Synaptopodin在肾小球病变中的表达研究

目的研究synaptopodin在肾小球病变中的表达变化,诣在探讨足细胞损伤在肾小球疾病进展过程中的作用.方法应用免疫组织化学方法检测synaptopodin在微小病变肾病(MCD)、系膜增殖性肾炎(MsPGN)、IgA肾病(IgAN)、局灶节段性肾小球硬化症(FSGS)中的表达,并对其表达进行定量分析.结果 synaptopodin沿肾小球毛细血管袢呈颗粒状、线状表达,在硬化区无表达.图像分析显示synaptopodin表达从正常人、MCD、IgAN、MsPGN到FSGS依次下降(P<0.01).结论 synaptopodin的变化影响足细胞的结构和功能,进而对肾小球疾病的进展发挥重要作用.     

阿霉素肾病小鼠的肾脏病理转变过程

目的观察不同时间点阿霉素肾病小鼠肾脏病理的转变过程。方法 48只雄性BALB/c小鼠,随机分成对照组和模型组,模型组经尾静脉一次性注射阿霉素10.5mg/kg,对照组给予等量的生理盐水。动态观察实验12周内小鼠24 h尿蛋白、血清生化指标、肾脏病理改变。结果模型小鼠蛋白尿于实验第2周出现,持续至第12周,第8周出现高峰(均P0.05);低蛋白血症、高脂血症分别于实验第4、8周出现,血肌酐于实验第12周明显高于正常组(均P0.05)。模型小鼠肾脏病理改变第4周表现为微小病变型;第8周病变较第4周加重,硬化不明显;第12周出现肾小球局灶节段性硬化、肾小球硬化指数(GSI)为(2.81±0.84)%,明显高于同一观测时间点对照组GSI(0.33±0.21)%(P0.01)。结论一次性尾静脉注射10.5 mg/kg阿霉素,能成功复制阿霉素肾病小鼠模型,该模型在早期表现为微小病变型肾病,晚期转变为局灶性节段性肾小球硬化。     

天然免疫分子在糖基化异常IgA致肾小球足细胞损伤中的免疫调节作用

IgA肾病(IgA nephropathy,IgAN)位居各类肾小球疾病之首,是一组以IgA为主的免疫球蛋白在肾小球系膜区沉积为特征的免疫介导性肾小球疾病,也是引起患者终末期肾衰竭最常见的病因之一。足细胞是继系膜细胞与IgA肾病关系的新近关注热点,其系一类位于基底膜最外层的上皮细胞,并是构成肾小球滤过屏障的核心成份。目前认为,足细胞损伤及其生物学行为在IgA肾病等疾病起始进展乃至终末期肾衰中起关键作用。近年伴随着对上皮细胞尤其细胞转分化(EMT)现象在足细胞损伤机制中重要意义的认识,人们注意到糖基化异常IgA在足细胞EMT发生中的诱发作用,以及足细胞EMT过程中的病生理调控机制与IgA肾病等肾小球疾病发生发展的关系。为此,该文进一步基于足细胞的生物学特性以及免疫调节新的视角,探讨天然免疫分子在糖基化异常IgA致足细胞损伤中的调控作用,拟为进一步阐释IgA肾病发病机制及其相关研究乃至临床治疗提供新的思路。     

内皮祖细胞在支架术后再内皮化中应用的研究进展

足细胞是附着在肾小球基底膜外的高度分化的上皮细胞,在维持肾小球滤过屏障完整性及限制血浆蛋白的滤出方面均发挥重要作用。近年来,在糖尿病肾病的研究中发现,足细胞损伤对蛋白尿及肾小球硬化等病理变化均明显相关。本文就糖尿病肾病时足细胞损伤的特点作一简要概述,为以后的相关研究奠定基础。     

Formin的功能与疾病

Formin是一种保守的肌动蛋白成核因子,其中只有少数Formin没有肌动蛋白成核能力。Formin家族包括DAAM(dishevelled-associated activator of morphogenesis)和INF(inverted formin)等成员。DAAM1表达上调会导致机体功能紊乱,进而导致特发性肺动脉高压、卵巢癌、乳腺癌、胃癌的发生。DAAM2在机体内功能失调会导致髓鞘结构异常、类固醇耐药性肾病综合征、肾细胞癌、胰腺癌等疾病的发生。INF2表达上调可以诱导线粒体的分裂,促进细胞的增殖迁移,促进局灶节段性肾小球硬化、子宫内膜癌、甲状腺癌等疾病的发展。Formin的功能与人类疾病的发生和发展密切相关。本文综述了近年来Formin的研究进展及其与人类疾病之间的联系,为Formin相关疾病的深入研究和治疗提供参考和依据。     

用近交系白化金黄仓鼠复制肾炎动物模型

本文选用近交系白化金黄仓鼠复制肾炎动物模型。发现近交系白化金黄仓鼠容易制作肾炎动物模型 ,其病理变化与自然发生的病变几乎一致 ,即 :肾脏肿大 ,色泽苍白 ,肾外包膜部分或全部脱落 ;镜下观察有红细胞渗出、炎性细胞浸润、蛋白管型和细胞管型 ,局灶的节段性肾小球硬化等 ,且肾功能也出现异常。     

足细胞发育异常及相关肾脏疾病研究进展

足细胞是肾小球滤过屏障的重要组成部分,其数量减少或功能障碍将导致肾小球滤过功能损伤和相关肾脏疾病的发生。足细胞为不可再生性细胞,其数量和功能在一定程度上取决于其正常发育。已发表的文献和本实验室的研究工作表明,遗传或不良宫内环境等原因所致的足细胞发育不良,可能导致成年后肾小球滤过功能障碍,并成为某些胎源性肾脏疾病发生或易感的病因之一,而表观遗传学机制可能参与介导足细胞发育过程中某些关键基因的表达异常。本文对足细胞结构功能和正常发育、足细胞发育异常的病因和机制、以及足细胞发育异常所致的肾脏疾病等几方面进行综述,以期对发育源性足细胞相关肾脏疾病的诊断与治疗提供借鉴与参考。     

原位杂交检测组织金属蛋白酶抑制因子-1mRNA在IgA肾病肾脏中的表达

为探讨组织蛋白酶抑制因子在 Ig A肾病肾小球硬化中的作用 ,本文用原位杂交法研究组织金属蛋白酶抑制因子 -1(TIMP- 1) m RNA在 3种类型 Ig A肾病 (轻度系膜增生型、中度系膜增生型及局灶型 )肾组织中的表达。结果表明 :TIMP-1m RNA原位杂交的阳性信号主要分布于部分肾小管上皮细胞内。在肾小球系膜细胞也可检测到 TIMP- 1m RNA阳性信号 ,但较肾小管弱。中度系膜增生型的 TIMP- 1m RNA阳性信号明显地较其他两型 Ig A肾病为强。以上结果表明 :由肾小管上皮细胞及系膜细胞合成的 TIMP- 1通过抑制基质金属蛋白酶的活性 ,可导致细胞外基质 (ECM)在肾小管间质及肾小球内过度沉积 ,从而对肾小球硬化有促进作用。     

活性氧簇对蛋白尿的影响

蛋白尿不仅反映肾小球损伤,而且是一个独立的导致肾脏病变进展的主要因素,任何能够使蛋白尿减少的治疗干预都有利于减慢肾脏疾病的进展,遗传性蛋白尿性肾病是由于基因突变所致,获得性肾病大量蛋白尿成因目前尚未阐明。免疫异常,炎症介质及氧化应激反应均可导致肾损伤。氧自由基是肾损伤的主要介质,它作为强氧化剂是造成蛋白尿的重要原因之一。活性氧分子(ROS)可以通过降解肾小球乙酰肝素硫酸盐、肾小球基底膜Ⅳ型胶原富含赖氨酸的NCl区域发生交联、损伤足细胞破坏肾小球滤过屏障及与其他活性因子作用增强血清蛋白的渗透性等作用,造成蛋白尿。本文就近年来人们对活性氧造成蛋白尿的机制的研究做一综述,便于帮助医务工作者更好的了解和治疗蛋白尿性肾病。     

不同剂量阿霉素致大鼠局灶节段硬化肾病模型的建立比较

目的探讨不同剂量阿霉素对大鼠局灶节段硬化肾病模型的影响。方法左侧肾切除加尾静脉注射不同剂量阿霉素致大鼠肾脏局灶节段性硬化,观察不同剂量阿霉素对模型大鼠成活率、24 h尿蛋白定量、血清肌酐、尿素氮、肾脏病理的影响。结果不同阿霉素注射剂量组大鼠4周、8周成活率随着注射剂量的升高呈逐渐下降趋势,且4周、8周时阿霉素注射剂量4.5～6 mg/kg组模型大鼠成活率均低于50%;8周时成活率与注射剂量呈高度显著性负相关（r=0.9045,P〈0.01）。各阿霉素注射剂量组于1周出现尿蛋白明显升高（P〈0.01）、2周出现血清肌酐明显升高（P〈0.01）、4周出现血清尿素氮明显升高（P〈0.01）,并均呈进行性增高,2周时除3 mg/kg组外,其余各组血清尿素氮较正常组高（P〈0.01,P〈0.05）;8周时各注射剂量组大鼠24 h尿蛋白定量、血清肌酐、血清尿素氮与阿霉素注射剂量呈高度显著性正相关（r=0.942 9,P〈0.01;r=0.938 4,P〈0.01;r=0.956 8,P〈0.01）。各组大鼠肾脏病理均提示肾小球出现局灶节段硬化表现,且硬化程度随注射剂量的增加而呈加重趋势。结论阿霉素尾静脉注射剂量3 mg/kg模型组大鼠死亡率低,同时大鼠肾脏病理又能表现出符合人类肾小球局灶节段硬化的改变,是较为理想的造模剂量。     

Alpha-actinin-4 and CLP36 protein deficiencies contribute to podocyte defects in multiple human glomerulopathies

Genetic alterations of α-actinin-4 can cause podocyte injury through multiple mechanisms. Although a mechanism involving gain-of-α-actinin-4 function was well described and is responsible for a dominantly inherited form of human focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), evidence supporting mechanisms involving loss-of-α-actinin-4 function in human glomerular diseases remains elusive. Here we show that α-actinin-4 deficiency occurs in multiple human primary glomerulopathies including sporadic FSGS, minimal change disease, and IgA nephropathy. Furthermore, we identify a close correlation between the levels of α-actinin-4 and CLP36, which form a complex in normal podocytes, in human glomerular diseases. siRNA-mediated depletion of α-actinin-4 in human podocytes resulted in a marked reduction of the CLP36 level. Additionally, two FSGS-associated α-actinin-4 mutations (R310Q and Q348R) inhibited the complex formation between α-actinin-4 and CLP36. Inhibition of the α-actinin-4-CLP36 complex, like loss of α-actinin-4, markedly reduced the level of CLP36 in podocytes. Finally, reduction of the CLP36 level or disruption of the α-actinin-4-CLP36 complex significantly inhibited RhoA activity and generation of traction force in podocytes. Our studies reveal a critical role of the α-actinin-4-CLP36 complex in podocytes and provide an explanation as to how α-actinin-4 deficiency or mutations found in human patients could contribute to podocyte defects and glomerular failure through a loss-of-function mechanism.     

Podocyte-secreted angiopoietin-like-4 mediates proteinuria in glucocorticoid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome

The main manifestations of nephrotic syndrome include proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, edema, hyperlipidemia and lipiduria. Common causes of nephrotic syndrome are diabetic nephropathy, minimal change disease (MCD), focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and membranous nephropathy. Among the primary glomerular diseases, MCD is usually sensitive to glucocorticoid treatment, whereas the other diseases show variable responses. Despite the identification of key structural proteins in the glomerular capillary loop which may contribute to defects in ultrafiltration, many of the disease mechanisms of nephrotic syndrome remain unresolved. In this study, we show that the glomerular expression of angiopoietin-like-4 (Angptl4), a secreted glycoprotein, is glucocorticoid sensitive and is highly upregulated in the serum and in podocytes in experimental models of MCD and in the human disease. Podocyte-specific transgenic overexpression of Angptl4 (NPHS2-Angptl4) in rats induced nephrotic-range, and selective, proteinuria (over 500-fold increase in albuminuria), loss of glomerular basement membrane (GBM) charge and foot process effacement, whereas transgenic expression specifically in the adipose tissue (aP2-Angptl4) resulted in increased circulating Angptl4, but no proteinuria. Angptl4(-/-) mice that were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or nephritogenic antisera developed markedly less proteinuria than did control mice. Angptl4 secreted from podocytes in some forms of nephrotic syndrome lacks normal sialylation. When we fed the sialic acid precursor N-acetyl-D-mannosamine (ManNAc) to NPHS2-Angptl4 transgenic rats it increased the sialylation of Angptl4 and decreased albuminuria by more than 40%. These results suggest that podocyte-secreted Angptl4 has a key role in nephrotic syndrome.     

The glomerulus – a view from the outside – the podocyte

In the past decade, podocyte research has been greatly aided by the development of powerful new molecular, cellular and animal tools, leading to elucidation of an increasing number of proteins involved in podocyte function and identification of mutated genes in hereditary glomerulopathies. Accumulating evidence indicates that podocyte disorders may not only underlie these hereditary glomerulopathies but also play crucial role in a broad spectrum of acquired glomerular diseases. Genetic susceptibility, environmental influence and systemic responses are all involved in the mediation of the pathogenesis of podocytopathies. Injured podocytes may predisopose to further injury of other podocytes and other adjacent/distant renal cells in a vicious cycle, leading to inexorable progression of glomerular injury. The classic view is that podocytes have a limited ability to proliferate in the normal mature kidney. However, recent research in rodents has provided suggestive evidence for podocyte regeneration resulting from differentiation of progenitor cells within Bowman's capsule.     

Mechanisms and consequences of TGF-? overexpression by podocytes in progressive podocyte disease

In patients with progressive podocyte disease, such as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and membranous nephropathy, upregulation of transforming growth factor-? (TGF-?) is observed in podocytes. Mechanical pressure or biomechanical strain in podocytopathies may cause overexpression of TGF-? and angiotensin II (Ang II). Oxidative stress induced by Ang II may activate the latent TGF-?, which then activates Smads and Ras/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathways in podocytes. Enhanced TGF-? activity in podocytes may lead to thickening of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) by overproduction of GBM proteins and impaired GBM degradation in podocyte disease. It may also lead to podocyte apoptosis and detachment from the GBM, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of podocytes, initiating the development of glomerulosclerosis. Furthermore, activated TGF-?/Smad signaling by podocytes may induce connective tissue growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor overexpression, which could act as a paracrine effector mechanism on mesangial cells to stimulate mesangial matrix synthesis. In proliferative podocytopathies, such as cellular or collapsing FSGS, TGF-?-induced ERK activation may play a role in podocyte proliferation, possibly via TGF-?-induced EMT of podocytes. Collectively, these data bring new mechanistic insights into our understanding of the TGF-? overexpression by podocytes in progressive podocyte disease.     

Glomerular Endothelial Cell Injury and Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis Lesion in Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy

Background

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) lesions have often been discussed as a negative predictor in idopathic membranous nephropathy (MN). The mechanism of the development of FSGS lesion in MN is still uncertain.

Methods

From 250 cases of MN, 26 cases contained FSGS lesion. We compared the clinicopathological characteristics between MN cases with FSGS lesion [MN-FSGS(+)] and MN without FSGS lesion [MN-FSGS(−)], matched for gender, age, stage of MN.

Results

The glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was significantly lower in MN-FSGS(+) cases compared to MN-FSGS(−), although nephrotic syndrome, hematuria, and systolic blood pressure levels were not significantly different between the two groups. Pathologically, glomeruli in MN-FSGS(+) cases showed narrowing and loss of glomerular capillaries with separating from GBM or disappearance of CD34+ endothelial cells, and accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in capillary walls, indicating the development of glomerular capillary injury. These findings of endothelial injury were seen even in MN-FSGS(−) cases, but they were more prominent in MN-FSGS(+) than MN-FSGS(−) by computer assessed morphometric analysis. In MN-FSGS(+) cases, 44 out of 534 glomeruli (8.2%) contained FSGS lesions (n = 31, NOS lesion; n = 13, perihilar lesion). Significant thickness of GBM with ECM accumulation was evident in MN-FSGS(+) cases. Podocyte injury with effacement of foot processes was also noted, but the expression of VEGF on podocytes was not different between the two groups, which suggests that the significant thickness of capillary walls may influence the function of VEGF from podocyte resulting in the glomerular capillary injury that contribute to the development of FSGS lesion in MN.

Conclusion

Glomerular capillary injury was seen in all MN cases. Furthermore, the prominent injuries of glomerular capillaries may be associated with the deterioration of eGFR and the formation of FSGS lesions in MN.     

Gasotransmitter synthesis and signalling in the renal glomerulus. Implications for glomerular diseases

Glomerular injury is a hallmark of kidney diseases such as diabetic nephropathy, IgA nephropathy or other forms of glomerulonephritis. Glomerular endothelial cells, mesangial cells, glomerular epithelial cells (podocytes) and, in an inflammatory context, infiltrating immune cells crosstalk to mediate signalling processes in the glomerulus. Under physiological conditions, mesangial cells act by the control of extracellular matrix production and degradation, by the synthesis of growth factors and by preserving a well-defined crosstalk with glomerular podocytes and endothelial cells to regulate glomerular structure and function. It is well known that mesangial cells are able to amplify an inflammatory process by the formation of cytokines, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO). This exaggerated reaction may result in a vicious cycle with subsequent damage of neighboured podocytes and endothelial cells, loss of the filtration barrier and, finally destruction of the whole glomerulus. Unfortunately, all efforts to develop new therapies for the treatment of glomerular diseases by controlling unbridled ROS or NO production directly had so far no success. However, on-going research on ROS and NO defined these autacoids more as important signalling molecules than as endogenously produced cytotoxic compounds. New findings on signalling activities of ROS, NO but also hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and carbon monoxide (CO) supported this paradigm shift. Because of their similar chemical properties and their similar signal transduction capacities, NO, H₂S and CO are meanwhile designated as the group of gasotransmitters. In this review, we describe the current knowledge of the signalling properties of gasotransmitters with a focus on glomerular cells and their role in glomerular diseases.     

Pathogenic role of TGF-β in the progression of podocyte diseases

In patients with progressive podocyte diseases, such as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and membranous nephropathy, there is enhanced expression of transforming growth factor (TGF-β) in podocytes. Biomechanical strain in these diseases may cause overexpression of TGF-β and angiotensin II (Ang II) by podocytes. Oxidative stress induced by Ang II may activate the latent TGF-β. Increased TGF-β activity by podocytes may induce not only the thickening of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM), but also podocyte apoptosis and/or detachment from the GBM, initiating the development of glomerulosclerosis. Furthermore, mesangial matrix expansion frequently occurs in podocyte diseases in association with the development of glomerulosclerosis. This review examines open questions on the pathogenic role of TGF-β that links podocyte injury to GBM thickening, podocyte loss, mesangial matrix expansion and glomerulosclerosis in podocyte diseases. It also describes paracrine regulatory mechanisms of podocyte TGF-β on mesangial cells leading to increased matrix synthesis.     

Thioredoxin-interacting protein mediates NALP3 inflammasome activation in podocytes during diabetic nephropathy

Numerous studies have shown that the NALP3 inflammasome plays an important role in various immune and inflammatory diseases. However, whether the NALP3 inflammasome is involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN) is unclear. In our study, we confirmed that high glucose (HG) concentrations induced NALP3 inflammasome activation both in vivo and in vitro. Blocking NALP3 inflammasome activation by NALP3/ASC shRNA and caspase-1 inhibition prevented IL-1β production and eventually attenuated podocyte and glomerular injury under HG conditions. We also found that thioredoxin (TRX)-interacting protein (TXNIP), which is a pro-oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory factor, activated NALP3 inflammasome by interacting with NALP3 in HG-exposed podocytes. Knocking down TXNIP impeded NALP3 inflammasome activation and alleviated podocyte injury caused by HG. In summary, the NALP3 inflammasome mediates podocyte and glomerular injury in DN, moreover, TXNIP participates in the formation and activation of the NALP3 inflammasome in podocytes during DN, which represents a novel mechanism of podocyte and glomerular injury under diabetic conditions.     

Podocyte injury and overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor-beta 1 in adriamycin-induced nephropathy in rats

The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of nephrin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), and podocyte number in adriamycin (ADR)-induced nephropathy. A total of 60 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the control group and the ADR nephropathy group. The nephropathy was induced by tail-vein injection of ADR (4 mg/kg) twice at a 14-day interval. The expression levels of nephrin, VEGF, and TGF-β1 in glomeruli were assessed by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. The podocyte number was also evaluated after anti-Wilms' tumor-1 (WT1) immunohistochemical staining. In addition, the urinary protein content, biochemical parameters in serum samples and glomerular sclerosis index (SI) were compared between groups. In the ADR nephropathy group, the expression levels of nephrin was significantly decreased with the fusion of podocyte foot processes at 6 weeks after the first ADR injection, which was associated with a marked proteinuria. A decrease in podocyte number and an increase in SI with the overexpression of both VEGF and TGF-β1 were also observed in the glomeruli at 10 weeks after the first ADR injection. This was associated with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). The study data suggest that podocyte injury and decreased nephrin, as well as increased VEGF and TGF-β1, may contribute to the development of proteinuria and FSGS in ADR-induced nephropathy in rats.