STING inhibition ameliorates inflammation and fibrosis in preclinical models of peritoneal damage
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ABSTRACT: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a widely used kidney replacement therapy for end-stage renal failure patients. However, long-term exposure to PD fluids (PDF) can lead to peritoneal membrane (PM) damage, causing ultrafiltration failure and thus PD. Investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying this damage is crucial for identifying new therapeutic targets to mitigate peritoneal deterioration in PD patients. In this work we study the role of the stimulator of interferon genes (STING), a key factor in recognising cytoplasmic DNA, in peritoneal inflammation and fibrosis. To this aim, we performed different preclinical mouse models of peritoneal inflammation, fibrosis, and adhesions. In a model of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX)-induced inflammation significant changes in the peritoneal transcriptomic profile indicated that cytosolic DNA signaling was one of the most enriched KEGG pathways. In agreement with this finding, STING was upregulated in CHX- and PDF-exposed mice, and in peritoneal biopsies from PD patients. In early and advanced stages of the CHX models, STING genetic deficiency diminished peritoneal inflammation by preventing NF-κB pathway activation, downregulating inflammatory gene expression, and decreasing immune cell infiltration. STING absence also decreased PM thickness and fibrosis in the advanced CHX model, reduced adhesion scores in a post-surgical intra-abdominal adhesion model, and decreased inflammation in a S. epidermidis-induced peritonitis model. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of STING with C-176 decreased inflammation and macrophage-mediated mesothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in cultured mesothelial cells, and reduced CHX-induced PM thickness and inflammation in mice. Altogether, these findings highlight STING as a key mediator of peritoneal damage and suggest it may be a novel therapeutic target for preventing PD-associated peritoneal deterioration.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE282440 | GEO | 2024/11/25
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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