Targeting Neph1 and ZO-1 protein-protein interaction in podocytes prevents podocyte injury and preserves glomerular filtration function

Role of the β2-adrenergic receptor in podocyte injury and recovery

BACKGROUND

Podocytes have a remarkable ability to recover from injury; however, little is known about the recovery mechanisms involved in this process. We recently showed that formoterol, a long-acting β2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) agonist, induced mitochondrial biogenesis (MB) in podocytes and led to renoprotection in mice. However, it is not clear whether this effect was mediated by formoterol acting through the β2-AR or if it occurred through "off-target" effects.

METHODS

We genetically deleted the β2-AR specifically in murine podocytes and used these mice to determine whether formoterol acting through the podocyte β2-AR alone is sufficient for recovery of renal filtration function following injury. The podocyte-specific β2-AR knockout mice (β2-ARfl/fl/PodCre) were generated by crossing β2-AR floxed mice with podocin Cre (B6.Cg-Tg(NPHS2-cre)295Lbh/J) mice. These mice were then subjected to both acute and chronic glomerular injury using nephrotoxic serum (NTS) and adriamycin (ADR), respectively. The extent of injury was evaluated by measuring albuminuria and histological and immunostaining analysis of the murine kidney sections.

RESULTS

A similar level of injury was observed in β2-AR knockout and control mice; however, the β2-ARfl/fl/PodCre mice failed to recover in response to formoterol. Functional evaluation of the β2-ARfl/fl/PodCre mice following injury plus formoterol showed similar albuminuria and glomerular injury to control mice that were not treated with formoterol.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that the podocyte β2-AR is a critical component of the recovery mechanism and may serve as a novel therapeutic target for treating podocytopathies.

Huangkui capsule alleviates doxorubicin-induced proteinuria via protecting against podocyte damage and inhibiting JAK/STAT signaling

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Huangkui capsule (HKC), a Chinese patent medicine, has been widely used in China as adjuvant therapy for chronic kidney disease (CKD). It displays superior anti-proteinuria efficacy than losartan in patients with CKD at stages 1-2, however, the mechanism of HKC alleviating proteinuria has not been well elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to confirm the therapeutic effect and investigate associated underlying mechanism of HKC against proteinuria by in vivo and in vitro experiments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We established a doxorubicin (DOX) induced proteinuria mouse model to evaluate kidney function by biochemical markers measurement and to observe histopathological alterations by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson's trichrome and Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS)-stained sections of renal, respectively. Moreover, the expressions of Nephrin and Podocin were measured by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blotting analysis to investigate podocyte damage. Furthermore, we established Mouse Podocyte Clone-5 (MPC-5) injury model to identify the active components of HKC against podocyte damage by detecting the expressions of Nephrin, Podocin, and ZO-1 proteins. At last, the key protein levels of Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway were assessed by western blotting analysis to explore the underlying mechanism of HKC against proteinuria.

RESULTS

Our results showed that HKC administration for three consecutive weeks dose-dependently ameliorated both renal function and histopathological damages, elevated the expressions of Nephrin and Podocin, the pivotal molecules maintaining filtration function of the podocyte, indicating the promising protective effect against podocyte injury under DOX exposure. Consistently, in vitro experiments showed HKC administration effectively reversed the abnormal expressions of Nephrin and Podocin in MPC-5 cells treated with DOX, suggesting its protective effect against podocyte injury to maintain filtration barrier integrity. In addition, Hibifolin was identified as the most active ingredients in HKC, which suppressed upstream JAK2/STAT3 and PI3K/Akt pathway phosphorylation to maintain the structural and functional integrity of podocyte filtration barrier. Of note, AG490, a selective JAK2 inhibitor, was used to further affirm the role of Hibifolin involving in regulation JAK2/STAT3.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggested that HKC may protect podocytes via JAK2/STAT3 and PI3K/Akt pathway to display its effects of ameliorating proteinuria.

Modeling Podocyte Ontogeny and Podocytopathies with the Zebrafish

Podocytes are exquisitely fashioned kidney cells that serve an essential role in the process of blood filtration. Congenital malformation or damage to podocytes has dire consequences and initiates a cascade of pathological changes leading to renal disease states known as podocytopathies. In addition, animal models have been integral to discovering the molecular pathways that direct the development of podocytes. In this review, we explore how researchers have used the zebrafish to illuminate new insights about the processes of podocyte ontogeny, model podocytopathies, and create opportunities to discover future therapies.

Visualizing how inclusion of higher reciprocal space in SWAXS data analysis improves shape restoration of biomolecules: case of lysozyme

Query remains whether use of increased resolution data from X-ray scattering aids in better understanding of the dynamic shape of the biomolecule in solution? To address this, we acquired Small/Wide angle X-ray scattering (SWAXS) data in the q range of 0.008 - 1.72 Å^-1 from dilute solutions of lysozyme (0.9 to 5 mg/ml). Samples lacked any interparticulate effect and datasets showed Bragg peaks at q∼0.325, 0.65 and 1.4 Å^-1, as reported before by other authors. Considering an averaged profile, we estimated shape parameters and distance distribution profiles of interatomic vectors by gradually increasing input q_max value. Interestingly, use of higher resolution led to emergence of new peaks amongst smaller vectors. Deconvolution of these peaks provided positions of smaller peaks which correlated well with an earlier theoretical work. These peaks arise from secondary structures or due to non-uniform internal motions within the larger shape of this protein. Dummy residue modeling considering uniform density yielded model(s) with holes or cavities when considering higher q values implying limitations of this method. Employing normal mode calculations, we searched for better fitting model of lysozyme using differentially ranged SWAXS data and a crystal structure of lysozyme as starting structure. Comparison of refined models with structures from crystallography and NMR data showed that use of data till mid q region resulted in adjustments near the center of mass of starting structure, and inclusion of higher resolution induced pan-structure adjustments. We conclude that high resolution SWAXS data analysis provides additional dimension towards understanding biomolecular structural dynamics.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Matrix Metalloproteinase-10 in Kidney Injury Repair and Disease

Matrix metalloproteinase-10 (MMP-10) is a zinc-dependent endopeptidase with the ability to degrade a broad spectrum of extracellular matrices and other protein substrates. The expression of MMP-10 is induced in acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), as well as in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). During the different stages of kidney injury, MMP-10 may exert distinct functions by cleaving various bioactive substrates including heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF), zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), and pro-MMP-1, -7, -8, -9, -10, -13. Functionally, MMP-10 is reno-protective in AKI by promoting HB-EGF-mediated tubular repair and regeneration, whereas it aggravates podocyte dysfunction and proteinuria by disrupting glomerular filtration integrity via degrading ZO-1. MMP-10 is also involved in cancerous invasion and emerges as a promising therapeutic target in patients with RCC. As a secreted protein, MMP-10 could be detected in the circulation and presents an inverse correlation with renal function. Due to the structural similarities between MMP-10 and the other MMPs, development of specific inhibitors targeting MMP-10 is challenging. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the role of MMP-10 in kidney diseases and discuss the potential mechanisms of its actions.

Phosphorylation of slit diaphragm proteins NEPHRIN and NEPH1 upon binding of HGF promotes podocyte repair

Phosphorylation (activation) and dephosphorylation (deactivation) of the slit diaphragm proteins NEPHRIN and NEPH1 are critical for maintaining the kidney epithelial podocyte actin cytoskeleton and, therefore, proper glomerular filtration. However, the mechanisms underlying these events remain largely unknown. Here we show that NEPHRIN and NEPH1 are novel receptor proteins for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and can be phosphorylated independently of the mesenchymal epithelial transition receptor in a ligand-dependent fashion through engagement of their extracellular domains by HGF. Furthermore, we demonstrate SH2 domain–containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-2–dependent dephosphorylation of these proteins. To establish HGF as a ligand, purified baculovirus-expressed NEPHRIN and NEPH1 recombinant proteins were used in surface plasma resonance binding experiments. We report high-affinity interactions of NEPHRIN and NEPH1 with HGF, although NEPHRIN binding was 20-fold higher than that of NEPH1. In addition, using molecular modeling we constructed peptides that were used to map specific HGF-binding regions in the extracellular domains of NEPHRIN and NEPH1. Finally, using an in vitro model of cultured podocytes and an ex vivo model of Drosophila nephrocytes, as well as chemically induced injury models, we demonstrated that HGF-induced phosphorylation of NEPHRIN and NEPH1 is centrally involved in podocyte repair. Taken together, this is the first study demonstrating a receptor-based function for NEPHRIN and NEPH1. This has important biological and clinical implications for the repair of injured podocytes and the maintenance of podocyte integrity.

Identification of matrix metalloproteinase-10 as a key mediator of podocyte injury and proteinuria

Podocyte injury or dysfunction plays an essential role in causing proteinuria and glomerulosclerosis in chronic kidney diseases. To search for new players involved in podocyte injury, we performed gene expression profiling in the glomeruli by RNA sequencing. This unbiased approach led us to discover matrix metalloproteinase-10 (MMP-10), a secreted zinc-dependent endopeptidase, as one of the most upregulated genes after glomerular injury. In animal models and patients with proteinuric chronic kidney diseases, MMP-10 was upregulated specifically in the podocytes of injured glomeruli. Patients with chronic kidney diseases also had elevated circulating levels of MMP-10, which correlated with the severity of kidney insufficiency. In transgenic mice with podocyte-specific expression of MMP-10, proteinuria was aggravated after injury induced by Adriamycin. This was accompanied by more severe podocytopathy and glomerulosclerotic lesions. In contrast, knockdown of MMP-10 in vivo protected mice from proteinuria, restored podocyte integrity and reduced kidney fibrosis. Interestingly, MMP-10 reduced podocyte tight junctional protein zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) but did not affect its mRNA level. Incubation of purified ZO-1 with MMP-10 directly resulted in its proteolytic degradation in vitro, suggesting ZO-1 as a novel substrate of MMP-10. Thus, our findings illustrate that induction of MMP-10 could lead to podocyte injury by degrading ZO-1, thereby promoting proteinuria and glomerulosclerosis in chronic kidney diseases.

Nanobodies: new avenue to treat kidney disease

Current therapeutic options for renal diseases are limited, and the search for disease-specific treatments is ongoing. Nanobodies, single-domain antibodies with many advantages over conventional antibodies, provide flexible, easy-to-format biologicals with many possible applications. Here, we discuss the potential use of nanobodies for renal diseases.

MAGI-2 orchestrates the localization of backbone proteins in the slit diaphragm of podocytes

Podocytes are highly specialized cells within the glomerulus that are essential for ultrafiltration. The slit diaphragm between the foot processes of podocytes functions as a final filtration barrier to prevent serum protein leakage into urine. The slit-diaphragm consists mainly of Nephrin and Neph1, and localization of these backbone proteins is essential to maintaining the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier. However, the mechanisms that regulate the localization of these backbone proteins have remained elusive. Here, we focused on the role of membrane-associated guanylate kinase inverted 2 (MAGI-2) in order to investigate mechanisms that orchestrate localization of slit-diaphragm backbone proteins. MAGI-2 downregulation coincided with a reduced expression of slit-diaphragm backbone proteins in human kidneys glomerular disease such as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis or IgA nephropathy. Podocyte-specific deficiency of MAGI-2 in mice abrogated localization of Nephrin and Neph1 independently of other scaffold proteins. Although a deficiency of zonula occuldens-1 downregulated the endogenous Neph1 expression, MAGI-2 recovered Neph1 expression at the cellular edge in cultured podocytes. Additionally, overexpression of MAGI-2 preserved Nephrin localization to intercellular junctions. Co-immunoprecipitation and pull-down assays also revealed the importance of the PDZ domains of MAGI-2 for the interaction between MAGI-2 and slit diaphragm backbone proteins in podocytes. Thus, localization and stabilization of Nephrin and Neph1 in intercellular junctions is regulated mainly via the PDZ domains of MAGI-2 together with other slit-diaphragm scaffold proteins. Hence, these findings may elucidate a mechanism by which the backbone proteins are maintained.

Hesperetin inhibit EMT in TGF-β treated podocyte by regulation of mTOR pathway

Renal fibrosis is one of the characteristic features of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Fibrotic change not only impairs the filtration function of the kidney but is also recognized as a marker of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is known to play a role in embryonic development and organ formation, but it is getting much attention for its pathological role in the invasion and metastasis of carcinoma. Recently, it has also been reported that EMT plays a role in the formation of fibrosis during chronic inflammation. EMT contribute to the development of the fibrosis in CKD. Moreover, glomerular podocytes and tubular epithelial cells can also undergo mesenchymal transition in CKD. Hesperetin is a flavonoid present in citrus and is well known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated the effects of hesperetin on the EMT-elicited podocytes. First, we generated an EMT model by treating transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, a potent inducer of EMT to the podocytes. TGF-β1 decreased the expression of epithelial markers such as nephrin, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), while it increased the mesenchymal markers, including fibronectin (FN), vimentin, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the podocytes. Hesperetin suppressed EMT-like changes elicited by TGF-β1. Interestingly, hesperetin did not interfere with the Smad signaling-the classical TGF-β signaling-pathway, which was confirmed by the experiment with smad 2/3 -/- podocytes. Instead, hesperetin suppressed EMT-like changes by inhibiting the mTOR pathway-one of the alternative TGF-β signaling pathways. In conclusion, hesperetin has a protective effect on the TGF-β1 elicited EMT-like changes of podocytes through regulation of mTOR pathway. It could be a good candidate for the suppression of kidney fibrosis in various CKD.

Monomeric human soluble CD4 dimerizes at physiological temperature: VTSAXS data based modeling and screening of retardant molecules

Earlier, solution small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) data at 10 °C showed that soluble CD4 (sCD4; 1 mg/ml) is monomer with shape similar to single chain in crystal structures of its dimer. Query remained whether the dimeric state of CD4 can form independent of packing effects of crystal? Taking cue from other systems, we explored heat induced possible association of native shapes of sCD4 by variable temperature SAXS (VTSAXS) experiments. The predominant particle size increased consistently with temperature and around 35-40 °C, the estimated mass indicated dimeric state in solution. Furthermore, the observed association was found to be reversible to certain extent. Using SAXS profile representing dimer and crystal structure of monomer, we solved models of CD4 dimers which were dominated by D4-D4 interactions and appeared "wobbling" about the crystal structure of dimeric CD4, convincing pre-existence of crystal-like association in solution. To break the dimerization, we theoretically screened for small molecules binding to dimeric interface of D4 domain. Additionally, as negative control or not expecting to interfere, we searched molecules preferentially docking on the apex of D1 domain. VTSAXS experiments of CD4 + molecules at ∼1:3 molar ratio showed that as expected few D4 reactive hits could retard dimerization, yet surprisingly molecules which docked at D1 domain could also derail dimerization. Additional analysis led to conclusion that there lies a systematic communication network across the structural length of sCD4 which senses binding to self and other molecules, and our work can be used to develop new (or re-purpose known) molecules as CD4-reactive immunosuppressive agents.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

New insight into podocyte slit diaphragm, a therapeutic target of proteinuria

Dysfunction of slit diaphragm, a cell–cell junction of glomerular podocytes, is involved in the development of proteinuria in several glomerular diseases. Slit diaphragm should be a target of a novel therapy for proteinuria. Nephrin, NEPH1, P-cadherin, FAT, and ephrin-B1 were reported to be extracellular components forming a molecular sieve of the slit diaphragm. Several cytoplasmic proteins such as ZO-1, podocin, CD2AP, MAGI proteins and Par-complex molecules were identified as scaffold proteins linking the slit diaphragm to the cytoskeleton. In this article, new insights into these molecules and the pathogenic roles of the dysfunction of these molecules were introduced. The slit diaphragm functions not only as a barrier but also as a signaling platform transfer the signal to the inside of the cell. For maintaining the slit diaphragm function properly, the phosphorylation level of nephrin is strictly regulated. The recent studies on the signaling pathway from nephrin, NEPH1, and ephrin-B1 were reviewed. Although the mechanism regulating the function of the slit diaphragm had remained unclear, recent studies revealed TRPC6 and angiotensin II-regulating mechanisms play a critical role in regulating the barrier function of the slit diaphragm. In this review, recent investigations on the regulation of the slit diaphragm function were reviewed, and a strategy for the establishment of a novel therapy for proteinuria was proposed.

Probing the Druggablility on the Interface of the Protein-Protein Interaction and Its Allosteric Regulation Mechanism on the Drug Screening for the CXCR4 Homodimer

Modulating protein–protein interactions (PPIs) with small drug-like molecules targeting it exhibits great promise in modern drug discovery. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of targeted proteins and could form dimers in living biological cells through PPIs. However, compared to drug development of the orthosteric site, there has been lack of investigations on the druggability of the PPI interface for GPCRs and its functional implication on experiments. Thus, in order to address these issues, we constructed a novel computational strategy, which involved in molecular dynamics simulation, virtual screening and protein structure network (PSN), to study one representative GPCR homodimer (CXCR4). One druggable pocket was identified in the PPI interface and one small molecule targeting it was screened, which could strengthen PPI mainly through hydrophobic interaction between the benzene rings of the PPI molecule and TM4 of the receptor. The PSN results further reveals that the PPI molecule could increase the number of the allosteric regulation pathways between the druggable pocket of the dimer interface to the orthostatic site for the subunit A but only play minor role for the other subunit B, leading to the asymmetric change in the volume of the binding pockets for the two subunits (increase for the subunit A and minor change for the subunit B). Consequently, the screening performance of the subunit A to the antagonists is enhanced while the subunit B is unchanged nearly, implying that the PPI molecule may be beneficial to enhance the drug efficacies of the antagonists. In addition, one main regulation pathway with the highest frequency was identified for the subunit A, which consists of Trp195^5.34–Tyr190^ECL2–Val196^5.35–Gln200^5.39–Asp262^6.58–Cys28^N-term, revealing their importance in the allosteric regulation from the PPI molecule. The observations from the work could provide valuable information for the development of the PPI drug-like molecule for GPCRs.

Mutations in KIRREL1, a slit diaphragm component, cause steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome

Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome is a frequent cause of chronic kidney disease almost inevitably progressing to end-stage renal disease. More than 58 monogenic causes of SRNS have been discovered and majority of known steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome causing genes are predominantly expressed in glomerular podocytes, placing them at the center of disease pathogenesis. Herein, we describe two unrelated families with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome with homozygous mutations in the KIRREL1 gene. One mutation showed high frequency in the European population (minor allele frequency 0.0011) and this patient achieved complete remission following treatment, but later progressed to chronic kidney disease. We found that mutant KIRREL1 proteins failed to localize to the podocyte cell membrane, indicating defective trafficking and impaired podocytes function. Thus, the KIRREL1 gene product has an important role in modulating the integrity of the slit diaphragm and maintaining glomerular filtration function.

Mitochondrial biogenesis induced by the β2-adrenergic receptor agonist formoterol accelerates podocyte recovery from glomerular injury

Podocytes have limited ability to recover from injury. Here, we demonstrate that increased mitochondrial biogenesis, to meet the metabolic and energy demand of a cell, accelerates podocyte recovery from injury. Analysis of events induced during podocyte injury and recovery showed marked upregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), a transcriptional co-activator of mitochondrial biogenesis, and key components of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. To evaluate our hypothesis that increasing mitochondrial biogenesis enhanced podocyte recovery from injury, we treated injured podocytes with formoterol, a potent, specific, and long-acting β2-adrenergic receptor agonist that induces mitochondrial biogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Formoterol increased mitochondrial biogenesis and restored mitochondrial morphology and the injury-induced changes to the organization of the actin cytoskeleton in podocytes. Importantly, β2-adrenergic receptors were found to be present on podocyte membranes. Their knockdown attenuated formoterol-induced mitochondrial biogenesis. To determine the potential clinical relevance of these findings, mouse models of acute nephrotoxic serum nephritis and chronic (Adriamycin [doxorubicin]) glomerulopathy were used. Mice were treated with formoterol post-injury when glomerular dysfunction was established. Strikingly, formoterol accelerated the recovery of glomerular function by reducing proteinuria and ameliorating kidney pathology. Furthermore, formoterol treatment reduced cellular apoptosis and increased the expression of the mitochondrial biogenesis marker PGC-1α and multiple electron transport chain proteins. Thus, our results support β2-adrenergic receptors as novel therapeutic targets and formoterol as a therapeutic compound for treating podocytopathies.

Protein phosphatase 2A modulates podocyte maturation and glomerular functional integrity in mice

Background

Protein phosphorylation & dephosphorylation are ubiquitous cellular processes that allow for the nuanced and reversible regulation of protein activity. Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a multifunction phosphatase that is well expressed in all cell types of kidney during early renal development, though its functions in kidney remains to be elucidated.

Methods

PP2A conditional knock-out mice was generated with PP2A fl/fl mice that were crossed with Podocin-Cre mice. The phenotype of Pod-PP2A–KO mice (homozygous for the floxed PP2A allele with Podocin-Cre) and littermate PP2A fl/fl controls (homozygous for the PP2A allele but lacking Podocin-Cre) were further studied. Primary podocytes isolated from the Pod-PP2A-KO mice were cultured and they were then employed with sing label-free nano-LC − MS/MS technology on a Q-exactive followed by SIEVE processing to identify possible target molecular entities for the dephosphorylation effect of PP2A, in which Western blot and immunofluorescent staining were used to analyze further.

Results

Pod-PP2A–KO mice were developed with weight loss, growth retardation, proteinuria, glomerulopathy and foot process effacement, together with reduced expression of some slit diaphragm molecules and cytoskeleton rearrangement of podocytes. Y box protein 1 (YB-1) was identified to be the target molecule for dephosphorylation effect of PP2A. Furthermore, YB-1 phosphorylation was up-regulated in the Pod-PP2A–KO mice in contrast to the wild type controls, while total and un-phosphorylated YB-1 both was moderately down-regulated in podocytes from the Pod-PP2A-KO mice.

Conclusion

Our study revealed the important role of PP2A in regulating the development of foot processes and fully differentiated podocytes whereas fine-tuning of YB-1 via a post-translational modification by PP2A regulating its activity might be crucial for the functional integrity of podocytes and glomerular filtration barrier.

Graphic abstract

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12964-019-0402-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Disruption of the exocyst induces podocyte loss and dysfunction

Although the slit diaphragm proteins in podocytes are uniquely organized to maintain glomerular filtration assembly and function, little is known about the underlying mechanisms that participate in trafficking these proteins to the correct location for development and homeostasis. Identifying these mechanisms will likely provide novel targets for therapeutic intervention to preserve podocyte function following glomerular injury. Analysis of structural variation in cases of human nephrotic syndrome identified rare heterozygous deletions of EXOC4 in two patients. This suggested that disruption of the highly-conserved eight-protein exocyst trafficking complex could have a role in podocyte dysfunction. Indeed, mRNA profiling of injured podocytes identified significant exocyst down-regulation. To test the hypothesis that the exocyst is centrally involved in podocyte development/function, we generated homozygous podocyte-specific Exoc5 (a central exocyst component that interacts with Exoc4) knockout mice that showed massive proteinuria and died within 4 weeks of birth. Histological and ultrastructural analysis of these mice showed severe glomerular defects with increased fibrosis, proteinaceous casts, effaced podocytes, and loss of the slit diaphragm. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that Neph1 and Nephrin, major slit diaphragm constituents, were mislocalized and/or lost. mRNA profiling of Exoc5 knockdown podocytes showed that vesicular trafficking was the most affected cellular event. Mapping of signaling pathways and Western blot analysis revealed significant up-regulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase and transforming growth factor-β pathways in Exoc5 knockdown podocytes and in the glomeruli of podocyte-specific Exoc5 KO mice. Based on these data, we propose that exocyst-based mechanisms regulate Neph1 and Nephrin signaling and trafficking, and thus podocyte development and function.

Nephrin Signaling in the Podocyte: An Updated View of Signal Regulation at the Slit Diaphragm and Beyond

Podocytes are a major component of the glomerular blood filtration barrier, and alterations to the morphology of their unique actin-based foot processes (FP) are a common feature of kidney disease. Adjacent FP are connected by a specialized intercellular junction known as the slit diaphragm (SD), which serves as the ultimate barrier to regulate passage of macromolecules from the blood. While the link between SD dysfunction and reduced filtration selectivity has been recognized for nearly 50 years, our understanding of the underlying molecular circuitry began only 20 years ago, sparked by the identification of NPHS1, encoding the transmembrane protein nephrin. Nephrin not only functions as the core component of the extracellular SD filtration network but also as a signaling scaffold via interactions at its short intracellular region. Phospho-regulation of several conserved tyrosine residues in this region influences signal transduction pathways which control podocyte cell adhesion, shape, and survival, and emerging studies highlight roles for nephrin phospho-dynamics in mechanotransduction and endocytosis. The following review aims to summarize the last 5 years of advancement in our knowledge of how signaling centered at nephrin directs SD barrier formation and function. We further provide insight on promising frontiers in podocyte biology, which have implications for SD signaling in the healthy and diseased kidney.