Scaffold protein SH3BP2 signalosome is pivotal for immune activation in nephrotic syndrome

Despite clinical use of immunosuppressive agents, the immunopathogenesis of minimal change disease (MCD) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) remains unclear. Src homology 3-binding protein 2 (SH3BP2), a scaffold protein, forms an immune signaling complex (signalosome) with 17 other proteins, including phospholipase Cγ2 (PLCγ2) and Rho-guanine nucleotide exchange factor VAV2 (VAV2). Bioinformatic analysis of human glomerular transcriptome (Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network cohort) revealed upregulated SH3BP2 in MCD and FSGS. The SH3BP2 signalosome score and downstream MyD88, TRIF, and NFATc1 were significantly upregulated in MCD and FSGS. Immune pathway activation scores for Toll-like receptors, cytokine-cytokine receptor, and NOD-like receptors were increased in FSGS. Lower SH3BP2 signalosome score was associated with MCD, higher estimated glomerular filtration rate, and remission. Further work using Sh3bp2KI/KI transgenic mice with a gain-in-function mutation showed ~6-fold and ~25-fold increases in albuminuria at 4 and 12 weeks, respectively. Decreased serum albumin and unchanged serum creatinine were observed at 12 weeks. Sh3bp2KI/KI kidney morphology appeared normal except for increased mesangial cellularity and patchy foot process fusion without electron-dense deposits. SH3BP2 co-immunoprecipitated with PLCγ2 and VAV2 in human podocytes, underscoring the importance of SH3BP2 in immune activation. SH3BP2 and its binding partners may determine the immune activation pathways resulting in podocyte injury leading to loss of the glomerular filtration barrier.

Prostanoid receptors in hyperfiltration-mediated glomerular injury: Novel agonists and antagonists reveal opposing roles for EP2 and EP4 receptors

Increased fluid-flow shear stress (FFSS) contributes to hyperfiltration-induced podocyte and glomerular injury resulting in progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). We reported that increased FFSS in vitro and in vivo upregulates PGE2 receptor EP2 (but not EP4 expression), COX2-PGE₂ -EP2 axis, and EP2-linked Akt-GSK3β-β-catenin signaling pathway in podocytes. To understand and use the disparities between PGE2 receptors, specific agonists, and antagonists of EP2 and EP4 were used to assess phosphorylation of Akt, GSK3β and β-catenin in podocytes using Western blotting, glomerular filtration barrier function using in vitro albumin permeability (P_alb ) assay, and mitigation of hyperfiltration-induced injury in unilaterally nephrectomized (UNX) mice at 1 and 6 months. Results show an increase in P_alb by PGE₂ , EP2 agonist (EP2^AGO ) and EP4 antagonist (EP4^ANT ), but not by EP2 antagonist (EP2^ANT ) or EP4 agonist (EP4^AGO ). Pretreatment with EP2^ANT blocked the effect of PGE₂ or EP2^AGO on P_alb . Modulation of EP2 and EP4 also induced opposite effects on phosphorylation of Akt and β-Catenin. Individual agonists or antagonists of EP2 or EP4 did not induce significant improvement in albuminuria in UNX mice. However, treatment with a combination EP2^ANT  + EP4^AGO for 1 or 6 months caused a robust decrease in albuminuria. EP2^ANT  + EP4^AGO combination did not impact adaptive hypertrophy or increased serum creatinine. Observed differences between expression of EP2 and EP4 on the glomerular barrier highlight these receptors as potential targets for intervention. Safe and effective mitigating effect of EP2^ANT  + EP4^AGO presents a novel opportunity to delay the progression of hyperfiltration-associated CKD as seen in transplant donors.

A mouse model of prenatal exposure to Interleukin-6 to study the developmental origin of health and disease

Systemic inflammation in pregnant obese women is associated with 1.5- to 2-fold increase in serum Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and newborns with lower kidney/body weight ratio but the role of IL-6 in increased susceptibility to chronic kidney (CKD) in adult progeny is not known. Since IL-6 crosses the placental barrier, we administered recombinant IL-6 (10 pg/g) to pregnant mice starting at mid-gestation yielded newborns with lower body (p < 0.001) and kidney (p < 0.001) weights. Histomorphometry indicated decreased nephrogenic zone width (p = 0.039) with increased numbers of mature glomeruli (p = 0.002) and pre-tubular aggregates (p = 0.041). Accelerated maturation in IL-6 newborns was suggested by early expression of podocyte-specific protein podocin in glomeruli, increased 5-methyl-cytosine (LC–MS analysis for CpG DNA methylation) and altered expression of certain genes of cell-cycle and apoptosis (RT-qPCR array-analysis). Western blotting showed upregulated pJAK2/pSTAT3. Thus, treating dams with IL-6 as a surrogate provides newborns to study effects of maternal systemic inflammation on future susceptibility to CKD in adulthood.

Transcription Factor β-Catenin Plays a Key Role in Fluid Flow Shear Stress-Mediated Glomerular Injury in Solitary Kidney

Increased fluid flow shear stress (FFSS) in solitary kidney alters podocyte function in vivo. FFSS-treated cultured podocytes show upregulated AKT-GSK3β-β-catenin signaling. The present study was undertaken to confirm (i) the activation of β-catenin signaling in podocytes in vivo using unilaterally nephrectomized (UNX) TOPGAL mice with the β-galactosidase reporter gene for β-catenin activation, (ii) β-catenin translocation in FFSS-treated mouse podocytes, and (iii) β-catenin signaling using publicly available data from UNX mice. The UNX of TOPGAL mice resulted in glomerular hypertrophy and increased the mesangial matrix consistent with hemodynamic adaptation. Uninephrectomized TOPGAL mice showed an increased β-galactosidase expression at 4 weeks but not at 12 weeks, as assessed using immunofluorescence microscopy (p < 0.001 at 4 weeks; p = 0.16 at 12 weeks) and X-gal staining (p = 0.008 at 4 weeks; p = 0.65 at 12 weeks). Immunofluorescence microscopy showed a significant increase in phospho-β-catenin (Ser552, p = 0.005) at 4 weeks but not at 12 weeks (p = 0.935) following UNX, and the levels of phospho-β-catenin (Ser675) did not change. In vitro FFSS caused a sustained increase in the nuclear translocation of phospho-β-catenin (Ser552) but not phospho-β-catenin (Ser675) in podocytes. The bioinformatic analysis of the GEO dataset, #GSE53996, also identified β-catenin as a key upstream regulator. We conclude that transcription factor β-catenin mediates FFSS-induced podocyte (glomerular) injury in solitary kidney.

TRIP-1 via AKT modulation drives lung fibroblast/myofibroblast trans-differentiation

BACKGROUND

Myofibroblasts are the critical effector cells in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis which carries a high degree of morbidity and mortality. We have previously identified Type II TGFβ receptor interacting protein 1 (TRIP-1), through proteomic analysis, as a key regulator of collagen contraction in primary human lung fibroblasts--a functional characteristic of myofibroblasts, and the last, but critical step in the process of fibrosis. However, whether or not TRIP-1 modulates fibroblast trans-differentiation to myofibroblasts is not known.

METHODS

TRIP-1 expression was altered in primary human lung fibroblasts by siRNA and plasmid transfection. Transfected fibroblasts were then analyzed for myofibroblast features and function such as α-SMA expression, collagen contraction ability, and resistance to apoptosis.

RESULTS

The down-regulation of TRIP-1 expression in primary human lung fibroblasts induces α-SMA expression and enhances resistance to apoptosis and collagen contraction ability. In contrast, TRIP-1 over-expression inhibits α-SMA expression. Remarkably, the effects of the loss of TRIP-1 are not abrogated by blockage of TGFβ ligand activation of the Smad3 pathway or by Smad3 knockdown. Rather, a TRIP-1 mediated enhancement of AKT phosphorylation is the implicated pathway. In TRIP-1 knockdown fibroblasts, AKT inhibition prevents α-SMA induction, and transfection with a constitutively active AKT construct drives collagen contraction and decreases apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

TRIP-1 regulates fibroblast acquisition of phenotype and function associated with myofibroblasts. The importance of this finding is it suggests TRIP-1 expression could be a potential target in therapeutic strategy aimed against pathological fibrosis.

TRIP-1 regulates TGF-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of human lung epithelial cell line A549

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process by which epithelial cells undergo conversion to a mesenchymal phenotype contributing to wound repair by fibrosis and to cancer cell acquisition of invasive ability. Recently, we showed that type II TGF-β receptor interacting protein-1 (TRIP-1), a protein identified as a phosphorylation target of the TGF-β type II receptor kinase and as a functional component of eukaryotic translation initiator factor 3 (eiF3) multiprotein complex, is a novel modulator of fibroblast collagen contraction, an important step in wound repair stimulated by TGF-β1 action. TGF-β1 drives EMT, but it is not known whether TRIP-1 expression influences EMT induction. To investigate whether TRIP-1 plays a role in EMT induction we studied the effect of downregulating TRIP-1 expression in the well-characterized A549 model of TGF-β1 induction of EMT. Here we report that short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated depletion of TRIP-1 gene transcripts in A549 cells promotes EMT as assessed by changes in phenotypic markers, morphology, and migrative ability. Knockdown of TRIP-1 dramatically increased A549 responsiveness to TGF-β1 induction of EMT. Mechanistically, a pathway involving increased TGF-β type II receptor level, enhanced Smad3 phosphorylation, and the transcription factor SLUG is implicated. Altogether, the findings point to regulation of endogenous TRIP-1 protein expression as a potential strategy to target EMT, and related invasive behavior, in cancer cells.

Polarized migration of lymphatic endothelial cells is critically dependent on podoplanin regulation of Cdc42

We have shown previously that T1α/podoplanin is required for capillary tube formation by human lung microvascular lymphatic endothelial cells (HMVEC-LLy) and that cells with decreased podoplanin expression fail to properly activate the small GTPase RhoA shortly after the beginning of the lymphangiogenic process. The objective of this study was to determine whether podoplanin regulates HMVEC-LLy migration and whether this regulation is via modulation of small GTPase activation. In analysis of scratch wound assays, we found that small interfering RNA (siRNA) depletion of podoplanin expression in HMVEC-LLy inhibits VEGF-induced microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) and Golgi polarization and causes a dramatic reduction in directional migration compared with control siRNA-transfected cells. In addition, a striking redistribution of cortical actin to fiber networks across the cell body is observed in these cells, and, remarkably, it returns to control levels if the cells are cotransfected with a dominant-negative mutant of Cdc42. Moreover, cotransfection of a dominant-negative construct of Cdc42 into podoplanin knockdown HMVEC-LLy completely abrogated the effect of podoplanin deficiency, rescuing MTOC and Golgi polarization and cell migration to control level. Importantly, expression of constitutively active Cdc42 construct, like podoplanin knockdown, decreased RhoA-GTP level in HMVEC-LLy, demonstrating cross talk between both GTPases. Taken together, the results indicate that polarized migration of lymphatic endothelial cells in response to VEGF is mediated via a pathway of podoplanin regulation of small GTPase activities, in particular Cdc42.

Knockdown of ERp57 increases BiP/GRP78 induction and protects against hyperoxia and tunicamycin-induced apoptosis

Supplemental oxygen therapy (hyperoxia) in preterm babies with respiratory stress is associated with lung injury and the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis plays critical roles in maintaining cellular functions such as protein synthesis, folding, and secretion. Interruption of ER homeostasis causes ER stress and triggers the unfolded protein response, which can lead to apoptosis in persistently stressed cells. ERp57 is an ER protein and is associated with calreticulin and calnexin in protein glycosylation. In this study, we found hyperoxia downregulated ERp57 in neonatal rat lungs and cultured human endothelial cells. Transient transfection of ERp57 small interfering RNA significantly knocked down ERp57 expression and reduced hyperoxia- or tunicamycin-induced apoptosis in human endothelial cells. Apoptosis was decreased from 26.8 to 9.9% in hyperoxia-exposed cells and from 37.8 to 5.0% in tunicamycin-treated cells. The activation of caspase-3 induced by hyperoxia or tunicamycin was diminished and immunoglobulin heavy chain-binding protein/glucose-regulated protein 78-kDa (BiP/GRP78) induction was increased in ERp57 knockdown cells. Overexpression of ERp57 exacerbated hyperoxia- or tunicamycin-induced apoptosis in human endothelial cells. Apoptosis was increased from 10.1 to 14.3% in hyperoxia-exposed cells and from 14.0 to 21.2% in tunicamycin-treated cells. Overexpression of ERp57 also augmented tunicamycin-induced caspase-3 activation and reduced BiP/GRP78 induction. Our results demonstrate that ERp57 can regulate apoptosis in human endothelial cells. It appears that knockdown of ERp57 confers cellular protection against hyperoxia- or tunicamycin-induced apoptosis by inhibition of caspase-3 activation and stimulation of BiP/GRP78 induction.

Endostatin and vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) in piglet lungs: effect of inhaled nitric oxide and hyperoxia

Pulmonary hyperoxic injury manifests as widespread alveolar-epithelial and microvascular endothelial cell necrosis, resolution of which requires angiogenesis. We investigated the hypothesis that inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) and hyperoxia each decreases lung vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression but increases endostatin and that concurrent administration of both gases will show a greater effect. Piglets were randomized to breathe for 5 d room air (RA); RA + NO (RA + 50 ppm NO), O(2) (hyperoxia, F(I)O(2) >0.96), O(2) + NO, or O(2) + NO + REC (O(2) + NO plus recovery in 50% O(2) for 72 h. After the piglets were killed, we measured lung capillary leak, VEGF mRNA, VEGF, and endostatin protein in homogenates, plasma, and lavage. VEGF mRNA decreased significantly with O(2) and O(2) + NO compared with breathing RA (p < or = 0.05). VEGF protein declined in the experimental groups with a significant reduction in the recovery group compared with the RA group (p < or = 0.05). Similar but more dramatic, endostatin declined in all groups relative to the RA group (p < 0.001). Lavage fluid VEGF protein and lung capillary leak rose significantly with O(2) and O(2) + NO compared with RA, but endostatin was unchanged. At 72 h of recovery from hyperoxia, VEGF mRNA and lavage fluid VEGF but not lung VEGF protein had normalized. Hyperoxia and iNO suppresses lung endostatin expression, but iNO unlike hyperoxia alone does not alter lung VEGF production. Hyperoxia paradoxically raises lavageable VEGF levels. This latter effect and that on VEGF mRNA level but not protein is abrogated by recovery in reduced F(I)O(2) for 72 h.

Compressed air as a source of inhaled oxidants in intensive care units

Exhaled gas from mechanically ventilated preterm infants was found to have similar oxidant concentrations, regardless of lung disease, leading to the hypothesis that wall outlet gases were an oxidant source. Oxidants in compressed room air and oxygen from wall outlets were assessed in three hospitals. Samples were collected by flowing wall outlet gas through a heated humidifier and an ice-packed condenser. Nitric oxide (NO) was measured in intensive care room air and in compressed air with and without a charcoal filter using a Sievers NOA280 nitric oxide analyzer (Boulder, CO). Oxidants were measured by spectrophotometry and expressed as nMol equivalents of H2O2/mL. The quantity of oxidant was also expressed as amount of Vitamin C (nMol/mL) added until the oxidant was nondetectable. This quantity of Vitamin C was also expressed in Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC) units (mMol/L). Free and total chlorine were measured with a Chlorine Photometer. Oxidants were not found in compressed oxygen and were only found in compressed air when the compression method used tap water. At a compressed room air gas flow of 1.5 L/min, the total volume of condensate was 20.2 +/- 1 mL/hr. The oxidant concentration was 1.52 +/- 0.09 nMol/mL equivalents of H2O2/mL of sample and 30.8 +/- 1.2 nMol/hr; 17.9% of that found in tap water. Oxidant reduction required 2.05 +/-0.12 nMol/mL vitamin C, (1.78 +/- 0.1 x 10(-3) TEAC units). Free and total chlorine in tap water were 0.3 +/- 0.02 mg/mL and 2.9 +/- 0.002 mg/mL, respectively. Outlet gas contained 0.4 +/- 0.06 mg/mL and 0.07 + 0.01 mg/mL total and free chlorine, respectively; both 14% of tap water. When a charcoal filter was installed in the hospital with oxidants in compressed air, oxidants were completely removed. Nursery room air contained 12.4 +/- 0.5 ppb NO; compressed wall air without a charcoal filter, 8.1 +/- 0.1 ppb and compressed air with a charcoal filter 12.5 +/- 0.5 ppb. A charcoal filter does not remove NO. (Table 3) We recommend that all compressed air methods using tap water have charcoal filters at the compression site and the gases be assessed periodically for oxidants.

Independent and combined effects of prolonged inhaled nitric oxide and oxygen on lung inflammation in newborn piglets

Clinical use of nitric oxide (NO) is usually in conjunction with high oxygen concentrations, the effects of which may include lung neutrophil accumulation, apoptosis and upregulation of antioxidant enzyme activity. To define the effects of NO on neutrophils from young piglets and its relationship to lung neutrophil dynamics during hyperoxia we exposed thirty piglets to room air (RA), RA+NO (50 ppm NO), O2 (FiO2> or =0.96) or O2+NO for 5 days. Ten additional animals breathed RA+NO or O2+NO, then recovered in RA for 3 days before sacrifice. Neutrophil CD18 and intracellular oxidant production were measured by flow cytometry. Lung apoptosis were assessed by TUNEL assay. Lung myeloperoxidase, SOD and catalase were measured biochemically. When compared to RA group, there was significant reduction in neutrophil CD18 and intracellular oxidant production in the RA+NO group, but lung MPO was unchanged. The O2 and O2+NO groups did not differ in CD18 expression or in intracellular oxidant production, but had significant increase in lung myeloperoxidase compared to the RA group. Apoptosis increased significantly only in the O2+NO group. The O2 group showed significantly increased lung SOD and catalase activity compared to the RA group, whereas the RA+NO and O2+NO groups did not. We conclude that inhaled NO at 50 ppm decreases neutrophil CD18 expression as well as intracellular oxidant production. However, this effect does not impact lung neutrophil accumulation during concurrent hyperoxia. The combination of NO and O2 exposure produces an increase in lung apoptosis. Finally, NO may prevent upregulation of SOD and catalase activity during hyperoxia, potentially increasing injury.

Influence of inhaled nitric oxide and hyperoxia on Na,K-ATPase expression and lung edema in newborn piglets

This study was undertaken to examine the combined effect of nitric oxide (NO) and hyperoxia on lung edema and Na,K-ATPase expression. Newborn piglets were exposed to room air (FiO2 = 0.21), room air plus 50 ppm NO, hyperoxia (FiO2 >/= 0.96) or to hyperoxia plus 50 ppm NO for 4-5 days. Animals exposed to NO in room air experienced only a slight decrease in Na,K-ATPase alpha subunit protein level. Hyperoxia, in the absence of NO, induced both the mRNA and the protein level of Na,K-ATP-ase alpha subunit and significantly increased wet lung weight, extravascular lung water, and alveolar permeability. NO in hyperoxia decreased the hyperoxic-mediated induction of Na,K-ATPase alpha subunit mRNA and protein while wet lung weight, extravascular lung water, and alveolar permeability remained elevated. These results suggest that 50 ppm of inhaled NO may not improve hyperoxic-induced lung injury and may interfere with the expression of Na,K-ATPase which constitutes a part of the cellular defense mechanism against oxygen toxicity.