Lack of the growth factor midkine enhances survival against cisplatin-induced renal damage

Although cisplatin acts directly on proximal tubule epithelial cells and causes cell death, little is known regarding the biological significance of its secondary effects, such as inflammation. The growth factor midkine is highly expressed in the proximal tubule and exerts ambivalent activities as to cisplatin nephrotoxicity, ie, anti-apoptotic and chemotactic ones. Here we report that midkine-deficient mice show a significantly higher survival rate than wild-type mice. The levels of blood urea nitrogen and tubular degeneration and apoptosis were higher in wild-type mice despite the anti-apoptotic activity of midkine. We found that recruitment of neutrophils was more enhanced in wild-type mice, this being consistent with the chemotactic activity of midkine. Midkine expression in wild-type mice persisted for 24 hours, and then dramatically decreased. Preadministration of midkine anti-sense oligodeoxyribonucleotide to wild-type mice suppressed midkine expression, and consequently neutrophil infiltration. It is of note that neutrophil infiltration, apoptosis, and elevation of blood urea nitrogen became conspicuous sequentially, namely 1, 2, and 3 days after cisplatin administration, respectively. These findings suggest that early molecular events involving midkine induce inflammatory response and their circuits eventually enhance the death of the proximal tubule epithelial cells. The results indicate the crucial role of inflammation in cisplatin-induced renal damage, and provide a candidate molecular target for its prevention.     

成纤维细胞生长因子10抑制脂多糖刺激下BV2细胞的活化

目的:探索成纤维细胞生长因子10(fibroblast growth factor 10,FGF10)对脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide,LPS)刺激下小胶质细胞BV2活化的影响。方法:小鼠BV2小胶质细胞用细胞培养基DMEM培养,置于37℃、5%CO_2、饱和湿度的培养箱中培养,1~2 d换液,4~5 d传代。实验分为对照组、LPS组和FGF10组,FGF10组的BV2细胞预先给予FGF10 1 mg/L 30 min后,在LPS组和FGF10组中加入500 mg/L的LPS,在不同时点进行检测。用倒置显微镜观察小胶质细胞的形态学改变,RT-qPCR和ELISA分别检测肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)转录和蛋白表达水平的改变来观测BV2细胞的活化情况。结果:静息状态下BV2细胞形态呈圆形或椭圆形,经过24 h LPS刺激后,BV2细胞形状向多极或纺锤样改变,活化细胞数量比值明显高于对照组;预先给予FGF10能抑制LPS刺激下的BV2细胞向活化形态改变,活化的BV2细胞明显减少。给予LPS刺激6 h后,LPS组TNF-α的mRNA水平相比于对照组显著升高,然而预先给予FGF10会显著抑制TNF-α的转录。LPS作用24 h后,细胞培养上清液内TNF-α的表达水平与对照组相比显著上升,而预先给予FGF10在蛋白水平显著抑制TNF-α的表达。结论:FGF10能够成功抑制LPS刺激下BV2细胞的活化,有望成为治疗经胶质细胞介导的神经系统炎症性疾病的一种有效药物。     

Fibroblast growth factor signaling in skeletal development and disease

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling pathways are essential regulators of vertebrate skeletal development. FGF signaling regulates development of the limb bud and formation of the mesenchymal condensation and has key roles in regulating chondrogenesis, osteogenesis, and bone and mineral homeostasis. This review updates our review on FGFs in skeletal development published in Genes & Development in 2002, examines progress made on understanding the functions of the FGF signaling pathway during critical stages of skeletogenesis, and explores the mechanisms by which mutations in FGF signaling molecules cause skeletal malformations in humans. Links between FGF signaling pathways and other interacting pathways that are critical for skeletal development and could be exploited to treat genetic diseases and repair bone are also explored.     

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)‐23 and fetuin‐A in calcified carotid atheroma

Voigt M, Fischer D‐C, Rimpau M, Schareck W & Haffner D
(2010) Histopathology 56 , 775–788
Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)‐23 and fetuin‐A in calcified carotid atheroma Aims: Human atheroma calcification occurs secondary to repetitive injury/remodelling of the vessel wall and might be initiated by adherence of mineral‐loaded fetuin‐A whether or not professional matrix mineralizing cells are present. The aim was to investigate the contribution of fibroblast growth factor (FGF)‐23 to ectopic mineralization. Methods and results: Serial sections of formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded human carotid atheroma (n = 54) were investigated with respect to (i) size and distribution of calcific deposits, (ii) indicators of chondrogenic/osteogenic transformation, and (iii) expression of fetuin‐A and FGF‐23. All specimens were calcified and SOX‐9, collagen type II, cathepsin‐K, fetuin‐A and FGF‐23 expression was seen in 46, 53, 53, 54 and 48 specimens, respectively. The intracellular detection of FGF‐23 (45/48) indicates local synthesis. Whereas fetuin‐A expression was seen also within areas of vascular smooth muscle actin‐positive cells adjacent to calcific deposits, FGF‐23 expression was apparently restricted to the mineralization‐prone areas. Both local expression and FGF‐23 serum concentrations were significantly associated with the degree of atheroma calcification. Conclusions: Besides the induction of bone islets and subsequent mineral deposition, severe remodelling of the vessel wall is sufficient to create a mineralizable fetuin‐A‐attracting microenvironment. FGF‐23 might contribute to the formation of proper mineral, i.e. control local phosphate concentration.     

Fibroblast growth factor 2 enhances early stages of in vitro endothelial repair by microfilament bundle reorganization and cell elongation.

As endothelial cells convert from quiescent to migrating cells over 8 h along a wound edge, actin microfilaments undergo well-defined sequential changes characterized by an initial random distribution followed by a parallel and then a perpendicular orientation of microfilaments with respect to the wound edge. The latter is associated with subsequent cell migration. We tested the hypothesis that fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) can enhance the very early stages of wound repair even prior to migration and that FGF-2 enhancement of wound repair is associated with changes in the endothelial actin cytoskeleton. Using an in vitro two-sided wound model, the addition of FGF-2 at the time of wounding enhanced the extent of wound closure over 8 h. Treatment with FGF-2 was associated with significantly longer cells along the wound edge at 4 and 8 h after wounding. When treated with increasing concentrations of neutralizing FGF-2 antibody, the extent of wound closure decreased over 8 h and was associated with a decrease in cell length along the wound edge. Actin microfilaments were localized using rhodamine phalloidin and viewed using laser confocal microscopy. At 4 h after wounding, FGF-2 treatment was associated with significantly more cells along the wound expressing perpendicular microfilaments compared to untreated cells, which suggested a more rapid transition of parallel to perpendicular microfilament distribution. Thus, FGF-2 affects the very early stages of wound repair prior to migration by enhancing wound closure due to the early appearance of perpendicular microfilaments and lengthening of cells along the wound edge.     

Fibroblast growth factor expression during skeletal fracture healing in mice

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are important signaling molecules that regulate many stages of endochondral bone development. During the healing of a skeletal fracture, several features of endochondral bone development are reactivated. To better understand the role of FGFs in skeletal fracture healing, we quantitatively evaluated the temporal expression patterns of Fgfs, Fgf receptors (Fgfrs), and molecular markers of bone development over a 14‐day period following long bone fracture in a mouse model. These studies identify distinct groups of FGFs that are differentially expressed and suggest active stage‐specific roles for FGF signaling during the fracture repair process. Developmental Dynamics 238:766–774, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Fibroblast growth factor 17 is over-expressed in human prostate cancer

Over-expression of fibroblast growth factor 8 (FGF8) in human prostate cancer is associated with clinically aggressive disease. Among different members of the FGF family, FGF17 and FGF8 share high sequence homology and have similar patterns of expression during embryogenesis. In this study, the clinical significance of FGF17 expression and its in vitro function in prostate cancer cells were tested. Forty resected prostate specimens from patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, n = 12) and prostate cancer (CaP, n = 28; Gleason sum scores 3-10) were studied using semi-quantitative RT-PCR. In addition, 85 cases of CaP (Gleason sum scores 5-9) and 20 cases of BPH were examined using immunohistochemistry and findings were correlated with clinical parameters. In vitro experiments using prostate cancer cell lines examined the functional significance of FGF17 in prostate cancer. These studies revealed a significant linear correlation between increasing Gleason sum scores and FGF17 expression using both immunohistochemistry (p < 0.0001, rho = 0.99) and RT-PCR (p = 0.008, rho = 0.99). Immunohistochemistry demonstrated upregulation of FGF17 in CaP compared with BPH (p < 0.0001) and, when comparing high-grade CaP (Gleason sum score 7-10) with BPH, RT-PCR showed a fourfold upregulation of FGF17 mRNA expression (p < 0.0001). Men with tumours displaying high levels of FGF17 expression had a worse outcome on survival analysis (p = 0.044) and a higher risk of progression with metastases (p < 0.0001). Proliferation assays showed low-dose recombinant (r) FGF17 (1 ng/ml) to be a more potent mitogen than rFGF1 and rFGF8 in prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP, DU145, and PC3M) (p < 0.001). Furthermore, FGF8 was shown to induce expression of FGF17 in these cell lines. These data support a role for FGF17, and a model of co-expression of multiple FGFs, with FGF17 as a potential mediator of FGF8 function, in human prostate carcinogenesis.     

Regulation and function of the FGF23/klotho endocrine pathways

Calcium (Ca(2+)) and phosphate (PO(4)(3-)) homeostasis are coordinated by systemic and local factors that regulate intestinal absorption, influx and efflux from bone, and kidney excretion and reabsorption of these ions through a complex hormonal network. Traditionally, the parathyroid hormone (PTH)/vitamin D axis provided the conceptual framework to understand mineral metabolism. PTH secreted by the parathyroid gland in response to hypocalcemia functions to maintain serum Ca(2+) levels by increasing Ca(2+) reabsorption and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)(2)D] production by the kidney, enhancing Ca(2+) and PO(4)(3-) intestinal absorption and increasing Ca(2+) and PO(4)(3-) efflux from bone, while maintaining neutral phosphate balance through phosphaturic effects. FGF23 is a recently discovered hormone, predominately produced by osteoblasts/osteocytes, whose major functions are to inhibit renal tubular phosphate reabsorption and suppress circulating 1,25(OH)(2)D levels by decreasing Cyp27b1-mediated formation and stimulating Cyp24-mediated catabolism of 1,25(OH)(2)D. FGF23 participates in a new bone/kidney axis that protects the organism from excess vitamin D and coordinates renal PO(4)(3-) handling with bone mineralization/turnover. Abnormalities of FGF23 production underlie many inherited and acquired disorders of phosphate homeostasis. This review discusses the known and emerging functions of FGF23, its regulation in response to systemic and local signals, as well as the implications of FGF23 in different pathological and physiological contexts.     

Fibroblast growth factor enriches the embryonic liver cultures for hepatic progenitors

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) play an important role in hepatic induction during development. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of exogenous FGFs on ex vivo liver development. We begin our analysis by examining FGF signaling during early mouse liver development. Phospho-FGF receptor (Tyr653/654) was detected in embryonic day 10 (E10) to E12 livers only. Next, E10 livers were cultured in the presence of FGF1, FGF4, or FGF8 for 72 hours and examined for histology, proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. FGFs especially FGF8 promoted sheet-like architecture, cell proliferation, and survival as compared to the control. All FGFs induced a striking increase in the number of c-kit and alpha-fetoprotein-positive progenitors, without altering albumin staining. However these progenitors were CK-19-positive (biliary and bipotential progenitor marker) only in the presence of FGF1 or FGF4 and not FGF8. FGFs also induced beta-catenin, a stem cell renewal factor in these cultures. In conclusion, the presence of activated FGFR indicates a physiological role of FGF during early liver development. FGF1 and FGF4 enrich the embryonic liver cultures for bipotential hepatic progenitors. FGF8 promotes such enrichment and induces a one-step differentiation toward a unipotential hepatocyte progenitor. Thus, FGFs might be useful for enrichment and propagation of developmental hepatic progenitors.     

骨细胞形成过程中成纤维细胞生长因子受体3的调节作用及机制

文题释义： 失神经骨折：机体骨折合并有各类、各层面神经的损伤。随着社会经济的飞速发展,这类骨折的发生也逐年增多,在愈合过程中表现出较单纯骨折愈合加速且骨痂过量生长,甚至在肌肉中出现异位骨化,尤其是关节周围的骨折,严重影响关节功能和治疗效果,已成为修复重建和组织工程领域的研究热点。 创伤性神经损伤：包括创伤性颅脑损伤、脊髓损伤和周围神经损伤。这类损伤伴有骨折的患者表现出较单纯骨折愈合加速且骨痂过量生长,甚至在肌肉中出现异位骨化。 背景：在临床治疗中,创伤性神经损伤伴有骨折的患者表现出较单纯骨折愈合加速且骨痂过量生长,甚至在肌肉中出现异位骨化,严重影响这类骨折的治疗效果。对于影响失神经后骨折愈合加速的具体原因和机制,目前并不清楚。 目的：探索成纤维细胞生长因子受体3抑制剂在骨折愈合过程中的作用及表达变化规律。 方法：实验方案经兰州大学第二医院动物实验伦理委员会批准。选用60只雌性SD大鼠,制作坐骨神经损伤的胫骨横行骨折模型,随机分为实验组及对照组2组。实验组造模后腹腔注射成纤维细胞生长因子受体3阻滞剂;对照组造模后给等剂量生理盐水。分别于造模后4,7,10,14,21 d拍X射线片后取胫骨大体标本(每个时间点6只),取胫骨进行苏木精-伊红染色、Masson三色法染色组织学观察;计算大鼠胫骨骨细胞密度和骨小梁密度;测定胫骨组织纤维率。 结果与结论：①两组大鼠胫骨X射线观察差别不显著;②苏木精-伊红染色、Masson三色法染色结果显示实验组修复效果比对照组较好;③2组大鼠胫骨骨细胞密度、骨小梁密度及胫骨组织纤维率在7-14 d有明显差别(实验组>对照组);④抑制成纤维细胞生长因子受体3在周围神经失神经情况下能够加快骨折愈合,促进骨痂的塑形。成纤维细胞生长因子受体3在骨折后7-14 d时间段表达最为活跃。 ORCID: 0000-0002-7687-4383(许少策) 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：干细胞;骨髓干细胞;造血干细胞;脂肪干细胞;肿瘤干细胞;胚胎干细胞;脐带脐血干细胞;干细胞诱导;干细胞分化;组织工程     

Fibroblast growth factor 2 enhances striatal and nigral neurogenesis in the acute 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine model of Parkinson's disease

In response to injury, endogenous precursors in the adult brain can proliferate and generate new neurons, which may have the capacity to replace dysfunctional or dead cells. Although injury-induced neurogenesis has been demonstrated in animal models of stroke, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Huntington's disease (HD), studies of Parkinson's disease (PD) have produced conflicting results. In this study, we investigated the ability of adult mice to generate new neurons in response to the parkinsonian toxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), which causes selective degeneration of nigrostriatal dopamine neurons. MPTP lesions increased the incorporation of 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine-5′-monophosphate (BrdU), as well as the number of cells that co-expressed BrdU and the immature neuronal marker doublecortin (DCX), in two neuroproliferative regions—the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus (DG) and the rostral subventricular zone (SVZ). BrdU-labeled, DCX-expressing cells were not found in the substantia nigra (SN) of MPTP-treated mice, where neuronal cell bodies are destroyed, but were present in increased numbers in the striatum, where SN neurons lost in PD normally project. Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), which enhances neurogenesis in a mouse model of HD, also increased the number of BrdU/DCX-immunopositive cells in the SN of MPTP-treated mice. Thus, MPTP-induced brain injury increases striatal neurogenesis and, in combination with FGF-2 treatment, also stimulates neurogenesis in SN.     

Nerve growth factor enhances sleep in rabbits.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) elicits rapid-eye-movement sleep (REMS) in cats. Removal of NGF receptor-positive cholinergic basal forebrain neurons inhibits REMS in rats. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of NGF on sleep and brain temperature (Tbr) in rabbits. Male rabbits were implanted with electroencephalograph (EEG) electrodes, a brain thermistor and an intraventricular (i.c.v.) guide cannula. Rabbits received human beta-NGF i.c.v. (0.01, 0.1, 1.0 or 10 microg] and on a separate day, 25 microl pyrogen-free saline i.c.v. as control. EEG and Tbr were recorded for 23 h after injections. The highest two doses of NGF increased both non-REMS and REMS across the 23-h recording period. REMS was enhanced dose-dependently. Tbr was not affected by any dose of NGF. These results suggest that NGF is involved in both REMS and non-REMS regulation.