HuangQi Decoction Improves Renal Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis in Mice by Inhibiting the Up-Regulation of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

Object: To explore the effects of HuangQi decoction on tubulointerstitial fibrosis in mice and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Methods: Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model was used. A total of 120 C57/BL mice were randomly divided into 6 groups, sham group, sham+HuangQi decoction group (1.08 g/kg), UUO group, UUO+HuangQi decoction group (0.12, 0.36, 1.08 g/kg). Immunohistochemical analysis, RT-PCR and Western blot were employed to examine the proteins and genes related to the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Results: In UUO mice models, expression levels of Wnt3,4, Frizzled4, LRP5,6, β-catenin, LEF-1, TCF-1, Snail, MMP2,7 genes were positively correlated with the degree of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis, while expression levels of GSK-3β, Axin, APC, CK1 were negatively correlated. HuangQi decoction could down-regulate expression levels of Wnt3,4, Frizzled4, LRP5,6, β-catenin, LEF-1, TCF-1, Snail, Twist, MMP2,7 and up-regulate expression levels of GSK-3β, Axin, APC, CK1 and E-cadherin. Conclusion: HuangQi decoction could effectively inhibit the up-regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway induced by UUO, implying a possible role in improving renal interstitial fibrosis.

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Silymarin Regulates Tgf-β1/Smad3 Signaling Pathway and Improves Renal Tubular Interstitial Fibrosis Caused by Obstructive Nephropathy

Current Topics in Nutraceutical Research ◽

10.37290/ctnr2641-452x.19:508-513 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 508-513

Author(s):

Jinhao Wu ◽

Chao Huang ◽

Gang Kan ◽

Hanyu Xiao ◽

Xiaoping Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Signaling Pathway ◽

Interstitial Fibrosis ◽

Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis ◽

Obstructive Nephropathy ◽

Therapeutic Drugs ◽

Renal Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis ◽

Liver And Kidney ◽

Renal Tubular ◽

Antioxidant Effects ◽

Tgf Β1

Obstructive nephropathy often leads to renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Understanding of the pathogenesis of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis caused by obstructive nephropathy is crucial to the development of effective therapeutic drugs to improve the prognosis of the patients. Silymarin, a polyphenolic flavonoid extracted from plants, has been shown to exhibit antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects ameliorating liver and kidney damage. However, the effect of silymarin on renal fibrosis in obstructive nephropathy remains to be explored. In this study, we found silymarin improved interstitial fibrosis and apoptosis induced by TGF-β1 and ameliorated oxidative damage. Our data further confirmed that silymarin regulates the TGF-β1/ Smad3 signaling pathway, and therefore improves renal tubular interstitial fibrosis caused by obstructive nephropathy.

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miR-382 Contributes to Renal Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis by Downregulating HSPD1

Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity ◽

10.1155/2017/4708516 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Yi Fang ◽

Ting Xie ◽

Ning Xue ◽

Qing Kuang ◽

Zheng Wei ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Interstitial Fibrosis ◽

In Vitro Study ◽

Human Kidney ◽

Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis ◽

Heat Shock Protein 60 ◽

Renal Interstitial Fibrosis ◽

Redox Imbalance ◽

Renal Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis

Redox imbalance plays an important role in the pathogenesis of CKD progression. Previously, we demonstrated that microRNA-382 (miR-382) contributed to TGF-β1-induced loss of epithelial polarity in human kidney epithelial cells, but its role in the development of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis remains unknown. In this study, we found that with 7 days of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in mice, the abundance of miR-382 in the obstructed kidney was significantly increased. Meanwhile, the protein expression of heat shock protein 60 (HSPD1), a predicted target of miR-382, was reduced after 7 days of UUO. Expression of 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) was upregulated, but expression of thioredoxin (Trx) was downregulated. Anti-miR-382 treatment suppressed the upregulation of miR-382, attenuated renal interstitial fibrosis in the obstructed kidney, and reversed the downregulation of HSPD1/Trx and upregulation of 3-NT after UUO. Furthermore, in vitro study revealed that overexpression of HSPD1 significantly restored Trx expression and reversed TGF-β1-induced loss of E-cadherin, while in vivo study found that direct siRNA-mediated suppression of HSPD1 in the UUO kidney promoted oxidative stress despite miR-382 blockade. Our clinical data showed that upregulation of miR-382/3-NT and downregulation of HSPD1/Trx were also observed in IgA nephropathy patients with renal interstitial fibrosis. These data supported a novel mechanism in which miR-382 targets HSPD1 and contributes to the redox imbalance in the development of renal fibrosis.

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Targeting the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway as a Potential Therapeutic Strategy in Renal Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis

Frontiers in Pharmacology ◽

10.3389/fphar.2021.719880 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Shan-Shan Li ◽

Qian Sun ◽

Meng-Ru Hua ◽

Ping Suo ◽

Jia-Rong Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Wnt Signaling ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Renal Fibrosis ◽

Transient Receptor Potential ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Interstitial Fibrosis ◽

Treatment Strategies ◽

Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ◽

Renal Interstitial Fibrosis ◽

Renal Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays important roles in embryonic development and tissue homeostasis. Wnt signaling is induced, and β-catenin is activated, associated with the development and progression of renal fibrosis. Wnt/β-catenin controls the expression of various downstream mediators such as snail1, twist, matrix metalloproteinase-7, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, transient receptor potential canonical 6, and renin-angiotensin system components in epithelial cells, fibroblast, and macrophages. In addition, Wnt/β-catenin is usually intertwined with other signaling pathways to promote renal interstitial fibrosis. Actually, given the crucial of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in renal fibrogenesis, blocking this signaling may benefit renal interstitial fibrosis. There are several antagonists of Wnt signaling that negatively control Wnt activation, and these include soluble Fzd-related proteins, the family of Dickkopf 1 proteins, Klotho and Wnt inhibitory factor-1. Furthermore, numerous emerging small-molecule β-catenin inhibitors cannot be ignored to prevent and treat renal fibrosis. Moreover, we reviewed the knowledge focusing on anti-fibrotic effects of natural products commonly used in kidney disease by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Therefore, in this review, we summarize recent advances in the regulation, downstream targets, role, and mechanisms of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in renal fibrosis pathogenesis. We also discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting this pathway to treat renal fibrosis; this may shed new insights into effective treatment strategies to prevent and treat renal fibrosis.

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Astragaloside IV attenuated TGF-β1- induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of renal tubular epithelial cells via connexin43 and Akt/mTOR signaling pathway

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1026692/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yonghong Lian ◽

Cuiqiong Li ◽

Jianchun Li ◽

Yongxiang Xie ◽

Qiancheng Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Signaling Pathway ◽

Interstitial Fibrosis ◽

Mtor Signaling ◽

Mtor Signaling Pathway ◽

Renal Interstitial Fibrosis ◽

Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Expression Levels ◽

Protein Expressions ◽

Tgf Β1 ◽

Different Doses

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The objective of the study was to observe whether Cx43 could regulate EMT of RTECs by influencing Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, and whether ASV could inhibit the development of renal interstitial fibrosis by regulating Cx43. METHODS: Lentivirus infection was transfected into RTECs with the final concentration of 50×PFU/ cell to regulate the expression of Cx43.And RTECs were intervened by different doses of ASV. After synchronous culture of RTECs in each group,cell morphological changes were observed and the expression levels of EMT-related indicators, and the expression levels of Cx43, the protein expressions and phosphorylation levels AKT and mTOR in different groups were detected by WB. RESULTS: When the expression of Cx43 in RTECs was regulated by lentivirus infection, the degree of EMT induced by TGF‑β1 and the phosphorylation level of Akt and mTOR were changed accordingly, indicating that Akt/mTOR pathway might be a downstream molecular mechanism by which Cx43 could regulate EMT. After intervention with different doses of ASV, the expression level of Cx43 increased with obvious concentration dependence, and the expression levels of p-Akt and p- mTOR were significantly altered, suggesting that ASV could effectively increase the protein expressions of TGF‑β1-induced Cx43 in RTECs and inhibit the phosphorylation levels of Akt and mTOR. CONCLUSION: Cx43 is the main material basis of RTECs’injury, and ASV could inhibit TGF-β1 induced RTECs transdifferentiation. In-depth study of the mechanism may provide a broad application prospect for the treatment of renal interstitial fibrosis.

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Fucoidans from Cucumaria frondosa ameliorates renal interstitial fibrosis via inhibition of PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway

Food & Function ◽

10.1039/d1fo03067a ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Zhuo-yue Song ◽

Mengru Zhu ◽

Jun Wu ◽

Tian Yu ◽

Yao Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protein Kinase ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Interstitial Fibrosis ◽

Protein Kinase B ◽

Nuclear Factor Κb ◽

Nuclear Factor ◽

Renal Interstitial Fibrosis ◽

Cucumaria Frondosa

The effects of Cucumaria frondosa polysaccharides (CFP) on renal interstitial fibrosis via regulating phosphatidylinositol-3-hydroxykinase/protein kinase-B/Nuclear factor-κB (PI3K/AKT/NF-κB) signaling pathway were investigated in vivo and in vitro in this research. A...

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Dihydromyricetin promotes autophagy and attenuates renal interstitial fibrosis by regulating miR-155-5p/PTEN signaling in diabetic nephropathy

Bosnian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences ◽

10.17305/bjbms.2019.4410 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Liming Guo ◽

Kuibi Tan ◽

Qun Luo ◽

Xu Bai

Keyword(s):

Diabetic Nephropathy ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Rat Model ◽

Interstitial Fibrosis ◽

Mtor Signaling ◽

Luciferase Assay ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Mtor Signaling Pathway ◽

Renal Interstitial Fibrosis ◽

Gene Assay

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most common complication of diabetes and is prone to kidney failure. Dihydromyricetin (DHM) has been reported to have a variety of pharmacological activities. This study aims to explore the effect of DHM on DN and the underlying molecular mechanism. An in vivo DN rat model was established. The degree of renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) was detected by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, Masson's trichrome staining, and immunohistochemistry (IHC). In vitro, NRK-52E cells were divided into four groups: normal glucose (NG), high glucose (HG), HG+DHM, and HG+rapamycin (autophagy inhibitor). The levels of autophagy- and fibrosis-related proteins were analyzed by western blotting. The expression of miR-155-5p and phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) and their relationship were assessed by quantitative reverse transcription (qRT)-PCR and dual luciferase reporter gene assay. Our results showed that RIF was increased in DN rat model and in HG-induced NRK-52E cells. DHM treatment attenuated the increased RIF and also increased autophagy. MiR-155-5p expression was increased, while PTEN expression was decreased in DN rat and cell model, and DHM reversed both effects. Dual luciferase assay showed that PTEN was the target gene of miR-155-5p. DHM inhibited HG-induced fibrosis and promoted autophagy by inhibiting miR-155-5p expression in NRK-52E cells. In addition, DHM promoted autophagy by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. In conclusion, DHM promotes autophagy and attenuates RIF by regulating the miR-155-5p/PTEN signaling and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in DN.

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GSTA3 regulates TGF-β1-induced renal interstitial fibrosis in NRK-52E cells as a component of the PI3K–Keap1/Nrf2 pathway

Journal of International Medical Research ◽

10.1177/0300060519876796 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 47 (11) ◽

pp. 5787-5801

Author(s):

Yun Xiao ◽

Zhiwei Zhang ◽

Yingyu Fu ◽

Huizhi Shan ◽

Sini Cui ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Signaling Pathway ◽

Interstitial Fibrosis ◽

Mapk Pathway ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Renal Interstitial Fibrosis ◽

Nrf2 Pathway ◽

Nrf2 Signaling Pathway ◽

Nrf2 Expression ◽

Tgf Β1

Objective To evaluate the effect of GSTA3 within the PI3K–Keap1/Nrf2 pathway in renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF). Methods An in vitro RIF model with TGF-β1 stimulation in NRK-52E cells was established to identify potential signaling pathways that modulate GSTA3. Changes in GSTA3 expression were observed in the RIF model after silencing or enhancing Nrf2 expression. Changes in GSTA3, Keap1, and Nrf2 expression were detected after blocking the upstream of the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway (including MAPK and PI3K/Akt). The effect of Nrf2 on GSTA3 expression was evaluated by overexpressing Nrf2. Results Protein and mRNA levels of GSTA3, FN, Nrf2, and Keap1 were significantly increased after TGF-β1 stimulation. GSTA3 was also upregulated following overexpression of Nrf2. TGF-β1 activated the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, leading to RIF. After blocking this pathway, the production of superoxide dismutase, reactive oxygen species, and fibronectin were reduced. The MAPK pathway was not involved in the development of RIF via regulating GSTA3 expression. Conclusions The PI3K–KEAP1/Nrf2–GSTA3 signaling pathway is a possible mechanism of resisting external stimulation of renal fibrosis factors, regulating oxidative stress, and preventing RIF.

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