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Patient-oriented applications of cell culture include cell therapy of organ failure like chronic renal failure. Clinical deployment of a cell-based device for artificial renal replacement requires qualitative and quantitative fidelity of a cultured cell to its in vivo counterpart. Active specific apicobasal ion transport reabsorbs 90-99% of the filtered load of salt and water in the kidney. In a bioengineered kidney, tubular transport concentrates wastes and eliminates the need for hemodialysis, but renal tubule cells in culture transport little or no salt and water due to dedifferentiation that mammalian cells undergo in vitro thereby losing important cell-type specific functions. We previously identified transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) as a signaling pathway necessary for in vitro differentiation of renal tubule cells. Inhibition of TGF-β receptor-1 led to active and inhibitable electrolyte and water transport by primary human renal tubule epithelial cells in vitro. Addition of metformin increased transport, in the context of a transient effect on 5-AMP-activated kinase phosphorylation. These data motivated us to examine whether increased transport was an idiosyncratic effect of SB431542, probe pathways downstream of TGF-β receptors possibly responsible for the improved differentiation, evaluate whether TGF-β inhibition induced a range of differentiated tubule functions, and to explore crosstalk between the effects of SB431542 and metformin. In this study, we use multiple small-molecule inhibitors of canonical and noncanonical pathways to confirm that inhibition of canonical TGF-β signaling caused the increased apicobasal transport. Hallmarks of proximal tubule cell function, including sodium reabsorption, para-amino hippurate excretion, and glucose uptake increased with TGF-β inhibition, and the specificity of the response was shown using inhibitors of each transport protein. We did not find any evidence of crosstalk between metformin and SB431542. These data suggest that the TGF-β signaling pathway governs multiple features of differentiation in renal proximal tubule cells in vitro. Inhibition of TGF-β by pharmacologic or genome engineering approaches may be a viable approach to enhancing differentiated function of tubule cells in vitro. Impact statement Cell therapy of renal failure requires qualitative and quantitative fidelity between in vitro and in vivo phenotypes, which has been elusive. We show that control of transforming growth factor-β signaling can promote differentiation of renal tubule cells grown in artificial environments. This is a key enabling step for cell therapy of renal failure.

Uncontrolled accumulation of extracellular matrix leads to tissue fibrosis and loss of organ function. We previously demonstrated in vitro that the DNA/RNA-binding protein fused in sarcoma (FUS) promotes fibrotic responses by translocating to the nucleus, where it initiates collagen gene transcription. However, it is still not known whether FUS is profibrotic in vivo and whether preventing its nuclear translocation might inhibit development of fibrosis following injury. We now demonstrate that levels of nuclear FUS are significantly increased in mouse models of kidney and liver fibrosis. To evaluate the direct role of FUS nuclear translocation in fibrosis, we used mice that carry a mutation in the FUS nuclear localization sequence (FUSR521G) and the cell-penetrating peptide CP-FUS-NLS that we previously showed inhibits FUS nuclear translocation in vitro. We provide evidence that FUSR521G mice or CP-FUS-NLS-treated mice showed reduced nuclear FUS and fibrosis following injury. Finally, differential gene expression analysis and immunohistochemistry of tissues from individuals with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis revealed significant upregulation of FUS and/or collagen genes and FUS protein nuclear localization in diseased organs. These results demonstrate that injury-induced nuclear translocation of FUS contributes to fibrosis and highlight CP-FUS-NLS as a promising therapeutic option for organ fibrosis., Introduction Organ fibrosis is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components (mainly collagen) within an injured organ that leads to the disruption of normal tissue architecture and loss [...]

Patient-oriented applications of cell culture include cell therapy of organ failure like chronic renal failure. Clinical deployment of a cell-based device for artificial renal replacement requires qualitative and quantitative fidelity of a cultured cell to its in vivo counterpart. Active specific apicobasal ion transport reabsorbs 90-99% of the filtered load of salt and water in the kidney. In a bioengineered kidney, tubular transport concentrates wastes and eliminates the need for hemodialysis, but renal tubule cells in culture transport little or no salt and water. We previously identified transforming growth factor-beta as a signaling pathway necessary for in vitro differentiation of renal tubule cells. Inhibition of TGF-β receptor-1 led to active inhabitable electrolyte and water transport by primary human renal tubule epithelial cells in vitro. Addition of metformin increased transport, in the context of a transient effect on 5' AMP-activated kinase phosphorylation. The signals that undermine in vitro differentiation are complex, but susceptible to pharmacologic intervention. This achievement overcomes a major hurdle limiting the development of a bioreactor of cultured cells for renal replacement therapy that encompasses not only endocrine and metabolic functions but also transport and excretion. Impact statement Clinical tissue engineering requires functional fidelity of the cultured cell to its in vivo counterpart, but this has been elusive in renal tissue engineering. Typically, renal tubule cells in culture have a flattened morphology and do not express key transporters essential to their function. In this study, we build on our prior work by using small molecules to modulate pathways affected by substrate elasticity. In doing so, we are able to enhance differentiation of these cells on conventional noncompliant substrates and show transport. These results are fundamentally enabling a new generation of cell-based renal therapies.

Impact statementSuccessful clinical tissue engineering requires functional fidelity of the cultured cell to its in vivo counterpart, but this has been elusive in renal tissue engineering. Typically, renal proximal tubule cells in culture have a flattened morphology and do not express key transporters essential to their function. In this article, we show for the first time that in vitro substrate mechanical properties dictate differentiation of cultured renal proximal tubule cells. Remarkably, this effect was only discernable after 4 weeks in culture, longer than usually reported for this cell type. These results demonstrate a new tunable parameter to optimize cell differentiation in renal tissue engineering.

Cytochrome P450 epoxygenase Cyp2c44, a murine epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET)-producing enzyme, promotes insulin sensitivity, and Cyp2c44 −/− mice show hepatic insulin resistance. Because insulin resistance leads to hepatic lipid accumulation and hyperlipidemia, we hypothesized that Cyp2c44 regulates hepatic lipid metabolism. Standard chow diet (SCD)-fed male Cyp2c44 −/− mice had significantly decreased EET levels and increased hepatic and plasma lipid levels compared with wild-type mice. We showed increased hepatic plasma membrane localization of the FA transporter 2 (FATP2) and total unsaturated fatty acids and diacylglycerol (DAG) levels. Cyp2c44 −/− mice had impaired glucose tolerance and increased hepatic plasma membrane–associated PKCδ and phosphorylated IRS-1, two negative regulators of insulin signaling. Surprisingly, SCD and high-fat diet (HFD)-fed Cyp2c44 −/− mice had similar glucose tolerance and hepatic plasma membrane PKCδ levels, suggesting that SCD-fed Cyp2c44 −/− mice have reached their maximal glucose intolerance. Inhibition of PKCδ resulted in decreased IRS-1 serine phosphorylation and improved insulin-mediated signaling in Cyp2c44 −/− hepatocytes. Finally, Cyp2c44 −/− HFD-fed mice treated with the analog EET-A showed decreased hepatic plasma membrane FATP2 and PCKδ levels with improved glucose tolerance and insulin signaling. In conclusion, loss of Cyp2c44 with concomitant decreased EET levels leads to increased hepatic FATP2 plasma membrane localization, DAG accumulation, and PKCδ-mediated attenuation of insulin signaling. Thus, Cyp2c44 acts as a regulator of lipid metabolism by linking it to insulin signaling. Article Highlights: Loss of epoxygenase Cyp2c44 leads to glucose intolerance, characterized by an increase in hepatic lipids and hyperlipidemia. Cyp2c44 participates in the regulation of hepatic fatty acid accumulation by limiting the plasma membrane localization of FATP2 and, in turn, intracellular levels of diacylglycerol. Cyp2c44-mediated downregulation of intracellular diacylglycerol levels results in decreased plasma membrane–associated PKCδ and phosphorylated IRS-1, two negative regulators of insulin signaling. Thus, Cyp2c44 acts as a regulator of lipid metabolism by linking it to insulin signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell-matrix interactions and podocyte intercellular junctions are key for maintaining the glomerular filtration barrier. Vinculin, a cytoplasmic protein, couples actin filaments to integrin-mediated cell-matrix adhesions and to cadherin-based intercellular junctions. Here, we examined the role of vinculin in podocytes by the generation of a podocyte-specific knockout mouse. Mice lacking podocyte vinculin had increased albuminuria and foot process effacement following injury in vivo. Analysis of primary podocytes isolated from the mutant mice revealed defects in cell protrusions, altered focal adhesion size and signaling, as well as impaired cell migration. Furthermore, we found a marked mislocalization of the intercellular junction protein zonula occludens-1. In kidney sections from patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, minimal change disease and membranous nephropathy, we observed dramatic differences in the expression levels and localization of vinculin. Thus, our results suggest that vinculin is necessary to maintain the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier by modulating podocyte foot processes and stabilizing intercellular junctions.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in approximately 13% of hospitalized patients and predisposes patients to chronic kidney disease (CKD) through the AKI-to-CKD transition. Studies from our laboratory and others have demonstrated that maladaptive repair of proximal tubule cells (PTCs), including induction of dedifferentiation, [G.sub.2]/M cell cycle arrest, senescence, and profibrotic cytokine secretion, is a key process promoting AKI-to-CKD transition, kidney fibrosis, and CKD progression. The molecular mechanisms governing maladaptive repair and the relative contribution of dedifferentiation, [G.sub.2]/M arrest, and senescence to CKD remain to be resolved. We identified cyclin G1 (CG1) as a factor upregulated in chronically injured and maladaptively repaired PTCs. We demonstrated that global deletion of CG1 inhibits [G.sub.2]/M arrest and fibrosis. Pharmacological induction of [G.sub.2]/M arrest in CG1-knockout mice, however, did not fully reverse the antifibrotic phenotype. Knockout of CG1 did not alter dedifferentiation and proliferation in the adaptive repair response following AKI. Instead, CG1 specifically promoted the prolonged dedifferentiation of kidney tubule epithelial cells observed in CKD. Mechanistically, CG1 promotes dedifferentiation through activation of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5). Deletion of CDK5 in kidney tubule cells did not prevent [G.sub.2]/M arrest but did inhibit dedifferentiation and fibrosis. Thus, CG1 and CDK5 represent a unique pathway that regulates maladaptive, but not adaptive, dedifferentiation, suggesting they could be therapeutic targets for CKD., Introduction Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in approximately 13% of hospitalized patients and is associated with a 4-fold increase in mortality (1). Proximal tubule cells (PTCs) are particularly sensitive to [...]

We have previously shown that kidney collecting ducts make vasopressin. However, the physiological role of collecting duct-derived vasopressin is uncertain. We hypothesized that collecting duct-derived vasopressin is required for the appropriate concentration of urine. We developed a vasopressin conditional knockout (KO) mouse model wherein Cre recombinase expression induces deletion of arginine vasopressin (Avp) exon 1 in the distal nephron. We then used age-matched 8- to 12-wk-old Avp fl/fl;Ksp-Cre(–) [wild type (WT)] and Avp fl/fl;Ksp-Cre(+) mice for all experiments. We collected urine, serum, and kidney lysates at baseline. We then challenged both WT and knockout (KO) mice with 24-h water restriction, water loading, and administration of the vasopressin type 2 receptor agonist desmopressin (1 µg/kg ip) followed by the vasopressin type 2 receptor antagonist OPC-31260 (10 mg/kg ip). We performed immunofluorescence and immunoblot analysis at baseline and confirmed vasopressin KO in the collecting duct. We found that urinary osmolality (UOsm), plasma Na+, K+, Cl−, blood urea nitrogen, and copeptin were similar in WT vs. KO mice at baseline. Immunoblots of the vasopressin-regulated proteins Na+-K+-2Cl− cotransporter, NaCl cotransporter, and water channel aquaporin-2 showed no difference in expression or phosphorylation at baseline. Following 24-h water restriction, WT and KO mice had no differences in UOsm, plasma Na+, K+, Cl−, blood urea nitrogen, or copeptin. In addition, there were no differences in the rate of urinary concentration or dilution as in WT and KO mice UOsm was nearly identical after desmopressin and OPC-31260 administration. We conclude that collecting duct-derived vasopressin is not essential to appropriately concentrate or dilute urine. NEW & NOTEWORTHY: Hypothalamic vasopressin is required for appropriate urinary concentration. However, whether collecting duct-derived vasopressin is involved remains unknown. We developed a novel transgenic mouse model to induce tissue-specific deletion of vasopressin and showed that collecting duct-derived vasopressin is not required to concentrate or dilute urine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angiotensin II increases apical plasma membrane pendrin abundance and function. This study explored the role of the small GTPase Rac1 in the regulation of pendrin by angiotensin II. To do this, we generated intercalated cell (IC) Rac1 knockout mice and observed that IC Rac1 gene ablation reduced the relative abundance of pendrin in the apical region of intercalated cells in angiotensin II-treated mice but not vehicle-treated mice. Similarly, the Rac1 inhibitor EHT 1864 reduced apical pendrin abundance in angiotensin II-treated mice, through a mechanism that does not require aldosterone. This IC angiotensin II-Rac1 signaling cascade modulates pendrin subcellular distribution without significantly changing actin organization. However, NADPH oxidase inhibition with APX 115 reduced apical pendrin abundance in vivo in angiotensin II-treated mice. Moreover, superoxide dismutase mimetics reduced Cl- absorption in angiotensin II-treated cortical collecting ducts perfused in vitro. Since Rac1 is an NADPH subunit, Rac1 may modulate pendrin through NADPH oxidase-mediated reactive oxygen species production. Because pendrin gene ablation blunts the pressor response to angiotensin II, we asked if pendrin blunts the angiotensin II-induced increase in kidney superoxide. Although kidney superoxide was similar in vehicle-treated wild-type and pendrin knockout mice, it was lower in angiotensin II-treated pendrin-null kidneys than in wild-type kidneys. We conclude that angiotensin II acts through Rac1, independently of aldosterone, to increase apical pendrin abundance. Rac1 may stimulate pendrin, at least partly, through NADPH oxidase. This increase in pendrin abundance contributes to the increment in blood pressure and kidney superoxide content seen in angiotensin II-treated mice. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study defines a new signaling mechanism by which angiotensin II modulates oxidative stress and blood pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common kidney cancer in humans. Misregulation of the Hippo/Warts pathway is frequently reported in RCC, suggesting a role in disease formation/progression. Paradoxically, misregulation of this pathway is also observed in non-tumorigenic kidney diseases, raising questions as to its specific role in RCC. Here, we show that ablation of the Warts kinases Lats1 and Lats2 in mature renal epithelia was sufficient to cause metastatic RCC in mice. Distinct tumors with sarcomatoid histology were present in mutant kidneys 3 months after genetic ablation. Tumor formation required the downstream effectors Yap and Taz, and treatment with verteporfin, a drug that inhibits Yap activity, could slow progression of the disease. Examination of human tissues showed that among histological subtypes of RCC, nuclear YAP was most commonly observed in sarcomatoid RCC. However, analysis of transcriptomic data from human RCC revealed a unique subset with a molecular signature that closely resembled the transcriptome of Lats mutants. Together, these findings show that misregulation of the Warts pathway is sufficient to drive renal tumor formation in mice and suggest that human tumors with active YAP may represent a unique subset of RCCs that can be therapeutically targeted., Introduction The Hippo/Warts (Mst/Lats) pathway is one of the major signaling pathways regulating organ size and tissue growth during embryonic development (1). The pathway controls the activity of several genes [...]