Microscopic 'shuttles' transport enzyme from cells to trigger onset of kidney disease

Microscopic ‘shuttles’ transport enzyme from cells to trigger onset of kidney disease
Credit: University of Sheffield

A new study involving the University of Sheffield has identified a key culprit in the onset of kidney disease in a major marker for kidney disease development.

Scientists have discovered nano-sized 'shuttles,' which transport a damaging enzyme outside of the in order for it to begin the process on the surface.

The new research was conducted by the University of Sheffield's Kidney Institute and Nottingham Trent University, and was funded by Kidney Research UK. It is hoped that it could lead to new therapies to try to block the tiny micro vesicles – about 100 nanometres in diameter – and potentially stop the disease in its tracks.

Kidney scarring, or 'fibrosis' is the primary cause of disease and is triggered by factors including diabetes, autoimmune disease and , regular use of certain medications and prolonged infections.

Kidney disease costs the NHS £1.5bn a year and is thought to be getting more common due to increasing levels of obesity and ageing societies. There is currently no cure, with treatment either through dialysis or transplant.

As part of the study, the researchers investigated how the enzyme Transglutaminase-2 (TG2) – known to be responsible for kidney scarring – was transported from the cells to perform its damaging action.

They developed a new approach to detect all TG2-associated proteins in simulated conditions of disease. From here, they were able to identify how TG2 left the kidney cells to cross-link proteins like collagen and fibronectin, leading to fibrosis.

After these findings were obtained in models of the disease, the team screened the urine of kidney disease patients, which also showed these tiny vesicles carrying TG2.

Tim Johnson, Professor of Renal Science at University of Sheffield and an international expert in TG2 and kidney disease, said: "This is the latest part of 25 years collaborative research between the Sheffield Kidney Institute and Nottingham Trent University to define the nature of the role of TG2 in progressive renal fibrosis."

Dr. Elisabetta Verderio Edwards, lead scientist and head of the Transglutaminase Research Team in Nottingham Trent University's School of Science and Technology said: "This is a major marker for development. To play a role in fibrosis, TG2 needs to get to the right location where fibrosis forms, outside the cells. We know that TG2 doesn't travel alone.

"We now need to look at how we can target these tiny vesicles as a means of controlling, or interrupting, fibrosis before serious problems occur. It is also possible that we could look at TG2 in these vesicles as a way of diagnosing the earlier. The more we know, the more avenues we have to intervene."

Director of research operations at Kidney Research UK, Elaine Davies, said: "Kidney Failure is life threatening and caused when the kidneys no longer function normally due to irreversible scarring within its structure.

"This biological mechanism research finding is helping us build our understanding about scarring and will help us to find the tipping point where kidney scarring changes, from being reversible to irreversible."

The findings have been published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

More information: Giulia Furini et al. Proteomic Profiling Reveals the Transglutaminase-2 Externalization Pathway in Kidneys after Unilateral Ureteric Obstruction, Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2018). DOI: 10.1681/ASN.2017050479

Citation: Microscopic 'shuttles' transport enzyme from cells to trigger onset of kidney disease (2018, March 21) retrieved 28 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-03-microscopic-shuttles-enzyme-cells-trigger.html
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