Recent evidence suggesting a strong interplay between components of the renin-angiotensin system and key mediators of fibrosis led us to hypothesize that renin, independent of its enzymatic action to enhance angiotensin (Ang) II synthesis, directly increases production of the fibrogenic cytokine transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta. Human or rat mesangial cells (MCs) were treated with human recombinant renin (HrRenin) or rat recombinant renin (RrRenin) and the effects on TGF-beta1, plasminogen activator inhibitor-type 1 (PAI-1), fibronectin (FN) and collagen 1 mRNA and protein were investigated. Blockade of the rat MC renin receptor was achieved using siRNA. HrRenin or RrRenin, at doses shown to be physiologically relevant, induced marked dose- and time-dependent increases in TGF-beta1. These effects were not altered by adding an inhibitor of renin's enzymatic action (RO 42-5892), the Ang II receptor antagonist losartan or the Ang-converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril. RrRenin also induced PAI-1, FN and collagen 1 mRNA and PAI-1 and FN protein in a dose-dependent manner. Neutralizing antibodies to TGF-beta partially blocked these effects. Supernatant and cell lysate Ang I and Ang II levels were extremely low. MC angiotensinogen mRNA was undetectable both with and without added renin. Targeting of the rat renin receptor mRNA with siRNA blocked induction of TGF-beta1. We conclude that renin upregulates MC TGF-beta1 through a receptor-mediated mechanism, independent of Ang II generation or action. Renin-induced increases in TGF-beta1 in turn stimulate increases in PAI-1, FN and collagen I. Thus, renin may contribute to renal fibrotic disease, particularly when therapeutic Ang II blockade elevates plasma renin.

Collagen, the major structural component of nearly all mammalian tissues, undergoes extensive proteolytic remodeling during developmental states and a variety of life-threatening diseases such as cancer, myocardial infarction, and fibrosis. While degraded collagen could be an important marker of tissue damage, it is difficult to detect and target using conventional tools. Here, we show that a designed peptide (collagen hybridizing peptide: CHP), which specifically hybridizes to the degraded, unfolded collagen chains, can be used to image degraded collagen and inform tissue remodeling activity in various tissues: labeled with 5-carboxyfluorescein and biotin, CHPs enabled direct localization and quantification of collagen degradation in isolated tissues within pathologic states ranging from osteoarthritis and myocardial infarction to glomerulonephritis and pulmonary fibrosis, as well as in normal tissues during developmental programs associated with embryonic bone formation and skin aging. The results indicate the general correlation between the level of collagen remodeling and the amount of denatured collagen in tissue and show that the CHP probes can be used across species and collagen types, providing a versatile tool for not only pathology and developmental biology research but also histology-based disease diagnosis, staging, and therapeutic screening. This study lays the foundation for further testing CHP as a targeting moiety for theranostic delivery in various animal models.

Recent evidence indicates that renin itself might be profibrotic, independent of angiotensin II; however, the signaling system by which renin exerts a direct effect is not known. We tested the hypothesis that renin receptor activation, in turn, activates the extracellular-signal regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) of the mitogen-activated protein kinase system in mesangial cells. Recombinant rat renin induced a rapid phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and subsequent cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. ERK1/2 activation by renin addition was not altered by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition or angiotensin receptor blockade. An ERK kinase inhibitor significantly reduced the renin-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation and the subsequent increase in transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 mRNA expression. A small-inhibiting RNA, siRNA, against the renin receptor completely blocked ERK1/2 activation by rat renin. We conclude that renin induces ERK1/2 activation though a receptor-mediated, angiotensin II-independent mechanism in mesangial cells. This renin-activated pathway triggers cell proliferation along with TGF-beta1 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 gene expression. This system may play an important role in the overall profibrotic actions of renin.

All three TGF-beta isoforms have fibrogenic effects on renal cells. TGF-beta2 and TGF-beta3 effects may be partially mediated by TGF-beta1. These data suggest that blockade of all isoforms together may yield the best therapeutic effect in reducing renal fibrosis.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) has been implicated in renal fibrosis. In vitro, PAI-1 inhibits plasmin generation, and this decreases mesangial extracellular matrix turnover. PAI-1R, a mutant PAI-1, increases glomerular plasmin generation, reverses PAI-1 inhibition of matrix degradation, and reduces disease in experimental glomerulonephritis. This study sought to determine whether short-term administration of PAI-1R could slow the progression of glomerulosclerosis in the db/db mouse, a model of type 2 diabetes in which mesangial matrix accumulation is evident by 20 wk of age. Untreated uninephrectomized db/db mice developed progressive albuminuria and mesangial matrix expansion between weeks 20 and 22, associated with increased renal mRNA encoding ␣1(I) and (IV) collagens and fibronectin. Treatment with PAI-1R prevented these changes without affecting body weight, blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, creatinine, or creatinine clearance; therefore, PAI-1R may prevent progression of glomerulosclerosis in type 2 diabetes.