Role of Periostin and Nuclear Factor-κB Interplay in the Development of Diabetic Nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) remains the most common reason for end-stage renal disease and a leading cause of kidney replacement therapy. Multifactorial pathophysiological mechanisms underlie the development of DN. Among the signalling pathways involved, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) plays a key role in pathogenesis triggering inflammation, oxidative stress and fibrosis. Recent evidence shows that periostin, a matricellular protein, is involved in the development of renal glomerular diseases through interaction with NF-κB signalling. The aim of the present study is to investigate the contribution of periostin and its interaction with NF-κB in DN development. To this end, we used the BTBR ob/ob mice model of diabetes type 2, and we applied transcriptomic analysis, immunostaining and methods quantifying protein and mRNA expressions. We found that increased periostin expression was correlated with decreased renal function, advanced stage renal damage and fibrosis, and NF-κB activation. Subsequently, we identified novel pathways and genes regulated by the NF-κB-periostin interaction which are involved in the mechanisms of progression of DN. Some of these genes, such as FGF1 and GDF15, have the potential to be new biomarkers and/or targets for the therapy of DN.