Evaluation of gene expression of ectonucleotidases and purinergic receptors in the aorta of mice submitted to acute kidney injury (AKI) due to ischemia and uremic toxin

• Grant number: 24/15026-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Cristina Ribas Fürstenau
• Grantee: Jackeline Rodrigues Ramos
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 24/07191-0 - Investigation of the vascular inflammatory state in kidney injury models: contribution of purinergic signaling, AP.R

Abstract

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is described as a rapid decrease or sudden loss of kidney function over hours to days. Despite advances in prevention and treatment, AKI continues to be associated with high morbidity and mortality, especially in more serious situations, such as patients admitted to intensive care units. Furthermore, AKI is related to cardiovascular events and a possible progression to chronic kidney disease. Many factors can trigger an episode of AKI, such as renal ischemia and reperfusion injury (IR) and the accumulation of uremic toxins (UT), such as indoxyl sulfate (IS), which starts to accumulate in the plasma and may cause structural and functional changes in the kidneys, reaching vascular beds distant from the ischemic site. Furthermore, IS is considered one of the main UT that are difficult to remove by the dialysis process. Thus, in conjunction with renal injury due to IR, the accumulation of IS can aggravate AKI and its consequences. The purinergic signaling system acts in distinct pathophysiological processes in virtually all body cells, including cardiovascular regulation, regulating vascular inflammation, vasodilation, and vasoconstriction. This system comprises signaling molecules, such as nucleotides and nucleosides, which bind to specific receptors (purinergic receptors) and are metabolized by ectonucleotidases. Thus, this project aims to evaluate the gene expression of purinergic receptors and ectonucleotidases in the aortas of mice subjected to AKI due to IR and IS accumulation.