NFκB in the development of endothelial activation and damage in uremia: an in vitro approach

PLoS One. 2012;7(8):e43374. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0043374. Epub 2012 Aug 22.

Abstract

Impaired hemostasis coexists with accelerated atherosclerosis in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The elevated frequency of atherothrombotic events has been associated with endothelial dysfunction. The relative contribution of the uremic state and the impact of the renal replacement therapies have been often disregarded. Plasma markers of endothelial activation and damage were evaluated in three groups of patients with CKD: under conservative treatment (predialysis), on hemodialysis, and on peritoneal dialysis. Activation of p38 MAPK and the transcription factor NFκB was assessed in endothelial cell (EC) cultures exposed to pooled sera from each group of patients. Most of the markers evaluated (VCAM-1, ICAM-1, VWF, circulating endothelial cells) were significantly higher in CDK patients than in controls, being significantly more increased in the group of peritoneal dialysis patients. These results correlated with the activation of both p38 MAPK and NFκB in EC cells exposed to the same sera samples, and also to the peritoneal dialysis fluids. Hemodialysis did not further contribute to the endothelial damage induced by the uremic state observed in predialysis patients, probably due to the improved biocompatibility of the hemodialysis technique in recent years, resulting in lower cellular activation. However, peritoneal dialysis seemed to exert a significant proinflammatory effect on the endothelium that could be related to the high glucose concentrations and glucose degradation products present in the dialysis fluid. Although peritoneal dialysis has been traditionally considered a more physiological technique, our results raise some doubts with respect to inflammation and EC damage.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • E-Selectin / blood
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / blood
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • NF-kappa B / blood*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • P-Selectin / blood
  • Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / blood
  • Uremia / blood*
  • Uremia / metabolism
  • Uremia / pathology*
  • Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / blood

Substances

  • E-Selectin
  • NF-kappa B
  • P-Selectin
  • Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
  • Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1

Grants and funding

This work has been partially supported by grants: SAF2011-28214, SAF 2009-10365 (Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad); PI08/0156, CP04-00112, PS09/00664 (Fondo de Investigaciones de la Seguridad Social); German José Carreras Leukaemia Foundation (R 07/41v); and RD06/0009/1003 (Red HERACLES, Instituto de Salud Carlos III). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.