Targeted inhibition of β-catenin/CBP signaling ameliorates renal interstitial fibrosis

J Am Soc Nephrol. 2011 Sep;22(9):1642-53. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2010101079. Epub 2011 Aug 4.

Abstract

Because fibrotic kidneys exhibit aberrant activation of β-catenin signaling, this pathway may be a potential target for antifibrotic therapy. In this study, we examined the effects of β-catenin activation on tubular epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro and evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of the peptidomimetic small molecule ICG-001, which specifically disrupts β-catenin-mediated gene transcription, in obstructive nephropathy. In vitro, ectopic expression of stabilized β-catenin in tubular epithelial (HKC-8) cells suppressed E-cadherin and induced Snail1, fibronectin, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression. ICG-001 suppressed β-catenin-driven gene transcription in a dose-dependent manner and abolished TGF-β1-induced expression of Snail1, PAI-1, collagen I, fibronectin, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). This antifibrotic effect of ICG-001 did not involve disruption of Smad signaling. In the unilateral ureteral obstruction model, ICG-001 ameliorated renal interstitial fibrosis and suppressed renal expression of fibronectin, collagen I, collagen III, α-SMA, PAI-1, fibroblast-specific protein-1, Snail1, and Snail2. Late administration of ICG-001 also effectively attenuated fibrotic lesions in obstructive nephropathy. In conclusion, inhibiting β-catenin signaling may be an effective approach to the treatment of fibrotic kidney diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / pharmacology
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / therapeutic use*
  • CREB-Binding Protein / antagonists & inhibitors
  • CREB-Binding Protein / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Kidney Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Kidney Diseases / metabolism
  • Pyrimidinones / pharmacology
  • Pyrimidinones / therapeutic use*
  • Smad Proteins / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / metabolism
  • beta Catenin / antagonists & inhibitors
  • beta Catenin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
  • ICG 001
  • Pyrimidinones
  • Smad Proteins
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • beta Catenin
  • CREB-Binding Protein