1
|
Guo C, Jiao M, Cui Y, Li P, Yao J, Dong J, Liao L. Claudin-2 Mediates the Proximal Tubular Epithelial Cell-Fibroblast Crosstalk via Paracrine CTGF. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes 2024; 17:55-73. [PMID: 38192494 PMCID: PMC10771729 DOI: 10.2147/dmso.s432173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Proximal tubular epithelial cell (PTEC) is vulnerable to injury in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) due to high energy expenditure. The injured PTECs-derived profibrotic factors are thought to be driving forces in tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF) as they activate surrounding fibroblasts. However, the mechanisms remain unclear. Methods The diabetes with uninephrectomy (DKD) rats were used to evaluated renal histological changes and the expression of Claudin-2 by immunofluorescence staining. Then, Claudin-2 expression in PTECs were modulated and subsequently determined the proliferation and activation of fibroblasts by building a transwell co-culture system in normal glucose (NG)or high glucose (HG) condition. Results Decreased expression of Claudin-2 in PTECs accompanied by tight junction disruption and increased interstitial fibrosis, were detected in DKD rats. In vitro, downregulated Claudin-2 in PTECs promoted proliferation and activation of fibroblasts, which coincided with elevated expression of profibrotic connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in PTECs. Silenced CTGF inhibited the profibrotic of PTECs via Claudin-2 inhibition. Fibroblasts co-cultured with PTECs transitioned more to myofibroblasts and generated extracellular matrix (ECM) significantly in response to high glucose (HG) stimulation whereas overexpression of Claudin-2 in PTECs reversed the above results. Upregulating CTGF disrupted the beneficial anti-fibrosis effects obtained by overexpression of Claudin-2 in HG condition. Conclusion Our study suggested that Claudin-2 in PTECs, a key mediator of paracellular cation and water transport, promotes the activation and proliferation of surrounding fibroblasts significantly via CTGF in a paracrine manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Congcong Guo
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational medicine, Shandong Institute of Nephrology, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
- Shandong Institute of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University& Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mingwen Jiao
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuying Cui
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational medicine, Shandong Institute of Nephrology, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
- Shandong Institute of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University& Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Pingjiang Li
- Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinming Yao
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational medicine, Shandong Institute of Nephrology, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
- Shandong Institute of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University& Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianjun Dong
- Department of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lin Liao
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational medicine, Shandong Institute of Nephrology, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
- Shandong Institute of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University& Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|