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Objective: To investigate whether ischemia alters donor kidney metabolism and whether these changes are associated with organ function. Background: An unmet need in kidney transplantation is the ability to predict posttransplant organ function before transplantation. Key to such viability testing is a profound understanding of the organ's complex biochemistry and how ischemia, inevitable during the transplantation process, influences this. Methods: First, metabolic changes in perfusate glucose, lactate, and 20 amino acids, induced by no, 1 hour of warm, or 22 hours of cold ischemia, were investigated during 4-hour perfusion of pig kidneys with autologous whole blood (n = 6/group), simulating the ischemia-reperfusion phase of transplantation. Next, we confirmed similar metabolic changes during normothermic preservation of pigs (n = 3/group; n = 4 for cold ischemia) and discarded human kidneys (n = 6) perfused with a red blood cell-based perfusate. Results: At 2 hours of perfusion with autologous whole blood, abundances of 17/20 amino acids were significantly different between groups, reflecting the type of ischemia. Amino acid changes at 15 minutes and 2 hours of perfusion correlated with future kidney function during perfusion. Similar metabolic patterns were observed during perfusion preservation of pig and discarded human donor kidneys, suggesting an opportunity to assess kidney viability before transplantation. Conclusions: Perfusate metabolite changes during normothermic kidney perfusion represent a unique noninvasive opportunity to assess graft viability. These findings now need validation in transplant studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This scoping review summarizes what is known about kidney metabolism during hypothermic perfusion preservation. Papers studying kidney metabolism during hypothermic (<12 °C) perfusion were identified (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane). Out of 14,335 initially identified records, 52 were included [dog (26/52), rabbit (2/52), pig (20/52), human (7/52)]. These were published between 1970–2023, partially explaining study heterogeneity. There is a considerable risk of bias in the reported studies. Studies used different perfusates, oxygenation levels, kidney injury levels, and devices and reported on perfusate and tissue metabolites. In 11 papers, (non)radioactively labeled metabolites (tracers) were used to study metabolic pathways. Together these studies show that kidneys are metabolically active during hypothermic perfusion, regardless of the perfusion setting. Although tracers give us more insight into active metabolic pathways, kidney metabolism during hypothermic perfusion is incompletely understood. Metabolism is influenced by perfusate composition, oxygenation levels, and likely also by pre-existing ischemic injury. In the modern era, with increasing donations after circulatory death and the emergence of hypothermic oxygenated perfusion, the focus should be on understanding metabolic perturbations caused by pre-existing injury levels and the effect of perfusate oxygen levels. The use of tracers is indispensable to understanding the kidney's metabolism during perfusion, given the complexity of interactions between different metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Understanding kidney metabolism during perfusion is vital to further develop the technology as a preservation, viability assessment, and resuscitation platform. We reviewed the evidence on the use of labeled metabolites (tracers) to understand "on‐pump" kidney behavior. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were systematically searched for studies evaluating metabolism of (non)radioactively labeled endogenous compounds during kidney perfusion. Results: Of 5899 articles, 30 were included. All were animal studies [rat (70%), dog (13%), pig (10%), rabbit (7%)] perfusing but not transplanting kidneys. Perfusion took place at hypothermic (4–12°C) (20%), normothermic (35–40°C) (77%), or undefined temperatures (3%). Hypothermic perfusion used albumin or a clinical kidney preservation solution, mostly in the presence of oxygen. Normothermic perfusion was mostly performed with oxygenated crystalloids often containing glucose and amino acids with unclear partial oxygen tensions. Active metabolism of carbohydrate, amino acid, lipids, and large molecules was shown in hypothermic and normothermic perfusion. Production of macromolecules, such as prostaglandin, thromboxane, and vitamin D, takes place during normothermic perfusion. No experiments compared differences in metabolic activity between hypothermic and normothermic perfusion. One conference abstract showed increased anaerobic metabolism in kidneys donated after circulatory death by adding labeled glucose to hypothermically perfused human kidneys. Conclusions: Tracer studies during kidney perfusion contribute to unraveling kidney metabolic behavior in pre‐clinical models. Whether findings are truly translational needs further investigation in large animal models of human kidneys. Furthermore, it is essential to better understand how ischemia changes this metabolic behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) is the most prevalent genetic disorder affecting the kidneys. Understanding epigenetic regulatory mechanisms and the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) is crucial for developing therapeutic interventions. Two mRNA datasets (GSE7869 and GSE35831) and miRNA expression data (GSE133530) from ADPKD patients were used to find differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs), with a focus on genes regulated by hub transcription factors (TFs) and their target genes. The expression of hub TFs was validated in human kidneys and animal models through Western Blot (WB) and RT-PCR analysis. The location of the hub TF proteins in kidney cells was observed by a laser confocal microscope. A total of 2037 DEGs were identified. DEM analysis resulted in 59 up-regulated and 107 down-regulated miRNAs. Predicted target DEGs of DEMs indicated two top dysregulated TFs: hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4α) and Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4). RT-PCR, WB, and immunochemistry results showed that mRNA and protein levels of HNF4α were significantly decreased while KLF4 levels were significantly up-regulated in human ADPKD kidneys and Pkd1 conditional knockout mice compared with normal controls. Laser confocal microscopy revealed that KLF4 was mainly located in the cytoplasm while HNF4α was in the nucleus. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that genes regulated by HNF4α were mainly associated with metabolic pathways, while KLF4-regulated genes were linked to kidney development. Drug response prediction analysis revealed potential drug candidates for ADPKD treatment, including BI-2536, Sepantronium, and AZD5582. This integrated analysis provides new epigenetic insights into the complex miRNA-TF-mRNA network in ADPKD and identifies HNF4α and KLF4 as key TFs. These findings offer valuable resources for further research and potential drug development for ADPKD., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests. Cheng Xue reports was provided by Shanghai Changzheng Hospital. Cheng Xue reports a relationship with Shanghai Changzheng Hospital that includes: employment. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Obesity-mediated hypertension is a worldwide problem. Recent research has indicated that chronic inflammation is associated with the pathogenesis of obese hypertension. Activated immune cells infiltrate target organs, such as arteries, kidneys, and brain, causing end-organ damage and hypertension. Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) regulates the inflammatory cell activity mediating the production of inflammatory cytokines and may play a role in the crosstalk between inflammation and hypertension. In this study, we investigated the roles of HDAC6 in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced kidney inflammation and hypertension. Nine-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were fed either a normal diet (ND) or HFD for 15 weeks. HFD-induced hypertension with increased HDAC6 activities in the kidney and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM). When HFD group reached the hypertensive phase, each group of mice was intraperitoneally injected with vehicle or selective HDAC6 inhibitor Tubacin (1 mg/kg/day) for 14 days. Tubacin treatment lowered blood pressure (BP) of HFD-fed mice to the normal level with successful inhibition of HDAC6 activity. Immunohistochemical staining of F4/80, which is known as a macrophage marker, revealed that HFD promoted macrophage infiltration into the kidney. Consequently, pro-inflammatory factors TNFα and IL-6 gene expressions in the kidney were increased by HFD. Tubacin canceled HFD-induced macrophage infiltration and inflammation in the kidney. HDAC6 gene silencing and Tubacin treatment in Raw 264.7 cells also blocked the chemoattractant-stimulated cell migration in vitro. The results reveal the novel role of HDAC6 in BMDM migration, kidney inflammation, and high BP induced by HFD providing HDAC6 inhibitors as a therapeutic option for obesity-mediated hypertension., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest We have nothing to declare., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Acute kidney injury (AKI) increases the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). CXC motif chemokine ligand 5 (CXCL5) is up-regulated in kidney diseases. We aimed to investigate the direct effect of CXCL5 on the pathology of AKI. Serum and renal expression of CXCL5 were increased in animals with renal ischemia-reperfusion injury or unilateral ureteral obstruction. CXCL5-knockout mice exhibited reduced systemic oxidative stress and preserved renal function in the acute and chronic phases of AKI, as evidenced by reductions in serum BUN and creatinine levels, the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio, and the kidney-to-body weight ratio. CXCL5-knockout mice improved AKI-induced tubular injury and fibrosis, reduced renal macrophage infiltration, and reduced expression of NADPH oxidase and inflammatory and fibrotic proteins. CXCL5 activated p47 to up-regulate ROS generation and induce cellular damages through CXCR2. CXCL5 knockdown exerted antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and anti-apoptotic effects on hypoxia-reoxygenation-stimulated renal proximal tubular epithelial cells. Clinical data indicated elevated circulating and renal CXCL5 in CKD patients, and renal CXCL5 was correlated with increased renal fibrosis and decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate. Altogether, CXCL5 levels increased in experimental AKI and clinical CKD, and in vivo and in vitro CXCL5 inhibition may reduce acute tubular injury and prevent the subsequent progression from AKI to CKD., (© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society.)

Injuries of the respiratory system caused by viral infections (e.g., by influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, metapneumovirus, or coronavirus) can lead to long-term complications or even life-threatening conditions. The challenges of treatment of such diseases have become particularly pronounced during the recent pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). One promising drug is the anti-fibrinolytic and anti-inflammatory protease inhibitor aprotinin, which has demonstrated considerable inhibition of the replication of some viruses. Encapsulation of aprotinin in liposomes can significantly improve the effectiveness of the drug, however, the use of nanoparticles as carriers of aprotinin can radically change its biodistribution in the body. Here we show that the liposomal form of aprotinin accumulates more efficiently in the lungs, heart, and kidneys than the molecular form by side-by-side comparison of the ex vivo biodistribution of these two fluorescently labeled formulations in mice using bioimaging. In particular, we synthesized liposomes of different compositions and studied their accumulation in various organs and tissues. Direct comparison of the biodistributions of liposomal and free aprotinin showed that liposomes accumulated in the lungs 1.82 times more effectively, and in the heart and kidneys - 3.56 and 2.00 times, respectively. This suggests that the liposomal formulation exhibits a longer residence time in the target organ and, thus, has the potential for a longer therapeutic effect. The results reveal the great potential of the aprotinin-loaded liposomes for the treatment of respiratory system injuries and heart- and kidney-related complications of viral infections., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests. E.N.M. and M.P.N. are stakeholders of Abisense LLC that manufactures the LumoTrace FLUO bioimaging system. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: With increasing incidence and treatment costs, chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become an important public health problem in China, especially in females. However, the genetic determinants are very limited. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) based on creatinine is commonly used as a measure of renal function but can be easily affected by other factors. In contrast, eGFR based on both creatinine and cystatin C (eGFRcr-cys) improved the diagnostic accuracy of CKD. To our knowledge, no genome-wide association analysis of eGFRcr-cys has been conducted in the Chinese population., Methods: By conducting a Genome-Wide association study(GWAS), a method used to identify associations between genetic regions (genomes) and traits/diseases, we examined the relationship between genetic factors and eGFRcr-cys in Chinese women, with 1983 participants and 3,838,121 variants included in the final analysis., Result: One significant locus (20p11.21) was identified in the Chinese female population, which has been reported to be associated with eGFR based on cystatin C (eGFRcys) in the European population. More importantly, we found two new suggestive loci (1p31.1 and 11q24.2), which have not yet been reported. A total of three single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified as the most important variants in these regions, including rs2405367 (CST3), rs66588571(KRT8P21), and rs626995 (OR8B2)., Conclusion: We identified 3 loci 20p11.21, 1p31.1, and 11q24.2 to be significantly associated with eGFRcr-cys. These findings and subsequent functional analysis describe new biological clues related to renal function in Chinese women and provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment development of CKD., Competing Interests: Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of Nanjing Medical University (2015077). All participants have provided written informed consent at enrollment into the study. Consent for publication Not applicable. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a lipid mediator with diverse biological functions through its receptors on the cell membrane. As one of the six LPA receptors, LPA receptor 3 (LPAR3) is highly expressed in mouse kidneys, but its physiological function in the kidney has been poorly explored., Methods: Wild-type (WT) and Lpar3 -/- mice were used to investigate the renal physiological function of LPAR3 under hypoxia. The expression levels of LPA receptors in the kidneys of WT mice with or without exposure to hypoxia (8% O 2 ) were detected by RT‒qPCR. RNA sequencing analysis was performed to identify differences in gene expression profiles between the hypoxic kidneys of WT and Lpar3 -/- mice. The effects of LPAR3 deficiency and treatment with the LPAR1/3 inhibitor Ki16425 or the LPAR3 selective agonist 2S-OMPT on erythropoietin (EPO) production in the kidneys of hypoxic mice were determined by RT‒qPCR and ELISAs. The mechanism of LPAR3-mediated regulation of EPO expression was further studied in vivo with mouse models and in vitro with cultured human cells., Results: LPAR3 is the major LPA receptor in mouse kidneys, and its expression is significantly upregulated under hypoxic conditions. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that, compared with WT mice, Lpar3 -/- mice presented a significant decrease in hypoxia-induced EPO expression in the kidney, together with reduced plasma EPO levels and lower hematocrit and hemoglobin levels. Hypoxic renal EPO expression in WT mice was diminished by the administration of the LPAR1/3 inhibitor Ki16425 and increased by 2S-OMPT, a selective agonist of LPAR3. Hypoxia-induced HIF-2α accumulation in mouse kidneys was impaired by LPAR3 deficiency. Further studies revealed that the PI3K/Akt pathway participated in the regulation of HIF-2α accumulation and EPO expression by LPAR3 under hypoxic conditions., Conclusions: Our study revealed the role of LPAR3 in promoting the HIF-2α‒EPO axis in hypoxic mouse kidneys, suggesting that the LPA receptor may serve as a novel potential pharmaceutical target to regulate renal EPO production in hypoxia-related situations, such as chronic kidney disease and altitude disease., Competing Interests: Declarations Ethical approval All animal experiments in this study were approved by the Ethics and Animal Welfare Committee, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University. The study complied with the relevant ethical regulations pertaining to animal research, and all laboratory animals were cared for and used according to institutional guidelines. Consent for publication All authors have read and agreed with the submission of the manuscript to Lipids in Health and Disease. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Microcirculatory dysfunction, hypoxia, and inflammation are considered to be central in the pathogenesis of sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). In this experimental study, we hypothesized that extracorporeal removal of inflammatory cytokines by hemoadsorption (HA) therapy may mitigate renal injury associated with sepsis-induced AKI. To this end, we investigated renal microcirculatory oxygenation and perfusion, oxygen consumption, lactate, systemic hemodynamic variables, tubular cell integrity, inflammatory mediators, and kidney function in a rat model of septic AKI elicited by endotoxin infusion. Three groups of rats were investigated on extracorporeal circulation: HA only, LPS, and LPS + HA. Endotoxin infusion reduced cortex microcirculatory oxygenation and raised creatinine and lactate levels. Renal microcirculatory oxygenation, measured by two independent techniques (phosphorescence (µPO 2 ) and spectrophotometry/Doppler (µHbO 2sat and [Formula: see text])), was ameliorated by HA therapy. The renal oxygen consumption, lactate and creatinine levels were restored in the LPS + HA group. A reduced amount of injured tubular cells was found in histological analysis of the kidneys. This experimental study demonstrated an improvement in multiple determinants of kidney oxygenation, damage, and systemic blood perfusion by HA in a clinically relevant rat model of septic AKI. Further studies are needed to optimize and support the clinical use of HA as a renal protective strategy., Competing Interests: Declarations Competing interests Dr. Ince is the CSO of Active Medical BV, Leiden, The Netherlands, a company that provides devices (OxyCam), software (MicroTools), education (Microcirculation Academy), and services related to clinical microcirculation. All other authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) have shown potential as a therapeutic option for lupus nephritis (LN), particularly in patients refractory to conventional treatments. Despite extensive translational research on MSCs, the precise mechanisms by which MSCs migrate to the kidney and restore renal function remain incompletely understood. Here, we aim to clarify the spatiotemporal characteristics of hUC-MSC migration into LN kidneys and their interactions with host cells in microenvironment. This study elucidates that the migration of hUC-MSCs to the LN kidney is driven by elevated levels of CXCL10, predominantly produced by glomerular vascular endothelial cells through the IFN-γ/IRF1-KPNA4 pathway. Interestingly, the blockade of CXCL10-CXCR3 axis impedes the migration of hUC-MSCs to LN kidney and negatively impacts therapeutic outcomes. Single cell-RNA sequencing analysis underscores the importance of this axis in mediating the regulatory effects of hUC-MSCs on the renal immune environment. Furthermore, hUC-MSCs have been observed to induce and secrete interleukin 4 inducible gene 1 (IL4I1) in response to the microenvironment of LN kidney, thereby suppressing Th1 cells. Genetically ablating IL4I1 in hUC-MSCs abolishes their therapeutic effects and prevents the inhibition of CXCR3 + Th1 cell infiltration into LN kidneys. This study provides valuable insights into the significant involvement of CXCL10-CXCR3 axis in hUC-MSC migration to the LN kidneys and the subsequent remodeling of renal immune microenvironment. Regulating the CXCL10-CXCR3 axis and IL4I1 secretion may be developed as a novel therapeutic strategy to improve treatment outcomes of LN., Competing Interests: Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

In the clinical setting, cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity primarily manifests as acute kidney injury (AKI). Recent studies have indicated that ferroptosis, a type of iron-dependent cell death, is closely involved in the cisplatin nephrotoxicity. AlkB homologue 5 (ALKBH5), an N6-methyladenosine (m6A) eraser protein expressed in various tissues, including the kidneys, has been implicated in this process. However, the specific role of ALKBH5 in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity remains unknown. Our findings indicated that ALKBH5 was upregulated in cisplatin-induced AKI, and the in vivo study results were consistent with the results of the in vitro study. Additionally, ALKBH5 knockout in transgenic animals was found to mitigate cisplatin-induced renal dysfunction, whereas its knock-in exacerbated the effects. Our study revealed that ALKBH5 controls the traditional ferroptosis metabolic pathway, leading to worsening of AKI in experiments conducted both in vivo and in vitro. The efficacy of pharmacological intervention targeting ALKBH5 in AKI animal models was demonstrated, and ALKBH5-based gene therapy confirmed these findings and displayed renoprotective effects against AKI. In conclusion, this study highlighted the crucial role of ALKBH5 as a key regulator of AKI. Overall, our research demonstrates the significant impact of ALKBH5 in controlling ferroptosis in cisplatin-induced AKI, suggesting that focusing on ALKBH5 could be a promising approach for treating cisplatin-related kidney damage., Competing Interests: Declarations Ethics statement The studies involving animal experiment were reviewed and approved by the Zhejiang University. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The use of highly potent but very toxic antibiotics such as colistin has become inevitable due to the rise of antimicrobial resistance. We aimed for a chemically-triggered, controlled release of colistin at the infection site to lower its systemic toxicity by harnessing the power of click-to-release reactions. Kinetic experiments with nine tetrazines and three dienophiles demonstrated a fast release via an inverse-electron-demand Diels-Alder reaction between trans-cyclooctene (TCO) and the amine-functionalised tetrazine Tz7. The antibiotic activity of colistin against Escherichia coli was masked by TCO units, but restored upon reaction with d-Ubi-Tz, a tetrazine functionalised with the bacterial binding peptide d-Ubi 29-41 . While standard TCO did not improve toxicity against human proximal tubular kidney HK-2 cells, the installation of an aspartic acid-modified TCO masking group reduced the overall charge of the peptide and entry to the kidney cells, thereby dramatically lowering its toxicity. The analog Col-(TCO-Asp) 1 had favourable pharmacokinetic properties in mice and was successfully activated locally in the lung by d-Ubi-Tz in an in vivo infection model, whereas it remained inactive and non-harmful without the chemical trigger. This study constitutes the first example of a systemically acting two-component antibiotic with improved drug tolerability., (© 2024 The Authors. Angewandte Chemie International Edition published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Background: The diagnosis of renal ischemia and reperfusion injury (RIRI) is crucial for renal transplant recipients. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) may have an impact on disease development. Therefore, this study explored the biomarkers associated with RBPs in RIRI., Methods: The RIRI related datasets, GSE37838 and GSE43974, and 3964 RBPs were employed in this research. The differential expression analysis was implemented for RIRI and control to gain differentially expressed genes in GSE37838. Then, differentially expressed genes were overlapped with RBPs to acquire intersection genes. Further, the machine learning, diagnostic analysis, and expression validation were executed to filtered biomarkers for RIRI. Additionally, pathway enrichment, molecular networks, and drug prediction were proceed., Results: The area under the curve values of NR4A2 and NR4A3 were >0.7, as well as the expression trend was consistent in both datasets, and all of them were remarkably highly expressed in RIRI. Therefore, they were considered as biomarkers of RIRI. Enrichment analyses revealed that they were both associated with neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, among others. Further, the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA and transcription factors (TF)-mRNA network was constructed, revealing that they were all regulated by noncoding RNAs and TF, such as SNHG5-hsa-mir-10b-5p-NR4A3, CREB1, TFAP2A, etc. In addition, a large number of biomarker-related drugs were predicted, among which cadmium acetate, potassium chromate (VI), etc were associated with NR4A2 and NR4A3., Conclusion: In this study, we identified biomarkers associated with RBPs in RIRI, explored their associated pathways and drugs, which provided new insights into the clinical diagnosis and treatment of RIRI., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Infiltrated and activated M1 macrophages play a role in kidney injury and fibrosis during chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. However, the specific ways that M1 macrophage polarization contributes to renal fibrosis are not fully understood. The study seeks to investigate how miR-92a-3p regulates M1 macrophage polarization and its connection to renal fibrosis in the development of CKD. Our results revealed that miR-92a-3p overexpression increased M1-macrophage activation, iNOS, IL-6, and TNF-alpha expression in RAW264.7 upon LPS stimulation. LIN28A overexpression reversed these effects. Moreover, miR-92a-3p overexpression in RAW264.7 exacerbated NRK-52E cell apoptosis induced by LPS, but LIN28A overexpression counteracted this effect. MiR-92a-3p knockout in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) C57BL/6 mice led to reduced renal infiltration and fibrosis, accompanied by decreased iNOS, alpha-SMA, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and increased LIN28A. In summary, our findings suggest that miR-92a-3p may play a role in promoting renal injury and fibrosis both in vitro and in vivo. This effect is potentially achieved by facilitating M1 macrophage polarization through the targeting of LIN28A.

Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a bioactive metabolite of gut microbes, plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of kidney diseases by activating programmed cell death (PCD) pathways. However, whether trimethylamine (TMA) contributes to chronic kidney injury and which kind of PCD is involved in TMA-induced chronic kidney injury has not been previously evaluated. To observe the effect of TMA, male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into two groups: the Control group and the TMA group. The mice in the TMA group were intraperitoneally injected with 100 micromol/kg/day TMA for three months, whereas the mice in the Control group were injected with normal saline for the same period. After three months, plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels, indicators of kidney function, increased significantly in the TMA group as compared with those in the Control group. Furthermore, Masson staining assay showed that TMA treatment led to a larger area of fibrosis than the Control group. TMA treatment did not change the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, RIP1, RIP3 and MLKL phosphorylation, or iron and malondialdehyde levels in kidney tissues, indicating that apoptosis, ferroptosis and necroptosis were not involved in TMA-induced chronic kidney injury. However, compared with the Control group, TMA treatment significantly upregulated NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1beta, cleaved-Caspase 8, Caspase-8, and ZBP1 protein expression in kidney tissues. These results indicated that the ZBP1-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway was involved in TMA-induced chronic kidney injury. In conclusion, our studies revealed that the ZBP1-NLRP3 inflammasome may take part in the progression of TMA induced chronic kidney injury.

Our comprehensive genomic investigation employing tree shrew calcium oxalate stone models unveils intricate links between kidney stone formation and diverse physiological systems. We identify a constellation of genes whose expression patterns point to multifaceted interactions among cardiovascular health, renal fibrosis, and bone homeostasis in the pathogenesis of renal calculi. Key players include CHIT1, TNFRSF18, CLEC4E, RGS1, DCSTAMP, and SLC37A2, which emerge as pivotal actors in arteriosclerosis, renal fibrosis, and osteoclastogenesis respectively, showcasing the complexity of stone disease. The downregulation of ADRA1D, LVRN, and ABCG8 underscores roles in urodynamics, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and vitamin D metabolism, linking these to nephrolithiasis. Comparative genomics across tree shrew, human (Randall's plaque), rat, and mouse identifies shared KEGG pathways including Calcium signaling, Actin cytoskeleton regulation, Neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, Complement and coagulation cascades, TRP channel regulation by inflammatory mediators, p53 signaling, and Fc gamma R-mediated phagocytosis. These pathways underscore the interconnectedness of immune, inflammatory, and metabolic processes in stone development. Our findings suggest novel targets for future therapeutics and prevention strategies against nephrolithiasis, highlighting the need for a holistic view of the disease encompassing multiple pathogenic factors., Competing Interests: Declarations Ethical approval This study was reviewed and approved by the Animal Experiment Ethics Committee of Kunming Medical University (Approval no: kmmu20230176). Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Acanthamoeba spp. are facultative, opportunistic pathogens that are found in diverse environments. In the hosts, they lead to multi-organ disease. Recent studies reported that they may induce changes in the kidneys of hosts. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of Acanthamoeba sp. on hypoxia and collagen deposition in the kidneys of immunocompetent and immunosuppressed mice infected with Acanthamoeba sp. The results strongly suggest that Acanthamoeba sp. induces hypoxia in mice with normal and reduced immune response by increasing gene and/or protein expression of HIF1α as well as HIF2α. Additionally, the activation of these factors is probably induced via NOX2/ROS. Hypoxia promotes vessel formation, and we found that angiogenesis occurs in the kidneys of mice infected with the parasite regardless of their immunological status. The proangiogenic factors released in hypoxic conditions cause modulation and inflammation in the kidney cells, which in turn leads to collagen deposition via TGF-β. This work reveals mechanisms occurring in the hosts infected with Acanthamoeba sp., highlights as well as supports the relevance of pathophysiology in the kidneys in hosts with systematic acanthamoebiasis., Competing Interests: Declarations Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Renal fibrosis represents a critical pathological condition in the progression of renal dysfunction, characterized by aberrant accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and structural alterations in renal tissue. Recent research has highlighted the potential significance of gut microbiota and demonstrated their influence on host health and disease mechanisms through the production of bioactive metabolites. This review examines the role of alterations in gut microbial composition and their metabolites in the pathophysiological processes underlying renal fibrosis. It delineates current therapeutic interventions aimed at modulating gut microbiota composition, encompassing dietary modifications, pharmacological approaches, and probiotic supplementation, while evaluating their efficacy in mitigating renal fibrosis. Through a comprehensive analysis of current research findings, this review enhances our understanding of the bidirectional interaction between gut microbiota and renal fibrosis, establishing a theoretical foundation for future research directions and potential clinical applications in this domain., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health problem, involving about 10% of the global population. Unfortunately, there are currently no effective drugs. Kidney fibrosis is the main pathology of CKD, where integrins play crucial roles in renal fibrogenesis. Recently, Bexotegrast (PLN-74809) as a dual integrin αvβ1/αvβ6 inhibitor could reduce the degree of lung fibrosis in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. However, the role of PLN-74809 remains unclear in fibrotic kidney disease. Here, we have revealed that PLN-74809 administration dose-dependently delayed the progression of renal fibrosis in both adenine diet- and unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced mice. Mechanistically, PLN-74809 targeted integrin αvβ1/αvβ6 to inhibit FAK/Src/Akt/β-catenin cascade in fibrotic kidneys. In summary, our results for the first time highlighted the αvβ1/αvβ6 inhibitor PLN-74809 exerted potential therapeutic against kidney fibrosis., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a severe medical condition that can lead to illness and death. A disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM) protein family is a potential treatment target for AKI due to its involvement in inflammation, growth, and differentiation. While ADAM10 and ADAM17 have been identified as significant contributors to inflammation, it is unclear whether they play a critical role in AKI. In this study, we induced AKI in male and female mice using lipopolysaccharide, a bacterial endotoxin that causes inflammation and oxidative stress. The role of kaempferol, which is found in many natural products and known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in many pre-clinical studies, was investigated through ADAM10/17 enzymes in AKI. We also investigated the efficacy of a selective synthetic inhibitor named GW280264X for ADAM10/17 inhibition in AKI. Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels were measured in serum, while tumor necrosis factor-α, vascular adhesion molecule, interleukin (IL)-1β, glucose regulatory protein-78, IL-10, nuclear factor κ-B, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, total thiol, ADAM10, and ADAM17 levels were measured in kidney tissue. We also evaluated kidney tissue histologically using hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-schiff, and caspase-3 staining. This research demonstrates that GW280264X and kaempferol reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, as evidenced by biochemical and histopathological results in AKI through ADAM10/17 inhibition. These findings suggest that inhibiting ADAM10/17 may be a promising therapeutic approach for treating acute kidney injury., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Renal denervation (RDN) has been proved to relieve cardiac hypertrophy; however, its detailed mechanisms remain obscure. This study investigated the detailed protective mechanisms of RDN against cardiac hypertrophy during hypertensive heart failure (HF)., Methods: Male 5-month-old spontaneously hypertension (SHR) rats were used in a HF rat model, and male Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats of the same age were used as the baseline control. Myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson staining. The expression of target molecule was analyzed by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Western blot, immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence, respectively. Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was induced by norepinephrine (NE) in H9c2 cells in vitro and evaluated by brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), β-myosin heavy chain (β-MHC), and α-myosin heavy chain (α-MHC) levels. Oxidative stress was determined by malondialdehyde (MDA) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzyme activities. Mitochondrial function was measured by mitochondrial membrane potential, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) number, and mitochondrial complex I-IV activities. Molecular mechanism was assessed by dual luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays., Results: RDN decreased sympathetic nerve activity, attenuated myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis, and improved cardiac function in the rat model of HF. In addition, RDN ameliorated mitochondrial oxidative stress in myocardial tissues as evidenced by reducing MDA and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and enhancing SOD and GSH-Px activities. Moreover, phosphofurin acid cluster sorting protein 2 (PACS-2) and broad-complex, tramtrak and bric à brac (BTB) domain and cap'n'collar (CNC) homolog 1 (BACH1) were down-regulated by RDN. In NE-stimulated H9c2 cells, PACS-2 and BACH1 levels were markedly elevated, and knockdown of them could suppress NE-induced oxidative stress, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, fibrosis, as well as mitochondrial dysfunction. Transforming growth factor beta1(TGFβ1)/SMADs signaling pathway was inactivated by RDN in the HF rats, which sequentially inhibited specificity protein 1 (SP1)-mediated transcription of PACS2 and BACH1., Conclusion: Collectively, these data demonstrated that RDN improved cardiac hypertrophy and sympathetic nerve activity of HF rats via repressing BACH1 and PACS-2-mediated mitochondrial oxidative stress by inactivating TGF-β1/SMADs/SP1 pathway, which shed lights on the cardioprotective mechanism of RDN in HF., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The orchestration of fetal kidney development involves the precise control of numerous genes, including HNF1A, HNF1B and PKHD1. Understanding the genetic factors influencing fetal kidney development is essential for unraveling the complexities of renal disorders. This study aimed to search for disease-causing variants in HNF1A, HNF1B, PKHD1 genes, among fetus and babies or via parental samples, using sanger sequencing, NGS technologie and MLPA. The study revealed an absence of gene deletions and disease-causing variants in the HNF1B gene. However, five previously SNPs in the HNF1A gene were identified in four patients (patients 1, 2, 3, and 4). These include c.51C > G (Exon1, p. Leu17=), c.79A > C (Exon1, p. Ile27Leu), c.1375C > T (Exon7, p. Leu459=), c.1460G > A (Exon7, p. Ser487Asn), and c.1501 + 7G > A (Intron7). Additionally, in addition to previously SNPs identified, a de novo heterozygous missense mutation (p.E508K) was detected in patient 4. Furthermore, a heterozygous mutation in exon 16 (p. Arg494*; c.1480C > T) was identified in both parents of patient 5, allowing predictions of fetal homozygosity. Bioinformatic analyses predicted the effects of the c.1522G > A mutation (p.E508K) on splicing processes, pre-mRNA structures, and protein instability and conformation. Similarly, the c.1480C > T mutation (p. Arg494*) was predicted to introduce a premature codon stop, leads to the production of a shorter protein with altered or impaired function. Identification of variants in the HNF1A and in PKHD1 genes provides valuable insights into the genetic landscape of renal abnormalities in affected patients. These findings underscore the heterogeneity of genetic variants contributing to renal disorders and emphasize the importance of genetic screening., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Periodontitis is associated with Fusobacterium nucleatum (F.n) infection. Although the colonization of renal tissue by F.n is well documented, its specific role in kidney disease has yet to be determined. This study aimed to investigate the potential association between F.n-induced periodontitis and renal interstitial fibrosis., Methods: The rat gingival sulcus was injected with F.n suspension, while the control group (NC) was injected with PBS. The levels of total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), creatinine, and urea nitrogen (BUN) in rat serum and/or urine were quantified using the appropriate kits. Renal interstitial fibrosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were evaluated in rats using Masson staining, Periodic Schiff-Methenamine (PASM) staining, and immunohistochemical staining. The levels of fibrosis- and EMT-related proteins and the TGF-β/SMAD2/3 and β-catenin signaling pathways were determined using Western blot analysis. F.n in the kidney tissues was quantitatively determined using bacterial 16S rRNA technology., Results: Serum levels of TP, ALB, creatinine, and BUN were not significantly decreased in F.n-infected rats with periodontitis. The levels of creatinine and ALB in the urine were not statistically different between two groups. Masson and PASM staining showed that F.n-induced periodontitis could promote renal interstitial fibrosis in rats. The levels of collagen I, fibronectin (FN), vimentin, and α-SMA were upregulated in the kidney tissues of rats with F.n-induced periodontitis and in F.n-treated HK-2 cells. However, E-cadherin levels were reduced. F.n promoted renal interstitial and HK-2 cell fibrosis in rats by modulating the TGF-β/SMAD2/3 and β-catenin signaling pathways. F.n colonization increased renal interstitial fibrosis in rats., Conclusion: F.n-induced periodontitis promoted EMT by activating the TGF-β/SMAD2/3 and β-catenin signaling pathways, thus promoting renal interstitial fibrosis in rats., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The author declares that there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Recently, podocyte mitochondrial dysfunction and necroptosis have been shown to play critical roles in renal fibrosis (RF) in diabetic kidney disease (DKD); however, these conditions lack effective treatment. In China, the supplemented Gegen Qinlian Decoction Formula (SGQDF), which originates from the classical prescription Gegen Qinlian Decoction, has been widely used to treat patients with DKD. However, it remains unclear whether SGQDF alleviates podocyte injury-associated RF in patients with DKD., Aim of Study: This study aimed to clarify the therapeutic effects of SGQDF compared with those of empagliflozin (EMPA) on podocyte mitochondrial fission and RF in DKD and its necroptosis-related mechanisms., Materials and Methods: Modified DKD rat models were developed through a combination of uninephrectomy, streptozotocin administration through intraperitoneal injection, and exposure to a high-fat diet. Following RF formation, the DKD rat models received either a high dose of SGQDF (H-SGQDF), a low dose of SGQDF (L-SGQDF), EMPA, or vehicle for 4 weeks. In our in vitro study, we subjected cultured murine podocytes to a high-glucose environment and various treatments including Mdivi-1, adalimumab, and necrostatin-1, with or without H-SGQDF or EMPA. SGQDF target prediction and molecular docking verification were performed. For the in vivo study, we focused on examining changes in the parameters associated with renal injury, RF, and oxidative stress (OS)-induced injuries in podocytes. Both in vivo and in vitro studies included an analysis of changes in podocyte mitochondrial fission, TNF-α-induced podocyte necroptosis, and the RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signaling pathway activation., Results: SGQDF improved renal injury markers, including body weight, blood glucose, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and urinary albumin, in a dose-dependent manner. The beneficial effects of H-SGQDF in vivo were greater than those of L-SGQDF alone in vivo. Interestingly, similar to EMPA, H-SGQDF ameliorated RF and reduced OS-induced podocyte injury in diabetic kidneys. Furthermore, TNF-α signaling was shown to be important in the network construction of "the SGQDF-component-target." Based on this, we also showed that the beneficial effects in vivo and in vitro of H-SGQDF were closely related to the improvement in mitochondrial dysfunction and the inhibition of TNF-α-induced necroptosis in podocytes., Conclusion: In the present study, we showed that H-SGQDF, similar to EMPA, attenuates podocyte mitochondrial fission and RF, and that the underlying therapeutic mechanisms are closely related to inhibiting the activation of the RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signaling axis in diabetic kidneys. Our findings provide new pharmacological evidence for the application of H-SGQDF in the RF treatment of DKD., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Cinnamaldehyde, has various therapeutic potentials including glucose-lowering effect, and insulinotropic effect; however, its glycation inhibitory mechanism is not known yet. In this study, we explored the effects of cinnamaldehyde for its AGEs inhibitory mechanism in a streptozotocin-complete Freund's adjuvant (STZ-CFA) induced diabetic nephropathy (DN) rat model., Methods: Pre-clinical DN model was developed by the administration of multiple low doses of STZ-CFA in rats, mainly characterized by abnormal blood parameters and nephrotic damages. Diabetes-related systemic profile and histopathological hallmarks were evaluated using biochemical assays, microscopic imaging, immunoblot, and real-time PCR analyses, supported by cinnamaldehyde-albumin interaction assessed using STD-NMR and in silico site-directed interactions in the presence of glucose., Results: Cinnamaldehyde-treatment significantly reversed DN hallmarks, fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum insulin, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), urinary microalbumin, and creatinine contrasted to non-treated DN rats and aminoguanidine, a positive reference advanced glycation end products (AGEs) inhibitor. The pathological depositions of AGEs, receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), and carboxymethyl lysine (CML), and transcriptional levels of AGE-RAGE targeted immunomodulatory factors (IL1β, TNF-α, NF-κB, TGF-β) were significantly improved in cinnamaldehyde treated rats as compared to aminoguanidine. Cinnamaldehyde post-treatment improved pancreatic pathology and systemic glycemic index (0.539 ± 0.01 vs. 0.040 ± 0.001, P < 0.001) in DN rats. Subsequently, in silico profiling of cinnamaldehyde defined the competitive binding inhibition with glucose in AGE and RAGE receptors that was further confirmed by in vitro STD-NMR analysis., Conclusion: These findings suggest potential role of cinnamaldehyde in reversing STZ-induced diabetic nephropathic impairments; therefore, appears promising candidate for further pharmacological explorations towards diabetes-associated complications., Competing Interests: Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate The ethical committee, of University of Karachi, revised and approved this work under (ASP number 2016-0031). Notably, all animal experimentation was conducted in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines, prioritizing animal welfare and minimizing any potential harm. Consent for publication Not applicable. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Renal fibrosis is a common outcome of chronic kidney diseases and glycolysis drives the development of renal fibrosis in damaged kidneys. Ulinastatin (UTI) is a broad-spectrum protease inhibitor with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties with anti-fibrosis effects. In this study, we aimed to verify whether UTI could exert anti-renal fibrosis effects by inhibiting glycolysis and explored the potential mechanisms. Renal fibrosis was induced in mice via unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Transforming growth factor-β1 stimulates human kidney proximal tubular epithelial cells to undergo fibrotic changes. Histopathological staining was used to observe the pathological changes in the kidneys. The levels of fibrosis biomarkers, glycolytic enzymes, and key signaling molecules were determined using gene and protein assays. Cellular energy metabolism was measured using Seahorse XF24 analyzer. Modulated the activity of adenylate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) to confirm that AMPK can regulate HIF-1α-mediated glycolysis. Furthermore, UTI and AMPK knockdown were combined to verify whether UTI could attenuate glycolysis via the AMPK pathway. UTI pretreatment improved UUO-induced renal injury and fibrosis. The expression of fibrosis biomarkers and glycolytic enzymes was reduced by UTI at both mRNA and protein levels. UTI treatment decreased the rate of glycolysis and the production of glycolytic intermediates in fibrotic cells and tissues. Furthermore, AMPK can regulate HIF-1α-mediated glycolysis in renal tubular epithelial cells. Finally, the attenuation of glycolysis by UTI was related to AMPK/HIF-1α pathway, and this effect was inhibited by knockdown AMPK. UTI can effectively alleviate renal fibrosis, which may be partly attributed to the reduction of glycolysis by regulating AMPK/HIF-1α pathway., Competing Interests: Declarations Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests. Ethical approval This study was conducted in accordance with the ARRIVE guidelines (https://arriveguidelines.org) to ensure thorough and accurate reporting of animal research. The experimental procedures were approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Hospital of Jilin University (Approval No. 2023 − 0654). All applicable international, national, and institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Nonoxidative ethanol metabolites have been reported as ethanol biomarkers in clinical and forensic cases. However, their forensic toxicokinetics are still unclear. The study aimed to simultaneously research the postmortem distribution and dynamic distribution of ethanol and its nonoxidative metabolites in 62 poisoned rabbits. Firstly, 32 rabbits were randomly divided into three groups and sacrificed after three doses ethanol, and their organs were collected to study the postmortem distribution of ethanol and its nonoxidative metabolites. The results showed that the distribution trends of ethanol and its nonoxidative metabolites were basically same between different groups, and ethanol could be better detected by collecting body fluids, while the nonoxidative metabolites could be better detected by collecting the heart, liver, kidney and testis. Secondly, 30 rabbits after 1/2LD 50 ethanol intragastric administration were sacrificed at 10 time points, and their organs were collected to study the dynamic distribution of ethanol and its nonoxidative metabolites. The results showed the concentrations of ethanol and its nonoxidative metabolites increased with time and then decreased. All analytes could be detected in all samples within 8 h, with the exception of ethyl oleate, which kept high level in muscle and vitreous humor, and could be detected within 4 h., Competing Interests: Competing interests The authors declared that we had no conflicts of interest to the study., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents can enhance diagnostic precision but often face limitations such as short imaging windows, low tissue specificity, suboptimal contrast enhancement, or potential toxicity, which affect resolution and long-term monitoring. Here, we present a protein contrast agent based on lanmodulin, engineered with a single-point mutation at position 108 from N to D to yield maximum gadolinium binding sites. After loading with Gd 3+ ions, the resulting protein complex, LanND-Gd, exhibits efficient renal clearance, high relaxivity, and prolonged renal retention compared to commercial agents. LanND-Gd enables high-performance visualization of whole-body structures and brain vasculature in male mice at a resolution finer than one hundred micrometers. In male ischemia mouse models, LanND-Gd also improves kidney dysfunction monitoring while minimizing risks of neural toxicity or immunogenic reactions. This protein-based contrast agent offers superior image quality, improved biocompatibility, and extended imaging timeframes, promising significant advancements in magnetic resonance-based diagnostics and patient outcomes., Competing Interests: Competing interests X.L., Y.L., and Z.L. are co-inventors on a Singapore patent application related to the use of lanmodulin-derived contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (application no. 10202400550P), filed by the National University of Singapore. The other authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The primary challenge posed by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is COVID-19-related mortality, often exacerbated by additional medical complications, such as COVID-19-associated kidney injuries (CAKIs). Up to half of COVID-19 patients experience kidney complications, with those facing acute respiratory failure and kidney injury having the worst overall prognosis. Despite the significant impact of CAKI on COVID-19-related mortality and its enduring effects in long COVID, the underlying causes and molecular mechanisms of CAKI remain elusive. In this study, we identified a functional relationship between the expression of the SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a protein and inflammation-driven apoptotic death of renal tubular epithelial cells in patients with CAKI. We demonstrate in vitro that ORF3a independently induces renal cell-specific apoptotic cell death, as evidenced by the elevation of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and the activation of NF-kB-mediated proinflammatory cytokine (TNFα and IL-6) production. By examining kidney tissues of SARS-CoV-2-infected K18-ACE2 transgenic mice, we observed a similar correlation between ORF3a-induced cytopathic changes and kidney injury. This correlation was further validated through reconstitution of the ORF3a effects via direct adenoviral injection into mouse kidneys. Through medicinal analysis, we identified a natural compound, glycyrrhizin (GL4419), which not only blocks viral replication in renal cells, but also mitigates ORF3a-induced renal cell death by inhibiting activation of a high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein, leading to a reduction of KIM-1. Moreover, ORF3a interacts with HMGB1. Overproduction or downregulation of hmgb1 expression results in correlative changes in renal cellular KIM-1 response and respective cytokine production, implicating a crucial role of HMGB1 in ORF3a-inflicted kidney injuries. Our data suggest a direct functional link between ORF3a and kidney injury, highlighting ORF3a as a unique therapeutic target contributing to CAKI., Importance: The major challenge of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection during the pandemic is COVID-19-related mortality, which has tragically claimed millions of lives. COVID-19-associated morbidity and mortality are often exacerbated by pre-existing medical conditions, such as chronic kidney diseases (CKDs), or the development of acute kidney injury (AKI) due to COVID-19, collectively known as COVID-19-associated kidney injuries (CAKIs). Patients who experience acute respiratory failure with CAKI have the poorest clinical outcomes, including increased mortality. Despite these alarming clinical findings, there is a critical gap in our understanding of the underlying causes of CAKI. Our study establishes a direct correlation between the expression of the SARS-CoV-2 viral ORF3a protein and kidney injury induced by ORF3a linking to CAKI. This functional relationship was initially observed in our clinical studies of COVID-19 patients with AKI and was further validated through animal and in vitro cellular studies, either by expressing ORF3a alone or in the context of viral infection. By elucidating this functional relationship and its underlying mechanistic pathways, our research deepens the understanding of COVID-19-associated kidney diseases and presents potential therapeutic avenues to address the healthcare challenges faced by individuals with underlying conditions., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Background: Renal fibrosis is a key process in the progression from acute kidney injury (AKI) to chronic kidney disease (CKD), while the intricate mechanisms of renal fibrosis remain obscure. While the signal-transducing adaptor protein 2 (STAP2) was well-studied for its notable function in inflammation and immune-related disorders, its specific implication in renal fibrosis remains unclear. This study assessed the mechanism by which STAP2 could promote the progression of renal fibrosis., Methods: The expression level of STAP2 in fibrotic human samples, murine fibrosis models, and cellular fibrosis models was measured, respectively. Subsequently, immunoprecipitation (IP), mass spectrometry, and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) were employed to identify HSP27 as an interacting protein and the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. STAP2 was thereafter knocked down or overexpressed in both in vivo and in vitro models to assess the expression levels of pathway-related and fibrosis-related proteins. Finally, the important role of STAP2 in the fibrosis process in animal models induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and cisplatin was validated., Results: Functionally, in vivo assays demonstrated that the genetic knockout of STAP2 could remarkably mitigate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), diminish inflammatory cell infiltration, and reduce collagen deposition in mice with renal fibrosis. Conversely, in vitro assays employing STAP2-overexpressing cell models exacerbated the expression levels of fibrosis markers. The outcomes uncovered a potential mechanism by which STAP2 could modulate renal fibrosis through its impact on the expression level of phosphorylated HSP27, as well as modulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway., Conclusions: This comprehensive investigation delineated the noticeable function of STAP2 in the advancement of renal fibrosis, and the outcomes might contribute to the development of targeted therapies concentrated on STAP2 to mitigate renal fibrosis., Competing Interests: Declarations Ethical approval Animal experiments were approved by Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Wuhan Third Hospital (WuSanYiShiLun SY2023-003). Collected clinical samples and conducted clinical research were approved by Ethics Committee of Wuhan Third Hospital (WuSanYiLun KY2023-057) and Ethics Committee of Huangshi Central Hospital (2024-17). Conflict of interest The authors confirmed the absence of conflict of interest., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Preemptive regenerative medicine using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may provide a novel therapeutic approach to prevent the progression from organ damage to organ failure. Although immunosuppressive drugs are often used in patients with organ disorder, their impact on MSC therapy remains unclear. We investigated the effects of immunosuppressive drugs on the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs. We created unilateral ureteral obstruction models, as a well-established model of renal fibrosis, a preliminary stage of organ failure. Three immunosuppressive drugs (methylprednisolone, cyclosporine, and cyclophosphamide) were intraperitoneally administered 3 days after surgery, and MSCs were injected via tail vein the following day. Preadministration of methylprednisolone or cyclophosphamide interfered with MSC activation by reducing expression of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and high-mobility group box-1 protein, thus significantly attenuating the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs. Preadministration of cyclophosphamide downregulated the expression of stromal cell-derived factor-1/C-X-C motif ligand 12, which is a potent migration factor for MSCs, resulting in reduced MSC engraftment in the renal cortex. IFN-γ-preconditioned activated MSCs were unaffected by these drugs and maintained their beneficial therapeutic effects. Cyclosporine preadministration had no effect on the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs. Our study demonstrated that the administration of certain immunosuppressive drugs interfered with MSC activation and engraftment at the site of injury, resulting in a significant attenuation of their therapeutic efficacy. These findings provide crucial information for selecting patients suitable for MSC therapy. Use of MSCs preactivated with IFN-γ or other means is preferred for patients on methylprednisolone or cyclophosphamide., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press.)

Mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to septic acute kidney injury (S-AKI), making mitochondrial protection a potential therapeutic strategy. This study investigates the effects of S14G-humanin (HNG) in S-AKI, utilizing 4D-label-free and parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) techniques for proteomic analysis. An S-AKI model was created in male C57BL/6 mice using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection, followed by HNG administration. After 24 h, kidney tissues were analyzed for histology, biochemistry, mitochondrial function, and proteomics. HNG treatment improved renal function, reduced tubular injury, and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers. Proteomic analysis identified 5900 proteins, with 5111 quantifiable. HNG altered the expression of 132 proteins, with 18 selected for PRM validation. Ten of these proteins were linked to key pathways, including fatty acid degradation and PPAR signaling. This study is the first to show HNG's protective effects in S-AKI, providing insights into its mechanisms through advanced proteomic techniques., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Zhilian Li reports financial support was provided by Guangdong Provincial Natural Science Foundation. Zhilian Li reports financial support was provided by National Natural Science Foundation of China. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), a well-known regulator of metabolic disorders, exhibits the potential to prevent renal fibrosis by negatively regulating the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)/Smad3 signaling pathway. Gemigliptin and other dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors are frequently used for the management of patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the protective effect of gemigliptin against renal fibrosis, particularly its potential to upregulate the expression of FGF21, remains incompletely understood. This study assessed the renoprotective effects of gemigliptin against TGF-β-induced renal fibrosis by enhancing the expression of FGF21 in the cultured human proximal tubular epithelial cell line HK-2. Treatment with FGF21 effectively prevented TGF-β-induced renal fibrosis by attenuating the TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway. Similarly, gemigliptin exhibited protective effects against TGF-β-induced renal fibrosis by mitigating TGF-β/Smad3 signaling through the upregulation of FGF21 expression. However, the protective effects of gemigliptin were blocked when FGF21 expression was knocked down in TGF-β-treated HK-2 cells. These results indicate that gemegliptin has the potential to exhibit protective effects against TGF-β-induced renal fibrosis by elevating FGF21 expression levels in cultured human proximal tubular epithelial cells., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Phyllanthi Fructus, known as Yuganzi (YGZ), is a unique medicine and food homologous fruit with both medicinal and nutritional properties. Its historical use in treating hyperuricemia (HUA) and gout is well-documented. However, the precise therapeutic effects and potential molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, an experimental rat modelling by a high-fat/high-sugar diet and potassium oxonate/adenine oral administration was used to evaluate the pharmacodynamic effects of YGZ. Network pharmacology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation were utilized to elucidate the potential mechanisms. Supplementation with YGZ effectively ameliorated HUA by inhibiting xanthine oxidase activity, and enhancing uric acid excretion through up-regulating of OAT1 and ABCG2, while down-regulating of URAT1. Furthermore, YGZ supplementation enhanced superoxide dismutase activity, reduced malondialdehyde content, and inhibited the secretion of IL1B, IL6, TNFα, ICAM1, VCAM1, TGFβ1, and NF-κB protein expression. Network pharmacology analysis indicated that YGZ influences 138 targets, modulating the disease network via lipid and atherosclerosis, insulin resistance, HIF-1, TNF, IL-17, TLRS, and NF-κB signaling pathways. Molecular docking analysis suggested that organic acids (e.g. ellagic acid, gallic acid) and flavonoids (e.g. quercetin, delphinidin, luteolin, epigallocatechin gallate) exhibited superior binding abilities to key targets (e.g. XDH, ABCG2, URAT1, OAT1, IRS1, PTGS2, TLR4). Noteworthy, molecular dynamics simulations confirmed that epigallocatechin gallate binds to URAT1 with the greatest stability. These results provide substantial evidence for the therapeutic efficacy of YGZ and establish a theoretical foundation for the development of natural products in treating hyperuricemia., Competing Interests: Declarations Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Cadmium contamination in aquatic environments poses severe risks to aquatic organisms, particularly fish, where cadmium accumulation in tissues can lead to compromised organ functionality and reproductive issues. The present study aimed to assess the effects of cadmium (Cd) exposure on key biomarkers of oxidative stress, DNA damage, apoptosis, and enzyme activity in the liver and kidney tissues of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Specifically, the study measured 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels, caspase-3 activation, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and oxidative stress indicators (ONOO - , MDA, GSH, SOD, and CAT) following exposure to three Cd concentrations (1, 3, and 5 mg/L) over three time points (24, 48, and 96 h). Tissue samples were collected post-exposure, and the analysis revealed a significant decrease in MDA levels in both tissues. GSH concentrations declined with prolonged exposure, while SOD activity increased, indicating a response to oxidative stress, contrasted by a reduction in CAT activity. An initial increase in ONOO - levels was observed at 24 h, followed by a subsequent decrease at the 48 and 96 h marks. These results suggest that cadmium induces oxidative stress in the liver and kidney tissues of fish. Cadmium exposure also significantly elevated 8-OHdG levels, signaling DNA damage, and increased caspase-3 activity, indicative of apoptosis, across all doses and time points (p < 0.05). The histological examination of liver and kidney showed tissue injury. Additionally, a negative correlation between AChE activity and exposure duration was noted, with prolonged exposure resulting in substantial AChE inhibition. Given the role of AChE in behavior regulation, these findings underscore the importance of exploring time-dependent, tissue-specific changes in AChE activity to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying cadmium-induced behavioral abnormalities., Competing Interests: Declarations Ethical approval All experimental protocols of this study were approved by the Bingöl University Animal Experiments Local Ethics Committee with the approval number of meetings 2018/02 and number of decisions 02/10. The study was conducted in conformity with the ARRIVE. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Hypertension is a multifactorial disease with stage-specific gene expression changes occurring in multiple organs over time. The temporal sequence and the extent of gene regulatory network changes occurring across organs during the development of hypertension remain unresolved. In this study, female spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were used to analyze expression patterns of 96 genes spanning inflammatory, metabolic, sympathetic, fibrotic, and renin-angiotensin (RAS) pathways in five organs, at five time points from the onset to established hypertension. We analyzed this multi-dimensional dataset containing ~15,000 data points and developed a data-driven dynamic network model that accounts for gene regulatory influences within and across visceral organs and multiple brainstem autonomic control regions. We integrated the data from female SHR and WKY with published multiorgan gene expression data from male SHR and WKY. In female SHR, catecholaminergic processes in the adrenal gland showed the earliest gene expression changes prior to inflammation-related gene expression changes in the kidney and liver. Hypertension pathogenesis in male SHR instead manifested early as catecholaminergic gene expression changes in brainstem and kidney, followed by an upregulation of inflammation-related genes in liver. RAS-related gene expression from the kidney-liver-lung axis was downregulated and intra-adrenal RAS was upregulated in female SHR, whereas the opposite pattern of gene regulation was observed in male SHR. We identified disease-specific and sex-specific differences in regulatory interactions within and across organs. The inferred multi-organ network model suggests a diminished influence of central autonomic neural circuits over multi-organ gene expression changes in female SHR. Our results point to the gene regulatory influence of the adrenal gland on spleen in female SHR, as compared to brainstem influence on kidney in male SHR. Our integrated molecular profiling and network modeling identified a stage-specific, sex-dependent, multi-organ cascade of gene regulation during the development of hypertension., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Hornung et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

BACKGROUNDThe toxic accumulation of phenylalanine (Phe) in the brain underlies the neurological presentation of phenylketonuria (PKU). Solute carrier family 6 member 19 (SLC6A19) is the major transporter responsible for the (re)absorption of Phe in the kidney and intestine. Here, we describe the characterization of the first small molecule SLC6A19 inhibitor to enter clinical development for the treatment of PKU.METHODSC57Bl/6J WT and Pahenu2 mice were dosed with an inhibitor of SLC6A19 to investigate the effects on urinary amino acids and plasma Phe. In a phase 1 study, healthy human volunteers were dosed with JNT-517, an investigational oral inhibitor of SLC6A19. The primary objective of the study was safety. Secondary objectives included pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies.RESULTSInhibition of SLC6A19 increased the urinary excretion of Phe in a mouse model of PKU, thereby reducing plasma Phe levels. JNT-517, an investigational oral SLC6A19 inhibitor, was found to be safe and well tolerated and increased the urinary excretion of Phe in a phase 1 healthy volunteer study.CONCLUSIONSThese data indicate that pharmacological inhibition of SLC6A19 presents a promising approach to lower toxic elevated levels of amino acids found in PKU and related amino acid metabolism disorders by facilitating their renal elimination.TRIAL REGISTRATIONAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR), ACTRN12622001222730.FUNDINGThe studies in this paper were funded by Jnana Therapeutics.

Cardiorenal fibrosis is a common feature of chronic cardiovascular disease and recent data suggests that cytokines and chemokines may also drive fibrosis. Here we tested the hypothesis that CXCR7, a highly conserved chemokine receptor, contributes to cardiac and renal fibrosis. We generated an anti-mouse CXCR7-specific monoclonal antibody (CXCR7 mAb) and tested its anti-fibrotic actions in cardiorenal fibrosis induced using the deoxycorticosterone acetate/uni-nephrectomy (DOCA-UNX) model. CXCR7 mAb treatment (10 mg/kg, twice weekly for 6 weeks) significantly attenuated the development of cardiac and renal fibrosis, and reduced fibrotic and inflammatory gene expression levels, in the absence of an effect on blood pressure. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated an increase in the vascular expression of CXCR7 in DOCA-UNX-treated mice. This study demonstrated that a CXCR7 mediated pathway plays a significant role in cardiac and renal fibrosis induced by DOCA-UNX treatment. Accordingly, antagonism of CXCR7 may provide a therapeutic opportunity to mitigate against fibrosis in the setting of mineralocorticoid excess., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Uremic Encephalopathy results from the elevation of toxins and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption. Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion (I/R) injury is the principal cause of acute kidney injury and brain tissue injury. The present study was crafted to estimate the restorative impact of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and exosome injection before the reperfusion phase on the kidney following renal I/R injury and its influence on brain tissue by tracking the histopathological, biochemical, and Doppler ultrasonography alternations in both kidney and brain tissue. Forty mature male rats were divided into five groups as follows: control, I/R, PRP, exosome, and Exosome + PRP. Renal Doppler ultrasonography was traced for all rats. Serum kidney functions and acetylcholine esterase enzyme (AchE) were evaluated. Both Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate were assessed in brain tissues. The oxidative stress (malondialdehyde), anti-oxidative (glutathione and catalase), and pro-inflammatory (Tumor necrosis factor- α and interleukin-6) markers were estimated in renal tissues. Additionally, morphometric histological examination was performed in both renal and brain tissues. Both PRP and exosome-received rats exhibited a significant improvement in both serum kidney functions and AchE compared to I/R rats. There was a 3.39-fold increase in GABA and a 2.27-fold decrease in glutamate levels in the brain tissue of PRP rats compared to the I/R rats. A significant elevation (P ≤ 0.0001) of glutathione and catalase besides a significant reduction in the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 was observed in renal tissue compared to I/R rats. A significant severe reduction (P < 0.0001) in the number of Purkinje cells, pyramidal cells in the cerebellar cortex, and the CA1 region in the hippocampus was observed in I/R rats which was significantly alleviated by both PRP and exosome. Furthermore, there was a significant improvement in Doppler parameters. PRP exerted a significant superior impact on the restoration of kidney functions and repairing uremic-induced damage in brain tissue., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Metabolic syndrome is a significant risk factor for poor graft outcomes in kidney transplant (KT) patients. However, the effects of variability in metabolic parameters on graft outcomes in KT patients have not been completely elucidated. A total of 852 KT patients were included from the Korean Organ Transplantation Registry. The study exposure was variability in body mass index (BMI) or other metabolic parameters measured at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after KT. Patients were classified into tertiles according to the degree of variability. The primary outcome was a composite of adverse kidney outcomes, such as death-censored graft loss or ≥ 30% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate. The adverse kidney outcomes occurred in 73 (8.6%) participants. The high-BMI variability group had a higher risk for adverse kidney outcomes compared to the low-variability group. High variabilities in triglyceride, fasting blood glucose, and systolic blood pressure were also associated with adverse kidney outcomes. Furthermore, high variability in metabolic syndrome-related composite indices, such as the triglyceride and glucose index and metabolic variability scores, showed a higher risk for adverse kidney outcomes. In conclusion, high variability in metabolic parameters could be associated with an increased risk of adverse kidney outcome in KT patients., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Cisplatin, a frontline chemotherapeutic agent against cancer, faces challenges in clinical application due to significant toxicities and suboptimal efficacy. Renal toxicity, a dose-limiting factor of cisplatin, results from multifactorial processes including cisplatin-induced cellular pyroptosis, oxidative damage, and inflammatory responses. Our findings reveal that Tea Polyphenols Nanoparticles (TPNs) derived from Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) effectively could address these diverse mechanisms, comprehensively alleviating cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Leveraging TPNs as carriers, chemical conjugation enables the encapsulation of tetravalent cisplatin prodrug, extending its systemic half-life, enhancing tumor tissue accumulation, while simultaneously mitigating renal toxicity. Concurrently, employing a CRISPR/Cas9 kinase library, we identified CSNK2A1 as a target sensitizing tumor cells to cisplatin, enabling specific siRNA sequences to augment cisplatin susceptibility, thereby minimizing the dosage requirement. Benefiting from the versatile carrier properties of TPNs to codeliver cisplatin prodrug and anti-CSNK2A1 siRNA, we developed a codelivery system, Pt-TPNs/siRNA. Pt-TPNs/siRNA not only enhances the anticancer effects but also mitigates cisplatin-induced renal toxicity, achieving efficacy while reducing toxicity. Mechanistic and safety assessments of these nanoparticles were conducted at both cellular and animal levels, opening new avenues for improved clinical utilization of cisplatin.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) represents a prevalent and complex clinical event, characterized by irreversible damage to renal tubular epithelial cells and high intensive care unit (ICU) admission rates and mortality. The kidneys are highly susceptible to oxidative stress, inflammation, pyroptosis, and programmed cell death. Pyroptosis poses a significant risk, exacerbating the damage and inflammation of renal tubular cells. Disulfiram (DSF), an FDA-approved medication for alcohol cessation, inhibits the pyroptotic pore-forming protein Gasdermin-D (GSDMD), positioning it as a potential solution for emergency relief against an inflammatory response. However, current obstacles include poor water solubility, rapid metabolism, and off-target effects. Inspired by this discovery, bovine serum albumin (BSA), which has already entered clinical application, has been utilized to produce safe and long-lasting nanoparticles (BSA@DSF NPs), addressing the challenges posed by DSF's physicochemical properties. By targeting the GSDMD protein, the potent pro-inflammatory effects of pyroptosis were mitigated, leading to the alleviation of AKI induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury. This research offers a straightforward and efficient concept for treating AKI, potentially enhancing the transition to clinical practice.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease of unknown cause. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most common mRNA modification and participates in various immune processes such as interferon production and immune cell regulation. However, the role of m6A in dysregulated immune response of SLE remains unknown., Methods: PBMCs from SLE patients were collected to compare the m6A modification profile by methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq). Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) was identified by combination with MeRIP-seq and RNA-Seq. IRF4 and methyltransferase 3 (METTL3) were detected using qRT-PCR and WB. Clinical significance of IRF4 in SLE patients was explored subsequently. IRF4 expression in B cell subsets of female MRL/lpr mice was detected by flow cytometry. Adeno-associated viruses (AAV) including AAV9-METTL3-OE and/or AAV9-IRF4-sh were treated with female MRL/lpr mice. Autoantibody levels and kidney injury were tested by ELISA, pathological staining, and immunofluorescence. m6A level of IRF4 was detected by MeRIP-qPCR. The downstream effectors of IRF4 contributing to renal pathology were explored by RNA-seq and verified by qRT-PCR., Results: m6A methylation features were obviously aberrant in SLE patients, and IRF4 was the upregulated gene modified by m6A. METTL3 and IRF4 expressions were elevated in SLE patients and kidney of MRL/lpr mice. Clinical analysis indicated that SLE patients with high IRF4 level were more prone to kidney damage. IRF4 expression was especially increased in plasma cells of MRL/lpr mice. METTL3 induced renal IRF4 expression, plasma creatinine, ANA and urine ALB levels, IgG and C3 deposition, and renal damage and plasma cell infiltration were aggravated in MRL/lpr mice. However, IRF4 depletion could partially reduce METTL3-induced kidney damage. Meanwhile, m6A level of IRF4 elevated with METTL3 overexpression. Also, the expression of Cxcl1, Bcl3, and Fos mRNA were significantly reduced after knockdown of IRF4, which were mainly involved in TNF signaling pathway., Conclusions: Our study confirmed that upregulated METTL3 promoting IRF4 expression in an m6A-dependent manner, thus causing plasma cell infiltration-mediated kidney damage of SLE. This provides new evidence for the role of m6A in SLE kidney injury., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Renal ischemia-reperfusion (R-I/R) injury is the most prevalent cause of acute kidney injury, with high mortality and poor prognosis. However, the underlying pathological mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 ( Ndrg2 ) in R-I/R injury., Methods: We examined the expression of Ndrg2 in the kidney under normal physiological conditions and after R-I/R injury by immunofluorescence staining, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and western blotting. We then detected R-I/R injury in Ndrg2-deficient ( Ndrg2-/- ) mice and wild type ( Ndrg2+/+ ) littermates in vivo , and detected oxygen and glucose deprivation and reperfusion (OGD-R) injury in HK-2 cells. We further conducted transcriptomic sequencing to investigate the role of Ndrg2 in R-I/R injury and detected levels of oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage by dihydroethidium staining, biochemical assays, and western blot. Finally, we measured the levels of mitophagy in Ndrg2+/+ and Ndrg2-/- mice after R-I/R injury or HK-2 cells in OGD-R injury., Results: Ndrg2 was primarily expressed in renal proximal tubules and its expression was significantly decreased 24 h after R-I/R injury. Ndrg2-/- mice exhibited significantly attenuated R-I/R injury compared to Ndrg2+/+ mice. Transcriptomics profiling showed that Ndrg2 deficiency induced perturbations of multiple signaling pathways, downregulated inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, and increased autophagy following R-I/R injury. Further studies revealed that Ndrg2 deficiency reduced oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage. Notably, Ndrg2 deficiency significantly activated phosphatase and tensin homologue on chromosome ten-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1)/Parkin-mediated mitophagy. The downregulation of NDRG2 expression significantly increased cell viability after OGD-R injury, increased the expression of heme oxygenase-1, decreased the expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4, and increased the expression of the PINK1/Parkin pathway., Conclusion: Ndrg2 deficiency might become a therapy target for R-I/R injury by decreasing oxidative stress, maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis, and activating PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy., (Copyright © 2024 The Chinese Medical Association, produced by Wolters Kluwer, Inc. under the CC-BY-NC-ND license.)

Renal fibrosis is a process in which excessive deposition of extracellular matrix leads to an increase in tissue hardness and gradual destruction of the renal parenchyma. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) commonly progresses to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), ultimately leading to renal failure. This disease has high incidence and mortality rates, but to date, effective treatment options are lacking. PEP-Z-2 is a collagen peptide isolated from redlip croaker scales and may have potential fibroprotective activity. In this study, PEP-Z-2 was found to alleviate unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)- and folic acid (FA)-induced kidney injury in a mouse model, reduce collagen deposition in tissues, normalize renal function, reduce the expression of fibrosis markers, reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and restore the balance of the oxidant/antioxidant system. In vitro experiments also demonstrated that PEP-Z-2 inhibits the TGF-β-induced differentiation of fibroblasts and renal tubular epithelial cells into myofibroblasts and reduces the production of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as fibronectin, Col I, and α-SMA, demonstrating notable therapeutic effects on renal fibrosis. This effect is achieved by regulating the TGF-β/Smad/AKT/MAPK pathway. Our research suggested that PEP-Z-2 is a potential therapeutic drug for renal fibrosis, and peptides from aquatic organisms may constitute a new class of candidate drugs for the treatment of renal fibrosis and even other types of organ fibrosis., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All authors disclosed no relevant relationships., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Reactive oxygen species production might be prevented by xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) inhibitors, which can cause glomerulosclerosis. We aimed to investigate whether topiroxostat, an XOR inhibitor, prevents diabetic kidney disease development in mice. Six-week-old control Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice and type 2 diabetic Nagoya Shibata Yasuda (NSY) mice were divided into the ICR group (ICR mice which received a lard-containing high-fat diet [HFD] based on the AIN-93G diet), NSY control group (NSY mice which received the same aforementioned diet), and NSY + topiroxostat group (NSY mice which received the same aforementioned diet with addition of 0.0012% topiroxostat). After 20 weeks, plasma biomarkers, XOR activity and oxidative stress levels, which were assessed using malondialdehyde (MDA), were measured through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or enzymatic methods. Renal pathology was evaluated using periodic acid-Schiff staining. Redox gene and protein expression were determined using RT-qPCR and western blotting, respectively. Plasma XOR activity was lower in NSY mice treated with topiroxostat than those without. Plasma cystatin C and creatinine levels did not differ between the ICR and NSY control groups or between the NSY control and NSY + topiroxostat groups. The NSY + topiroxostat group showed a smaller mesangial area than the NSY control group. The mRNA expression of Sod3, Prdx1, Gpx2, and Gpx3 was higher in the NSY + topiroxostat group than in the NSY control group. Renal MDA levels were lower in the NSY + topiroxostat group than in the NSY control group. Topiroxostat can reduce glomerulosclerosis, and the reduction is associated with renal oxidative markers., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest T. Nakmura is an employee of Pharmacological Study Group Pharmaceutical Research Laboratories, and he contributed to providing topiroxostat and determining XOR activity. Commercial organizations, including Pharmacological Study Group Pharmaceutical Research Laboratories, did not fund the study. None of the other authors have conflicts of interest or financial disclosures to the present study., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing, in parallel with risk factors including obesity and diabetes mellitus. AXL plays a central role in CKD, providing a rationale to evaluate clinical AXL targeting agents., Methods: To determine the efficacy and underlying molecular mechanisms of AXL inhibition in CKD, we employed a murine unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model preventively treated with a selective AXL kinase inhibitor (bemcentinib) during disease progression. We isolated kidneys at an early (3 days) or late (15 days) timepoint and profiled the cell populations using mass cytometry., Results: Preventive treatment with bemcentinib significantly attenuated fibrosis in the UUO model. The anti-fibrotic effect correlated with a decrease in mesangial cells and inhibition of innate immune cell infiltration, while the proportion of epithelial cells increased. We mapped AXL expression to a unique network of cells in the kidney: mesangial cells, pericytes, macrophages and dendritic cells., Discussion: We propose that AXL targeting affects an important cellular interaction network underlying fibrotic progression. These results support the clinical application of AXL targeting agents to treat CKD., Competing Interests: JL is a co-founder of BerGenBio. AR, JL, MB, LH, and GG were employed by BerGenBio. AJ is employed by BerGenBio ASA and BerGenBio Ltd. The remaining author declares that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Grøndal, Blø, Nilsson, Rayford, Jackson, Gausdal and Lorens.)

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that affects multiple organs, yet its underlying mechanisms remain unclear, and precise biomarkers are lacking. In this study, we employed Mendelian randomization and HEIDI tools to comprehensively analyze large-scale Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) and expression Quantitative Trait Loci (eQTL) data, leading to the identification of seven novel potential functional genes associated with SLE, including BLK, ELF1, STIM1, B3GALT6, APOLD1, INPP5B, and FHL3. Subsequent investigations revealed a significant downregulation of ELF1 gene expression in CD4 + T cells of SLE patients compared to healthy controls. Moreover, within various SLE subgroups, such as those with decreased serum complement C3 levels, positive urinary protein, new-onset skin rashes, and SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) scores ≥ 5, ELF1 expression displayed a consistent decreasing trend. Notably, ROC curve analysis highlighted the diagnostic potential of ELF1 expression in SLE (AUC = 0.9493), as well as its value in assessing disease activity (AUC = 0.6852) and renal involvement (AUC = 0.7363). In conclusion, this study underscores the potential of ELF1 as a SLE biomarker for diagnosis and evaluation, offering insights into the underlying mechanisms of SLE and paving the way for future therapeutic research., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

BACKGROUND This study examined the effects of khat extract on the proinflammatory cytokines, liver, and kidneys of rats. Unlike previous research that focused on broad immune markers and general effects, this study investigated specific proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and TNF-alpha) and considered gender differences in the immune response. Fresh khat plants and nontoxic doses were used to obtain clear observations relevant to human health. MATERIAL AND METHODS Extracts were prepared from young shoots of khat plants and fresh leaves. 150-gram male and female rats were randomly divided into 8 groups (5 rats per group). Six groups received the extract orally for 8 weeks at doses of 100, 300, and 500 mg/kg/day. Blood samples were collected after 56 days and assayed for cytokines using ELISA, while liver enzymes and kidney markers were assayed using kinetics and colorimetric methods. RESULTS Khat extract increased the levels of most cytokines, with higher doses causing greater increase. This effect was consistent across sexes for some cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-2), but not others (IL-4, IL-6, TNF-alpha), where sex played a role at specific doses. Various doses of the extract influenced glucose levels in both male and female rats. In addition, liver enzyme markers showed some variations. CONCLUSIONS This study, with its intriguing findings, illuminates the complex effects of khat on various systems. Variations in AST and ALT levels in the liver support earlier hepatotoxicity research and suggest possible khat-induced damage. This study revealed consistently increased levels of all cytokines as the dose of khat extract increased.