Neutrophil extracellular traps: a novel contributor to vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Background: Among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), vascular calcification significantly contributes to cardiovascular health issues, though the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Recent research highlights neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) as critical mediators of vascular damage and pro-calcific processes. Methods: We obtained transcriptomic data from the NCBI GEO database for CKD rodent models and identified differentially expressed genes, selected genes using machine learning, functional enrichment, profiling of immune infiltration, transcription factor (TF) activity prediction and drug-gene interaction analysis. Results: emerged as the most consistently selected diagnostic markers across five machine learning algorithms, exhibiting excellent predictive performance (AUC > 0.95). These genes were enriched in neutrophil chemotaxis, ECM remodeling, and PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathways. Immunohistochemistry confirmed NET deposition in calcified arteries of rat, and quantitative PCR and Western blot validated key NRGs expression in CKD rat aortae. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that NET-related genes may contribute to CKD-associated vascular calcification in rodent models. Specifically, this work provides evidence for a potential mechanistic link between NET biology and vascular calcification in CKD, thereby offering insights into immune-vascular interactions and raising the possibility of exploring NET-targeted approaches to mitigate vascular damage.
Source: Frontiers in Immunology
Authors: Yan Wang, Wenjun Li, Yufeng Liang, Jianxin Wan
Language: English
Subfield: Immunology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W4414618420