Interfering RNA against PKC-α inhibits TNF-α-induced IP 3 R1 expression and improves glomerular filtration rate in rats with fulminant hepatic failure.

We have reported that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is critical for reduction of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in rats with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). The present study aims to evaluate the underlying mechanisms of decreased GFR during acute hepatic failure. Rats with FHF induced by D-galactosamine plus lipopolysaccharide (GalN/LPS) were injected intravenously with recombinant lentivirus harboring short hairpin RNA against the protein kinase C-alpha (PKC-alpha) gene (LentishRNA-PKC-alpha). GFR, serum levels of aminotransferases, creatinine, urea nitrogen, potassium, sodium, chloride, TNF-alpha, and endothelin-1 (ET-1). as well as type 1 inositol 1.4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP(3)R1) expression in renal tissue were assessed. The effects of PKC-alpha silencing on TNF-alpha-induced IP(3)R1, specificity protein 1 (SP-1), and c-Jun NH2-tenninal kinase (JNK) expression, as well as cytosolic calcium content were determined in glomerular mesangial cell (GMCs) with RNAi against PKC-alpha. Renal IP(3)R1 overexpression was abrogated by pre-treatment with Lenti-shRNAPKC-alpha. The PKC-alpha silence significantly improved the compromised GFR, reduced Cr levels, and reversed the decrease in glomerular inulin space and the increase in glomerular calcium content in GalN/LPS-exposed rats. TNF-alpha treatment increased expression of PKC-alpha, IP(3)R1, specificity protein 1 (SP-1), JNK, and p-JNK in GMCs and increased Ca2+ release and binding activity of SP-1 to the IP(3)R1 promoter. These effects were blocked by transfection of siRNA against the PKC-alpha gene, and the PKC-a gene silence also restored cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. RNAi targeting PKC-alpha inhibited TNF-alpha-induced IP(3)R1 overexpression and in turn improved compromised GFR in the development of acute kidney injury during FHF in rats.