Elevated serum 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D3 level attenuates renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction in kl/kl mice

Sci Rep. 2014 Oct 9:4:6563. doi: 10.1038/srep06563.

Abstract

Previous studies have suggested that Klotho provides reno-protection against unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis (RTF). Because the existing studies are mainly performed using heterozygous Klotho mutant (HT) mice, we focused on the effect of UUO on homozygous Klotho mutant (kl/kl) mice. UUO kidneys from HT mice showed a significantly higher level of RTF and TGF-β/Smad3 signaling than wild-type (WT) mice, whereas both were greatly suppressed in kl/kl mice. Primary proximal tubular epithelial culture cells isolated from kl/kl mice showed no suppression in TGF-β1-induced epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) compared to those from HT mice. In the renal epithelial cell line NRK52E, a large amount of inorganic phosphate (Pi), FGF23, or calcitriol was added to the medium to mimic the in vivo homeostasis of kl/kl mice. Neither Pi nor FGF23 antagonized TGF-β1-induced EMT. In contrast, calcitriol ameliorated TGF-β1-induced EMT in a dose dependent manner. A vitamin D3-deficient diet normalized the serum 1,25 (OH)2 vitamin D3 level in kl/kl mice and enhanced UUO-induced RTF and TGF-β/Smad3 signaling. In conclusion, the alleviation of UUO-induced RTF in kl/kl mice was due to the TGF-β1 signaling suppression caused by an elevated serum 1, 25(OH)2 vitamin D3.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / biosynthesis
  • Animals
  • Calcitriol / blood
  • Calcitriol / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line
  • Collagen / biosynthesis
  • Diet
  • Epithelial Cells
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / drug effects
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / genetics
  • Female
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor-23
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / pharmacology
  • Glucuronidase / genetics
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Klotho Proteins
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Nephritis, Interstitial / blood
  • Nephritis, Interstitial / prevention & control*
  • Phosphates / pharmacology
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / complications
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Smad3 Protein / metabolism*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / metabolism*
  • Ureteral Obstruction / pathology*

Substances

  • Acta2 protein, mouse
  • Actins
  • Fgf23 protein, mouse
  • Phosphates
  • Smad3 Protein
  • Smad3 protein, mouse
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor-23
  • Collagen
  • Glucuronidase
  • Klotho Proteins
  • Calcitriol