Papers
Huan WU, Ji JI, Min LU, Yi-chun NING, Zhao-xing SUN, Xiao-qiang DING, Xiao-fang YU
Objective: To investigate the role of magnesium ion (Mg2+) in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (Cis-AKI) in kidney organoids and HK-2 cells, as well as the potential mechanism. Methods: Initially, we utilized human-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to construct kidney organoids, and then built a Cis-AKI model based on kidney organoids. HE staining was used to observe the structure of kidney organoids, and immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the localization of markers and the expression of cleaved caspase-3. qRT-PCR was conducted to detect mRNA levels of tubular and glomerular markers, as well as inflammatory factors. Subsequently, the kidney organoids were randomly divided into control group, cisplatin group (Cis group), and Mg2+ pretreatment group (Cis+Mg2+ group). CCK-8 and ATP content assays were employed to evaluate the cell viability of renal tubular epithelial cells. TUNEL staining was performed to detect the apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells. Western blot was utilized to detect the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins (Bcl-2, Bax, cleaved caspase-3) and organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2). Immunofluorescence was used to detect the localization and expression of OCT2. Results: On the 10th day, the tubular structure in kidney organoids was visible, with abundant expression of renal markers. Treatment with 10 μmol/L cisplatin resulted in structural damage to kidney organoids, significantly increased expression of cleaved caspase-3 and mRNA levels of inflammatory factors, and significantly decreased ATP content. Compared with the Cis group, the Cis+Mg2+ group showed increased ATP content in kidney organoids, reduced number of TUNEL-positive cells, significantly decreased expression of apoptosis-associated proteins, and significantly decreased expression of OCT2. However, there was no significant improvement in HK-2 cell viability, the number of TUNEL-positive cells, or apoptosis-associated proteins in the Cis+Mg2+ group, and HK-2 cells did not express OCT2. Conclusion: Kidney organoid is an ideal in vitro model to study the pathogenesis and treatment of Cis-AKI. Mg2+ pretreatment can significantly reduce the damage of kidney organoids induced by cisplatin, and the mechanism may be related to the downregulation of OCT2.