Kidney Res Clin Pract.  2017 Jun;36(2):145-158. 10.23876/j.krcp.2017.36.2.145.

Paricalcitol attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation and apoptosis in proximal tubular cells through the prostaglandin Eâ‚‚ receptor EP4

• Hong YA
• Yang KJ
• Jung SY
• Chang YK
• Park CW
• Yang CW
• Kim SY
• Hwang HS

• KMID: 2384617
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.23876/j.krcp.2017.36.2.145

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Vitamin D is considered to exert a protective effect on various renal diseases but its underlying molecular mechanism remains poorly understood. This study aimed to determine whether paricalcitol attenuates inflammation and apoptosis during lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced renal proximal tubular cell injury through the prostaglandin Eâ‚‚ (PGEâ‚‚) receptor EP4.
METHODS
Human renal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells were pretreated with paricalcitol (2 ng/mL) for 1 hour and exposed to LPS (1 μg/mL). The effects of paricalcitol pretreatment in relation to an EP4 blockade using AH-23848 or EP4 small interfering RNA (siRNA) were investigated.
RESULTS
The expression of cyclooxygenase-2, PGE₂, and EP4 were significantly increased in LPS-exposed HK-2 cells treated with paricalcitol compared with cells exposed to LPS only. Paricalcitol prevented cell death induced by LPS exposure, and the cotreatment of AH-23848 or EP4 siRNA offset these cell-protective effects. The phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65 nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) were decreased and the phosphorylation of Akt was increased in LPS-exposed cells with paricalcitol treatment. AH-23848 or EP4 siRNA inhibited the suppressive effects of paricalcitol on p65 NF-κB nuclear translocation and the activation of Akt. The production of proinflammatory cytokines and the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling-positive cells were attenuated by paricalcitol in LPS exposed HK-2 cells. The cotreatment with an EP4 antagonist abolished these anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects.
CONCLUSION
EP4 plays a pivotal role in anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects through Akt and NF-κB signaling after paricalcitol pretreatment in LPS-induced renal proximal tubule cell injury.

Keyword

Apoptosis; Ergocalciferols; Inflammation; Lipopolysaccharide; Prostaglandin EP4 receptor

MeSH Terms

Apoptosis*
Cell Death
Cyclooxygenase 2
Cytokines
Ergocalciferols
Humans
Inflammation*
Phosphorylation
Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype
RNA, Small Interfering
Vitamin D
Cyclooxygenase 2
Cytokines
Ergocalciferols
RNA, Small Interfering
Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype
Vitamin D