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Zeng Y, Xiong C, Chen Y, Yang C, Li Q. Effects and mechanism of Rictor interference in podocyte injury induced by high glucose. Exp Ther Med 2023; 26:473. [PMID: 37753299 PMCID: PMC10518650 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2023.12172] [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: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Rapamycin-insensitive companion of mTOR (Rictor) is a critical effector of mTOR protein complex 2 (mTORC2). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Rictor in the mTORC2 signaling pathway in high glucose (HG)-induced diabetic podocyte injury by silencing the expression of Rictor. In the present study, mouse podocytes were treated with glucose (150 mM) and mannitol (200 mM), the Rictor gene was silenced using small interfering RNA (siRNA). Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, whereas podocyte cytoskeletal protein expression was detected by western blotting (WB) and immunofluorescence staining. The results demonstrated that, compared with that in the control group, the podocyte apoptotic rate was significantly increased in the mannitol group (negative group) and the groups that were treated with glucose (model groups). The podocyte apoptotic rate in the model + Rictor siRNA group was significantly decreased compared with that in the negative, model and the model glucose + siRNA negative control (NC) groups. WB indicated that the protein expression levels of podocalyxin and synaptopodin were reduced in the model and model + siRNA NC groups compared with those in the normal control and negative groups. Additionally, the protein expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and P-AKT/AKT were increased in the model and model + siRNA NC groups compared with the those in control and negative groups. Compared with those the model and model + siRNA NC groups, the protein expression levels of podocalyxin and synaptopodin were increased, whilst those of the α-SMA and P-AKT/AKT proteins were decreased, in the model + Rictor siRNA group. Results from immunofluorescence analysis were basically consistent with those of WB. Therefore, results of the present study suggest that silencing of the Rictor gene may reduce the damage to podocytes induced by HG, such that the Rictor/mTORC2 signaling pathway may be involved in the remodeling of podocyte actin cytoskeletal in diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zeng
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Changbin Xiong
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Yinxiang Chen
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Chunyun Yang
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Qiuyue Li
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
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Xu C, Ma H, Gao F, Zhang C, Hu W, Jia Y, Xu J, Hu J. Screening of Organophosphate Flame Retardants with Placentation-Disrupting Effects in Human Trophoblast Organoid Model and Characterization of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Mice. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:57002. [PMID: 35503735 PMCID: PMC9064024 DOI: 10.1289/ehp10273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abnormal placental development may result in adverse pregnancy outcomes and metabolic diseases in adulthood; however, it remains unknown whether and how xenobiotics affect human placentation. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to screen and identify placentation-disrupting chemicals in commonly used organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) and, if identified, to investigate potential adverse effects on placentation in relation to adverse pregnancy outcomes and metabolic disorder in offspring in mice. METHODS We devised a high-throughput immunofluorescence screening assay based on human trophoblast organoids and used it to screen OPFRs that inhibit the proliferation of organoids. One identified chemical was assessed for its effects on placentation by evaluating villous cytotrophoblasts, syncytiotrophoblasts, and extravillous trophoblasts using immunofluorescence and a mitochondrial stress test after 2 d of exposure. A 10-d exposure study was further performed to observe the dynamic effect of the OPFR on the structure of the organoids. RNA-sequencing and western blotting experiments were performed to explore the associated pathways, and a potential binding protein was identified by immunoprecipitation and in vitro kinase activity assays. Animal studies were performed to determine whether the findings in organoids could be replicated in mice and to observe adverse pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS The proliferation of organoids exposed to three aryl-OPFRs was significantly lower than the proliferation of control organoids. Further analysis demonstrated that one such chemical, 2-ethylhexyl-diphenyl phosphate (EHDPP), disrupted placentation in organoids. Mechanistically, EHDPP interfered with insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) to inhibit aerobic respiration. Mice exposed to EHDPP at a physiological human concentrations exhibited immature and mature placental disorders, which correlated with fetal growth restriction, implantation failure, stillbirth, and impaired glucose tolerance. CONCLUSIONS The human trophoblast organoid model showed that the commonly used OPFRs disrupted placentation via IGF1R, indicating that its use may contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes and metabolic disorders in offspring. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10273.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenke Xu
- MOE Laboratory for Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Haojia Ma
- MOE Laboratory for Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Fumei Gao
- Reproductive Medical Center, Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Chenhao Zhang
- MOE Laboratory for Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenxin Hu
- MOE Laboratory for Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yingting Jia
- MOE Laboratory for Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Xu
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Stem Cell Research Center, Peking University Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianying Hu
- MOE Laboratory for Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
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Reticular Basement Membrane Thickness Is Associated with Growth- and Fibrosis-Promoting Airway Transcriptome Profile-Study in Asthma Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22030998. [PMID: 33498209 PMCID: PMC7863966 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22030998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Airway remodeling in asthma is characterized by reticular basement membrane (RBM) thickening, likely related to epithelial structural and functional changes. Gene expression profiling of the airway epithelium might identify genes involved in bronchial structural alterations. We analyzed bronchial wall geometry (computed tomography (CT)), RBM thickness (histology), and the bronchial epithelium transcriptome profile (gene expression array) in moderate to severe persistent (n = 21) vs. no persistent (n = 19) airflow limitation asthmatics. RBM thickness was similar in the two studied subgroups. Among the genes associated with increased RBM thickness, the most essential were those engaged in cell activation, proliferation, and growth (e.g., CDK20, TACC2, ORC5, and NEK5) and inhibiting apoptosis (e.g., higher mRNA expression of RFN34, BIRC3, NAA16, and lower of RNF13, MRPL37, CACNA1G). Additionally, RBM thickness correlated with the expression of genes encoding extracellular matrix (ECM) components (LAMA3, USH2A), involved in ECM remodeling (LTBP1), neovascularization (FGD5, HPRT1), nerve functioning (TPH1, PCDHGC4), oxidative stress adaptation (RIT1, HSP90AB1), epigenetic modifications (OLMALINC, DNMT3A), and the innate immune response (STAP1, OAS2). Cluster analysis revealed that genes linked with RBM thickness were also related to thicker bronchial walls in CT. Our study suggests that the pro-fibrotic profile in the airway epithelial cell transcriptome is associated with a thicker RBM, and thus, may contribute to asthma airway remodeling.
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Research Advances in the Mechanisms of Hyperuricemia-Induced Renal Injury. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:5817348. [PMID: 32685502 PMCID: PMC7336201 DOI: 10.1155/2020/5817348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Uric acid is the end product of purine metabolism in humans, and its excessive accumulation leads to hyperuricemia and urate crystal deposition in tissues including joints and kidneys. Hyperuricemia is considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular and renal diseases. Although the symptoms of hyperuricemia-induced renal injury have long been known, the pathophysiological molecular mechanisms are not completely understood. In this review, we focus on the research advances in the mechanisms of hyperuricemia-caused renal injury, primarily on oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, renal fibrosis, and inflammation. Furthermore, we discuss the progress in hyperuricemia management.
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Jung SW, Kim SM, Kim YG, Lee SH, Moon JY. Uric acid and inflammation in kidney disease. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2020; 318:F1327-F1340. [PMID: 32223310 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00272.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Asymptomatic hyperuricemia is frequently observed in patients with kidney disease. Although a substantial number of epidemiologic studies have suggested that an elevated uric acid level plays a causative role in the development and progression of kidney disease, whether hyperuricemia is simply a result of decreased renal excretion of uric acid or is a contributor to kidney disease remains a matter of debate. Over the last two decades, multiple experimental studies have expanded the knowledge of the biological effects of uric acid beyond its role in gout. In particular, uric acid induces immune system activation and alters the characteristics of resident kidney cells, such as tubular epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells, toward a proinflammatory and profibrotic state. These findings have led to an increased awareness of uric acid as a potential and modifiable risk factor in kidney disease. Here, we discuss the effects of uric acid on the immune system and subsequently review the effects of uric acid on the kidneys mainly in the context of inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Woong Jung
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Su-Mi Kim
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yang Gyun Kim
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Ho Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju-Young Moon
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Li Y, Xia W, Zhao F, Wen Z, Zhang A, Huang S, Jia Z, Zhang Y. Prostaglandins in the pathogenesis of kidney diseases. Oncotarget 2018; 9:26586-26602. [PMID: 29899878 PMCID: PMC5995175 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostaglandins (PGs) are important lipid mediators produced from arachidonic acid via the sequential catalyzation of cyclooxygenases (COXs) and specific prostaglandin synthases. There are five subtypes of PGs, namely PGE2, PGI2, PGD2, PGF2α, and thromboxane A2 (TXA2). PGs exert distinct roles by combining to a diverse family of membrane-spanning G protein-coupled prostanoid receptors. The distribution of these PGs, their specific synthases and receptors vary a lot in the kidney. This review summarized the recent findings of PGs together with the COXs and their specific synthases and receptors in regulating renal function and highlighted the insights into their roles in the pathogenesis of various kidney diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Li
- Department of Nephrology, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Weiwei Xia
- Department of Nephrology, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Fei Zhao
- Department of Nephrology, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Zhaoying Wen
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Aihua Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Songming Huang
- Department of Nephrology, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Zhanjun Jia
- Department of Nephrology, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China
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Mungun HK, Li S, Zhang Y, Huang S, Jia Z, Ding G, Zhang A. Dihydroartemisinin inhibits indoxyl sulfate (IS)-promoted cell cycle progression in mesangial cells by targeting COX-2/mPGES-1/PGE 2 cascade. Am J Transl Res 2018; 10:422-431. [PMID: 29511436 PMCID: PMC5835807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) is a semisynthetic derivative of artemisinin and has been used as an antimalarial drug. Recently, roles of artemisinin and its derivatives in treating diseases besides antimalarial effect were documented. Thus, this study was undertaken to investigate the role of DHA in indoxyl sulfate (IS)-promoted cell cycle progression in glomerular mesangial cells, as well as the potential mechanisms. Under the basal condition, DHA significantly retarded the cell cycle progression as shown by decreased cell percentage in S phase and increased cell percentage in G1/G0 phases in line with reduced cell cycle proteins cyclin A2 and cyclin D1. Interestingly, DHA also inactivated the COX-2/mPGES-1/PGE2 cascade which has been shown to play a critical role in promoting the mesangial cell cycle progression by our previous studies. Next, we investigated the role of DHA in IS-triggered cell cycle progression in this mesangial cell line. As expected, DHA treatment significantly retarded IS-induced cell cycle progression and inhibited the activation of COX-2/mPGES-1/PGE2 cascade induced by IS. In summary, these data indicated that DHA inhibited the cell cycle progression in glomerular mesangial cells under normal condition or IS challenge possibly through the inhibition of COX-2/mPGES-1/PGE2 cascade, suggesting a potential of DHA in treating glomerular diseases with mesangial cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harr-keshauve Mungun
- Department of Nephrology, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210008, China
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210008, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210029, China
| | - Shuzhen Li
- Department of Nephrology, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210008, China
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210008, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210029, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210008, China
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210008, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210029, China
| | - Songming Huang
- Department of Nephrology, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210008, China
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210008, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210029, China
| | - Zhanjun Jia
- Department of Nephrology, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210008, China
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210008, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210029, China
| | - Guixia Ding
- Department of Nephrology, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210008, China
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210008, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210029, China
| | - Aihua Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210008, China
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210008, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210029, China
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