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Redox Biology Dec 2023Diabetic tubulopathy (DT) is a recently recognized key pathology of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). The mitochondria-centric view of DT is emerging as a vital...
Diabetic tubulopathy (DT) is a recently recognized key pathology of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). The mitochondria-centric view of DT is emerging as a vital pathological factor in different types of metabolic diseases, such as DKD. Finerenone (FIN), a novel non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, attenuates kidney inflammation and fibrosis in DKD, but the precise pathomechanisms remain unclear. The role of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) in perturbing mitochondrial function via the PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway, including mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy, was investigated under a diabetic state and high glucose (HG) ambiance. To elucidate how the activation of MR provokes mitochondrial dysfunction in DT, human kidney proximal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells were exposed to HG, and then mitochondrial dynamics, mitophagy, mitochondrial ROS (mitoROS), signaling molecules PI3K, Akt, Akt phosphorylation and eNOS were probed. The above molecules or proteins were also explored in the kidneys of diabetic and FIN-treated mice. FIN treatment reduced oxidative stress, mitochondrial fragmentation, and apoptosis while restoring the mitophagy via PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway in HK-2 cells exposed to HG ambiance and tubular cells of DM mice. These findings linked MR activation to mitochondrial dysfunction via PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway in DT and highlight a pivotal but previously undiscovered role of FIN in alleviating renal tubule injury for the treatment of DKD.
Topics: Humans; Mice; Animals; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Signal Transduction; Diabetic Nephropathies; Mitochondria; Diabetes Mellitus
PubMed: 37924663
DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102946 -
Kidney International Dec 2023The efficient reabsorption of essential nutrients by epithelial cells in the proximal tubule of the kidney is crucial for maintaining homeostasis. This process relies... (Review)
Review
The efficient reabsorption of essential nutrients by epithelial cells in the proximal tubule of the kidney is crucial for maintaining homeostasis. This process relies heavily on a complex ecosystem of vesicular trafficking pathways. At the center of this network, the lysosome plays a pivotal role in processing incoming molecules, sensing nutrient availability, sorting receptors and transporters, and balancing differentiation and proliferation in the tubular epithelial cells. Disruptions in these fundamental processes can lead to proximal tubulopathy-a condition characterized by the dysfunction of the tubular cells followed by the presence of low-molecular-weight proteins and solutes in urine. If left untreated, proximal tubulopathy can progress to chronic kidney disease and severe complications. Functional studies of rare inherited disorders affecting the proximal tubule have gleaned actionable insights into fundamental mechanisms of homeostasis while revealing drug targets for therapeutic discovery and development. In this mini review, we explore hereditary proximal tubulopathies as a paradigm of kidney homeostasis disorders, discussing the factors contributing to tubular dysfunction. In addition, we shed light on the current landscape of drug discovery approaches used to identify actionable targets and summarize the preclinical pipeline of potential therapeutic agents. These efforts may ultimately lead to new treatment avenues for proximal tubulopathies, which are currently inadequately tackled by existing therapies. Through this article, our hope is to promote academia-industry partnerships and advocate for research consortia that can accelerate the effective translation of knowledge advances into innovative therapies addressing the huge unmet needs of individuals with these debilitating diseases.
Topics: Humans; Cell Differentiation; Drug Discovery; Kidney; Kidney Diseases
PubMed: 37783447
DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2023.08.026 -
Ophthalmic Genetics Dec 2023The genetic tubulopathies are rare and heterogenous disorders that are often difficult to identify. This study examined the tubulopathy-causing genes for ocular... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The genetic tubulopathies are rare and heterogenous disorders that are often difficult to identify. This study examined the tubulopathy-causing genes for ocular associations that suggested their genetic basis and, in some cases, the affected gene.
METHODS
Sixty-seven genes from the Genomics England renal tubulopathy panel were reviewed for ocular features, and for retinal expression in the Human Protein Atlas and an ocular phenotype in mouse models in the Mouse Genome Informatics database. The genes resulted in disease affecting the proximal tubules ( = 24); the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle ( = 10); the distal convoluted tubule ( = 15); or the collecting duct ( = 18).
RESULTS
Twenty-five of the tubulopathy-associated genes (37%) had ocular features reported in human disease, 49 (73%) were expressed in the retina, although often at low levels, and 16 (24%) of the corresponding mouse models had an ocular phenotype. Ocular abnormalities were more common in genes affected in the proximal tubulopathies (17/24, 71%) than elsewhere (7/43, 16%). They included structural features (coloboma, microphthalmia); refractive errors (myopia, astigmatism); crystal deposition (in oxalosis, cystinosis) and sclerochoroidal calcification (in Bartter, Gitelman syndromes). Retinal atrophy was common in the mitochondrial-associated tubulopathies. Structural abnormalities and crystal deposition were present from childhood, but sclerochoroidal calcification typically occurred after middle age.
CONCLUSIONS
Ocular abnormalities are uncommon in the genetic tubulopathies but may be helpful in recognizing the underlying genetic disease. The retinal expression and mouse phenotype data suggest that further ocular associations may become apparent with additional reports. Early identification may be necessary to monitor and treat visual complications.
Topics: Middle Aged; Humans; Animals; Mice; Child; Face; Retina; Astigmatism; Myopia; Refractive Errors; Calcinosis; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 37702059
DOI: 10.1080/13816810.2023.2253901 -
Journal of the American Society of... Nov 2023Several recent studies identified mitochondrial mutations in patients with Gitelman or Fanconi syndrome. Mitochondrial cytopathies are generally not considered in the...
SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT
Several recent studies identified mitochondrial mutations in patients with Gitelman or Fanconi syndrome. Mitochondrial cytopathies are generally not considered in the diagnostic workup of patients with electrolyte disorders. In this systematic review, we investigated the presence of electrolyte disorders in patients with mitochondrial cytopathies to determine the relevance of mitochondrial mutation screening in this population. Our analysis demonstrates that electrolyte disorders are commonly reported in mitochondrial cytopathies, often as presenting symptoms. Consequently, more clinical attention should be raised for mitochondrial disease as cause for disturbances in electrolyte homeostasis. Further prospective cohort studies are required to determine the exact prevalence of electrolyte disorders in mitochondrial cytopathies.
BACKGROUND
Electrolyte reabsorption in the kidney has a high energy demand. Proximal and distal tubular epithelial cells have a high mitochondrial density for energy release. Recently, electrolyte disorders have been reported as the primary presentation of some mitochondrial cytopathies. However, the prevalence and the pathophysiology of electrolyte disturbances in mitochondrial disease are unknown. Therefore, we systematically investigated electrolyte disorders in patients with mitochondrial cytopathies.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar for articles on genetically confirmed mitochondrial disease in patients for whom at least one electrolyte is reported. Patients with a known second genetic anomaly were excluded. We evaluated 214 case series and reports (362 patients) as well as nine observational studies. Joanna Briggs Institute criteria were used to evaluate the quality of included studies.
RESULTS
Of 362 reported patients, 289 had an electrolyte disorder, with it being the presenting or main symptom in 38 patients. The average number of different electrolyte abnormalities per patient ranged from 2.4 to 1.0, depending on genotype. Patients with mitochondrial DNA structural variants seemed most affected. Reported pathophysiologic mechanisms included renal tubulopathies and hormonal, gastrointestinal, and iatrogenic causes.
CONCLUSIONS
Mitochondrial diseases should be considered in the evaluation of unexplained electrolyte disorders. Furthermore, clinicians should be aware of electrolyte abnormalities in patients with mitochondrial disease.
Topics: Humans; Mitochondrial Myopathies; Kearns-Sayre Syndrome; Mitochondrial Diseases; Mitochondria; DNA, Mitochondrial; Water-Electrolyte Imbalance
PubMed: 37678265
DOI: 10.1681/ASN.0000000000000224 -
Kidney International Reports Aug 2023Lysozyme-associated nephropathy (LyN), a rare cause of kidney injury in patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), has not been well described to date. We...
INTRODUCTION
Lysozyme-associated nephropathy (LyN), a rare cause of kidney injury in patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), has not been well described to date. We report the clinicopathologic spectrum of LyN from a multi-institutional series.
METHOD
We identified 37 native kidney biopsies with LyN and retrospectively obtained clinicopathologic data.
RESULTS
Thirty-seven patients had a median age of 74 years and included 78% males. Their most common presentation was acute kidney injury (AKI) or AKI on chronic kidney disease (CKD) (66%) with median estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 21.7 ml/min per 1.73 m, and proteinuria of 1.7 g. A minority (15%) had partial Fanconi syndrome. Serum lysozyme levels were elevated in all tested. Hematologic disorder ( = 28, 76%) was the most common etiology, including CMML ( = 15), acute myeloid leukemia ( = 5), and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) ( = 5). Nonhematologic causes ( = 5, 14%), included metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma ( = 3), sarcoidosis, and leprosy. Etiology was unknown in 4 (11%). Pathology showed proximal tubulopathy with abundant hypereosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions, with characteristic staining pattern by lysozyme immunostain. Mortality was high (8/30). However, among the 22 alive, including 85% treated, 7 had improved kidney function, including 1 who discontinued dialysis and 6 with increase in eGFR >15 ml/min per 1.73 m compared with eGFR at the time of biopsy.
CONCLUSION
Increased awareness of the full clinicopathologic spectrum of LyN may lead to prompt diagnosis, earlier treatment, and potentially improved outcome of this rare entity.
PubMed: 37547521
DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2023.05.007 -
Phytomedicine : International Journal... Oct 2023Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the major chronic microvascular complications of diabetes and the main cause of end-stage renal failure. Zhenwu Decoction (ZWD),...
BACKGROUND
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the major chronic microvascular complications of diabetes and the main cause of end-stage renal failure. Zhenwu Decoction (ZWD), an ancient classic herbal formula in Chinese medicine, has been clinically used for the treatment of kidney disease in China for many years. However, there is currently limited research investigating the application of ZWD in the treatment of DKD and the underlying chemical and biochemical mechanisms involved. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to identify active components in ZWD and unravel the possible mechanism(s) of action for ZWD in treating DKD.
METHODS
The protective effect of ZWD against DKD was evaluated utilizing an in vitro model of diabetic renal proximal tubulopathy. The major chemical components from ZWD were identified by LC-MS/MS. Drug targets were predicted by submitting the SMILES (Simplified Molecular Input Line Entry System) of the compounds to SEA (Similarity Ensemble Approach) search server and SwissTargetPrediction. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of the disease were collected and integrated from GeneCards. The constructions of "Compounds-potential targets interaction" (CTI) network and Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network, as well as topology analysis were conducted by Cytoscape. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Metacore pathway enrichment analysis were also performed. Lastly, molecular docking and experimental studies were adopted to validate the core target and identify an active component(s) of ZWD.
RESULTS
We demonstrated that the ZWD extract could significantly rescue the palmitic acid (PA) and high glucose-induced apoptotic cell death in HK-2 cells, and the cytoprotection was accompanied by decreases in the extent of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial membrane depolarization and ATP depletion. Fifty-seven compounds in the aqueous extract of ZWD were identified by LC-MS. The results of PPI analysis showed that top hub genes involved epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3), Serine/Threonine Kinase 1 (AKT1), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGFA) and Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF2). Pathway enrichment analysis revealed the involvement of S1P1 receptor signaling and EGFR pathways. The results of molecular docking analysis showed that albiflorin has a high binding affinity to EGFR. Albiflorin could also exert protective effects in an HK-2 cell model of DKD, which may be related to the inhibition of the high glucose/high lipid-induced EGFR and Akt phosphorylation.
CONCLUSION
ZWD has been shown to be effective in ameliorating cell death in an experimental model of DKD. The beneficial effect of ZWD against DKD was associated with the interactions between the active ingredients and the hub genes, such as EGFR, STAT3, AKT1, and VEGF-A. Albiflorin may be one of the active components responsible for the nephroprotective effect in ZWD.
Topics: Humans; Diabetic Nephropathies; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Chromatography, Liquid; Molecular Docking Simulation; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; ErbB Receptors; Diabetes Mellitus
PubMed: 37523837
DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.154988 -
Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan) Mar 2024A 70-year-old woman with acute kidney injury, a high serum Creatinine (Cr) level (3.91 mg/dL), and proteinuria (protein/Cr ratio 1.59 g/gCr) was admitted. Serum IgG...
A 70-year-old woman with acute kidney injury, a high serum Creatinine (Cr) level (3.91 mg/dL), and proteinuria (protein/Cr ratio 1.59 g/gCr) was admitted. Serum IgG λ-type and urinary λ-type M proteins were observed. A bone marrow examination indicated monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). A renal biopsy showed distended proximal tubular cells, and immunofluorescence identified tissue positive for proximal tubular cell λ light chains. Electron microscopy identified fibril-like structures in the lysosomes. The patient was diagnosed with light chain proximal tubulopathy without crystals in IgG λ-type MGUS and treated with bortezomib and dexamethasone therapy, which improved her renal function.
Topics: Female; Humans; Aged; Bortezomib; Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance; Paraproteinemias; Kidney Diseases; Dexamethasone; Immunoglobulin G
PubMed: 37438138
DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.1835-23 -
Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation :... Oct 2023Light chain proximal tubulopathy (LCPT) is a rare form of paraprotein-related disease, occurring in two main histopathological forms: crystalline and non-crystalline....
BACKGROUND
Light chain proximal tubulopathy (LCPT) is a rare form of paraprotein-related disease, occurring in two main histopathological forms: crystalline and non-crystalline. The clinicopathological features, treatment strategies and outcomes, especially of the non-crystalline form, are not well described.
METHODS
We conducted a single-centre retrospective case series of 12 LCPT patients, 5 crystalline and 7 non-crystalline, between 2005 and 2021.
RESULTS
The median age was 69.5 years (range 47-80). Ten patients presented with CKD and significant proteinuria (median estimated glomerular filtration rate of 43.5 ml/min/1.73 m2; urine protein:creatinine ratio 328 mg/mmol). Only six patients had known haematological disease at the time of renal biopsy. Multiple myeloma (MM) was diagnosed in seven patients cases and monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) in five patients. A clone was detected in all cases combining serum/urine electrophoresis and free light chain (LC) assays. Crystalline and non-crystalline variants had similar clinical presentations. For the non-crystalline variant, a diagnosis was reached based on a combination of CKD without another cause, haematological workup, LC restriction on immunofluorescence and abnormalities on electron microscopy (EM). Nine of 12 patients received clone-directed treatment. Patients who achieved haematological response (including all non-crystalline LCPT) had improved renal outcomes over a median follow-up of 79 months.
CONCLUSIONS
The non-crystalline variant may go unrecognised because of its subtle histopathological features and requires EM to distinguish it from 'excessive LC resorption without tubular injury'. Clone-directed treatment with good haematological response improves renal outcomes in both variants but limited data exist in MGRS. Multicentre prospective studies are needed to better define the clinicopathological characteristics associated with poor outcomes and optimize treatment strategies in patients with MGRS.
Topics: Humans; Middle Aged; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Retrospective Studies; Kidney Diseases; Kidney; Multiple Myeloma; Immunoglobulin Light Chains; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Paraproteinemias
PubMed: 37120733
DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfad085 -
Renal Failure Dec 2023Crystal-storing histiocytosis (CSH), light chain proximal tubulopathy (LCPT), and light chain crystalline podocytopathy (LCCP) are rare complications of multiple myeloma... (Review)
Review
Combined crystal-storing histiocytosis, light chain proximal tubulopathy, and light chain crystalline podocytopathy in a patient with multiple myeloma: a case report and literature review.
BACKGROUND
Crystal-storing histiocytosis (CSH), light chain proximal tubulopathy (LCPT), and light chain crystalline podocytopathy (LCCP) are rare complications of multiple myeloma (MM) or monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance, and their diagnoses are challenging.
CASE PRESENTATION
In this case, a 69-year-old Chinese woman presented with suspicious Fanconi syndrome with renal insufficiency. Immunofixation electrophoresis of both serum and urine revealed elevated immunoglobulin G kappa (IgGkappa) and kappa light chain. Bone marrow aspirate revealed 15% plasma cells with considerable cytoplasmic granular inclusions and needle-shaped crystals. Renal biopsy confirmed the final pathologic diagnosis of kappa-restricted CSH, combined LCPT and LCCP by immunoelectron microscopy. A number of special casts were present which could easily be misdiagnosed as light chain cast nephropathy. Immunofluorescence on frozen tissue presented false negative for kappa light chain, as ultimately proven by paraffin-embedded tissue after pronase digestion. MM and CSH were diagnosed, and two cycles of chemotherapy were given. The patient subsequently refused further chemotherapy, and her renal function remained relatively stable during a 2.5-year follow-up period.
CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, we report a rare case of generalized kappa-restricted CSH involving bone marrow and kidney, combined with LCPT and LCCP, provide a comprehensive summary of renal CSH, and propose a new nomenclature of monoclonal immunoglobulin-induced crystalline nephrology. The presentation of monoclonal immunoglobulin and Fanconi syndrome should suggest the presence of monoclonal immunoglobulin-induced crystalline nephrology. Use of paraffin-embedded tissue after pronase digestion and immunoelectron microscopy is beneficial to improve the sensitivity of diagnosis.
Topics: Humans; Female; Aged; Multiple Myeloma; Fanconi Syndrome; Pronase; Kidney Diseases; Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Histiocytosis
PubMed: 36632756
DOI: 10.1080/0886022X.2022.2145970