Molecular characterization of the individual cell types in human kidney as well as model organisms are critical in defining organ function and understanding translational aspects of biomedical research. Previous studies have uncovered gene expression profiles of several kidney glomerular cell types, however, important cells, including mesangial (MCs) and glomerular parietal epithelial cells (PECs), are missing or incompletely described, and a systematic comparison between mouse and human kidney is lacking. To this end, we use Smart-seq2 to profile 4332 individual glomerulus-associated cells isolated from human living donor renal biopsies and mouse kidney. The analysis reveals genetic programs for all four glomerular cell types (podocytes, glomerular endothelial cells, MCs and PECs) as well as rare glomerulus-associated macula densa cells. Importantly, we detect heterogeneity in glomerulus-associated Pdgfrb-expressing cells, including bona fide intraglomerular MCs with the functionally active phagocytic molecular machinery, as well as a unique mural cell type located in the central stalk region of the glomerulus tuft. Furthermore, we observe remarkable species differences in the individual gene expression profiles of defined glomerular cell types that highlight translational challenges in the field and provide a guide to design translational studies.

SummaryOxidative stress plays a crucial role in sickle cell disease (SCD) physiopathology. Given that chronic physical activity is known to decrease reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increase nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability in healthy subjects and in patients with cardiovascular or inflammatory pathologies, modulating these factors involved in the severity of the pathology could also be beneficial in SCD. This study aimed to determine if 8 weeks of increased physical activity (PA) by voluntary wheel running affects the hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) responses by reducing oxidative stress and increasing NO synthesis in sickle SAD mice. Nitrite/nitrate (NOx) concentrations, NOS3 mRNA expression and phosphorylated-endothelial nitric oxide synthase immunostaining were increased in the lungs of the PA groups after H/R stress. Moreover, lipid peroxidation in the heart was decreased in PA SAD mice. The improvement of antioxidant activity at rest and the decrease in haemolysis may explain this reduced oxidative stress. These results suggest that physical activity probably diminishes some deleterious effects of H/R stress in SAD mice and could be protective against vascular occlusions.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited disease in the world. Red blood cell sickling, blood cell-endothelium adhesion, blood rheology abnormalities, intravascular haemolysis, and increased oxidative stress and inflammation contribute to the pathophysiology of SCD. Because acute intense exercise may alter these pathophysiological mechanisms, physical activity is usually contra-indicated in patients with SCD. However, recent studies in sickle-cell trait carriers and in a SCD mice model show that regular physical activity could decrease oxidative stress and inflammation, limit blood rheology alterations and increase nitric oxide metabolism. Therefore, supervised habitual physical activity may benefit patients with SCD. This article reviews the literature on the effects of acute and chronic exercise on the biological responses and clinical outcomes of patients with SCD.

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Inflammatory pathways are activated in most glomerular diseases but molecular mechanisms driving them in kidney tissue are poorly known. We identified retinoic acid receptor responder 1 (Rarres1) as a highly podocyteenriched protein in healthy kidneys. Studies in podocytespecific knockout animals indicated that Rarres1 was not needed for the normal development or maintenance of the glomerulus filtration barrier and did not modulate the outcome of kidney disease in a model of glomerulonephritis. Interestingly, we detected an induction of Rarres1 expression in glomerular and peritubular capillary endothelial cells in IgA and diabetic kidney disease, as well as in ANCA-associated vasculitis. Analysis of publicly available RNA data sets showed that the induction of Rarres1 expression was a common molecular mechanism in chronic kidney diseases. A conditional knock-in mouse line, overexpressing Rarres1 specifically in endothelial cells, did not show any obvious kidney phenotype. However, the overexpression promoted the progression of kidney damage in a model of glomerulonephritis. In line with this, conditional knock-out mice, lacking Rarres1 in endothelial cells, were partially protected in the disease model. Mechanistically, Rarres1 promoted inflammation and fibrosis via transcription factor Nuclear Factor-kB signaling pathway by activating receptor tyrosine kinase Axl. Thus, induction of Rarres1 expression in endothelial cells is a prevalent molecular mechanism in human glomerulopathies and this seems to have a pathogenic role in driving inflammation and fibrosis via the Nuclear Factor-kB signaling pathway.

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