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Singh K, Oladipupo SS. An overview of CCN4 (WISP1) role in human diseases. J Transl Med 2024; 22:601. [PMID: 38937782 PMCID: PMC11212430 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05364-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
CCN4 (cellular communication network factor 4), a highly conserved, secreted cysteine-rich matricellular protein is emerging as a key player in the development and progression of numerous disease pathologies, including cancer, fibrosis, metabolic and inflammatory disorders. Over the past two decades, extensive research on CCN4 and its family members uncovered their diverse cellular mechanisms and biological functions, including but not limited to cell proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, wound healing, repair, and apoptosis. Recent studies have demonstrated that aberrant CCN4 expression and/or associated downstream signaling is key to a vast array of pathophysiological etiology, suggesting that CCN4 could be utilized not only as a non-invasive diagnostic or prognostic marker, but also as a promising therapeutic target. The cognate receptor of CCN4 remains elusive till date, which limits understanding of the mechanistic insights on CCN4 driven disease pathologies. However, as therapeutic agents directed against CCN4 begin to make their way into the clinic, that may start to change. Also, the pathophysiological significance of CCN4 remains underexplored, hence further research is needed to shed more light on its disease and/or tissue specific functions to better understand its clinical translational benefit. This review highlights the compelling evidence of overlapping and/or diverse functional and mechanisms regulated by CCN4, in addition to addressing the challenges, study limitations and knowledge gaps on CCN4 biology and its therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirti Singh
- Biotherapeutic Enabling Biology, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, 46225, USA
| | - Sunday S Oladipupo
- Biotherapeutic Enabling Biology, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, 46225, USA.
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Zhou Z, Niu H, Bian M, Zhu C. Kidney tea [ Orthosiphon aristatus (Blume) Miq.] improves diabetic nephropathy via regulating gut microbiota and ferroptosis. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1392123. [PMID: 38962302 PMCID: PMC11220284 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1392123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Due to its complex pathogenesis, new therapeutic agents are urgently needed. Orthosiphon aristatus (Blume) Miq., commonly known as kidney tea, is widely used in DN treatment in China. However, the mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Methods We used db/db mice as the DN model and evaluated the efficacy of kidney tea in DN treatment by measuring fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum inflammatory cytokines, renal injury indicators and histopathological changes. Furthermore, 16S rDNA gene sequencing, untargeted serum metabolomics, electron microscope, ELISA, qRT-PCR, and Western blotting were performed to explore the mechanisms by which kidney tea exerted therapeutic effects. Results Twelve polyphenols were identified from kidney tea, and its extract ameliorated FBG, inflammation and renal injury in DN mice. Moreover, kidney tea reshaped the gut microbiota, reduced the abundance of Muribaculaceae, Lachnoclostridium, Prevotellaceae_UCG-001, Corynebacterium and Akkermansia, and enriched the abundance of Alloprevotella, Blautia and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group. Kidney tea altered the levels of serum metabolites in pathways such as ferroptosis, arginine biosynthesis and mTOR signaling pathway. Importantly, kidney tea improved mitochondrial damage, increased SOD activity, and decreased the levels of MDA and 4-HNE in the renal tissues of DN mice. Meanwhile, this functional tea upregulated GPX4 and FTH1 expression and downregulated ACSL4 and NCOA4 expression, indicating that it could inhibit ferroptosis in the kidneys. Conclusion Our findings imply that kidney tea can attenuate DN development by modulating gut microbiota and ferroptosis, which presents a novel scientific rationale for the clinical application of kidney tea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Zhou
- Department of Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hongjuan Niu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Bian
- Department of Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chunsheng Zhu
- Department of Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Garcia NA, Gonzalez-King H, Mellergaard M, Nair S, Salomon C, Handberg A. Comprehensive strategy for identifying extracellular vesicle surface proteins as biomarkers for chronic kidney disease. Front Physiol 2024; 15:1328362. [PMID: 38379702 PMCID: PMC10877036 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1328362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a significant health burden worldwide. Especially, obesity-induced chronic kidney disease (OCKD) is associated with a lack of accuracy in disease diagnostic methods. The identification of reliable biomarkers for the early diagnosis and monitoring of CKD and OCKD is crucial for improving patient outcomes. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as potential biomarkers in the context of CKD. In this review, we focused on the role of EVs as potential biomarkers in CKD and OCKD and developed a comprehensive list of EV membrane proteins that could aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of the disease. To assemble our list, we employed a multi-step strategy. Initially, we conducted a thorough review of the literature on EV protein biomarkers in kidney diseases. Additionally, we explored papers investigating circulating proteins as biomarkers in kidney diseases. To further refine our list, we utilized the EV database Vesiclepedia.org to evaluate the qualifications of each identified protein. Furthermore, we consulted the Human Protein Atlas to assess the localization of these candidates, with a particular focus on membrane proteins. By integrating the information from the reviewed literature, Vesiclepedia.org, and the Human Protein Atlas, we compiled a comprehensive list of potential EV membrane protein biomarkers for CKD and OCKD. Overall, our review underscores the potential of EVs as biomarkers in the field of CKD research, providing a foundation for future studies aimed at improving CKD and OCKD diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hernan Gonzalez-King
- Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Maiken Mellergaard
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Soumyalekshmi Nair
- Translational Extracellular Vesicles in Obstetrics and Gynae-Oncology Group, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Carlos Salomon
- Translational Extracellular Vesicles in Obstetrics and Gynae-Oncology Group, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Aase Handberg
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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Lin Z, Lv D, Liao X, Peng R, Liu H, Wu T, Wu K, Sun Y, Zhang Z. CircUBXN7 promotes macrophage infiltration and renal fibrosis associated with the IGF2BP2-dependent SP1 mRNA stability in diabetic kidney disease. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1226962. [PMID: 37744330 PMCID: PMC10516575 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1226962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Inflammatory cell infiltration is a novel hallmark of diabetic kidney disease (DKD), in part, by activated macrophages. Macrophage-to-tubular epithelial cell communication may play an important role in renal fibrosis. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been reported in the pathogenesis of various human diseases involving macrophages activation, including DKD. However, the exact mechanism of circRNAs in macrophage infiltration and renal fibrosis of DKD remains obscure. Methods In our study, a novel circRNA circUBXN7 was identified in DKD patients using microarray. The function of circUBXN7 in vitro and in vivo was investigated by qRT-PCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence. Finally, a dual-luciferase reporter assay, ChIP, RNA pull-down, RNA immunoprecipitation and rescue experiments were performed to investigate the mechanism of circUBXN7. Results We demonstrated that the expression of circUBXN7 was significantly upregulated in the plasma of DKD patients and correlated with renal function, which might serve as an independent biomarker for DKD patients. According to investigations, ectopic expression of circUBXN7 promoted macrophage activation, EMT and fibrosis in vitro, and increased macrophage infiltration, EMT, fibrosis and proteinuria in vivo. Mechanistically, circUBXN7 was transcriptionally upregulated by transcription factor SP1 and could reciprocally promote SP1 mRNA stability and activation via directly binding to the m6A-reader IGF2BP2 in DKD. Conclusion CircUBXN7 is highly expressed in DKD patients may provide the potential biomarker and therapeutic target for DKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyue Lin
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dan Lv
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaohui Liao
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Rui Peng
- Department of Bioinformatics, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Handeng Liu
- Center of Teaching and Learning, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Tianhui Wu
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Keqian Wu
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan Sun
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Ding C, Wang B, Lai XF, Guo Y, Tesch G, Ding X, Zheng J, Tian P, Ricardo S, Shen HH, Xue W. Cellular delivery of relaxin-2 mRNA as a potential treatment for kidney fibrosis. Mater Today Bio 2023; 21:100716. [PMID: 37545557 PMCID: PMC10401360 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Renal fibrosis is a pathological feature of chronic kidney disease and its progression correlates with kidney function impairment. Since there are currently no specific therapies for renal fibrosis, we explored whether inducing local production of the anti-fibrotic molecule relaxin-2 in kidney cells has potential as a strategy for suppressing the development of renal fibrosis. Our study examined whether delivery of relaxin-2 mRNA to kidney cells in vitro and in vivo could inhibit mechanisms leading to renal fibrosis. Transfecting relaxin-2 mRNA into cultured kidney cells inhibited fibrotic responses to TGF-β1 in an autocrine or paracrine manner by reducing fibrotic gene expression in kidney tubules, and reducing proliferation in kidney fibroblasts and mesangial cells. Similarly, cubosomes assisted delivery of relaxin-2 mRNA to mouse kidneys alleviated the fibrosis and inflammation associated with renal injury following unilateral ureter obstruction (UUO). Therefore, relaxin-2 mRNA exhibits potential as a novel therapy for inhibiting fibrosis and inflammation in chronic kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenguang Ding
- Department of Kidney Transplantation, Nephropathy Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, PR China
- Institute of Organ Transplantation, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Xiang Feng Lai
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yingcong Guo
- Department of Kidney Transplantation, Nephropathy Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, PR China
- Institute of Organ Transplantation, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Greg Tesch
- Department of Nephrology and Monash University Department of Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Xiaoming Ding
- Department of Kidney Transplantation, Nephropathy Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, PR China
- Institute of Organ Transplantation, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Jin Zheng
- Department of Kidney Transplantation, Nephropathy Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, PR China
| | - PuXun Tian
- Department of Kidney Transplantation, Nephropathy Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, PR China
| | - Sharon Ricardo
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hsin-Hui Shen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Wujun Xue
- Department of Kidney Transplantation, Nephropathy Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, PR China
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Green Silver Nanoparticles Promote Inflammation Shutdown in Human Leukemic Monocytes. MATERIALS 2022; 15:ma15030775. [PMID: 35160720 PMCID: PMC8836503 DOI: 10.3390/ma15030775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The use of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in the biomedical field deserves a mindful analysis of the possible inflammatory response which could limit their use in the clinic. Despite the anti-cancer properties of Ag NPs having been widely demonstrated, there are still few studies concerning their involvement in the activation of specific inflammatory pathways. The inflammatory outcome depends on the synthetic route used in the NPs production, in which toxic reagents are employed. In this work, we compared two types of Ag NPs, obtained by two different chemical routes: conventional synthesis using sodium citrate and a green protocol based on leaf extracts as a source of reduction and capping agents. A careful physicochemical characterization was carried out showing spherical and stable Ag NPs with an average size between 20 nm and 35 nm for conventional and green Ag NPs respectively. Then, we evaluated their ability to induce the activation of inflammation in Human Leukemic Monocytes (THP-1) differentiated into M0 macrophages using 1 µM and 2 µM NPs concentrations (corresponded to 0.1 µg/mL and 0.2 µg/mL respectively) and two-time points (24 h and 48 h). Our results showed a clear difference in Nuclear Factor κB (NF-κb) activation, Interleukins 6–8 (IL-6, IL-8) secretion, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) and Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression exerted by the two kinds of Ag NPs. Green Ag NPs were definitely tolerated by macrophages compared to conventional Ag NPs which induced the activation of all the factors mentioned above. Subsequently, the exposure of breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) to the green Ag NPs showed that they exhibited antitumor activity like the conventional ones, but surprisingly, using the MCF-10A line (not tumoral breast cells) the green Ag NPs did not cause a significant decrease in cell viability.
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