Expression of canonical transient receptor potential channels in U-2 OS and MNNG-HOS osteosarcoma cell lines

Generation of a human induced pluripotent stem cell line (UMGACBi001-A) from urine cells of a chronic kidney disease patient with hypertension, diabetic nephropathy and acute sepsis

Chronic kidney disease is a major public health burden associated with a drastically reduced quality of living and life span that lacks suitable, individualized therapeutic strategies. Here we present a human induced pluripotent stem cell line (iPSC, UMGACBi001-A) reprogrammed from urine cells of an acute septic dialysis patient suffering from chronic kidney disease using non-integrating administration of RNAs. The generated iPSCs were positively characterized for typical morphology, pluripotency marker expression, directed differentiation potential, non-contamination, chromosomal consistency and donor identity. This iPSC-line can be a useful source for in vitro disease modelling and individualized therapeutic approaches.

The alternative renin-angiotensin-system (RAS) signalling pathway in prostate cancer and its link to the current COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

The renin-angiotensin system is known to maintain blood pressure and body fluids. However, it has been found to consist of at least two major constituents, the classic and the alternative pathway, balancing and supporting each other's signalling in a very intricate way. Current research has shown that the renin-angiotensin system is involved in a broad range of biological processes and diseases, such as cancer and infectious diseases.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We conducted a literature review on the interaction of the renin-angiotensin system and prostate cancer and explored the research on the possible impact of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in this context. This review provides an update on contemporary knowledge into the alternative renin-angiotensin system, its role in cancer, specifically prostate cancer, and the implications of the current COVID-19 pandemic on cancer and cancer care.

CONCLUSION

In this work, we aim to demonstrate how shifting the RAS signalling pathway from the classic to the alternative axis seems to be a viable option in supporting treatment of specific cancers and at the same time demonstrating beneficial properties in supportive care. It however seems to be the case that the infection with SARS-CoV-2 and subsequent impairment of the renin-angiotensin-system could exhibit serious deleterious long-term effects even in oncology.