Identification of ABCG2 as an Exporter of Uremic Toxin Indoxyl Sulfate in Mice and as a Crucial Factor Influencing CKD Progression

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients accumulate uremic toxins in the body, potentially require dialysis, and can eventually develop cardiovascular disease. CKD incidence has increased worldwide, and preventing CKD progression is one of the most important goals in clinical treatment. In this study, we conducted a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments and employed a metabolomics approach to investigate CKD. Our results demonstrated that ATP-binding cassette transporter subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2) is a major transporter of the uremic toxin indoxyl sulfate. ABCG2 regulates the pathophysiological excretion of indoxyl sulfate and strongly affects CKD survival rates. Our study is the first to report ABCG2 as a physiological exporter of indoxyl sulfate and identify ABCG2 as a crucial factor influencing CKD progression, consistent with the observed association between ABCG2 function and age of dialysis onset in humans. The above findings provided valuable knowledge on the complex regulatory mechanisms that regulate the transport of uremic toxins in our body and serve as a basis for preventive and individualized treatment of CKD.