STING deletion alleviates podocyte injury through suppressing inflammation by targeting NLRP3 in diabetic kidney disease

An increasing number of studies have shown that immune inflammatory response plays a vital role in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-dependent inflammatory response is a key mechanism in the initiation and development of DKD. The stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is an adaptor protein that can drive noninfectious inflammation and pyroptosis. However, the mechanism of STING regulating immune inflammation and the interaction with NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis in high glucose state still remains unclear. This study evaluated the potential role of STING in high glucose (HG)-induced podocyte inflammation response. STING expression was significantly increased in db/db mice, STZ-treated diabetic mice, and HG-treated podocytes. Podocyte-specific deletion of STING alleviated podocyte injury, renal dysfunction, and inflammation in STZ-induced diabetic mice. STING inhibitor (H151) administration ameliorated inflammation and improved renal function in db/db mice. STING deletion in podocytes attenuated the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and podocyte pyroptosis in STZ-induced diabetic mice. In vitro, modulated STING expression by STING siRNA alleviated pyroptosis and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in HG-treated podocytes. NLRP3 over-expression offset the beneficial effects of STING deletion. These results indicate that STING deletion suppresses podocyte inflammation response through suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation and provide evidence that STING may be a potential target for podocyte injury in DKD.