Journal: Molecular Medicine

Article Title: Progressive endocannabinoid system dysregulation in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

doi: 10.1186/s10020-026-01457-w

Figure Lengend Snippet: ECS components are progressively dysregulated in human ADPKD kidney tissue. a Microarray analysis ( GSE7869 ) of human kidney tissue shows stepwise increases in CNR1 transcript from healthy cortex to minimally cystic (PKDm) and fully cystic (PKD) ADPKD tissue, with corresponding reductions in AEA-metabolizing enzymes NAPEPLD and FAAH . b Single-nucleus RNA-sequencing (snRNA-seq) analysis of human ADPKD kidneys ( n = 8) versus healthy controls ( n = 5) demonstrate consistent CNR1 upregulation and marked downregulation of NAPEPLD and FAAH , while 2-AG-metabolizing enzymes remain largely unchanged. c snRNA-seq analysis of diabetic kidney disease (DKD; n = 5 patients; controls n = 6) reveals minimal alterations in CNR1 and ECS-metabolizing enzymes. d Gene expression analysis by qPCR confirms CNR1 upregulation in human ADPKD kidney tissue ( n = 17) versus non-cystic nephrectomy controls ( n = 5), with concurrent changes in ECS enzyme transcription. e-i eCB quantification by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) reveals significant depletion of tissue anandamide (AEA); e , N -oleoylethanolamine (OEA); f , 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG); h , and arachidonic acid (AA); i , while N -palmitoylethanolamine (PEA); g remains unchanged. j-l Western blot analysis shows substantial inter-individual variability in CB 1 R protein levels without significant difference between ADPKD ( n = 6) and control kidneys ( n = 4), but significant reductions in DAGLα/β, NAPEPLD, MGLL and FAAH protein. Western blots were normalized to total proteins. Data represent mean ± SEM. Statistics of control versus PKD represented by * and control versus PKDm by #. Statistical significance assessed by Mann–Whitney U test or unpaired t -test: * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001, **** p < 0.0001

Article Snippet: Sections were stained with rabbit anti-CB 1 R antibody (1:200, 10006590, Cayman) followed by a goat anti-rabbit HRP conjugate (ImmPRESSTM, Vector laboratories).

Techniques: Microarray, RNA Sequencing, Gene Expression, Liquid Chromatography, Mass Spectrometry, Liquid Chromatography with Mass Spectroscopy, Western Blot, Control, MANN-WHITNEY

Journal: Molecular Medicine

Article Title: Progressive endocannabinoid system dysregulation in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

doi: 10.1186/s10020-026-01457-w

Figure Lengend Snippet: Temporal endocannabinoid system dysregulation during Pkd1 RC/RC disease progression. a-g Quantitative PCR analysis of ECS-related genes across disease stages (9 and 12 months) showing progressive upregulation of Cnr1 a and Cnr2 b transcripts, with corresponding changes in ECS metabolic enzymes: Dagla c , Daglb d , Napepld e , Mgll f , and Faah g . h-n Western blot analysis and quantification of ECS proteins across disease stages, demonstrating sustained CB 1 R protein elevation at 9 and 12 months h, i , stable 2-AG-related enzyme proteins (DAGLα, DAGLβ, MGLL; h, j, k, m ), and stage-specific changes in AEA-related enzymes including elevated NAPEPLD at 12 months ( h, l ) and reduced FAAH at 9 months ( h, n ). Data represent mean ± SEM from WT ( n = 5) and Pkd1 RC/RC ( n = 6–7) per group per timepoint. Statistical analysis: unpaired t -test comparing Pkd1 RC/RC to age-matched WT. Statistical significance: * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001, **** p < 0.0001 versus WT

Article Snippet: Sections were stained with rabbit anti-CB 1 R antibody (1:200, 10006590, Cayman) followed by a goat anti-rabbit HRP conjugate (ImmPRESSTM, Vector laboratories).

Techniques: Biomarker Discovery, Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction, Western Blot