LYVE1 ectodomain shedding blunts lymphatic transmigration and clearance of macrophages during kidney injury

Jing Liu; Yuqing Liu; Wenqian Zhou; Saiya Zhu; Jianyong Zhong; Haichun Yang; Annet Kirabo; Valentina Kon; Chen Yu

doi:10.1172/jci.insight.195176

LYVE1 ectodomain shedding blunts lymphatic transmigration and clearance of macrophages during kidney injury

Jing Liu,¹ Yuqing Liu,¹ Wenqian Zhou,¹ Saiya Zhu,¹ Jianyong Zhong,² Haichun Yang,² Annet Kirabo,³ Valentina Kon,² and Chen Yu¹

Published January 26, 2026 - More info

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Abstract

Although renal fibrosis is predominantly driven by the accumulated inflammatory cells that secrete pro-inflammatory factors within the kidney, the key mechanisms underlying macrophage clearance from the kidney are not well understood. The interaction of hyaluronan (HA) with lymphatic endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 (LYVE1) constitutes a critical initial step in macrophage adhesion and removal by lymphatic vessels. This study investigates alterations in LYVE1 during kidney disease and elucidates its role in macrophage trafficking. Three renal fibrosis models demonstrated a reduction in full-length LYVE1 and an increase in the soluble LYVE1 fragment. Immunostaining of fibrotic kidneys showed significantly reduced expression of soluble LYVE1 compared with intracellular fragment (Cyto-LYVE1), demonstrating ectodomain shedding of LYVE1 in vivo and in vitro. Functionally, human lymphatic endothelial cells exposed to TGF-β1 exhibited significant decrease in macrophage adhesion and transendothelial migration compared to controls. Mechanistic analyses identified increased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)9 in renal injury as a key upstream regulator of LYVE1 shedding. MMP9 inhibitors reduced LYVE1 shedding, enhanced macrophage adhesion and trafficking, and mitigated macrophage accumulation and disease progression. In conclusion, MMP9-induced LYVE1 shedding is linked to progressive kidney fibrosis and macrophage accumulation. LYVE1 shedding inhibitors offer potential as therapeutic agents for mitigating immune overload and kidney fibrosis.

LYVE1 ectodomain shedding blunts lymphatic transmigration and clearance of macrophages during kidney injury

Jing Liu,¹ Yuqing Liu,¹ Wenqian Zhou,¹ Saiya Zhu,¹ Jianyong Zhong,² Haichun Yang,² Annet Kirabo,³ Valentina Kon,² and Chen Yu¹

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LYVE1 ectodomain shedding blunts lymphatic transmigration and clearance of macrophages during kidney injury

Jing Liu,1 Yuqing Liu,1 Wenqian Zhou,1 Saiya Zhu,1 Jianyong Zhong,2 Haichun Yang,2 Annet Kirabo,3 Valentina Kon,2 and Chen Yu1

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Jing Liu,¹ Yuqing Liu,¹ Wenqian Zhou,¹ Saiya Zhu,¹ Jianyong Zhong,² Haichun Yang,² Annet Kirabo,³ Valentina Kon,² and Chen Yu¹