The matrix of exosomes: Decoding the role of miRNA in macrophage polarization and oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND

The metabolic reprogramming of macrophages plays a crucial role in calcium oxalate(CaOx) crystal-induced kidney injury. Pro-inflammatory macrophages exacerbate CaOx-induced kidney injury by enhancing inflammatory responses, while anti-inflammatory macrophages promote the phagocytosis of crystals by macrophages, thereby mitigating kidney damage. This study aims to investigate the mechanisms that exosome-mediated oxidative stress in regulating macrophage metabolic reprogramming in CaOx crystal-induced kidney injury.

METHODS

Exosomes derived from HK2 cells with((EXO(S)) or without (EXO(C)) the stimulation of CaOx crystal were collected and purified. In vitro experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of EXO(C) and EXO(S) on oxidative stress and macrophage polarization. These experiments included measurements of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities. Additionally, in vivo renal subcapsular injection was performed in mice to assess the metabolic cycle of exosomes and their effects on CaOx crystal deposition and tubular damage in rats. High-throughput sequencing and transcriptomic analysis were used to identify dysregulated miRNAs and their associated pathways, as well as upregulated genes in macrophages exposed to EXO(C).

RESULTS

EXO(C) significantly attenuated oxidative stress by reducing ROS and MDA levels while enhancing SOD and CAT activities. It also suppressed pro-inflammatory M1 macrophage polarization, whereas EXO(S) exacerbated these effects. In vivo studies revealed a 7-day metabolic cycle for exosomes in mice, with EXO(C) effectively reducing CaOx crystal deposition and tubular damage in rats, as evidenced by Von Kossa and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. High-throughput sequencing identified 59 dysregulated miRNAs in EXO(C), predominantly enriched in oxidative stress and inflammation-related pathways (e.g., PI3K-Akt, MAPK). Transcriptomic analysis of macrophages exposed to EXO(C) highlighted upregulated genes (e.g., NCOA5, CXCR5) associated with antioxidant activity and immune regulation. Integrative bioinformatics further revealed cross-talk between exosomal miRNAs (e.g., miR-146a-5p, miR-200a-3p) and macrophage genes (EGFR, BCL11A), implicating their roles in modulating oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.

CONCLUSION

These findings collectively demonstrate that EXO(C) mitigates CaOx-induced renal injury by suppressing oxidative stress and macrophage M1 polarization through miRNA-mediated regulatory networks. RNA-seq analysis revealed EXO(C) promoted an M2-like anti-inflammatory state, while EXO(S) drived M1-like pro-inflammatory polarization. This study provides potential therapeutic strategies for the treatment of CaOx-induced kidney injury.