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Sopel N, Müller-Deile J. Zebrafish Model to Study Podocyte Function Within the Glomerular Filtration Barrier. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2664:145-157. [PMID: 37423988 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3179-9_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
The zebrafish model has been used in many different fields of research because of its high homology to the human genome, its easy genetic manipulation, its high fecundity, and its rapid development. For glomerular diseases, zebrafish larvae have proven to be a versatile tool to study the contribution of different genes, because the zebrafish pronephros is very comparable to the human kidney in function and ultrastructure. Here we describe the principle and use of a simple screening assay based on the measurement of the fluorescence in the retinal vessel plexus of the Tg(l-fabp:DBP:eGFP) zebrafish line ("eye assay") to indirectly determine proteinuria as a hallmark of podocyte dysfunction. Furthermore, we illustrate how to analyze the obtained data and outline methods to attribute the findings to podocyte impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Sopel
- Department of Medicine 4 - Nephrology and Hypertension, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Friedrich-Alexander Universiät Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
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The Zebrafish Model to Understand Epigenetics in Renal Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179152. [PMID: 34502062 PMCID: PMC8431166 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications are able to alter gene expression and include DNA methylation, different histone variants, and post-transcriptional modifications (PTMs), such as acetylation or phosphorylation, and through short/long RNAs, respectively. In this review, we focus on current knowledge concerning epigenetic modifications in gene regulation. We describe different forms of epigenetic modifications and explain how epigenetic changes can be detected. The relevance of epigenetics in renal diseases is highlighted with multiple examples and the use of the zebrafish model to study glomerular diseases in general and epigenetics in renal diseases in particular is discussed. We end with an outlook on how to use epigenetic modifications as a therapeutic target for different diseases. Here, the zebrafish model can be employed as a high-throughput screening tool not only to discover epigenetic alterations contributing to disease, but also to test novel substances that change epigenetic signatures in vivo. Therefore, the zebrafish model harbors the opportunity to find novel pathogenic pathways allowing a pre-selection of potential targets and compounds to be tested for renal diseases.
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Potential role of extracellular vesicles in the pathophysiology of glomerular diseases. Clin Sci (Lond) 2021; 134:2741-2754. [PMID: 33111949 DOI: 10.1042/cs20200766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bound vesicles released by most cells and are found in diverse biological fluids. The release of EVs provides a new mechanism for intercellular communication, allowing cells to transfer their functional cargoes to target cells. Glomerular diseases account for a large proportion of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide. In recent years, an increasing number of research groups have focused their effort on identifying the functional role of EVs in renal diseases. However, the involvement of EVs in the pathophysiology of glomerular diseases has not been comprehensively described and discussed. In this review, we first briefly introduce the characteristics of EVs. Then, we describe the involvement of EVs in the mechanisms underlying glomerular diseases, including immunological and fibrotic processes. We also discuss what functions EVs derived from different kidney cells have in glomerular diseases and how EVs exert their effects through different signaling pathways. Furthermore, we summarize recent advances in the knowledge of EV involvement in the pathogenesis of various glomerular diseases. Finally, we propose future research directions for identifying better management strategies for glomerular diseases.
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Agrawal S, Ransom RF, Saraswathi S, Garcia-Gonzalo E, Webb A, Fernandez-Martinez JL, Popovic M, Guess AJ, Kloczkowski A, Benndorf R, Sadee W, Smoyer WE. Sulfatase 2 Is Associated with Steroid Resistance in Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome. J Clin Med 2021; 10:523. [PMID: 33540508 PMCID: PMC7867139 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10030523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoid (GC) resistance complicates the treatment of ~10-20% of children with nephrotic syndrome (NS), yet the molecular basis for resistance remains unclear. We used RNAseq analysis and in silico algorithm-based approaches on peripheral blood leukocytes from 12 children both at initial NS presentation and after ~7 weeks of GC therapy to identify a 12-gene panel able to differentiate steroid resistant NS (SRNS) from steroid-sensitive NS (SSNS). Among this panel, subsequent validation and analyses of one biologically relevant candidate, sulfatase 2 (SULF2), in up to a total of 66 children, revealed that both SULF2 leukocyte expression and plasma arylsulfatase activity Post/Pre therapy ratios were greater in SSNS vs. SRNS. However, neither plasma SULF2 endosulfatase activity (measured by VEGF binding activity) nor plasma VEGF levels, distinguished SSNS from SRNS, despite VEGF's reported role as a downstream mediator of SULF2's effects in glomeruli. Experimental studies of NS-related injury in both rat glomeruli and cultured podocytes also revealed decreased SULF2 expression, which were partially reversible by GC treatment of podocytes. These findings together suggest that SULF2 levels and activity are associated with GC resistance in NS, and that SULF2 may play a protective role in NS via the modulation of downstream mediators distinct from VEGF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shipra Agrawal
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; (R.F.R.); (M.P.); (A.J.G.); (R.B.)
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Richard F. Ransom
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; (R.F.R.); (M.P.); (A.J.G.); (R.B.)
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Saras Saraswathi
- Battelle Center for Mathematical Medicine at Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA;
| | | | - Amy Webb
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | | | - Milan Popovic
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; (R.F.R.); (M.P.); (A.J.G.); (R.B.)
| | - Adam J. Guess
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; (R.F.R.); (M.P.); (A.J.G.); (R.B.)
| | - Andrzej Kloczkowski
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
- Battelle Center for Mathematical Medicine at Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA;
| | - Rainer Benndorf
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; (R.F.R.); (M.P.); (A.J.G.); (R.B.)
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Wolfgang Sadee
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Pharmacogenomics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - William E. Smoyer
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; (R.F.R.); (M.P.); (A.J.G.); (R.B.)
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
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