Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40569456›Full record

ArticleCell biology and toxicology2025

Therapeutic targeting of PRSS3 to alleviate kidney damage in DKD.

Rui Yang, Rongping Chen, Ningning Xu, Xiaoyan Yang, Hong Chen

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cell biology and toxicology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Rui YangDepartment of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 253 Gongye Middle Ave, Guangzhou, Guangdong province, China.
Rongping ChenDepartment of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 253 Gongye Middle Ave, Guangzhou, Guangdong province, China.
Ningning XuDepartment of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 253 Gongye Middle Ave, Guangzhou, Guangdong province, China.
Xiaoyan YangDepartment of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 253 Gongye Middle Ave, Guangzhou, Guangdong province, China.
Hong ChenDepartment of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 253 Gongye Middle Ave, Guangzhou, Guangdong province, China. chenhong123@smu.edu.cn.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAs a primary contributor to end-stage renal disease, diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is characterized by metabolic and inflammatory disturbances. Emerging evidence highlights the gut microbiota's contribution to DKD through metabolite interactions. This study investigates the role of the gut microbiota-derived metabolite trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) and its inhibition of the protease serine 3 (PRSS3) gene in DKD progression.

methodsFecal and blood samples from 22 DKD and 22 non-diabetic kidney disease (NDKD) patients were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing and LC/MS-based metabolomics. Differential gene expression was analyzed using public datasets. Molecular docking assessed TMAO-PRSS3 interactions. In vitro studies employed high-glucose treatments and TMAO exposure in HK-2 renal epithelial cells, while in vivo DKD models were induced in mice using streptozotocin. Functional roles of PRSS3 were validated through lentiviral overexpression and adeno-associated virus delivery.

resultsGut microbiota analysis revealed reduced diversity and abundance in DKD patients, with altered bacterial taxa associated with increased TMAO production. Metabolomics identified TMAO as a significant metabolite, targeting PRSS3 and reducing its expression in renal cells. Molecular docking confirmed direct TMAO-PRSS3 binding. PRSS3 overexpression mitigated high-glucose- and TMAO-induced renal cell damage and inflammation in vitro and fibrosis in DKD mouse models. However, TMAO partially attenuated PRSS3's protective effects.

conclusionsThis study identifies TMAO as a key mediator of DKD progression through PRSS3 inhibition. Enhancing PRSS3 expression protects against renal damage, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target. Modulating gut microbiota and TMAO levels offers promising avenues for DKD management.

Indexed as

Diabetic NephropathiesSerine ProteasesAnimalsFemaleGastrointestinal MicrobiomeHumansKidneyMaleMethylaminesMiceMice, Inbred C57BLMiddle AgedMolecular Docking SimulationMethylaminesSerine Proteasestrimethyloxamine16S rRNA sequencingDKDMetabolomic analysisPRSS3TMAO

Identifiers

PMID40569456
PMCPMC12202676

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.