Vincristine alleviates adriamycin-induced nephropathy through stabilizing actin cytoskeleton

Antimicrotubule agent vincristine (VCR) has long been known as an alternative treatment for frequent relapse nephrotic syndrome and steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS). However, the mechanism is unknown. Here we found that VCR at a dosage much lower than that as an antimicrotubule agent can alleviate adriamycin (ADR)-induced proteinuria and podocyte foot process effacement. In cultured podocytes, VCR prevents ADR-induced actin fiber disorganization. In both in vitro and in vivo models, VCR suppresses ADR-induced overexpression of α3β1 integrin and focal adhesion kinase (FAK). These data suggest that VCR may relieve ADR-induced nephropathy through inhibiting injury-induced activation of integrin outside-in signaling to prevent actin cytoskeleton remodeling. Hence, our work reveals a novel role of VCR in regulating actin fiber assembly and provides first evidence on the therapeutic mechanism of VCR on nephrotic syndrome.