Show Notes
️ Episode 226: FGF4 protects podocytes in diabetic kidney disease
In this episode of PaperCast Base by Base, we explore This study shows that podocyte-derived FGF4 is reduced in DKD and that recombinant FGF4 preserves podocyte survival and glomerular function in diabetic models via FGFR1-AMPK-FOXO1 signaling
Study Highlights:
FGF4 expression is downregulated in kidneys from DKD patients and diabetic mouse models and localizes predominantly to podocytes. Podocyte-specific deletion of Fgf4 worsened albuminuria, reduced GFR, increased oxidative stress and podocyte loss in diabetic mice. Systemic treatment with a non-mitogenic recombinant FGF4 improved glucose in db/db mice, lowered UACR and BUN, reduced fibrosis, ROS and apoptosis, and restored podocyte markers in both T1D and T2D models. The protective effects of rFGF4 require podocyte FGFR1 and downstream AMPK-FOXO1 activity, as Fgfr1, Ampk, or Foxo1 podocyte knockouts abolished rFGF4 benefits. rFGF4 also reversed high glucose–induced injury and promoted nuclear FOXO1 in human podocytes and isolated human glomeruli
Conclusion:
FGF4 is a podocyte-derived regulator that promotes podocyte survival and mitigates DKD through FGFR1-mediated activation of the AMPK-FOXO1 axis, supporting rFGF4 as a potential therapeutic approach for diabetic kidney disease
Music:
Enjoy the music based on this article at the end of the episode.
Reference:
Wang S, Lou J, Pan B, Zhao M, Li Q, Zhou J, et al. FGF4-FGFR1 signaling promotes podocyte survival and glomerular function to ameliorate diabetic kidney disease in male mice. Nat Commun. 2025;16:10430. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-65978-4
License:
This episode is based on an open-access article published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0) – https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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Episode link: https://basebybase.castos.com/episodes/fgf4-podocyte-protects-kidney
Episode Slug: fgf4-podocyte-protects-kidney
Keywords: FGF4, FGFR1, podocyte, AMPK-FOXO1, diabetic kidney disease
