VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and E-selectin in IgA nephropathy and Schönlein-Henoch syndrome: differences between tissue expression and serum concentration

The tissue expressions of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule 1 (E-selectin-1) were investigated in biopsy specimens from 28 patients with different stages of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and 20 patients with acute renal failure (ARF) or chronic renal diseases (amyloidosis, Alport's glomerulopathy) by immunohistochemistry. The results were compared with the serum levels of the three adhesion molecules. VCAM-1 expression was significantly increased on parietal/tubular epithelial cells in IgAN and ARF. Significantly elevated circulating VCAM-1 levels were measured in IgAN and amyloidosis, but did not correlate with renal function (creatinine clearance). Significantly increased glomerular endothelial/epithelial ICAM-1 expression was found in IgAN and ARF. Intense mesangial ICAM-1 expression was found in mild stages of IgAN and in Sch?nlein-Henoch syndrome. Circulating ICAM-1 was not significantly elevated in IgAN and different renal diseases. VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expressions of interstitial infiltrating cells were significantly higher in severe than in mild IgAN and associated with an increased infiltration of inflammatory leukocytes. Patients with IgAN and different renal diseases had decreased mesangial and almost absent interstitial E-selectin expression as compared with controls. The circulating E-selectin levels were significantly elevated in ARF. In conclusion, the tissue expression of adhesion molecules in IgAN reflects a continuous inflammatory renal activity. However, only increased circulating VCAM-1 serum levels correlated significantly with the histological state of renal inflammation and could be used as a disease marker.     

Expression of nephrin,podocin, α-actinin,and WT1 in children with nephrotic syndrome

Recently, nephrin, podocin, -actinin, and WT1, which are located at the slit diaphragm and expressed by the podocyte, were found to be causative in congenital/familial nephrotic syndrome (NS), but their role in acquired NS remains unclear. We studied their expression in NS with the aim of disclosing their possible role in the development of proteinuria. Immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy, and image analysis were used to study the expression and the distribution in 19 children with primary NS, 9 with isolated hematuria, and 9 controls. All the children with NS presented with heavy proteinuria and foot process effacement was identified by electron microscopy. No proteinuria and foot process effacement was seen in the group with hematuria. A dramatic decrease of podocin expression was found in NS (86.66±22.74) compared with control groups (P=0.014). Furthermore, we also found the pattern of distribution of nephrin, podocin, and -actinin changed in children with NS. In conclusion, a dramatic decrease of podocin expression and abnormal distribution of nephrin, podocin, and -actinin were found in children with NS. No differences were found in children with isolated hematuria, suggesting involvement of these molecules in the development of proteinuria in primary NS.     

Localizations and expressions of α-1A, α-1B and α-1D adrenoceptors in human ureter

This study was designed to determine the expression and localization of the α-adrenoceptor (AR) subtypes in human ureteral tissue. The expression of the α-AR subtypes was examined by immunohistochemistry using subtype selective antibodies in proximal, mid and distal ureter. Ureter samples were obtained from pathological specimens of nephroureterectomy. A single pathologist scored the expression of receptor (grade 0, no staining; grade 1, 0–25% cells positive; grade 2, 26–50% cells positive; and grade 3, greater than 50%). We compared the mean grades of α-AR 1A, 1B and 1D and the percentage of receptor expression with grade 2 or more between receptor subtypes in each ureter level. The expression levels of all three subtypes are altered according to the level of ureter. In the proximal ureter, the mean grades of the α-1A, -1B and -1D receptors were 1.0 ± 0.5, 1.1 ± 0.6, and 2.1 ± 0.7. Corresponding grades in the mid and distal ureter were 1.1 ± 0.6, 0.8 ± 0.6 and 2.0 ± 0.8, and 2.0 ± 0.7, 1.8 ± 0.6 and 2.5 ± 0.5, respectively. When compared with percentage of high expression, in the proximal and mid ureter, α-1D high expression percentage was significantly higher than α-1A and -1B subtype (80, 10, 20, and 90, 20, 10%, respectively). In the distal ureter, α-1D expression was higher than α-1A and -1B subtype but there was no statistical significance (100, 80, 70%). The distal ureter had higher density of α-AR receptors than proximal and mid ureter. The expression of α-1A and α-1B AR in distal ureter was significantly higher than proximal and mid ureter. α-1D expression in distal ureter was also higher than proximal and mid ureter but was not statistically significant (p = 0.28, 0.19, respectively). Our results show that α-1A, -1B and -1D AR subtypes are localized in human ureter irrespective of location. The expression levels of subtypes are altered according to level of ureter and subtype. This study was supported by Seoul National University Hospital Clinical Research Institute (06-2005-164-0). An erratum to this article can be found at     

Association of IL-1β, IL-1ra, and TNF-α gene polymorphisms in childhood nephrotic syndrome

We investigated the association between IL-1, IL-1ra, and TNF- gene polymorphisms and childhood nephrotic syndrome (NS). We analyzed the genetic polymorphism of IL-1, IL-1ra, and TNF- genes in 152 patients with childhood NS and 292 healthy adult controls. The C to T exchange at position –511 of IL-1 and the G to A at –308 of the TNF- gene were genotyped. Five alleles of the IL-1ra gene were identified and designated as IL1RN*1, IL1RN*2, IL1RN*3, IL1RN*4, and IL1RN*5, according to the variable number of tandem repeats in intron 2. The allele frequencies of IL-11 (-511C), IL-12 (-511T), TNF1 (-308G), and TNF2 (-308A) were 53.0, 47.0, 92.1, and 7.9%, respectively, in the childhood NS group. This was not significantly different from normal controls. In the childhood NS group, the allele frequencies of IL1RN*1, IL1RN*2, IL1RN*3, IL1RN*4, and IL1RN*5 were 90.8, 7.6, 1.6, 0, and 0% [IL1RN*1 odds ratio (OR)=0.296, P=0.0001, IL1RN*2 OR=3.902, P=0.0002]. A high allele frequency of IL1RN*2 and a lower allele frequency of IL1RN*1 were found in childhood NS, although there was no association with IL-1 and TNF-. A high allele frequency of the IL1RN*2 allele may affect disease susceptibility in childhood NS.     

in, value chain and Activity-based costi

enterprise cost and the enhancing the competitiveness of enterprises.supply chain; value chain; activity-based costing0中国市场China Market24-25F274;F275J152;5;6;J;J152_5;J152_6;谷慧玲;22-23发展绿色物流创建节约型社会张焕梅; 中州大学经济贸易学院,绿色物流;;可持续发展;;逆向物流绿色物流是经济可持续发展,创建节约型社会的必然结果,对社会经济的不断发展和人类生活质量的提高具有重要意义。为此,应树立绿色物流理念,制定绿色物流政策法规,实施绿色物流管理,选择绿色供应商,实现物流活动的绿色化,并重视逆向物流。D     

Hypoxia and HIF-1α in osteoarthritis

We have previously shown that functional inactivation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) in growth-plate chondrocytes will dramatically inhibit anaerobic energy generation and matrix synthesis. Using immunohistochemistry, we have now analyzed the spatial distribution of HIF-1 and its target genes in normal cartilage and in cartilage from knee joints with osteoarthritis. We detected HIF-1 and its target genes in both types of cartilage. In cartilage from joints with osteoarthritis, the number of HIF-1-, Glut-1-, and PGK-1-stained chondrocytes increased with the severity of osteoarthritis. Activated matrix synthesis and strongly decreased oxygen levels are hallmarks of osteoarthritic cartilage. Thus, we assume that chondrocytes are depending on the adaptive functions of HIF-1 in order to maintain ATP levels and thereby matrix synthesis during the course of osteoarthritis.

---

Résumé Nous avons montré précédemment que linactivation du facteur de lhypoxie 1- (HIF-1) dans les chondrocytes du cartilage de conjugaison inhibe très nettement la génération dénergie anaérobie et la synthèse de la matrice. Utilisant limmuno-histochimie nous avons analysé la distribution spatiale de HIF-1, et ses gène- cibles dans le cartilage normal et dans le cartilage darticulations avec arthrose. Nous avons détecté des HIF-1 et ses gène-cibles dans les deux types de cartilage. Dans le cartilage arthrosique le nombre de chondrocytes marqués HIF-1, Glut-1 et PGK-1 a augmenté avec la sévérité de larthrose. La synthèse de la matrice activée et le niveau doxygène fortement diminué sont des caractéristiques du cartilage arthrosique. Donc nous supposons que les chondrocytes dépendent de la fonction adaptative de HIF-1 pour maintenir le niveau dATP et de cette façon la synthèse de la matrice pendant lévolution de larthrose.

     

Protective effect of L-glutamine against diabetes-induced nephropathy in experimental animal: Role of KIM-1, NGAL,TGF-β1, and collagen-1

Diabetic nephropathy is a serious microvascular complication and one of the main causes of end-stage renal disease. L-Glutamine (LG) is naturally occurring amino acids with antidiabetic and antioxidant potential. The aim of present investigation was to evaluate the potential of LG against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic nephropathy (DN) in laboratory rats. DN was induced in male Wistar rats (200–220?g) by intraperitoneal administration of STZ (55?mg/kg). Animals were treated orally with either distilled water (10?mg/kg) or LG (250, 500, and 1000?mg/kg) or Sitagliptin (5?mg/kg). Various biochemical, molecular, and histological (hematoxylin–eosin and Masson’s trichrome stain) parameters were assessed. Administration of LG (500 and 1000?mg/kg) significantly inhibited (p?<?.05) STZ-induced alterations in serum and urine biochemistry (urine creatinine, uric acid, albumin, and BUN). It also significantly increased creatinine clearance rate. STZ induced increase in renal oxidonitrosative stress was significantly decreased (p?<?.05) by LG (500 and 1000?mg/kg) treatment. Upregulated renal KIM-1, NGAL, TGF-β1, and collagen-1 mRNA expression after STZ administration was significantly inhibited (p?<?.05) by LG (500 and 1000?mg/kg) treatment. Correlation analysis also revealed that antidiabetic potential of LG attenuates STZ-induced elevated renal KIM-1, NGAL, TGF-β1, and collagen-1 mRNA expression. Histopathological alteration induced by STZ in renal tissue was ameliorated by LG treatment. In conclusion, results of present investigation suggest that treatment with LG ameliorated STZ-induced DN via the inhibition of oxidonitrosative stress as well as downregulation of KIM-1, NGAL, TGF-β1, and collagen-1 mRNA expressions.     

Molecular identity, expression and functional analysis of interleukin-1α and its isoforms in rat testis

Interleukin-1α (IL-1α) is a proinflammatory cytokine that has also been found to act as a paracrine mediator involved in the regulation of testicular functions. The present review provides an overview of the role of IL 1α in testicular physiology. Bioactive IL-1α isolated from adult rat testis was found to consist of three distinct immunoreactive protein species with apparent sizes of 45, 24 and 19 kDa. These isoforms showed bioactivity in a thymocyte proliferation and steroidogenesis assays with different biopotencies. The background of the molecular heterogeneity and processing, secretion and regulation of the isoforms of testicular IL-1α are discussed. All three isoforms have been found to be secreted into the testis tubular lumen and interstitial space. We have provided evidence that IL-1α is a paracrine factor that may be of importance in, e.g., the regulation of Leydig cell steroidogenesis. Pathophysiologically, testicular IL-1α may contribute to testicular relapse of acute lymphocytic leuke     

Sugar, Sex, and TGF-β in Diabetic Nephropathy

TGF-β is well known to play a critical role in diabetic kidney disease, and ongoing clinical studies are testing the potential therapeutic promise of inhibiting TGF-β production and action. An aspect of TGF-β action that has not received much attention is its potential role in explaining sex-related proclivity for kidney disease. In this review, we discuss recent studies linking TGF-β signaling to sex-related effects in diabetic kidney disease and suggest targets for future studies.     

Is lysyl oxidase-like protein-1, alpha-1 antitrypsin, and neutrophil elastase site specific in pelvic organ prolapse?

Introduction and hypothesis  

We investigated whether the expression of alpha-1 antitrypsin (ATT), neutrophil elastase (NE), and lysyl oxidase-like protein 1 (LOXL-1) vary within the vagina in subjects with pelvic organ prolapse (POP).     

Expression and significance of HIF-1α and ET-1 in gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Objective To explore the expression and the value of HIF-1α,and ET-1 in judging the prognosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Methods The expression of HIF-1α, and ET-1 protein was examined in 76 GISTs by immunohistochemistry S -P methods. Results There was a positive correlation between the expression of HIF-1 α and ET-1 ( P < 0.05 ). The positive expression rate of HIF-1 α and ET-1 was 73.68% (50/76) ,and 65.79% (50/76) respectively,which was related with histologicial grade, tumor diameter, infiltration and metastasis, nuclear division rating of GISTs ( P < 0.05 ), but had no relationship with patients' age, gender, initial position of the tumor ( P > 0.05 ). There was statistically sig-nificant difference in the expression of HIF-1 α and ET-1 in the following groups:among the three classes of very low-risk and low-risk, middle-risk, high-risk, bewteen the diameter < 2 cm and > 5 cm (P < 0.05). The more malignant degree and larger diameter, the more highly positive expression rate ( P < 0.05 ). The positive expression in the groups with infiltration and metastasis, and nuclear division ≥5/50 HP was sig-nificantly higher than the groups without infiltration and metastasis, and nuclear division < 5/50 HP (P < 0.05). Conclusion The expression of HIF-1α had a significant correlation with ET-1. HIF-1α,and ET-1 expression was closely related with the prognosis of GISTs,and can serve as important predictors for survival.     

Expression and significance of HIF-1α and ET-1 in gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Objective To explore the expression and the value of HIF-1α,and ET-1 in judging the prognosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Methods The expression of HIF-1α, and ET-1 protein was examined in 76 GISTs by immunohistochemistry S -P methods. Results There was a positive correlation between the expression of HIF-1 α and ET-1 ( P < 0.05 ). The positive expression rate of HIF-1 α and ET-1 was 73.68% (50/76) ,and 65.79% (50/76) respectively,which was related with histologicial grade, tumor diameter, infiltration and metastasis, nuclear division rating of GISTs ( P < 0.05 ), but had no relationship with patients' age, gender, initial position of the tumor ( P > 0.05 ). There was statistically sig-nificant difference in the expression of HIF-1 α and ET-1 in the following groups:among the three classes of very low-risk and low-risk, middle-risk, high-risk, bewteen the diameter < 2 cm and > 5 cm (P < 0.05). The more malignant degree and larger diameter, the more highly positive expression rate ( P < 0.05 ). The positive expression in the groups with infiltration and metastasis, and nuclear division ≥5/50 HP was sig-nificantly higher than the groups without infiltration and metastasis, and nuclear division < 5/50 HP (P < 0.05). Conclusion The expression of HIF-1α had a significant correlation with ET-1. HIF-1α,and ET-1 expression was closely related with the prognosis of GISTs,and can serve as important predictors for survival.     

Expression and significance of HIF-1α and ET-1 in gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Objective To explore the expression and the value of HIF-1α,and ET-1 in judging the prognosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Methods The expression of HIF-1α, and ET-1 protein was examined in 76 GISTs by immunohistochemistry S -P methods. Results There was a positive correlation between the expression of HIF-1 α and ET-1 ( P < 0.05 ). The positive expression rate of HIF-1 α and ET-1 was 73.68% (50/76) ,and 65.79% (50/76) respectively,which was related with histologicial grade, tumor diameter, infiltration and metastasis, nuclear division rating of GISTs ( P < 0.05 ), but had no relationship with patients' age, gender, initial position of the tumor ( P > 0.05 ). There was statistically sig-nificant difference in the expression of HIF-1 α and ET-1 in the following groups:among the three classes of very low-risk and low-risk, middle-risk, high-risk, bewteen the diameter < 2 cm and > 5 cm (P < 0.05). The more malignant degree and larger diameter, the more highly positive expression rate ( P < 0.05 ). The positive expression in the groups with infiltration and metastasis, and nuclear division ≥5/50 HP was sig-nificantly higher than the groups without infiltration and metastasis, and nuclear division < 5/50 HP (P < 0.05). Conclusion The expression of HIF-1α had a significant correlation with ET-1. HIF-1α,and ET-1 expression was closely related with the prognosis of GISTs,and can serve as important predictors for survival.     

Changes of interleukin-1 β, tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin-6 in brain and plasma after brain injury in rats

Objective: To study the changes of interleukin-1 β(IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in brain and plasma after brain injury and to assess the relationship between the cytokine levels and injury severity in rats. Methods. A total of 51 male Wistar rats, weighing 280-340g, were anesthetized with chloral hydrate(400 mg/kg body weight) through intraperitoneal injection and fixed on a stereotaxic instrument. Severe brain injury was created in 16 rats (severe injury group) and moderate brain injury in 18 rats (moderate injury group) by a fluid percussion model, and cytokine levels of IL-1β, TNFα and IL-6 were measured with biological assay. And sham operation was made on the other 17 rats (control group). Results: In the control group, the levels of IL-1β,TNFα and IL-6 were hardly detected in the cortex of the rats, but in the ipsilateral cortex of the rats in both injury groups, they increased obviously at 8 hours after injury.The increasing degree of these cytokines had no significant difference between the two injury groups. The levels of IL-6 in the plasma of all the rats increased slightly, whereas the levels of IL-1β and TNFα were undetectable. Conc|usions: The increase of IL-1β, TNFα and IL-6 levels is closely related to brain injury. The increased cytokine levels in the central nervous system are not parallel to those in the peripheral blood. It suggests that inflammatory cytokines play important roles in the secondary neural damage after brain injury.