FAR2 is Associated with Kidney Disease in Mice and Humans.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-2018

JAX Source

Physiol Genomics 2018 Aug; 50(8):543-552

ISSN

1531-2267

PMID

29652635

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1152/physiolgenomics.00118.2017

Grant

AG038070, CA034196

Abstract

Mesangial matrix expansion is an important process in the initiation of chronic kidney disease, yet the genetic factors driving its development are unknown. Our previous studies have implicated Far2 as a candidate gene associated with differences in mesangial matrix expansion between mouse inbred strains. Consistent with the hypothesis that increased expression of Far2 leads to mesangial matrix expansion through increased production of platelet-activating factor precursors, we show that FAR2 is capable of mediating de novo platelet-activating factor synthesis in vitro and driven by the transcription factor NKX3.2. We demonstrate that knockdown of Far2 in mice delays the progression of mesangial matrix expansion with at least six months (equivalent to approximately 15 years in human). Furthermore, we show that increased FAR2 expression in human patients is associated with diabetic nephropathy, lupus nephritis, and IgA nephropathy. Taken together, these results highlight FAR2's role in the development of mesangial matrix expansion and chronic kidney disease.

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