OPN deficiency results in severe glomerulosclerosis in uninephrectomized mice

The role of the tricellular junction protein ILDR2 in glomerulopathies: Expression patterns and functional insights

The tricellular tight junctions are crucial for the regulation of paracellular flux at tricellular junctions, where tricellulin (MARVELD2) and angulins (ILDR1, ILDR2, or LSR) are localized. The role of ILDR2 in podocytes, specialized epithelial cells in the kidney, is still unknown. We investigated the role of ILDR2 in glomeruli and its influence on blood filtration. Western blots, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), and superresolution microscopy showed a strong expression of ILDR2 in podocytes that colocalized with the podocyte-specific claudin CLDN5. Co-immunoprecipitation revealed that ILDR2 interacts with CLDN5. In glomerulopathies, induced by nephrotoxic serum and by desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt heminephrectomy, ILDR2 was strongly up-regulated. Furthermore, Ildr2 knockout mice exhibited glomerular hypertrophy and decreased podocyte density. However, they did not develop effacement of podocyte foot processes or proteinuria. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) proteomic analysis of isolated glomeruli showed an increase in matrix proteins, such as fibronectin and collagens. This suggests a protective role of ILDR2 in glomerulopathies.

Zyxin is important for the stability and function of podocytes, especially during mechanical stretch

Podocyte detachment due to mechanical stress is a common issue in hypertension-induced kidney disease. This study highlights the role of zyxin for podocyte stability and function. We have found that zyxin is significantly up-regulated in podocytes after mechanical stretch and relocalizes from focal adhesions to actin filaments. In zyxin knockout podocytes, we found that the loss of zyxin reduced the expression of vinculin and VASP as well as the expression of matrix proteins, such as fibronectin. This suggests that zyxin is a central player in the translation of mechanical forces in podocytes. In vivo, zyxin is highly up-regulated in patients suffering from diabetic nephropathy and in hypertensive DOCA-salt treated mice. Furthermore, zyxin loss in mice resulted in proteinuria and effacement of podocyte foot processes that was measured by super resolution microscopy. This highlights the essential role of zyxin for podocyte maintenance in vitro and in vivo, especially under mechanical stretch.

Urinary SPP1 has potential as a non-invasive diagnostic marker for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a type of chronic glomerular nephropathy showing characteristic glomerular sclerosis, diagnosed by kidney biopsy. However, it is difficult and expensive to monitor disease progression with repeated renal biopsy in clinical practice, and thus here we explored the feasibility of urine biomarkers as non-invasive diagnostic tools. We downloaded scRNA-seq datasets of 20 urine cell samples and 3 kidney tissues and obtained two gene lists encoding extracellular proteins for bioinformatic analysis; in addition, we identified key EP-Genes by immunohistochemical staining and performed bulk RNA sequencing with 12 urine samples. We report that urine cells and kidney cells were correlated. A total of 64 EP-Genes were acquired by intersecting genes of distal tubular cluster with extracellular proteins. Function enrichment analysis showed that EP-Genes might be involved in the immune response and extracellular components. Six key EP-Genes were identified and correlated with renal function. IMC showed that key EP-Genes were located mainly in tubules. Cross verification and examination of a urine RNAseq dataset showed that SPP1 had diagnostic potential for FSGS. The presence of urine SPP1 was primarily associated with macrophage infiltration in kidney, and the pathogenesis of FSGS may be related to innate immunity. Urinary cells seemed to be strongly similar to kidney cells. In summary, SPP1 levels reflect renal function and may have potential as a biomarker for non-invasive diagnosis of FSGS.

The role of filamins in mechanically stressed podocytes

Glomerular hypertension induces mechanical load to podocytes, often resulting in podocyte detachment and the development of glomerulosclerosis. Although it is well known that podocytes are mechanosensitive, the mechanosensors and mechanotransducers are still unknown. Since filamin A, an actin-binding protein, is already described to be a mechanosensor and mechanotransducer, we hypothesized that filamins could be important for the outside-in signaling as well as the actin cytoskeleton of podocytes under mechanical stress. In this study, we demonstrate that filamin A is the main isoform of the filamin family that is expressed in cultured podocytes. Together with filamin B, filamin A was significantly up-regulated during mechanical stretch (3 days, 0.5 Hz, and 5% extension). To study the role of filamin A in cultured podocytes under mechanical stress, filamin A was knocked down (Flna KD) by specific siRNA. Additionally, we established a filamin A knockout podocyte cell line (Flna KO) by CRISPR/Cas9. Knockdown and knockout of filamin A influenced the expression of synaptopodin, a podocyte-specific protein, focal adhesions as well as the morphology of the actin cytoskeleton. Moreover, the cell motility of Flna KO podocytes was significantly increased. Since the knockout of filamin A has had no effect on cell adhesion of podocytes during mechanical stress, we simultaneously knocked down the expression of filamin A and B. Thereby, we observed a significant loss of podocytes during mechanical stress indicating a compensatory mechanism. Analyzing hypertensive mice kidneys as well as biopsies of patients suffering from diabetic nephropathy, we found an up-regulation of filamin A in podocytes in contrast to the control. In summary, filamin A and B mediate matrix-actin cytoskeleton interactions which are essential for the adaptation of cultured podocyte to mechanical stress.

Super-resolved local recruitment of CLDN5 to filtration slits implicates a direct relationship with podocyte foot process effacement

Under healthy conditions, foot processes of neighbouring podocytes are interdigitating and connected by an electron‐dense slit diaphragm. Besides slit diaphragm proteins, typical adherens junction proteins are also found to be expressed at this cell‐cell junction. It is therefore considered as a highly specialized type of adherens junction. During podocyte injury, podocyte foot processes lose their characteristic 3D structure and the filtration slits typical meandering structure gets linearized. It is still under debate how this change of structure leads to the phenomenon of proteinuria. Using super‐resolution 3D‐structured illumination microscopy, we observed a spatially restricted up‐regulation of the tight junction protein claudin‐5 (CLDN5) in areas where podocyte processes of patients suffering from minimal change disease (MCD), focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) as well as in murine nephrotoxic serum (NTS) nephritis and uninephrectomy DOCA‐salt hypertension models, were locally injured. CLDN5/nephrin ratios in human glomerulopathies and NTS‐treated mice were significantly higher compared to controls. In patients, the CLDN5/nephrin ratio is significantly correlated with the filtration slit density as a foot process effacement marker, confirming a direct association of local CLDN5 up‐regulation in injured foot processes. Moreover, CLDN5 up‐regulation was observed in some areas of high filtration slit density, suggesting that CLND5 up‐regulation preceded the changes of foot processes. Therefore, CLDN5 could serve as a biomarker predicting early foot process effacement.

Fibronectin is up-regulated in podocytes by mechanical stress

Hypertension is one of the central causes of kidney damage. In the past it was shown that glomerular hypertension leads to morphologic changes of podocytes and effacement and is responsible for detachment of these postmitotic cells. Because we have shown that podocytes are mechanosensitive and respond to mechanical stress by reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton in vitro, we look for mechanotransducers in podocytes. In this study, we demonstrate that the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin (Fn1) might be a potential candidate. The present study shows that Fn1 is essential for the attachment of podocytes during mechanical stress. By real-time quantitative PCR as well as by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, we found a significant up-regulation of Fn1 caused by mechanical stretch (3 d, 0.5 Hz, and 5% extension). To study the role of Fn1 in cultured podocytes under mechanical stress, Fn1 was knocked down (Fn1 KD) by a specific small interfering RNA. Additionally, we established a Fn1 knockout (KO) podocyte cell line (Fn1 KO) by clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9). During mechanical stress, a significant loss of podocytes (>80%) was observed in Fn1 KD as well as Fn1 KO podocytes compared with control cells. Furthermore, Fn1 KO podocytes showed a significant down-regulation of the focal adhesion proteins talin, vinculin, and paxillin and a reduced cell spreading, indicating an important role of Fn1 in adhesion. Analyses of kidney sections from patients with diabetic nephropathy have shown a significant up-regulation of FN1 in contrast to control biopsies. In summary, we show that Fn1 plays an important role in the adaptation of podocytes to mechanical stress.-Kliewe, F., Kaling, S., Lötzsch, H., Artelt, N., Schindler, M., Rogge, H., Schröder, S., Scharf, C., Amann, K., Daniel, C., Lindenmeyer, M. T., Cohen, C. D., Endlich, K., Endlich, N. Fibronectin is up-regulated in podocytes by mechanical stress.

Comparative Analysis of Podocyte Foot Process Morphology in Three Species by 3D Super-Resolution Microscopy

Since the size selectivity of the filtration barrier and kidney function are highly dependent on podocyte foot process morphology, visualization of foot processes is important. However, the size of foot processes is below the optical resolution of light microscopy. Therefore, electron microcopy has been indispensable to detect changes in foot process morphology so far, but it is a sophisticated and time-consuming technique. Recently, our group has shown that 3D structured illumination microscopy (3D-SIM), a super-resolution microscopy (SRM) technique, can visualize individual foot processes in human biopsies. Moreover, we have developed a software-based approach to directly quantify the structure of podocyte foot processes named Podocyte Exact Morphology Measurement Procedure (PEMP). As shown in patients suffering from minimal change disease (MCD), PEMP allows the quantification of changes of the foot process morphology by measuring the filtration slit density (FSD). Since rodents are frequently used in basic research, we have applied PEMP to quantify foot processes of mice and rats. Comparative analysis of nephrin-stained kidneys from humans, rats, and mice showed significant differences of the FSD. The highest FSD was measured in mice (3.83 ± 0.37 μm⁻¹; mean ± SD) followed by rats (3.36 ± 0.42 μm⁻¹) and humans (3.11 ± 0.26 μm⁻¹). To demonstrate that PEMP can be used to determine foot process morphology also in affected animals, we measured the FSD in palladin-knockout mice on a 129S1 genetic background compared to wild-type littermates. Taken together, we established a method for the quick and exact quantification of podocyte foot process morphology which can be applied to diagnosis and basic research.

Septins in kidney: A territory little explored

Septins are a conserved family of GTP‐binding proteins that assemble into cytoskeletal filaments to function in a highly sophisticated and physiologically regulated manner. Originally septins were discovered in the budding yeast as membrane‐associated filaments that affect cell polarity and cytokinesis. In the last decades, much progress has been made in understanding the biochemical properties and cell biological functions of septins. In line with this, mammalian septins have been shown to be involved in various cellular processes, including regulation of cell polarity, cytoskeletal organization, vesicle trafficking, ciliogenesis, and cell–pathogen interactions. A growing number of studies have shown that septins play important roles in tissue and organ development and physiology; yet, little is known about their role in the kidney. In the following review, we discuss the structure and functions of septins in general and summarize the evidence for their presence and roles in the kidney.

The Role of Palladin in Podocytes

Background Podocyte loss and effacement of interdigitating podocyte foot processes are the major cause of a leaky filtration barrier and ESRD. Because the complex three-dimensional morphology of podocytes depends on the actin cytoskeleton, we studied the role in podocytes of the actin bundling protein palladin, which is highly expressed therein.Methods We knocked down palladin in cultured podocytes by siRNA transfection or in zebrafish embryos by morpholino injection and studied the effects by immunofluorescence and live imaging. We also investigated kidneys of mice with podocyte-specific knockout of palladin (PodoPalld-/- mice) by immunofluorescence and ultrastructural analysis and kidney biopsy specimens from patients by immunostaining for palladin.Results Compared with control-treated podocytes, palladin-knockdown podocytes had reduced actin filament staining, smaller focal adhesions, and downregulation of the podocyte-specific proteins synaptopodin and α-actinin-4. Furthermore, palladin-knockdown podocytes were more susceptible to disruption of the actin cytoskeleton with cytochalasin D, latrunculin A, or jasplakinolide and showed altered migration dynamics. In zebrafish embryos, palladin knockdown compromised the morphology and dynamics of epithelial cells at an early developmental stage. Compared with PodoPalld+/+ controls, PodoPalld-/- mice developed glomeruli with a disturbed morphology, an enlarged subpodocyte space, mild effacement, and significantly reduced expression of nephrin and vinculin. Furthermore, nephrotoxic serum injection led to significantly higher levels of proteinuria in PodoPalld-/- mice than in controls. Kidney biopsy specimens from patients with diabetic nephropathy and FSGS showed downregulation of palladin in podocytes as well.Conclusions Palladin has an important role in podocyte function in vitro and in vivo.

Different effects of global osteopontin and macrophage osteopontin in glomerular injury

Osteopontin (OPN) is a pro-and anti-inflammatory molecule that simultaneously attenuates oxidative stress. Both inflammation and oxidative stress play a role in the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis and in the progression of kidney injury. Importantly, OPN is highly induced in nephritic kidneys. To characterize further the role of OPN in kidney injury we used OPN^-/- mice in antiglomerular basement membrane reactive serum-induced immune (NTS) nephritis, an inflammatory and progressive model of kidney disease. Normal wild-type (WT) and OPN^-/- mice did not show histological differences. However, nephritic kidneys from OPN^-/- mice showed severe damage compared with WT mice. Glomerular proliferation, necrotizing lesions, crescent formation, and tubulointerstitial injury were significantly higher in OPN^-/- mice. Macrophage infiltration was increased in the glomeruli and interstitium in OPN^-/- mice, with higher expression of IL-6, CCL2, and chemokine CXCL1. In addition, collagen (Col) I, Col III, and Col IV deposition were increased in kidneys from OPN^-/- mice. Elevated expression of the reactive oxygen species-generating enzyme Nox4 and blunted expression of Nrf2, a molecule that inhibits reactive oxygen species and inflammatory pathways, was observed in nephritic kidneys from OPN^-/- mice. Notably, CD11b diphteria toxin receptor mice with NTS nephritis selectively depleted of macrophages and reconstituted with OPN^-/- macrophages showed less kidney injury compared with mice receiving WT macrophages. These findings suggest that in global OPN^-/- mice there is increased inflammation and redox imbalance that mediate kidney damage. However, absence of macrophage OPN is protective, indicating that macrophage OPN plays a role in the induction and progression of kidney injury in NTS nephritis.

Mechanical challenges and cytoskeletal impairments in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a histologically defined form of kidney injury typically mediated by podocyte dysfunction. Podocytes rely on their intricate actin-based cytoskeleton to maintain the glomerular filtration barrier in the face of mechanical challenges resulting from pulsatile blood flow and filtration of this blood flow. This review summarizes the mechanical challenges faced by podocytes in the form of stretch and shear stress, both of which may play a role in the progression of podocyte dysfunction and detachment. It also reviews how podocytes respond to these mechanical challenges in dynamic fashion through rearranging their cytoskeleton, triggering various biochemical pathways, and, in some disease states, altering their morphology in the form of foot process effacement. Furthermore, this review highlights the growing body of evidence identifying several mutations of important cytoskeleton proteins as causes of FSGS. Lastly, it synthesizes the above evidence to show that a better understanding of how these mutations leave podocytes vulnerable to the mechanical challenges they face is essential to better understanding the mechanisms by which they lead to disease. The review concludes with future research directions to fill this gap and some novel techniques with which to pursue these directions.

Stressed podocytes-mechanical forces, sensors, signaling and response

Increased glomerular capillary pressure (glomerular hypertension) and increased glomerular filtration rate (glomerular hyperfiltration) have been proven to cause glomerulosclerosis in animal models and are likely to be operative in patients. Since podocytes cover the glomerular basement membrane, they are exposed to tensile stress due to circumferential wall tension and to fluid shear stress arising from filtrate flow through the narrow filtration slits and through Bowman's space. In vitro evidence documents that podocytes respond to tensile stress as well as to fluid shear stress. Several proteins are discussed in this review that are expressed in podocytes and could act as mechanosensors converting mechanical force via a conformational change into a biochemical signal. The cation channels P2X4 and TRPC6 were shown to be involved in mechanosignaling in podocytes. P2X4 is activated by stretch-induced ATP release, while TRPC6 might be inherently mechanosensitive. Membrane, slit diaphragm and cell-matrix contact proteins are connected to the sublemmal actin network in podocytes via various linker proteins. Therefore, actin-associated proteins, like the proven mechanosensor filamin, are ideal candidates to sense forces in the podocyte cytoskeleton. Furthermore, podocytes express talin, p130Cas, and fibronectin that are known to undergo a conformational change in response to mechanical force exposing cryptic binding sites. Downstream of mechanosensors, experimental evidence suggests the involvement of MAP kinases, Ca²⁺ and COX2 in mechanosignaling and an emerging role of YAP/TAZ. In summary, our understanding of mechanotransduction in podocytes is still sketchy, but future progress holds promise to identify targets to alleviate conditions of increased mechanical load.

Sex differences in the development of vascular and renal lesions in mice with a simultaneous deficiency of Apoe and the integrin chain Itga8

Background

Apoe-deficient (Apoe^−/−) mice develop progressive atherosclerotic lesions with age but no severe renal pathology in the absence of additional challenges. We recently described accelerated atherosclerosis as well as marked renal injury in Apoe^−/− mice deficient in the mesenchymal integrin chain Itga8 (Itga8^−/−). Here, we used this Apoe^−/−, Itga8^−/− mouse model to investigate the sex differences in the development of atherosclerosis and concomitant renal injury. We hypothesized that aging female mice are protected from vascular and renal damage in this mouse model.

Methods

Apoe^−/− mice were backcrossed with Itga8^−/− mice. Mice were kept on a normal diet. At the age of 12 months, the aortae and kidneys of male and female Apoe^−/−Itga8^+/+ mice or Apoe^−/−Itga8^−/− mice were studied. En face preparations of the aorta were stained with Sudan IV (lipid deposition) or von Kossa (calcification). In kidney tissue, immunostaining for collagen IV, CD3, F4/80, and PCNA and real-time PCR analyses for Il6, Vegfa, Col1a1 (collagen I), and Ssp1 (secreted phosphoprotein 1, synonym osteopontin) as well as ER stress markers were performed.

Results

When compared to male mice, Apoe^−/−Itga8^+/+ female mice had a lower body weight, equal serum cholesterol levels, and lower triglyceride levels. However, female mice had increased aortic lipid deposition and more aortic calcifications than males. Male Apoe^−/− mice with the additional deficiency of Itga8 developed increased serum urea, glomerulosclerosis, renal immune cell infiltration, and reduced glomerular cell proliferation. In females of the same genotype, these renal changes were less pronounced and were accompanied by lower expression of interleukin-6 and collagen I, while osteopontin expression was higher and markers of ER stress were not different.

Conclusions

In this model of atherosclerosis, the female sex is a risk factor to develop more severe atherosclerotic lesions, even though serum fat levels are higher in males. In contrast, female mice are protected from renal damage, which is accompanied by attenuated inflammation and matrix deposition. Thus, sex affects vascular and renal injury in a differential manner.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13293-017-0141-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

SLIT2/ROBO2 signaling pathway inhibits nonmuscle myosin IIA activity and destabilizes kidney podocyte adhesion

The repulsive guidance cue SLIT2 and its receptor ROBO2 are required for kidney development and podocyte foot process structure, but the SLIT2/ROBO2 signaling mechanism regulating podocyte function is not known. Here we report that a potentially novel signaling pathway consisting of SLIT/ROBO Rho GTPase activating protein 1 (SRGAP1) and nonmuscle myosin IIA (NMIIA) regulates podocyte adhesion downstream of ROBO2. We found that the myosin II regulatory light chain (MRLC), a subunit of NMIIA, interacts directly with SRGAP1 and forms a complex with ROBO2/SRGAP1/NMIIA in the presence of SLIT2. Immunostaining demonstrated that SRGAP1 is a podocyte protein and is colocalized with ROBO2 on the basal surface of podocytes. In addition, SLIT2 stimulation inhibits NMIIA activity, decreases focal adhesion formation, and reduces podocyte attachment to collagen. In vivo studies further showed that podocyte-specific knockout of Robo2 protects mice from hypertension-induced podocyte detachment and albuminuria and also partially rescues the podocyte-loss phenotype in Myh9 knockout mice. Thus, we have identified SLIT2/ROBO2/SRGAP1/NMIIA as a potentially novel signaling pathway in kidney podocytes, which may play a role in regulating podocyte adhesion and attachment. Our findings also suggest that SLIT2/ROBO2 signaling might be a therapeutic target for kidney diseases associated with podocyte detachment and loss.

Natriuretic Peptide Receptor Guanylyl Cyclase-A in Podocytes is Renoprotective but Dispensable for Physiologic Renal Function

The cardiac natriuretic peptides (NPs), atrial NP and B-type NP, regulate fluid homeostasis and arterial BP through renal actions involving increased GFR and vascular and tubular effects. Guanylyl cyclase-A (GC-A), the transmembrane cGMP-producing receptor shared by these peptides, is expressed in different renal cell types, including podocytes, where its function is unclear. To study the effects of NPs on podocytes, we generated mice with a podocyte-specific knockout of GC-A (Podo-GC-A KO). Despite the marked reduction of GC-A mRNA in GC-A KO podocytes to 1% of the control level, Podo-GC-A KO mice and control littermates did not differ in BP, GFR, or natriuresis under baseline conditions. Moreover, infusion of synthetic NPs similarly increased the GFR and renal perfusion in both genotypes. Administration of the mineralocorticoid deoxycorticosterone-acetate (DOCA) in combination with high salt intake induced arterial hypertension of similar magnitude in Podo-GC-A KO mice and controls. However, only Podo-GC-A KO mice developed massive albuminuria (controls: 35-fold; KO: 5400-fold versus baseline), hypoalbuminemia, reduced GFR, and marked glomerular damage. Furthermore, DOCA treatment led to decreased expression of the slit diaphragm-associated proteins podocin, nephrin, and synaptopodin and to enhanced transient receptor potential canonical 6 (TRPC6) channel expression and ATP-induced calcium influx in podocytes of Podo-GC-A KO mice. Concomitant treatment of Podo-GC-A KO mice with the TRPC channel blocker SKF96365 markedly ameliorated albuminuria and glomerular damage in response to DOCA. In conclusion, the physiologic effects of NPs on GFR and natriuresis do not involve podocytes. However, NP/GC-A/cGMP signaling protects podocyte integrity under pathologic conditions, most likely by suppression of TRPC channels.

Cortical parvalbumin and somatostatin GABA neurons express distinct endogenous modulators of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

BACKGROUND

Inhibition from GABAergic interneurons in brain circuits is a critical component of cognitive function. This inhibition is regulated through a diverse network of neuromodulation. A number of recent studies suggest that one of the major regulators of interneuron function is nicotinic acetylcholinergic transmission and dysregulation of both systems is common in psychiatric conditions. However, how nicotinic modulation impacts specific subpopulations of diverse GABAergic interneurons remains in question. One potential way of conferring specificity to the convergence of GABAergic and nicotinic signaling is through the expression of a unique family of nicotinic acetycholine receptor modulators, the Lynx family. The present study sought to identify members of the Lynx family enriched in cortical interneurons and to elucidate subpopulations of GABAergic neurons that express unique nicotinic modulators.

RESULTS

We utilize double fluorescence in situ hybridization to examine the interneuronal expression of the Lynx family in adult mouse visual cortex. We find that two of the Lynx family members, Lynx1 and Lypd6, are enriched in interneuron populations in cortex. Nearly all parvalbumin interneurons express Lynx1 but we did not detect Lypd6 in this population. Conversely, in somatostatin interneurons Lypd6 was found in a subset localized to deep cortical layers but no somatostatin neurons show detectable levels of Lynx1. Using a combination of genetic and viral manipulations we further show that a subpopulation of deep-layer cortico-cortical long-range somatostatin neurons also express Lypd6.

CONCLUSIONS

This work shows that distinct subpopulations of GABAergic interneurons express unique Lynx family members. The pattern of expression of Lynx family members within interneurons places them in a unique position to potentially regulate the convergence of GABAergic and nicotinic systems, dysfunction of which are characteristic of psychiatric disorders.