Sublytic C5b-9 induces proliferation of glomerular mesangial cells via ERK5/MZF1/RGC-32 axis activated by FBXO28-TRAF6 complex.

Mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN) is characterized by the proliferation of glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) and accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM), followed by glomerulosclerosis and renal failure of patients. Although our previous studies have demonstrated that sublytic C5b-9 complex formed on the GMC membrane could trigger GMC proliferation and ECM expansion of rat Thy-1 nephritis (Thy-1N) as an animal model of MsPGN, their mechanisms are still not fully elucidated. In the present studies, we found that the levels of response gene to complement 32 (RGC-32), myeloid zinc finger 1 (MZF1), phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (phosphorylated ERK5, p-ERK5), F-box only protein 28 (FBXO28) and TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) were all markedly up-regulated both in the renal tissues of rats with Thy-1N (in vivo) and in the GMCs upon sublytic C5b-9 stimulation (in vitro). Further in vitro experiments revealed that up-regulated FBXO28 and TRAF6 could form protein complex binding to ERK5 and enhance ERK5 K63-ubiquitination and subsequent phosphorylation. Subsequently, ERK5 activation contributed to MZF1 expression and MZF1-dependent RGC-32 up-regulation, finally resulting in GMC proliferative response. Furthermore, the MZF1-binding element within RGC-32 promoter and the functions of FBXO28 domains were identified. Additionally, knockdown of renal FBXO28, TRAF6, ERK5, MZF1 and RGC-32 genes respectively markedly reduced GMC proliferation and ECM production in Thy-1N rats. Together, these findings indicate that sublytic C5b-9 induces GMC proliferative changes in rat Thy-1N through ERK5/MZF1/RGC-32 axis activated by the FBXO28-TRAF6 complex, which might provide a new insight into MsPGN pathogenesis.