Mast cell chymase protects against renal fibrosis in murine unilateral ureteral obstruction

Mast cell release of chymase is important in tissue remodeling and may participate in inflammation leading to fibrosis and organ failure. Here we analyzed the function of chymase in unilateral ureteral obstruction, an established accelerated model of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Mice deficient in mouse mast cell protease 4 (mMCP4), the functional counterpart of human chymase, had increased obstruction-induced fibrosis when compared to wild-type mice indicating a protective effect of mMCP4. Engraftment of mast cell-deficient KitWsh/Wsh mice with wild type, but not mMCP4-deficient mast cells, restored protection confirming the role of mMCP4. Kidneys of mMCP4-deficient mice had higher levels of renal tubular damage, interstitial fibrosis, collagen deposition, increased α-smooth muscle actin, and decreased E-cadherin expression compared to the kidneys of wild-type mice. Further analysis showed an elevated inflammatory response in mMCP4-deficient mice with increased levels of kidney-infiltrating macrophages and T cells and local profibrotic TGF-β1 and CCL2. Granulated and degranulated mast cells and mMCP4 were mainly found in the kidney capsule, respectively, before and after ureteral obstruction. Analysis of mMCP4 substrates showed that it mediates its anti-fibrotic actions by degrading interstitial deposits of fibronectin, a known promoter of inflammatory cell infiltration and adhesion. Thus, mast cell released mMCP4 has anti-fibrotic potential in acutely induced obstructive nephropathy.