Advanced Oxidation Protein Products Promote Lipotoxicity and Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis <i>via</i> CD36/β-Catenin Pathway in Diabetic Nephropathy

Abstract

<b><i>Aims:</i></b> Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the principal cause of mortality and morbidity in diabetic patients, the progression of which correlates best with tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF). Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) have been detected in patients with chronic renal failure, causing injuries to proximal tubular epithelial cells. CD36, a known receptor for AOPP, is an important modulator of lipid homeostasis, predisposing to renal tubular damage. However, whether AOPPs induce lipotoxicity <i>via</i> the CD36 receptor pathway remains unknown. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that AOPPs accumulation in diabetes incurs lipotoxicity, causing renal TIF <i>via</i> the CD36 signaling pathway. <b><i>Results:</i></b> In DN patients and diabetic mice <i>in vivo</i>, AOPPs overload induces lipogenesis (upregulation of CD36 and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1), fibrosis (upregulation of Fibronectin), and renal function decline (increased serum creatinine and N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase, decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate). In HK-2 cells <i>in vitro</i>, high glucose stimulated AOPPs-induced lipotoxicity, apoptosis, and fibrosis <i>via</i> the CD36 receptor pathway. In addition, apocynin abrogated AOPPs-induced lipid accumulation and CD36 inhibition significantly mitigated AOPPs-induced mitochondrial injuries, lipotoxicity, and renal fibrosis. Further, we provide mechanistic evidence that AOPPs overload induces the enrichment of β-catenin binding the CD36 promoter region. <b><i>Innovation and Conclusion:</i></b> Our data reveal a major role of AOPPs in triggering lipotoxicity and fibrosis <i>via</i> CD36-dependent Wnt/β-catenin activation, providing new evidence for understanding the role of lipid accumulation in DN.