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Sun L, Liu L, Jiang J, Liu K, Zhu J, Wu L, Lu X, Huang Z, Yuan Y, Crowley SD, Mao H, Xing C, Ren J. Transcription factor Twist1 drives fibroblast activation to promote kidney fibrosis via signaling proteins Prrx1/TNC. Kidney Int 2024:S0085-2538(24)00566-0. [PMID: 39181396 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2024.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
The transcription factor Twist1 plays a vital role in normal development in many tissue systems and continues to be important throughout life. However, inappropriate Twist1 activity has been associated with kidney injury and fibrosis, though the underlying mechanisms involved remain incomplete. Here, we explored the role of Twist1 in regulating fibroblast behaviors and the development kidney fibrosis. Initially Twist1 protein and activity was found to be markedly increased within interstitial myofibroblasts in fibrotic kidneys in both humans and rodents. Treatment of rat kidney interstitial fibroblasts with transforming growth factor-β1 (a profibrotic factor) also induced Twist1 expression in vitro. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments supported that Twist1 signaling was responsible for transforming growth factor-β1-induced fibroblast activation and fetal bovine serum-induced fibroblast proliferation. Mechanistically, Twist1 protein promoted kidney fibroblast activation by driving the expression of downstream signaling proteins, Prrx1 and TNC. Twist1 directly enhanced binding to the promoter of Prrx1 but not TNC, whereas the promoter of TNC was directly bound by Prrx1. Finally, mice with fibroblast-specific deletion of Twist1 exhibited less Prrx1 and TNC protein abundance, interstitial extracellular matrix deposition and kidney inflammation in both the unilateral ureteral obstruction and ischemic-reperfusion injury-induced kidney fibrotic models. Inhibition of Twist1 signaling with Harmine, a β-carboline alkaloid, improved extracellular matrix deposition in both injury models. Thus, our results suggest that Twist1 signaling promotes the activation and proliferation of kidney fibroblasts, contributing to the development of interstitial fibrosis, offering a potential therapeutic target for chronic kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianqin Sun
- Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Lishan Liu
- Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Juanjuan Jiang
- Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Kang Liu
- Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jingfeng Zhu
- Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Lin Wu
- Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiaohan Lu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Zhimin Huang
- Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yanggang Yuan
- Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Steven D Crowley
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Department of Medicine, Durham VA Medical Center, Durham,North Carolina,USA
| | - Huijuan Mao
- Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Changying Xing
- Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Jiafa Ren
- Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
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Liu ZH, Xu QY, Wang Y, Gao HX, Min YH, Jiang XW, Yu WH. Catalpol from Rehmannia glutinosa Targets Nrf2/NF-[Formula: see text]B Signaling Pathway to Improve Renal Anemia and Fibrosis. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE 2024:1-35. [PMID: 39075978 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x24500575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
Rehmannia glutinosa is widely recognized as a prominent medicinal herb employed by practitioners across various generations for the purpose of fortifying kidney yin. Within Rehmannia glutinosa, the compound known as catalpol (CAT) holds significant importance as a bioactive constituent. However, the protective effects of CAT on kidneys, including ameliorative effects on chronic kidney disease - most prominently renal anemia and renal fibrosis - have not been clearly defined. In this study, the kidney injury model of NRK-52E cells and C57BL/6N male mice was prepared by exposure to aristolochic acid I (AA-I), and it was discovered that CAT could ameliorate oxidative stress injury, inflammatory injury, apoptosis, renal anemia, renal fibrosis, and other renal injuries both in vivo and in vitro. Further treatment of NRK-52E cells with Nrf2 inhibitors (ML385) and activators (ML334), as well as NF-[Formula: see text]B inhibitors (PDTC), validated CAT's ability to target Nrf2 activation. Furthermore, the expression of phosphorylated NF-[Formula: see text]B p65, IL-6, and Cleaved-Caspase3 protein was inhibited. CAT also inhibited NF-[Formula: see text]B, and then inhibited the expression of IL-6, p-STAS3, TGF-[Formula: see text]1 protein. Therefore, CAT can regulate Nrf2/NF-[Formula: see text]B signaling pathway, significantly correct renal anemia and renal fibrosis, and is conducive to the preservation of renal structure and function, thus achieving a protective effect on the kidneys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Hui Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150030, P. R. China
| | - Qing-Yang Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150030, P. R. China
| | - Yu Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150030, P. R. China
| | - Hong-Xin Gao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150030, P. R. China
| | - Ya-Hong Min
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150030, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Wen Jiang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150030, P. R. China
| | - Wen-Hui Yu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150030, P. R. China
- Chinese Veterinary Research Institute, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150030, P. R. China
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for the Prevention and Control of Common Animal Diseases, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150030, P. R. China
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Xie X, Yan B, Yang L, Deng L, Xue X, Gao M, Wei H, Chen S, Wu Y, Yang X, Ma P. Prenatal co-exposure to diisodecyl phthalate and ozone contribute to depressive behavior in offspring mice through oxidative stress and TWIST1 participation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 928:172411. [PMID: 38608898 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Exposure to diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) during early pregnancy may be a risk factor for depressive behavior in offspring. While ozone (O3) exposure also raises the probability of depressive behavior during the preceding DIDP-induced process. In the present study, we investigated the effects of prenatal exposure to DIDP and O3 on the development of depressive-like behavior in offspring mice. The study found that prenatal exposure to both DIDP and O3 significantly increased depressive-like behavior in the offspring mice compared to either DIDP or O3 alone. Prenatal exposure to DIDP and O3 obviously increased the levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol, and decreased the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) in the brain tissues of offspring mice. Transcriptome analysis further revealed significant alterations in genes related to oxidative stress and TWIST1 (a helix-loop-helix transcription factor) in response to the combined exposure to DIDP and O3. HPA axis activation, dysregulation of neurodevelopmental factors, oxidative stress and TWIST1 involvement, collectively contributed to the development of depression-like behaviors in offspring mice following prenatal exposure to DIDP and O3. Moreover, the study also verified the potential role of oxidative stress using vitamin E as an antioxidant. The findings provide valuable evidence for the relationship between co-exposure to DIDP and O3 and depression, highlighting the importance of considering the combined effects of multiple environmental pollutants in assessing their impact on mental health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Xie
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Related Diseases and One Health, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning 437100, PR China
| | - Biao Yan
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Related Diseases and One Health, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning 437100, PR China
| | - Lihua Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academic of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, PR China
| | - Linjing Deng
- School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212000, PR China
| | - Xin Xue
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Related Diseases and One Health, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning 437100, PR China
| | - Minmin Gao
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Related Diseases and One Health, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning 437100, PR China
| | - Huaqin Wei
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Related Diseases and One Health, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning 437100, PR China
| | - Shaohui Chen
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Related Diseases and One Health, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning 437100, PR China
| | - Yang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Related Diseases and One Health, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning 437100, PR China
| | - Xu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Related Diseases and One Health, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning 437100, PR China
| | - Ping Ma
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Related Diseases and One Health, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning 437100, PR China.
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Xu T, Herkens L, Jia T, Klinkhammer BM, Kant S, Krusche CA, Buhl EM, Hayat S, Floege J, Strnad P, Kramann R, Djudjaj S, Boor P. The role of desmoglein-2 in kidney disease. Kidney Int 2024; 105:1035-1048. [PMID: 38395410 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2024.01.037] [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: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Desmosomes are multi-protein cell-cell adhesion structures supporting cell stability and mechanical stress resilience of tissues, best described in skin and heart. The kidney is exposed to various mechanical stimuli and stress, yet little is known about kidney desmosomes. In healthy kidneys, we found desmosomal proteins located at the apical-junctional complex in tubular epithelial cells. In four different animal models and patient biopsies with various kidney diseases, desmosomal components were significantly upregulated and partly miss-localized outside of the apical-junctional complexes along the whole lateral tubular epithelial cell membrane. The most upregulated component was desmoglein-2 (Dsg2). Mice with constitutive tubular epithelial cell-specific deletion of Dsg2 developed normally, and other desmosomal components were not altered in these mice. When challenged with different types of tubular epithelial cell injury (unilateral ureteral obstruction, ischemia-reperfusion, and 2,8-dihydroxyadenine crystal nephropathy), we found increased tubular epithelial cell apoptosis, proliferation, tubular atrophy, and inflammation compared to wild-type mice in all models and time points. In vitro, silencing DSG2 via siRNA weakened cell-cell adhesion in HK-2 cells and increased cell death. Thus, our data show a prominent upregulation of desmosomal components in tubular cells across species and diseases and suggest a protective role of Dsg2 against various injurious stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Xu
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Airforce Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lea Herkens
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ting Jia
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Department of Nephrology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | | | - Sebastian Kant
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Claudia A Krusche
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Eva M Buhl
- Electron Microscopy Facility, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sikander Hayat
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Floege
- Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Pavel Strnad
- Department of Medicine III, Gastroenterology, Metabolic Diseases and Intensive Care, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Rafael Kramann
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sonja Djudjaj
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Peter Boor
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Electron Microscopy Facility, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
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Wen Y, Lu X, Privratsky JR, Ren J, Ali S, Yang B, Rudemiller NP, Zhang J, Nedospasov SA, Crowley SD. TNF- α from the Proximal Nephron Exacerbates Aristolochic Acid Nephropathy. KIDNEY360 2024; 5:44-56. [PMID: 37986166 PMCID: PMC10833606 DOI: 10.34067/kid.0000000000000314] [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: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Key Points Proximal tubular TNF aggravates kidney injury and fibrogenesis in aristolochic acid nephropathy. Tubular TNF disrupts the cell cycle in injured tubular epithelial cells. TNF-mediated toxic renal injury is independent of systemic immune responses. Background Aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) presents with tubular epithelial cell (TEC) damage and tubulointerstitial inflammation. Although TNF-α regulates cell apoptosis and inflammatory responses, the effects of tubular TNF in the progression of AAN require elucidation. Methods Floxed TNF mice on the 129/SvEv background were crossed with PEPCK-Cre mice to generate PEPCK-Cre + TNF flox/flox (TNF PTKO) mice or bred with Ksp-Cre mice to generate KSP-Cre + TNF flox/flox (TNF DNKO) mice. TNF PTKO, TNF DNKO, and wild-type controls (Cre negative littermates) were subjected to acute and chronic AAN. Results Deletion of TNF in the proximal but not distal nephron attenuated kidney injury, renal inflammation, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis after acute or chronic aristolochic acid (AA) exposure. The TNF PTKO mice did not have altered numbers of infiltrating myeloid cells in AAN kidneys. Nevertheless, kidneys from AA-treated TNF PTKO mice had reduced levels of proteins involved in regulated cell death, higher proportions of TECs in the G0/G1 phase, and reduced TEC proportions in the G2/M phase. Pifithrin-α , which restores the cell cycle, abrogated differences between the wild-type and PTKO cohorts in G2/M phase arrest of TECs and kidney fibrosis after AA exposure. Conclusions TNF from the proximal but not the distal nephron propagates kidney injury and fibrogenesis in AAN in part by inducing G2/M cell cycle arrest of TECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wen
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University and Durham VA Medical Centers, Durham, North Carolina
- Department of Nephrology, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaohan Lu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University and Durham VA Medical Centers, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jamie R. Privratsky
- Department of Anesthesiology, Durham VA and Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jiafa Ren
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University and Durham VA Medical Centers, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Saba Ali
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University and Durham VA Medical Centers, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Bo Yang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University and Durham VA Medical Centers, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Nathan P. Rudemiller
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University and Durham VA Medical Centers, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jiandong Zhang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Sergei A. Nedospasov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Moscow, Russia
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Universitatsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Steven D. Crowley
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University and Durham VA Medical Centers, Durham, North Carolina
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Wu YF, Tang ZY, Deng YX, Liu K, Gu XR, Zhou GL, Huang YJ, Lin XQ, Zhou LY, Zuo XC. Identification and analysis of differently expressed transcription factors in aristolochic acid nephropathy. Environ Health Prev Med 2024; 29:30. [PMID: 38777778 PMCID: PMC11157247 DOI: 10.1265/ehpm.23-00245] [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: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) is a rapidly progressive interstitial nephropathy caused by Aristolochic acid (AA). AAN is associated with the development of nephropathy and urothelial carcinoma. It is estimated that more than 100 million people worldwide are at risk of developing AAN. However, the underlying mechanisms driving renal deterioration in AAN remain poorly understood, and the treatment options are limited. METHODS We obtained GSE27168 and GSE136276 series matrix data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) related to AAN. Using the R Studio environment, we applied the limma package and WGCNA package to identify co-differently expressed genes (co-DEGs). By GO/KEGG/GSVA analysis, we revealed common biological pathways. Subsequently, co-DEGs were subjected to the String database to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. The MCC algorithms implemented in the Cytohubba plugin were employed to identify hub genes. The hub genes were cross-referenced with the transcription factor (TF) database to identify hub TFs. Immune infiltration analysis was performed to identify key immune cell groups by utilizing CIBERSORT. The expressions of AAN-associated hub TFs were verified in vivo and in vitro. Finally, siRNA intervention was performed on the two TFs to verify their regulatory effect in AAN. RESULTS Our analysis identified 88 co-DEGs through the "limma" and "WGCNA" R packages. A PPI network comprising 53 nodes and 34 edges was constructed with a confidence level >0.4. ATF3 and c-JUN were identified as hub TFs potentially linked to AAN. Additionally, expressions of ATF3 and c-JUN positively correlated with monocytes, basophils, and vessels, and negatively correlated with eosinophils and endothelial cells. We observed a significant increase in protein and mRNA levels of these two hub TFs. Furthermore, it was found that siRNA intervention targeting ATF3, but not c-JUN, alleviated cell damage induced by AA. The knockdown of ATF3 protects against oxidative stress and inflammation in the AAN cell model. CONCLUSION This study provides novel insights into the role of ATF3 in AAN. The comprehensive analysis sheds light on the molecular mechanisms and identifies potential biomarkers and drug targets for AAN treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Feng Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Zhi-Yao Tang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Yi-Xuan Deng
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Kun Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Xu-Rui Gu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Guang-Liang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Yu-Jie Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Xiao-Qing Lin
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Lin-Yun Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China
| | - Xiao-Cong Zuo
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410000, China
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Zhang Q, Ye J, Zhang Z, Hu Y, Wang X, Jiang W, Guo X, Chen L, Cheng S, Li J, Zhang L. Aristolocholic acid I promotes renal tubular epithelial fibrosis by upregulating matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression via activating the C3a/C3aR axis of macrophages. Toxicol Lett 2023; 381:27-35. [PMID: 37084829 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2023.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
Aristolochic acid I (AAI) can cause nephrotoxicity and is characterized by interstitial fibrosis. The C3a/C3aR axis of macrophages and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) play important roles in fibrosis, but whether they are involved in AAI-induced renal interstitial fibrosis and are related remains to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated whether C3a/C3aR axis of macrophages promotes renal interstitial fibrosis by regulating MMP-9 in aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN). Intraperitoneal injection of AAI for 28 days successfully induced AAN in C57bl/6 mice. The content of C3a in the kidney of AAN mice was increased, and there was a significant distribution of macrophages in the renal tubules. The same results were observed in the in vitro experiment. We also explored the role and mechanism of macrophages after AAI administration in the epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) of renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) and found that AAI could activate the C3a/C3aR axis of macrophages to upregulate p65 expression in macrophages. p65 upregulated MMP-9 expression in macrophages not only directly but also by promoting the secretion if interleukin-6 by macrophages and then activating STAT3 in RTECs. The upregulation of MMP-9 expression could promote the EMT of RTECs. Taken together, our study demonstrated that the AAI-activated the C3a/C3aR axis of macrophages, which induced MMP-9 production, was one of the causes of renal interstitial fibrosis. Therefore, targeting the C3a/C3aR axis of macrophages is an effective therapeutic strategy for the prevention and treatment of renal interstitial fibrosis in AAN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Jing Ye
- School of Life Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhaofeng Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yongkang Hu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Xian Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Wenjuan Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Xinlong Guo
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Langqun Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Siyu Cheng
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Jinling Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Liang Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
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Das T, Mukerjee N, Ghosh A, Lorenzo JM, Dhama K, Dey A. Growing risk of aristolochic acid nephropathy in the era of COVID-19 - Correspondence. Int J Surg 2022; 108:106992. [PMID: 36372186 PMCID: PMC9650990 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2022.106992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Wang Y, Liu Z, Ma J, Xv Q, Gao H, Yin H, Yan G, Jiang X, Yu W. Lycopene attenuates the inflammation and apoptosis in aristolochic acid nephropathy by targeting the Nrf2 antioxidant system. Redox Biol 2022; 57:102494. [PMID: 36198206 PMCID: PMC9530962 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2022.102494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Lycopene (LYC) is a carotenoid, has antioxidant properties. This study investigated whether lycopene attenuates aristolochic acids (AAs) -induced chronic kidney disease. In this experiment, lycopene was used to intervene C57BL/6 mice with renal injury induced by aristolochic acid exposure. The histomorphological changes and serological parameters of the kidney were measured in order to assess the alleviating effect of lycopene on renal injury in aristolochic acid nephropathy. In vitro and in vivo experiments were carried out to verify the main mechanism of action and drug targets of lycopene in improving aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) and by various experimental methods such as ELISA, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, Western-blot and qRT-PCR. The results showed that oxidative stress injury was induced in the kidney of mice after AAI exposure, resulting in inflammatory response and tubular epithelial cell apoptosis. The results showed that the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant signaling pathway was inhibited after AAI exposure. AAI induces oxidative stress injury in the kidney, which ultimately leads to inflammation and tubular epithelial cell apoptosis. After LYC intervened in the body, it activated Nrf2 nuclear translocation and its downstream HO-1 and NQO1 antioxidant signaling pathways. LYC inhibited ROS production by renal tubular epithelial cells, and alleviated mitochondrial damage. LYC further modulated the TNF-α/NF-κB signaling cascade, thereby reduced the accumulation of inflammatory factors in the renal interstitium. Moreover, LYC was able to up-regulate the expression of Bcl-2, down-regulate Bax expression and inhibit the activation of cleaved forms of Caspase-9 and Caspase-3, which finally attenuated the apoptosis of the mitochondrial pathway induced by AAI exposure. It was concluded that lycopene was able to activate the Nrf2 antioxidant signaling pathway to maintain the homeostasis of renal oxidative stress and ultimately attenuated renal inflammatory response and apoptosis. These results suggested that lycopene can be used as a drug to relieve AAN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China.
| | - Zhihui Liu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China
| | - Jun Ma
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China
| | - Qingyang Xv
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China
| | - Hongxin Gao
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China
| | - Hang Yin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China
| | - Ge Yan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China
| | - Xiaowen Jiang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China.
| | - Wenhui Yu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China; Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Common Animal Diseases, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China; Institute of Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China.
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10
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Rao J, Peng T, Li N, Wang Y, Yan C, Wang K, Qiu F. Nephrotoxicity induced by natural compounds from herbal medicines - a challenge for clinical application. Crit Rev Toxicol 2022; 52:757-778. [PMID: 36815678 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2023.2168178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Herbal medicines (HMs) have long been considered safe and effective without serious toxic and side effects. With the continuous use of HMs, more and more attention has been paid to adverse reactions and toxic events, especially the nephrotoxicity caused by natural compounds in HMs. The composition of HMs is complex and various, especially the mechanism of toxic components has been a difficult and hot topic. This review comprehensively summarizes the kidney toxicity characterization and mechanism of nephrotoxic natural compounds (organic acids, alkaloids, glycosides, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, cytotoxic proteins, and minerals) from different sources. Recommendations for the prevention and treatment of HMs-induced kidney injury were provided. In vitro and in vivo models for evaluating nephrotoxicity and the latest biomarkers are also included in this investigation. More broadly, this review may provide theoretical basis for safety evaluation and further comprehensive development and utilization of HMs in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinqiu Rao
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China
| | - Ting Peng
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China
| | - Na Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China
| | - Yuan Wang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China
| | - Caiqin Yan
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China
| | - Kai Wang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China
| | - Feng Qiu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China
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11
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Li A, Zhao F, Yang T, Zhao Y, Liu H, Yang S, Zhu X. PTX3/TWIST1 Feedback Loop Modulates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation via PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2022; 42:161-169. [PMID: 35438530 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2021.0183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation of nasal mucosal tissue is an obvious feature of allergic rhinitis. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a member of the pentraxin family and plays important roles in inflammation. We aimed to investigate the roles and mechanisms of PTX3 in inflammatory factors and MUC5AC production in human nasal epithelia cells. Loss- and gain-of-function experiments were performed. We found that the silencing of PTX3 dramatically blocked the expression of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-1β, and MUC5AC induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Gain-of-function of PTX3 displayed the opposite results. Interestingly, the ablation of PTX3 blocked activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, whereas the administration of an agonist of PI3K, 740Y-P, partially reversed the inhibitory functions of PTX3 silencing on inflammation and MUC5AC production. Moreover, PTX3 was a positive regulator of TWIST1, which is one of the transcription factors of PTX3. We noticed that TWIST1 downregulation reduced the expression of PTX3. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation assay and dual-luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that TWIST1 could bind to the promoter of PTX3. Importantly, the depletion of TWIST1 attenuated the LPS-mediated expression and secretion of inflammatory cytokines, whereas these effects were partially abolished upon PTX3 overexpression. Taken together, our findings revealed that the PTX3/TWIST1 feedback loop modulates LPS-induced inflammation and MUC5AC production via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- An Li
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, People's Republic of China
| | - Fangfang Zhao
- Department of Medical Imaging, Chang'an Hospital, Xi'an, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Yang
- Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuxiang Zhao
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, People's Republic of China
| | | | - Xuli Zhu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, People's Republic of China
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12
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Zhou Y, Yu Z, Liu L, Wei L, Zhao L, Huang L, Wang L, Sun S. Construction and evaluation of an integrated predictive model for chronic kidney disease based on the random forest and artificial neural network approaches. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 603:21-28. [PMID: 35276459 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.02.099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is recognized as a serious global health problem due to its high prevalence and all-cause mortality. The aim of this research was to identify critical biomarkers and construct an integrated model for the early prediction of CKD. By using existing RNA-seq data and clinical information from CKD patients from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, we applied a computational technique that combined the random forest (RF) and artificial neural network (ANN) approaches to identify gene biomarkers and construct an early diagnostic model. We generated ROC curves to compare the model with other markers and evaluated the associations of selected genes with various clinical properties of CKD. Moreover, we highlighted two biomarkers involved in energy metabolism pathways: pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) and zinc finger protein 36 (ZFP36). The downregulation of the identified key genes was subsequently confirmed in both unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) mouse models, accompanied by decreased energy metabolism. In vitro experiments and single-cell sequencing analysis proved that these key genes were related to the energy metabolism of proximal tubule cells and were involved in the development of CKD. Overall, we constructed a composite prediction model and discovered key genes that might be used as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhou
- Department of Nephrology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China; Department of Geriatrics, General Hospital of Central Theater Command, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Zhixiang Yu
- Department of Nephrology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
| | - Limin Liu
- Department of Nephrology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
| | - Lei Wei
- Department of Nephrology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
| | - Lijuan Zhao
- Department of Nephrology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
| | - Liuyifei Huang
- Department of Nephrology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
| | - Liya Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
| | - Shiren Sun
- Department of Nephrology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China; State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China.
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13
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Jiang W, Xu C, Xu S, Su W, Du C, Dong J, Feng R, Huang C, Li J, Ma T. Macrophage-derived, LRG1-enriched extracellular vesicles exacerbate aristolochic acid nephropathy in a TGFβR1-dependent manner. Cell Biol Toxicol 2021; 38:629-648. [PMID: 34677723 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-021-09666-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) is a progressive kidney disease caused by some herbal medicines, but treatment remains ineffective. We previously found that leucine-rich α-2-glycoprotein 1 (LRG1), which regulates cellular processes, plays an important role in a kidney injury model. However, the underlying mechanism by which LRG1 regulates AAN is still unknown. In this study, we established an AAN model in vivo, a coculture system of macrophages and TECs, and a macrophage/TEC conditioned media culture model in vitro. We found that macrophage infiltration promoted injury, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in TECs. Furthermore, the role of macrophages in AAN was dependent on macrophage-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs). Importantly, we found that macrophage-derived, LRG1-enriched EVs induced TEC injury and apoptosis via a TGFβR1-dependent process. This study may help design a better therapeutic strategy to treat AAN patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjuan Jiang
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Chuanting Xu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Songbing Xu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Wan Su
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Changlin Du
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Jiahui Dong
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Rui Feng
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Cheng Huang
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Jun Li
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Taotao Ma
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
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14
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Hunyenyiwa T, Hendee K, Matus K, Kyi P, Mammoto T, Mammoto A. Obesity Inhibits Angiogenesis Through TWIST1-SLIT2 Signaling. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:693410. [PMID: 34660572 PMCID: PMC8511494 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.693410] [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: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is required for functional adipose tissue maintenance, remodeling, and expansion. Physiologically balanced adipogenesis and angiogenesis are inhibited in subcutaneous adipose tissue in obese humans. However, the mechanism by which angiogenesis is inhibited in obese adipose tissue is not fully understood. Transcription factor TWIST1 controls angiogenesis and vascular function. TWIST1 expression is lower in obese human adipose tissues. Here, we have demonstrated that angiogenesis is inhibited in endothelial cells (ECs) isolated from adipose tissues of obese humans through TWIST1-SLIT2 signaling. The levels of TWIST1 and SLIT2 are lower in ECs isolated from obese human adipose tissues compared to those from lean tissues. Knockdown of TWIST1 in lean human adipose ECs decreases, while overexpression of TWIST1 in obese adipose ECs restores SLIT2 expression. DNA synthesis and cell migration are inhibited in obese adipose ECs and the effects are restored by TWIST1 overexpression. Obese adipose ECs also inhibit blood vessel formation in the gel subcutaneously implanted in mice, while these effects are restored when gels are mixed with SLIT2 or supplemented with ECs overexpressing TWIST1. These findings suggest that obesity impairs adipose tissue angiogenesis through TWIST1-SLIT2 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tendai Hunyenyiwa
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States.,Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Kathryn Hendee
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Kienna Matus
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Priscilla Kyi
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States.,Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Tadanori Mammoto
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Akiko Mammoto
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States.,Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
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15
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Ren J, Xu Y, Lu X, Wang L, Ide S, Hall G, Souma T, Privratsky JR, Spurney RF, Crowley SD. Twist1 in podocytes ameliorates podocyte injury and proteinuria by limiting CCL2-dependent macrophage infiltration. JCI Insight 2021; 6:e148109. [PMID: 34369383 PMCID: PMC8410065 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.148109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Twist1 regulates several processes that could impact kidney disease progression, including epithelial cell differentiation and inflammatory cytokine induction. Podocytes are specialized epithelia that exhibit features of immune cells and could therefore mediate unique effects of Twist1 on glomerular disease. To study Twist1 functions in podocytes during proteinuric kidney disease, we employed a conditional mutant mouse in which Twist1 was selectively ablated in podocytes (Twist1-PKO). Deletion of Twist1 in podocytes augmented proteinuria, podocyte injury, and foot process effacement in glomerular injury models. Twist1 in podocytes constrained renal accumulation of monocytes/macrophages and glomerular expression of CCL2 and the macrophage cytokine TNF-α after injury. Deletion of TNF-α selectively from podocytes had no impact on the progression of proteinuric nephropathy. By contrast, the inhibition of CCL2 abrogated the exaggeration in proteinuria and podocyte injury accruing from podocyte Twist1 deletion. Collectively, Twist1 in podocytes mitigated urine albumin excretion and podocyte injury in proteinuric kidney diseases by limiting CCL2 induction that drove monocyte/macrophage infiltration into injured glomeruli. Myeloid cells, rather than podocytes, further promoted podocyte injury and glomerular disease by secreting TNF-α. These data highlight the capacity of Twist1 in the podocyte to mitigate glomerular injury by curtailing the local myeloid immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiafa Ren
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Durham VA and Duke University Medical Centers, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuemei Xu
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaohan Lu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Durham VA and Duke University Medical Centers, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Liming Wang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Durham VA and Duke University Medical Centers, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Shintaro Ide
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Durham VA and Duke University Medical Centers, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Gentzon Hall
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Durham VA and Duke University Medical Centers, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Tomokazu Souma
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Durham VA and Duke University Medical Centers, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jamie R Privratsky
- Department of Anesthesiology, Durham VA and Duke University Medical Centers, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Robert F Spurney
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Durham VA and Duke University Medical Centers, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Steven D Crowley
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Durham VA and Duke University Medical Centers, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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16
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Jiang M, Bai M, Xu S, Wang T, Lei J, Xu M, Huang S, Jia Z, Zhang A. Blocking AURKA with MK-5108 attenuates renal fibrosis in chronic kidney disease. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2021; 1867:166227. [PMID: 34311081 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2021.166227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Renal fibrosis, a common feature of chronic kidney disease (CKD), is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) leading to scar formation in the renal parenchyma. Active epithelial-mesenchymal communication (EMC), and the proliferation and activation of fibroblasts are implicated in the causation of renal fibrosis. Aurora-A kinase (AURKA) is a serine/threonine kinase required for the process of mitosis. Dysregulation of AURKA has been demonstrated in the context of various cancers. However, the role of AURKA in CKD-associated fibrosis has not been elucidated. MK-5108, a potent and highly selective AURKA inhibitor, was shown to exhibit anti-cancer activity in recent preclinical and clinical studies. In the present study, we investigated the role of MK-5108 in renal fibrosis employing animal and cell models. In vivo, AURKA was highly expressed in fibrotic kidneys of CKD patients and in mouse kidneys with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Post treatment with MK-5108 at the 3rd day after UUO remarkably alleviated renal fibrosis, possibly by inhibiting the proliferation and activation of fibroblasts and suppressing the phenotypic transition of renal cells. Moreover, the enhanced inflammatory factors in obstructive kidneys were also repressed. In vitro, MK-5108 treatment inhibited the pro-fibrotic response in renal cells induced by transforming growth factor-β1. Finally, overexpression of AURKA in renal fibroblasts promoted fibrotic response, while silencing AURKA showed anti-fibrotic effect, further confirming the pro-fibrotic role of AURKA. In this study, inhibition of AURKA by MK-5108 markedly attenuated renal fibrosis. MK-5108 is a potential therapeutic agent for treatment of renal fibrosis in CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhu Jiang
- Department of Nephrology, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Mi Bai
- Department of Nephrology, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China; Nanjing Key Lab of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, China
| | - Shuang Xu
- Department of Nephrology, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Juan Lei
- Department of Nephrology, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Man Xu
- Department of Nephrology, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China; Nanjing Key Lab of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, China
| | - Songming Huang
- Department of Nephrology, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China; Nanjing Key Lab of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, China.
| | - Zhanjun Jia
- Department of Nephrology, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China; Nanjing Key Lab of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, China.
| | - Aihua Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China; Nanjing Key Lab of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, China.
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17
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Ide S, Kobayashi Y, Ide K, Strausser SA, Abe K, Herbek S, O'Brien LL, Crowley SD, Barisoni L, Tata A, Tata PR, Souma T. Ferroptotic stress promotes the accumulation of pro-inflammatory proximal tubular cells in maladaptive renal repair. eLife 2021; 10:68603. [PMID: 34279220 PMCID: PMC8318592 DOI: 10.7554/elife.68603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Overwhelming lipid peroxidation induces ferroptotic stress and ferroptosis, a non-apoptotic form of regulated cell death that has been implicated in maladaptive renal repair in mice and humans. Using single-cell transcriptomic and mouse genetic approaches, we show that proximal tubular (PT) cells develop a molecularly distinct, pro-inflammatory state following injury. While these inflammatory PT cells transiently appear after mild injury and return to their original state without inducing fibrosis, after severe injury they accumulate and contribute to persistent inflammation. This transient inflammatory PT state significantly downregulates glutathione metabolism genes, making the cells vulnerable to ferroptotic stress. Genetic induction of high ferroptotic stress in these cells after mild injury leads to the accumulation of the inflammatory PT cells, enhancing inflammation and fibrosis. Our study broadens the roles of ferroptotic stress from being a trigger of regulated cell death to include the promotion and accumulation of proinflammatory cells that underlie maladaptive repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shintaro Ide
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, United States
| | - Yoshihiko Kobayashi
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, United States
| | - Kana Ide
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, United States
| | - Sarah A Strausser
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, United States
| | - Koki Abe
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, United States
| | - Savannah Herbek
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, United States
| | - Lori L O'Brien
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
| | - Steven D Crowley
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, United States
| | - Laura Barisoni
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, United States.,Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, United States
| | - Aleksandra Tata
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, United States
| | - Purushothama Rao Tata
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, United States.,Regeneration Next, Duke University, Durham, United States.,Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, United States
| | - Tomokazu Souma
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, United States.,Regeneration Next, Duke University, Durham, United States
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18
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Ren J, Lu X, Griffiths R, Privratsky JR, Crowley SD. Twist1 in T Lymphocytes Augments Kidney Fibrosis after Ureteral Obstruction. KIDNEY360 2021; 2:784-794. [PMID: 35373065 PMCID: PMC8791343 DOI: 10.34067/kid.0007182020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Background Twist1 is a basic helix-loop-helix domain-containing transcription factor that participates in diverse cellular functions, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the cellular immune response. Although Twist1 plays critical roles in the initiation and progression of kidney diseases, the effects of Twist1 in the T lymphocyte on the progression of renal fibrosis require elucidation. Methods 129/SvEv mice with a floxed allele for the gene encoding Twist1 or TNFα were bred with CD4-Cre mice to yield CD4-Cre+ Twist1flox/flox (Twist1-TKO) or CD4-Cre+ TNFflox/flox (TNF-TKO) mice with robust, but selective, deletion of Twist1 or TNFα mRNA in T cells, respectively. Twist1 TKO, TNF TKO, and WT controls underwent UUO with assessment of kidney fibrosis and T-cell phenotype at 14 days. Results Compared with WT controls, obstructed kidneys from Twist1 TKO mice had attenuated extracellular matrix deposition. Despite this diminished fibrosis, Twist1 TKO obstructed kidneys contained more CD8+ T cells than in WTs. These intrarenal CD8+ T cells exhibited greater activation and higher levels of TNFα expression than those from WT obstructed kidneys. Further, we found that selective deletion of TNFα from T cells exaggerated renal scar formation and injury after UUO, highlighting the capacity of T-cell TNF to constrain fibrosis in the kidney. Conclusions Twist1 in T cells promotes kidney fibrogenesis, in part, by curtailing the renal accumulation of TNF-elaborating T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiafa Ren
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Durham Veterans Affairs and Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Xiaohan Lu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Durham Veterans Affairs and Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Robert Griffiths
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Durham Veterans Affairs and Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jamie R. Privratsky
- Department of Anesthesiology, Durham Veterans Affairs and Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Steven D. Crowley
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Durham Veterans Affairs and Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
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19
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Dey A, Hazra AK, Mukherjee A, Nandy S, Pandey DK. Chemotaxonomy of the ethnic antidote Aristolochia indica for aristolochic acid content: Implications of anti-phospholipase activity and genotoxicity study. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 266:113416. [PMID: 32980485 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Aristolochia indica L. (Aristolochiaceae) is a common medicinal plant described in many traditional medicine as well as in Ayurveda used against snakebites. Besides, the plant has also been reported traditionally against fever, rheumatic arthritis, madness, liver ailments, dyspepsia, oedema, leishmaniasis, leprosy, dysmenorrhoea, sexual diseases etc. The plant is known to contain its major bioactive constituent aristolochic acid (AA) known for its anti-snake venom, abortifacient, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. MATERIALS AND METHODS This present work describes a validated, fast and reproducible high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) method to estimate AA from the roots of 20 chemotypes of A. indica procured from 20 diverse geographical locations from the state of West Bengal, India. Further, an evidence-based approach was adopted to investigate the reported anti-venom activity of the aqueous extracts of the A. indica roots by assessing its phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitory properties since PLA2 is a major component of many snake-venoms. Finally, the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of the aqueous root extract of the Purulia (AI 1) chemotype were assessed at various concentrations using Allium cepa root meristematic cells. RESULTS The highest amount of AA (7643.67 μg/g) was determined in the roots of A. indica chemotype collected from Purulia district followed by the chemotypes collected from Murshidabad, Jalpaiguri and Birbhum districts (7398.34, 7345.09 and 6809.97 μg/g respectively). This study not only determines AA in the plants to select pharmacologically elite chemotypes of A. indica, but it also identifies high AA producing A. indica for further domestication and propagation of the plants for pharmacological and industrial applications. The method was validated via analyzing inter-day and intra-day precision, repeatability, reproducibility, instrumental precision, limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) and specificity. Chemotypes with high AA content exhibited superior anti-PLA2 activity by selectively inhibiting human-group PLA2. Moreover, A. indica root extract significantly inhibited mitosis in Allium cepa root tips as a potent clastogen. CONCLUSIONS The present quick, reproducible and validated HPTLC method provides an easy tool to determine AA in natural A. indica plant populations as well as in food and dietary supplements, a potential antivenin at one hand and a possible cause of aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) at another. Besides, the cytotoxic and mitotoxic properties of the root extracts should be used with caution especially for oral administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhijit Dey
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata, India.
| | - Alok Kumar Hazra
- IRDM Faculty Centre, Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Kolkata, India
| | | | - Samapika Nandy
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata, India
| | - Devendra Kumar Pandey
- Department of Biotechnology, Lovely Faculty of Technology and Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, India.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Macrophages play an important role in regulating homeostasis, kidney injury, repair, and tissue fibrogenesis. The present review will discuss recent advances that explore the novel subsets and functions of macrophage in the pathogenesis of kidney damage and hypertension. RECENT FINDINGS Macrophages differentiate into a variety of subsets in microenvironment-dependent manner. Although the M1/M2 nomenclature is still applied in considering the pro-inflammatory versus anti-inflammatory effects of macrophages in kidney injury, novel, and accurate macrophage phenotypes are defined by flow cytometric markers and single-cell RNA signatures. Studies exploring the crosstalk between macrophages and other cells are rapidly advancing with the additional recognition of exosome trafficking between cells. Using murine conditional mutants, actions of macrophage can be defined more precisely than in bone marrow transfer models. Some studies revealed the opposing effects of the same protein in renal parenchymal cells and macrophages, highlighting a need for the development of cell-specific immune therapies for translation. SUMMARY Macrophage-targeted therapies hold potential for limiting kidney injury and hypertension. To realize this potential, future studies will be required to understand precise mechanisms in macrophage polarization, crosstalk, proliferation, and maturation in the setting of renal disease.
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Upregulation of miR-382 contributes to renal fibrosis secondary to aristolochic acid-induced kidney injury via PTEN signaling pathway. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:620. [PMID: 32796834 PMCID: PMC7429500 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-02876-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Acute kidney injury (AKI) has a critical role in the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Building on our previous findings, we explored the role of miR-382 in facilitating the transition of AKI to CKD using the Aristolochic acid (AA) nephropathy model, which was induced by intraperitoneal injection of aristolochic acid I salt (10 or 20 mg/kg). The effects of genetic depletion, pharmacologic inhibition, or overexpression of miR-382 on the PTEN/AKT signaling pathway were examined in vivo and in vitro. Changes in renal pathology and renal epithelial polarity were evaluated. A luciferase reporter assay was performed to investigate the reciprocal suppression relationship between miR-382 and PTEN. Renal fibrosis developed 14 d after AA exposure in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Renal abundance of miR-382 was upregulated following AA treatment, while genetic depletion or pharmacological inhibition of miR-382 partially reversed renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Expression of PTEN, a target of miR-382, was downregulated and subsequently its downstream AKT signaling pathway was activated during AKI to CKD transition induced by AA. Inhibition of PTEN in vitro resulted in the acquisition of the EMT phenotypes. Furthermore, upregulation of miR-382 in renal epithelial cells was partially mediated by the activation of NF-kB signaling, with a substantial elevation of proinflammatory cytokines. An in vivo study revealed that either miR-382 knockdown or miR-382 knockout was pivotal for inflammatory suppression, while an in vitro experiment confirmed that upregulation of miR-382 in cultured MTEC cells under AA exposure was remarkably reversed by NF-kB siRNA. These data indicated a novel role for the NF-κB/miR-382/PTEN/AKT axis in the pathogenesis of tubulointerstitial fibrosis following AA-induced acute renal tubular epithelial injury. Targeting miR-382 may lead to a potential novel therapeutic approach for retarding the AKT to CKD transition.
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Anger EE, Yu F, Li J. Aristolochic Acid-Induced Nephrotoxicity: Molecular Mechanisms and Potential Protective Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1157. [PMID: 32050524 PMCID: PMC7043226 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21031157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aristolochic acid (AA) is a generic term that describes a group of structurally related compounds found in the Aristolochiaceae plants family. These plants have been used for decades to treat various diseases. However, the consumption of products derived from plants containing AA has been associated with the development of nephropathy and carcinoma, mainly the upper urothelial carcinoma (UUC). AA has been identified as the causative agent of these pathologies. Several studies on mechanisms of action of AA nephrotoxicity have been conducted, but the comprehensive mechanisms of AA-induced nephrotoxicity and carcinogenesis have not yet fully been elucidated, and therapeutic measures are therefore limited. This review aimed to summarize the molecular mechanisms underlying AA-induced nephrotoxicity with an emphasis on its enzymatic bioactivation, and to discuss some agents and their modes of action to reduce AA nephrotoxicity. By addressing these two aspects, including mechanisms of action of AA nephrotoxicity and protective approaches against the latter, and especially by covering the whole range of these protective agents, this review provides an overview on AA nephrotoxicity. It also reports new knowledge on mechanisms of AA-mediated nephrotoxicity recently published in the literature and provides suggestions for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ji Li
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China; (E.E.A.); (F.Y.)
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Ren J, Crowley SD. Twist1: A Double-Edged Sword in Kidney Diseases. KIDNEY DISEASES 2020; 6:247-257. [PMID: 32903940 DOI: 10.1159/000505188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Twist1 is a basic helix-loop-helix domain containing transcription factor that regulates cell differentiation, migration, proliferation, survival, and inflammatory responses by transcriptionally regulating a wide range of downstream target genes. Its homologous protein, Twist2, shares many structural and functional similarities with Twist1. Summary Accumulating evidence from both preclinical and clinical studies suggests that Twist1 is a pivotal regulator of several forms of renal disease. Twist1 is persistently activated following renal insults, particularly in chronic kidney diseases, and contributes to the renal inflammatory responses, tubular cell transformation programs, and possibly fibroblast activation, all of which are involved in the initiation and progression of kidney diseases. Key Message This review will specifically focus on Twist1 and outline our understanding of its functions in kidney disorders along with the introduction of Twist2 where pertinent. The thorough knowledge of Twist1's actions in the pathogenesis of kidney diseases should facilitate the development of novel therapeutics for kidney injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiafa Ren
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University and Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Steven D Crowley
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University and Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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