Human Renal Epithelial Cell Line Research Articles

Synthesis, anticancer activity and mechanism of action of Fe(III) complexes.

To inhibit the growth and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), two Fe(III) thiosemicarbazone complexes (Fe1 and Fe2) were designed and synthesized. The structures of the Fe(III) complexes were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The antiproliferative activity of Fe1 and Fe2 against four cancer lines (MDA-MB-231, T98G, HepG2, 143B) and human renal proximal tubular epithelial cell line (HK-2) was evaluated by MTT assay. Among all cells, Fe2 showed significant cytotoxicity to TNBC cells (MDA-MB-231), with an IC50 value of 12.38 μM. Furthermore, Fe2 showed less toxicity to HK-2 cells. The two Fe(III) complexes can produce excess of reactive oxygen species, decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential, and induce DNA damage, then lead to apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, Fe1 and Fe2 can also inhibit migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells. This study provides guidance for the development of metal complexes that inhibit the growth and metastasis of TNBC.

MiR-92a-3p Knockdown Attenuates Transforming Growth Factor-β1-induced Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis by Targeting LIN28A-mediated EMT Pathway.

The role of microRNAs in regulating tubulointerstitial fibrosis, a key feature of progressive chronic kidney disease, is of significant importance. LIN28A has been reported to attenuate renal fibrosis in obstructive nephropathy. Here, our objective was to investigate the precise biological function of the miR-92a-3p/LIN28A axis in tubulointerstitial fibrosis. The human renal proximal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cell line was exposed to transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, establishing an in vitro model mimicking tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Luciferase reporter assay was utilized to investigate the relationship between miR-92a-3p and LIN28A. Cell transfection techniques were employed to modify the expression of miR-92a-3p and LIN28A. An in vivo model of tubulointerstitial fibrosis was created by inducing unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in C57BL/6N mice. Our initial observations showed that TGF-β1 treatment of HK-2 cells and the UUO mice model led to an increase in miR-92a-3p expression and a decrease in LIN28A expression. We confirmed that miR-92a-3p directly targeted LIN28A in HK-2 cells. In TGF-β1-stimulated HK-2 cells, knocking down miR-92a-3p notably reduced the levels of alpha smooth muscle actin and vimentin and concurrently enhanced the expression of E-cadherin. These changes were counteracted upon transfection with si-LIN28A. Thus, directing interventions toward miR-92a-3p holds the potential to emerge as a viable therapeutic approach for addressing tubulointerstitial fibrosis.

The first evaluation of the in vitro effects of silver(I)-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes on Encephalitozoon intestinalis and Leishmania major promastigotes

Encephalitozoon intestinalis is an opportunistic microsporidian parasite that primarily infects immunocompromised individuals, such as those with HIV/AIDS or undergoing organ transplantation. Leishmaniasis is responsible for parasitic infections, particularly in developing countries. The disease has not been effectively controlled due to the lack of an effective vaccine and affordable treatment options. Current treatment options for E. intestinalis infection and leishmaniasis are limited and often associated with adverse side effects. There is no previous study in the literature on the antimicrosporidial activities of Ag(I)-N-heterocyclic carbene compounds. In this study, the in vitro antimicrosporidial activities of previously synthesized Ag(I)-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes were evaluated using E. intestinalis spores cultured in human renal epithelial cell lines (HEK-293). Inhibition of microsporidian replication was determined by spore counting. In addition, the effects of the compounds on Leishmania major promastigotes were assessed by measuring metabolic activity or cell viability using a tetrazolium reaction. Statistical analysis was performed to determine significant differences between treated and control groups. Our results showed that the growth of E. intestinalis and L. major promastigotes was inhibited by the tested compounds in a concentration-dependent manner. A significant decrease in parasite viability was observed at the highest concentrations. These results suggest that the compounds have potential anti-microsporidial and anti-leishmanial activity. Further research is required to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action and to evaluate the efficacy of the compounds in animal models or clinical trials.Graphical abstract

PDCD4-induced oxidative stress through FGR/NF-κB axis in rectal cancer radiotherapy-induced AKI

This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism of the effect of PDCD4 on radiotherapy-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in rectal cancer through the regulation of FGR/NF-κB signaling. Differentially expressed genes were identified using Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets (GSE90627 for rectal cancer and GSE145085 for AKI) and R software. The human renal tubular epithelial cell line, HK-2, was used to establish an in vitro model of radiotherapy-induced AKI. RT-qPCR and western blotting were used to detect gene and protein expression levels, respectively. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were assessed using the CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase levels in the cell culture supernatants were determined. Additionally, an in vivo AKI model was established using BALB/c mice, and kidney tissue morphology, expression of the renal injury molecule KIM-1, apoptosis of renal tubular cells, and TAS and TOS in serum were evaluated. Bioinformatics analysis revealed the upregulated expression of PDCD4 in AKI. In vitro experiments demonstrated that PDCD4 induced apoptosis in renal tubular cells by promoting FGR expression, which activated the NF-κB signaling pathway and triggered an oxidative stress response. In vivo animal experiments confirmed that PDCD4 promoted oxidative stress response and radiotherapy-induced AKI through the activation of the FGR/NF-κB signaling pathway. Silencing PDCD4 attenuated radiotherapy-induced AKI. Our findings suggest that PDCD4 may induce radiotherapy-induced AKI in rectal cancer by promoting FGR expression, activating the NF-κB signaling pathway, and triggering an oxidative stress response.

TNIK depletion induces inflammation and apoptosis in injured renal proximal tubule epithelial cells.

In the aftermath of acute kidney injury (AKI), surviving proximal tubule epithelia repopulate injured tubules to promote repair. However, a portion of cells fail to repair [termed failed-repair proximal tubule cells (FR-PTCs)] and exert ongoing proinflammatory and profibrotic effects. To better understand the molecular drivers of the FR-PTC state, we reanalyzed a mouse ischemia-reperfusion injury single-nucleus RNA-sequencing (snRNA-seq) atlas to identify Traf2 and Nck interacting kinase (Tnik) to be exclusively expressed in FR-PTCs but not in healthy or acutely injured proximal tubules after AKI (2 and 6 wk) in mice. We confirmed expression of Tnik protein in injured mouse and human tissues by immunofluorescence. Then, to determine the functional role of Tnik in FR-PTCs, we depleted TNIK with siRNA in two human renal proximal tubule epithelial cell lines (primary and immortalized hRPTECs) and analyzed each by bulk RNA-sequencing. Pathway analysis revealed significant upregulation of inflammatory signaling pathways, whereas pathways associated with differentiated proximal tubules such as organic acid transport were significantly downregulated. TNIK gene knockdown drove reduced cell viability and increased apoptosis, including differentially expressed poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) family members, cleaved PARP-1 fragments, and increased annexin V binding to phosphatidylserine. Together, these results indicate that Tnik upregulation in FR-PTCs acts in a compensatory fashion to suppress inflammation and promote proximal tubule epithelial cell survival after injury. Modulating TNIK activity may represent a prorepair therapeutic strategy after AKI.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The molecular drivers of successful and failed repair in the proximal tubule after acute kidney injury (AKI) are incompletely understood. We identified Traf2 and Nck interacting kinase (Tnik) to be exclusively expressed in failed-repair proximal tubule cells after AKI. We tested the effect of siTNIK depletion in two proximal tubule cell lines followed by bulk RNA-sequencing analysis. Our results indicate that TNIK acts to suppress inflammatory signaling and apoptosis in injured renal proximal tubule epithelial cells to promote cell survival.

Proteomic analysis of mitochondria associated membranes in renal ischemic reperfusion injury

BackgroundThe mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) communicate via contact sites known as mitochondria associated membranes (MAMs). Many important cellular functions such as bioenergetics, mitophagy, apoptosis, and calcium signaling are regulated by MAMs, which are thought to be closely related to ischemic reperfusion injury (IRI). However, there exists a gap in systematic proteomic research addressing the relationship between these cellular processes.MethodsA 4D label free mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis of mitochondria associated membranes (MAMs) from the human renal proximal tubular epithelial cell line (HK-2 cells) was conducted under both normal (N) and hypoxia/reperfusion (HR) conditions. Subsequent differential proteins analysis aimed to characterize disease-relevant signaling molecules. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis was applied to total proteins and differentially expressed proteins, encompassing Biological Process (BP), Cell Component (CC), Molecular Function (MF), and KEGG pathways. Further, Protein–Protein Interaction Network (PPI) exploration was carried out, leading to the identification of hub genes from differentially expressed proteins. Notably, Mitofusion 2 (MFN2) and BCL2/Adenovirus E1B 19-kDa interacting protein 3(BNIP3) were identified and subsequently validated both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, the impact of MFN2 on MAMs during hypoxia/reoxygenation was explored through regulation of gene expression. Subsequently, a comparative proteomics analysis was conducted between OE-MFN2 and normal HK-2 cells, providing further insights into the underlying mechanisms.ResultsA total of 4489 proteins were identified, with 3531 successfully quantified. GO/KEGG analysis revealed that MAM proteins were primarily associated with mitochondrial function and energy metabolism. Differential analysis between the two groups showed that 688 proteins in HR HK-2 cells exhibited significant changes in expression level with P-value < 0.05 and HR/N > 1.5 or HR/N < 0.66 set as the threshold criteria. Enrichment analysis of differentially expressed proteins unveiled biological processes such as mRNA splicing, apoptosis regulation, and cell division, while molecular functions were predominantly associated with energy metabolic activity. These proteins play key roles in the cellular responses during HR, offering insights into the IRI mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. The validation of hub genes MFN2 and BNIP3 both in vitro and vivo was consistent with the proteomic findings. MFN2 demonstrated a protective role in maintaining the integrity of mitochondria associated membranes (MAMs) and mitigating mitochondrial damage following hypoxia/reoxygenation injury, this protective effect may be associated with the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway.ConclusionsThe proteins located in mitochondria associated membranes (MAMs) are implicated in crucial roles during renal ischemic reperfusion injury (IRI), with MFN2 playing a pivotal regulatory role in this context.

Disulfideptosis-associated lncRNAs reveal features of prognostic, immune escape, tumor mutation, and tumor malignant progression in renal clear cell carcinoma.

Investigating the role of lncRNAs associated with the latest cell death mode (Disulfideptosis) in renal clear cell carcinoma, as well as their correlation with tumor prognosis, immune escape, immune checkpoints, tumor mutational burden, and malignant tumor progression. Searching for potential biomarkers and targets for renal clear cell carcinoma. Downloaded the expression profile data and clinical data of 533 cases of renal clear cell carcinoma from the TCGA database, and randomly divided them into a test set (267 cases) and a validation set (266 cases). Based on previous research, 13 genes associated with Disulfideptosis were obtained. Using R software, lncRNAs with a differential expression that is related to the prognosis of renal clear cell carcinoma and associated with Disulfideptosis were screened out. After univariate Cox regression analysis, Lasso regression analysis, and multivariate Cox regression analysis, lncRNAs with independent predictive ability were obtained. A predictive risk model was established based on the risk scores. Verification was carried out between the obtained high-risk and low-risk groups and their subgroups (including Age, Gender, tumor mutational burden (TMB), tumor grading, and staging). Subsequently, a nomogram was established, and a calibration curve was generated for verification. Performed GO (Gene Ontology) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) functional enrichment analyses. Downloaded the values of Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) for all samples and calculated the difference between the high and low-risk groups. Selected human renal tumor cell lines (786-O, OS-RC-2, A-498, ACHN) and human renal cortex proximal tubule epithelial cell line (HK-2). The RNA expression levels of the above lncRNAs in each cell line were analyzed using RT-qPCR (Real-time Quantitative PCR Detecting System). Used siRNA (small interfering RNA) to knock down FAM225B in 786-O and OS-RC-2 cell lines, and then performed in vitro cell experiments to validate the functional characteristics of FAM225B. Our constructed predictive model includes 5 lncRNAs with an independent predictive ability (FAM225B, ZNF503-AS1, SPINT1-AS1, WWC2-AS2, LINC01338), which can effectively distinguish between patients in high and low-risk groups and their subgroups. The 1, 3, and 5-year AUC (Area Under the ROC Curve) values of the established nomogram are 0.756, 0.752, and 0.781, respectively. The 5-year AUC value is higher compared to other clinical characteristics (Age: 0.598, Gender: 0.488, Grade: 0.680, Stage: 0.717). After the knockdown of FAM225B, the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of renal cancer cell lines OS-RC-2 and 786-O all decreased. We have constructed and validated a prognostic model based on Disulfideptosis-associated lncRNAs. This model can effectively predict the high or low risk of patient prognosis and can distinguish the tumor cell mutational burden and immune escape capabilities among high-risk and low-risk patients. This predictive model can serve as an independent prognostic factor for renal clear cell carcinoma, providing a new direction for personalized treatment of patients with renal clear cell carcinoma.

IFN-β Pretreatment Alleviates Allogeneic Renal Tubular Epithelial Cell-Induced NK Cell Responses via the IRF7/HLA-E/NKG2A Axis.

Immune checkpoint molecules are promising targets for suppressing the immune response but have received little attention in immune tolerance induction in organ transplantation. In this study, we found that IFN-β could induce the expression of HLA-E as well as PD-L1 on human renal tubular epithelial cell line HK-2 and renal tissue of the C57BL/6 mouse. The JAK/STAT2 pathway was necessary for this process. Upregulation of both HLA-E and PD-L1 was fully abrogated by the JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib. Signaling pathway molecules, including STAT1, STAT2, mTOR, Tyk2, and p38 MAPK, were involved in HLA-E and PD-L1 upregulation. IRF7 is the key transcription factor responsible for the activation of HLA-E and PD-L1 promoters. Through screening an epigenetic regulation library, we found a natural compound, bisdemethoxycurcumin, enhanced IFN-β-induced HLA-E and PD-L1 expression invitro and invivo. In PBMC-derived CD56+ NK cells, we found that NKG2A but not PD1 was constitutively expressed, indicating HLA-E/NKG2A as a more potent target to induce tolerance to innate immune cells. Pretreating HK-2 cells by IFN-β significantly attenuated the degranulation of their coincubated NK cells and protected cells from NK-mediated lysis. In conclusion, IFN-β pretreatment could activate HLA-E and PD-L1 transcription through the JAK/STAT/IRF7 pathway and then could protect renal tubular epithelial cells from allogeneic immune attack mediated by NK cells.

Klotho activation of Nrf2 inhibits the ferroptosis signaling pathway to ameliorate sepsis-associated acute kidney injury.

Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) is a common complication of sepsis and greatly increases patient mortality. Recombinant human Klotho protein (Klotho) is a protective protein that can be secreted by the kidney. The aim of this study was to explore the protective effect of Klotho on SA-AKI and its molecular mechanism. In vivo, a mouse SA-AKI model was constructed by cecum ligation perforation (CLP). In vitro, a human renal tubular cell epithelial cell line (HK2) was induced with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the SA-AKI model. Determine renal injury markers, inflammatory factors, oxidative stress and molecular proteins related to the ferroptosis signaling pathway. Klotho reduced the release of renal injury markers and inflammatory cytokines, decreased oxidative stress, improved renal histopathological changes, ameliorated mitochondrial damage in mouse renal tubular epithelial cells, increased HK2 cell viability and reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Exogenous supplementation with Klotho increased the Klotho content in circulating blood, renal tissue and HK2 cells. In the SA-AKI model, Klotho attenuated renal tissue injury, increased HK2 cell viability, decreased inflammatory factor expression and oxidative stress, restored tubular epithelial mitochondrial function, and increased its level in circulating blood, renal tissue and HK2 cells. Klotho probably exerts its protective effects by activating Nrf2 to inhibit the ferroptosis signaling pathway.

Identification of Novel and Early Biomarkers for Cisplatin-induced Nephrotoxicity and the Nephroprotective Role of Cimetidine using a Pharmacometabolomic-based Approach Coupled with In Vitro Toxicodynamic Modeling and Simulation

Cisplatin is widely used for the treatment of various types of cancer. However, cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity (CIN) is frequently observed in patients receiving cisplatin therapy which poses a challenge in its clinical utility. Currently used clinical biomarkers for CIN are not adequate for early detection of nephrotoxicity, hence there is a need to identify potential early biomarkers in predicting CIN. In the current study, a combination of in vitro toxicodynamic (TD) modeling and untargeted global metabolomics approach was used to identify novel potential metabolite biomarkers for early detection of CIN. In addition, we investigated the protective role of cimetidine (CIM), an inhibitor of the organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2), in suppressing CIN. We first characterized the time-course of nephrotoxic effects of cisplatin (CIS) and the protective effects of CIM in a human pseudo-immortalized renal proximal tubule epithelial cell line (RPTEC), SA7K cell line. Secondly, we used a mathematical cell-level, in vitro TD modeling approach to quantitatively characterize the time-course effects of CIS and CIM as single agents and combination in SA7K cells. Based on the experimental and modeling results, we selected relevant concentrations of CIS and CIM for our metabolomics study. With the help of PCA (Principal Component Analysis) and PLS-DA (Projection to Latent Structure – Discriminate Analysis) analyses, we confirmed global metabolome changes for different groups (CIS, CIM, CIS+CIM vs control) in SA7K cells. Based on the criterion of a p-value ≤ 0.05 and a fold change ≥ 2 or ≤ 0.5, we identified 20 top metabolites that were significantly changed during the early phase i.e. within first 12 h of CIS treatment. Finally, pathway analysis was conducted that revealed the key metabolic pathways that were most impacted in CIN.

Role of myo-inositol in acute kidney injury induced by cisplatin

There is an increasing evidence suggesting that myo-inositol (MI) may be a renoprotective factor. Our previous study revealed that decreased MI concentrations and increased excretion are often observed in animal models of renal injury and in patients with nephropathy. However, the role of MI supplementation in renal injury remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of MI in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). We established a model of acute kidney injury caused by cisplatin (CDDP). Male Kunming mice were randomly divided into six groups: Sham (normal saline), CDDP (15 mg/kg), + MI (150 mg/kg), + MI (300 mg/kg), + MI (600 mg/kg) and MI (600 mg/kg). Human renal tubular epithelial cell line HK-2 cells were likewise separated into six groups at random: Control (normal saline), CDDP (20 µM), + MI (200 µM), + MI (400 µM), + MI (800 µM) and MI (800 µM). After the model was established, renal function indexes were subsequently detected, and experiments such as pathological staining analysis and protein expression analysis were performed. Our results showed that cisplatin administration led to AKI and apoptosis in mice and HK-2 cells, accompanied by markedly increased levels of MIOX, kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), whereas exogenous MI significantly attenuated kidney injury and HK-2 cell damage induced by cisplatin both in vivo and in vitro by inhibiting excessive apoptosis. Overall, our findings demonstrate that exogenous MI can reduce excessive apoptosis, thus playing a protective role in cisplatin-induced AKI, indicating that exogenous MI may be used as an adjunctive treatment modality in cisplatin-induced AKI.

Gastrodin alleviates cisplatin nephrotoxicity by inhibiting ferroptosis via the SIRT1/FOXO3A/GPX4 signaling pathway

Ethnopharmacological relevanceCisplatin (CP) results in acute kidney injury (AKI) and negatively affects patients’ therapy and survival. The dried rhizome of Gastrodia elata Blume has been used to treat clinical kidney diseases. Gastrodin (GAS) is an active ingredient of the G. elata tuber. It is unknown whether GAS can alleviate CP-induced AKI. Aim of the studyThis study aimed to investigate whether GAS, an active ingredient of G. elata Blume, can alleviate CP-induced AKI and to explore its underlying mechanisms. Materials and methodsExperiments were conducted with a CP-induced AKI mouse model and an immortalized human renal tubular epithelial cell line (HK-2). Serum creatinine, Periodic acid–Schiff staining, tissue iron, glutathione, malondialdehyde, and 4-Hydroxynonenal were detected in serum and kidney samples to observe whether GAS inhibits CP-induced tubule ferroptosis. The drug target was verified by detecting the effects of GAS on sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) activity in vitro. Transcriptional regulation of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) by forkhead box O3A (FOXO3A) was verified by siRNA knockdown, overexpression, and chromatin immunoprecipitation. The effects of FOXO3A, SIRT1, and GAS on CP-induced ferroptosis were measured with propidium iodide, dihydroethidium, monobromobimane, and dipyrromethene boron difluoride staining in HK-2 cells. The relationship between GAS and the SIRT1/FOXO3A/GPX4 pathway was studied using Western blotting. ResultsGAS treatment inhibited CP-induced reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, and tubule death in the cell and animal models. GAS activated SIRT1 in vitro. The SIRT1 inhibitor blocked the protective role of GAS in reducing lipid peroxidation in HK-2 cells. FOXO3A transcriptionally regulated GPX4 expression and inhibited CP-induced cell ferroptosis. Compared to CP-damaged mouse kidneys, GAS-treated mice demonstrated significantly increased SIRT1 and GPX4 expression levels, decreased CP-induced acetylation of FOXO3A, and inhibited lipid peroxidation and cell death. ConclusionsGAS alleviated CP-induced AKI by inhibiting ferroptosis via the SIRT1/FOXO3A/GPX4 signaling pathway. The results offer new insights into the development of new anti-AKI drugs from traditional Chinese medicine.

YAP/ACSL4 Pathway-Mediated Ferroptosis Promotes Renal Fibrosis in the Presence of Kidney Stones.

The potential association between calcium oxalate stones and renal fibrosis has been extensively investigated; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Ferroptosis is a novel form of cell death characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and regulated by acyl coenzyme A synthase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4). Yes-associated protein (YAP), a transcriptional co-activator in the Hippo pathway, promotes ferroptosis by modulating ACSL4 expression. Nevertheless, the involvement of YAP-ACSL4 axis-mediated ferroptosis in calcium oxalate crystal deposition-induced renal fibrosis and its molecular mechanisms have not been elucidated. In this study, we investigated ACSL4 expression and ferroptosis activation in the kidney tissues of patients with calcium oxalate stones and in mice using single-cell sequencing, transcriptome RNA sequencing, immunohistochemical analysis, and Western blot analysis. In vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that inhibiting ferroptosis or ACSL4 mitigated calcium oxalate crystal-induced renal fibrosis. Furthermore, YAP expression was elevated in the kidney tissues of patients with calcium oxalate stones and in calcium oxalate crystal-stimulated human renal tubular epithelial cell lines. Mechanistically, in calcium oxalate crystal-stimulated human renal tubular epithelial cell lines, activated YAP translocated to the nucleus and enhanced ACSL4 expression, consequently inducing cellular ferroptosis. Moreover, YAP silencing suppressed ferroptosis by downregulating ACSL4 expression, thereby attenuating calcium oxalate crystal-induced renal fibrosis. Conclusively, our findings suggest that YAP-ACSL4-mediated ferroptosis represents an important mechanism underlying the induction of renal fibrosis by calcium oxalate crystal deposition. Targeting the YAP-ACSL4 axis and ferroptosis may therefore hold promise as a potential therapeutic approach for preventing renal fibrosis in patients with kidney stones.

HK-2 cell response to TGF-β highly depends on cell culture medium formulations

The immortalized human renal proximal tubular epithelial cell line HK-2 is most commonly used to study renal cell physiology and human kidney diseases with tubulointerstitial fibrosis such as diabetic nephropathy, obstructive uropathy or allograft fibrosis. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the main pathological process of tubulointerstitial fibrosis in vitro. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is a key inducer of EMT. Several pro-fibrotic gene expression differences have been observed in a TGF-β-induced EMT model of HK-2 cells. However, growth conditions and medium formulations might greatly impact these differences. We investigated gene and protein expression of HK-2 cells cultured in six medium formulations. TGF-β1 increased the expression of ACTA2, TGFB1, COL4A1, EGR2, VIM and CTGF genes while reducing PPARG in all medium formulations. Interestingly, TGF-β1 treatment either increased or decreased EGR1, FN, IL6 and C3 gene expression, depending on medium formulations. The cell morphology was slightly affected, but immunoblots revealed TGFB1 and vimentin protein overexpression in all media. However, fibronectin expression as well as the nuclear translocation of EGR1 was medium dependent. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that, using the HK-2 in vitro model of EMT, the meticulous selection of appropriate cell culture medium formulation is essential to achieve reliable scientific results.

Dietary docosahexaenoic acid plays an opposed role in ferroptotic and non-ferroptotic acute kidney injury

Ferroptosis due to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) peroxidation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of acute kidney injury (AKI), suggesting the risk of dietary intake of PUFA for people susceptible to AKI. Clinically, however, in addition to ferroptosis, other mechanisms also contribute to different types of AKI such as inflammation associated necroptosis and pyroptosis. Therefore, the role of PUFA, especially ω3 PUFA which is a common food supplement, in various AKIs deserves further evaluation. In this study, rhabdomyolysis- and folic acid-induced AKI (Rha-AKI and FA-AKI) were established in mice fed with different fatty acids Histology of kidney, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, lipid peroxidation, and inflammatory factors were examined. Results showed that these two types of AKIs had diametrically different pathogenesis indicated by that ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1), a lipid antioxidant, can attenuate FA-AKI rather than Rha-AKI. Further, dietary DHA (provided by fish oil) reduced tubular injury and renal lesion by inhibiting peroxidation and inflammation in mice with Rha-AKI while increasing cell death, tissue damage, peroxidation and inflammation in mice with FA-AKI. In human renal tubular epithelial cell line HK-2, MTT assay and DHE staining showed that both myoglobin and ferroptosis inducers can cause cell death and oxidative stress. Ferroptosis inducer-induced cell death was promoted by DHA, while such result was not observed in myoglobin-induced cell death when adding DHA. This study illustrates that the mechanisms of AKI might be either ferroptosis dependent or -independent and the deterioration effect of dietary DHA depends on whether ferroptosis is involved.

Role and significance of SIRT1 in regulating the LPS-activated pyroptosis pathway in children with congenital hydronephrosis

ObjectiveTo explore the characteristics and mechanism of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated pyroptosis in the renal tissue of children with congenital hydronephrosis (CHn).MethodsWe detected the expression characteristics and clinical...

P53 deacetylation alleviates calcium oxalate deposition-induced renal fibrosis by inhibiting ferroptosis

Calcium oxalate (CaOx) stones are among the most common types of kidney stones and are associated with renal tubular damage, interstitial fibrosis, and chronic kidney disease. The mechanism of CaOx crystal-induced renal fibrosis remains unknown. Ferroptosis, a type of regulated cell death, is characterised by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, and the tumour suppressor p53 is a key regulator of ferroptosis. In the present study, our results demonstrated that ferroptosis was significantly activated in patients with nephrolithiasis and hyperoxaluric mice as well as verified the protective effects of ferroptosis inhibition on CaOx crystal-induced renal fibrosis. Moreover, the single-cell sequencing database, RNA-sequencing, and western blot analysis revealed that the expression of p53 was increased in patients with chronic kidney disease and the oxalate-stimulated human renal tubular epithelial cell line, HK-2. Additionally, the acetylation of p53 was enhanced by oxalate stimulation in HK-2 cells. Mechanistically, we found that the induction of p53 deacetylation, owing to either the SRT1720-induced activation of deacetylase sirtuin 1 or the triple mutation of p53, inhibited ferroptosis and alleviated renal fibrosis caused by CaOx crystals. We conclude that ferroptosis is one of the critical mechanisms contributing to CaOx crystal-induced renal fibrosis, and the pharmacological induction of ferroptosis via sirtuin 1-mediated p53 deacetylation may be a potential target for preventing renal fibrosis in patients with nephrolithiasis.

Exosomal microRNA-342-5p secreted from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells mitigates acute kidney injury in sepsis mice by inhibiting TLR9

BackgroundSepsis-related acute kidney injury (AKI) is an inflammatory disease associated with extremely high mortality and health burden. This study explored the possibility of exosomes secreted by adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) serving as a carrier for microRNA (miR)-342-5p to alleviate sepsis-related AKI and investigated the possible mechanism.MethodsSerum was obtained from 30 patients with sepsis-associated AKI and 30 healthy volunteers for the measurement of miR-342-5p, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine (SCr) levels. For in vitro experiments, AMSCs were transfected with LV-miR-342-5p or LV-miR-67 to acquire miR-342-5p-modified AMSCs and miR-67-modified AMSCs, from which the exosomes (AMSC-Exo-342 and AMSC-Exo-67) were isolated. The human renal proximal tubular epithelial cell line HK-2 was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to construct a cellular model of sepsis. The expression of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) was also detected in AKI cells and mouse models. The interaction between miR-342-5p and TLR9 was predicted by dual luciferase reporter gene assay.ResultsDetection on clinical serum samples showed that BUN, SCr, and TLR9 were elevated and miR-342-5p level was suppressed in the serum of patients with sepsis-associated AKI. Transfection with LV-miR-342-5p reinforced miR-342-5p expression in AMSCs and AMSC-secreted exosomes. miR-342-5p negatively targeted TLR9. LPS treatment enhanced TLR9 expression, reduced miR-342-5p levels, suppressed autophagy, and increased inflammation in HK-2 cells, while the opposite trends were observed in LPS-induced HK-2 cells exposed to AMSC-Exo-342, Rapa, miR-342-5p mimic, or si-TLR9. Additionally, the effects of AMSC-Exo-342 on autophagy and inflammation in LPS-induced cells could be weakened by 3-MA or pcDNA3.1-TLR9 treatment. Injection of AMSC-Exo-342 enhanced autophagy, mitigated kidney injury, suppressed inflammation, and reduced BUN and SCr levels in sepsis-related AKI mouse models.ConclusionmiR-342-5p transferred by exosomes from miR-342-5p-modified AMSCs ameliorated AKI by inhibiting TLR9 to accelerate autophagy.Graphical

Canagliflozin ameliorates epithelial-mesenchymal transition in high-salt diet-induced hypertensive renal injury through restoration of sirtuin 3 expression and the reduction of oxidative stress

Hypertensive nephropathy is characterized by long-term damage to renal tissues by chronic uncontrolled hypertension, and ultimately leads to the development of renal fibrosis. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) potentially contributes to the promotion of renal fibrosis in chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this study, we investigated the potential roles of canagliflozin (Cana) on renal EMT and oxidative stress through its effects on sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) expression. High-salt diet (HSD)-induced Dahl salt-sensitive rats hypertensive renal injury led to decreased SIRT3 expression and an increase in EMT and oxidative stress. In contrast, Cana administration rescued SIRT3 expression, decreased both EMT and levels of oxidative stress, and ameliorated renal injury. Furthermore, we compared the antihypertensive and renoprotective properties of Cana when combined with irbesartan (Irb), a renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blocker. We concluded that administration of Cana in combination with Irb had a significantly greater effect in lowering systolic blood pressure when compared to Cana monotherapy. However, no statistical differences were observed between combined therapy and monotherapy groups with regards to the lowering of diastolic blood pressure and renoprotection. Utilizing the human renal proximal tubular epithelial cell line (HK-2), Angiotensin II (AngⅡ) induced HK-2 negatively regulated the expression of SIRT3, FOXO3a, catalase, and promoted EMT, all of which were reversed by Cana. Furthermore, SIRT3 silencing abolished Cana-mediated rescue of forkhead box O3a (FOXO3a) and catalase expression and Cana-mediated suppression of EMT in AngⅡ induced HK-2. Taken together, Cana acts as a renoprotective agent by suppressing EMT in the pathology of renal fibrosis via interaction with the SIRT3-FOXO3a pathway.

Skullcapflavone II, a novel NQO1 inhibitor, alleviates aristolochic acid I-induced liver and kidney injury in mice.

Aristolochic acid I (AAI) is a well established nephrotoxin and human carcinogen. Cytosolic NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) plays an important role in the nitro reduction of aristolochic acids, leading to production of aristoloactam and AA-DNA adduct. Application of a potent NQO1 inhibitor dicoumarol is limited by its life-threatening side effect as an anticoagulant and the subsequent hemorrhagic complications. As traditional medicines containing AAI remain available in the market, novel NQO1 inhibitors are urgently needed to attenuate the toxicity of AAI exposure. In this study, we employed comprehensive 2D NQO1 biochromatography to screen candidate compounds that could bind with NQO1 protein. Four compounds, i.e., skullcapflavone II (SFII), oroxylin A, wogonin and tectochrysin were screened out from Scutellaria baicalensis. Among them, SFII was the most promising NQO1 inhibitor with a binding affinity (KD = 4.198 μmol/L) and inhibitory activity (IC50 = 2.87 μmol/L). In human normal liver cell line (L02) and human renal proximal tubular epithelial cell line (HK-2), SFII significantly alleviated AAI-induced DNA damage and apoptosis. In adult mice, oral administration of SFII dose-dependently ameliorated AAI-induced renal fibrosis and dysfunction. In infant mice, oral administration of SFII suppressed AAI-induced hepatocellular carcinoma initiation. Moreover, administration of SFII did not affect the coagulation function in short term in adult mice. In conclusion, SFII has been identified as a novel NQO1 inhibitor that might impede the risk of AAI to kidney and liver without obvious side effect.