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Qiao YY, Ji JL, Hou WL, Qu GT, Li SW, Li XY, Jin R, Li YF, Shi HM, Zhang AQ. tRF3-IleAAT reduced extracellular matrix synthesis in diabetic kidney disease mice by targeting ZNF281 and inhibiting ferroptosis. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2024; 45:1032-1043. [PMID: 38286833 PMCID: PMC11053026 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-024-01228-5] [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: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
It is well established that the synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) in mesangial cells is a major determinant of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Elucidating the major players in ECM synthesis may be helpful to provide promising candidates for protecting against DKD progression. tRF3-IleAAT is a tRNA-derived fragment (tRF) produced by nucleases at tRNA-specific sites, which is differentially expressed in the sera of patients with diabetes mellitus and DKD. In this study we investigated the potential roles of tRFs in DKD. Db/db mice at 12 weeks were adapted as a DKD model. The mice displayed marked renal dysfunction accompanied by significantly reduced expression of tRF3-IleAAT and increased ferroptosis and ECM synthesis in the kidney tissues. The reduced expression of tRF3-IleAAT was also observed in high glucose-treated mouse glomerular mesangial cells. We administered ferrostatin-1 (1 mg/kg, once every two days, i.p.) to the mice from the age of 12 weeks for 8 weeks, and found that inhibition of the onset of ferroptosis significantly improved renal function, attenuated renal fibrosis and reduced collagen deposition. Overexpression of tRF3-IleAAT by a single injection of AAV carrying tRF3-IleAAT via caudal vein significantly inhibited ferroptosis and ECM synthesis in DKD model mice. Furthermore, we found that the expression of zinc finger protein 281 (ZNF281), a downstream target gene of tRF3-IleAAT, was significantly elevated in DKD models but negatively regulated by tRF3-IleAAT. In high glucose-treated mesangial cells, knockdown of ZNF281 exerted an inhibitory effect on ferroptosis and ECM synthesis. We demonstrated the targeted binding of tRF3-IleAAT to the 3'UTR of ZNF281. In conclusion, tRF3-IleAAT inhibits ferroptosis by targeting ZNF281, resulting in the mitigation of ECM synthesis in DKD models, suggesting that tRF3-IleAAT may be an attractive therapeutic target for DKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Yang Qiao
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210003, China
- Department of Pediatrics, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210031, China
| | - Jia-Ling Ji
- Department of Pediatrics, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210031, China
| | - Wei-Ling Hou
- Department of Science and Education, the Affiliated Jiangning Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211199, China
| | - Gao-Ting Qu
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210003, China
| | - Shan-Wen Li
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210003, China
| | - Xing-Yue Li
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210003, China
| | - Ran Jin
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210003, China
| | - Yin-Fang Li
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210003, China
| | - Hui-Min Shi
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210003, China.
| | - Ai-Qing Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210031, China.
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