The role of transmembrane immunoglobulin domain containing-1 (TMIGD1) in renal epithelial cells

Abstract

Kidney disease has a high incidence across the globe and can be caused by acute and chronic injury. Current methods of treatment range from prevention and management with diet and extend to hemodialysis at End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Transmembrane Immunoglobulin Domain Containing-1 (TMIGD1) is mainly expressed in kidney and the intestines and is involved in cell-cell interaction of epithelial cells. This thesis investigated the potential role of TMIGD1 in the development of chronic kidney disease and tubular epithelial cell injury in CRISPR/Cas9-TMIGD1 transgenic mouse. Treatment of wild-type mice with adenine showed that TMIGD1 is downregulated in response to adenine-induced renal cell injury. CRISPR/Cas9-TMIGD1 -/+ mice treated with adenine displayed significantly increased tubular damage compared to wild-type mice. Additionally, expression of TMIGD1 was directly correlated with localization of C/EBPβ to nucleus, a transcription factor that is known to regulate expression of TMIGD1. In conclusion, the loss of TMIGD1 negatively impacts response to renal stress.