The extrafollicular B cell response is a hallmark of childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome

The efficacy of the B cell-targeting drug rituximab (RTX) in childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) suggests that B cells may be implicated in disease pathogenesis. However, B cell characterization in children with INS remains limited. Here, using single-cell RNA sequencing, we demonstrate that a B cell transcriptional program poised for effector functions represents the major immune perturbation in blood samples from children with active INS. This transcriptional profile was associated with an extrafollicular B cell response marked by the expansion of atypical B cells (atBCs), marginal zone-like B cells, and antibody-secreting cells (ASCs). Flow cytometry of blood from 13 children with active INS and 24 healthy donors confirmed the presence of an extrafollicular B cell response denoted by the expansion of proliferating RTX-sensitive extrafollicular (CXCR5-) CD21low T-bet+ CD11c+ atBCs and short-lived T-bet+ ASCs in INS. Together, our study provides evidence for an extrafollicular origin for humoral immunity in active INS.

Solar Photocatalytic Membranes: An Experimental and Artificial Neural Network Modeling Approach for Niflumic Acid Degradation

The presence of contaminants of emerging concern (CEC), such as pharmaceuticals, in water sources is one of the main concerns nowadays due to their hazardous properties causing severe effects on human health and ecosystem biodiversity. Niflumic acid (NFA) is a widely used anti-inflammatory drug, and it is known for its non-biodegradability and resistance to chemical and biological degradation processes. In this work, a 10 wt.% TiO₂/PVDF-TrFE nanocomposite membrane (NCM) was prepared by the solvent casting technique, fully characterized, and implemented on an up-scaled photocatalytic membrane reactor (PMR). The photocatalytic activity of the NCM was evaluated on NFA degradation under different experimental conditions, including NFA concentration, pH of the media, irradiation time and intensity. The NCM demonstrated a remarkable photocatalytic efficiency on NFA degradation, as efficiency of 91% was achieved after 6 h under solar irradiation at neutral pH. The NCM proved effective in long-term use, with maximum efficiency losses of 7%. An artificial neural network (ANN) model was designed to model NFA's photocatalytic degradation behavior, demonstrating a good agreement between experimental and predicted data, with an R² of 0.98. The relative significance of each experimental condition was evaluated, and the irradiation time proved to be the most significant parameter affecting the NFA degradation efficiency. The designed ANN model provides a reliable framework l for modeling the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂/PVDF-TrFE and related NCM.

Reusable Ag@TiO2-Based Photocatalytic Nanocomposite Membranes for Solar Degradation of Contaminants of Emerging Concern

Two significant limitations of using TiO2 nanoparticles for water treatment applications are reduced photocatalytic activity under visible radiation and difficulty recovering the particles after use. In this study, round-shaped Ag@TiO2 nanocomposites with a ≈21 nm diameter and a bandgap energy of 2.8 eV were synthesised by a deposition-precipitation method. These nanocomposites were immobilised into a porous poly (vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) matrix and well-distributed within the pores. The photocatalytic activity of Ag@TiO2/PVDF-HFP against metronidazole (MNZ) under solar radiation was evaluated. Further, an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) was applied to predict the effect of four independent variables, including initial pollutant concentration, pH, light irradiation intensity, and reaction time, on the photocatalytic performance of the composite membrane on MNZ degradation. The 10% Ag@TiO2/PVDF-HFP composite membrane showed a maximum removal efficiency of 100% after 5 h under solar radiation. After three use cycles, this efficiency remained practically constant, demonstrating the membranes' reusability and suitability for water remediation applications.

Photodegradation of tartrazine dye favored by natural sunlight on pure and (Ce, Ag) co-doped ZnO catalysts

In this work, the synthesis of pure and (Ce, Ag) co-doped ZnO was successfully accomplished using a solvothermal process. The synthesized samples were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The photocatalytic ability of the samples is estimated through degradation of tartrazine in aqueous solution under photocatalytic conditions. The degradation study carried out for a reaction period of 90 min at and a free pH = 6.0 found that dye degradation is 44.82% for pure ZnO and 98.91% for (Ce, Ag) co-doped ZnO samples, indicating its excellent photocatalytic ability. Tartrazine mineralization was also studied by calculating the degradation of chemical oxygen demand. The effect of operating parameters such as catalyst dose, initial concentration of tartrazine, initial reaction pH, and nature of light source has been optimized for tartrazine degradation as a function of time. The reusability of ZnO and (Ce, Ag) co-doped ZnO catalysts was studied and its photocatalytic efficiency was found to be unchanged, even after six cycles of use. The mechanism of photocatalytic activity was also proposed.

Crystal morphology control of synthetic giniite for enhanced photo-Fenton activity against the emerging pollutant metronidazole

Metronidazole (MNZ) is a recalcitrant antibiotic with toxic and carcinogenic effects in aquatic environments. In this work, Fe₅(PO₄)₄(OH)₃·2H₂O (giniite) particles were synthesised with three different alkaline cations (Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺) and used as Fenton catalysts for MNZ removal. It is shown that the addition of different cations during the hydrothermal synthesis process promote different morphologies from asterisk-like to flower-like and branches-like, maintaining the crystalline structure of pure giniite. The photo-Fenton activity of these particles was then evaluated through the degradation of MNZ under sunlight radiation for 9 h. The results indicate that the alkaline cation has a predominant role in the photo-Fenton efficiency, as demonstrated by the superior degradation efficiencies of Na@giniite particles (91.2% and 72.5% with giniite concentration of 0.2 g L^-1 and 0.07 g L^-1, respectively), related with its high surface area (10.7 m² g^-1). Thus, it is demonstrated the suitability of Na@giniite particles as Fenton catalyst for MNZ removal from water.

Efficient solar heterogeneous photocatalytic degradation of metronidazole using heterojunction semiconductors hybrid nanocomposite, layered double hydroxides

This study focuses on the synthesis of various nanocomposites with heterojunction structures, MgAl-LDH (LDH = layered double hydroxides) hybrid with semiconductor such as MoO₃ and CuO. These solids were synthesized by co-precipitation method at constant pH and have been characterized extensively using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray (TEM-EDX) methods. The catalytic activity of nanocomposites was tested in the photocatalytic degradation under solar irradiation of emerging pollutants as the pharmaceutical metronidazole (MNZ). The experimental parameters, including initial MNZ concentration, the nature of oxide incorporate in the photocatalyst, catalyst loading were explored. All the synthesized samples showed high photocatalytic performances; the highest photocatalysis efficiency was achieved with the photocatalyst dose 1.5 g/L and initial MNZ concentration of 10 mg/L at neutral pH. The photocatalytic experimental results were fitted very well to the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model. From the obtained results the calcined LDH/semiconductors could be efficient for the photocatalytic process under solar irradiation of pharmaceuticals and may contribute in environmental remediation.

ARHGEF7 (β-PIX) Is Required for the Maintenance of Podocyte Architecture and Glomerular Function

BACKGROUND

Previous studies showed that Cdc42, a member of the prototypical Rho family of small GTPases and a regulator of the actin cytoskeleton, is critical for the normal development and health of podocytes. However, upstream regulatory mechanisms for Cdc42 activity in podocytes are largely unknown.

METHODS

We used a proximity-based ligation assay, BioID, to identify guanine nucleotide exchange factors that activate Cdc42 in immortalized human podocytes. We generated podocyte-specific ARHGEF7 (commonly known as β-PIX) knockout mice by crossing β-PIX floxed mice with Podocin-Cre mice. Using shRNA, we established cultured mouse podocytes with β-PIX knockdown and their controls.

RESULTS

We identified β-PIX as a predominant guanine nucleotide exchange factor that interacts with Cdc42 in human podocytes. Podocyte-specific β-PIX knockout mice developed progressive proteinuria and kidney failure with global or segmental glomerulosclerosis in adulthood. Glomerular podocyte density gradually decreased in podocyte-specific β-PIX knockout mice, indicating podocyte loss. Compared with controls, glomeruli from podocyte-specific β-PIX knockout mice and cultured mouse podocytes with β-PIX knockdown exhibited significant reduction in Cdc42 activity. Loss of β-PIX promoted podocyte apoptosis, which was mediated by the reduced activity of the prosurvival transcriptional regulator Yes-associated protein.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that β-PIX is required for the maintenance of podocyte architecture and glomerular function via Cdc42 and its downstream Yes-associated protein activities. This appears to be the first evidence that a Rho-guanine nucleotide exchange factor plays a critical role in podocytes.

Polymer-Based Membranes for Oily Wastewater Remediation

The compounds found in industrial wastewater typically show high toxicity, and in this way, they have become a primary environmental concern. Several techniques have been applied in industrial effluent remediation. In spite of the efforts, these techniques are yet to be ineffective to treat oily wastewater before it can be discharged safely to the environment. Membrane technology is an attractive approach to treat oily wastewater. This is dedicated to the immobilisation of TiO₂ nanoparticles on poly(vinylidene fluoride–trifluoro ethylene) (PVDF-TrFE) porous matrix by solvent casting. Membranes with interconnected pores with an average diameter of 60 µm and a contact angle of 97°, decorated with TiO₂ nanoparticles, are obtained. The degradation of oily wastewater demonstrated the high photocatalytic efficiency of the nanocomposite membranes: Under sunlight irradiation for seven hours, colourless water was obtained.

Recessive mutation in CD2AP causes focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in humans and mice

Although sequence variants in CD2-associated protein (CD2AP) have been identified in patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), definitive proof of causality in human disease is meager. By whole-exome sequencing, we identified a homozygous frame-shift mutation in CD2AP (p.S198fs) in three siblings born of consanguineous parents who developed childhood-onset FSGS and end stage renal disease. When the same frameshift mutation was introduced in mice by gene editing, the mice developed FSGS and kidney failure. These results provide conclusive evidence that homozygous mutation of CD2AP causes FSGS in humans.

Photocatalytic reusable membranes for the effective degradation of tartrazine with a solar photoreactor

Recalcitrant dyes present in effluents constitute a major environmental concern due to their hazardous properties that may cause deleterious effects on aquatic organisms. Tartrazine is a widely-used dye, and it is known to be resistant to biological and chemical degradation processes and by its carcinogenic and mutagenic nature. This study presents the use of TiO₂ (P25) nanoparticles immobilized into a poly(vinylidenefluoride-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)) membrane to assess the photocatalytic degradation of this dye in a solar photoreactor. The nanocomposite morphological properties were analyzed, confirming an interconnected porous microstructure and the homogeneous distribution of the TiO₂ nanoparticles within the membrane pores. It is shown that the nanocomposite with 8wt% TiO₂ exhibits a remarkable sunlight photocatalytic activity over five hours, with 78% of the pollutant being degraded. It was also demonstrated that the degradation follows pseudo-first-order kinetics model at low initial tartrazine concentration. Finally, the effective reusability of the produced nanocomposite was also assessed.

The Role of Trio, a Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor, in Glomerular Podocytes

Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disease featured by heavy proteinuria. It is caused by injury to the specialized epithelial cells called “podocytes” within the filtration unit of the kidney, glomerulus. Previous studies showed that hyperactivation of the RhoGTPase, Rac1, in podocytes causes podocyte injury and glomerulosclerosis (accumulation of extracellular matrix in the glomerulus). However, the mechanism by which Rac1 is activated during podocyte injury is unknown. Trio is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) known to activate Rac1. By RNA-sequencing, we found that Trio mRNA is abundantly expressed in cultured human podocytes. Trio mRNA was also significantly upregulated in humans with minimal change disease and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, two representative causes of nephrotic syndrome. Reduced expression of Trio in cultured human podocytes decreased basal Rac1 activity, cell size, attachment to laminin, and motility. Furthermore, while the pro-fibrotic cytokine, transforming growth factor β1 increased Rac1 activity in control cells, it decreases Rac1 activity in cells with reduced Trio expression. This was likely due to simultaneous activation of the Rac1-GTPase activation protein, CdGAP. Thus, Trio is important in the basal functions of podocytes and may also contribute to glomerular pathology, such as sclerosis, via Rac1 activation.

ShcA Adaptor Protein Promotes Nephrin Endocytosis and Is Upregulated in Proteinuric Nephropathies

Nephrin is a key structural component of the podocyte slit diaphragm, and proper expression of nephrin on the cell surface is critical to ensure integrity of the blood filtration barrier. Maintenance of nephrin within this unique cell junction has been proposed to require dynamic phosphorylation events and endocytic recycling, although the molecular mechanisms that control this interplay are poorly understood. Here, we investigated the possibility that the phosphotyrosine adaptor protein ShcA regulates nephrin turnover. Western blotting and immunostaining analysis confirmed that ShcA is expressed in podocytes. In immunoprecipitation and pulldown assays, ShcA, via its SH2 domain, was associated with several phosphorylated tyrosine residues on nephrin. Overexpression of ShcA promoted nephrin tyrosine phosphorylation and reduced nephrin signaling and cell surface expression in vitro In a rat model of reversible podocyte injury and proteinuria, phosphorylated nephrin temporally colocalized with endocytic structures coincident with upregulation of ShcA expression. In vivo biotinylation assays confirmed that nephrin expression decreased at the cell surface and correspondingly increased in the cytosol during the injury time course. Finally, immunostaining in kidney biopsy specimens demonstrated overexpression of ShcA in several human proteinuric kidney diseases compared with normal conditions. Our results suggest that increases in ShcA perturb nephrin phosphosignaling dynamics, leading to aberrant nephrin turnover and slit diaphragm disassembly.

Rac1 activation in podocytes induces the spectrum of nephrotic syndrome

Hyper-activation of Rac1, a small GTPase, in glomerular podocytes has been implicated in the pathogenesis of familial proteinuric kidney diseases. However, the role of Rac1 in acquired nephrotic syndrome is unknown. To gain direct insights into this, we generated a transgenic mouse model expressing a doxycycline-inducible constitutively active form of Rac1 (CA-Rac1) in podocytes. Regardless of the copy number, proteinuria occurred rapidly within five days, and the histology resembled minimal change disease. The degree and severity of proteinuria were dependent on the transgene copy number. Upon doxycycline withdrawal, proteinuria resolved completely (one copy) or nearly completely (two copy). After one month of doxycycline treatment, two-copy mice developed glomerulosclerosis that resembled focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) with urinary shedding of transgene-expressing podocytes. p38 MAPK was activated in podocytes upon CA-Rac1 induction while a p38 inhibitor attenuated proteinuria, podocyte loss, and glomerulosclerosis. Mechanistically, activation of Rac1 in cultured mouse podocytes reduced adhesiveness to laminin and induced redistribution of β1 integrin, and both were partially reversed by the p38 inhibitor. Activation of Rac1 in podocytes was also seen in kidney biopsies from patients with minimal change disease and idiopathic FSGS by immunofluorescence while sera from the same patients activated Rac1 in cultured human podocytes. Thus, activation of Rac1 in podocytes causes a spectrum of disease ranging from minimal change disease to FSGS, due to podocyte detachment from the glomerular basement membrane that is partially dependent on p38 MAPK.

Genetic Ablation of Calcium-independent Phospholipase A2γ Induces Glomerular Injury in Mice

Glomerular visceral epithelial cells (podocytes) play a critical role in the maintenance of glomerular permselectivity. Podocyte injury, manifesting as proteinuria, is the cause of many glomerular diseases. We reported previously that calcium-independent phospholipase A2γ (iPLA2γ) is cytoprotective against complement-mediated glomerular epithelial cell injury. Studies in iPLA2γ KO mice have demonstrated an important role for iPLA2γ in mitochondrial lipid turnover, membrane structure, and metabolism. The aim of the present study was to employ iPLA2γ KO mice to better understand the role of iPLA2γ in normal glomerular and podocyte function as well as in glomerular injury. We show that deletion of iPLA2γ did not cause detectable albuminuria; however, it resulted in mitochondrial structural abnormalities and enhanced autophagy in podocytes as well as loss of podocytes in aging KO mice. Moreover, after induction of anti-glomerular basement membrane nephritis in young mice, iPLA2γ KO mice exhibited significantly increased levels of albuminuria, podocyte injury, and loss of podocytes compared with wild type. Thus, iPLA2γ has a protective functional role in the normal glomerulus and in glomerulonephritis. Understanding the role of iPLA2γ in glomerular pathophysiology provides opportunities for the development of novel therapeutic approaches to glomerular injury and proteinuria.

Disease-causing mutations of RhoGDIα induce Rac1 hyperactivation in podocytes

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) describes a group of kidney disorders in which there is injury to podocyte cells, specialized cells within the kidney's glomerular filtration barrier, allowing proteins to leak into the urine. Three mutations in ARHGDIA, which encodes Rho GDP dissociation inhibitor α (GDIα), have been reported in patients with heritable NS and encode the following amino acid changes: ΔD185, R120X, and G173V. To investigate the impact of these mutations on podocyte function, endogenous GDIα was knocked-down in cultured podocytes by shRNA and then the cells were re-transfected with wild-type or mutant GDIα constructs. Among the 3 prototypical Rho-GTPases, Rac1 was markedly hyperactivated in podocytes with any of the 3 mutant forms of GDIα while the activation of RhoA and Cdc42 was modest and variable. All three mutant GDIα proteins resulted in slow podocyte motility, suggesting that podocytes are sensitive to the relative balance of Rho-GTPase activity. In ΔD185 podocytes, both random and directional movements were impaired and kymograph analysis of the leading edge showed increased protrusion and retraction of leading edge (phase switching). The mutant podocytes also showed impaired actin polymerization, smaller cell size, and increased cellular projections. In the developing kidney, GDIα expression increased as podocytes matured. Conversely, active Rac1 was detected only in immature, but not in mature, podocytes. The results indicate that GDIα has a critical role in suppressing Rac1 activity in mature podocytes, to prevent podocyte injury and nephrotic syndrome.

Loss of Rho-GDIα sensitizes podocytes to lipopolysaccharide-mediated injury

Nephrotic syndrome is a disease of glomerular permselectivity that can arise as a consequence of heritable or acquired changes to the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier. We recently reported two siblings with heritable nephrotic syndrome caused by a loss of function mutation in the gene ARHGDIA, which encodes for Rho guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor-α (GDIα). GDIs are known to negatively regulate Rho-GTPase signaling. We hypothesized that loss of GDIα sensitizes podocytes to external injury via hyperactivation of Rho-GTPases and p38 MAPK. We examined the response of cultured podocytes with and without knockdown of GDIα to LPS injury by assessing the levels of phospho-p38 as well as the degree of synaptopodin loss. GDIα knockdown podocytes showed more pronounced and sustained p38 phosphorylation in response to LPS compared with control podocytes, and this was blunted significantly by the Rac1 inhibitor. In LPS-treated control podocytes, synaptopodin degradation occurred, and this was dependent on p38, the proteasome, and cathepsin L. In GDIα knockdown podocytes, the same events were triggered, but the levels of synaptopodin after LPS treatment were significantly lower than in control podocytes. These experiments reveal a common pathway by which heritable and environmental risk factors converge to injure podocytes, from Rac1 hyperactivation to p38 phosphorylation and synaptopodin degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and cathepsin L.

Role of guanine nucleotide exchange factor-H1 in complement-mediated RhoA activation in glomerular epithelial cells

Visceral glomerular epithelial cells (GEC), also known as podocytes, are vital for the structural and functional integrity of the glomerulus. The actin cytoskeleton plays a central role in maintaining GEC morphology. In a rat model of experimental membranous nephropathy (passive Heymann nephritis (PHN)), complement C5b-9-induced proteinuria was associated with the activation of the actin regulator small GTPase, RhoA. The mechanisms of RhoA activation, however, remained unknown. In this study, we explored the role of the epithelial guanine nucleotide exchange factor, GEF-H1, in complement-induced RhoA activation. Using affinity precipitation to monitor GEF activity, we found that GEF-H1 was activated in glomeruli isolated from rats with PHN. Complement C5b-9 also induced parallel activation of GEF-H1 and RhoA in cultured GEC. In GEC in which GEF-H1 was knocked down, both basal and complement-induced RhoA activity was reduced. On the other hand, GEF-H1 knockdown augmented complement-mediated cytolysis, suggesting a role for GEF-H1 and RhoA in protecting GEC from cell death. The MEK1/2 inhibitor, U0126, and mutation of the ERK-dependent phosphorylation site (T678A) prevented complement-induced GEF-H1 activation, indicating a role for the ERK pathway. Further, complement induced GEF-H1 and microtubule accumulation in the perinuclear region. However, both the perinuclear accumulation and the activation of GEF-H1 were independent of microtubules and myosin-mediated contractility, as shown using drugs that interfere with microtubule dynamics and myosin II activity. In summary, we have identified complement-induced ERK-dependent GEF-H1 activation as the upstream mechanism of RhoA stimulation, and this pathway has a protective role against cell death.

Planar cell polarity pathway regulates nephrin endocytosis in developing podocytes

The noncanonical Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway controls a variety of cell behaviors such as polarized protrusive cell activity, directional cell movement, and oriented cell division and is crucial for the normal development of many tissues. Mutations in the PCP genes cause malformation in multiple organs. Recently, the PCP pathway was shown to control endocytosis of PCP and non-PCP proteins necessary for cell shape remodeling and formation of specific junctional protein complexes. During formation of the renal glomerulus, the glomerular capillary becomes enveloped by highly specialized epithelial cells, podocytes, that display unique architecture and are connected via specialized cell-cell junctions (slit diaphragms) that restrict passage of protein into the urine; podocyte differentiation requires active remodeling of cytoskeleton and junctional protein complexes. We report here that in cultured human podocytes, activation of the PCP pathway significantly stimulates endocytosis of the core slit diaphragm protein, nephrin, via a clathrin/β-arrestin-dependent endocytic route. In contrast, depletion of the PCP protein Vangl2 leads to an increase of nephrin at the cell surface; loss of Vangl2 functions in Looptail mice results in disturbed glomerular maturation. We propose that the PCP pathway contributes to podocyte development by regulating nephrin turnover during junctional remodeling as the cells differentiate.

Nuclear factor of activated T cells mediates RhoA-induced fibronectin upregulation in glomerular podocytes

Glomerulosclerosis is featured by accumulation of the extracellular matrixes in the glomerulus. We showed previously that activation of the small GTPase RhoA in podocytes induces heavy proteinuria and glomerulosclerosis in the mouse. In the current study, we investigated the mechanism by which RhoA stimulates the production of one of the extracellular matrixes, fibronectin, by podocytes, specifically testing the role of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT). Expression of constitutively active RhoA in cultured podocytes activated the fibronectin promoter, upregulated fibronectin protein, and activated NFAT. Expression of constitutively active NFAT in podocytes also activated the fibronectin promoter and upregulated fibronectin protein. RhoA-induced NFAT activation and fibronectin upregulation were both dependent on the calcium/calmodulin pathway and Rho kinase. NFAT activation was also observed in vivo in the rat and mouse models of podocyte injury and proteinuria, and NFAT inhibition ameliorated fibronectin upregulation in the latter. RhoA activation induced a rise of intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca(2+)]i), which was at least in part dependent on the transient receptor potential canonical 6 (TRPC6) cation channel. The results indicate that RhoA activates NFAT by inducing a rise of [Ca(2+)]i in podocytes, which in turn contributes to fibronectin upregulation. This pathway may be responsible for the pathogenesis of certain glomerular diseases such as hypertension-mediated glomerulosclerosis.

Activation of RhoA in podocytes induces focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Proper organization of the actin cytoskeleton is essential for the normal structure and function of podocytes. RhoA modulates actin dynamics but its role in podocyte biology is controversial. Here, we generated transgenic mice that express a constitutively active form of RhoA in a podocyte-specific and doxycycline-inducible manner. Induction of activated RhoA with doxycycline resulted in significant albuminuria. Furthermore, both the degree of albuminuria and the histologic changes in the glomerulus positively correlated with the level of constitutively active RhoA expression: low levels of expression associated with segmental foot-process effacement without changes observable by light microscopy, whereas higher levels of expression associated with both extensive foot-process effacement and histologic features of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). In addition, induction of activated RhoA markedly upregulated glomerular mRNA expression of fibronectin and collagen IA1, and the degree of upregulation positively correlated with the level of albuminuria. Withdrawal of doxycycline led to a decline in albuminuria toward basal levels in most mice, but heavy albuminuria persisted in some mice. Taken together, these data suggest that activation of RhoA in podocytes leads to albuminuria accompanied by a range of histologic changes characteristic of minimal change disease and FSGS in humans. Although most changes are reversible, severe and prolonged activation of RhoA may cause irreversible glomerulosclerosis.

p21-Activated kinases regulate actin remodeling in glomerular podocytes

The tyrosine phosphorylation of nephrin is reported to regulate podocyte morphology via the Nck adaptor proteins. The Pak family of kinases are regulators of the actin cytoskeleton and are recruited to the plasma membrane via Nck. Here, we investigated the role of Pak in podocyte morphology. Pak1/2 were expressed in cultured podocytes. In mouse podocytes, Pak2 was predominantly phosphorylated, concentrated at the tips of the cellular processes, and its expression and/or phosphorylation were further increased when differentiated. Overexpression of rat nephrin in podocytes increased Pak1/2 phosphorylation, which was abolished when the Nck binding sites were mutated. Furthermore, dominant-negative Nck constructs blocked the Pak1 phosphorylation induced by antibody-mediated cross linking of nephrin. Transient transfection of constitutively kinase-active Pak1 into differentiated mouse podocytes decreased stress fibers, increased cortical F-actin, and extended the cellular processes, whereas kinase-dead mutant, kinase inhibitory construct, and Pak2 knockdown by shRNA had the opposite effect. In a rat model of puromycin aminonucleoside nephrosis, Pak1/2 phosphorylation was decreased in glomeruli, concomitantly with a decrease of nephrin tyrosine phosphorylation. These results suggest that Pak contributes to remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton in podocytes. Disturbed nephrin-Nck-Pak interaction may contribute to abnormal morphology of podocytes and proteinuria.

Rac1 contributes to actin organization in glomerular podocytes

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The function of glomerular podocytes is closely associated with the actin cytoskeleton. In this study, we studied the role of the small Rho-GTPase, Rac1, in actin organization in podocytes.

METHODS

Conditionally immortalized mouse podocytes (MP) stably expressing nephrin or control plasmid were used.

RESULTS

In MP, Rac1 activity increased significantly at 1 week of differentiation. MP stably expressing nephrin showed Rac1 activity significantly higher and more sustained than vector-expressing control cells. Antibody-mediated cross-linking of nephrin also activated Rac1. Differentiated MP showed more distinct lamellipodia/cellular processes, as compared with undifferentiated cells, which was further augmented by nephrin expression. Transient transfection of constitutively active Rac1 markedly increased the number of lamellipodia/cellular processes in undifferentiated MP, while the Rac1 inhibitor caused actin cytoskeleton derangement in differentiating MP. In the rat model of puromycin aminonucleoside nephrosis, RhoA activity was increased at Day 7 (at the peak of proteinuria), while Rac1 activity increased significantly only at Day 14, when the recovery process had started.

CONCLUSION

Rac1 is activated in differentiating MP and nephrin potentiates Rac1 activation. Rac1 likely contributes to lamellipodia formation in differentiating MP and may contribute to process formation in podocytes recovering from injuries.

Nck proteins maintain the adult glomerular filtration barrier

Within the glomerulus, the scaffolding protein nephrin bridges the actin-rich foot processes that extend from adjacent podocytes to form the slit diaphragm. Mutations affecting a number of slit diaphragm proteins, including nephrin, cause glomerular disease through rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton and disruption of the filtration barrier. We recently established that the Nck family of Src homology 2 (SH2)/SH3 cytoskeletal adaptor proteins can mediate nephrin-dependent actin reorganization. Formation of foot processes requires expression of Nck in developing podocytes, but it is unknown whether Nck maintains podocyte structure and function throughout life. Here, we used an inducible transgenic strategy to delete Nck expression in adult mouse podocytes and found that loss of Nck expression rapidly led to proteinuria, glomerulosclerosis, and altered morphology of foot processes. We also found that podocyte injury reduced phosphorylation of nephrin in adult kidneys. These data suggest that Nck is required to maintain adult podocytes and that phosphotyrosine-based interactions with nephrin may occur in foot processes of resting, mature podocytes.

Role of calcium-independent phospholipase A2 in complement-mediated glomerular epithelial cell injury

In experimental membranous nephropathy, complement C5b-9-induced glomerular epithelial cell (GEC) injury leads to morphological changes in GEC and proteinuria, in association with phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activation. The present study addresses the role of calcium-independent PLA2 (iPLA2) in GEC injury. iPLA2β short and iPLA2γ were expressed in cultured rat GEC and normal rat glomeruli. To determine whether iPLA2 is involved in complement-mediated arachidonic acid (AA) release, GEC were stably transfected with iPLA2γ or iPLA2β cDNAs (GEC-iPLA2γ; GEC-iPLA2β). Compared with control cells (GEC-Neo), GEC-iPLA2γ and GEC-iPLA2β demonstrated greater expression of iPLA2 proteins and activities. Complement-mediated release of [3H]AA was augmented significantly in GEC-iPLA2γ compared with GEC-Neo, and the augmented [3H]AA release was inhibited by the iPLA2-directed inhibitor bromoenol lactone (BEL). For comparison, overexpression of iPLA2γ also amplified [3H]AA release after incubation of GEC with H2O2, or chemical anoxia followed by reexposure to glucose (in vitro ischemia-reperfusion injury). In parallel with release of [3H]AA, complement-mediated production of prostaglandin E2 was amplified in GEC-iPLA2γ. Complement-mediated cytotoxicity was attenuated significantly in GEC-iPLA2γ compared with GEC-Neo, and the cytoprotective effect of iPLA2γ was reversed by BEL, and in part by indomethacin. Overexpression of iPLA2β did not amplify complement-dependent [3H]AA release, but nonetheless attenuated complement-mediated cytotoxicity. Thus iPLA2γ may be involved in complement-mediated release of AA. Expression of iPLA2γ or iPLA2β induces cytoprotection against complement-dependent GEC injury. Modulation of iPLA2 activity may prove to be a novel approach to reducing GEC injury.

Nephrin mediates actin reorganization via phosphoinositide 3-kinase in podocytes

Nephrin is a slit diaphragm protein critical for structural and functional integrity of visceral glomerular epithelial cells (podocytes) and is known to be tyrosine phosphorylated by Src family kinases. We studied the role of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), activated via the phosphorylation of nephrin, in actin cytoskeletal reorganization of cultured rat podocytes. Phosphorylation of rat nephrin by the Fyn kinase markedly increased its interaction with a regulatory subunit of PI3K. Stable transfection of rat nephrin in the podocytes with podocin led to nephrin tyrosine phosphorylation, PI3K-dependent phosphorylation of Akt, increased Rac1 activity, and an altered actin cytoskeleton with decreased stress fibers and increased lamellipodia. These changes were reversed with an inhibitor of PI3K and not seen when the nephrin-mutant Y1152F replaced wild-type nephrin. Rac1 and Akt1 contributed to lamellipodia formation and decreased stress fibers, respectively. Finally, in the rat model of puromycin aminonucleoside nephrosis, nephrin tyrosine phosphorylation, nephrin-PI3K association, and glomerular Akt phosphorylation were all decreased. Our results suggest that PI3K is involved in nephrin-mediated actin reorganization in podocytes. Disturbed nephrin-PI3K interactions may contribute to abnormal podocyte morphology and proteinuria.

Role of Rho-GTPases in complement-mediated glomerular epithelial cell injury

Visceral glomerular epithelial cells (GEC) are essential for maintenance of normal glomerular permselectivity. The actin cytoskeleton is a key determinant of GEC morphology and function. In the rat passive Heymann nephritis (PHN) model of membranous nephropathy, complement C5b-9 induces nonlytic GEC injury associated with morphological changes of GEC and proteinuria. The current study addresses the role of Rho family of small GTPases in complement-mediated GEC injury. When cultured rat GEC were stimulated with complement C5b-9 for 18 h, RhoA activity increased, whereas Rac1/Cdc42 activities decreased, compared with control cells. Similar changes in Rho-GTPase activities were observed in glomeruli from rats with PHN. The amount of active p190RhoGAP, a negative upstream regulator of RhoA, was decreased in complement-stimulated GEC, potentially contributing to increased RhoA activity. To address the functional effects of Rho-GTPases, GEC were transfected with constitutively active (CA) or dominant negative (DN) Rho-GTPase mutants. GEC transfected with CA-RhoA showed a smaller and round contour and prominent cortical F-actin. In contrast, GEC transfected with CA-Rac1 demonstrated morphological changes that resembled process formation. In addition, expression of CA-RhoA attenuated complement-mediated cytotoxicity, whereas cytotoxicity was augmented by DN-RhoA. Thus exposure of GEC to complement alters the balance of RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc42 activities. The activity of Rac1 may contribute to process formation, while activation of RhoA (e.g., in the setting of complement attack), with or without blunting of Rac1 activity, may have an opposite effect, i.e., contribute to foot process effacement. Activation of RhoA increases the resistance of GEC to complement-mediated injury.

Rat nephrin modulates cell morphology via the adaptor protein Nck

Nephrin is a transmembrane molecule essential for morphology and function of kidney podocytes. We and others reported previously that the cytoplasmic domain of human and mouse nephrin interacts with the adaptor protein, Nck, in a tyrosine phosphorylation-dependent manner. In the current study, we characterized the interaction of rat nephrin with Nck and further addressed its impact on cell morphology. Rat nephrin expressed in Cos-1 cells co-immunoprecipitated with Nck in a manner dependent on the phosphorylation of Y1204 and Y1228. Nephrin from normal rat glomeruli was also tyrosine phosphorylated and associated with Nck. Overexpression of rat nephrin in HEK293T cells induced morphological changes resembling process formation, which became more distinct when the extracellular domain of nephrin was cross-linked by antibodies. The morphological changes were attenuated by expression of dominant negative constructs of Nck. In the rat model of podocyte injury and proteinuria, nephrin tyrosine phosphorylation and nephrin-Nck interaction were both reduced significantly. Taken together, we propose that Nck couples nephrin to the actin cytoskeleton in glomerular podocytes and contributes to the maintenance of normal morphology and function of podocytes.

Prostaglandin E2 promotes cell survival of glomerular epithelial cells via the EP4 receptor

Visceral glomerular epithelial cells (GEC) are crucial for glomerular permselectivity and structural integrity in the kidney. The current study addressed the role of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and its product prostaglandin (PG) E2 in GEC survival. We generated a subclone of cultured rat GEC, which overexpress COX-2 in an inducible manner. When COX-2 was induced, GEC survived better in serum-deprived conditions. Induction of COX-2 was correlated with increased PGE2 generation, increased activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, decreased apoptosis, and increased cell proliferation. Rat GEC abundantly expressed the EP4 isoform of PGE2 receptor. Induction of COX-2 and addition of exogenous PGE2 both lead to decreased serum deprivation-induced apoptosis, which was accompanied by activation of the survival kinase Akt. Anti-apoptotic effect of COX-2 induction was reversed by the specific inhibitor of the EP4 receptor, L-161982. PGE2 also inhibited puromycin aminonucleoside-induced GEC apoptosis in vitro. Acute puromycin aminonucleoside nephrosis (PAN) is a rat model of GEC injury and proteinuria. In rats with PAN, glomerular apoptosis, quantified as caspase-3 activity, as well as urinary protein excretion were significantly increased, compared with control rats. Administration of L-161982 in rats with PAN further exacerbated caspase-3 activation and proteinuria. Thus COX-2 and its product PGE2 may have anti-apoptotic/protective effect on GEC via the EP4 receptor of PGE2.

Src-Family Kinase Fyn Phosphorylates the Cytoplasmic Domain of Nephrin and Modulates Its Interaction with Podocin

Visceral glomerular epithelial cells (GEC) are critical for normal permselectivity of the kidney. Nephrin is a molecule that is expressed specifically in GEC in a structure called the slit diaphragm and is required for normal morphology and permselectivity of GEC. However, the mechanisms of action of nephrin are not understood precisely. The intracellular domain of nephrin has six conserved tyrosine residues. It was hypothesized that these tyrosine residues are phosphorylated by Src-family kinases and that this phosphorylation modulates the function of nephrin. A transient transfection system was used to study the role of tyrosine phosphorylation of the cytoplasmic domain of nephrin in its function. When nephrin was co-transfected with Src-family kinases Fyn or Src in Cos-1 cells, nephrin was strongly tyrosine phosphorylated by Fyn and less so by Src. The results with tyrosine-to-phenylalanine mutations suggested that multiple tyrosine residues contribute to phosphorylation mediated by Src-family kinases. The intracellular domain of nephrin is known to interact with another slit diaphragm protein, podocin. When nephrin and podocin were transfected with Fyn, the interaction between nephrin and podocin was augmented significantly. Podocin was not tyrosine phosphorylated by Fyn; thus, the increased interaction is likely to be secondary to tyrosine phosphorylation of nephrin. Fyn also significantly augmented the activation of the AP-1 promoter induced by nephrin and podocin. In summary, Fyn phosphorylates the cytoplasmic domain of nephrin on tyrosine, leading to enhanced association with podocin and downstream signaling of nephrin.

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase protects glomerular epithelial cells from complement-mediated cell injury

In the passive Heymann nephritis (PHN) model of rat membranous nephropathy, complement C5b-9 causes sublytic injury of glomerular epithelial cells (GEC). We previously showed that sublytic concentration of C5b-9 triggers a variety of biological events in GEC. In the current study, we demonstrate that complement activates p38 MAPK in GEC and address the role of p38 in complement-mediated cell injury. When cultured rat GEC were stimulated with complement, p38 kinase activity and phosphorylation were increased by approximately 2.4-fold, compared with control. Treatment with p38 inhibitors significantly augmented complement-mediated cytotoxicity. In contrast, when the constitutively active mutant of transforming growth factor-beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), a kinase upstream of p38, was expressed in GEC in an inducible manner, cytotoxicity was significantly reduced, compared with uninduced cells. p38 inhibitors abolished the protective effect of TAK1 expression. By analogy to cultured cells, p38 activity was also increased in glomeruli from rats with PHN and treatment with the p38 inhibitor FR-167653 increased proteinuria. Complement induced phosphorylation of MAPK-associated protein kinase-2 (MAPKAPK-2), a kinase downstream of p38 in GEC. Heat shock protein (HSP27) is a cytoskeleton-interacting substrate of MAPKAPK-2. Overexpression of the wild-type HSP27, but not a non-phosphorylatable mutant, markedly reduced complement-mediated GEC injury. In summary, complement activates p38 MAPK in GEC in vitro and in glomeruli from rats with PHN. The activation of p38 MAPK appears to be cytoprotective for GEC against complement-mediated GEC injury. Phosphorylation of HSP27 may mediate this cytoprotection.

Inhibition of cyclooxygenases reduces complement-induced glomerular epithelial cell injury and proteinuria in passive Heymann nephritis

In the passive Heymann nephritis (PHN) model of rat membranous nephropathy, complement induces glomerular epithelial cell injury and proteinuria, which is partially mediated by eicosanoids. Glomerular cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2 are up-regulated in PHN and contribute to prostanoid generation. In the current study, we address the role of COX isoforms in proteinuria, using the nonselective COX inhibitor indomethacin and the COX-2-selective inhibitor 5,5-dimethyl-3-(3-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-methylsulphonyl)phenyl-2(5H)-furanone (DFU). Four groups of rats with PHN were treated twice daily, from day 7 through 14 with vehicle, 1 mg/kg DFU, 10 mg/kg DFU, or 2 mg/kg indomethacin. Vehicle-treated rats with PHN showed significant proteinuria on day 14 (163 +/- 15 mg/d, n = 19), compared with normal rats (10 +/- 4 mg/d, n = 3, p < 0.001). Treatment with DFU (1 or 10 mg/kg) reduced proteinuria significantly (by ~33%), compared with vehicle, but to a lesser extent than indomethacin (56% reduction). Glomerular eicosanoid generation was reduced significantly in the DFU and indomethacin groups, compared with vehicle. There were no significant differences among vehicle- or DFU-treated groups in [(3)H]inulin clearance, or in glomerular expression of COX-1 and -2. DFU did not affect the autologous immune response. In cultured rat glomerular epithelial cells, COX inhibition reduced complement-induced cytotoxicity, and this reduction was reversed by the thromboxane A(2) analog 9,11-dideoxy-9alpha,11alpha-methanoepoxyprostaglandin F(2alpha) (U46619). Thus, in experimental membranous nephropathy, selective inhibition of COX-2 reduces proteinuria, without adversely affecting renal function. However, inhibition of both COX-1 and -2 is required to achieve a maximum cytoprotective and antiproteinuric effect.

Complement C5b-9 induces cyclooxygenase-2 gene transcription in glomerular epithelial cells

In rat membranous nephropathy, complement C5b-9 induces glomerular epithelial cell (GEC) injury and proteinuria, which is partially mediated by eicosanoids. Rat GEC in culture express cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 constitutively, whereas COX-2 expression is induced by C5b-9. Both isoforms contribute to complement-induced prostaglandin generation. The present study addresses mechanisms of complement-induced COX-2 expression in GEC. Downregulation of protein kinase C (PKC) blunted complement-induced upregulation of COX-2 mRNA. Complement and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) both stimulated COX-2 promoter activity. C5b-9 activated c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK), and inhibition of JNK activity by transfection of a kinase-inactive JNK1 partially inhibited complement-induced (but not PMA-induced) COX-2 promoter activation. Conversely, a constitutively active mitogen-activated protein or extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase kinase (MEKK)-1, a kinase upstream of JNK, increased COX-2 promoter activity. MEKK-induced COX-2 promoter activation was not affected by downregulation of PKC and was augmented by PMA. Thus, in GEC, PKC and JNK pathways contribute independently to complement-induced COX-2 expression. Nuclear factor-kappaB was also activated by complement in GEC but did not contribute to complement-induced COX-2 upregulation.

Complement C5b-9 induces cyclooxygenase-2 gene transcription in glomerular epithelial cells

First published July 12, 2001; 10.1152/ajprenal.0048.2001.—In rat membranous nephropathy, complement C5b-9 induces glomerular epithelial cell (GEC) injury and proteinuria, which is partially mediated by eicosanoids. Rat GEC in culture express cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 constitutively, whereas COX-2 expression is induced by C5b-9. Both isoforms contribute to complement-induced prostaglandin generation. The present study addresses mechanisms of complement-induced COX-2 expression in GEC. Downregulation of protein kinase C (PKC) blunted complement-induced upregulation of COX-2 mRNA. Complement and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) both stimulated COX-2 promoter activity. C5b-9 activated c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and inhibition of JNK activity by transfection of a kinase-inactive JNK1 partially inhibited complement-induced (but not PMA-induced) COX-2 promoter activation. Conversely, a constitutively active mitogen-activated protein or extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase kinase (MEKK)-1, a kinase upstream of JNK, increased COX-2 promoter activity. MEKK-induced COX-2 promoter activation was not affected by downregulation of PKC and was augmented by PMA. Thus, in GEC, PKC and JNK pathways contribute independently to complement-induced COX-2 expression. Nuclear factor-κB was also activated by complement in GEC but did not contribute to complement-induced COX-2 upregulation.