Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2021, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (2): 269-273.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2980

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Increased FoxO1 DNA methylation level in homocysteine-induced podocyte apoptosis

Liu Kun1, 2, 3, Xie Lin2, 3, 4, Cao Jun1, 2, 3, Ding Ning2, 3, 4, Xu Lingbo2, 3, 4, Ma Shengchao2, 3, 4, Li Guizhong2, 3, 4 , Jiang Yideng2, 3, 4, Lu Guanjun2, 3, 5   

  1. 1Clinical Medical College, 4Basic Medical College, 3Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China; 2Key Laboratory of Metabolic Cardiovascular Disease Research of National Health Commission, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China; 3Ningxia Key Laboratory of Vascular Injury and Repair Research, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China; 5General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
  • Received:2019-12-23 Revised:2019-12-28 Accepted:2020-02-26 Online:2021-01-18 Published:2020-11-21
  • Contact: Lu Guanjun, Master, Chief physician, Key Laboratory of Metabolic Cardiovascular Disease Research of National Health Commission, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China; Ningxia Key Laboratory of Vascular Injury and Repair Research, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China; General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
  • About author:Liu Kun, Master candidate, Clinical Medical College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China; Key Laboratory of Metabolic Cardiovascular Disease Research of National Health Commission, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China; Ningxia Key Laboratory of Vascular Injury and Repair Research, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
  • Supported by:
    the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81560120

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The increase of homocysteine can lead to renal injury and podocyte apoptosis, but the specific mechanism is not clear. 
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Forkhead box O1 (FoxO1) and its DNA methylation in podocyte apoptosis induced by homocysteine. 
METHODS: Mouse renal podocytes (MPC-5) were cultured in vitro and divided into control group (0 μmol/L homocysteine) and homocysteine group (80 μmol/L homocysteine). After 48 hours of intervention, the expression of podocyte apoptosis-related proteins Bax, caspase12 and Bcl-2 was detected by immunofluorescence technique; the expression level of FoxO1 mRNA was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR; the protein expression levels of FoxO1 and DNMT1 were detected by western blot; DNA methylation level of FoxO1 was detected by nested methylation-specific PCR.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the control group, the expression levels of Bax and caspase12 protein in podocytes of the homocysteine group were significantly increased, while the expression of Bcl-2 protein was significantly decreased. The expression levels of FoxO1 mRNA and protein were significantly decreased in the homocysteine group compared with the control group (P < 0.01). At the same time, the methylation level of FoxO1 DNA in the homocysteine group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.01), and the expression of DNMT1 protein in podocytes in the homocysteine group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.01). To conclude, FoxO1 DNA hypermethylation plays a significant role in podocyte apoptosis induced by homocysteine, whereas DNMT1 participates in homocysteine-induced podocyte apoptosis. 

Key words: kidney, glomerulus, renal injury, homocysteine, podocyte, apoptosis, factor, methylation

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