Renal gene expression profiling using kinin B1 and B2 receptor knockout mice reveals comparable modulation of functionally related genes

2006 ◽  
Vol 387 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimcho Bachvarov ◽  
Magdalena Bachvarova ◽  
Rainelli Koumangaye ◽  
Julie Klein ◽  
João Bosco Pesquero ◽  
...  

Abstract The kinin B2 receptor, which is constitutively expressed in a large number of tissues, mediates most of the known effects of bradykinin (BK). Normally undetectable in healthy tissues, the B1 receptor is strongly over-expressed under pathological conditions. BK is an important mediator in renal homeostasis and is mainly known for its natriuretic and vasodilatory effects. Recent data evidenced a role for BK in many other biological processes, such as apoptosis, development, extracellular matrix regulation and angiogenesis. In a first step to better understand how BK and its receptors could be involved in such a large variety of biological effects, we used microarray analysis to identify, under physiological conditions, the global renal gene expression profile in mice lacking either the kinin B1 or B2 receptor. Microarray experiments were performed using Agilent Mouse Oligonucleotide Microarrays (21 000 genes/microarray). Interestingly, there was a considerable number of mostly downregulated genes in both BK null mouse models compared with wild-type mice. Furthermore, a number of genes that are known to be implicated in renal physiology and/or pathology were differentially expressed in the BK null mice, which is indicative of the important role of both BK receptors in renal function.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anastasia Ricci ◽  
Sara Orazi ◽  
Federica Biancucci ◽  
Mauro Magnani ◽  
Michele Menotta

AbstractAtaxia telangiectasia (AT) is a rare genetic neurodegenerative disease. To date, there is no available cure for the illness, but the use of glucocorticoids has been shown to alleviate the neurological symptoms associated with AT. While studying the effects of dexamethasone (dex) in AT fibroblasts, by chance we observed that the nucleoplasmic Lamin A/C was affected by the drug. In addition to the structural roles of A-type lamins, Lamin A/C has been shown to play a role in the regulation of gene expression and cell cycle progression, and alterations in the LMNA gene is cause of human diseases called laminopathies. Dex was found to improve the nucleoplasmic accumulation of soluble Lamin A/C and was capable of managing the large chromatin Lamin A/C scaffolds contained complex, thus regulating epigenetics in treated cells. In addition, dex modified the interactions of Lamin A/C with its direct partners lamin associated polypeptide (LAP) 2a, Retinoblastoma 1 (pRB) and E2F Transcription Factor 1 (E2F1), regulating local gene expression dependent on E2F1. These effects were differentially observed in both AT and wild type (WT) cells. To our knowledge, this is the first reported evidence of the role of dex in Lamin A/C dynamics in AT cells, and may represent a new area of research regarding the effects of glucocorticoids on AT. Moreover, future investigations could also be extended to healthy subjects or to other pathologies such as laminopathies since glucocorticoids may have other important effects in these contexts as well.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hai-Yan Yin ◽  
Yong Tang ◽  
Sheng-Feng Lu ◽  
Ling Luo ◽  
Jia-Ping Wang ◽  
...  

As a major alternative therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine, it has been demonstrated that moxibustion could generate a series of molecular events in blood, spleen, and brain, and so forth. However, what would happen at the moxibustioned site remained unclear. To answer this question, we performed a microarray analysis with skin tissue taken from the moxibustioned site also Zusanli acupoint (ST36) where 15-minute moxibustion stimulation was administrated. The results exhibited 145 upregulated and 72 downregulated genes which responded immediately under physiological conditions, and 255 upregulated and 243 downregulated genes under pathological conditions. Interestingly, most of the pathways and biological processes of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) under pathological conditions get involved in immunity, while those under physiological conditions are involved in metabolism.


1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-54
Author(s):  
H Chan ◽  
S Hartung ◽  
M Breindl

We have studied the role of DNA methylation in repression of the murine alpha 1 type I collagen (COL1A1) gene in Mov13 fibroblasts. In Mov13 mice, a retroviral provirus has inserted into the first intron of the COL1A1 gene and blocks its expression at the level of transcriptional initiation. We found that regulatory sequences in the COL1A1 promoter region that are involved in the tissue-specific regulation of the gene are unmethylated in collagen-expressing wild-type fibroblasts and methylated in Mov13 fibroblasts, confirming and extending earlier observations. To directly assess the role of DNA methylation in the repression of COL1A1 gene transcription, we treated Mov13 fibroblasts with the demethylating agent 5-azacytidine. This treatment resulted in a demethylation of the COL1A1 regulatory sequences but failed to activate transcription of the COL1A1 gene. Moreover, the 5-azacytidine treatment induced a transcription-competent chromatin structure in the retroviral sequences but not in the COL1A1 promoter. In DNA transfection and microinjection experiments, we found that the provirus interfered with transcriptional activity of the COL1A1 promoter in Mov13 fibroblasts but not in Xenopus laevis oocytes. In contrast, the wild-type COL1A1 promoter was transcriptionally active in Mov13 fibroblasts. These experiments showed that the COL1A1 promoter is potentially transcriptionally active in the presence of proviral sequences and that Mov13 fibroblasts contain the trans-acting factors required for efficient COL1A1 gene expression. Our results indicate that the provirus insertion in Mov13 can inactivate COL1A1 gene expression at several levels. It prevents the developmentally regulated establishment of a transcription-competent methylation pattern and chromatin structure of the COL1A1 domain and, in the absence of DNA methylation, appears to suppress the COL1A1 promoter in a cell-specific manner, presumably by assuming a dominant chromatin structure that may be incompatible with transcriptional activity of flanking cellular sequences.


Hypertension ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 76 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohan U Parekh ◽  
Abdel A Abdel-rahman ◽  
Srinivas Sriramula

Hyperactivity of the orexin system contributes to several animal models of hypertension and enhances arginine vasopressin (AVP) release. We previously reported higher neuronal kinin B1 receptor (B1R) expression and brain AVP levels in hypertensive mice. However, the role of B1R and its interaction with orexin system in neurogenic hypertension have not been studied. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that kinin B1R contributes to hypertension by upregulation of orexin-AVP signaling in the brain. Deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt treatment (1 mg/g body weight DOCA, 1% saline in drinking water, 3 weeks) of wild-type (WT) male mice produced a significant increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP; radio-telemetry) (138 ±3 mmHg, n=8, p<0.01) that was blunted in B1R knockout mice (121±2 mmHg, P <0.05 vs. WT+DOCA). In WT mice, DOCA-salt, compared to vehicle, increased mRNA levels of orexin receptor 1 (2.5 fold, n=9, p<0.001), orexin receptor 2 (3 fold, n=9, p<0.001) and AVP (3 fold, n=9, p<0.01) in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and these DOCA-salt evoked effects were attenuated in B1RKO mice. Similarly, DOCA-salt evoked increases in protein expression of orexin receptor 1 and 2 in the hypothalamic PVN of WT mice were attenuated by 25±5% and 33±5% (p<0.05), respectively, in B1RKO vs WT+DOCA mice. Furthermore, DOCA-salt treatment increased plasma AVP levels in WT mice compared to vehicle treated mice (13.69±1.1 vs. 47.86±8.7 pg/ml, p<0.05), but not in B1RKO mice. Together, these data provide novel evidence that kinin B1R plays an important role in mediating DOCA-salt induced hypertension possibly via upregulating the orexin-AVP signaling in the brain.


Author(s):  
Florian Puhm ◽  
Eric Boilard ◽  
Kellie R. Machlus

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a means of cell-to-cell communication and can facilitate the exchange of a broad array of molecules between adjacent or distant cells. Platelets are anucleate cells derived from megakaryocytes and are primarily known for their role in maintaining hemostasis and vascular integrity. Upon activation by a variety of agonists, platelets readily generate EVs, which were initially identified as procoagulant particles. However, as both platelets and their EVs are abundant in blood, the role of platelet EVs in hemostasis may be redundant. Moreover, findings have challenged the significance of platelet-derived EVs in coagulation. Looking beyond hemostasis, platelet EV cargo is incredibly diverse and can include lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, and organelles involved in numerous other biological processes. Furthermore, while platelets cannot cross tissue barriers, their EVs can enter lymph, bone marrow, and synovial fluid. This allows for the transfer of platelet-derived content to cellular recipients and organs inaccessible to platelets. This review highlights the importance of platelet-derived EVs in physiological and pathological conditions beyond hemostasis.


Cartilage ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 194760352095814
Author(s):  
Austin V. Stone ◽  
Richard F. Loeser ◽  
Michael F. Callahan ◽  
Margaret A. McNulty ◽  
David L. Long ◽  
...  

Objective Meniscus injury and the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) pathway are independently linked to osteoarthritis pathogenesis, but the role of the meniscus HIF pathway remains unclear. We sought to identify and evaluate HIF pathway response in normal and osteoarthritic meniscus and to examine the effects of Epas1 (HIF-2α) insufficiency in mice on early osteoarthritis development. Methods Normal and osteoarthritic human meniscus specimens were obtained and used for immunohistochemical evaluation and cell culture studies for the HIF pathway. Meniscus cells were treated with pro-inflammatory stimuli, including interleukins (IL)-1β, IL-6, transforming growth factor (TGF)-α, and fibronectin fragments (FnF). Target genes were also evaluated with HIF-1α and HIF-2α (Epas1) overexpression and knockdown. Wild-type ( n = 36) and Epas1+/− ( n = 30) heterozygous mice underwent destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) surgery and were evaluated at 2 and 4 weeks postoperatively for osteoarthritis development using histology. Results HIF-1α and HIF-2α immunostaining and gene expression did not differ between normal and osteoarthritic meniscus. While pro-inflammatory stimulation significantly increased both catabolic and anabolic gene expression in the meniscus, HIF-1α and Epas1 expression levels were not significantly altered. Epas1 overexpression significantly increased Col2a1 expression. Both wild-type and Epas1+/− mice developed osteoarthritis following DMM surgery. There were no significant differences between genotypes at either time point. Conclusion The HIF pathway is likely not responsible for osteoarthritic changes in the human meniscus. Additionally, Epas1 insufficiency does not protect against osteoarthritis development in the mouse at early time points after DMM surgery. The HIF pathway may be more important for protection against catabolic stress.


2003 ◽  
Vol 163 (2) ◽  
pp. 327-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline Wong ◽  
Pierre A. Coulombe

The ability to heal wounds is vital to all organisms. In mammalian tissues, alterations in intermediate filament (IF) gene expression represent an early reaction of cells surviving injury. We investigated the role of keratin IFs during the epithelialization of skin wounds using a keratin 6α and 6β (K6α/K6β)-null mouse model. In skin explant culture, null keratinocytes exhibit an enhanced epithelialization potential due to increased migration. The extent of the phenotype is strain dependent, and is accompanied by alterations in keratin IF and F-actin organization. However, in wounded skin in vivo, null keratinocytes rupture as they attempt to migrate under the blood clot. Fragility of the K6α/K6β-null epidermis is confirmed when applying trauma to chemically treated skin. We propose that the alterations in IF gene expression after tissue injury foster a compromise between the need to display the cellular pliability necessary for timely migration and the requirement for resilience sufficient to withstand the rigors of a wound site.


2019 ◽  
Vol 317 (1) ◽  
pp. H168-H180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali M. Tabish ◽  
Mohammed Arif ◽  
Taejeong Song ◽  
Zaher Elbeck ◽  
Richard C. Becker ◽  
...  

In this study, we investigated the role of DNA methylation [5-methylcytosine (5mC)] and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), epigenetic modifications that regulate gene activity, in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). A MYBPC3 mutant mouse model of DCM was compared with wild type and used to profile genomic 5mC and 5hmC changes by Chip-seq, and gene expression levels were analyzed by RNA-seq. Both 5mC-altered genes (957) and 5hmC-altered genes (2,022) were identified in DCM hearts. Diverse gene ontology and KEGG pathways were enriched for DCM phenotypes, such as inflammation, tissue fibrosis, cell death, cardiac remodeling, cardiomyocyte growth, and differentiation, as well as sarcomere structure. Hierarchical clustering of mapped genes affected by 5mC and 5hmC clearly differentiated DCM from wild-type phenotype. Based on these data, we propose that genomewide 5mC and 5hmC contents may play a major role in DCM pathogenesis. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our data demonstrate that development of dilated cardiomyopathy in mice is associated with significant epigenetic changes, specifically in intronic regions, which, when combined with gene expression profiling data, highlight key signaling pathways involved in pathological cardiac remodeling and heart contractile dysfunction.


2003 ◽  
Vol 285 (6) ◽  
pp. F1027-F1033 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Bianco ◽  
Henry L. Keen ◽  
Julie L. Lavoie ◽  
Curt D. Sigmund

With the completion of the human genome project and the sequencing of many genomes of experimental models, there is a pressing need to determine the physiological relevance of newly identified genes. Gene-targeting approaches have become an important tool in our arsenal to dissect the significance of genes expressed in many tissues. A wealth of experimental models has been made to assess the role of gene expression in renal function and development. The development of new and informative models is presently limited by the anatomic complexity of the kidney and the lack of cell-specific promoters to target the numerous diverse cell types in that organ. Because of this, new approaches may have to be developed. In this review, we will discuss several untraditional methods to target gene expression to the kidney. These approaches should provide some additional tricks and tools to help in developing additional informative models for studying renal physiology.


2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (14) ◽  
pp. 3507-3519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoit Landrein ◽  
Gwyneth Ingram

Abstract As multicellular organisms, plants acquire characteristic shapes through a complex set of biological processes known as morphogenesis. Biochemical signalling underlies much of development, as it allows cells to acquire specific identities based on their position within tissues and organs. However, as growing physical structures, plants, and their constituent cells, also experience internal and external physical forces that can be perceived and can influence key processes such as growth, polarity, and gene expression. This process, which adds another layer of control to growth and development, has important implications for plant morphogenesis. This review provides an overview of recent research into the role of mechanical signals in plant development and aims to show how mechanical signalling can be used, in concert with biochemical signals, as a cue allowing cells and tissues to coordinate their behaviour and to add robustness to developmental processes.


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