Module 4-Deficient CCN2/Connective Tissue Growth Factor Attenuates the Progression of Renal Fibrosis via Suppression of Focal Adhesion Kinase Phosphorylation in Tubular Epithelial Cells.

CCN2/connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) potentially serves as a therapeutic target for chronic kidney disease. Here we investigated CCN2 module-4, encoded by Ccn2 exon 5, through the generation of Ccn2 exon 5 knockout mice (Ex5-/- mice). To investigate renal fibrosis pathogenesis, Ex5-/- mice were employed to model unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), unilateral ischemic-reperfusion injury (UIRI), and 5/6 nephrectomy. Interstitial fibrosis was significantly attenuated in the Ex5-/- mice in the three models. Furthermore, phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (FAK) levels in tubular epithelial cells were significantly lower in the kidneys of the UUO- and UIRI-Ex5-/- mice than those of the Ex5+/+ mice. Moreover, CCN2 module 4-mediated renal tubule FAK and promoted fibrosis. These findings indicate that CCN2 module-4-FAK pathway components will serve as therapeutic targets for effectively attenuating renal fibrosis.

Alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors signaling boosts cell-cell interactions in macrophages effecting anti-inflammatory and organ protection.

Activation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) via vagus nerve stimulation has been shown to improve acute kidney injury in rodent models. While alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) positive macrophages are thought to play a crucial role in this pathway, their in vivo significance has not been fully understood. In this study, we used macrophage-specific α7nAChR-deficient mice to confirm the direct activation of α7nAChRs in macrophages. Our findings indicate that the administration of GTS-21, an α7nAChR-specific agonist, protects injured kidneys in wild-type mice but not in macrophage-specific α7nAChR-deficient mice. To investigate the signal changes or cell reconstructions induced by α7nAChR activation in splenocytes, we conducted single-cell RNA-sequencing of the spleen. Ligand-receptor analysis revealed an increase in macrophage-macrophage interactions. Using macrophage-derived cell lines, we demonstrated that GTS-21 increases cell contact, and that the contact between macrophages receiving α7nAChR signals leads to a reduction in TNF-α. Our results suggest that α7nAChR signaling increases macrophage-macrophage interactions in the spleen and has a protective effect on the kidneys.

Bone marrow stromal cell antigen-1 (CD157) regulated by sphingosine kinase 2 mediates kidney fibrosis.

Chronic kidney disease is a progressive disease that may lead to end-stage renal disease. Interstitial fibrosis develops as the disease progresses. Therapies that focus on fibrosis to delay or reverse progressive renal failure are limited. We and others showed that sphingosine kinase 2-deficient mice (Sphk2 -/-) develop less fibrosis in mouse models of kidney fibrosis. Sphingosine kinase2 (SphK2), one of two sphingosine kinases that produce sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), is primarily located in the nucleus. S1P produced by SphK2 inhibits histone deacetylase (HDAC) and changes histone acetylation status, which can lead to altered target gene expression. We hypothesized that Sphk2 epigenetically regulates downstream genes to induce fibrosis, and we performed a comprehensive analysis using the combination of RNA-seq and ChIP-seq. Bst1/CD157 was identified as a gene that is regulated by SphK2 through a change in histone acetylation level, and Bst1 -/- mice were found to develop less renal fibrosis after unilateral ischemia-reperfusion injury, a mouse model of kidney fibrosis. Although Bst1 is a cell-surface molecule that has a wide variety of functions through its varied enzymatic activities and downstream intracellular signaling pathways, no studies on the role of Bst1 in kidney diseases have been reported previously. In the current study, we demonstrated that Bst1 is a gene that is regulated by SphK2 through epigenetic change and is critical in kidney fibrosis.

Comparison of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging sequences with laboratory parameters for prognosticating renal function in chronic kidney disease.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is playing an increasingly important role in evaluating chronic kidney disease (CKD). It has the potential to be used not only for evaluation of physiological and pathological states, but also for prediction of disease course. Although different MRI sequences have been employed in renal disease, there are few studies that have compared the different sequences. We compared several multiparametric MRI sequences, and compared their results with the estimated glomerular filtration rate. Principal component analysis showed a similarity between T1 values and tissue perfusion (arterial spin labelling), and between fractional anisotropy (diffusion tensor imaging) and apparent diffusion coefficient values (diffusion-weighted imaging). In multiple regression analysis, only T2* values, derived from the blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) MRI sequence, were associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate slope after adjusting for degree of proteinuria, a classic prognostic factor for CKD. In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, T2* values were a good predictor of rapid deterioration, regardless of the degree of proteinuria. This suggests further study of the use of BOLD-derived T2* values in the workup of CKD, especially to predict the disease course.

Activation of Sympathetic Signaling in Macrophages Blocks Systemic Inflammation and Protects against Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.

BACKGROUND: The sympathetic nervous system regulates immune cell dynamics. However, the detailed role of sympathetic signaling in inflammatory diseases is still unclear because it varies according to the disease situation and responsible cell types. This study focused on identifying the functions of sympathetic signaling in macrophages in LPS-induced sepsis and renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). METHODS: We performed RNA sequencing of mouse macrophage cell lines to identify the critical gene that mediates the anti-inflammatory effect of ß2-adrenergic receptor (Adrb2) signaling. We also examined the effects of salbutamol (a selective Adrb2 agonist) in LPS-induced systemic inflammation and renal IRI. Macrophage-specific Adrb2 conditional knockout (cKO) mice and the adoptive transfer of salbutamol-treated macrophages were used to assess the involvement of macrophage Adrb2 signaling. RESULTS: In vitro, activation of Adrb2 signaling in macrophages induced the expression of T cell Ig and mucin domain 3 (Tim3), which contributes to anti-inflammatory phenotypic alterations. In vivo, salbutamol administration blocked LPS-induced systemic inflammation and protected against renal IRI; this protection was mitigated in macrophage-specific Adrb2 cKO mice. The adoptive transfer of salbutamol-treated macrophages also protected against renal IRI. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that this protection was associated with the accumulation of Tim3-expressing macrophages in the renal tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The activation of Adrb2 signaling in macrophages induces anti-inflammatory phenotypic alterations partially via the induction of Tim3 expression, which blocks LPS-induced systemic inflammation and protects against renal IRI.

Vagus nerve stimulation even after injury ameliorates cisplatin-induced nephropathy via reducing macrophage infiltration.

The efficacy of prior activation of an anti-inflammatory pathway called the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) through vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been reported in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury models. However, there have been no reports that have demonstrated the effectiveness of VNS after injury. We investigated the renoprotective effect of VNS in a cisplatin-induced nephropathy model. C57BL/6 mice were injected with cisplatin, and VNS was conducted 24 hours later. Kidney function, histology, and a kidney injury marker (Kim-1) were evaluated 72 hours after cisplatin administration. To further explore the role of the spleen and splenic macrophages, key players in the CAP, splenectomy, and adoptive transfer of macrophages treated with the selective α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist GTS-21 were conducted. VNS treatment significantly suppressed cisplatin-induced kidney injury. This effect was abolished by splenectomy, while adoptive transfer of GTS-21-treated macrophages improved renal outcomes. VNS also reduced the expression of cytokines and chemokines, including CCL2, which is a potent chemokine attracting monocytes/macrophages, accompanied by a decline in the number of infiltrating macrophages. Taken together, stimulation of the CAP protected the kidney even after injury in a cisplatin-induced nephropathy model. Considering the feasibility and anti-inflammatory effects of VNS, the findings suggest that VNS may be a promising therapeutic tool for acute kidney injury.

Tocilizumab-induced immunocomplex glomerulonephritis: a report of two cases.

We report here two cases of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis that developed during treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with tocilizumab. In both cases, the initial findings were proteinuria and haematuria, followed by development of bilateral lower leg oedema. One of the patients was weakly positive for anti-nuclear antibody; both had hypocomplementaemia. The patients' renal impairment gradually resolved with discontinuation of tocilizumab followed by treatment with moderate doses of oral prednisolone. Pathological examination of renal biopsies resulted in diagnoses of immunocomplex glomerulonephritis and immunofluorescence staining revealed depositions of IgG, IgA, and IgM, accompanied by C3. Tocilizumab rarely induces autoimmune disorders; therefore, the underlying mechanism is unknown. One patient with immunocomplex glomerulonephritis that may have been associated with tocilizumab therapy for rheumatoid arthritis has been reported previously; that patient and our two are similar in their clinical courses and pathological findings. We conclude that such glomerulonephritis can occur during tocilizumab treatment, but this is rare. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of paradoxical development of autoimmune diseases during tocilizumab therapy.