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Liu X, Mao Z, Yuan M, Li L, Tan Y, Qu Z, Chen M, Yu F. Glomerular mTORC1 activation was associated with podocytes to endothelial cells communication in lupus nephritis. Lupus Sci Med 2023; 10:10/1/e000896. [PMID: 37147021 PMCID: PMC10163597 DOI: 10.1136/lupus-2023-000896] [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: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was initiated to evaluate the mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) signalling pathway involved in renal endothelial-podocyte crosstalk in patients with lupus nephritis (LN). METHODS We compared the kidney protein expression patterns of 10 patients with LN with severe endothelial-podocyte injury and 3 patients with non-severe endothelial-podocyte injury on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded kidney tissues using label-free liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for quantitative proteomics analysis. Podocyte injury was graded by foot process width (FPW). The severe group was referred to patients with both glomerular endocapillary hypercellularity and FPW >1240 nm. The non-severe group included patients with normal endothelial capillaries and FPW in the range of 619~1240 nm. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analyses were performed based on the protein intensity levels of differentially expressed proteins in each patient. An enriched mTOR pathway was selected, and the activation of mTOR complexes in renal biopsied specimens was further verified in 176 patients with LN. RESULTS Compared with those of the non-severe group, 230 proteins were upregulated and 54 proteins were downregulated in the severe group. Furthermore, GO enrichment analysis showed enrichment in the 'positive regulation of mTOR signalling' pathway. The glomerular activation of mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) was significantly increased in the severe group compared with the non-severe group (p=0.034), and mTORC1 was located in podocytes and glomerular endothelial cells. Glomerular activation of mTORC1 was positively correlated with endocapillary hypercellularity (r=0.289, p<0.001) and significantly increased in patients with both endocapillary hypercellularity and FPW >1240 nm (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Glomerular mTORC1 was highly activated in patients with both glomerular endocapillary hypercellularity and podocyte injury, which might be involved in podocytes to endothelial cells communication in lupus nephritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Liu
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of CKD Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, China
- Research Units of Diagnosis and Treatment of lmmune-Mediated Kidney Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaomin Mao
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of CKD Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, China
- Research Units of Diagnosis and Treatment of lmmune-Mediated Kidney Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mo Yuan
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of CKD Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, China
- Research Units of Diagnosis and Treatment of lmmune-Mediated Kidney Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Linlin Li
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of CKD Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, China
- Research Units of Diagnosis and Treatment of lmmune-Mediated Kidney Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Tan
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of CKD Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, China
- Research Units of Diagnosis and Treatment of lmmune-Mediated Kidney Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen Qu
- Department of Nephrology, Peking University International Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Min Chen
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of CKD Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, China
- Research Units of Diagnosis and Treatment of lmmune-Mediated Kidney Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Yu
- Department of Nephrology, Peking University International Hospital, Beijing, China
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Deng L, Xu G, Huang Q. Comprehensive analyses of the microRNA-messenger RNA-transcription factor regulatory network in mouse and human renal fibrosis. Front Genet 2022; 13:925097. [PMID: 36457754 PMCID: PMC9705735 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.925097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to construct a microRNA (miRNA)-messenger RNA (mRNA)-transcription factor (TF) regulatory network and explore underlying molecular mechanisms, effective biomarkers, and drugs in renal fibrosis (RF). Methods: A total of six datasets were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus. "Limma" and "DESeq2" packages in R software and GEO2R were applied to identify the differentially expressed miRNAs and mRNAs (DEmiRNAs and DEmRNAs, respectively). The determination and verification of DEmiRNAs and DEmRNAs were performed through the integrated analysis of datasets from five mouse 7 days of unilateral ureteral obstruction datasets and one human chronic kidney disease dataset and the Human Protein Atlas (http://www.proteinatlas.org). Target mRNAs of DEmiRNAs and TFs were predicted by prediction databases and the iRegulon plugin in Cytoscape, respectively. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed using STRING, Cytoscape v3.9.1, and CytoNCA. Functional enrichment analysis was performed by DIANA-miRPath v3.0 and R package "clusterProfiler." A miRNA-mRNA-TF network was established using Cytoscape. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to examine the diagnostic value of the key hub genes. Finally, the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database and Drug-Gene Interaction database were applied to identify potential drugs. Results: Here, 4 DEmiRNAs and 11 hub genes were determined and confirmed in five mouse datasets, of which Bckdha and Vegfa were further verified in one human dataset and HPA, respectively. Moreover, Bckdha and Vegfa were also predicted by miR-125a-3p and miR-199a-5p, respectively, in humans as in mice. The sequences of miR-125a-3p and miR-199a-5p in mice were identical to those in humans. A total of 6 TFs were predicted to regulate Bckdha and Vegfa across mice and humans; then, a miRNA-mRNA-TF regulatory network was built. Subsequently, ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve value of Vegfa was 0.825 (p = 0.002). Finally, enalapril was identified to target Vegfa for RF therapy. Conclusion: Pax2, Pax5, Sp1, Sp2, Sp3, and Sp4 together with Bckdha-dependent miR-125a-3p/Vegfa-dependent miR-199a-5p formed a co-regulatory network enabling Bckdha/Vegfa to be tightly controlled in the underlying pathogenesis of RF across mice and humans. Vegfa could act as a potential novel diagnostic marker and might be targeted by enalapril for RF therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Deng
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi, China
| | - Gaosi Xu
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi, China
| | - Qipeng Huang
- Department of Nephrology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Heyuan, China
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Low Urine Secretion of Semaphorin3A in Lupus Patients with Proteinuria. Inflammation 2021; 45:603-609. [PMID: 34562225 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-021-01570-4] [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: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Immune semaphorins are important in controlling both innate and adaptive immune responses. The regulatory role of semaphorin3A (sema3A) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and other autoimmune diseases is widely reported. Decreased levels of serum sema3A were shown to correlate with SLE disease activity. The aim was to assess urine concentrations of sema3A in SLE patients and its correlation with renal involvement and disease activity. Urine levels of sema3A were analyzed in 38 SLE patients, 13 with renal involvement, and were compared to 10 healthy volunteers and 8 RA patients (disease control group). The excretion of urine sema3A was found to be significantly lower in SLE patients compared to healthy volunteers and RA patients (4.9 ± 3.9 ng/ml, 8.5 ± 2.7 ng/ml, 9.85 ± 1.7 ng/ml, respectively, p = 0.0006). Urine sema3A was significantly lower in SLE patients with lupus nephritis than in patients without nephritis (4.0 ± 3.4 ng/ml vs. 6.5 ± 3.8 ng/ml, p = 0.03). Urine sema3A inversely correlated with proteinuria and SLE disease activity. Urine sema3A is decreased in lupus patients and should be further evaluated as a possible biomarker for disease activity and renal involvement.
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Targeting angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in kidney disease. Nat Rev Nephrol 2020; 16:289-303. [PMID: 32144398 DOI: 10.1038/s41581-020-0260-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The kidney is permeated by a highly complex vascular system with glomerular and peritubular capillary networks that are essential for maintaining the normal functions of glomerular and tubular epithelial cells. The integrity of the renal vascular network depends on a balance of proangiogenic and antiangiogenic factors, and disruption of this balance has been identified in various kidney diseases. Decreased levels of the predominant proangiogenic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), can result in glomerular microangiopathy and contribute to the onset of preeclampsia, whereas upregulation of VEGFA has roles in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Other factors that regulate angiogenesis, such as angiopoietin 1 and vasohibin 1, have been shown to be protective in animal models of DKD and renal fibrosis. The renal lymphatic system is important for fluid homeostasis in the kidney, as well as the transport of immune cells and antigens. Experimental studies suggest that the lymphangiogenic factor VEGFC might have protective effects in PKD, DKD and renal fibrosis. Understanding the physiological and pathological roles of factors that regulate angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in the kidney has led to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for kidney diseases.
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Aragón CC, Tafúr RA, Suárez-Avellaneda A, Martínez MDT, Salas ADL, Tobón GJ. Urinary biomarkers in lupus nephritis. J Transl Autoimmun 2020; 3:100042. [PMID: 32743523 PMCID: PMC7388339 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtauto.2020.100042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the prototypical autoimmune disease that can affect any organ of the body. Multiple mechanisms may contribute to the pathophysiology of systemic lupus, including failure to remove apoptotic bodies, hyperactivity of self-reactive B and T lymphocytes, abnormal exposure to autoantigens, and increased levels of B-cell stimulatory cytokines. The involvement of the kidney, called lupus nephritis (LN), during the course of the disease affects between 30% and 60% of adult SLE patients, and up to 70% of children. LN is an immune-mediated glomerulonephritis that is a common and serious finding in patients with SLE. Nowadays, renal biopsy is considered the gold standard for classifying LN, besides its degree of activity or chronicity. Nevertheless, renal biopsy lacks the ability to predict which patients will respond to immunosuppressive therapy and is a costly and risky procedure that is not practical in the monitoring of LN because serial repetitions would be necessary. Consequently, many serum and urinary biomarkers have been studied in SLE patients for the complementary study of LN, existing conventional biomarkers like proteinuria, protein/creatinine ratio in spot urine, 24 h urine proteinuria, creatinine clearance, among others and non-conventional biomarkers, like Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), have been correlated with the histological findings of the different types of LN. In this article, we review the advances in lupus nephritis urinary biomarkers. Such markers ideally should be capable of predicting early sub-clinical flares and could be used to follow response to therapy. In addition, some of these markers have been found to be involved in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian C. Aragón
- GIRAT: Grupo de Investigación en Reumatología, Autoinmunidad y Medicina Traslacional, Fundación Valle Del Lili and Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
| | - Raúl-Alejandro Tafúr
- GIRAT: Grupo de Investigación en Reumatología, Autoinmunidad y Medicina Traslacional, Fundación Valle Del Lili and Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
- Universidad Icesi, Medical School, Cali, Colombia
| | - Ana Suárez-Avellaneda
- GIRAT: Grupo de Investigación en Reumatología, Autoinmunidad y Medicina Traslacional, Fundación Valle Del Lili and Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
| | - MD. Tatiana Martínez
- GIRAT: Grupo de Investigación en Reumatología, Autoinmunidad y Medicina Traslacional, Fundación Valle Del Lili and Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
- Universidad Icesi, Medical School, Cali, Colombia
| | - Alejandra de las Salas
- GIRAT: Grupo de Investigación en Reumatología, Autoinmunidad y Medicina Traslacional, Fundación Valle Del Lili and Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
- Universidad Icesi, Medical School, Cali, Colombia
| | - Gabriel J. Tobón
- GIRAT: Grupo de Investigación en Reumatología, Autoinmunidad y Medicina Traslacional, Fundación Valle Del Lili and Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
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Wang L, Law HKW. Immune Complexes Impaired Glomerular Endothelial Cell Functions in Lupus Nephritis. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20215281. [PMID: 31652980 PMCID: PMC6862593 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20215281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2019] [Revised: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most common and severe complications of lupus. However, the mechanisms for renal damage have not been well elucidated. There are evidences show that glomerular endothelial cells (GECs) are damaged in LN. Immune complexes can deposit in subendothelial area and could affect GEC functions. In the present study, we used heat-aggregated gamma globulin (HAGG) to simulate immune complexes and investigated their effects on GEC functions. Our results revealed that HAGG impaired different aspect of the GEC functions. HAGG changed cell morphology, upregulated the expression of active caspase-3, inhibited angiogenesis, and increased NO production in GECs. These results provide new clues for the mechanisms of renal damage and the pathology of LN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Wang
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Faculty of Health and Social Science, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Helen Ka Wai Law
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Faculty of Health and Social Science, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, China.
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Torres-Salido MT, Sanchis M, Solé C, Moliné T, Vidal M, Vidal X, Solà A, Hotter G, Ordi-Ros J, Cortés-Hernández J. Urinary Neuropilin-1: A Predictive Biomarker for Renal Outcome in Lupus Nephritis. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20184601. [PMID: 31533337 PMCID: PMC6769814 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20184601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
At present, Lupus Nephritis (LN) is still awaiting a biomarker to better monitor disease activity, guide clinical treatment, and predict a patient’s long-term outcome. In the last decade, novel biomarkers have been identified to monitor the disease, but none have been incorporated into clinical practice. The transmembrane receptor neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) is highly expressed by mesangial cells and its genetic deletion results in proteinuric disease and glomerulosclerosis. NRP-1 is increased in kidney biopsies of LN. In this work we were interested in determining whether urinary NRP-1 levels could be a biomarker of clinical response in LN. Our results show that patients with active LN have increased levels of urinary NRP-1. When patients were divided according to clinical response, responders displayed higher urinary and tissue NRP-1 levels at the time of renal biopsy. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve, comparing baseline creatinine, proteinuria, urinary NRP-1, and VEGFA protein levels, showed NRP-1 to be an independent predictor for clinical response. In addition, in vitro studies suggest that NRP-1could promote renal recovery through endothelial proliferation and migration, mesangial migration and local T cell cytotoxicity. Based on these results, NRP-1 may be used as an early prognostic biomarker in LN.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mireia Sanchis
- Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Rheumatology research group, Lupus Unit, 08035 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Cristina Solé
- Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Rheumatology research group, Lupus Unit, 08035 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Teresa Moliné
- Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Department of Renal Pathology, 08035 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Marta Vidal
- Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Department of Renal Pathology, 08035 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Xavier Vidal
- Clinical Pharmacology Service, Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Fundació Institut Català de Farmacologia, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Anna Solà
- Department of Experimental Pathology, IIBB-CSIC-IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
- CIBER-BBN, Networking Centre on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Georgina Hotter
- Department of Experimental Pathology, IIBB-CSIC-IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
- CIBER-BBN, Networking Centre on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Josep Ordi-Ros
- Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Rheumatology research group, Lupus Unit, 08035 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Josefina Cortés-Hernández
- Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Rheumatology research group, Lupus Unit, 08035 Barcelona, Spain.
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Cai Z, Xiang W, Peng X, Ding Y, Liao W, He X. MicroRNA-145 Involves in the Pathogenesis of Renal Vascular Lesions and May Become a Potential Therapeutic Target in Patients with Juvenile Lupus Nephritis. Kidney Blood Press Res 2019; 44:643-655. [PMID: 31430759 DOI: 10.1159/000500923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS The current study was conducted with the central objective of investigating the expression of microRNA-145 (miR-145) in renal vascular lesions (RVLs) in juvenile lupus nephritis (JLN) and its possible mechanism. METHODS The clinical data of 49 JLN patients confirmed by renal biopsy were collected and followed by grouping according to the RVLs score after hematoxylin-eosin staining: mild, moderate, and severe groups. In situ hybridization was used to detect the expression of miR-145 in renal vessels which was then being compared among different RVLs groups. Up-LV-miR-145 and LV-miR-NC lentiviral vectors were constructed and transfected into human vascular smooth muscle cells (HVSMCs), respectively. After HVSMCs were treated with 10.0 µg/L platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB for 24 h, the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of endothelial cells were detected by MTT, Transwell assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. Western blot was used to detect expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SM-actin) and osteopontin (OPN). RESULTS The expression of miR-145 in renal vascular cells was statistically significant. The higher the inner membrane ratio, the lesser the miR-145 expression. After treatment with PDGF-BB, expression of miR-145 in HVSMCs decreased, proliferation and migration ability enhanced, apoptosis decreased, α-SM-actin decreased, and OPN increased. The proliferation and migration ability of HVSMCs in the LV-miR-145 group suppressed, apoptosis enhanced, α-SM-actin increased, and OPN decreased. CONCLUSIONS Our study revealed that miR-145 expression decreased with the increase of vascular damage. miR-145 can inhibit proliferation, migration, and differentiation phenotypic transformation of HVSMCs induced by PDGF-BB. miR-145 may be involved in the pathogenesis of RVLs and may be a new target for treatment of RVLs in lupus nephritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaomin Cai
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, People's Hospital of Baoan District of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wei Xiang
- Department of Pediatrics, Hainan Provincial Maternal Hospital, Hainan Province, Haikou, China
| | - Xiaojie Peng
- Department of Nephrology, Jiangxi Provincial Children's Hospital, Nanchang, China
| | - Yan Ding
- Department of Dermatology, Hainan Provincial Dermatology Disease Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Wang Liao
- Department of Cardiology, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Xiaojie He
- Laboratory of Pediatric Nephrology, Institute of Pediatrics, Central South University, Changsha, China,
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An Exosomal Urinary miRNA Signature for Early Diagnosis of Renal Fibrosis in Lupus Nephritis. Cells 2019; 8:cells8080773. [PMID: 31349698 PMCID: PMC6721515 DOI: 10.3390/cells8080773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
For lupus nephritis (LN) management, it is very important to detect fibrosis at an early stage. Urinary exosomal miRNAs profiling can be used as a potential multi-marker phenotyping tool to identify early fibrosis. We isolated and characterised urinary exosomes and cellular pellets from patients with biopsy-proven LN (n = 45) and healthy controls (n = 20). LN chronicity index (CI) correlated with urinary exosomal miR-21, miR-150, and miR-29c (r = 0.565, 0.840, −0.559, respectively). This miRNA profile distinguished low CI from moderate-high CI in LN patients with a high sensitivity and specificity (94.4% and 99.8%). Furthermore, this multimarker panel predicted an increased risk of progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Pathway analysis identified VEGFA and SP1 as common target genes for the three miRNAs. Immunohistochemistry in LN renal biopsies revealed a significant increase of COL1A1 and COL4A1 correlated with renal chronicity. SP1 decreased significantly in the high-CI group (p = 0.002). VEGFA levels showed no differences. In vitro experiments suggest that these miRNA combinations promote renal fibrosis by increasing profibrotic molecules through SP1 and Smad3/TGFβ pathways. In conclusion, a urinary exosomal multimarker panel composed of miR-21, miR-150, and miR-29c provides a non-invasive method to detect early renal fibrosis and predict disease progression in LN.
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10
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Yuan M, Tan Y, Wang Y, Wang SX, Yu F, Zhao MH. The associations of endothelial and podocyte injury in proliferative lupus nephritis: from observational analysis to in vitro study. Lupus 2019; 28:347-358. [PMID: 30755145 DOI: 10.1177/0961203319828509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Our study aims to evaluate the endothelial cell-podocyte crosstalk in proliferative lupus nephritis (LN). The semi-quantification scores of glomerular endothelial cell injury and the foot process width (FPW) were processed in 110 proliferative LN patients. Podocytes were stimulated with LN-derived IgG. Glomerular endothelial cells were treated with podocyte-conditioned medium (PCM), and then podocytes were incubated with endothelial cell-conditioned medium (ECM). The levels of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) in PCM and endothelin-1 in ECM were analyzed, and the injury of podocyte and glomerular endothelial cells were further evaluated. The pathological score of glomerular endothelial cell injury was correlated with FPW in LN complicated with thrombotic microangiopathy. In vitro study showed the following: 1. Stimulation of podocytes by IgG from LN led to decline in the expression of nephrin with cytoskeleton rearrangement, and reduction of VEGF-A levels. 2. Exposure of glomerular endothelial cells to PCM incubated with LN-derived IgG (PCM-LN) induced more endothelin-1 secretion and disruption of intercellular tight junction. 3. Exposure of podocytes to ECM stimulated with PCM-LN could induce cytoskeleton redistribution with decrease of nephrin. In conclusion, the pathological glomerular endothelial cell lesions were associated with FPW and the VEGF-endothelin-1 system might play a critical role in the endothelial cell-podocyte crosstalk in LN.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Yuan
- 1 Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,2 Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,3 Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,4 Key Laboratory of Chronic Kidney Disease Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Y Tan
- 1 Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,2 Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,3 Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,4 Key Laboratory of Chronic Kidney Disease Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Y Wang
- 1 Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,2 Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,3 Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,4 Key Laboratory of Chronic Kidney Disease Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - S X Wang
- 1 Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,2 Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,3 Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,4 Key Laboratory of Chronic Kidney Disease Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - F Yu
- 1 Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,2 Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,3 Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,4 Key Laboratory of Chronic Kidney Disease Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,5 Department of Nephrology, Peking University International Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - M H Zhao
- 1 Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,2 Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,3 Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,4 Key Laboratory of Chronic Kidney Disease Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,6 Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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11
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Heme oxygenase-1 as a potential therapeutic target in rheumatic diseases. Life Sci 2018; 218:205-212. [PMID: 30580021 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2018.12.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a cellular stress protein, serves a vital metabolic function as the rate-limiting enzyme in the degradation of heme to generate carbon monoxide (CO), iron, and biliverdin (BR). HO-1 may function as one of the most momentous factors of cell adaptation to oxidase stress, as well as a regulator of inflammatory signaling programs through the generation of its biologically active end products. Intensive investigation is now focusing on the potential function of HO-1 in inflammatory disorders, among which rheumatic diseases are one of the principal issues. METHODS "Heme oxygenase-1", "rheumatic diseases"; "lupus", "rheumatic arthritis", "osteoarthritis" and "oxidative stress" were used as key words for searching in Pubmed and Google scholar database. RESULTS Collected information from the related articles revealed the important role of pathogenesis and therapeutic potential of HO-1 in rheumatic diseases. Conclusions and discussions HO-1 has potential as a target for the treatment of rheumatic diseases due to its characteristic anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative role. However, it is essential to monitor the HO-1 expression during particular stage of the disorders, and levels of HO-1 in different tissues and organs should be further confirmed in order to correlate it with clinical symptoms and other hallmarks of rheumatic diseases.
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Endogenous Antiangiogenic Factors in Chronic Kidney Disease: Potential Biomarkers of Progression. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19071859. [PMID: 29937525 PMCID: PMC6073618 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19071859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2018] [Revised: 06/17/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major global health problem. Unless intensive intervention is initiated, some patients can rapidly progress to end-stage kidney disease. However, it is often difficult to predict renal outcomes using conventional laboratory tests in individuals with CKD. Therefore, many researchers have been searching for novel biomarkers to predict the progression of CKD. Angiogenesis is involved in physiological and pathological processes in the kidney and is regulated by the balance between a proangiogenic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, and various endogenous antiangiogenic factors. In recent reports using genetically engineered mice, the roles of these antiangiogenic factors in the pathogenesis of kidney disease have become increasingly clear. In addition, recent clinical studies have demonstrated associations between circulating levels of antiangiogenic factors and renal dysfunction in CKD patients. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the study of representative endogenous antiangiogenic factors, including soluble fms-related tyrosine kinase 1, soluble endoglin, pigment epithelium-derived factor, VEGF-A165b, endostatin, and vasohibin-1, in associations with kidney diseases and discuss their predictive potentials as biomarkers of progression of CKD.
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Flores-Mendoza G, Sansón SP, Rodríguez-Castro S, Crispín JC, Rosetti F. Mechanisms of Tissue Injury in Lupus Nephritis. Trends Mol Med 2018. [PMID: 29526595 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Disease heterogeneity remains a major challenge for the understanding of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Recent work has revealed the important role of nonimmune factors in the development of end-organ damage involvement, shifting the current paradigm that views SLE as a disease inflicted by a disturbed immune system on passive target organs. Here, we discuss the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis in a comprehensive manner, by incorporating the role that target organs play by withstanding and modulating the local inflammatory response. Moreover, we consider the effects that genetic variants exert on immune and nonimmune cells in order to shape the phenotype of the disease in each affected individual.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Flores-Mendoza
- Departamento de Inmunología y Reumatología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Medicina, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Stephanie P Sansón
- Departamento de Inmunología y Reumatología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; Plan de Estudios Combinados en Medicina (PECEM), Facultad de Medicina, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Santiago Rodríguez-Castro
- Departamento de Inmunología y Reumatología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; Plan de Estudios Combinados en Medicina (PECEM), Facultad de Medicina, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - José C Crispín
- Departamento de Inmunología y Reumatología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City 14080, Mexico.
| | - Florencia Rosetti
- Departamento de Inmunología y Reumatología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City 14080, Mexico.
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Ghazali WSW, Iberahim R, Ashari NSM. Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) as a Biomarker for Disease Activity in Lupus Nephritis. Malays J Med Sci 2017; 24:62-72. [PMID: 29386973 PMCID: PMC5772816 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2017.24.5.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that serum VEGF levels were elevated in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), especially in those with lupus nephritis (LN). In this case control study, we aimed to compare serum levels of VEGF in SLE patients between LN, non-LN and healthy participants to determine the association between serum VEGF levels and the activity and histological classes of lupus nephritis. METHODS Blood samples were obtained from 92 SLE patients (46 LN and 46 non-LN) and 26 controls. Data were collected from medical records. Serum VEGF assays were performed by specific, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits (ELISA). Laboratory investigations included urinalysis, urine protein-creatinine ratio, serum creatinine, albumin and VEGF levels. Blood pressure, renal biopsy result and treatment were recorded. LN activity was evaluated using the renal subscale of the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (rBILAG, 2004). The rBILAG measures blood pressure (diastolic and systolic), urine protein, serum creatinine, calculated glomerular filtration rate (GFR), presence of active urinary sediments and histological evidence of active nephritis. RESULTS Serum VEGF was elevated in SLE patients with LN compared with the non-LN group and healthy controls. The levels found were significantly higher in the sera of patients with active nephritis compared to those with quiescent nephritis (P = 0.024). The study did not find a statistically significant relationship between serum VEGF levels and histological classes of LN. CONCLUSION There was no significant difference of serum VEGF level between LN and non-LN SLE groups and between the non-LN group and healthy controls. However, there were increased levels of serum VEGF in the LN group, especially in patients with active nephritis as compared to quiescent nephritis group. This reflects the role of VEGF in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis, however the clinical potential of this biomarker needs further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan Syamimee Wan Ghazali
- Department of Medicine, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Rahimah Iberahim
- Department of Medicine, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Noor Suryani Mohd Ashari
- Department of Immunology, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
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Unraveling the podocyte injury in lupus nephritis: Clinical and experimental approaches. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2017; 46:632-641. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2016.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Revised: 10/08/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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16
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Relation of peritubular capillary features to class of lupus nephritis. BMC Nephrol 2016; 17:169. [PMID: 27829387 PMCID: PMC5103390 DOI: 10.1186/s12882-016-0388-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/03/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Experimental studies have linked peritubular capillary (PTC) loss with progression of chronic kidney disease. Minimal information on PTC in lupus nephritis (LN) has been reported. We therefore evaluated the PTC area in different classes of LN and determined if specific clinical characteristics correlated with PTC changes. Methods Renal biopsies of 253 subjects with LN (categorized using the ISN/RPS 2003 classification) and 13 normal renal donors (the controls) were retrospectively evaluated for PTC morphology by staining for CD31 with immunohistochemistry method. The percent positive area of PTC (% PTC) was correlated with serum and urinary measures of renal function and renal pathology. Results Significant PTC loss was observed in all classes of LN compared to controls. The % PTC area was highest in controls (7.64±1.48 %) with levels of 1.95±1.50, 4.16±3.85, 4.19±4.45, 5.02±1.79, and 4.45±3.75 in classes II, III, IV, IV combined with V and V, respectively (all p values < 0.05). The lowest PTC density was observed in class II LN, but this may be because some cases with worse classes of LN showed increased PTC density due to abnormally dilated capillaries associated with acute inflammation and angiogenesis. %PTC was increased in those with hematuria (5.8±5.2 vs. 3.6±3.4 %, red blood cells 3-10 vs. < 3 cells/high power field, p < 0.05) and was reduced in those with a moderately declined renal function (3.29±3.40 vs. 4.42±4.12, eGFR 15-59 vs. ≥ 60 ml/min/1.73 m2, p < 0.05). Nephrotic-range proteinuria also trended to be associated with lower PTC density although it did not reach statistical significance (3.1±2.6 vs. 4.9±4.5, p= 0.067). Conclusions LN is associated with PTC loss and the severity correlates with reduced renal function. Further studies are needed to investigate whether a loss of PTC can predict long term renal outcomes in LN. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12882-016-0388-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Turner RJ, Eikmans M, Bajema IM, Bruijn JA, Baelde HJ. Stability and Species Specificity of Renal VEGF-A Splicing Patterns in Kidney Disease. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0162166. [PMID: 27598902 PMCID: PMC5012578 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) is essential for maintaining the glomerular filtration barrier. Absolute renal levels of VEGF-A change in patients with diabetic nephropathy and inflammatory kidney diseases, but whether changes in the renal splicing patterns of VEGF-A play a role remains unclear. In this study, we investigated mRNA splicing patterns of pro-angiogenic isoforms of VEGF-A in glomeruli and whole kidney samples from human patients with kidney disease and from mouse models of kidney disease. Kidney biopsies were obtained from patients with acute rejection following kidney transplantation, patients with diabetic nephropathy, and control subjects. In addition, kidney samples were obtained from mice with lupus nephritis, mice with diabetes mellitus, and control mice. The relative expression of each VEGF-A splice variant was measured using RT-PCR followed by quantitative fragment analysis. The pattern of renal VEGF-A splice variants was unchanged in diabetic nephropathy and lupus nephritis and was stable throughout disease progression in acute transplant rejection and diabetic nephropathy; these results suggest renal VEGF-A splicing stability during kidney disease. The splicing patterns were species-specific; in the control human kidney samples, VEGF-A 121 was the dominant isoform, whereas VEGF-A 164 was the dominant isoform measured in the mouse kidney samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. J. Turner
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - M. Eikmans
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - I. M. Bajema
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - J. A. Bruijn
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - H. J. Baelde
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Biomarkers for Refractory Lupus Nephritis: A Microarray Study of Kidney Tissue. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:14276-90. [PMID: 26110394 PMCID: PMC4490552 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160614276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Revised: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The prognosis of severe lupus nephritis (LN) is very different among individual patients. None of the current biomarkers can be used to predict the development of refractory LN. Because kidney histology is the gold standard for diagnosing LN, the authors hypothesize that molecular signatures detected in kidney biopsy tissue may have predictive value in determining the therapeutic response. Sixty-seven patients with biopsy-proven severely active LN by International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society (ISN/RPS) classification III/IV were recruited. Twenty-three kidney tissue samples were used for RNA microarray analysis, while the remaining 44 samples were used for validation by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) gene expression analysis. From hundreds of differential gene expressions in refractory LN, 12 candidates were selected for validation based on gene expression levels as well as relevant functions. The candidate biomarkers were members of the innate immune response molecules, adhesion molecules, calcium-binding receptors, and paracellular tight junction proteins. S100A8, ANXA13, CLDN19 and FAM46B were identified as the best kidney biomarkers for refractory LN, and COL8A1 was identified as the best marker for early loss of kidney function. These new molecular markers can be used to predict refractory LN and may eventually lead to novel molecular targets for therapy.
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Li BZ, Guo B, Zhang HY, Liu J, Tao SS, Pan HF, Ye DQ. Therapeutic potential of HO-1 in autoimmune diseases. Inflammation 2015; 37:1779-88. [PMID: 24818708 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-014-9908-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), the inducible isoform of heme oxygenase (HO), has raised a lot of concerns in recent years due to its multiple functions. HO-1 was found to be a pivotal cytoprotective, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, immunosuppressive, as well as anti-inflammatory molecule. Recent studies have clarified its significant functions in many diseases with substantial findings. In autoimmune diseases, HO-1 may have promising therapeutic potential. Here, we briefly reviewed recent advances in this field, aiming at hopefully exploring the potential therapeutic roles of HO-1, and design HO-1-based strategies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao-Zhu Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
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Araujo AP, Giorgio S. Immunohistochemical evidence of stress and inflammatory markers in mouse models of cutaneous leishmaniosis. Arch Dermatol Res 2015; 307:671-82. [PMID: 25896942 DOI: 10.1007/s00403-015-1564-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2014] [Revised: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Leishmanioses are chronic parasitic diseases and host responses are associated with pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokines involved, respectively, in the control or exacerbation of infection. The relevance of other inflammatory mediators and stress markers has not been widely studied and there is a need to search for biomarkers to leishmaniasis. In this work, the stress and inflammatory molecules p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, cyclooxygenase-2, migration inhibitory factor, macrophage inflammatory protein 2, heat shock protein 70 kDa, vascular endothelial factor (VEGF), hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF-1α and HIF-2α), heme oxygenase and galectin-3 expression were assessed immunohistochemically in self-controlled lesions in C57BL/6 mice and severe lesions in Balb/c mice infected with Leishmania amazonensis. The results indicated that the majority of molecules were expressed in the cutaneous lesions of both C57BL/6 and Balb/c mice during various phases of infection, suggesting no obvious correlation between the stress and inflammatory molecule expression and the control/exacerbation of leishmanial lesions. However, the cytokine VEGF was only detected in C57BL/6 footpad lesions and small lesions in Balb/c mice treated with antimonial pentavalent. These findings suggest that VEGF expression could be a predictive factor for murine leishmanial control, a hypothesis that should be tested in human leishmaniosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Paiva Araujo
- Department of Animal Biology, Biology Institute, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Caixa Postal 6109, Campinas, São Paulo, 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Selma Giorgio
- Department of Animal Biology, Biology Institute, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Caixa Postal 6109, Campinas, São Paulo, 13083-970, Brazil.
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Glomerular endothelial cell injury and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis lesion in idiopathic membranous nephropathy. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0116700. [PMID: 25875837 PMCID: PMC4398543 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0116700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2014] [Accepted: 12/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) lesions have often been discussed as a negative predictor in idopathic membranous nephropathy (MN). The mechanism of the development of FSGS lesion in MN is still uncertain. Methods From 250 cases of MN, 26 cases contained FSGS lesion. We compared the clinicopathological characteristics between MN cases with FSGS lesion [MN-FSGS(+)] and MN without FSGS lesion [MN-FSGS(−)], matched for gender, age, stage of MN. Results The glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was significantly lower in MN-FSGS(+) cases compared to MN-FSGS(−), although nephrotic syndrome, hematuria, and systolic blood pressure levels were not significantly different between the two groups. Pathologically, glomeruli in MN-FSGS(+) cases showed narrowing and loss of glomerular capillaries with separating from GBM or disappearance of CD34+ endothelial cells, and accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in capillary walls, indicating the development of glomerular capillary injury. These findings of endothelial injury were seen even in MN-FSGS(−) cases, but they were more prominent in MN-FSGS(+) than MN-FSGS(−) by computer assessed morphometric analysis. In MN-FSGS(+) cases, 44 out of 534 glomeruli (8.2%) contained FSGS lesions (n = 31, NOS lesion; n = 13, perihilar lesion). Significant thickness of GBM with ECM accumulation was evident in MN-FSGS(+) cases. Podocyte injury with effacement of foot processes was also noted, but the expression of VEGF on podocytes was not different between the two groups, which suggests that the significant thickness of capillary walls may influence the function of VEGF from podocyte resulting in the glomerular capillary injury that contribute to the development of FSGS lesion in MN. Conclusion Glomerular capillary injury was seen in all MN cases. Furthermore, the prominent injuries of glomerular capillaries may be associated with the deterioration of eGFR and the formation of FSGS lesions in MN.
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Bethunaickan R, Berthier CC, Zhang W, Eksi R, Li HD, Guan Y, Kretzler M, Davidson A. Identification of stage-specific genes associated with lupus nephritis and response to remission induction in (NZB × NZW)F1 and NZM2410 mice. Arthritis Rheumatol 2014; 66:2246-2258. [PMID: 24757019 PMCID: PMC4554534 DOI: 10.1002/art.38679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2013] [Accepted: 04/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in renal inflammation during the progression, remission, and relapse of nephritis in murine lupus models using transcriptome analysis. METHODS Kidneys from (NZB × NZW)F1 (NZB/NZW) and NZM2410 mice were harvested at intervals during the disease course or after remission induction. Genome-wide expression profiles were obtained from microarray analysis of perfused kidneys. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis for selected genes was used to validate the microarray data. Comparisons between groups using SAM, and unbiased analysis of the entire data set using singular value decomposition and self-organizing maps were performed. RESULTS Few changes in the renal molecular profile were detected in prenephritic kidneys, but a significant shift in gene expression, reflecting inflammatory cell infiltration and complement activation, occurred at proteinuria onset. Subsequent changes in gene expression predominantly affected mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic stress pathways. Endothelial cell activation, tissue remodeling, and tubular damage were the major pathways associated with loss of renal function. Remission induction reversed most, but not all, of the inflammatory changes, and progression toward relapse was associated with recurrence of inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and metabolic stress signatures. CONCLUSION Immune cell infiltration and activation is associated with proteinuria onset and is reversed by immunosuppressive therapy, but disease progression is associated with renal hypoxia and metabolic stress. Optimal therapy for lupus nephritis may therefore need to target both immune and nonimmune disease mechanisms. In addition, the overlap of a substantial subset of molecular markers with those expressed in the kidneys of lupus patients suggests potential new biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramalingam Bethunaickan
- Center for Autoimmunity and Musculoskeletal Diseases, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, NY 11030
| | - Celine C. Berthier
- Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Weijia Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY 10029
| | | | - Hong-Dong Li
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Yuanfang Guan
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Matthias Kretzler
- Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Anne Davidson
- Center for Autoimmunity and Musculoskeletal Diseases, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, NY 11030
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Watson L, Beresford MW. Urine biomarkers in juvenile-onset SLE nephritis. Pediatr Nephrol 2013; 28:363-74. [PMID: 22588674 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-012-2184-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2011] [Revised: 03/27/2012] [Accepted: 03/27/2012] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Over 80 % of patients with juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus will have renal involvement compared to 40 % with adult-onset disease. Up to 44 % of children who do have lupus nephritis (LN) progress to renal failure in early adulthood. Improved methods of detecting onset of LN would allow earlier treatment, which may prevent irreversible renal scarring and a decline in renal function. Current conventional markers of disease activity fail to adequately predict renal lupus flares and include proteinuria, complement levels, anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies and serum creatinine concentrations. Standardized histological classification is currently the gold standard for diagnosing and classifying LN, but its invasive nature limits routine use for monitoring, especially in a childhood population. Novel biomarkers need to be sensitive and specific-and preferably non-invasive and cost-effective. The most promising biomarkers in juvenile-onset LN include urinary neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 and transforming growth factor-beta, although many others have been identified and are under investigation. No one biomarker yet discovered is unique to LN, indicating an overlap in disease pathophysiology. It is likely that a combination of biomarkers will be required for assessing disease flare detection, response to treatment and prognostic information. Potential biomarkers require longitudinal validation in large paediatric, prospective cohorts to assess their ability to act as clinically useful adjuncts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Watson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Eaton Road, Liverpool L12 2AP, UK.
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Merkle M, Ribeiro A, Belling F, Mannell H, Krötz F, Pircher J, Wörnle M. Response of VEGF to activation of viral receptors and TNFα in human mesangial cells. Mol Cell Biochem 2012; 370:151-61. [PMID: 22864531 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-012-1406-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2012] [Accepted: 07/25/2012] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in glomerular homeostasis as well as in the pathogenesis of kidney diseases as glomerulonephritis (GN) and diabetic nephropathy. Mesangial cells (MC), which are an integral part of the functional glomerular filtration barrier in that providing structural support, can behave like inflammatory cells and produce mediators as chemokines and growth factors; they are known to express viral receptors, with TLR3 having been attributed relevance in viral disease-associated GN. Experiments were performed on human MC in cell culture. Stimulation experiments were performed with poly (I:C) and hepatitis C RNA from patients with hepatitis C infection. We hereby show a TLR3-mediated upregulation of VEGF and its receptor subtype 2 (VEGF-R2) in human MC upon activation of viral receptors by poly (I:C) and hepatitis C virus. The increase in VEGF expression levels is further enhanced by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) which also induces the cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 as well as the chemokines MCP-1 and RANTES. These effects are potentiated by preincubation of MC with poly (I:C), just as the induction of the viral receptors TLR3, RIG-1, and MDA5 themselves. Moreover, MCP-1 itself is able to significantly increase mesangial VEGF expression. Therefore, with VEGF and VEGF-R2 being induced upon viral receptor activation in human MC, a novel role of TLR3 in mediating glomerular damage in virally induced or aggravated GN is inferred. TNFα and MCP-1 are seemingly important in amplifying VEGF effects in the setting of virally induced inflammation, with TNFα being also able to induce other mediators of glomerular pathology in GN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Merkle
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der LMU, Munich, Germany
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25
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The beneficial role of vitamin D in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Clin Rheumatol 2012; 31:1423-35. [DOI: 10.1007/s10067-012-2033-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2012] [Accepted: 07/04/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Edelbauer M, Kshirsagar S, Riedl M, Billing H, Tönshoff B, Haffner D, Dötsch J, Wechselberger G, Weber LT, Steichen-Gersdorf E. Soluble VEGF receptor 1 promotes endothelial injury in children and adolescents with lupus nephritis. Pediatr Nephrol 2012; 27:793-800. [PMID: 22147121 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-011-2062-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2011] [Revised: 10/31/2011] [Accepted: 11/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endothelial cell injury plays a key role in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN) and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to identify factors involved in the process of endothelial damage in children and adolescents with LN. METHODS We evaluated the relationship between plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), its soluble receptors sVEGFR-1 and sVEGFR-2 and markers of endothelial inflammation and injury (angiopoietin-2 and thrombomodulin, respectively) in 23 children and adolescents with LN (active LN, n = 14; inactive LN, n = 9; mean age 15 years) and 20 healthy controls (HC; mean age 12 years). RESULTS VEGF, sVEGFR-1, angiopoietin-2 and thrombomodulin levels were significantly higher in children and adolescents with active LN than in patients in remission or HC. In active LN, however, VEGF was inversely related to sVEGFR-1 (r = -0.802, p < 0.001), angiopoietin-2 (r = -0.684, p = 0.007) and thrombomodulin (r = -0.697, p = 0.006). There was a significant positive correlation between sVEGFR-1 and thrombomodulin (r = 0.814, p < 0.0001), but sVEGFR-2 did not significantly differ between the patient groups and did not correlate with thrombomodulin (r = 0.046, p = 0.833). CONCLUSIONS sVEGFR-1 may play an important role in promoting endothelial damage in children and adolescents with active LN and could possibly be used to monitor disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Edelbauer
- Department of Pediatrics I, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstr 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
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Wongpiyabovorn J, Hirankarn N, Ruchusatsawat K, Yooyongsatit S, Benjachat T, Avihingsanon Y. The association of single nucleotide polymorphism within vascular endothelial growth factor gene with systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis. Int J Immunogenet 2011; 38:63-7. [PMID: 20670331 DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-313x.2010.00960.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
There were no statistically significant difference in allele and genotype frequency of the polymorphisms within the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene (-460 and +405) between 193 systemic lupus erythematosus patients and 234 healthy controls. However, the +405 GG was significantly associated with lupus nephritis (LN) patients with low VEGF mRNA expression and LN with end-stage renal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Wongpiyabovorn
- Lupus Research Unit, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Vadasz Z, Ben-Izhak O, Bejar J, Sabo E, Kessel A, Storch S, Toubi E. The involvement of immune semaphorins and neuropilin-1 in lupus nephritis. Lupus 2011; 20:1466-1473. [DOI: 10.1177/0961203311417034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/30/2023]
Abstract
Background and objectives: Neuropilin-1 (NP-1), a functional vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor, is important in the priming of resting T cells and contributes to the development of peripheral tolerance. Semaphorins, a family of axon guidance molecules, has been found to be involved in regulating the immune system.The aim of this study was to explore the involvement of NP-1 and semaphorins in lupus glomerulonephritis (LGN).Methods: Twelve kidney biopsies from LGN patients and five normal biopsies were examined in this study. In addition, eight biopsies from patients with primary nephropathy and proteinuria were included serving as a disease control group. Biopsies were stained with anti-VEGF, NP-1, and semaphorins. The Image Pro-Plus software was used to measure the intensity and extent of staining. The correlation with clinico-pathological parameters was evaluated.Results: VEGF expression was slightly higher in LGN. NP-1 and semaphorins were stained with significantly higher intensity in LGN when compared with both the normal and the disease control groups. NP-1 deposits were found only in damaged glomerulus areas and positively correlated with clinico-pathological parameters of renal disease (a statistical trend). However, the semaphorins were found in inverse correlations.Discussion: Being present in normal and slightly increased in diseased glomeruli, VEGF is considered protective during inflammation. Increased NP-1 expression in LGN may intensify the possible protective effect of VEGF, thereby preventing endothelial damage. However, one should consider the possibility that increased NP-1 expression is harmful and could play a role in the damage of LGN. NP-1 is suggested to be a reliable marker differentiating focal versus diffuse LGN. Semaphorin 3A can serve as a histological marker for tubular damage. The altered ability of kidneys to secrete semaphorins during advanced renal damage may in part explain its inverse correlation with renal function. Further work is needed in order to better understand the role of NP-1 and semaphorins in LGN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Vadasz
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Bnai-Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
| | - O Ben-Izhak
- Department of Pathology, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
| | - J Bejar
- Department of Pathology, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
| | - E Sabo
- Department of Pathology, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
| | - A Kessel
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Bnai-Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
| | - S Storch
- Nephrology Unit, Bnai Zion Medical Center and The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - E Toubi
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Bnai-Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
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Abstract
Lupus nephritis is a common and severe complication of systemic lupus erythematosus. A number of patients have nephritis as a presenting feature that, in its severe form, can shortly lead to end-stage renal disease and/or death. Renal flare usually occurs a few years after the first episode and is remarkably predominant in the Asian population. Frequent monitoring for renal flare enhances early recognition and timely treatment. The mainstay therapy continues to be the prolonged use of cytotoxic/immunosuppressive drugs that have a number of undesirable effects, particularly ovarian failure and development of opportunistic infections. This review will focus on the pathogenesis and the unique genetic factors found in Asian patients with lupus nephritis. Here, we propose an appropriate management scheme for the treatment of lupus nephritis in Asian patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Avihingsanon
- Lupus Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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30
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Adhya Z, Borozdenkova S, Karim MY. The role of cytokines as biomarkers in systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2011; 26:3273-80. [DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfq860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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31
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Thacker SG, Berthier CC, Mattinzoli D, Rastaldi MP, Kretzler M, Kaplan MJ. The detrimental effects of IFN-α on vasculogenesis in lupus are mediated by repression of IL-1 pathways: potential role in atherogenesis and renal vascular rarefaction. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2010; 185:4457-69. [PMID: 20805419 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1001782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by increased vascular risk due to premature atherosclerosis independent of traditional risk factors. We previously proposed that IFN-α plays a crucial role in premature vascular damage in SLE. IFN-α alters the balance between endothelial cell apoptosis and vascular repair mediated by endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and myeloid circulating angiogenic cells (CACs). In this study, we demonstrate that IFN-α promotes an antiangiogenic signature in SLE and control EPCs/CACs, characterized by transcriptional repression of IL-1α and β, IL-1R1, and vascular endothelial growth factor A, and upregulation of IL-1R antagonist and the decoy receptor IL-1R2. IL-1β promotes significant improvement in the functional capacity of lupus EPCs/CACs, therefore abrogating the deleterious effects of IFN-α. The beneficial effects from IL-1 are mediated, at least in part, by increases in EPC/CAC proliferation, by decreases in EPC/CAC apoptosis, and by preventing the skewing of CACs toward nonangiogenic pathways. IFN-α induces STAT2 and 6 phosphorylation in EPCs/CACs, and JAK inhibition abrogates the transcriptional antiangiogenic changes induced by IFN-α in these cells. Immunohistochemistry of renal biopsies from patients with lupus nephritis, but not anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic Ab-positive vasculitis, showed this pathway to be operational in vivo, with increased IL-1R antagonist, downregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor A, and glomerular and blood vessel decreased capillary density, compared with controls. Our study introduces a novel putative pathway by which type I IFNs may interfere with vascular repair in SLE through repression of IL-1-dependent pathways. This could promote atherosclerosis and loss of renal function in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth G Thacker
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Biomarkers for lupus nephritis: a critical appraisal. J Biomed Biotechnol 2010; 2010:638413. [PMID: 20414362 PMCID: PMC2857808 DOI: 10.1155/2010/638413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2010] [Accepted: 03/22/2010] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Kidney disease is one of the most serious manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Despite the improvement in the medical care of SLE in the past two decades, the prognosis of lupus nephritis remains unsatisfactory. Besides exploring more effective but less toxic treatment modalities that will further improve the remission rate, early detection and treatment of renal activity may spare patients from intensive immunosuppressive therapies and reduce renal damage. Conventional clinical parameters such as creatinine clearance, proteinuria, urine sediments, anti-dsDNA, and complement levels are not sensitive or specific enough for detecting ongoing disease activity in the lupus kidneys and early relapse of nephritis. Thus, novel biomarkers are necessary to enhance the diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity of lupus renal disease, prognostic stratification, monitoring of treatment response, and detection of early renal flares. This paper reviews promising biomarkers that have recently been evaluated in longitudinal studies of lupus nephritis.
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Müller-Deile J, Worthmann K, Saleem M, Tossidou I, Haller H, Schiffer M. The balance of autocrine VEGF-A and VEGF-C determines podocyte survival. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2009; 297:F1656-67. [PMID: 19828679 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00275.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Podocytes are an important component of the glomerular filtration barrier and are the major source of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the glomerulus. The role of VEGF for the phenotype of the glomerular endothelium has been intensely studied; however, the direct effects of autocrine VEGF on the podocyte are largely unknown. In this study we characterized the expression of VEGF isoforms and VEGF receptors in cultured human podocytes and examined direct effects on cell signaling and apoptosis after stimulation with exogenous VEGF or ablation of autocrine VEGF. We identified VEGF-A and VEGF-C as the dominant isoforms in human podocytes and showed that autocrine levels of both are important for the intracellular activation of antiapoptotic phosphoinositol 3-kinase/AKT and suppression of the proapoptotic p38MAPK via VEGFR-2. We demonstrated that ablation of VEGF-A or VEGF-C as well as treatment with bevacizumab or a VEGFR-2/-3 tyrosine kinase inhibitor led to reduced podocyte survival. In contrast, ablation of VEGF-B had no effect on podocyte survival. Treatment with exogenous VEGF-C reversed the effect of VEGF-A neutralization, and exogenous VEGF-A abrogated the effect of VEGF-C ablation in human podocytes. Our results underline the importance of autocrine VEGF for podocyte survival and indicate the delicate balance of VEGF-A and VEGF-C to influence progression of glomerular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janina Müller-Deile
- Dept. of Medicine/Nephrology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
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Expression profile of HIN200 in leukocytes and renal biopsy of SLE patients by real-time RT-PCR. Lupus 2009; 18:1066-72. [DOI: 10.1177/0961203309106699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
HIN200 is a human IFN-inducible gene and homologous to murine IFI202 gene, which was identified as a candidate gene for SLE susceptibility in lupus mouse model. We determined these gene expressions in leukocytes from 20 SLE patients and 10 healthy controls and in renal biopsies from 29 SLE patients and 15 kidney donors using sensitive real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expressions of MNDA, IFIX, IFI16 and AIM2 genes significantly increased in leukocytes but not in kidney biopsies from SLE patients as compared to the control individuals, with P = 0.0003, P = 0.0056, P = 0.0002 and P < 0.0001, respectively. We also assessed the expression profiles of IFIX and IFI16 isoforms using semi-quantitative RT-PCR. We found up-regulation of B isoform (short product) of IFI16 in SLE patients. In addition, the expression levels were analyzed in correlation with disease activity and clinical characteristics. Interestingly, higher expression of MNDA was observed in patients who were positive for anti-dsDNA antibodies than in patients who were negative ( P = 0.0276). In conclusion, it is suggested that the HIN200 genes have a role in SLE pathogenesis. Our study also observed a possible important role of a specific short isoform of IFI16 as well as a link between MNDA and anti-dsDNA antibody production.
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