Human recombinant lysozyme downregulates advanced glycan endproduct-induced interleukin-6 production and release in an in vitro model of human proximal tubular epithelial cells

Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of chronic renal disease and one of the major causes of cardiovascular mortality. Evidence suggests that its progression is due to the chronic hyperglycemia consequent to the production and accumulation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs). Lysozyme was shown to posses AGE-sequestering properties and the capacity to reduce the severity of the early stage manifestations of the diabetic nephropathy. This study was aimed to contribute to the understanding the molecular mechanisms of lysozyme effectiveness in the diabetic nephropathy, using an in-vitro cellular model, represented by the HK-2 cells, human proximal tubular epithelial cells. Lysozyme significantly reduced the AGE-induced IL-6 mRNA and an ELISA assay showed also a decreased release of the functional protein with a dose-dependent trend. In addition, lysozyme prevented macrophage recruitment, suggesting its capacity to elicit an anti-inflammatory action. We may conclude that the protective action of lysozyme on the nephrotoxic effects of AGE may depend, at least in part, on its ability to prevent the production and release of inflammatory mediators, such as IL-6 and to reduce macrophage recruitment in the inflammatory sites.