Identification of Messenger RNA Signatures in Age-Dependent Renal Impairment
Katsunori Yanai1, Shohei Kaneko1, Akinori Aomatsu1,2
1Division of Nephrology, First Department of Integrated Medicine, Saitama Medical Center, Jichi Medical University, Saitama 330-8503, Japan.
Abstract:
In general populations, age-dependent renal impairment contributes to the progression of renal dysfunction. It has not been known which molecules are involved in age-dependent renal impairment. Messenger RNA (mRNA) has been reported to modulate various renal diseases, and we therefore investigated mRNA signatures in age-dependent renal impairment. We performed an initial microarray-profiling analysis to screen mRNAs, the expression levels of which changed in the kidneys of 50-week-old senescence-accelerated prone (SAMP1) mice (which have accelerated age-dependent renal impairments) compared with those of 50 wk old senescence-accelerated-resistant (SAMR1) mice (which have normal aged kidneys) and with younger (10 wk old) SAMP1 and SAMR1 mice. We next assessed the expressions of mRNAs that were differentially expressed in the kidneys of SAMP1-50wk mice by conducting a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and compared the expressions among the SAMP1-10wk, SAMR1-10wk, and SAMR1-50wk mice. The results of the microarray together with the qRT-PCR analysis revealed five mRNAs whose expression levels were significantly altered in SAMP1-50wk mouse kidneys versus the control mice. The expression levels of the five mRNAs were increased in the kidneys of the mice with age-dependent renal impairment. Our findings indicate that the five mRNAs might be related and could become therapeutic targets for age-dependent renal impairment.
Insights
Researchers identified five messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules that are upregulated in aged mouse kidneys, suggesting they may play a role in age-dependent renal impairment and could be potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Molecular Biology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Age-dependent renal impairment is a significant factor in kidney dysfunction progression.
- The specific molecular mechanisms underlying age-related kidney damage are not fully understood.
- Messenger RNA (mRNA) is implicated in the pathogenesis of various kidney diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify mRNA signatures associated with age-dependent renal impairment.
- To investigate the role of specific mRNAs in kidney aging and dysfunction.
- To explore potential molecular targets for treating age-related kidney disease.
Main Methods:
- Microarray profiling was used to screen for differentially expressed mRNAs in aging mouse kidneys.
- Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was employed to validate mRNA expression levels.
- Comparative analysis was performed between senescence-accelerated prone (SAMP1) mice with accelerated aging and senescence-accelerated-resistant (SAMR1) mice with normal aging.
Main Results:
- Five specific mRNAs showed significantly altered expression levels in the kidneys of aged SAMP1 mice compared to control groups.
- The expression of these five mRNAs was notably increased in kidneys affected by age-dependent renal impairment.
- These findings were consistent across both microarray and qRT-PCR analyses.
Conclusions:
- The identified five mRNAs are potentially involved in the development of age-dependent renal impairment.
- These mRNAs represent promising molecular targets for future therapeutic interventions aimed at mitigating kidney aging and dysfunction.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise functional roles of these mRNA molecules in renal health and disease.
