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Plasminogen deficiency does not prevent sodium retention in a genetic mouse model of experimental nephrotic syndrome
Author(s) -
Xiao Mengyun,
Bohnert Bernhard N.,
Aypek Hande,
Kretz Oliver,
Grahammer Florian,
Aukschun Ute,
Wörn Matthias,
Janessa Andrea,
Essigke Daniel,
Daniel Christoph,
Amann Kerstin,
Huber Tobias B.,
Plow Edward F.,
Birkenfeld Andreas L.,
Artunc Ferruh
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
acta physiologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.591
H-Index - 116
eISSN - 1748-1716
pISSN - 1748-1708
DOI - 10.1111/apha.13512
Subject(s) - epithelial sodium channel , plasmin , chemistry , podocin , endocrinology , medicine , nephrotic syndrome , natriuresis , excretion , sodium , kidney , proteinuria , biology , biochemistry , podocyte , organic chemistry , enzyme
Aim Sodium retention is the hallmark of nephrotic syndrome (NS) and mediated by the proteolytic activation of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) by aberrantly filtered serine proteases. Plasmin is highly abundant in nephrotic urine and has been proposed to be the principal serine protease responsible for ENaC activation in NS. However, a proof of the essential role of plasmin in experimental NS is lacking. Methods We used a genetic mouse model of NS based on an inducible podocin knockout (Bl6‐Nphs2 tm3.1Antc *Tg(Nphs1‐rtTA*3G) 8Jhm *Tg(tetO‐cre) 1Jaw or nphs2 Δipod ). These mice were crossed with plasminogen deficient mice (Bl6‐Plg tm1Jld or plg −/− ) to generate double knockout mice ( nphs2 Δipod *plg −/− ). NS was induced after oral doxycycline treatment for 14 days and mice were followed for subsequent 14 days. Results Uninduced nphs2 Δipod *plg −/− mice had normal kidney function and sodium handling. After induction, proteinuria increased similarly in both nphs2 Δipod *plg +/+ and nphs2 Δipod *plg −/− mice. Western blot revealed the urinary excretion of plasminogen and plasmin in nphs2 Δipod *plg +/+ mice which were absent in nphs2 Δipod *plg −/− mice. After the onset of proteinuria, amiloride‐sensitive natriuresis was increased compared to the uninduced state in both genotypes. Subsequently, urinary sodium excretion dropped in both genotypes leading to an increase in body weight and development of ascites. Treatment with the serine protease inhibitor aprotinin prevented sodium retention in both genotypes. Conclusions This study shows that mice lacking urinary plasminogen are not protected from ENaC‐mediated sodium retention in experimental NS. This points to an essential role of other urinary serine proteases in the absence of plasminogen.