Targeting the transmembrane cytokine co-receptor neuropilin-1 in distal tubules improves renal injury and fibrosis

Yinzheng Li, Zheng Wang, Huzi Xu, Yu Hong, Mengxia Shi, Bin Hu, Xiuru Wang, Shulin Ma, Meng Wang, Chujin Cao, Han Zhu, Danni Hu, Chang Xu, Yanping Lin, Gang Xu (), Ying Yao () and Rui Zeng ()
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Yinzheng Li: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Zheng Wang: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Huzi Xu: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Yu Hong: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Mengxia Shi: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Bin Hu: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Xiuru Wang: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Shulin Ma: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Meng Wang: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Chujin Cao: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Han Zhu: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Danni Hu: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Chang Xu: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Yanping Lin: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Gang Xu: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Ying Yao: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Rui Zeng: Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-18

Abstract: Abstract Neuropilin-1 (NRP1), a co-receptor for various cytokines, including TGF-β, has been identified as a potential therapeutic target for fibrosis. However, its role and mechanism in renal fibrosis remains elusive. Here, we show that NRP1 is upregulated in distal tubular (DT) cells of patients with transplant renal insufficiency and mice with renal ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury. Knockout of Nrp1 reduces multiple endpoints of renal injury and fibrosis. We find that Nrp1 facilitates the binding of TNF-α to its receptor in DT cells after renal injury. This signaling results in a downregulation of lysine crotonylation of the metabolic enzyme Cox4i1, decreases cellular energetics and exacerbation of renal injury. Furthermore, by single-cell RNA-sequencing we find that Nrp1-positive DT cells secrete collagen and communicate with myofibroblasts, exacerbating acute kidney injury (AKI)-induced renal fibrosis by activating Smad3. Dual genetic deletion of Nrp1 and Tgfbr1 in DT cells better improves renal injury and fibrosis than either single knockout. Together, these results reveal that targeting of NRP1 represents a promising strategy for the treatment of AKI and subsequent chronic kidney disease.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50121-6

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