Treatment with siRNAs is commonly associated with GPX4 up-regulation and target knockdown-independent sensitization to ferroptosis.

Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are widely used in biomedical research and in clinical trials. Here, we demonstrate that siRNA treatment is commonly associated with significant sensitization to ferroptosis, independently of the target protein knockdown. Genetically targeting mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS) reversed the siRNA-mediated sensitizing effect, but no activation of canonical MAVS signaling, which involves phosphorylation of IkBα and interferon regulatory transcription factor 3 (IRF3), was observed. In contrast, MAVS mediated a noncanonical signal resulting in a prominent increase in mitochondrial ROS levels, and increase in the BACH1/pNRF2 transcription factor ratio and GPX4 up-regulation, which was associated with a 50% decrease in intracellular glutathione levels. We conclude that siRNAs commonly sensitize to ferroptosis and may severely compromise the conclusions drawn from silencing approaches in biomedical research. Finally, as ferroptosis contributes to a variety of pathophysiological processes, we cannot exclude side effects in human siRNA-based therapeutical concepts that should be clinically tested.

9-Month observational Dia-Vacc study of vaccine type influence on SARS-CoV-2 immunity in dialysis and kidney transplant patients.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2mRNA vaccination related seroconversion rates are reduced in dialysis and kidney transplant patients. METHODS: We evaluated nine months follow up data in our observational Dia-Vacc study exploring specific cellular (interferon-γ release assay) or/and humoral immune responses after 2x SARS-CoV-2mRNA vaccination in 880 participants including healthy medical personnel (125-MP), dialysis patients (595-DP), kidney transplant recipients (111-KTR), and apheresis patients (49-AP) with positive seroconversion (de novo IgA or IgG antibody positivity by ELISA) after eight weeks. FINDINGS: Nine months after first vaccination, receptor binding domain (RBD) antibodies were still positive in 90 % of MP, 86 % of AP, but only 55 %/48 % of DP/KTR, respectively. Seroconversion remained positive in 100 % of AP and 99·2 % of MP, but 86 %/81 % of DP/KTR, respectively. Compared to MP, DP but not KTR or AP were at risk for a strong RBD decline, while KTR kept lowest RBD values over time. By multivariate analysis, BNT162b2mRNA versus 1273-mRNA vaccine type was an independent risk factor for a strong decline of RBD antibodies. Within the DP group, only time on dialysis was another (inverse) risk factor for the DP group. Compared to humoral immunity, T-cell immunity decline was less prominent. INTERPRETATION: While seroconverted KTR reach lowest RBD values over time, DP are at specific risk for a strong decline of RBD antibodies after successful SARS-CoV-2mRNA vaccination, which also depends on the vaccine type being used. Therefore, booster vaccinations for DP should be considered earlier compared to normal population.

vPIF-1 is an insulin-like antiferroptotic viral peptide.

Iridoviridae, such as the lymphocystis disease virus-1 (LCDV-1) and other viruses, encode viral insulin-like peptides (VILPs) which are capable of triggering insulin receptors (IRs) and insulin-like growth factor receptors. The homology of VILPs includes highly conserved disulfide bridges. However, the binding affinities to IRs were reported to be 200- to 500-fold less effective compared to the endogenous ligands. We therefore speculated that these peptides also have noninsulin functions. Here, we report that the LCDV-1 VILP can function as a potent and highly specific inhibitor of ferroptosis. Induction of cell death by the ferroptosis inducers erastin, RSL3, FIN56, and FINO2 and nonferroptotic necrosis produced by the thioredoxin-reductase inhibitor ferroptocide were potently prevented by LCDV-1, while human insulin had no effect. Fas-induced apoptosis, necroptosis, mitotane-induced cell death and growth hormone-releasing hormone antagonist-induced necrosis were unaffected, suggesting the specificity to ferroptosis inhibition by the LCDV-1 VILP. Mechanistically, we identified the viral C-peptide to be required for inhibition of lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis inhibition, while the human C-peptide exhibited no antiferroptotic properties. In addition, the deletion of the viral C-peptide abolishes radical trapping activity in cell-free systems. We conclude that iridoviridae, through the expression of insulin-like viral peptides, are capable of preventing ferroptosis. In analogy to the viral mitochondrial inhibitor of apoptosis and the viral inhibitor of RIP activation (vIRA) that prevents necroptosis, we rename the LCDV-1 VILP a viral peptide inhibitor of ferroptosis-1. Finally, our findings indicate that ferroptosis may function as a viral defense mechanism in lower organisms.

PLVAP as an Early Marker of Glomerular Endothelial Damage in Mice with Diabetic Kidney Disease.

Plasmalemma vesicle-associated protein (PLVAP) is the main component of endothelial diaphragms in fenestrae, caveolae, and transendothelial channels. PLVAP is expressed in the adult kidney glomerulus upon injury. Glomerular endothelial injury is associated with progressive loss of kidney function in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). This study aimed to investigate whether PLVAP could serve as a marker for glomerular endothelial damage in DKD. Glomerular PLVAP expression was analyzed in different mouse models of DKD and their respective healthy control animals using automatic digital quantification of histological whole kidney sections. Transgenic mice expressing a dominant-negative GIP receptor (GIPRdn) in pancreatic beta-cells as a model for diabetes mellitus (DM) type 1 and black and tan brachyuric (BTBR) ob/ob mice, as a model for DM type 2, were used. Distinct PLVAP induction was observed in all diabetic models studied. Traces of glomerular PLVAP expression could be identified in the healthy control kidneys using automated quantification. Stainings for other endothelial injury markers such as CD31 or the erythroblast transformation-specific related gene (ERG) displayed no differences between diabetic and healthy groups at the time points when PLVAP was induced. The same was also true for the mesangial cells marker α8Integrin, while the podocyte marker nephrin appeared to be diminished only in BTBR ob/ob mice. Glomerular hypertrophy, which is one of the initial morphological signs of diabetic kidney damage, was observed in both diabetic models. These findings suggest that PLVAP is an early marker of glomerular endothelial injury in diabetes-induced kidney damage in mice.

Gasdermin D-deficient mice are hypersensitive to acute kidney injury.

Signaling pathways of regulated necrosis, such as necroptosis and ferroptosis, contribute to acute kidney injury (AKI), but the role of pyroptosis is unclear. Pyroptosis is mediated by the pore-forming protein gasdermin D (GSDMD). Here, we report a specific pattern of GSDMD-protein expression in the peritubular compartment of mice that underwent bilateral ischemia and reperfusion injury (IRI). Along similar lines, the GSDMD-protein expression in whole kidney lysates increased during the first 84 h following cisplatin-induced AKI. Importantly, unlike whole kidney lysates, no GSDMD-protein expression was detectable in isolated kidney tubules. In IRI and cisplatin-induced AKI, GSDMD-deficient mice exhibited hypersensitivity to injury as assessed by tubular damage, elevated markers of serum urea, and serum creatinine. This hypersensitivity was reversed by a combined deficiency of GSDMD and the necroptosis mediator mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL). In conclusion, we demonstrate a non-cell autonomous role for GSDMD in protecting the tubular compartment from necroptosis-mediated damage in IRI.

Intravital imaging of hemodynamic glomerular effects of enalapril or/and empagliflozin in STZ-diabetic mice.

Background: Diabetic kidney disease is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Administration of ACE inhibitors or/and SGLT2 inhibitors show renoprotective effects in diabetic and other kidney diseases. The underlying renoprotective mechanisms of SGLT2 inhibition, especially in combination with ACE inhibition, are incompletely understood. We used longitudinal intravital microscopy to directly elucidate glomerular hemodynamics on a single nephron level in response to the ACE inhibitor enalapril or/and the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin. Methods: Five weeks after the induction of diabetes by streptozotocin, male C57BL/6 mice were treated with enalapril, empagliflozin, enalapril/empagliflozin or placebo for 3 days. To identify hemodynamic regulation mechanisms, longitudinal intravital multiphoton microscopy was employed to measure single nephron glomerular filtration rate (snGFR) and afferent/efferent arteriole width. Results: Diabetic mice presented a significant hyperfiltration. Compared to placebo treatment, snGFR was reduced in response to enalapril, empagliflozin, or enalapril/empagliflozin administration under diabetic conditions. While enalapril treatment caused significant dilation of the efferent arteriole (12.55 ± 1.46 µm vs. control 11.92 ± 1.04 µm, p < 0.05), empagliflozin led to a decreased afferent arteriole diameter (11.19 ± 2.55 µm vs. control 12.35 ± 1.32 µm, p < 0.05) in diabetic mice. Unexpectedly under diabetic conditions, the combined treatment with enalapril/empagliflozin had no effects on both afferent and efferent arteriole diameter change. Conclusion: SGLT2 inhibition, besides ACE inhibition, is an essential hemodynamic regulator of glomerular filtration during diabetes mellitus. Nevertheless, additional mechanisms-independent from hemodynamic regulation-are involved in the nephroprotective effects especially of the combination therapy and should be further explored in future studies.

MMF/MPA Is the Main Mediator of a Delayed Humoral Response With Reduced Antibody Decline in Kidney Transplant Recipients After SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccination.

Kidney transplant recipients (KTR) show significantly lower seroconversion rates after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination compared to dialysis patients (DP). Mycophenolate mofetil or mycophenolic acid (MMF/MPA) in particular has been identified as a risk factor for seroconversion failure. While the majority of all KTR worldwide receive MMF/MPA for immunosuppressive therapy, its impact on antibody decline in seroconverted KTR still remains unclear. In an observational study (NCT04799808), we investigated whether 132 seroconverted KTR (anti-spike S1 IgG or IgA positive after 2 vaccinations) show a more rapid antibody decline with MMF/MPA than those without this medication. A total of 2 months after mRNA vaccination, average anti-spike S1 IgG levels of KTR with MMF/MPA were lower than without (p = 0.001), while no differences between these two groups were observed after 6 months (p = 0.366). Similar results were obtained for anti-RBD IgG antibodies (T2 p = 0.003 and T3 p = 0.135). The probability of severe IgG decline with MMF/MPA was three times lower than without (p = 0.003, OR 0.236, 95% CI 0.091-0.609). In the multivariate analysis, neither immunosuppressants, such as calcineurin inhibitors, mTOR inhibitors (mTOR-I; mechanistic target of rapamycin), glucocorticoids, nor vaccine type, sex, or age showed a significant influence on IgG titer decline between 2 and 6 months. For the decision on additional booster vaccinations, we consider immunosurveillance to be needed as an integral part of renal transplant follow-up after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination. Not only the lack of seroconversion but also the peak and titer decline of the specific IgG and RBD IgG antibody formation after two mRNA vaccinations is significantly influenced by MMF/MPA.

Risk of strong antibody decline in dialysis and transplant patients after SARS-CoV-2mRNA vaccination: Six months data from the observational Dia-Vacc study.

Background: Vulnerable dialysis and kidney transplant patients show impaired seroconversion rates compared to medical personnel eight weeks after SARS-CoV-2mRNA vaccination. Methods: We evaluated six months follow up data in our observational Dia-Vacc study exploring specific cellular (interferon-γ release assay) or/and humoral immune responses after 2x SARS-CoV-2mRNA vaccination in 1205 participants including medical personnel (125 MP), dialysis patients (970 DP) and kidney transplant recipients (110 KTR) with seroconversion (de novo IgA or IgG antibody positivity by ELISA) after eight weeks. Findings: Six months after vaccination, seroconversion remained positive in 98% of MP, but 91%/87% of DP/KTR (p = 0·005), respectively. Receptor binding domain-IgG (RBD-IgG) antibodies were positive in 98% of MP, but only 68%/57% of DP/KTR (p < 0·001), respectively. Compared to MP, DP and KTR were at risk for a strong IgG or RBD-IgG decline (p < 0·001). Within the DP but not KTR group male gender, peritoneal dialysis, short time on dialysis, BNT162b2mRNA vaccine, immunosuppressive drug use and diabetes mellitus were independent risk factors for a strong decline of IgG or RBD antibodies. The percentage of cellular immunity decline was similar in all groups. Interpretation: Both vulnerable DP and KTR groups are at risk for a strong decline for IgG and RBD antibodies. In KTR, antibody titres peak at a markedly lower level and accelerated antibody decline is mixed with a delayed/increasing IgG, RBD-IgG, or cellular immune response in a 16% fraction of patients. In both populations, immune monitoring should be used for early timing of additional booster vaccinations. Funding: This study was funded by the Else Kröner Fresenius Stiftung, Bad Homburg v. d. H., grant number Fördervertrag EKFS 2021_EKSE.27.

Developmental endothelial locus-1 protects from hypertension-induced cardiovascular remodeling via immunomodulation.

The causative role of inflammation in hypertension-related cardiovascular diseases is evident and calls for development of specific immunomodulatory therapies. We tested the therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms of action of developmental endothelial locus-1 (DEL-1), an endogenous antiinflammatory factor, in angiotensin II- (ANGII-) and deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt-induced (DOCA-salt-induced) cardiovascular organ damage and hypertension. By using mice with endothelial overexpression of DEL-1 (EC-Del1 mice) and performing preventive and interventional studies by injecting recombinant DEL-1 in mice, we showed that DEL-1 improved endothelial function and abrogated aortic adventitial fibrosis, medial thickening, and loss of elastin. DEL-1 also protected the mice from cardiac concentric hypertrophy and interstitial and perivascular coronary fibrosis and improved left ventricular function and myocardial coronary perfusion. DEL-1 prevented aortic stiffness and abolished the progression of hypertension. Mechanistically, DEL-1 acted by inhibiting αvß3 integrin-dependent activation of pro-MMP2 in mice and in human isolated aorta. Moreover, DEL-1 stabilized αvß3 integrin-dependent CD25+FoxP3+ Treg numbers and IL-10 levels, which were associated with decreased recruitment of inflammatory cells and reduced production of proinflammatory cytokines in cardiovascular organs. The demonstrated effects and immune-modulating mechanisms of DEL-1 in abrogation of cardiovascular remodeling and progression of hypertension identify DEL-1 as a potential therapeutic factor.

Dysfunction of the key ferroptosis-surveilling systems hypersensitizes mice to tubular necrosis during acute kidney injury.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is morphologically characterized by a synchronized plasma membrane rupture of cells in a specific section of a nephron, referred to as acute tubular necrosis (ATN). Whereas the involvement of necroptosis is well characterized, genetic evidence supporting the contribution of ferroptosis is lacking. Here, we demonstrate that the loss of ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 (Fsp1) or the targeted manipulation of the active center of the selenoprotein glutathione peroxidase 4 (Gpx4cys/-) sensitize kidneys to tubular ferroptosis, resulting in a unique morphological pattern of tubular necrosis. Given the unmet medical need to clinically inhibit AKI, we generated a combined small molecule inhibitor (Nec-1f) that simultaneously targets receptor interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) and ferroptosis in cell lines, in freshly isolated primary kidney tubules and in mouse models of cardiac transplantation and of AKI and improved survival in models of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Based on genetic and pharmacological evidence, we conclude that GPX4 dysfunction hypersensitizes mice to ATN during AKI. Additionally, we introduce Nec-1f, a solid inhibitor of RIPK1 and weak inhibitor of ferroptosis.

Humoral and cellular immunity to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in renal transplant versus dialysis patients: A prospective, multicenter observational study using mRNA-1273 or BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine.

BACKGROUND: Dialysis and kidney transplant patients are vulnerable populations for COVID-19 related disease and mortality. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study exploring the eight week time course of specific cellular (interferon-γ release assay and flow cytometry) or/and humoral immune responses (ELISA) to SARS-CoV-2 boost vaccination in more than 3100 participants including medical personnel, dialysis patients and kidney transplant recipients using mRNA vaccines BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273. RESULTS: SARS-CoV-2-vaccination induced seroconversion efficacy in dialysis patients was similar to medical personnel (> 95%), but markedly impaired in kidney transplant recipients (42%). T-cellular immunity largely mimicked humoral results. Major risk factors of seroconversion failure were immunosuppressive drug number and type (belatacept, MMF-MPA, calcineurin-inhibitors) as well as vaccine type (BNT162b2 mRNA). Seroconversion rates induced by mRNA-1273 compared to BNT162b2 vaccine were 97% to 88% (p < 0.001) in dialysis and 49% to 26% in transplant patients, respectively. Specific IgG directed against the new binding domain of the spike protein (RDB) were significantly higher in dialysis patients vaccinated by mRNA-1273 (95%) compared to BNT162b2 (85%, p < 0.001). Vaccination appeared safe and highly effective demonstrating an almost complete lack of symptomatic COVID-19 disease after boost vaccination as well as ceased disease incidences during third pandemic wave in dialysis patients. CONCLUSION: Dialysis patients exhibit a remarkably high seroconversion rate of 95% after boost vaccination, while humoral response is impaired in the majority of transplant recipients. Immunosuppressive drug number and type as well as vaccine type (BNT162b2) are major determinants of seroconversion failure in both dialysis and transplant patients suggesting immune monitoring and adaption of vaccination protocols.

A new analysis approach for single nephron GFR in intravital microscopy of mice.

Background: Intravital microscopy is an emerging technique in life science with applications in kidney research. Longitudinal observation of (patho-)physiological processes in living mice is possible in the smallest functional unit of the kidney, a single nephron (sn). In particular, effects on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) - a key parameter of renal function - can be assessed. Methods: After intravenous injection of C57BL/6 mice with a freely filtered, non-resorbable, fluorescent dye a time series was captured by multiphoton microsopy. Filtration was observed from the glomerular capillaries to the proximal tubule (PT) and the tubular signal intensity shift was analyzed to calculate the snGFR. Results: Previous methods for this analysis relied on two manually defined measurement points in the PT and the tubular volume was merely estimated in 2D images. We extended the workflow in FIJI by adding continuous measurement of intensity along the PT in every frame of the time series. Automatic modelling of actual PT volume in a 3D dataset replaced 2D volume estimation. Subsequent data analysis in R, with a calculation of intensity shifts in every frame and normalization against tubular volume, allowed exact assessment of snGFR by linear regression. Repeated analysis of image data obtained in healthy mice showed a striking increase of reproducibility by reduction of user interaction. Conclusions: These improvements maximize the reliability of a sophisticated intravital microscopy technique for the precise assessment of snGFR, a highly relevant predictor of kidney function.

Renin cells with defective Gsα/cAMP signaling contribute to renal endothelial damage.

Synthesis of renin in renal renin-producing cells (RPCs) is controlled via the intracellular messenger cAMP. Interference with cAMP-mediated signaling by inducible knockout of Gs-alpha (Gsα) in RPCs of adult mice resulted in a complex adverse kidney phenotype. Therein, glomerular endothelial damage was most striking. In this study, we investigated whether Gsα knockout leads to a loss of RPCs, which itself may contribute to the endothelial injury. We compared the kidney phenotype of three RPC-specific conditional mouse lines during continuous induction of recombination. Mice expressing red fluorescent reporter protein tdTomato (tdT) in RPCs served as controls. tdT was also expressed in RPCs of the other two strains used, namely with RPC-specific Gsα knockout (Gsα mice) or with RPC-specific diphtheria toxin A expression (DTA mice, in which the RPCs should be diminished). Using immunohistological analysis, we found that RPCs decreased by 82% in the kidneys of Gsα mice as compared with controls. However, the number of tdT-positive cells was similar in the two strains, demonstrating that after Gsα knockout, the RPCs persist as renin-negative descendants. In contrast, both renin-positive and tdT-labeled cells decreased by 80% in DTA mice suggesting effective RPC ablation. Only Gsα mice displayed dysregulated endothelial cell marker expression indicating glomerular endothelial damage. In addition, a robust induction of genes involved in tissue remodelling with microvascular damage was identified in tdT-labeled RPCs isolated from Gsα mice. We concluded that Gsα/renin double-negative RPC progeny essentially contributes for the development of glomerular endothelial damage in our Gsα-deficient mice.

New automatic quantification method of immunofluorescence and histochemistry in whole histological sections.

Immunofluorescent staining is a widespread tool in basic science to understand organ morphology and (patho-) physiology. The analysis of imaging data is often performed manually, limiting throughput and introducing human bias. Quantitative analysis is particularly challenging for organs with complex structure such as the kidney. In this study we present an approach for automatic quantification of fluorescent markers and histochemical stainings in whole organ sections using open source software. We validate our novel method in multiple typical challenges of basic kidney research and demonstrate its general relevance and applicability to other complex solid organs for a variety of different markers and stainings. Our newly developed software tool "AQUISTO", applied as a standard in primary data analysis, facilitates efficient large scale evaluation of cellular populations in various types of histological samples. Thereby it contributes to the characterization and understanding of (patho-) physiological processes.

The clinical relevance of necroinflammation-highlighting the importance of acute kidney injury and the adrenal glands.

Necroinflammation is defined as the inflammatory response to necrotic cell death. Different necrotic cell death pathways exhibit different immune reponses, despite a comparable level of intracellular content release (referred to as damage associated molecular patterns or DAMPs). In addition to DAMP release, which is inevitably associated with necrotic cell death, the active production of pro/anti-inflammatory cytokines characterizes certain necrotic pathways. Necroptosis, ferroptosis and pyroptosis, therefore, are immunogenic to a different extent. In this review, we discuss the clinical relevance of necroinflammation highlighting potential human serum markers. We focus on the role of the adrenal glands and the lungs as central organs affected by systemic and/or local DAMP release and underline their role in intensive care medicine. In addition, data from models of acute kidney injury (AKI) and kidney transplantation have significantly shaped the field of necroinflammation and may be helpful for the understanding of the potential role of dialysis and plasma exchange to treat ongoing necroinflammation upon intensive care unit (ICU) conditions. In conclusion, we are only beginning to understand the importance of necroinflammation in diseases and transplantation, including xenotransplantation. However, given the existing efforts to develop inhibitors of necrotic cell death (ferrostatins, necrostatins, etc), we consider it likely that interference with necroinflammation reaches clinical routine in the near future.

Assessment of In Vivo Kidney Cell Death: Glomerular Injury.

The glomerulus functions as the filtration unit of the kidney. The mesangial, endothelial, and podocyte cells of the glomerulus exhibit the three clinically most important cell types, which are involved in diverse pathologic processes. Cell death has hardly been investigated in these cells but may be of critical importance to the pathogenesis of nephrotic syndrome, nephritic syndrome, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), mesangial proliferation, and thrombonic microangiopathy (which involves dysfunction and death of glomerular endothelial cells). The complexity of the glomerulus is frequently affected in autoimmune disorders, which may elicit cell death in mesangial cells and glomerular endothelia. Artificial antisera are used to induce anti-mesangial cell serum-induced mesangiolysis and selective endothelial cell injury, respectively. Genetic variations result in loss of function of podocytes and nephrotic syndrome, which may encompass similar cell death mechanisms as the ones that are observed in the model of secondary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). The following protocols describe our current arsenal to target glomerular cells in vivo.

Progenitor Renin Lineage Cells are not involved in the regeneration of glomerular endothelial cells during experimental renal thrombotic microangiopathy.

Endothelial cells (EC) frequently undergo primary or secondary injury during kidney disease such as thrombotic microangiopathy or glomerulonephritis. Renin Lineage Cells (RLCs) serve as a progenitor cell niche after glomerular damage in the adult kidney. However, it is not clear whether RLCs also contribute to endothelial replenishment in the glomerulus following endothelial injury. Therefore, we investigated the role of RLCs as a potential progenitor niche for glomerular endothelial regeneration. We used an inducible tet-on triple-transgenic reporter strain mRen-rtTAm2/LC1/LacZ to pulse-label the renin-producing RLCs in adult mice. Unilateral kidney EC damage (EC model) was induced by renal artery perfusion with concanavalin/anti-concanavalin. In this model glomerular EC injury and depletion developed within 1 day while regeneration occurred after 7 days. LacZ-labelled RLCs were restricted to the juxtaglomerular compartment of the afferent arterioles at baseline conditions. In contrast, during the regenerative phase of the EC model (day 7) a subset of LacZ-tagged RLCs migrated to the glomerular tuft. Intraglomerular RLCs did not express renin anymore and did not stain for glomerular endothelial or podocyte cell markers, but for the mesangial cell markers α8-integrin and PDGFRß. Accordingly, we found pronounced mesangial cell damage parallel to the endothelial injury induced by the EC model. These results demonstrated that in our EC model RLCs are not involved in endothelial regeneration. Rather, recruitment of RLCs seems to be specific for the repair of the concomitantly damaged mesangium.