FUT8 upregulates CD36 and its core fucosylation to accelerate pericyte-myofibroblast transition through the mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis pathway during AKI-CKD.

Background: Activation of pericytes leads to renal interstitial fibrosis, but the regulatory mechanism of pericytes in the progression from AKI to CKD remains poorly understood. CD36 activation plays a role in the progression of CKD. However, the significance of CD36 during AKI-CKD, especially in pericyte, remains to be fully defined.

Methods: GEO and DISCO database were used to analyze the expression of CD36 in pericyte during AKI-CKD; IRI to conduct AKI-CKD mouse model; Hypoxia/Reoxygenation (H/R) to induce the cell model; RT-qPCR and Western blotting to detect gene expression; IP and confocal-IF to determine the core fucosylation (CF) level of CD36. Flow cytometry (AV/PI staining) to detect the cell apoptosis and JC-1 staining to react to the change of mitochondrial membrane potential.

Results: During AKI to CKD progression, CD36 expression in pericytes is higher and may be influenced by CF. Moreover, we confirmed the positive association of CD36 expression with pericyte-myofibroblast transition and the progression of AKI-CKD in an IRI mouse model and hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) pericytes. Notably, we discovered that FUT8 upregulates both CD36 expression and its CF level, contributing to the activation of the mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis signaling pathway in pericytes, ultimately leading to the progression of AKI-CKD.

Conclusion: These results further identify FUT8 and CD36 as potential targets for the treatment in the progression of AKI-CKD.