Urine and serum ghrelin, sCD80 and sCTLA-4 levels in doxorubicin-induced experimental nephrotic syndrome

sCD163, sCD28, sCD80, and sCTLA-4 as soluble marker candidates for detecting immunosenescence

BACKGROUND

Inflammaging, the characteristics of immunosenescence, characterized by continuous chronic inflammation that could not be resolved. It is not only affect older people but can also occur in young individuals, especially those suffering from chronic inflammatory conditions such as autoimmune disease, malignancy, or chronic infection. This condition led to altered immune function and as consequent immune function is reduced. Detection of immunosenescence has been done by examining the immune risk profile (IRP), which uses flow cytometry. These tests are not always available in health facilities, especially in developing countries and require fresh whole blood samples. Therefore, it is necessary to find biomarkers that can be tested using stored serum to make it easier to refer to the examination. Here we proposed an insight for soluble biomarkers which represented immune cells activities and exhaustion, namely sCD163, sCD28, sCD80, and sCTLA-4. Those markers were reported to be elevated in chronic diseases that caused early aging and easily detected from serum samples using ELISA method, unlike IRP. Therefore, we conclude these soluble markers are beneficial to predict pathological condition of immunosenescence.

AIM

To identify soluble biomarkers that could replace IRP for detecting immunosenescence.

CONCLUSION

Soluble costimulatory molecule suchsCD163, sCD28, sCD80, and sCTLA-4 are potential biomarkers for detecting immunosenescence.

CTLA4-Ig Abatacept Ameliorates Proteinuria by Regulating Circulating Treg/IL-17 in Adriamycin-Induced Nephropathy Rats

Objective

This study is aimed at investigating the efficacy of CTLA4-Ig abatacept in normalizing proteinuria and its possible mechanism in adriamycin-induced nephropathy (AIN) rats.

Methods

A total of 32 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group, an AIN group, an abatacept group, and a prednisone group. Adriamycin (6.5 mg/kg) was injected once via the tail vein of rats to induce nephrotic syndrome. After adriamycin treatment, the abatacept group rats were given abatacept (0.5 mg/kg) once by intraperitoneal injection on day 14. In addition, the prednisone group rats were given prednisone (12.5 mg/kg) daily consecutively by gavage from day 14 to day 21. Blood, urine, and kidney tissue specimens were collected when sacrificed on day 21. The 24-hour urinary protein, serum albumin, cholesterol, creatinine, and urea nitrogen were then detected. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the level of urine CD80 and serum IL-17. Flow cytometry was used to investigate the prevalence of circulating Treg. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and electron microscopy were used for a renal histological study. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to confirm the CD80 expression of renal tissue.

Results

The 24-hour urinary protein of the abatacept group was significantly lower than that of the prednisone group and the AIN group. The level of urine CD80 of the abatacept group was significantly lower than that of the AIN group. Compared with the AIN group and the prednisone group, the circulating Treg prevalence of the abatacept group was significantly higher, while the level of serum IL-17 was lower. A negative kidney staining of CD80 expression was demonstrated in each group in this study. The 24-hour urinary protein had a negative correlation with the circulating Treg prevalence and Treg/IL-17 and a positive correlation with the urine CD80 and serum IL-17. Urinary CD80 had a positive correlation with serum IL-17 and no correlation with the circulating Treg prevalence.

Conclusions

CTLA4-Ig abatacept can reduce proteinuria of adriamycin-induced nephropathy rats, possibly at least partially as a result of regulating circulating Treg/IL-17. CTLA4-Ig abatacept could be a promising regimen for idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

FABP4 in Gestational Diabetes-Association between Mothers and Offspring

Fetuses exposed to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have a higher risk of abnormal glucose homeostasis in later life. The molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon are still not fully understood. Fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) appears to be one of the most probable candidates involved in the pathophysiology of GDM. The main aim of the study was to investigate whether umbilical cord serum FABP4 concentrations are altered in term neonates born to GDM mothers. Two groups of subjects were selected—28 healthy controls and 26 patients with GDM. FABP4, leptin, and ghrelin concentrations in the umbilical cord serum, maternal serum, and maternal urine were determined via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The umbilical cord serum FABP4 levels were higher in the GDM offspring and were directly associated with the maternal serum FABP4 and leptin levels, as well as the prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and the BMI at and after delivery; however, they correlated negatively with birth weight and lipid parameters. In the multiple linear regression models, the umbilical cord serum FABP4 concentrations depended positively on the maternal serum FABP4 and negatively on the umbilical cord serum ghrelin levels and the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. There are many maternal variables that can affect the level of FABP4 in the umbilical cord serum, thus, their evaluation requires further investigation.

Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 4-An "Inauspicious" Adipokine-In Serum and Urine of Post-Partum Women with Excessive Gestational Weight Gain and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

The exact roles of adipokines in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and obesity are still unclear. The aim of the study was to evaluate fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) concentrations in the serum and urine of women with excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in the early post-partum period, with reference to their laboratory test results, body composition, and hydration status. The study subjects were divided into three groups: 24 healthy controls, 24 mothers with EGWG, and 22 GDM patients. Maternal body composition and hydration status were evaluated by the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) method. Concentrations of FABP4, leptin, and ghrelin were determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Healthy women were characterized by the lowest serum leptin concentrations and by a negative correlation between the serum and urine FABP4 levels. Serum FABP4 levels were the highest in the GDM group. Serum FABP4 and leptin concentrations correlated positively in the GDM group. The EGWG group had the highest degree of BIA disturbances in the early puerperium and positive correlations between the urine FABP4 and serum leptin and ghrelin concentrations. The physiological and pathological significance of these findings requires further elucidation.

Ghrelin in Serum and Urine of Post-Partum Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Women with a previous history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have a significantly increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases in the future. The aim of the study was to evaluate ghrelin concentrations in serum and urine in the GDM group in the early post-partum period, with reference to laboratory results, body composition, and hydration status. The study subjects were divided into two groups, that is, 28 healthy controls and 26 patients with diagnosed GDM. The maternal body composition and hydration status were evaluated by the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) method. The concentrations of ghrelin in the maternal serum and urine were determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The laboratory and BIA results of the mothers with GDM were different from those without GDM. Urine ghrelin positively correlated with serum ghrelin and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) levels in healthy mothers. There were direct correlations between urine ghrelin and HDL as well as triglycerides levels in the GDM group. Neither the lean tissue index nor body cell mass index were related to the serum ghrelin concentrations in this group. Only the urine ghrelin of healthy mothers correlated with the fat tissue index. Our results draw attention to urine as an easily available and appropriable biological material for further studies.