Polysaccharide Peptide from Ganoderma lucidum Reduces Acute Kidney Injury Through Regulating the Integrin β3/Fn1 Axis

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Pharmacology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Acute kidney injury (AKI) presents significant clinical challenges with limited treatment options.
• Natural compounds are being explored for renoprotective effects against oxidative stress and inflammation.
• The integrin β3/Fibronectin 1 (Fn1) signaling axis is implicated in kidney injury.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the protective effects of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide peptide (GL-PPQ1) against renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury.
• To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, focusing on the integrin β3/Fn1 signaling pathway.
• To evaluate GL-PPQ1 as a potential therapeutic agent for AKI.

Main Methods:

• A murine model of renal I/R injury was utilized.
• GL-PPQ1 was administered orally prior to inducing I/R injury.
• Assessments included renal function tests, histopathology, oxidative stress markers, inflammatory cytokines, transcriptomic profiling, and protein expression analysis.

Main Results:

• GL-PPQ1 pretreatment significantly reduced renal tubular damage and improved renal function markers (serum creatinine, BUN).
• It effectively diminished oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in the injured kidneys.
• Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses indicated GL-PPQ1 modulated extracellular matrix remodeling and decreased integrin β3 and Fn1 expression.

Conclusions:

• GL-PPQ1 demonstrates significant renoprotective effects against I/R injury.
• The protective mechanisms involve mitigating oxidative stress, inflammation, and the integrin β3/Fn1 signaling pathway.
• Ganoderma lucidum-derived polysaccharide peptides show promise as a dietary supplement or therapeutic agent for AKI.