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Erythropoietin protects lipopolysaccharide-induced renal mesangial cells from autophagy
Lingyun Bi1, Ruanling Hou2, Dasheng Yang1
1Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, Henan 453100, P.R. China.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of erythropoietin (EPO) on the impairment of autophagy induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in primary cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs). Rat GMCs were isolated and cultured in normal glucose, high-glucose, LPS or LPS + EPO medium. At 24 and 72 h of culture, the cells were examined for expression levels of the autophagy markers LC3 and p62/sequestosome-1 (SQSTM1) using western blot analysis. At 24 h, no significant difference in the expression of LC3 and p62/SQSTM1 was observed among the groups; however, the cells exposed to high-glucose medium for 72 h showed downregulated LC3 expression and upregulated p62/SQSTM1 expression. The cells exposed to LPS (10 ng/ml) for 72 h showed upregulated LC3 expression and upregulated p62/SQSTM1 expression. These changes were reversed in the LPS + EPO group at 72 h. In conclusion, EPO can inhibit LPS-induced autophagy in rat GMCs.
Insights
Erythropoietin (EPO) was found to inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced autophagy in rat glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs). This study explored EPO
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Autophagy plays a critical role in cellular homeostasis.
- Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can induce autophagic dysfunction.
- Glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) are key players in kidney function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of erythropoietin (EPO) on LPS-induced autophagy impairment.
- To examine EPO's impact on autophagy markers in rat GMCs.
Main Methods:
- Primary rat GMCs were cultured under various conditions: normal glucose, high-glucose, LPS, and LPS + EPO.
- Western blot analysis was used to assess the expression of autophagy markers LC3 and p62/SQSTM1 at 24 and 72 hours.
Main Results:
- High-glucose and LPS exposure for 72 hours altered autophagy marker expression (downregulated LC3, upregulated p62/SQSTM1).
- Erythropoietin (EPO) treatment reversed these LPS-induced changes in autophagy markers.
- No significant differences were observed at 24 hours.
Conclusions:
- Erythropoietin (EPO) effectively inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced autophagy in rat glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs).
- EPO may have a protective role against LPS-induced cellular stress in GMCs.
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