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Acta Pharmacologica Sinica logoLink to Acta Pharmacologica Sinica
. 2016 Jan 18;37(2):228–234. doi: 10.1038/aps.2015.79

Histone deacetylase inhibitors attenuate P-aIgA1-induced cell proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis in human renal mesangial cells in vitro

Qin Dai 1,2,3, Jian Liu 1, Yun-lei Du 1, Xu Hao 1, Ji Ying 1, Yun Tan 4, Li-qun He 5, Wei-ming Wang 1,*, Nan Chen 1
PMCID: PMC4753372  PMID: 26775659

Abstract

Aim:

Aberrantly glycosylated IgA1 is a key factor in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). In this study we investigated the effects of aggregated IgA1 derived from IgAN patients (P-aIgA1) on human renal mesangial cells (HMCs) and the anti-proliferative and antifibrotic effects of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors in vitro.

Methods:

Three types of IgA1 were prepared, ie, N-IgA1 (IgA1 from healthy volunteers), P-IgA1 (IgA1 from IgAN patients), and P-aIgA1 (aggregated IgA1 from IgAN patients). The isolated IgA1 was heated for thermal polymerization. The proliferation of human renal mesangial cells (HMCs) were assessed using MTT assay. The expression levels of relevant proteins were examined using immunoblotting assays or immunohistochemistry.

Results:

P-aIgA1 (25–250 μg/mL) dose-dependently promoted the proliferation of HMCs, and markedly increased the protein levels of type I histone deacetylase (HDAC1, HDAC2 and HDAC8) in the cells. Both P-IgA1 and N-IgA1 were much weaker in stimulating cell proliferation and HDAC expression. P-aIgA1 (50 μg/mL) markedly increased the protein levels of Col1a1 and PAI-1, as well as pSmad2/3 and pStat3 in the cells. Pretreatment with the HDAC inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA, 250 nmol/L) or valproic acid (VPA, 400 μg/mL) partially reversed P-aIgA1-induced cell proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis in HMCs.

Conclusion:

P-aIgA1 produces pro-proliferative and profibrotic actions in HMCs via upregulating the expression of HDACs, and subsequently activating TGF-β/Smad2/3 and Jak2/Stat3 signaling pathways. Both VPA and TSA attenuate P-aIgA1-induced cell proliferation and fibrosis in HMCs.

Keywords: IgA nephropathy, human renal mesangial cells, HDAC, trichostatin A, valproic acid, extracellular matrix synthesis, Smad2/3, Stat3, antifibrosis

Introduction

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common glomerular disease worldwide and an important cause of renal failure1. IgAN is characterized by polymeric IgA1 (pIgA1) deposition in the mesangial area and mesangial cell proliferation2,3.

An altered pattern of IgA1 glycosylation has been recognized as a potentially pathogenic abnormality in IgAN for nearly 20 years4. Galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) is currently considered the only autoantigen because it can self-aggregate or form nephritogenic immune complexes with IgG to eventually cause glomerular injury5. Recent evidence indicates that aberrantly glycosylated IgA1 is associated with the pathological phenotype and prognosis of IgAN3,6,7. Mesangial cell damage plays a central role in the pathogenesis of IgAN. pIgA1 induced TGF-β synthesis in human mesangial cells (HMCs) was significantly greater with preparations from patients with IgAN compared to healthy or disease control subjects8. These findings support a pathogenic role of pIgA1 in IgAN by upregulating of TGF-β, thus leading to renal fibrosis.

These previous studies have focused on pIgA1 induced TGF-β synthesis and signal transduction in HMCs via the renin-angiotensin system, but how other profibrotic signaling pathways, such as Jak2/Stat3, are affected when HMCs are stimulated by polymeric Gd-IgA1 derived from IgAN patients is not currently known.

Recent studies have also shown that histone acetylation and deacetylation play multiple roles in the development and progression of kidney diseases9,10. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are enzymes that balance the acetylation activities of histone acetyltransferases on chromatin remodeling and play essential roles in regulating gene transcription. HDAC inhibitors interfere with the function of HDACs, which are known to be modulators of gene transcription important for cell function, proliferation, and differentiation. Type I HDACs are critically involved in renal fibrogenesis and renal fibroblast activation by modulating TGF-β signaling, and studies suggest that blocking the function of type I HDACs may be a useful treatment for renal fibrosis11. Valproic acid (VPA) and trichostatin A (TSA) are both classical Type I HDAC inhibitors. However, protein expression of type I HDACs in HMCs treated with aggregated IgA1 derived from IgAN patients (P-aIgA1) has not yet been studied. Whether type I HDAC inhibitors (VPA and TSA) have inhibitory effects on cell proliferation and synthesis of the extracellular matrix in HMCs treated with P-aIgA1 is not currently known.

P-aIgA1 is similar to IgA1 derived from IgAN patient (P-IgA1), which deposits in the mesangial area of the renal glomerulus. Therefore, in this study, we examined the effect of P-aIgA1 on the protein expression of type I HDACs in HMCs and demonstrated that administration of type I HDAC inhibitors (VPA and TSA) has inhibitory effects on cell proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis.

Materials and methods

Ethics statement

The study was performed according to the Declaration of Helsinki and with ethical approval from the ethics committee of Ruijin Hospital of Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medcine (No [2010]29). Written informed consent was obtained from all of the subjects.

Isolation and processing of IgA1 complexes

On the morning of the renal biopsy (for IgAN patients) or recruitment (for healthy controls), 15 mL of blood was collected from each enrolled subject. Then, the plasma was isolated and frozen at −80 °C immediately pending IgA1 isolation. IgA1 was first purified from plasma using a jacalin/agarose affinity chromatography column (Invitrogen, San Diego, CA, USA) as previously described12. The isolated IgA1 was concentrated to 1500 mg/L with an ultrafiltration tube (Millipore, Boston, MA, USA). The aseptic IgA1 was heated for thermal polymerization on a dry plate heater at 65 °C for 150 min. Therefore, three different types of IgA1 were obtained: N-IgA1 (IgA1 derived from normal individual), P-IgA1 (IgA1 derived from IgAN patient), and P-aIgA1 (aggregated IgA1 derived from IgAN patient); the same volume of PBS was used as a control.

Mesangial cell culture and treatment

Primary human renal mesangial cells (HMCs) were purchased from ScienCell Corporation (Carlsbad, CA, USA). Cell culture media and fetal bovine serum (FBS) were purchased from Gibco Corporation (Gibco, Grand Island, NY, USA). Cells were cultured according to the manufacturer's specifications in mesangial cell medium supplemented with 10% FBS, penicillin G (100 U/mL), and streptomycin (100 U/mL) (Sigma, St Louis, MO, USA) at 37 °C in a humidified 5% CO2 incubator. After cell growth was arrested for 16 h without FBS, HMCs were incubated for 24 h with 100 μg/mL of different types of IgA1 (N-IgA1, P-IgA1 and P-aIgA1) or pretreated with VPA or TSA for 1 h. The HMCs were lysed in RIPA buffer to extract total protein and stored at −20 °C or prepared on coverslips for further use.

Cell proliferation assays

Cell proliferation assays were performed using the MTT kit (Sigma, St Louis, MO, USA) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Cells were seeded in a 96-well plate (5000 cells per well) and cultured for 24 h. After starvation for another 24 h in serum-free medium, cells were then incubated with different types of IgA1 (N-IgA1, P-IgA1 and P-aIgA1) for 24 h or pretreated with VPA or TSA for 1 h. Four hours before the end of incubation, 10 μL MTT was added to the medium, and the cells were continuously incubated for 4 h. The absorbance at 570 nm (reference wavelength: 630 nm) was measured with a scanning multi-well spectrophotometer (Elx808, BioTek, Vermont, USA). The absorbance values correlate directly to the amount of DNA synthesis and therefore to the number of proliferating cells in culture.

Immunofluorescence

Mesangial cells prepared on coverslips were washed with PBS and fixed with 4% acetone for 15 min, treated with 0.5% Triton X-100 for 15 min, and blocked with 5% BSA. Mesangial cells on coverslips were stained with antibodies against HDAC1 (mouse monoclonal, CST, Boston, MA, 1:100) and Col1a1 (rabbit polyclonal, Abcam, HK, 1:100) overnight at 4 °C. After washing, the mesangial cells on coverslips were incubated with FITC-conjugated anti-IgG secondary antibody (1:100, Santa Cruz Biotechnology) for 60 min.

Western blotting

HMCs were lysed in RIPA buffer, separated on 10% SDS-PAGE gels (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA), and immunoblotted with antibodies to HDAC1 (mouse monoclonal, CST, Boston, MA, 1:1000), Col1a1 (rabbit polyclonal, Abcam, HK, 1:5000), Stat3 (rabbit monoclonal; CST, Boston, MA, 1:2000), pStat3 (rabbit monoclonal; CST, Boston, MA, 1:2000), Smad2/3 (rabbit polyclonal; Abcam, HK, 1:1000), pSmad2/3 (rabbit polyclonal; Abcam, HK, 1:1000), PAI-1 (rabbit polyclonal, Abcam, HK, 1:2000), and GAPDH (mouse monoclonal, Sigma, St Louis, MO, USA, 1:2000). Immunoblotting was developed using a chemiluminescence method and scanned with a GS-800 densitometer to determine the intensity of protein bands with Quantity One software.

Statistical analysis

The data are expressed as the mean±SEM of multiple experiments (n>3). Independent sample t-tests were used to compare two groups, and ANOVA with Dunnett's post-test was used to compare multiple groups. Two-sided P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. All statistical tests were performed using SPSS version 16.0.

Results

P-aIgA1 promotes the proliferation of mesangial cells in a dose-dependent manner

HMCs were cultured in medium containing 50 μg/mL N-IgA1, P-IgA1 and P-aIgA1 for 24 h before the MTT assay was performed. Compared to the control group, P-IgA1 and P-aIgA1 both significantly promoted HMC proliferation (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). Compared with the N-IgA1 group, P-aIgA1 significantly promoted HMC proliferation (P<0.05) (Figure 1A). We then examined the effect of different doses of P-aIgA1 on cell proliferation. The results showed that 25 μg/mL P-aIgA1 significantly promoted HMC proliferation, and the proliferation degree of HMCs correlated positively with P-algA1 dose (Figure 1B).

Figure 1.

Figure 1

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P-aIgA1 promotes proliferation of mesangial cells in a dose-dependent manner. (A) The degree of mesangial cell proliferation induced by different types of IgA1 (50 g/mL). (B) The degree of mesangial cell proliferation induced by different concentrations of P-aIgA1. Mean±SEM. n=5. bP<0.05, cP<0.01 vs control group; eP<0.05 vs N-IgA1 group.

Type I HDAC protein expression in mesangial cells was increased by different types of IgA1, especially P-aIgA1

HMCs treated with PBS were considered a control group. HDAC1, 2, and 8 expressions in HMCs treated with 50 μg/mL P-aIgA1, P-IgA1 and N-IgA1 were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the P-aIgA1 group is the highest (P<0.01). Compared with the N-IgA1 group, the P-aIgA1 group significantly increased the expressions of HDAC1, 2, and 8 (P<0.01, Figure 2). P-IgA1 group significantly increased the expression of HDAC2 (P<0.05). The protein expressions of HDAC1 (4.48±0.22 fold; P<0.01, Figure 2A and 2B), HDAC2 (2.79±0.13 fold; P<0.01, Figure 2A and 2C), and HDAC8 (2.31±0.06 fold; P<0.01, Figure 2A and 2D) were significantly increased in HMCs treated with P-aIgA1 compared to the control group.

Figure 2.

Figure 2

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(A–D) HDAC1, HDAC2 and HDAC8 protein expressions in mesangial cells were increased by treatment with different types of IgA1 (50 g/mL), especially in the P-aIgA1 group. Mean±SEM. n=3. cP<0.01 vs control group; eP<0.05, fP<0.05 vs N-IgA1 group.

HDAC inhibitors (VPA and TSA) inhibit cell proliferation in HMCs induced by P-aIgA1

VPA, the short-chain fatty acid, is a well-tolerated anticonvulsive drug that has been extensively studied as an antineoplastic agent and is primarily considered a type I HDAC inhibitor13,14. VPA has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects in several other organs and tissues10,15, for example, in renal models of tubulointerstitial fibrosis and lupus16,17,18. TSA is a specific HDAC inhibitor in vitro and in vivo, working at nanomolar concentrations19. HMCs were pretreated with VPA and TSA at different concentrations for 1 h before they were treated with 50 μg/mL P-aIgA1. An inhibitory effect of VPA and TSA on HMC proliferation induced by P-aIgA1 was observed. The results showed that 250 nmol/L TSA or 400 μg/mL VPA significantly inhibited HMC proliferation induced by P-aIgA1 (Figure 3).

Figure 3.

Figure 3

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Inhibitory effect of two HDAC inhibitors, VPA (A) and TSA (B), on HMC proliferation induced by 50 μg/mL P-aIgA1. Mean±SEM. n=5. cP<0.01 vs control group; eP<0.05, fP<0.01 vs P-aIgA1 group.

VPA and TSA inhibit extracellular matrix synthesis in HMCs induced by P-aIgA1

HMCs were divided into four groups: the control group (HMCs treated with PBS), the P-aIgA1 group (HMCs treated with 50 μg/mL P-aIgA1), the control+VPA group (HMCs pretreated with 400 μg/mL VPA before treatment with PBS) and the P-aIgA1+VPA group (HMCs pretreated with 400 μg/mL VPA before treatment with 50 μg/mL P-aIgA1). HMCs in the control group and the control+VPA group only expressed very low levels of Col1a1 and PAI-1 proteins. The protein expressions of Col1a1 and PAI-1 were upregulated in HMCs treated with P-aIgA1. The protein expression of Col1a1 and PAI-1 in HMCs treated with P-aIgA1 increased to 7.56±1.05 fold (P<0.01, Figure 4A) and 4.10±0.21 fold (P<0.01, Figure 4C), respectively, compared to the control group. The protein expressions of Col1a1 and PAI-1 of HMCs in the P-aIgA1+VPA group were decreased from 7.56±1.05 fold to 2.88±0.18 fold (P<0.01, Figure 4A) and from 4.10±0.21 fold to 3.28±0.15 fold (P<0.05, Figure 4C), respectively. Immunofluorescence also showed that the expression of Col1a1 induced by P-aIgA1 was inhibited by VPA (Figure 4B). We also observed the inhibition of the other HDAC inhibitor, TSA, on P-aIgA1 induced extracellular matrix synthesis in HMCs. In this experiment, the expressions of Col1a1 and PAI-1 in HMCs treated with P-aIgA1 increased to 6.42±0.76 fold (P<0.01, Figure 4D) and 2.16±0.15 fold (P<0.01, Figure 4E), respectively, relative to the levels in the control group. The expressions of Col1a1 and PAI-1 in HMCs pretreated with 250 nmol/L TSA for 1 h before they were treated with 50 μg/mL P-aIgA1 decreased from 6.42±0.76 fold to 2.18±0.22 fold (P<0.01, Figure 4D) and from 2.16±0.15 fold to 1.20±0.12 fold (P<0.01, Figure 4E), respectively.

Figure 4.

Figure 4

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VPA and TSA inhibited the extracellular matrix synthesis induced by P-aIgA1 in HMCs. (A) Expression of Col1a1 protein in HMCs of different groups was detected by Western blotting. (B) Immunofluorescence analysis of Col1a1 protein in HMCs of different groups. (C) Expression of PAI-1 protein in HMCs of different groups was detected by Western blotting. TSA decreased the expression of Col1a1 (D) and PAI-1 (E) proteins in HMCs treated with P-aIgA1. Mean±SEM. n=3. cP<0.01 vs control group; eP<0.05, fP<0.01 vs P-aIgA1 group.

VPA and TSA inhibit cell proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis in HMCs induced by P-aIgA1 by modulating the TGF-β/pSmad2/3 and Jak2/pStat3 signaling pathways

To further clarify the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of VPA on cell proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis in HMCs induced by P-aIgA1, the protein expressions of HDAC1, pSmad2/3, Smad2/3, pStat3 and Stat3 in HMCs were evaluated in the abovementioned groups. The protein expression of HDAC1 was significantly upregulated in HMCs treated with P-aIgA1 to 1.96±0.07 fold compared to the control group (P<0.01, Figure 5A). The expression of HDAC1 in HMCs pretreated with VPA before they were treated with 50 μg/mL P-aIgA1 was attenuated. The cell immunofluorescence studies confirmed these results (Figure 5B). Signaling through the Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (Jak/Stat) pathways is very important for the kidney's response to the injury and the progression of certain renal diseases. Among all Jak/Stat pathways, Jak2 signaling through Stat1 and Stat3 is the best studied in diseases affecting the kidney20. TGF-β/Smad is the classical signaling pathway for tissue fibrosis. Therefore, we evaluated the expressions of pSmad2/3 and pStat3 proteins in HMCs by Western blotting in the abovementioned groups. Expressions of pSmad2/3 and pStat3 proteins increased significantly in HMCs treated with P-aIgA1, whereas pretreatment with VPA attenuated the expressions of pSmad2/3 and pStat3 proteins in HMCs treated with P-aIgA1 (Figure 5C and 5D).

Figure 5.

Figure 5

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VPA inhibited cell proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis in HMCs induced by P-aIgA1 by modulating the TGF-β/pSmad2/3 and Jak2/pStat3 signaling pathways. The expression of HDAC1 in HMCs of different groups was detected by Western blotting (A) and immunofluorescence (B). The expression of Stat3 and pStat3 (C) and Smad2/3 and pSmad2/3 (E) in HMCs of different groups was detected by Western blotting. Mean±SEM. n=3. cP<0.01 vs control group; eP<0.05, fP<0.01 vs P-aIgA1 group.

Discussion

IgAN is characterized by mesangial deposition of polymeric IgA1 (pIgA1), proliferation of mesangial cells, increased extracellular matrix synthesis, and infiltration by macrophages, monocytes, and T cells21. Abnormal O-glycosylation of IgA1 plays a key role in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy. Gd-IgA1 can aggregate or form nephritogenic immune complexes with IgG and deposit in the kidney to activate mesangial cells. When mesangial cells are activated, they proliferate and synthesize more extracellular matrix22. Although the pathogenesis of IgAN is still unclear, increasing evidence suggests that deposition of Gd-IgA1 in the glomerular mesangial area triggers kidney damage by direct effects on kidney mesangial cells. Furthermore, the degree of glomerular damage is closely associated with the amount of Gd-IgA1 deposited in the glomerular mesangial area23. Studies have shown that inhibition of mesangial cell proliferation can postpone glomerular sclerosis19,24,25.

Previous studies have shown that polymeric and monomeric IgA1 isolated from IgAN patients was used to stimulate human mesangial cells, and polymeric and monomeric IgA1 promoted TGF-β expression and increased the activity of Smad2/3, which are the only TGF-β receptor substrates with a demonstrable ability to propagate signals8. In our study, we found that P-aIgA1 significantly promoted the protein expression of Col1a1 and PAI-1. Furthermore, we also found that P-aIgA1 significantly promoted HMC proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Recent studies demonstrate that blocking TGF-β signaling in T cells prevents the development of experimental glomerulonephritis26 and that blocking Smad2 activation inhibits the fibrotic effect of TGF-β on renal tubular epithelial cells27. In our study, we found the results similar to the above studies.

Our results also showed that HMCs cultured with P-aIgA1 increased HDAC1 expression, indicating that HDAC1 is involved in the activation of mesangial cell processes. HDAC inhibitors interfere with the function of HDACs, which are known as modulators of gene transcription that is important for cell function, proliferation, and differentiation. These compounds inhibit the proliferation and fibroblasts of hepatic stellate cells and induce cell differentiation28,29. Among the growing list of HDAC inhibitors, VPA is a well-tolerated anticonvulsive drug that has been extensively studied as an antineoplastic agent and is considered to primarily be a class I HDAC inhibitor13,30. Our results suggest that VPA inhibits the expression of Col1a1 and PAI-1 in HMCs induced by P-aIgA1. PAI-1 protein activates protease inhibitors, which inhibit extracellular matrix degradation.

To further clarify the mechanism by which VPA inhibits cell proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis of HMCs, we determined the protein expression of HDAC1. HDAC1 protein expression in HMCs cultured with P-aIgA1 for 24 h was significantly increased, while HDAC1 protein expression was significantly decreased when HMCs cultured with P-aIgA1 were pretreated with VPA for 1 h. The mechanism by which HDAC inhibitors inhibit fibrosis is still not clear. HDAC inhibitors are a new class of drugs that regulate gene expression, induction of apoptosis, and the cancer cell cycle. HDACs are enzymes that balance the acetylation activities of histone acetyltransferases on chromatin remodeling and play essential roles in regulating gene transcription. Recent studies indicate that HDAC activity is also associated with the development and progression of some chronic diseases characterized by fibrosis, including chronic kidney disease, cardiac hypertrophy, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis15. HDAC activity is required for Stat3 phosphorylation at tyrosine 705 and TGF-β1-induced myofibroblastic differentiation15,17. Selective HDAC1 inhibitor treatment inhibited TGF-β1-induced phosphorylation of Smad3, differentiation of renal fibroblasts to myofibroblasts and proliferation of myofibroblasts11. These studies suggest that HDAC activity is required for the development and progression of tissue fibrosis. Over the course of mesangial cell treatment with p-aIgA1, HDAC1 is upregulated. Moreover, HDAC activity is required for the activation of Stat3 and Smad2/3 proteins; with the high expression of HDAC1, Stat3 and Smad2/3 are activated as phosphorylated Stat3 (pStat3) and Smad2/3. The dimerized pStat3 is translocated into the nucleus, where it regulates transcription of the target genes associated with development of tissue fibrosis, such as alpha-smooth muscle actin, fibronectin, and collagen I15. HDAC inhibitors such as VPA and TSA can inhibit these actions of Stat3 and Smad2/3 and subsequently attenuate their effects in association with fibrosis. Therefore, the mechanism by which VPA and TSA inhibit mesangial cell proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis may be related to reduced HDAC1 protein expression, thereby inhibiting the signaling pathways of TGF-β/Smad2/3 and Jak2/Stat3.

In conclusion, P-aIgA1 has pro-proliferation and profibrotic effects on human mesangial cells. HDAC inhibitors (VPA and TSA) can inhibit cell proliferation and fibrosis induced by P-aIgA1 by inhibiting the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 and Stat3. These results provide new insights for the treatment of IgAN.

Author contribution

Wei-ming WANG, Nan CHEN and Qin DAI designed the research; Qin DAI, Xu HAO and Jian LIU performed the research; Li-qun HE, Ji YING and Yun-lei DU analyzed the data; Yun TAN and Qin DAI wrote the paper.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported, in part, by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81270782 and 30771000), the Key Projects of National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program; 2012CB517701 and 2012CB517604), the National Key Technology R&D Program (2011BAI10B00 and 2011BAI10B06). Key discipline construction projects have been approved by Health Development Planning Commission of Shanghai, National Project for the Construction of Clinical Key Specialty, Project of Special Fund For Health-Scientific Research (201002010), “New Talent in Xinglin” Training Project of Shanghai (ZYSNXD011-RC-XLXX-20130003).

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