Mitochondrial dysfunction, triggered by mitochondria permeability transition (MPT), has been centrally implicated in the pathogenesis of podocytopathy and involves a multitude of cell signalling mechanisms, among which, glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) 3β has emerged as the integration point and plays a crucial role. This study aimed to examine the role of GSK3β in podocyte MPT and mitochondrial dysfunction.

The regulatory effect of GSK3β on MPT was examined in differentiated podocytes in culture and in a murine model of adriamycin‐induced podocytopathy using 4‐benzyl‐2‐methyl‐1,2,4‐thiadiazolidine‐3,5‐dione (TDZD‐8), a highly selective small‐molecule inhibitor of GSK3β.

TDZD‐8 therapy prominently ameliorated the proteinuria and glomerular sclerosis in mice with adriamycin nephropathy; this was associated with a correction of GSK3β overactivity in the glomerulus and attenuation of podocyte injuries, including foot process effacement and podocyte death. Consistently, in adriamycin‐injured podocytes, TDZD‐8 treatment counteracted GSK3β overactivity, improved cell viability and prevented death, concomitant with diminished oxidative stress, improved mitochondrial dysfunction and desensitized MPT. Mechanistically, a discrete pool of GSK3β was found in podocyte mitochondria, which interacted with and phosphorylated clyclophilin F, a key structural component of the MPT pore. TDZD‐8 treatment prevented the GSK3β‐controlled phosphorylation and activation of cyclophilin F, desensitized MPT and alleviated the damage to mitochondria in podocytes induced by adriamycin in vivo and in vitro.

Our findings suggest that pharmacological targeting of GSK3β could represent a promising and feasible therapeutic strategy for protecting podocytes against mitochondrial dysfunction induced by oxidative injuries.