Specific Aims This competitive renewal application is a continuation of our long-term effort to develop novel strategies for the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) to prevent tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, and progression to the end-stage kidney failure and the need for renal replacement therapy. Tubulointerstitial fibrosis, characterized by aberrant activation of renal fibroblasts and production and deposition of extracellular matrix components, is a key pathogenic process in progressive kidney injury. Although epigenetic regulation is critical to development of renal fibrosis, the mechanisms involved in this process remain poorly understood and the therapeutic potential of epigenetic modification in altering the progression of renal fibrosis is as yet unrealized. Studies in the previous project period of this application demonstrated that blocking class I histone deacetylases (HDACs) by MS-275 attenuated renal fibrogenesis and suppressed expression or/and phosphorylation of multiple growth factor receptors that contribute to renal fibrogenesis. These include transforming growth factor-beta receptor I (TGF-betaRI), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and platelet derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR). Further, inhibition of class I HDACs blocks epithelial G2/M cell cycle arrest and suppresses leukocyte infiltration of the fibrotic kidney. To expand these findings, we will test the hypothesis that class I HDAC inhibitors suppress progression of renal fibrosis by antagonizing production of profibrogenetic cytokines/growth factors, inactivating and downregulating multiple growth factor receptors and suppressing NF-kB signaling.
Specific Aim 1. Assess the therapeutic effect of delayed application of class 1 HDAC inhibitors on the progression of renal fibrosis in two animal models of CKD. We will assess the effect of delayed administration of the class I HDAC inhibitor on activation of renal fibroblasts, deposition of extracellular proteins, production of multiple proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines and accumulation of leukocytes in the kidney in diverse, clinically relelvant models of injuries (ischemia/reperfusion and 5/6 nephrectomy).
Specific Aim 2. Dissect the molecular mechanism by which class I HDAC inhibition suppresses expression/activation of profibrotic receptors. We will examine the effect of a class I HDAC inhibitor and of gene silencing using an isoform-specific siRNA on expression and/or activation of TGF-betaRI, EGFR, PDGFR and Notch3 in cultured renal epithelial cells and renal interstitial fibroblasts.
Specific Aim 3. Elucidate the cellular and molecular events by which class I HDAC inhibition attenuates renal inflammation. We will examine whether inhibition of class I HDACs suppresses injury-induced renal inflammation by blocking epithelial cell cycle G2/M arrest, production of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines, and activation of NF-kB signaling pathway. Successful completion of this project will increase our understanding on the mechanism of HDAC inhibition-mediated suppression of renal fibrogenesis and may contribute to the development of novel treatments for patients with CKD.

Public Health Relevance

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by an irreversible deterioration of renal function that gradually progresses to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis is the final common pathway of CKD to progress to ESRD. Current therapeutic options for patients with CKD are very limited and often ineffective. There is a great need in identifying the key targets essential for designing rational strategies to treat patients with fibrotic kidney disorders. Since histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have been extensively investigated as potential anticancer drugs, investigation of the functional role and mechanism of HDACs in mediating progression of renal fibrosis would be beneficial to development of HDAC inhibitors as therapeutic drugs for CKD.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DK085065-08
Application #
9312804
Study Section
Pathobiology of Kidney Disease Study Section (PBKD)
Program Officer
Kimmel, Paul
Project Start
2010-09-30
Project End
2019-06-30
Budget Start
2017-07-01
Budget End
2019-06-30
Support Year
8
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Rhode Island Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
075710996
City
Providence
State
RI
Country
United States
Zip Code
02903
Zhou, X; Zang, X; Guan, Y et al. (2018) Targeting enhancer of zeste homolog 2 protects against acute kidney injury. Cell Death Dis 9:1067
Zhou, Xiaoxu; Xiong, Chongxiang; Tolbert, Evelyn et al. (2018) Targeting histone methyltransferase enhancer of zeste homolog-2 inhibits renal epithelial-mesenchymal transition and attenuates renal fibrosis. FASEB J :fj201800237R
Wang, Jun; Zhuang, Shougang (2017) Src family kinases in chronic kidney disease. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 313:F721-F728
Xiong, Chongxiang; Zang, Xiujuan; Zhou, Xiaoxu et al. (2017) Pharmacological inhibition of Src kinase protects against acute kidney injury in a murine model of renal ischemia/reperfusion. Oncotarget 8:31238-31253
Shi, Yingfeng; Xu, Liuqing; Tang, Jinhua et al. (2017) Inhibition of HDAC6 protects against rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 312:F502-F515
Tang, Jinhua; Zhuang, Shougang (2016) Upregulation of AMWAP: a novel mechanism for HDAC inhibitors to protect against cisplatin nephrotoxicity. Kidney Int 89:267-9
Yan, Yanli; Ma, Li; Zhou, Xiaoxu et al. (2016) Src inhibition blocks renal interstitial fibroblast activation and ameliorates renal fibrosis. Kidney Int 89:68-81
Liu, Na; Shi, Yingfeng; Zhuang, Shougang (2016) Autophagy in Chronic Kidney Diseases. Kidney Dis (Basel) 2:37-45
Wang, Li; Liu, Na; Xiong, Chongxiang et al. (2016) Inhibition of EGF Receptor Blocks the Development and Progression of Peritoneal Fibrosis. J Am Soc Nephrol 27:2631-44
Xiong, Chongxiang; Masucci, Monica V; Zhou, Xiaoxu et al. (2016) Pharmacological targeting of BET proteins inhibits renal fibroblast activation and alleviates renal fibrosis. Oncotarget 7:69291-69308

Showing the most recent 10 out of 46 publications