Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 11, 2026
10:31
Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Whole Kidney, Medulla, and Cortical Tubules in Diabetic Pathogenesis of Kidney Injury in Mice
Published on: May 2, 2025
593
Interactions between Tau Phosphorylation and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Diabetic Nephropathy
Eun Soo Lee1, Jeong Suk Kang2, Seong-Woo Lee2
1Department of Internal Medicine and Research Institute of Metabolism and Inflammation, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea.
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal
|November 10, 2025
Summary
Site-specific tau phosphorylation is linked to kidney injury in diabetic nephropathy (DN). Targeting tau phosphorylation and stress pathways may offer new therapeutic strategies for DN.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Tau protein, crucial for neuronal function, is implicated in neurodegenerative diseases.
- Its role in kidney pathology, specifically diabetic nephropathy (DN), remains poorly understood.
- Abnormal tau phosphorylation disrupts cellular structures and can lead to cell death.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role and significance of tau phosphorylation in diabetic nephropathy (DN).
- To explore the association between tau phosphorylation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and kidney damage in DN.
- To evaluate tau phosphorylation as a potential biomarker for DN severity.
Main Methods:
- Diabetic nephropathy (DN) was induced in NADPH oxidase 5 (NOX5) pod+ mice using a high-fat diet (HFD).
- Kidney tissues and mesangial cells were analyzed for tau phosphorylation (pTau Ser202/Thr205), fibrosis, and ER stress markers.
- Human renal biopsy samples from DN patients were examined for pTau expression.
Main Results:
- Elevated pTau Ser202 and Thr205 levels were observed in mice and human DN patients, correlating with proteinuria.
- High-fat diet-induced metabolic changes led to tau phosphorylation and kidney damage.
- Inhibition of tau phosphorylation or ER stress ameliorated mesangial cell damage.
Conclusions:
- Site-specific tau phosphorylation is associated with renal injury in DN and may indicate disease severity.
- The interaction between tau phosphorylation and ER stress contributes to DN progression.
- Targeting tau phosphorylation and upstream stress pathways presents a potential therapeutic avenue for DN.
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