Involvement of N-type Ca(2+) channels in the fibrotic process of the kidney in rats

An L-type calcium channel blocker nimodipine exerts anti-fibrotic effects by attenuating TGF-β1 induced calcium response in an in vitro model of thyroid eye disease

BACKGROUND

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is a vision-threatening autoimmune disorder. Orbital tissue fibrosis leading to intractable complications remains a troublesome issue in TED management. Exploration of novel therapeutic targets and agents to ameliorate tissue fibrosis is crucial for TED. Recent work suggests that Ca2+ signaling participates in tissue fibrosis. However, whether an alteration of Ca2+ signaling has a role in fibrogenesis during TED remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of Ca2+ signaling in the fibrogenesis process during TED and the potential therapeutic effects of a highly selective inhibitor of the L-type calcium channel (LTCC), nimodipine, through a TGF-β1 induced in vitro TED model.

METHODS

Primary culture of orbital fibroblasts (OFs) were established from orbital adipose connective tissues of patients with TED and healthy control donors. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and RNA sequencing were used to assess the genes expression associated with LTCC in OFs. Flow cytometry, RT-qPCR, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) proliferation assay, wound healing assay and Western blot (WB) were used to assess the intracellular Ca2+ response on TGF-β1 stimulation, and to evaluate the potential therapeutic effects of nimodipine in the TGF-β1 induced in vitro TED model. The roles of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) in fibrogenesis during TED were determined by immunohistochemistry, WB, flow cytometry and co-immunoprecipitation assay. Selective inhibitors were used to explore the downstream signaling pathways.

RESULTS

LTCC inhibitor nimodipine blocked the TGF-β1 induced intracellular Ca2+ response and further reduced the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen type I alpha 1 (Col1A1) and collagen type I alpha 2 (Col1A2) in OFs. Besides, nimodipine inhibited cell proliferation and migration of OFs. Moreover, our results provided evidence that activation of the CaMKII/STAT1 signaling pathway was involved in fibrogenesis during TED, and nimodipine inhibited the pro-fibrotic functions of OFs by down-regulating the CaMKII/STAT1 signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

TGF-β1 induces an LTCC-mediated Ca2+ response, followed by activation of CaMKII/STAT1 signaling pathway, which promotes the pro-fibrotic functions of OFs and participates in fibrogenesis during TED. Nimodipine exerts potent anti-fibrotic benefits in vitro by suppressing the CaMKII/STAT1 signaling pathway. Our work deepens our understanding of the fibrogenesis process during TED and provides potential therapeutic targets and alternative candidate for TED.

Glutamate ionotropic receptor NMDA type subunit 1: A novel potential protein target of dapagliflozin against renal interstitial fibrosis

Renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) is the final pathway for chronic kidney diseases (CKD) to end-stage renal disease, with no ideal therapy at present. Previous studies indicated that sodium glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) dapagliflozin had the effect of anti-RIF, but the mechanism remains elusive and the renal protective effect could not be fully explained by singly targeting SGLT2. In this study, we aimed to explore the mechanism of dapagliflozin against RIF and identify novel potential targets. Firstly, dapagliflozin treatment improved pro-fibrotic indicators in unilateral ureteral obstruction mice and transforming growth factor beta 1 induced human proximal tubular epithelial cells. Then, transcriptomics and bioinformatics analysis were performed, and results revealed that dapagliflozin against RIF by regulating inflammation and oxidative stress related signals. Subsequently, targets prediction and analysis demonstrated that glutamate ionotropic receptor NMDA type subunit 1 (GRIN1) was a novel potential target of dapagliflozin, which was related to inflammation and oxidative stress related signals. Moreover, molecular dynamics simulation revealed that dapagliflozin could stably bind to GRIN1 protein and change its spatial conformation. Furthermore, human renal samples and Nephroseq data were used for GRIN1 expression evaluation, and the results showed that GRIN1 expression were increased in renal tissues of CKD and RIF patients than controls. Additionally, further studies demonstrated that dapagliflozin could reduce intracellular calcium influx in renal tubular cells, which depended on regulating GRIN1 protein but not gene. In conclusion, GRIN1 is probably a novel target of dapagliflozin against RIF.

Role of ion channels in the mechanism of proteinuria (Review)

Proteinuria is a common clinical manifestation of kidney diseases, such as glomerulonephritis, nephrotic syndrome, immunoglobulin A nephropathy and diabetic nephropathy. Therefore, proteinuria is considered to be a risk factor for renal dysfunction. Furthermore, proteinuria is also significantly associated with the progression of kidney diseases and increased mortality. Its occurrence is closely associated with damage to the structure of the glomerular filtration membrane. An impaired glomerular filtration membrane can affect the selective filtration function of the kidneys; therefore, several macromolecular substances, such as proteins, may pass through the filtration membrane and promote the manifestation of proteinuria. It has been reported that ion channels play a significant role in the mechanisms underlying proteinuria. Ion channel mutations or other dysfunctions have been implicated in several diseases, therefore ion channels could be used as major therapeutic targets. The mechanisms underlying the action of ion channels and ion transporters in proteinuria have been overlooked in the literature, despite their importance in identifying novel targets for treating proteinuria and delaying the progression of kidney diseases. The current review article focused on the four key ion channel groups, namely Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Cl^- and K⁺ ion channels and the associated ion transporters.

Mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum stress in the promotion of fibrosis in obstructive nephropathy induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction

Obstructive nephropathy favors the progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD), a severe health problem worldwide. The unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model is used to study the development of fibrosis. Impairment of renal mitochondria plays a crucial role in several types of CKD and has been strongly related to fibrosis onset. Nevertheless, in the UUO model, the impairment of mitochondria, their relationship with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induction and the participation of both to induce the fibrotic process remain unclear. In this review, we summarize the current information about mitochondrial bioenergetics, redox dynamics, mitochondrial mass, and biogenesis alterations, as well as the relationship of these mitochondrial alterations with ER stress and their participation in fibrotic processes in UUO models. Early after obstruction, there is metabolic reprogramming related to mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation impairment, triggering lipid deposition, oxidative stress, (calcium) Ca²⁺ dysregulation, and a reduction in mitochondrial mass and biogenesis. Mitochondria and the ER establish a pathological feedback loop that promotes the impairment of both organelles by ER stress pathways and Ca²⁺ levels dysregulation. Preserving mitochondrial and ER function can prevent or at least delay the fibrotic process and loss of renal function. However, deeper understanding is still necessary for future clinically-useful therapies.

Attenuation of renal fibrosis after unilateral ureteral obstruction in mice lacking the N-type calcium channel

The N-type Ca²⁺ channel (Cav2.2) is distributed in sympathetic nerves that innervate the tubules, the vessels, and the juxtaglomerular granular cells of the kidney. However, the role of N-type Ca²⁺ channels in renal disease remains unknown. To address this issue, Cav2.2 knockout mice were utilized. Immunoreactive Cav2.2 was undetectable in normal kidneys of C57BL/6N mice, but it became positive in the interstitial S100-positive nerve fibers after unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). There were no significant differences in mean blood pressure, heart rate, and renal function between wild-type littermates and Cav2.2-knockout mice at baseline, as well as after UUO. Cav2.2 deficiency significantly reduced the EVG-positive fibrotic area, alpha-SMA expression, the production of type I collagen, and the hypoxic area in the obstructed kidneys. The expression of tyrosine hydroxylase, a marker for sympathetic neurons, was significantly increased in the obstructed kidneys of wild-type mice, but not in Cav2.2-knockout mice. These data suggest that increased Cav2.2 is implicated in renal nerve activation leading to the progression of renal fibrosis. Blockade of Cav2.2 might be a novel therapeutic approach for preventing renal fibrosis.

Nogo-C regulates post myocardial infarction fibrosis through the interaction with ER Ca2+ leakage channel Sec61α in mouse hearts

Cardiac fibrosis is an independent risk factor for heart failure and even the leading cause of death in myocardial infarction patients. However, molecular mechanisms associated with the pathogenesis of cardiac fibrosis following myocardial infarction are not yet fully understood. Nogo-C protein ubiquitously expresses in tissues including in the heart. Our previous study found that Nogo-C regulated cardiomyocyte apoptosis during myocardial infarction. In the present study, we found that Nogo-C was upregulated in fibrotic hearts after myocardial infarction and in Ang II- or TGF-β1-stimulated cardiac fibroblasts. Overexpression of Nogo-C in cardiac fibroblasts increased expression of pro-fibrogenic proteins, while knockdown of Nogo-C inhibited the fibrotic responses of cardiac fibroblasts to Ang II- or TGF-β1 stimulation. Functionally, Nogo-C deficiency suppressed pro-fibrogenic proteins in post-myocardial infarction hearts and ameliorated post-myocardial infarction cardiac function. Mechanistically, we found that Nogo-C increased intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration and buffering Ca²⁺ totally abolished Nogo-C-induced fibrotic responses. Moreover, overexpression of Nogo-C caused increased Sec61α, the Ca²⁺ leakage channel on endoplasmic reticulum membrane. Nogo-C interacted with Sec61α on endoplasmic reticulum and stabilized Sec61α protein by inhibiting its ubiquitination. Inhibition or knockdown of Sec61α blocked Nogo-C-induced increase of cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration and inhibited Nogo-C- and TGF-β1-induced fibrotic responses in cardiac fibroblasts, suggesting that Nogo-C regulates cardiac fibrosis through interacting with Sec61α to mediate the Ca²⁺ leakage from endoplasmic reticulum. Thus, our results reveal a novel mechanism underlying cardiac fibrosis following myocardial infarction, and provide a therapeutic strategy for cardiac remodeling related heart diseases.

Dust particles-induced intracellular Ca2+ signaling and reactive oxygen species in lung fibroblast cell line MRC5

Epidemiologic interest in particulate matter (PM) is growing particularly because of its impact of respiratory health. It has been elucidated that PM evoked inflammatory signal in pulmonary epithelia. However, it has not been established Ca²⁺ signaling mechanisms involved in acute PM-derived signaling in pulmonary fibroblasts. In the present study, we explored dust particles PM modulated intracellular Ca²⁺ signaling and sought to provide a therapeutic strategy by antagonizing PM-induced intracellular Ca²⁺ signaling in human lung fibroblasts MRC5 cells. We demonstrated that PM10, less than 10 µm, induced intracellular Ca²⁺ signaling, which was mediated by extracellular Ca²⁺. The PM10-mediated intracellular Ca²⁺ signaling was attenuated by antioxidants, phospholipase blockers, polyADPR polymerase 1 inhibitor, and transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) inhibitors. In addition, PM-mediated increases in reactive oxygen species were attenuated by TRPM2 blockers, clotrimazole (CLZ) and N-(p-amylcinnamoyl) anthranilic acid (ACA). Our results showed that PM10 enhanced reactive oxygen species signal by measuring DCF fluorescence and the DCF signal attenuated by both TRPM2 blockers CLZ and ACA. Here, we suggest functional inhibition of TRPM2 channels as a potential therapeutic strategy for modulation of dust particle-mediated signaling and oxidative stress accompanying lung diseases.

Voltage-Activated Calcium Channels as Functional Markers of Mature Neurons in Human Olfactory Neuroepithelial Cells: Implications for the Study of Neurodevelopment in Neuropsychiatric Disorders

In adulthood, differentiation of precursor cells into neurons continues in several brain structures as well as in the olfactory neuroepithelium. Isolated precursors allow the study of the neurodevelopmental process in vitro. The aim of this work was to determine whether the expression of functional Voltage-Activated Ca²⁺ Channels (VACC) is dependent on the neurodevelopmental stage in neuronal cells obtained from the human olfactory epithelium of a single healthy donor. The presence of channel-forming proteins in Olfactory Sensory Neurons (OSN) was demonstrated by immunofluorescent labeling, and VACC functioning was assessed by microfluorometry and the patch-clamp technique. VACC were immunodetected only in OSN. Mature neurons responded to forskolin with a five-fold increase in Ca²⁺. By contrast, in precursor cells, a subtle response was observed. The involvement of VACC in the precursors’ response was discarded for the absence of transmembrane inward Ca²⁺ movement evoked by step depolarizations. Data suggest differential expression of VACC in neuronal cells depending on their developmental stage and also that the expression of these channels is acquired by OSN during maturation, to enable specialized functions such as ion movement triggered by membrane depolarization. The results support that VACC in OSN could be considered as a functional marker to study neurodevelopment.

Blockade of Orai1 Store-Operated Calcium Entry Protects against Renal Fibrosis

Evidence supports an important role of Ca²⁺ release-activated Ca²⁺ channel protein 1 (Orai1)-mediated Ca²⁺ entry in the development of renal fibrosis, a common pathologic feature of CKDs that lead to ESRD, but the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. We determined the role of Orai1 calcium channel in renal fibrosis induced by high-fat diet and by unilateral ureteral obstruction. Mouse kidneys with fibrosis had higher levels of Orai1 protein expression than did kidneys without fibrosis. In vivo knockdown of Orai1 with adenovirus harboring Orai1-short hairpin RNA or inhibition of Orai1 with SKF96365 dramatically prevented renal fibrosis and significantly decreased protein expression of fibronectin, α‑smooth muscle actin, and TGF‑β1 in the kidney cortex of ApoE^-/- mice on a high-fat diet and in the obstructed kidneys of mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction. Compared with kidney biopsy specimens of patients with glomerular minimal change disease, those of patients with fibrotic nephropathy had higher expression levels of Orai1. In cultured human proximal tubule epithelial cells (HK2), knockdown of Orai1 Ca²⁺ channel with adenovirus-Orai1-short hairpin RNA markedly inhibited TGF-β1-induced intracellular Ca²⁺ influx and phosphorylation of smad2/3. Knockdown or blockade of the Orai1 Ca²⁺ channel in HK2 cells also prevented epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition induced by TGF‑β1. In conclusion, blockade of the Orai1 Ca²⁺ channel prevented progression of renal fibrosis in mice, likely by suppressing smad2/3 phosphorylation and TGF-β1-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. These results render the Orai1 Ca²⁺ channel a potential therapeutic target against renal fibrosis.

Calcium Homeostasis and Ionic Mechanisms in Pulmonary Fibroblasts

Fibroblasts are key cellular mediators of many chronic interstitial lung diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, scleroderma, sarcoidosis, drug-induced interstitial lung disease, and interstitial lung disease in connective tissue disease. A great deal of effort has been expended to understand the signaling mechanisms underlying the various cellular functions of fibroblasts. Recently, it has been shown that Ca(2+) oscillations play a central role in the regulation of gene expression in human pulmonary fibroblasts. However, the mechanisms whereby cytosolic [Ca(2+)] are regulated and [Ca(2+)] oscillations transduced are both poorly understood. In this review, we present the general concepts of [Ca(2+)] homeostasis, of ionic mechanisms responsible for various Ca(2+) fluxes, and of regulation of gene expression by [Ca(2+)]. In each case, we then also summarize the original findings that pertain specifically to pulmonary fibroblasts. From these data, we propose an overall signaling cascade by which excitation of the fibroblasts triggers pulsatile release of internally sequestered Ca(2+), which, in turn, activates membrane conductances, including voltage-dependent Ca(2+) influx pathways. Collectively, these events produce recurring Ca(2+) oscillations, the frequency of which is transduced by Ca(2+)-dependent transcription factors, which, in turn, orchestrate a variety of cellular events, including proliferation, synthesis/secretion of extracellular matrix proteins, autoactivation (production of transforming growth factor-β), and transformation into myofibroblasts. That unifying hypothesis, in turn, allows us to highlight several specific cellular targets and therapeutic intervention strategies aimed at controlling unwanted pulmonary fibrosis. The relationships between Ca(2+) signaling events and the unfolded protein response and apoptosis are also explored.

Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Attenuates Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Obstructive Nephropathy via NF-κB and Nrf2/HO-1 Signalling Pathway Regulation

Oxidative stress and inflammation contribute importantly to the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which is the most abundant and most active catechin polyphenol extracted from green tea, has been proved to have many bioactivities. In this study, the renoprotective effect of EGCG was evaluated in a widely used kidney disease model, the unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) mice model. After 14 days of EGCG administration, mean arterial blood pressure, body-weight and obstructed kidney weight were measured. Levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (CR) and activities of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum were estimated as indicators of renal function. Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining was performed to observe the pathological changes of the obstructed kidney. Antioxidant enzymes and pro-inflammatory cytokine production were estimated to reflect the oxidative stress and inflammatory state in the obstructed kidney. Finally, the main proteins in the NF-κB and Nrf2 signalling pathway and DNA binding activity of NF-κB and Nrf2 were measured to investigate the effect of EGCG on these two pathways. The results demonstrated that EGCG could restore UUO-induced kidney weight loss and renal dysfunction. In addition, UUO-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in the obstructed kidney were also prevented by EGCG. Furthermore, EGCG could induce both NF-κB and Nrf2 nuclear translocation in the UUO kidney and promote heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) production. These results indicated that the renoprotective effect of EGCG might be through its NF-κB and Nrf2 signalling pathway regulations.

Follistatin, an activin antagonist, ameliorates renal interstitial fibrosis in a rat model of unilateral ureteral obstruction

Activin, a member of the TGF-β superfamily, regulates cell growth and differentiation in various cell types. Activin A acts as a negative regulator of renal development as well as tubular regeneration after renal injury. However, it remains unknown whether activin A is involved in renal fibrosis. To clarify this issue, we utilized a rat model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). The expression of activin A was significantly increased in the UUO kidneys compared to that in contralateral kidneys. Activin A was detected in glomerular mesangial cells and interstitial fibroblasts in normal kidneys. In UUO kidneys, activin A was abundantly expressed by interstitial α-SMA-positive myofibroblasts. Administration of recombinant follistatin, an activin antagonist, reduced the fibrotic area in the UUO kidneys. The number of proliferating cells in the interstitium, but not in the tubules, was significantly lower in the follistatin-treated kidneys. Expression of α-SMA, deposition of type I collagen and fibronectin, and CD68-positive macrophage infiltration were significantly suppressed in the follistatin-treated kidneys. These data suggest that activin A produced by interstitial fibroblasts acts as a potent profibrotic factor during renal fibrosis. Blockade of activin A action may be a novel approach for the prevention of renal fibrosis progression.