Erratum: Triptolide Suppresses Glomerular Mesangial Cell Proliferation in Diabetic Nephropathy Is Associated with Inhibition of PDK1/Akt/mTOR Pathway: Erratum

Triptolide protects against podocyte injury in diabetic nephropathy by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway

Objectives: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most common microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus. This study investigated the mechanism of triptolide (TP) in podocyte injury in DN.Methods: DN mouse models were established by feeding with a high-fat diet and injecting with streptozocin and MPC5 podocyte injury models were induced by high-glucose (HG), followed by TP treatment. Fasting blood glucose and renal function indicators, such as 24 h urine albumin (UAlb), serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and kidney/body weight ratio of mice were examined. H&E and TUNEL staining were performed for evaluating pathological changes and apoptosis in renal tissue. The podocyte markers, reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative stress (OS), serum inflammatory cytokines, nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway-related proteins, and pyroptosis were detected by Western blotting and corresponding kits. MPC5 cell viability and pyroptosis were evaluated by MTT and Hoechst 33342/PI double-fluorescence staining. Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 was used to verify the regulation of TP on Nrf2.Results: TP improved renal function and histopathological injury of DN mice, alleviated podocytes injury, reduced OS and ROS by activating the Nrf2/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway, and weakened pyroptosis by inhibiting the nod-like receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome pathway. In vitro experiments further verified the inhibition of TP on OS and pyroptosis by mediating the Nrf2/HO-1 and NLRP3 inflammasome pathways. Inhibition of Nrf2 reversed the protective effect of TP on MPC5 cells.Conclusions: Overall, TP alleviated podocyte injury in DN by inhibiting OS and pyroptosis via Nrf2/ROS/NLRP3 axis.

A Deep Insight Into Regulatory T Cell Metabolism in Renal Disease: Facts and Perspectives

Kidney disease encompasses a complex set of diseases that can aggravate or start systemic pathophysiological processes through their complex metabolic mechanisms and effects on body homoeostasis. The prevalence of kidney disease has increased dramatically over the last two decades. CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T (Treg) cells that express the transcription factor forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3) are critical for maintaining immune homeostasis and preventing autoimmune disease and tissue damage caused by excessive or unnecessary immune activation, including autoimmune kidney diseases. Recent studies have highlighted the critical role of metabolic reprogramming in controlling the plasticity, stability, and function of Treg cells. They are also likely to play a vital role in limiting kidney transplant rejection and potentially promoting transplant tolerance. Metabolic pathways, such as mitochondrial function, glycolysis, lipid synthesis, glutaminolysis, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activation, are involved in the development of renal diseases by modulating the function and proliferation of Treg cells. Targeting metabolic pathways to alter Treg cells can offer a promising method for renal disease therapy. In this review, we provide a new perspective on the role of Treg cell metabolism in renal diseases by presenting the renal microenvironment、relevant metabolites of Treg cell metabolism, and the role of Treg cell metabolism in various kidney diseases.