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Pintalhao M, Vasques-Nóvoa F, Barros AS, Lourenço P, Couto-Viana B, Leite-Moreira A, Bettencourt P, Castro-Chaves P. Prognostic association of circulating relaxin-2 in acute heart failure. Int J Cardiol 2024; 413:132358. [PMID: 39002802 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2024.132358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the increasing interest in the study of the endogenous relaxin system in heart failure (HF), its role as a prognostic marker in acute HF remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the association of relaxin-2 circulating levels with 6 months' mortality in acute HF. METHODS We evaluated relaxin-2 serum levels at admission in a cohort of patients with acute HF (n = 202) using an enzyme immunoassay. The ability of relaxin-2 to predict all-cause death (primary outcome) and HF-specific death (secondary outcome) at 6 months was assessed using Cox-regression analysis. RESULTS The median age was 79 (70-85) years old, 44% of the patients were male, and 43% had preserved ejection fraction (≥50%). Median serum relaxin-2 level was 25 pg/mL. Patients with higher relaxin-2 levels had more peripheral oedemas, higher sodium retention score, higher pulmonary artery pressures, higher prevalence of right ventricle dysfunction and lower inferior vena cava collapse at inspiration. Conversely, there was no association with left chambers parameters or with B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). Higher relaxin-2 concentrations were associated with a higher risk of all-cause death [HR 1.15; 95%CI 1.01,1.30; P = 0.030] and HF-specific death [HR 1.21; 95% CI 1.03-1.42; P = 0.018], after adjustment for classical prognostic factors such as age, sex and BNP. CONCLUSIONS In our acute HF population, relaxin-2 circulating levels were associated with clinical and echocardiographic markers of systemic congestion and with 6-months' mortality, independently of BNP. These results lay the groundwork for future investigations on the potential of relaxin-2 as an auxiliary biomarker in HF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Pintalhao
- Cardiovascular R&D Centre - UnIC@RISE, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Internal Medicine Department, Unidade Local de Saúde de São João, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Francisco Vasques-Nóvoa
- Cardiovascular R&D Centre - UnIC@RISE, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Internal Medicine Department, Unidade Local de Saúde de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - António S Barros
- Cardiovascular R&D Centre - UnIC@RISE, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Lourenço
- Cardiovascular R&D Centre - UnIC@RISE, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Internal Medicine Department, Unidade Local de Saúde de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Benedita Couto-Viana
- Cardiovascular R&D Centre - UnIC@RISE, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Adelino Leite-Moreira
- Cardiovascular R&D Centre - UnIC@RISE, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Paulo Bettencourt
- Cardiovascular R&D Centre - UnIC@RISE, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Paulo Castro-Chaves
- Cardiovascular R&D Centre - UnIC@RISE, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Internal Medicine Department, Unidade Local de Saúde de São João, Porto, Portugal
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Chiuariu T, Șalaru D, Ureche C, Vasiliu L, Lupu A, Lupu VV, Șerban AM, Zăvoi A, Benchea LC, Clement A, Tudurachi BS, Sascău RA, Stătescu C. Cardiac and Renal Fibrosis, the Silent Killer in the Cardiovascular Continuum: An Up-to-Date. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2024; 11:62. [PMID: 38392276 PMCID: PMC10889423 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd11020062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) often coexist and have a major impact on patient prognosis. Organ fibrosis plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of cardio-renal syndrome (CRS), explaining the high incidence of heart failure and sudden cardiac death in these patients. Various mediators and mechanisms have been proposed as contributors to the alteration of fibroblasts and collagen turnover, varying from hemodynamic changes to the activation of the renin-angiotensin system, involvement of FGF 23, and Klotho protein or collagen deposition. A better understanding of all the mechanisms involved has prompted the search for alternative therapeutic targets, such as novel inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), serelaxin, and neutralizing interleukin-11 (IL-11) antibodies. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms of cardiac and renal fibrosis in the CKD and heart failure (HF) population and highlights the therapeutic alternatives designed to target the responsible pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Traian Chiuariu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Prof. Dr. George I.M. Georgescu Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Carol I Boulevard, No. 50, 700503 Iasi, Romania
| | - Delia Șalaru
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Prof. Dr. George I.M. Georgescu Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Carol I Boulevard, No. 50, 700503 Iasi, Romania
| | - Carina Ureche
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Prof. Dr. George I.M. Georgescu Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Carol I Boulevard, No. 50, 700503 Iasi, Romania
| | - Laura Vasiliu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Prof. Dr. George I.M. Georgescu Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Carol I Boulevard, No. 50, 700503 Iasi, Romania
| | - Ancuta Lupu
- Department of Pediatrics, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Vasile Valeriu Lupu
- Department of Pediatrics, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Adela Mihaela Șerban
- Cardiology Department, Heart Institute Niculae Stăncioiu, 19-21 Motilor Street, 400001 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Alexandra Zăvoi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Prof. Dr. George I.M. Georgescu Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Carol I Boulevard, No. 50, 700503 Iasi, Romania
| | - Laura Catalina Benchea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Prof. Dr. George I.M. Georgescu Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Carol I Boulevard, No. 50, 700503 Iasi, Romania
| | - Alexandra Clement
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Prof. Dr. George I.M. Georgescu Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Carol I Boulevard, No. 50, 700503 Iasi, Romania
| | - Bogdan-Sorin Tudurachi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Prof. Dr. George I.M. Georgescu Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Carol I Boulevard, No. 50, 700503 Iasi, Romania
| | - Radu Andy Sascău
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Prof. Dr. George I.M. Georgescu Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Carol I Boulevard, No. 50, 700503 Iasi, Romania
| | - Cristian Stătescu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Prof. Dr. George I.M. Georgescu Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Carol I Boulevard, No. 50, 700503 Iasi, Romania
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Zhai X, Shu M, Guo Y, Yao S, Wang Y, Han S, Song C, Chuai Y, Wang Q, Ma F, Chen F, Zhou M, Shang W. Efficacy of low-dose hCG on FET cycle in patients with recurrent implantation failure. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1053592. [PMID: 36506075 PMCID: PMC9726871 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1053592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study patients' new treatment methods and mechanisms of repeated implantation failure. DESIGN A retrospective study. SETTING In vitro fertilization (IVF) unit in a Three-A hospital. PATIENTS Ninety-three patients with repeated implantation failure in IVF and embryo transfer. INTERVENTIONS the luteal phase support. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES According to whether human chorionic gonadotropin(HCG) was added, the two groups were divided into an observation group and a control group, and the clinical outcomes of the two groups were compared. Furthermore, 20 patients were selected for whole exome sequencing to investigate the mechanism. RESULTS The observation group's clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate were significantly higher than those in the control group (P=0.004). Functional enrichment analysis showed that these genes were significantly enriched in embryo implantation or endometrial receptivity processes, such as microtubule-based movement, NABA CORE MATRISOME, superoxide anion generation, protein localization to vacuole, extracellular matrix organization, fertilization, microtubule-based transport, cell junction organization, microtubule cytoskeleton organization. Furthermore, variants detected in these pathway genes were missense mutations that affect the protein's biological activity but do not effectuate its inactivation. CONCLUSIONS Adding HCG in the luteal phase might improve the clinical pregnancy and live birth rates in RIF patients. The potential pathogenesis of RIF genetic level may be caused by microtubule-based movement, extracellular matrix organization, and the Superoxide Anion generation pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Zhai
- Navy Clinical Medical School, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The Fifth School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Sixth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Mingming Shu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Sixth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yiming Guo
- Department of Biology, Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Art and Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Shun Yao
- Navy Clinical Medical School, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The Fifth School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Sixth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yiran Wang
- Navy Clinical Medical School, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The Fifth School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Sixth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Shujie Han
- Navy Clinical Medical School, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Chunlan Song
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Sixth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yunhai Chuai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Sixth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qihang Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Fu Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Fu Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Sixth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Sixth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Shang
- Navy Clinical Medical School, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The Fifth School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Sixth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Wei Shang,
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Martins RC, Pintalhão M, Leite-Moreira A, Castro-Chaves P. Relaxin and the Cardiovascular System: from Basic Science to Clinical Practice. Curr Mol Med 2021; 20:167-184. [PMID: 31642776 DOI: 10.2174/1566524019666191023121607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The peptide hormone relaxin was originally linked to reproductive physiology, where it is believed to mediate systemic and renal hemodynamic adjustments to pregnancy. Recently, its broad range of effects in the cardiovascular system has been the focus of intensive research regarding its implications under pathological conditions and potential therapeutic potential. An understanding of the multitude of cardioprotective actions prompted the study of serelaxin, recombinant human relaxin-2, for the treatment of acute heart failure. Despite early promising results from phase II studies, recently revealed RELAX-AHF-2 outcomes were rather disappointing and the treatment for acute heart failure remains an unmet medical need. This article reviews the physiologic actions of relaxin on the cardiovascular system and its relevance in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease. We summarize the most updated clinical data and discuss future directions of serelaxin for the treatment of acute heart failure. This should encourage additional work to determine how can relaxin's beneficial effects be exploited for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Clara Martins
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Cardiovascular Research Centre, Porto, Portugal.,Internal Medicine Department, São João Hospital Centre, Porto, Portugal
| | - Mariana Pintalhão
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Cardiovascular Research Centre, Porto, Portugal.,Internal Medicine Department, São João Hospital Centre, Porto, Portugal
| | - Adelino Leite-Moreira
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Cardiovascular Research Centre, Porto, Portugal.,Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, São João Hospital Centre, Porto, Portugal
| | - Paulo Castro-Chaves
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Cardiovascular Research Centre, Porto, Portugal.,Internal Medicine Department, São João Hospital Centre, Porto, Portugal
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5
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Wang Y, Li YQ, Tian MR, Wang N, Zheng ZC. Role of relaxin in diastasis of the pubic symphysis peripartum. World J Clin Cases 2021; 9:91-101. [PMID: 33511175 PMCID: PMC7809669 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i1.91] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Separation of the pubic symphysis can occur during the peripartum period. Relaxin (RLX) is a hormone primarily secreted by the corpus luteum that can mediate hemodynamic changes during pregnancy as well as loosen the pelvic ligaments. However, it is unknown whether RLX is associated with peripartum pubic symphysis separation and if the association is affected by other factors.
AIM To study the association between RLX and peripartum pubic symphysis separation and evaluate other factors that might affect this association.
METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study of pregnant women between April 2019 and January 2020. Baseline demographic characteristics, including gestational age, weight, neonatal weight, delivery mode and duration of the first and second stages of labor, were recorded. The clinical symptoms were used as a screening index during pregnancy, and the patients with pubic symphysis and inguinal pain were examined by color Doppler ultrasonography to determine whether there was pubic symphysis separation. Serum RLX concentrations were evaluated 1 d after delivery using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and pubic symphysis separation was diagnosed based on postpartum X-ray examination. We used an independent-sample t test to analyze the association between serum RLX levels and peripartum pubic symphysis separation. Multivariate regression analysis was used to evaluate whether the association between RLX and peripartum pubic symphysis separation was confounded by other factors, and the association between RLX and the severity of pubic symphysis separation was also assessed. We used Pearson correlation analysis to determine the factors related to RLX levels as well as the correlation between the degree of pubic symphysis separation and activities of daily living (ADL) and pain.
RESULTS A total of 54 women were enrolled in the study, with 15 exhibiting (observational group) and 39 not exhibiting (control group) peripartum pubic symphysis separation. There were no statistically significant differences in terms of maternal age, gestational age, pre-pregnancy weight, weight gain during pregnancy, delivery modes, or duration of the first or second stages of labor between the 2 groups. We did, however, note a statistically significant difference in serum RLX concentrations and neonatal weight between the observational and control groups (122.3 ± 0.7 µg/mL vs 170.4 ± 42.3 µg/mL, P < 0.05; 3676.000 ± 521.725 g vs 3379.487 ± 402.420 g, P < 0.05, respectively). Multivariate regression analyses showed that serum RLX level [odds ratio (OR): 1.022) and neonatal weight (OR: 1.002) were associated with pubic symphysis separation peripartum. The degree of separation of the pubic symphysis was negatively correlated with ADL and positively correlated with pain. There was no statistically significant association between serum RLX levels and the severity of pubic symphysis separation after adjusting for confounding factors.
CONCLUSION Serum RLX levels and neonatal weight were associated with the occurrence, but not the severity, of peripartum pubic symphysis separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Rehabilitation Medicine, Taian City Central Hospital, Taian 271000, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yong-Qiang Li
- Department of Otolaryngology, Taian City Central Hospital, Taian 271000, Shandong Province, China
| | - Mei-Rong Tian
- Department of Obstetrics, Taian City Central Hospital, Taian 271000, Shandong Province, China
| | - Nan Wang
- Rehabilitation Centre, Qingdao Fuwai Cardiovascular Hospital, Qingdao 266034, Shandong Province, China
| | - Zun-Cheng Zheng
- Department of Rehabilitation, Taian City Central Hospital, Taian 271000, Shandong Province, China
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6
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Xiong F, Cao Y, Guo X, Zhang H, Wang J, Xiong B, Liang B, Zheng C. Improved ADM Penetration Distance and Therapeutic Efficiency in a Rabbit VX2 Liver Cancer Model by Relaxin Infusion Combined with Transcatheter Chemoembolization Through Hepatic Artery. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:3379-3388. [PMID: 32494202 PMCID: PMC7231763 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s223993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To evaluate the adriamycin (ADM) pervasion distance within tumor stroma after relaxin (RLX) infusion through tumor feeding artery and further investigate the therapeutic effects of RLX infusion combined with transcatheter chemoembolization (TACE) on the rabbit VX2 liver cancer, since the chemotherapy impaired due to limited drug distribution hindered by stiffened tumor stroma. Materials and Methods In the first part, rabbits received normal saline (NS), RLX or combined with TACE, and the penetration distance of ADM was measured by immunofluorescence and the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were evaluated by gelatin substrate zymography in each group. In the second part, the rabbits received NS, TACE and RLX combined with TACE, respectively. The tumor growth rates, necrosis rates and intrahepatic metastasis were measured, and hematoxylin-eosin (HE), transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labelling (TUNEL) and Ki67 staining were conducted in each group. Results In the first part, the expression of MMP-9 was increased in groups treated by RLX compared with NS group, especially three days after RLX infusion (p=0.001). The ADM penetration distance was significantly increased in groups treated by RLX compared with NS group (p<0.05), and it was farthest three days after RLX infusion. In the second part, compared with the NS and TACE groups, the tumor growth rates, the positive staining rates of Ki67 and the tumor growth rates were significantly decreased in RLX+TACE group (p<0.05). However, the positive staining rates of TUNEL and the tumor necrosis rates were significantly increased (p<0.05), and HE staining also revealed higher necrosis rates. The intrahepatic metastasis indicates no difference between the three groups (p=0.273). Conclusion An increased penetration distance was obtained by RLX infusion through tumor feeding artery, and better therapeutic effects were achieved by RLX combined with TACE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu Xiong
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanyan Cao
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaopeng Guo
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongsen Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China
| | - Jihua Wang
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Xiong
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Liang
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuansheng Zheng
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China
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7
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Blessing WA, Okajima SM, Cubria MB, Villa-Camacho JC, Perez-Viloria M, Williamson PM, Sabogal AN, Suarez S, Ang LH, White S, Flynn E, Rodriguez EK, Grinstaff MW, Nazarian A. Intraarticular injection of relaxin-2 alleviates shoulder arthrofibrosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:12183-12192. [PMID: 31160441 PMCID: PMC6589647 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1900355116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Arthrofibrosis is a prevalent condition affecting greater than 5% of the general population and leads to a painful decrease in joint range of motion (ROM) and loss of independence due to pathologic accumulation of periarticular scar tissue. Current treatment options are limited in effectiveness and do not address the underlying cause of the condition: accumulation of fibrotic collagenous tissue. Herein, the naturally occurring peptide hormone relaxin-2 is administered for the treatment of adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) and to restore glenohumeral ROM in shoulder arthrofibrosis. Recombinant human relaxin-2 down-regulates type I collagen and α smooth muscle actin production and increases intracellular cAMP concentration in human fibroblast-like synoviocytes, consistent with a mechanism of extracellular matrix degradation and remodeling. Pharmacokinetic profiling of a bolus administration into the glenohumeral joint space reveals the brief systemic and intraarticular (IA) half-lives of relaxin-2: 0.96 h and 0.62 h, respectively. Furthermore, using an established, immobilization murine model of shoulder arthrofibrosis, multiple IA injections of human relaxin-2 significantly improve ROM, returning it to baseline measurements collected before limb immobilization. This is in contrast to single IA (sIA) or multiple i.v. (mIV) injections of relaxin-2 with which the ROM remains constrained. The histological hallmarks of contracture (e.g., fibrotic adhesions and reduced joint space) are absent in the animals treated with multiple IA injections of relaxin-2 compared with the untreated control and the sIA- and mIV-treated animals. As these findings show, local delivery of relaxin-2 is an innovative treatment of shoulder arthrofibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- William A Blessing
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215
- Department of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Stephen M Okajima
- Center for Advanced Orthopaedic Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - M Belen Cubria
- Center for Advanced Orthopaedic Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Juan C Villa-Camacho
- Center for Advanced Orthopaedic Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Miguel Perez-Viloria
- Center for Advanced Orthopaedic Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Patrick M Williamson
- Center for Advanced Orthopaedic Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Angie N Sabogal
- Center for Advanced Orthopaedic Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Sebastian Suarez
- Center for Advanced Orthopaedic Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Lay-Hong Ang
- Confocal Imaging and IHC Core, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Suzanne White
- Confocal Imaging and IHC Core, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Evelyn Flynn
- Orthopedic Research Laboratories, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Edward K Rodriguez
- Center for Advanced Orthopaedic Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115;
| | - Mark W Grinstaff
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215;
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215
- Department of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Ara Nazarian
- Center for Advanced Orthopaedic Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115;
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yerevan State Medical University, Yerevan 0025, Armenia
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8
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Yang X, Thorngren D, Chen Q, Wang M, Xie X. Protective role of relaxin in a mouse model of aristolochic acid nephropathy. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 115:108917. [PMID: 31060002 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.108917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) is a chronic, progressive interstitial nephritis. To date, treatment strategies remain limited. Mounting evidence shows that relaxin (RLX) possesses powerful anti-fibrotic and anti-apoptotic characteristics, therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the possible protective role of RLX in aristolochic acid (AA) induced nephrotoxicity. METHODS The in vitro cell tests were performed: the embryonic kidney cells 293 were treated with AA-I (40 μg/mL) or with AA-I (40 μg/mL) plus RLX (100 ng/mL) and the cell groups were then tested and the normal 293 cells were set as blank control. In addition, the in vivo animal tests were performed: mice were randomly divided into three groups: a control group injected intraperitoneally with an equal volume of saline every other day for 6 weeks, an AA group injected intraperitoneally with AA-I (5 mg/kg) every other day for 6 weeks, and an AA + RLX group treated with the AA-I for 6 weeks and subsequently received RLX (0.25 mg/kg/day) using an implanted osmotic mini-pump for an additional 2 weeks. 8 weeks post-AA-I, mice were sacrificed for analysis. RESULTS In the in vivo animal tests, RLX administration prevented increased plasma creatinine and nitrogen levels caused by aristolochic acid as well as alleviated the severity of renal ultrastructural lesions induced by aristolochic acid. Both in the in vitro cell tests and in the in vivo animal tests, Western blotting of the AA-I group showed increased expression of the pro-apoptotic protein genes Bax and the cleaved form of caspase-3, both of which were reversed by RLX. In contrast, the expression of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 correlated inversely to Bax in RLX treated mice. RLX restored the decreased phosphorylated Akt induced by AA-I. The protein expression of eNOS was also reduced in AA-I treated group compared with control, which was reversed in the presence of RLX. Immunohistochemical staining of the animal tissue revealed that RLX markedly reduced the overexpression of type IV collagen, fibronectin, and alpha-smooth muscle actin in AA-I treated mice. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that RLX alleviates AA-I induced kidney fibrosis by reducing apoptosis and up-regulation the expression of p-Akt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiu Yang
- Department of Nephrology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Daniel Thorngren
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jackson Memorial Hospital, 1611 Northwest 12 Avenue, Miami, FL, 33139. USA.
| | - Qi Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Ming Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Department of Internal Medicine, Jackson Memorial Hospital, 1611 Northwest 12 Avenue, Miami, FL, 33139. USA.
| | - Xiangcheng Xie
- Department of Nephrology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Department of Internal Medicine, Jackson Memorial Hospital, 1611 Northwest 12 Avenue, Miami, FL, 33139. USA.
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9
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Bezhaeva T, de Vries MR, Geelhoed WJ, van der Veer EP, Versteeg S, van Alem CMA, Voorzaat BM, Eijkelkamp N, van der Bogt KE, Agoulnik AI, van Zonneveld AJ, Quax PHA, Rotmans JI. Relaxin receptor deficiency promotes vascular inflammation and impairs outward remodeling in arteriovenous fistulas. FASEB J 2018; 32:fj201800437R. [PMID: 29882709 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201800437r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The pathophysiology of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) maturation failure is not completely understood but impaired outward remodeling (OR) and intimal hyperplasia are thought to be contributors. This adverse vascular response after AVF surgery results from interplay between vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), the extracellular matrix (ECM), and inflammatory cells. Relaxin (RLN) is a hormone that acts on the vasculature via interaction with RLN/insulin-like peptide family receptor 1 (RXFP1), resulting in vasodilatation, ECM remodeling, and decreased inflammation. In the present study, we evaluated the consequences of RXFP1 knockout ( Rxfp1-/-) on AVF maturation in a murine model of AVF failure. Rxfp1-/- mice showed a 22% decrease in vessel size at the venous outflow tract 14 d after AVF surgery. Furthermore, a 43% increase in elastin content was observed in the lesions of Rxfp1-/- mice and coincided with a 41% reduction in elastase activity. In addition, Rxfp1-/- mice displayed a 6-fold increase in CD45+ leukocytes, along with a 2-fold increase in monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1) levels, when compared with wild-type mice. In vitro, VSMCs from Rxfp1-/- mice exhibited a synthetic phenotype, as illustrated by augmentation of collagen, fibronectin, TGF-β, and platelet-derived growth factor mRNA. In addition, VSMCs derived from Rxfp1-/- mice showed a 5-fold increase in cell migration. Finally, RXFP1 and RLN expression levels were increased in human AVFs when compared with unoperated cephalic veins. In conclusion, RXFP1 deficiency hampers elastin degradation and results in induced vascular inflammation after AVF surgery. These processes impair OR in murine AVF, suggesting that the RLN axis could be a potential therapeutic target for promoting AVF maturation.-Bezhaeva, T., de Vries, M. R., Geelhoed, W. J., van der Veer, E. P., Versteeg, S., van Alem, C. M. A., Voorzaat, B. M., Eijkelkamp, N., van der Bogt, K. E., Agoulnik, A. I., van Zonneveld, A.-J., Quax, P. H. A., Rotmans, J. I. Relaxin receptor deficiency promotes vascular inflammation and impairs outward remodeling in arteriovenous fistulas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taisiya Bezhaeva
- Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Margreet R de Vries
- Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter J Geelhoed
- Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Eric P van der Veer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sabine Versteeg
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Developmental Origins of Disease, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Carla M A van Alem
- Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Bram M Voorzaat
- Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Niels Eijkelkamp
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Developmental Origins of Disease, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Koen E van der Bogt
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Surgery, Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander I Agoulnik
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Anton-Jan van Zonneveld
- Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Paul H A Quax
- Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Joris I Rotmans
- Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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10
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Rehfeldt M, Eklund E, Struck J, Sparwasser A, O'Brien B, Palomaki GE, Köhrle J, Bergmann A, Lambert-Messerlian G. Relaxin-2 connecting peptide (pro-RLX2) levels in second trimester serum samples to predict preeclampsia. Pregnancy Hypertens 2017; 11:124-128. [PMID: 29133069 DOI: 10.1016/j.preghy.2017.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Revised: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Preeclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy, threatening fetal and maternal health. The aim of our study is to examine the association between preeclampsia and the connecting peptide of the pregnancy hormone relaxin (pro-RLX2) as a potential new biochemical marker. STUDY DESIGN This is a nested case/control study derived from the cohort of pregnancies delivering at Women & Infants Hospital. Cases were identified at a clinic or by hospital codes, and individually confirmed by record review. Stored samples were available from 'integrated' Down syndrome screening. Results were expressed as multiples of the median (MoM). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Preeclampsia was classified as early/severe, late/severe, or mild based on professional guidelines. RESULTS Fifty-one cases were each matched with five control pregnancies. Population distribution parameters were derived for cases and controls. As shown previously, discrimination between cases and controls (applying MoM analysis) was possible for PlGF (0.576, p < .05), inhibin A (1.45, p < .05) and endoglin (1.278, p < .05). No association with preeclampsia was found for pro-RLX2. However, pro-RLX2 correlates with Inhibin A and Endoglin. CONCLUSIONS Endoglin, Inhibin A and PlGF are highly predictive of preeclampsia. Quantification of pro-RLX2 is not able to predict preeclampsia. Nevertheless, the potential involvement of relaxin 2/pro-RLX2 in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia requires further study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Josef Köhrle
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, CVK, Berlin, Germany
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11
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Rehfeldt M, Sparwasser A, Funk E, Köhrle J, Bergmann A. Quantification of Relaxin-2 Connecting Peptide (Pro-RLX2) in Human Blood Samples. J Appl Lab Med 2017; 2:322-334. [PMID: 33636845 DOI: 10.1373/jalm.2017.023069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The peptide hormone relaxin-2 is implicated in diverse physiological and pathophysiological processes. Several assays are available for quantification of human relaxin-2, but because stability of the mature peptide in serum is limited, measurement of the more stable connecting peptide (pro-RLX2) might be beneficial. METHODS Pro-RLX2 was measured in a sandwich immunoluminometric assay using 2 monoclonal antibodies. The concentration of pro-RLX2 was detected in healthy pregnant (n = 100) and healthy male and nonpregnant female (n = 81) subjects and compared with the concentration of mature relaxin-2 in a subset of samples. RESULTS The pro-RLX2 immunoassay has an analytical and functional assay sensitivity (FAS) of 1.59 pmol/L and 1.7 pmol/L, respectively. The analyte is stable in EDTA plasma samples for 8 days at room temperature, dilutes in a linear fashion, and recovery was 103%. The assay system is not biased by common interfering substances. Measurement of 80% of plasma samples from healthy males and females is below the FAS {median 1.49 pmol/L [interquartile range (IQR) of 0.925-2.14 pmol/L]}, and no concentration difference between male and nonpregnant female plasma samples was observed. The median plasma concentration in healthy pregnant women is increased up to 562 pmol/L (IQR 341-789 pmol/L). During pregnancy, pro-RLX2 concentrations decrease with increasing gestation. The correlation coefficient with the R&D assay for mature relaxin-2 was 0.96 (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION Pro-RLX2 is stable in plasma of healthy individuals. Although samples of pregnant women are reliably measurable, most samples from healthy nonpregnant women and men are below the detection limit. Determination of pro-RLX2 concentrations might indicate rate of synthesis of relaxin-2 during pregnancy and therapeutic application of recombinant relaxin (Serelaxin).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Josef Köhrle
- Institut für Experimentelle Endokrinologie & EnForCé, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, CVK, Berlin, Germany
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12
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Cernaro V, Medici MA, Bianco F, Santoro D, Lacquaniti A, Romeo A, Lucisano S, Buemi A, Buemi M. Opposite actions of urotensin II and relaxin-2 on cellular expression of fibronectin in renal fibrosis: A preliminary experimental study. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2017; 44:1069-1071. [DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.12798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2016] [Revised: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Cernaro
- Chair of Nephrology; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; University of Messina; Messina Italy
| | - Maria A Medici
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences; University of Messina; Messina Italy
| | - Federica Bianco
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences; University of Messina; Messina Italy
| | - Domenico Santoro
- Chair of Nephrology; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; University of Messina; Messina Italy
| | - Antonio Lacquaniti
- Chair of Nephrology; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; University of Messina; Messina Italy
| | - Adolfo Romeo
- Chair of Nephrology; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; University of Messina; Messina Italy
| | - Silvia Lucisano
- Chair of Nephrology; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; University of Messina; Messina Italy
| | - Antoine Buemi
- Chair of Nephrology; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; University of Messina; Messina Italy
| | - Michele Buemi
- Chair of Nephrology; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; University of Messina; Messina Italy
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13
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Han L, Luo J, Bai S, Jia Y, Chen X, Zhao Y, Chen L, Zhu X, Li Y, Jiang Y, Li X, Yang M, Li D, Teng X, Qi Y. Combined Assessment of Relaxin and B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Improves Diagnostic Value in Patients With Congestive Heart Failure. Am J Med Sci 2017; 354:480-485. [PMID: 29173360 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjms.2017.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Revised: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To improve the poor prognosis of congestive heart failure (CHF), early and accurate diagnosis is necessary. Relaxin is an endogenous cardiovascular peptide, and its plasma level is usually increased in patients with CHF. In this pilot study, we aimed to determine the diagnostic value of relaxin and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in patients with and without CHF. MATERIALS AND METHODS The plasma level of relaxin was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and plasma level of BNP by fluorescence immunoassay. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to assess the diagnostic value of relaxin and BNP. RESULTS We included 81 patients with decompenstated CHF and 36 controls. Plasma levels of relaxin and BNP were both higher in CHF patients than in controls. The correlation between plasma levels of relaxin and BNP and between relaxin or BNP and cardiac function was nonlinear. Relaxin had medium diagnostic value, and BNP had higher value for cardiac function and CHF. At a cutoff of 39.76pg/mL relaxin, sensitivity was 82.7%, specificity 55.6%, sum of the highest positive predictive value 80.5% and negative predictive value 58.8%. Although the diagnostic value was not better for relaxin than BNP, their combined assessment improved the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis for CHF as compared with BNP alone. CONCLUSIONS Combined assessment of relaxin and BNP may improve the diagnosis of decompensated CHF, which may have potential application in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Han
- Department of Cardiology, Fu Xing Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jingguang Luo
- Department of Cardiology, Fu Xing Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shanshan Bai
- Department of Cardiology, Fu Xing Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ye Jia
- Department of Cardiology, Fu Xing Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Fu Xing Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Fu Xing Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Liwei Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Fu Xing Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaogang Zhu
- Department of Cardiology, Fu Xing Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Cardiology, Fu Xing Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanyuan Jiang
- Department of Cardiology, Fu Xing Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaohong Li
- Department of Cardiology, Fu Xing Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Yang
- Department of Cardiology, Fu Xing Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Dongxia Li
- Department of Cardiology, Fu Xing Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Teng
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Laboratory Animal Science, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.
| | - Yongfen Qi
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.
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14
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Janssens S. Relaxin: reproductive safeguard turned cardiac? Cardiovasc Res 2017; 113:553-555. [DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvx059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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15
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Relaxin Attenuates Contrast-Induced Human Proximal Tubular Epithelial Cell Apoptosis by Activation of the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway In Vitro. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:2869405. [PMID: 28540295 PMCID: PMC5429925 DOI: 10.1155/2017/2869405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Revised: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Background. Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is one of the main causes of iatrogenic acute kidney injury (AKI); however, therapeutic strategies for AKI remain limited. This study aims to explore the effect of relaxin (RLX) on contrast-induced HK-2 apoptosis and its underlying mechanisms. Methods. Renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) were incubated either with or without ioversol, human H2 relaxin, and LY294002 (the inhibitor of the PI3K/Akt signal pathway). Cell viability was evaluated with a CCK-8 assay. Apoptotic morphologic alterations were observed using the Hoechst 33342 staining method. Apoptosis was detected with Annexin V staining. Western blot analysis was employed to measure the expression of pAkt (S473), Akt, cleaved caspase-3, Bcl-2, Bax, and actin proteins. Results. Ioversol reduced the viability of HK-2 cells. Western blotting results revealed decreased expression of phosphorylated Akt in cells treated with ioversol. The activities of caspase-3 and Bax protein increased, while the expression of Bcl-2 protein decreased. As a result, the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio increased after treatment with ioversol. These effects were reversed when HK-2 cells were cotreated with RLX. However, with preadministration of PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitor LY294002, the effect of RLX was blocked. Conclusion. Our study demonstrates that relaxin attenuates ioversol induced cell apoptosis via activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, suggesting that RLX might play a protective role in the treatment of CI-AKI.
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Relaxin attenuates aristolochic acid induced human tubular epithelial cell apoptosis in vitro by activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Apoptosis 2017; 22:769-776. [DOI: 10.1007/s10495-017-1369-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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17
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Jung KH, Choi IK, Lee HS, Yan HH, Son MK, Ahn HM, Hong J, Yun CO, Hong SS. Oncolytic adenovirus expressing relaxin (YDC002) enhances therapeutic efficacy of gemcitabine against pancreatic cancer. Cancer Lett 2017; 396:155-166. [PMID: 28315430 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2017.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Revised: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a highly lethal disease for which limited therapeutic options are available. Pancreatic cancer exhibits a pronounced collagen-rich stromal reaction, which induces chemoresistance by inhibiting drug diffusion into the tumor. Complementary treatment with oncolytic virus such as an oncolytic adenovirus expressing relaxin (YDC002) is an innovative treatment option for combating chemoresistant pancreatic cancer. Here, we examined the ability of combined treatment with gemcitabine and YDC002, which degrades extracellular matrix (ECM), to efficiently treat chemoresistant and desmoplastic pancreatic cancer. Gemcitabine alone exhibited similarly low cytotoxicity toward pancreatic cancer cells throughout the concentration range (1-50 μM) used, whereas the combination of YDC002 and a subtherapeutic dose of gemcitabine (0.01-0.05 μM) resulted in potent anticancer effects through effective induction of apoptosis. Importantly, YDC002 combined with gemcitabine significantly attenuated the expression of major ECM components including collagens, fibronectin, and elastin in tumor spheroids and xenograft tumors compared with gemcitabine alone, resulting in potent induction of apoptosis, gemcitabine-mediated cytotoxicity, and an oncolytic effect through degradation of tumor ECM. Our results demonstrate that YDC002 can selectively degrade aberrant ECM and attenuate the ECM-induced chemoresistance observed in desmoplastic pancreatic tumor, resulting in a potent antitumor effect through effective induction of apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Hee Jung
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Inha University, 3-ga, Sinheung-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon, 400-712, Republic of Korea
| | - Il-Kyu Choi
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, 133-791, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Hee-Seung Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Inha University, 3-ga, Sinheung-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon, 400-712, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Hua Yan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Inha University, 3-ga, Sinheung-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon, 400-712, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Kwon Son
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Inha University, 3-ga, Sinheung-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon, 400-712, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo Min Ahn
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, 133-791, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - JinWoo Hong
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, 133-791, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chae-Ok Yun
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, 133-791, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Soon-Sun Hong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Inha University, 3-ga, Sinheung-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon, 400-712, Republic of Korea.
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18
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Marshall SA, Senadheera SN, Parry LJ, Girling JE. The Role of Relaxin in Normal and Abnormal Uterine Function During the Menstrual Cycle and Early Pregnancy. Reprod Sci 2016; 24:342-354. [DOI: 10.1177/1933719116657189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A. Marshall
- School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Laura J. Parry
- School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jane E. Girling
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Gynaecology Research Centre, The University of Melbourne and Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Chimenz R, Lacquaniti A, Colavita L, Chirico V, Fede C, Buemi M, Fede C. High mobility group box 1 and tumor growth factor β: useful biomarkers in pediatric patients receiving peritoneal dialysis. Ren Fail 2016; 38:1370-1376. [DOI: 10.1080/0886022x.2016.1216711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
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20
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Pintalhao M, Castro‐Chaves P, Vasques‐Novoa F, Gonçalves F, Mendonça L, Fontes‐Carvalho R, Lourenço P, Almeida P, Leite‐Moreira A, Bettencourt P. Relaxin serum levels in acute heart failure are associated with pulmonary hypertension and right heart overload. Eur J Heart Fail 2016; 19:218-225. [DOI: 10.1002/ejhf.611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2016] [Revised: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Pintalhao
- Department of Physiology and Cardiothoracic SurgeryFaculty of Medicine, University of Porto Portugal
- Internal Medicine DepartmentSão João Hospital Centre Porto Portugal
- Cardiovascular Research Centre Portugal
| | - Paulo Castro‐Chaves
- Department of Physiology and Cardiothoracic SurgeryFaculty of Medicine, University of Porto Portugal
- Internal Medicine DepartmentSão João Hospital Centre Porto Portugal
- Cardiovascular Research Centre Portugal
| | - Francisco Vasques‐Novoa
- Department of Physiology and Cardiothoracic SurgeryFaculty of Medicine, University of Porto Portugal
- Internal Medicine DepartmentSão João Hospital Centre Porto Portugal
- Cardiovascular Research Centre Portugal
| | - Francisco Gonçalves
- Department of Physiology and Cardiothoracic SurgeryFaculty of Medicine, University of Porto Portugal
| | - Luís Mendonça
- Department of Physiology and Cardiothoracic SurgeryFaculty of Medicine, University of Porto Portugal
- Cardiovascular Research Centre Portugal
| | - Ricardo Fontes‐Carvalho
- Department of Physiology and Cardiothoracic SurgeryFaculty of Medicine, University of Porto Portugal
- Cardiovascular Research Centre Portugal
- Cardiology DepartmentGaia Hospital Centre Gaia Portugal
| | - Patrícia Lourenço
- Internal Medicine DepartmentSão João Hospital Centre Porto Portugal
- Cardiovascular Research Centre Portugal
| | - Pedro Almeida
- Cardiology DepartmentSão João Hospital Centre Porto Portugal
| | - Adelino Leite‐Moreira
- Department of Physiology and Cardiothoracic SurgeryFaculty of Medicine, University of Porto Portugal
- Cardiovascular Research Centre Portugal
- Cardiothoracic Surgery DepartmentSão João Hospital Centre Porto Portugal
| | - Paulo Bettencourt
- Internal Medicine DepartmentSão João Hospital Centre Porto Portugal
- Cardiovascular Research Centre Portugal
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Porto Portugal
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Lee YS, Choi JW, Oh JE, Yun CO, Kim SW. Human relaxin gene expression delivered by bioreducible dendrimer polymer for post-infarct cardiac remodeling in rats. Biomaterials 2016; 97:164-75. [PMID: 27174688 PMCID: PMC5448559 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Revised: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In consensus, myocardial infarction (MI) is defined as irreversible cell death secondary to prolonged ischemia in heart. The aim of our study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of anti-fibrotic human Relaxin-expressing plasmid DNA with hypoxia response element (HRE) 12 copies (HR1) delivered by a dendrimer type PAM-ABP polymer G0 (HR1/G0) after MI on functional, hemodynamic, geometric, and cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in rats. HR1/G0 demonstrated significantly improved LV systolic function, hemodynamic parameters, and geometry on 1 wk and 4 wks after MI in rats, compared with I/R group. The resolution of regional wall motional abnormalities and the increased blood flow of infarct-related coronary artery supported functional improvements of HR1/G0. Furthermore, HR1/G0 polyplex showed favorable post-infarct cardiac ECM remodeling reflected on the favorable cardiac ECM compositions. Overall, this is the first study, which presented an advanced platform for the gene therapy that reverses adverse cardiac remodeling after MI with a HR1 gene delivered by a bioreducible dendrimer polymer in the cardiac ECM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Sook Lee
- Center for Controlled Chemical Delivery, Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Joung-Woo Choi
- Center for Controlled Chemical Delivery, Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Jung-Eun Oh
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 133-791, Republic of Korea
| | - Chae-Ok Yun
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 133-791, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sung Wan Kim
- Center for Controlled Chemical Delivery, Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA; Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 133-791, Republic of Korea
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22
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Relaxin-2 Expression in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Int J Biol Markers 2016; 31:e324-9. [DOI: 10.5301/jbm.5000219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background When advanced, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) may involve adjacent non-epithelial structures, and the prognosis is worse for bone invasion. Human relaxin-2 is a peptide hormone that has recently been associated with cancer. It can induce human osteoclast differentiation and activation, suggesting a role in tumor-driven osteolysis. This study was a preliminary assessment of the prognostic role of relaxin-2 in surgical specimens of OSCC tissue and adjacent but uninvolved mandibular/maxillary bone. Methods Relaxin-2 immunohistochemical expression and reaction intensity were assessed in tumor and uninvolved adjacent mandibular/maxillary bone specimens from 23 operated OSCC patients. Results All OSCC specimens were positive for relaxin-2. The intensity of its reaction in OSCC correlated significantly with the pattern of the tumor's invasion front (p = 0.02), being higher with the infiltrative pattern. Mean relaxin-2 immunohistochemical expression was higher in patients whose OSCC recurred after treatment than those experiencing no recurrence (81.3% ± 22.6% vs. 59.5% ± 29.7%, respectively). A significant direct association emerged between relaxin-2 expression in OSCC specimens and recurrence rate (p = 0.049). Conclusions Relaxin-2 expression in OSCC should be further investigated as a potentially useful marker for identifying patients at higher risk of recurrence, who might benefit from closer follow-up and more aggressive adjuvant therapy. In other oncological settings, increasing evidence of relaxin being produced by cancer cells is prompting efforts to synthesize human relaxin-2 analogs capable of acting as antagonists and limiting tumor growth.
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23
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Antifibrotic Actions of Serelaxin – New Roles for an Old Player. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2016; 37:485-497. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2016.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Revised: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 02/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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24
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Zhou H, Qu X, Gao Z, Zheng G, Lin J, Su L, Huang Z, Li H, Huang W. Relaxin Level in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Association with Heart Failure Occurrence: A STROBE Compliant Article. Medicine (Baltimore) 2016; 95:e3664. [PMID: 27227926 PMCID: PMC4902350 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000003664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia requiring medical treatment and has been associated with enhanced atrial fibrosis and heart failure (HF). Relaxin (RLX), an antifibrosis and antiinflammatory peptide hormone, may be used to evaluate atrial fibrosis and is associated with HF occurrence in AF. We aimed to clarify the clinical significance of RLX level in patients with AF.We measured circulating levels of RLX and other fibrosis-related factors in 311 patients with sinus rhythm (SR; n = 116) or AF (n = 195). All discharged AF patients were followed up for the occurrence of HF for a mean of 6 months.Circulating levels of RLX were significantly different in patients with AF as compared with SR (P < 0.001), and in the subgroup analysis of AF. RLX level was correlated with left atrial diameter (LAD; R = 0.358, P < 0.001). Among followed up AF patients, on Kaplan-Meier curve analysis, patients with the third RLX tertile (T3) had a significantly higher HF rate than those with the 1st tertile (T1) (P = 0.002) and the cut-off value was 294.8 ng/L (area under the ROC curve [AUC] = 0.723). On multivariable analysis, HF occurrence with AF was associated with increased tertile of serum RLX level (odds ratio [OR] 2.659; confidence interval [95% CI] 1.434-4.930; P = 0.002).RLX is associated with fibrosis-related biomarkers and significantly elevated in AF. RLX was related to the HF occurrence in patients with AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhou
- From the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; The Key Lab of Cardiovascular Disease of Wenzhou, Wenzhou, China
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25
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Sethi A, Bruell S, Patil N, Hossain MA, Scott DJ, Petrie EJ, Bathgate RAD, Gooley PR. The complex binding mode of the peptide hormone H2 relaxin to its receptor RXFP1. Nat Commun 2016; 7:11344. [PMID: 27088579 PMCID: PMC4837482 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
H2 relaxin activates the relaxin family peptide receptor-1 (RXFP1), a class A G-protein coupled receptor, by a poorly understood mechanism. The ectodomain of RXFP1 comprises an N-terminal LDLa module, essential for activation, tethered to a leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domain by a 32-residue linker. H2 relaxin is hypothesized to bind with high affinity to the LRR domain enabling the LDLa module to bind and activate the transmembrane domain of RXFP1. Here we define a relaxin-binding site on the LDLa-LRR linker, essential for the high affinity of H2 relaxin for the ectodomain of RXFP1, and show that residues within the LDLa-LRR linker are critical for receptor activation. We propose H2 relaxin binds and stabilizes a helical conformation of the LDLa-LRR linker that positions residues of both the linker and the LDLa module to bind the transmembrane domain and activate RXFP1. The mechanism by which relaxin activates the relaxin family peptide receptor-1 is poorly understood. Here, Sethi et al. identify a relaxin binding site in an extracellular linker between the LDLa and LRR domains and propose that relaxin binding stabilizes a helical conformation that leads to receptor activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Sethi
- Department of Biochemistry &Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.,Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Shoni Bruell
- Department of Biochemistry &Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.,Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.,Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Nitin Patil
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.,School of Chemistry, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Mohammed Akhter Hossain
- School of Chemistry, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.,Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Daniel J Scott
- Department of Biochemistry &Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.,Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Emma J Petrie
- Department of Biochemistry &Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.,Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Ross A D Bathgate
- Department of Biochemistry &Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.,Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Paul R Gooley
- Department of Biochemistry &Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.,Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
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26
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Sun HJ, Chen D, Han Y, Zhou YB, Wang JJ, Chen Q, Li YH, Gao XY, Kang YM, Zhu GQ. Relaxin in paraventricular nucleus contributes to sympathetic overdrive and hypertension via PI3K-Akt pathway. Neuropharmacology 2016; 103:247-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2015] [Revised: 11/29/2015] [Accepted: 12/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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27
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Liu LCY, Voors AA, Teerlink JR, Cotter G, Davison BA, Felker GM, Filippatos G, Chen Y, Greenberg BH, Ponikowski P, Pang PS, Prescott MF, Hua TA, Severin TM, Metra M. Effects of serelaxin in acute heart failure patients with renal impairment: results from RELAX-AHF. Clin Res Cardiol 2016; 105:727-37. [PMID: 27017514 PMCID: PMC4988995 DOI: 10.1007/s00392-016-0979-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2015] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serelaxin showed beneficial effects on clinical outcome and trajectories of renal markers in patients with acute heart failure. We aimed to study the interaction between renal function and the treatment effect of serelaxin. METHODS In the current post hoc analysis of the RELAX-AHF trial, we included all patients with available estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at baseline (n = 1132). Renal impairment was defined as an eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) estimated by creatinine. RESULTS 817 (72.2 %) patients had a baseline eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2). In placebo-treated patients, baseline renal impairment was related to a higher 180 day cardiovascular (HR 3.12, 95 % CI 1.33-7.30) and all-cause mortality (HR 2.81, 95 % CI 1.34-5.89). However, in serelaxin-treated patients, the risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality was less pronounced (HR 1.19, 95 % CI 0.54 -2.64; p for interaction = 0.106, and HR 1.15 95 % CI 0.56-2.34 respectively; p for interaction = 0.088). In patients with renal impairment, treatment with serelaxin resulted in a more pronounced all-cause mortality reduction (HR 0.53, 95 % CI 0.34-0.83), compared with patients without renal impairment (HR 1.30, 95 % CI 0.51-3.29). CONCLUSION Renal dysfunction was associated with higher cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in placebo-treated patients, but not in serelaxin-treated patients. The observed reduction in (cardiovascular) mortality in RELAX-AHF was more pronounced in patients with renal dysfunction. These observations need to be confirmed in the ongoing RELAX-AHF-2 trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Licette C Y Liu
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Adriaan A Voors
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - John R Teerlink
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | - G Michael Felker
- Duke University School of Medicine, Duke Heart Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Gerasimos Filippatos
- School of Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Yakuan Chen
- Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Peter S Pang
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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Schwarzenbacher D, Stiegelbauer V, Deutsch A, Ress AL, Aigelsreiter A, Schauer S, Wagner K, Langsenlehner T, Resel M, Gerger A, Ling H, Ivan C, Calin GA, Hoefler G, Rinner B, Pichler M. Low spinophilin expression enhances aggressive biological behavior of breast cancer. Oncotarget 2016; 6:11191-202. [PMID: 25857299 PMCID: PMC4484449 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2015] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinophilin, a putative tumor suppressor gene, has been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of certain types of cancer, but its role has never been systematically explored in breast cancer. In this study, we determined for the first time the expression pattern of spinophilin in human breast cancer molecular subtypes (n = 489) and correlated it with survival (n = 921). We stably reduced spinophilin expression in breast cancer cells and measured effects on cellular growth, apoptosis, anchorage-independent growth, migration, invasion and self-renewal capacity in vitro and metastases formation in vivo. Microarray profiling was used to determine the most abundantly expressed genes in spinophilin-silenced breast cancer cells. Spinophilin expression was significantly lower in basal-like breast cancer (p<0.001) and an independent poor prognostic factor in breast cancer patients (hazard ratio = 1.93, 95% confidence interval: 1.24-3.03; p = 0.004) A reduction of spinophilin levels increased cellular growth in breast cancer cells (p<0.05), without influencing activation of apoptosis. Anchorage-independent growth, migration and self-renewal capacity in vitro and metastatic potential in vivo were also significantly increased in spinophilin-silenced cells (p<0.05). Finally, we identified several differentially expressed genes in spinophilin-silenced cells. According to our data, low levels of spinophilin are associated with aggressive behavior of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Verena Stiegelbauer
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | - Alexander Deutsch
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | - Anna Lena Ress
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | | | - Silvia Schauer
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | - Karin Wagner
- Center for Medical Research, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | - Tanja Langsenlehner
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | - Margit Resel
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | - Armin Gerger
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | - Hui Ling
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, TX, USA
| | - Cristina Ivan
- Center for RNA Interference and Non-Coding RNAs, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, TX, USA
| | - George Adrian Calin
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, TX, USA.,Center for RNA Interference and Non-Coding RNAs, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, TX, USA
| | - Gerald Hoefler
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | - Beate Rinner
- Center for Medical Research, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | - Martin Pichler
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Austria.,Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, TX, USA
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29
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Wu QP, Zhang L, Shao XX, Wang JH, Gao Y, Xu ZG, Liu YL, Guo ZY. Application of the novel bioluminescent ligand-receptor binding assay to relaxin-RXFP1 system for interaction studies. Amino Acids 2016; 48:1099-1107. [PMID: 26767372 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-015-2146-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 11/27/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Relaxin is a prototype of the relaxin family peptide hormones and plays important biological functions by binding and activating the G protein-coupled receptor RXFP1. To study their interactions, in the present work, we applied the newly developed bioluminescent ligand-receptor binding assay to the relaxin-RXFP1 system. First, a fully active easily labeled relaxin, in which three Lys residues of human relaxin-2 were replaced by Arg, was prepared through overexpression of a single-chain precursor in Pichia pastoris and in vitro enzymatic maturation. Thereafter, the B-chain N-terminus of the easily labeled relaxin was chemically cross-linked with a C-terminal cysteine residue of an engineered NanoLuc through a disulfide linkage. Receptor-binding assays demonstrated that the NanoLuc-conjugated relaxin retained high binding affinity with the receptor RXFP1 (K d = 1.11 ± 0.08 nM, n = 3) and was able to sensitively monitor binding of a variety of ligands with RXFP1. Using the novel bioluminescent binding assay, we demonstrated that three highly conserved B-chain Arg residues of relaxin-3 had distinct contributions to binding of the receptor RXFP1. In summary, our present work provides a novel bioluminescent ligand-receptor binding assay for the relaxin-RXFP1 system to facilitate their interaction studies, such as characterization of relaxin analogues or screening novel agonists or antagonists of RXFP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Ping Wu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, College of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, College of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Xia Shao
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, College of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia-Hui Wang
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, College of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Gao
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, College of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zeng-Guang Xu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, College of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya-Li Liu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, College of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Zhan-Yun Guo
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, College of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
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30
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Bonanno A, Riccobono L, Bonsignore MR, Lo Bue A, Salvaggio A, Insalaco G, Marrone O. Relaxin in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Relationship with Blood Pressure and Inflammatory Mediators. Respiration 2016; 91:56-62. [PMID: 26731435 DOI: 10.1159/000443182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with nocturnal intermittent hypoxia, which may be responsible for increased circulating levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and inflammatory mediators, such as metalloproteinases (MMPs), and which contributes to the pathogenesis of systemic hypertension. Why some OSA patients remain normotensive is poorly understood. Relaxin-2, a pregnancy hormone, may sometimes circulate in men and could increase in hypoxic conditions. It exerts a vasodilatory activity and can modulate the release of molecules, such as MMPs and VEGF. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to explore if circulating relaxin-2 in male OSA subjects may be related to OSA severity, to circulating levels of MMPs, of their inhibitors (tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases; TIMPs), and of VEGF, and if it may protect from hypertension. PATIENTS AND METHODS Fifty untreated male subjects with suspected OSA were recruited. After nocturnal polysomnography, a morning venous blood sample was withdrawn. Then, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring was performed. RESULTS The respiratory disturbance index in the sample was 30.4 [interquartile range (IQR) 15.6-55.2]. Relaxin-2 was detectable in 20 subjects. These subjects did not differ in OSA severity or diurnal and nocturnal BP from subjects with undetectable relaxin-2, but they showed lower TIMP-1 (126.8 ± 29.1 vs. 156.9 ± 41.7 pg/ml, respectively; p = 0.007) and a marginally higher MMP-9/TIMP-1 molar ratio [0.58 (IQR 0.23-1.35) vs. 0.25 (IQR 0.15-0.56); p = 0.052]. CONCLUSIONS Relaxin-2 in male subjects was not related to OSA severity, but it was associated with lower TIMP-1. As it was often undetectable, even when BP values were normal, it is unlikely that it plays a role as a major factor protecting from hypertension in OSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Bonanno
- National Research Council, Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology x2018;A. Monroy', Palermo, Italy
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31
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Collino M, Thiemermann C, Cerami A, Brines M. Flipping the molecular switch for innate protection and repair of tissues: Long-lasting effects of a non-erythropoietic small peptide engineered from erythropoietin. Pharmacol Ther 2015; 151:32-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2015.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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32
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Braun BC, Müller K, Jewgenow K. Expression profiles of relaxin family peptides and their receptors indicate their influence on spermatogenesis in the domestic cat (Felis catus). Domest Anim Endocrinol 2015; 52:25-34. [PMID: 25704248 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2015.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2014] [Revised: 01/19/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Disturbed spermatogenesis is a common problem in felines. Studying spermatogenesis in the domestic cat can improve the understanding of the biological background and help to counteract fertility problems in other feline species. Here, we analyzed 3 relaxin family peptides (relaxin, relaxin-3, and INSL3) and their receptors (RXFP1, RXFP2, and RXFP3) as potential spermatogenic factors involving their expression in the testis at different stages of its development. It may be concluded from its stage-dependent expression that relaxin, together with RXFP1, appears to be involved in the first stage of spermatogenesis, whereas relaxin-3 via binding to RXFP3 influences spermiogenesis. Furthermore, correlations were observed between relaxin, relaxin-3, RXFP1, RXFP2 and RXFP3 messenger RNA expression, and the relative numbers of haploid cells in testes. The peptide INSL3 was highly expressed at all testis development stages. Because of the low and stage-independent expression of its receptor RXFP2, an auto- and/or paracrine function of INSL3 in spermatogenesis seems unlikely. In the adult testis, messenger RNA expression of relaxin, RXFP1, and RXFP3 predominantly occurs in the tubular testis compartment, whereas INLS3 is mainly expressed in the interstitium.
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Affiliation(s)
- B C Braun
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Department of Reproduction Biology, PF 700430, 10324 Berlin, Germany.
| | - K Müller
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Department of Reproduction Biology, PF 700430, 10324 Berlin, Germany
| | - K Jewgenow
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Department of Reproduction Biology, PF 700430, 10324 Berlin, Germany
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Martín-Sánchez FJ, Rodríguez-Adrada E, Llorens P, Formiga F. [Key messages for the initial management of the elderly patient with acute heart failure]. Rev Esp Geriatr Gerontol 2015; 50:185-194. [PMID: 25959134 DOI: 10.1016/j.regg.2015.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2014] [Revised: 02/08/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Acute heart failure is a high prevalence geriatric syndrome that has become one of the most frequent causes of visits to emergency departments, as well as hospital admission, and is associated with high morbidity, mortality and functional impairment. There has been an increasing amount of information published in recent years on the initial management of acute heart failure and the results of the short-term outcomes, as well as the natural history of the disease. The objective of this study is to provide several recommendations that should be taken into account in the initial management of the elderly patient with acute heart failure in the emergency departments, and to review the most interesting currently on-going clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Javier Martín-Sánchez
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, España.
| | - Esther Rodríguez-Adrada
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, España
| | - Pere Llorens
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante, España
| | - Francesc Formiga
- Programa Geriatría, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, España
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Sim JH, Chung D, Lim JS, Lee MY, Chung CH, Shin JY, Huh JH. Maternal age at first delivery is associated with the risk of metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women: from 2008-2010 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0127860. [PMID: 26010910 PMCID: PMC4444183 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Recent cross-sectional studies demonstrated that earlier maternal age at first childbirth is correlated with a higher risk of diabetes in postmenopausal women. In this study, we evaluated whether the age at first delivery is associated with the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in postmenopausal women. Methods A total of 4,261 postmenopausal women aged 45 years or older were analyzed using data generated from Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2008–2010). Subjects were divided into three groups according to the maternal age at first delivery as follows: ≤ 20 years (n=878), 21-25 years (n=2314), and ≥ 26 years (n=1069). Results Approximately 37% of subjects had MetS. The prevalence of MetS showed a gradual increase as maternal age at first delivery decreased (≥ 26 years = 30.9% vs. 21-25 years = 39.9% vs. ≤ 20 years = 50.8%, respectively, p < 0.001). Central obesity indices such as trunk fat mass and waist circumference were significantly higher in the group aged ≤ 20 years than other groups. After adjustments for confounding factors, the odds ratios (ORs) for predicting the presence of MetS increased gradually as first delivery age decreased (≥ 26 years vs. 21-25 years vs. ≤ 20 years: OR [95% CI] = 1 vs. 1.324 [1.118-1.567] vs. 1.641 [1.322-2.036], respectively). Among components of MetS, younger maternal age at first delivery (≤ 20 years) was significantly associated with increased waist circumference (OR [95% CI] = 1.735 [1.41-2.13]), elevated blood pressure (1.261 [1.02-1.57]), high triglyceride (1.333 [1.072-1.659]), and low HDL-cholesterol (1.335[1.084-1.643]). Conclusions Our findings suggest that younger maternal age at first delivery is independently associated with a higher risk of central obesity and MetS in postmenopausal women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Han Sim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University, Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Gwangwondo, Korea
| | - Dawn Chung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Yonsei University, Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Gwangwondo, Korea
| | - Jung Soo Lim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University, Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Gwangwondo, Korea
| | - Mi Young Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University, Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Gwangwondo, Korea
| | - Choon Hee Chung
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University, Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Gwangwondo, Korea
| | - Jang Yel Shin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University, Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Gwangwondo, Korea
| | - Ji Hye Huh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University, Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Gwangwondo, Korea
- * E-mail:
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Marioni G, Zanoletti E, Lovato A, Franchella S, Giacomelli L, Gianatti A, Mazzoni A, Blandamura S, Martini A. Relaxin-2 expression in temporal bone carcinoma. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2014; 272:3225-32. [PMID: 25388992 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-014-3383-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 10/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Temporal bone squamous cell carcinoma (TBSCC) is an uncommon, aggressive malignancy with a significant local recurrence rate even in patients with postoperative pathology reports of free surgical margins. This raises the question of how "free" negative margins should be to be oncologically safe, especially in bone tissue. A potential role for relaxin-2 hormone in tumor-driven osteolysis has recently been reported. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic role of relaxin-2 expression in TBSCC tissue specimens and pathologically negative bone margins. Relaxin-2 immunohistochemical expression was assessed in 25 consecutively operated TBSCC patients. Several pathological variables correlated with recurrence rate (pT stage, dura mater involvement), disease-free survival (DFS) (pT stage, pN status, grade, and dura mater involvement), and disease-specific survival (DSS) (pT stage, pN status, grade, and dura mater involvement). The recurrence rate, DFS, and DSS did not correlate with relaxin-2 expression in TBSCC specimens or pathologically negative bone margins. Although local recurrence in TBSCC could relate to neoplastic bone invasion not apparent on conventional pathological investigations, the present preliminary findings seem to rule out any role of relaxin-2 in mediating this local aggressiveness. Molecular mechanisms of TBSCC recurrence after curative treatment should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gino Marioni
- Department of Neurosciences, Otolaryngology Section, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padova, Italy.
| | - Elisabetta Zanoletti
- Department of Neurosciences, Otolaryngology Section, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Lovato
- Department of Neurosciences, Otolaryngology Section, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padova, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Franchella
- Department of Neurosciences, Otolaryngology Section, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Gianatti
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, Ospedali Riuniti Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Antonio Mazzoni
- Department of Neurosciences, Otolaryngology Section, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Alessandro Martini
- Department of Neurosciences, Otolaryngology Section, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padova, Italy
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Vaidya D, Bennett WL, Sibley CT, Polak JF, Herrington DM, Ouyang P. Association of parity with carotid diameter and distensibility: multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis. Hypertension 2014; 64:253-8. [PMID: 24842921 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.114.03285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Pregnancy and childbirth are associated with hemodynamic changes and vascular remodeling. It is not known whether parity is associated with later adverse vascular properties such as larger arterial diameter, wall thickness, and lower distensibility. We used baseline data from 3283 women free of cardiovascular disease aged 45 to 84 years enrolled in the population-based Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Participants self-reported parity status. Ultrasound-derived carotid artery lumen diameters and brachial artery blood pressures were measured at peak-systole and end-diastole. Common carotid intima-media thickness was also measured. Regression models to determine the association of carotid distensibility coefficient, lumen diameter, and carotid intima-media thickness with parity were adjusted for age, race, height, weight, diabetes mellitus, current smoking, blood pressure medication use, and total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The prevalence of nulliparity was 18%. In adjusted models, carotid distensibility coefficient was 0.09×10−5 Pa−1 lower (P=0.009) in parous versus nulliparous women. Among parous women, there was a nonlinear association with the greatest carotid distensibility coefficient seen in women with 2 live births and significantly lower distensibility seen in primiparas (P=0.04) or with higher parity >2 (P=0.005). No such pattern of association with parity was found for lumen diameter or carotid intima-media thickness. Parity is associated with lower carotid artery distensibility, suggesting arterial remodeling that lasts beyond childbirth. These long-term effects on the vasculature may explain the association of parity with cardiovascular events later in life.
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Cernaro V, Santoro D, Lucisano S, Nicocia G, Lacquaniti A, Buemi M. The future of phosphate binders: a perspective on novel therapeutics. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2014; 23:1459-63. [PMID: 25243756 DOI: 10.1517/13543784.2014.962652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD) is a common complication of CKD. The therapeutic strategies for the treatment of CKD-MBD include phosphate binders, active vitamin D analogs and calcimimetics. The first class of drugs provided nephrologists with a range of phosphate binders that are able to decrease circulating phosphate and parathyroid hormone but involve some tolerability and safety issues. In the past 2 years, new phosphate binders have been launched and others are still under development. Serum phosphate increases only in the late stages of CKD but clinical abnormalities begin to occur earlier when multiple mechanisms try to compensate for the progressive reduced ability of the kidney to eliminate phosphorus with urine. Accordingly, starting phosphate binders when phosphatemia reaches values higher than normal may represent a late therapeutic approach. Serum phosphorus is not the ideal biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of phosphate imbalance. This role could be better played by fibroblast growth factor 23, whose serum concentrations rise earlier in CKD. A more detailed knowledge of the mechanisms underlying CKD-MBD development will provide new therapeutic targets and then new perspectives for the treatment of phosphate imbalance in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Cernaro
- University of Messina, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , Via Consolare Valeria n. 1, 98124 Messina , Italy +39 090 2212396 ; +39 090 2212329 ;
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Novel drug targets in clinical development for heart failure. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2014; 70:765-74. [DOI: 10.1007/s00228-014-1671-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2014] [Accepted: 03/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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Dehghan F, Muniandy S, Yusof A, Salleh N. Sex-steroid regulation of relaxin receptor isoforms (RXFP1 & RXFP2) expression in the patellar tendon and lateral collateral ligament of female WKY rats. Int J Med Sci 2014; 11:180-91. [PMID: 24465164 PMCID: PMC3894403 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.6283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2013] [Accepted: 11/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The incidence of non-contact knee injury was found higher in female than in male and is related to the phases of the menstrual cycle. This raised the possibility that female sex-steroids are involved in the mechanism underlying this injury via affecting the expression of the receptors for relaxin, a peptide hormone known to modulate ligament laxity. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of sex-steroids on relaxin receptor isoforms (RXFP1 & RXFP2) expression in the ligaments and tendons of the knee. METHODS Ovariectomized adult female WKY rats were treated with different doses of estrogen (0.2, 2, 20 μg/kg), progesterone (4mg) and testosterone (125 & 250μg/kg) for three consecutive days. At the end of the treatment, the animals were sacrificed and the patellar tendon and lateral collateral ligament were harvested for mRNA and protein expression analyses by Real Time PCR and Western blotting respectively. RESULTS RXFP1, the main isoform expressed in these knee structures and RXFP2 showed a dose-dependent increase in expression with estrogen. Progesterone treatment resulted in an increase while testosterone caused a dose-dependent decrease in the mRNA and protein expression of both relaxin receptor isoforms. DISCUSSION Progesterone and high dose estrogen up-regulate while testosterone down-regulates RXFP1 and RXFP2 expression in the patellar tendon and lateral collateral ligament of rat's knee. CONCLUSION Relaxin receptor isoforms up-regulation by progesterone and high dose estrogen could provide the basis for the reported increase in knee laxity while down-regulation of these receptor isoforms by testosterone could explain low incidence of non-contact knee injury in male.
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Affiliation(s)
- Firouzeh Dehghan
- 1. Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sekaran Muniandy
- 2. Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ashril Yusof
- 3. Department of Physiology, Sport Center, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Naguib Salleh
- 1. Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Choi IK, Strauss R, Richter M, Yun CO, Lieber A. Strategies to increase drug penetration in solid tumors. Front Oncol 2013; 3:193. [PMID: 23898462 PMCID: PMC3724174 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2013.00193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2013] [Accepted: 07/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite significant improvement in modalities for treatment of cancer that led to a longer survival period, the death rate of patients with solid tumors has not changed during the last decades. Emerging studies have identified several physical barriers that limit the therapeutic efficacy of cancer therapeutic agents such as monoclonal antibodies, chemotherapeutic agents, anti-tumor immune cells, and gene therapeutics. Most solid tumors are of epithelial origin and, although malignant cells are de-differentiated, they maintain intercellular junctions, a key feature of epithelial cells, both in the primary tumor as well as in metastatic lesions. Furthermore, nests of malignant epithelial tumor cells are shielded by layers of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (e.g., collagen, elastin, fibronectin, laminin) whereby tumor vasculature rarely penetrates into the tumor nests. In this chapter, we will review potential strategies to modulate the ECM and epithelial junctions to enhance the intratumoral diffusion and/or to remove physical masking of target receptors on malignant cells. We will focus on peptides that bind to the junction protein desmoglein 2 and trigger intracellular signaling, resulting in the transient opening of intercellular junctions. Intravenous injection of these junction openers increased the efficacy and safety of therapies with monoclonal antibodies, chemotherapeutics, and T cells in mouse tumor models and was safe in non-human primates. Furthermore, we will summarize approaches to transiently degrade ECM proteins or downregulate their expression. Among these approaches is the intratumoral expression of relaxin or decorin after adenovirus- or stem cell-mediated gene transfer. We will provide examples that relaxin-based approaches increase the anti-tumor efficacy of oncolytic viruses, monoclonal antibodies, and T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Il-Kyu Choi
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University , Seoul , South Korea
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