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Masood N, Hameed H, Tariq M, Ahmed R, Khalid M, Latief N, Hasan A. Therapeutic efficacy of Strobilanthes urticifolia-infused pectin/polyacrylic acid hydrogel for targeted hepatorenal fibrosis mitigation: A multifaceted biomaterial approach. Microsc Res Tech 2024. [PMID: 39076150 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
Pectin/polyacrylic acid (PPAA) hydrogel is a unique and versatile biomaterial with applications in drug delivery, wound healing, tissue engineering, and agriculture, owing to its tailored properties and multifunctional attributes. This study aims to harness the therapeutic potential of Strobilanthes urticifolia extract within a PPAA hydrogel matrix to attenuate liver and kidney fibrosis through targeted and sustained delivery of biologically active substances. PPAA hydrogel was prepared by free radical polymerization, followed by its porosity and swelling determination. The results depicted the porous nature of PPAA hydrogel and improved swelling properties at pH 7.4, confirming its drug delivery promise. The polyphenolic-enriched S. urticifolia extracts of leaf and flower were loaded onto PPAA hydrogel, and the loading efficiency was 87% (leaf) and 62.5% (flower). Moreover, slow-release studies showed controlled and prolonged release of polyphenols for 7 days. The polyphenolic-enriched hydrogel's microstructure was characterized using SEM, FTIR, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). SEM results revealed a highly porous structure of polyphenol enriched PPAA hydrogel, while FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of functional groups such as OH group of carboxylic acid, aliphatic CH2 stretching due to acrylic acid grafting with pectin, CO stretching due to acid linkage with pectin, CH of aromatic ring, and CH of carboxylate salt in PPAA hydrogel. TGA of PPAA hydrogel showed its stability up to 488°C. Additionally, the S. urticifolia extract loaded PPAA hydrogel displayed significant antibacterial properties and minimum inhibitory concentrations against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In vivo studies carried out on rats demonstrated that polyphenolic enriched PPAA hydrogel significantly attenuates liver and kidney fibrosis. Therefore, it is concluded from the present study that loading of polyphenolic enriched extract from leaves and flower of S. urticifolia enhanced the biomedical applications of PPAA hydrogel. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: The PPAA hydrogel developed in this study exhibits a highly porous structure and improved swelling properties at physiological pH (7.4), making it an excellent candidate for drug delivery systems. S. urticifolia extracts, rich in polyphenols, were successfully incorporated into the PPAA hydrogel with high loading efficiencies of 87% for leaf and 62.5% for flower extracts. Loading of polyphenolic enriched extracts of S. urticifolia onto PPAA enhanced its biological activities such as antibacterial, hepatoprotective, and reno-protective activities as depicted by in vitro and in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nosheen Masood
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Mirpur, AJK, Pakistan
| | - Hajra Hameed
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Centre, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Mirpur, AJK, Pakistan
| | - Rashid Ahmed
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Mirpur, AJK, Pakistan
| | - Mehwish Khalid
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Mirpur, AJK, Pakistan
| | - Noreen Latief
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Anwarul Hasan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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Maxwell S, Okabe J, Kaipananickal H, Rodriguez H, Khurana I, Al-Hasani K, Chow BS, Pitsillou E, Karagiannis TC, Jandeleit-Dahm K, Ma RC, Huang Y, Chan JC, Cooper ME, El-Osta A. Set7 Methyltransferase and Phenotypic Switch in Diabetic Glomerular Endothelial Cells. J Am Soc Nephrol 2024; 35:733-748. [PMID: 38630537 PMCID: PMC11164123 DOI: 10.1681/asn.0000000000000345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Key Points Set7 knockout improves diabetic glomerular structure and function and prevents diabetes-induced endothelial–mesenchymal transition (EDMT) by regulating Igfbp5. Set7 knockdown prevents, and (R)-PFI-2 hydrochloride reverses, diabetes-induced EDMT by regulating insulin growth factor binding protein 5. Set7 regulates the phenotypic EDMT switch, and inhibiting the methyltransferase attenuates glomerular injury in diabetic kidney disease. Background Hyperglycemia influences the development of glomerular endothelial cell damage, and nowhere is this more evident than in the progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). While the Set7 lysine methyltransferase is a known hyperglycemic sensor, its role in endothelial cell function in the context of DKD remains poorly understood. Methods Single-cell transcriptomics was used to investigate Set7 regulation in a mouse model of DKD, followed by validation of findings using pharmacological and short hairpin RNA inhibition inhibition of Set7. Results Set7 knockout (Set7KO) improved glomerular structure and albuminuria in a mouse model of diabetes. Analysis of single-cell RNA-sequencing data showed dynamic transcriptional changes in diabetic renal cells. Set7KO controls phenotype switching of glomerular endothelial cell populations by transcriptional regulation of the insulin growth factor binding protein 5 (IGFBP5). Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed that the expression of the IGFBP5 gene was associated with mono- and dimethylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4me1/2). This generalizability was investigated in human kidney and circulating hyperglycemic cells exposed to TGFβ 1. We showed that the highly selective Set7 inhibitor (R)-PFI-2 hydrochloride attenuated indices associated with renal cell damage and mesenchymal transition, specifically (1 ) reactive oxygen species production, (2 ) IGFBP5 gene regulation, and (3 ) expression of mesenchymal markers. Furthermore, renal benefit observed in Set7KO diabetic mice closely corresponded in human glomerular endothelial cells with (R)-PFI-2 hydrochloride inhibition or Set7 short hairpin RNA silencing. Conclusions Set7 regulates the phenotypic endothelial–mesenchymal transition switch and suggests that targeting the lysine methyltransferase could protect glomerular cell injury in DKD. Podcast This article contains a podcast at https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/www.asn-online.org/media/podcast/JASN/2024_04_25_ASN0000000000000345.mp3
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Maxwell
- Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease Laboratory, Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jun Okabe
- Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease Laboratory, Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Harikrishnan Kaipananickal
- Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease Laboratory, Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Clinical Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hanah Rodriguez
- Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease Laboratory, Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ishant Khurana
- Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease Laboratory, Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Keith Al-Hasani
- Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease Laboratory, Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bryna S.M. Chow
- Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease Laboratory, Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Eleni Pitsillou
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tom C. Karagiannis
- Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease Laboratory, Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Karin Jandeleit-Dahm
- Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease Laboratory, Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- German Diabetes Centre, Institute for Clinical Diabetology, Research Group Diabetic Nephropathy, Heinrich Heine University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Ronald C.W. Ma
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Hong Kong SAR, China
- Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Hong Kong SAR, China
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yu Huang
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Hong Kong SAR, China
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Juliana C.N. Chan
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Hong Kong SAR, China
- Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Hong Kong SAR, China
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Mark E. Cooper
- Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease Laboratory, Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Assam El-Osta
- Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease Laboratory, Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Clinical Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Hong Kong SAR, China
- Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Hong Kong SAR, China
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- University College Copenhagen, Faculty of Health, Department of Technology, Biomedical Laboratory Science, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Song J, Yu W, Chen S, Huang J, Zhou C, Liang H. Remimazolam attenuates inflammation and kidney fibrosis following folic acid injury. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 966:176342. [PMID: 38290569 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176342] [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: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
The transition of acute kidney injury (AKI) to chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by intense inflammation and progressive fibrosis. Remimazolam is widely used for procedural sedation in intensive care units, such as AKI patients. Remimazolam has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and organ-protective properties. However, the role of remimazolam in inflammation and renal fibrosis following AKI remains unclear. Here, we explored the effects of remimazolam on the inflammatory response and kidney fibrogenesis of mice subjected to folic acid (FA) injury. Our results showed that remimazolam treatment alleviated kidney damage and dysfunction. Mice treated with remimazolam presented less collagen deposition in FA-injured kidneys compared with FA controls, which was accompanied by a reduction of extracellular matrix proteins accumulation and fibroblasts activation. Furthermore, remimazolam treatment reduced inflammatory cells infiltration into the kidneys of mice with FA injury and inhibited proinflammatory or profibrotic molecules expression. Finally, remimazolam treatment impaired the activation of bone marrow-derived fibroblasts and blunted the transformation of macrophages to myofibroblasts in FA nephropathy. Additionally, the benzodiazepine receptor antagonist PK-11195 partially reversed the protective effect of remimazolam on the FA-injured kidneys. Overall, remimazolam attenuates the inflammatory response and renal fibrosis development following FA-induced AKI, which may be related to the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfang Song
- Department of Anesthesiology, Foshan Women and Children Hospital, Foshan, 528000, China; Zhuhai Campus, Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, 519041, China.
| | - Wenqiang Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Foshan Women and Children Hospital, Foshan, 528000, China.
| | - Shuangquan Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Foshan Women and Children Hospital, Foshan, 528000, China.
| | - Jiamin Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Foshan Women and Children Hospital, Foshan, 528000, China.
| | - Chujun Zhou
- Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, China.
| | - Hua Liang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Foshan Women and Children Hospital, Foshan, 528000, China.
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Xu R, Liu X, Zhang Y, Wang K, Chen Z, Zheng J, Zhang T, Tong P, Qian Y, Yang W. Activating transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif by (R)-PFI-2 attenuates osteoclastogenesis and prevents ovariectomized-induced osteoporosis. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 219:115964. [PMID: 38049011 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115964] [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: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Excessive osteoclast activation is a leading cause of osteoporosis. Therefore, identifying molecular targets and relevant pharmaceuticals that inhibit osteoclastogenesis is of substantial clinical importance. Prior research has indicated that transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) impedes the process of osteoclastogenesis by engaging the nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathway, thereby suggesting TAZ activation as a potential therapeutic approach to treat osteoporosis. (R)-PFI-2 is a novel selective inhibitor of SETD7 methyltransferase activity, which prevents the nuclear translocation of YAP, a homolog of TAZ. Therefore, we hypothesized that (R)-PFI-2 could be an effective therapeutic agent in the treatment of osteoporosis. To test this hypothesis and explore the underlying mechanism, we first examined the impact of (R)-PFI-2 on osteoclastogenesis in bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) in vitro. (R)-PFI-2 treatment inhibited TAZ phosphorylation induced by NF-κB, thereby enhancing its nuclear localization, protein expression, and activation in BMMs. Moreover, (R)-PFI-2-induced TAZ activation inhibited osteoclast formation in a dose-dependent manner, which involved inhibition of osteoclastogenesis through the TAZ and downstream NF-κB pathways. Furthermore, (R)-PFI-2 inhibited osteoclastogenesis and prevented ovariectomy-induced bone loss in vivo in a mouse model. Overall, our findings suggest that TAZ activation by (R)-PFI-2 inhibits osteoclastogenesis and prevents osteoporosis, indicating an effective strategy for treating osteoclast-induced osteoporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongjian Xu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325000, China; Department of Orthopedics, Shaoxing People's Hospital (Shaoxing Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine), Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province 312000, China
| | - Xuewen Liu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325000, China; Department of Orthopedics, Shaoxing People's Hospital (Shaoxing Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine), Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province 312000, China
| | - Yufeng Zhang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325000, China; Department of Orthopedics, Shaoxing People's Hospital (Shaoxing Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine), Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province 312000, China
| | - Kelei Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Shaoxing People's Hospital (Shaoxing Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine), Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province 312000, China
| | - Zhuolin Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Shaoxing People's Hospital (Shaoxing Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine), Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province 312000, China
| | - Jiewen Zheng
- Department of Orthopedics, Shaoxing People's Hospital (Shaoxing Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine), Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province 312000, China
| | - Tan Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Shaoxing People's Hospital (Shaoxing Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine), Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province 312000, China
| | - Peijian Tong
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, China.
| | - Yu Qian
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325000, China; Department of Orthopedics Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, China.
| | - Wanlei Yang
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, China.
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Chen C, Lin HG, Yao Z, Jiang YL, Yu HJ, Fang J, Li WN. Transcription factor glucocorticoid modulatory element-binding protein 1 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression by activating Yes-associate protein 1. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2023; 15:988-1004. [PMID: 37389116 PMCID: PMC10302989 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v15.i6.988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glucocorticoid modulatory element-binding protein 1 (GMEB1), which has been identified as a transcription factor, is a protein widely expressed in various tissues. Reportedly, the dysregulation of GMEB1 is linked to the genesis and development of multiple cancers.
AIM To explore GMEB1’s biological functions in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and figuring out the molecular mechanism.
METHODS GMEB1 expression in HCC tissues was analyzed employing the StarBase database. Immunohistochemical staining, Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR were conducted to examine GMEB1 and Yes-associate protein 1 (YAP1) expression in HCC cells and tissues. Cell counting kit-8 assay, Transwell assay and flow cytometry were utilized to examine HCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis, respectively. The JASPAR database was employed for predicting the binding site of GMEB1 with YAP1 promoter. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation-qPCR were conducted to verify the binding relationship of GMEB1 with YAP1 promoter region.
RESULTS GMEB1 was up-regulated in HCC cells and tissues, and GMEB1 expression was correlated to the tumor size and TNM stage of HCC patients. GMEB1 overexpression facilitated HCC cell multiplication, migration, and invasion, and suppressed the apoptosis, whereas GMEB1 knockdown had the opposite effects. GMEB1 bound to YAP1 promoter region and positively regulated YAP1 expression in HCC cells.
CONCLUSION GMEB1 facilitates HCC malignant proliferation and metastasis by promoting the transcription of the YAP1 promoter region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Xiaoshan Hospital, Hangzhou 311202, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Hai-Guan Lin
- Department of General Surgery, People’s Liberation Army Strategic Support Force Characteristic Medical Center, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Zheng Yao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Hospital of The University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310022, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yi-Ling Jiang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Xiaoshan Hospital, Hangzhou 311202, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Hong-Jin Yu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Xiaoshan Hospital, Hangzhou 311202, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jing Fang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Xiaoshan Hospital, Hangzhou 311202, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Wei-Na Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Xiaoshan Hospital, Hangzhou 311202, Zhejiang Province, China
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Gao Y, Liu B, Guo X, Nie J, Zou H, Wen S, Yu W, Liang H. Interferon regulatory factor 4 deletion protects against kidney inflammation and fibrosis in deoxycorticosterone acetate/salt hypertension. J Hypertens 2023; 41:794-810. [PMID: 36883469 DOI: 10.1097/hjh.0000000000003401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inflammation and renal interstitial fibrosis are the main pathological features of hypertensive nephropathy. Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF-4) has an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and fibrotic diseases. However, its role in hypertension-induced renal inflammation and fibrosis remains unexplored. METHOD AND RESULTS We showed that deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt resulted in an elevation of blood pressure and that there was no difference between wild-type and IRF-4 knockout mice. IRF-4 -/- mice presented less severe renal dysfunction, albuminuria, and fibrotic response after DOCA-salt stress compared with wild-type mice. Loss of IRF-4 inhibited extracellular matrix protein deposition and suppressed fibroblasts activation in the kidneys of mice subjected to DOCA-salt treatment. IRF-4 disruption impaired bone marrow-derived fibroblasts activation and macrophages to myofibroblasts transition in the kidneys in response to DOCA-salt treatment. IRF-4 deletion impeded the infiltration of inflammatory cells and decreased the production of proinflammatory molecules in injured kidneys. IRF-4 deficiency activated phosphatase and tensin homolog and weakened phosphoinositide-3 kinase/AKT signaling pathway in vivo or in vitro . In cultured monocytes, TGFβ1 also induced expression of fibronectin and α-smooth muscle actin and stimulated the transition of macrophages to myofibroblasts, which was blocked in the absence of IRF-4. Finally, macrophages depletion blunted macrophages to myofibroblasts transition, inhibited myofibroblasts accumulation, and ameliorated kidney injury and fibrosis. CONCLUSION Collectively, IRF-4 plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of kidney inflammation and fibrosis in DOCA-salt hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Gao
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan
| | - Benquan Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan
| | | | - Jiayi Nie
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan
| | - Hao Zou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Foshan Women and Children Hospital
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Foshan Women and Children Hospital of Southern Medical University, Foshan
| | - Shihong Wen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sun Yat-sen University First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenqiang Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan
| | - Hua Liang
- Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Foshan Women and Children Hospital
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Foshan Women and Children Hospital of Southern Medical University, Foshan
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Huang R, Fu P, Ma L. Kidney fibrosis: from mechanisms to therapeutic medicines. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:129. [PMID: 36932062 PMCID: PMC10023808 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01379-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 91.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is estimated to affect 10-14% of global population. Kidney fibrosis, characterized by excessive extracellular matrix deposition leading to scarring, is a hallmark manifestation in different progressive CKD; However, at present no antifibrotic therapies against CKD exist. Kidney fibrosis is identified by tubule atrophy, interstitial chronic inflammation and fibrogenesis, glomerulosclerosis, and vascular rarefaction. Fibrotic niche, where organ fibrosis initiates, is a complex interplay between injured parenchyma (like tubular cells) and multiple non-parenchymal cell lineages (immune and mesenchymal cells) located spatially within scarring areas. Although the mechanisms of kidney fibrosis are complicated due to the kinds of cells involved, with the help of single-cell technology, many key questions have been explored, such as what kind of renal tubules are profibrotic, where myofibroblasts originate, which immune cells are involved, and how cells communicate with each other. In addition, genetics and epigenetics are deeper mechanisms that regulate kidney fibrosis. And the reversible nature of epigenetic changes including DNA methylation, RNA interference, and chromatin remodeling, gives an opportunity to stop or reverse kidney fibrosis by therapeutic strategies. More marketed (e.g., RAS blockage, SGLT2 inhibitors) have been developed to delay CKD progression in recent years. Furthermore, a better understanding of renal fibrosis is also favored to discover biomarkers of fibrotic injury. In the review, we update recent advances in the mechanism of renal fibrosis and summarize novel biomarkers and antifibrotic treatment for CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongshuang Huang
- Kidney Research Institute, Division of Nephrology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Ping Fu
- Kidney Research Institute, Division of Nephrology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Liang Ma
- Kidney Research Institute, Division of Nephrology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Zeng H, Gao Y, Yu W, Liu J, Zhong C, Su X, Wen S, Liang H. Pharmacological Inhibition of STING/TBK1 Signaling Attenuates Myeloid Fibroblast Activation and Macrophage to Myofibroblast Transition in Renal Fibrosis. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:940716. [PMID: 35924048 PMCID: PMC9340478 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.940716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal fibrosis is an important pathological biomarker of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Stimulator of interferon genes/TANK binding kinase 1 (STING/TBK1) axis has been identified as the main regulator of innate immune response and closely related to fibrotic disorder. However, the role of STING/TBK1 signaling pathway in kidney fibrosis is still unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of pharmacological inhibition of STING/TBK1 signaling on renal fibrosis induced by folic acid (FA). In mice, TBK1 was significantly activated in interstitial cells of FA-injured kidneys, which was markedly inhibited by H-151 (a STING inhibitor) treatment. Specifically, pharmacological inhibition of STING impaired bone marrow-derived fibroblasts activation and macrophage to myofibroblast transition in folic acid nephropathy, leading to reduction of extracellular matrix proteins expression, myofibroblasts formation and development of renal fibrosis. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of TBK1 by GSK8612 reduced myeloid myofibroblasts accumulation and impeded macrophage to myofibroblast differentiation, resulting in less deposition of extracellular matrix protein and less severe fibrotic lesion in FA-injured kidneys. In cultured mouse bone marrow-derived monocytes, TGF-β1 activated STING/TBK1 signaling. This was abolished by STING or TBK1 inhibitor administration. In addition, GSK8612 treatment decreased levels of α-smooth muscle actin and extracellular matrix proteins and prevents bone marrow-derived macrophages to myofibroblasts transition in vitro. Collectively, our results revealed that STING/TBK1 signaling has a critical role in bone marrow-derived fibroblast activation, macrophages to myofibroblasts transition, and kidney fibrosis progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haimei Zeng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Foshan Women and Children Hospital, Foshan, China
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Huidong People’s Hospital, Huizhou, China
| | - Ying Gao
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Wenqiang Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Jiping Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Foshan Women and Children Hospital, Foshan, China
| | - Chaoqun Zhong
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Xi Su
- Department of Paediatrics, Foshan Women and Children Hospital, Foshan, China
- *Correspondence: Xi Su, ; Hua Liang,
| | - Shihong Wen
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of SUN YAT-SEN University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hua Liang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Foshan Women and Children Hospital, Foshan, China
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
- *Correspondence: Xi Su, ; Hua Liang,
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Cheng Y, Chen Y, Wang G, Liu P, Xie G, Jing H, Chen H, Fan Y, Wang M, Zhou J. Protein Methylation in Diabetic Kidney Disease. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:736006. [PMID: 35647002 PMCID: PMC9133329 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.736006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined by persistent urine aberrations, structural abnormalities, or impaired excretory renal function. Diabetes is the leading cause of CKD. Their common pathological manifestation is renal fibrosis. Approximately half of all patients with type 2 diabetes and one-third with type 1 diabetes will develop CKD. However, renal fibrosis mechanisms are still poorly understood, especially post-transcriptional and epigenetic regulation. And an unmet need remains for innovative treatment strategies for preventing, arresting, treating, and reversing diabetic kidney disease (DKD). People believe that protein methylation, including histone and non-histone, is an essential type of post-translational modification (PTM). However, prevalent reviews mainly focus on the causes such as DNA methylation. This review will take insights into the protein part. Furthermore, by emphasizing the close relationship between protein methylation and DKD, we will summarize the clinical research status and foresee the application prospect of protein methyltransferase (PMT) inhibitors in DKD treatment. In a nutshell, our review will contribute to a more profound understanding of DKD’s molecular mechanism and inspire people to dig into this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Cheng
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanna Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guodong Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Pei Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guiling Xie
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huan Jing
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongtao Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Eighth People’s Hospital of Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China
| | - Youlin Fan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guangzhou Panyu Central Hospital of Panyu District, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Gaoming People’s Hospital, Foshan, China
| | - Jun Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jun Zhou,
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10
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Zhou X, Chen H, Li J, Shi Y, Zhuang S, Liu N. The Role and Mechanism of Lysine Methyltransferase and Arginine Methyltransferase in Kidney Diseases. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:885527. [PMID: 35559246 PMCID: PMC9086358 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.885527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylation can occur in both histones and non-histones. Key lysine and arginine methyltransferases under investigation for renal disease treatment include enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), G9a, disruptor of telomeric silencing 1-like protein (DOT1L), and protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMT) 1 and 5. Recent studies have shown that methyltransferases expression and activity are also increased in several animal models of kidney injury, such as acute kidney injury(AKI), obstructive nephropathy, diabetic nephropathy and lupus nephritis. The inhibition of most methyltransferases can attenuate kidney injury, while the role of methyltransferase in different animal models remains controversial. In this article, we summarize the role and mechanism of lysine methyltransferase and arginine methyltransferase in various kidney diseases and highlight methyltransferase as a potential therapeutic target for kidney diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xun Zhou
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinqing Li
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingfeng Shi
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shougang Zhuang
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital and Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Na Liu
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Yan L. Folic acid-induced animal model of kidney disease. Animal Model Exp Med 2021; 4:329-342. [PMID: 34977484 PMCID: PMC8690981 DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The kidneys are a vital organ that is vulnerable to both acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) which can be caused by numerous risk factors such as ischemia, sepsis, drug toxicity and drug overdose, exposure to heavy metals, and diabetes. In spite of the advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of AKI and CKD as well AKI transition to CKD, there is still no available therapeutics that can be used to combat kidney disease effectively, highlighting an urgent need to further study the pathological mechanisms underlying AKI, CKD, and AKI progression to CKD. In this regard, animal models of kidney disease are indispensable. This article reviews a widely used animal model of kidney disease, which is induced by folic acid (FA). While a low dose of FA is nutritionally beneficial, a high dose of FA is very toxic to the kidneys. Following a brief description of the procedure for disease induction by FA, major mechanisms of FA-induced kidney injury are then reviewed, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial abnormalities such as impaired bioenergetics and mitophagy, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and increased expression of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23). Finally, application of this FA-induced kidney disease model as a platform for testing the efficacy of a variety of therapeutic approaches is also discussed. Given that this animal model is simple to create and is reproducible, it should remain useful for both studying the pathological mechanisms of kidney disease and identifying therapeutic targets to fight kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang‐Jun Yan
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesCollege of PharmacyUniversity of North Texas Health Science CenterFort WorthTexasUSA
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Chen M, Wen X, Gao Y, Liu B, Zhong C, Nie J, Liang H. IRF-4 deficiency reduces inflammation and kidney fibrosis after folic acid-induced acute kidney injury. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 100:108142. [PMID: 34555644 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.108142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The chronic phase following toxin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is characterized by robust inflammation and progressive kidney fibrosis. Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF-4) is a type of multifunctional transcription factor that has been deeply linked to inflammation and fibrotic diseases. However, the role of IRF-4 in kidney damage and renal fibrosis after toxin-induced AKI remain to be explored. In this work, we examined the effect of IRF-4 deficiency on inflammation and kidney fibrosis in an AKI-chronic kidney disease (CKD) transition model induced by folic acid (FA) injury. We showed that FA treatment resulted in severe acute tubular injury followed by inflammatory reaction and interstitial fibrosis in wild-type mice. A sharp elevation of IRF-4 levels was observed in FA-injured kidneys. IRF-4 knockout led to a substantial reduction of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins deposition and inhibited myofibroblasts transformation in the kidneys of mice subjected to FA treatment. In addition, IRF-4 ablation impaired F4/80+ macrophages and CD3+ T lymphocytes infiltration into the FA-injured kidneys. Loss of IRF-4 reduced the production of inflammatory molecules such as CXCL16, IL-18, IL-6, and TGF-β1 in the kidneys in response to FA stress. Following FA injury, the kidneys of IRF-4 knockout mice had fewer bone marrow-derived myofibroblasts than wild-type controls. Moreover, IRF-4 disruption inhibited macrophages to myofibroblasts differentiation in the kidneys in response to FA stimuli. In vitro, IL-4 stimulated expression of α-smooth muscle actin and ECM proteins and promoted M2 macrophages to myofibroblasts transition in mouse bone marrow-derived monocytes, which was abolished in the absence of IRF-4. Thus, we identified an important role of IRF-4 in the pathogenesis of progressive CKD following FA-induced AKI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meixin Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan 528000, China; Department of Anesthesiology, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan 528000, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Foshan Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan 528000, China
| | - Xianjie Wen
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan 528000, China; Department of Anesthesiology, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan 528000, China
| | - Ying Gao
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan 528000, China
| | - Benquan Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan 528000, China
| | - Chaoqun Zhong
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan 528000, China
| | - Jiayi Nie
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan 528000, China
| | - Hua Liang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan 528000, China.
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