Testican-2 Interaction with the Extracellular Matrix and Podocyte Protection.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Testican-2 is a podocyte-derived glycoprotein encoded by SPOCK2. Circulating levels of testican-2 are associated with less glomerulosclerosis and better kidney prognosis, but its biological function in the podocyte is unknown.

Methods

We studied the protective effect of testican-2 on immortalized cultured human podocytes and in mice treated with adriamycin. We used immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry to identify binding partners of testican-2 and Bio-Layer Interferometry to characterize these protein-protein interactions. Using global and podocyte-specific Spock2 knockout mice, we assessed the impact of testican-2 deficiency in models of podocyte injury and also tested whether exogenous testican-2 confers podocyte protection in testican-2 deficient mice. Finally

SUBMITTER: Wen D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12776367 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature