Insulin Downregulated the Infection of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) in Bladder Cells in a High-Glucose Environment through JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway

Unveiling Potential Biomarkers for Urinary Tract Infection: An Integrated Bioinformatics Approach

Background

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a widespread health concern with high recurrence rates and substantial economic impact, and they can increase the prevalence of antibiotic resistance. This study employed an integrated bioinformatics approach to identify key genes associated with UTI development, offering potential targets for interventions.

Materials and Methods

For this study, the microarray dataset GSE124917 from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was selected and reanalyzed. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between UTIs and healthy samples were identified using the LIMMA package in R software. In this section, Enrichr database was utilized to perform functional enrichment analysis of DEGs. Subsequently, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of the DEGs was constructed and visualized through Cytoscape, utilizing the STRING online database. The identification of hub genes was performed using Cytoscape's cytoHubba plug-in employing various methods. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of hub genes.

Results

Among the outcomes of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway was identified as one of the notable pathways. The PPI network of the DEGs was successfully established and visualized in Cytoscape with the aid of the STRING online database. Using cytoHubba with different methods, we identified seven hub genes (STAT1, IL6, IFIT1, IFIT3, IFIH1, MX1, and IRF7). Based on the ROC analysis, all hub genes showed high diagnostic value.

Conclusion

These findings provide a valuable baseline for future research aimed at unraveling the intricate molecular mechanisms behind UTI.

Cycle Biodynamics of Women's Microbiome in the Urinary and Reproductive Systems

The genitourinary microbiome plays a crucial role in the establishment and maintenance of urinary and reproductive health in women throughout their lives. Particularly during the reproductive stage, resident microorganisms contribute to implantation and protect against perinatal complications, including preterm birth, stillbirth, and low birth weight, while also serving as the first line of defense against pathogens that can cause infections, such as urinary tract infections and bacterial vaginosis. This review aimed to elucidate the relationship between a healthy microbiome environment and women's overall health. We examine the variability and dynamics of the microbiome during different developmental stages, ranging from the prepubertal to the postmenopausal stage. Furthermore, we explore the significance of a healthy microbiota in successful implantation and pregnancy development and investigate potential differences between women experiencing infertility. In addition, we analyze the local and systemic inflammatory responses associated with the establishment of a dysbiotic state and compare it to a condition where a healthy microbiome was established. Lastly, we present the most recent evidence regarding preventive measures, such as dietary interventions and the use of probiotics to promote and maintain a healthy microbiome, thereby ensuring comprehensive women's health. By highlighting the importance of the genitourinary microbiome in reproductive health, this review aimed to enhance this microbiome's visibility and significance in the field.

Antimicrobial Peptide LCN2 Inhibited Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Infection in Bladder Cells in a High-Glucose Environment through JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway

JAK/STAT plays a key role in regulating uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) infection in urothelial cells, probably via antimicrobial peptide (AMP) production, in diabetic patients with urinary tract infections. Whether multiple pathways regulate AMPs, especially lipid-carrying protein-2 (LCN2), to achieve a vital effect is unknown. We investigated the effects of an LCN2 pretreatment on the regulation of the JAK/STAT pathway in a high-glucose environment using a bladder cell model with GFP-UPEC and phycoerythrin-labeled TLR-4, STAT1, and STAT3. Pretreatment with 5 or 25 μg/mL LCN2 for 24 h dose-dependently suppressed UPEC infections in bladder cells. TLR-4, STAT1, and STAT3 expression were dose-dependently downregulated after LCN2 pretreatment. The LCN2-mediated alleviation of UPEC infection in a high-glucose environment downregulated TLR-4 and the JAK/STAT transduction pathway and decreased the UPEC-induced secretion of exogenous inflammatory interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8. Our study provides evidence that LCN2 can alleviate UPEC infection in bladder epithelial cells by decreasing JAK/STAT pathway activation in a high-glucose environment. LCN2 dose-dependently inhibits UPEC infection via TLR-4 expression and JAK/STAT pathway modulation. These findings may provide a rationale for targeting LCN2/TLR-4/JAK/STAT regulation in bacterial cystitis treatment. Further studies should explore specific mechanisms by which the LCN2, TLR-4, and JAK/STAT pathways participate in UPEC-induced inflammation to facilitate the development of effective therapies for cystitis.

Serratia fonticola and its role as a single pathogen causing emphysematous pyelonephritis in a non-diabetic patient: A case report

BACKGROUND

Diagnosis of emphysematous pyelonephritis has been described around the world for some decades, frequently associated with Escherichia coli and other anaerobic, gas-forming bacteria and mostly in patients living with diabetes. We present a case report of emphysematous pyelonephritis in a non-diabetic patient caused by Serratia fonticola as well as a brief literature review to draw attention to this rare pathogen as a cause of pyelonephritis.

CASE SUMMARY

A 38-year-old female presented with fever, severe pain in the right flank and changes in urinary habits. She was admitted, and emphysematous pyelonephritis was confirmed by an abdominal computerized tomography and urine cultures; the latter showed Serratia fonticola as a single pathogen. After 3 d of being treated with piperacillin/tazobactam and percutaneous drainage she became afebrile, and the gas presence reduced.

CONCLUSION

Emphysematous pyelonephritis infections in non-diabetic patients are rare but can be severe and life-threatening. This case suggests that Serratia fonticola infection can occur in patients undergoing invasive or instrumented procedures.

RNase 7 Inhibits Uropathogenic Escherichia coli-Induced Inflammation in Bladder Cells under a High-Glucose Environment by Regulating the JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are natural antibiotics, protect against pathogens invading the urinary tract. RNase 7 with antimicrobial properties has rapid and powerful suppressive effects against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial infections. However, its detailed antibacterial mechanisms have not been fully determined. Here, we investigate whether RNase 7 had an impact on bladder cells under uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) infection in a high-glucose environment using in vitro GFP-UPEC-infected bladder cell and PE-labeled TLR4, STAT1, and STAT3 models. We provide evidence of the suppressive effects of RNase 7 on UPEC infection and UPEC-induced inflammatory responses by regulating the JAK/STAT signaling pathway using JAK inhibitor and STAT inhibitor blocking experiments. Pretreatment with different concentrations of RNase 7 for 24 h concentration-dependently suppressed UPEC invasion in bladder cells (5 μg/mL reducing 45%; 25 μg/mL reducing 60%). The expressions of TLR4, STAT1, and STAT3 were also downregulated in a concentration-dependent manner after RNase 7 pretreatment (5 μg/mL reducing 35%, 54% and 35%; 25 μg/mL reducing 60%, 75% and 64%, respectively). RNase 7-induced decrease in UPEC infection in a high-glucose environment not only downregulated the expression of TLR4 protein and the JAK/STAT signaling pathway but also decreased UPEC-induced secretion of exogenous inflammatory IL-6 and IL-8 cytokines, although IL-8 levels increased in the 25 μg/mL RNase 7-treated group. Thus, inhibition of STAT affected pSTAT1, pSTAT3, and TLR4 expression, as well as proinflammatory IL-6 and IFN-γ expression. Notably, blocking JAK resulted in the rebound expression of related proteins, especially pSTAT1, TLR4, and IL-6. The present study showed the suppressive effects of RNase 7 on UPEC infection and induced inflammation in bladder epithelial cells in a high-glucose environment. RNase 7 may be an anti-inflammatory and anti-infective mediator in bladder cells by downregulating the JAK/STAT signaling pathway and may be beneficial in treating cystitis in DM patients. These results will help clarify the correlation between AMP production and UTI, identify the relationship between urinary tract infection and diabetes in UTI patients, and develop novel diagnostics or possible treatments targeting RNase 7.