pH in cortical peritubular capillaries of rat kidney

Summary The pH of peritubular capillaries was measured by means of antimony microelectrodes, during their perfusion with mammalian Ringer's solutions at different pH, in control and acetazolamide infused rats. In capillaries perfused with a solution more acid than blood, significant alkalinization was observed at increasing distances from the point of perfusion, while during perfusions with more alkaline solutions, acidification was observed. Plotting the pH change observed per micrometer of distance from the perfusion point against the pH of the perfusing solution, the pH in equilibrium with tubular cells was interpolated. A value of 7.51±0.01 was found for control rats, significantly higher than the mean arterial blood pH of this group, of 7.39. In acetazolamide infused rats an equilibrium pH of 7.44±0.02 was found, still higher than the blood pH of 7.34. The slope of these lines was significantly greater in control than in acetazolamide treated rats. This slope was shown to evaluate permeability to the ions responsible for acidbase balance. The present data suggest that peritubular alkalinization is reduced after carbonic anhydrase inhibition due to decreased peritubular permeability to the involved ions, which represents a further site of action of these inhibitors.Supported by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Est. S. Paulo.     

Emerging Roles for Lysophospholipid Mediators in Pregnancy

Recent progress in lipid research has unveiled new biologic roles for lysophospholipids as mediators of intercellular signaling. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P) are representative lysophospholipids. Accumulating evidence suggests that, acting as intercellular mediators, these and other lysophospholipids may play important roles in physiological and pathological situations. This review discusses the possible involvement of LPA and S1P in reproductive processes, with a focus on the regulatory mechanisms of pregnancy maintenance. As LPA promotes prostaglandin synthesis, mediators in the LPA pathway may also play a significant role in implantation and parturition. S1P signaling is thought to be essential in vascular formation within the uteroplacental unit and in fetomaternal immunologic interactions. Derangements in either one of these lysophospholipid signaling pathways could result in pregnancy complications that may include implantation failure, preeclampsia, and preterm labor.     

Effect of resistance training on Na,K pump and Na+/H+ exchange protein densities in muscle from control and patients with type 2 diabetes

Ten patients with type 2 diabetes and seven controls were strength-trained with one leg for 30 min three times per week for 6 weeks. The training-induced changes in the protein densities of the Na,K-pump subunits and the Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger protein NHE1 were quantified with Western blotting of needle biopsy material obtained from trained and untrained legs of both groups. Training increased the bench press and knee-extensor force by 77±15 and 28±1%, respectively, in the control subjects, and by 75±7 and 42±8%, respectively, in the diabetics. In the control subjects the Na,K-pump isoform ₁ was increased by 37% (P<0.05) in trained compared to untrained leg, and in the diabetics the ₁ content was 45% higher (P=0.052) in trained compared to untrained leg. For the ₂ isoform the corresponding values were 21% and 41% (P<0.05), respectively. The content of the ₁ subunit in the control subjects was 33% higher (P<0.05) in trained compared to untrained leg, and 47% higher (P=0.06) in trained compared to untrained leg in the diabetics. Thus, a limited amount of strength-training is able to increase the Na,K-pump subunit and isoform content both in controls and in patients with type 2 diabetes.     

Lonidamine induces intracellular tumor acidification and ATP depletion in breast,prostate and ovarian cancer xenografts and potentiates response to doxorubicin

We demonstrate that the effects of lonidamine (LND, 100 mg/kg, i.p.) are similar for a number of xenograft models of human cancer including DB‐1 melanoma and HCC1806 breast, BT‐474 breast, LNCaP prostate and A2870 ovarian carcinomas. Following treatment with LND, each of these tumors exhibits a rapid decrease in intracellular pH, a small decrease in extracellular pH, a concomitant monotonic decrease in nucleoside triphosphate and an increase in inorganic phosphate over a 2–3 h period. We have previously demonstrated that selective intracellular tumor acidification potentiates response of this melanoma model to melphalan (7.5 mg/kg, i.v.), producing an estimated 89% cell kill based on tumor growth delay analysis. We now show that, in both DB‐1 melanoma and HCC1806 breast carcinoma, LND potentiates response to doxorubicin, producing 95% cell kill in DB‐1 melanoma at 7.5 mg/kg, i.v. doxorubicin and 98% cell kill at 10.0 mg/kg doxorubicin, and producing a 95% cell kill in HCC1806 breast carcinoma at 12.0 mg/kg doxorubicin. Potentiation of doxorubicin may result from cation trapping of the weakly basic anthracycline. Recent experience with the clinical treatment of melanoma and other forms of human cancer suggests that these diseases will probably not be cured by a single therapeutic procedure other than surgery. A multimodality therapeutic approach will be required. As a potent modulator of tumor response to N‐mustards and anthracyclines as well as tumor thermo‐ and radiosensitivity, LND promises to play an important clinical role in the management and possible complete local control of a number of prevalent forms of human cancer. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of hexosamines and omega-3/omega-6 fatty acids on pH regulation by interleukin 1-treated isolated bovine articular chondrocytes

Previous work has shown that interleukin 1 (IL-1) increases the activity of acid extruders in articular chondrocytes, while the H⁺-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) inhibitor bafilomycin can prevent aggrecanase-mediated cartilage degradation. The H⁺ transport induced by IL-1 may therefore be required for proteinase activity. In the present study, the effects of hexosamines and fish oils on H⁺-ATPase activity have been characterised for isolated bovine articular chondrocytes. Cells isolated in the presence of IL-1 were acidified, and the fraction of acid extrusion mediated by Na⁺–H⁺ exchange and an H⁺-ATPase were determined using specific inhibitors. Exposure to IL-1 significantly enhanced both components of acid extrusion. Co-incubation with glucosamine or mannosamine attenuated the H⁺-ATPase fraction of efflux. The addition of glucosamine at 9 h after exposure to IL-1—when H⁺-ATPase activation is already apparent—was also able to abolish H⁺-ATPase activity, implying that hexosamines do not exert effects at the level of protein synthesis. Co-incubation with the glucose transport inhibitor phloretin elicited similar effects to the hexosamines, suggesting that modulation of adenosine triphosphate levels may underlie their effects on H⁺-ATPase function. The omega-3 fish oil linolenic acid but not the omega-6 fish oil linoleic acid reduced H⁺-ATPase activity to levels seen in IL-1-untreated cells, although total efflux remained elevated, as a result of an enhanced H⁺ leak. These observations support a model whereby IL-1 stimulates an H⁺-ATPase-dependent system, possibly involved in aggrecanase activation, which appears to be one of the target mechanisms interrupted by dietary supplements reported to have symptom-modifying effects on osteoarthritis.     

Cullin-1 promotes cell proliferation via cell cycle regulation and is a novel in prostate cancer

Background: There is no reliable marker available for early detection, diagnostic confirmation, or disease prognosis available of prostate cancer (PCa). We aimed to evaluate the function of Cullin-1 and unravel its underlying molecular mechanism to develop novel treatment options equivalent to PCa. Method: We used immunohistochemistry to analyze the correlation between Cullin-1 expression and clinicopathologic variables and patient survival. The Cullin-1 level was tested in PCa cells. The role of regulation of Cullin-1 in PCa was applied in vitro and vivo. In addition, we further investigated the signaling pathway of Cullin-1 in prostate cancer cell proliferation. Result: We first discovered that Cullin-1 expression was upregulated in human PCa tissues and inversely related with PCa differentiation. We then found that high expression of Cullin-1 protein suggested a poor prognosis in PCa patients. Also, Cullin-1 promotes PCa cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. We then found that the mechanism of Cullin-1 regulation on cell-cycle progression is due to increased expression of p21 and p27, and decreased expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin E after Cullin-1 knockdown. Conclusion: Cullin-1 exerts multiple biological effects in the PCa cell line. Through promoting proliferation and by countering cisplatin-induced apoptosis, Cullin-1 has been deeply implicated in the pathogenesis and development of PCa.     

Sirtuin SIRT6 suppresses cell proliferation through inhibition of Twist1 expression in non-small cell lung cancer

SIRT6 is a member of the NAD⁺-dependent class III deacetylase sirtuin family. Current studies have revealed that SIRT6 plays important roles in the epigenetic regulation of genes expression and contribute to the proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of cancer cells. However, the biological function of SIRT6 in lung cancer has not been elucidated. The present study showed that the mRNA and protein levels of SIRT6 were decreased in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues and cell lines. MTT assay showed that overexpression of SIRT6 could inhibit the proliferation in NSCLC cells. In contrast, SIRT6 knockdown using small interfering RNA promoted NSCLC cells proliferation. On the molecular level, we found that SIRT6 inhibited the expression of Twist1 both at the mRNA and protein levels in NSCLC cells. Taken together, these results demonstrated for the first time that SIRT6 suppressed NSCLC cells proliferation via down-regulation of Twist1 expression and might provide novel therapeutic targets in the treatment of lung cancer.     

Heat shock protein 70 inhibits shrinkage-induced programmed cell death via mechanisms independent of effects on cell volume-regulatory membrane transport proteins

Cell shrinkage is a ubiquitous feature of programmed cell death (PCD), but whether it is an obligatory signalling event in PCD is unclear. Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) potently counteracts PCD in many cells, by mechanisms that are incompletely understood. In the present investigation, we found that severe hypertonic stress greatly diminished the viability of murine fibrosarcoma cells (WEHI-902) and immortalized murine embryonic fibroblasts (iMEFs). This effect was attenuated markedly by Hsp70 over-expression. To determine whether the protective effect of Hsp70 was mediated via an effect on volume regulatory ion transport, we compared regulatory volume decrease (RVD) and increase (RVI) in control WEHI-902 cells and after increasing Hsp70 levels by heat shock or over-expression (WEHI-912). Hsp70 levels affected neither RVD, RVI nor the relative contributions of the Na⁺/H⁺-exchanger (NHE1) and Na⁺,K⁺,2Cl^–-cotransporter (NKCC1) to RVI. Hypertonic stress induced caspase-3 activity in WEHI cells and iMEFs, an effect potentiated by Hsp70 in WEHI cells but inhibited by Hsp70 in iMEFs. Osmotic shrinkage-induced PCD was associated with Hsp70-inhibitable cysteine cathepsin release in iMEFs and attenuated by caspase and cathepsin inhibitors in WEHI cells. Treatment with TNF- or the NHE1 inhibitor 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride (EIPA) reduced the viability of WEHI cells further under isotonic and mildly, but not severely, hypertonic conditions. Thus, it is concluded that shrinkage-induced PCD involves both caspase- and cathepsin-dependent death mechanisms and is potently counteracted by Hsp70.     

Vacuolar H+-ATPase expression is increased in acid-secreting intercalated cells in kidneys of rats with hypercalcaemia-induced alkalosis

Aims: Hypercalcaemia is known to be associated with systemic metabolic alkalosis, although the underlying mechanism is uncertain. Therefore, we aimed to examine whether hypercalcaemia was associated with changes in the expression of acid–base transporters in the kidney. Methods: Rats were infused with human parathyroid hormone (PTH, 15 μg kg^?1 day^?1), or vehicle for 48 h using osmotic minipumps. Results: The rats treated with PTH developed hypercalcaemia and exhibited metabolic alkalosis (arterial HCO: 31.1 ± 0.8 vs. 28.1 ± 0.8 mmol L^?1 in controls, P < 0.05, n = 6), whereas the urine pH of 6.85 ± 0.1 was significantly decreased compared with the pH of 7.38 ± 0.1 in controls (P < 0.05, n = 12). The observed alkalosis was associated with a significantly increased expression of the B1‐subunit of the H⁺‐ATPase in kidney inner medulla (IM, 233 ± 45% of the control level). In contrast, electroneutral Na⁺‐HCO cotransporter NBCn1 and Cl^?/HCO anion exchanger AE2 expression was markedly reduced in the inner stripe of the outer medulla (to 26 ± 9% and 65 ± 6%, respectively). These findings were verified by immunohistochemistry. Conclusions: (1) hypercalcaemia‐induced metabolic alkalosis was associated with increased urinary excretion of H⁺; (2) the increased H⁺‐ATPase expression in IM may partly explain the enhanced urinary acidification, which is speculated to prevent stone formation because of hypercalciuria and (3) the decreased expression of outer medullary AE2 suggests a compensatory reduction of the transepithelial bicarbonate transport.     

Negative control of mast cell degranulation and the anaphylactic response by the phosphatase lipin1

Mast cells play a critical role in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases; however, how mast cell function is regulated is still not well understood. Both phosphatidic acid (PA) and diacylglycerol (DAG) are important secondary messengers involved in mast cell activ‐ation. Lipin1 is a phosphatidate phosphatase that hydrolyzes PA to produce DAG, but the role of lipin1 in mast cell function has been thus far unknown. Here we show that lipin1 is an important and selective inhibitor of mast cell degranulation. Lipin1 deficiency enhanced FcεRI‐mediated β‐hexosaminidase and prostaglandin D2 release from mast cells in vitro and exacerbated the passive systemic anaphylaxis reaction in vivo. Lipin1 deficiency, however, did not exert obvious effects on IL‐6 or TNF‐α production following FcεRI engagement. FcεRI‐induced PKC and SNAP‐23 phosphorylation were augmented in the lipin1‐deficient mast cells. Moreover, inhibition of PKC activity reduced SNAP‐23 phosphorylation and mast cell degranulation in lipin1‐deficient mast cells. Together, our findings suggest that lipin1 may negatively control mast cell degranulation and the anaphylactic response through inhibiting the PKC‐SNAP‐23 pathway.     

自噬在熊果酸抑制人肺癌PC9细胞增殖中的作用

目的:研究自噬在熊果酸(UA)抑制人肺癌PC9细胞增殖中的作用及机制。方法:应用MTT法和台盼蓝拒染法检测UA对PC9细胞增殖的影响。吖啶橙染色法在荧光显微镜下观察UA对PC9细胞自噬的影响。Western blot检测自噬相关蛋白LC3及ATG5的表达情况。采用自噬抑制剂3-甲基腺嘌呤(3-MA)观察UA对PC9细胞增殖的抑制作用。结果:UA可以显著抑制PC9细胞的活力(P0.05或P0.01),随着给药剂量和时间的增加,UA对PC9细胞的生长抑制率显著上升。UA诱导PC9细胞自噬体表达增加,并诱导自噬相关蛋白LC3-Ⅱ和ATG5表达的增加(P0.01)。自噬抑制剂3-MA提高了UA对PC9细胞的抑制作用(P0.01)。结论:UA抑制PC9细胞的增殖,并诱导细胞发生自噬。UA诱导PC9细胞自噬的机制有可能依赖ATG5细胞自噬途径。自噬抑制剂3-MA能够增强UA对PC9细胞的增殖抑制作用,有望为肺癌的临床治疗提供新的联合治疗方案。     

Roles of SAMHD1 in antiviral defense,autoimmunity and cancer

The enzyme, sterile α motif and histidine‐aspartic acid domain–containing protein 1 (SAMHD1) diminishes infection of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) by hydrolyzing intracellular deoxynucleotide triphosphates (dNTPs) in myeloid cells and resting CD4+ T cells. This dNTP degradation reduces the dNTP concentration to a level insufficient for viral cDNA synthesis, thereby inhibiting retroviral replication. This antiviral enzymatic activity can be inhibited by viral protein X (Vpx). The HIV‐2/SIV Vpx causes degradation of SAMHD1, thus interfering with the SAMHD1‐mediated restriction of retroviral replication. Recently, SAMHD1 has been suggested to restrict HIV‐1 infection by directly digesting genomic HIV‐1 RNA through a still controversial RNase activity. Here, we summarize the current knowledge about structure, antiviral mechanisms, intracellular localization, interferon‐regulated expression of SAMHD1. We also describe SAMHD1‐deficient animal models and an antiviral drug on the basis of disrupting proteasomal degradation of SAMHD1. In addition, the possible roles of SAMHD1 in regulating innate immune sensing, Aicardi‐Goutières syndrome and cancer are discussed in this review.     

胶质瘤细胞维甲酸代谢调控机制及其对细胞增殖的影响

目的: 探讨胶质瘤细胞中的维甲酸合成调控机制,以及维甲酸对人脑胶质瘤细胞SWO-Z2的增殖抑制作用及可能的机制。方法: 运用小分子RNA干扰Krüppel 样转录因子9(KLF9);Real-time PCR和Western blotting检测 KLF9 基因RNAi沉默效率。 KLF9 基因干扰后,运用Western blotting检测醛脱氢酶1家族成员A1(ALDH1A1)蛋白表达的变化。应用CCK-8法从3种类型维甲酸药物(13-顺维甲酸、9-顺维甲酸和全反式维甲酸分别简称13- cis RA、9- cis RA和ATRA)中筛选出对SWO-Z2细胞活性抑制作用最强的药物。Western blotting检测不同浓度ATRA作用SWO-Z2细胞后增殖相关蛋白cyclin D1、Bcl-2、cleaved PARP以及胶质瘤分化标记物GFAP的表达情况。Real-time PCR检测SWO-Z2细胞的维甲酸受体表达情况。结果: 小分子RNA干扰 KLF9 基因后, 成功下调KLF9表达,引起ALDH1A1 mRNA和蛋白表达都下降。3种类型维甲酸中ATRA对SWO-Z2细胞的增殖活性抑制作用最强。ATRA作用SWO-Z2细胞72 h后cleaved PARP蛋白激活,cyclin D1和Bcl-2表达水平下降,而GFAP表达没有改变。SWO-Z2细胞维甲酸受体(RARs)表达降低。结论: KLF9作为 ALDH1A1 基因的上游调控基因,通过正调控 ALDH1A1 基因的表达促进胶质瘤细胞中的维甲酸合成;ATRA处理SWO-Z2细胞后未能促进胶质瘤分化而是明显抑制肿瘤细胞增殖能力,可能是由于胶质瘤细胞内缺乏维甲酸受体所致。     

Prostate cancer cell proliferation and angiogenesis in different obese mice models

Obesity has been associated with increased incidence and aggressiveness of prostate cancer. Although controversial, several studies suggest that leptin could influence tumour cell growth and proliferation. The main goal of this study was to assess cellular growth of prostate adenocarcinoma cells in obese mice with different endogenous hormonal environments in what relates to leptin circulating levels and sensitivity. Four groups of mice (n = 6/group) were used, namely obese mice with congenital non-functioning leptin receptor OBR (db/db), obese mice with congenital leptin deficiency (ob/ob), mice with diet induced obesity (DIO) and normal weight C57BL/6J mice (control). All groups of mice were injected subcutaneously with 3.0 × 10⁵ RM1 cells/500 μl PBS (murine prostate carcinoma androgen insensitive cells) and tumour growth and angiogenesis were evaluated 14 days after inoculation. The tumours induced in ob/ob and DIO mice were significantly larger (P < 0.001) while those induced in db/db mice were significantly smaller (P= 0.047), when compared with controls. Morphometric analysis revealed that mitotic index and Ki-67 positive nuclear density, both cell proliferation markers, were also significantly lower in the tumours of db/db mice (P < 0.001) when compared to controls. An inverse correlation was observed between leptin plasma levels and tumour weight (r = −0.642, P < 0.001), mitotic index (r = −0.646, P < 0.01) and Ki-67 positive nuclear density (r = −0.795, P < 0.001). These results suggest that high leptin concentrations are not favourable to RM1 cell growth and proliferation. On the contrary, high plasma leptin levels were associated with less cellular proliferation and angiogenesis in vivo.     

Roles of K+ channels in regulating tumour cell proliferation and apoptosis

K⁺ channels are a most diverse class of ion channels in the cytoplasmic membrane and are distributed widely in a variety of cells including cancer cells. Cell proliferation and apoptosis (programmed cell death or cell suicide) are two counterparts that share the responsibility for maintaining normal tissue homeostasis. Evidence has been accumulating from fundamental studies indicating that tumour cells possess various types of K⁺ channels, and that these K⁺ channels play important roles in regulating tumour cell proliferation and apoptosis, i.e. facilitating unlimited growth and promoting apoptotic death of tumour cells. The potential implications of K⁺ channels as a pharmacological target for cancer therapy and a biomarker for diagnosis of carcinogenesis are attracting increasing interest. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current status of research on K⁺ channels/currents in tumour cells. Focus is placed on the roles of K⁺ channels/currents in regulating tumour cell proliferation and apoptosis. The possible mechanisms by which K⁺ channels affect tumour cell growth and death are discussed. Speculations are also made on the potential implications of regulation of tumour cell proliferation and apoptosis by K⁺ channels.