ND-13, a DJ-1-Derived Peptide, Attenuates the Renal Expression of Fibrotic and Inflammatory Markers Associated with Unilateral Ureter Obstruction.

DJ-1 is a redox-sensitive chaperone with reported antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in the kidney. The 20 amino acid (aa) peptide ND-13 consists of 13 highly conserved aas from the DJ-1 sequence and a TAT-derived 7 aa sequence that helps in cell penetration. This study aimed to determine if ND-13 treatment prevents the renal damage and inflammation associated with unilateral ureter obstruction (UUO). Male C57Bl/6 and mice underwent UUO and were treated with ND-13 or vehicle for 14 days. ND-13 attenuated the renal expression of fibrotic markers and () and inflammatory markers and in C57Bl/6 mice. mice treated with ND-13 presented similar decreased expression of , and . However, in contrast to C57Bl/6 mice, ND-13 failed to prevent renal fibrosis or to ameliorate the expression of in this genotype. Further, UUO led to elevated urinary levels of the proximal tubular injury marker neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in mice, which were blunted by ND-13. Our results suggest that ND-13 protects against UUO-induced renal injury, inflammation and fibrosis. These are all crucial mechanisms in the pathogenesis of kidney injury. Thus, ND-13 may be a new therapeutic approach to prevent renal diseases.