Transcriptome data of shRNA and shCYGB human podocyte cell line AB8/13 were used to investigate the role of cytoglobin in human podocyte cytoprotection via differential gene expression analysis.. Transcriptomes of shRNA and shCYGB human podocyte cell line AB8/13

In the current study we observed a cytoglobin (Cygb)-dependent reduction in renal function coinciding with a reduced number of podocytes in a Cygb-deficient mouse model. To decipher the cytoprotective role of CYGB in podocytes, shRNA-mediated stable CYGB knockdown was performed in the CYGB-expressing human podocyte cell line AB8/13. shCYGB-AB8/13 cells displayed an increase in cell death and accumulation of ROS and a reduction of mitochondrial respiration. Consistently, analysis of the CYGB-dependent transcriptome identified dysregulation of multiple genes involved in redox balance, apoptosis as well as in chronic kidney disease. Collectively, our data indicate that CYGB is abundantly expressed in human podocyte cell lines, where it has a cytoprotective role against oxidative stress and apoptosis.