β-catenin-controlled tubular cell-derived exosomes play a key role in fibroblast activation via the OPN-CD44 axis

Tubular injury and peripheral fibroblast activation are the hallmarks of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and renal fibrosis, suggesting intimate communication between the two diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be determined. Exosomes play a role in shuttling proteins and other materials to recipient cells. In our study, we found that tubular cell-derived exosomes were aroused by β-catenin in kidney fibrogenesis. Osteopontin (OPN), especially its N-terminal fragments (N-OPN), was encapsulated in β-catenin-controlled tubular cell-derived exosome cargo, and subsequently passed to fibroblasts. Through binding with CD44, exosomal OPN promoted fibroblast proliferation and activation. Gene deletion of β-catenin in tubular cells (Ksp-β-catenin−/−) or gene ablation of CD44 (CD44−/−) greatly ameliorated renal fibrosis. Notably, N-OPN was secreted by exosome into the urine of patients with CKD, and negatively correlated with kidney function. The urinary exosomes from patients with CKD greatly accelerated renal fibrosis, which was blocked by CD44 deletion. These results suggest that exosome-mediated activation of the OPN/CD44 axis plays a key role in renal fibrosis, which is controlled by β-catenin.