SAMP1/Sku as a murine model for tubulointerstitial nephritis: a study using unilateral ureteral obstruction

Roles of Sirtuins in Hearing Protection

Hearing loss is a health crisis that affects more than 60 million Americans. Currently, sodium thiosulfate is the only drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to counter hearing loss. Sirtuins were proposed as therapeutic targets in the search for new compounds or drugs to prevent or cure age-, noise-, or drug-induced hearing loss. Sirtuins are proteins involved in metabolic regulation with the potential to ameliorate sensorineural hearing loss. The mammalian sirtuin family includes seven members, SIRT1-7. This paper is a literature review on the sirtuins and their protective roles in sensorineural hearing loss. Literature search on the NCBI PubMed database and NUsearch included the keywords 'sirtuin' and 'hearing'. Studies on sirtuins without relevance to hearing and studies on hearing without relevance to sirtuins were excluded. Only primary research articles with data on sirtuin expression and physiologic auditory tests were considered. The literature review identified 183 records on sirtuins and hearing. After removing duplicates, eighty-one records remained. After screening for eligibility criteria, there were forty-eight primary research articles with statistically significant data relevant to sirtuins and hearing. Overall, SIRT1 (n = 29) was the most studied sirtuin paralog. Over the last two decades, research on sirtuins and hearing has largely focused on age-, noise-, and drug-induced hearing loss. Past and current studies highlight the role of sirtuins as a mediator of redox homeostasis. However, more studies need to be conducted on the involvement of SIRT2 and SIRT4-7 in hearing protection.

Increased glycolysis affects β-cell function and identity in aging and diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Age is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes (T2D). We aimed to elucidate whether β-cell glucose metabolism is altered with aging and contributes to T2D.

METHODS

We used senescence-accelerated mice (SAM), C57BL/6J (B6) mice, and ob/ob mice as aging models. As a diabetes model, we used db/db mice. The glucose responsiveness of insulin secretion and the [U-13C]-glucose metabolic flux were examined in isolated islets. We analyzed the expression of β-cell-specific genes in isolated islets and pancreatic sections as molecular signatures of β-cell identity. β cells defective in the malate-aspartate (MA) shuttle were previously generated from MIN6-K8 cells by the knockout of Got1, a component of the shuttle. We analyzed Got1 KO β cells as a model of increased glycolysis.

RESULTS

We identified hyperresponsiveness to glucose and compromised cellular identity as dysfunctional phenotypes shared in common between aged and diabetic mouse β cells. We also observed a metabolic commonality between aged and diabetic β cells: hyperactive glycolysis through the increased expression of nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyl transferase 2 (Nmnat2), a cytosolic nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-synthesizing enzyme. Got1 KO β cells showed increased glycolysis, β-cell dysfunction, and impaired cellular identity, phenocopying aging and diabetes. Using Got1 KO β cells, we show that attenuation of glycolysis or Nmnat2 activity can restore β-cell function and identity.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates that hyperactive glycolysis is a metabolic signature of aged and diabetic β cells, which may underlie age-related β-cell dysfunction and loss of cellular identity. We suggest Nmnat2 suppression as an approach to counteract age-related T2D.

TGF-β1/p53 signaling in renal fibrogenesis

Fibrotic disorders of the renal, pulmonary, cardiac, and hepatic systems are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Effective therapies to prevent or curtail the advancement to organ failure, however, remain a major clinical challenge. Chronic kidney disease, in particular, constitutes an increasing medical burden affecting >15% of the US population. Regardless of etiology (diabetes, hypertension, ischemia, acute injury, urologic obstruction), persistently elevated TGF-β1 levels are causatively linked to the activation of profibrotic signaling networks and disease progression. TGF-β1 is the principal driver of renal fibrogenesis, a dynamic pathophysiologic process that involves tubular cell injury/apoptosis, infiltration of inflammatory cells, interstitial fibroblast activation and excess extracellular matrix synthesis/deposition leading to impaired kidney function and, eventually, to chronic and end-stage disease. TGF-β1 activates the ALK5 type I receptor (which phosphorylates SMAD2/3) as well as non-canonical (e.g., src kinase, EGFR, JAK/STAT, p53) pathways that collectively drive the fibrotic genomic program. Such multiplexed signal integration has pathophysiological consequences. Indeed, TGF-β1 stimulates the activation and assembly of p53-SMAD3 complexes required for transcription of the renal fibrotic genes plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, connective tissue growth factor and TGF-β1. Tubular-specific ablation of p53 in mice or pifithrin-α-mediated inactivation of p53 prevents epithelial G₂/M arrest, reduces the secretion of fibrotic effectors and attenuates the transition from acute to chronic renal injury, further supporting the involvement of p53 in disease progression. This review focuses on the pathophysiology of TGF-β1-initiated renal fibrogenesis and the role of p53 as a regulator of profibrotic gene expression.

Impaired motor function in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 1 (SAMP1)

Senescence-accelerated mouse prone (SAMP) strains of mice show early onset of senescence, whereas senescence-accelerated mouse resistant (SAMR) strains are resistant to early senescence and serve as controls. Although SAMP6 and SAMP8 are established models of central nervous system alterations, it is unclear whether SAMP1/Sku (SAMP1) is characterized by brain alterations and dysfunction related to behavioral functioning. In the present study, behavioral tests (i.e., locomotor activity, Y-maze, rotating rod, hind-limb extension, and traction), histochemistry, and Western blot analyses were employed to study this mouse model using 2- and 4-month-old SAMP1 and age-matched control SAMR1. Although 2-month-old SAMP1 and SAMR1 showed similar activity, 4-month-old SAMP1 exhibited less activity than age-matched SAMR1 in locomotor activity and Y-maze tests. In rotating rod test, 2- and 4-month-old SAMP1 showed motor-coordination dysfunction. An abnormal extension reflex in the hind-limb test was observed in 2- and 4-month-old SAMP1. There were no significant differences between SAMP1 and SAMR1 with respect to grip strength in the traction test or alternation behavior in the Y-maze test. Histochemistry and Western blot analyses exhibited that cerebellar Purkinje cells in 4-month-old SAMP1 mice persistently expressed tyrosine hydroxylase. These results suggest that SAMP1 is a useful model for examining mechanisms underlying motor dysfunction.

TGF-β1 → SMAD/p53/USF2 → PAI-1 transcriptional axis in ureteral obstruction-induced renal fibrosis

Chronic kidney disease constitutes an increasing medical burden affecting 26 million people in the United States alone. Diabetes, hypertension, ischemia, acute injury, and urological obstruction contribute to renal fibrosis, a common pathological hallmark of chronic kidney disease. Regardless of etiology, elevated TGF-β1 levels are causatively linked to the activation of profibrotic signaling pathways initiated by angiotensin, glucose, and oxidative stress. Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) is a useful and accessible model to identify mechanisms underlying the progression of renal fibrosis. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), a major effector and downstream target of TGF-β1 in the progression of several clinically important fibrotic disorders, is highly up-regulated in UUO and causatively linked to disease severity. SMAD and non-SMAD pathways (pp60(c-src), epidermal growth factor receptor [EGFR], mitogen-activated protein kinase, p53) are required for PAI-1 induction by TGF-β1. SMAD2/3, pp60(c-src), EGFR, and p53 activation are each increased in the obstructed kidney. This review summarizes the molecular basis and translational significance of TGF-β1-stimulated PAI-1 expression in the progression of kidney disease induced by ureteral obstruction. Mechanisms discussed here appear to be operative in other renal fibrotic disorders and are relevant to the global issue of tissue fibrosis, regardless of organ site.

Collecting duct epithelial–mesenchymal transition in fetal urinary tract obstruction

Renal interstitial fibrosis contributes to the progression of most chronic kidney diseases and is an important pathologic feature of urinary tract obstruction. To study the origin of this fibrosis, we used a fetal non-human primate model of unilateral ureteric obstruction focusing on the role of medullary collecting duct (CD) changes. Obstruction at 70 days gestation (full term approximately 165 days) results in cystic dysplasia with significant medullary changes including loss of the epithelial phenotype and gain of a mesenchymal phenotype. These changes were associated with disruption of the epithelial basement membrane and concomitant migration of transitioning cells presumed responsible for the observed peritubular collars of fibrous tissue. There was an abundance of cells that co-expressed the intercalated cell marker carbonic anhydrase II and smooth muscle actin. These cells migrated through the basement membrane and were significantly reduced in obstructed ducts with peritubular collars. Our studies suggest that fetal urinary tract obstruction results in a CD epithelial-mesenchymal transition contributing to the interstitial changes associated with poor prognosis. This seems restricted to the intercalated cells, which contribute to the expansion of the principal cell population and the formation of peritubular collars, but are depleted in progressive injury.

Modulation and redistribution of proteinase inhibitor 8 (Serpinb8) during kidney regeneration

BACKGROUND

The intracellular serpin, proteinase inhibitor 8 (PI8/Serpinb8), can inhibit furin, a prohormone convertase involved in inflammation, prohormone processing and extracellular matrix remodeling. Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) is a well-characterized model of kidney disease associated with interstitial fibrosis, where recovery involves cellular proliferation and extracellular matrix remodeling. Given the presence of mouse PI8 (mPI8) in kidney, the UUO technique was used to investigate its potential role in kidney disease and regeneration.

METHODS

RT-PCR and in situ hybridization was used to assess PI8 mRNA in kidney sections. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine mPI8 distribution in normal kidney, and following reversal of UUO.

RESULTS

mPI8 mRNA was detected in whole kidney by RT-PCR, and by in situ hybridization in convoluted tubules of the renal cortex and medulla. In normal and control contralateral unobstructed kidneys, mPI8 was within the ascending limb and convoluted section of the distal tubules. PI8 distribution did not change in UUO kidney, but was significantly altered in reversed UUO kidney, appearing in regions containing nephrons undergoing remodeling. These included regenerating proximal and distal tubules and glomeruli.

CONCLUSIONS

mPI8 distribution alters during kidney regeneration, possibly to control a prohormone convertase involved in inflammation or tissue repair.

Pathogenesis of renal injury in obstructive uropathy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review focuses on recent advances in understanding the factors contributing to obstructive nephropathy, the most important cause of renal failure in children. The major focus is on renal cellular and molecular events, with emphasis on those affecting the developing kidney.

RECENT FINDINGS

Experiments in the fetal sheep or neonatal rat, mouse, or pig reveal dramatic effects of urinary tract obstruction on renal growth and development. Surgical relief of obstruction can reverse some of the structural and functional deficits, but cannot restore normalcy. Renal tubular apoptosis is a major factor leading to tubular atrophy following unilateral ureteral obstruction. Increased reactive oxygen species, and a renal environment favoring pro-apoptotic, over survival, signals, contribute to cell death. A variety of intrarenal factors lead to progressive interstitial fibrosis, including the newly described process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, whereby tubular epithelial cells are transformed into activated fibroblasts. A number of endogenous antifibrotic counter-regulatory molecules have been identified, opening the possibility of enhancing the kidney's own defenses against progressive fibrosis.

SUMMARY

The renal response to urinary tract obstruction is complex and involves a wide array of interacting molecules. Elucidation of these interactions will lead to the identification of biomarkers that will allow a more precise prediction to the response to surgical intervention and, hopefully, to novel therapies to prevent renal deterioration.