Abstract
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is characterized by rapid loss of excretory function and is the clinical manifestation of several disorders affecting the kidney. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanism of action of Secretory Leukocyte Proteinase Inhibitor (SLPI) that protects the kidneys form AKI. In vivo and in vitro experiments were performed to assess the effect of SLPI on kidney injury. Animal models of kidney injury was generated by 40 min obstruction of kidney artery and vein (ischemia-reperfusion injury model) or daily administration of 60 mg/kg/day of gentamicine for 5 day (gentamicin-associated AKI model). For in vitro assessment, human renal epithelium HK-2 cells were cultured under serum starvation conditions or with tacrolimus. The administration of SLPI (250 μg/kg, i.p.) reduced elevated plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels, tissue myeloperoxidase content, and acute tubular necrosis induced by kidney damage. Furthermore, SLPI treatment reduced CD86, CD68, CD14, CCL2, TNFα, and IL-10 transcripts in kidney biopsies. To further analyze a direct effect of SLPI on renal epithelial cells, HK-2 cells from human renal epithelium were cultured under serum starvation conditions or with tacrolimus. Both conditions induced apoptosis of HK-2 cells which was reduced when SLPI was present in the culture medium. Furthermore, SLPI favored the proliferation and migration of HK-2 cells. An analysis of the gene profiles of HK-2 cells treated with calcineurin inhibitors affected inflammatory and non-inflammatory pathways that were reversed by SLPI. Among them, SLPI down modulated the expression of CCL2, SLC5A3, and BECN1 but up-regulated the expression of TLR4, ATF4, ATF6, HSP90B, BBC3 SLC2A1, and TNFRSF10B. Overall, these results suggest that SLPI, in addition to its activity on immune cells, may directly target tubular epithelial cells of the kidney to mediate the nephroprotective activity in AKI.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
