FGF4-FGFR1 signaling promotes podocyte survival and glomerular function to ameliorate diabetic kidney disease in male mice

作者：Jie Zhou, Jie Zhou, Shuxin Wang, Jiaxin Lou, Beibin Pan, Zhao Min, Qian Li, Jing Zhou, Jing Zhou, Meiling Yu, Shuodan Ding, Meiling Yu, Jingjing Zhou, Jingjing Zhou, Xinwei Chen, Lingwei Jin, Xinyi Wang, Yepeng Hu, Zhe Wang, Xiaokun Li, Chao Zheng, Jian Sun, Zhifeng Huang · 发表于：Nature Communications · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1038/s41467-025-65978-4 · 被引用次数：4 · 研究领域：Chronic Kidney Disease and Diabetes、Renal Diseases and Glomerulopathies、Fibroblast Growth Factor Research

Podocyte injury is central to diabetic kidney disease (DKD) pathogenesis, however, the mechanisms underlying podocyte loss remain unclear. Emerging evidence underscores the involvement of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) in renal pathophysiology. Here we reveal a previously unappreciated role of podocyte-secreted FGF4 in safeguarding renal function. FGF4 expression is downregulated in renal tissues from DKD patients and animal models, correlating with disease severity. Podocyte-specific deletion of Fgf4 exacerbated podocyte loss and accelerated DKD progression in mice. Conversely, treatment with recombinant FGF4 (rFGF4) improved glomerular filtration and reduced renal injury and fibrosis in diabetic male mice. These effects are primary mediated by activating the FGFR1-AMPK-FOXO1 signaling cascade in podocytes, which mitigates oxidative stress, suppresses apoptosis, and fosters podocyte survival. Notably, rFGF4 also restores the morphology and function of human podocytes exposed to high glucose. Our findings establish FGF4 as a critical regulator of podocyte homeostasis and a potential therapeutic target for DKD.