High-Glucose-Induced Injury to Proximal Tubules of the Renal System Is Alleviated by Netrin-1 Suppression of Akt/mTOR

The kidneys have a high level of Netrin-1 expression, which protects against some acute and chronic kidney disorders. However, it is yet unknown how Netrin-1 affects renal proximal tubule cells in diabetic nephropathy (DN) under pathological circumstances. Research has shown that autophagy protects the kidneys in animal models of renal disease. In this study, we looked at the probable autophagy regulation mechanism of Netrin-1 and its function in the pathogenesis of DN. We proved that in HK-2 cell, high blood sugar levels caused Netrin-1 to be downregulated, which then triggered the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and enhanced cell death and actin cytoskeleton disruption. By adding Netrin-1 or an autophagy activator in vitro, these pathogenic alterations were reverted. Our results indicate that Netrin-1 stimulates autophagy by blocking the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, which underlies high-glucose-induced malfunction of the renal proximal tubules. After HK-2 cells were incubated with Netrin-1 recombination protein and rapamycin under HG conditions for 24 h, the apoptosis was significantly reduced, as shown by the higher levels of Bcl-2, as well as lower levels of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 (P = 0.012, Cohen's d = 0.489, Glass's delta = 0.23, Hedges' g = 0.641). This study reveals that targeting Netrin-1-related signaling has therapeutic potential for DN and advances our knowledge of the processes operating in renal proximal tubules in DN.