Experimental glomerulopathy alters renal cortical cholesterol, SR-B1, ABCA1, and HMG CoA reductase expression

HDL-scavenger receptor B type 1 facilitates SARS-CoV-2 entry

Responsible for the ongoing coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infects host cells through binding of the viral spike protein (SARS-2-S) to the cell-surface receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Here we show that the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) scavenger receptor B type 1 (SR-B1) facilitates ACE2-dependent entry of SARS-CoV-2. We find that the S1 subunit of SARS-2-S binds to cholesterol and possibly to HDL components to enhance viral uptake in vitro. SR-B1 expression facilitates SARS-CoV-2 entry into ACE2-expressing cells by augmenting virus attachment. Blockade of the cholesterol-binding site on SARS-2-S1 with a monoclonal antibody, or treatment of cultured cells with pharmacological SR-B1 antagonists, inhibits HDL-enhanced SARS-CoV-2 infection. We further show that SR-B1 is coexpressed with ACE2 in human pulmonary tissue and in several extrapulmonary tissues. Our findings reveal that SR-B1 acts as a host factor that promotes SARS-CoV-2 entry and may help explain viral tropism, identify a possible molecular connection between COVID-19 and lipoprotein metabolism, and highlight SR-B1 as a potential therapeutic target to interfere with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Paternal High Fat Diet in Rats Leads to Renal Accumulation of Lipid and Tubular Changes in Adult Offspring

Along with diabetes and obesity, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing across the globe. Although some data support an effect of maternal obesity on offspring kidney, the impact of paternal obesity is unknown; thus, we have studied the effect of paternal obesity prior to conception. Male Sprague Dawley rats were fed chow diet or high fat diet (HFD) for 13-14 weeks before mating with chow-fed females. Male offspring were weaned onto chow and killed at 27 weeks for renal gene expression and histology. Fathers on HFD were 30% heavier than Controls at mating. At 27 weeks of age offspring of obese fathers weighed 10% less; kidney triglyceride content was significantly increased (5.35 ± 0.84 vs. 2.99 ± 0.47 μg/mg, p < 0.05, n = 8 litters per group. Histological analysis of the kidney demonstrated signs of tubule damage, with significantly greater loss of brush border, and increased cell sloughing in offspring of obese compared to Control fathers. Acat1, involved in entry of fatty acid for beta-oxidation, was significantly upregulated, possibly to counteract increased triglyceride storage. However other genes involved in lipid metabolism, inflammation and kidney injury showed no changes. Paternal obesity was associated with renal triglyceride accumulation and histological changes in tubules, suggesting a mild renal insult in offspring, who may be at risk of developing CKD.

Cellular cholesterol transport proteins in diabetic nephropathy

Background

Lipid accumulation has been shown to accelerate renal injury, and the intracellular accumulation of lipids may be caused by alterations in synthesis as well as lipid uptake and efflux. We have investigated the role of cellular cholesterol transport proteins including adenosine triphosphate binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), G1 (ABCG1) and scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) in diabetic nephropathy.

Methods

Protein expression and the ability to mediate cholesterol efflux of ABCA1, ABCG1 and SR-BI was determined in human renal mesangial cells and proximal tubular epithelial cells cultured under normal or high glucose conditions. Renal expression of these cholesterol transporters was examined in a murine model of streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes.

Results

ABCA1, ABCG1 and SR-BI were expressed in both human renal mesangial cells and proximal tubular epithelial cells, and mediated cholesterol efflux to apolipoprotein AI and HDL. In vitro, hyperglycemia reduced the expression and the ability to mediate cholesterol efflux of all three cholesterol transporters (p<0.05). In vivo studies showed that intra-renal accumulation of lipids was increased in diabetic mice, particularly in mice with nephropathy. This was associated with a significant reduction in the expression of ABCA1, ABCG1 and SR-BI in the kidneys. These changes were already seen in diabetic mice without nephropathy and preceded the development of nephropathy. Diabetic mice with nephropathy had the lowest level of these cholesterol transporters.

Conclusion

Inducing diabetes with streptozotocin significantly reduced renal expression of ABCA1, ABCG1 and SR-BI. Defects in cholesterol export pathway in renal cells could therefore promote cholesterol accumulation and might contribute to the development of diabetic nephropathy.

Metabolism, energetics, and lipid biology in the podocyte - cellular cholesterol-mediated glomerular injury

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with a high risk of death. Dyslipidemia is commonly observed in patients with CKD and is accompanied by a decrease in plasma high-density lipoprotein, and an increase in plasma triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and oxidized lipids. The observation that statins may decrease albuminuria but do not stop the progression of CKD indicates that pathways other than the cholesterol synthesis contribute to cholesterol accumulation in the kidneys of patients with CKD. Recently, it has become clear that increased lipid influx and impaired reverse cholesterol transport can promote glomerulosclerosis, and tubulointerstitial damage. Lipid-rafts are cholesterol-rich membrane domains with important functions in regulating membrane fluidity, membrane protein trafficking, and in the assembly of signaling molecules. In podocytes, which are specialized cells of the glomerulus, they contribute to the spatial organization of the slit diaphragm (SD) under physiological and pathological conditions. The discovery that podocyte-specific proteins such as podocin can bind and recruit cholesterol contributing to the formation of the SD underlines the importance of cholesterol homeostasis in podocytes and suggests cholesterol as an important regulator in the development of proteinuric kidney disease. Cellular cholesterol accumulation due to increased synthesis, influx, or decreased efflux is an emerging concept in podocyte biology. This review will focus on the role of cellular cholesterol accumulation in the pathogenesis of kidney diseases with a focus on glomerular diseases.

Lipid droplet accumulation is associated with an increase in hyperglycemia-induced renal damage: prevention by liver X receptors

Dyslipidemia is a frequent component of the metabolic disorder of diabetic patients contributing to organ damage. Herein, in low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient hyperlipidemic and streptozotozin-induced diabetic mice, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia acted reciprocally, accentuating renal injury and altering renal function. In hyperglycemic-hyperlipidemic kidneys, the accumulation of Tip47-positive lipid droplets in glomeruli, tubular epithelia, and macrophages was accompanied by the concomitant presence of the oxidative stress markers xanthine oxidoreductase and nitrotyrosine, findings that could also be evidenced in renal biopsy samples of diabetic patients. As liver X receptors (LXRα,β) regulate genes linked to lipid and carbohydrate homeostasis and inhibit inflammatory gene expression in macrophages, the effects of systemic and macrophage-specific LXR activation were analyzed on renal damage in hyperlipidemic-hyperglycemic mice. LXR stimulation by GW3965 up-regulated genes involved in cholesterol efflux and down-regulated proinflammatory/profibrotic cytokines, inhibiting the pathomorphology of diabetic nephropathy, renal lipid accumulation, and improving renal function. Xanthine oxidoreductase and nitrotyrosine levels were reduced. In macrophages, GW3965 or LXRα overexpression significantly suppressed glycated or acetylated low-density lipoprotein-induced cytokines and reactive oxygen species. Specifically, in mice, transgenic expression of LXRα in macrophages significantly ameliorated hyperlipidemic-hyperglycemic nephropathy. The results demonstrate the presence of lipid droplet-induced oxidative mechanisms and the pathophysiologic role of macrophages in diabetic kidneys and indicate the potent regulatory role of LXRs in preventing renal damage in diabetes.

The use of THP-1 cells as a model for mimicking the function and regulation of monocytes and macrophages in the vasculature

Since their establishment thirty years ago, THP-1 cells have become one of most widely used cell lines to investigate the function and regulation of monocytes and macrophages in the cardiovascular system. However, because this cell line was derived from the blood of a patient with acute monocytic leukemia, the extent to which THP-1 cells mimic monocytes and macrophages in the vasculature is not entirely known. This article serves as a meaningful attempt to address this question by reviewing the recent publications. The interactions between THP-1 cells and various vascular cells (such as endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, adipocytes, and T cells) provide insight into the roles of the interconnection of monocytes-macrophages with other vascular cells during vascular inflammation, particularly atherogenesis and obesity. Transcriptome, microRNA profile, and histone modifications of THP-1 cells shed new light on the regulatory mechanism of the monocytes-macrophages in response to various inflammatory mediators, such as oxidized low density lipoprotein, lipopolysaccharide, and glucose. These studies hint that under certain defined conditions, THP-1 cells not only resemble primary monocytes-macrophages isolated from healthy donors or donors with disease, such as diabetes mellitus, but also mimic the in situ alteration of macrophages in the adipose tissue of obese subjects and in atherosclerotic lesions. A potential trajectory is to use this cell line to study the novel molecular mechanisms in monocytes and macrophages in relation to the physiology and pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system, however, the conclusion of studies employing THP-1 cells requires further verification using primary cells and/or in vivo models to be generalized to monocytes and macrophages.

Albumin-induced apoptosis of glomerular parietal epithelial cells is modulated by extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2

BACKGROUND

The biological role(s) of glomerular parietal epithelial cells (PECs) is not fully understood in health or disease. Given its location, PECs are constantly exposed to low levels of filtered albumin, which is increased in nephrotic states. We tested the hypothesis that PECs internalize albumin and increased uptake results in apoptosis.

METHODS

Confocal microscopy of immunofluorescent staining and immunohistochemistry were used to demonstrate albumin internalization in PECs and to quantitate albumin uptake in normal mice and rats as well as experimental models of membranous nephropathy, minimal change disease/focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and protein overload nephropathy. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis was performed on immortalized cultured PECs exposed to fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled albumin in the presence of an endosomal inhibitor or vehicle. Apoptosis was measured by Hoechst staining in cultured PECs exposed to bovine serum albumin. Levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (p-ERK1/2) were restored by retroviral infection of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) 1/2 and reduced by U0126 in PECs exposed to high albumin levels in culture and apoptosis measured by Hoechst staining.

RESULTS

PECs internalized albumin normally, and this was markedly increased in all of the experimental disease models (P<0.05 versus controls). Cultured immortalized PECs also internalize FITC-labeled albumin, which was reduced by endosomal inhibition. A consequence of increased albumin internalization was PEC apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Candidate signaling pathways underlying these events were examined. Data showed markedly reduced levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) in PECs exposed to high albumin levels in nephropathy and in culture. A role for ERK1/2 in limiting albumin-induced apoptosis was shown by restoring p-ERK1/2 by retroviral infection, which reduced apoptosis in cultured PECs, while a forced decrease of p-ERK1/2 through inhibition of MEK 1/2 significantly increased albumin-induced PEC apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

A normal role of PECs is to take up filtered albumin. However, this is increased in proteinuric glomerular diseases, leading to apoptosis through changes in ERK1/2.

HMG-CoA reductase activation and urinary pellet cholesterol elevations in acute kidney injury

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Experimental acute kidney injury (AKI) activates the HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR) gene, producing proximal tubule cholesterol loading. AKI also causes sloughing of proximal tubular cell debris into tubular lumina. This study tested whether these two processes culminate in increased urinary pellet cholesterol content, and whether the latter has potential AKI biomarker utility.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

Urine samples were collected from 29 critically ill patients with (n = 14) or without (n= 15) AKI, 15 patients with chronic kidney disease, and 15 healthy volunteers. Centrifuged urinary pellets underwent lipid extraction, and the extracts were assayed for cholesterol content (factored by membrane phospholipid phosphate content). In vivo HMGCR activation was sought by measuring levels of RNA polymerase II (Pol II), and of a gene activating histone mark (H3K4m3) at exon 1 of the HMGCR gene (chromatin immunoprecipitation assay of urine chromatin samples).

RESULTS

AKI+ patients had an approximate doubling of urinary pellet cholesterol content compared with control urine samples (versus normal; P < 0.001). The values significantly correlated (r, 0.5; P < 0.01) with serum, but not urine, creatinine concentrations. Conversely, neither critical illness without AKI nor chronic kidney disease raised pellet cholesterol levels. Increased HMGCR activity in the AKI+ patients was supported by three- to fourfold increased levels of Pol II, and of H3K4m3, at the HMGCR gene (versus controls or AKI- patients).

CONCLUSIONS

(1) Clinical AKI, like experimental AKI, induces HMGCR gene activation; (2) increased urinary pellet cholesterol levels result; and (3) urine pellet cholesterol levels may have potential AKI biomarker utility. The latter will require future testing in a large prospective trial.

Lipotoxicity and impaired high density lipoprotein-mediated reverse cholesterol transport in chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with a high risk of death from cardiovascular disease. Inflammation, oxidative stress, and dyslipidemia, which are common consequences of CKD, contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease in this population. Dyslipidemia of CKD is characterized by diminished plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) concentration, impaired HDL anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, and elevated plasma triglyceride, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), intermediate density lipoprotein, chylomicron remnants, and oxidized lipids and lipoproteins. The constellation of inflammation, HDL deficiency, and oxidative modification of lipoproteins can cause atherosclerosis and progression of renal disease. We have recently found lipid accumulation in the remnant kidney and the wall of aorta in rats with CKD induced by 5/6 nephrectomy. This was mediated by up-regulation of scavenger receptors involved in the influx of oxidized lipids or lipoproteins, tubular reabsorption of lipid binding proteins through megalin-cubilin complexes, upregulation of fatty acid synthesis, and downregulation of fatty acid oxidation pathways. The combination of increased lipid influx, elevated production and reduced catabolism of lipids, and impaired HDL-mediated reverse cholesterol transport can promote atherosclerosis, glomerulosclerosis, and tubulointerstitial damage. Although statins can be effective in slowing CKD progression in patients with mild-to-moderate CKD, they have consistently failed to mitigate oxidative stress, inflammation, HDL deficiency, or cardiovascular mortality in the end-stage renal disease populations. Similarly, high doses of antioxidant vitamins have failed to either ameliorate oxidative stress, inflammation, or improve overall mortality in end-stage renal disease. This article is intended to provide a brief review of the effects of CKD on HDL structure and function and pathways of lipid influx, efflux, synthesis, and catabolism in the artery wall and the diseased kidney.

HDL metabolism and activity in chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with development of atherosclerosis and premature death from cardiovascular disease. The predisposition of patients with CKD to atherosclerosis is driven by inflammation, oxidative stress and dyslipidemia, all of which are common features of this condition. Markers of dyslipidemia in patients with advanced CKD are impaired clearance and heightened oxidation of apolipoprotein-B-containing lipoproteins and their atherogenic remnants, and a reduction of the plasma concentration, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Studies in animal models of CKD indicate that the disease promotes lipid accumulation in the artery wall and kidney, leading to atherosclerosis, glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial injury. These effects seem to be mediated by an increased cellular influx of lipids, elevated cellular production and reduced cellular catabolism of fatty acids, and impaired antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and reverse lipid transport properties of HDL. Available pharmacological therapies have been largely ineffective in ameliorating oxidative stress, inflammation, HDL deficiency and/or dysfunction, and the associated atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease in patients with end-stage renal disease. This Review aims to provide an overview of the mechanisms and consequences of CKD-induced HDL deficiency and dysfunction.

The effect of heavy muscle activity on renal cytoresistance in rats

Cytoresistance is the term used to describe the response of the proximal tubule cells to various stress inducers via cholesterol accumulation. However, the role of extensive exercise as a renal insult has not been examined. In this study, the effect of heavy muscle activity on proximal tubule cytoresistance was investigated. Results obtained from rats subjected to running a treadmill for five days were compared to those of controls. Extensive muscle activity-induced soleus citrate synthase and blood lactate elevation were associated with normal MAP, RBF, and GFR. Blood electrolytes and cholesterol levels remained unchanged, whereas the total and free cholesterol accumulations in the proximal tubule cells of the exercised group were higher than controls. Cholesterol-loaded tubules were more resistant (as proved by LDH release) to an ATP-depleted/calcium overloaded second stress. These data clearly demonstrate that heavy muscle activity induces cholesterol accumulation in the proximal tubules of kidney, without influencing ATP generation.

High-calorie diet partially ameliorates dysregulation of intrarenal lipid metabolism in remnant kidney

Chronic renal failure (CRF) is associated with malnutrition and renal tissue accumulation of lipids, which can contribute to progression of renal disease. This study was designed to explore the effect of a high-calorie diet on pathways involved in lipid metabolism in the remnant kidney of rats with CRF. 5/6 nephrectomized rats were randomized to receive a regular diet (3.0 kcal/g) or a high-calorie diet (4.5 kcal/g) for 12 weeks. Renal lipid contents and abundance of molecules involved in cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism were studied. The CRF group consuming a regular diet exhibited growth retardation; azotemia; proteinuria; glomerulosclerosis; tubulointerstitial injury; heavy lipid accumulation in the remnant kidney; up-regulation of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1), ATP-binding cassette transporter-1 (ABCA1), liver X receptor (LXR) α/β, carbohydrate-responsive element binding protein (ChREBP) and acyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC); and down-regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α), carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT1) and liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP). The high-calorie diet restored growth; reduced the severity of tubulointerstitial injury, proteinuria and azotemia; partially lowered renal tissue lipid contents; attenuated the up-regulation of mediators of lipid influx (LOX-1), lipid efflux (LXR-α/β and ABCA1) and fatty acid biosynthesis (ChREBP and ACC); and reversed the down-regulation of factors involved in fatty acid oxidation (PPAR-α, CPT1 and L-FABP). In conclusion, a high-calorie diet restores growth, improves renal function and structure, and lowers lipid burden in the remnant kidney. The latter is associated with and most likely due to reduction in lipid influx and enhancement of fatty acid oxidation.

Renal mass reduction results in accumulation of lipids and dysregulation of lipid regulatory proteins in the remnant kidney

A significant reduction of renal mass results in proteinuria, glomerulosclerosis, and tubulointerstitial injury, culminating in end-stage chronic renal failure (CRF). The accumulation of lipids in the kidney can cause renal disease. Uptake of oxidized lipoproteins via scavenger receptors, reabsorption of filtered protein-bound lipids via the megalin-cubilin complex, and increased glucose load per nephron can promote lipid accumulation in glomerular, tubular, and interstitial cells in CRF. Cellular lipid homeostasis is regulated by lipid influx, synthesis, catabolism, and efflux. We examined lipid-regulatory factors in the remnant kidney of rats 11 wk after nephrectomy (CRF) or sham operation. CRF resulted in azotemia, proteinuria, lipid accumulation in the kidney, upregulation of megalin, cubilin, mediators of lipid influx (scavenger receptor class A and lectin-like oxidized receptor-1), lipid efflux (liver X receptor alpha/beta and ATP-binding cassette transporter), and fatty acid biosynthesis (carbohydrate-response element binding protein, fatty acid synthase, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase). However, factors involved in cholesterol biosynthesis (sterol regulatory element binding protein, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, SCAP, Insig-1, and Insig-2) and fatty acid oxidation (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, acyl-CoA oxidase, and liver-type fatty acid binding protein) were reduced in the remnant kidney. Thus CRF results in heavy lipid accumulation in the remnant kidney, which is mediated by upregulation of pathways involved in tubular reabsorption of filtered protein-bound lipids, influx of oxidized lipoproteins and synthesis of fatty acids, and downregulation of pathways involved in fatty acid catabolism.

Transcript-specific expression profiles derived from sequence-based analysis of standard microarrays

Background

Alternative mRNA processing mechanisms lead to multiple transcripts (i.e. splice isoforms) of a given gene which may have distinct biological functions. Microarrays like Affymetrix GeneChips measure mRNA expression of genes using sets of nucleotide probes. Until recently probe sets were not designed for transcript specificity. Nevertheless, the re-analysis of established microarray data using newly defined transcript-specific probe sets may provide information about expression levels of specific transcripts.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In the present study alignment of probe sequences of the Affymetrix microarray HG-U133A with Ensembl transcript sequences was performed to define transcript-specific probe sets. Out of a total of 247,965 perfect match probes, 95,008 were designated “transcript-specific”, i.e. showing complete sequence alignment, no cross-hybridization, and transcript-, not only gene-specificity. These probes were grouped into 7,941 transcript-specific probe sets and 15,619 gene-specific probe sets, respectively. The former were used to differentiate 445 alternative transcripts of 215 genes. For selected transcripts, predicted by this analysis to be differentially expressed in the human kidney, confirmatory real-time RT-PCR experiments were performed. First, the expression of two specific transcripts of the genes PPM1A (PP2CA_HUMAN and P35813) and PLG (PLMN_HUMAN and Q5TEH5) in human kidneys was determined by the transcript-specific array analysis and confirmed by real-time RT-PCR. Secondly, disease-specific differential expression of single transcripts of PLG and ABCA1 (ABCA1_HUMAN and Q5VYS0_HUMAN) was computed from the available array data sets and confirmed by transcript-specific real-time RT-PCR.

Conclusions

Transcript-specific analysis of microarray experiments can be employed to study gene-regulation on the transcript level using conventional microarray data. In this study, predictions based on sufficient probe set size and fold-change are confirmed by independent means.

Mechanisms of tubular volume retention in immune-mediated glomerulonephritis

Glomerulonephritis is characterized by hematuria, proteinuria, hypertension, and edema, but the mechanisms contributing to volume disorders are controversial. Here we used the rat anti-Thy1 model of mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis to test the hypothesis that disturbed salt and water homeostasis is based on tubular epithelial changes that cause salt retention. In this model there was an early onset of pronounced proteinuria and lipiduria associated with reduced fractional sodium excretion and a lowering of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. The glomerular filtration rate and creatinine clearance were decreased on day 6. There was a reduced abundance of the major salt and water transport proteins on the proximal tubular brush border membrane and which paralleled cellular protein overload, enhanced membrane cholesterol uptake and cytoskeletal changes. Alterations in thick ascending limb were moderate. Changes in the collecting ducts were characterized by an enhanced abundance and increased subunit cleavage of the epithelial sodium channel, both events consistent with increased sodium reabsorption. We suggest that irrespective of the proximal tubular changes, altered collecting duct sodium reabsorption may be crucial for volume retention in acute glomerulonephritis. We suggest that enhanced proteolytic cleavage of ion transporter subunits might be a novel mechanism of channel activation in glomerular diseases. Whether these proteases are filtered or locally secreted awaits determination.

Proteinuria increases oxylipid concentrations in VLDL and HDL but not LDL particles in the rat

We previously established that proteinuria alters the apolipoprotein content of lipoproteins. This study was conducted to establish whether proteinuria also alters the concentrations of oxidized lipids within lipoprotein density fractions. To this end, we induced passive Heymann nephritis in Sprague Dawley rats and measured an array of alkaline-stable oxylipids in VLDL, LDL, and HDL particles. Proteinuria increased the total oxylipid amounts in the HDL and VLDL fractions. More importantly, these levels were increased when expressed per unit lipoprotein protein, indicating that the oxidized lipid load per particle was increased. Epoxides and diols increased approximately 2-fold in HDL and approximately 5-fold in VLDL, whereas LDL showed approximately 2-fold decreases. The hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids and hydroxyoctadecadienoic acids (HODEs) increased >4-fold in HDL and >20-fold in VLDL, whereas LDL showed approximately 2-fold decreases in the HODEs. Therefore, nephrotic syndrome alters the lipoprotein oxylipid composition independently of an increase in total lipoprotein levels. These proteinuria-induced changes may be associated with the cardiovascular risk of lipoprotein oxidation.

Transcriptional response of wild-type and ataxia telangiectasia lymphoblasts following exposure to equitoxic doses of ionizing radiation

Experiments were designed to compare the transcriptional response to ionizing radiation (IR) of wild-type (WT) and ataxia telangiectasia (AT) cells. mRNA levels were assessed 2, 4 and 24 h after exposure to equitoxic doses using cDNA microarrays. Data reveal distinct patterns of gene expression between AT and WT cells since IR-responsive genes were mostly cell-type specific, this group representing 87 and 94% of the responding genes in WT and AT cells, respectively. In both cell lines, transcriptional alterations of genes associated with proliferation correlated with the observed cell cycle and growth data. Deregulated genes involved in apoptosis suggest that wild-type cells were more prone to cell death by apoptosis than AT cells. Furthermore, genes associated with the response to oxidative stress were particularly deregulated in wild-type cells whereas alterations of genes related to unexpected pathways including RNA processing, protein synthesis and lipid metabolism were specifically found in irradiated AT cells. These data suggest that under radiation conditions leading to a similar survival of WT and AT cells, the mechanisms triggered after radiation were mainly dependent on ATM status and thus on the intrinsic radiosensitivity.

Mediators of rat ischemic hepatic preconditioning after cold preservation identified by microarray analysis

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury associated with liver transplantation is an as yet unresolved problem in clinical practice. Preconditioning protects the liver against the deleterious effects of ischemia, although the mechanism underlying this preconditioning is still unclear. To profile gene expression patterns involved in hepatic ischemic preconditioning, we analyzed the changes in gene expression in rat livers by DNA microarray analysis. Approximately 116 genes were found to have altered gene expression after 8 hours of cold ischemia. Moreover, the expression of 218 genes was modified by classic preconditioning followed by the same ischemia process. Given the importance of the effects of ischemic preconditioning (IP) in minimizing the liver damage induced by sustained ischemia before reperfusion, this study analyzed the putative genes involved in the beneficial role of IP in liver grafts undergoing cold ischemia before its implantation in the recipient (IP+I). Great differences were found in the gene expression pattern of ischemic preconditioning + long cold ischemia (IP+I) group when compared with the long cold ischemia alone condition (I), which could explain the protective regulatory mechanisms that take place after preconditioning. Twenty-six genes that were downregulated in cold ischemia were found upregulated after preconditioning preceding a long cold ischemia period. These would be genes activated or maintained by preconditioning. Heat shock protein genes and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase are among the most markedly induced transcripts.

Role of altered renal lipid metabolism and the sterol regulatory element binding proteins in the pathogenesis of age-related renal disease

BACKGROUND

There are well-known changes in age-related renal function and structure, including glomerulosclerosis and decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The purpose of this study was to identify a potential role for lipids in mediating age-related renal disease.

METHODS

Mice of five different age groups (3, 6, 12, 19, and 23 months old) were studied.

RESULTS

We have found that in C57BL/6 mice there was a progressive increase in age-related glomerulosclerosis [increase in periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining and accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins including type IV collagen and fibronectin], increased glomerular basement thickness and podocyte width and effacement, and increased proteinuria. These changes were associated with age-related increase in lipid accumulation as determined by increased Oil Red O staining in kidney sections. Biochemical analysis indicated that these lipid deposits corresponded to significant increases in renal triglyceride and cholesterol content. We have also found significant age-related increases in the nuclear transcription factors, sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP-1 and SREBP-2), protein abundance and increased expression or activity of their target enzymes that play an important role in lipid synthesis.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicated that there was an age-related increase in renal expression of SREBP-1 and SREBP-2 with resultant increases in lipid synthesis and triglyceride and cholesterol accumulation in the kidney. Because we have previously shown that increased expression of SREBPs in the kidney per se results in glomerulosclerosis and proteinuria, our data suggested that increased SREBPs' expression resulting in increased renal lipid accumulation may play an important role in age-related nephropathy.

Simvastatin protection against acute immune-mediated glomerulonephritis in mice

In addition to cholesterol lowering, 3-hydroxy-3-nethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors limit inflammatory changes associated with atherosclerosis. There is also support for their use as inhibitors of progression in chronic renal disease, irrespective of cause. In this study, their capacity to limit acute renal inflammation was evaluated. For this purpose, mice were treated with Simvastatin either prior to, at the time of, or shortly after induction of nephrotoxic nephritis. The severity of disease was determined by evaluation of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), proteinuria, and renal histologic changes. The reversibility of benefit was evaluated by the administration of mevalonic acid along with nephrotoxic serum (NTS) and Simvastatin The severity of the acute nephritis, including proteinuria, elevated BUN, and histologic changes, was ameliorated in a dose-dependent manner, when Simvastatin was administered either prior to NTS injection or at the time of NTS injection. By contrast, Simvastatin did not alter the course of established nephritis. Coadministration of mevalonic acid, the immediate substrate following HMG-CoA reductase, abolished Simvastatin's renoprotective effect, indicating that the benefit is, at least in part, due to interference with HMG-CoA reductase and biosynthetic substrates downstream from the enzyme. These findings provide the rationale for the evaluation of the efficacy of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors in patients with recurrent forms of renal inflammation, to limit the severity of acute exacerbations of disease, prevent renal scarring and slow the rate of progression.

ATP-binding cassette transporter A1: a cell cholesterol exporter that protects against cardiovascular disease

Blood high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels are inversely related to risk for cardiovascular disease, implying that factors associated with HDL metabolism are atheroprotective. One of these factors is ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), a cell membrane protein that mediates the transport of cholesterol, phospholipids, and other metabolites from cells to lipid-depleted HDL apolipoproteins. ABCA1 transcription is highly induced by sterols, a major substrate for cellular export, and its expression and activity are regulated posttranscriptionally by diverse processes. Liver ABCA1 initiates formation of HDL particles, and macrophage ABCA1 protects arteries from developing atherosclerotic lesions. ABCA1 mutations can cause a severe HDL deficiency syndrome characterized by cholesterol deposition in tissue macrophages and prevalent atherosclerosis. Genetic manipulations of ABCA1 expression in mice also affect plasma HDL levels and atherogenesis. Metabolites elevated in individuals with the metabolic syndrome and diabetes destabilize ABCA1 protein and decrease cholesterol export from macrophages. Moreover, oxidative modifications of HDL found in patients with cardiovascular disease reduce the ability of apolipoproteins to remove cellular cholesterol by the ABCA1 pathway. These observations raise the possibility that an impaired ABCA1 pathway contributes to the enhanced atherogenesis associated with common inflammatory and metabolic disorders. The ABCA1 pathway has therefore become an important new therapeutic target for treating cardiovascular disease.

Lipid accumulation and transforming growth factor-beta upregulation in the kidneys of rats administered angiotensin II

Abnormal lipid metabolism may play a role in progressive renal failure. We studied whether lipid accumulation occurs and whether lipid deposits are colocalized with transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) in the kidney of angiotensin II-infused animals. Oil red O staining showed marked lipid deposition in the tubular epithelial and vascular wall cells of angiotensin II-treated but not in norepinephrine-treated rats. Histological analyses showed that increased amounts of superoxide and intense TGF-beta1 mRNA expression were present in lipid-positive tubular epithelial cells in angiotensin II-infused animals. Protein expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP-1) and mRNA expression of fatty acid synthase in the kidney were &3 times and 1.5 times, respectively, higher in angiotensin II-treated rats than in controls. Treatment of angiotensin II-infused animals with an iron chelator, deferoxamine, attenuated the angiotensin II-induced increases in renal expression of SREBP-1 and fatty acid synthase and normalized the lipid content in the renal cortical tissues. Abnormal lipid metabolism may be associated with upregulation of TGF-beta1 expression and aberrant iron homeostasis in the kidneys of angiotensin II-infused animals.

IGF-1 induces rat glomerular mesangial cells to accumulate triglyceride

Rat glomerular mesangial cells (MC) become lipid-laden foam cells when they are exposed to IGF-1. IGF-1 increased accumulation of triglyceride (TG) 2.5-fold in MC after 7 days. TG accumulation resulted from enhanced macropinocytosis and decreased efflux secondary to a 40-50% reduction in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-delta (PPARdelta). There was no evidence of primary or secondary changes in cholesterol or TG synthesis, increased uptake by LDL or scavenger receptors, or reduced efflux via ATP-binding cassette A-1. Although the lipid moiety taken up can be influenced by the concentration of cholesterol or TG in the medium, in standard medium MC preferentially accumulate TG. TG-rich MC foam cells fail to contract in response to angiotensin II (Berfield AK, Andress DL, and Abrass CK. Kidney Int 62: 1229-1237, 2002); however, their migratory response to IGF binding protein-5 is unaffected. This differs from cholesterol loading, which impairs both phagocytosis and migration. These findings have important implications for understanding the mechanisms that contribute to lipid accumulation in MC and the functional consequences of different forms of foam cells. These observations are relevant to understanding vascular disease and progressive renal diseases that are accelerated by abnormalities in lipid metabolism.

Triglyceride accumulation in injured renal tubular cells: Alterations in both synthetic and catabolic pathways

BACKGROUND

Triglycerides can accumulate in injured tissues, a process thought to represent flux of excess, cytotoxic, free fatty acids into nontoxic triglyceride storage pools. However, this view may be overly simplistic, given that multiple pathways may impact triglyceride levels. This study sought new insights into this issue.

METHODS

Cultured human proximal tubule [human kidney-2 (HK-2)] cells or in vivo kidney were subjected to injuries known to increase triglyceride levels approximately three- to fourfold [HK-2 cells antimycin A-induced mitochondrial blockade; in vivo glycerol-induced rhabdomyolysis; endotoxemia). Six reverse transcription-polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCRs) were used to monitor mouse/human mRNAs for renal fatty acid transport protein (FATP2), or triglyceride-synthesizing enzymes (acyl-coenzyme A:diacylglycerol acyltransferases DGAT1 and DGAT2). Fatty acid synthase (FAS) and FATP2 were gauged by Western blot. FAS, FATP2, mitochondrial respiration, and phospholipase A2 (PLA(2)) effects on cell triglyceride accumulation were probed. Finally, tissue lipase activity was assessed.

RESULTS

Antimycin A up-regulated multiple determinants of HK-2 cell triglyceride formation, including FATP2, FAS, DGAT1, and DGAT2 (proteins and/or mRNAs). However, neither FAS- nor FATP2-inhibition eliminated antimycin A-induced triglyceride loading, indicating the latter's multifactorial basis. PLA(2) activity increased FFA and triglyceride content. Rhabdomyolysis and endotoxemia altered multiple triglyceride homeostatic mechanisms. However, these changes were model-dependent and did not closely parallel those in HK-2 cells. Lipase activity signficantly fell (glycerol) or rose (endotoxemia) with different forms of tissue damage.

CONCLUSION

Injury-induced triglyceride accumulation stems from multiple, and disease-specific, changes in triglyceride synthetic and degradative pathways. Simple flux of excess FFAs into triglyceride pools is an overly simplistic view of the post-injury-triglyceride loading state.

The role of scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) in lipid trafficking. defining the rules for lipid traders

The scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) is a 509-amino acid, 82 kDa glycoprotein, with two cytoplasmic C- and N-terminal domains separated by a large extracellular domain. The aim of this review is to define the role of SR-BI as a lipoprotein receptor responsible for selective uptake of cholesteryl esters (CE) from high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) and free cholesterol (FC) efflux to lipoprotein acceptors. These activities depend on lipoprotein binding to its extracellular domain and subsequent lipid exchange at the plasma membrane. CE selective uptake supplies cholesterol to liver and steroidogenic tissues, for biliary cholesterol secretion and steroid hormone synthesis. Genetically modified mice have confirmed SR-BI's major role in tissue cholesterol uptake and in reverse cholesterol transport, i.e. cholesterol turnover. Accordingly, cellular cholesterol level, estrogens and trophic hormones regulate SR-BI expression by both transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms. Importantly, mouse SR-BI overexpression has both corrective and preventive effects on atherosclerosis. Human SR-BI has very similar tissue distribution, binding properties and lipid transfer activities compared to rodent SR-BI. However, human plasma has most of its cholesterol in LDL. Thus, there is considerable interest to develop anti-atherogenic strategies involving human SR-BI-mediated increases in reverse cholesterol transport through HDL and/or LDL.

Parenteral iron nephrotoxicity: Potential mechanisms and consequences1

BACKGROUND

Parenteral iron administration is a mainstay of anemia management in renal disease patients. However, concerns of potential iron toxicity persist. Thus, this study was conducted to more fully gauge iron toxicologic profiles and potential determinants thereof.

METHODS

Isolated mouse proximal tubule segments (PTS) or cultured proximal tubular [human kidney (HK-2)] cells were exposed to four representative iron preparations [iron sucrose (FeS), iron dextran (FeD), iron gluconate (FeG), or iron oligosaccharide (FeOS)] over a broad dosage range (0, 30 to 1000 microg iron/mL). Cell injury was assessed by lactate deyhdrogenase (LDH) release, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) reductions, cell cytochrome c efflux, and/or electron microscopy. In vivo toxicity (after 2 mg intravenous iron injections) was assessed by plasma/renal/cardiac lipid peroxidation [malondialdehyde (MDA)], renal ferritin (protein)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) (mRNA) expression, electron microscopy, or postiron injection PTS susceptibility to attack.

RESULTS

In each test, iron evoked in vitro toxicity, but up to 30x differences in severity (e.g., ATP declines) were observed (FeS > FeG > FeD = FeOS). The in vitro differences paralleled degrees of cell (HK-2) iron uptake. In vivo correlates of iron toxicity included variable increases in renal MDA, ferritin, and HO-1 mRNA levels. Again, these changes appeared to parallel in vivo (glomerular) iron uptake (seen with FeS and FeG, but not with FeD or FeOS). Iron also effected in vivo alterations in proximal tubule cell homeostasis, as reflected by the "downstream" emergence of tubule resistance to in vitro oxidant attack.

CONCLUSION

Parenteral iron formulations have potent, but highly variable, cytotoxic potentials which appear to parallel degrees of cell iron uptake (FeS > FeG >> FeD or FeOS). That in vitro injury can be expressed at clinically relevant iron concentrations, and that in vivo glomerular iron deposition/injury may result, suggest caution is warranted if these agents are to be administered to patients with active renal disease.

Adipophilin Enhances Lipid Accumulation and Prevents Lipid Efflux From THP-1 Macrophages

Objective— Uptake of modified low-density lipoprotein (LDL) by macrophages through scavenger receptors results in lipid droplets accumulation and foam cell formation. Excess lipid deposition in macrophages has been reported to modulate expression of several genes including adipophilin. In this study, we investigated the function of adipophilin in lipid accumulation and cholesterol efflux in THP-1 macrophages.

Methods and Results— Adipophilin mRNA expression was 3.5-fold higher in human atherosclerotic plaques compared with healthy areas of the same arteries. Moreover, in the presence of acetylated LDL (AcLDL), triglycerides and cholesteryl esters were increased in macrophages overexpressing adipophilin by 40% and 67%, respectively, whereas their accumulation was reduced when endogenous cellular adipophilin was depleted using siRNA approach. In addition, neither overexpression nor downregulation of adipophilin altered expression of genes involved in lipid efflux. However, the affinity and the number of AcLDL receptors were not affected. After 24-hour incubation of lipid-loaded macrophages with apolipoprotein A-I, cholesterol efflux was reduced by 47% in adipophilin transfected cells versus control cells.

Conclusion— Our results showed that stimulation of adipophilin expression in macrophages by modified LDL promotes triglycerides and cholesterol storage and reduces cholesterol efflux. Therefore, adipophilin might contribute, in vivo, to lipid accumulation in the intima of the arterial wall.

Myeloperoxidase in kidney disease

In glomerular and tubulointerstitial disease, polymorphonuclear- and monocyte-derived reactive oxygen species may contribute to oxidative modification of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. In part, the processes instigated by reactive oxygen species parallel events that lead to the development of atherosclerosis. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), a heme protein and catalyst for (lipo)protein oxidation is present in these mononuclear cells. The ability of MPO to generate hypochlorous acid/hypochlorite (HOCl/OCl-) from hydrogen peroxide in the presence of chloride ions is a unique and defining activity for this enzyme. The MPO-hydrogen peroxide-chloride system leads to a variety of chlorinated protein and lipid adducts that in turn may cause dysfunction of cells in different compartments of the kidney. The aim of this article is to cover and interpret some experimental and clinical aspects in glomerular and tubulointerstitial diseases in which the MPO-hydrogen peroxide-chloride system has been considered an important pathophysiologic factor in the progression but also the attenuation of experimental renal disease. The colocalization of MPO and HOCl-modified proteins in glomerular peripheral basement membranes and podocytes in human membranous glomerulonephritis, the presence of HOCl-modified proteins in mononuclear cells of the interstitium and in damaged human tubular epithelia, the inflammation induced and exacerbated by MPO antibody complexes in necrotizing glomerulonephritis, and the presence of HOCl-modified epitopes in urine following hyperlipidemia-induced renal damage in rodents suggest that MPO is an important pathogenic factor in glomerular and tubulointerstitial diseases. Specifically, the interaction of MPO with nitric oxide metabolism adds to the complexity of actions of oxidants and may help to explain bimodal partly detrimental partly beneficial effects of the MPO-hydrogen peroxide-chloride system in redox-modulated renal diseases.

Acute tubular injury causes dysregulation of cellular cholesterol transport proteins

Acute renal injury causes accumulation of free and esterified cholesterol (FC, CE) in proximal tubules, mediated, at least in part, by increased cholesterol synthesis. Normally, this would trigger compensatory mechanisms such as increased efflux and decreased influx to limit or reverse the cholesterol overload state. This study sought to determine the integrity of these compensatory pathways following acute renal damage. Rhabdomyolysis-induced acute renal failure was induced in mice by glycerol injection. Normal mice served as controls. After 18 hours, BUN levels and renal cortical FC/CE content were determined. Expression of ABCA-1 and SR-B1 (cholesterol efflux proteins) were assessed by Western blot. Renal cortical LDL receptor (LDL-R; a cholesterol importer) regulation was gauged by quantifying its mRNA. To obtain proximal tubule cell-specific data, the impact of oxidant (Fe) stress on cultured HK-2 cell LDL-R, SR-B1, and ABCA-1 proteins and their mRNAs (versus controls) was assessed. Glycerol evoked marked azotemia and striking FC/CE increments (44%, 384%, respectively). Paradoxically, renal cortical SR-B1 and ABCA-1 protein reductions and LDL-R mRNA increments resulted. Fe-induced injury suppressed HK-2 cell SR-B1, ABCA-1, and their mRNAs. LDL-R protein rose with the in vitro Fe challenge. Renal tubular cell injury causes dysregulation of SR-B1, ABCA-1, and LDL-R protein expression, changes which should contribute to a cholesterol overload state. Reductions in HK-2 cell SR-B1 and ABCA-1 mRNAs and increases in renal cortical LDL-R mRNA imply that this dysregulation reflects, at least in part, altered genomic/transcriptional events.