Activation of limbal epithelial proliferation is partly controlled by the ACE2-LCN2 pathway.

In response to corneal injury, an activation of corneal epithelial stem cells and their direct progeny the early transit amplifying (eTA) cells to rapidly proliferate is critical for proper re-epithelialization. Thus, it is important to understand how such stem/eTA cell activation is regulated. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is predominantly expressed in the stem/eTA-enriched limbal epithelium but its role in the limbal epithelium was unclear. Single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) suggested that Ace2 involved the proliferation of the stem/eTA cells. Ace2 was reduced following corneal injury. Such reduction enhanced limbal epithelial proliferation and downregulated LCN2, a negative regulator of proliferation in a variety of tissues, via upregulating TGFA and consequently activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Inhibition of EGFR or overexpression of LCN2 reversed the increased proliferation in limbal epithelial cells lacking ACE2. Our findings demonstrate that after corneal injury, ACE2 is downregulated, which activates limbal epithelial cell proliferation via a TGFA/EGFR/LCN2 pathway.

Primary Distal Renal Tubular Acidosis: Toward an Optimal Correction of Metabolic Acidosis.

The term classic, type 1 renal tubular acidosis or primary distal renal tubular acidosis is used to designate patients with impaired ability to excrete acid normally in the urine as a result of tubular transport defects involving type A intercalated cells in the collecting duct. The clinical phenotype is largely characterized by the complications of chronic metabolic acidosis (MA): stunted growth, bone abnormalities, and nephrocalcinosis and nephrolithiasis that develop as the consequence of hypercalciuria and hypocitraturia. All these manifestations are preventable with early and sustained correction of MA with alkali therapy. The optimal target for plasma bicarbonate should be as close as possible to the range considered normal by current standards (between 23 and 28 mEq/L.). Most of the benefits of alkali therapy are tangible early in the course of the disease in childhood, but life-long treatment is required to prevent the vast array of complications attributable to chronic MA.

Altered kidney distribution and loss of ACE2 into the urine in acute kidney injury.

There are diverse pathophysiological mechanisms involved in acute kidney injury (AKI). Among them, overactivity of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been described. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a tissue RAS enzyme expressed in the apical border of proximal tubules. Given the important role of ACE2 in the metabolism of angiotensin II, this study aimed to characterize kidney and urinary ACE2 in a mouse model of AKI. Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) was induced in C57BL/6 mice by clamping of the left renal artery followed by removal of the right kidney. In kidneys harvested 48 h after IRI, immunostaining revealed a striking maldistribution of ACE2 including spillage into the tubular lumen and the presence of ACE2-positive luminal casts in the medulla. In cortical membranes, ACE2 protein and enzymatic activity were both markedly reduced (37 ± 4 vs. 100 ± 6 ACE2/ß-actin, P = 0.0004, and 96 ± 14 vs. 152 ± 6 RFU/µg protein/h, P = 0.006). In urine, full-length membrane-bound ACE2 protein (100 kDa) was markedly increased (1,120 ± 405 vs. 100 ± 46 ACE2/µg creatinine, P = 0.04), and casts stained for ACE2 were recovered in the urine sediment. In conclusion, in AKI caused by IRI, there is a marked loss of ACE2 from the apical tubular border with deposition of ACE2-positive material in the medulla and increased urinary excretion of full-length membrane-bound ACE2 protein. The deficiency of tubular ACE2 in AKI suggests that provision of this enzyme could have therapeutic applications and that its excretion in the urine may also serve as a diagnostic marker of severe proximal tubular injury.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study provides novel insights into the distribution of kidney ACE2 in a model of AKI by IRI showing a striking detachment of apical ACE2 from proximal tubules and its loss in urine and urine sediment. The observed deficiency of kidney ACE2 protein and enzymatic activity in severe AKI suggests that administration of forms of this enzyme may mitigate AKI and that urinary ACE2 may serve as a potential biomarker for tubular injury.

Long-Circulating Vasoactive 1,18-Octadecanedioic Acid-Terlipressin Conjugate.

Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a life-threatening complication of end-stage liver disease first reported over a century ago, but its management still poses an unmet challenge. A therapeutic agent found to stabilize the condition is a short cyclic peptide, vasopressin analogue, terlipressin (TP). While TP is commonly prescribed for HRS patients in most parts of the world, it was only recently approved for use in the United States. TP exhibits short circulation half-lives and adverse side effects associated with the dose required. Herein, we present a 1,18-octadecanedioic acid (ODDA) conjugate of the cyclic peptide (ODDA-TP), which enables noncovalent binding to serum albumin via native fatty acid binding modes. ODDA-TP is demonstrated to outperform TP alone in studies including in vitro cellular receptor activation, stability in plasma, pharmacokinetics, and performance in vivo in rats. Specifically, ODDA-TP had an elimination half-life 20 times that of TP alone while exhibiting a superior safety profile.

Effect of SARS-CoV-2 S protein on the proteolytic cleavage of the epithelial Na+ channel ENaC.

Severe cases of COVID-19 are characterized by development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Water accumulation in the lungs is thought to occur as consequence of an exaggerated inflammatory response. A possible mechanism could involve decreased activity of the epithelial Na+ channel, ENaC, expressed in type II pneumocytes. Reduced transepithelial Na+ reabsorption could contribute to lung edema due to reduced alveolar fluid clearance. This hypothesis is based on the observation of the presence of a novel furin cleavage site in the S protein of SARS-CoV-2 that is identical to the furin cleavage site present in the alpha subunit of ENaC. Proteolytic processing of αENaC by furin-like proteases is essential for channel activity. Thus, competition between S protein and αENaC for furin-mediated cleavage in SARS-CoV-2-infected cells may negatively affect channel activity. Here we present experimental evidence showing that coexpression of the S protein with ENaC in a cellular model reduces channel activity. In addition, we show that bidirectional competition for cleavage by furin-like proteases occurs between 〈ENaC and S protein. In transgenic mice sensitive to lethal SARS-CoV-2, however, a significant decrease in gamma ENaC expression was not observed by immunostaining of lungs infected as shown by SARS-CoV2 nucleoprotein staining.

Delayed Graft Function and the Renin-angiotensin System.

Delayed graft function (DGF) is a form of acute kidney injury (AKI) and a common complication following kidney transplantation. It adversely influences patient outcomes increases the financial burden of transplantation, and currently, no specific treatments are available. In developing this form of AKI, activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been proposed to play an important role. In this review, we discuss the role of RAS activation and its contribution to the pathophysiology of DGF following the different stages of the transplantation process, from procurement and ischemia to transplantation into the recipient and including data from experimental animal models. Deceased kidney donors, whether during cardiac or brain death, may experience activation of the RAS. That may be continued or further potentiated during procurement and organ preservation. Additional evidence suggests that during implantation of the kidney graft and reperfusion in the recipient, the RAS is activated and may likely remain activated, extrapolating from other forms of AKI where RAS overactivity is well documented. Of particular interest in this setting is the status of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, a key RAS enzyme essential for the metabolism of angiotensin II and abundantly present in the apical border of the proximal tubules, which is the site of predominant injury in AKI and DGF. Interventions aimed at safely downregulating the RAS using suitable shorter forms of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 could be a way to offer protection against DGF.

Soluble Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 Protein Improves Survival and Lowers Viral Titers in Lethal Mouse Model of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Type 2 Infection with the Delta Variant.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) utilizes angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as its main receptor for cell entry. We bioengineered a soluble ACE2 protein termed ACE2 618-DDC-ABD that has increased binding to SARS-CoV-2 and prolonged duration of action. Here, we investigated the protective effect of this protein when administered intranasally to k18-hACE2 mice infected with the aggressive SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant. k18-hACE2 mice were infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant by inoculation of a lethal dose (2 × 104 PFU). ACE2 618-DDC-ABD (10 mg/kg) or PBS was administered intranasally six hours prior and 24 and 48 h post-viral inoculation. All animals in the PBS control group succumbed to the disease on day seven post-infection (0% survival), whereas, in contrast, there was only one casualty in the group that received ACE2 618-DDC-ABD (90% survival). Mice in the ACE2 618-DDC-ABD group had minimal disease as assessed using a clinical score and stable weight, and both brain and lung viral titers were markedly reduced. These findings demonstrate the efficacy of a bioengineered soluble ACE2 decoy with an extended duration of action in protecting against the aggressive Delta SARS-CoV-2 variant. Together with previous work, these findings underline the universal protective potential against current and future emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Serum potassium changes during hypothermia and rewarming: a case series and hypothesis on the mechanism.

Introduction: Hypokalemia is known to occur in association with therapeutically induced hypothermia and is usually managed by the administration of potassium (K+). Methods: We reviewed data from 74 patients who underwent a therapeutic hypothermia protocol at our medical institution. Results: In four patients in whom data on serum K+ and temperature were available, a strong positive correlation between serum K+ and body temperature was found. Based on the close positive relationship between serum K+ and total body temperature, we hypothesize that serum K+ decreases during hypothermia owing to decreased activity of temperature-dependent K+ exit channels that under normal conditions are sufficiently active to match cellular K+ intake via sodium/K+/adenosine triphosphatase. Upon rewarming, reactivation of these channels results in a rapid increase in serum K+ as a result of K+ exit down its concentration gradient. Conclusion: Administration of K+ during hypothermia should be done cautiously and avoided during rewarming to avoid potentially life-threatening hyperkalemia. K+ exit via temperature-dependent K+ channels provides a logical explanation for the rebound hyperkalemia. K+ exit channels may play a bigger role than previously appreciated in the regulation of serum K+ during normal and pathophysiological conditions.

FSGS and COVID-19 in Non-African American Patients.

Collapsing Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) has been reported relatively frequently in African American (AA) patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and it is associated almost always with Apolipoprotein L gen 1 (APOL1) high-risk variants. We reviewed the published literature from April 2020 to November 2022 searching for non-African American (non-AA) patients with FSGS associated with COVID-19 (eight White patients, six Hispanic patients, three Asian patients, one Indian patient, and one Asian Indian patient). The following histologic patterns were found: collapsing (n=11), not otherwise specified (n=5), tip (n=2), and perihilar (n=1). Fifteen of the 19 patients had AKI. The APOL1 genotype was reported in only six of the 19 non-AA patients. Three of them (two Hispanic patients and one White patient) with collapsing FSGS had high-risk APOL1 variants. The other three patients (two White patients and one Hispanic patient with the collapsing variant, tip variant, and not otherwise specified) had low-risk APOL1 variants. Among 53 African American patients with collapsing FSGS associated with COVID-19, 48 had high-risk APOL1 variants and five had low-risk APOL1 variants. We conclude that in non-AA patients, FSGS is a rare complication of COVID-19. FSGS associated with COVID-19 can occur rarely with low-risk APOL1 variants in non-AA and AA patients. Non-AA patients reported to be associated with high-risk APOL1 variants possibly reflect inaccuracy of self-reported race with AA admixture because of unknown ancestry. Given the importance of APOL1 in the pathogenesis of FSGS associated with viral infection and to avoid racial bias, it seems appropriate that APOL1 testing be considered in patients with FSGS associated with COVID-19, regardless of self-reported race.

Intranasal soluble ACE2 improves survival and prevents brain SARS-CoV-2 infection.

A soluble ACE2 protein bioengineered for long duration of action and high affinity to SARS-CoV-2 was administered either intranasally (IN) or intraperitoneally (IP) to SARS-CoV-2-inoculated k18hACE2 mice. This decoy protein (ACE2 618-DDC-ABD) was given either IN or IP, pre- and post-inoculation, or IN, IP, or IN + IP but only post-inoculation. Survival by day 5 was 0% in untreated mice, 40% in the IP-pre, and 90% in the IN-pre group. In the IN-pre group, brain histopathology was essentially normal and lung histopathology significantly improved. Consistent with this, brain SARS-CoV-2 titers were undetectable and lung titers reduced in the IN-pre group. When ACE2 618-DDC-ABD was administered only post-inoculation, survival was 30% in the IN + IP, 20% in the IN, and 20% in the IP group. We conclude that ACE2 618-DDC-ABD results in markedly improved survival and provides organ protection when given intranasally as compared with when given either systemically or after viral inoculation, and that lowering brain titers is a critical determinant of survival and organ protection.

Fecal ammonium in mice with CKD: gastrointestinal sequestration by sodium zirconium cyclosilicate.

Urinary [Formula: see text] excretion is decreased in chronic kidney disease (CKD), but very little is known about fecal [Formula: see text] excretion. Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC) is a cation exchanger that selectively captures K+ in the gastrointestinal tract. We investigated if SZC can sequester [Formula: see text] in vivo and evaluated the effect of SZC on fecal [Formula: see text] in a mouse model of CKD. Mice with CKD induced by 5/6 kidney ablation were fed either a regular diet or a diet containing SZC (4 g/kg) and followed for 7 days. Fecal [Formula: see text] was measured before and after the addition of 50 meq KCl/L to release [Formula: see text] from SZC. [Formula: see text] sequestered in SZC in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract was estimated from the change in fecal [Formula: see text] observed when KCl was added to liberate the sequestered [Formula: see text]. In mice with CKD, fecal [Formula: see text] excretion was higher than in normal mice and also higher than urine [Formula: see text] excretion measured concurrently. Using data pooled from the SZC diet, the change in [Formula: see text] was 6.5 ± 0.6 compared with 0.6 ± 0.6 µmol/g on the normal diet (P < 0.0001). In conclusion, fecal [Formula: see text] excretion in CKD is increased and about sixfold higher than urine [Formula: see text] excretion, revealing an important route of elimination of [Formula: see text] present in the GI tract. SZC administration sequesters a substantial portion of [Formula: see text] in the GI tract, suggesting that the binding of [Formula: see text] offers therapeutic potential beyond its known primary action as a specific K+ binder.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Fecal [Formula: see text] excretion in chronic kidney disease is increased and about sixfold higher than urine [Formula: see text] excretion, revealing an important route of elimination of [Formula: see text] that is present in the gastrointestinal tract. Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC) administration sequesters a substantial portion of [Formula: see text], suggesting that binding of [Formula: see text] by SZC in the gastrointestinal tract offers therapeutic potential in chronic kidney disease and other clinical conditions beyond its known primary action of SZC as a specific K+ binder.

Urinary Ammonium in Clinical Medicine: Direct Measurement and the Urine Anion Gap as a Surrogate Marker During Metabolic Acidosis.

Ammonium is the most important component of urinary acid excretion, normally accounting for about two-third of net acid excretion. In this article, we discuss urine ammonium not only in the evaluation of metabolic acidosis but also in other clinical conditions such as chronic kidney disease. Different methods to measure urine NH4+ that have been employed over the years are discussed. The enzymatic method used by clinical laboratories in the United States to measure plasma ammonia via the glutamate dehydrogenase can be used for urine ammonium. The urine anion gap calculation can be used as a rough marker of urine ammonium in the initial bedside evaluation of metabolic acidosis such as in distal renal tubular acidosis. Urine ammonium measurements, however, should be made more available in clinical medicine for a precise evaluation of this important component of urinary acid excretion.

An Update on Kidney Ammonium Transport Along the Nephron.

Acid-base homeostasis is critical to the maintenance of normal health. The kidneys have a central role in bicarbonate generation, which occurs through the process of net acid excretion. Renal ammonia excretion is the predominant component of renal net acid excretion under basal conditions and in response to acid-base disturbances. Ammonia produced in the kidney is selectively transported into the urine or the renal vein. The amount of ammonia produced by the kidney that is excreted in the urine varies dramatically in response to physiological stimuli. Recent studies have advanced our understanding of ammonia metabolism's molecular mechanisms and regulation. Ammonia transport has been advanced by recognizing that the specific transport of NH3 and NH4+ by specific membrane proteins is critical to ammonia transport. Other studies show that proximal tubule protein, NBCe1, specifically the A variant, significantly regulates renal ammonia metabolism. This review discusses these critical aspects of the emerging features of ammonia metabolism and transport.

Superiority of intranasal over systemic administration of bioengineered soluble ACE2 for survival and brain protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of a soluble ACE2 protein termed ACE2 618-DDC-ABD, bioengineered to have long duration of action and high binding affinity to SARS-CoV-2, when administered either intranasally (IN) or intraperitoneally (IP) and before or after SARS-CoV-2 inoculation. K18hACE2 mice permissive for SARS-CoV-2 infection were inoculated with 2Ã-10 4 PFU wildtype SARS-CoV-2. In one protocol, ACE2 618-DDC-ABD was given either IN or IP, pre- and post-viral inoculation. In a second protocol, ACE2 618-DDC-ABD was given either IN, IP or IN+IP but only post-viral inoculation. In addition, A549 and Vero E6 cells were used to test neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 variants by ACE2 618-DDC-ABD at different concentrations. Survival by day 5 was 0% in infected untreated mice, and 40% in mice from the ACE2 618-DDC-ABD IP-pre treated group. By contrast, in the IN-pre group survival was 90%, histopathology of brain and kidney was essentially normal and markedly improved in the lungs. When ACE2 618-DDC-ABD was administered only post viral inoculation, survival was 30% in the IN+IP group, 20% in the IN and 0% in the IP group. Brain SARS-CoV-2 titers were high in all groups except for the IN-pre group where titers were undetectable in all mice. In cells permissive for SARS-CoV-2 infection, ACE2 618-DDC-ABD neutralized wildtype SARS-CoV-2 at high concentrations, whereas much lower concentrations neutralized omicron BA. 1. We conclude that ACE2 618-DDC-ABD provides much better survival and organ protection when administered intranasally than when given systemically or after viral inoculation and that lowering brain titers is a critical determinant of survival and organ protection.

Urinary Angiotensinogen in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes With Microalbuminuria: Gender Differences and Effect of Intensive Insulin Therapy.

Introduction: Angiotensinogen (AOG) is the precursor of peptides of the renin angiotensin system (RAS). Because insulin up-regulates transcriptional factors that normally repress kidney AOG synthesis, we evaluated urinary AOG (uAOG) in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and microalbuminuria who are receiving either intensive or conventional insulin therapy. Methods: Urine samples from participants of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) were used for the following: (i) uAOG/creatinine measurements in 103 patients with microalbuminuria and 103 patients with normoalbuminuria, matched for age, gender, disease duration, and allocation to insulin therapy; and (ii) uAOG/creatinine measurements from patients with microalbuminuria allocated to intensive insulin therapy (n = 58) or conventional insulin therapy (n = 41) after 3 years on each modality. Results: uAOG was higher in patients who started with microalbuminuria than in those with normoalbuminuria (6.65 vs. 4.0 ng/mg creatinine, P < 0.01). uAOG was higher in females than in males with microalbuminuria (11.7 vs. 5.4 ng/mg creatinine, P = 0.015). uAOG was lower in patients with microalbuminuria allocated to intensive insulin therapy than in conventional insulin therapy (3.98 vs. 7.42 ng/mg creatinine, P < 0.01). These differences in uAOG were observed though albumin excretion rate (AER) was not significantly different. Conclusion: In patients with T1D and microalbuminuria, uAOG is increased and varies with gender and the type of insulin therapy independently of AER. This suggests that AOG production is increased in females and it is decreased by intensive insulin therapy. The reduction in uAOG with intensive insulin therapy, by kidney RAS downregulation, may contribute to the known renoprotective action associated with intensive insulin and improved glycemic control.

Kidney Angiotensin in Cardiovascular Disease: Formation and Drug Targeting.

The concept of local formation of angiotensin II in the kidney has changed over the last 10-15 years. Local synthesis of angiotensinogen in the proximal tubule has been proposed, combined with prorenin synthesis in the collecting duct. Binding of prorenin via the so-called (pro)renin receptor has been introduced, as well as megalin-mediated uptake of filtered plasma-derived renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components. Moreover, angiotensin metabolites other than angiotensin II [notably angiotensin-(1-7)] exist, and angiotensins exert their effects via three different receptors, of which angiotensin II type 2 and Mas receptors are considered renoprotective, possibly in a sex-specific manner, whereas angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptors are believed to be deleterious. Additionally, internalized angiotensin II may stimulate intracellular receptors. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) not only generates angiotensin-(1-7) but also acts as coronavirus receptor. Multiple, if not all, cardiovascular diseases involve the kidney RAS, with renal AT1 receptors often being claimed to exert a crucial role. Urinary RAS component levels, depending on filtration, reabsorption, and local release, are believed to reflect renal RAS activity. Finally, both existing drugs (RAS inhibitors, cyclooxygenase inhibitors) and novel drugs (angiotensin receptor/neprilysin inhibitors, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, soluble ACE2) affect renal angiotensin formation, thereby displaying cardiovascular efficacy. Particular in the case of the latter three, an important question is to what degree they induce renoprotection (e.g., in a renal RAS-dependent manner). This review provides a unifying view, explaining not only how kidney angiotensin formation occurs and how it is affected by drugs but also why drugs are renoprotective when altering the renal RAS. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Angiotensin formation in the kidney is widely accepted but little understood, and multiple, often contrasting concepts have been put forward over the last two decades. This paper offers a unifying view, simultaneously explaining how existing and novel drugs exert renoprotection by interfering with kidney angiotensin formation.

Effect of Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate on Serum Potassium and Bicarbonate in Patients with Hyperkalemia and Metabolic Acidosis Associated with Chronic Kidney Disease: Rationale and Design of the NEUTRALIZE Study.

INTRODUCTION: Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC) is a selective potassium (K+) binder for hyperkalemia management that provides rapid and sustained correction of hyperkalemia. The NEUTRALIZE study is investigating whether SZC, in addition to correcting hyperkalemia and maintaining normal serum K+, can provide sustained increases in serum bicarbonate (HCO3-) in patients with hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: This is a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3b study of US adults with stage 3-5 CKD not on dialysis with hyperkalemia (K+ >5.0-≤5.9 mmol/L) and low-serum HCO3- (16-20 mmol/L). In the open-label correction phase, all eligible patients receive SZC 10 g three times daily for up to 48 h. Patients who achieve normokalemia (K+ ≥3.5-≤5.0 mmol/L) are then randomized 1:1 to once-daily SZC 10 g or placebo for a 4-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled maintenance phase. The primary endpoint is the proportion of patients with normokalemia at the end of treatment (EOT) without rescue therapy for hyperkalemia. Key secondary endpoints include mean change in serum HCO3-, the proportion of patients with an increase in serum HCO3- of ≥2 or ≥3 mmol/L without rescue therapy for metabolic acidosis, and the proportion of patients with serum HCO3- ≥22 mmol/L at EOT. CONCLUSIONS: NEUTRALIZE will establish whether SZC can provide sustained increases in serum HCO3- while lowering serum K+ in patients with hyperkalemia and CKD-associated metabolic acidosis and may provide insights on the mechanism(s) underlying the increased serum HCO3- with SZC treatment.