Shirong Zheng

Alterations in the Renal Elastin-Elastase System in Type 1 Diabetic Nephropathy Identified by Proteomic Analysis

Diabetes now accounts for >40% of patients with ESRD. Despite significant progress in understanding diabetic nephropathy, the cellular mechanisms that lead to diabetes-induced renal damage are incompletely defined. For defining changes in protein expression that accompany diabetic nephropathy, the renal proteome of 120-d-old OVE26 transgenic mice with hypoinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and proteinuria were compared with those of background FVB nondiabetic mice (n = 5). Proteins derived from whole-kidney lysate were separated by two-dimensional PAGE and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Forty-one proteins from 300 visualized protein spots were differentially expressed in diabetic kidneys. Among these altered proteins, expression of monocyte/neutrophil elastase inhibitor was increased, whereas elastase IIIB was decreased, leading to the hypothesis that elastin expression would be increased in diabetic kidneys. Renal immunohistochemistry for elastin of 325-d-old FVB and OVE26 mice demonstrated marked accumulation of elastin in the macula densa, collecting ducts, and pelvicalyceal epithelia of diabetic kidneys. Elastin immunohistochemistry of human renal biopsies from patients with type 1 diabetes (n = 3) showed increased elastin expression in renal tubular cells and the interstitium but not glomeruli. These results suggest that coordinated changes in elastase inhibitor and elastase expression result in increased tubulointerstitial deposition of elastin in diabetic nephropathy. The identification of these coordinated changes in protein expression in diabetic nephropathy indicates the potential value of proteomic analysis in defining pathophysiology.

Podocyte-Specific Overexpression of the Antioxidant Metallothionein Reduces Diabetic Nephropathy

Podocytes are critical components of the selective filtration barrier of the glomerulus and are susceptible to oxidative damage. For investigation of the role of oxidative stress and podocyte damage in diabetic nephropathy, transgenic mice that overexpress the antioxidant protein metallothionein (MT) specifically in podocytes (Nmt mice) were produced. MT expression was increased six- and 18-fold in glomeruli of two independent lines of Nmt mice, and podocyte-specific overexpression was confirmed. Glomerular morphology and urinary albumin excretion were normal in Nmt mice. OVE26 transgenic mice, a previously reported model of diabetic nephropathy, were crossed with Nmt mice to determine whether an antioxidant transgene targeted to podocytes could reduce diabetic nephropathy. Double-transgenic OVE26Nmt mice developed diabetes similar to OVE26 mice, but MT overexpression reduced podocyte damage, indicated by more podocytes, less glomerular cell death, and higher density of podocyte foot processes. In addition, expansion of glomerular and mesangial volume were significantly less in OVE26Nmt mice compared with OVE26 mice. Four-month-old OVE26Nmt mice had a 70 to 90% reduction in 24-h albumin excretion, but this protection does not seem to be permanent. These results provide evidence for the role of oxidative damage to the podocyte in diabetic mice and show that protection of the podocyte can reduce or delay primary features of diabetic nephropathy.

Potential role for Nrf2 activation in the therapeutic effect of MG132 on diabetic nephropathy in OVE26 diabetic mice

Oxidative stress is a major cause of diabetic nephropathy. Upregulation of the key antioxidative transcription factor, nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), was found to prevent the development of diabetic nephropathy. The present study was designed to explore the therapeutic effect of Nrf2 induced by proteasomal inhibitor MG132 at a low dose (10 μg/kg) on diabetic nephropathy. Transgenic type 1 diabetic (OVE26) mice displayed renal dysfunction with albuminuria by 3 mo of age, at which time MG132 treatment was started. After 3-mo treatment with MG132, renal function, morphology, and biochemical changes were examined with real-time PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemical examination. Compared with age-matched, nontreated diabetic mice, MG132-treated diabetic mice showed significant improvements in terms of renal structural and functional alterations. These therapeutic effects were associated with increased Nrf2 expression and transcriptional upregulation of Nrf2-regulated antioxidants. Mechanistic study using human renal tubular HK11 cells confirmed the role of Nrf2, as silencing the Nrf2 gene with its specific siRNA abolished MG132 prevention of high-glucose-induced profibrotic response. Furthermore, diabetes was found to significantly increase proteasomal activity in the kidney, an effect that was significantly attenuated by 3 mo of treatment with MG132. These results suggest that MG132 upregulates Nrf2 function via inhibition of diabetes-increased proteasomal activity, which can provide the basis for the therapeutic effect of MG132 on the kidney against diabetes-induced oxidative damage, inflammation, fibrosis, and eventual dysfunction.

Podocyte Loss in Aging OVE26 Diabetic Mice

Recent studies show that podocyte nuclear density (NV) and numbers of renal podocytes per glomerulus (N) are altered in experimental and spontaneous diabetes mellitus. NV and N are generally reduced, and it has been hypothesized that these morphological changes may relate to the loss of glomerular permselectivity in diabetic nephropathy (DN). In the current study, OVE26 transgenic diabetic mice and age‐matched (FVB) controls (60, 150, or 450 days) were fixed by vascular perfusion and renal cortical tissues were prepared for morphometric analyses. ImageJ software and point counting analyses were carried out on light and transmission electron micrographs to determine glomerular volume (VG), NV, and N. As expected, mean VG in OVE26 mice increased substantially (∼134%) over the course of the study and was significantly increased over FVB mice at all ages. At 60 days, NV and N were not statistically distinguishable in OVE26 and control mice, while at 150 days, NV was significantly reduced in diabetics but not N. In 450‐day‐old OVE26 animals, however, NV and N were both significantly decreased (∼231% and ∼99%, respectively) relative to age‐matched FVB mice. These data suggest that in the OVE26 model of diabetes, significant podocyte loss occurs relatively late in the course of the disease. Moreover, it seems possible that these podocytic changes could play a role in sustaining the increased permeability of the blood–urine barrier in the later stages of diabetic renal decompensation. Anat Rec, 291:114–121, 2007.

FVB mouse genotype confers susceptibility to OVE26 diabetic albuminuria

OVE26 (OVE) diabetic mice on the inbred strain FVB are a valuable model of diabetic nephropathy that excretes the highest amount of urine albumin of all diabetic mouse models. Crossing of OVE mice to C57BL6 or DBA2 mice reduced albuminuria 17-fold in F1 diabetic offspring without reducing diabetes. When comparing renal histology of OVE mice on the FVB background to F1 C57BL6 crosses, we found that the F1 kidneys had significantly smaller glomeruli, much less albumin accumulation in tubules, reduced mesangial matrix expansion, and less interstitial fibrosis. A genome scan of 108 OVE-positive N2 offspring for albuminuria revealed one significant peak on chromosome 11 and nearly significant peaks on chromosomes 9, 13, and 19. Homozygosity for the FVB genotype for peaks on chromosomes 11, 13, or 19 increased albuminuria. Homozygosity for the chromosome 9 peak reduced albuminuria. Combined homozyogosity for the peaks on chromosomes 11, 13, and 19 increased albuminuria over 12-fold and accounted for >70% of the difference between OVE mice on the FVB vs. the F1 background. These loci contain sequences important to susceptibility to diabetic albuminuria.

Angiotensin II plays a critical role in diabetic pulmonary fibrosis most likely via activation of NADPH oxidase-mediated nitrosative damage

Diabetic patients have a high risk of pulmonary disorders that are usually associated with restrictive impairment of lung function, suggesting a fibrotic process (van den Borst B, Gosker HR, Zeegers MP, Schols AM. Chest 138: 393-406, 2010; Ehrlich SF, Quesenberry CP Jr, Van Den Eeden SK, Shan J, Ferrara A. Diabetes Care 33: 55-60, 2010). The present study was undertaken to define whether and how diabetes causes lung fibrosis. Lung samples from streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic mice, spontaneously developed type 1 diabetic OVE26 mice, and their age-matched controls were investigated with histopathological and biochemical analysis. Signaling mechanism was investigated with cultured normal human lung fibroblasts in vitro. In both diabetes models, histological examination with Sirius red and hemotoxylin and eosin stains showed fibrosis along with massive inflammatory cell infiltration. The fibrotic and inflammatory processes were confirmed by real-time PCR and Western blotting assays for the increased fibronectin, CTGF, PAI-1, and TNFα mRNA and protein expressions. Diabetes also significantly increased NADPH oxidase (NOX) expression and protein nitration along with upregulation of angiotensin II (Ang II) and its receptor expression. In cell culture, exposure of lung fibroblasts to Ang II increased CTGF expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner, which could be abolished by inhibition of superoxide, NO, and peroxynitrite accumulation. Furthermore, chronic infusion of Ang II to normal mice at a subpressor dose induced diabetes-like lung fibrosis, and Ang II receptor AT1 blocker (losartan) abolished the lung fibrotic and inflammatory responses in diabetic mice. These results suggest that Ang II plays a critical role in diabetic lung fibrosis, which is most likely caused by NOX activation-mediated nitrosative damage.

Proteomic identification and immunolocalization of increased renal calbindin-D28k expression in OVE26 diabetic mice.

Diabetic nephropathy is a common diabetic complication that is associated with alterations in the expression of several renal proteins and abnormal calcium homeostasis. We performed proteomic analysis to screen for global changes of renal protein expression in diabetic kidney. Proteins extracted from the whole kidney of 120-day-old OVE26 (a transgenic model of Type 1 diabetes) and FVB (non-diabetic background strain) mice were separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE) and visualized by SYPRO Ruby staining (n = 5 in each group). Quantitative intensity analysis revealed 41 differentially expressed proteins, of which 30 were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) followed by peptide mass fingerprinting. One of the altered proteins with the greatest magnitude of change was the calcium-binding protein, calbindin-D28k, whose expression was increased 6.7-fold in diabetic kidney. We confirmed the increase in calbindin-D28k expression in diabetic kidney by Western blot analysis. Immunohistochemical study demonstrated that calbindin-D28k expression was markedly increased in tubular epithelial cells of distal convoluted tubules (DCT), collecting ducts (CD), and proximal convoluted tubules (PCT) in diabetic kidney. Calbindin-D28k plays a critical role in maintaining calcium homeostasis. The elevation in renal calbindin-D28k expression in our model may indicate a compensatory mechanism to overcome hypercalciuria in diabetes.

Renal improvement by zinc in diabetic mice is associated with glucose metabolism signaling mediated by metallothionein and Akt, but not Akt2.

Human epidemiological and animal studies have shown the beneficial effect of zinc supplementation on mitigating diabetic nephropathy. However, the mechanism by which zinc protects the kidney from diabetes remains unknown. Here we demonstrate the therapeutic effects of zinc on diabetes-induced renal pathological and functional changes. These abnormalities were found in both transgenic OVE26 and Akt2-KO diabetic mouse models, accompanied by significant changes in glucose-metabolism-related regulators. The changes included significantly decreased phosphorylation of Akt and GSK-3β, increased phosphorylation of renal glycogen synthase, decreased expression of hexokinase II and PGC-1α, and increased expression of the Akt negative regulators PTEN, PTP1B, and TRB3. All of these were significantly prevented by zinc treatment for 3 months. Furthermore, zinc-stimulated changes in glucose metabolism mediated by Akt were actually found to be metallothionein dependent, but not Akt2 dependent. These results suggest that the therapeutic effects of zinc in diabetic nephropathy are mediated, in part, by the preservation of glucose-metabolism-related pathways via the prevention of diabetes-induced upregulation of Akt negative regulators. Given that zinc deficiency is very common in diabetics, this finding implies that regularly monitoring zinc levels in diabetic patients, as well as supplementing if low, is important in mitigating the development of diabetic nephropathy.

Uninephrectomy of Diabetic OVE26 Mice Greatly Accelerates Albuminuria, Fibrosis, Inflammatory Cell Infiltration and Changes in Gene Expression

Background/Aims: OVE26 (OVE) mice provide a valuable model of advanced diabetic nephropathy (DN), but they take 8 months to develop moderate interstitial fibrosis and reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The aim of this project was to produce a more rapid and advanced model of DN. Methods: Uninephrectomy was applied to OVE and FVB mice at 2 months of age. Albuminuria, GFR, glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis, gene expression and monocyte infiltration were evaluated as a function of diabetes and uninephrectomy. Results: Albuminuria, monocyte infiltration, mesangial matrix expansion and renal fibrosis were greatly accelerated in uninephrectomized mice. DN was more advanced 10 weeks after uninephrectomy than in untreated OVE mice at 8 months of age. Uninephrectomy had almost no effect on these characteristics in non-diabetic mice. Microarray studies indicated that the accelerated fibrosis and cell infiltration in nephrectomized OVE mice were accompanied by corresponding gene expression changes in canonical pathways for fibrosis and inflammation. Conclusion: Uninephrectomy greatly accelerates all features of diabetic renal damage. This procedure provides a 10-week period after surgery to examine very large changes in the pathology of DN. The model may be particularly useful for testing new therapies and for analysis of the progression of albuminuria and fibrosis in DN.

Renal Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis in OVE26 Type 1 Diabetic Mice

Background/Aims: Tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF) is a prominent feature of progressive diabetic nephropathy. The goal of this study was to determine if hallmarks of TIF occur in the transgenic OVE26 type 1 diabetic mouse and define signaling events associated with TIF. Methods: The expression patterns of several phenotypic markers of TIF were determined in kidneys of OVE26 diabetic and control mice by immunohistochemistry and immunoblot analysis. Results: Pathological signatures of TIF are an accumulation of myofibroblasts and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix in the tubulointerstitium. Kidneys from OVE26 diabetic animals exhibited an increase in tubulointerstitial myofibroblast marker (α-smooth muscle actin), fibronectin and collagen I staining. Abundance of the pro-fibrotic cytokine TGF-β was also enhanced in diabetic tubules. As injury involving loss of epithelial cell-cell contact promotes tissue fibrosis, we examined expression of the adhesion protein, E-cadherin. The percent of E-cadherin-stained tubules was decreased in diabetic kidneys. Prominent regulators of TGF-β signaling, glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) α and β, were also differentially expressed. Conclusions: These results indicate that TGF-β-induced TIF occurs in OVE26 diabetic mice, providing a practical in vivo model for defining novel regulatory events and treatment strategies for diabetes-induced TIF.