Junying Huang

Polydatin promotes Nrf2-ARE anti-oxidative pathway through activating Sirt1 to resist AGEs-induced upregulation of fibronetin and transforming growth factor-β1 in rat glomerular messangial cells.

Sirt1 and nuclear factor-E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2)-anti-oxidant response element (ARE) anti-oxidative pathway play important regulatory roles in the pathological progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN) induced by advanced glycation-end products (AGEs). Polydatin (PD), a glucoside of resveratrol, has been shown to possess strong anti-oxidative bioactivity. Our previous study demonstrated that PD markedly resists the progression of diabetic renal fibrosis and thus, inhibits the development of DN. Whereas, whether PD could resist DN through regulating Sirt1 and consequently promoting Nrf2-ARE pathway needs further investigation. Here, we found that concomitant with decreasing RAGE (the specific receptor for AGEs) expression, PD significantly reversed the downregulation of Sirt1 in terms of protein expression and deacetylase activity and attenuated FN and TGF-β1 expression in GMCs exposed to AGEs. Under AGEs-treatment condition, PD could decrease Keap1 expression and promote the nuclear content, ARE-binding ability, and transcriptional activity of Nrf2. In addition, PD increased the protein levels of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), two target genes of Nrf2. The activation of Nrf2-ARE pathway by PD eventually led to the quenching of ROS overproduction sharply boosted by AGEs. Depletion of Sirt1 blocked Nrf2-ARE pathway activation and reversed FN and TGF-β1 downregulation induced by PD in GMCs challenged with AGEs. Along with reducing HO-1 and SOD1 expression, silencing of Nrf2 increased FN and TGF-β1 levels. PD treatment elevated Sirt1 and Nrf2 levels in the kidney tissues of diabetic rats, then improved the anti-oxidative capacity and renal dysfunction of diabetic models, and finally reversed the upregulation of FN and TGF-β1. Taken together, the resistance of PD on upregulated FN and TGF-β1 induced by AGEs via oxidative stress in GMCs is closely associated with its activation of Sirt1-Nrf2-ARE pathway.

AGEs-RAGE System Down-Regulates Sirt1 Through the Ubiquitin-Proteasome Pathway to Promote FN and TGF-β1 Expression in Male Rat Glomerular Mesangial Cells

We previously demonstrated that advanced glycation-end products (AGEs) promote the pathological progression of diabetic nephropathy by decreasing silent information regulator 2-related protein 1 (Sirt1) expression in glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs). Here, we investigated whether AGEs-receptor for AGEs (RAGE) system down-regulated Sirt1 expression through ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and whether Sirt1 ubiquitination affected fibronectin (FN) and TGF-β1, 2 fibrotic indicators in GMCs. Sirt1 was polyubiquitinated and subsequently degraded by proteasome. AGEs increased Sirt1 ubiquitination and proteasome-mediated degradation, shortened Sirt1 half-life, and promoted FN and TGF-β1 expression. Ubiquitin-specific protease 22 (USP22) reduced Sirt1 ubiquitination and degradation and decreased FN and TGF-β1 expression in GMCs under both basal and AGEs-treated conditions. USP22 depletion enhanced Sirt1 degradation and displayed combined effects with AGEs to further promote FN and TGF-β1 expression. RAGE functioned crucial mediating roles in these processes via its C-terminal cytosolic domain. Inhibiting Sirt1 by EX-527 substantially suppressed the down-regulation of FN and TGF-β1 resulting from USP22 overexpression under both normal and AGEs-treated conditions, eventually leading to their up-regulation in GMCs. These results indicated that the AGEs-RAGE system increased the ubiquitination and subsequent proteasome-mediated degradation of Sirt1 by reducing USP22 level, and AGEs-RAGE-USP22-Sirt1 formed a cascade pathway that regulated FN and TGF-β1 level, which participated in the pathological progression of diabetic nephropathy.

Polydatin ameliorates lipid and glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus by downregulating proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9)

BackgroundAbnormalities in lipid and glucose metabolism are constantly observed in type 2 diabetes. However, these abnormalities can be ameliorated by polydatin. Considering the important role of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) in metabolic diseases, we explore the possible mechanism of polydatin on lipid and glucose metabolism through its effects on PCSK9.MethodsAn insulin-resistant HepG2 cell model induced by palmitic acid (PA) and a db/db mice model were used to clarify the role of polydatin on lipid and glucose metabolism.ResultsIn insulin-resistant HepG2 cells, polydatin upregulated the protein levels of LDLR and GCK but repressed PCSK9 protein expression, besides, polydatin also inhibited the combination between PCSK9 and LDLR. Knockdown and overexpression experiments indicated that polydatin regulated LDLR and GCK expressions through PCSK9. In the db/db mice model, we found that polydatin markedly enhanced GCK and LDLR protein levels, and inhibited PCSK9 expression in the liver. Molecular docking assay was further performed to analyze the possible binding mode between polydatin and the PCSK9 crystal structure (PDB code: 2p4e), which indicated that steady hydrogen bonds formed between polydatin and PCSK9.ConclusionsOur study indicates that polydatin ameliorates lipid and glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus by downregulating PCSK9.

Berberine attenuates high glucose-induced proliferation and extracellular matrix accumulation in mesangial cells: Involvement of suppression of cell cycle progression and NF-κB/AP-1 pathways

Berberine has been shown to have renoprotective effects on diabetes through attenuating TGF-β1 and fibronectin (FN) expression. However, how berberine regulates TGF-β1 and FN is not fully clear. Here we investigated whether berberine inhibited TGF-β1 and FN expression in high glucose-cultured mesangial cells. Berberine significantly inhibited mesangial cell proliferation and hypertrophy by increasing the cell population in G1-phase and reducing that in S-phase. In addition, berberine reversed high glucose-induced down-regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21(Waf1)/(Cip1) and p27(Kip1). Berberine inhibited p65 translocation to the nucleus and c-jun phosphorylation induced by high glucose. Furthermore, berberine attenuated high glucose-induced expression of TGF-β1 and FN. Using a luciferase reporter assay, we found that high glucose-induced transcription activity of NF-κB and AP-1 was blocked by berberine. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that high glucose increased that NF-κB and AP-1 DNA binding activity. These data indicate that berberine inhibited mesangial cell proliferation and hypertrophy by modulating cell cycle progress. In addition, berberine suppressed high glucose-induced TGF-β1 and FN expression by blocking NF-κB/AP-1 pathways.

AP-1 regulates sphingosine kinase 1 expression in a positive feedback manner in glomerular mesangial cells exposed to high glucose

Our previous studies have confirmed that the sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1)-sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) signaling pathway in the kidney under diabetic conditions is closely correlated with the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN). The activation of SphK1-S1P pathway by high glucose (HG) can increase the expression of fibronectin (FN), an important fibrotic component, in glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) by promoting the DNA-binding activity of transcription factor AP-1. However, the mechanism responsible for the sustained activation of SphK1-S1P pathway remains unclear. Given the binding motifs for AP-1 within the first intron of the SphK1 gene, we speculated that the activated AP-1 in the kidney under HG condition possibly regulates SphK1 expression in a positive feedback manner, thereby promoting the sustained activation of SphK1-S1P pathway and mediating the pathological progression of DN. Here, we observed the effect of AP-1 on SphK1 expression in GMCs and explored the molecular mechanism involved in the sustained activation of SphK1-S1P pathway. We found two consensus binding motifs for AP-1 in the promoter sequences and non-coding region downstream of the transcriptional initiation of the rat SphK1 gene by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. The treatment of GMCs with both HG and S1P significantly increased the protein expression of c-Jun and c-Fos, and obviously enhanced the phosphorylation of c-Jun at Ser63 and Ser73, and c-Fos at Ser32. Knockdown of c-Jun and c-Fos with siRNAs substantially inhibited the expression of SphK1 and FN, whereas overexpression of c-Jun and c-Fos significantly increased the expression of SphK1 and FN. Curcumin treatment greatly decreased the levels of c-Jun, c-Fos, SphK1, and FN in the kidney tissues of diabetic rats. SiRNAs targeting SphK1 and S1P2 receptor respectively inhibited the phosphorylation of c-Jun (ser63 and ser73) and c-Fos (ser32), as well as FN expression under both normal and HG conditions. Our data demonstrated that the activated SphK1-S1P signaling pathway in GMCs under diabetic conditions is closely associated with AP-1 to form a positive feedback loop. This positive feedback loop functions as an important molecular basis for the sustained activation of SphK1-S1P pathway and increased FN expression that lead to the initiation and progression of DN.

Connexin43 regulates high glucose-induced expression of fibronectin, ICAM-1 and TGF-β1 via Nrf2/ARE pathway in glomerular mesangial cells.

Abstract Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway is a crucial cellular defense system to cope with oxidative stress, which is adaptively activated, in diabetic condition that is not efficient enough to resist the oxidative stress provoked by hyperglycemia. We have previously demonstrated that Connexin43 (Cx43) attenuates renal fibrosis through c‐Src. However, the underlying mechanisms need to be further clarified. It has been reported that Cx43 possesses the ability of anti‐oxidative. The current study aimed to determine if Cx43 exerts protective effects on renal fibrosis in diabetes via activation of Nrf2/ARE pathway and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. The following findings were observed: (1) Cx43 expression decreased and c‐Src activity increased in kidneys of diabetic animals; (2) Over‐expressed Cx43 in high glucose treated GMCs inhibited protein levels of FN, ICAM‐1 and TGF‐&bgr;1; (3) Nrf2/ARE signaling adaptively responded to high glucose treatment in GMCs; (4) Cx43 reduced ROS generation by boost Nrf2/ARE signaling under high glucose condition; (5) Inhibition of c‐Src activity promoted nucleus accumulation of Nrf2; (6) Over‐expressed Cx43 inhibited c‐Src activity and the interaction between c‐Src and Nrf2 in GMCs cultured in high glucose. Thus we propose that Cx43 might enhance the activation of Nrf2/ARE pathway by means of inhibiting c‐Src activity to hinder the nuclear export of Nrf2, and then reduce expression of FN, ICAM‐1 and TGF‐&bgr;1, ultimately attenuating renal fibrosis in diabetes. Graphical abstract Figure. No Caption available. HighlightsCx43 overexpression reduced ROS generation by boost Nrf2/ARE signaling under high glucose condition.Inhibition of c‐Src activity promoted nucleus accumulation of Nrf2.Over‐expressed Cx43 inhibited c‐Src activity and the interaction between c‐Src and Nrf2 in GMCs cultured in high glucose.

Polydatin promotes Nrf2-ARE anti-oxidative pathway through activating CKIP-1 to resist HG-induced up-regulation of FN and ICAM-1 in GMCs and diabetic mice kidneys

Abstract Our previous study indicated that Casein kinase 2 interacting protein‐1 (CKIP‐1) could promote the activation of the nuclear factor E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2)/ antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway, playing a significant role in inhibiting the fibrosis of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Polydatin (PD) has been shown to possess strong resistance effects on renal fibrosis which is closely related to activating the Nrf2/ARE pathway, too. Whereas, whether PD could resist DN through regulating CKIP‐1 and consequently promoting the activation of Nrf2‐ARE pathway needs further investigation. Here, we found that PD significantly reversed the down‐regulation of CKIP‐1 and attenuated fibronectin (FN) and intercellular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) in glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) exposed to high glucose (HG). Moreover, PD could decrease Keap1 expression and promote the nuclear content, ARE‐binding ability, and transcriptional activity of Nrf2. The activation of Nrf2‐ARE pathway by PD eventually led to the quenching of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide overproduction boosted by HG. Depletion of CKIP‐1 blocked the Nrf2‐ARE pathway activation and reversed FN and ICAM‐1 down‐regulation induced by PD in GMCs challenged with HG. PD increased CKIP‐1 and Nrf2 levels in the kidney tissues as well as improved the anti‐oxidative effect and renal dysfunction of diabetic mice, which eventually reversed the up‐regulation of FN and ICAM‐1. Experiments above suggested that PD could increase the CKIP‐1‐Nrf2‐ARE pathway activation to prevent the OSS‐induced insult in GMCs and diabetic mice which effectively postpone the diabetic renal fibrosis and the up‐regulation of CKIP‐1 is probably a novel mechanism in this process. Graphical abstract Figure. No Caption available. HighlightsPolydatin reversed the down‐regulation of CKIP‐1 in GMCs induced by HG.Depletion of CKIP‐1 reversed the effects of PD on Nrf2/ARE pathway.Polydatin increased the interaction of CKIP‐1 with Nrf2.Polydatin improved the antioxidant capacity and renal failure of diabetic models.

Protein kinase CK2α catalytic subunit ameliorates diabetic renal inflammatory fibrosis via NF-κB signaling pathway

Graphical abstract Figure. No Caption available. ABSTRACT Activation of casein kinase 2 (CK2) is closely linked to the body disturbance of carbohydrate metabolism and inflammatory reaction. The renal chronic inflammatory reaction in the setting of diabetes is one of the important hallmarks of diabetic renal fibrosis. However, it remains unknown whether CK2 influences the process of diabetic renal fibrosis. The current study is aimed to investigate if CK2&agr; ameliorates renal inflammatory fibrosis in diabetes via NF‐&kgr;B pathway. To explore potential regulatory mechanism of CK2&agr;, the expression and activity of CK2&agr;, which were studied by plasmid transfection, selective inhibitor, small‐interfering RNA (siRNA) and adenovirus infection in vitro or in vivo, were analyzed by means of western blotting (WB), dual luciferase reporter assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). The following findings were observed: (1) Expression of CK2&agr; was upregulated in kidneys of db/db and KKAy diabetic mice; (2) Inhibition of CK2&agr; kinase activity or knockdown of CK2&agr; protein expression suppressed high glucose‐induced expressions of FN and ICAM‐1 in glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs); (3) Inhibition of CK2&agr; kinase activity or knockdown of CK2&agr; protein expression not only restrained I&kgr;B degradation, but also suppressed HG‐induced nuclear accumulation, transcriptional activity and DNA binding activity of NF‐&kgr;B in GMCs; (4) Treatment of TBB or CK2&agr; RNAi adenovirus infection ameliorated renal fibrosis in diabetic animals; (5) Treatment of TBB or CK2&agr; RNAi adenovirus infection suppressed I&kgr;B degradation and NF‐&kgr;B nuclear accumulation in glomeruli of diabetic animals. This study indicates the essential role of CK2&agr; in regulating the diabetic renal pathological process of inflammatory fibrosis via NF‐&kgr;B pathway, and inhibition of CK2&agr; may serve as a promising therapeutic strategy for diabetic nephropathy.

CKIP-1 ameliorates high glucose-induced expression of fibronectin and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 by activating the Nrf2/ARE pathway in glomerular mesangial cells

Glucose and lipid metabolism disorders as well as oxidative stress (OSS) play important roles in diabetic nephropathy (DN). Glucose and lipid metabolic dysfunctions are the basic pathological changes of chronic microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus, such as DN. OSS can lead to the accumulation of extracellular matrix and inflammatory factors which will accelerate the progress of DN. Casein kinase 2 interacting protein-1 (CKIP-1) mediates adipogenesis, cell proliferation and inflammation under many circumstances. However, whether CKIP-1 is involved in the development of DN remains unknown. Here, we show that CKIP-1 is a novel regulator of resisting the development of DN and the underlying molecular mechanism is related to activating the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) antioxidative stress pathway. The following findings were obtained: (1) The treatment of glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) with high glucose (HG) decreased CKIP-1 levels in a time-dependent manner; (2) CKIP-1 overexpression dramatically reduced fibronectin (FN) and intercellular adhesionmolecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression. Depletion of CKIP-1 further induced the production of FN and ICAM-1; (3) CKIP-1 promoted the nuclear accumulation, DNA binding, and transcriptional activity of Nrf2. Moreover, CKIP-1 upregulated the expression of Nrf2 downstream genes, heme oxygenase (HO-1) and superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1); and ultimately decreased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The molecular mechanisms clarify that the advantageous effect of CKIP-1 on DN are well connected with the activation of the Nrf2/ARE antioxidative stress pathway.

Polydatin attenuates AGEs-induced upregulation of fibronectin and ICAM-1 in rat glomerular mesangial cells and db/db diabetic mice kidneys by inhibiting the activation of the SphK1-S1P signaling pathway

We previously demonstrated that activation of sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1)- sphingosine 1- phosphate (S1P) signaling pathway by high glucose (HG) plays a pivotal role in increasing the expression of fibronectin (FN), an important fibrotic component, by promoting the DNA-binding activity of transcription factor activator protein 1 (AP-1) in glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) under diabetic conditions. As a multi-target anti-oxidative drug, polydatin (PD) has been shown to have renoprotective effects on experimental diabetes. However, whether PD could resist diabetic nephropathy (DN) by regulating SphK1-S1P signaling pathway needs further investigation. Here, we found that PD significantly reversed the upregulated FN and ICAM-1 expression in GMCs exposed to AGEs. Simultaneously, PD dose-dependently inhibited SphK1 levels at the protein expression and kinase activity and attenuated S1P production under AGEs treatment conditions. In addition, PD reduced SphK activity in GMCs transfected with wild-type SphK(WT) plasmid and significantly suppressed SphK1-mediated increase of FN and ICAM-1 levels under normal conditions. Furthermore, we found that the AGEs-induced upregulation of phosphorylation of c-Jun at Ser63 and Ser73 and c-Fos at Ser32, DNA-binding activity and transcriptional activity of AP-1 were blocked by PD. In comparison with db/db model group, PD treatment suppressed SphK1 levels (mRNA, protein expression, and activity) and S1P production, reversed the upregulation of FN, ICAM-1, c-Jun, and c-Fos in the kidney tissues of diabetic mice, and finally ameliorated renal injury in db/db mice. These findings suggested that the downregulation of SphK1-S1P signaling pathway is probably a novel mechanism by which PD suppressed AGEs-induced FN and ICAM-1 expression and improved renal dysfunction of diabetic models.