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Sparsentan Ameliorates Glomerular Hypercellularity and Inflammatory-Gene Networks Induced by IgA1-IgG Immune Complexes in a Mouse Model of IgA Nephropathy

Journal article
Published on March 21, 2024

Topics: Nephrology IgAN Pharmacological Sparsentan

Contributors:
Reily C, Moldoveanu Z, Pramparo T et al.
Name of Journal:
American Journal of Renal Physiology


View Publication
DOI:
10.1152/ajprenal.00253.2023
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Home » Publications » Sparsentan in IgAN Mouse Model

Summary

In an IgA nephropathy mouse model, the protective effects of sparsentan were assessed against vehicle on engineered immune complexes (EIC)-induced glomerular proliferation and gene dysregulation in the kidney1

Background

IgA nephropathy is the most common primary glomerulonephritis worldwide and a leading cause of kidney failure.2 Up to 40% of patients develop kidney failure within 20 years of diagnosis resulting in a reduced life expectancy.1 There is a need for new therapies to treat IgA nephropathy.1

Sparsentan is a non-immunosuppressive, single-molecule, Dual Endothelin Angiotensin Receptor Antagonist (DEARA).3

While the nephroprotection potential of sparsentan has been demonstrated in the PROTECT study, research on the mechanism of nephroprotection in IgA nephropathy is still needed.1

IgA nephropathy is thought to occur in a few steps4:

  1. Presence of galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) is increased in circulation
  2. IgG autoantibodies recognize Gd-IgA1
  3. Immune complexes form
  4. Immune complexes are deposited in the glomeruli leading to kidney injury

Aim

The objective of this animal study was to assess how sparsentan affects gene expression in glomerular pathways in IgA nephropathy.1


Approach

Engineered immune complexes (EIC) were formed in vitro and confirmed by an immune-complex assay.1 The formed EIC were intravenously injected into the mice.1 The mice were divided into four groups1:

  • Group 1 (Negative-control): Intravenous (IV) phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and vehicle (i.e. no treatment)
  • Group 2 (Positive control): IV EIC and vehicle
  • Group 3: IV EIC and sparsentan 60 mg/kg
  • Group 4: IV EIC and sparsentan 120 mg/kg

On Day 12, half of a kidney was excised from the mice.1 RNA was extracted from the kidneys and analyzed with RNA-Seq.1 

Gene expression changes in the EIC mouse models and the effect of sparsentan in preventing or ameliorating EIC-induced profiles were evaluated at the single-gene level and at the network level.1


Findings

In an IgA nephropathy mouse model, sparsentan protected against EIC-induced glomerular proliferation.1

Compared to mice who only received PBS, EIC injections increased glomerular cellularity.1 Sparsentan prevented EIC-induced pathological changes as well as EIC-induced increase in actively proliferating mesangial cells.1

Sparsentan also improved EIC-activated proinflammatory genes and pathways.1

The most significant pathways identified were1:

  • Cytokine-mediated signaling
  • Cellular response to type 1 interferon
  • Type interferon signaling

Expression of genes in these pathways increased with EIC injections, while sparsentan decreased gene expression.1

  • Thirty-three gene modules were identified to be associated with glomerular proliferation and Ki-67-positive glomeruli (P<0.05)1
  • The greatest gene level dysregulation was in immune and cytokine signaling functions1

Mice injected with EIC exhibited changes in protein kinases and transcription factors compared to mice that received EIC and sparsentan.1

Sparsentan-treated mice resulted in regulation of downstream hub genes that control mesangial proliferation.1 Some of these genes were mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, known to control cellular proliferation.1

There is overlap between EIC-dysregulated and sparsentan-responsive genes in mice, and dysregulated genes often found in patients with IgA nephropathy.1

Most of the overlapping genes play a role in immune function and inflammation including components of the complement pathway.1


Key takeaway

This IgA nephropathy mouse model demonstrated that sparsentan targets immune and inflammatory processes, which ultimately protects from mesangial hypercellularity.1 This multi-target approach may underlie the beneficial effects of sparsentan observed in patients with IgA nephropathy.1




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Footnotes

DEARA, dual endothelin angiotensin receptor antagonist; EIC, engineered immune complex; Gd-IgA1, galactose-deficient IgA1; IgA, immunoglobulin A; IgG, immunoglobulin G; IV, intravenous; MAP, mitogen-activated protein; PBS, phosphate-buffered saline.

  1. Reily C et al. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2024;326(5):F862-F875.
  2. Working Group of the International IgA Nephropathy Network and the Renal Pathology Society et al. Kidney Int. 2010;77:921-927.
  3. Murugesan N et al. J Med Chem. 2005;48:171-179.
  4. Placzek WJ et al. PLoS One. 2018;13(1):e0190967.

MA-SP-24-0085 | September 2024