Activation of the Nrf2-ARE Pathway Attenuates Hyperglycemia-Mediated Injuries in Mouse Podocytes

Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry

关键词: Tert-Butylhydroquinone;    Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2;    Antioxidant response element;    High glucose;    Podocyte;   

DOI  :  10.1159/000366307

学科分类：分子生物学，细胞生物学和基因

来源: S Karger AG

【 摘 要 】

Background Damage to podocytes caused by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) contributes to onset and progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is a redox-sensing transcription factor that can induce the expression of antioxidant enzymes. We explored whether activation of Nrf2 pathway attenuated hyperglycemia-induced injuries in mouse podocytes. Methods Tert-Butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) were used to regulate Nrf2 expression. Apoptosis and intracellular superoxide anion production were measured by flow cytometry. The activity of the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway was measured by an antioxidant response element (ARE)-driven luciferase reporter gene assay, and Nrf2 expression was assessed by real-time PCR and western blot analyses. Results Podocytes incubated with high-glucose (HG) medium had higher intracellular superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide production, higher apoptosis rate, higher bovine serum albumin (BSA) permeability and lower synaptopodin expression compared with podocytes exposed normal glucose (NG) (p<0.05). tBHQ increased the activity of the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway and enhanced nuclear Nrf2 expression, reduced intracellular superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide production, apoptosis rate and BSA permeability, and restored synaptopodin expression in podocytes exposed to HG (pp<0.05). Conclusions Our findings suggest that protection against activation of the Nrf2-ARE pathway in podocytes exposed to hyperglycemia. Thus, regulation of the Nrf2-ARE pathway could be a therapeutic option to combat oxidative stress and inhibit the development of DKD.

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC-ND