Nontoxic concentration of ochratoxin A decreases the dosage of cyclosporine A to induce chronic nephropathy model via autophagy mediated by toll-like receptor 4

Cell Death Dis. 2020 Feb 27;11(2):153. doi: 10.1038/s41419-020-2353-z.

Abstract

Cyclosporine A (CsA) extracted from the products of fungal fermentation is used to develop a chronic nephropathy model. However, it has numerous side effects. Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin that induces renal injury. We developed a chronic nephropathy model to lessen the side effects of CsA by administration of nontoxic dosage of OTA, and investigated the underlying mechanism. C57BL/10 wild-type mice, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-/- mice, and HK-2 cells were used in this study. The nontoxic dosage (0.25 mg/kg, qod) of OTA could significantly decrease the dosage of CsA from 30 to 20 mg/kg per day, and combination of them induced chronic nephropathy model and alleviated the side effects of onefold CsA in vivo, including cardiotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and immunosuppression. The nontoxic concentration (0.5 μg/ml) of OTA could significantly decrease the concentration of CsA from 10 to 6 μg/ml that induced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and nephrotoxicity in vitro. Nontoxic concentration of OTA and low dosage of CsA activated TLR4 and autophagy. These toxic effects induced by OTA and CsA could be reversed by knockdown of TLR4 and autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine in vitro. Furthermore, the renal injury and autophagy induced by OTA and CsA could be attenuated in TLR4-/- mice. It suggested that a chronic nephropathy model had been successfully developed by administration of nontoxic concentration of OTA and low dosage of CsA via TLR4-mediated autophagy. The side effects of current model were significantly lesser than those of the previous model induced by onefold CsA. It provided a new tool for exploring the pathogenesis and treatment of chronic kidney disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autophagy / drug effects
  • Cyclosporine / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Ochratoxins / pharmacology*
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / drug therapy
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / drug effects*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Ochratoxins
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • ochratoxin A
  • Cyclosporine