Randomized trial demonstrates the link between apolipoprotein E, lipid metabolism, and kidney fibrosis, suggesting new treatment avenues.
Key Points
This study aims to clarify the role of APOE in kidney fibrosis and its connection to lipid metabolism.
Utilized machine learning-assisted transcriptomic analysis on public datasets to identify APOE as a key gene.
Conducted clinical validation using blood samples from hemodialysis patients and healthy controls.
Created a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated APOE-knockout model and stimulated with Angiotensin II to observe fibrogenesis effects.
APOE was identified as a top-ranked gene closely linked to renal fibrotic signatures and lipid metabolic pathways.
APOE expression significantly differed in hemodialysis patients compared to healthy individuals (p<0.05).
APOE knockout led to marked expression changes in fibrotic markers (COL1A1, FN1, α-SMA) and lipid metabolism genes (FASN, ACC) following Angiotensin II stimulation.