Kidney Week

Abstract: SA-PO189

Empagliflozin Protects Kidney by Preventing Autophagic Stagnation via Reducing Megalin-Mediated Reabsorption of Lipotoxic Albumin

Session Information

• AKI: Mechanisms - III
  November 04, 2023 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Pennsylvania Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Acute Kidney Injury

• 103 AKI: Mechanisms

Authors

• Matsui, Sho, Osaka Daigaku Daigakuin Igakukei Kenkyuka Igakubu, Suita, Osaka, Japan

Sho Matsui,

• Yamamoto, Takeshi, Osaka Daigaku Daigakuin Igakukei Kenkyuka Igakubu, Suita, Osaka, Japan

Takeshi Yamamoto,

• Takabatake, Yoshitsugu, Osaka Daigaku Daigakuin Igakukei Kenkyuka Igakubu, Suita, Osaka, Japan

Yoshitsugu Takabatake,

• Takahashi, Atsushi, Osaka Daigaku Daigakuin Igakukei Kenkyuka Igakubu, Suita, Osaka, Japan

Atsushi Takahashi,

• Namba, Tomoko, Osaka Daigaku Daigakuin Igakukei Kenkyuka Igakubu, Suita, Osaka, Japan

Tomoko Namba,

• Matsuda, Jun, Osaka Daigaku Daigakuin Igakukei Kenkyuka Igakubu, Suita, Osaka, Japan

Jun Matsuda,

• Minami, Satoshi, Osaka Daigaku Daigakuin Igakukei Kenkyuka Igakubu, Suita, Osaka, Japan

Satoshi Minami,

• Sakai, Shinsuke, Osaka Daigaku Daigakuin Igakukei Kenkyuka Igakubu, Suita, Osaka, Japan

Shinsuke Sakai,

• Yonishi, Hiroaki, Osaka Daigaku Daigakuin Igakukei Kenkyuka Igakubu, Suita, Osaka, Japan

Hiroaki Yonishi,

• Nakamura, Jun, Osaka Daigaku Daigakuin Igakukei Kenkyuka Igakubu, Suita, Osaka, Japan

Jun Nakamura,

• Maeda, Shihomi, Osaka Daigaku Daigakuin Igakukei Kenkyuka Igakubu, Suita, Osaka, Japan

Shihomi Maeda,

• Kawai, Hideaki, Osaka Daigaku Daigakuin Igakukei Kenkyuka Igakubu, Suita, Osaka, Japan

Hideaki Kawai,

• Yanagita, Motoko, Kyoto Daigaku Daigakuin Igaku Kenkyuka Igakubu, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan

Motoko Yanagita,

• Isaka, Yoshitaka, Osaka Daigaku Daigakuin Igakukei Kenkyuka Igakubu, Suita, Osaka, Japan

Yoshitaka Isaka,

Background

Evidence from clinical studies such as DAPA-CKD and EMPA-KIDNEY trials suggests that sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors confer renal protection regardless of the presence of diabetes, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Methods

We investigated the following aspects: 1) the impact of empagliflozin (EMPA) on lipotoxicity in kidney proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs) in both wildtype and inducible megalin knockout mice, 2) the effect of EMPA on albumin reabsorption in PTECs, 3) the influence of EMPA on autophagic activity, and 4) the effect of EMPA on ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) when autophagy and/or megalin are blocked.

Results

High-fat diet (HFD) induced the formation of cytosolic vacuoles (enlarged lysosomes containing phospholipids) in PTECs, which was alleviated by EMPA. Since vacuolar formation was rarely observed in HFD-fed inducible megalin knockout mice, we assessed megalin-mediated fluorescent albumin reabsorption in PTECs. HFD led to hyperreabsorption of albumin in both S1-2 and S3 segments, which was restored by EMPA. Subsequently, we measured plasma levels of 24 fractions of free fatty acids bound to albumin. EMPA improved the imbalanced lipoquality induced by HFD. Furthermore, employing inducible Atg5 knockout mice and GFP-MAP1LC3 transgenic mice, we found that EMPA mitigated the HFD-induced increase in autophagic demand and alleviated the stagnation of autophagy. Finally, we aimed to determine whether the reduced reabsorption of lipotoxic albumin and restoration of autophagic flux by EMPA improve the HFD-induced susceptibility to ischemic stress. The renoprotective effect of empagliflozin against IRI-induced acute kidney injury was attenuated when megalin and/or autophagy were blocked.

Conclusion

The reduction of toxic albumin reabsorption and prevention of autophagic stagnation in PTECs may be crucial for SGLT2 inhibition-mediated renoprotection.

Funding

• Commercial Support – Japan Boehringer Ingelheim