Overexpression of MMP-7 Increases Collagen 1A2 in the Aging Kidney. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • The percentage of the U.S. population over 65 is rapidly increasing, as is the incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The kidney is susceptible to age-dependent alterations in structure, specifically tubulointerstitial fibrosis, that lead to CKD. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were initially characterized as extracellular matrix (ECM) proteinases; however it is clear that their biological role is much larger. We have observed increased gene expression of several MMPs in the aging kidney, including MMP-7. MMP-7 overexpression was observed starting at 16 months, and over a 500 fold up-regulation in 2 year-old animals. Overexpression of MMP-7 is not observed in age-matched, calorically restricted controls that do not develop fibrosis and renal dysfunction, suggesting a role in the pathogenesis. In order to delineate the contributions of MMP-7 to renal dysfunction, we overexpressed MMP-7 in NRK-52E cells. High-throughput sequencing of the cells revealed that two collagen genes, Col1a2 and Col3a1, were elevated in the MMP-7 overexpressing cells. These two collagen genes were also elevated in aging rat kidneys and temporally correlated with increased MMP-7 expression. Addition of exogenous MMP-7, or conditioned media from MMP-7 overexpressing cells also increased Col1A2 expression. Inhibition of PKA, src, and MAPK signaling at p38 and ERK was able to attenuate the MMP-7 up-regulation of Col1a2. Consistent with this finding, increased phosphorylation of PKA, src and ERK was seen in MMP-7 overexpressing cells and upon exogenous MMP-7 treatment of NRK-52E cells. These data suggest a novel mechanism by which MMP-7 contributes to the development of fibrosis leading to CKD.

published proceedings

  • Physiol Rep

author list (cited authors)

  • Oelusarz, A., Nichols, L. A., Grunz-Borgmann, E. A., Chen, G., Akintola, A. D., Catania, J. M., ... Parrish, A. R.

citation count

  • 26

complete list of authors

  • Oelusarz, Anna||Nichols, Lanita A||Grunz-Borgmann, Elizabeth A||Chen, Gang||Akintola, Adebayo D||Catania, Jeffery M||Burghardt, Robert C||Trzeciakowski, Jerome P||Parrish, Alan R

publication date

  • October 2013

publisher