Cre-mediated stress affects sirtuin expression levels, peroxisome biogenesis and metabolism, antioxidant and proinflammatory signaling pathways

High-throughput mapping of single-neuron projection and molecular features by retrograde barcoded labeling

Deciphering patterns of connectivity between neurons in the brain is a critical step toward understanding brain function. Imaging-based neuroanatomical tracing identifies area-to-area or sparse neuron-to-neuron connectivity patterns, but with limited throughput. Barcode-based connectomics maps large numbers of single-neuron projections, but remains a challenge for jointly analyzing single-cell transcriptomics. Here, we established a rAAV2-retro barcode-based multiplexed tracing method that simultaneously characterizes the projectome and transcriptome at the single neuron level. We uncovered dedicated and collateral projection patterns of ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) neurons to five downstream targets and found that projection-defined vmPFC neurons are molecularly heterogeneous. We identified transcriptional signatures of projection-specific vmPFC neurons, and verified Pou3f1 as a marker gene enriched in neurons projecting to the lateral hypothalamus, denoting a distinct subset with collateral projections to both dorsomedial striatum and lateral hypothalamus. In summary, we have developed a new multiplexed technique whose paired connectome and gene expression data can help reveal organizational principles that form neural circuits and process information.

Epigenetic dosage identifies two major and functionally distinct β cell subtypes

The mechanisms that specify and stabilize cell subtypes remain poorly understood. Here, we identify two major subtypes of pancreatic β cells based on histone mark heterogeneity (βHI and βLO). βHI cells exhibit ∼4-fold higher levels of H3K27me3, distinct chromatin organization and compaction, and a specific transcriptional pattern. βHI and βLO cells also differ in size, morphology, cytosolic and nuclear ultrastructure, epigenomes, cell surface marker expression, and function, and can be FACS separated into CD24+ and CD24- fractions. Functionally, βHI cells have increased mitochondrial mass, activity, and insulin secretion in vivo and ex vivo. Partial loss of function indicates that H3K27me3 dosage regulates βHI/βLO ratio in vivo, suggesting that control of β cell subtype identity and ratio is at least partially uncoupled. Both subtypes are conserved in humans, with βHI cells enriched in humans with type 2 diabetes. Thus, epigenetic dosage is a novel regulator of cell subtype specification and identifies two functionally distinct β cell subtypes.

Mouse Models to Study Peroxisomal Functions and Disorders: Overview, Caveats, and Recommendations

During the last three decades many mouse lines were created or identified that are deficient in one or more peroxisomal functions. Different methodologies were applied to obtain global, hypomorph, cell type selective, inducible, and knockin mice. Whereas some models closely mimic pathologies in patients, others strongly deviate or no human counterpart has been reported. Often, mice, apparently endowed with a stronger transcriptional adaptation, have to be challenged with dietary additions or restrictions in order to trigger phenotypic changes. Depending on the inactivated peroxisomal protein, several approaches can be taken to validate the loss-of-function. Here, an overview is given of the available mouse models and their most important characteristics.

Cre toxicity in mouse models of cardiovascular physiology and disease

The Cre-LoxP system provides a widely used method for studying gene requirements in the mouse as the main mammalian genetic model organism. To define the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie cardiovascular development, function and disease, various mouse strains have been engineered that allow Cre-LoxP-mediated gene targeting within specific cell types of the cardiovascular system. Despite the usefulness of this system, evidence is accumulating that Cre activity can have toxic effects in cells, independently of its ability to recombine pairs of engineered LoxP sites in target genes. Here, we have gathered published evidence for Cre toxicity in cells and tissues relevant to cardiovascular biology and provide an overview of mechanisms proposed to underlie Cre toxicity. Based on this knowledge, we propose that each study utilising the Cre-LoxP system to investigate gene function in the cardiovascular system should incorporate appropriate controls to account for Cre toxicity.

Melatonin daily oral supplementation attenuates inflammation and oxidative stress in testes of men with altered spermatogenesis of unknown aetiology

We have previously shown an inverse correlation between testicular melatonin concentration and inflammation/oxidative stress-related markers levels in infertile men showing unexplained azoospermia. Here, we evaluated the impact of melatonin oral supplementation (daily 3 mg dose used to treat sleep disorders) in the incidence of local inflammation, oxidative stress, and tubular wall fibrosis development in young and middle-aged infertile adult men. Compared with testes without histological alterations, gonads with morphological abnormalities showed lower melatonin concentration along with increased macrophage numbers, TBARS generation, and expression levels of inflammation-related markers and antioxidant enzymes, as well as tubular wall collagen fibers disorganization and thickening. Melatonin oral supplementation not only increased its own testicular levels but also decreased inflammation- and oxidative stress-related markers levels, and improved the tubular wall aspect. Overall, our work provides insights into the potential benefits of melatonin on the inflammatory and oxidative status in testes of patients suffering from unexplained infertility.

Identification and functional activity of matrix-remodeling associated 5 (MXRA5) in benign hyperplastic prostate

Objective: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in aging males. The current study aims to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with BPH and to elucidate the role of matrix-remodeling associated 5 (MXRA5) protein and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways in BPH.

Results: A total of 198 DEGs and a number of related pathways were identified with MXRA5 being one of the most significantly altered DEGs. MXRA5 was upregulated in BPH samples and localized mostly in stroma. Knockdown of MXRA5 induced stromal cell cycle arrest instead of inhibiting apoptosis. Consistently, MXRA5 overexpression enhanced epithelial cell proliferation. In addition, phosphorylated ERK1/2 and p38, key members of the MAPK family, were strongly decreased with knockdown but increased with overexpression.

Conclusion: Our novel data demonstrates that upregulation of MXRA5 in the enlarged prostate could contribute to the development of BPH through increasing cell proliferation via the MAPK pathway. Thus, the MXRA5-MAPK system could be rediscovered as a new therapeutic target for treating BPH.

Methods: Microarray analysis and integrated bioinformatics were conducted. The expression and biologic functions of MXRA5 was investigated via RT-PCR, western-blot, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry and MTT assay. Finally, genes involved in regulation of the MAPK pathway were investigated.

A defect in the peroxisomal biogenesis in germ cells induces a spermatogenic arrest at the round spermatid stage in mice

Peroxisomes are involved in the degradation of very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) by β-oxidation. Besides neurological defects, peroxisomal dysfunction can also lead to testicular abnormalities. However, underlying alterations in the testes due to a peroxisomal defect are not well characterized yet. To maintain all metabolic functions, peroxisomes require an import machinery for the transport of matrix proteins. One component of this translocation machinery is PEX13. Its inactivation leads to a peroxisomal biogenesis defect. We have established a germ cell-specific KO of Pex13 to study the function of peroxisomes during spermatogenesis in mice. Exon 2 of floxed Pex13 was specifically excised in germ cells prior to meiosis by using a transgenic mouse strain carrying a STRA8 inducible Cre recombinase. Germ cell differentiation was interrupted at the round spermatid stage in Pex13 KO mice with formation of multinucleated giant cells (MNCs) and loss of mature spermatids. Due to a different cellular content in the germinal epithelium of Pex13 KO testes compared to control, whole testes biopsies were used for the analyses. Thus, differences in lipid composition and gene expression are only shown for whole testicular tissue but cannot be limited to single cells. Gas chromatography revealed an increase of shorter fatty acids and a decrease of n-6 docosapentaenoic acid (C22:5n-6) and n-3 docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n-3), the main components of sperm plasma membranes. Representative genes of the metabolite transport and peroxisomal β-oxidation were strongly down-regulated. In addition, structural components of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) were altered. To conclude, defects in the peroxisomal compartment interfere with normal spermatogenesis.

Silencing of HJURP induces dysregulation of cell cycle and ROS metabolism in bladder cancer cells via PPARγ-SIRT1 feedback loop

Holliday Junction Recognition Protein (HJURP) is a centromeric histone chaperone involving in de novo histone H3 variant CenH3 (CENP-A) recruitment. Our transcriptome and in vivo study revealed that HJURP is significantly upregulated in bladder cancer (BCa) tissues at both mRNA and protein levels. Knockdown of HJURP inhibited proliferation and viability of BCa cell lines revealed by CCK-8, colony formation and Ki-67-staining assays, and induced apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, as well as triggered cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase possibly via loss of CENP-A. Interestingly, in the HJURP-reduced BCa cells the levels of PPARγ and acetylated-p53 were increased, while the ratio of phosphorylated/total SIRT1 protein was decreased. Moreover, after treatment of the BCa cells using PPARγ antagonist (GW9662) and SIRT1 agonist (resveratrol, RSV) respectively, thee phenotypes of cell cycle arrest, increased ROS production and inhibited proliferation rate were all rescued. Taken together, our results suggested that HJURP might regulate proliferation and apoptosis via the PPARγ-SIRT1 negative feedback loop in BCa cells.

Species-specific differences in peroxisome proliferation, catalase, and SOD2 upregulation as well as toxicity in human, mouse, and rat hepatoma cells induced by the explosive and environmental pollutant 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene

2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) has been widely used as an explosive substance and its toxicity is still of interest as it persisted in polluted areas. TNT is metabolized in hepatocytes which are prone to its toxicity. Since analysis of the human liver or hepatocytes is restricted due to ethical reasons, we investigated the effects of TNT on cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, peroxisome proliferation, and antioxidative enzymes in human (HepG2), mouse (Hepa 1-6), and rat (H4IIEC3) hepatoma cell lines. Under control conditions, hepatoma cells of all three species were highly comparable exhibiting identical proliferation rates and distribution of their cell cycle phases. However, we found strong differences in TNT toxicity with the lowest IC₅₀ values (highest cell death rate) for rat cells, whereas human and mouse cells were three to sevenfold less sensitive. Moreover, a strong decrease in cellular dehydrogenase activity (MTT assay) and increased ROS levels were noted. TNT caused peroxisome proliferation with rat hepatoma cells being most responsive followed by those from mouse and human. Under control conditions, rat cells contained fivefold higher peroxisomal catalase and mitochondrial SOD2 activities and a twofold higher capacity to reduce MTT than human and mouse cells. TNT treatment caused an increase in catalase and SOD2 mRNA and protein levels in human and mouse, but not in rat cells. Similarly, human and mouse cells upregulated SOD2 activity, whereas rat cells failed therein. We conclude that TNT induced oxidative stress, peroxisome proliferation and mitochondrial damage which are highest in rat cells rendering them most susceptible toward TNT. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 989-1006, 2017.

Downregulation of LAPTM5 suppresses cell proliferation and viability inducing cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase of bladder cancer cells

Our transcriptome analysis revealed in bladder cancer (BCa) tissues a significant induction of lysosomal-associated multispanning membrane protein 5 (LAPTM5), a lysosomal membrane protein preferentially expressing in immune cells and hematopoietic cells. Transportation of LAPTM5 from Golgi to lysosome could be inhibited by deficiency of Nedd4, a key member of E3 ubiquitin ligase family overexpressing in invasive BCa and promoting its progression. Therefore, we hypothesize that LAPTM5 may be closely correlated with BCa tumorigenesis. In human BCa tissues, we observed that LAPTM5 was significantly induced at both mRNA and protein levels, which is consistent with our microarray result. Furthermore, we established a BCa cell model with downregulated LAPTM5, revealing a significantly delayed growth rate in the BCa cells with knockdown of LAPTM5. Moreover, cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase was triggered by decreased LAPTM5 as well, which could lead to delayed BCa cell growth. In contrast, no significant alteration of apoptosis in the BCa cells with downregulated LAPTM5 was noticed. Analysis of the changes of migration and invasion, showed significant reduced LAPTM5 suppressed cell metastasis. Furthermore, proteins involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were strongly altered, which plays a central role in metastasis. In addition, phosphorylated ERK1/2 and p38, key members of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family regulating BCa tumorigenesis, were strongly decreased. Taken together, our results suggested that decreased LAPTM5 inhibited proliferation and viability, as well as induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest possibly via deactivation of ERK1/2 and p38 in BCa cells.

CCN6 regulates mitochondrial function

Despite established links of CCN6, or Wnt induced signaling protein-3 (WISP3), with progressive pseudo rheumatoid dysplasia, functional characterization of CCN6 remains incomplete. In light of the documented negative correlation between accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and CCN6 expression, we investigated whether CCN6 regulates ROS accumulation through its influence on mitochondrial function. We found that CCN6 localizes to mitochondria, and depletion of CCN6 in the chondrocyte cell line C-28/I2 by using siRNA results in altered mitochondrial electron transport and respiration. Enhanced electron transport chain (ETC) activity of CCN6-depleted cells was reflected by increased mitochondrial ROS levels in association with augmented mitochondrial ATP synthesis, mitochondrial membrane potential and Ca(2+) Additionally, CCN6-depleted cells display ROS-dependent PGC1α (also known as PPARGC1A) induction, which correlates with increased mitochondrial mass and volume density, together with altered mitochondrial morphology. Interestingly, transcription factor Nrf2 (also known as NFE2L2) repressed CCN6 expression. Taken together, our results suggest that CCN6 acts as a molecular brake, which is appropriately balanced by Nrf2, in regulating mitochondrial function.

Down, But Not Out: Partial Elimination of Androgen Receptors in the Male Mouse Brain Does Not Affect Androgenic Regulation of Anxiety or HPA Activity

We previously found that androgen receptor (AR) activity mediates two effects of T in adult male mice: reduction of anxiety-like behaviors and dampening of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal response to stress. To determine whether brain ARs mediate these effects, we used the Cre/loxP technology seeking to disable AR throughout the central nervous system (CNS). Female mice carrying the floxed AR allele (ARlox) were crossed with males carrying cre recombinase transgene controlled by the nestin promoter (NesCre), producing cre in developing neurons and glia. Among male offspring, four genotypes resulted: males carrying ARlox and NesCre (NesARko), and three control groups (wild types, NesCre, and ARlox). Reporter mice indicated ubiquitous Cre expression throughout the CNS. Nevertheless, AR immunocytochemistry in NesARko mice revealed efficient knockout (KO) of AR in some brain regions (hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex [mPFC]), but not others. Substantial AR protein was seen in the amygdala and hypothalamus among other regions, whereas negligible AR remained in others like the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and dorsal periaqueductal gray. This selective KO allowed for testing the role of AR in hippocampus and mPFC. Males were castrated and implanted with T at postnatal day 60 before testing on postnatal day 90-100. In contrast with males with global KO of AR, T still modulated anxiety-related behavior and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity in NesARko males. These results leave open the possibility that AR acting in the CNS mediates these effects of T, but demonstrate that AR is not required in the hippocampus or mPFC for T's anxiolytic effects.

Transfection of Sertoli cells with androgen receptor alters gene expression without androgen stimulation

Background

Androgens play an important role for the development of male fertility and gained interest as growth and survival factors for certain types of cancer. Androgens act via the androgen receptor (AR/Ar), which is involved in various cell biological processes such as sex differentiation. To study the functional mechanisms of androgen action, cell culture systems and AR-transfected cell lines are needed. Transfection of AR into cell lines and subsequent gene expression analysis after androgen treatment is well established to investigate the molecular biology of target cells. However, it remains unclear how the transfection with AR itself can modulate the gene expression even without androgen stimulation. Therefore, we transfected Ar-deficient rat Sertoli cells 93RS2 by electroporation using a full length human AR.

Results

Transfection success was confirmed by Western Blotting, immunofluorescence and RT-PCR. AR transfection-related gene expression alterations were detected with microarray-based genome-wide expression profiling of transfected and non-transfected 93RS2 cells without androgen stimulation. Microarray analysis revealed 672 differentially regulated genes with 200 up- and 472 down-regulated genes. These genes could be assigned to four major biological categories (development, hormone response, immune response and metabolism). Microarray results were confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR analysis for 22 candidate genes.

Conclusion

We conclude from our data, that the transfection of Ar-deficient Sertoli cells with AR has a measurable effect on gene expression even without androgen stimulation and cause Sertoli cell damage. Studies using AR-transfected cells, subsequently stimulated, should consider alterations in AR-dependent gene expression as off-target effects of the AR transfection itself.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12867-015-0051-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Bladder function in mice with inducible smooth muscle-specific deletion of the manganese superoxide dismutase gene

Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is considered a critical component of the antioxidant systems that protect against oxidative damage. We are interested in the role of oxidative stress in bladder detrusor smooth muscle (SM) in different disease states. In this study, we generated an inducible, SM-specific Sod2(-/-) mouse model to investigate the effects of MnSOD depletion on the function of the bladder. We crossbred floxed Sod2 (Sod2(lox/lox)) mice with mice containing heterozygous knock-in of a gene encoding a tamoxifen-activated Cre recombinase in the SM22α promoter locus [SM-CreER(T2)(ki)(Cre/+)]. We obtained Sod2(lox/lox),SM-CreER(T2)(ki)(Cre/+) mice and injected 8-wk-old males with 4-hydroxytamoxifen to induce Cre-mediated excision of the floxed Sod2 allele. Twelve weeks later, SM-specific deletion of Sod2 and depletion of MnSOD were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry. SM-specific Sod2(-/-) mice exhibited normal growth with no gross abnormalities. A significant increase in nitrotyrosine concentration was found in bladder SM tissue of SM-specific Sod2(-/-) mice compared with both wild-type mice and Sod2(+/+), SM-CreER(T2)(ki)(Cre/+) mice treated with 4-hydroxytamoxifen. Assessment of 24-h micturition in SM-specific Sod2(-/-) mice revealed significantly higher voiding frequency compared with both wild-type and SM-specific Cre controls. Conscious cystometry revealed significantly shorter intercontraction intervals and lower functional bladder capacity in SM-specific Sod2(-/-) mice compared with wild-type mice. This novel model can be used for exploring the mechanistic role of oxidative stress in organs rich in SM in different pathological conditions.

MZB1 is a GRP94 cochaperone that enables proper immunoglobulin heavy chain biosynthesis upon ER stress

MZB1 (pERp1) is a B-cell-specific and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized protein implicated in antibody secretion and integrin-mediated cell adhesion. Rosenbaum et al. discovered that MZB1 deletion impairs humoral immune responses and antibody secretion in plasma cells that naturally undergo ER stress. Experimental induction of ER stress in mice results in a block of pro-B-cell to pre-B-cell differentiation in Mzb1 knockout mice. MZB1 associates directly with GRP94 and is required for the interaction of GRP94 with immunoglobulin µ heavy chains upon ER stress.

MZB1 (pERp1) is a B-cell-specific and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized protein implicated in antibody secretion and integrin-mediated cell adhesion. Here, we examine the role of MZB1 in vivo by conditional gene inactivation in the mouse germline and at different stages of B lymphopoiesis. Deletion of MZB1 impairs humoral immune responses and antibody secretion in plasma cells that naturally undergo ER stress. In addition, we found that experimental induction of ER stress by tunicamycin injections in mice results in a block of pro-B-cell to pre-B-cell differentiation specifically in Mzb1^−/− mice. A similar developmental block was observed in Mzb1^fl/flmb1^Cre mice, whereby a Cre recombinase-induced genotoxic stress unmasks a role for MZB1 in the surface expression of immunoglobulin µ heavy chains (µHCs). MZB1 associates directly with the substrate-specific chaperone GRP94 (also called HSP90B1 or gp96) in an ATP-sensitive manner and is required for the interaction of GRP94 with µHCs upon ER stress. Thus, MZB1 seems to act as a substrate-specific cochaperone of GRP94 that enables proper biosynthesis of µHCs under conditions of ER stress.

Resveratrol: why is it a promising therapy for chronic kidney disease patients?

Resveratrol, a phenolic compound found in various plants, including grapes, berries, and peanuts, shows promise for the treatment of cancer, aging, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Resveratrol can promote transcription factor nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation, increase the expression level of SIRT-1, which is a sirtuin family protein, and reduce mTOR pathway signaling. This compound has anti-inflammatory properties in that it inhibits or antagonizes the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activity, which is a redox-sensitive transcription factor that coordinates the inflammatory response. Inflammation and oxidative stress, which are common features in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), are interrelated and associated with cardiovascular disease and the progression of CKD itself. Because of the modulation of the mechanisms involved in the inflammatory-oxidative stress cycle, resveratrol could play an important role in controlling CKD-related metabolic derangements. Although resveratrol supplementation in theory is a promising therapy in this patient group, there are no studies evaluating its effects. Thus, the present review aims to describe the role of resveratrol in inflammation and oxidative stress modulation and its possible benefits to patients with CKD.

Roundup disrupts male reproductive functions by triggering calcium-mediated cell death in rat testis and Sertoli cells

Glyphosate is the primary active constituent of the commercial pesticide Roundup. The present results show that acute Roundup exposure at low doses (36 ppm, 0.036 g/L) for 30 min induces oxidative stress and activates multiple stress-response pathways leading to Sertoli cell death in prepubertal rat testis. The pesticide increased intracellular Ca(2+) concentration by opening L-type voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels as well as endoplasmic reticulum IP3 and ryanodine receptors, leading to Ca(2+) overload within the cells, which set off oxidative stress and necrotic cell death. Similarly, 30 min incubation of testis with glyphosate alone (36 ppm) also increased (45)Ca(2+) uptake. These events were prevented by the antioxidants Trolox and ascorbic acid. Activated protein kinase C, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and the mitogen-activated protein kinases such as ERK1/2 and p38MAPK play a role in eliciting Ca(2+) influx and cell death. Roundup decreased the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and increased the amounts of thiobarbituric acid-reactive species (TBARS) and protein carbonyls. Also, exposure to glyphosate-Roundup stimulated the activity of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, γ-glutamyltransferase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, supporting downregulated GSH levels. Glyphosate has been described as an endocrine disruptor affecting the male reproductive system; however, the molecular basis of its toxicity remains to be clarified. We propose that Roundup toxicity, implicated in Ca(2+) overload, cell signaling misregulation, stress response of the endoplasmic reticulum, and/or depleted antioxidant defenses, could contribute to Sertoli cell disruption in spermatogenesis that could have an impact on male fertility.

mTOR plays a critical role in p53-induced oxidative kidney cell injury in HIVAN

Oxidative stress has been implicated to contribute to HIV-induced kidney cell injury; however, the role of p53, a modulator of oxidative stress, has not been evaluated in the development of HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN). We hypothesized that mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) may be critical for the induction of p53-mediated oxidative kidney cell injury in HIVAN. To test our hypothesis, we evaluated the effect of an mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin, on kidney cell p53 expression, downstream signaling, and kidney cell injury in both in vivo and in vitro studies. Inhibition of the mTOR pathway resulted in downregulation of renal tissue p53 expression, associated downstream signaling, and decreased number of sclerosed glomeruli, tubular microcysts, and apoptosed and 8-hydroxy deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)-positive (+ve) cells in Tg26 mice. mTOR inhibition not only attenuated kidney cell expression of p66ShcA and phospho-p66ShcA but also reactivated the redox-sensitive stress response program in the form of enhanced expression of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and catalase. In in vitro studies, the mTOR inhibitor also provided protection against HIV-induced podocyte apoptosis. Moreover, mTOR inhibition downregulated HIV-induced podocyte (HP/HIV) p53 expression. Since HP/HIV silenced for mTOR displayed a lack of expression of p53 as well as attenuated podocyte apoptosis, this suggests that mTOR is critical for kidney cell p53 activation and associated oxidative kidney cell injury in the HIV milieu.