Diabetic nephropathy – is this an immune disorder?

2017 ◽  
Vol 131 (16) ◽  
pp. 2183-2199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greg H. Tesch

Chronic diabetes is associated with metabolic and haemodynamic stresses which can facilitate modifications to DNA, proteins and lipids, induce cellular dysfunction and damage, and stimulate inflammatory and fibrotic responses which lead to various types of renal injury. Approximately 30–40% of patients with diabetes develop nephropathy and this renal injury normally progresses in about a third of patients. Due to the growing incidence of diabetes, diabetic nephropathy is now the main cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide. Accumulating evidence from experimental and clinical studies has demonstrated that renal inflammation plays a critical role in determining whether renal injury progresses during diabetes. However, the immune response associated with diabetic nephropathy is considerably different to that seen in autoimmune kidney diseases or in acute kidney injury arising from episodes of ischaemia or infection. This review evaluates the role of the immune system in the development of diabetic nephropathy, including the specific contributions of leucocyte subsets (macrophages, neutrophils, mast cells, T and B lymphocytes), danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), inflammasomes, immunoglobulin and complement. It also examines factors which may influence the development of the immune response, including genetic factors and exposure to other kidney insults. In addition, this review discusses therapies which are currently under development for targeting the immune system in diabetic nephropathy and indicates those which have proceeded into clinical trials.

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongjun Zhu ◽  
Hongwang Cui ◽  
Jie Lv ◽  
Haiqin Liang ◽  
Yanping Zheng ◽  
...  

AbstractAbnormal renin-angiotensin system (RAS) activation plays a critical role in the initiation and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) by directly mediating renal tubular cell apoptosis. Our previous study showed that necroptosis may play a more important role than apoptosis in mediating renal tubular cell loss in chronic renal injury rats, but the mechanism involved remains unknown. Here, we investigate whether blocking the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and/or angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) beneficially alleviates renal tubular cell necroptosis and chronic kidney injury. In an angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced renal injury mouse model, we found that blocking AT1R and AT2R effectively mitigates Ang II-induced increases in necroptotic tubular epithelial cell percentages, necroptosis-related RIP3 and MLKL protein expression, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels, and tubular damage scores. Furthermore, inhibition of AT1R and AT2R diminishes Ang II-induced necroptosis in HK-2 cells and the AT2 agonist CGP42112A increases the percentage of necroptotic HK-2 cells. In addition, the current study also demonstrates that Losartan and PD123319 effectively mitigated the Ang II-induced increases in Fas and FasL signaling molecule expression. Importantly, disruption of FasL significantly suppressed Ang II-induced increases in necroptotic HK-2 cell percentages, and necroptosis-related proteins. These results suggest that Fas and FasL, as subsequent signaling molecules of AT1R and AT2R, might involve in Ang II-induced necroptosis. Taken together, our results suggest that Ang II-induced necroptosis of renal tubular cell might be involved both AT1R and AT2R and the subsequent expression of Fas, FasL signaling. Thus, AT1R and AT2R might function as critical mediators.


Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 380
Author(s):  
Ales Macela ◽  
Klara Kubelkova

SARS-CoV-2 infection induces the production of autoantibodies, which is significantly associated with complications during hospitalization and a more severe prognosis in COVID-19 patients. Such a response of the patient’s immune system may reflect (1) the dysregulation of the immune response or (2) it may be an attempt to regulate itself in situations where the non-infectious self poses a greater threat than the infectious non-self. Of significance may be the primary virus-host cell interaction where the surface-bound ACE2 ectoenzyme plays a critical role. Here, we present a brief analysis of recent findings concerning the immune recognition of SARS-CoV-2, which, we believe, favors the second possibility as the underlying reason for the production of autoantibodies during COVID-19.


Pathobiology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Ana Margarida Barbosa ◽  
Alexandra Gomes-Gonçalves ◽  
António G. Castro ◽  
Egídio Torrado

The immune system plays a critical role in preventing cancer development and progression. However, the complex network of cells and soluble factor that form the tumor microenvironment (TME) can dictate the differentiation of tumor-infiltrating leukocytes and shift the antitumor immune response into promoting tumor growth. With the advent of cancer immunotherapy, there has been a reinvigorated interest in defining how the TME shapes the antitumor immune response. This interest brought to light the microbiome as a novel player in shaping cancer immunosurveillance. Indeed, accumulating evidence now suggests that the microbiome may confer susceptibility or resistance to certain cancers and may influence response to therapeutics, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors. As we move forward into the age of precision medicine, it is vital that we define the factors that influence the interplay between the triad immune system-microbiota-cancer. This knowledge will contribute to improve the therapeutic response to current approaches and will unravel novel targets for immunotherapy.


Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 457
Author(s):  
Kyeong-Seok Kim ◽  
Jin-Sol Lee ◽  
Jae-Hyeon Park ◽  
Eun-Young Lee ◽  
Jong-Seok Moon ◽  
...  

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus. After development of DN, patients will progress to end-stage renal disease, which is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Here, we developed early-stage diagnostic biomarkers to detect DN as a strategy for DN intervention. For the DN model, Zucker diabetic fatty rats were used for DN phenotyping. The results revealed that DN rats showed significantly increased blood glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine levels, accompanied by severe kidney injury, fibrosis and microstructural changes. In addition, DN rats showed significantly increased urinary excretion of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). Transcriptome analysis revealed that new DN biomarkers, such as complementary component 4b (C4b), complementary factor D (CFD), C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 6 (CXCR6), and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) were identified. Furthermore, they were found in the urine of patients with DN. Since these biomarkers were detected in the urine and kidney of DN rats and urine of diabetic patients, the selected markers could be used as early diagnosis biomarkers for chronic diabetic nephropathy.


Author(s):  
SHAREEF J. ◽  
SRIDHAR S. B. ◽  
SHARIFF A.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are most widely used medications for acid related gastrointestinal disorders. Accessible evidence based studies suggest that the increased use of PPI is linked to a greater risk of developing kidney diseases. This review aims to determine the association of kidney disease with the use of proton pump inhibitor with various study designs. PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases as well as a reference list of relevant articles were systematically searched for studies by using the following search terms; ‘proton pump inhibitors’, ‘acute kidney injury’, ‘chronic kidney disease’ and ‘end stage renal disease’. Both observational and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) exploring the association of PPI use with kidney disease were eligible for inclusion. A total of 8 articles, including 9 studies (n = 794,349 participants) were identified and included in the review. Majority of the studies showed a higher risk of kidney outcomes in patients taking PPIs, with effect higher of acute kidney injury (4-to 6-fold) compared with chronic kidney disease and end stage renal disease (1.5-to 2.5-fold). However, the studies suggest that the strength of evidence is weak and could not prove causation. The risk increased considerably with the use of high dose of PPIs and prolonged duration of exposure necessitates the monitoring of renal function. Exercising vigilance in PPI use and cessation of proton pump inhibitor when there is no clear indication may be a reasonable approach to reduce the population burden of kidney diseases.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 2850 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jong Lee ◽  
Donghee Kim ◽  
Yoon Oh ◽  
Hee-Sook Jun

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a bioactive phospholipid present in most tissues and body fluids. LPA acts through specific LPA receptors (LPAR1 to LPAR6) coupled with G protein. LPA binds to receptors and activates multiple cellular signaling pathways, subsequently exerting various biological functions, such as cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. LPA also induces cell damage through complex overlapping pathways, including the generation of reactive oxygen species, inflammatory cytokines, and fibrosis. Several reports indicate that the LPA–LPAR axis plays an important role in various diseases, including kidney disease, lung fibrosis, and cancer. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most common diabetic complications and the main risk factor for chronic kidney diseases, which mostly progress to end-stage renal disease. There is also growing evidence indicating that the LPA–LPAR axis also plays an important role in inducing pathological alterations of cell structure and function in the kidneys. In this review, we will discuss key mediators or signaling pathways activated by LPA and summarize recent research findings associated with DN.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erina Sugita ◽  
Kaori Hayashi ◽  
Akihito Hishikawa ◽  
Hiroshi Itoh

Recently, epigenetic alterations have been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes and its complications. Kidney podocytes, which are glomerular epithelial cells, are important cells that form a slit membrane—a barrier for proteinuria. Podocytes are terminally differentiated cells without cell division or replenishment abilities. Therefore, podocyte damage is suggested to be one of the key factors determining renal prognosis. Recent studies, including ours, suggest that epigenetic changes in podocytes are associated with chronic kidney disease, including diabetic nephropathy. Furthermore, the association between DNA damage repair and epigenetic changes in diabetic podocytes has been demonstrated. Detection of podocyte DNA damage and epigenetic changes using human samples, such as kidney biopsy and urine-derived cells, may be a promising strategy for estimating kidney damage and renal prognoses in patients with diabetes. Targeting epigenetic podocyte changes and associated DNA damage may become a novel therapeutic strategy for preventing progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and provide a possible prognostic marker in diabetic nephropathy. This review summarizes recent advances regarding epigenetic changes, especially DNA methylation, in podocytes in diabetic nephropathy and addresses detection of these alterations in human samples. Additionally, we focused on DNA damage, which is increased under high-glucose conditions and associated with the generation of epigenetic changes in podocytes. Furthermore, epigenetic memory in diabetes is discussed. Understanding the role of epigenetic changes in podocytes in diabetic nephropathy may be of great importance considering the increasing diabetic nephropathy patient population in an aging society.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-24
Author(s):  
Natalia P. Trubitsyna ◽  
◽  
Natalia V. Zaitseva ◽  
Anastasia S. Severinа ◽  
◽  
...  

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) progressively increases around the world. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is significant reason of end-stage renal disease and it is associated with high risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Necessity of expensive renal replacement therapy for patients with prominent vascular diabetic complications and end-stage renal disease has significant socio-economic impact. DM, as a one of leading causes of kidney diseases, competes for stricted resources of public health. Renal replacement therapy in patients with DM does not solve the whole problem, because survival of such patients is low, comparing with another kidney diseases, first of all because of cardiovascular diseases. Good control of glycaemia, blood pressure and cholesterol level and prescription of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors and statins decrease cardiovascular risk and slow down DN progression, as it was shown in many clinical trials. So patients with DM and DN should receive complex therapy for risk reduction of kidney disease and cardiovascular disorders progression. Keywords: diabetes mellitus type 2, diabetic nephropathy, nephroprotection, cardioprotection, SGLT-2 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system For citation: Trubitsyna NP, Zaitseva NV, Severinа AS. Diabetic nephropathy: what should cardiologist remember. Consilium Medicum. 2021; 23 (1): 20–24. DOI: 10.26442/20751753.2021.1.200712


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Zuo ◽  
Li Chen ◽  
Huiping Gu ◽  
Xiaoyun He ◽  
Zhen Ye ◽  
...  

Abstract Pyroptosis is a recently identified mechanism of programmed cell death related to Caspase-1 that triggers a series of inflammatory reactions by releasing several proinflammatory factors such as IL-1β and IL-18. The process is characterised by the rupture of cell membranes and the release of cell contents through the mediation of gasdermin (GSDM) proteins. GSDMD is an important member of the GSDM family and plays a critical role in the two pathways of pyroptosis. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a microvascular complication of diabetes and a major cause of end-stage renal disease. Recently, it was revealed that GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis plays an important role in the occurrence and development of DN. In this review, we focus on two types of kidney cells, tubular epithelial cells and renal podocytes, to illustrate the mechanism of pyroptosis in DN and provide new ideas for the prevention, early diagnosis and molecular therapy of DN.


2020 ◽  
Vol 318 (2) ◽  
pp. F509-F517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Wetzel ◽  
Ting Gao ◽  
Kristen Stanley ◽  
Timothy K. Cooper ◽  
Sidney M. Morris ◽  
...  

Endothelial dysfunction, characterized by reduced bioavailability of nitric oxide and increased oxidative stress, is a hallmark characteristic in diabetes and diabetic nephropathy (DN). High levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) are observed in several diseases including DN and are a strong prognostic marker for cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes and end-stage renal disease. ADMA, an endogenous endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) inhibitor, is selectively metabolized by dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH). Low DDAH levels have been associated with cardiac and renal dysfunction, but its effects on DN are unknown. We hypothesized that enhanced renal DDAH-1 expression would improve DN by reducing ADMA and restoring NOS3 levels. DBA/2J mice injected with multiple low doses of vehicle or streptozotocin were subsequently injected intrarenally with adenovirus expressing DDAH-1 (Ad-h-DDAH-1) or vector control [Ad-green fluorescent protein (GFP)], and mice were followed for 6 wk. Diabetes was associated with increased kidney ADMA and reduced kidney DDAH activity and DDAH-1 expression but had no effect on kidney DDAH-2 expression. Ad-GFP-treated diabetic mice showed significant increases in albuminuria, histological changes, glomerular macrophage recruitment, inflammatory cytokine and fibrotic markers, kidney ADMA levels, and urinary thiobarbituric acid reactive substances excretion as an indicator of oxidative stress, along with a significant reduction in kidney DDAH activity and kidney NOS3 mRNA compared with normal mice. In contrast, Ad-h-DDAH-1 treatment of diabetic mice reversed these effects. These data indicate, for the first time, that DDAH-1 mediates renal tissue protection in DN via the ADMA-NOS3-interaction. Enhanced renal DDAH-1 activity could be a novel therapeutic tool for treating patients with diabetes.


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