Renal liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) attenuates acute kidney injury in aristolochic acid nephrotoxicity

Injection of aristolochic acid (AA) in mice causes AA-induced nephrotoxicity, in which oxidative stress contributes to development of tubulointerstitial damage (TID). Liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) is expressed in human proximal tubules and has an endogenous antioxidative function. The renoprotection of renal L-FABP was examined in a model of AA-induced nephrotoxicity. Established human L-FABP (hL-FABP) transgenic (Tg) mice and wild-type (WT) mice were treated with AA for up to 5 days. Mice were sacrificed on days 1, 3, and 5 after the start of AA injection. Although mouse L-FABP was not expressed in proximal tubules of WT mice, hL-FABP was expressed in proximal tubules of Tg mice. The expression of renal hL-FABP was significantly increased in Tg mice administered AA (Tg-AA), compared with the control (saline-treated Tg mice). In WT-AA mice, there was high urinary excretion of N(ε)-(hexanoyl)-lysine, the production of heme oxygenase-1 and receptor for advanced glycation end products increased, and TID was provoked. In contrast, renal hL-FABP in Tg-AA mice suppressed production of N(ε)-(hexanoyl)lysine, heme oxygenase-1, and receptor for advanced glycation end products. Renal dysfunction was significantly milder in Tg-AA mice than in WT-AA mice. The degree of TID was significantly attenuated in Tg-AA mice, compared with WT-AA. In conclusion, renal hL-FABP reduced the oxidative stress in AA-induced nephrotoxicity and attenuated TID.     

Urinary excretion of fatty acid-binding protein reflects stress overload on the proximal tubules

Urinary excretion of human liver-type fatty acid-binding protein (hL-FABP), which is expressed in human proximal tubules and engaged in free fatty acid (FFA) metabolism, was reported to reflect the clinical prognosis of chronic kidney disease. Here we have investigated the pathophysiological significance of hL-FABP in a model of protein overload nephropathy. Because L-FABP is not expressed in the wild-type mice, we generated hL-FABP chromosomal gene transgenic (Tg) mice. Tg mice were intraperitoneally injected with bovine serum albumin (BSA) replete with FFAs (r-BSA group) or FFA-depleted BSA (d-BSA group). The r-BSA group developed significantly more severe tubulointerstitial damage than did the d-BSA group. Renal expression of the hL-FABP gene was more up-regulated, and urinary excretion of hL-FABP was significantly higher, in the r-BSA group than in the d-BSA group. Furthermore, compared with their wild-type littermates injected with r-BSA, the number of infiltrated macrophages was significantly attenuated in Tg mice injected with it on day 28. In patients with kidney disease (n = 50), urinary hL-FABP was correlated with both urinary protein and the severity of tubulointerstitial injury. In conclusion, our experimental model suggests that urinary excretion of hL-FABP reflects stresses, such as urinary protein overload, on the proximal tubules. The clinical observations support this hypothesis.     

Transforming growth factor-beta-dependent and -independent pathways of induction of tubulointerstitial fibrosis in beta6(-/-) mice

Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system are key mediators in kidney fibrosis. Integrin alphavbeta6, a heterodimeric matrix receptor expressed in epithelia, binds and activates latent TGF-beta1. We used beta6 integrin-null mice (beta6(-/-)) to determine the role of local TGF-beta1 activation in renal fibrosis in the unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model. Obstructed kidneys from beta6(-/-) mice showed less injury than obstructed kidneys from wild-type (WT) mice, associated with lower collagen I, collagen III, plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), and TGF-beta1 mRNA levels and lower collagen content. Infusion with either angiotensin II (Ang II) or aldosterone (Aldo) or combination in beta6(-/-) UUO mice significantly increased collagen contents to levels comparable to those in identically treated WT. Active TGF-beta protein expression in beta6(-/-) mice was less in UUO kidneys with or without Ang II infusion compared to matched WT mice. Activated Smad 2 levels in beta6(-/-) obstructed kidneys were lower than in WT UUO mice, and did not increase when fibrosis was induced in beta6(-/-) UUO mice by Ang II infusion. Anti-TGF-beta antibody only partially decreased this Ang II-stimulated fibrosis in beta6(-/-) UUO kidneys. In situ hybridization and immunostaining showed low expression of PAI-1 mRNA and protein in tubular epithelium in beta6(-/-) UUO kidneys, with increased PAI-1 expression in response to Ang II, Aldo, or both. Our results indicate that interruption of alphavbeta6-mediated activation of TGF-beta1 can protect against tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Further, the robust induction of tubulointerstitial fibrosis without increase in activated Smad 2 levels in obstructed beta6(-/-) mice by Ang II suggests the existence of a TGF-beta1-independent pathway of induction of fibrosis through angiotensin.     

Urinary Excretion of Liver Type Fatty Acid Binding Protein Accurately Reflects the Degree of Tubulointerstitial Damage

To investigate the relationship between liver-type fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP), a biomarker of chronic kidney disease, in the kidney and the degree of tubulointerstitial damage, folic acid (FA)-induced nephropathy was studied in a mouse model system. As renal L-FABP is not expressed in wild-type mice, human L-FABP (hL-FABP) transgenic mice were used in this study. hL-FABP is expressed in the renal proximal tubules of the transgenic mice that were injected intraperitoneally with FA in NaHCO₃ (the FA group) or only NaHCO₃ (the control group) and oral saline solution daily during the experimental period. The FA group developed severe tubulointerstitial damage with the infiltration of macrophages and the deposition of type I collagen on days 3 and 7 and recovered to the control level on day 14. The gene and protein expression levels of hL-FABP in the kidney were significantly enhanced on days 3 and 7. Urinary hL-FABP in the FA group was elevated on days 3 and 7 and decreased to the control level on day 14. The protein expression levels of hL-FABP in both the kidney and urine significantly correlated with the degree of tubulointerstitial damage, the infiltration of macrophages, and the deposition of type I collagen. In conclusion, renal expression and urinary excretion of hL-FABP significantly reflected the severity of tubulointerstitial damage in FA-induced nephropathy.It is well known in the variety of kidney diseases that tubulointerstitial damage leads to impairment of renal function and the amelioration of tubulointerstitial damage retards the progression of kidney disease.^1,2,3 Therefore, a biomarker that accurately reflects the degree of the tubulointerstitial damage should be a useful clinical tool to monitor kidney disease and its treatments.Recently, urinary excretion of liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) has been clinically recognized as a useful biomarker for monitoring chronic kidney disease and early detection of acute kidney injury.^4,5 L-FABP is expressed in the human proximal tubules of the kidney.^6,7 human L-FABP (hL-FABP) binds fatty acids and transports them to mitochondria or peroxisomes, where fatty acids are β-oxidized, and participates in intracellular fatty acid homeostasis.^8,9 Some experimental studies of animal models of kidney disease with tubulointerstitial damage revealed that renal hL-FABP was up-regulated and urinary excretion of hL-FABP was increased.^4,10,11,12 From our studies, we considered that the increase in urinary hL-FABP is caused by the increase in urinary excretion of hL-FABP from the proximal tubules.¹³ Furthermore, the excretion of urinary hL-FABP was lowered in response to various treatments eg, angiotensin II receptor blocker, statins, etc.^14,15,16 Therefore, urinary hL-FABP may be an excellent biomarker in monitoring tubulointerstitial damage.We reported previously that urinary hL-FABP reflected the severity of tubulointerstitial damage in renal biopsies of the patients with chronic kidney disease.¹² However, the dynamics of renal hL-FABP and the changes in urinary hL-FABP in the progression and regression of tubulointerstitial damage have not been investigated together in a single model system.In a mouse model of folic acid (FA) induced nephropathy, acute kidney injury was provoked after intraperitoneal injection of FA. This resulted in focal or patchy progressive tubulointerstitial damage.^17,18,19,20 In a preliminary experiment with this nephropathy model, we found that administration of one ml of saline daily to the mice by oral gavage after a single FA injection prevented the mice from dying of severe acute kidney injury. Severe tubulointerstitial fibrosis was induced on day 7 after injection of FA, but the tubulointerstitial damage had regressed on day 14. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the dynamics of renal hL-FABP and the changes of urinary hL-FABP excretion during both progression and regression of tubulointerstitial damage produced by injection of FA and administration of saline.     

Renal dendritic cells adopt a pro-inflammatory phenotype in obstructive uropathy to activate T cells but do not directly contribute to fibrosis

Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) is a well-characterized murine model of renal inflammation leading to fibrosis. Renal dendritic cells (DCs) constitute a significant portion of kidney leukocytes and may participate in local inflammation and have critical roles in antigen presentation. The heterogeneity in renal DC populations and surface marker overlap with monocytes/macrophages has made studying renal DCs difficult. These studies used CD11c-promoter driven reporter/depletion mice to study DCs in vivo. Studying early local inflammatory events (day 3 of UUO), in vivo multiphoton imaging of the intact kidney of CD11c reporter mice revealed more dendrite extensions and increased activity of renal DCs in real time. Phenotypic analysis suggested resident DC maturation in obstructed kidneys with increased CD11b and less F4/80 expressed. CD11b(hi) Gr-1(+) inflammatory DCs were also present in obstructed kidneys. T-cell receptor transgenic mice revealed enhanced antigen-presenting capacity of renal DCs after UUO, with increased antigen-specific T-cell proliferation in vivo and ex vivo. However, conditional DC ablation at days 0, 2, or 4 did not attenuate fibrosis or apoptosis 7 days after UUO, and depletion at 7 days did not alter outcomes at day 14. Therefore, after UUO, renal DCs exhibit inflammatory morphological and functional characteristics and are more effective antigen-presenting cells, but they do not directly contribute to tubulointerstitial damage and fibrosis.     

Interstitial fibrosis of unilateral ureteral obstruction is exacerbated in kidneys of mice lacking the gene for inducible nitric oxide synthase

Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) is characterized by decreases in renal function and increases in interstitial fibrosis. Previous studies have indicated that pharmacologic manipulations that increase nitric oxide (NO) are beneficial to the obstructed kidneys. NO is produced from arginine by nitric oxide synthase (NOS), an enzyme that exists in both constitutive and inducible (iNOS) forms. To determine the role of the inducible form of NOS in UUO, we used mice with a targeted deletion of iNOS (iNOS -/- mice) and compared them with wild-type (WT) mice. Kidneys were obstructed for 2 weeks in both WT and iNOS -/- mice, and were then removed and bisected. Half of the kidney was embedded in paraffin and tissue sections were examined for interstitial volume or the presence of macrophages. The remainder was flash-frozen and samples were used to measure tissue collagen (hydroxyproline) or transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). This study demonstrates that both cortex and medulla of obstructed kidneys of iNOS -/- mice exhibit significantly increased interstitial volume and interstitial macrophages as compared with their WT counterparts. Furthermore tissue collagen was increased to 9.2+/-1.3 microg/mg tissue in WT obstructed kidneys, whereas in iNOS -/- kidneys, collagen was increased to 13.2+/-0.8 microg/mg tissue. The profibrotic cytokine TGF-beta was also significantly increased in obstructed kidneys of iNOS -/- mice, as compared with WT mice. No differences were noted between the unobstructed kidneys of iNOS -/- mice compared with WT mice in any of the parameters examined. These results demonstrate that targeted deletion of the iNOS results in exacerbation of fibrotic events in the obstructed kidney. These results confirm previous pharmacologic studies, and suggest that NO produced via the inducible NOS normally serves a protective function in UUO.     

Smad-3 as a mediator of the fibrotic response

Introduction Smad‐3, a key cytoplasmic mediator of transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) signalling, mediates many of its inflammatory and fibrotic effects in vivo ( Roberts et al. 2001 ). Smad‐3 null mice are protected against cutaneous injury induced by ionizing irradiation ( Flanders et al. 2002 ). Here, we report on our continuing studies on radioprotection as well as protection against tubulointerstitial fibrosis following unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in Smad‐3 null mice. Methods For radioprotection studies, the flank skin of Smad‐3^+/+ wild‐type (WT) and Smad‐3^–/– knockout (KO) mice was exposed to 30 Gy of localized γ‐irradiation and analysed for histology and gene expression at various times post irradiation. In the UUO model, the right proximal ureter of WT and KO mice was ligated, and 1–2 weeks later kidneys were analysed for inflammation, fibrosis and gene expression. Results Six weeks after exposure to irradiation, skin from KO mice shows less epidermal acanthosis and influx of mast cells, macrophages and neutrophils than skin of WT mice. Paradoxically, at 6–8 h post irradiation, KO skin shows a significantly greater number of neutrophils. Irradiated KO skin also exhibits less immunoreactive TGF‐β, fewer myofibroblasts and less scarring than does WT. Smad‐3 null dermal fibroblasts do not respond to the chemotactic effects of TGF‐β and show less induction of fibrogenic cytokines when treated with irradiation plus TGF‐β compared to WT cells. Following UUO, normal kidney architecture is preserved in KO mice, while kidneys from WT mice are enlarged with an influx of mononuclear cells and increased expression of collagen and TGF‐β1. Additionally, renal tubules in obstructed kidneys of KO mice remain positive for E‐cadherin without expression of α‐smooth muscle actin, while the opposite expression pattern is seen in obstructed kidneys of WT mice. TGF‐β treatment of primary cultures of WT renal tubular epithelial cells results in a phenotypic change from a cobblestone pattern to a spindle‐shaped fibroblastic appearance, while KO cells treated with TGF‐β maintain their original appearance. Conclusion Smad‐3 plays an important role in mediating pathogenic inflammation and fibrosis in several model systems and is also essential for TGF‐β1‐induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition in renal tubular epithelial cells. Inhibitors of the Smad‐3 pathway may have clinical applications in the treatment of a number of fibrotic conditions.     

Identification and regulation of reticulon 4B (Nogo-B) in renal tubular epithelial cells

Nogo-B is a member of the reticulon family of proteins that has been implicated in diverse forms of vascular injury. Although Nogo-B is expressed in renal tissues, its localization and function in the kidney have not been examined. Here, we report that Nogo-B is expressed specifically in the epithelial cells of the distal nephron segments in the murine kidney. After unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and ischemia/reperfusion, Nogo-B gene and protein levels increased dramatically in the kidney. This increase was driven in part by injury-induced de novo expression in proximal tubules. Examination of Nogo-B immunostaining in human biopsy specimens from patients with acute tubular necrosis showed similar increases in Nogo-B in cortical tubules. Mice genetically deficient in Nogo-A/B were indistinguishable from wild-type (WT) mice based on histological appearance and serum analyses. After UUO, there was a significant delay in recruitment of macrophages to the kidney in the Nogo-A/B-deficient mice. However, measurements of fibrosis, inflammatory gene expression, and histological damage were not significantly different from WT mice. Thus, Nogo-B is highly expressed in murine kidneys in response to experimental injuries and may serve as a marker of diverse forms of renal injury in tissues from mice and humans. Furthermore, Nogo-B may regulate macrophage recruitment after UUO, although it does not greatly affect the degree of tissue injury or fibrosis in this model.     

C-reactive protein promotes acute renal inflammation and fibrosis in unilateral ureteral obstructive nephropathy in mice

Elevated blood level of C-reactive protein (CRP) is associated with increased risk of chronic kidney disease. However, whether this association reflects functional importance of CRP in the pathogenesis of kidney disease remains unclear. In this study, we examined the biological role of CRP in a well-characterized model of progressive kidney disease, unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), in mice that express the human CRP gene (CRPtg). Compared with wild-type (Wt) mice at 3 days after UUO, CRPtg mice developed more severe renal inflammation with a significant increase in tubulointerstitial T cells and macrophages, upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α), chemokines (MCP-1), and adhesion molecules (ICAM-1). Renal fibrosis was also significantly enhanced in CRPtg mice as demonstrated by increased expression of tubulointerstitial α-smooth muscle actin and collagen types I and III compared with Wt mice. Interestingly, on days 7 and 14 after UUO, an equal severity of renal inflammation and fibrosis were observed in CRPtg and Wt mice. These findings suggested that CRP may have a role in the initiation of renal inflammation and fibrosis. Further study revealed that enhanced early renal inflammation and fibrosis on day 3 in CRPtg mice was associated with a significant upregulation of endogenous mouse CRP and FcγRI mRNA and increased activation of both NF-κB/p65 and TGF-β/Smad2/3 signaling, while equal severity of progressive renal injury at day 7 and day 14 between CRPtg and Wt mice were attributed to equivalent levels of CRP, FcγRI, phospho-NF-κB/p65, and TGF-β/Smad2/3 signaling. Based on these findings, we conclude that CRP may not only be a biomarker, but also a mediator in the early development of renal inflammation and fibrosis in a mouse model of UUO. Enhanced activation of both NF-κB and TGF-β/Smad signaling pathways may be mechanisms by which CRP promotes early renal inflammation and fibrosis.     

Noninvasive quantitative magnetization transfer MRI reveals tubulointerstitial fibrosis in murine kidney

Excessive tissue scarring, or fibrosis, is a critical contributor to end stage renal disease, but current clinical tests are not sufficient for assessing renal fibrosis. Quantitative magnetization transfer (qMT) MRI provides indirect information about the macromolecular composition of tissues. We evaluated measurements of the pool size ratio (PSR, the ratio of immobilized macromolecular to free water protons) obtained by qMT as a biomarker of tubulointerstitial fibrosis in a well‐established murine model with progressive renal disease. MR images were acquired from 16‐week‐old fibrotic hHB‐EGF^Tg/Tg mice and normal wild‐type (WT) mice (N = 12) at 7 T. QMT parameters were derived using a two‐pool five‐parameter fitting model. A normal range of PSR values in the cortex and outer stripe of outer medulla (CR + OSOM) was determined by averaging across voxels within WT kidneys (mean ± 2SD). Regions in diseased mice whose PSR values exceeded the normal range above a threshold value (tPSR) were identified and measured. The spatial distribution of fibrosis was confirmed using picrosirius red stains. Compared with normal WT mice, scattered clusters of high PSR regions were observed in the OSOM of hHB‐EGF^Tg/Tg mouse kidneys. Moderate increases in mean PSR (mPSR) of CR + OSOM regions were observed across fibrotic kidneys. The abnormally high PSR regions (% area) detected by the tPSR were significantly increased in hHB‐EGF^Tg/Tg mice, and were highly correlated with regions of fibrosis detected by histological fibrosis indices measured from picrosirius red staining. Renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis in OSOM can thus be assessed by qMT MRI using an appropriate analysis of PSR. This technique may be used as an imaging biomarker for chronic kidney diseases.     

Mannan-binding lectin recognizes structures on ischaemic reperfused mouse kidneys and is implicated in tissue injury

Organ damage as a consequence of ischaemia and reperfusion (I/R) is a major clinical problem in an acute renal failure and transplantation. Ligands on surfaces of endothelial cells that are exposed due to the ischaemia may be recognized by pattern recognition molecules such as mannan-binding lectin (MBL), inducing complement activation. We examined the contribution of the MBL complement pathway in a bilateral renal I/R model (45 min of ischaemia followed by 24 h of reperfusion), using transgenic mice deficient in MBL-A and MBL-C [MBL double knockout (MBL DKO)] and in wildtype (WT) mice. Kidney damages, which were evaluated by levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine, showed that MBL DKO mice were significantly protected compared with WT mice. MBL DKO mice, reconstituted with recombinant human MBL, showed a dose-dependent severity of kidney injury increasing to a comparable level to WT mice. Acute tubular necrosis was evident in WT mice but not in MBL DKO mice after I/R, confirming renal damages in WT mice. MBL ligands in kidneys were observed to be present after I/R but not in sham-operated mice. C3a (desArg) levels in MBL DKO mice were decreased after I/R compared with that in WT mice, indicating less complement activation that was correlated with less C3 deposition in the kidneys of MBL DKO mice. Our data implicate a role of MBL in I/R-induced kidney injury.     

Regulatory T cells participate in CD39-mediated protection from renal injury

CD39 is an ecto-enzyme that degrades extracellular nucleotides, such as ATP, and is highly expressed on by the vasculature and circulating cells including Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells. To study the role of purinergic regulation in renal disease, we used the adriamycin nephropathy (AN) mouse model of chronic renal injury, using human CD39-transgenic (hCD39Tg) and wild-type (WT) BALB/c mice. Effects of CD39 expression by Treg cells were assessed in AN by adoptive transfer of CD4(+) CD25(+) and CD4(+) CD25(-) T cells isolated from hCD39Tg and WT mice. hCD39Tg mice were protected from renal injury in AN with decreased urinary protein and serum creatinine, and significantly less renal injury compared with WT mice. While WT CD25(+) and hCD39Tg CD25(-) T cells conferred some protection against AN, hCD39Tg CD25(+) Treg cells offered greater protection. In vitro studies showed direct pro-apoptotic effects of ATP on renal tubular cells. In conclusion, hCD39 expressed by circulating leukocytes and intrinsic renal cells limits innate AN injury. Specifically, CD39 expression by Treg cells contributes to its protective role in renal injury. These findings suggest that extracellular nucleotides mediate AN kidney injury and that CD39, expressed by Treg cells and other cells, is protective in this model.     

IL-15 exacerbates collagen-induced arthritis with an enhanced CD4+ T cell response to produce IL-17

IL-15 is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We found that IL-15 plays an important role in the development of murine collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). The incidence and severity of CIA were slightly decreased in IL-15 KO mice but were increased in IL-15 Tg mice compared with wild-type (WT) mice. The levels of type II collagen (CII)-specific IL-17 production were significantly increased in IL-15 Tg mice compared with WT mice with CIA. Expression of IL-23R was up-regulated in CD4(+) T cells in IL-15 Tg mice but down-regulated in IL-15 KO mice compared with WT mice. In correlation with the expression levels of IL-23R, IL-17 production by CD4(+) T cells in response to exogenous IL-23 was increased in IL-15 Tg mice compared with WT mice. Furthermore, exogenous IL-15 synergized with IL-23 to induce CII-specific IL-17 production by CD4(+) T cells in vitro. Taken together, these results indicate that IL-15 plays an important role in the progression of CIA through increasing antigen-specific IL-17 production by CD4(+) T cells.     

单侧输尿管梗阻模型小鼠肾脏微血管损伤与肾间质纤维化的关系研究

目的:观察单侧输尿管梗阻(UUO)后小鼠肾脏管周毛细血管(PTC)损伤、继发低氧及肾组织纤维化的变化,进一步探讨管周毛细血管损伤和缺氧对肾间质纤维化的影响。方法:将48只雄性昆明小鼠随机分为UUO组和对照组,采用左侧输尿管结扎术复制UUO模型,于术后1、3、7、14 d分别处死2组小鼠取左肾。采用M asson染色评定肾间质损伤程度;免疫组织化学方法测定血小板反应蛋白-1(TSP-1)、低氧诱导因子-1α(H IF-1α)、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)表达和PTC密度变化;免疫印迹检查VEGF蛋白表达的变化。结果:假手术组肾组织结构形态正常,无纤维化的表现。UUO术后第1 d TSP-1表达开始升高,第3-14 d时升高更加显著(P0.05);VEGF在第1 d表达升高,第3-14 d表达逐渐降低(P0.05);PTC密度随之逐渐下降,H IF-1α表达逐渐升高,肾间质面积逐渐扩大。相关分析显示,TSP-1与PTC密度呈负相关(r=-0.874),PTC密度与H IF-1α表达呈负相关(r=-0.930),VEGF表达与PTC密度呈正相关(r=0.745),PTC密度与肾纤维化面积呈负相关(r=-0.787),H IF-1α与肾纤维化面积呈正相关(r=0.835),均P0.01。结论:UUO模型小鼠TSP-1表达升高,VEGF表达下降,PTC损伤和组织缺氧加重,肾间质纤维化面积扩大;缺血和缺氧可能是UUO后肾组织病变发生发展的重要原因。     

Loss of endogenous bone morphogenetic protein-6 aggravates renal fibrosis

Bone morphogenetic protein-6 (BMP-6) suppresses inflammatory genes in renal proximal tubular cells and regulates iron metabolism by inducing hepcidin. In diabetic patients, an increase of myofibroblast progenitor cells (MFPCs), also known as fibrocytes, was found to be associated with decreased BMP-6 expression. We hypothesized that loss of endogenous BMP-6 would aggravate renal injury and fibrosis. Wild type (WT) and BMP-6 null mice underwent unilateral ureteral obstruction. In WT mice, ureteral obstruction down-regulated BMP-6. Obstructed kidneys of BMP-6 null mice showed more casts (1.5-fold), epithelial necrosis (1.4-fold), and brush border loss (1.3-fold). This was associated with more inflammation (1.8-fold more CD45(+) cells) and more pronounced overexpression of profibrotic genes for αSMA (2.0-fold), collagen I (6.8-fold), fibronectin (4.3-fold), CTGF (1.8-fold), and PAI-1 (3.8-fold), despite similar BMP-7 expression. Also, 1.3-fold more MFPCs were obtained from BMP-6 null than from WT mononuclear cell cultures, but in vivo only very few MFPCs were observed in obstructed kidneys, irrespective of BMP-6 genotype. The obstructed kidneys of BMP-6 null mice showed 2.2-fold more iron deposition, in association with 3.3-fold higher expression of the oxidative stress marker HO-1. Thus, ureteral obstruction leads to down-regulation of BMP-6 expression, and BMP-6 deficiency aggravates tubulointerstitial damage and fibrosis independent of BMP-7. This process appears to involve loss of both direct anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic action and indirect suppressive effects on renal iron deposition, oxidative stress, and MFPCs.     

结缔组织生长因子在单侧输尿管梗阻大鼠肾组织中的表达

目的：检测大鼠单侧输尿管梗阻（UUO）模型不同时期，肾组织中结缔组织生长因子（CTGF）、转化生长因子β1（TGF-β1）和α-平滑肌肌动蛋白（α-SMA）的表达，观察比较在间质纤维化不同阶段，3者的动态变化及关系。 方法： 采用雄性SD大鼠36只，分为假手术组和模型组，模型组行左侧输尿管结扎术，再分3、7、14、21和28 d共6组，每组6只，于各时点处死大鼠，取肾组织，常规HE、Masson染色，按小管间质损害的特征进行半定量评分。免疫组化检测CTGF、TGF-β1和α-SMA表达。 结果： 随梗阻时间的延长，小管间质纤维化加重，28 d间质已基本被纤维化组织所代替。随间质纤维化程度的加重，CTGF和α-SMA表达逐渐增加，两者与小管间质损害积分呈正相关，CTGF与α-SMA的表达之间也呈正相关。TGF-β1表达在7-14 d达高峰后，逐渐减少，但仍高于对照组。 结论： UUO致CTGF表达增加可能与TGF-β升高有关，CTGF可能通过促进间质中肌成纤维细胞的形成而参与肾间质纤维化。     

Tempol Attenuates Renal Fibrosis in Mice with Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction: The Role of PI3K-Akt-FoxO3a Signaling

This study investigated whether tempol, an anti-oxidant, protects against renal injury by modulating phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt-Forkhead homeobox O (FoxO) signaling. Mice received unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) surgery with or without administration of tempol. We evaluated renal damage, oxidative stress and the expression of PI3K, Akt, FoxO3a and their target molecules including manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), catalase, Bax, and Bcl-2 on day 3 and day 7 after UUO. Tubulointerstitial fibrosis, collagen deposition, α-smooth muscle actin-positive area, and F4/80-positive macrophage infiltration were significantly lower in tempol-treated mice compared with control mice. The expression of PI3K, phosphorylated Akt, and phosphorylated FoxO3a markedly decreased in tempol-treated mice compared with control mice. Tempol prominently increased the expressions of MnSOD and catalase, and decreased the production of hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation in the obstructed kidneys. Significantly less apoptosis, a lower ratio of Bax to Bcl-2 expression and fewer apoptotic cells in TUNEL staining, and decreased expression of transforming growth factor-β1 were observed in the obstructed kidneys from tempol-treated mice compared with those from control mice. Tempol attenuates oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis in the obstructed kidneys of UUO mice, and the modulation of PI3K-Akt-FoxO3a signaling may be involved in this pathogenesis.

Graphical Abstract

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结缔组织生长因子在单侧输尿管梗阻大鼠肾脏中的表达及其意义

目的： 观察结缔组织生长因子（CTGF）在单侧输尿管梗阻（UUO）大鼠模型中的动态表达，探讨CTGF在肾小管间质纤维化中的作用机制。方法： 将48 只Wistar大鼠随机分为UUO组和假手术（SO）组，采用左输尿管结扎术复制UUO模型，于术后1、3、7、14 d分别处死2组大鼠取左肾。采用Masson染色评定肾小管间质损伤程度；逆转录-聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR) 方法检测肾组织转化生长因子-β₁（TGF-β₁）、CTGF、Ⅰ型胶原（ColⅠ）和纤溶酶原激活物抑制物-1（PAI-1）mRNA表达；免疫组织化学方法测定TGF-β₁、CTGF、ColⅠ、PAI-1表达；Western blotting方法检测CTGF蛋白表达量的变化。结果: UUO术后1d，梗阻肾TGF-β₁ mRNA表达开始升高，第3-14d时升高更显著（P<0.01），CTGF、ColⅠ、PAI-1 mRNA水平随之逐渐升高。免疫组织化学染色发现，UUO大鼠肾小管和间质区域CTGF表达随病程进展逐渐增强；相关分析显示，UUO术后第7d，CTGF表达量与肾小管间质损伤指数、肾小管间质TGF-β₁、ColⅠ、PAI-1表达强度均呈正相关，相关系数（r）分别为0.62、0.85、0.78和0.76（均P<0.01）。Western blotting结果显示，CTGF蛋白水平在术后第3d开始上升，随病程进展更显著。结论: CTGF可通过促进细胞外基质产生和抑制细胞外基质降解双重途径诱导肾小管间质纤维化的发生和进展。     

Loss of glutathione S‐transferase A4 accelerates obstruction‐induced tubule damage and renal fibrosis

Glutathione transferase isozyme A4 (GSTA4) exhibits high catalytic efficiency to metabolize 4‐hydroxynonenal (4‐HNE), a highly reactive lipid peroxidation product that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various chronic diseases. We investigated the role of 4‐HNE in the mechanisms of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)‐induced fibrosis and its modulation by GSTA4‐4 in a mouse model. Our data indicate that after UUO, accumulation of 4‐HNE and its adducts were increased in renal tissues, with a concomitant decrease in the expression of GSTA4‐4 in mice. As compared to wild‐type (WT) mice, UUO caused an increased expression of fibroblast markers in the interstitium of GSTA4 KO mice. Additionally, increased autophagy and tubular cell damage were more severe in UUO‐treated GSTA4 KO mice than in WT mice. Furthermore, GSK‐3β phosphorylation and expression of Snail, a regulator of E‐cadherin and Occludin, was found to be significantly higher in UUO‐inflicted GSTA4 KO mice. GSTA4 over‐expression prevented 4‐HNE‐induced autophagy activation, tubular cell damage and Snail nuclear translocation in vitro. The effects of long‐term expression of GSTA4 in restoration of UUO‐induced damage in mice with the GSTA4 inducible transposon system indicated that release of obstruction after 3 days of UUO resulted in the attenuation of interstitial SMAα and collagen I expression. This transposon‐delivered GSTA4 expression also suppressed UUO‐induced loss of tubular cell junction markers and autophagy activation. Together, these results indicate that 4‐HNE significantly contributes to the mechanisms of tubule injury and fibrosis and that these effects can be inhibited by the enhanced expression of GSTA4‐4. Copyright © 2012 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.