gene expression of inflammatory markers MCP-1, IL-1, NOS3, TGF-β, TNF-α, and VEGF was evaluated by RT-PCR. Results. MCP-1 was increased in the CFA and DFA groups at two and five months of age, as well as in DC5 when compared to CC5. There was a higher expression of IL-1 in the CFA2, DFA2, and DC2 groups. There was a decrease in NOS3 and an increase in TNF-α in DFA5 in relation to CFA5. The gene expression of TGF-β increased in cases that had received folic acid at two and five months, and VEGF decreased in the CFA5 and DFA5 groups. DC5 showed increased VEGF expression in comparison with CC5. Conclusions. Gestational diabetes mellitus and folic acid both change the expression of inflammatory markers, thus demonstrating that the exposure to harmful agents in adulthood has a more severe impact in cases which underwent fetal reprogramming.
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Sun YBY, Qu X, Caruana G, Li J. The origin of renal fibroblasts/myofibroblasts and the signals that trigger fibrosis. Differentiation 2016; 92:102-107. [DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2016.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 212] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Revised: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Bhattacharjee N, Barma S, Konwar N, Dewanjee S, Manna P. Mechanistic insight of diabetic nephropathy and its pharmacotherapeutic targets: An update. Eur J Pharmacol 2016; 791:8-24. [PMID: 27568833 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2016.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Revised: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Diabetic nephropathy (DN), a chronic complication of diabetes, is charecterized by glomerular hypertrophy, proteinuria, decreased glomerular filtration, and renal fibrosis resulting in the loss of renal function. Although the exact cause of DN remains unclear, several mechanisms have been postulated, such as hyperglycemia-induced renal hyper filtration and renal injury, AGEs-induced increased oxidative stress, activated PKC-induced increased production of cytokines, chemokines, and different inflammatory and apoptotic signals. Among various factors, oxidative stress has been suggested to play a major role underlying the onset and propagation of DN. It triggers several signaling pathways involved in DN, like AGEs, PKC cascade, JAK/STAT signaling, MAPK, mTOR, and SMAD. Oxidative stress-induced activation of both inflammatory and apoptotic signals are two major problems in the pathogenesis of DN. The FDA approved pharmacotherapeutic agents affecting against polyol pathway principally include anti-oxidants, like α-lipoic acid, vitamin E, and vitamin C. Kremezin and benfotiamine are the FDA approved AGEs inhibitors, another therapeutic target against DN. Ruboxistaurin, telmizartan, rapamycin, fenofibrate, aliskiren, and manidipine are some FDA approved pharmacotherapeutics effective against DN via diverse mechanisms. Beside this, some therapeutic agents are still waiting for FDA approval and few drugs without FDA approval are also prescribed in some countries for the management of DN. Despite the medications available in the market to treat DN, the involvement of multiple mechanisms makes it difficult to choose an optimum therapeutic agent. Therefore, much research is required to find out new therapeutic agent/strategies for an adequate pharmacotherapy of DN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niloy Bhattacharjee
- Advanced Pharmacognosy Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Raja S C Mullick Road, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Sujata Barma
- Advanced Pharmacognosy Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Raja S C Mullick Road, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Nandita Konwar
- Biological Science and Technology Division, CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat, Assam 785006, India
| | - Saikat Dewanjee
- Advanced Pharmacognosy Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Raja S C Mullick Road, Kolkata 700032, India.
| | - Prasenjit Manna
- Biological Science and Technology Division, CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat, Assam 785006, India.
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Bockmeyer CL, Säuberlich K, Wittig J, Eßer M, Roeder SS, Vester U, Hoyer PF, Agustian PA, Zeuschner P, Amann K, Daniel C, Becker JU. Comparison of different normalization strategies for the analysis of glomerular microRNAs in IgA nephropathy. Sci Rep 2016; 6:31992. [PMID: 27553688 PMCID: PMC4995590 DOI: 10.1038/srep31992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) have been used for normalization in glomerular microRNA (miRNA) quantification without confirmation of validity. Our aim was to identify glomerular reference miRNAs in IgA nephropathy. We compared miRNAs in human paraffin-embedded renal biopsies from patients with cellular-crescentic IgA-GN (n = 5; crescentic IgA-GN) and non-crescentic IgA-GN (n = 5; IgA-GN) to mild interstitial nephritis without glomerular abnormalities (controls, n = 5). Laser-microdissected glomeruli were used for expression profiling of 762 miRNAs by low-density TaqMan arrays (cards A and B). The comparison of different normalization methods (GeNormPlus, NormFinder, global mean and snoRNAs) in crescentic IgA-GN, IgA-GN and controls yielded similar results. However, levels of significance and the range of relative expression differed. In median, two normalization methods demonstrated similar results. GeNormPlus and NormFinder gave different top ranked reference miRNAs. Stability ranking for snoRNAs varied between cards A and B. In conclusion, we suggest the geometric mean of the most stable reference miRNAs found in GeNormPlus (miR-26b-5p), NormFinder (miR-28-5p) and snoRNAs (RNU44) as reference. It should be considered that significant differences could be missed using one particular normalization method. As a starting point for glomerular miRNA studies in IgA nephropathy we provide a library of miRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemens L Bockmeyer
- Department of Nephropathology, Friedrich Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Karen Säuberlich
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Juliane Wittig
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Marc Eßer
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sebastian S Roeder
- Department of Nephropathology, Friedrich Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Udo Vester
- Children's Hospital, Pediatrics II, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Peter F Hoyer
- Children's Hospital, Pediatrics II, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Putri A Agustian
- Department of Nephrology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Philip Zeuschner
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Kerstin Amann
- Department of Nephropathology, Friedrich Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christoph Daniel
- Department of Nephropathology, Friedrich Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jan U Becker
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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Huang F, Wang Q, Ma X, Wu L, Guo F, Qin G. Valsartan inhibits amylin-induced podocyte damage. Microvasc Res 2016; 106:101-9. [PMID: 27102209 DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2016.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Revised: 03/19/2016] [Accepted: 04/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have described the deposition of amylin in the kidney of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). These deposits play a critical role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN), although the mechanism underlying this effect is unknown. Thus, this study was undertaken to investigate whether amylin aggregation stimulates the local angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) in podocytes, and to examine its role in podocyte apoptosis. Amylin-induced apoptosis was investigated in vitro in differentiated, conditionally immortalized mouse podocytes and in vivo in KM mice. Expression of genes including nephrin, podocin, AT1R and desmin was measured through quantitative real time PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry, while the cellular distribution of podocin and nephrin was investigated by immunofluorescence. The ultra-structure of glomeruli was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Amylin enhanced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. The peptide also suppressed podocin and nephrin expression, but enhanced that of AT1R and desmin. Both effects were significantly blocked by valsartan, which inhibits angiotensin II type 1 receptor. These findings suggest that amylin activates a local intracellular RAS in podocytes and induces damage and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengjuan Huang
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Qingzhu Wang
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Xiaojun Ma
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Lina Wu
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Feng Guo
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Guijun Qin
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China.
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Yuasa K, Kondo T, Nagai H, Mino M, Takeshita A, Okada T. Maternal protein restriction that does not have an influence on the birthweight of the offspring induces morphological changes in kidneys reminiscent of phenotypes exhibited by intrauterine growth retardation rats. Congenit Anom (Kyoto) 2016; 56:79-85. [PMID: 26537761 DOI: 10.1111/cga.12143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Severe restriction of maternal protein intake to 6-8% protein diet results in intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), low birthweight and high risk of metabolic syndrome in the adult life of the offspring. However, little information is available on the effects of maternal protein restriction on offspring under the conditions that does not have an influence on their birthweight of the offspring,. In the present study, pregnant rats were kept on a diet consisting of either 9% (low-protein, Lp rats) or 18% (normal-protein, Np rats) protein by weight/volume/etc. After birth, both Lp and Np rats were kept on a diet containing 18% protein. Neonatal body weight was significantly lower in Lp rats compared to Np rats from 4 days to 5 weeks after birth. While glomerular number per unit volume (1 mm(3) ) of the kidney (Nv) was comparable between Lp and Np rats 4 weeks after birth, the Nv was significantly decreased in Lp rats at 20 weeks after birth. Four and 20 weeks after birth, glomerular sclerosis index, interstitial fibrosis score, and ratio of ED1-positive cell ratio were all significantly higher in Lp compared to Np rats. Transforming growth factor-β1-positive cells were observed in the distal tubules in the kidney of 4- and 20-week-old Lp rats kidneys, but not in those of age-matched Np rats. Altogether, these findings revealed that maternal protein restriction that does not have an influence on the birthweight of the offspring, induces similar changes as those seen in the kidneys of IUGR neonates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ko Yuasa
- Department of Integrated Structural Biosciences, Division of Veterinary Science, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Biosciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Izumi-Sano, Osaka, 598-8531, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Kondo
- Department of Integrated Structural Biosciences, Division of Veterinary Science, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Biosciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Izumi-Sano, Osaka, 598-8531, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Nagai
- Department of Integrated Structural Biosciences, Division of Veterinary Science, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Biosciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Izumi-Sano, Osaka, 598-8531, Japan
| | - Masaki Mino
- Department of Integrated Structural Biosciences, Division of Veterinary Science, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Biosciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Izumi-Sano, Osaka, 598-8531, Japan
| | - Ai Takeshita
- Department of Integrated Structural Biosciences, Division of Veterinary Science, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Biosciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Izumi-Sano, Osaka, 598-8531, Japan
| | - Toshiya Okada
- Department of Integrated Structural Biosciences, Division of Veterinary Science, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Biosciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Izumi-Sano, Osaka, 598-8531, Japan
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Du M, Wang Q, Li W, Ma X, Wu L, Guo F, Zhao S, Huang F, Wang H, Qin G. Overexpression of FOXO1 ameliorates the podocyte epithelial-mesenchymal transition induced by high glucose in vitro and in vivo. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 471:416-22. [PMID: 26902117 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.02.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence has suggested that the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a pathway that potentially leads to podocyte depletion and proteinuria in diabetic nephropathy (DN). Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the protective effects of forkhead transcription factor O1 (FOXO1) on podocyte EMT, under high-glucose (HG) conditions in vitro and under diabetic conditions in vivo. The results showed that HG-induced podocyte EMT was associated with FOXO1 inactivation, which was accompanied by activation of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1/SMAD3/integrin-linked kinase (ILK) pathway. Accordingly, constitutive FOXO1 activation suppressed the TGF-β1/Smad3/ILK pathway and partially reversed EMT, similar to the effects observed after treatment with SIS3 or QLT0267, which are selective inhibitors of TGF-β1-dependent SMAD3 phosphorylation and ILK, respectively. In addition, lentiviral-mediated FOXO1 overexpression in the kidneys of diabetic mice considerably increased FOXO1 expression and activation, while decreasing proteinuria and renal pathological injury. These data suggested that forced FOXO1 activation inhibited HG-induced podocyte EMT and ameliorated proteinuria and renal injury in diabetic mice. Our findings further highlighted that FOXO1 played a protective role against diabetes in mice and may potentially be used as a novel therapeutic target for treating diabetic nephropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Du
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Qingzhu Wang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Wen Li
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Xiaojun Ma
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Lina Wu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Feng Guo
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Shuiying Zhao
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Fengjuan Huang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Huanhuan Wang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Guijun Qin
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China.
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Datta N, Lindfors S, Miura N, Saleem MA, Lehtonen S. Overexpression of transcription factor FOXC2 in cultured human podocytes upregulates injury markers and increases motility. Exp Cell Res 2015; 340:32-42. [PMID: 26524507 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2015.10.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Revised: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Obesity and diabetes-related kidney diseases associate with renal failure and cardiovascular morbidity, and represent a major health issue worldwide. However, the molecular mechanisms leading to their development remain poorly understood. We observed increased expression of transcription factor FoxC2 in the podocytes of obese Zucker rats that are insulin resistant and albuminuric. We also found that depletion of adiponectin, an adipocyte-derived hormone whose secretion is decreased in obesity, upregulated FOXC2 in differentiated human podocytes in vitro. Overexpression of FOXC2 in cultured human podocytes led to increased nuclear expression of FOXC2 associated with a change of cellular morphology. This was accompanied by upregulation of vimentin, a key mesenchymal marker, and active beta-catenin, associated with podocyte injury. We also observed re-organization of the actin cytoskeleton, disrupted localization of the tight junction protein ZO-1, and increased motility of podocytes overexpressing FOXC2. These data indicate that the expression of FOXC2 in podocytes needs to be tightly regulated, and that its overexpression induces a chain of cellular events leading to podocyte dysfunction. These changes may lead to podocyte detachment and depletion ultimately contributing to albuminuria. We also suggest a novel molecular mechanism linking obesity-induced decrease in adiponectin to podocyte dysfunction via upregulation of FOXC2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neeta Datta
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sonja Lindfors
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Naoyuki Miura
- Department of Biochemistry, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu 431-3192, Japan
| | - Moin A Saleem
- Academic and Children's Renal Unit, Dorothy Hodgkin Building, Bristol BS1, United Kingdom
| | - Sanna Lehtonen
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland.
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Besbas N, Kalyoncu M, Cil O, Ozgul RK, Bakkaloglu A, Ozaltin F. MCP1 2518 A/G polymorphism affects progression of childhood focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Ren Fail 2015; 37:1435-9. [PMID: 26335292 DOI: 10.3109/0886022x.2015.1074474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a highly specific chemokine for monocytes and plays roles in pathogenesis of various renal diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of MCP1 2518 A/G polymorphism on the incidence and clinical course of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in children. MCP1 2518 A/G genotype was identified by PCR-RFLP in 60 biopsy-proven FSGS patients, 76 steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) patients, and 96 healthy children. MCP-1 levels in urine and serum were measured by ELISA in all patients and the correlations of genotype with MCP-1 levels and clinical outcome were evaluated. The genotype frequencies for MCP1 were similar in all groups. The percentage of patients who develop chronic renal failure was higher in patients with AA allele compared to GA or GG alleles (46% vs. 35% respectively, p < 0.01, Odds ratio: 1.59). Serum MCP-1 levels were similar in all groups, whereas urinary MCP-1 levels of the patients with FSGS (1680 pg/mg creatinine) were significantly higher than that of patients with SSNS (365 pg/mg creatinine, p < 0.05) and healthy controls (348 pg/mg creatinine; p < 0.05). Urinary MCP-1 levels were correlated with the degree of proteinuria in FSGS group (r = 0.529, p = 0.016). Our results suggest that the AA genotype might be a risk factor for the progression of renal disease in FSGS and MCP1 genotyping may help the physicians to predict prognosis in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nesrin Besbas
- a Department of Pediatric Nephrology , Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine , Ankara , Turkey
| | - Mukaddes Kalyoncu
- b Department of Pediatric Nephrology , Karadeniz Technical University Faculty of Medicine , Trabzon , Turkey
| | - Onur Cil
- a Department of Pediatric Nephrology , Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine , Ankara , Turkey
| | - Riza Koksal Ozgul
- c Department of Pediatric Metabolism , Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine , Ankara , Turkey
| | - Aysin Bakkaloglu
- a Department of Pediatric Nephrology , Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine , Ankara , Turkey
| | - Fatih Ozaltin
- a Department of Pediatric Nephrology , Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine , Ankara , Turkey .,d Nephrogenetics Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Nephrology , Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine , Ankara , Turkey , and.,e Hacettepe University Center for Biobanking and Genomics , Ankara , Turkey
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Zhang J, Hu X, Wang S, Zhang Y, Yang H. Protective effects of low-dose rapamycin combined with valsartan on podocytes of diabetic rats. Int J Clin Exp Med 2015; 8:13275-13281. [PMID: 26550253 PMCID: PMC4612938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 06/04/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to study the impacts and the mechanisms of low-dose rapamycin combined with valsartan on the renal functions of diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats. 50 SD rats were randomly divided into the normal control group (group A, n=10) and the DN model group (n=40), the DN model group was intraperitoneally injected streptozocin (STZ) for the modeling, which were then equally divided into the DN group (group B), the rapamycin group (group C, orally administrated rapamycin 1 mg/kg/d), the valsartan group (group D, orally administrated valsartan 30 mg/kg/d) and the combined therapy group (group E, orally administrated rapamycin 1 mg/kg/d + valsartan 30 mg/kg/d). Group A and group B were orally administrated the same amount of 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose. After 8-week treatment, the rats of each group were killed for the renal functional and pathological detection, as well as the expression detection of nephrin and podocin of kidney tissues. Compared with group A, the renal functions of the DN model groups were all decreased, and the pathological changes were significant. Meanwhile, the expressions of nephrin/podocin were reduced (P<0.05); among which group B exhibited the most serious changes, while the situations of group E were improved after the combined treatment, the expressions of nephrin/podocin were increased. Low-dose rapamycin and valsartan could enhance the expressions of nephrin and podocin, reduce kidney damages, thus achieving the protective effects towards the kidneys, and the effects of the combined therapy were superior to those of monotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450052, Henan, China
| | - Xiaozhou Hu
- Department of Nephrology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450052, Henan, China
| | - Shaoting Wang
- Department of Nephrology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450052, Henan, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450052, Henan, China
| | - Hong Yang
- Department of Nephrology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450052, Henan, China
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Rice LM, Padilla CM, McLaughlin SR, Mathes A, Ziemek J, Goummih S, Nakerakanti S, York M, Farina G, Whitfield ML, Spiera RF, Christmann RB, Gordon JK, Weinberg J, Simms RW, Lafyatis R. Fresolimumab treatment decreases biomarkers and improves clinical symptoms in systemic sclerosis patients. J Clin Invest 2015; 125:2795-807. [PMID: 26098215 DOI: 10.1172/jci77958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 249] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND TGF-β has potent profibrotic activity in vitro and has long been implicated in systemic sclerosis (SSc), as expression of TGF-β-regulated genes is increased in the skin and lungs of patients with SSc. Therefore, inhibition of TGF-β may benefit these patients. METHODS Patients with early, diffuse cutaneous SSc were enrolled in an open-label trial of fresolimumab, a high-affinity neutralizing antibody that targets all 3 TGF-β isoforms. Seven patients received two 1 mg/kg doses of fresolimumab, and eight patients received one 5 mg/kg dose of fresolimumab. Serial mid-forearm skin biopsies, performed before and after treatment, were analyzed for expression of the TGF-β-regulated biomarker genes thrombospondin-1 (THBS1) and cartilage oligomeric protein (COMP) and stained for myofibroblasts. Clinical skin disease was assessed using the modified Rodnan skin score (MRSS). RESULTS In patient skin, THBS1 expression rapidly declined after fresolimumab treatment in both groups (P = 0.0313 at 7 weeks and P = 0.0156 at 3 weeks), and skin expression of COMP exhibited a strong downward trend in both groups. Clinical skin disease dramatically and rapidly decreased (P < 0.001 at all time points). Expression levels of other TGF-β-regulated genes, including SERPINE1 and CTGF, declined (P = 0.049 and P = 0.012, respectively), and a 2-gene, longitudinal pharmacodynamic biomarker of SSc skin disease decreased after fresolimumab treatment (P = 0.0067). Dermal myofibroblast infiltration also declined in patient skin after fresolimumab (P < 0.05). Baseline levels of THBS1 were predictive of reduced THBS1 expression and improved MRSS after fresolimumab treatment. CONCLUSION The rapid inhibition of TGF-β-regulated gene expression in response to fresolimumab strongly implicates TGF-β in the pathogenesis of fibrosis in SSc. Parallel improvement in the MRSS indicates that fresolimumab rapidly reverses markers of skin fibrosis. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01284322.
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Block DB, Mesquita FF, de Lima IP, Boer PA, Gontijo JAR. Fetal kidney programming by maternal smoking exposure: effects on kidney structure, blood pressure and urinary sodium excretion in adult offspring. Nephron Clin Pract 2015; 129:283-92. [PMID: 25895625 DOI: 10.1159/000377634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2014] [Accepted: 02/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fetal programming by different insults results in low birth weight and reduction in nephron number increasing the risk for adult development of cardiovascular and renal diseases. Maternal smoking is an important modifiable adverse fetal exposure worldwide and leads to a decrease in the offspring's birth weight. Thus far, the specific adverse fetal smoking exposures and mechanisms underlying these associations on renal development and functional disorder are unclear. METHODS The present study investigates, in adult male rats, the effect of smoking exposure (Sk) in uteri on blood pressure (BP) by an indirect tail-cuff method using an electrosphygmomanometer, and its association with nephron structure by stereological estimation, immunohistochemical and histological techniques, in parallel with kidney function creatinine and lithium clearance. RESULTS The current study showed in a 16-week old Sk offspring enhanced arterial blood pressure associated with, reduced urinary sodium excretion and higher TGF-β1 glomerular expression. Sk glomeruli also presented an upregulated collagen and fibronectin deposition intrinsically related to fibrotic process as compared to age-matched control group. CONCLUSION Here, we demonstrate that fetal-programmed Sk offspring present pronounced glomerular TGF-β1 and fibrotic marker expression that may, subsequently, promote a glomerular epithelial-mesenchymal transition activated process in an Sk offspring. Although the precise mechanism responsible for the subsequently renal morphological and functional response in Sk offspring is incompletely known, the current data suggest that changes in renal function are conducive to excess sodium tubule reabsorption that is associated with enhanced TGF-β1, fibronectin and collagen deposition, intrinsically related to fibrotic process, might potentiate the programming of adult hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B Block
- Department of Internal Medicine School of Medicine, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
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Ma Y, Li W, Yin Y, Li W. AST IV inhibits H₂O₂-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell apoptosis by suppressing Nox4 expression through the TGF-β1/Smad2 pathway. Int J Mol Med 2015; 35:1667-74. [PMID: 25891879 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2015.2188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2014] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cell apoptosis plays an important role in the pathophysiological mechanisms of vascular complications in diabetes mellitus (DM). NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4)-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) aggregation is the main cause of vascular endothelial cell apoptosis. The transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad2 signaling pathway is involved in the apoptosis of several types of cells. However, the association between vascular endothelial cell apoptosis and Nox4, and the involvement of the TGF-β1/Smad2 signaling pathway in vascular endothelial cell apoptosis remain unclear. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the role of Nox4-dependent ROS production and to determine the involvement of the TGF-β1/Smad2 signaling pathway in endothelial cell apoptosis induced by oxidative stress which causes vascular injury in DM. We demonstrated that hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) increased Nox4-dependent-ROS aggregation, as well as the expression of TGF-β1, Smad2, Bax and caspase-3, decreased Bcl-2 expression and increased the apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Treatment with diphenyliodonium (DPI), a specific inhibitor of Nox4 or astragaloside IV (AST IV), a monomer located in an extract of astragaloside, decreased Nox4 expression and the levels of ROS, decreased TGF-β1 and Smad2 expression, altered the expression of apoptosis-related genes and decreased the apoptosis of HUVECs. Treatment with LY2109761, a selective inhibitor of the TGF-β1/Smad2 pathway, produced results similar to those of DPI; however, LY2109761 had no effect on Nox4 expression and ROS levels. Taken together, the findings of the present study suggest that H2O2 contributes to HUVEC apoptosis by inducing Nox4-dependent ROS aggregation and activating the TGF-β1/Smad2 signaling pathway. Our data indicate that the protective effects of AST IV against vascular endothelial cell apoptosis in DM are mainly associated with the decrease in Nox4 expression through the TGF-β1/Smad2 signaling pathway. Furthermore, the inhibition of the activation of the TGF-β1/Smad2 signaling pathway may be another potential therapeutic strategy in the treatment of DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhong Ma
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| | - Weizu Li
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| | - Yanyan Yin
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| | - Weiping Li
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
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Glomerular parietal epithelial cell activation induces collagen secretion and thickening of Bowman's capsule in diabetes. J Transl Med 2015; 95:273-82. [PMID: 25531564 DOI: 10.1038/labinvest.2014.160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Revised: 09/27/2014] [Accepted: 11/05/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The metabolic and hemodynamic alterations in diabetes activate podocytes to increase extracellular matrix (ECM) production, leading to thickening of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM). We hypothesized that diabetes would activate parietal epithelial cells (PECs) in a similar manner and cause thickening of Bowman's capsules. Periodic acid Schiff staining of human kidney biopsies of 30 patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) revealed a significantly thicker Bowman's capsule as compared with 20 non-diabetic controls. The average thickness was 4.55±0.21 μm in the group of patients with DN compared with 2.92±0.21 μm in the group of non-diabetic controls (P<0.001). Transmission electron microscopy confirmed this finding. In vitro, short-term exposure of human PECs to hyperglycemic conditions (30 mM glucose) advanced glycation end products (100 μg/ml) or transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1; 5 ng/ml) increased the mRNA expression of collagen type I α-1, collagen type IV (all six α-chains), bamacan, nidogen 1, laminin α-1, and perlecan. Western blot and colorimetric collagen assays confirmed these results for collagen type IV at the protein level. The production and secretion of TGF-β1 as a possible positive feedback loop was excluded as a mechanism for the autocrine activation of human PECs. To validate these findings in vivo, activation of the PECs was assessed by immunohistochemical staining for CD44 of 12 human biopsy cases with DN. Thickening of the Bowman's capsule showed strong association with CD44-positive PECs. In summary, metabolic alterations in diabetes activate PECs to increase the expression and secretion of Bowman's capsule proteins. This process may contribute to the thickening of the Bowman's capsule, similar to the thickening of the GBM that is driven by activated podocytes. These data may also imply that activated PECs contribute to ECM production once they migrate to the glomerular tuft, a process resulting in glomerular scaring, for example, in diabetic glomerulosclerosis.
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Márquez E, Riera M, Pascual J, Soler MJ. Renin-angiotensin system within the diabetic podocyte. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2014; 308:F1-10. [PMID: 25339703 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00531.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetic kidney disease is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Podocytes are differentiated cells necessary for the development and maintenance of the glomerular basement membrane and the capillary tufts, as well as the function of the glomerular filtration barrier. The epithelial glomerular cells express a local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) that varies in different pathological situations such as hyperglycemia or mechanical stress. RAS components have been shown to be altered in diabetic podocytopathy, and their modulation may modify diabetic nephropathy progression. Podocytes are a direct target for angiotensin II-mediated injury by altered expression and distribution of podocyte proteins. Furthermore, angiotensin II promotes podocyte injury indirectly by inducing cellular hypertrophy, increased apoptosis, and changes in the anionic charge of the glomerular basement membrane, among other effects. RAS blockade has been shown to decrease the level of proteinuria and delay the progression of chronic kidney disease. This review summarizes the local intraglomerular RAS and its imbalance in diabetic podocytopathy. A better understanding of the intrapodocyte RAS might provide a new approach for diabetic kidney disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Márquez
- Department of Nephrology, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain; IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain; and
| | - Marta Riera
- Department of Nephrology, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain; IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain; and Red de Investigación Renal (REDINREN), Instituto Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Julio Pascual
- Department of Nephrology, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain; IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain; and Red de Investigación Renal (REDINREN), Instituto Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - María José Soler
- Department of Nephrology, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain; IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain; and Red de Investigación Renal (REDINREN), Instituto Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Chen J, Cao J, Luo Y, Xie L, Song J, Xue W, Jia R, Song J. Expression of ERK and p-ERK proteins of ERK signaling pathway in the kidneys of fluoride-exposed carp (Cyprinus carpio). Acta Histochem 2014; 116:1337-41. [PMID: 25190107 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2014.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2014] [Revised: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 08/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Chronic exposure to fluoride can result in a variety of adverse effects in fish. Previously we indicated that high fluoride caused damage and apoptosis in the kidneys of the common carp, Cyprinus carpio. In this study, the effects of fluoride on the expression and localization of ERK and p-ERK proteins in the ERK signaling pathway were determined using Western blotting and immunohistochemical methods in the kidneys of carp exposed to 0, 40, 80, 120mg/L fluoride, respectively. Western blotting analysis found that compared with the controls, the levels of ERK1 and ERK2 proteins were relatively unchanged in fluoride-exposed fish, while p-ERK1 and p-ERK2 protein levels decreased significantly with the increased fluoride concentrations. The immunohistochemical analysis found the proteins of ERK and p-ERK were predominantly localized in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells in the renal tubules of C. carpio. Compared with the control group, the levels of ERK protein were relatively constant, yet the levels of p-ERK protein and p-ERK/ERK ratio were reduced with fluoride exposure dose. These findings indicate that the renal damage in carp exposed to fluoride is mediated via the ERK pathway. Fluoride exposure could inactivate ERK, inhibit the expression of p-ERK protein, and induce renal damage in C. carpio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianjie Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Husbandry and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, Shanxi, PR China
| | - Jinling Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Husbandry and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, Shanxi, PR China
| | - Yongju Luo
- Guangxi Academy of Fishery Sciences, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, PR China
| | - Lingtian Xie
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, Liaoning, PR China.
| | - Jing Song
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Husbandry and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, Shanxi, PR China
| | - Wenjuan Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Husbandry and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, Shanxi, PR China
| | - Ruhui Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Husbandry and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, Shanxi, PR China
| | - Jie Song
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Husbandry and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, Shanxi, PR China
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