SHP2 inhibitor PHPS1 ameliorates acute kidney injury by Erk1/2-STAT3 signaling in a hemorrhage followed CLP mice model

Abstract Background Hypovolemic shock and septic challenge are two major causes of acute kidney injury (AKI) in the clinic course. Src homology 2 domain-containing phosphatase 2 (SHP2) is one of the major phosphatase protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPs), which play a significant role in maintaining immunological homeostasis by regulating many facets of immune cell signaling. In this study, we explored whether SHP2 signaling contributed to AKI induced by hemorrhage (Hem) followed by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) (Hem/CLP) and, further, if inactivation of SHP2 with the selective inhibitor, Phenylhydrazonopyrazolone sulfonate 1 (PHPS1), attenuated this injury. Methods Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to Hem (a “priming” insult) followed by CLP or sham-Hem plus sham-CLP (S/S) as controls. Samples of blood and kidney were harvested at 24 h post CLP. The expression of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), caspase3 as well as SHP2:phospho-SHP2, extracellular-regulated kinase (Erk1/2):phospho-Erk1/2, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3):phospho-STAT3 protein in kidney tissues were detected by Western blotting. The levels of creatinine (Cre) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in serum were measured according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Blood inflammatory cytokine/chemokine levels were detected by ELISA. Results Here we report that indices of kidney injury, such as BUN, Cre, NGAL in renal tissue and histopathologic change, were pronounced after Hem/CLP in comparison with that observed in the S/S group mice. Furthermore, while Hem/CLP elevated serum levels of inflammatory cytokine/ chemokine, and induced increased levels of HMGB1, SHP2:phospho-SHP2, Erk1/2:phospho-Erk1/2, as well asSTAT3:phospho-STAT3 protein expression in the kidney; treatment with PHPS1 markedly attenuated these Hem/CLP induced changes. Conclusions In conclusion, our data indicate that SHP2 inhibition attenuates AKI induced by our double-hit/sequential insult model of Hem/CLP and that this protective action may be attributable to its anti-inflammatory property in mitigating activation of the Erk1/2 and STAT3 signaling pathway. This finding we believe has important potential clinical implications and, thus, warrants further investigation.