We hypothesized that the EP1 receptor promotes renal damage in
diabetic nephropathy. We rendered EP1 (PTGER1, official symbol) knockout mice (EP1(-/-)) diabetic using the
streptozotocin and OVE26 models.
Albuminuria, mesangial matrix expansion, and glomerular
hypertrophy were each blunted in EP1(-/-)
streptozotocin and OVE26 cohorts compared with wild-type counterparts. Although diabetes-associated podocyte depletion was unaffected by EP1 deletion, EP1 antagonism with
ONO-8711 in cultured podocytes decreased
angiotensin II-mediated
superoxide generation, suggesting that EP1-associated injury of remaining podocytes in vivo could contribute to filtration barrier dysfunction. Accordingly, EP1 deletion in OVE26 mice prevented
nephrin mRNA expression down-regulation and ameliorated glomerular basement membrane thickening and foot process effacement. Moreover, EP1 deletion reduced diabetes-induced expression of fibrotic markers
fibronectin and α-actin, whereas EP1 antagonism decreased
fibronectin in cultured proximal tubule cells. Similarly, proximal tubule
megalin expression was reduced by diabetes but was preserved in EP1(-/-) mice. Finally, the diabetes-associated increase in
angiotensin II-mediated constriction of isolated mesenteric arteries was blunted in OVE26EP1(-/-) mice, demonstrating a role for EP1 receptors in the diabetic vasculature. These data suggest that EP1 activation contributes to
diabetic nephropathy progression at several locations, including podocytes, proximal tubule, and the vasculature. The EP1 receptor facilitates the actions of
angiotensin II, thereby suggesting that targeting of both the renin-angiotensin system and the EP1 receptor could be beneficial in
diabetic nephropathy.