Absence of ULK1 decreases AMPK activity in the kidney, leading to chronic kidney disease progression.

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inactivation in chronic kidney disease (CKD) leads to energy status deterioration in the kidney, constituting the vicious cycle of CKD exacerbation. Unc-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1) is considered a downstream molecule of AMPK; however, it was recently reported that the activity of AMPK could be regulated by ULK1 conversely. We demonstrated that AMPK and ULK1 activities were decreased in the kidneys of CKD mice. However, whether and how ULK1 is involved in the underlying mechanism of CKD exacerbation remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the ULK1 involvement in CKD, using ULK1 knockout mice. The CKD model of Ulk1-/- mice exhibited significantly exacerbated renal function and worsening renal fibrosis. In the kidneys of the CKD model of Ulk1-/- mice, reduced AMPK and its downstream ß-oxidation could be observed, leading to an energy deficit of increased AMP/ATP ratio. In addition, AMPK signaling in the kidney was reduced in control Ulk1-/- mice with normal renal function compared to control wild-type mice, suggesting that ULK1 deficiency suppressed AMPK activity in the kidney. This study is the first to present ULK1 as a novel therapeutic target for CKD treatment, which regulates AMPK activity in the kidney.

Deletion of Alox15 improves kidney dysfunction and inhibits fibrosis by increased PGD2 in the kidney.

BACKGROUND: Lipid-metabolizing enzymes and their metabolites affect inflammation and fibrosis, but their roles in chronic kidney disease (CKD) have not been completely understood. METHODS: To clarify their role in CKD, we measured the mRNA levels of major lipid-metabolizing enzymes in 5/6 nephrectomized (Nx) kidneys of C57BL/6 J mice. Mediator lipidomics was performed to reveal lipid profiles of CKD kidneys. RESULTS: In 5/6 Nx kidneys, both mRNA and protein levels of Alox15 were higher when compared with those in sham kidneys. With respect to in situ hybridization, the mRNA level of Alox15 was higher in renal tubules of 5/6 Nx kidneys. To examine the role of Alox15 in CKD pathogenesis, we performed 5/6 Nx on Alox15-/- mice. Alox15-/- CKD mice exhibited better renal functions than wild-type mice. Interstitial fibrosis was also inhibited in Alox15-/- CKD mice. Mediator lipidomics revealed that Alox15-/- CKD mouse kidneys had significantly higher levels of PGD2 than the control. To investigate the effects of PGD2 on renal fibrosis, we administered PGD2 to TGF-ß1-stimulated NRK-52E cells and HK-2 cells, which lead to a dose-dependent suppression of type I collagen and αSMA in both cell lines. CONCLUSION: Increased PGD2 in Alox15-/- CKD mouse kidneys could inhibit fibrosis, thereby resulting in CKD improvement. Thus, Alox15 inhibition and PGD2 administration may be novel therapeutic targets for CKD.

Chronic kidney disease causes blood-brain barrier breakdown via urea-activated matrix metalloproteinase-2 and insolubility of tau protein.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) causes cognitive impairment and contributes to the overall global burden of dementia. However, mechanisms through which the kidneys and brain communicate are not fully understood. We established a CKD mouse model through adenine-induced tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Novel object recognition tests indicated that CKD decreased recognition memory. Sarkosyl-insoluble-proteomic analyses of the CKD mouse hippocampus revealed an accumulation of insoluble MAPT (microtubule-associated protein tau) and RNA-binding proteins such as small nuclear ribonucleoprotein U1 subunit 70 (SNRNP70). Additionally, there was an accumulation of Immunoglobulin G (IgG), indicating blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown. We identified that expressions of essential tight-junction protein claudin-5 and adherens-junction protein platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1/CD31) were decreased in the brain endothelial cells of CKD mice. We determined urea as a major uremic solute that dose dependently decreased both claudin-5 and PECAM-1 expression in the mouse brain endothelial cell line bEnd.3 cells. Gelatin zymography indicated that the serum of CKD mice activated matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2), while marimastat ameliorated the reduction of claudin-5 expression by urea in bEnd.3 cells. This study established a brain proteomic signature of CKD indicating BBB breakdown and insolubility of tau protein, which are pathologically linked to Alzheimer's disease. Urea-mediated activation of MMP2 was partly responsible for BBB breakdown in CKD.

Generation of NPHP1 knockout human pluripotent stem cells by a practical biallelic gene deletion strategy using CRISPR/Cas9 and ssODN.

CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing underwent remarkable progress and significantly contributed to the development of life sciences. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have also made a relevant contribution to regenerative medicine, pharmacological research, and genetic disease analysis. However, knockout iPSC generation with CRISPR/Cas9 in general has been difficult to achieve using approaches such as frameshift mutations to reproduce genetic diseases with full-length or nearly full-length gene deletions. Moreover, splicing and illegitimate translation could make complete knockouts difficult. Full-length gene deletion methods in iPSCs might solve these problems, although no such approach has been reported yet. In this study, we present a practical two-step gene-editing strategy leading to the precise, biallelic, and complete deletion of the full-length NPHP1 gene in iPSCs, which is the first report of biallelic (compound heterozygous) full-gene deletion in iPSCs using CRISPR/Cas9 and single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides mainly via single-strand template repair (SSTR). Our strategy requires no selection or substances to enhance SSTR and can be used for the analysis of genetic disorders that are difficult to reproduce by conventional knockout methods.

Ruptured infected aneurysm of the thoracic aorta associated with tunneled dialysis catheter-related methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in a hemodialysis patient.

Patients with an indwelling tunneled dialysis catheter (TDC) for hemodialysis access are at a high risk of developing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. MRSA bacteremia complications rarely include infected aneurysm. Here, we report the first case of an infected thoracic aneurysm associated with TDC-related MRSA bacteremia. An 86-year-old Japanese male with a TDC for hemodialysis access developed TDC-related MRSA bacteremia. Intravenous vancomycin was initiated, and the TDC was removed on day 3. Despite removal of the catheter and initiation of vancomycin treatment, MRSA bacteremia persisted. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed no aneurysm; however, calcification of the thoracic aorta was detected on admission. The patient subsequently developed hemosputum. CT revealed a thoracic aneurysm, which turned out to be caused by MRSA bacteremia. The patient eventually died because of the rupture of the infected aneurysm, as confirmed by autopsy. This report demonstrates TDC management in a patient with TDC-related MRSA bacteremia and the importance of investigating a metastatic infection to a calcified artery if bacteremia persists.