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Derivation of the Immortalized Cell Line UM51-PrePodo-hTERT and Its Responsiveness to Angiotensin II and Activation of the RAAS Pathway. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030342. [PMID: 36766685 PMCID: PMC9913089 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030342] [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: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent demographic studies predict there will be a considerable increase in the number of elderly people within the next few decades. Aging has been recognized as one of the main risk factors for the world's most prevalent diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic diseases. During the process of aging, a gradual loss of tissue volume and organ function is observed, which is partially caused by replicative senescence. The capacity of cellular proliferation and replicative senescence is tightly regulated by their telomere length. When telomere length is critically shortened with progressive cell division, cells become proliferatively arrested, and DNA damage response and cellular senescence are triggered, whereupon the "Hayflick limit" is attained at this stage. Podocytes are a cell type found in the kidney glomerulus where they have major roles in blood filtration. Mature podocytes are terminal differentiated cells that are unable to undergo cell division in vivo. For this reason, the establishment of primary podocyte cell cultures has been very challenging. In our present study, we present the successful immortalization of a human podocyte progenitor cell line, of which the primary cells were isolated directly from the urine of a 51-year-old male. The immortalized cell line was cultured over the course of one year (~100 passages) with high proliferation capacity, endowed with contact inhibition and P53 expression. Furthermore, by immunofluorescence-based expression and quantitative real-time PCR for the podocyte markers CD2AP, LMX1B, NPHS1, SYNPO and WT1, we confirmed the differentiation capacity of the immortalized cells. Finally, we evaluated and confirmed the responsiveness of the immortalized cells on the main mediator angiotensin II (ANGII) of the renin-angiotensin system (RAAS). In conclusion, we have shown that it is possible to bypass cellular replicative senescence (Hayflick limit) by TERT-driven immortalization of human urine-derived pre-podocyte cells from a 51-year-old African male.
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BECLIN1 Is Essential for Podocyte Secretory Pathways Mediating VEGF Secretion and Podocyte-Endothelial Crosstalk. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073825. [PMID: 35409185 PMCID: PMC8998849 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) secretion from podocytes is crucial for maintaining endothelial integrity within the glomerular filtration barrier. However, until now, the molecular mechanisms underlying podocyte secretory function remained unclear. Through podocyte-specific deletion of BECLIN1 (ATG6 or Becn1), a key protein in autophagy initiation, we identified a major role for this molecule in anterograde Golgi trafficking. The Becn1-deficient podocytes displayed aberrant vesicle formation in the trans-Golgi network (TGN), leading to dramatic vesicle accumulation and complex disrupted patterns of intracellular vesicle trafficking and membrane dynamics. Phenotypically, podocyte-specific deletion of Becn1 resulted in early-onset glomerulosclerosis, which rapidly progressed and dramatically reduced mouse life span. Further, in vivo and in vitro studies clearly showed that VEGFA secretion, and thereby endothelial integrity, greatly depended on BECLIN1 availability and function. Being the first to demonstrate the importance of a secretory pathway for podocyte integrity and function, we identified BECLIN1 as a key component in this complex cellular process. Functionally, by promoting VEGFA secretion, a specific secretory pathway emerged as an essential component for the podocyte-endothelial crosstalk that maintains the glomerular filtration barrier.
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Erichsen L, Thimm C, Bohndorf M, Rahman MS, Wruck W, Adjaye J. Activation of the Renin–Angiotensin System Disrupts the Cytoskeletal Architecture of Human Urine-Derived Podocytes. Cells 2022; 11:cells11071095. [PMID: 35406662 PMCID: PMC8997628 DOI: 10.3390/cells11071095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
High blood pressure is one of the major public health problems that causes severe disorders in several tissues including the human kidney. One of the most important signaling pathways associated with the regulation of blood pressure is the renin–angiotensin system (RAS), with its main mediator angiotensin II (ANGII). Elevated levels of circulating and intracellular ANGII and aldosterone lead to pro-fibrotic, -inflammatory, and -hypertrophic milieu that causes remodeling and dysfunction in cardiovascular and renal tissues. Furthermore, ANGII has been recognized as a major risk factor for the induction of apoptosis in podocytes, ultimately leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD). In the past, disease modeling of kidney-associated diseases was extremely difficult, as the derivation of kidney originated cells is very challenging. Here we describe a differentiation protocol for reproducible differentiation of sine oculis homeobox homolog 2 (SIX2)-positive urine-derived renal progenitor cells (UdRPCs) into podocytes bearing typical cellular processes. The UdRPCs-derived podocytes show the activation of the renin–angiotensin system by being responsive to ANGII stimulation. Our data reveal the ANGII-dependent downregulation of nephrin (NPHS1) and synaptopodin (SYNPO), resulting in the disruption of the podocyte cytoskeletal architecture, as shown by immunofluorescence-based detection of α-Actinin. Furthermore, we show that the cytoskeletal disruption is mainly mediated through angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AGTR1) signaling and can be rescued by AGTR1 inhibition with the selective, competitive angiotensin II receptor type 1 antagonist, losartan. In the present manuscript we confirm and propose UdRPCs differentiated to podocytes as a unique cell type useful for studying nephrogenesis and associated diseases. Furthermore, the responsiveness of UdRPCs-derived podocytes to ANGII implies potential applications in nephrotoxicity studies and drug screening.
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4
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An Insight into GPCR and G-Proteins as Cancer Drivers. Cells 2021; 10:cells10123288. [PMID: 34943797 PMCID: PMC8699078 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of cell surface signaling receptors known to play a crucial role in various physiological functions, including tumor growth and metastasis. Various molecules such as hormones, lipids, peptides, and neurotransmitters activate GPCRs that enable the coupling of these receptors to highly specialized transducer proteins, called G-proteins, and initiate multiple signaling pathways. Integration of these intricate networks of signaling cascades leads to numerous biochemical responses involved in diverse pathophysiological activities, including cancer development. While several studies indicate the role of GPCRs in controlling various aspects of cancer progression such as tumor growth, invasion, migration, survival, and metastasis through its aberrant overexpression, mutations, or increased release of agonists, the explicit mechanisms of the involvement of GPCRs in cancer progression is still puzzling. This review provides an insight into the various responses mediated by GPCRs in the development of cancers, the molecular mechanisms involved and the novel pharmacological approaches currently preferred for the treatment of cancer. Thus, these findings extend the knowledge of GPCRs in cancer cells and help in the identification of therapeutics for cancer patients.
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Gu X, Zhang S, Zhang T. Abnormal Crosstalk between Endothelial Cells and Podocytes Mediates Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI)-Induced Nephrotoxicity. Cells 2021; 10:cells10040869. [PMID: 33921219 PMCID: PMC8070074 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and its receptor VEGFR2 are the main targets of antiangiogenic therapies, and proteinuria is one of the common adverse events associated with the inhibition of the VEGFA/VEGFR2 pathway. The proteinuric kidney damage induced by VEGFR2 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is characterized by podocyte foot process effacement. TKI therapy promotes the formation of abnormal endothelial‒podocyte crosstalk, which plays a key role in TKI-induced podocyte injury and proteinuric nephropathy. This review article summarizes the underlying mechanism by which the abnormal endothelial‒podocyte crosstalk mediates podocyte injury and discusses the possible molecules and signal pathways involved in abnormal endothelial‒podocyte crosstalk. What is more, we highlight the molecules involved in podocyte injury and determine the essential roles of Rac1 and Cdc42; this provides evidence for exploring the abnormal endothelial‒podocyte crosstalk in TKI-induced nephrotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ti Zhang
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-21-6417-5590
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6
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Piao C, Zhang Q, Jin D, Wang L, Tang C, Zhang N, Lian F, Tong X. A Study on the Mechanism of Milkvetch Root in the Treatment of Diabetic Nephropathy Based on Network Pharmacology. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2020; 2020:6754761. [PMID: 33178322 PMCID: PMC7648691 DOI: 10.1155/2020/6754761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus. Owing to its complicated pathogenesis, no satisfactory treatment strategies for DN are available. Milkvetch Root is a common traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and has been extensively used to treat DN in clinical practice in China for many years. However, due to the complexity of botanical ingredients, the exact pharmacological mechanism of Milkvetch Root in treating DN has not been completely elucidated. The aim of this study was to explore the active components and potential mechanism of Milkvetch Root by using a systems pharmacology approach. First, the components and targets of Milkvetch Root were analyzed by using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database. We found the common targets of Milkvetch Root and DN constructed a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network using STRING and screened the key targets via topological analysis. Enrichment of Gene Ontology (GO) pathways and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were analyzed. Subsequently, major hubs were identified and imported to the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery for pathway enrichment analysis. The binding activity and targets of the active components of Milkvetch Root were verified by using the molecular docking software SYBYL. Finally, we found 20 active components in Milkvetch Root. Moreover, the enrichment analysis of GO and KEGG pathways suggested that AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and TNF signaling pathway might be the key pathways for the treatment of DN; more importantly, 10 putative targets of Milkvetch Root (AKT1, VEGFA, IL-6, PPARG, CCL2, NOS3, SERPINE1, CRP, ICAM1, and SLC2A) were identified to be of great significance in regulating these biological processes and pathways. This study provides an important scientific basis for further elucidating the mechanism of Milkvetch Root in treating DN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunli Piao
- Shenzhen Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Futian), Shenzhen 518000, Guangdong, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130000, Jilin, China
| | - De Jin
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Beijing 100000, China
| | - Li Wang
- Shenzhen Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Futian), Shenzhen 518000, Guangdong, China
| | - Cheng Tang
- Shenzhen Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Futian), Shenzhen 518000, Guangdong, China
| | - Naiwen Zhang
- Shenzhen Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Futian), Shenzhen 518000, Guangdong, China
| | - Fengmei Lian
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Beijing 100000, China
| | - Xiaolin Tong
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Beijing 100000, China
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7
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Wu J, Chu Y, Jiang Z, Yu Q. Losartan protects against intermittent hypoxia-induced peritubular capillary loss by modulating the renal renin-angiotensin system and angiogenesis factors. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2020; 52:38-48. [PMID: 31836883 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmz136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH), which is a risk factor for renal peritubular capillary (PTC) loss, and angiotensin II receptor blockers can alleviate PTC loss. However, the mechanism by which losartan (an angiotensin II receptor blocker) reduces CIH-induced PTC loss and attenuates kidney damage is still unknown. Thus, in this study, we examined the protective effects of losartan against CIH-induced PTC loss and explored the underlying mechanisms in rat CIH model. The immunohistochemical staining of CD34 and morphological examination showed that CIH reduced PTC density and damaged tubular epithelial cells. Immunohistochemistry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), real-time quantitative PCR, and western blot analysis results revealed that CIH increased the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), angiotensin II (Ang II), angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R), pro-angiogenesis factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and anti-angiogenesis factor thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) in the renal cortex of rats. CIH may up-regulate VEGF expression and simultaneously increase TSP-1 production. By histopathological, immunohistochemistry, ELISA, RT-qPCR, and western blot analysis, we found that the expressions of renal renin-angiotensin system (RAS), HIF-1α, VEGF, and TSP-1 were decreased, and PTC loss and tubular epithelial cell injury were attenuated with losartan treatment. Losartan ameliorated CIH-induced PTC loss by modulating renal RAS to improve the crosstalk between endothelial cells and tubular epithelial cells and subsequently regulate the balance of angiogenesis factors. Our study provided novel insights into the mechanisms of CIH-induced kidney damage and indicated that losartan could be a potential therapeutic agent for renal protection by alleviating CIH-induced PTC loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiqiang Wu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, the First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yao Chu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, the First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Zhenxiu Jiang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, the First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Qin Yu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, the First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
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Hsieh WY, Chang TH, Chang HF, Chuang WH, Lu LC, Yang CW, Lin CS, Chang CC. Renal chymase-dependent pathway for angiotensin II formation mediated acute kidney injury in a mouse model of aristolochic acid I-induced acute nephropathy. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0210656. [PMID: 30633770 PMCID: PMC6329531 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is the primary enzyme that converts angiotensin I (Ang I) to angiotensin II (Ang II) in the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). However, chymase hydrates Ang I to Ang II independently of ACE in some kidney diseases, and it may play an important role. The present study investigated whether chymase played a crucial role in aristolochic acid I (AAI)-induced nephropathy. C57BL/6 mice were treated with AAI via intraperitoneal injection for an accumulated AAI dosage of 45 mg/kg body weight (BW) (15 mg/kg BW per day for 3 days). The animals were sacrificed after acute kidney injury development, and blood, urine and kidneys were harvested for biochemical and molecular assays. Mice exhibited increased serum creatinine, BUN and urinary protein after the AAI challenge. Significant infiltrating inflammatory cells and tubular atrophy were observed in the kidneys, and high immunocytokine levels were detected. Renal RAS-related enzyme activities were measured, and a significantly increased chymase activity and slightly decreased ACE activity were observed in the AAI-treated mice. The renal Ang II level reflected the altered profile of RAS enzymes and was significantly increased in AAI-treated mice. Treatment of AAI-induced nephropathic mice with an ACE inhibitor (ACEI) or chymase inhibitor (CI; chymostatin) reduced renal Ang II levels. The combination of ACEI and CI (ACEI+CI) treatment significantly reversed the AAI-induced changes of Ang II levels and kidney inflammation and injuries. AAI treatment significantly increased renal p-MEK without increasing p-STAT3 and p-Smad3 levels, and p-MEK/p-ERK1/2 signalling pathway was significantly activated. CI and ACEI+CI treatments reduced this AAI-activated signaling pathway. AAI-induced nephropathy progression was significantly mitigated with CI and ACEI+CI treatment. This study elucidates the role of RAS in the pathogenesis of AAI-induced nephropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Yeh Hsieh
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Hsinchu Mackay Memorial Hospital, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Teng-Hsiang Chang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Fang Chang
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hsinchu Mackay Memorial Hospital, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Hsuan Chuang
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Li-Che Lu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Wei Yang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsinchu Branch, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Sheng Lin
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Center for Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio-devices (IDS2B), National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Chu Chang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chung-Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Environmental and Precision Medicine Laboratory, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
- Department of Nutrition, Hungkuang University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kuang Tien General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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Liu Y, An S, Ward R, Yang Y, Guo XX, Li W, Xu TR. G protein-coupled receptors as promising cancer targets. Cancer Lett 2016; 376:226-39. [PMID: 27000991 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2016.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Revised: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) regulate an array of fundamental biological processes, such as growth, metabolism and homeostasis. Specifically, GPCRs are involved in cancer initiation and progression. However, compared with the involvement of the epidermal growth factor receptor in cancer, that of GPCRs have been largely ignored. Recent findings have implicated many GPCRs in tumorigenesis, tumor progression, invasion and metastasis. Moreover, GPCRs contribute to the establishment and maintenance of a microenvironment which is permissive for tumor formation and growth, including effects upon surrounding blood vessels, signaling molecules and the extracellular matrix. Thus, GPCRs are considered to be among the most useful drug targets against many solid cancers. Development of selective ligands targeting GPCRs may provide novel and effective treatment strategies against cancer and some anticancer compounds are now in clinical trials. Here, we focus on tumor related GPCRs, such as G protein-coupled receptor 30, the lysophosphatidic acid receptor, angiotensin receptors 1 and 2, the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptors and gastrin releasing peptide receptor. We also summarize their tissue distributions, activation and roles in tumorigenesis and discuss the potential use of GPCR agonists and antagonists in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Su An
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Richard Ward
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Yang Yang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Xiao-Xi Guo
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Wei Li
- Kidney Cancer Research, Diagnosis and Translational Technology Center of Yunnan Province, Department of Urology, The People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, China.
| | - Tian-Rui Xu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China.
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