FOSL2 participates in renal fibrosis via SGK1-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition of proximal tubular epithelial cells.

Background: Fos-related antigen 2 (FOSL2) plays a facilitative role in fibrotic disease; however, its role in renal fibrosis remains unclear. This study aimed to clarify the role and underlying mechanisms of FOSL2 in renal fibrosis.

Methods: Upregulated genes in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-injured kidneys were screened in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases, and overlapping genes were identified using Venn diagram software. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were performed for these genes. The UUO-induced mouse model and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced cell model were used for the in vivo and in vitro studies.

Results: A total of 43 commonly upregulated genes were identified. GO and KEGG pathway analyses indicated that FOSL2 may be involved in fibrosis. Furthermore, FOSL2 was confirmed to be upregulated in UUO-injured kidneys and TGF-β1-induced cells. Knockdown of FOSL2 ameliorated interstitial fibrosis, extracellular matrix deposition, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition via the downregulation of fibronectin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen type I (Col1a1 and Col1a2), and Col5a1 and upregulation of E-cadherin. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that serum/glucocorticoid regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) may be regulated by FOSL2 and involved in renal fibrosis. Further experiments confirmed that TGF-β1 enhanced SGK1 expression and transcription, which were reversed by FOSL2 silencing. Moreover, FOSL2 was bound to the SGK1 promoter, and SGK1 overexpression reversed the effects of FOSL2 silencing in TGF-β1-induced cells.

Conclusion: FOSL2 plays an essential role in promoting renal fibrosis in an SGK1-dependent manner, and targeting the FOSL2/SGK1 signaling axis may offer a potential strategy for the treatment of renal fibrosis.