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Mechanism of Kemeng Fang's Inhibition of Podocyte Apoptosis in Rats with Membranous Nephropathy through the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway
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Mechanism of Kemeng Fang's Inhibition of Podocyte Apoptosis in Rats with Membranous Nephropathy through the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway

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Interplay between the Notch and PI3K/Akt pathways in high glucose-induced podocyte apoptosis

Xiao-Mei Wang1, Min Yao, Shu-Xia Liu

  • 1Dept. of Pathology, Third Hospital, Hebei Medical Univ., No. 139 Ziqiang Rd., Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China 050051. alan846829@163.com.

American Journal of Physiology. Renal Physiology
|November 15, 2013
PubMed

Insights

High glucose triggers podocyte apoptosis in diabetic nephropathy. The PI3K/Akt and Notch pathways play crucial roles in this process, offering potential therapeutic targets for kidney disease.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Podocyte apoptosis is a key factor in diabetic nephropathy (DN) pathogenesis.
  • The precise mechanisms underlying high glucose (HG)-induced podocyte apoptosis are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the roles of the Notch and PI3K/Akt pathways in high glucose-induced podocyte apoptosis.
  • To explore potential therapeutic interventions targeting these pathways in diabetic nephropathy.

Main Methods:

  • Cultured conditionally immortalized mouse podocytes in high glucose medium.
  • Utilized chemical inhibitors and short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) to modulate Notch and PI3K/Akt pathways.
  • Assessed protein and gene expression via Western blotting and real-time PCR.
  • Quantified podocyte apoptosis using TUNEL and Annexin V/PI staining.

Main Results:

  • PI3K/Akt pathway activation inhibited podocyte apoptosis during early high glucose exposure.
  • Notch pathway activation was implicated in podocyte apoptosis during later stages of high glucose exposure.
  • Inhibiting the Notch pathway or activating the PI3K/Akt pathway reduced apoptosis in HG-treated podocytes.

Conclusions:

  • The Notch and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways are critically involved in mediating high glucose-induced podocyte apoptosis.
  • Modulating these pathways presents a potential therapeutic strategy for diabetic nephropathy.
Keywords:
Notch pathwayPI3K/Akt pathwayapoptosishigh glucosepodocytes

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