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Anglani F, Fabris A, Torregrossa R, Cristofaro R, Gambaro G, D'Angelo A. [Rare genomic variants and susceptibility to multifactorial diseases. The example of medullary sponge kidney]. GIORNALE ITALIANO DI NEFROLOGIA : ORGANO UFFICIALE DELLA SOCIETA ITALIANA DI NEFROLOGIA 2011; 28:246-248. [PMID: 21626485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
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Anglani F, Mezzabotta F, Ceol M, Cristofaro R, Del Prete D, D'Angelo A. The regenerative potential of the kidney: what can we learn from developmental biology? Stem Cell Rev Rep 2011; 6:650-7. [PMID: 20714827 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-010-9186-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cell turnover in the healthy adult kidney is very slow but the kidney has a strong capacity for regeneration after acute injury. Although many molecular aspects of this process have been clarified, the source of the newly-formed renal epithelial cells is still being debated. Several studies have shown, moreover, that the repair of injured renal epithelium starts from mature tubular cells, which enter into an activated proliferative state characterized by the reappearance of mesenchymal markers detectable during nephrogenesis, thus pointing to a marked plasticity of renal epithelial cells. The regenerative potential of mature epithelial cells might stem from their almost unique morphogenetic process. Unlike other tubular organs, all epithelial and mesenchymal cells in the kidney derive from the same germ layer, the mesoderm. In a fascinating view of vertebrate embryogenesis, the mesoderm might be seen as a cell layer capable of oscillating between epithelial and mesenchymal states, thus acquiring a remarkable plasticity that lends it an extended potential for innovation and a better control of three-dimensional body organization. The renal papilla contains a population of cells with the characteristic of adult stem cells. Mesenchymal stromal stem cells (MSC) have been found to reside in the connective tissue of most organs, including the kidney. Recent studies indicate that the MSC compartment extends throughout the body postnatally as a result of its perivascular location. Developmental biology suggests that this might be particularly true of the kidney and that the papilla might represent the perivascular renal stem cell niche. The perivascular niche hypothesis fits well with the evolving concept of the stem cell niche as an entity of action. It is its dynamic capability that makes the niche concept so important and essential to the feasibility of regenerative medicine.
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Anglani F, Del Prete D, Peruzzi L. [Participation in the International Dent's disease registry: clinical spin-offs and research prospects]. GIORNALE ITALIANO DI NEFROLOGIA : ORGANO UFFICIALE DELLA SOCIETA ITALIANA DI NEFROLOGIA 2011; 28:7-8. [PMID: 21341234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
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Torregrossa R, Anglani F, Fabris A, Gozzini A, Tanini A, Del Prete D, Cristofaro R, Artifoni L, Abaterusso C, Marchionna N, Lupo A, D'Angelo A, Gambaro G. Identification of GDNF gene sequence variations in patients with medullary sponge kidney disease. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2010; 5:1205-10. [PMID: 20448065 DOI: 10.2215/cjn.07551009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Medullary sponge kidney (MSK) is a rare nephropathy characterized by cystic anomalies of precalyceal ducts, nephrocalcinosis, renal stones, and tubule dysfunctions. Its association with various malformations and cases of familial aggregation supports the conviction that genetic factors are involved, but no genetic studies have been conducted to date. It is hypothesized that MSK is due to a disruption at the "ureteric bud/metanephric blastema" interface caused by critical developmental genes functioning abnormally. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS Fifty-five apparently sporadic MSK patients were analyzed by direct DNA sequencing of all exons and exon-intron boundaries of glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) gene and rearranged during transfection (RET) gene, which have a leading role in renal development. RESULTS Two novel variants were found in heterozygosity in the MSK case population: GDNF{ENST00000344622}:c.-45G>C and c.-27+18G>A in a putative binding domain for paired-box 2 transcription factor. As a whole, eight patients showed these variations: four patients carried the c.[-45G>C; -27+18G>A] complex allele, and the others had the c.-27+18G>A alone. A case-control study revealed that these two alleles were significantly associated with MSK. Five of the eight cases were found to be familial, and the allele variants cosegregated with the disease in a seemingly dominant pattern of inheritance. Patients revealed no mutations in the RET gene. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report identifying GDNF gene sequence variations in patients with MSK and suggesting a role for this gene in the pathogenesis of some cases of the disease.
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Brezzi B, Del Prete D, Lupo A, Magistroni R, Gomez-Lira M, Bernich P, Anglani F, Mezzabotta F, Turco A, Furci L, Ceol M, Antonucci F, Abaterusso C, Bonfante L, D'Angelo A, Albertazzi A, Gambaro G. Primary IgA nephropathy is more severe in TGF-beta1 high secretor patients. J Nephrol 2009; 22:747-759. [PMID: 19967654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerulonephritis worldwide and is characterized by extremely variable clinical and morphological features and outcome. TGF-beta1 has a key role in fibrogenesis and the progression of renal damage. Its production is under genetic control. METHODS We recruited 105 Italian biopsy-proven IgAN patients for genotyping for the TGF-beta1 C-509T, T869C (COD 10) and G915C (COD 25) polymorphisms; 200 healthy blood donors were used as normal controls. Glomerular and interstitial mRNA levels of TGF-beta1 were assessed by real-time PCR in 34 patients to seek relationships with clinical, renal histopathological features and outcome. RESULTS The genotype distributions in the IgAN population were not statistically different from the controls. The COD 10 TT genotype was associated with more severe histological damage as assessed by Lee's classification (CC 50%, CT 39.6% and TT 17.2% were graded as mild; CC 35.7%, CT 43.7% and TT 44.8% as moderate, and CC 14.3%, CT 16.7% and TT 37.9% as severe [p=0.0049]) and with severe interstitial infiltrates (CC 10.4%, CT 35.2% and TT 54.2% [p=0.03]). A higher interstitial immunodeposition was observed for TGF-beta1, collagen IV and alpha-SMA in patients with the COD 10 T allele (p=0.045, p=0.049, p=0.032, respectively). The T allele was associated with significantly higher TGF-beta1 mRNA levels in the interstitium (TT+CT vs. CC: 0.52 +/- 0.16 vs. 0.18 +/- 0.10 copies/mL, respectively; p=0.000). The T allele was also associated with higher mRNA levels in glomeruli, though the difference was not statistically significant. Finally, the T allele was significantly associated with a worse prognosis, the end points being reached by 40% of TT+CT and 32% of CC patients (p=0.009). CONCLUSIONS In primary IgA nephropathy, the T allele of the TGF-beta1 COD 10 C/T polymorphism seems to be associated with more severe histological lesions, higher renal TGF-beta1 mRNA levels and a worse prognosis. This polymorphism seems to be functionally relevant and to have a prognostic impact.
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Tosetto E, Ceol M, Mezzabotta F, Ammenti A, Peruzzi L, Caruso MR, Barbano G, Vezzoli G, Colussi G, Vergine G, Giordano M, Glorioso N, Degortes S, Soldati L, Sayer J, D'Angelo A, Anglani F. Novel mutations of the CLCN5 gene including a complex allele and A 5′ UTR mutation in Dent disease 1. Clin Genet 2009; 76:413-6. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.2009.01212.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Tosetto E, Addis M, Caridi G, Meloni C, Emma F, Vergine G, Stringini G, Papalia T, Barbano G, Ghiggeri GM, Ruggeri L, Miglietti N, D Angelo A, Melis MA, Anglani F. Locus heterogeneity of Dent's disease: OCRL1 and TMEM27 genes in patients with no CLCN5 mutations. Pediatr Nephrol 2009; 24:1967-73. [PMID: 19582483 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-009-1228-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2008] [Revised: 05/05/2009] [Accepted: 05/07/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Dent's disease is an X-linked renal tubulopathy caused by mutations mainly affecting the CLCN5 gene. Defects in the OCRL1 gene, which is usually mutated in patients with Lowe syndrome, have recently been shown to lead to a Dent-like phenotype, called Dent's disease 2. About 25% of Dent's disease patients do not carry CLCN5/OCRL1 mutations. The CLCN4 and SLC9A6 genes have been investigated, but no mutations have been identified. The recent discovery of a novel mediator of renal amino acid transport, collectrin (the TMEM27 gene), may provide new insight on the pathogenesis of Dent's disease. We studied 31 patients showing a phenotype resembling Dent's disease but lacking any CLCN5 mutations by direct sequencing of the OCRL1 and TMEM27 genes. Five novel mutations, L88X, P161HfsX167, F270S, D506N and E720D, in the OCRL1 gene, which have not previously been reported in patients with Dent's or Lowe disease, were identified among 11 patients with the classical Dent's disease phenotype. No TMEM27 gene mutations were discovered among 26 patients, 20 of whom had an incomplete Dent's disease phenotype. Our findings confirm that OCRL1 is involved in the functional defects characteristic of Dent's disease and suggest that patients carrying missense mutations in exons where many Lowe mutations are mapped may represent a phenotypic variant of Lowe syndrome.
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Gambaro G, Abaterusso C, Fabris A, Ruggera L, Zattoni F, Del Prete D, D'Angelo A, Anglani F. The origin of nephrocalcinosis, Randall's plaque and renal stones: a cell biology viewpoint. Arch Ital Urol Androl 2009; 81:166-170. [PMID: 19911679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Medullary nephrocalcinosis is a rare condition typically observed in metabolic conditions prone to renal calcium stones. Randall's plaques are very frequently observed in the common idiopathic calcium-oxalate nephrolithiasis. These plaques are apatite mineral structures, and we propose they also are an example of nephrocalcinosis. While these calcium deposits are generally considered to be the consequence of purely physico-chemical phenomena, we advance the hypothesis that they form because of a true ectopic biomineralization in the renal tissue. Henle's loop epithelial cells, or pericyte-like interstitial cells, or papillary stem-cells differentiating along a bone lineage could be involved.
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Del Prete D, Ceol M, Anglani F, Vianello D, Tiralongo E, Valente M, Graziotto R, Bonfante L, Scaparrotta G, Furian L, Rigotti P, Gambaro G, D'Angelo A. Early activation of fibrogenesis in transplanted kidneys: a study on serial renal biopsies. Exp Mol Pathol 2009; 87:141-5. [PMID: 19616542 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2009.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2009] [Accepted: 07/09/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS In kidney transplants, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is involved in systemic and local changes that may induce fibrosis. Our aim was to use gene expression and immunohistochemical analysis to investigate the RAS and several factors involved in the fibrogenic cascade in allograft biopsies. METHODS We considered 43 donor biopsies (T0), 18 biopsies obtained for diagnostic purposes (Td) and 24 protocol biopsies (Tp) taken 2 months after transplantation in patients with stable renal function. Morphometric alpha SMA and TGF beta 1 analysis, and Masson's Trichrome staining were performed. mRNA levels of angiotensinogen, renin, ACE, AT1-R, AT2-R, TGF beta 1, BMP-7, Coll III, fibronectin and alpha SMA were analyzed by real-time RT/PCR. MDRD a year after the transplant was also considered. RESULTS Significantly higher levels of AT1-R and alpha SMA transcripts were found in Tp than in T0. Regression analysis showed significant TGF beta 1-independent positive correlations between RAS and matrix components in T0 and Tp, but more evident in Tp, where a positive correlation between TGF beta 1 and Masson's Trichrome stained areas was also seen. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that RAS and TGF beta 1-related fibrogenic loops are activated as early as 2 months after kidney transplantation.
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Anglani F, Forino M, Murer L, Vella MD, Prete DD, Ceol M, Gambaro G, D'Angelo A. TGF-β1 induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition but not myofibroblast transdifferentiation in primary cultures of human epithelial renal tubular cells. Int J Exp Pathol 2008. [DOI: 10.1111/j.0959-9673.2004.369ag.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Del Prete D, Polverino B, Ceol M, Vianello D, Mezzabotta F, Tiralongo E, Iafrate M, De Canale E, Mengoli C, Valente M, Anglani F, D'Angelo A. Encrusted cystitis by Corynebacterium urealyticum: a case report with novel insights into bladder lesions. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2008; 23:2685-7. [PMID: 18467375 DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfn243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
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Gambaro G, Fabris A, Abaterusso C, Cosaro A, Ceol M, Mezzabotta F, Torregrossa R, Tiralongo E, Del Prete D, D’Angelo A, Anglani F. Pathogenesis of nephrolithiasis: recent insight from cell biology and renal pathology. CLINICAL CASES IN MINERAL AND BONE METABOLISM : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE ITALIAN SOCIETY OF OSTEOPOROSIS, MINERAL METABOLISM, AND SKELETAL DISEASES 2008; 5:107-9. [PMID: 22460990 PMCID: PMC2781203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Randall's plaques are very common in idiopathic calcium-oxalate nephrolithiasis. These papillary plaques have an apatite mineral structure. While these calcium deposits are generally assumed to be secondary to a purely physico-chemical phenomenon, we advance the hypothesis that they form due to a truly ectopic biomineralization in the renal tissue, and that Henle's loop epithelial cells, or pericyte-like interstitial cells, or papillary stem cells differentiating along a bone lineage might be involved.
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Anglani F, Ceol M, Mezzabotta F, Torregrossa R, Tiralongo E, Tosetto E, Del Prete D, D'Angelo A. The renal stem cell system in kidney repair and regeneration. FRONT BIOSCI-LANDMRK 2008; 13:6395-405. [PMID: 18508667 DOI: 10.2741/3161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The adult mammalian renal tubular epithelium exists in a relatively quiescent to slowly replicating state, but has great potential for regenerative morphogenesis following severe ischemic or toxic injury. Kidney regeneration and repair occur through three cellular and molecular mechanisms: differentiation of the somatic stem cells, recruitment of circulating stem cells and, more importantly, proliferation/dedifferentiation of mature cells. Dedifferentiation seems to represent a critical step for the recovery of tubular integrity. Dedifferentiation of tubular cells after injury is characterized by the reactivation of a mesenchymal program that is active during nephrogenesis. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of renal tubular cells is an extreme manifestation of epithelial cell plasticity. It is now widely recognized as a fundamental process that marks some physiological, such as morphogenesis, as well as pathological events, such as oncogenesis and fibrogenesis. It might be also considered as a key event in the regenerative process of the kidney. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in EMT might be useful for designing therapeutic strategies in order to potentiate the innate capacity of the kidney to regenerate.
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Campanaro S, Picelli S, Torregrossa R, Colluto L, Ceol M, Del Prete D, D'Angelo A, Valle G, Anglani F. Genes involved in TGF beta1-driven epithelial-mesenchymal transition of renal epithelial cells are topologically related in the human interactome map. BMC Genomics 2007; 8:383. [PMID: 17953753 PMCID: PMC2174485 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-8-383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2007] [Accepted: 10/22/2007] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding how mesenchymal cells arise from epithelial cells could have a strong impact in unveiling mechanisms of epithelial cell plasticity underlying kidney regeneration and repair. In primary human tubular epithelial cells (HUTEC) under different TGF beta 1 concentrations we had observed epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) but not epithelial-myofibroblast transdifferentiation. We hypothesized that the process triggered by TGFbeta 1 could be a dedifferentiation event. The purpose of this study is to comprehensively delineate genetic programs associated with TGF beta 1-driven EMT in our in vitro model using gene expression profile on large-scale oligonucleotide microarrays. RESULTS In HUTEC under TGF beta 1 stimulus, 977 genes were found differentially expressed. Thirty genes were identified whose expression depended directly on TGF beta 1 concentration. By mapping the differentially expressed genes in the Human Interactome Map using Cytoscape software, we identified a single scale-free network consisting of 2630 interacting proteins and containing 449 differentially expressed proteins. We identified 27 hub proteins in the interactome with more than 29 edges incident on them and encoded by differentially expressed genes. The Gene Ontology analysis showed an excess of up-regulated proteins involved in biological processes, such as "morphogenesis", "cell fate determination" and "regulation of development", and the most up-regulated genes belonged to these categories. In addition, 267 genes were mapped to the KEGG pathways and 14 pathways with more than nine differentially expressed genes were identified. In our model, Smad signaling was not the TGF beta 1 action effector; instead, the engagement of RAS/MAPK signaling pathway seems mainly to regulate genes involved in the cell cycle and proliferation/apoptosis. CONCLUSION Our present findings support the hypothesis that context-dependent EMT generated in our model by TGF beta 1 might be the outcome of a dedifferentiation. In fact: 1) the principal biological categories involved in the process concern morphogenesis and development; 2) the most up-regulated genes belong to these categories; and, finally, 3) some intracellular pathways are involved, whose engagement during kidney development and nephrogenesis is well known. These long-term effects of TGF beta 1 in HUTEC involve genes that are highly interconnected, thereby generating a scale-free network that we named the "TGF beta 1 interactome", whose hubs represent proteins that may have a crucial role for HUTEC in response to TGF beta 1.
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Artifoni L, Negrisolo S, Montini G, Zucchetta P, Molinari PP, Cassar W, Destro R, Anglani F, Rigamonti W, Zacchello G, Murer L. Interleukin-8 and CXCR1 Receptor Functional Polymorphisms and Susceptibility to Acute Pyelonephritis. J Urol 2007; 177:1102-6. [PMID: 17296422 DOI: 10.1016/j.juro.2006.10.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2006] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We performed a case-control study in children diagnosed by the first episode of upper urinary tract infection with or without vesicoureteral reflux to evaluate the association of functional polymorphism of interleukin-8 (-251A>T and +2767A>G), and its receptor CXCR1 (+2607G>C). MATERIALS AND METHODS Genomic DNA was obtained from 265 children with a clinical and laboratory diagnosis of urinary tract infection who were recruited in northeast Italy. The children were subdivided as 173 who were dimercapto-succinic acid scan positive with positive static renal scintigraphy in acute conditions, consistent with the diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis, and 92 who were dimercapto-succinic acid scan negative. Genetic analysis for the same polymorphisms was also extended to a control population of 106 umbilical cord DNA samples. RESULTS Statistical analysis of genotype data showed that 1) the tested populations were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, 2) there were significant differences between the dimercapto-succinic acid scan positive and negative groups (p=0.049), and the dimercapto-succinic acid scan positive group vs controls (p=0.032) in terms of interleukin-8 -251A>T polymorphism frequency, 3) there was also a significant difference in the distribution of IL-8 -251A>T and +2767A>G polymorphisms between dimercapto-succinic acid scan positive and negative children in the subgroup without vesicoureteral reflux (p=0.03 and 0.02, respectively) and 4) no significant differences were found in the frequency of the distribution of CXCR1 +2607G>C polymorphism in all groups. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that the gene for the proinflammatory chemokine interleukin-8 is involved in susceptibility to acute pyelonephritis during upper urinary tract infection in children with or without vesicoureteral reflux.
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Forino M, Torregrossa R, Ceol M, Murer L, Vella MD, Prete DD, D'Angelo A, Anglani F. TGFbeta1 induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition, but not myofibroblast transdifferentiation of human kidney tubular epithelial cells in primary culture. Int J Exp Pathol 2006; 87:197-208. [PMID: 16709228 PMCID: PMC2517360 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2613.2006.00479.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The origin and fate of renal interstitial myofibroblasts (MFs), the effector cells of renal fibrosis, are still debated. Experimental evidence suggests that renal MFs derive from tubular epithelial cells throughout the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. Primary human tubular epithelial cells (HUTECs) were cultured for 4 and 6 days on plastic or type I collagen-coated plates with 1, 5, 10 and 50 ng/ml of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1). The EMT process was monitored by morphology and immunophenotyping for alphaSMA, cytokeratin 8-18, E-cadherin, vimentin and collagen III. Quantitative comparative RT/PCR and real-time PCR were used to evaluate the expression of collagen III and IV, fibronectin, tenascin, MMP-2, CTGF, E-cadherin and cadherin 11 genes, as well as those of the Smad signalling pathway. TGFbeta1 was found capable of reactivating the mesenchymal programme switched off during tubulogenesis, but it induced no de novo expression of alphaSMA gene or myofibroblast phenotype. We demonstrate that the EMT process is conditioned by the extracellular matrix and characterized by TGFbeta1-driven Smad3 downregulation. Our study results suggest that TGFbeta1 could function as a classic embryonal inducer, initiating a cascade of de-differentiating events that might be further controlled by other factors in the cellular environment.
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Tosetto E, Ghiggeri GM, Emma F, Barbano G, Carrea A, Vezzoli G, Torregrossa R, Cara M, Ripanti G, Ammenti A, Peruzzi L, Murer L, Ratsch IM, Citron L, Gambaro G, D'angelo A, Anglani F. Phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity in Dent's disease--the results of an Italian collaborative study. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2006; 21:2452-63. [PMID: 16822791 DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfl274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dent's disease is an inherited tubulopathy caused by CLCN5 gene mutations. While a typical phenotype characterized by low-molecular-weight (LMW) proteinuria, hypercalciuria, nephrocalcinosis, nephrolithiasis, rickets and progressive renal failure in various combinations often enables a clinical diagnosis, less severe sub-clinical cases may go under-diagnosed. METHODS By single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis and direct sequencing, we screened 40 male patients from 40 unrelated families for CLCN5 gene mutations. Twenty-four of these patients had the prominent features of Dent's disease, including LMW proteinuria, hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis. RESULTS We identified 24 mutations in the CLCN5 gene in 21/24 patients with a typical phenotype and in 3/16 patients with a partial clinical picture of Dent's disease. Overall, 10 novel CLCN5 mutations were identified (E6fsX11, W58fsX97, 267 del E, Y272C, N340K, F444fsX448, W547X, Q600X, IVS3 +2 G>C and IVS3 -1 G>A), extending the number of mutations identified so far from 75 to 85. The CLCN5 coding sequence was normal in three patients. In the group with an incomplete Dent's disease phenotype, we detected two intronic mutations and one silent substitution leading to the up regulation of an alternatively spliced isoform. CONCLUSIONS Our data confirm the genetic heterogeneity of Dent's disease. In most classic cases, the clinical diagnosis is confirmed by genetic tests.
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Graziotto R, Del Prete D, Rigotti P, Anglani F, Baldan N, Furian L, Valente M, Antonello A, Marchini F, D'Angelo A, Gambaro G. Perforin, Granzyme B, and fas ligand for molecular diagnosis of acute renal-allograft rejection: analyses on serial biopsies suggest methodological issues. Transplantation 2006; 81:1125-32. [PMID: 16641597 DOI: 10.1097/01.tp.0000208573.16839.67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Perforin-Granzyme B and Fas/Fas Ligand apoptotic mechanisms are involved in the development of acute renal rejection (AR). We describe our experience of analyzing the expression of cytotoxic T-lymphotoxins (CTL) in biopsies and peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) for the diagnosis of AR. METHODS We analyzed Perforin (P), Granzyme B (GB) and Fas Ligand (FL) expression in 68 renal biopsies and 64 PBL using comparative kinetic RT-PCR and, for GAPDH and FL, we also replicated with real-time RT-PCR. The levels of expression were measured in different groups, such as T0 (biopsies before reperfusion and PBL in recipient before the transplant [Tx]), Td (biopsies and PBL collected for clinical purposes) and Tp (biopsies and PBL two months after Tx). RESULTS A higher CTL expression was seen in non-rejecting (NR) biopsies in the first 2 months after Tx. P and FL were significantly more expressed during AR in all biopsies and in Td, while P remained upregulated in Tp. In PBL, there was no significant increase in CTL transcription during AR. A variable expression of CTL emerged in all T0 biopsies. CONCLUSIONS Two lytic pathways are activated in biopsies when AR occurs shortly after Tx, whereas the P/GB mechanism prevails if it occurs later on. Only P and FL in biopsies might be able to predict AR diagnosis, but with a considerable variability in each sample, possibly due to the small portion of tissue core, which may be inadequate for molecular diagnosis. CTL expression in PBL does not correlate with histological AR.
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Anglani F, Bernich P, Tosetto E, Cara M, Lupo A, Nalesso F, D'Angelo A, Gambaro G. Family history may be misleading in the diagnosis of Dent’s disease. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 34:61-3. [PMID: 16416111 DOI: 10.1007/s00240-005-0005-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2005] [Accepted: 11/14/2005] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The rare Dent's disease manifests with medullary nephrocalcinosis, nephrolithiasis, hypercalciuria, low molecular weight proteinuria and other tubular dysfunctions, rickets or osteomalacia, and renal failure, in various combinations. It is a recessive X-linked condition. Clinicians consider family history a fundamental pointer to its diagnosis, but this is not invariably the case as clearly pointed out by the two reported cases.
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Tosetto E, Graziotto R, Artifoni L, Nachtigal J, Cascone C, Conz P, Piva M, Dell'Aquila R, De Paoli Vitali E, Citron L, Nalesso F, Antonello A, Vertolli U, Zagatti R, Lupo A, D'Angelo A, Anglani F, Gambaro G. Dent's disease and prevalence of renal stones in dialysis patients in Northeastern Italy. J Hum Genet 2005; 51:25-30. [PMID: 16247550 DOI: 10.1007/s10038-005-0317-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2005] [Accepted: 09/12/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Dent's disease (DD) involves nephrocalcinosis, urolithiasis, hypercalciuria, LMW proteinuria, and renal failure in various combinations. Males are affected. It is caused by mutations in the chloride channel CLCN5 gene. It has been suggested that DD is underdiagnosed, occurring in less overt forms, apparently without family history. A possible approach to this problem is to search for CLCN5 mutations in patients who may have a high prevalence of mutations: end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with previous calcium, struvite, or radio-opaque (CSR) stones. We looked for CLCN5 mutations in 25 males with ESRD-CSR stones selected from all of the patients (1,901 individuals, of which 1,179 were males) of 15 dialysis units in the Veneto region. One DD patient had a new DD mutation (1070 G > T) in exon 7. The new polymorphism IVS11-67 C > T was detected in intron 11 in one patient and one control. We also found 28 females with ESRD and stone history, and seven more males with ESRD and non-CSR stones. The prevalence of stone formers among dialysis patients in our region was 3.2%, much lower than the prevalence observed in older studies. Struvite stones continue to play a major role in causing stone-associated ESRD .
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Gambaro G, Fabris A, Citron L, Tosetto E, Anglani F, Bellan F, Conte M, Bonfante L, Lupo A, D'Angelo A. An unusual association of contralateral congenital small kidney, reduced renal function and hyperparathyroidism in sponge kidney patients: on the track of the molecular basis. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2005; 20:1042-7. [PMID: 15814540 DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfh798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Of unknown pathogenesis, sponge kidney (SK) is variably associated with nephrocalcinosis, stones, nephronic tubule dysfunctions and precalyceal duct cysts. Amongst 72 unrelated renal SK patients with renal stone disease, we detected one with unilateral bifid renal pelvis and six with unilateral small kidneys (longitudinal diameter difference >15%). Secondary causes of small kidney were excluded. Of the seven cases, four had reduced renal function (67 vs 7% in the entire cohort), and three developed hyperparathyroidism during follow-up (43 vs 4%). The pathogenesis of SK ought to explain why anatomical structures of different embryological origin are involved (the precalyceal and collecting ducts and the nephron) and why there is frequent association with hyperparathyroidism. In embryogenesis, the metanephric blastema synthesizes the chemotactic glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) to prompt the ureteric bud to branch off from Wolff's mesonephric duct, and to approach and invade the blastema. The bud's tip expresses the GDNF receptor (RET). RET-GDNF binding is crucial not only for the correct formation of ureters and collecting ducts (both of Wolffian origin), but also for nephrogenesis. We advance the hypothesis that SK results from a disruption in the ureteric bud-metanephric blastema interface, possibly due to one or more mutations or polymorphisms of RET or GDNF genes. This would explain: the concurrent alterations in precalyceal ducts and the functional defects in the nephron, the occasional association with size and the functional asymmetry between the two kidneys, some degree of renal dysplasia causing the reduction in the glomerular filtration rate and (given the role of RET in parathyroid cell proliferation) the association with hyperparathyroidism.
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Anglani F, Forino M, Del Prete D, Tosetto E, Torregrossa R, D'Angelo A. In search of adult renal stem cells. J Cell Mol Med 2005; 8:474-87. [PMID: 15601576 PMCID: PMC6740109 DOI: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2004.tb00472.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The therapeutic potential of adult stem cells in the treatment of chronic degenerative diseases has becoming increasingly evident over the last few years. Significant attention is currently being paid to the development of novel treatments for acute and chronic kidney diseases too. To date, promising sources of stem cells for renal therapies include adult bone marrow stem cells and the kidney precursors present in the early embryo. Both cells have clearly demonstrated their ability to differentiate into the kidney's specialized structures. Adult renal stem cells have yet to be identified, but the papilla is where the stem cell niche is probably located. Now we need to isolate and characterize the fraction of papillary cells that constitute the putative renal stem cells. Our growing understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind kidney regeneration and repair processes - together with a knowledge of the embryonic origin of renal cells - should induce us, however, to bear in mind that in the kidney, as in other mesenchymal tissues, the need for a real stem cell compartment might be less important than the phenotypic flexibility of tubular cells. Thus, by displaying their plasticity during kidney maintenance and repair, terminally differentiated cells may well function as multipotent stem cells despite being at a later stage of maturation than adult stem cells. One of the major tasks of Regenerative Medicine will be to disclose the molecular mechanisms underlying renal tubular plasticity and to exploit its biological and therapeutic potential.
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Gambaro G, D'Angelo A, Fabris A, Tosetto E, Anglani F, Lupo A. Crystals, Randall's plaques and renal stones: do bone and atherosclerosis teach us something? J Nephrol 2004; 17:774-7. [PMID: 15593050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of calcium-oxalate (CaOx) renal stones is still debated and a number of issues needs to be clarified. In particular, it is difficult to combine the intraluminal physical-chemical imbalance and fixed particle theory with the evidence that CaOx stones actually form and grow on Randall's plaque in the renal pelvis. On the basis of recent findings in renal stone research, and data from the biology of ectopic calcification, the hypothesis is advanced that abnormal pre-urine CaOx supersaturation triggers inflammation in the long Henle's loop cells at tip forceps level. This in turn induces differentiation of these cells toward the osteogenic lineage, determining the synthesis of typical bone osteoid proteins (osteopontin, osteocalcin, BMP-2, etc) and hydroxyapatite mineralization of the Henle's basement membrane (beneath the differentiating cells) which precedes Randal's plaque formation. This may constitute a further, still unexplored example of epithelial-mesenchymal-differentiation in the kidney.
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Bortoloso E, Del Prete D, Dalla Vestra M, Gambaro G, Saller A, Antonucci F, Baggio B, Anglani F, Fioretto P. Quantitave and qualitative changes in vascular endothelial growth factor gene expression in glomeruli of patients with type 2 diabetes. Eur J Endocrinol 2004; 150:799-807. [PMID: 15191350 DOI: 10.1530/eje.0.1500799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) exists in three main splice variants, characterized by 121, 165 and 189 amino acids (VEGF 121, VEGF 165 and VEGF 189) and acts via two specific receptors: VEGF-R1 or Flt-1 and VEGF-R2 or KDR. VEGF plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. This study examined the relationship between VEGF and its isoforms and the severity of diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes. DESIGN We evaluated the glomerular gene expression of VEGF and its receptors and studied the relationships with renal functional and structural parameters in type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS Glomeruli from 17 kidney biopsies were microdissected; 14 out of 17 biopsies were also subjected to electron microscopic morphometric analysis to estimate glomerular structural parameters. VEGF mRNA was studied by comparative kinetic RT-PCR and real-time RT-PCR in order to identify the three different isoforms and to quantify VEGF, VEGF-R1 and VEGF-R2 mRNA levels. RESULTS (i) Glomerular VEGF mRNA levels were inversely related to albumin excretion rate (r=-0.66, P=0.004); (ii) both the degree of mesangial and mesangial matrix expansion were inversely related to VEGF 165 mRNA levels (r=-0.73, P=0.005 and r=-0.64, P=0.017), and directly to VEGF 121 mRNA levels (r=0.74, P=0.003 and r=0.73, P=0.004); and (iii) VEGF and VEGF-R2 mRNA levels were directly related (r=0.62, P=0.033). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggested that quantitative and qualitative changes in VEGF expression are present in type 2 diabetic patients with nephropathy and might be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of diabetic glomerulopathy.
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Del Prete D, Ceol M, Gambaro G, D'Angelo A, Anglani F. Gene expression analysis in microdissected renal biopsy. Kidney Int 2004; 65:2445. [PMID: 15149363 DOI: 10.1111/j.1523-1755.2004.665_5.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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