Ubiquitin COOH-terminal hydrolase L1 deletion is associated with urinary α-klotho deficiency and perturbed phosphate homeostasis.

Loss of ubiquitin COOH-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1), a deubiquitinating enzyme required for neuronal function, led to hyperphosphatemia accompanied by phosphaturia in mice, while calcium homeostasis remained intact. We therefore investigated the mechanisms underlying the phosphate imbalance in Uchl1-/- mice. Interestingly, phosphaturia was not a result of lower renal brush border membrane sodium-phosphate cotransporter expression as sodium-phosphate cotransporter 2a and 2c expression levels was similar to wild-type levels. Plasma parathyroid hormone and fibroblast growth factor 23 levels were not different; however, fibroblast growth factor 23 mRNA levels were significantly increased in femur homogenates from Uchl1-/- mice. Full-length and soluble α-klotho levels were comparable in kidneys from wild-type and Uchl1-/- mice; however, soluble α-klotho was reduced in Uchl1-/- mice urine. Consistent with unchanged components of 1,25(OH)2D3 metabolism (i.e., CYP27B1 and CYP24A1), sodium-phosphate cotransporter 2b protein levels were not different in ileum brush borders from Uchl1-/- mice, suggesting that the intestine is not the source of hyperphosphatemia. Nonetheless, when Uchl1-/- mice were fed a low-phosphate diet, plasma phosphate, urinary phosphate, and fractional excretion of phosphate were significantly attenuated and comparable to levels of low-phosphate diet-fed wild-type mice. Our findings demonstrate that Uchl1-deleted mice exhibit perturbed phosphate homeostasis, likely consequent to decreased urinary soluble α-klotho, which can be rescued with a low-phosphate diet. Uchl1-/- mice may provide a useful mouse model to study mild perturbations in phosphate homeostasis.

Hyperfiltration in ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1-deleted mice.

Neuronal ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) is a deubiquitinating enzyme that maintains intracellular ubiquitin pools and promotes axonal transport. Uchl1 deletion in mice leads to progressive axonal degeneration, affecting the dorsal root ganglion that harbors axons emanating to the kidney. Innervation is a crucial regulator of renal hemodynamics, though the contribution of neuronal UCHL1 to this is unclear. Immunofluorescence revealed significant neuronal UCHL1 expression in mouse kidney, including periglomerular axons. Glomerular filtration rate trended higher in 6-week-old Uchl1-/- mice, and by 12 weeks of age, these displayed significant glomerular hyperfiltration, coincident with the onset of neurodegeneration. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition had no effect on glomerular filtration rate of Uchl1-/- mice indicating that the renin-angiotensin system does not contribute to the observed hyperfiltration. DCE-MRI revealed increased cortical renal blood flow in Uchl1-/- mice, suggesting that hyperfiltration results from afferent arteriole dilation. Nonetheless, hyperglycemia, cyclooxygenase-2, and nitric oxide synthases were ruled out as sources of hyperfiltration in Uchl1-/- mice as glomerular filtration rate remained unchanged following insulin treatment, and cyclooxygenase-2 and nitric oxide synthase inhibition. Finally, renal nerve dysfunction in Uchl1-/- mice is suggested given increased renal nerve arborization, decreased urinary norepinephrine, and impaired vascular reactivity. Uchl1-deleted mice demonstrate glomerular hyperfiltration associated with renal neuronal dysfunction, suggesting that neuronal UCHL1 plays a crucial role in regulating renal hemodynamics.

Podocyte NADPH Oxidase 5 Promotes Renal Inflammation Regulated by the Toll-Like Receptor Pathway.

AIMS: Oxidative stress associated with a proinflammatory state occurs in endothelial dysfunction, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes. The NADPH oxidase (Nox) family of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generating enzymes is implicated in these processes, yet little information regarding the role of Nox5 is available. Our aim was to investigate the role of Nox5 in promoting renal inflammation and identify mechanisms regulating its activity. RESULTS: Mice with podocyte-specific Nox5 (Nox5pod+) expression demonstrated greater glomerular inflammation and increased expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and proinflammatory cytokines. In a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) model of acute kidney injury, Nox5pod+ and control littermates exhibited increased TLR and Nox1 expression. Compared with control littermates, Nox5pod+ animals developed greater glomerular inflammation and ROS production. Immortalized human podocytes (hPODs) incubated with LPS demonstrated TLR induction, increased Nox5 expression, and enhanced ROS production. Inhibition of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinases (IRAK)-1 and -4 that lie downstream of TLR inhibited LPS-induced ROS production. Interaction between IRAK1 and Nox5 was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation. Furthermore, LPS treatment of hPODs resulted in phosphorylation of threonine residue(s) in Nox5 that was attenuated by an IRAK1/4 inhibitor. Innovation and Conclusion: These results are the first to demonstrate that Nox5 is a downstream target of the TLR pathway and that Nox5-derived ROS may be modulated by IRAK1/4 activity. Nox5-derived ROS in podocytes can promote a proinflammatory state in the kidney via induction of cytokine expression and upregulation of TLRs leading to a feed-forward loop in which TLR activation enhances Nox5-mediated ROS production.

Vascular Smooth Muscle-Specific EP4 Receptor Deletion in Mice Exacerbates Angiotensin II-Induced Renal Injury.

AIMS: Cyclooxygenase inhibition by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is contraindicated in hypertension, as it may reduce glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal blood flow. However, the identity of the specific eicosanoid and receptor underlying these effects is not known. We hypothesized that vascular smooth muscle prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) E-prostanoid 4 (EP4) receptor deletion predisposes to renal injury via unchecked vasoconstrictive actions of angiotensin II (AngII) in a hypertension model. Mice with inducible vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC)-specific EP4 receptor deletion were generated and subjected to AngII-induced hypertension. RESULTS: EP4 deletion was verified by PCR of aorta and renal vessels, as well as functionally by loss of PGE2-mediated mesenteric artery relaxation. Both AngII-treated groups became similarly hypertensive, whereas albuminuria, foot process effacement, and renal hypertrophy were exacerbated in AngII-treated EP4VSMC-/- but not in EP4VSMC+/+ mice and were associated with glomerular scarring, tubulointerstitial injury, and reduced GFR. AngII-treated EP4VSMC-/- mice exhibited capillary damage and reduced renal perfusion as measured by fluorescent bead microangiography and magnetic resonance imaging, respectively. NADPH oxidase 2 (Nox2) expression was significantly elevated in AngII-treated EP4-/- mice. EP4-receptor silencing in primary VSMCs abolished PGE2 inhibition of AngII-induced Nox2 mRNA and superoxide production. INNOVATION: These data suggest that vascular EP4 receptors buffer the actions of AngII on renal hemodynamics and oxidative injury. CONCLUSION: EP4 agonists may, therefore, protect against hypertension-associated kidney damage. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 25, 642-656.