Lanthionine, a Novel Uremic Toxin, in the Vascular Calcification of Chronic Kidney Disease: The Role of Proinflammatory Cytokines

• Main Authors: Alessandra Fortunata Perna, Luigi Russo, Vittoria D’Esposito, Pietro Formisano, Dario Bruzzese, Carmela Vigorito, Annapaola Coppola, Patrizia Lombari, Domenico Russo, Diego Ingrosso
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-06-01
• Series: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Subjects: vascular calcification; lanthionine; cytokines; hemodialysis; chronic kidney disease
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/13/6875

Vascular calcification (VC) is a risk factor for cardiovascular events and mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Several components influence the occurrence of VC, among which inflammation. A novel uremic toxin, lanthionine, was shown to increase intracellular calcium in endothelial cells and may have a role in VC. A group of CKD patients was selected and divided into patients with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of <45 mL/min/1.73 m² and ≥45 mL/min/1.73 m². Total Calcium Score (TCS), based on the Agatston score, was assessed as circulating lanthionine and a panel of different cytokines. A hemodialysis patient group was also considered. Lanthionine was elevated in CKD patients, and levels increased significantly in hemodialysis patients with respect to the two CKD groups; in addition, lanthionine increased along with the increase in TCS, starting from one up to three. Interleukin IL-6, IL-8, and Eotaxin were significantly increased in patients with GFR < 45 mL/min/1.73 m² with respect to those with GFR ≥ 45 mL/min/1.73 m². IL-1b, IL-7, IL-8, IL-12, Eotaxin, and VEGF increased in calcified patients with respect to the non-calcified. IL-8 and Eotaxin were elevated both in the low GFR group and in the calcified group. We propose that lanthionine, but also IL-8 and Eotaxin, in particular, are a key feature of VC of CKD, with possible marker significance.