[HTML][HTML] IL-15 prevents renal fibrosis by inhibiting collagen synthesis: a new pathway in chronic kidney disease?

A Devocelle, L Lecru, S Ferlicot, T Bessede… - International Journal of …, 2021 - mdpi.com
A Devocelle, L Lecru, S Ferlicot, T Bessede, JJ Candelier, J Giron-Michel, H François
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2021mdpi.com
Chronic kidney disease (CKD), secondary to renal fibrogenesis, is a public health burden.
The activation of interstitial myofibroblasts and excessive production of extracellular matrix
(ECM) proteins are major events leading to end-stage kidney disease. Recently, interleukin-
15 (IL-15) has been implicated in fibrosis protection in several organs, with little evidence in
the kidney. Since endogenous IL-15 expression decreased in nephrectomized human
allografts evolving toward fibrosis and kidneys in the unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) …
Chronic kidney disease (CKD), secondary to renal fibrogenesis, is a public health burden. The activation of interstitial myofibroblasts and excessive production of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins are major events leading to end-stage kidney disease. Recently, interleukin-15 (IL-15) has been implicated in fibrosis protection in several organs, with little evidence in the kidney. Since endogenous IL-15 expression decreased in nephrectomized human allografts evolving toward fibrosis and kidneys in the unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model, we explored IL-15’s renoprotective role by pharmologically delivering IL-15 coupled or not with its soluble receptor IL-15Rα. Despite the lack of effects on myofibroblast accumulation, both IL-15 treatments prevented tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF) in UUO as characterized by reduced collagen and fibronectin deposition. Moreover, IL-15 treatments inhibited collagen and fibronectin secretion by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-treated primary myofibroblast cultures, demonstrating that the antifibrotic effect of IL-15 in UUO acts, in part, through a direct inhibition of ECM synthesis by myofibroblasts. In addition, IL-15 treatments resulted in decreased expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and subsequent macrophage infiltration in UUO. Taken together, our study highlights a major role of IL-15 on myofibroblasts and macrophages, two main effector cells in renal fibrosis, demonstrating that IL-15 may represent a new therapeutic option for CKD.
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