NQO1 alleviates renal fibrosis by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB and TGF-β/Smad signaling pathways in diabetic nephropathy. 2023

Duojun Qiu, and Shan Song, and Ning Chen, and Yawei Bian, and Chen Yuan, and Wei Zhang, and Huijun Duan, and Yonghong Shi
Department of Pathology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China; Department of Pathology, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the main complications of diabetes, and inflammation and fibrosis play an important role in its progression. NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) protects cells from oxidative stress and damage caused by toxic quinones. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of NQO1 against diabetes-induced renal inflammation and fibrosis and the underlying mechanisms. In vivo, the kidneys of type 2 diabetes model db/db mice were infected with adeno-associated virus vectors to induce NQO1 overexpression. In vitro, human renal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells transfected with NQO1 pcDNA3.1(+) were cultured under high-glucose (HG) conditions. Gene and protein expression was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemical staining. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected with MitoSOX Red. Our study revealed that the expression of NQO1 was markedly downregulated and that Toll-like receptor (TLR)4 and TGF-β1 expression was upregulated in vivo and in vitro under diabetic conditions. Overexpression of NQO1 suppressed proinflammatory cytokine (IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1) secretion, extracellular matrix (ECM) (collagen IV, fibronectin) accumulation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) (α-SMA, E-cadherin) in the db/db mouse kidneys and HG-cultured HK-2 cells. Furthermore, NQO1 overexpression ameliorated HG-induced TLR4/NF-κB and TGF-β/Smad pathways activation. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that a TLR4 inhibitor (TAK-242) suppressed the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, proinflammatory cytokine secretion, EMT and ECM-related protein expression in HG-exposed HK-2 cells. In addition, we found that the antioxidants N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and tempol increased the expression of NQO1 and decreased the expression of TLR4, TGF-β1, Nox1, and Nox4 and ROS production in HK-2 cells cultured under HG conditions. These data suggest that NQO1 alleviates diabetes-induced renal inflammation and fibrosis by regulating the TLR4/NF-κB and TGF-β/Smad signaling pathways.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007249 Inflammation A pathological process characterized by injury or destruction of tissues caused by a variety of cytologic and chemical reactions. It is usually manifested by typical signs of pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function. Innate Inflammatory Response,Inflammations,Inflammatory Response, Innate,Innate Inflammatory Responses
D003924 Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 A subclass of DIABETES MELLITUS that is not INSULIN-responsive or dependent (NIDDM). It is characterized initially by INSULIN RESISTANCE and HYPERINSULINEMIA; and eventually by GLUCOSE INTOLERANCE; HYPERGLYCEMIA; and overt diabetes. Type II diabetes mellitus is no longer considered a disease exclusively found in adults. Patients seldom develop KETOSIS but often exhibit OBESITY. Diabetes Mellitus, Adult-Onset,Diabetes Mellitus, Ketosis-Resistant,Diabetes Mellitus, Maturity-Onset,Diabetes Mellitus, Non-Insulin-Dependent,Diabetes Mellitus, Slow-Onset,Diabetes Mellitus, Stable,MODY,Maturity-Onset Diabetes Mellitus,NIDDM,Diabetes Mellitus, Non Insulin Dependent,Diabetes Mellitus, Noninsulin Dependent,Diabetes Mellitus, Noninsulin-Dependent,Diabetes Mellitus, Type II,Maturity-Onset Diabetes,Noninsulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus,Type 2 Diabetes,Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus,Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus,Diabetes Mellitus, Adult Onset,Diabetes Mellitus, Ketosis Resistant,Diabetes Mellitus, Maturity Onset,Diabetes Mellitus, Slow Onset,Diabetes, Maturity-Onset,Diabetes, Type 2,Ketosis-Resistant Diabetes Mellitus,Maturity Onset Diabetes,Maturity Onset Diabetes Mellitus,Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus,Noninsulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus,Slow-Onset Diabetes Mellitus,Stable Diabetes Mellitus
D003928 Diabetic Nephropathies KIDNEY injuries associated with diabetes mellitus and affecting KIDNEY GLOMERULUS; ARTERIOLES; KIDNEY TUBULES; and the interstitium. Clinical signs include persistent PROTEINURIA, from microalbuminuria progressing to ALBUMINURIA of greater than 300 mg/24 h, leading to reduced GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE and END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE. Diabetic Glomerulosclerosis,Glomerulosclerosis, Diabetic,Diabetic Kidney Disease,Diabetic Nephropathy,Intracapillary Glomerulosclerosis,Kimmelstiel-Wilson Disease,Kimmelstiel-Wilson Syndrome,Nodular Glomerulosclerosis,Diabetic Kidney Diseases,Glomerulosclerosis, Nodular,Kidney Disease, Diabetic,Kidney Diseases, Diabetic,Kimmelstiel Wilson Disease,Kimmelstiel Wilson Syndrome,Nephropathies, Diabetic,Nephropathy, Diabetic,Syndrome, Kimmelstiel-Wilson
D005355 Fibrosis Any pathological condition where fibrous connective tissue invades any organ, usually as a consequence of inflammation or other injury. Cirrhosis,Fibroses
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D015398 Signal Transduction The intracellular transfer of information (biological activation/inhibition) through a signal pathway. In each signal transduction system, an activation/inhibition signal from a biologically active molecule (hormone, neurotransmitter) is mediated via the coupling of a receptor/enzyme to a second messenger system or to an ion channel. Signal transduction plays an important role in activating cellular functions, cell differentiation, and cell proliferation. Examples of signal transduction systems are the GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID-postsynaptic receptor-calcium ion channel system, the receptor-mediated T-cell activation pathway, and the receptor-mediated activation of phospholipases. Those coupled to membrane depolarization or intracellular release of calcium include the receptor-mediated activation of cytotoxic functions in granulocytes and the synaptic potentiation of protein kinase activation. Some signal transduction pathways may be part of larger signal transduction pathways; for example, protein kinase activation is part of the platelet activation signal pathway. Cell Signaling,Receptor-Mediated Signal Transduction,Signal Pathways,Receptor Mediated Signal Transduction,Signal Transduction Pathways,Signal Transduction Systems,Pathway, Signal,Pathway, Signal Transduction,Pathways, Signal,Pathways, Signal Transduction,Receptor-Mediated Signal Transductions,Signal Pathway,Signal Transduction Pathway,Signal Transduction System,Signal Transduction, Receptor-Mediated,Signal Transductions,Signal Transductions, Receptor-Mediated,System, Signal Transduction,Systems, Signal Transduction,Transduction, Signal,Transductions, Signal
D016207 Cytokines Non-antibody proteins secreted by inflammatory leukocytes and some non-leukocytic cells, that act as intercellular mediators. They differ from classical hormones in that they are produced by a number of tissue or cell types rather than by specialized glands. They generally act locally in a paracrine or autocrine rather than endocrine manner. Cytokine
D016328 NF-kappa B Ubiquitous, inducible, nuclear transcriptional activator that binds to enhancer elements in many different cell types and is activated by pathogenic stimuli. The NF-kappa B complex is a heterodimer composed of two DNA-binding subunits: NF-kappa B1 and relA. Immunoglobulin Enhancer-Binding Protein,NF-kappa B Complex,Nuclear Factor kappa B,Transcription Factor NF-kB,kappa B Enhancer Binding Protein,Ig-EBP-1,NF-kB,NF-kappaB,Nuclear Factor-Kappab,Complex, NF-kappa B,Enhancer-Binding Protein, Immunoglobulin,Factor NF-kB, Transcription,Factor-Kappab, Nuclear,Ig EBP 1,Immunoglobulin Enhancer Binding Protein,NF kB,NF kappa B Complex,NF kappaB,NF-kB, Transcription Factor,Nuclear Factor Kappab,Transcription Factor NF kB
D016660 NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone) A flavoprotein that reversibly catalyzes the oxidation of NADH or NADPH by various quinones and oxidation-reduction dyes. The enzyme is inhibited by dicoumarol, capsaicin, and caffeine. DT Diaphorase,Menadione Reductase,Phylloquinone Reductase,Quinone Reductase,Vitamin K Reductase,Diaphorase, DT,Reductase, Menadione,Reductase, Phylloquinone,Reductase, Quinone,Reductase, Vitamin K

Related Publications

Duojun Qiu, and Shan Song, and Ning Chen, and Yawei Bian, and Chen Yuan, and Wei Zhang, and Huijun Duan, and Yonghong Shi
May 2020, Journal of cellular and molecular medicine,
Duojun Qiu, and Shan Song, and Ning Chen, and Yawei Bian, and Chen Yuan, and Wei Zhang, and Huijun Duan, and Yonghong Shi
November 2020, FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology,
Duojun Qiu, and Shan Song, and Ning Chen, and Yawei Bian, and Chen Yuan, and Wei Zhang, and Huijun Duan, and Yonghong Shi
December 2022, Laboratory investigation; a journal of technical methods and pathology,
Duojun Qiu, and Shan Song, and Ning Chen, and Yawei Bian, and Chen Yuan, and Wei Zhang, and Huijun Duan, and Yonghong Shi
January 2020, Drug design, development and therapy,
Duojun Qiu, and Shan Song, and Ning Chen, and Yawei Bian, and Chen Yuan, and Wei Zhang, and Huijun Duan, and Yonghong Shi
March 2019, International journal of molecular sciences,
Duojun Qiu, and Shan Song, and Ning Chen, and Yawei Bian, and Chen Yuan, and Wei Zhang, and Huijun Duan, and Yonghong Shi
October 2017, Oncotarget,
Duojun Qiu, and Shan Song, and Ning Chen, and Yawei Bian, and Chen Yuan, and Wei Zhang, and Huijun Duan, and Yonghong Shi
February 2018, International immunopharmacology,
Duojun Qiu, and Shan Song, and Ning Chen, and Yawei Bian, and Chen Yuan, and Wei Zhang, and Huijun Duan, and Yonghong Shi
January 2020, International immunopharmacology,
Duojun Qiu, and Shan Song, and Ning Chen, and Yawei Bian, and Chen Yuan, and Wei Zhang, and Huijun Duan, and Yonghong Shi
February 2018, International immunopharmacology,
Duojun Qiu, and Shan Song, and Ning Chen, and Yawei Bian, and Chen Yuan, and Wei Zhang, and Huijun Duan, and Yonghong Shi
January 2021, Drug design, development and therapy,
Copied contents to your clipboard!