HMGB1 encapsulated in podocyte-derived exosomes plays a central role in glomerular endothelial cell injury in lupus nephritis by regulating TRIM27 expression.

Abstract

Exosomes play a role in cell communication by transporting content between cells. Here, we tested whether renal podocyte-derived exosomes affect the injury of glomerular endothelial cells in lupus nephritis (LN). We found that exosomes containing high levels of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) were released from podocytes in patients with LN, BALB/c mice injected with pristane (which induces lupus-like disease in mice), and cultured human renal glomerular endothelial cells (HRGECs) treated with LN plasma. In vitro, GW4869 (an inhibitor of exosome biogenesis/release) or exosome removal alleviated the injury of HRGECs induced by LN plasma. Additionally, leptomycin B or knockdown of HMGB1 in podocyte-derived exosomes reduced endothelial cell injury and the expression of tripartite motif-containing 27 (TRIM27). Knockdown or overexpression of TRIM27 attenuated or promoted the damage of HRGECs treated with LN plasma. In vivo, knockdown of HMGB1 in podocytes ameliorated the injury of glomerular endothelial cells (GECs) in a mouse model of LN. Furthermore, the injection of podocyte-derived exosomes into mice caused GEC dysfunction. In conclusion, our study revealed that podocyte-derived exosomes may mediate the injury of glomerular endothelial cells seen in LN.