Overexpression of connective tissue growth factor in podocytes worsens diabetic nephropathy in mice

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a potent inducer of extracellular matrix accumulation. In diabetic nephropathy, CTGF expression is markedly upregulated both in podocytes and mesangial cells, and this may play an important role in its pathogenesis. We established podocyte-specific CTGF-transgenic mice, which were indistinguishable at baseline from their wild-type littermates. Twelve weeks after streptozotocin-induced diabetes, these transgenic mice showed a more severe proteinuria, mesangial expansion, and a decrease in matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity compared to diabetic wild-type mice. Furthermore, diabetic transgenic mice exhibited less podocin expression and a decreased number of diffusely vacuolated podocytes compared to diabetic wild-type mice. Importantly, induction of diabetes in CTGF-transgenic mice resulted in a further elevation of endogenous CTGF mRNA expression and protein in the glomerular mesangium. Our findings suggest that overexpression of CTGF in podocytes is sufficient to exacerbate proteinuria and mesangial expansion through a functional impairment and loss of podocytes.     

Renal bone morphogenetic protein-7 protects against diabetic nephropathy

Longstanding diabetes causes renal injury with early dropout of podocytes, albuminuria, glomerular and tubulointerstitial fibrosis, and progressive renal failure. The renal pathology seems to be driven, in part, by TGF-beta and is associated with a loss of renal bone morphogenic protein-7 (BMP-7) expression. Here, the hypothesis that maintenance of renal (especially podocyte) BMP-7 by transgenic expression reduces diabetic renal injury was tested. Diabetic mice that expressed the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase promoter-driven BMP-7 transgene and nondiabetic, transgenic mice as well as diabetic and nondiabetic wild-type controls were studied for up to 1 yr. Transgenic expression of BMP-7 in glomerular podocytes and proximal tubules prevents podocyte dropout and reductions in nephrin levels in diabetic mice. Maintenance of BMP-7 also reduces glomerular fibrosis and interstitial collagen accumulation as well as collagen I and fibronectin expression. Diabetic wild-type mice develop progressive albuminuria, which is substantially reduced in transgenic mice. These effects of the BMP-7 transgene occur without changing renal TGF-beta levels. It is concluded that maintenance of renal BMP-7 during the evolution of diabetic nephropathy reduces diabetic renal injury, especially podocyte dropout. The findings also establish a role for endogenous glomerular BMP-7 as an autocrine regulator of podocyte integrity in vivo.     

Renoprotective role of the vitamin D receptor in diabetic nephropathy

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 negatively regulates the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which plays a critical role in the development of diabetic nephropathy. We tested if mice lacking the vitamin D receptor (VDR) are more susceptible to hyperglycemia-induced renal injury. Diabetic VDR knockout mice developed more severe albuminuria and glomerulosclerosis due to increased glomerular basement membrane thickening and podocyte effacement. More fibronectin (FN) and less nephrin were expressed in the VDR knockout mice compared to diabetic wild-type mice. In receptor knockout mice, increased renin, angiotensinogen, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), and connective tissue growth factor accompanied the more severe renal injury. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitmain D3 inhibited high glucose (HG)-induced FN production in cultured mesangial cells and increased nephrin expression in cultured podocytes. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitmain D3 also suppressed HG-induced activation of the RAS and TGF-beta in mesangial and juxtaglomerular cells. Our study suggests that receptor-mediated vitamin D actions are renoprotective in diabetic nephropathy.     

Podocyte COX-2 exacerbates diabetic nephropathy by increasing podocyte (pro)renin receptor expression

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) increases podocyte cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, and COX-2 inhibition reduces proteinuria and glomerular injury in animal models of diabetes. To investigate the role of podocyte COX-2 in development of diabetic nephropathy, we employed a streptozotocin model of diabetic mellitus in wild-type and transgenic mice expressing COX-2 selectively in podocytes. Progressive albuminuria developed only in diabetic COX-2 transgenic mice despite hyperglycemia, BP, and GFR being similar to those in wild-type mice. Transgenic mice also manifested significant foot-process effacement, moderate mesangial expansion, and segmental thickening of the glomerular basement membrane. In cultured podocytes overexpressing COX-2, high glucose induced cell injury and increased both expression of the pro(renin) receptor and activation of the renin-angiotensin system. Downregulation of the (pro)renin receptor attenuated the injury induced by high glucose. In vivo, podocyte pro(renin) receptor expression increased in diabetic COX-2-transgenic mice, and treatment with a COX-2 inhibitor abrogated the upregulation of (pro)renin receptor and reduced albuminuria, foot-process effacement, and mesangial matrix expansion. In summary, these results demonstrate that increased expression of podocyte COX-2 predisposes to diabetic glomerular injury and that the (pro)renin receptor may be one mediator for this increased susceptibility to injury.     

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α is renoprotective in doxorubicin-induced glomerular injury

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracycline antibiotic utilized in antitumor therapy; however, its clinical use is frequently impeded by renal toxic effects. As peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α) has renoprotective effects in drug-related kidney injuries, we tested its ability to inhibit DOX-induced renal injury. Although both male PPAR-α knockout mice and their wild-type littermates (pure 129/SvJ background) had significant proteinuria 4 weeks after DOX treatment, those with deletion of PPAR-α had more severe proteinuria. This was associated with more serious podocyte foot process effacement compared with wild-type mice. In contrast, the PPAR-α agonist fenofibrate effectively reduced proteinuria and attenuated DOX-induced podocyte foot process effacement. Consistently, glomerular nephrin expression was significantly lower in the knockout compared with wild-type mice following DOX treatment. Fenofibrate therapy significantly blunted the reduction in glomerular nephrin levels in DOX-treated wild-type mice. In cultured podocytes, DOX induced apoptosis, increased cleaved caspase-3 levels, and decreased Bcl-2 expression, all attenuated by pretreatment with fenofibrate. Thus, PPAR-α deficiency exacerbates DOX-related renal injury, in part, due to increased podocyte apoptosis.     

Podocyte-specific overexpression of the antioxidant metallothionein reduces diabetic nephropathy

Podocytes are critical components of the selective filtration barrier of the glomerulus and are susceptible to oxidative damage. For investigation of the role of oxidative stress and podocyte damage in diabetic nephropathy, transgenic mice that overexpress the antioxidant protein metallothionein (MT) specifically in podocytes (Nmt mice) were produced. MT expression was increased six- and 18-fold in glomeruli of two independent lines of Nmt mice, and podocyte-specific overexpression was confirmed. Glomerular morphology and urinary albumin excretion were normal in Nmt mice. OVE26 transgenic mice, a previously reported model of diabetic nephropathy, were crossed with Nmt mice to determine whether an antioxidant transgene targeted to podocytes could reduce diabetic nephropathy. Double-transgenic OVE26Nmt mice developed diabetes similar to OVE26 mice, but MT overexpression reduced podocyte damage, indicated by more podocytes, less glomerular cell death, and higher density of podocyte foot processes. In addition, expansion of glomerular and mesangial volume were significantly less in OVE26Nmt mice compared with OVE26 mice. Four-month-old OVE26Nmt mice had a 70 to 90% reduction in 24-h albumin excretion, but this protection does not seem to be permanent. These results provide evidence for the role of oxidative damage to the podocyte in diabetic mice and show that protection of the podocyte can reduce or delay primary features of diabetic nephropathy.     

Ubiquitination and endoplasmic reticulum stress of renal intrinsic cells in hyperglycemia

Objective To investigate the effects of hyperglycemia on ubiquitination and endoplasmic reticulum stress in renal intrinsic cells (podocytes and proximal tubular epithelial cells) and its role in pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. Methods Diabetic mice were induced by streptozotocin injection. After 16 weeks of hyperglycemia, immunofluorescence was used to detect the expressions of ubiquitination and glucose-regulating protein 94 (GRP94) in renal cortex and medulla area of kidney sections. Primary mouse podocyte and proximal tubular epithelial cells were isolated by flow cytometry, and exposed to 30 mmol/L glucose for indicated time (1 d, 3 d and 7 d). Their ubiquitination and GRP94 expressions were evaluated by Western blotting. Results Diabetic mice presented microalbuminuria and slightly widened mesangium was found in glomerular area. Ubiquitinated proteins, mainly localized in podocytes and tubular epithelial cells, exhibited an apparently higher expression in diabetic mice than control mice (all P＜0.05). Hyperglycemia promoted the ubiquitination in a time-dependent manner. Compared with their normal cells, primary mouse podocyte and primary tubular epithilial cells treated with high glucose for 3 d and 7 d showed increased ubiquitinated protein (all P＜0.05). GRP94 was interspersed in podocytes and proximal tubular epithelial cells. Expression of GRP94 was significantly increased in glomerular area of diabetic mice and podocyte with 3 and 7 day-high glucose as compared with those in their control groups (all P＜0.05). GRP94 expression had no significant change in tubular area and tubular epithilial cells treated with high glucose. Conclusions Hyperglycemia may lead to accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins in intrinsic kidney cells. The imbalance of protein homeostasis in podocyte may contribute to podocyte injury during the onset of diabetic nephropathy.     

Role of nephrin in renal disease including diabetic nephropathy

Nephrin, a newly described protein, has been localized to the slit membrane between adjacent podocytes of the glomerulus. Its discovery followed the demonstration of the gene NPHS1 and its mutation, resulting in the absence of the protein product, nephrin, in the congenital nephrotic syndrome of the Finnish type. The link between permutations in nephrin expression and proteinuria has been shown in animal models by using neutralizing antibodies or studying mice with inactivation of the nephrin gene. Moreover, the expression of nephrin has been shown to be reduced in various animal models of proteinuric renal disease. The relationship between changes in nephrin expression and proteinuric renal disease in humans is not fully elucidated, with a reduction in expression of this protein reported in a range of renal diseases. Diabetic nephropathy, one of the major causes of end-stage renal disease, is associated with substantial proteinuria and in experimental models with a reduction in slit pore density. In experimental models of diabetes, nephrin expression has been described as being transiently increased in the first 8 weeks of diabetes, followed in longer-term studies with reduced nephrin expression in association with increasing proteinuria. An angiotensin II-receptor blocker has been shown to prevent depletion in glomerular nephrin expression in the diabetic kidney. Human studies in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes suggest down-regulation of nephrin expression in the diabetic kidney and it has been postulated that these changes may play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy, specifically the development of proteinuria in this condition. Although there are other proteins involved in the structure of the epithelial podocyte and specifically the slit pore, nephrin seems to play a pivotal role in preventing passage of protein through the glomerular barrier. Furthermore, it is suggested that the antiproteinuric effects of inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system may partly relate to the effects of these agents on nephrin expression.     

Deletion of protein kinase C-beta isoform in vivo reduces renal hypertrophy but not albuminuria in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic mouse model

The protein kinase C (PKC)-beta isoform has been implicated to play a pivotal role in the development of diabetic kidney disease. We tested this hypothesis by inducing diabetic nephropathy in PKC-beta-deficient (PKC-beta(-/-)) mice. We studied nondiabetic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic PKC-beta(-/-) mice compared with appropriate 129/SV wild-type mice. After 8 weeks of diabetes, the high-glucose-induced renal and glomerular hypertrophy, as well as the increased expression of extracellular matrix proteins such as collagen and fibronectin, was reduced in PKC-beta(-/-) mice. Furthermore, the high-glucose-induced expression of the profibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 and connective tissue growth factor were significantly diminished in the diabetic PKC-beta(-/-) mice compared with diabetic wild-type mice, suggesting a role of the PKC-beta isoform in the regulation of renal hypertrophy. Notably, increased urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio persisted in the diabetic PKC-beta(-/-) mice. The loss of the basement membrane proteoglycan perlecan and the podocyte protein nephrin in the diabetic state was not prevented in the PKC-beta(-/-) mice as previously demonstrated in the nonalbuminuric diabetic PKC-alpha(-/-) mice. In summary, the differential effects of PKC-beta deficiency on diabetes-induced renal hypertrophy and albuminuria suggest that PKC-beta contributes to high-glucose-induced TGF-beta1 expression and renal fibrosis, whereas perlecan, as well as nephrin, expression and albuminuria is regulated by other signaling pathways.     

Two gene fragments that direct podocyte-specific expression in transgenic mice

Transgenic manipulation of the glomerular visceral epithelial cell offers a powerful approach for studying the biology of this morphologically complex cell type. It has been previously demonstrated that an 8.3-kb and a 5.4-kb fragment of the murine Nphs1 (nephrin) promoter-enhancer drives lacZ expression in podocytes, brain, and pancreas of transgenic mice, recapitulating the expression pattern of the endogenous nephrin gene. In this present study, two truly podocyte-specific promoters were identified that drive transgene expression in podocytes without expression in extrarenal tissues in adult or embryonic mice. A 1.25-kb fragment driving a lacZ reporter gene (p1.25N-nlacF) was derived from murine Nphs1 promoter similar to a human NPHS1 promoter fragment previously reported. Transgenic mice were generated and beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) expression was analyzed. Four of twelve founder mice were found to express beta-gal in podocytes (33% penetrance). Expression in brain and pancreas was absent in all animals, suggesting that nephrin expression in these organs might be driven by distinct cis-regulatory elements that can be removed to obtain podocyte-specific expression. A 2.5-kb fragment derived from the human NPHS2 (podocin) gene was designed in a similar fashion to drive lacZ expression in transgenic mice (p2.5P-nlacF). Twelve of twlve NPHS2 mouse founder lines expressed beta-gal exclusively in podocytes (100% penetrance). Beta-gal activity was not observed extrinsic to the kidney in p1.25N-nlacF or p2.5P-nlacF mouse embryos at gestational time points between 8.5 d post coitus and birth. In conclusion, the 2.5-kb NPHS2 promoter fragment may be useful for podocyte-specific transgenic expression when extrarenal expression of a transgene is problematic.     

糖肾平对糖尿病肾病大鼠足细胞nephrin与CD2AP蛋白及其mRNA表达的影响

目的：观察糖肾平对糖尿病肾病（DN）大鼠足细胞裂孔隔膜蛋白分子nephrin和CD2AP表达的影响,探讨其防治DN的作用机制.方法：雄性Wistar大鼠74只,按体重随机分组为正常组10只,造模组64只.造模组大鼠腹腔一次性注射链脲佐菌素（STZ）（45 mg/kg）,72 h后检测大鼠血糖和尿糖,以血糖≥16.7 mmol/L、尿糖（＋＋＋＋）者为DN大鼠造模成功.模型成功的大鼠按体重随机分为模型组、厄贝沙坦组、糖肾平小、大剂量组,各组分别干预14周.于第14周处死大鼠,无菌取肾,采用原位杂交和免疫组化技术观察肾组织足细胞裂孔隔膜蛋白nephrin和CD2AP蛋白及其mRNA的表达水平.结果：模型组与正常组相比,nephrin和CD2AP蛋白及mRNA表达水平明显下调（P〈0.01）;与模型组相比,厄贝沙坦、糖肾平干预后糖尿病大鼠肾小球足细胞nephrin和CD2AP蛋白及mRNA水平表达明显增加（P〈0.05）.结论：糖肾平可能通过维持足细胞裂孔隔膜蛋白nephrin和CD2AP的稳定性,从而发挥对DN肾脏的保护作用.     

Effect of the Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1/CC Chemokine Receptor 2 System on Nephrin Expression in Streptozotocin-Treated Mice and Human Cultured Podocytes

OBJECTIVE

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), a chemokine binding to the CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) and promoting monocyte infiltration, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. To assess the potential relevance of the MCP-1/CCR2 system in the pathogenesis of diabetic proteinuria, we studied in vitro if MCP-1 binding to the CCR2 receptor modulates nephrin expression in cultured podocytes. Moreover, we investigated in vivo if glomerular CCR2 expression is altered in kidney biopsies from patients with diabetic nephropathy and whether lack of MCP-1 affects proteinuria and expression of nephrin in experimental diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Expression of nephrin was assessed in human podocytes exposed to rh-MCP-1 by immunofluorescence and real-time PCR. Glomerular CCR2 expression was studied in 10 kidney sections from patients with overt nephropathy and eight control subjects by immunohistochemistry. Both wild-type and MCP-1 knockout mice were made diabetic with streptozotocin. Ten weeks after the onset of diabetes, albuminuria and expression of nephrin, synaptopodin, and zonula occludens-1 were examined by immunofluorescence and immunoblotting.

RESULTS

In human podocytes, MCP-1 binding to the CCR2 receptor induced a significant reduction in nephrin both mRNA and protein expression via a Rho-dependent mechanism. The MCP-1 receptor, CCR2, was overexpressed in the glomerular podocytes of patients with overt nephropathy. In experimental diabetes, MCP-1 was overexpressed within the glomeruli and the absence of MCP-1 reduced both albuminuria and downregulation of nephrin and synaptopodin.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the MCP-1/CCR2 system may be relevant in the pathogenesis of proteinuria in diabetes.Diabetic nephropathy is characterized by increased glomerular permeability to proteins (1). Recently, much attention has been paid to the role of podocyte injury in glomerular diseases, including diabetic nephropathy (2,3), but the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the development of diabetic proteinuria remain unclear.The slit diaphragm, a junction connecting foot processes of neighboring podocytes, represents the major restriction site to protein filtration (4). Mutations of the gene encoding for nephrin, a key component of the slit diaphragm, are responsible for the congenital nephrotic syndrome of the Finnish type (5). Furthermore, a link between a reduction in nephrin expression and proteinuria has been also reported in acquired proteinuric conditions, including diabetic nephropathy (6–8), and studies in patients with incipient diabetic nephropathy have demonstrated that nephrin downregulation occurs in an early stage of the disease (9).A number of factors, including high glucose, advanced glycation end products, and hypertension play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (10). In addition, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), a potent mononuclear cell chemoattractant, is overexpressed within the glomeruli in experimental diabetes (11,12) and has been recently implicated in both functional and structural abnormalities of the diabetic kidney (13).MCP-1 binds to the cognate CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2), which is predominantly expressed on monocytes (14), and MCP-1–driven monocyte accrual is considered the predominant mechanism whereby MCP-1 contributes to the glomerular damage. However, the CCR2 receptor has also been shown both in vitro (15,16) and in vivo (17–19) in other cell types besides monocytes, and we have recently demonstrated that both mesangial cells and glomerular podocytes express a functionally active CCR2 receptor (20–22).To assess the potential relevance of the MCP-1/CCR2 system in the pathogenesis of diabetic proteinuria we studied in vitro if MCP-1 binding to the CCR2 receptor modulates nephrin, expression in podocytes. Moreover, we investigated in vivo if glomerular CCR2 expression is altered in kidney biopsies from patients with diabetic nephropathy and whether lack of MCP-1 affects proteinuria and/or expression of nephrin in experimental diabetes.     

Induction of progressive glomerulonephritis by podocyte-specific overexpression of platelet-derived growth factor-D

Platelet-derived growth factor-D (PDGF-D), normally expressed in podocytes, mediates mesangial cell proliferation in vivo. To study this further, we created transgenic mice with podocyte-specific overexpression of PDGF-D. Hemizygous mice were grossly indistinguishable from wild-type littermates through 11 months of age; however, hemizygous mice older than 4 weeks commonly exhibited increased cell proliferation within the glomerular tuft. Many hemizygous mice also developed widespread segmental glomerulosclerosis and focal extracapillary proliferation with fibrin/fibrinogen deposition, extensive tubulointerstitial damage, proteinuria, and renal insufficiency. Electron microscopy found focal foot process effacement. Renal mRNA expression of podocin and nephrin, as well as the number of glomerular WT-1-positive cells, were significantly reduced in hemizygous compared to wild-type mice, indicating loss and/or dedifferentation of podocytes. PDGF-A, -B, and both PDGF receptor chain mRNAs, fibronectin, type IV collagen, RANTES, MCP-1, and CCR-2 mRNAs were all increased in the renal cortex of PDGF-D transgenic mice. Only 8.5% of newborn mice were homozygous overexpressors exhibiting a mortality rate of 37% at 4 weeks. Thus, podocyte-specific overexpression of PDGF-D caused mesangioproliferative disease, glomerulosclerosis, and crescentic glomerulonephritis. Hence, podocyte-specific growth factor overexpression can induce paracrine mesangial cell proliferation upstream of the filtration flow.     

Protective effects of C/EBPα on podocytes in diabetic nephropathy

Objective To explore the effects of C/EBPα knockout in podocyte on diabetic nephropathy and its mechanisms. Methods C/EBPαloxp/loxp mice were crossed with podocin-cre mice to obtain F1 hybrids and then propagated until homozygous mice (C/EBPαf/f) were obtained. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) models were established by low-dose streptozotocin (STZ, 100 mg/kg) administration after 25 weeks of normal diet or 45% high-fat diet treatment, and biochemical indicators of blood and urea were measured. The morphological characteristics and the proteins regulating oxidative stress and mitochondrial function were detected. Results The type 2 DN models were successfully constructed based on transgenic mice. The kidneys of 8-month-old C/EBPαf/f mice did not show obvious morphological changes, but after constructing DN models, they showed obvious renal impairment, inflammation and oxidative stress. Compared with wild-type DN mice, the protein levels of nephrin and E-cadherin in DN C/EBPαf/f mice with DN were significantly decreased (P＜0.01); fibronectin and Nrf2 protein levels were all increased (all P＜0.05). Keap1, phospho-AMPK and mitochondrial function-related genes Pgc-1α protein levels were all decreased (all P＜0.05). Conclusion Podocyte C/EBPα knockout exacerbates diabetic nephropathy by promoting fibrosis and inhibiting Pgc-1α-mediated mitochondrial antioxidant function.     

The MIF receptor CD74 in diabetic podocyte injury

Although metabolic derangement plays a central role in diabetic nephropathy, a better understanding of secondary mediators of injury may lead to new therapeutic strategies. Expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is increased in experimental diabetic nephropathy, and increased tubulointerstitial mRNA expression of its receptor, CD74, has been observed in human diabetic nephropathy. Whether CD74 transduces MIF signals in podocytes, however, is unknown. Here, we found glomerular and tubulointerstitial CD74 mRNA expression to be increased in Pima Indians with type 2 diabetes and diabetic nephropathy. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the increased glomerular and tubular expression of CD74 in clinical and experimental diabetic nephropathy and localized glomerular CD74 to podocytes. In cultured human podocytes, CD74 was expressed at the cell surface, was upregulated by high concentrations of glucose and TNF-alpha, and was activated by MIF, leading to phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and p38. High glucose also induced CD74 expression in a human proximal tubule cell line (HK2). In addition, MIF induced the expression of the inflammatory mediators TRAIL and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 in podocytes and HK2 cells in a p38-dependent manner. These data suggest that CD74 acts as a receptor for MIF in podocytes and may play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.     

Chronic sphingosine 1-phosphate 1 receptor activation attenuates early-stage diabetic nephropathy independent of lymphocytes

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), a pleiotropic lipid mediator, binds to five related G-protein-coupled receptors to exert its effects. As S1P1 receptor (S1P1R) activation blocks kidney inflammation in acute renal injury, we tested whether activation of S1P1Rs ameliorates renal injury in early-stage diabetic nephropathy (DN) in rats. Urinary albumin excretion increased in vehicle-treated diabetic rats (single injection of streptozotocin), compared with controls, and was associated with tubule injury and increased urinary tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) at 9 weeks. These effects were significantly reduced by FTY720, a non-selective, or SEW2871, a selective S1P1R agonist. Interestingly, only FTY720 was associated with reduced total lymphocyte levels. Albuminuria was reduced by SEW2871 in both Rag-1 (T- and B-cell deficient) and wild-type diabetic mice after 6 weeks, suggesting that the effect was independent of lymphocytes. Another receptor, S1P3R, did not contribute to the FTY720-mediated protection, as albuminuria was also reduced in diabetic S1P3R knockout mice. Further, both agonists restored WT-1 staining along with podocin and nephrin mRNA expression, suggesting podocyte protection. This was corroborated in vitro, as SEW2871 reduced TNF-α and vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA expression in immortalized podocytes grown in media containing high glucose. Whether targeting kidney S1P1Rs will be a useful therapeutic measure in DN will need direct testing.     

Notch promotes dynamin-dependent endocytosis of nephrin

Notch signaling in podocytes causes proteinuria and glomerulosclerosis in humans and rodents, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Here, we analyzed morphologic, molecular, and cellular events before the onset of proteinuria in newborn transgenic mice that express activated Notch in podocytes. Immunohistochemistry revealed a loss of the slit diaphragm protein nephrin exclusively in podocytes expressing activated Notch. Podocyte-specific deletion of Rbpj, which is essential for canonical Notch signaling, prevented this loss of nephrin. Overexpression of activated Notch decreased cell surface nephrin and increased cytoplasmic nephrin in transfected HEK293T cells; pharmacologic inhibition of dynamin, but not depletion of cholesterol, blocked these effects on nephrin, suggesting that Notch promotes dynamin-dependent, raft-independent endocytosis of nephrin. Supporting an association between Notch signaling and nephrin trafficking, electron microscopy revealed shortened podocyte foot processes and fewer slit diaphragms among the transgenic mice compared with controls. These data suggest that Notch signaling induces endocytosis of nephrin, thereby triggering the onset of proteinuria.     

TRPC6在糖尿病肾脏疾病大鼠肾组织的表达及缬沙坦的作用

目的观察瞬时受体阳离子通道6（transientreceptorpotentialcationchannel6,TRPC6）在糖尿病肾脏疾病（diabetickidneydisease,DKD）鼠肾组织的表达及缬沙坦的作用。方法通过单肾切除联合链脲佐菌素（streptozotocin,sTZ）诱导的DKD模型随机分为糖尿病组（diabetesmellitus,DM）和缬沙坦治疗组,每组10只。另以10只大鼠作对照组（normalcontrol,NC）。缬沙坦组每天给予缬沙坦20mg／kg于饮水中,于8周、16周、24周检测不同时间点24h尿蛋白、血肌酐和血糖。24周处死动物,PAS染色和透射电镜观察肾组织学改变,激光共聚焦检测TRPC6、synaptopodin的表达和分布,免疫组化、RT-PCR检测nephrin、TRPC6mRNA和蛋白的表达。结果与NC组比较,DM组24h尿蛋白、肾质量／体质量指数、TRPC6的表达均显著高于NC组（P〈O．01）,而内生肌酐清除率（endogenouscreatinineclearancerate,Ccr）、nephrin的表达显著低于NC组（P〈0．01）。激光共聚焦显示TRPC6与足细胞标志蛋白synaptopodin高度融合,沿毛细血管袢线形分布。缬沙坦组24h尿蛋白、肾质量／体质量、TRPC6的表达较DM组显著降低,Ccr、nephrin免疫组化积分和mR-NA的表达显著增加,肾脏病理改变减轻。结论DKD大鼠足细胞TRPC6的表达显著升高,缬沙坦可能通过抑制TRPC6的表达来减轻足细胞的损伤。