Knockout of TRPC6 promotes insulin resistance and exacerbates glomerular injury in Akita mice

Gain-of-function mutations in TRPC6 cause familial focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, and TRPC6 is upregulated in glomerular diseases including diabetic kidney disease. We studied the effect of systemic TRPC6 knockout in the Akita model of type 1 diabetes. Knockout of TRPC6 inhibited albuminuria in Akita mice at 12 and 16 weeks of age, but this difference disappeared by 20 weeks. Knockout of TRPC6 also reduced tubular injury in Akita mice; however, mesangial expansion was significantly increased. Hyperglycemia and blood pressure were similar between TRPC6 knockout and wild-type Akita mice, but knockout mice were more insulin resistant. In cultured podocytes, knockout of TRPC6 inhibited expression of the calcium/calcineurin responsive gene insulin receptor substrate 2 and decreased insulin responsiveness. Insulin resistance is reported to promote diabetic kidney disease independent of blood glucose levels. While the mechanisms are not fully understood, insulin activates both Akt2 and ERK, which inhibits apoptosis signal regulated kinase 1 (ASK1)-p38-induced apoptosis. In cultured podocytes, hyperglycemia stimulated p38 signaling and induced apoptosis, which was reduced by insulin and ASK1 inhibition and enhanced by Akt or ERK inhibition. Glomerular p38 signaling was increased in TRPC6 knockout Akita mice and was associated with enhanced expression of the p38 gene target cyclooxygenase 2. These data suggest that knockout of TRPC6 in Akita mice promotes insulin resistance and exacerbates glomerular disease independent of hyperglycemia.