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Updated: Jun 3, 2025
Renal Ischaemia Reperfusion Injury: A Mouse Model of Injury and Regeneration
Published on: June 7, 2014
[Liver X receptor attenuates renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice]
Ying-Zhi Huang1, Zhi-Lin Luan2, Shu-Jing Liu2
1Health Science Center, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China.
Abstract:
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a clinical syndrome characterized by a rapid decline in renal function. Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) is one of the main causes of AKI with the underlying mechanism incompletely clarified. The liver X receptors (LXRs), including LXRα and LXRβ, are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily. It has been shown that LXRs play an important role in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, cholesterol efflux, and inflammation. The purpose of this study was to explore the role and mechanism of LXRs in RIRI. We determined the effects of LXR activation on renal function and histological changes in a mouse RIRI model and a cellular model of hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). In vivo results showed that LXRs agonist GW3965 significantly inhibited the increase of serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels induced by RIRI. Both HE and PAS staining of kidney tissues revealed that GW3965 alleviated the morphological damages caused by RIRI. Immunohistochemical staining showed that GW3965 mitigated 4-HNE and GRP78 levels induced by RIRI. Furthermore, TUNEL assay indicated that GW3965 reduced RIRI-induced renal cell apoptosis. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis revealed that GW3965 attenuated RIRI-induced IL-6 and IL-1β mRNA expression. Compared with wild-type group, LXRα gene deficiency had little effect on RIRI-associated renal functional decline and morphological damages. Additionally, in vitro study demonstrated that GW3965 alleviated H/R-induced decrease of HK-2 human renal proximal tubule cell viability and restored the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) after H/R. Western blot results showed that GW3965 mitigated the increase of 4-HNE and GRP78 protein expression levels after H/R; However, knockdown of LXRβ using the small interfering RNA (siRNA) technique reduced cell viability compared to GW3965-treated group. Taken together, the LXRs agonist GW3965 significantly alleviates RIRI in mice possibly by reducing apoptosis, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation. These results also preliminarily confirm that the renal protective effects of LXRs agonists are dependent on LXRβ.
Insights
Liver X receptors (LXRs) agonist GW3965 protects against renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) by reducing apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation. These protective effects are dependent on LXRβ, highlighting its therapeutic potential for acute kidney injury.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Renal Physiology
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a critical condition with renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) as a major cause.
- The underlying mechanisms of RIRI remain incompletely understood, necessitating novel therapeutic targets.
- Liver X receptors (LXRs) are nuclear receptors involved in metabolism and inflammation, with potential roles in kidney injury.
Purpose:
- To investigate the role and mechanism of LXRs in RIRI.
- To evaluate the therapeutic effects of an LXR agonist (GW3965) on RIRI in preclinical models.
Summary:
- LXR activation with GW3965 significantly improved renal function and alleviated histological damage in a mouse RIRI model.
- GW3965 reduced RIRI-induced apoptosis, oxidative stress (4-HNE), endoplasmic reticulum stress (GRP78), and inflammation (IL-6, IL-1β).
- In vitro studies confirmed GW3965's protective effects on renal cells, dependent on LXRβ expression.
Impact:
- Demonstrates that LXR activation, particularly via LXRβ, offers significant renoprotection against RIRI.
- Identifies LXR agonists as potential therapeutic agents for managing AKI caused by RIRI.
- Provides mechanistic insights into LXR-mediated protection involving apoptosis, oxidative stress, ER stress, and inflammation pathways.
