Invariant Natural Killer T Cell Agonist Modulates Experimental Focal and Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

Author(s):Show less -

Pereira, Rafael L. ^[1] ; Reis, Vanessa O. ^[1] ; Semedo, Patricia ^[1] ; Buscariollo, Bruna N. ^[1] ; Donizetti-Oliveira, Cassiano ^[1] ; Cenedeze, Marcos A. ^[1] ; Soares, Maria Fernanda ^[1] ; Pacheco-Silva, Alvaro ^{[2, 1]} ; Savage, Paul B. ^[3] ; Camara, Niels O. S. ^{[4, 1]} ; Keller, Alexandre C. ^{[5, 1]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Med Nefrol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Inst Israelita Ensino & Pesquisa Albert Einstein, Unidade Transplante Renal, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Brigham Young Univ, Dept Chem & Biochem, Provo, UT 84602 - USA

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Imunol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[5] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 7, n. 3 MAR 12 2012.
• Web of Science Citations: 13

Abstract

A growing body of evidence demonstrates a correlation between Th2 cytokines and the development of focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis ( FSGS). Therefore, we hypothesized that GSL-1, a monoglycosylceramide from Sphingomonas ssp. with pro-Th1 activity on invariant Natural Killer T ( iNKT) lymphocytes, could counterbalance the Th2 profile and modulate glomerulosclerosis. Using an adriamycin( ADM)-based model of FSGS, we found that BALB/c mice presented albuminuria and glomerular degeneration in association with a Th2-like pro-fibrogenic profile; these mice also expressed a combination of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-17, TNF-alpha, and chemokines, such as RANTES and eotaxin. In addition, we observed a decrease in the mRNA levels of GD3 synthase, the enzyme responsible for GD3 metabolism, a glycolipid associated with podocyte physiology. GSL-1 treatment inhibited ADM-induced renal dysfunction and preserved kidney architecture, a phenomenon associated with the induction of a Th1-like response, increased levels of GD3 synthase transcripts and inhibition of pro-fibrotic transcripts and inflammatory cytokines. TGF-beta analysis revealed increased levels of circulating protein and tissue transcripts in both ADM- and GSL-1-treated mice, suggesting that TGF-beta could be associated with both FSGS pathology and iNKT-mediated immunosuppression; therefore, we analyzed the kidney expression of phosphorylated SMAD2/3 and SMAD7 proteins, molecules associated with the deleterious and protective effects of TGF-beta, respectively. We found high levels of phosphoSMAD2/3 in ADM mice in contrast to the GSL-1 treated group in which SMAD7 expression increased. These data suggest that GSL-1 treatment modulates the downstream signaling of TGF-beta through a renoprotective pathway. Finally, GSL-1 treatment at day 4, a period when proteinuria was already established, was still able to improve renal function, preserve renal structure and inhibit fibrogenic transcripts. In conclusion, our work demonstrates that the iNKT agonist GSL-1 modulates the pathogenesis of ADM-induced glomerulosclerosis and may provide an alternative approach to disease management. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/07120-0 - The role of invariant natural killer T cells in the development of glomerulonephritis: mechanisms and perspectives
• Grantee: Alexandre de Castro Keller
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants