Overproduction of phosphoprotein enriched in diabetes (PED, also known as phosphoprotein enriched in astrocytes-15 [PEA-15]) is a common feature of type 2 diabetes and impairs insulin action in cultured cells and in mice. Nevertheless, the potential role of PED in diabetic complications is still unknown.

We studied the effect of PED overproduction and depletion on kidney function in animal and cellular models.

Transgenic mice overexpressing PED (PEDTg) featured age-dependent increases of plasma creatinine levels and urinary volume, accompanied by expansion of the mesangial area, compared with wild-type littermates. Serum and kidney levels of TGF-β1 were also higher in 6- and 9-month-old PEDTg. Overexpression of PED in human kidney 2 cells significantly increased TGF-β1 levels, SMAD family members (SMAD)2/3 phosphorylation and fibronectin production. Opposite results were obtained following genetic silencing of PED in human kidney 2 cells by antisense oligonucleotides. Inhibition of phospholipase D and protein kinase C-β by 2-butanol and LY373196 respectively reduced TGF-β1, SMAD2/3 phosphorylation and fibronectin production. Moreover, inhibition of TGF-β1 receptor activity and SMAD2/3 production by SB431542 and antisense oligonucleotides respectively reduced fibronectin secretion by about 50%. TGF-β1 circulating levels were significantly reduced in Ped knockout mice and positively correlated with PED content in peripheral blood leucocytes of type 2 diabetic patients.

These data indicate that PED regulates fibronectin production via phospholipase D/protein kinase C-β and TGF-β1/SMAD pathways in kidney cells. Raised PED levels may therefore contribute to the abnormal accumulation of extracellular matrix and renal dysfunction in diabetes.