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Saleem M, Ahmad T, Haynes AP, Albritton CF, Mwesigwa N, Graber MK, Kirabo A, Shibao CA. Innovative assessment of lipid-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in harvested human endothelial cells. Physiol Rep 2024; 12:e16048. [PMID: 38872467 PMCID: PMC11176576 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.16048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Studying acute changes in vascular endothelial cells in humans is challenging. We studied ten African American women and used the J-wire technique to isolate vein endothelial cells before and after a four-hour lipid and heparin infusion. Dynamic changes in lipid-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory markers were measured with fluorescence-activated cell sorting. We used the surface markers CD31 and CD144 to identify human endothelial cells. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from blood were used as a negative control. The participants received galantamine (16 mg/day) for 3 months. We previously demonstrated that galantamine treatment effectively suppresses lipid-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. In this study, we infused lipids to evaluate its potential to increase the activation of endothelial cells, as assessed by the levels of CD54+ endothelial cells and expression of Growth arrest-specific 6 compared to the baseline sample. Further, we aimed to investigate whether lipid infusion led to increased expression of the oxidative stress markers IsoLGs and nitrotyrosine in endothelial cells. This approach will expedite the in vivo identification of novel pathways linked with endothelial cell dysfunction induced by oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines. This study describes an innovative method to harvest and study human endothelial cells and demonstrates the dynamic changes in oxidative stress and inflammatory markers release induced by lipid infusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Saleem
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Room 536 Robinson Research Building, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Taseer Ahmad
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Room 536 Robinson Research Building, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, University of Sargodha, University Road, Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Alexandria Porcia Haynes
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Room 536 Robinson Research Building, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Claude F Albritton
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Room 536 Robinson Research Building, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- School of Graduate Studies, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Naome Mwesigwa
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Room 536 Robinson Research Building, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Meghan K Graber
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Room 536 Robinson Research Building, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Annet Kirabo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Room 536 Robinson Research Building, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology and Inflammation, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Cyndya A Shibao
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Room 536 Robinson Research Building, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Pei FL, Jia JJ, Lin SH, Chen XX, Wu LZ, Lin ZX, Sun BW, Zeng C. Construction and evaluation of endometriosis diagnostic prediction model and immune infiltration based on efferocytosis-related genes. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 10:1298457. [PMID: 38370978 PMCID: PMC10870152 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1298457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Endometriosis (EM) is a long-lasting inflammatory disease that is difficult to treat and prevent. Existing research indicates the significance of immune infiltration in the progression of EM. Efferocytosis has an important immunomodulatory function. However, research on the identification and clinical significance of efferocytosis-related genes (EFRGs) in EM is sparse. Methods: The EFRDEGs (differentially expressed efferocytosis-related genes) linked to datasets associated with endometriosis were thoroughly examined utilizing the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and GeneCards databases. The construction of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) and transcription factor (TF) regulatory network of EFRDEGs ensued. Subsequently, machine learning techniques including Univariate logistic regression, LASSO, and SVM classification were applied to filter and pinpoint diagnostic biomarkers. To establish and assess the diagnostic model, ROC analysis, multivariate regression analysis, nomogram, and calibration curve were employed. The CIBERSORT algorithm and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) were employed to explore immune cell infiltration, while the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD) was utilized for the identification of potential therapeutic drugs for endometriosis. Finally, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were utilized to quantify the expression levels of biomarkers in clinical samples of endometriosis. Results: Our findings revealed 13 EFRDEGs associated with EM, and the LASSO and SVM regression model identified six hub genes (ARG2, GAS6, C3, PROS1, CLU, and FGL2). Among these, ARG2, GAS6, and C3 were confirmed as diagnostic biomarkers through multivariate logistic regression analysis. The ROC curve analysis of GSE37837 (AUC = 0.627) and GSE6374 (AUC = 0.635), along with calibration and DCA curve assessments, demonstrated that the nomogram built on these three biomarkers exhibited a commendable predictive capacity for the disease. Notably, the ratio of nine immune cell types exhibited significant differences between eutopic and ectopic endometrial samples, with scRNA-seq highlighting M0 Macrophages, Fibroblasts, and CD8 Tex cells as the cell populations undergoing the most substantial changes in the three biomarkers. Additionally, our study predicted seven potential medications for EM. Finally, the expression levels of the three biomarkers in clinical samples were validated through RT-qPCR and IHC, consistently aligning with the results obtained from the public database. Conclusion: we identified three biomarkers and constructed a diagnostic model for EM in this study, these findings provide valuable insights for subsequent mechanistic research and clinical applications in the field of endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Li Pei
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin-Jin Jia
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shu-Hong Lin
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Xin Chen
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li-Zheng Wu
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zeng-Xian Lin
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bo-Wen Sun
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cheng Zeng
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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Chen W, Van Beusecum JP, Xiao L, Patrick DM, Ao M, Zhao S, Lopez MG, Billings FT, Cavinato C, Caulk AW, Humphrey JD, Harrison DG. Role of Axl in target organ inflammation and damage due to hypertensive aortic remodeling. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2022; 323:H917-H933. [PMID: 36083796 PMCID: PMC9602715 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00253.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We have shown that excessive endothelial cell stretch causes release of growth arrest-specific 6 (GAS6), which activates the tyrosine kinase receptor Axl on monocytes and promotes immune activation and inflammation. We hypothesized that GAS6/Axl blockade would reduce renal and vascular inflammation and lessen renal dysfunction in the setting of chronic aortic remodeling. We characterized a model of aortic remodeling in mice following a 2-wk infusion of angiotensin II (ANG II). These mice had chronically increased pulse wave velocity, and their aortas demonstrated increased mural collagen. Mechanical testing revealed a marked loss of Windkessel function that persisted for 6 mo following ANG II infusion. Renal function studies showed a reduced ability to excrete a volume load, a progressive increase in albuminuria, and tubular damage as estimated by periodic acid Schiff staining. Treatment with the Axl inhibitor R428 beginning 2 mo after ANG II infusion had a minimal effect on aortic remodeling 2 mo later but reduced the infiltration of T cells, γ/δ T cells, and macrophages into the aorta and kidney and improved renal excretory capacity, reduced albuminuria, and reduced evidence of renal tubular damage. In humans, circulating Axl+/Siglec6+ dendritic cells and phospho-Axl+ cells correlated with pulse wave velocity and aortic compliance measured by transesophageal echo, confirming chronic activation of the GAS6/Axl pathway. We conclude that brief episodes of hypertension induce chronic aortic remodeling, which is associated with persistent low-grade inflammation of the aorta and kidneys and evidence of renal dysfunction. These events are mediated at least in part by GAS6/Axl signaling and are improved with Axl blockade.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In this study, a brief, 2-wk period of hypertension in mice led to progressive aortic remodeling, an increase in pulse wave velocity, and evidence of renal injury, dysfunction, and albuminuria. This end-organ damage was associated with persistent renal and aortic infiltration of CD8+ and γ/δ T cells. We show that this inflammatory response is likely due to GAS6/Axl signaling and can be ameliorated by blocking this pathway. We propose that the altered microvascular mechanical forces caused by increased pulse wave velocity enhance GAS6 release from the endothelium, which in turn activates Axl on myeloid cells, promoting the end-organ damage associated with aortic stiffening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Chen
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Justin P Van Beusecum
- Ralph H. Johnson Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Liang Xiao
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Kidney Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - David M Patrick
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Mingfang Ao
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Shilin Zhao
- Vanderbilt Center for Quantitative Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Marcos G Lopez
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Frederic T Billings
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Cristina Cavinato
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Alexander W Caulk
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Jay D Humphrey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - David G Harrison
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
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Adams DE, Zhen Y, Qi X, Shao WH. Axl Expression in Renal Mesangial Cells Is Regulated by Sp1, Ap1, MZF1, and Ep300, and the IL-6/miR-34a Pathway. Cells 2022; 11:cells11121869. [PMID: 35740998 PMCID: PMC9221537 DOI: 10.3390/cells11121869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Axl receptor tyrosine kinase expression in the kidney contributes to a variety of inflammatory renal disease by promoting glomerular proliferation. Axl expression in the kidney is negligible in healthy individuals but upregulated under inflammatory conditions. Little is known about Axl transcriptional regulation. We analyzed the 4.4 kb mouse Axl promoter region and found that many transcription factor (TF)-binding sites and regulatory elements are located within a 600 bp fragment proximal to the translation start site. Among four TFs (Sp1, Ap1, MZF1, and Ep300) identified, Sp1 was the most potent TF that promotes Axl expression. Luciferase assays confirmed the siRNA results and revealed additional mechanisms that regulate Axl expression, including sequences encoding a 5'-UTR mini-intron and potential G-quadruplex forming regions. Deletion of the Axl 5'-UTR mini-intron resulted in a 3.2-fold increases in luciferase activity over the full-length UTR (4.4 kb Axl construct). The addition of TMPyP4, a G-quadruplex stabilizer, resulted in a significantly decreased luciferase activity. Further analysis of the mouse Axl 3'-UTR revealed a miRNA-34a binding site, which inversely regulates Axl expression. The inhibitory role of miRNA-34a in Axl expression was demonstrated in mesangial cells using miRNA-34a mimicry and in primary kidney cells with IL-6 stimulated STAT3 activation. Taken together, Axl expression in mouse kidney is synergistically regulated by multiple factors, including TFs and secondary structures, such as mini-intron and G-quadruplex. A unique IL6/STAT3/miRNA-34a pathway was revealed to be critical in inflammatory renal Axl expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E. Adams
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; (D.E.A.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yuxuan Zhen
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; (D.E.A.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Xiaoyang Qi
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA;
| | - Wen-Hai Shao
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; (D.E.A.); (Y.Z.)
- Correspondence:
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Axl regulated survival/proliferation network and its therapeutic intervention in mouse models of glomerulonephritis. Arthritis Res Ther 2022; 24:284. [PMID: 36578056 PMCID: PMC9795606 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-022-02965-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lupus nephritis (LN) is the most common and serious complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). LN pathogenesis is not fully understood. Axl receptor tyrosine kinase is upregulated and contributes to the pathogenic progress in LN. We have reported that Axl disruption attenuates nephritis development in mice. METHODS In this study, we analyzed the gene expression profiles with RNA-seq using renal cortical samples from nephritic mice. Axl-KO mice were bred onto a B6.lpr spontaneous lupus background, and renal disease development was followed and compared to the Axl-sufficient B6.lpr mice. Finally, anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) Ab-induced nephritic mice were treated with Axl small molecule inhibitor, R428, at different stages of nephritis development. Blood urine nitrogen levels and renal pathologies were evaluated. RESULTS Transcriptome analysis revealed that renal Axl activation contributed to cell proliferation, survival, and motility through regulation of the Akt, c-Jun, and actin pathways. Spontaneous lupus-prone B6.lpr mice with Axl deficiency showed significantly reduced kidney damages and decreased T cell infiltration compared to the renal damage and T cell infiltration in Axl-sufficient B6.lpr mice. The improved kidney function was independent of autoAb production. Moreover, R428 significantly reduced anti-GBM glomerulonephritis at different stages of GN development compared to the untreated nephritic control mice. R428 administration reduced inflammatory cytokine (IL-6) production, T cell infiltration, and nephritis disease activity. CONCLUSIONS Results from this study emphasize the important role of Axl signaling in LN and highlight Axl as an attractive target in LN.
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Van Beusecum JP, Barbaro NR, Smart CD, Patrick DM, Loperena R, Zhao S, de la Visitacion N, Ao M, Xiao L, Shibao CA, Harrison DG. Growth Arrest Specific-6 and Axl Coordinate Inflammation and Hypertension. Circ Res 2021; 129:975-991. [PMID: 34565181 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.121.319643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin P Van Beusecum
- Divison of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine (J.P.V.B., N.R.B., D.M.P., N.d.l.V., M.A., L.X., C.A.S., D.G.H.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Natalia R Barbaro
- Divison of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine (J.P.V.B., N.R.B., D.M.P., N.d.l.V., M.A., L.X., C.A.S., D.G.H.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Charles D Smart
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN (C.D.S., D.G.H.)
| | - David M Patrick
- Divison of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine (J.P.V.B., N.R.B., D.M.P., N.d.l.V., M.A., L.X., C.A.S., D.G.H.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN.,Divison of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (D.M.P.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Roxana Loperena
- Vanderbilt Institute of Clinical and Translational Research (R.L.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Shilin Zhao
- Vanderbilt Center for Quantitative Sciences (S.Z.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Nestor de la Visitacion
- Divison of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine (J.P.V.B., N.R.B., D.M.P., N.d.l.V., M.A., L.X., C.A.S., D.G.H.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Mingfang Ao
- Divison of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine (J.P.V.B., N.R.B., D.M.P., N.d.l.V., M.A., L.X., C.A.S., D.G.H.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Liang Xiao
- Divison of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine (J.P.V.B., N.R.B., D.M.P., N.d.l.V., M.A., L.X., C.A.S., D.G.H.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Cyndya A Shibao
- Divison of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine (J.P.V.B., N.R.B., D.M.P., N.d.l.V., M.A., L.X., C.A.S., D.G.H.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - David G Harrison
- Divison of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine (J.P.V.B., N.R.B., D.M.P., N.d.l.V., M.A., L.X., C.A.S., D.G.H.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN.,Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN (C.D.S., D.G.H.)
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Rapp N, Brandenburg VM, Kaesler N, Bakker SJL, Stöhr R, Schuh A, Evenepoel P, Schurgers LJ. Hepatic and Vascular Vitamin K Status in Patients with High Cardiovascular Risk. Nutrients 2021; 13:3490. [PMID: 34684491 PMCID: PMC8539359 DOI: 10.3390/nu13103490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitamin K dependent proteins (VKDP), such as hepatic coagulation factors and vascular matrix Gla protein (MGP), play key roles in maintaining physiological functions. Vitamin K deficiency results in inactive VKDP and is strongly linked to vascular calcification (VC), one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In this study we investigated how two vitamin K surrogate markers, dephosphorylated-undercarboxylated MGP (dp-ucMGP) and protein induced by vitamin K absence II (PIVKA-II), reflect vitamin K status in patients on hemodialysis or with calcific uremic arteriolopathy (CUA) and patients with atrial fibrillation or aortic valve stenosis. Through inter- and intra-cohort comparisons, we assessed the influence of vitamin K antagonist (VKA) use, vitamin K supplementation and disease etiology on vitamin K status, as well as the correlation between both markers. Overall, VKA therapy was associated with 8.5-fold higher PIVKA-II (0.25 to 2.03 AU/mL) and 3-fold higher dp-ucMGP (843 to 2642 pM) levels. In the absence of VKA use, non-renal patients with established VC have dp-ucMGP levels similar to controls (460 vs. 380 pM), while in HD and CUA patients, levels were strongly elevated (977 pM). Vitamin K supplementation significantly reduced dp-ucMGP levels within 12 months (440 to 221 pM). Overall, PIVKA-II and dp-ucMGP showed only weak correlation (r2 ≤ 0.26) and distinct distribution pattern in renal and non-renal patients. In conclusion, VKA use exacerbated vitamin K deficiency across all etiologies, while vitamin K supplementation resulted in a vascular VKDP status better than that of the general population. Weak correlation of vitamin K biomarkers calls for thoughtful selection lead by the research question. Vitamin K status in non-renal deficient patients was not anomalous and may question the role of vitamin K deficiency in the pathogenesis of VC in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolas Rapp
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands;
| | | | - Nadine Kaesler
- Department of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Stephan J. L. Bakker
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands;
| | - Robert Stöhr
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of the RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (R.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Alexander Schuh
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of the RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (R.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Pieter Evenepoel
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Nephrology, KU Leuven and University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Leon J. Schurgers
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands;
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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Li M, Xue W, Li X, Song Y, Liu X, Qin L. Axl is related to inflammation in hemodialysis patients. Mol Immunol 2021; 133:146-153. [PMID: 33667984 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2021.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hemodialysis (HD) patients often develop chronic inflammation, which is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular complications and mortality. Axl and its ligand, growth arrest 6 (Gas6), have been reported to play key roles in regulating the immune response. However, the function of Axl in HD patients has not been clarified. METHODS In the present study, we enrolled 130 HD patients and 117 normal controls (NCs) and evaluated the levels of inflammatory markers, soluble Axl (sAxl), membrane Axl (mAxl), and Gas6 in all participants. The potential downstream cascades of Gas6-Axl signaling in HD patients were identified by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. RESULTS The levels of inflammatory cytokines-tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-plasma sAxl, and Gas6, were significantly increased in HD patients compared to NCs. Additionally, sAxl was positively associated with the inflammatory factor, interleukin-6 (IL-6), in HD patients. Moreover, we found that mAxl in CD14+ mononuclear cells and CD19+ B cells was increased upon HD. Furthermore, we discovered that the metalloproteinase ADAM17, also called TACE, contributed to the cleavage of mAxl into sAxl, and not ADAM10, in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of HD patients. The upregulation of Gas6-mAxl signaling caused the activation of the STAT1-SOCS3 pathway in the PBMCs of HD patients. After two years follow-up, patients with lower sAxl levels had longer survival time than those with higher sAxl levels. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that Axl may play a significant role in systemic inflammation in HD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyuan Li
- Department of Nephrology & Rheumatology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 301, Middle Yanchang Road, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Wen Xue
- Department of Nephrology & Rheumatology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 301, Middle Yanchang Road, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Xinhua Li
- Department of Nephrology & Rheumatology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 301, Middle Yanchang Road, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Yaxiang Song
- Department of Nephrology & Rheumatology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 301, Middle Yanchang Road, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Xinying Liu
- Department of Nephrology & Rheumatology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 301, Middle Yanchang Road, Shanghai, 200072, China.
| | - Ling Qin
- Department of Nephrology & Rheumatology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 301, Middle Yanchang Road, Shanghai, 200072, China.
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Morales A, Rojo Rello S, Cristóbal H, Fiz-López A, Arribas E, Marí M, Tutusaus A, de la Cal-Sabater P, Nicolaes GA, Ortiz-Pérez JT, Bernardo D, García de Frutos P. Growth Arrest-Specific Factor 6 (GAS6) Is Increased in COVID-19 Patients and Predicts Clinical Outcome. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9040335. [PMID: 33810394 PMCID: PMC8065652 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9040335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Growth arrest-specific factor 6 (GAS6) and the Tyro3, AXL, and MERTK (TAM) receptors counterbalance pro-inflammatory responses. AXL is a candidate receptor for SARS-CoV-2, particularly in the respiratory system, and the GAS6/AXL axis is targeted in current clinical trials against COVID-19. However, GAS6 and TAMs have not been evaluated in COVID-19 patients at emergency admission. Methods: Plasma GAS6, AXL, and MERTK were analyzed in 132 patients consecutively admitted to the emergency ward during the first peak of COVID-19. Results: GAS6 levels were higher in the SARS-CoV-2-positive patients, increasing progressively with the severity of the disease. Patients with initial GAS6 at the highest quartile had the worst outcome, with a 3-month survival of 65%, compared to a 90% survival for the rest. Soluble AXL exhibited higher plasma concentration in deceased patients, without significant differences in MERTK among SARS-CoV-2-positive groups. GAS6 mRNA was mainly expressed in alveolar cells and AXL in airway macrophages. Remarkably, THP-1 human macrophage differentiation neatly induces AXL, and its inhibition (bemcentinib) reduced cytokine production in human macrophages after LPS challenge. Conclusions: Plasma GAS6 and AXL levels reflect COVID-19 severity and could be early markers of disease prognosis, supporting a relevant role of the GAS6/AXL system in the immune response in COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Morales
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB-CSIC, IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (A.M.); (H.C.); (M.M.); (A.T.)
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, CIBEREHD, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia Rojo Rello
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, 47003 Valladolid, Spain;
| | - Helena Cristóbal
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB-CSIC, IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (A.M.); (H.C.); (M.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Aida Fiz-López
- Mucosal Immunology Lab, Unidad de Excelencia Instituto de Biomedicina y Genética Molecular (IBGM), Universidad de Valladolid—CSIC, 47003 Valladolid, Spain; (A.F.-L.); (E.A.); (P.d.l.C.-S.); (D.B.)
| | - Elisa Arribas
- Mucosal Immunology Lab, Unidad de Excelencia Instituto de Biomedicina y Genética Molecular (IBGM), Universidad de Valladolid—CSIC, 47003 Valladolid, Spain; (A.F.-L.); (E.A.); (P.d.l.C.-S.); (D.B.)
| | - Montserrat Marí
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB-CSIC, IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (A.M.); (H.C.); (M.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Anna Tutusaus
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB-CSIC, IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (A.M.); (H.C.); (M.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Paloma de la Cal-Sabater
- Mucosal Immunology Lab, Unidad de Excelencia Instituto de Biomedicina y Genética Molecular (IBGM), Universidad de Valladolid—CSIC, 47003 Valladolid, Spain; (A.F.-L.); (E.A.); (P.d.l.C.-S.); (D.B.)
| | - Gerry A.F. Nicolaes
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands;
| | - José T. Ortiz-Pérez
- Clinic Cardiovascular Institute, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - David Bernardo
- Mucosal Immunology Lab, Unidad de Excelencia Instituto de Biomedicina y Genética Molecular (IBGM), Universidad de Valladolid—CSIC, 47003 Valladolid, Spain; (A.F.-L.); (E.A.); (P.d.l.C.-S.); (D.B.)
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo García de Frutos
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB-CSIC, IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (A.M.); (H.C.); (M.M.); (A.T.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Cell Death and Differentiation, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona, IIBB-CSIC, Rosselló 161, 6th Floor, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence:
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10
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Xiao H, Chen J, Duan L, Li S. Role of emerging vitamin K‑dependent proteins: Growth arrest‑specific protein 6, Gla‑rich protein and periostin (Review). Int J Mol Med 2021; 47:2. [PMID: 33448308 PMCID: PMC7834955 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2020.4835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitamin K‑dependent proteins (VKDPs) are a group of proteins that need vitamin K to conduct carboxylation. Thus far, scholars have identified a total of 17 VKDPs in the human body. In this review, we summarize three important emerging VKDPs: Growth arrest‑specific protein 6 (Gas 6), Gla‑rich protein (GRP) and periostin in terms of their functions in physiological and pathological conditions. As examples, carboxylated Gas 6 and GRP effectively protect blood vessels from calcification, Gas 6 protects from acute kidney injury and is involved in chronic kidney disease, GRP contributes to bone homeostasis and delays the progression of osteoarthritis, and periostin is involved in all phases of fracture healing and assists myocardial regeneration in the early stages of myocardial infarction. However, periostin participates in the progression of cardiac fibrosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and airway remodeling of asthma. In addition, we discuss the relationship between vitamin K, VKDPs and cancer, and particularly the carboxylation state of VKDPs in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiyu Xiao
- Department of Physiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044
| | - Jiepeng Chen
- Sungen Bioscience Co., Ltd., Shantou, Guangdong 515071, P.R. China
| | - Lili Duan
- Sungen Bioscience Co., Ltd., Shantou, Guangdong 515071, P.R. China
| | - Shuzhuang Li
- Department of Physiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044
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11
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Kim JE, Han D, Jeong JS, Moon JJ, Moon HK, Lee S, Kim YC, Yoo KD, Lee JW, Kim DK, Kwon YJ, Kim YS, Yang SH. Multisample Mass Spectrometry-Based Approach for Discovering Injury Markers in Chronic Kidney Disease. Mol Cell Proteomics 2021; 20:100037. [PMID: 33453410 PMCID: PMC7950200 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.ra120.002159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Urinary proteomics studies have primarily focused on identifying markers of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. Here, we aimed to determine urinary markers of CKD renal parenchymal injury through proteomics analysis in animal kidney tissues and cells and in the urine of patients with CKD. Label-free quantitative proteomics analysis based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was performed on urine samples obtained from 6 normal controls and 9, 11, and 10 patients with CKD stages 1, 3, and 5, respectively, and on kidney tissue samples from a rat CKD model by 5/6 nephrectomy. Tandem mass tag-based quantitative proteomics analysis was performed for glomerular endothelial cells (GECs) and proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs) before and after inducing 24-h hypoxia injury. Upon hierarchical clustering, out of 858 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the urine of CKD patients, the levels of 416 decreased and 403 increased sequentially according to the disease stage, respectively. Among 2965 DEPs across 5/6 nephrectomized and sham-operated rat kidney tissues, 86 DEPs showed same expression patterns in the urine and kidney tissue. After cross-validation with two external animal proteome data sets, 38 DEPs were organized; only ten DEPs, including serotransferrin, gelsolin, poly ADP-ribose polymerase 1, neuroblast differentiation-associated protein AHNAK, microtubule-associated protein 4, galectin-1, protein S, thymosin beta-4, myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate, and vimentin, were finalized by screening human GECs and PTECs data. Among these ten potential candidates for universal CKD marker, validation analyses for protein S and galectin-1 were conducted. Galectin-1 was observed to have a significant inverse correlation with renal function as well as higher expression in glomerulus with chronic injury than protein S. This constitutes the first multisample proteomics study for identifying key renal-expressed proteins associated with CKD progression. The discovered proteins represent potential markers of chronic renal cell and tissue damage and candidate contributors to CKD pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Eun Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea; Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dohyun Han
- Proteomics Core Facility, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea; Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin Seon Jeong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jong Joo Moon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Kyung Moon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sunhwa Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kangwon National University Hospital, Gangwon-Do, Korea
| | - Yong Chul Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyung Don Yoo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, Ulsan, Korea
| | - Jae Wook Lee
- Nephrology Clinic, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
| | - Dong Ki Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea; Kidney Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Joo Kwon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yon Su Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea; Kidney Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung Hee Yang
- Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea; Kidney Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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12
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Kurata A, Tachibana Y, Takahashi T, Horiba N. Novel AXL-specific inhibitor ameliorates kidney dysfunction through the inhibition of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of renal tubular cells. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0232055. [PMID: 32324796 PMCID: PMC7179907 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney diseases affect more than 800 million people globally and remain a high unmet need. Various therapeutic targets are currently under evaluation in pre-clinical and clinical studies. Because the growth arrest specific gene 6 (Gas6)/AXL pathway has been implicated in the pathogenesis of kidney diseases, we generated a novel selective and potent AXL inhibitor, CH5451098, and we evaluated its efficacy and elucidated its mechanism in an NEP25 mouse model that follows the clinical course of glomerular nephritis. In this model, CH5451098 significantly ameliorated the excretion of urinary albumin and elevation of serum creatinine. Additionally, it also inhibited tubulointerstitial fibrosis and tubular damage. To elucidate the mechanism behind these changes, we analyzed the effect of CH5451098 against transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) and Gas6, which is a ligand of AXL receptor, in NRK-52E renal tubular epithelial cells. CH5451098 inhibited epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) caused by the synergistic effects of TGFβ1 and Gas6 in NRK-52E cells. This inhibition was also observed in NEP25 mice. Taken together, these results suggest that CH5451098 could ameliorate kidney dysfunction in glomerular nephritis by inhibiting EMT in tubular cells. These results reveal that AXL strongly contributes to the disease progression of glomerular nephritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsuo Kurata
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Yukako Tachibana
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Tadakatsu Takahashi
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Naoshi Horiba
- Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan
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13
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Gas6/TAM Receptors in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. DISEASE MARKERS 2019; 2019:7838195. [PMID: 31360267 PMCID: PMC6652053 DOI: 10.1155/2019/7838195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multiorgan autoimmune disease associated with impaired immune system regulation. The exact mechanisms of SLE development remain to be elucidated. TAM receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are important for apoptotic cell clearance, immune homeostasis, and resolution of immune responses. TAM deficiency leads to lupus-like autoimmune diseases. Activation of TAM receptors leads to proteolytic cleavage of the receptors, generating soluble forms of TAM. Circulating TAM receptors have an immunoregulatory function and may also serve as biomarkers for disease prognosis. Here, we review the biological function and signaling of TAM RTKs in the development and pathogenesis of lupus and lupus nephritis. Targeting Gas6/TAM pathways may be of therapeutic benefit. A discussion of potential TAM activation and inhibition in the treatment of lupus and lupus nephritis is included.
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14
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Silaghi CN, Ilyés T, Filip VP, Farcaș M, van Ballegooijen AJ, Crăciun AM. Vitamin K Dependent Proteins in Kidney Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20071571. [PMID: 30934817 PMCID: PMC6479974 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20071571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have an increased risk of developing vascular calcifications, as well as bone dynamics impairment, leading to a poor quality of life and increased mortality. Certain vitamin K dependent proteins (VKDPs) act mainly as calcification inhibitors, but their involvement in the onset and progression of CKD are not completely elucidated. This review is an update of the current state of knowledge about the relationship between CKD and four extrahepatic VKDPs: matrix Gla protein, osteocalcin, growth-arrest specific protein 6 and Gla-rich protein. Based on published literature in the last ten years, the purpose of this review is to address fundamental aspects about the link between CKD and circulating VKDPs levels as well as to raise new topics about how the interplay between molecular weight and charge could influence the modifications of circulating VKDPs at the glomerular level, or whether distinct renal etiologies have effect on VKDPs. This review is the output of a systematic literature search and may open future research avenues in this niche domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciprian N Silaghi
- Department of Molecular Sciences, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Hațieganu", 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Tamás Ilyés
- Department of Molecular Sciences, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Hațieganu", 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Vladimir P Filip
- Department of Molecular Sciences, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Hațieganu", 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Marius Farcaș
- Department of Molecular Sciences, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Hațieganu", 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Adriana J van Ballegooijen
- Department of Nephrology & Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Amsterdam University Medical Center, VUmc, 1117 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Alexandra M Crăciun
- Department of Molecular Sciences, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Hațieganu", 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
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15
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Schnegg‐Kaufmann A, Calzavarini S, Limacher A, Mean M, Righini M, Staub D, Beer J, Frauchiger B, Osterwalder J, Kucher N, Matter CM, Husmann M, Banyai M, Aschwanden M, Mazzolai L, Hugli O, Nagler M, Daskalakis M, Rodondi N, Aujesky D, Angelillo‐Scherrer A. A high Gas6 level in plasma predicts venous thromboembolism recurrence, major bleeding and mortality in the elderly: a prospective multicenter cohort study. J Thromb Haemost 2019; 17:306-318. [PMID: 30570809 PMCID: PMC6850608 DOI: 10.1111/jth.14365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Essentials Predictive ability of pro-hemostatic Gas6 for recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) is unknown. We measured Gas6 levels in 864 patients with VTE over 3 years. High Gas6 (> 157%) at diagnosis is associated with VTE recurrence, major bleeding and mortality. Gas6 plasma levels measured 12 months after the index VTE are discriminatory for VTE recurrence. SUMMARY: Background Growth arrest-specific gene 6 (Gas6) is a prohemostatic protein with an unknown predictive ability for recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE). In the elderly, VTE results in higher mortality but does not have a higher rate of recurrence than in younger patients. Consequently, anticoagulation management in the elderly is challenging. Objective To prospectively investigate the performance of Gas6 in predicting VTE recurrence, major bleeding and mortality in the elderly. Methods Consecutive patients aged ≥ 65 years with acute VTE were followed for a period of 3 years. Primary outcomes were symptomatic VTE recurrence, major bleeding, and mortality. Plasma Gas6 was measured with ELISA. Results Gas6 levels were measured in 864 patients at the time of the index VTE (T1) and, in 70% of them, also 12 months later (T2). The Gas6 level at T1 was discriminatory for VTE recurrence (C-statistic, 0.56; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.51-0.62), major bleeding (0.60, 95% CI 0.55-0.65) and mortality (0.69, 95% CI 0.65-0.73) up to 36 months. VTE recurrence up to 24 months after T2 was discriminated by the Gas6 level at T2 (0.62, 95% CI 0.54-0.71). High Gas6 levels (> 157%) and continuous Gas6 levels at T1 were associated with VTE recurrence up to 6 months and 12 months, respectively. Conclusions In elderly patients, a high Gas6 level is associated with higher risks of VTE recurrence, major bleeding, and death. These findings support further studies to assess the performance of Gas6 in adjusting the length of anticoagulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annatina Schnegg‐Kaufmann
- Department of Hematology and Central Hematology Laboratory, InselspitalBern University HospitalUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
- Department for BioMedical ResearchUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Sara Calzavarini
- Department of Hematology and Central Hematology Laboratory, InselspitalBern University HospitalUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
- Department for BioMedical ResearchUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Andreas Limacher
- CTU Bern, and Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)University of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Marie Mean
- Department of General Internal Medicine, InselspitalBern University HospitalUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
- Department of MedicineLausanne University HospitalLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Marc Righini
- Division of Angiology and HemostasisGeneva University HospitalGenevaSwitzerland
| | - Daniel Staub
- Division of AngiologyBasel University HospitalBaselSwitzerland
| | - Juerg‐Hans Beer
- Department of Internal MedicineCantonal Hospital of BadenBadenSwitzerland
| | - Beat Frauchiger
- Department of Internal MedicineCantonal Hospital of FrauenfeldFrauenfeldSwitzerland
| | | | - Nils Kucher
- University Clinic of AngiologyUniversity Hospital ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Christian M. Matter
- Center for Molecular CardiologyUniversity of Zurich, and Clinic for CardiologyUniversity Heart CenterZurich University HospitalZurichSwitzerland
| | - Marc Husmann
- University Clinic of AngiologyUniversity Hospital ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Martin Banyai
- Division of AngiologyCantonal Hospital of LucerneLucerneSwitzerland
| | | | - Lucia Mazzolai
- Service of AngiologyLausanne University HospitalLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Oliver Hugli
- Emergency DepartmentLausanne University HospitalLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Michael Nagler
- Department of Hematology and Central Hematology Laboratory, InselspitalBern University HospitalUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
- Department for BioMedical ResearchUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Michael Daskalakis
- Department of Hematology and Central Hematology Laboratory, InselspitalBern University HospitalUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
- Department for BioMedical ResearchUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Nicolas Rodondi
- Department of General Internal Medicine, InselspitalBern University HospitalUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM)University of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Drahomir Aujesky
- Department of General Internal Medicine, InselspitalBern University HospitalUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Anne Angelillo‐Scherrer
- Department of Hematology and Central Hematology Laboratory, InselspitalBern University HospitalUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
- Department for BioMedical ResearchUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
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16
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Lee CH, Su SC, Hsu YJ, Lu CH, Hsieh CH, Hung YJ, Liu JS, Li PF, Shen PH. Plasma growth arrest-specific protein 6 expression in uremic patients with type 2 diabetes. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES 2019. [DOI: 10.4103/jmedsci.jmedsci_21_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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17
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Holden RM, Hétu MF, Li TY, Ward EC, Couture LE, Herr JE, Christilaw E, Adams MA, Johri AM. Circulating Gas6 is associated with reduced human carotid atherosclerotic plaque burden in high risk cardiac patients. Clin Biochem 2018; 64:6-11. [PMID: 30508521 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2018.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pre-clinical studies suggest that growth arrest-specific protein 6 (Gas6), a member of the vitamin K dependent family of proteins, is implicated in atherosclerosis. A role for Gas6 in stabilizing atherosclerotic plaque has been suggested. Our aim was to determine the association between Gas6 and measures of carotid artery atherosclerosis in humans undergoing elective coronary angiography. Secondary aims were to determine the association between Gas6 and sex, diabetes, and obesity. METHODS In 204 outpatients referred for coronary angiography, EDTA plasma was collected and a focused carotid ultrasound performed. Degree of angiographic coronary artery disease was scored. Carotid intima media thickness as well as maximum plaque height, plaque area, and grayscale median were measured by vascular sonography. Gas6 was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS We found that Gas6 concentrations were lower in males and were associated with diabetes, obesity, and lower kidney function. After adjustment for age, sex, kidney function, BMI and traditional cardiac risk factors; diabetes was associated with higher levels of Gas6, whilst there was a significant inverse relationship between Gas6 and total plaque area. Gas6 was inversely associated with maximum plaque height and total plaque area in adjusted multi-variable models. CONCLUSIONS We observed higher levels of Gas6 in participantswith adverse cardiovascular risk profiles (e.g. diabetes, obesity) yet Gas6 was independently associated with reduced plaque height and total plaque area. These findings suggest that Gas6 may play a role in human atherosclerotic plaque remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel M Holden
- Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Department of Biomedical and Molecular Science, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marie-France Hétu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Imaging Network at Queen's, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Terry Y Li
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Science, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Emilie C Ward
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Science, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Laura E Couture
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Science, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Julia E Herr
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Imaging Network at Queen's, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Erin Christilaw
- Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael A Adams
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Science, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amer M Johri
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Imaging Network at Queen's, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Department of Biomedical and Molecular Science, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
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18
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Zhong F, Chen Z, Zhang L, Xie Y, Nair V, Ju W, Kretzler M, Nelson RG, Li Z, Chen H, Wang Y, Zhang A, Lee K, Liu Z, He JC. Tyro3 is a podocyte protective factor in glomerular disease. JCI Insight 2018; 3:123482. [PMID: 30429374 PMCID: PMC6302948 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.123482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Our previous work demonstrated a protective role of protein S in early diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Protein S exerts antiinflammatory and antiapoptotic effects through the activation of TYRO3, AXL, and MER (TAM) receptors. Among the 3 TAM receptors, we showed that the biological effects of protein S were mediated largely by TYRO3 in diabetic kidneys. Our data now show that TYRO3 mRNA expression is highly enriched in human glomeruli and that TYRO3 protein is expressed in podocytes. Interestingly, glomerular TYRO3 mRNA expression increased in mild DKD but was suppressed in progressive DKD, as well as in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Functionally, morpholino-mediated knockdown of tyro3 altered glomerular filtration barrier development in zebrafish larvae, and genetic ablation of Tyro3 in murine models of DKD and Adriamycin-induced nephropathy (ADRN) worsened albuminuria and glomerular injury. Conversely, the induction of TYRO3 overexpression specifically in podocytes significantly attenuated albuminuria and kidney injury in mice with DKD, ADRN, and HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN). Mechanistically, TYRO3 expression was suppressed by activation of TNF-α/NF-κB pathway, which may contribute to decreased TYRO3 expression in progressive DKD and FSGS, and TYRO3 signaling conferred antiapoptotic effects through the activation of AKT in podocytes. In conclusion, TYRO3 plays a critical role in maintaining normal podocyte function and may be a potential new drug target to treat glomerular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Zhong
- Department of Medicine/Nephrology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Zhaohong Chen
- National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Liwen Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yifan Xie
- Department of Medicine/Nephrology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Nephrology, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Viji Nair
- Division of Nephrology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Wenjun Ju
- Division of Nephrology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Matthias Kretzler
- Division of Nephrology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Robert G Nelson
- Chronic Kidney Disease Section, Phoenix Epidemiology and Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Zhengzhe Li
- Department of Medicine/Nephrology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hongyu Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, China
| | - Yongjun Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, China
| | - Aihua Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kyung Lee
- Department of Medicine/Nephrology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Zhihong Liu
- National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - John Cijiang He
- Department of Medicine/Nephrology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Renal Section, James J Peters Veterans Affair Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
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19
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Peng S, Sun M, Sun X, Wang X, Jin T, Wang H, Han C, Meng T, Li C. Plasma levels of TAM receptors and ligands in severe preeclampsia. Pregnancy Hypertens 2018; 13:116-120. [DOI: 10.1016/j.preghy.2018.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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20
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Zhen Y, Lee IJ, Finkelman FD, Shao WH. Targeted inhibition of Axl receptor tyrosine kinase ameliorates anti-GBM-induced lupus-like nephritis. J Autoimmun 2018; 93:37-44. [PMID: 29895432 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2018.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Revised: 06/03/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Glomerulonephritis (GN) is a typical lesion in autoantibody and immune complex disorders, including SLE. Because the Gas6/Axl pathway has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many types of GN, targeting this pathway might ameliorate GN. Consequently, we have studied the efficacy and mechanism of R428, a potent selective Axl inhibitor, in the prevention of experimental anti-GBM nephritis. Axl upregulation was investigated with Sp1/3 siRNA in the SV40-transformed mesangial cells. For Axl inhibition, a daily dose of R428 (125 mg/kg) or vehicle was administered orally. GN was induced with anti-GBM sera. Renal disease development was followed by serial blood urine nitrogen (BUN) determinations and by evaluation of kidney histology at the time of sacrifice. Axl-associated signaling proteins were analyzed by Western blotting and inflammatory cytokine secretion was analyzed by Proteome array. SiRNA data revealed the transcription factor Sp1 to be an important regulator of mesangial Axl expression. Anti-GBM serum induced severe nephritis with azotemia, protein casts and necrotic cell death. R428 treatment diminished renal Axl expression and improved kidney function, with significantly decreased BUN and glomerular proliferation. R428 treatment inhibited Axl and significantly decreased Akt phosphorylation and renal inflammatory cytokine and chemokine expression; similar effects were observed in anti-GBM antiserum-treated Axl-KO mice. These studies support a role for Axl inhibition in glomerulonephritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Zhen
- Division of Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267 USA
| | - Iris J Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140 USA
| | - Fred D Finkelman
- Division of Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267 USA; Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati OH 45229 USA
| | - Wen-Hai Shao
- Division of Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267 USA.
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21
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Rani J, Mittal I, Pramanik A, Singh N, Dube N, Sharma S, Puniya BL, Raghunandanan MV, Mobeen A, Ramachandran S. T2DiACoD: A Gene Atlas of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Associated Complex Disorders. Sci Rep 2017; 7:6892. [PMID: 28761062 PMCID: PMC5537262 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07238-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
We performed integrative analysis of genes associated with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) associated complications by automated text mining with manual curation and also gene expression analysis from Gene Expression Omnibus. They were analysed for pathogenic or protective role, trends, interaction with risk factors, Gene Ontology enrichment and tissue wise differential expression. The database T2DiACoD houses 650 genes, and 34 microRNAs associated with T2DM complications. Seven genes AGER, TNFRSF11B, CRK, PON1, ADIPOQ, CRP and NOS3 are associated with all 5 complications. Several genes are studied in multiple years in all complications with high proportion in cardiovascular (75.8%) and atherosclerosis (51.3%). T2DM Patients' skeletal muscle tissues showed high fold change in differentially expressed genes. Among the differentially expressed genes, VEGFA is associated with several complications of T2DM. A few genes ACE2, ADCYAP1, HDAC4, NCF1, NFE2L2, OSM, SMAD1, TGFB1, BDNF, SYVN1, TXNIP, CD36, CYP2J2, NLRP3 with details of protective role are catalogued. Obesity is clearly a dominant risk factor interacting with the genes of T2DM complications followed by inflammation, diet and stress to variable extents. This information emerging from the integrative approach used in this work could benefit further therapeutic approaches. The T2DiACoD is available at www.http://t2diacod.igib.res.in/ .
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Rani
- G N Ramachandran Knowledge of Centre, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), Room No. 130, Mathura Road, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Inna Mittal
- G N Ramachandran Knowledge of Centre, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), Room No. 130, Mathura Road, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Atreyi Pramanik
- G N Ramachandran Knowledge of Centre, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), Room No. 130, Mathura Road, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Namita Singh
- G N Ramachandran Knowledge of Centre, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), Room No. 130, Mathura Road, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Namita Dube
- G N Ramachandran Knowledge of Centre, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), Room No. 130, Mathura Road, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Smriti Sharma
- G N Ramachandran Knowledge of Centre, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), Room No. 130, Mathura Road, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Bhanwar Lal Puniya
- G N Ramachandran Knowledge of Centre, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), Room No. 130, Mathura Road, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Muthukurussi Varieth Raghunandanan
- G N Ramachandran Knowledge of Centre, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), Room No. 130, Mathura Road, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Ahmed Mobeen
- G N Ramachandran Knowledge of Centre, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), Room No. 130, Mathura Road, New Delhi, 110025, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-IGIB South Campus, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Srinivasan Ramachandran
- G N Ramachandran Knowledge of Centre, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), Room No. 130, Mathura Road, New Delhi, 110025, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-IGIB South Campus, New Delhi, 110025, India.
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22
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Uchida M, Miyoshi T, Miyamoto Y. Pharmacological effects of a vitamin K 1 2,3-epoxide reductase (VKOR) inhibitor, 3-acetyl-5-methyltetronic acid, on cisplatin-induced fibrosis in rats. J Vet Med Sci 2017; 79:1507-1515. [PMID: 28717059 PMCID: PMC5627320 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.17-0216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cisplatin (CDDP) is a chemotherapeutic agent that is widely used in the treatment of lymphomas and solid malignancies. However, its clinical usage is limited by its severe side effects in the kidneys. Glomerular and tubular
injuries in the kidneys commonly progress to interstitial fibrosis and, ultimately, the end stage of renal failure. We previously reported that 3-acetyl-5-methyltetronic acid (AMT) had inhibitory effects on rat renal vitamin
K1 2,3-epoxide reductase (VKOR) in vitro and also suppressed mesangial cell proliferation and, consequently, the formation of fibrosis via the vitamin K-dependent activation of the growth
arrest-specific 6 (Gas6)/Axl pathway in anti-Thy-1 glomerulonephritis (Thy-1 GN) in rats. In the present study, we demonstrated that AMT alleviated the progression of renal fibrosis in CDDP-treated rats. The repeated intravenous
administration of AMT for 28 days dose-dependently suppressed increases in plasma urea nitrogen and plasma creatinine levels as well as creatinine clearance in CDDP-treated rats. Furthermore, the treatment suppressed the
expression of α-smooth muscle actin (SMA)-positive cells and ameliorated the extracellular matrix accumulation of collagen III, indicating an antifibrotic effect. In conclusion, our toxicological and histopathological results
demonstrated quantitatively the pharmacological inhibitory effects of AMT on the progression of renal fibrosis in CDDP-treated rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masashi Uchida
- Toxicology and Pharmacokinetics Laboratories, Pharmaceutical Research Laboratories, Toray Industries, Inc., 6-10-1 Tebiro, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-8555, Japan
| | - Tomoya Miyoshi
- Toxicology and Pharmacokinetics Laboratories, Pharmaceutical Research Laboratories, Toray Industries, Inc., 6-10-1 Tebiro, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-8555, Japan
| | - Yohei Miyamoto
- Toxicology and Pharmacokinetics Laboratories, Pharmaceutical Research Laboratories, Toray Industries, Inc., 6-10-1 Tebiro, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-8555, Japan.,Pharmaceutical Clinical Research Department, Toray Industries, Inc., 1-1, Nihonbashi-muromachi 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-8666, Japan
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23
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Increased Circulating and Urinary Levels of Soluble TAM Receptors in Diabetic Nephropathy. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2017; 187:1971-1983. [PMID: 28668213 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2017.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 04/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
TAM receptors (Tyro3, Axl, and Mer) have been implicated in innate immunity. Circulating TAM receptor soluble forms (sTyro3, sAxl, sMer) are related to autoimmune disorders. We investigated TAM and their ligand protein S in patients with diabetes. Urinary and plasma levels of protein S, sTyro3, sAxl, and sMer were determined in 126 patients with diabetes assigned to a normoalbuminuric or macroalbuminuric (urinary albumin excretion <30 mg/24 hours and >300 mg/24 hours, respectively) study group and 18 healthy volunteers. TAM and protein S immunostaining was performed on kidney biopsy specimens from patients with diabetic nephropathy (n = 9) and controls (n = 6). TAM expression and shedding by tubular epithelial cells were investigated by PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in an in vitro diabetes model. Patients with macroalbuminuria diabetes had higher circulating levels of sMer and more urinary sTyro3 and sMer than normoalbuminuric diabetics. Increased clearance of sTyro3 and sMer was associated with loss of tubular Tyro3 and Mer expression in diabetic nephropathy tissue and glomerular depositions of protein S. During in vitro diabetes, human kidney cells had down-regulation of Tyro3 and Mer mRNA and increased shedding of sTyro3 and sMer. Renal injury in diabetes is associated with elevated systemic and urine levels of sMer and sTyro3. This is the first study reporting excretion of sTAM receptors in urine, identifying the kidney as a source of sTAM.
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24
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Bassyouni IH, El-Wakd MM, Azab NA, Bassyouni RH. Diminished soluble levels of growth arrest specific protein 6 and tyrosine kinase receptor Axl in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Int J Rheum Dis 2017; 20:53-59. [PMID: 24702788 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185x.12367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
AIM Growth arrest specific protein 6 (Gas-6) and its tyrosine kinase receptor Axl plays an important role in apoptosis, and regulation of innate immune response, therefore, we investigated their plasma concentrations in Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and correlated them to clinical, laboratory and radiological parameters of the disease. METHODS Plasma from 77 RA patients and 50 normal healthy subjects were assayed for plasma Gas6 and Axl levels. Demographic, clinical and serological data were prospectively assessed. Rheumatoid arthritis disease activity was assessed using 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS-28) and functional capacity by modified health assessment questionnaire (mHAQ). Standardized x-rays for hands and feet were done to all participants. RESULTS The level of Gas6 and Axl were significantly decreased in the RA patients compared to those of the healthy control subjects. Levels of Gas6 correlated positively with Axl levels in both patients and healthy control. Gas6 levels were remarkably reduced in those patients with erosive RA than those without. Levels of Gas6 were found to be negatively correlated with the presence of erosive disease and positively correlated with DAS-28, ESR, Leucocytosis and IL6. CONCLUSION The plasma concentrations of Gas6 and Axl are altered in RA patients and thus may have a role in RA pathogenesis. Further mechanistic studies on the involvement of all TAM receptors tyrosine kinases pathway in RA are needed to help in understanding the pathogenesis and possibly aid in diagnosis and future treatments of RA especially for patients with erosive disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman H Bassyouni
- Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohammed M El-Wakd
- Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Noha A Azab
- Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rasha H Bassyouni
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, El-Fayoum University, Cairo, Egypt
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25
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Zhen Y, Priest SO, Shao WH. Opposing Roles of Tyrosine Kinase Receptors Mer and Axl Determine Clinical Outcomes in Experimental Immune-Mediated Nephritis. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 197:2187-94. [PMID: 27527599 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1600793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Glomerulonephritis is one of the most severe manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus, with considerable morbidity and mortality. There remains a major unmet need for successful management of lupus nephritis. TAM family receptor tyrosine kinases (Mer and Axl) play an important role in the maintenance of immune homeostasis in the kidney. Mer is constitutively expressed in the glomeruli; Axl expression is inducible in glomeruli under inflammatory conditions. To investigate the distinct functions of Axl and Mer in lupus nephritis, we compared the severity of nephrotoxic serum glomerulonephritis in wild-type (WT), Axl-knockout (KO), Mer-KO, and Axl/Mer-KO mice. Mer-KO mice developed severe glomerulonephritis, with significantly decreased survival and increased blood urea nitrogen levels compared with WT mice given the same treatment. However, nephrotoxic serum-treated Axl-KO mice had significantly increased survival rates and improved renal function compared with similarly treated WT, Mer-KO, and Axl/Mer-KO mice. Interestingly, mice lacking both Axl and Mer developed kidney inflammation comparable to WT mice. Western blot analysis revealed significantly increased Stat3 phosphorylation and caspase-1 activation in the kidneys of nephritic Mer-KO mice. In contrast, Axl-deficient nephrotoxic serum-injected mice showed decreased Akt phosphorylation and Bcl-xL upregulation. Thus, the reciprocal activation of Axl and Mer receptor tyrosine kinases has a major impact on the outcome of renal inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Zhen
- Section of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140
| | - Stephen O Priest
- Section of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140
| | - Wen-Hai Shao
- Section of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140
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26
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Liu F, Zhuang S. Role of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Signaling in Renal Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17060972. [PMID: 27331812 PMCID: PMC4926504 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17060972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Revised: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal fibrosis can be induced in different renal diseases, but ultimately progresses to end stage renal disease. Although the pathophysiologic process of renal fibrosis have not been fully elucidated, it is characterized by glomerulosclerosis and/or tubular interstitial fibrosis, and is believed to be caused by the proliferation of renal inherent cells, including glomerular epithelial cells, mesangial cells, and endothelial cells, along with defective kidney repair, renal interstitial fibroblasts activation, and extracellular matrix deposition. Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) regulate a variety of cell physiological processes, including metabolism, growth, differentiation, and survival. Many studies from in vitro and animal models have provided evidence that RTKs play important roles in the pathogenic process of renal fibrosis. It is also showed that tyrosine kinases inhibitors (TKIs) have anti-fibrotic effects in basic research and clinical trials. In this review, we summarize the evidence for involvement of specific RTKs in renal fibrosis process and the employment of TKIs as a therapeutic approach for renal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Liu
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China.
| | - Shougang Zhuang
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China.
- Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA.
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27
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Wyskida K, Żak-Gołąb A, Wajda J, Klein D, Witkowicz J, Ficek R, Rotkegel S, Spiechowicz U, Kocemba Dyczek J, Ciepał J, Olszanecka-Glinianowicz M, Więcek A, Chudek J. Functional deficiency of vitamin K in hemodialysis patients in Upper Silesia in Poland. Int Urol Nephrol 2016; 48:765-71. [PMID: 27000106 PMCID: PMC4839038 DOI: 10.1007/s11255-016-1255-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Functional vitamin K deficiency (both K1 and K2) is postulated to be one of the most relevant links between chronic kidney disease and vascular calcification in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Recommended dietary restrictions in HD patients superimposed on diversity of eating habits across the countries may affect the prevalence of functional vitamin K deficiency. The aim of this study was to determine the level of functional vitamin K deficiency and its relation to vitamin K1 intake in HD patients in Upper Silesia in Poland. METHODS Protein-induced vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) and undercarboxylated matrix Gla protein (ucMGP) were assessed by ELISA in 153 stable, prevalent HD patients and 20 apparently healthy adults (to establish normal ranges for PIVKA-II and ucMGP). Daily phylloquinone intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS PIVKA-II and ucMGP levels were increased in 27.5 and 77.1 % of HD patients in comparison with the reference ranges in apparently healthy controls, respectively. In 45 % of cases, the increased PIVKA-II level was explained by insufficient phylloquinone intake for Polish population (recommended intake: >55 μg for women and >65 µg for men). Applying ROC analysis, we showed that vitamin K1 intake below 40.2 µg/day was associated with increased PIVKA-II levels. There was no correlation between vitamin K1 intake and plasma concentration of ucMGP, or between PIVKA-II and ucMGP. CONCLUSIONS (1) Functional vitamin K1 deficiency is explained by low vitamin K1 intake in less than half of HD patients. (2) Undercarboxylated matrix Gla protein level is a poor surrogate for functional vitamin K1 deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Wyskida
- Health Promotion and Obesity Management Unit, Department of Pathophysiology, Medical Faculty in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18, 40-752, Katowice, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Żak-Gołąb
- Department of Pathophysiology, Medical Faculty in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18 Street, 40-752, Katowice, Poland
- Department of Internal, Autoimmune and Metabolic Diseases, Medical Faculty in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 14, 40-752, Katowice, Poland
| | - Jarosław Wajda
- Dialysis Center in Rybnik, Regional Specialist Hospital No. 3, Energetyków 46, 44-200, Rybnik, Poland
| | - Dariusz Klein
- Dialysis Center in Tychy, Centrum Dializa Sosnowiec, Narcyzów 24, 43-100, Tychy, Poland
- Dialysis Center in Pszczyna, Centrum Dializa Sosnowiec, Antesa 11, 43-200, Pszczyna, Poland
| | - Joanna Witkowicz
- Dialysis Center in Siemianowice Śląskie, Nefrolux, Szpitalna 6, 41-100, Siemianowice Śląskie, Poland
| | - Rafał Ficek
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantation and Internal Medicine, Medical Faculty in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Francuska 20-24, 40-027, Katowice, Poland
| | - Sylwia Rotkegel
- Dialysis Center in Katowice, Centrum Dializa Sosnowiec, Medyków 17, 40-752, Katowice, Poland
| | - Urszula Spiechowicz
- Dialysis Center in Chorzów, Centrum Dializa Sosnowiec, Strzelców Bytomskich 11, 41-500, Chorzów, Poland
| | - Joanna Kocemba Dyczek
- Dialysis Center in Żory, Centrum Dializa Sosnowiec, Dąbrowskiego 20, 44-241, Żory, Poland
- Dialysis Center in Wodzisław Śląski, Centrum Dializa Sosnowiec, Leszka 10, 44-313, Wodzisław Śląski, Poland
| | - Jarosław Ciepał
- Dialysis Center in Sosnowiec, Centrum Dializa Sosnowiec, Jabłoniowa 27, 41-200, Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Magdalena Olszanecka-Glinianowicz
- Health Promotion and Obesity Management Unit, Department of Pathophysiology, Medical Faculty in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18, 40-752, Katowice, Poland
| | - Andrzej Więcek
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantation and Internal Medicine, Medical Faculty in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Francuska 20-24, 40-027, Katowice, Poland
| | - Jerzy Chudek
- Department of Pathophysiology, Medical Faculty in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18 Street, 40-752, Katowice, Poland.
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28
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Ferrer LM, Monroy AM, Lopez-Pastrana J, Nanayakkara G, Cueto R, Li YF, Li X, Wang H, Yang XF, Choi ET. Caspase-1 Plays a Critical Role in Accelerating Chronic Kidney Disease-Promoted Neointimal Hyperplasia in the Carotid Artery. J Cardiovasc Transl Res 2016; 9:135-44. [PMID: 26928596 DOI: 10.1007/s12265-016-9683-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
To determine whether caspase-1 is critical in chronic kidney disease (CKD)-mediated arterial neointimal hyperplasia (NH), we utilized caspase(-/-) mice and induced NH in carotid artery in a CKD environment, and uremic sera-stimulated human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). We made the following findings: (1) Caspase-1 inhibition corrected uremic sera-mediated downregulation of VSMC contractile markers, (2) CKD-promoted NH was attenuated in caspase(-/-) mice, (3) CKD-mediated downregulation of contractile markers was rescued in caspase null mice, and (4) expression of VSMC migration molecule αvβ3 integrin was reduced in caspase(-/-) tissues. Our results suggested that caspase-1 pathway senses CKD metabolic danger signals. Further, CKD-mediated increase of contractile markers in VSMC and increased expression of VSMC migration molecule αvβ3 integrin in NH formation were caspase-1 dependent. Therefore, caspase-1 is a novel therapeutic target for the suppression of CKD-promoted NH.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Biomarkers/metabolism
- Blood Urea Nitrogen
- Carotid Artery Diseases/enzymology
- Carotid Artery Diseases/genetics
- Carotid Artery Diseases/pathology
- Carotid Artery Diseases/prevention & control
- Carotid Artery, Common/enzymology
- Carotid Artery, Common/pathology
- Carotid Artery, Common/physiopathology
- Caspase 1/deficiency
- Caspase 1/genetics
- Caspase 1/metabolism
- Caspase Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Cell Movement
- Cells, Cultured
- Disease Models, Animal
- Disease Progression
- Genotype
- Humans
- Hyperplasia
- Integrin alphaVbeta3/metabolism
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Muscle Contraction
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/drug effects
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/enzymology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/physiopathology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/drug effects
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/enzymology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology
- Neointima
- Phenotype
- Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/blood
- Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/drug therapy
- Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/enzymology
- Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas M Ferrer
- Centers for Metabolic Disease Research, Cardiovascular Research and Thrombosis Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, 3500, North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
- Department of Surgery, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Alexandra M Monroy
- Centers for Metabolic Disease Research, Cardiovascular Research and Thrombosis Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, 3500, North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
- Department of Surgery, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Jahaira Lopez-Pastrana
- Centers for Metabolic Disease Research, Cardiovascular Research and Thrombosis Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, 3500, North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Gayani Nanayakkara
- Centers for Metabolic Disease Research, Cardiovascular Research and Thrombosis Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, 3500, North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Ramon Cueto
- Centers for Metabolic Disease Research, Cardiovascular Research and Thrombosis Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, 3500, North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Ya-Feng Li
- Centers for Metabolic Disease Research, Cardiovascular Research and Thrombosis Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, 3500, North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Xinyuan Li
- Centers for Metabolic Disease Research, Cardiovascular Research and Thrombosis Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, 3500, North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Hong Wang
- Centers for Metabolic Disease Research, Cardiovascular Research and Thrombosis Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, 3500, North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Xiao-Feng Yang
- Centers for Metabolic Disease Research, Cardiovascular Research and Thrombosis Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, 3500, North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA.
| | - Eric T Choi
- Centers for Metabolic Disease Research, Cardiovascular Research and Thrombosis Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, 3500, North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA.
- Department of Surgery, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA.
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29
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Chen MP, Chen CW, Chen JS, Mao HC, Chou CL. Circulating growth arrest-specific protein 6 levels are associated with erythropoietin resistance in hemodialysis patients. SPRINGERPLUS 2016; 5:29. [PMID: 26788441 PMCID: PMC4710623 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-1681-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Growth arrest-specific protein 6 (Gas6) works synergistically with erythropoietin (EPO) to increase the proliferation and maturation of erythroblasts. However, the role of Gas 6 levels on EPO resistance in hemodialysis (HD) patients remains unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study was the first to examine the correlation between plasma Gas6 levels and EPO resistance in HD patients. We enrolled 134 HD patients and 85 healthy individuals. The HD patients were divided into 2 groups: 98 non-EPO-resistant patients and 36 EPO-resistant patients. Plasma levels of Gas6, interleukin 6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and albumin were quantified. Compared with non-EPO-resistant patients, EPO-resistant patients had elevated plasma concentrations of Gas6 (15.4 ± 3.3 vs. 13.7 ± 3.2 ng/mL, P = 0.006), IL-6 (3.1 ± 3.1 vs. 2.1 ± 1.5 pg/mL, P = 0.009), and hs-CRP (12.7 ± 25.2 vs. 4.5 ± 5.5 mg/L, P = 0.002). In EPO-resistant HD patients, plasma Gas6 levels were negatively correlated with albumin levels (r = −0.388, P < 0.021). Elevated Gas6 levels are associated with EPO resistance in HD patients. Also, EPO resistance is related to inflammation and malnutrition. Thus, circulating Gas6 levels could be used as the potential marker in HD patients with EPO resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao-Pei Chen
- Team of Nephrological Research, Ping-Tung Christian Hospital, No. 60, Dalian Rd., Pingtung City, 900 Pingtung County Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chien-Wen Chen
- Team of Nephrological Research, Ping-Tung Christian Hospital, No. 60, Dalian Rd., Pingtung City, 900 Pingtung County Taiwan, ROC ; Hemodialysis Center, Ping-Tung Christian Hospital, Pingtung City, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Jin-Shuen Chen
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hung-Chung Mao
- Team of Nephrological Research, Ping-Tung Christian Hospital, No. 60, Dalian Rd., Pingtung City, 900 Pingtung County Taiwan, ROC ; Hemodialysis Center, Ping-Tung Christian Hospital, Pingtung City, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chu-Lin Chou
- Team of Nephrological Research, Ping-Tung Christian Hospital, No. 60, Dalian Rd., Pingtung City, 900 Pingtung County Taiwan, ROC ; Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
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Palmiere C, Augsburger M. Postmortem serum protein growth arrest-specific 6 levels in sepsis-related deaths. Int J Legal Med 2015; 129:1079-84. [PMID: 26233610 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-015-1230-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 06/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Growth arrest-specific 6 (Gas6) is widely expressed in leukocytes, platelets, endothelial cells, and monocytes. It regulates various processes including granulocyte adhesion to the endothelium, cell migration, thrombus stabilization, and cytokine release. In humans, increased plasma Gas6 levels have been described in patients with sepsis and septic shock. In this study, Gas6 concentrations were measured in postmortem serum from femoral blood in a series of sepsis-related fatalities and control cases. The aims were twofold: first, to determine whether Gas6 can be reliably determined in postmortem serum; and second, to assess its diagnostic potential in identifying sepsis-related deaths. Two study groups were prospectively formed, a sepsis-related fatalities group (24 cases) and a control group (24 cases) including cases of deep vein thrombosis and fatal pulmonary embolism, cases of systemic inflammatory response syndrome in severe trauma, cases of end-stage renal failure, and cases of hanging (non-septic, non-SIRS, non-end stage renal failure cases). The preliminary results of this study seem to indicate that Gas6 can be effectively measured in postmortem serum. However, Gas6 levels in sepsis-related fatalities do not appear to be clearly distinguishable from concentrations in pulmonary embolism, severe trauma, and end-stage renal failure cases. These findings tend to support previous reports that indicated that Gas6 behaves as an acute phase reactant and can be considered a general marker of inflammation rather than a specific biomarker of sepsis.
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Studer RA, Opperdoes FR, Nicolaes GAF, Mulder AB, Mulder R. Understanding the functional difference between growth arrest-specific protein 6 and protein S: an evolutionary approach. Open Biol 2015; 4:rsob.140121. [PMID: 25339693 PMCID: PMC4221892 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.140121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Although protein S (PROS1) and growth arrest-specific protein 6 (GAS6) proteins are homologous with a high degree of structural similarity, they are functionally different. The objectives of this study were to identify the evolutionary origins from which these functional differences arose. Bioinformatics methods were used to estimate the evolutionary divergence time and to detect the amino acid residues under functional divergence between GAS6 and PROS1. The properties of these residues were analysed in the light of their three-dimensional structures, such as their stability effects, the identification of electrostatic patches and the identification potential protein-protein interaction. The divergence between GAS6 and PROS1 probably occurred during the whole-genome duplications in vertebrates. A total of 78 amino acid sites were identified to be under functional divergence. One of these sites, Asn463, is involved in N-glycosylation in GAS6, but is mutated in PROS1, preventing this post-translational modification. Sites experiencing functional divergence tend to express a greater diversity of stabilizing/destabilizing effects than sites that do not experience such functional divergence. Three electrostatic patches in the LG1/LG2 domains were found to differ between GAS6 and PROS1. Finally, a surface responsible for protein-protein interactions was identified. These results may help researchers to analyse disease-causing mutations in the light of evolutionary and structural constraints, and link genetic pathology to clinical phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain A Studer
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory-European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Fred R Opperdoes
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, de Duve Institute and Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels 1200, Belgium
| | - Gerry A F Nicolaes
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - André B Mulder
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - René Mulder
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Lee IJ, Hilliard BA, Ulas M, Yu D, Vangala C, Rao S, Lee J, Gadegbeku CA, Cohen PL. Monocyte and plasma expression of TAM ligand and receptor in renal failure: Links to unregulated immunity and chronic inflammation. Clin Immunol 2015; 158:231-41. [PMID: 25814173 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2015.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2014] [Revised: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Chronic inflammation is increased in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and contributes to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Specific immune mechanisms and pathways that drive and maintain chronic inflammation in CKD are not well described. The TAM ligands (Gas6 and protein S) and receptors (Axl and Mer) have been recently recognized as playing a prominent role in immune regulation. The receptors exist in both soluble and cell-bound forms; the soluble receptors (sAxl and sMer) are believed to compete with the bound receptors and thus inhibit their function. In this study, we determined the expression of cell-bound and soluble TAM proteins in patients with CKD. CKD patients had significantly lower expression of Mer in monocytes, yet increased expression of soluble TAM receptors sAxl and sMer in plasma compared to controls. The metalloproteinase ADAM 17, responsible for cleavage of Mer to its soluble form, was increased in patient monocytes. Elevated levels of soluble TAM receptors were more evident in patients with progressive renal failure. These observations suggest that functional deficiency of TAM receptor-mediated regulation of inflammation may contribute to chronic inflammation in patients with CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris J Lee
- Section of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Brendan A Hilliard
- Section of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mehriban Ulas
- Section of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Daohai Yu
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Chandan Vangala
- School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Swati Rao
- Section of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jean Lee
- Section of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Crystal A Gadegbeku
- Section of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Philip L Cohen
- Section of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Wu KS, Hung YJ, Lee CH, Hsiao FC, Hsieh PS. The Involvement of GAS6 Signaling in the Development of Obesity and Associated Inflammation. Int J Endocrinol 2015; 2015:202513. [PMID: 25954309 PMCID: PMC4411443 DOI: 10.1155/2015/202513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2015] [Revised: 03/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Growth arrest-specific 6 (GAS6), a vitamin K-dependent protein, plays a role in the survival, proliferation, migration, differentiation, adhesion, and apoptosis of cells. GAS6 is highly expressed during growth arrest, followed by a sharp decrease during differentiation in adipocytes. The functions of GAS6 signaling are limited to TAM (Tyro3, Axl, and Mer) receptors and are dependent on the cell type. While many studies have focused on the role of GAS6 in inflammation and cancer, only few studies focused on its roles of GAS6 in obesity. Accordingly, the participation of GAS6 in the progression of obesity remains controversial. In this review, we summarize the results of current studies from clinical and basic research to elucidate the possible role of GAS6 signaling in obesity and associated disorders. In addition, this summary may offer a direction to develop clinical therapeutic strategies for the prevention and treatment of obesity and related complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo-Sheng Wu
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Jen Hung
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Hsing Lee
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
| | - Fone-Ching Hsiao
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
| | - Po-Shiuan Hsieh
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, 114 Taipei, Taiwan
- *Po-Shiuan Hsieh:
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Hyde GD, Taylor RF, Ashton N, Borland SJ, Wu HSG, Gilmore AP, Canfield AE. Axl tyrosine kinase protects against tubulo-interstitial apoptosis and progression of renal failure in a murine model of chronic kidney disease and hyperphosphataemia. PLoS One 2014; 9:e102096. [PMID: 25019319 PMCID: PMC4096921 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2014] [Accepted: 06/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined as the progressive loss of renal function often involving glomerular, tubulo-interstitial and vascular pathology. CKD is associated with vascular calcification; the extent of which predicts morbidity and mortality. However, the molecular regulation of these events and the progression of chronic kidney disease are not fully elucidated. To investigate the function of Axl receptor tyrosine kinase in CKD we performed a sub-total nephrectomy and fed high phosphate (1%) diet to Axl+/+ and Axl−/− mice. Plasma Gas6 (Axl' ligand), renal Axl expression and downstream Akt signalling were all significantly up-regulated in Axl+/+ mice following renal mass reduction and high phosphate diet, compared to age-matched controls. Axl−/− mice had significantly enhanced uraemia, reduced bodyweight and significantly reduced survival following sub-total nephrectomy and high phosphate diet compared to Axl+/+ mice; only 45% of Axl−/− mice survived to 14 weeks post-surgery compared to 87% of Axl+/+ mice. Histological analysis of kidney remnants revealed no effect of loss of Axl on glomerular hypertrophy, calcification or renal sclerosis but identified significantly increased tubulo-interstitial apoptosis in Axl−/− mice. Vascular calcification was not induced in Axl+/+ or Axl−/− mice in the time frame we were able to examine. In conclusion, we identify the up-regulation of Gas6/Axl signalling as a protective mechanism which reduces tubulo-interstitial apoptosis and slows progression to end-stage renal failure in the murine nephrectomy and high phosphate diet model of CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth D. Hyde
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca F. Taylor
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Nick Ashton
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Samantha J. Borland
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | | | - Andrew P. Gilmore
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Ann E. Canfield
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Batlle M, Recarte-Pelz P, Roig E, Castel MA, Cardona M, Farrero M, Ortiz JT, Campos B, Pulgarín MJ, Ramírez J, Pérez-Villa F, García de Frutos P. AXL receptor tyrosine kinase is increased in patients with heart failure. Int J Cardiol 2014; 173:402-9. [PMID: 24681018 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2013] [Revised: 02/01/2014] [Accepted: 03/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AXL is a membrane receptor tyrosine kinase highly expressed in the heart and has a conspicuous role in cardiovascular physiology. The role of AXL in heart failure (HF) has not been previously addressed. METHODS AND RESULTS AXL protein was enhanced 6-fold in myocardial biopsies of end-stage HF patients undergoing heart transplantation compared to controls from heart donors (P<0.0001). Next, we performed a transversal study of patients with chronic HF (n=192) and a group of controls with no HF (n=67). sAXL and BNP circulating levels were quantified and clinical and demographic data were collected. sAXL levels in serum were higher in HF (86.3 ± 2.0 ng/mL) than in controls (67.8 ± 2.0 ng/mL; P<0.0001). Also, sAXL correlated with several parameters associated with worse prognosis in HF. Linear regression analysis indicated that serum creatinine, systolic blood pressure and atrial fibrillation, but not BNP levels, were predictive of sAXL levels. Cox regression analysis indicated that high sAXL values at enrollment time were related to the major HF events (all-cause mortality, heart transplantation and HF hospitalizations) at one year follow-up (P<0.001), adding predictive value to high BNP levels. CONCLUSIONS Myocardial expression and serum concentration of AXL is elevated in HF patients compared to controls. Furthermore, peripheral sAXL correlates with parameters associated with the progression of HF and with HF events at short term follow-up. All together these results suggest that sAXL could belong to a new molecular pathway involved in myocardial damage in HF, independent from BNP.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Batlle
- Biomedical Research Institute August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Spain; Thorax Institute, Cardiology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Spain.
| | - P Recarte-Pelz
- Biomedical Research Institute August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Spain; Department of Cell Death and Proliferation at Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB-CSIC), Spain
| | - E Roig
- Cardiology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Institut de Recerca Biomèdica (IIB Sant Pau), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
| | - M A Castel
- Biomedical Research Institute August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Spain; Thorax Institute, Cardiology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Cardona
- Biomedical Research Institute August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Spain; Thorax Institute, Cardiology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Farrero
- Biomedical Research Institute August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Spain; Thorax Institute, Cardiology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Spain
| | - J T Ortiz
- Biomedical Research Institute August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Spain; Thorax Institute, Cardiology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Spain
| | - B Campos
- Department of Public Health, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - M J Pulgarín
- Biomedical Research Institute August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Spain; Thorax Institute, Cardiology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Ramírez
- Pathological Anatomy Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - F Pérez-Villa
- Biomedical Research Institute August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Spain; Thorax Institute, Cardiology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Spain
| | - P García de Frutos
- Biomedical Research Institute August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Spain; Department of Cell Death and Proliferation at Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB-CSIC), Spain
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Ko CP, Yu YL, Hsiao PC, Yang SF, Yeh CB. Plasma levels of soluble Axl correlate with severity of community-acquired pneumonia. Mol Med Rep 2014; 9:1400-4. [PMID: 24503651 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2014.1933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2013] [Accepted: 01/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the plasma level changes of soluble Axl (sAxl) prior to and following treatment with antibiotics in hospitalized adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), and to investigate the correlating clinical and laboratory manifestations of CAP with plasma sAxl levels. Blood samples were obtained from 61 adult CAP patients (prior to and following treatment with antibiotics) and 60 healthy controls in order to measure the plasma concentrations of sAxl using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The plasma-soluble Axl concentration level was markedly elevated in patients with CAP prior to treatment, compared with the controls, and decreased markedly following treatment. The levels of white blood cells, neutrophils, and C-reactive protein decreased markedly following treatment with antibiotics and did not correlate with the concentration level of sAxl. However, the plasma concentration of sAxl correlated with the severity of CAP with the pneumonia severity index score (r=0.350, P=0.006, n=61), the CURB-65 score (r=0.281, P=0.028, n=61) and the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II score (r=0.313, P=0.014, n=61). In conclusion, plasma sAxl may be involved in the clinical assessment of the severity of CAP, which may guide the development of treatment strategies and predict the clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung-Po Ko
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Yung-Luen Yu
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Pei-Ching Hsiao
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Shun-Fa Yang
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Chao-Bin Yeh
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
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Chen SC, Ko JL, Yang SF, Tsai MY, Tsai HT, Tang CH, Wang PH. Increased concentrations of plasma growth arrest-specific 6 and its soluble tyrosine kinase receptor sAxl in Taiwanese women with pelvic inflammatory disease. Clin Chim Acta 2013; 426:85-90. [PMID: 24045047 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2013.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2013] [Revised: 08/18/2013] [Accepted: 09/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS To investigate the concentrations of plasma growth arrest-specific protein 6 (Gas6) and its soluble tyrosine kinase receptor sAxl in women with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and their association with clinical outcomes of PID. METHODS Blood specimens were consecutively collected from the 64 patients with PID before and after treatment and 70 healthy women in university hospital. Concentrations of plasma Gas6 and sAxl were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS The concentration of plasma Gas6 and sAxl was significantly increased in the patients with PID compared to the healthy controls, and then reduced significantly after treatment. Gas6 was significantly correlated with sAxl. When we selected 7.5 and 15.2 ng/ml as the cutoff concentration of plasma Gas6 and sAxl to detect PID respectively, the sensitivities of Gas6 and sAxl were 76.6% and 75.0%. When Gas6 and sAxl were combined, the sensitivity rose to 92.2%. They were not related to the incidences of tuboovarian abscesses and surgery, which were, however, significantly associated with length of hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS Novel application of Gas6 or sAxl in combination had a high sensitivity to detect PID and is important in order to prevent severe sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiuan-Chih Chen
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, 110, Section 1, Chien-Kuo North Road, Taichung 40201, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taiwan; Department of Family and Community Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, 110, Section 1, Chien-Kuo North Road, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
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Batchu SN, Hughson A, Gerloff J, Fowell DJ, Korshunov VA. Role of Axl in early kidney inflammation and progression of salt-dependent hypertension. Hypertension 2013; 62:302-9. [PMID: 23774230 PMCID: PMC3822523 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.113.01382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The Gas6/Axl pathway regulates many cell functions and is implicated in hypertension. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of Axl in immune cells on initiation and progression of salt-dependent hypertension. Deoxycorticosterone acetate (75 mg/60 days release)-salt hypertension was induced for 1 week or 6 weeks in Axl chimeras generated by bone marrow transplant to restrict Axl deficiency to hematopoietic or nonhematopoietic compartments. Depletion of Axl in hematopoietic cells (Axl(-/-) →Axl(+/+)) reduced (133 ± 2 mm Hg) increase in systolic blood pressure compared with other Axl chimeras (≈150 mm Hg) 1 week after deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt. Urine protein and renal oxidative stress were lowest in Axl(-/-) →Axl(+/+) at 1 week after deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt. Compensatory increase in Gas6 in kidneys of recipient Axl(-/-) may affect kidney function and blood pressure in early phase of hypertension. Flow cytometry on kidneys from Axl(-/-) →Axl(+/+) showed increase in total leukocytes, B, and dendritic cells and decrease in macrophages compared with Axl(+/+) →Axl(+/+). These immune changes were associated with decrease in proinflammatory gene expression, in particular interferon γ. Systolic blood pressure returned to baseline in Axl(-/-) →Axl(+/+) and Axl(-/-) →Axl(-/-) but remained increased in Axl(+/+) →Axl(+/+) and Axl(+/+) →Axl(-/-) chimeras after 6 weeks of deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt. Vascular apoptosis was increased in the global Axl(-/-) chimeras in the late phase of hypertension. In summary, we found that expression of Axl in hematopoietic cells is critical for kidney pathology in early phase of salt-dependent hypertension. However, Axl in both hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic lineages contributes to the late phase of hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sri N Batchu
- Department of Medicine and Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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Recarte-Pelz P, Tàssies D, Espinosa G, Hurtado B, Sala N, Cervera R, Reverter JC, de Frutos PG. Vitamin K-dependent proteins GAS6 and Protein S and TAM receptors in patients of systemic lupus erythematosus: correlation with common genetic variants and disease activity. Arthritis Res Ther 2013; 15:R41. [PMID: 23497733 PMCID: PMC3672795 DOI: 10.1186/ar4199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2012] [Accepted: 03/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Growth arrest-specific gene 6 protein (GAS6) and protein S (ProS) are vitamin K-dependent proteins present in plasma with important regulatory functions in systems of response and repair to damage. They interact with receptor tyrosine kinases of the Tyro3, Axl and MerTK receptor tyrosine kinase (TAM) family, involved in apoptotic cell clearance (efferocytosis) and regulation of the innate immunity. TAM-deficient mice show spontaneous lupus-like symptoms. Here we tested the genetic profile and plasma levels of components of the system in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and compare them with a control healthy population. Methods Fifty SLE patients and 50 healthy controls with matched age, gender and from the same geographic area were compared. Genetic analysis was performed in GAS6 and the TAM receptor genes on SNPs previously identified. The concentrations of GAS6, total and free ProS, and the soluble forms of the three TAM receptors (sAxl, sMerTK and sTyro3) were measured in plasma from these samples. Results Plasma concentrations of GAS6 were higher and, total and free ProS were lower in the SLE patients compared to controls, even when patients on oral anticoagulant treatment were discarded. Those parameters correlated with SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) score, GAS6 being higher in the most severe cases, while free and total ProS were lower. All 3 soluble receptors increased its concentration in plasma of lupus patients. Conclusions The present study highlights that the GAS6/ProS-TAM system correlates in several ways with disease activity in SLE. We show here that this correlation is affected by common polymorphisms in the genes of the system. These findings underscore the importance of mechanism of regulatory control of innate immunity in the pathology of SLE.
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40
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Stepan H, Richter J, Kley K, Kralisch S, Jank A, Schaarschmidt W, Ebert T, Lössner U, Jessnitzer B, Kratzsch J, Blüher M, Stumvoll M, Fasshauer M. Serum levels of growth arrest specific protein 6 are increased in preeclampsia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 182:7-11. [PMID: 23318499 DOI: 10.1016/j.regpep.2012.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2012] [Revised: 12/12/2012] [Accepted: 12/17/2012] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) contributes to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Moreover, it is associated with an increased future metabolic and cardiovascular risk for mother and newborn. Recently, growth arrest specific protein (Gas) 6 has been introduced as a novel metabolic risk factor with anti-angiogenic, pro-atherogenic, and pro-adipogenic properties. In the current study, we investigated serum concentrations of Gas6 in patients with PE (n=51) as compared to healthy, age-matched controls (n=51) during and 6 months after pregnancy. Furthermore, association of Gas6 with markers of renal function, glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as inflammation, was assessed in all individuals. Median maternal Gas6 serum levels adjusted for body mass index and gestational age at blood sampling were significantly increased in PE patients (5.7 μg/l) as compared to healthy, age-matched pregnant women (4.6 μg/l) (p<0.05). Furthermore, Gas6 concentrations positively correlated with blood pressure, creatinine, free fatty acids, C-reactive protein, leptin, and adiponectin during pregnancy. Moreover, leptin and adiponectin remained independently associated with Gas6 levels in multivariate analysis. Gas6 serum levels 6 months after pregnancy were not significantly different between former PE and control patients. Taken together, maternal Gas6 serum concentrations are significantly increased in PE during pregnancy. Furthermore, the adipokines leptin and adiponectin are independent predictors of circulating Gas6 in pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holger Stepan
- University of Leipzig, Department of Obstetrics, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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