Small molecule inhibiton of calcium oxalate induced transcriptomic changes of renal epithelial cells.

Calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals are suggested to adhere to renal epithelial cells, thereby eliciting cellular changes associated with kidney injury. In this study we aimed at testing a novel small molecule inhibitor of CaOx crystallization and cellular adhesion, termed OEG4-(IP5)2. Human renal epithelial cells (RPTEC-TERT1) were treated with CaOx only, CaOx premixed with OEG4-(IP5)2, OEG4-(IP5)2 only or medium only and RNAsequencing performed. Results indicate drastic changes in the cellular transcriptome with CaOx addition compared to all other groups. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed changes in immune and inflammatory signaling pathways with CaOx addition, compared to CaOx premixed with OEG4-(IP5)2. In conclusion, OEG4-(IP5)2 treatment can largely prevent CaOx-induced cellular downstream responses.