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Kunnathattil M, Rahul P, Skaria T. Soluble vascular endothelial glycocalyx proteoglycans as potential therapeutic targets in inflammatory diseases. Immunol Cell Biol 2024; 102:97-116. [PMID: 37982607 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Reducing the activity of cytokines and leukocyte extravasation is an emerging therapeutic strategy to limit tissue-damaging inflammatory responses and restore immune homeostasis in inflammatory diseases. Proteoglycans embedded in the vascular endothelial glycocalyx, which regulate the activity of cytokines to restrict the inflammatory response in physiological conditions, are proteolytically cleaved in inflammatory diseases. Here we critically review the potential of proteolytically shed, soluble vascular endothelial glycocalyx proteoglycans to modulate pathological inflammatory responses. Soluble forms of the proteoglycans syndecan-1, syndecan-3 and biglycan exert beneficial anti-inflammatory effects by the removal of chemokines, suppression of proinflammatory cytokine expression and leukocyte migration, and induction of autophagy of proinflammatory M1 macrophages. By contrast, soluble versikine and decorin enhance proinflammatory responses by increasing inflammatory cytokine synthesis and leukocyte migration. Endogenous syndecan-2 and mimecan exert proinflammatory effects, syndecan-4 and perlecan mediate beneficial anti-inflammatory effects and glypican regulates Hh and Wnt signaling pathways involved in systemic inflammatory responses. Taken together, targeting the vascular endothelial glycocalyx-derived, soluble syndecan-1, syndecan-2, syndecan-3, syndecan-4, biglycan, versikine, mimecan, perlecan, glypican and decorin might be a potential therapeutic strategy to suppress overstimulated cytokine and leukocyte responses in inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maneesha Kunnathattil
- Department of Zoology, Government College Madappally, University of Calicut, Calicut, Kerala, India
| | - Pedapudi Rahul
- School of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Calicut, Calicut, Kerala, India
| | - Tom Skaria
- School of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Calicut, Calicut, Kerala, India
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2
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Chen X, Chen X. The Role of TRIM Proteins in Vascular Disease. Curr Vasc Pharmacol 2024; 22:11-18. [PMID: 38031766 DOI: 10.2174/0115701611241848231114111618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
There are more than 80 different tripartite motifs (TRIM) proteins within the E3 ubiquitin ligase subfamily, including proteins that regulate intracellular signaling, apoptosis, autophagy, proliferation, inflammation, and immunity through the ubiquitination of target proteins. Studies conducted in recent years have unraveled the importance of TRIM proteins in the pathophysiology of vascular diseases. In this review, we describe the effects of TRIM proteins on vascular endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, heart, and lungs. In particular, we discuss the potential mechanisms by which TRIMs regulate diseases and shed light on the potential therapeutic applications of TRIMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Chen
- Ophthalmology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaolong Chen
- Ophthalmology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Poledniczek M, Neumayer C, Kopp CW, Schlager O, Gremmel T, Jozkowicz A, Gschwandtner ME, Koppensteiner R, Wadowski PP. Micro- and Macrovascular Effects of Inflammation in Peripheral Artery Disease-Pathophysiology and Translational Therapeutic Approaches. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2284. [PMID: 37626780 PMCID: PMC10452462 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammation has a critical role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. On the molecular level, inflammatory pathways negatively impact endothelial barrier properties and thus, tissue homeostasis. Conformational changes and destruction of the glycocalyx further promote pro-inflammatory pathways also contributing to pro-coagulability and a prothrombotic state. In addition, changes in the extracellular matrix composition lead to (peri-)vascular remodelling and alterations of the vessel wall, e.g., aneurysm formation. Moreover, progressive fibrosis leads to reduced tissue perfusion due to loss of functional capillaries. The present review aims at discussing the molecular and clinical effects of inflammatory processes on the micro- and macrovasculature with a focus on peripheral artery disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Poledniczek
- Division of Angiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (M.P.); (C.W.K.); (O.S.); (M.E.G.); (R.K.)
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Neumayer
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Christoph W. Kopp
- Division of Angiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (M.P.); (C.W.K.); (O.S.); (M.E.G.); (R.K.)
| | - Oliver Schlager
- Division of Angiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (M.P.); (C.W.K.); (O.S.); (M.E.G.); (R.K.)
| | - Thomas Gremmel
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Landesklinikum Mistelbach-Gänserndorf, 2130 Mistelbach, Austria;
- Institute of Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy and Interventional Cardiology, Karl Landsteiner Society, 3100 St. Pölten, Austria
| | - Alicja Jozkowicz
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 31-007 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Michael E. Gschwandtner
- Division of Angiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (M.P.); (C.W.K.); (O.S.); (M.E.G.); (R.K.)
| | - Renate Koppensteiner
- Division of Angiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (M.P.); (C.W.K.); (O.S.); (M.E.G.); (R.K.)
| | - Patricia P. Wadowski
- Division of Angiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (M.P.); (C.W.K.); (O.S.); (M.E.G.); (R.K.)
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Ermert K, Buhl EM, Klinkhammer BM, Floege J, Boor P. Reduction of Endothelial Glycocalyx on Peritubular Capillaries in Chronic Kidney Disease. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2023; 193:138-147. [PMID: 36414084 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2022.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In chronic kidney disease (CKD), peritubular capillaries undergo anatomic and functional alterations, such as rarefaction and increased permeability. The endothelial glycocalyx (EG) is a carbohydrate-rich gel-like mesh, which covers the luminal surface of endothelial cells. It is involved in many regulatory functions of the endothelium, including vascular permeability. Herein, we investigated ultrastructural alterations of the EG in different murine CKD models. Fluorescence staining using different lectins with high affinity to components of the renal glycocalyx revealed a reduced binding to the endothelium in CKD in the animal models, and there were similar finding in human kidney specimens. Lanthanum Dysprosium Glycosamino Glycan adhesion staining technique was used to visualize the ultrastructure of the glycocalyx in transmission electron microscopy. This also enabled quantitative analyses, showing a significant reduction of the EG thickness and density. In addition, mRNA expression of proteins involved in glycocalyx biology, synthesis, and turnover (ie, syndecan 1 and glypican 1), which are main components of the glycocalyx, and exostosin 2, involved in the synthesis of the glycocalyx, were significantly up-regulated in endothelial cells isolated from murine CKD models. Visualization of glycocalyx using specific transmission electron microscopy analyses allows qualitative and quantitative analyses and revealed significant pathologic alterations in peritubular capillaries in CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Ermert
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany; Division of Nephrology and Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Eva M Buhl
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany; Division of Nephrology and Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany; Electron Microscopy Facility, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Barbara M Klinkhammer
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany; Division of Nephrology and Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Floege
- Division of Nephrology and Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Peter Boor
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany; Division of Nephrology and Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany; Electron Microscopy Facility, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany.
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A Dietary Supplement Containing Fucoidan Preserves Endothelial Glycocalyx through ERK/MAPK Signaling and Protects against Damage Induced by CKD Serum. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415520. [PMID: 36555160 PMCID: PMC9779516 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Damage to the endothelial glycocalyx (eGC), a protective layer lining the endothelial luminal surface, is associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), which leads to a worsening of cardiovascular outcomes in these patients. Currently, there are no targeted therapeutic approaches. Whether the dietary supplement EndocalyxTM (ECX) protects against endothelial damage caused by uremic toxins is unknown. (2) We addressed this question by performing atomic force microscopy measurements on living endothelial cells. We examined the effect of ECX on eGC thickness at baseline and with pooled serum from hemodialysis patients. ECX was also successfully administered in vivo in mice, in which eGC was assessed using perfused boundary region measurements by intravital microscopy of cremasteric vessels. (3) Both ECX and fucoidan significantly improved baseline eGC thickness. Our data indicate that these effects are dependent on ERK/MAPK and PI3K signaling. After incubation with eGC damaging serum from dialysis patients, ECX increased eGC height. Intravital microscopy in mice revealed a relevant increase in baseline eGC dimensions after feeding with ECX. (4) We identified a dietary supplement containing glycocalyx substrates and fucoidan as potential mediators of eGC preservation in vitro and in vivo. Our findings suggest that fucoidan may be an essential component responsible for protecting the eGC in acute settings. Moreover, ECX might contribute to both protection and rebuilding of the eGC in the context of CKD.
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Liu J, Xu J, Huang J, Gu C, Liu Q, Zhang W, Gao F, Tian Y, Miao X, Zhu Z, Jia B, Tian Y, Wu L, Zhao H, Feng X, Liu S. TRIM27 contributes to glomerular endothelial cell injury in lupus nephritis by mediating the FoxO1 signaling pathway. J Transl Med 2021; 101:983-997. [PMID: 33854173 PMCID: PMC8044289 DOI: 10.1038/s41374-021-00591-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Tripartite motif-containing 27 (TRIM27) belongs to the triple motif (TRIM) protein family, which plays a role in a variety of biological activities. Our previous study showed that the TRIM27 protein was highly expressed in the glomerular endothelial cells of patients suffering from lupus nephritis (LN). However, whether TRIM27 is involved in the injury of glomerular endothelial cells in lupus nephritis remains to be clarified. Here, we detected the expression of the TRIM27 protein in glomerular endothelial cells in vivo and in vitro. In addition, the influence of TRIM27 knockdown on endothelial cell damage in MRL/lpr mice and cultured human renal glomerular endothelial cells (HRGECs) was explored. The results revealed that the expression of TRIM27 in endothelial cells was significantly enhanced in vivo and in vitro. Downregulating the expression of TRIM27 inhibited the breakdown of the glycocalyx and the injury of endothelial cells via the FoxO1 pathway. Moreover, HRGECs transfected with the WT-FoxO1 plasmid showed a reduction in impairment caused by LN plasma. Furthermore, suppression of the protein kinase B (Akt) pathway could attenuate damage by mediating the expression of TRIM27. Thus, the present study showed that TRIM27 participated in the injury of glomerular endothelial cells and served as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of lupus nephritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxi Liu
- Department of Pathology; Center of Metabolic Diseases and Cancer Research, Institute of Medical and Health Science, Hebei Medical University; Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jie Xu
- Department of Pathology; Center of Metabolic Diseases and Cancer Research, Institute of Medical and Health Science, Hebei Medical University; Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jie Huang
- Department of Pathology; Center of Metabolic Diseases and Cancer Research, Institute of Medical and Health Science, Hebei Medical University; Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Cunyang Gu
- Department of Pathology; Center of Metabolic Diseases and Cancer Research, Institute of Medical and Health Science, Hebei Medical University; Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Qingjuan Liu
- Department of Pathology; Center of Metabolic Diseases and Cancer Research, Institute of Medical and Health Science, Hebei Medical University; Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Pathology; Center of Metabolic Diseases and Cancer Research, Institute of Medical and Health Science, Hebei Medical University; Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Fan Gao
- Department of Pathology; Center of Metabolic Diseases and Cancer Research, Institute of Medical and Health Science, Hebei Medical University; Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yuexin Tian
- Department of Pathology; Center of Metabolic Diseases and Cancer Research, Institute of Medical and Health Science, Hebei Medical University; Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xinyan Miao
- Department of Pathology; Center of Metabolic Diseases and Cancer Research, Institute of Medical and Health Science, Hebei Medical University; Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Zixuan Zhu
- Basic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Baiyun Jia
- Basic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yu Tian
- Department of Pathology; Center of Metabolic Diseases and Cancer Research, Institute of Medical and Health Science, Hebei Medical University; Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Lunbi Wu
- Department of Pathology; Center of Metabolic Diseases and Cancer Research, Institute of Medical and Health Science, Hebei Medical University; Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Hang Zhao
- Department of Pathology; Center of Metabolic Diseases and Cancer Research, Institute of Medical and Health Science, Hebei Medical University; Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xiaojuan Feng
- Department of Pathology; Center of Metabolic Diseases and Cancer Research, Institute of Medical and Health Science, Hebei Medical University; Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China.
| | - Shuxia Liu
- Department of Pathology; Center of Metabolic Diseases and Cancer Research, Institute of Medical and Health Science, Hebei Medical University; Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China.
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Theodorakopoulou MP, Dipla K, Zafeiridis A, Sarafidis P. Εndothelial and microvascular function in CKD: Evaluation methods and associations with outcomes. Eur J Clin Invest 2021; 51:e13557. [PMID: 33774823 DOI: 10.1111/eci.13557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Endothelial dysfunction, the hallmark of atherosclerosis, is suggested to be involved pathogenetically in cardiovascular and renal disease progression in these patients. METHODS This is a narrative review presenting the techniques and markers used for assessment of microvascular and endothelial function in patients with CKD and discussing findings of the relevant studies on the associations of endothelial dysfunction with co-morbid conditions and outcomes in this population. RESULTS Venous Occlusion Plethysmography was the first method to evaluate microvascular function; subsequently, several relevant techniques have been developed and used in patients with CKD, including brachial Flow-Mediated Dilatation, and more recently, Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Laser Speckle Contrast Analysis. Furthermore, several circulating biomarkers are commonly used in clinical research. Studies assessing endothelial function using the above techniques and biomarkers suggest that endothelial dysfunction occurs early in CKD and contributes to the target organ damage, cardiovascular events, death and progression towards end-stage kidney disease. CONCLUSIONS Older and newer functional methods and several biomarkers have assessed endothelial dysfunction in CKD; accumulated evidence supports an association of endothelial dysfunction with outcomes. Future research with new, non-invasive and easily applicable methods could further delineate the role of endothelial dysfunction on cardiovascular and renal disease progression in patients with CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieta P Theodorakopoulou
- Department of Nephrology, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Konstantina Dipla
- Laboratory of Exercise Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science at Serres, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Serres, Greece
| | - Andreas Zafeiridis
- Laboratory of Exercise Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science at Serres, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Serres, Greece
| | - Pantelis Sarafidis
- Department of Nephrology, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Liew H, Roberts MA, McMahon LP. Markers of the Endothelial Glycocalyx Are Improved following Kidney Transplantation. Kidney Blood Press Res 2021; 46:581-587. [PMID: 34320503 DOI: 10.1159/000517317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The endothelial glycocalyx on the vascular luminal surface contributes to endothelial health and function. Damage to this layer is indicative of vascular injury, reflected by increased levels of its shed constituents in serum and an increase in the perfused boundary region (PBR) when measured in sublingual capillaries using the GlycoCheck™ device. We aimed to examine the longitudinal effects of kidney transplantation on the glycocalyx by measuring biochemical markers of the glycocalyx and endothelial dysfunction and the PBR. METHODS We recruited healthy controls and stage 5 CKD patients scheduled to undergo a kidney transplant. Investigations were performed before transplant and then 1 and 3 months after transplantation. At each point, blood was collected for hyaluronan, syndecan-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1), and von Willebrand factor (vWF), and a PBR measurement was performed. RESULTS Thirty healthy controls and 17 patients undergoing a kidney transplant were recruited (9 cadaveric and 8 live donation; 12 on dialysis and 5 pre-emptive). Before transplant, transplant recipients had greater evidence of glycocalyx damage than controls. After transplant, PBR improved from median 2.22 (range 1.29-2.73) to 1.98 (1.65-2.25) µm, p = 0.024, and syndecan-1 levels decreased from 98 (40-529) to 36 (20-328) ng/mL, p < 0.001. Similarly, VCAM-1 fell from 1,479 (751-2,428) at baseline to 823 (516-1,674) ng/mL, p < 0.001, and vWF reduced from 3,114 (1,549-5,197) to 2,007 (1,503-3,542) mIU/mL, p = 0.002. Serum levels of hyaluronan remained unchanged. CONCLUSION The combination of reduced PBR and syndecan-1 following transplant suggests that transplantation may improve glycocalyx stability at 3 months after transplant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Liew
- Department of Renal Medicine, Eastern Health, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia.,Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Matthew A Roberts
- Department of Renal Medicine, Eastern Health, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia.,Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lawrence P McMahon
- Department of Renal Medicine, Eastern Health, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia.,Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Theodorakopoulou MP, Bakaloudi DR, Dipla K, Zafeiridis A, Boutou AK. Vascular endothelial damage in COPD: current functional assessment methods and future perspectives. Expert Rev Respir Med 2021; 15:1121-1133. [PMID: 33874819 DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2021.1919089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but the relationship between these two entities is not fully understood; smoking, inflammation, arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction are significant determinants. Endothelial dysfunction is not only associated with cardiovascular disease, but also with COPD severity.Areas covered: Several functional methods have been developed to evaluate endothelial function in healthy and diseased individuals; from the invasive angiography of epicardial coronary arteries and Venous-Occlusion-Plethysmography, to more modern, noninvasive approaches such as Flow-Mediated-Dilatation, Peripheral-Arterial-Tonometry and Near-Infrared-Spectroscopy, all these methods have boosted clinical research in this field. In this context, this narrative review, which included articles published in PubMed and Scopus up to 25-November-2020, summarizes available functional methods for endothelial damage assessment in COPD and discusses existing evidence on their associations with comorbidities and outcomes in this population.Expert opinion: Accumulated evidence suggests that endothelial dysfunction occurs in early stages of CΟPD and worsens with pulmonary obstruction severity and during acute exacerbations. Novel methods evaluating endothelial function offer a detailed, real-time assessment of different parameters related to vascular function and should be increasingly used to shed more light on the role of endothelial damage on cardiovascular and COPD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieta P Theodorakopoulou
- Department of Nephrology, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitra Rafailia Bakaloudi
- Department of Nephrology, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Konstantina Dipla
- Exercise Physiology & Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Sport Sciences at Serres, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Andreas Zafeiridis
- Exercise Physiology & Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Sport Sciences at Serres, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Afroditi K Boutou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, G. Papanikolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Liew H, Roberts MA, Pope A, McMahon LP. Endothelial glycocalyx damage in kidney disease correlates with uraemic toxins and endothelial dysfunction. BMC Nephrol 2021; 22:21. [PMID: 33423673 PMCID: PMC7798348 DOI: 10.1186/s12882-020-02219-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Damage to the endothelial glycocalyx is an early indicator of vascular damage and a potential marker of endothelial dysfunction. This study aimed to assess the relationship between markers of glycocalyx damage, endothelial dysfunction, and uraemic toxins in patients with chronic kidney disease. METHODS Healthy controls, CKD patients, dialysis patients, and kidney transplant recipients had biochemical markers of glycocalyx damage (syndecan-1 and hyaluronan), endothelial dysfunction (von Willebrand factor; vWF and vascular cell adhesion molecule; VCAM-1), and uraemic toxins (indoxyl sulphate and p-cresyl sulphate) measured. In addition, Sidestream Darkfield imaging was performed using the novel GlycoCheck™ device to measure glycocalyx width by the perfused boundary region (PBR) in the sublingual microcirculation. RESULTS Serum markers of glycocalyx damage were highest in the dialysis group (n = 33), followed by CKD patients (n = 32) and kidney transplant recipients (n = 30) compared to controls (n = 30): hyaluronan: 137 (16-1414), 79 (11-257), 57 (14-218) and 23 (8-116) ng/mL, respectively, p < 0.0001; syndecan-1: 81 (40-529), 46 (21-134), 39 (23-72), and 30 (12-138) ng/mL, respectively, p < 0.0001. Markers of endothelial dysfunction followed a similar pattern. No difference in the width of the PBR was detected between these groups (2.01 ± 0.35, 2.07 ± 0.27, 2.06 ± 0.28, and 2.05 ± 0.3 µm, respectively, p = 0.89). Glycocalyx damage correlated with markers of endothelial dysfunction (log-hyaluronan and log-VCAM-1: r = 0.64, p < 0.001) and levels of uraemic toxins (log-hyaluronan and log-indoxyl sulphate: r = 0.48, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Levels of biochemical markers of glycocalyx and endothelial cell damage are highest in patients receiving dialysis. Glycocalyx and endothelial damage markers correlated with each other, and with uraemic toxins. Although we could not demonstrate a change in PBR, the biochemical markers suggest that glycocalyx damage is most marked in patients with higher levels of uraemic toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Liew
- Department of Renal Medicine, Eastern Health, 3128, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia. .,Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, 3128, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Matthew A Roberts
- Department of Renal Medicine, Eastern Health, 3128, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia.,Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, 3128, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alun Pope
- Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, 3128, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lawrence P McMahon
- Department of Renal Medicine, Eastern Health, 3128, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia.,Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, 3128, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia
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Theodorakopoulou MP, Schoina M, Sarafidis P. Assessment of Endothelial and Microvascular Function in CKD: Older and Newer Techniques, Associated Risk Factors, and Relations with Outcomes. Am J Nephrol 2020; 51:931-949. [PMID: 33311014 DOI: 10.1159/000512263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endothelium is the inner cellular lining of the vessels that modulates multiple biological processes including vasomotor tone, permeability, inflammatory responses, hemostasis, and angiogenesis. Endothelial dysfunction, the basis of atherosclerosis, is characterized by an imbalance between endothelium-derived relaxing factors and endothelium-derived contracting factors. SUMMARY Starting from the semi-invasive venous occlusion plethysmography, several functional techniques have been developed to evaluate microvascular function and subsequently used in patients with CKD. Flow-mediated dilatation of the forearm is considered to be the "gold standard," while in the last years, novel, noninvasive methods such as laser speckle contrast imaging and near-infrared spectroscopy are scarcely used. Moreover, several circulating biomarkers of endothelial function have been used in studies in CKD patients. This review summarizes available functional methods and biochemical markers for the assessment of endothelial and microvascular function in CKD and discusses existing evidence on their associations with comorbid conditions and outcomes in this population. Key Messages: Accumulated evidence suggests that endothelial dysfunction occurs early in CKD and is associated with target organ damage, progression of renal injury, cardiovascular events, and mortality. Novel methods evaluating microvascular function can offer a detailed, real-time assessment of underlying phenomena and should be increasingly used to shed more light on the role of endothelial dysfunction on cardiovascular and renal disease progression in CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieta P Theodorakopoulou
- Department of Nephrology, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maria Schoina
- Department of Nephrology, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Pantelis Sarafidis
- Department of Nephrology, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece,
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12
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Astapenko D, Ticha A, Tomasova A, Hyspler R, Zadak Z, Lehmann C, Cerny V. Evaluation of endothelial glycocalyx in healthy volunteers - An observational study. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2020; 75:257-265. [PMID: 31683466 DOI: 10.3233/ch-190581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endothelial glycocalyx (EG) is a carbohydrate-rich gel-like mesh covering the apical surface of endothelial cells. It has been linked to the microvascular pathophysiology and tissue metabolism. However, little is known about its condition in young healthy adults. OBJECTIVE We aimed to describe the condition of EG in young healthy adults by in vivo EG imaging and measurement of syndecan-1, a plasma marker of EG integrity in order to obtain reference values. METHODS For in vivo EG studies we used Side-stream Dark Field imaging of the sublingual microcirculation. Recordings were analysed automatically by GlycoCheck software providing the Perfused Boundary Region (PBR) as a marker of EG thickness. Levels of syndecan-1 were analysed in plasma samples by ELISA. RESULTS 21 volunteers were included in the study. Median of the PBR value was 1.82 μm (interquartile range 1.69-2.01, 95% CI 1.79-1.97). Median concentration of syndecan-1 was 0.3 ng/ml (interquartile range 0.23-0.39, 95% CI 0.27-0.49). CONCLUSION This study provides a comparison for cohorts of patients with a particular disease where the EG is presumably damaged. Our findings do not entirely comply with already published data in healthy individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Astapenko
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.,Charles University, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.,Centrum for Research and Development, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Alena Ticha
- Centrum for Research and Development, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.,Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Diagnostics, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Adela Tomasova
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Diagnostics, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Radomir Hyspler
- Charles University, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.,Centrum for Research and Development, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.,Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Diagnostics, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Zdenek Zadak
- Charles University, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.,Centrum for Research and Development, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Christian Lehmann
- Department of Anaesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Vladimir Cerny
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.,Charles University, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.,Centrum for Research and Development, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.,Department of Anaesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.,Department of Anaesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine and Intensive Care, Jan Evangelista Purkinje University, Masaryk Hospital, Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic
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13
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Daems M, Peacock HM, Jones EAV. Fluid flow as a driver of embryonic morphogenesis. Development 2020; 147:147/15/dev185579. [PMID: 32769200 DOI: 10.1242/dev.185579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fluid flow is a powerful morphogenic force during embryonic development. The physical forces created by flowing fluids can either create morphogen gradients or be translated by mechanosensitive cells into biological changes in gene expression. In this Primer, we describe how fluid flow is created in different systems and highlight the important mechanosensitive signalling pathways involved for sensing and transducing flow during embryogenesis. Specifically, we describe how fluid flow helps establish left-right asymmetry in the early embryo and discuss the role of flow of blood, lymph and cerebrospinal fluid in sculpting the embryonic cardiovascular and nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margo Daems
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hanna M Peacock
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Elizabeth A V Jones
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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14
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Xie Q, Xu C, Wan Q. Association between microalbuminuria and outcome of non-diabetic population aged 40 years and over: The reaction study. Prim Care Diabetes 2020; 14:376-380. [PMID: 31874822 DOI: 10.1016/j.pcd.2019.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
AIMS The goal of this study was to analyze the association between microalbuminuria (MAU) and the outcome of non-diabetic populations among Chinese people. METHODS A cohort of 2042 Chinese individuals without diabetes, aged 40 years or older were included. We identified people with impaired fasting glucose and/or impaired glucose tolerance by conducting an oral glucose tolerance test, and then followed them up after 3years. We defined MAU as a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) exceeding the normal range of 2.5-25mg/mmol (males) or 3.5-35mg/mmol (females). RESULTS Among 2042 adults aged 40 years or older in an urban fringe area of Luzhou city (1984 cases were followed up), 262 (12.8%) developed diabetes over 3years. MAU was significantly associated with age, fasting plasma glucose, 2-h glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and triglycerides (P<0.05). Follow-up FBG, 2hPG, TG, and HbA1c levels in the IGR+MAU group were higher than those in other groups (P<0.05). If the relative risk of the isolated normal glucose tolerance (NGT) group progressing to diabetes was set to 1, the risk of progression to diabetes in the NGT+MAU, isolated impaired glucose regulation (IGR), and IGR+MAU groups increased 1.1, 3.9, and 7.5 times, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our study found that MAU is associated with increased risk of diabetes in NGT and IGR populations, especially in the IGR populations, MAU may predict adulthood at very high risk for diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Xie
- Department of Gerontology, The People's Hospital of LeShan, 614000 LeShan, China.
| | - Chaoran Xu
- Department of Gerontology, The People's Hospital of LeShan, 614000 LeShan, China
| | - Qin Wan
- Department of Endocrinology, The Affiliated Hospital of XiNan Medical University, 641400 Luzhou, China
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15
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Kerch G. Role of Changes in State of Bound Water and Tissue Stiffness in Development of Age-Related Diseases. Polymers (Basel) 2020; 12:polym12061362. [PMID: 32560459 PMCID: PMC7361708 DOI: 10.3390/polym12061362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
An essential effect of environmental stiffness on biological processes in cells at present is generally accepted. An increase in arterial stiffness with advanced age has been reported in many publications. The aim of the present review is to summarize current information about possible chemical reactions and physical processes that lead to tissue stiffening and result in age-related diseases in order to find methods that can prevent or retard time-dependent tissue stiffening. The analysis of published data shows that bound water acts as a plasticizer of biological tissues, a decrease in bound water content results in an increase in biological tissue stiffness, and increased tissue stiffness leads to NF-kB activation and triggered actin polymerization-NF-kB activation is associated with age-related diseases. It can be suggested that changes in bound water content through changing tissue stiffness can affect cellular processes and the development of pathologies related to aging. Both age-related diseases and COVID-19 may be associated with tight-junction disruption and increased tissue stiffness and permeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garry Kerch
- Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry, Riga Technical University, 1048 Riga, Latvia
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16
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Walimbe T, Panitch A. Proteoglycans in Biomedicine: Resurgence of an Underexploited Class of ECM Molecules. Front Pharmacol 2020; 10:1661. [PMID: 32082161 PMCID: PMC7000921 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteoglycans have emerged as biomacromolecules with important roles in matrix remodeling, homeostasis, and signaling in the past two decades. Due to their negatively charged glycosaminoglycan chains as well as distinct core protein structures, they interact with a variety of molecules, including matrix proteins, growth factors, cytokines and chemokines, pathogens, and enzymes. This led to the dawn of glycan therapies in the 20th century, but this research was quickly overshadowed by readily available DNA and protein-based therapies. The recent development of recombinant technology and advances in our understanding of proteoglycan function have led to a resurgence of these molecules as potential therapeutics. This review focuses on the recent preclinical efforts that are bringing proteoglycan research and therapies back to the forefront. Examples of studies using proteoglycan cores and mimetics have also been included to give the readers a perspective on the wide-ranging and extensive applications of these versatile molecules. Collectively, these advances are opening new avenues for targeting diseases at a molecular level, and providing avenues for the development of new and exciting treatments in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanaya Walimbe
- Laboratory of Engineered Therapeutics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Alyssa Panitch
- Laboratory of Engineered Therapeutics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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17
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Allen MD, Springer DA, Burg MB, Boehm M, Dmitrieva NI. Suboptimal hydration remodels metabolism, promotes degenerative diseases, and shortens life. JCI Insight 2019; 4:130949. [PMID: 31484829 PMCID: PMC6777918 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.130949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
With increased life expectancy worldwide, there is an urgent need for improving preventive measures that delay the development of age-related degenerative diseases. Here, we report evidence from mouse and human studies that this goal can be achieved by maintaining optimal hydration throughout life. We demonstrate that restricting the amount of drinking water shortens mouse lifespan with no major warning signs up to 14 months of life, followed by sharp deterioration. Mechanistically, water restriction yields stable metabolism remodeling toward metabolic water production with greater food intake and energy expenditure, an elevation of markers of inflammation and coagulation, accelerated decline of neuromuscular coordination, renal glomerular injury, and the development of cardiac fibrosis. In humans, analysis of data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study revealed that hydration level, assessed at middle age by serum sodium concentration, is associated with markers of coagulation and inflammation and predicts the development of many age-related degenerative diseases 24 years later. The analysis estimates that improving hydration throughout life may greatly decrease the prevalence of degenerative diseases, with the most profound effect on dementia, heart failure (HF), and chronic lung disease (CLD), translating to the development of these diseases in 3 million fewer people in the United States alone. In mice, restricting the amount of drinking water shortens lifespan and may accelerate degenerative changes leading to age-related chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Manfred Boehm
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Natalia I Dmitrieva
- Renal Cellular and Molecular Biology Section, and.,Laboratory of Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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18
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Srivastava A, Kumar Sarsani V, Fiddes I, Sheehan SM, Seger RL, Barter ME, Neptune-Bear S, Lindqvist C, Korstanje R. Genome assembly and gene expression in the American black bear provides new insights into the renal response to hibernation. DNA Res 2019; 26:37-44. [PMID: 30395234 PMCID: PMC6379037 DOI: 10.1093/dnares/dsy036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is rising worldwide and 10-15% of the global population currently suffers from CKD and its complications. Given the increasing prevalence of CKD there is an urgent need to find novel treatment options. The American black bear (Ursus americanus) copes with months of lowered kidney function and metabolism during hibernation without the devastating effects on metabolism and other consequences observed in humans. In a biomimetic approach to better understand kidney adaptations and physiology in hibernating black bears, we established a high-quality genome assembly. Subsequent RNA-Seq analysis of kidneys comparing gene expression profiles in black bears entering (late fall) and emerging (early spring) from hibernation identified 169 protein-coding genes that were differentially expressed. Of these, 101 genes were downregulated and 68 genes were upregulated after hibernation. Fold changes ranged from 1.8-fold downregulation (RTN4RL2) to 2.4-fold upregulation (CISH). Most notable was the upregulation of cytokine suppression genes (SOCS2, CISH, and SERPINC1) and the lack of increased expression of cytokines and genes involved in inflammation. The identification of these differences in gene expression in the black bear kidney may provide new insights in the prevention and treatment of CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ian Fiddes
- Genomics Institute, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | | | - Rita L Seger
- Animal and Veterinary Sciences Program, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA
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19
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Triantafyllidi H, Benas D, Vlachos S, Vlastos D, Pavlidis G, Schoinas A, Varoudi M, Birmpa D, Moutsatsou P, Lekakis J, Ikonomidis I. HDL cholesterol levels and endothelial glycocalyx integrity in treated hypertensive patients. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich) 2018; 20:1615-1623. [PMID: 30315671 PMCID: PMC8030954 DOI: 10.1111/jch.13404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial dysfunction indicates target organ damage in hypertensive patients. The integrity of endothelial glycocalyx (EG) plays a vital role in vascular permeability, inflammation and elasticity, and finally to cardiovascular disease. The authors aimed to investigate the role of increased HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, which usually are considered protective against cardiovascular disease, in EG integrity in older hypertensive patients. The authors studied 120 treated hypertensive patients older than 50 years were divided regarding HDL-C tertiles in group HDLH (HDL-C ≥ 71 mg/dL, upper HDL-C tertile) and group HDLL (HDL-C < 71 mg/dL, two lower HDL-C tertiles). Increased perfusion boundary region (PBR) of the sublingual arterial microvessels (ranging from 5 to 9 µm) using Sideview Darkfield imaging (Microscan, Glycocheck) was measured as a non-invasive accurate index of reduced EG thickness. PBR 5-9 was significantly decreased in group HDLH (P = 0.04). In the whole population, HDL-C was inversely but moderately related to PBR 5-9 (r = -0.22, P = 0.01). In a multiple linear regression analysis model, using age, BMI, smoking habit, HDL-C, LDL-C, and office SBP, as independent variables, the authors found that BMI (β = 0.25, P = 0.006) independently predicted PBR 5-9 in the whole population. In older hypertensive patients, HDL-C ranging between 71 and 101 mg/dL might moderately protect EG and subsequently endothelial function. Future studies in several groups of low- or high-risk hypertensives are needed in order to evaluate the beneficial role of extremely elevated HDL-C regarding cardiovascular risk evaluation as well as endothelial glycocalyx as a novel index of target organ damage in essential hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Triantafyllidi
- 2nd Department of Cardiology, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon HospitalAthensGreece
| | - Dimitris Benas
- 2nd Department of Cardiology, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon HospitalAthensGreece
| | - Stefanos Vlachos
- 2nd Department of Cardiology, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon HospitalAthensGreece
| | - Dimitris Vlastos
- 2nd Department of Cardiology, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon HospitalAthensGreece
| | - George Pavlidis
- 2nd Department of Cardiology, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon HospitalAthensGreece
| | - Antonios Schoinas
- 2nd Department of Cardiology, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon HospitalAthensGreece
| | - Mary Varoudi
- 2nd Department of Cardiology, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon HospitalAthensGreece
| | - Dionysia Birmpa
- 2nd Department of Cardiology, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon HospitalAthensGreece
| | - Paraskevi Moutsatsou
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon HospitalAthensGreece
| | - John Lekakis
- 2nd Department of Cardiology, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon HospitalAthensGreece
| | - Ignatios Ikonomidis
- 2nd Department of Cardiology, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon HospitalAthensGreece
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20
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Grimley E, Dressler GR. Are Pax proteins potential therapeutic targets in kidney disease and cancer? Kidney Int 2018; 94:259-267. [PMID: 29685496 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2018.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Revised: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Pax genes encode developmental regulators that are expressed in a variety of tissues and control critical events in morphogenesis. In the kidney, Pax2 and Pax8 are expressed in embryonic development and in specific renal diseases associated with aberrant epithelial cell proliferation. Prior genetic and cell biological studies suggest that reducing the activity of Pax proteins in renal cancer or in polycystic kidney disease can slow the progression of these conditions. The Pax proteins may be critical for providing tissue and locus specificity to recruit epigenetic modifiers that control gene expression and chromatin structure. Although they are nuclear, targeting Pax proteins to inhibit function may be feasible with small molecules. Such inhibition of Pax protein function may provide novel therapies for subsets of renal disorders that are tissue- and cell type-specific and avoid systemic effects on non-Pax-expressing cells and tissues. Given the paucity of effective treatments for renal cancer and cystic disease, the Pax family of proteins represents new pharmaceutical targets that merit exploration and further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Grimley
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Gregory R Dressler
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
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