Preventive effects of vasohibin-2-targeting peptide vaccine for diabetic nephropathy

In this study, the preventive effects of the VASH2-targeting peptide vaccine against glomerular injury were examined in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mouse model. The mice were subcutaneously injected with the vaccine at two doses 2 weeks apart and then intraperitoneally injected with 50 mg/kg STZ for 5 consecutive days. Glomerular injury was evaluated 20 weeks after the first vaccination. Treatment with the VASH2-targeting peptide vaccine successfully induced circulating anti-VASH2 antibody without inflammation in major organs. Although the vaccination did not affect blood glucose levels, it significantly prevented hyperglycemia-induced increases in urinary albumin excretion and glomerular volume. The vaccination did not affect increased VASH2 expression but significantly inhibited renal angiopoietin-2 (Angpt2) expression in the diabetic mice. Furthermore, it significantly prevented glomerular macrophage infiltration. The preventive effects of vaccination on glomerular injury were also confirmed in db/db mice. Taken together, the results of this study suggest that the VASH2-targeting peptide vaccine may prevent diabetic glomerular injury in mice by inhibiting Angpt2-mediated microinflammation.PMID:38695075 | DOI:10.1152/ajprenal.00341.2023
Source: American Journal of Physiology. Renal Physiology - Category: Physiology Authors: Source Type: research