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Zou H, Chen M, Wang X, Yu J, Li X, Xie Y, Liu J, Liu M, Xu L, Zhang Q, Tian X, Zhang F, Guo B. C/EBPβ isoform-specific regulation of podocyte pyroptosis in lupus nephritis-induced renal injury. J Pathol 2023; 261:269-285. [PMID: 37602503 DOI: 10.1002/path.6174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
As an essential factor in the prognosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), lupus nephritis (LN) can accelerate the rate at which patients with SLE can transition to chronic kidney disease or even end-stage renal disease. Podocytes now appear to be a possible direct target in LN in addition to being prone to collateral damage from glomerular capillary lesions induces by immune complexes and inflammatory processes. The NLRP3 inflammasome is regulated by CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ), which is involved in the pathogenesis of SLE. However, the role and mechanism of C/EBPβ in LN remain unclear. In this investigation, glomerular podocytes treated with LN serum and MRL/lpr mice were employed as in vivo and in vitro models of LN, respectively. In vivo, the expression of C/EBPβ isoforms was detected in kidney specimens of humans and mice with LN. Then we assessed the effect of C/EBPβ inhibition on renal structure and function by injecting RNAi adeno-associated virus of C/EBPβ shRNA into MRL/lpr mice. In vitro, glomerular podocytes were treated with LN serum and C/EBPβ siRNA to explore the role of C/EBPβ in the activation of the AIM2 inflammasome and podocyte injury. C/EBPβ-LAP and C/EBPβ-LIP were significantly overexpressed in kidney tissue samples from LN patients and mice, and C/EBPβ inhibition significantly alleviated renal function damage and ameliorated renal structural deficiencies. Inflammatory pathways downstream from the AIM2 inflammasome could be suppressed by C/EBPβ knockdown. Furthermore, the upregulation of C/EBPβ-LAP could activate the AIM2 inflammasome and podocyte pyroptosis by binding to the promoters of AIM2 and CASPASE1 to enhance their expression, and the knockdown of AIM2 or (and) caspase-1 reversed the effects of C/EBPβ-LAP overexpression. Interestingly, C/EBPβ-LIP overexpression could transcriptionally inhibit IRAG and promote Ca2+ release-mediated activation of the AIM2 inflammasome. This finding suggests that C/EBPβ is not only involved in the regulation of the expression of key proteins of the AIM2 inflammasome but also affects the polymerization of key proteins of the AIM2 inflammasome through the regulation of Ca2+ release. In conclusion, this study provides a new idea for studying the regulatory mechanism of C/EBPβ and provides a theoretical basis for the early diagnosis and treatment of LN in the future. © 2023 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimei Zou
- Department of Pathophysiology, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, PR China
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Drug Research on Common Chronic Diseases, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, PR China
- School of Nursing, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, PR China
| | - Min Chen
- Department of Pathophysiology, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, PR China
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Drug Research on Common Chronic Diseases, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, PR China
| | - Xiuhong Wang
- School of Nursing, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, PR China
| | - Jie Yu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, PR China
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Drug Research on Common Chronic Diseases, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, PR China
| | - Xiaoying Li
- Department of Nephrology, The First People's Hospital of Guiyang, Guiyang, PR China
| | - Ying Xie
- Department of Pathophysiology, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, PR China
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Drug Research on Common Chronic Diseases, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, PR China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Rheumatology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, PR China
| | - Miao Liu
- Department of Urinary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, PR China
| | - Lifen Xu
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, PR China
| | - Qiong Zhang
- School of Nursing, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, PR China
| | - Xiaoxue Tian
- School of Nursing, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, PR China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, PR China
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Drug Research on Common Chronic Diseases, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, PR China
| | - Bing Guo
- Department of Pathophysiology, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, PR China
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Drug Research on Common Chronic Diseases, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, PR China
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Wang MZ, Yue LJ, Wan YG, Huang H, Wu W, Tu Y, Liu BH, Fang QJ, Yuan CC, Wang J, Li H, Wan ZY. [Effects and mechanisms of Supplemented Gegen Qinlian Decoction Formula against podocyte pyroptosis and insulin resistance in model rats with diabetic kidney disease]. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi 2021; 46:4471-4479. [PMID: 34581052 DOI: 10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20210524.406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
This study explored the in vivo effects and mechanisms of the modern classical prescription Supplemented Gegen Qinlian Decoction Formula(SGDF) against diabetic kidney disease(DKD). Sixty rats were randomly divided into the normal group, model group, SGDF group, and rosiglitazone(ROS) group. The modified DKD rat model was established by employing the following three methods: exposure to high-fat diet, unilateral nephrectomy, and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ). After modeling, rats in the four groups were treated with double distilled water, SGDF suspension, and ROS suspension, respectively, by gavage every day. At the end of the 6 th week of drug administration, all the rats were sacrificed for collecting urine, blood, and kidney tissue, followed by the examination of rat general conditions, urine and blood biochemical indicators, glomerulosclerosis-related indicators, podocyte pyroptosis markers, insulin resistance(IR)-related indicators, and key molecules in the insulin receptor substrate(IRS) 1/phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(PI3 K)/serine threonine kinase(Akt) signaling pathway. The results showed that SGDF and ROS improved the general conditions, some renal function indicators and glomerulosclerosis of DKD model rats without affecting the blood glucose(BG). Besides, they ameliorated the expression characteristics and levels of podocyte pyroptosis markers, alleviated IR, and up-regulated the protein expression levels of the key molecules in IRS1/PI3 K/Akt pathway to varying degrees. In conclusion, similar to ROS, SGDF relieves DKD by targeting multiple targets in vivo. Specifically, it exerts the therapeutic effects by alleviating podocyte pyroptosis and IR. This study has preliminarily provided the pharmacological evidence for the research and development of new drugs for the treatment of DKD based on SGDF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Zi Wang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Li-Jun Yue
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital,The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Nanjing University Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yi-Gang Wan
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital,The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Nanjing University Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Huang Huang
- School of International Classical Prescription, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Wei Wu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital,The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Nanjing University Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yue Tu
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina&School of Health Preservation and Rehabilitation, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Bu-Hui Liu
- Department of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Qi-Jun Fang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Can-Can Yuan
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Huan Li
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Zi-Yue Wan
- Graduate School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Hitotsubashi University Tokyo 186-8601, Japan
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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.
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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
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