Dataset Information

Protective role of cannabinoid receptor type 2 in a mouse model of diabetic nephropathy.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) has protective effects in chronic degenerative diseases. Our aim was to assess the potential relevance of the CB2 receptor in both human and experimental diabetic nephropathy (DN).

Research design and methods

CB2 expression was studied in kidney biopsies from patients with advanced DN, in early experimental diabetes, and in cultured podocytes. Levels of endocannabinoids and related enzymes were measured in the renal cortex from diabetic mice. To assess the functional role of CB2, streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice were treated for 14 weeks with AM1241, a selective CB2 agonist. In these animals, we studied albuminuria, renal function, expression of podocyte proteins (nephrin and zonula occludens-1), and markers of both fibrosis (fibronectin and transforming growth factor-?1) and inflammation (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 [MCP-1], CC chemokine receptor 2 [CCR2], and monocyte markers). CB2 signaling was assessed in cultured podocytes.

Results

Podocytes express the CB2 receptor both in vitro and in vivo. CB2 was downregulated in kidney biopsies from patients with advanced DN, and renal levels of the CB2 ligand 2-arachidonoylglycerol were reduced in diabetic mice, suggesting impaired CB2 regulation. In experimental diabetes, AM1241 ameliorated albuminuria, podocyte protein downregulation, and glomerular monocyte infiltration, without affecting early markers of fibrosis. In addition, AM1241 reduced CCR2 expression in both renal cortex and cultured podocytes, suggesting that CB2 activation may interfere with the deleterious effects of MCP-1 signaling.

Conclusions

The CB2 receptor is expressed by podocytes, and in experimental diabetes, CB2 activation ameliorates both albuminuria and podocyte protein loss, suggesting a protective effect of signaling through CB2 in DN.

SUBMITTER: Barutta F

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3161308 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Protective role of cannabinoid receptor type 2 in a mouse model of diabetic nephropathy.

Barutta Federica F Piscitelli Fabiana F Pinach Silvia S Bruno Graziella G Gambino Roberto R Rastaldi Maria Pia MP Salvidio Gennaro G Di Marzo Vincenzo V Cavallo Perin Paolo P Gruden Gabriella G

Diabetes 20110801 9

<h4>Objective</h4>The cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) has protective effects in chronic degenerative diseases. Our aim was to assess the potential relevance of the CB2 receptor in both human and experimental diabetic nephropathy (DN).<h4>Research design and methods</h4>CB2 expression was studied in kidney biopsies from patients with advanced DN, in early experimental diabetes, and in cultured podocytes. Levels of endocannabinoids and related enzymes were measured in the renal cortex from diabe ...[more]

PMID: 21810593

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Project description:Adiponectin exerts renoprotective effects against diabetic nephropathy (DN) by activating the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/peroxisome proliferative-activated receptor-? (PPAR?) pathway through adiponectin receptors (AdipoRs). AdipoRon is an orally active synthetic adiponectin receptor agonist. We investigated the expression of AdipoRs and the associated intracellular pathways in 27 patients with type 2 diabetes and examined the effects of AdipoRon on DN development in male C57BLKS/J db/db mice, glomerular endothelial cells (GECs), and podocytes. The extent of glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis correlated with renal function deterioration in human kidneys. Expression of AdipoR1, AdipoR2, and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase-? (CaMKK?) and numbers of phosphorylated liver kinase B1 (LKB1)- and AMPK-positive cells significantly decreased in the glomeruli of early stage human DN. AdipoRon treatment restored diabetes-induced renal alterations in db/db mice. AdipoRon exerted renoprotective effects by directly activating intrarenal AdipoR1 and AdipoR2, which increased CaMKK?, phosphorylated Ser431LKB1, phosphorylated Thr172AMPK, and PPAR? expression independently of the systemic effects of adiponectin. AdipoRon-induced improvement in diabetes-induced oxidative stress and inhibition of apoptosis in the kidneys ameliorated relevant intracellular pathways associated with lipid accumulation and endothelial dysfunction. In high-glucose-treated human GECs and murine podocytes, AdipoRon increased intracellular Ca2+ levels that activated a CaMKK?/phosphorylated Ser431LKB1/phosphorylated Thr172AMPK/PPAR? pathway and downstream signaling, thus decreasing high-glucose-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis and improving endothelial dysfunction. AdipoRon further produced cardioprotective effects through the same pathway demonstrated in the kidney. Our results show that AdipoRon ameliorates GEC and podocyte injury by activating the intracellular Ca2+/LKB1-AMPK/PPAR? pathway, suggesting its efficacy for treating type 2 diabetes-associated DN.

Dataset Information

Protective role of cannabinoid receptor type 2 in a mouse model of diabetic nephropathy.

Objective

Research design and methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Protective role of cannabinoid receptor type 2 in a mouse model of diabetic nephropathy.

Similar Datasets

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