CCAAT-enhancer binding protein delta (C/EBPδ) attenuates tubular injury and tubulointerstitial fibrogenesis during chronic obstructive nephropathy

Lab Invest. 2014 Jan;94(1):89-97. doi: 10.1038/labinvest.2013.127. Epub 2013 Nov 18.

Abstract

CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein delta (C/EBPδ) is a transcription factor mainly known for its role in inflammation and apoptosis/proliferation. Considering that these are key processes in renal fibrosis, we hypothesized that C/EBPδ would potentiate renal fibrosis. In line with this hypothesis, C/EBPδ has recently been suggested to regulate the fibrotic response during glomerulonephritis. Here we determined the importance of C/EBPδ in the development of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis by subjecting 8- to 12-week-old C/EBPδ-deficient mice and age- and sex-matched wild-type controls to the unilateral ureteral obstruction model. Mice were killed at 1, 3, or 7 days post surgery, and renal tissues were obtained for RNA, protein, and immunohistochemical analysis. We show that C/EBPδ deficiency resulted in a more profound fibrotic response as evident from enhanced tubular injury, collagen deposition in the interstitial area, and higher expression of transforming growth factor-β. Moreover, we show that the increase in renal fibrosis in C/EBPδ-deficient mice does not depend on an altered proliferation/apoptosis balance or on a differential inflammatory response in the obstructed kidney. In conclusion, our study provides direct evidence that C/EBPδ is a novel mediator of renal fibrosis. Modulating C/EBPδ expression could consequently be a potential antifibrotic strategy in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-delta / genetics
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-delta / metabolism*
  • Cell Growth Processes / physiology
  • Female
  • Fibrosis / metabolism
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Kidney Tubules / metabolism*
  • Kidney Tubules / pathology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / metabolism*
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / pathology*
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Ureteral Obstruction / metabolism
  • Ureteral Obstruction / pathology

Substances

  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-delta