1. Update of pericytes function and their roles in kidney diseases.
- Author
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Chou YH, Pan SY, Shih HM, and Lin SL
- Subjects
- Humans, Pericytes metabolism, Endothelial Cells metabolism, Kidney pathology, Fibrosis, Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors metabolism, Kidney Diseases, Renal Insufficiency, Chronic, Erythropoietin genetics, Acute Kidney Injury pathology
- Abstract
Studies have highlighted the significant involvement of kidney pericytes in renal fibrosis. Kidney pericytes, classified as interstitial mesenchymal cells, are extensively branched, collagen-producing cells that closely interact with endothelial cells. This article aims to provide an overview of the recent advancements in understanding the physiological functions of pericytes and their roles in kidney diseases. In a healthy kidney, pericytes have essential physiological function in angiogenesis, erythropoietin (EPO) production, and the regulation of renal blood flow. Nevertheless, pericyte-myofibroblast transition has been identified as the primary cause of disease progression in acute kidney injury (AKI)-to-chronic kidney disease (CKD) continuum. Our recent research has demonstrated that hypoxia-inducible factor-2α (HIF-2α) regulates erythropoietin production in pericytes. However, this production is repressed by EPO gene hypermethylation and HIF-2α downregulation which were induced by transforming growth factor-β1-activated DNA methyltransferase and activin receptor-like kinase-5 signaling pathway during renal fibrosis, respectively. Additionally, AKI induces epigenetic modifications in pericytes, rendering them more prone to extracellular matrix production, cell migration and proliferation, thereby contributing to subsequent capillary rarefaction and renal fibrosis. Further investigation into the specific functions and roles of different subpopulations of pericytes may contribute for the development of targeted therapies aimed at attenuating kidney disease and mitigating their adverse effects., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have declared that no conflict of interest exists., (Copyright © 2023 Formosan Medical Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2024
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