1
|
Liu BH, Tu Y, Ni GX, Yan J, Yue L, Li ZL, Wu JJ, Cao YT, Wan ZY, Sun W, Wan YG. Total Flavones of Abelmoschus manihot Ameliorates Podocyte Pyroptosis and Injury in High Glucose Conditions by Targeting METTL3-Dependent m 6A Modification-Mediated NLRP3-Inflammasome Activation and PTEN/PI3K/Akt Signaling. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:667644. [PMID: 34335245 PMCID: PMC8319635 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.667644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The total flavones of Abelmoschus manihot (TFA), a compound that is extracted from Abelmoschus manihot, has been widely used in China to reduce podocyte injury in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). However, the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic action of this compound have yet to be elucidated. Podocyte pyroptosis is characterized by activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and plays an important role in inflammation-mediated diabetic kidneys. Regulation of the PTEN/PI3K/Akt pathway is an effective strategy for improving podocyte damage in DKD. Previous research has also shown that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is involved in DKD and that m6A-modified PTEN regulates the PI3K/Akt pathway. In this study, we investigated whether TFA alleviates podocyte pyroptosis and injury by targeting m6A modification-mediated NLRP3-inflammasome activation and PTEN/PI3K/Akt signaling. Methods: We used MPC-5 cells under high glucose (HG) conditions to investigate the key molecules that are involved in podocyte pyroptosis and injury, including activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and the PTEN/PI3K/Akt pathway. We detected alterations in the levels of three methyltransferases that are involved in m6A modification. We also investigated changes in the levels of these key molecules in podocytes with the overexpression or knockdown of methyltransferase-like (METTL)3. Results: Analysis showed that TFA and MCC950 protected podocytes against HG-induced pyroptosis and injury by reducing the protein expression levels of gasdermin D, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-18, and by increasing the protein expression levels of nephrin, ZO-1, WT1 and podocalyxin. TFA and 740Y-P inhibited activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome via the PI3K/Akt pathway by inhibiting the protein levels of NIMA-related kinase7, NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1, and by increasing the protein expression levels of p-PI3K and p-Akt. TFA improved pyroptosis and injury in HG-stimulated podocytes by regulating METTL3-dependent m6A modification. Conclusion: Collectively, our data indicated that TFA could ameliorate pyroptosis and injury in podocytes under HG conditions by adjusting METTL3-dependent m6A modification and regulating NLRP3-inflammasome activation and PTEN/PI3K/Akt signaling. This study provides a better understanding of how TFA can protect podocytes in DKD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bu-Hui Liu
- Nephrology Division, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Tu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Preservation, Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Massage College, Health Preservation and Rehabilitation College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Guang-Xia Ni
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Preservation, Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Massage College, Health Preservation and Rehabilitation College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jin Yan
- Nephrology Division, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Liang Yue
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Preservation, Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Massage College, Health Preservation and Rehabilitation College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zi-Lin Li
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Preservation, Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Massage College, Health Preservation and Rehabilitation College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing-Jing Wu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Preservation, Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Massage College, Health Preservation and Rehabilitation College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu-Ting Cao
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Preservation, Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Massage College, Health Preservation and Rehabilitation College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zi-Yue Wan
- Graduate School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Wei Sun
- Nephrology Division, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yi-Gang Wan
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|