Relaxin requires the angiotensin II type 2 receptor to abrogate renal interstitial fibrosis
Authors: Sanja Bosnyak
Ross A D Bathgate
Tim D Hewitson
Martina Kocan
Bryna S Man Chow
Chrishan S Samuel
Emma S Jones
Belinda Wigg
Robert E Widdop
Roger J Summers
Mohsin Sarwar
Journal: Kidney International (2014)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: Fibrosis; Chronic kidney disease; Relaxin; Antifibrotic therapy; Transforming growth factor-β1
Affiliations: 1] Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia [2] Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia., 1] Drug Discovery Biology Laboratory, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, VIC, Australia [2] Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia., Drug Discovery Biology Laboratory, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, VIC, Australia., Department of Nephrology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia., Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia., 1] Department of Nephrology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia [2] Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia., 1] Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia [2] Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia [3] Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.

Abstract:  Fibrosis is a hallmark of chronic kidney disease, for which there is currently no effective cure. The hormone relaxin is emerging as an effective antifibrotic therapy; however, its mechanism of action is poorly understood. Recent studies have shown that relaxin disrupts the profibrotic actions of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) by its cognate receptor, relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1), extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation, and a neuronal nitric oxide synthase-dependent pathway to abrogate Smad2 phosphorylation. Since angiotensin II also inhibits TGF-β1 activity through its AT2 receptor (AT2R), we investigated the extent to which relaxin interacts with the AT2R. The effects of the AT2R antagonist, PD123319, on relaxin activity were examined in primary rat kidney myofibroblasts, and in kidney tissue from relaxin-treated male wild-type and AT2R-knockout mice subjected to unilateral ureteric obstruction. Relaxin's antifibrotic actions were significantly blocked by PD123319 in vitro and in vivo, or when relaxin was administered to AT2R-knockout mice. While heterodimer complexes were formed between RXFP1 and AT2Rs independent of ligand binding, relaxin did not directly bind to AT2Rs but signaled through RXFP1-AT2R heterodimers to induce its antifibrotic actions. These findings highlight a hitherto unrecognized interaction that may be targeted to control fibrosis progression. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
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