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Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Whole Kidney, Medulla, and Cortical Tubules in Diabetic Pathogenesis of Kidney Injury in Mice
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Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Whole Kidney, Medulla, and Cortical Tubules in Diabetic Pathogenesis of Kidney Injury in Mice

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New insights into molecular mechanisms of epigenetic regulation in kidney disease

Imari Mimura1, Tetsuhiro Tanaka1, Masaomi Nangaku1

  • 1Division of Nephrology and Endocrinology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.

Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology & Physiology
|August 26, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Kidney failure is rising, driven by factors like tubulointerstitial injury. Epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation and non-coding RNAs, create cellular memory that may impact kidney disease progression and aging.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression involves glomerular sclerosis, renal artery atherosclerosis, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis.
  • Tubulointerstitial injury, triggered by hypoxia and inflammation, activates fibroblasts.
  • Recent technological advances allow comprehensive gene expression profiling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the role of epigenetic modifications in kidney disease.
  • To emphasize the importance of understanding epigenetic mechanisms for therapeutic development.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current understanding of gene regulation.
  • Analysis of high-throughput sequencing data revealing epigenetic regulation.
  • Exploration of cellular epigenetic memory in disease contexts.

Main Results:

  • Gene expression is intricately regulated by DNA methylation, histone modification, chromosome conformation, long non-coding RNAs, and microRNAs.
  • These epigenetic modifications establish a cellular epigenetic memory.
  • This memory can contribute to adult-onset diseases and aging.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic memory may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of kidney disease.
  • Clarifying the molecular mechanisms of epigenetic modifications is crucial.
  • Understanding these mechanisms could lead to novel therapeutic targets for kidney disease.
Keywords:
chromosome conformationepigenetic memoryhypoxia

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