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Published on: January 23, 2018
ROCK2-induced metabolic rewiring in diabetic podocytopathy
Keiichiro Matoba1, Yusuke Takeda2, Yosuke Nagai2
1Division of Diabetes, Metabolism and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 105-8461, Japan. matoba@jikei.ac.jp.
Podocyte Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 2 (ROCK2) is activated in diabetes, driving kidney injury. Inhibiting ROCK2 in podocytes protects against diabetic kidney disease, suggesting ROCK2 as a therapeutic target.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Diabetology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Podocyte injury is central to diabetic kidney disease and albuminuria.
- Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 2 (ROCK2) activation in podocytes is observed in diabetic models and patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of podocyte ROCK2 in diabetic renal injury.
- To explore ROCK2's regulatory mechanism in podocyte metabolism and apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Generation of podocyte-specific ROCK2 knockout (PR2KO) mice.
- Assessment of renal function and histology in various diabetic mouse models.
- RNA-sequencing analysis of ROCK2-null podocytes.
Main Results:
- PR2KO mice exhibited resistance to albuminuria, glomerular fibrosis, and podocyte loss in diabetic models.
- ROCK2 was identified as a suppressor of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α (PPARα).
- ROCK2 negatively regulates fatty acid oxidation genes, promoting podocyte apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- ROCK2 is a critical regulator of podocyte energy homeostasis in diabetes.
- Targeting the ROCK2-PPARα pathway offers a potential therapeutic strategy for diabetic podocytopathy.
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