Mesangial Cell Extracellular Matrix Accumulation Research Articles

Knockdown of CTRP6 inhibits high glucose-induced oxidative stress, inflammation and extracellular matrix accumulation in mesangial cells through regulating the Akt/NF-κB pathway.

C1qTNF-related protein 6 (CTRP6) is a member of the CTRP family and exerts a key role in the progression of diabetes mellitus. However, the role of CTRP6 in diabetic nephropathy remains unknown. The present study was designed to examine the roles of CTRP6 in diabetic nephropathy and explore the potential molecular mechanisms. Our results showed that the expression level of CTRP6 was significantly increased in high glucose (HG)-stimulated glomerular mesangial cells (MCs). The following loss/gain-of-function assays demonstrated that CTRP6 knockdown significantly inhibited HG-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in MCs. CTRP6 knockdown caused significant decreases in tumournecrosisfactor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 production levels in HG-induced MCs. Moreover, knockdown of CTRP6 inhibited HG-stimulated extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation in MCs characterized by decreased expression and production levels of fibronectin (FN) and collagen IV (Col IV). Furthermore, CTRP6 knockdown suppressed HG-induced the activation of Akt/NF-κB pathway in MCs, while overexpression of CTRP6 exhibited the opposite effects. Treatment with LY294002, an inhibitor of Akt, reversed the induction effects of CTRP6 overexpression on ROS production, inflammation and ECM accumulation in MCs. In conclusion, these findings demonstrated that CTRP6 knockdown inhibits HG-induced ROS production, inflammation and ECM accumulation in MCs, which were mediated by the inactivation of the Akt/NF-κB pathway. The roles of CTRP6 in diabetic nephropathy provided evidence for its therapeutic potential for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

FOXP1 inhibits high glucose-induced ECM accumulation and oxidative stress in mesangial cells

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a common complication of diabetes that remains the major cause of end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). Forkhead box P1 (FOXP1) is a member of FOX family involved in the progression of diabetes. However, the pathogenic role of FOXP1 in DN remains unclear. This study was aimed to explore the effects of FOXP1 on glomerular mesangial cells (MCs) in response to high glucose (HG) stimulation. We found that HG stimulation markedly inhibited the FOXP1 expression in MCs in dose-and time-dependent manner. CCK-8 assay proved that FOXP1 overexpression attenuated HG-induced cell proliferation in MCs. FOXP1 exhibited anti-oxidative activity in HG-induced MCs, as proved by the decreased production of ROS and expressions of ROS producing enzymes, NADPH oxidase (NOX) 2 and NOX4. Besides, FOXP1 suppressed the expression and secretion of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins including collagen IV (Col IV) and fibronectin (FN). Furthermore, FOXP1 overexpression significantly prevented HG-induced activation of Akt/mTOR signaling in MCs, and Akt activator blocked FOXP1-mediated cell proliferation, ROS production and ECM accumulation in MCs. Collectively, FOXP1 prevented HG-induced proliferation, oxidative stress, and ECM accumulation in MCs via inhibiting the activation of Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. The findings suggested that FOXP1 might be a therapeutic target for the treatment of DN.

Inactivation of AMPK Mediates High Phosphate-Induced Extracellular Matrix Accumulation via NOX4/TGFß-1 Signaling in Human Mesangial Cells

Background/Aims: High phosphate (Pi) levels and extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation are associated with chronic kidney disease progression. However, how high Pi levels contribute to ECM accumulation in mesangial cells is unknown. The present study investigated the role and mechanism of high Pi levels in ECM accumulation in immortalized human mesangial cells (iHMCs). Methods: iHMCs were exposed to normal (0.9 mM) or increasing Pi concentrations (2.5 and 5 mM) with or without diferent blockers or activators. NOX4, phosphorylated AMPK (p-AMPK), phosphorylated SMAD3 (p-SMAD3), fibronectin (F/N), collagen IV (C-IV) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression was assessed via western blot and immunofluorescence. Lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence, and dihydroethidium (DHE) assessed NADPH oxidase activity and superoxide (SO), respectively. Results: In iHMCs, a Pi transporter blocker (PFA) abrogated high Pi-induced AMPK inactivation, increase in NADPH oxidase-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, NOX4, p-SMAD3, α-SMA and C-IV expression. AMPK activation by AICAR, NOX4 silencing or NADPH oxidase blocker prevented high Pi-induced DHE levels, p-SMAD3, F/N, C-IV and α-SMA expression. Conclusion: AMPK inactivation with NOX4-induced ROS formation and transforming growth factor ß-1 (TGFß-1) signaling activation mediates high Pi-induced ECM accumulation in iHMCs. Maneuvers increasing AMPK or reducing NOX4 activity may contribute to renal protection under hyperphosphatemia.

High ambient glucose induces angiotensin-independent AT-1 receptor activation, leading to increases in proliferation and extracellular matrix accumulation in MES-13 mesangial cells

Diabetic nephropathy is associated with mesangial ECM (extracellular matrix) accumulation. We have shown that AT-1R [Ang II (angiotensin II) type I receptor] signalling induces ECM proteins via transactivation of PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) in mesangial cells. In the present study, we examined the mechanisms underlying the effect of high ambient glucose on cell proliferation and ECM expansion in a mesangial context. High glucose induced increases in PI3K activity, proliferation and ECM accumulation in mesangial cells. These effects were abrogated by losartan, an AT-1R antagonist, but not by [Sar1,Thr8]-Ang II (Sar is sarcosine), an inactive analogue of Ang II, or by a neutralizing antibody against Ang I/II. Overexpression of a constitutively active PI3Kalpha or AT-1R alone was sufficient to induce similar changes by high glucose. In contrast, overexpression of an inactive AT-1R lowered the basal levels and rendered the cells non-responsive to high glucose. Moreover, cells overexpressing wild-type AT-1R had enhanced sensitivity to acute Ang II stimulation. These cells, however, did not respond to conditioned medium obtained from mesangial cells cultured in high glucose. We further demonstrated that iAng (intracellular Ang II) can be induced by high glucose but only under certain conditions. Efficient suppression of iAng by short hairpin RNA against angiotensinogen, however, did not affect high glucose-induced effects on MES-13 cells. These results suggest that high ambient glucose induces activation of AT-1R in an Ang II-independent manner to transactivate PI3K, resulting in proliferation and ECM accumulation in mesangial cells.

Insulin-like Growth Factor-I Induces Renal Cell Hypertrophy via a Calcineurin-dependent Mechanism

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) may play an important role in the development of renal hypertrophy. In this study we determined the effect of IGF-I on cultured mesangial cells (MCs) and examined activation of key signaling pathways. IGF-I induced hypertrophy as determined by an increase in cell size and an increase in protein to DNA ratio and increased accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. IGF-I also activated both Erk1/Erk2 MAPK and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) in MCs. Inhibition of either MAPK or PI3K, however, had no effect on IGF-I-induced hypertrophy or ECM production. Next, we examined the effect of IGF-I on activation of the calcium-dependent phosphatase calcineurin. IGF-I treatment stimulated calcineurin activity and increased the protein levels of calcineurin and the calcineurin binding protein, calmodulin. Cyclosporin A, an inhibitor of calcineurin, blocked both IGF-I-mediated hypertrophy and up-regulation of ECM. In addition, calcineurin resulted in sustained Akt activation, indicating possible cross-talk with other signaling pathways. Finally, IGF-I treatment resulted in the calcineurindependent nuclear localization of NFATc1. Therefore, IGF-I induces hypertrophy and increases ECM accumulation in MCs. IGF-I-mediated hypertrophy is associated with activation of Erk1/Erk2 MAPK and PI3K but does not require either of these pathways. Instead, IGF-I mediates hypertrophy via a calcineurin-dependent pathway.

The glomerular mesangium in diabetes mellitus

Like the renal glomerular mesangium in patients with diabetic nephropathy, glomerular mesangial cell cultures grown in 30 mM glucose accumulate increased amounts of the extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins fibronectin, laminin, and type IV collagen. This is due to increased ECM protein synthesis and mRNA levels. Similar to other cells types that are affected by the diabetic state (such as, vascular cells and peripheral nerve), mesangial cells transport glucose by an insulin-independent, facilitated diffusion transport system. Kinetic studies reveal that intracellular glucose levels may reach the ambient glucose concentrations achieved in diabetes. Growth studies reveal that glucose does not exert its effect on mesangial cell ECM accumulation by affecting cell growth, but rather it causes an increase in diacylglycerol (DAG) mass and activates protein kinase C. Agents such as phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and the cell permeable DAG analogue, oleoyl acetyl glycerol (OAG) which activate protein kinase C also increase ECM mRNAs. These results implicate protein kinase C activation in the increased ECM accumulation observed in mesangial cell cultures grown in high glucose.