Changes in phosphorylated heat-shock protein 27 in response to acute ureteral obstruction in rats

Comparative Proteome Analyses of Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction and Surrounding Ureteral Tissue

Ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction is a common problem in children, but its etiology remains unclear. In this study, the proteome profiles of the obstructed segment and its surrounding distal and proximal parts were comparatively evaluated. Twelve children younger than 2 years of age with unilateral intrinsic UPJ obstruction were included. The excised operational tissue was divided into three parts immediately after resection: the obstructed part (Obst), the distal normal ureteral part (Dist), and the proximal part of the obstructed segment (Prox). Proteins extracted from the tissue samples were subjected to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis to identify differentially regulated proteins. Spot analysis revealed that four proteins, namely tropomyosin beta and alpha-1 chains, actin and desmin, were upregulated in Obst in comparison to Dist. A similar analysis between Obst and Prox showed that heat shock protein beta-1 and carbonic anhydrase-1 were upregulated in Obst, while tropomyosin alpha 3 chain and ATP synthase beta were upregulated in Prox. The last comparative analysis between Dist and Prox revealed upregulation of annexin-A5 and annexin-A1 in Dist and vimentin, mitochondrial ATP synthase subunit-beta, peroxiredoxin-2, and apolipoprotein-A1 in Prox. Bioinformatics analysis using the STRING server indicated that the differentially regulated proteins, altogether, point to the changes occurring in muscle filament sliding pathway. When regulations occurring in each group were mutually compared, a change in lipase inhibition activity was detected by STRING. This is the first study scrutinizing changes occurring in protein profiles in UPJ.

Mechanical Stress Changes the Complex Interplay Between HO-1, Inflammation and Fibrosis, During Excisional Wound Repair

Mechanical stress following surgery or injury can promote pathological wound healing and fibrosis, and lead to functional loss and esthetic problems. Splinted excisional wounds can be used as a model for inducing mechanical stress. The cytoprotective enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is thought to orchestrate the defense against inflammatory and oxidative insults that drive fibrosis. Here, we investigated the activation of the HO-1 system in a splinted and non-splinted full-thickness excisional wound model using HO-1-luc transgenic mice. Effects of splinting on wound closure, HO-1 promoter activity, and markers of inflammation and fibrosis were assessed. After seven days, splinted wounds were more than three times larger than non-splinted wounds, demonstrating a delay in wound closure. HO-1 promoter activity rapidly decreased following removal of the (epi)dermis, but was induced in both splinted and non-splinted wounds during skin repair. Splinting induced more HO-1 gene expression in 7-day wounds; however, HO-1 protein expression remained lower in the epidermis, likely due to lower numbers of keratinocytes in the re-epithelialization tissue. Higher numbers of F4/80-positive macrophages, αSMA-positive myofibroblasts, and increased levels of the inflammatory genes IL-1β, TNF-α, and COX-2 were present in 7-day splinted wounds. Surprisingly, mRNA expression of newly formed collagen (type III) was lower in 7-day wounds after splinting, whereas, VEGF and MMP-9 were increased. In summary, these data demonstrate that splinting delays cutaneous wound closure and HO-1 protein induction. The pro-inflammatory environment following splinting may facilitate higher myofibroblast numbers and increase the risk of fibrosis and scar formation. Therefore, inducing HO-1 activity against mechanical stress-induced inflammation and fibrosis may be an interesting strategy to prevent negative effects of surgery on growth and function in patients with orofacial clefts or in patients with burns.

Unilateral ureteral obstruction induces DNA repair by APE1

Ureteral obstruction is associated with oxidative stress and the development of fibrosis of the kidney parenchyma. Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease (APE1) is an essential DNA repair enzyme for repair of oxidative DNA lesions and regulates several transcription factors. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether APE1 is regulated by acute (24 h) and chronic (7 days) unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). APE1 was expressed in essentially all kidney cells with the strongest expression in proximal tubuli. After 24 h of UUO, APE1 mRNA was induced in the cortex, inner stripe of the outer medulla (ISOM), and inner medulla (IM). In contrast, the APE1 protein level was not regulated in the IM and ISOM and only slightly increased in the cortex. APE1 DNA repair activity was not significantly changed. A different pattern of regulation was observed after 7 days of UUO, with an increase of the APE1 mRNA level in the cortex but not in the ISOM and IM. The APE1 protein level in the cortex, ISOM, and IM increased significantly. Importantly, we observed a significant increase in APE1 DNA repair activity in the cortex and IM. To confirm our model, we investigated heme oxygenase-1, collagen type I, fibronectin I, and α-smooth muscle actin levels. In vitro, we found the transcriptional regulatory activity of APE1 to be involved in the upregulation of the profibrotic factor connective tissue growth factor. In summary, APE1 is regulated at different levels after acute and chronic UUO. Thus, our results suggest that DNA repair activity is regulated in response to progressive (7 days) obstruction and that APE1 potentially could play a role in the development of fibrosis in kidney disease.

Quercetin attenuates cyclooxygenase-2 expression in response to acute ureteral obstruction

Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) is associated with increased hydrostatic pressure, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the renal parenchyma. Previous studies have demonstrated marked cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 induction in renal medullary interstitial cells (RMICs) in response to UUO. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of quercetin, a naturally occurring antioxidant, on COX-2 induction in vivo and in vitro. Rats subjected to 24 h of UUO were treated intraperitoneally with quercetin (50 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1)). Quercetin partly prevented COX-2 induction in the renal inner medulla in response to UUO. Moreover, RMICs exposed to conditions associated with obstruction, inflammation (produced by IL-1β), oxidative stress (produced by H2O2), and mechanical stress (produced by stretch) showed increased COX-2 expression. Interestingly, quercetin reduced COX-2 induction in RMICs subjected to stretched. Similarly, PGE2 production was markedly increased in RMICs exposed to stretch and was reversed to control levels by quercetin treatment. Furthermore, stretch-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was blocked by quercetin, and inhibition of ERK1/2 attenuated stretch-induced COX-2 induction in RMICs. These results indicate that quercetin attenuated the induction of COX-2 expression and activity in RMICs exposed to mechanical stress as a consequence of acute UUO and that the MAPK ERK1/2 pathway might be involved in this quercetin-mediated reduction in COX-2.

Proteomic identification of early changes in the renal cytoskeleton in obstructive uropathy

Bilateral ureteral obstruction (BUO) is associated with renal damage and impaired ability to concentrate urine and is known to induce alterations in an array of kidney proteins. The aim of this study was to identify acute proteomic alterations induced by BUO. Rats were subjected to BUO for 2, 6, or 24 h. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics was performed on the renal inner medulla, and protein changes in the obstructed group were identified. Significant changes were successfully identified for 109 proteins belonging to different biological classes. Interestingly, proteins belonging to the cytoskeleton and proteins related to cytoskeletal regulation were found to be biologically enriched in BUO using online-accessible tools. Western blots confirmed the selected results, demonstrating acute downregulation of proteins belonging to all three cytoskeletal components. The microfilament protein β-actin and the intermediate filament proteins pankeratin and vimentin were all downregulated. β-Tubulin, an important microtubular protein, was found to be significantly downregulated after 24 h. Also, there was significant upregulation of cofilin, an actin-binding protein known to be upregulated in other nephropathy models. Furthermore, both upregulation and downregulation of cytoskeletal motor and regulatory proteins were observed. These findings were confirmed by immunohistochemistry, which clearly showed alterations in labeling in the inner medulla. Interestingly, we were able to confirm selected results in mpkCCD cells exposed to mechanical stretch. Our findings add to the knowledge of BUO-induced acute changes in the renal cytoskeleton and suggest that these molecular changes are partly mediated by increased stretch of the cells during obstruction.