The CACCC-binding protein KLF3/BKLF represses a subset of KLF1/EKLF target genes and is required for proper erythroid maturation in vivo.

The CACCC-box binding protein erythroid Krüppel-like factor (EKLF/KLF1) is a master regulator that directs the expression of many important erythroid genes. We have previously shown that EKLF drives transcription of the gene for a second KLF, basic Krüppel-like factor, or KLF3. We have now tested the in vivo role of KLF3 in erythroid cells by examining Klf3 knockout mice. KLF3-deficient adults exhibit a mild compensated anemia, including enlarged spleens, increased red pulp, and a higher percentage of erythroid progenitors, together with elevated reticulocytes and abnormal erythrocytes in the peripheral blood. Impaired erythroid maturation is also observed in the fetal liver. We have found that KLF3 levels rise as erythroid cells mature to become TER119(+). Consistent with this, microarray analysis of both TER119(-) and TER119(+) erythroid populations revealed that KLF3 is most critical at the later stages of erythroid maturation and is indeed primarily a transcriptional repressor. Notably, many of the genes repressed by KLF3 are also known to be activated by EKLF. However, the majority of these are not currently recognized as erythroid-cell-specific genes. These results reveal the molecular and physiological function of KLF3, defining it as a feedback repressor that counters the activity of EKLF at selected target genes to achieve normal erythropoiesis.

Suppression of microRNA-29 expression by TGF-ß1 promotes collagen expression and renal fibrosis.

Synthesis and deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) within the glomerulus and interstitium characterizes renal fibrosis, but the mechanisms underlying this process are incompletely understood. The profibrotic cytokine TGF-ß1 modulates the expression of certain microRNAs (miRNAs), suggesting that miRNAs may have a role in the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis. Here, we exposed proximal tubular cells, primary mesangial cells, and podocytes to TGF-ß1 to examine its effect on miRNAs and subsequent collagen synthesis. TGF-ß1 reduced expression of the miR-29a/b/c/family, which targets collagen gene expression, and increased expression of ECM proteins. In both resting and TGF-ß1-treated cells, ectopic expression of miR-29 repressed the expression of collagens I and IV at both the mRNA and protein levels by targeting the 3'untranslated region of these genes. Furthermore, we observed low levels of miR-29 in three models of renal fibrosis representing early and advanced stages of disease. Administration of the Rho-associated kinase inhibitor fasudil prevented renal fibrosis and restored expression of miR-29. Taken together, these data suggest that TGF-ß1 inhibits expression of the miR-29 family, thereby promoting expression of ECM components. Pharmacologic modulation of these miRNAs may have therapeutic potential for progressive renal fibrosis.

miR-200a Prevents renal fibrogenesis through repression of TGF-ß2 expression.

OBJECTIVE: Progressive fibrosis in the diabetic kidney is driven and sustained by a diverse range of profibrotic factors. This study examines the critical role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the regulation of the key fibrotic mediators, TGF-ß1 and TGF-ß2. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Rat proximal-tubular epithelial cells (NRK52E) were treated with TGF-ß1 and TGF-ß2 for 3 days, and expression of markers of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and fibrogenesis were assessed by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The expression of miR-141 and miR-200a was also assessed, as was their role as translational repressors of TGF-ß signaling. Finally, these pathways were explored in two different mouse models, representing early and advanced diabetic nephropathy. RESULTS: Both TGF-ß1 and TGF-ß2 induced EMT and fibrogenesis in NRK52E cells. TGF-ß1 and TGF-ß2 also downregulated expression of miR-200a. The importance of these changes was demonstrated by the finding that ectopic expression miR-200a downregulated smad-3 activity and the expression of matrix proteins and prevented TGF-ß-dependent EMT. miR-200a also downregulated the expression of TGF-ß2, via direct interaction with the 3' untranslated region of TGF-ß2. The renal expression of miR-141 and miR-200a was also reduced in mouse models representing early and advanced kidney disease. CONCLUSIONS: miR-200a and miR-141 significantly impact on the development and progression of TGF-ß-dependent EMT and fibrosis in vitro and in vivo. These miRNAs appear to be intricately involved in fibrogenesis, both as downstream mediators of TGF-ß signaling and as components of feedback regulation, and as such represent important new targets for the prevention of progressive kidney disease in the context of diabetes.

E-cadherin expression is regulated by miR-192/215 by a mechanism that is independent of the profibrotic effects of transforming growth factor-beta.

OBJECTIVE: Increased deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) within the kidney is driven by profibrotic mediators including transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). We investigated whether some of their effects may be mediated through changes in expression of certain microRNAs (miRNAs). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Proximal tubular cells, primary rat mesangial cells, and human podocytes were analyzed for changes in the expression of key genes, ECM proteins, and miRNA after exposure to TGF-beta (1-10 ng/microl). Tubular cells were also infected with CTGF-adenovirus. Kidneys from diabetic apoE mice were also analyzed for changes in gene expression and miRNA levels. RESULTS: TGF-beta treatment was associated with morphologic and phenotypic changes typical of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) including increased fibrogenesis in all renal cell types and decreased E-cadherin expression in tubular cells. TGF-beta treatment also modulated the expression of certain miRNAs, including decreased expression of miR-192/215 in tubular cells, mesangial cells, which are also decreased in diabetic kidney. Ectopic expression of miR-192/215 increased E-cadherin levels via repressed translation of ZEB2 mRNA, in the presence and absence of TGF-beta, as demonstrated by a ZEB2 3'-untranslated region luciferase reporter assay. However, ectopic expression of miR-192/215 did not affect the expression of matrix proteins or their induction by TGF-beta. In contrast, CTGF increased miR-192/215 levels, causing a decrease in ZEB2, and consequently increased E-cadherin mRNA. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate the linking role of miRNA-192/215 and ZEB2 in TGF-beta/CTGF-mediated changes in E-cadherin expression. These changes appear to occur independently of augmentation of matrix protein synthesis, suggesting that a multistep EMT program is not necessary for fibrogenesis to occur.

Eplerenone does not attenuate diabetes-associated atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that aldosterone, with its known pro-inflammatory and profibrotic actions, may play a key role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. METHOD: In this study, the ability of aldosterone antagonism to reduce atherosclerosis in experimental diabetes was assessed. Diabetes was induced in ApoE knockout mice with streptozotocin, and the mice were treated with the specific aldosterone antagonist, eplerenone, in their feed over 20 weeks (approximately 200 mg/kg per day). RESULT: En face analysis revealed that eplerenone treatment was unable to attenuate atherosclerosis as assessed by percentage lesion area quantitation in the aortae of these mice compared with untreated diabetic mice (diabetic, 10.7 +/- 1.1; diabetic + eplerenone, 8.8 +/- 1.2%). In contrast, we observed a significant, more than 50% decrease in percentage of plaque area in the nondiabetic control groups. Despite this lack of effect in the diabetic mice, eplerenone treatment was associated with reduced cytosolic superoxide production. However, aortic transcript levels of key molecules implicated in diabetes-associated atherogenesis, such as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, were not significantly attenuated by eplerenone. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that eplerenone treatment may not be as antiatherosclerotic in the diabetic context.

Site-specific antiatherogenic effect of the antioxidant ebselen in the diabetic apolipoprotein E-deficient mouse.

OBJECTIVE: Recently we showed that lack of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx1) accelerates atherosclerosis and upregulates proatherogenic pathways in diabetic apoE/GPx1-deficient double-knockout mice, thereby establishing GPx1 as an important therapeutic target. In vivo studies now investigate ebselen, a seleno-organic GPx1-mimetic, for its potential to reduce diabetes-associated atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Lesions were significantly increased in diabetic apoE(-/-) aortas (P<0.001) compared with nondiabetic controls after 20 weeks of diabetes. Ebselen-gavage significantly reduced total aortic lesions (P<0.001), with significant regional reductions in the arch (P<0.001), thoracic (P<0.001), and abdominal regions (P<0.05), but not within the aortic sinus of diabetic apoE(-/-) mice. These reductions were accompanied by significantly lower nitrotyrosine and Nox2 levels, reduced proatherogenic cellularity (macrophages and SMCs), and reduced expression of the proatherogenic mediator RAGE. Within the aortic sinus, ebselen reduced nitrotyrosine, Nox2, and VEGF levels but had no effect on RAGE. Studies in HAECs show that ebselen abrogates H(2)O(2)-induced increases in P-IKK, P-JNK, TNF-alpha, and Nox2. CONCLUSIONS: Ebselen reduces atherosclerotic lesions in most regions of diabetic apoE(-/-) aorta, except within the aortic sinus, suggesting its effectiveness as a potential antiatherogenic therapy in diabetic-macrovascular disease. Ebselen may elicit its effect via modulation of transcription factors such as NF-kappaB and AP-1.

Quantitative gene expression analysis in kidney tissues.

Quantitative gene expression analysis is fundamental to many experimental protocols and hypothesis testing in scientific research. The most popular currently used method to measure the expression level of specific genes in biological samples is real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The method itself has become routine in many laboratories however stringent protocols and careful planning are required to for the generation of meaningful data. Many variations to these protocols are described in the literature. We describe here the methods used in our laboratory that have been compiled following many hours of troubleshooting and in our view they are robust protocols, providing solid data. The protocols are applicable to tissue culture cells where acute changes in gene expression are routinely observed following exposure to chemical or environmental stimuli, as well as tissue samples where gene expression is altered as a result of disease processes and interventions.