NF-κB transcriptional inhibition ameliorates cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI)

• NF-κB transcriptional inhibition ameliorates kidney function and tubular necrosis.
• NF-κB transcriptional inhibition inhibits pro-inflammatory mediators.
• NF-κB transcriptional inhibition inhibits RIPK1 and 3.

ABSTRACTThe nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) cell signaling pathway is important in inflammation and cell survival. Inflammation and cell death in the kidney are features of cisplatin-induced AKI. While it is known that cisplatin induces NF-κB signaling in the kidney, the NF-κB responsive genes and the effect of direct NF-κB transcriptional inhibition in cisplatin-induced AKI is not known. Mice injected with cisplatin, 25 mg/kg, developed AKI, acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and apoptosis on day 3. Mice were treated with JSH-23 (20 or 40 mg/kg) which directly affects NF-κB transcriptional activity. Kidney function, tubular injury (ATN, serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin [NGAL], but not apoptosis) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were significantly improved by JSH-23 (40 mg/kg). Sixty one NF-κB responsive genes were increased by cisplatin of which 21 genes were decreased by JSH-23. Genes that were decreased by JSH-23 that are known to play a role in cisplatin-induced AKI were IL-10, IFN-γ, chemokine [C-C motif] ligand 2 (CCL2) and caspase-1. Another gene, caspase recruitment domain family, member 11 (CARD11), not previously known to play a role in AKI, was increased more than 20-fold and completely inhibited by JSH-23. CXCL1 and TNF-α, known mediators of cisplatin-induced AKI, were decreased by JSH-23. RIPK1 and 3, receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinases, that play an important role in necroptosis, were decreased by JSH-23. In mouse proximal tubule cells in culture, JSH-23 resulted in an increase in apoptosis suggesting that the mechanism of protection against AKI by JSH-23 is not due to a direct effect on proximal tubules. In conclusion, NF-κB transcriptional inhibition in cisplatin-induced AKI ameliorates kidney function and ATN without a significant effect on apoptosis and is associated with a decrease pro-inflammatory mediators and CARD11.