Mitochondrial dysfunction accounts for aldosterone-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of renal proximal tubular epithelial cells.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis. We previously demonstrated that aldosterone (Aldo)-induced EMT is dependent on mitochondrial-derived oxidative stress. This study investigated whether mitochondrial dysfunction (MtD) is involved in the pathogenesis of EMT and whether peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), a major regulator of oxidative metabolism and mitochondrial function, prevents EMT by improving MtD. Aldo decreased PGC-1α expression while increasing its acetylation and induced MtD, as evidenced by oxidative stress, mitochondrial membrane potential collapse, mitochondrial DNA damage, and mitochondrial complex activity reduction. Aldo time-dependently induced p66Shc phosphorylation and expression. Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist eplerenone and p66Shc short interfering RNA prevented Aldo-induced MtD and EMT, as evidenced by downregulation of α-smooth muscle actin and upregulation of E-cadherin. Mitochondrial DNA depletion by ethidium bromide or mitochondrial transcription factor A inhibitory RNA (RNAi) induced MtD, further promoting EMT. RNAi-mediated suppression of PGC-1α induced MtD and EMT, whereas overexpression of PGC-1α prevented Aldo-induced MtD and inhibited EMT. Similarly, overexpression of silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1), a gene upstream of PGC-1α, or the SIRT1 activator resveratrol restored Aldo-induced MtD and EMT by upregulating PGC-1α. These findings, which implicate a role for MtD in EMT and suggest that SIRT1 and PGC-1α coordinate to improve mitochondrial function and EMT, may guide us in therapeutic strategies for renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis.