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Livingston MJ, Zhang M, Kwon SH, Chen JK, Li H, Manicassamy S, Dong Z. Autophagy activates EGR1 via MAPK/ERK to induce FGF2 in renal tubular cells for fibroblast activation and fibrosis during maladaptive kidney repair. Autophagy 2024; 20:1032-1053. [PMID: 37978868 PMCID: PMC11135847 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2023.2281156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Macroautophagy/autophagy contributes to maladaptive kidney repair by inducing pro-fibrotic factors such as FGF2 (fibroblast growth factor 2), but the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we show that EGR1 (early growth response 1) was induced in injured proximal tubules after ischemic acute kidney injury (AKI) and this induction was suppressed by autophagy deficiency in inducible, renal tubule-specific atg7 (autophagy related 7) knockout (iRT-atg7 KO) mice. In cultured proximal tubular cells, TGFB1 (transforming growth factor beta 1) induced EGR1 and this induction was also autophagy dependent. Egr1 knockdown in tubular cells reduced FGF2 expression during TGFB1 treatment, leading to less FGF2 secretion and decreased paracrine effects on fibroblasts. ChIP assay detected an increased binding of EGR1 to the Fgf2 gene promoter in TGFB1-treated tubular cells. Both Fgf2 and Egr1 transcription was inhibited by FGF2 neutralizing antibody, suggesting a positive feedback for EGR1-mediated FGF2 autoregulation. This feedback was confirmed using fgf2-deficient tubular cells and fgf2-deficient mice. Upstream of EGR1, autophagy deficiency in mice suppressed MAPK/ERK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) activation in post-ischemic renal tubules. This inhibition correlated with SQSTM1/p62 (sequestosome 1) aggregation and its sequestration of MAPK/ERK. SQSTM1/p62 interacted with MAPK/ERK and blocked its activation during TGFB1 treatment in autophagy-deficient tubular cells. Inhibition of MAPK/ERK suppressed EGR1 and FGF2 expression in maladaptive tubules, leading to the amelioration of renal fibrosis and improvement of renal function. These results suggest that autophagy activates MAPK/ERK in renal tubular cells, which induces EGR1 to transactivate FGF2. FGF2 is then secreted into the interstitium to stimulate fibroblasts for fibrogenesis.Abbreviation: 3-MA: 3-methyladenine; ACTA2/α-SMA: actin alpha 2, smooth muscle, aorta; ACTB/β-actin: actin, beta; AKI: acute kidney injury; aa: amino acid; ATG/Atg: autophagy related; BUN: blood urea nitrogen; ChIP: chromatin immunoprecipitation; CKD: chronic kidney disease; CM: conditioned medium; COL1A1: collagen, type I, alpha 1; COL4A1: collagen, type IV, alpha 1; CQ: chloroquine; DBA: dolichos biflorus agglutinin; EGR1: early growth response 1; ELK1: ELK1, member of ETS oncogene family; FGF2: fibroblast growth factor 2; FN1: fibronectin 1; GAPDH: glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; HAVCR1/KIM-1: hepatitis A virus cellular receptor 1; IP: immunoprecipitation; LIR: LC3-interacting region; MAP1LC3B/LC3B: microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta; MAP2K/MEK: mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase; MAPK: mitogen-activated protein kinase; NFKB: nuclear factor kappa B; PB1: Phox and Bem1; PFT: pifithrin α; PPIB/cyclophilin B: peptidylprolyl isomerase B; RT-qPCR: real time-quantitative PCR; SQSTM1/p62: sequestosome 1; TGFB1/TGF-β1: transforming growth factor beta 1; VIM: vimentin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man J. Livingston
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
- Research Department, Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Sang-Ho Kwon
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Jian-Kang Chen
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Honglin Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Santhakumar Manicassamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Zheng Dong
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
- Research Department, Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA, USA
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Li H, Huang Z, Yang C, Han D, Wang X, Qiu X, Zhang Z, Chen X. Association between plasma lysophosphatidic acid levels and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in extremely preterm infants: A prospective study. Pediatr Pulmonol 2023; 58:3516-3522. [PMID: 37712600 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.26685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is implicated in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) pathogenesis, but clinical evidence is lacking. This study aimed to investigate LPA levels in preterm infants with and without BPD and explore LPA as a biomarker for predicting BPD occurrence. METHODS Premature infants with a gestational age of <28 weeks or a birth weight of <1000 g were enrolled. Blood samples were collected at postnatal day (PD) 7, 28, and postmenstrual age (PMA) 36 weeks, and plasma LPA levels were measured using a commercial ELISA kit. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) curve analysis determined the PD 28 cutoff for LPA, and multivariable regression analyzed LPA's independent contribution to BPD and exploratory outcomes. RESULT Among the 91 infants enrolled in this study, 35 were classified into the non-BPD group and 56 into the BPD group. Infants with BPD had higher plasma LPA levels at PD 28 (6.467 vs. 4.226 μg/mL, p = 0.034) and PMA 36 weeks (2.330 vs. 1.636 μg/mL, p = 0.001). PD 28 LPA level of 6.132 μg/mL was the cutoff for predicting BPD development. Higher PD 28 LPA levels (≥6.132 μg/mL) independently associated with BPD occurrence (OR 3.307, 95% CI 1.032-10.597, p = 0.044). Higher LPA levels correlated with longer oxygen therapy durations [regression coefficients (β) 0.147, 95% CI 0.643-16.133, p = .034]. CONCLUSIONS Infants with BPD had higher plasma LPA levels at PD 28 and PMA 36 weeks. Higher PD 28 LPA levels independently associated with an increased BPD risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huitao Li
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Neonatology, Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Cardiac Pediatrics, Guangdong Provincial Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zilu Huang
- Department of Neonatology, Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chuanzhong Yang
- Department of Neonatology, Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dongshan Han
- Department of Neonatology, Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xuan Wang
- Department of Neonatology, Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaomei Qiu
- Department of Neonatology, Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhiwei Zhang
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Cardiac Pediatrics, Guangdong Provincial Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xueyu Chen
- Department of Neonatology, Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
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A Diagnostic Impact of Serum Autotaxin Levels in Patients with Bone Marrow Fibrosis. CLINICAL LYMPHOMA, MYELOMA & LEUKEMIA 2023; 23:e117-e124. [PMID: 36567212 DOI: 10.1016/j.clml.2022.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bone marrow (BM) fibrosis is a condition characterized by deposition of reticulin and collagen fibers in BM. It may confer a poor prognosis in some of hematological malignancies. However, the relationship between fibrosis and the disease pathology is not fully understood and no biomarkers for BM fibrosis are available in clinical practice. Autotaxin (ATX) is a secreted enzyme that is associated with various pathophysiological responses, including fibrosis. We conducted a pilot study to investigate the serum ATX levels in various hematological disorders in patients with or without BM fibrosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS The serum levels of ATX in a total of 198 patients with hematological disorders and 160 healthy subjects were analyzed. Because of sexual difference in ATX level, the ATX ratio-determined by dividing the ATX level by the mean value of ATX of control subjects of the same sex-was calculated for further comparative analysis. A trephine biopsy samples from 53 patients were also evaluated to determine the Reticulin Fibrosis Index and Collagen Fibrosis Index of each sample. RESULTS In comparison to the control group, the ATX ratio was significantly higher in patients, especially those with malignant lymphoma. The ATX ratio in lymphoma patients with BM fibrosis was significantly higher than that in patients without BM fibrosis. The Collagen Fibrosis Index showed statistically significant negative correlation with the ATX ratio. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that the ATX ratio may be a candidate diagnostic biomarker for BM fibrosis in selected patients, including those with malignant lymphoma.
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Li H, Dai W, Liu Z, He L. Renal Proximal Tubular Cells: A New Site for Targeted Delivery Therapy of Diabetic Kidney Disease. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15121494. [PMID: 36558944 PMCID: PMC9786989 DOI: 10.3390/ph15121494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a major complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) and the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) worldwide. A significant number of drugs have been clinically investigated for the treatment of DKD. However, a large proportion of patients still develop end-stage kidney disease unstoppably. As a result, new effective therapies are urgently needed to slow down the progression of DKD. Recently, there is increasing evidence that targeted drug delivery strategies such as large molecule carriers, small molecule prodrugs, and nanoparticles can improve drug efficacy and reduce adverse side effects. There is no doubt that targeted drug delivery strategies have epoch-making significance and great application prospects for the treatment of DKD. In addition, the proximal tubule plays a very critical role in the progression of DKD. Consequently, the purpose of this paper is to summarize the current understanding of proximal tubule cell-targeted therapy, screen for optimal targeting strategies, and find new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of DKD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Liyu He
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-731-8529-2064
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Lee GH, Cheon J, Kim D, Jun HS. Lysophosphatidic Acid Promotes Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Kidney Epithelial Cells via the LPAR1/MAPK-AKT/KLF5 Signaling Pathway in Diabetic Nephropathy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810497. [PMID: 36142408 PMCID: PMC9500642 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a differentiation process associated with fibrogenesis in diabetic nephropathy (DN). Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a small, naturally occurring glycerophospholipid implicated in the pathogenesis of DN. In this study, we investigated the role of LPA/LPAR1 signaling in the EMT of tubular cells as well as the underlying mechanisms. We observed a decrease in E-cadherin and an increase in vimentin expression levels in the kidney tubules of diabetic db/db mice, and treatment with ki16425 (LPAR1/3 inhibitor) inhibited the expression of these EMT markers. Ki16425 treatment also decreased the expression levels of the fibrotic factors fibronectin and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in db/db mice. Similarly, we found that LPA decreased E-cadherin expression and increased vimentin expression in HK-2 cells, which was reversed by treatment with ki16425 or AM095 (LPAR1 inhibitor). In addition, the expression levels of fibronectin and α-SMA were increased by LPA, and this effect was reversed by treatment with ki16425 and AM095 or by LPAR1 knockdown. Moreover, LPA induced the expression of the transcription factor, Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5), which was decreased by AM095 treatment or LPAR1 knockdown. The expression levels of EMT markers and fibrotic factors induced by LPA were decreased upon KLF5 knockdown in HK-2 cells. Inhibition of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and serine-threonine kinase (AKT) pathways decreased LPA-induced expression of KLF5 and EMT markers. In conclusion, these data suggest that LPA contributes to the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy by inducing EMT and renal tubular fibrosis via regulation of KLF5 through the LPAR1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geon-Ho Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gachon University, Incheon 21936, Korea
| | - Jayeon Cheon
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gachon University, Incheon 21936, Korea
| | - Donghee Kim
- Lee Gil Ya Cancer and Diabetes Institute, Gachon University, Incheon 21999, Korea
| | - Hee-Sook Jun
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gachon University, Incheon 21936, Korea
- Lee Gil Ya Cancer and Diabetes Institute, Gachon University, Incheon 21999, Korea
- Gachon Medical Research Institute, Gil Hospital, Incheon 21565, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-32-899-6056; Fax: +82-32-899-6057
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Ruiz-Ortega M, Lamas S, Ortiz A. Antifibrotic Agents for the Management of CKD: A Review. Am J Kidney Dis 2022; 80:251-263. [PMID: 34999158 DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2021.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Kidney fibrosis is a hallmark of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and a potential therapeutic target. However, there are conceptual and practical challenges to directly targeting kidney fibrosis. Whether fibrosis is mainly a cause or a consequence of CKD progression has been disputed. It is unclear whether specifically targeting fibrosis is feasible in clinical practice because most drugs that decrease fibrosis in preclinical models target additional and often multiple pathogenic pathways (eg, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade). Moreover, tools to assess whole-kidney fibrosis in routine clinical practice are lacking. Pirfenidone, a drug used for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, is undergoing a phase 2 trial for kidney fibrosis. Other drugs in use or being tested for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (eg, nintedanib, PRM-151, epigallocatechin gallate) are also potential candidates to treat kidney fibrosis. Novel therapeutic approaches may include antagomirs (eg, lademirsen) or drugs targeting interleukin 11 or NKD2 (WNT signaling pathway inhibitor). Reversing the dysfunctional tubular cell metabolism that leads to kidney fibrosis offers additional therapeutic opportunities. However, any future drug targeting fibrosis of the kidneys should demonstrate added benefit to a standard of care that combines renin-angiotensin system with mineralocorticoid receptor (eg, finerenone) blockade or with sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Ruiz-Ortega
- Molecular and Cellular Biology in Renal and Vascular Pathology, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria-Fundación Jiménez Díaz-Universidad Autónoma Madrid; Red de Investigación Renal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Santiago Lamas
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria-Fundación Jiménez Díaz-Universidad Autónoma Madrid; Red de Investigación Renal, Madrid, Spain; Program of Physiological and Pathological Processes, Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Ortiz
- Nephrology and Hypertension, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria-Fundación Jiménez Díaz-Universidad Autónoma Madrid; Red de Investigación Renal, Madrid, Spain.
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Reddy MA, Natarajan R. Cooperative activation of divergent pathways by LPAR1 and LPAR2 receptors in fibrotic signaling. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2021; 320:F322-F324. [PMID: 33491561 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00685.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marpadga A Reddy
- Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, Arthur Riggs Diabetes & Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, California
| | - Rama Natarajan
- Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, Arthur Riggs Diabetes & Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, California
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