Kidney Week

Abstract: TH-PO388

Activated Renal Tubular Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Triggers Renal Inflammation during Proteinuria

Session Information

• Cell Signaling and Oxidative Stress
  November 02, 2017 | Location: Hall H, Morial Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Category: Cell Biology

• 201 Cell Signaling, Oxidative Stress

Authors

• Wong, Dickson WL, University of Hong Kong/Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Dickson WL Wong,

• Yiu, Wai Han, University of Hong Kong/Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Wai Han Yiu,

• Chan, Kam wa, University of Hong Kong/Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Kam wa Chan,

• Li, Ye, University of Hong Kong/Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Ye Li,

• Li, Bin, University of Hong Kong/Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Bin Li,

• Taketo, Makoto Mark, Kyoto University Grad Sch Med, Kyoto, Japan

Makoto Mark Taketo,

• Igarashi, Peter, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Peter Igarashi,

• Chan, Loretta Y.Y., University of Hong Kong/Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Loretta Y.Y. Chan,

• Leung, Joseph C K, University of Hong Kong/Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Joseph C K Leung,

• Lai, Kar Neng, University of Hong Kong/Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Kar Neng Lai,

• Tang, Sydney C.W., University of Hong Kong/Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Sydney C.W. Tang,

Background

Imbalance of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in renal cells is associated with renal dysfunction, yet the precise mechanism is poorly understood. Previously we observed activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling in renal tubules during proteinuric nephropathy with an unknown net effect (rescue vs. damage?) (Cell Death Dis 2016; 24;7:e2155).

Methods

To identify the definitive role of tubular Wnt/β-catenin, we generated a novel transgenic “Tubcat” mouse, which conditionally expresses stabilized β-catenin specifically in renal tubules after tamoxifen administration.

Results

Four weeks after tamoxifen induction, Tubcat mice displayed proteinuria and elevated BUN levels, implying a detrimental effect of the activated signaling. This was associated with tubulointerstitial infiltration predominantly by M1 macrophages and overexpression of the inflammatory chemocytokines CCL-2 and RANTES. Induction of overload proteinuria by low-endotoxin BSA injection for 4 weeks aggravated proteinuria and increased BUN levels to a significantly greater extent in Tubcat mice. Renal dysfunction correlated with the degree of M1 macrophage infiltration in the tubulointerstitium and renal cortical up-regulation of CCL-2, IL-17A, IL-1β, CXCL1 and ICAM-1. Finally, there was overexpression of cortical TLR-4 and NLRP-3 in Tubcat mice, irrespective of BSA injection.

Conclusion

Conditional activation of renal tubular Wnt/β-catenin signaling enhances intrarenal inflammation via the TLR-4/NLRP-3 inflammasome axis in overload proteinuria.
Funding support: National Natural Science Fund (NSFC) of China (grant no. 81570647)