2.5. Role of TLR9 in Inflammation and Its Implication in CRS Type 4
Another TLR known to induce inflammation through the adaptor molecule MyD88 is TLR9
[166][136]. TLR9, primarily localized in endolysosomes, is associated with activating p38 MAPK signaling
[179][146]. The inflammatory response initiated by TLR9 is triggered by DNA fragments rich in unmethylated cysteine–phosphate–guanine motifs, with mtDNA being a notable example
[180][147]. These DNA fragments can be internalized in various tissues by dendritic cells and macrophages
[162][130] and subsequently delivered to endolysosomes, where they activate TLR9
[166][136].
Upon activation, TLR9 interacts with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane protein UNC93B, facilitating its transportation to the endolysosomal compartment
[181,182][148][149] (
Figure 3). TLR9 activation leads to two distinct pathways
[183][150]: one is associated with the transcriptional activation of proinflammatory cytokines, requiring the involvement of NF-κB, while the other relates to the activation of type I interferon genes
[184][151].
Activation of TLR9 increases in renal proximal tubular cells following ischemic injury, initiating a cascade of events that promote inflammation, apoptosis, and necrosis through NF-κB and caspase-dependent pathways
[186][152]. Because of apoptosis or necrosis, renal DAMPs are released. These DAMPs may be exposed to the cell surface and released into the extracellular space, acting as potent inflammation triggers
[125][153].
Renal DAMPs have the potential to activate TLR9 in cardiac cells, inducing oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, which can lead to the release of mtDNA or other mtDAMPs within cardiomyocytes. This process has been observed in mice cardiomyocytes, where the release of mtDNA after myocardial injury activated NF-κB through TLR9, ultimately contributing to cell death
[187][154].
2.6. Extracellular Vesicles (EV) and Their Role in Inflammation
Exogenous mtDNA and other signaling molecules may also be transported into other cells, including cardiac cells, through extracellular vesicles (EVs). These EVs, such as exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies, carry various cargo, including nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolic intermediaries
[190,191][155][156].
Apoptotic bodies, in particular, contain fragments of nucleic acids, lipids, proteins, and organelles
[192][157]. Notably, apoptotic cells release ATP, which can serve as a signaling molecule by binding to purinergic receptors on cell membranes, activating intracellular signaling pathways, and potentially inflammasome assembly.
2.7. The Role of Autophagy and Mitophagy in NLRP3 Signaling Pathway in CRS Type 4
Autophagy consists of vesicular sequestration of cellular components, inducing their degradation and further recycling
[196][158]. This process comprises initiation, elongation, fusion, and degradation and is regulated by the phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) and Unc-51-like kinase (ULK) complexes
[197][159]. The activation of ULK depends on the AMPK protein that phosphorylates and inhibits the mammalian target of Rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). PI3K is activated after the autophagic protein Beclin is disassembled from Bcl2, forming the PI3K complex to produce phosphatidyl inositol triphosphate (PI3P).
On the other hand, mitophagy is a specialized form of autophagy that removes damaged mitochondria and is crucial for immune system vigilance and mitochondrial quality control. Mitophagy occurs when the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ) is disrupted and involves PTEN-induced kinase (PINK) and E3 ubiquitin ligase (Parkin) proteins. Both in autophagy and mitophagy processes, sequestosome p62 proteins (p62) are necessary for degradation because these proteins recognize and ubiquitinate damaged organelle and protein aggregates. Moreover, the microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3) is involved in the elongation of autophagosomes
[198][160].
Mitophagy’s role in NLRP3 inflammasome activation is shown by removing autophagy-related proteins, causing the accumulation of damaged mitochondria, and increasing mtDAMPs production
[199][161]. For example, it has been demonstrated that NF-KB restricts NLRP3 inflammasome activation through p62-dependent mitophagy; conversely, the absence of p62 promotes greater mitochondrial damage and increased inflammation
[200][162].
2.8. MAVS and NLRP3-NF-kB Signaling in CRS Type 4
Another role of mitochondria in NLRP3 activation is associated with mitochondrial antiviral proteins (MAVS). MAVS comprises an N-terminal CARD-like domain and a C-terminal transmembrane domain, essential for MAVS signaling. Notably, the transmembrane domain targets MAVS to the mitochondria in the MOM
[207][163]. The latter allows MAVS to participate in the relocalization and association of NLRP3 with ER and mitochondria organelle clusters
[137][110]. This facilitates NLRP3 oligomerization
[208,209][164][165].
Low active caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 levels induce cytokine production, but higher levels of these molecules can induce cell death by apoptosis or pyroptosis. When NLRP3 is activated and associated with MAVS, it leads to pyroptosis
[211][166].
Pyroptosis is a caspase-1-dependent death mediated by the cleavage of gasdermin D by caspase-1 and the subsequent formation of stable pores in the cell membrane
[212,213][167][168]. The pores formed by gasdermin D proteins promote cell swelling and lytic cell death, releasing cytosolic contents into the extracellular space that act as DAMPs
[214][169]. Also, pyroptosis is regulated through the NLRP3 inflammasome
[215][170]. It could be associated with the release of DAMPs from renal cells, which may activate inflammatory processes in other organs, such as the heart.
3. The Role of the cGAS-STING Pathway in CRS Type 4
3.1. The cGAS-STING Pathway
The cGAS-STING pathway plays a pivotal role in mediating inflammation in response to infections, cellular stress, and tissue damage
[218][171]. cGAS activity is triggered by interactions with various ligands, including double-strand DNA (dsDNA), neutrophil DNA–protein complexes, and mtDNA in mammals
[218,219][171][172]. When cGAS interacts with these ligands, it generates a product known as 2′3′cyclic GMP-AMP
[220][173]. This cyclic GMP-AMP molecule then binds to the STING protein located in the ER membrane
[221][174].
The downstream signaling cascade begins with the translocation of STING from the ER to the Golgi apparatus, facilitated by the ER-to-Golgi transport machinery, specifically the ER–Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC)
[218,221][171][174]. This translocation of STING is a critical step in activating the immune signaling pathway
[222,223][175][176]. Once in perinuclear compartments, STING forms a complex with TRAF family member-associated NF-κB activator (TANK)-binding kinase (TBK1)
[224][177]. TBK1, in turn, phosphorylates transcription factors, including the interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and NF-κB
[218][171].
3.2. The Activation of the cGAS-STING-NF-κB Axis by mtDNA Release in CKD
CKD has been strongly linked to the activation of the cGAS-STING pathway. For instance, in a study conducted by Chung et al.
[226][178], a positive correlation was observed between CKD-induced fibrosis and the expression of cGAS and STING in over 400 kidney tissue samples. Experimental models of diabetic kidney disease and Alport syndrome have shown that the cGAS-STING pathway plays a significant role in the development and progression of glomerular damage by regulating inflammation
[227][179]. Specifically, this pathway is associated with cell damage and chronic inflammation, resulting in the production of inflammatory cytokines and interferons
[228][180].
In CKD, an oxidative stress state is closely related to renal functional and structural alterations, primarily through mitochondrial dysfunction and increased production of ROS
[8]. Notably, the plasma of patients receiving platinum-based nephrotoxic anticancer therapy showed elevated levels of mtDNA in plasma, suggesting that STING signaling might be activated through this mechanism
[229][181].
The generation of ROS and Ca
2+ ion accumulation can trigger the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), resulting in the loss of ΔΨ, uncoupling of the ETS, and the release of proapoptotic factors like cytochrome c, which can lead to apoptosis or necrosis. During apoptosis, macropores form in the MOM due to the regulation of BAX and BAK
[231,232,233][182][183][184]. These BAX-mediated pores in the MOM allow the inner membrane to herniate, leaking mtDNA and other mitochondrial matrix components in the cytoplasm.
In the context of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, it has been suggested that mitochondrial permeabilization induced by BAX pores in the MOM can activate the cGAS-STING pathway, thus triggering inflammation
[225][185]. Small-molecule STING inhibitors, such as H151, have shown promise in ameliorating renal function, kidney morphology, inflammation, and mitochondrial alterations following cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity
[229][181]. Additionally, activation of the cGAS-STING pathway has been observed in diabetic kidney disease resulting from mitochondrial damage
[235][186].
3.3. The Activation of the cGAS-STING-NF-κB Axis by mtDNA Release in CRS Type 4
Activation of the immune response in CRS type 4 has been linked to the escape of mtDNA into the cytoplasm, thereby triggering the cGAS-STING pathway
[226][178]. In experimental diabetic cardiomyopathy, the release of mtDNA into the cytosol of heart cells induces inflammation through the cGAS-STING pathway, activating downstream genes, including IRF3, NF-κB, IL-18, and IL-1β
[219][172]. IL-1β, in particular, can potentially disrupt mitochondrial homeostasis by amplifying immune reactions through its activation of cGAS via mtDNA
[244,245][187][188].
In experimental models of uremic cardiomyopathy, mitochondrial oxidative stress emerges as a consequence of CKD. Oxidative stress triggers the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC)-mediated MOM permeabilization, leading to the release of mtDNA and subsequently activating the STING-NF-κB pathway within the heart
[41][34]. DNA fragments released from metabolic organs, originating from the body’s own cells, promote chronic inflammation as they serve as endogenous ligands for the cGAS-STING pathway
[227][179].
4. Chemokines Activation and the Pathophysiology of CRS Type 4
4.1. Chemokines Overview
In the context of the heart, inflammation resulting from a uremic state and mitochondrial dysfunction often leads to endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, atherosclerosis, vascular calcification, and progressive tissue damage
[248,249][189][190]. This suggests that the dysregulation of NF-κB via TLRs, NLRP3, and cGAS-STING could serve as a mechanism underlying chronic heart inflammation and the overproduction of chemokines in CRS type 4.
Chemokines are small-molecular-weight chemotactic cytokines
[250][191] that play pivotal roles in directing the migration of neutrophils and monocytes during both acute and chronic inflammation
[251][192]. These chemokines are classified into the following subfamilies, including CXC, CC, XC, and CX3C, based on the position of conserved cysteine residues in their N-terminal domain
[252][193].
CC chemokines, characterized by two adjacent cysteine residues, primarily attract monocytes and macrophages through distinct receptors
[254][194]. On the other hand, CXC chemokines feature two cysteine residues separated by a single amino acid (C-X-C)
[255,256][195][196]. The transcription of certain chemokines is modulated by NF-κB, depending on regulatory elements, including the adjacent activating protein 1 and C/EBP elements.
4.2. The Role of Chemokines and Receptors in the Pathophysiology of CKD
In a healthy kidney, various cell types, including endothelial cells, podocytes, mesangial cells, tubular epithelial cells, and interstitial fibroblasts, typically produce low levels of inflammatory chemokines
[260,261][197][198]. In patients with CKD, these chemokines are predominately induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines and ROS
[262][199].
The primary role of chemokines in the kidney is to facilitate the recruitment of leukocytes and T cells, which play a central in interstitial fibrosis and the progression of CKD
[260,263][197][200]. Other factors contributing to chemokine activation in CKD include uremic toxins, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), growth factors, lipopolysaccharides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), IFN-γ, and vasoactive substances
[253,262,264][199][201][202]. These factors can further upregulate chemokines by influencing NF-κB and other transcription factors
[150][121]. Consequently, an excess of damaging stimuli in CKD can lead to the overstimulation of chemokines, accelerating disease progression.
4.2.1. Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1)/CCL2 and CCR2 Receptor in CKD
CCL-2 is a well-studied chemokine in cardiac and renal diseases, known for its ability to attract monocytes, T lymphocytes, and natural killer cells
[250][191]. Excessive activation of CCL2 leads to an overwhelming cellular infiltration and prolonged inflammatory response, exacerbating tissue damage and affecting kidney function
[265,266][203][204]. Upregulation of CCL2 by NF-κB has been linked to tubulointerstitial injury in proteinuric renal disease
[267][205]. Conversely, reducing protein accumulation in renal disease has been shown to decrease CCL2 levels
[268][206].
In advanced CKD, the TGF-β/Smad2,3 pathway activation induces CCL2 expression in renal cells, resulting in a chemotactic effect on macrophages
[269][207]. Likewise, in the UUO model, a well-established model for studying fibrosis in CKD, a wide expression of CCL2 is observed, leading to macrophage infiltration, tubulointerstitial CCL2 expression, leading to macrophage infiltration via a TGF-β/Smad3-dependent signaling pathway
[270,271][208][209]. Therefore, CCL2 plays a pivotal role in progressive interstitial fibrosis in CKD.
4.2.2. C-C Motif Chemokine 8 (CCL8/MCP-2) in CKD
CCL8 is a CC chemokine that plays a pivotal role in attracting inflammatory monocytes and T lymphocytes in various pathological conditions
[278,279][210][211]. In advanced CKD and fibrosis-related human glomerulopathies
[280][212], CCL8 levels significantly increase, primarily due to the activation of the TGF-β pathway. Consequently, inhibiting CCL8 has been proposed as a preventive therapy against fibrosis in CKD. In the mice-UUO model, functional blockade of CCL8 with a monoclonal antibody has been shown to prevent fibrosis and apoptosis in renal cells
[50][43].
4.2.3. Chemokine Interferon-γ-Inducible Protein 10 (IP-10)/Chemokine (C-X-C Motif) Ligand (CXCL)10 in CKD
CXCL10, a member of the CXC chemokine family, exerts its biological functions by binding to the CXCR3 receptor
[283][213]. CXCR3 is expressed in T lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, inflammatory dendritic cells, macrophages, and B cells
[284][214]. CXCL10 is involved in chemotaxis, apoptosis induction, cell growth regulation, and angiostatic effects. It is primarily secreted by leukocytes, activated neutrophils, eosinophils, epithelial cells, and endothelial cells in response to IFN-γ
[273][215]. Once activated, CXCL10 attracts Th1 lymphocytes, monocytes, T cells, and NK cells
[273,283][213][215]. Interstitial CXCR3 has been implicated in the progressive loss of renal function in human glomerular diseases
[260][197].
As a consequence of CKD, inflammatory processes can also manifest in the heart, resulting in significant alterations, including heart failure, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. This can ultimately lead to the development of CRS type 4.
5. Conclusions
CKD induces hemodynamic and metabolic changes that lead to mitochondrial damage, causing the release of various components into the peripheral circulation. These mitochondrial components activate inflammatory signaling pathways in organs like the heart, resulting in the upregulation of inflammatory genes, including chemokines and cytokines, further exacerbating damage. Chemokines play a pivotal role in attracting inflammatory cells, thereby intensifying inflammation, and contributing to the development of CRS type 4 development.