Urine-derived renal epithelial cells isolated after kidney transplant are sensitive to neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin exposure during in vitro culture

• Published in: European journal of cell biology 2024-09, Vol.103 (3), p.151442, Article 151442
• Main Authors: Pizzuti, Valeria, Balducelli, Emma, Nunzio, Miriam Di, Conte, Diletta, Gessaroli, Elisa, Demetri, Marcello, Marrazzo, Pasquale, Alviano, Francesco, Corradetti, Valeria, Maritati, Federica, Manna, Gaetano La, Comai, Giorgia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acute kidney injury; Apoptosis - drug effects; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Cell Survival - drug effects; Cells, Cultured; Chronic kidney disease; Delayed graft function; Epithelial Cells - drug effects; Epithelial Cells - metabolism; Humans; Kidney - cytology; Kidney - metabolism; Kidney transplant; Kidney Transplantation; Lipocalin-2 - metabolism; Proliferation; Urine-derived renal cells
• ISSN: 0171-9335; 1618-1298; 1618-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2024.151442

Urine-derived renal epithelial cells (URECs) are highly voided after kidney transplant and express typical kidney markers, including markers of kidney epithelial progenitor cells. Recently URECs have shown promising immunomodulatory properties when cultured with Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs), promoting an increase in the T regulatory cells. In vivo, kidney cells are highly exposed to damage associated molecules during both acute and chronic kidney injury. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is one of the most -known early marker of acute and chronic kidney damage. However, its role on the evolution of renal damage has not yet been fully described, nor has its impact on the characteristics of renal-derived cells during in vitro culture. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of NGAL on the characteristics of URECs isolated after kidney transplant, by exposing these cells to the treatment with NGAL during in vitro culture and evaluating its effect on UREC viability, proliferation, and immunomodulatory potential. The exposure of URECs to NGAL reduced their viability and proliferative capacity, promoting the onset of apoptosis. The immunomodulatory properties of URECs were partially inhibited by NGAL, without affecting the increase of Treg cells observed during UREC-PBMCs coculture. These results suggest that the exposure to NGAL may compromise some features of kidney stem and specialized cell types, reducing their viability, increasing apoptosis, and partially altering their immunomodulatory properties. Thus, NGAL could represent a target for approaches acting on its inhibition or reduction to improve functional recovery. •Urine-derived renal epithelial cells are highly voided after kidney transplantation.•Urine-derived renal epithelial cells show immunomodulatory properties in vitro.•Lipocalin-2 (NGAL) is an early biomarker of acute and chronic kidney damage.•The exposure to NGAL impairs urine cells viability and immunomodulatory capacity.