Thickening of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) is one of the most common pathological changes in diabetic nephropathy (DN), but its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Collagen α1(IV) is predominantly expressed by endothelial cells and upregulated in the glomeruli in DN. Glucose transporter type 1 (GLUT1) serves as the primary transporter for glucose uptake in endothelial cells. This study demonstrates that GLUT1 and collagen α1(IV) expression are both upregulated and positively correlated in glomerular endothelial cells (GECs) in DN. Inhibition of GLUT1 improved renal dysfunction and morphological abnormalities associated with DN progression in db/db mice and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat models. Mechanistically, GLUT1 promotes collagen α1(IV) overexpression through activation of the Rheb/mTORC1 pathway in GECs. In vitro studies revealed that O-GlcNAcylation of Rheb seems to mediate GLUT1-driven Rheb upregulation and subsequent mTORC1 activation. Collectively, these data establish the GLUT1-Rheb/mTORC1–collagen α1(IV) axis in GECs, highlighting the pivotal role of GECs in mediating GBM thickening during DN pathogenesis.
- The role of glomerular endothelial cells in basement membrane collagen α1(IV) accumulation in diabetic nephropathy was previously unclear.
- Glucose transporter type 1 (GLUT1) expression drives collagen α1(IV) production via Rheb upregulation and mTORC1 activation.
- Rheb O-GlcNAcylation serves as a key modification that activates mTORC1 signaling, leading to increased collagen α1(IV) production.
- Pharmacological inhibition of GLUT1 mitigates diabetic nephropathy progression, highlighting its therapeutic potential.
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