Abstract
Abstract Background and Aims The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a transcription factor that can be activated by a variety of endogenous and exogenous ligands, and is involved in varieties of biological processes. It has been confirmed that the expression of AhR in kidney is elevated in chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the specific role of AhR signaling pathway in CKD and its molecular mechanism remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the role and underlying mechanism of AhR in CKD, providing potential targets for the treatment of CKD. Method Male C57/B6L mice were randomly divided into control group, model group and treatment group. The model group was fed 0.2% adenine diet for 14 days to establish CKD model, while the treatment group was treated with AhR antagonist CH223191. AhR agonist kynurenine and antagonist CH223191 was applied in mouse tubular epithelial (TCMK-1) cells to investigate the underlying mechanisms of AhR in vitro. The renal function, histological changes and renal fibrosis in mice were evaluated to explore the role of AhR in adenine-induced CKD. Histological changes were evaluated by PAS and MASSON stainings, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Western blot and qPCR were used to measure protein/gene transcription levels. Results The levels of serum creatinine (p < 0.0001) and urea nitrogen (p < 0.0001) in the model group were significantly increased, with obvious renal tubule dilation and renal fibrosis by PAS and MASSON staining. CH223191 treatment significantly reduced serum creatinine (p=0.0012) and urea nitrogen ( < 0.0001) levels in mice, and alleviated renal fibrosis histologically. Q-PCR and Western-Blot results showed that the renal expression level of AhR in the treatment group was decreased, while the expression levels of fibronectin (Fn) (p < 0.0001), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) (p < 0.0001), type I collagen (p=0.0007) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-b) (p=0.0027) were significantly decreased. In addition, the expression levels of N-GAL (p < 0.0001) and KIM-1 ( < 0.0001) molecular markers associated with kidney injury were reduced, suggesting that inhibiting AhR expression in vivo can reduce adenine-mediated kidney injury and renal fibrosis in CKD. In vitro experiments indicated that kynurenic acid could induce the expression of AhR and AhR downstream regulatory gene CYP1b1 and upregulated fibrosis-related genes in tubular epithelial cells, while CH223191 treatment downregulated the fibrosis-related genes in tubular epithelial cells. Conclusion AhR mediates renal injury and renal fibrosis in adenine-induced CKD mice. AhR antagonist CH223191 exerts a renal protective effect by reducing the expression of AhR in renal tubular epithelial cells, thereby alleviating renal injury and renal fibrosis.
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