Abstract: SA-PO647
An Epigenetically Driven Mechanism Triggered by Viral and Bacterial RNA Regulates the IL-6 Levels in IgA Nephropathy
Session Information
- Glomerular Diseases: IgA and Complement-Mediated GN
November 05, 2022 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Orange County Convention Center‚ West Building
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Glomerular Diseases
- 1302 Glomerular Diseases: Immunology and Inflammation
Authors
- Sallustio, Fabio, Universita degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Puglia, Italy
- Curci, Claudia, Universita degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Puglia, Italy
- Cimmarusti, Maria Teresa, Universita degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Puglia, Italy
- Picerno, Angela, Universita degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Puglia, Italy
- Stasi, Alessandra, Universita degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Puglia, Italy
- Pesce, Francesco, Universita degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Puglia, Italy
- Di leo, Vincenzo, Universita degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Puglia, Italy
- Gesualdo, Loreto, Universita degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Puglia, Italy
Group or Team Name
- Loreto Gesualdo's research Group
Background
Recently, the role of IL-6 in IgAN pathogenesis is becoming increasingly important. A possible hypothesis emerges from our recent work on genome-wide DNA methylation screening in patients with IgAN, which identified, among other findings, a hypermethylated region comprising Vault 2-1 RNA (VTRNA2-1), a non-RNA coding also known as a precursor of miR-886 (pre-mi-RNA). Consistently, VTRNA2-1 expression was found downregulated in IgAN patients.
Methods
Total RNA were isolated from PBMCs of IgAN patients, transplanted IgAN patients (TP-IgAN), non-IgAN transplanted patients (TP) and healthy subjects (HS). VTRNA2-1, CREB, PKR and IL-6 were evaluated by RT-PCR and by ELISA. Poly (I:C) and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 COMIRNATY vaccine were used to transfect patient PBMCs. PKR inhibitor imoxin (C16) 1 µM was used to stimulate patient PBMCs.
Results
Here we confirm that VTRNA2-1 is low expressed in IgAN subjects compared to HS and we found that also in TP-IgAN, compared to TP, the VTRNA2-1 transcript was expressed at level very low. We found that in IgAN patients with downregulated VTRNA2-1, PKR is overactivated, coherently with the role of the VTRNA2-1 that binds to PKR and inhibits its phosphorylation. The loss of the VTRNA2-1 natural restrain caused the activation of CREB by PKR, a classical cAMP-inducible CRE-binding factor interacting with a region of the IL-6 promoter and leading to IL-6 production. We found higher CREB phosphorylation levels and IL-6 levels both in IgAN and in TP-IgAN patients. Since PKR is normally activated by bacterial and viral RNA, we hypothesized that these microorganisms can further activate the PKR/CREB/IL-6 pathway leading to an excess of IL-6 production, explaining both the high levels of IL-6, both infection involvement in the disease, both cases of IgAN associated with COVID-19 infection and with COVID-19 RNA-vaccination. Both the RNA poly(I:C) and the COVID-19 RNA-vaccine stimulation significantly increase the IL-6 levels in IgAN patient PBMCs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the discovery of the upregulated VTRNA2-1/PKR/CREB/IL-6 pathway in IgAN patients may provide a new pathogenic mechanism in IgAN and may be useful for the development of novel therapeutic approaches, likely by modulating the VTRNA2-1 methylation level in IgAN patients.
Funding
- Government Support – Non-U.S.