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Möckel T, Boegel S, Schwarting A. Transcriptome Analysis of BAFF/BAFF-R System in Murine Nephrotoxic Serum Nephritis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5415. [PMID: 38791453 PMCID: PMC11121395 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105415] [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: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an emerging cause for morbidity and mortality worldwide. Acute kidney injury (AKI) can transition to CKD and finally to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Targeted treatment is still unavailable. NF-κB signaling is associated with CKD and activated by B cell activating factor (BAFF) via BAFF-R binding. In turn, renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) are critical for the progression of fibrosis and producing BAFF. Therefore, the direct involvement of the BAFF/BAFF-R system to the pathogenesis of CKD is conceivable. We performed non-accelerated nephrotoxic serum nephritis (NTN) as the CKD model in BAFF KO (B6.129S2-Tnfsf13btm1Msc/J), BAFF-R KO (B6(Cg)-Tnfrsf13ctm1Mass/J) and wildtype (C57BL/6J) mice to analyze the BAFF/BAFF-R system in anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease using high throughput RNA sequencing. We found that BAFF signaling is directly involved in the upregulation of collagen III as BAFF ko mice showed a reduced expression. However, these effects were not mediated via BAFF-R. We identified several upregulated genes that could explain the effects of BAFF in chronic kidney injury such as Txnip, Gpx3, Igfbp7, Ccn2, Kap, Umod and Ren1. Thus, we conclude that targeted treatment with anti-BAFF drugs such as belimumab may reduce chronic kidney damage. Furthermore, upregulated genes may be useful prognostic CKD biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Möckel
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (T.M.); (S.B.)
| | - Sebastian Boegel
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (T.M.); (S.B.)
| | - Andreas Schwarting
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (T.M.); (S.B.)
- Center for Rheumatic Disease Rhineland-Palatinate GmbH, 55543 Bad Kreuznach, Germany
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2
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Wang C, Cai X, Lin S, Lin Y. Hydroxychloroquine ameliorates immune functionality and intestinal flora disorders of IgA nephropathy by inhibition of C1GALT1/Cosmc pathway. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2024; 46:218-228. [PMID: 38151955 DOI: 10.1080/08923973.2023.2300306] [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: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has emerged as a potential and secure antiproteinuric agent in IgA nephropathy (IgAN). This study endeavored to explore the impact of HCQ on the immune functionality and intestinal flora disorders in IgAN rats, as well as to elucidate the underlying mechanisms through in vivo and in vitro experiments. METHODS IgAN model was established in Sprague-Dawley rats through the administration of BSA, LPS, and CCl4, and the IgAN rats received a continuous 8-week treatment with HCQ. Moreover, the human glomerular mesangial cells (HMCs) were incubated with IgA1 to establish an in vitro cellular model of IgAN. At the end of experimental period, samples were collected for further analysis. RESULTS HCQ ameliorated the elevated levels of 24hUTP, SCr, BUN, the number of urinary RBC, and the activation of inflammation-related proteins within the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. In the IgAN rat group, there was a pronounced escalation in IgA deposition, mesangial matrix hyperplasia, and glomerular inflammatory cell infiltration, while the administration of HCQ effectively mitigated these pathological changes. In addition, the reduced production of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg in the IgAN group was effectively reversed by HCQ. Furthermore, HCQ has the capacity to restore the compromised state of the intestinal mucosal barrier induced by IgAN and mitigate the circumstances of intestinal permeability and disruption in the intestinal flora. CONCLUSION HCQ diminishes IgA aberrant glycosylation levels, ameliorates renal and intestinal histopathological damage, and attenuates intestinal flora disorders and immune dysfunction in IgAN rats by means of activating the C1GALT1/Cosmc pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaochao Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University Affiliated Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xiaoqiao Cai
- Department of Nephrology, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University Affiliated Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Wenzhou, China
| | - Shengfen Lin
- Department of Nephrology, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University Affiliated Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yongqiang Lin
- Department of Nephrology, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University Affiliated Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Wenzhou, China
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Jash R, Maparu K, Seksaria S, Das S. Decrypting the Pathological Pathways in IgA Nephropathy. RECENT ADVANCES IN INFLAMMATION & ALLERGY DRUG DISCOVERY 2024; 18:43-56. [PMID: 37870060 DOI: 10.2174/0127722708275167231011102924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
IgAN is the most common form of glomerulonephritis affecting 2000000 people annually. The disease ultimately progresses to chronic renal failure and ESRD. In this article, we focused on a comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease and thus identifying different target proteins that could be essential in therapeutic approaches in the management of the disease. Aberrantly glycosylated IgA1 produced by the suppression of the enzyme β-1, 3 galactosyltransferase ultimately triggered the formation of IgG autoantibodies which form complexes with Gd-IgA1. The complex gets circulated through the blood vessels through monocytes and ultimately gets deposited in the glomerular mesangial cells via CD71 receptors present locally. This complex triggers the inflammatory pathways activating the alternate complement system, various types of T Cells, toll-like receptors, cytokines, and chemokines ultimately recruiting the phagocytic cells to eliminate the Gd-IgA complex. The inflammatory proteins cause severe mesangial and podocyte damage in the kidney which ultimately initiates the repair process following chronic inflammation by an important protein named TGFβ1. TGF β1 is an important protein produced during chronic inflammation mediating the repair process via various downstream transduction proteins and ultimately producing fibrotic proteins which help in the repair process but permanently damage the glomerular cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajiv Jash
- Department of Pharmacology, Sanaka Educational Trust's Group Of Institutions, Malandighi, Durgapur, 713212, West Bengal, India
- Department of Pharmacy, JIS University, Kolkata, 700109, West Bengal, India
| | - Kousik Maparu
- Department of Pharmacology, Sanaka Educational Trust's Group Of Institutions, Malandighi, Durgapur, 713212, West Bengal, India
| | - Sanket Seksaria
- Department of Pharmacology, Sanaka Educational Trust's Group Of Institutions, Malandighi, Durgapur, 713212, West Bengal, India
| | - Saptarshi Das
- Department of Pharmacy, JIS University, Kolkata, 700109, West Bengal, India
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Stamellou E, Seikrit C, Tang SCW, Boor P, Tesař V, Floege J, Barratt J, Kramann R. IgA nephropathy. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2023; 9:67. [PMID: 38036542 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-023-00476-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
IgA nephropathy (IgAN), the most prevalent primary glomerulonephritis worldwide, carries a considerable lifetime risk of kidney failure. Clinical manifestations of IgAN vary from asymptomatic with microscopic or intermittent macroscopic haematuria and stable kidney function to rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. IgAN has been proposed to develop through a 'four-hit' process, commencing with overproduction and increased systemic presence of poorly O-glycosylated galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1), followed by recognition of Gd-IgA1 by antiglycan autoantibodies, aggregation of Gd-IgA1 and formation of polymeric IgA1 immune complexes and, lastly, deposition of these immune complexes in the glomerular mesangium, leading to kidney inflammation and scarring. IgAN can only be diagnosed by kidney biopsy. Extensive, optimized supportive care is the mainstay of therapy for patients with IgAN. For those at high risk of disease progression, the 2021 KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline suggests considering a 6-month course of systemic corticosteroid therapy; however, the efficacy of systemic steroid treatment is under debate and serious adverse effects are common. Advances in understanding the pathophysiology of IgAN have led to clinical trials of novel targeted therapies with acceptable safety profiles, including SGLT2 inhibitors, endothelin receptor blockers, targeted-release budesonide, B cell proliferation and differentiation inhibitors, as well as blockade of complement components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Stamellou
- Department of Nephrology, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
- Department of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Claudia Seikrit
- Department of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sydney C W Tang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Peter Boor
- Department of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Vladimir Tesař
- Department of Nephrology, 1st Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jürgen Floege
- Department of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jonathan Barratt
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Rafael Kramann
- Department of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
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5
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Zeng H, Wang L, Li J, Luo S, Han Q, Su F, Wei J, Wei X, Wu J, Li B, Huang J, Tang P, Cao C, Zhou Y, Yang Q. Single-cell RNA-sequencing reveals distinct immune cell subsets and signaling pathways in IgA nephropathy. Cell Biosci 2021; 11:203. [PMID: 34895340 PMCID: PMC8665497 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-021-00706-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerulonephritis globally. Increasing evidence suggests the importance of host immunity in the development of IgAN, but its dynamics during the early stage of IgAN are still largely unclear. RESULTS Here we successfully resolved the early transcriptomic changes in immune cells of IgAN by conducting single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) with peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between control and IgAN were predominantly enriched in NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity and cell killing pathways. Interestingly, we discovered that the number and cytotoxicity of NK cells are significantly reduced in IgAN patients, where both the number and marker genes of NK cells were negatively associated with the clinical parameters, including the levels of urine protein creatinine ratio (UPCR), serum galactose-deficient IgA1 and IgA. A distinctive B cell subset, which had suppressed NFκB signaling was predominantly in IgAN and positively associated with disease progression. Moreover, the DEGs of B cells were enriched in different viral infection pathways. Classical monocytes also significantly changed in IgAN and a monocyte subset expressing interferon-induced genes was positively associated with the clinical severity of IgAN. Finally, we identified vast dynamics in intercellular communications in IgAN. CONCLUSIONS We dissected the immune landscape of IgAN at the single-cell resolution, which provides new insights in developing novel biomarkers and immunotherapy against glomerulonephritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honghui Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Le Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiajia Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
- Department of Nephrology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Siweier Luo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Qianqian Han
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
- Department of Nephrology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Fang Su
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing Wei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaona Wei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
- Department of Nephrology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianping Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
- Department of Nephrology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Bin Li
- Clinical Trials Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Jingang Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Patrick Tang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chunwei Cao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China.
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China.
| | - Yiming Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China.
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China.
| | - Qiongqiong Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China.
- Department of Nephrology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China.
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The influences of α-hemolytic Streptococcus on class switching and complement activation of human tonsillar cells in IgA nephropathy. Immunol Res 2021; 70:86-96. [PMID: 34642907 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-021-09223-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
While β-hemolytic streptococcus (β-HS) infections are known to predispose patients to acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, there is evidence that implicates α-hemolytic streptococcus (α-HS) in IgA nephropathy (IgAN). The alternative pathway of the complement system has also been implicated in IgAN. We aimed to explore the association between α-HS and complement activation in human tonsillar mononuclear cells (TMCs) in IgAN. In our study, α-HS induced higher IgA levels than IgG levels, while β-HS increased higher IgG levels than IgA levels with more activation-induced cytidine deaminase, in TMCs in the IgAN group. Aberrant IgA1 O-glycosylation levels were higher in IgAN patients with α-HS. C3 and C3b expression was decreased in IgAN patients, but in chronic tonsillitis control patients, the expression decreased only after stimulation with β-HS. Complement factor B and H (CFH) mRNA increased, but the CFH concentration in culture supernatants decreased with α-HS. The percentage of CD19 + CD35 + cells/complement receptor 1 (CR1) decreased with α-HS more than with β-HS, while CD19 + CD21 + cells/complement receptor 2 (CR2) increased more with β-HS than with α-HS. The component nephritis-associated plasmin receptor (NAPlr) of α-HS was not detected on tonsillar or kidney tissues in IgAN patients and was positive on cultured TMCs and mesangial cells. We concluded that α-HS induced the secretion of aberrantly O-glycosylated IgA while decreasing the levels of the inhibitory factor CFH in culture supernatants and CR1 + B cells. These findings provide testable mechanisms that relate α-HS infection to abnormal mucosal responses involving the alternative complement pathway in IgAN.
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Tang PCT, Chan ASW, Zhang CB, García Córdoba CA, Zhang YY, To KF, Leung KT, Lan HY, Tang PMK. TGF-β1 Signaling: Immune Dynamics of Chronic Kidney Diseases. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:628519. [PMID: 33718407 PMCID: PMC7948440 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.628519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, imposing a great burden on the healthcare system. Regrettably, effective CKD therapeutic strategies are yet available due to their elusive pathogenic mechanisms. CKD is featured by progressive inflammation and fibrosis associated with immune cell dysfunction, leading to the formation of an inflammatory microenvironment, which ultimately exacerbating renal fibrosis. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) is an indispensable immunoregulator promoting CKD progression by controlling the activation, proliferation, and apoptosis of immunocytes via both canonical and non-canonical pathways. More importantly, recent studies have uncovered a new mechanism of TGF-β1 for de novo generation of myofibroblast via macrophage-myofibroblast transition (MMT). This review will update the versatile roles of TGF-β signaling in the dynamics of renal immunity, a better understanding may facilitate the discovery of novel therapeutic strategies against CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Chiu-Tsun Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Alex Siu-Wing Chan
- Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
| | - Cai-Bin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Cristina Alexandra García Córdoba
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Ying-Ying Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ka-Fai To
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Kam-Tong Leung
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Hui-Yao Lan
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.,Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory on Immunological and Genetic Kidney Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Patrick Ming-Kuen Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
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Chang S, Li XK. The Role of Immune Modulation in Pathogenesis of IgA Nephropathy. Front Med (Lausanne) 2020; 7:92. [PMID: 32266276 PMCID: PMC7105732 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.00092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most prevalent primary glomerulonephritis worldwide, with diverse clinical manifestations characterized by recurrent gross hematuria or microscopic hematuria, and pathological changes featuring poorly O-galactosylated IgA1 deposition in the glomerular mesangium. Pathogenesis has always been the focus of IgAN studies. After 50 years of research, most scholars agree that IgAN is a group of clinicopathological syndromes with certain common immunopathological characteristics, and multiple mechanisms are involved in its pathogenesis, including immunology, genetics, and environmental or nutritional factors. However, the precise pathogenetic mechanisms have not been fully determined. One hypothesis about the pathogenesis of IgAN suggests that immunological factors are engaged in all aspects of IgAN development and play a critical role. A variety of immune cells (e.g., dendritic cells, NK cells, macrophages, T-lymphocyte subsets, and B-lymphocytes, etc.) and molecules (e.g., IgA receptors, Toll-like receptors, complements, etc.) in innate and adaptive immunity are involved in the pathogenesis of IgAN. Moreover, the abnormality of mucosal immune regulation is the core of IgAN immunopathogenesis. The roles of tonsil immunity or intestinal mucosal immunity, which have received more attention in recent years, are supported by mounting evidence. In this review, we will explore the latest research insights on the role of immune modulation in the pathogenesis of IgAN. With a better understanding of immunopathogenesis of IgAN, emerging therapies will soon become realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Chang
- Institute of Organ Transplantation, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China.,Division of Transplantation Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Xiao-Kang Li
- Division of Transplantation Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Liu D, Xia M, Liu Y, Tan X, He L, Liu Y, Chen G, Liu H. The upregulation of miR-98-5p affects the glycosylation of IgA1 through cytokines in IgA nephropathy. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 82:106362. [PMID: 32126510 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2019] [Revised: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Increases in galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy (IgAN), and several recent experiments have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in regulating the development and physiological function of the kidney. The aims of this study were to identify miRNAs that can affect the pathogenesis of IgAN and reveal the underlying regulatory mechanism of IgA1 glycosylation in peripheral blood. METHODS The differentially expressed miRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) between IgAN patients and healthy controls were screened by high-throughput sequencing, and the targets of these miRNAs were predicted and verified by dual-luciferase reporter assays. We also explored the miRNA regulation of Gd-IgA1 through the transfection of miRNA mimics and related plasmids. RESULTS The high-throughput sequencing results showed that miR-98-5p was more highly expressed in the PBMCs of IgAN patients compared with healthy controls, and the luciferase reporter gene system confirmed that miR-98-5p might target chemokine ligand 3 (CCL3). The transfection of si-CCL3 confirmed that a decrease in CCL3 can affect the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C1GALT1. The overexpression of miR-98-5p in PBMCs through the transfection of miR-98-5p mimic reduced the CCL3 and C1GALT1 levels and increased the IL-6 levels, and these changes in PBMCs were attenuated by cotransfection with the CCL3 plasmid. CONCLUSION The results showed that in PBMCs, miR-98-5p can target CCL3 to decrease its expression and thereby increase the IL-6 levels, and the resulting increase in IL-6 can decrease C1GALT1 expression. Therefore, miR-98-5p might be involved in the development of IgAN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Liu
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification, No. 139 Renmin Middle Road, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Ming Xia
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification, No. 139 Renmin Middle Road, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Yexin Liu
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification, No. 139 Renmin Middle Road, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Xia Tan
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification, No. 139 Renmin Middle Road, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Liyu He
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification, No. 139 Renmin Middle Road, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification, No. 139 Renmin Middle Road, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Guochun Chen
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification, No. 139 Renmin Middle Road, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Hong Liu
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification, No. 139 Renmin Middle Road, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China.
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Cao Y, Lu G, Chen X, Chen X, Guo N, Li W. BAFF is involved in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy by activating the TRAF6/NF‑κB signaling pathway in glomerular mesangial cells. Mol Med Rep 2019; 21:795-805. [PMID: 31974601 PMCID: PMC6947818 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.10870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the involvement of B cell-activating factor (BAFF) in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy by activating the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6)/NF-κB signaling pathway in glomerular mesangial cells. For the clinical analysis, blood, urine and kidney tissue samples were collected from 58 patients diagnosed with primary IgA nephropathy by renal biopsy. For the in vitro study, glomerular mesangial cells were divided into five groups: Control (con)-short hairpin RNA (shRNA) (control group); con-shRNA + BAFF (20 ng/ml); con-shRNA + BAFF + BAFF-RFc chimera protein (500 µg/ml); TRAF6-shRNA; and TRAF6-shRNA + BAFF (20 ng/ml). For the in vivo experiments, 60 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: Con-small interfering RNA (siRNA) (control group); con-siRNA + IgA (IgA nephropathy group), BAFF-RFc chimera protein (2 µg/ml) + IgA, and TRAF6-siRNA (0.2 µM) + IgA. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR was performed to evaluate the mRNA expression levels of TRAF6, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), fibronectin (FN) and NF-κBP65. Western blot analysis was used to detect the protein expression levels of TRAF6, FN, CTGF and phosphorylated-NF-κBP65 in glomerular mesangial cells and kidney tissues. The results revealed that plasma BAFF levels were positively correlated with the severity of pathological damage in patients with IgA nephropathy. In vitro, BAFF induced the mRNA and protein expression of TRAF6, CTGF, FN and NF-κBP65 in glomerular mesangial cells. After the BAFF-RFc chimera protein was added to inhibit the binding of BAFF and BAFF-receptor (-R), this effect was reduced. In vivo, inhibition of the effects of BAFF via injection with the BAFF-R Fc chimera protein reduced kidney damage in rats suffering from IgA nephropathy. The effect on the expression of signaling pathway-associated proteins was also alleviated. In conclusion, BAFF enhanced the expression of fibroblast factors in the kidneys by activating the TRAF6/NF-κB signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingjie Cao
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
| | - Guoyuan Lu
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
| | - Xiaolan Chen
- Department of Nephrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226000, P.R. China
| | - Xu Chen
- Department of Nephrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226000, P.R. China
| | - Naifeng Guo
- Department of Nephrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226000, P.R. China
| | - Wenwen Li
- Department of Nephrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226000, P.R. China
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Tang Y, He H, Sun W, Hu P, Chen X, Xu X. Corticosteroid therapy in IgA nephropathy with minimal proteinuria and high renal pathological score: A single‑center cohort study. Mol Med Rep 2018; 18:4103-4112. [PMID: 30132546 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2018.9413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, there is no clear evidence that advocates the widespread use of corticosteroids for the treatment of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) with minimal proteinuria (<1 g/day). The recent Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes Clinical Practice Guideline recommends supportive corticosteroid treatment. In the present study, 45 IgAN patients with high renal pathological scores and minimal proteinuria were enrolled. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. The treatment group received methylprednisolone tablets in addition to angiotensin‑converting‑enzyme inhibitor (ACE‑I) and/or angiotensin‑receptor blocker (ARB) treatment. The control group only received ACE‑I and/or ARB treatment. In the treatment group, a single dose of 1 mg/kg (maximum 60 mg/day) methylprednisolone tablets was given daily followed by gradually decreasing dosage. The follow‑up time of the patients was 3 years. In addition, the underlying mechanisms were investigated. The results indicated that there was a significant reduction in the amount of urinary proteins in the treatment group compared with the control group. At the end of the follow‑up, the endpoint event rate of moderate or severe proteinuria and decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in the treatment group was significantly lower than the control group. Furthermore, higher levels of serum cytokines, interleukin (IL)‑4, IL‑17, transforming growth factor‑β1 and IL‑21, were detected in patients with IgAN compared with a group of healthy controls. There was no significant difference in IFN‑γ expression between the IgAN and healthy control groups. Furthermore, the expression of Janus kinase (Jak)1, Jak3, signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 and STAT6 was significantly upregulated in patients with IgAN compared with healthy controls. However, the expression levels of STAT5 and chaperone protein, C1GALT1 specific chaperone 1, in IgAN patients were significantly reduced compared with healthy controls. In addition, there was no significant difference in the expression of Jak2, tyrosine kinase 2, STAT1 and STAT4 between the two groups. In conclusion, for IgAN patients with minimal proteinuria and high renal pathological score corticosteroid therapy is likely to be effective. The dysregulation of serum cytokine levels in these patients with IgAN may have a role in the pathogenesis and progression of disease, which is associated with the activation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyan Tang
- Department of Nephrology, Minhang Branch, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201199, P.R. China
| | - Haidong He
- Department of Nephrology, Minhang Branch, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201199, P.R. China
| | - Weiqian Sun
- Department of Nephrology, Minhang Branch, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201199, P.R. China
| | - Pin Hu
- Department of Nephrology, Minhang Branch, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201199, P.R. China
| | - Xia Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Minhang Branch, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201199, P.R. China
| | - Xudong Xu
- Department of Nephrology, Minhang Branch, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201199, P.R. China
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