Increased urocortin 3 levels are associated with the risk of having type 2 diabetes mellitus

Study on Potential Differentially Expressed Genes in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis by Bioinformatics and Next-Generation Sequencing Data Analysis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive lung disease with reduced quality of life and earlier mortality, but its pathogenesis and key genes are still unclear. In this investigation, bioinformatics was used to deeply analyze the pathogenesis of IPF and related key genes, so as to investigate the potential molecular pathogenesis of IPF and provide guidance for clinical treatment. Next-generation sequencing dataset GSE213001 was obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between IPF and normal control group. The DEGs between IPF and normal control group were screened with the DESeq2 package of R language. The Gene Ontology (GO) and REACTOME pathway enrichment analyses of the DEGs were performed. Using the g:Profiler, the function and pathway enrichment analyses of DEGs were performed. Then, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed via the Integrated Interactions Database (IID) database. Cytoscape with Network Analyzer was used to identify the hub genes. miRNet and NetworkAnalyst databaseswereused to construct the targeted microRNAs (miRNAs), transcription factors (TFs), and small drug molecules. Finally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to validate the hub genes. A total of 958 DEGs were screened out in this study, including 479 up regulated genes and 479 down regulated genes. Most of the DEGs were significantly enriched in response to stimulus, GPCR ligand binding, microtubule-based process, and defective GALNT3 causes HFTC. In combination with the results of the PPI network, miRNA-hub gene regulatory network and TF-hub gene regulatory network, hub genes including LRRK2, BMI1, EBP, MNDA, KBTBD7, KRT15, OTX1, TEKT4, SPAG8, and EFHC2 were selected. Cyclothiazide and rotigotinethe are predicted small drug molecules for IPF treatment. Our findings will contribute to identification of potential biomarkers and novel strategies for the treatment of IPF, and provide a novel strategy for clinical therapy.

The urocortin peptides: biological relevance and laboratory aspects of UCN3 and its receptor

The urocortins are polypeptides belonging to the corticotropin-releasing hormone family, known to modulate stress responses in mammals. Stress, whether induced physically or psychologically, is an underlying cause or consequence of numerous clinical syndromes. Identifying biological markers associated with the homeostatic regulation of stress could provide a clinical laboratory approach for the management of stress-related disorders. The neuropeptide, urocortin 3 (UCN3), and the corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 2 (CRHR2) constitute a regulatory axis known to mediate stress homeostasis. Dysregulation of this peptide/receptor axis is believed to play a role in several clinical conditions including post-traumatic stress, sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, and other health problems related to stress. Understanding the physiology and measurement of the UCN3/CRHR2 axis is important for establishing a viable clinical laboratory diagnostic. In this article, we focus on evidence supporting the role of UCN3 and its receptor in stress-related clinical syndromes. We also provide insight into the measurements of UCN3 in blood and urine. These potential biomarkers provide new opportunities for clinical research and applications of laboratory medicine diagnostics in stress management.

Urocortin3: Local inducer of somatostatin release and bellwether of beta cell maturity

Urocortin 3 (UCN3) is a peptide hormone expressed in pancreatic islets of Langerhans of both human alpha and human beta cells and solely in murine beta cells. UCN3 signaling acts locally within the islet to activate its cognate receptor, corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 2 (CRHR2), which is expressed by delta cells, to potentiate somatostatin (SST) negative feedback to reduce islet cell hormone output. The functional importance of UCN3 signaling in the islet is to modulate the amount of SST tone allowing for finely tuned regulation of insulin and glucagon secretion. UCN3 signaling is a hallmark of functional beta cell maturation, increasing the beta cell glucose threshold for insulin secretion. In doing so, UCN3 plays a relevant functional role in accurately maintaining blood glucose homeostasis. Additionally, UCN3 acts as an indicator of beta cell maturation and health, as UCN3 is not expressed in immature beta cells and is downregulated in dedifferentiated and dysfunctional beta cell states. Here, we review the mechanistic underpinnings of UCN3 signaling, its net effect on islet cell hormone output, as well as its value as a marker for beta cell maturation and functional status.

Circulating levels of urocortin neuropeptides are impaired in children with overweight

OBJECTIVE

The corticotropin-releasing factor neuropeptides (corticotropin-releasing hormone [CRH] and urocortin [UCN]-1,2,3) and spexin contribute to the regulation of energy balance and inhibit food intake in mammals. However, the status of these neuropeptides in children with overweight has yet to be elucidated. This study investigated the effect of increased body weight on the circulating levels of these neuropeptides.

METHODS

A total of 120 children with a mean age of 12 years were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were collected to assess the circulating levels of neuropeptides and were correlated with various anthropometric, clinical, and metabolic markers.

RESULTS

Plasma levels of UCNs were altered in children with overweight but less so in those with obesity. Furthermore, the expression pattern of UCN1 was opposite to that of UCN2 and UCN3, which suggests a compensatory effect. However, no significant effect of overweight and obesity was observed on CRH and spexin levels. Finally, UCN3 independently associated with circulating zinc-alpha-2-glycoprotein and UCN2 levels, whereas UCN1 was strongly predicted by TNFα levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant changes in neuropeptide levels were primarily observed in children with overweight and were attenuated with increased obesity. This suggests the presence of a compensatory mechanism for neuropeptides to curb the progression of obesity.

Urocortins as biomarkers in cardiovascular disease

The urocortins (Ucns) belong to the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) family of peptides and have multiple effects within the central nervous and the cardiovascular systems. With growing evidence indicating significant cardioprotective properties and cardiovascular actions of these peptides, the question arises as to whether the plasma profiles of the Ucns are altered in pathologic settings. While reports have shown conflicting results and findings have not been corroborated in multiple independent cohorts, it seems likely that plasma Ucn concentrations are elevated in multiple cardiovascular conditions. The degree of increase and accurate determination of circulating values of the Ucns requires further validation.

Integrated bioinformatics analysis reveals novel key biomarkers in diabetic nephropathy

Objectives:

The underlying molecular mechanisms of diabetic nephropathy have yet not been investigated clearly. In this investigation, we aimed to identify key genes involved in the pathogenesis and prognosis of diabetic nephropathy.

Methods:

We downloaded next-generation sequencing data set GSE142025 from Gene Expression Omnibus database having 28 diabetic nephropathy samples and nine normal control samples. The differentially expressed genes between diabetic nephropathy and normal control samples were analyzed. Biological function analysis of the differentially expressed genes was enriched by Gene Ontology and REACTOME pathways. Then, we established the protein–protein interaction network, modules, miRNA-differentially expressed gene regulatory network and transcription factor-differentially expressed gene regulatory network. Hub genes were validated by using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

Results:

A total of 549 differentially expressed genes were detected including 275 upregulated and 274 downregulated genes. The biological process analysis of functional enrichment showed that these differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in cell activation, integral component of plasma membrane, lipid binding, and biological oxidations. Analyzing the protein–protein interaction network, miRNA-differentially expressed gene regulatory network and transcription factor-differentially expressed gene regulatory network, we screened hub genes MDFI, LCK, BTK, IRF4, PRKCB, EGR1, JUN, FOS, ALB, and NR4A1 by the Cytoscape software. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis confirmed that hub genes were of diagnostic value.

Conclusions:

Taken above, using integrated bioinformatics analysis, we have identified key genes and pathways in diabetic nephropathy, which could improve our understanding of the cause and underlying molecular events, and these key genes and pathways might be therapeutic targets for diabetic nephropathy.

Assessment of clinical data on urocortins and their therapeutic potential in cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Heart failure (HF) and cardiovascular diseases present public health challenges. Although great progress was achieved in their treatment, there is continuous need for new therapies. Urocortins of the corticotropin neuropeptide family were reported to exert beneficial effects in animal models of HF and cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to assess the available clinical evidence on the potential role of urocortins in HF and other cardiovascular diseases. We explored MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and Scopus databases. Twenty‐seven studies were included in the qualitative and 15 studies (2005 patients) in the quantitative syntheses. Available data allowed us to meta‐analyze the blood pressure (BP) lowering and heart rate (HR) increasing effects of urocortin 2 in HF with reduced ejection fraction. We applied meta‐regression to explore the association between left ventricular ejection fraction and serum urocortin 1 and urocortin 2 levels. Short‐term urocortin 2 infusion decreased mean arterial pressure in chronic HF with reduced ejection fraction (mean difference = −9.161 mmHg, 95% confidence interval [CI] −12.661 to −5.660 mmHg, p < 0.001). Such infusions increased HR mildly (mean difference = 5.629 beats/min, 95% CI 1.612 to 9.646 beats/min, p = 0.006). Although some studies reported increased urocortin 1 and urocortin 2 levels in HF with growing severity, our meta‐regressions failed to confirm associations between blood urocortin levels and left ventricular ejection fraction. Clinical evidence confirms short‐term BP lowering effects of urocortin 2, whereas individual studies report additional beneficial effects. Further clinical investigations are necessary to confirm the latter and the long‐term value of these peptides in cardiovascular diseases. Review protocol: CRD42020163203.