ADPKD is characterized by the presence of numerous fluid-filled cysts, which grow in size over time and produce kidney failure. Despite recent progress, pathogenesis of ADPKD is not fully understood, and no FDA-approved drugs are available. Majority of ADPKD patients develop cysts due to complete loss-of- function of PKD1 or 2. However, new evidence indicates that some ADPKD patients harbor hypomorphic mutations, and they develop cysts due to reduced PKD1 or 2 gene dosage. Another new theme is that reduced dosage of several gene products within the `cystic pathway' aggravates the ADPKD phenotype. These observations suggest that improving the expression of PKD1, PKD2 and other `cystic pathway genes' represents an exciting new therapeutic opportunity to suppress cyst growth. miRNAs are unique drug targets in this regard as they can be inhibited to simultaneously increase the expression of multiple cystic pathway genes. RATIONALE: The role of miRNAs in ADPKD largely remains unexplored. We have recently showed that: (i) miR-17~92 is up-regulated in models of PKD; (ii) kidney-specific overexpression of miR-17~92 in normal mice produces cysts; and (iii) importantly, inhibition of miR-17~92 in a mouse model of PKD suppresses cyst growth. Interestingly, many cystic kidney disease genes are predicted to be miR-17~92 targets. Thus, inhibition of the miR-17~92 may be a potential new therapeutic strategy for PKD. However, validating miR-17~92 as a therapeutic target requires that its role is studied in orthologous mouse models that resemble the human ADPKD phenotype of adult-onset, slowly-growing cysts. HYPOTHESIS: Increased levels of miR-17~92 promote cyst growth in ADPKD by reducing the dosage of multiple gene products in the cystic pathway.
AIMS : We will use complementary genetic and pharmaceutical approaches to determine whether inhibition of miR-17~92 retards cyst growth and increases the expression of target cystic kidney disease genes in orthologous models of ADPKD. To provide relevance to human disease, we will determine whether miR- 17~92 is up-regulated and the target cystic kidney disease genes are downregulated in human ADPKD samples. Finally, we will determine whether miR-17-mediated inhibition of Pkd1 and Pkd2 is sufficient and necessary to promote cyst growth in vivo.

Public Health Relevance

ADPKD is a common but incurable genetic disease. The proposed studies may show for the first time that inhibiting microRNAs is a novel therapeutic strategy for ADPKD. These studies will also be the first to test the feasibility of antimirs as therapeutic agents in ADPKD.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DK102572-05
Application #
9696358
Study Section
Kidney Molecular Biology and Genitourinary Organ Development (KMBD)
Program Officer
Maric-Bilkan, Christine
Project Start
2015-05-11
Project End
2021-04-30
Budget Start
2019-05-01
Budget End
2021-04-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2019
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Texas Sw Medical Center Dallas
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
800771545
City
Dallas
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
75390
Lakhia, Ronak; Yheskel, Matanel; Flaten, Andrea et al. (2018) PPAR? agonist fenofibrate enhances fatty acid ?-oxidation and attenuates polycystic kidney and liver disease in mice. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 314:F122-F131
Aboudehen, Karam; Farahani, Shayan; Kanchwala, Mohammed et al. (2018) Long noncoding RNA Hoxb3os is dysregulated in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease and regulates mTOR signaling. J Biol Chem 293:9388-9398
Hajarnis, Sachin; Yheskel, Matanel; Williams, Darren et al. (2018) Suppression of microRNA Activity in Kidney Collecting Ducts Induces Partial Loss of Epithelial Phenotype and Renal Fibrosis. J Am Soc Nephrol 29:518-531
Aboudehen, Karam; Noureddine, Lama; Cobo-Stark, Patricia et al. (2017) Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor-1? Regulates Urinary Concentration and Response to Hypertonicity. J Am Soc Nephrol 28:2887-2900
Yheskel, Matanel; Patel, Vishal (2017) Therapeutic microRNAs in polycystic kidney disease. Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens 26:282-289
Hajarnis, Sachin; Lakhia, Ronak; Yheskel, Matanel et al. (2017) microRNA-17 family promotes polycystic kidney disease progression through modulation of mitochondrial metabolism. Nat Commun 8:14395
Brzóska, Hortensja ?; d'Esposito, Angela M; Kolatsi-Joannou, Maria et al. (2016) Planar cell polarity genes Celsr1 and Vangl2 are necessary for kidney growth, differentiation, and rostrocaudal patterning. Kidney Int 90:1274-1284
Aboudehen, Karam; Kim, Min Soo; Mitsche, Matthew et al. (2016) Transcription Factor Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor-1? Regulates Renal Cholesterol Metabolism. J Am Soc Nephrol 27:2408-21
Lakhia, Ronak; Hajarnis, Sachin; Williams, Darren et al. (2016) MicroRNA-21 Aggravates Cyst Growth in a Model of Polycystic Kidney Disease. J Am Soc Nephrol 27:2319-30
Hajarnis, Sachin S; Patel, Vishal; Aboudehen, Karam et al. (2015) Transcription Factor Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor-1? (HNF-1?) Regulates MicroRNA-200 Expression through a Long Noncoding RNA. J Biol Chem 290:24793-805