23-OR: Loss of the Transcription Factor Tcf21 in Adult Podocytes Leads to Susceptibility in Diabetic Kidney Disease

Abstract

Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the most common cause of dialysis induction in the United States. Tcf21 is a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor that is essential for the development of the lungs, heart, and kidneys. Previously, we reported that Tcf21 regulates podocyte development. However, the precise role of Tcf21 in mature individuals and DKD remains unclear. Method: We generated mice that lacked Tcf21 only in podocytes after birth (iKO) using a doxycycline induction system. We also constructed a diabetes mouse model using streptozotocin injections. In addition, we used cultured human podocytes to investigate the effects of Tcf21 overexpression and the factors that regulate Tcf21 expression. Results: When the Tcf21 gene was deleted specifically in podocytes in 3-week-old mice, urinary protein was not observed. In contrast, when diabetes was induced in these mice, massive urinary protein and strong glomerulosclerosis was present in 60% of iKO mice. Ultrastructural analysis revealed glomerular basement membrane thickening and podocyte foot process effacement, suggesting that iKO mice are susceptible to DKD. In addition, RNA-seq analysis of Tcf21-overexpressing podocytes showed accumulation of genes involved in the interferon pathway, extracellular matrix production, senescence, and autophagy in gene ontology analysis. Analysis of individual genes showed upregulation of interferon-related genes such as IFI6 and IFI27, increased expression of PAI-1, which is one of the senescence-associated secreted phenotypes, and decreased expression of HMGA2, whose SNIP is known to correlate with susceptibility to DKD. In addition, Tcf21 expression was suppressed by 58% and 27% after TGF-β and high glucose plus insulin stimulation, respectively. Conclusion: Our results suggest that Tcf21 protects against DKD in mature individuals. Elucidation of the mechanism by which Tcf21 prevents DKD may lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets. Disclosure N.Teramoto: None. Y.Maezawa: None. T.Minamizuka: None. M.Koshizaka: None. K.Yokote: None.