Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026
10:31
Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Whole Kidney, Medulla, and Cortical Tubules in Diabetic Pathogenesis of Kidney Injury in Mice
Published on: May 2, 2025
Gene networks implicated in diabetic kidney disease
1Department of Endocrinology, The Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Southeast University Medical College, Jiangyin, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China. drtangwei@yahoo.com.cn
European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences
|December 18, 2012
Summary
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) involves molecular changes in kidney glomeruli and tubules. This study identifies potential therapeutic targets and suggests DKD is an immune-mediated disease, offering insights for biomarker discovery.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Molecular Biology
- Systems Biology
Background:
- Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease with increasing incidence.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms of DKD is crucial for developing effective treatments.
- Current knowledge of DKD pathogenesis remains incomplete.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying DKD development.
- To compare molecular changes in different kidney compartments (glomeruli and tubules) in DKD.
- To identify potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers for DKD.
Main Methods:
- A systems biology approach was employed.
- Gene expression profiles were analyzed in microdissected human renal glomerular and tubule samples.
- Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify gene modules.
Main Results:
- WGCNA identified 10 gene modules in tubules and 12 in glomeruli.
- Several transcription factors (TFs) like ETS1, ETV4, JUN, LITAF, NFE2, RARG, and STAT5A were identified in both compartments.
- Dysregulation of cell proliferation and immune-mediated processes were implicated in DKD pathogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Multiple genes crucial for DKD pathogenesis were identified.
- A systems-level understanding of gene relationships in DKD was provided.
- The study offers a basis for DKD biomarker discovery and potential therapeutic strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Diabetic Nephropathy
Definition Diabetic nephropathy is a chronic kidney complication that results from prolonged hyperglycemia.Prevalence It is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide, affecting up to half of individuals with diabetes.Pathophysiology • Sustained hyperglycemia triggers multiple hemodynamic and metabolic changes in the kidney. • Early in the disease, increased renal blood flow and glomerular hyperfiltration occur due to afferent arteriolar...
02:26Protein Networks
An organism can have thousands of different proteins, and these proteins must cooperate to ensure the health of an organism. Proteins bind to other proteins and form complexes to carry out their functions. Many proteins interact with multiple other proteins creating a complex network of protein interactions.
These interactions can be represented through maps depicting protein-protein interaction networks, represented as nodes and edges. Nodes are circles that are representative of a protein,...
These interactions can be represented through maps depicting protein-protein interaction networks, represented as nodes and edges. Nodes are circles that are representative of a protein,...
01:25Chronic Kidney Disease I: Introduction
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) arises when the kidneys progressively lose their ability to function, ultimately leading to end-stage renal disease. At this advanced stage, the kidneys can no longer filter waste or maintain essential body functions, requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) through dialysis or a kidney transplant for survival.Early-stage chronic kidney disease and detection challengesIn CKD's early stages, symptoms often remain absent because healthy nephrons compensate for...
01:10Nephrons
The kidneys are intricate organs with millions of working units known as nephrons. Each nephron features two major structures: the renal corpuscle, which facilitates blood plasma filtration, and the renal tubule, which handles the glomerular filtrate. Blood supply is directly linked to the nephrons. The renal corpuscle consists of the glomerulus, a capillary network, and the Bowman's capsule, a double-walled epithelial structure that encases the glomerulus. The filtering of blood plasma happens...
01:22Diabetic Neuropathy
DefinitionDiabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by long-standing diabetes mellitus. It results directly from prolonged high blood sugar levels.PathophysiologyThe pathophysiology of diabetic neuropathy involves both metabolic and vascular disturbances triggered by chronic hyperglycemia.Metabolic injury: Elevated glucose levels activate the polyol pathway within nerve cells, leading to the accumulation of sorbitol and fructose. This increases oxidative stress, disrupts normal nerve...
01:27Diabetic Retinopathy
DefinitionDiabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes affecting the retinal blood vessels.Risk FactorsDiabetic retinopathy is present in almost all individuals with type 1 diabetes and more than 60% of those with type 2 diabetes after two decades of disease.The risk increases with poor glycemic control, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, pregnancy, and puberty.Although cataracts and glaucoma are also more frequent in people with diabetes, retinopathy remains the leading...