The research status and prospect of Periostin in chronic kidney disease

Rationalizing a prospective coupling effect of cannabinoids with the current pharmacotherapy for melanoma treatment

Melanoma is one of the leading fatal forms of cancer, yet from a treatment perspective, we have minimal control over its reoccurrence and resistance to current pharmacotherapies. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has recently been accepted as a multifaceted homeostatic regulator, influencing various physiological processes across different biological compartments, including the skin. This review presents an overview of the pathophysiology of melanoma, current pharmacotherapy used for treatment, and the challenges associated with the different pharmacological approaches. Furthermore, it highlights the utility of cannabinoids as an additive remedy for melanoma by restoring the balance between downregulated immunomodulatory pathways and elevated inflammatory cytokines during chronic skin conditions as one of the suggested critical approaches in treating this immunogenic tumor. This article is categorized under: Cancer > Molecular and Cellular Physiology.

Interference of periostin attenuates pathological changes, proinflammatory markers and renal fibrosis in diabetic kidney injury

BACKGROUND

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a prevalent complication of diabetes, in which inflammation and fibrosis are the significant pathogenesis. Periostin is a matricellular protein that functions on stabilizing the extracellular matrix by binding to integrins during development. This study aimed to explored the role of periostin in DN.

METHODS

The animal and cell models of DN were constructed in streptozocin (STZ)-induced mice and high glucose-challenged human mesangial cells (HMCs). The role of periostin in pathological changes, inflammation and fibrosis in DN was investigated through biochemical detection, HE and Masson staining and scores, western blot, enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assays.

RESULTS

Knockdown of periostin counteracted the STZ-induced the ratio of kidney weight and body weight, and the concentrations of urine albumin excretion (UAE), serum creatinine (Scr), urine albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in mice. Moreover, silencing of periostin alleviated the pathological manifestations and reduced the concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β in mice kidney tissues and sera. Also, downregulation of periostin decreased the relative protein expression of fibronectin, collagen IV and α-SMA in kidney tissues. Meanwhile, interference of periostin attenuated the levels of pro-inflammation factors and the expressions of fibrosis markers in HG-induced HMCs.

CONCLUSION

Interference of periostin resisted DN via attenuating the pro-inflammatory cytokines release and renal fibrosis in diabetic kidney injury. Our study establishes a basis for its further study and underlying application in clinical practice in diagnosing and treating diabetic kidney injury or other relevant diseases.

The Effect and Mechanism of POSTN and Its Alternative Splicing on the Apoptosis of Myocardial Cells in Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Study in Vitro

Our study aimed to investigate key molecular targets in the pathogenesis of AMI, and provide new strategy for the treatment. In this work, the myocardial ischemia and hypoxia model was constructed by using HL-1 mouse cardiomyocytes. The over-expressing POSTN wild-type, mutant and negative control lentiviruses (GV492-POSTNWT,GV492-POSTN-MUT, GV492-NC) was conducted and transfected. Cardiomyocytes were examined for cell proliferation and apoptosis to explore the effects of POSTN and its alternative splicing. The endoplasmic reticulum stess-related apoptosis proteins were selected and detected. We found that POSTN could promote the proliferation of normal and hypoxic cardiomyocytes and inhibit their apoptosis. The mechanism by which POSTN inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis may be through inhibiting the GRP78-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP pathway of endoplasmic reticulum stress. Alternative splicing of POSTN could inhibit the apoptosis of ischemic and hypoxic cardiomyocytes, and its mechanism needs to be confirmed by further studies. We drawed the conclusion that POSTN might be a potential therapeutic target for AMI.

Promising novel therapeutic targets for kidney disease: Emphasis on kidney-specific proteins

Worldwide, around 850 million people are diagnosed with kidney disease but the available treatment options are still limited. Preclinical studies propose a plethora of druggable targets that can attenuate kidney disease and could qualify as novel therapeutic strategies, although most of these targets still await clinical testing. Here, we review some promising candidate targets for chronic kidney disease: intermedin, periostin, sirtuin, the cannabinoid receptor, Klotho, and uromodulin. For acute kidney injury, we discuss Apelin, Elabela, growth differentiation factor-15, Fyn kinase, and Klotho. Target selection for further clinical development should consider redundancies with the standard of care, potential synergistic effects with existing treatments, as well as the potential of additional effects on the cardiovascular system as a common comorbidity in patients with kidney disease.

Role of Periostin and Nuclear Factor-κB Interplay in the Development of Diabetic Nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) remains the most common reason for end-stage renal disease and a leading cause of kidney replacement therapy. Multifactorial pathophysiological mechanisms underlie the development of DN. Among the signalling pathways involved, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) plays a key role in pathogenesis triggering inflammation, oxidative stress and fibrosis. Recent evidence shows that periostin, a matricellular protein, is involved in the development of renal glomerular diseases through interaction with NF-κB signalling. The aim of the present study is to investigate the contribution of periostin and its interaction with NF-κB in DN development. To this end, we used the BTBR ob/ob mice model of diabetes type 2, and we applied transcriptomic analysis, immunostaining and methods quantifying protein and mRNA expressions. We found that increased periostin expression was correlated with decreased renal function, advanced stage renal damage and fibrosis, and NF-κB activation. Subsequently, we identified novel pathways and genes regulated by the NF-κB-periostin interaction which are involved in the mechanisms of progression of DN. Some of these genes, such as FGF1 and GDF15, have the potential to be new biomarkers and/or targets for the therapy of DN.

Preference between serum homocysteine and urinary periostin as early predictive biomarkers of renal dysfunction among uncontrolled diabetics

OBJECTIVES

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents a serious public health problem. Environmental toxins, other than infectious agents or exposures can stimulate immune responses which are associated with the occurrence of T2DM. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a serious complication of diabetes that leads to changes in the structure and function of the kidneys. The study aimed to detect diagnostic biomarkers for (DN), at an early stage, to prevent disease progression in these patients and improve their outcomes.

METHODS

This study was performed on 102 T2DM patients and 80 normal controls. Blood glucose, HbA_1c, serum homocysteine (Hcy) and urinary periostin were assessed. Patients were divided into: controlled (n=46) (HbA_1c <6.5%) and uncontrolled diabetics (n=56) (HbA_1c >6.5%).

RESULTS

The study results revealed a significant rise in blood glucose and HbA_1c as well as serum Hcy levels in diabetic groups compared to controls. Also, urinary periostin exhibited significant elevation in diabetic groups. Serum glucose, HbA_1c and serum Hcy revealed a highly significant difference between diabetic subgroups and control groups, while urinary periostin demonstrated a non-significant difference. Only, urinary periostin showed a significant increase in uncontrolled diabetics.

CONCLUSIONS

The highest levels of serum Hcy and urinary periostin were recorded only in the uncontrolled diabetics. Urinary periostin was demonstrated as a more preferable biomarker being a non-invasive sample for predicting renal insult in diabetic subjects. This biomarker could be performed regularly for early detection of DN. Also, it could be added to the periodic medical examinations of workers occupationally exposed to workplace pollutants inducing diabetes.

Proteomic signature of tubulointerstitial tissue predicts prognosis in IgAN

BACKGROUND

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is associated with a significant risk of progression to kidney failure. Tubular atrophy is an established important risk factor for progressive disease, but few studies have investigated tubulointerstitial molecular markers and mechanisms of progression in IgAN.

METHODS

Based on data from the Norwegian Renal Registry, two groups were included: IgAN patients with (n = 9) or without (n = 18) progression to kidney failure during 10 years of follow-up. Tubulointerstitial tissue without discernible interstitial expansion or pronounced tubular alterations was microdissected, proteome was analysed using tandem mass spectrometry and relative protein abundances were compared between groups.

RESULTS

Proteome analyses quantified 2562 proteins with at least 2 unique peptides. Of these, 150 proteins had significantly different abundance between progressive and non-progressive IgAN patients, 67 were more abundant and 83 less abundant. Periostin was the protein with the highest fold change between progressive and non-progressive IgAN (fold change 8.75, p < 0.05) and periostin staining was also stronger in patients with progressive vs non-progressive IgAN. Reactome pathway analyses showed that proteins related to inflammation were more abundant and proteins involved in mitochondrial translation were significantly less abundant in progressive vs non-progressive patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Microdissection of tubulointerstitial tissue with only mild damage allowed for identification of proteome markers of early progressive IgAN. Periostin abundance showed promise as a novel and important risk marker of progression.

The Usefulness of Vanin-1 and Periostin as Markers of an Active Autoimmune Process or Renal Fibrosis in Children with IgA Nephropathy and IgA Vasculitis with Nephritis-A Pilot Study

This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of vanin-1 and periostin in urine as markers of the autoimmune process in kidneys and renal fibrosis in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and IgA vasculitis with nephritis (IgAVN). From a group of 194 patients from the Department of Pediatrics and Nephrology, who were included in the Polish Pediatric Registry of IgAN and IgAVN, we qualified 51 patients (20 with IgAN and 31 with IgAVN) between the ages of 3 and 17, diagnosed based on kidney biopsy, for inclusion in the study. All of the patients received glucocorticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs, or renoprotective therapy. The control group consisted of 18 healthy individuals. The concentration of vanin was significantly higher in the IgAN and IgAVN groups than in the control group. The concentration of vanin/creatinine correlates positively with the level of IgA and negatively with the serum level of C3 at the end of the observation. Urinary vanin-1 concentration may be useful as a marker of the active autoimmune process in IgAN and IgAVN in children, but the study needs confirmation on a larger group of children, along with evaluation of the dynamics of this marker. Urinary periostin is not a good marker for children with IgAN and IgAVN, especially in stage 1 and 2 CKD.