IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerulonephritis
and a leading cause of chronic kidney disease. The pathogenic mechanism
of IgAN remains largely unknown and thus a specific therapeutic target
is lacking. Here, we reported that the cytochrome P450 (CYP) epoxygenase/epoxide
hydrolase (EH) axis was activated in the patients and is likely a
therapeutic target for IgAN. Specifically, quantitative profiling
of the plasma from IgAN patients and healthy controls revealed significant
changes in plasma levels of CYP/EH-mediated lipid epoxides and diols.
Subsequently, CYP2C8, CYP2C18, CYP2J2, EPHX1, and EPHX2 were found to be significantly increased in whole blood cells at
mRNA levels from the IgAN patients when compared with those of healthy
controls. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that all five CYPs and
two EHs were upregulated in the kidney tissue from IgAN patients when
compared with normative renal tissue, but the expression locations
of the proteins were different with most of them. Treatment of HK-2
cells with IgA1 increased cell viability, compressed cell apoptosis,
and increased the protein levels of CYP2C9, EPHX1, and EPHX2. All
the results agreed that CYPs/EHs axis is likely the prophylactic and
therapeutic target for IgAN, providing IgAN patients with a new intervention
strategy.