Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0011881 (diabetic nephropathy)
 10,836 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) are suggested to play an important role in diabetic nephropathy. They induce specific cellular responses such as the release of cytokines in different cell lines. The effect of AGEs on signal transduction pathways was investigated in the renal tubulus cell line LLC-PK1. Using a serine-phosphate-specific antibody AGE-induced cellular responses associated with phosphorylation/dephosphorylation events were demonstrated. In particular, the p42MAP kinase and its downstream target, the AP-1 complex, are shown to be activated by AGE-BSA but not by BSA. In contrast, only partial phosphorylation is observed for the p70S6-kinase. Thus, AGEs appear to induce specific signal transduction pathways.
 ...
PMID:Advanced glycation endproducts stimulate the MAP-kinase pathway in tubulus cell line LLC-PK1. 923 87

An excessive production of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in glomerular mesangial cells is considered to be responsible for the development of mesangial expansion seen in diabetic nephropathy. Mechanical stretch due to glomerular hypertension has been proposed as one of the factors leading to an increase in the production of ECM proteins in mesangial cells, but the precise mechanism of stretch-induced overproduction of ECM proteins has not been elucidated. Herein, we provide the evidence that mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) may play a key role in the overproduction of fibronectin (FN) in mesangial cells exposed to mechanical stretch. MAPK, also termed extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), was activated by mechanical stretch in time- and intensity-dependent manners. Stretch-induced activation of ERK was inhibited by herbimycin A, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, but not by GF109203X or calphostin C, the inhibitors of protein kinase C. Mechanical stretch also enhanced DNA-binding activity of AP-1, and this enhancement was inhibited by PD98059, an inhibitor of MAPK or ERK kinase (MEK). Furthermore, mechanical stretch stimulated the expression of FN mRNA followed by a significant increase in its protein accumulation. PD98059 could prevent stretch-induced increase in the expression of FN mRNA and protein. These results indicate that the activation of ERK may mediate the overproduction of ECM proteins in mesangial cells exposed to mechanical stretch, an in vitro model for glomerular hypertension seen in diabetes.
 ...
PMID:Stretch-induced overproduction of fibronectin in mesangial cells is mediated by the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase. 1007 62

Activation of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) system has been implicated in the pathological changes of diabetic nephropathy such as renal hypertrophy and accumulation of extracellular matrix. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice were used to examine whether the Smad pathway, which transduces the TGF-beta signal, is activated in the diabetic kidney, employing Southwestern histochemistry with labeled Smad-binding element (SBE) oligonucleotides and immunoblotting of nuclear protein extracts for Smad3. Mouse mesangial cells were used to study the role of Smads in mediating the effects of high glucose and TGF-beta on fibronectin expression, using transient transfections of Smad expression vectors and TGF-beta-responsive reporter assays. By Southwestern histochemistry, the binding of nuclear proteins to labeled SBE increased in both glomeruli and tubules at 1, 3, and 6 weeks of diabetes. Likewise, immunoblotting demonstrated that nuclear accumulation of Smad3 was increased in the kidney of diabetic mice. Both increases were prevented by insulin treatment. In mesangial cells, high glucose potentiated the effect of low-dose TGF-beta1 (0.2ng/ml) on the following TGF-beta-responsive constructs: 3TP-Lux (containing AP-1 sites and PAI-1 promoter), SBE4-Luc (containing four tandem repeats of SBE sequence), and the fibronectin promoter. Additionally, Smad3 overexpression increased fibronectin promoter activity, an effect that was enhanced by high ambient glucose or treatment with TGF-beta1 (2ng/ml). The TGF-beta-stimulated activity of the fibronectin promoter was prevented by transfection with either a dominant-negative Smad3 or the inhibitory Smad7. We conclude that hyperglycemia activates the intrarenal TGF-beta/Smad signaling pathway, which then promotes mesangial matrix gene expression in diabetic nephropathy.
 ...
PMID:Smad pathway is activated in the diabetic mouse kidney and Smad3 mediates TGF-beta-induced fibronectin in mesangial cells. 1220 25

TGF-beta (transforming growth factor-beta) is implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. We previously demonstrated that up-regulation of type II TGF-beta receptor (TbetaRII) induced by high glucose might contribute to distal tubular hypertrophy [Yang, Guh, Yang, Lai, Tsai, Hung, Chang and Chuang (1998) J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 9, 182-193]. We have elucidated the mechanism by using cultured Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. Enhancer assay and electrophoretic-mobility-shift assay were used to estimate the involvement of transcription factors. Western blotting and an in vitro kinase assay were used to evaluate the level and activity of protein kinase. We showed that glucose (100-900 mg/dl) induced an increase in mRNA level and promoter activity of TbetaRII (note: 'mg/dl' are the units commonly used in diabetes studies). The promoter region -209 to -177 appeared to contribute to positive transactivation of TbetaRII promoter by comparing five TbetaRII-promoter-CAT (chloramphenicol acetyl-transferase) plasmids. Moreover, the transcription factor AP-1 (activator protein 1) was significantly activated and specifically binds to TbetaRII promoter (-209 to -177). More importantly, we found that atypical PKC iota might be pivotal for high glucose-induced increase in both AP-1 binding and TbetaRII promoter activity. First, high glucose induced cytosolic translocation, activation and autophosphorylation of PKC iota. Secondly, antisense PKC iota expression plasmids attenuated high-glucose-induced increase in AP-1 binding and TbetaRII promoter activity; moreover, sense PKC iota expression plasmids enhanced these instead. Finally, we showed that antisense PKC iota expression plasmids might partly attenuate a high-glucose/TGF-beta1-induced increase in fibronectin. We conclude that PKC iota might mediate high-glucose-induced increase in TbetaRII promoter activity. In addition, antisense PKC iota expression plasmid effectively suppressed up-regulation of TbetaRII and fibronectin in hyperglycaemic distal-tubule cells.
 ...
PMID:Regulation of type II transforming-growth-factor-beta receptors by protein kinase C iota. 1284 49

Diabetic nephropathy is characterized by early hypertrophy in both glomerular and tubuloepithelial elements. However, no studies to date have established a direct causal link between hyperglycaemia and renal hypertrophy. Our previous studies have found that high glucose does not induce cellular hypertrophy or expression of TGF-beta1 (transforming growth factor-beta1) in distal renal tubule cells [Yang, Guh, Yang, Lai, Tsai, Hung, Chang and Chuang (1998) J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 9, 182-193]. In the present study, we used AGEs (advanced glycation end-products) to mimic long-term hyperglycaemia. Similar to glucose, AGEs did not induce TGF-beta1 mRNA in distal renal tubule cells [MDCK (Madin-Darby canine kidney) cells]; however, TGF-beta1 bioactivity was increased significantly. This result indicated post-translational regulation. Since TSP-1 (thrombospondin-1) has been demonstrated to activate latent TGF-beta1 in a variety of systems, the following experiments were performed. We found that AGEs dose-dependently increased both intracellular and extracellular levels of TSP-1. Purified TSP-1, like AGEs, increased the cellular protein content. Furthermore, anti-TSP-1 neutralizing antibodies attenuated the AGE-induced increase in TGF-beta1 bioactivity and hypertrophy. Thus TSP-1 might mediate AGE-induced distal renal tubule hypertrophy. In addition, we observed several putative transcription factor binding sites in the TSP-1 promoter, including those for AP-1 (activator protein-1), CREB (cAMP response element binding protein), NF-kappaB (nuclear factor-kappaB), SRF (serum response factor) and HSF (heat-shock factor), by sequence mapping. We used an enhancer assay to screen possible transcription factors involved. We showed that AP-1 and CREB were specifically induced by AGEs; furthermore, TFD (transcription factor decoy) for AP-1 could attenuate the AGE-induced increases in TSP-1 levels and cellular hypertrophy. Thus regulation of TSP-1 might be critical for hyperglycaemic distal tubule hypertrophy. Furthermore, TSP-1 TFD might be a potential approach to ameliorate diabetic renal hypertrophy.
 ...
PMID:Thrombospondin-1 mediates distal tubule hypertrophy induced by glycated albumin. 1468 23

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) are ligand-activated transcription factors that regulate cell growth, inflammation, lipid metabolism, and insulin sensitivity. PPAR-gamma in the human kidney has been described. However, the role of PPAR-gamma in proximal tubular cells with respect to cell growth and inflammation in diabetic nephropathy is largely unknown. We evaluated the effect of high (30 mM) D-glucose, thiazolidinedione pioglitazone (10 microM), and the selective PPAR-gamma agonist L-805645 (8 microM) on PPAR-gamma expression, growth, and inflammatory parameters in the proximal tubular model of HK-2 cells. PPAR-gamma was present in HK-2 cells and upregulated with 30 mM D-glucose to 177 +/- 31.2% of control (P < 0.05). PPAR-gamma activation was induced by pioglitazone to a similar level to that observed by exposure to high glucose but maximally induced by the selective agonist L-805645. However, L-805645 reduced cell viability in both 5 and 30 mM d-glucose to 73.8 +/- 3.1 and 77.6 +/- 1.4% of control (both P < 0.0001). In parallel, thymidine incorporation was reduced with L-805645 in both 5 and 30 mM D-glucose to 33.3 +/- 3.4 and 37.9 +/- 2.2%, respectively (both P < 0.0001). Flow cytometry demonstrated increased apoptosis and G(1) phase arrest in association with an increase in p21(cip1/waf1) in cells exposed to L-805645. Exposure to 30 mM D-glucose did not significantly change AP-1 promoter activity (89.0 +/- 5.5% of control); however, the addition of L-805645 significantly reduced it to 62.2 +/- 2.7% of control (P < 0.0001). Thirty nanomolar D-glucose induced transforming growth factor-beta(1) to 137.7 +/- 16.9% of control (P < 0.05), and L-805645 was able to suppress this to 68.7 +/- 5.7% of control (P < 0.01 vs. d-glucose). Exposure to 30 mM D-glucose reduced monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 levels to 78.6 +/- 7.1% (P < 0.05) of control, with the reduction more marked in the presence of either pioglitazone (P < 0.01) or L-805645 (P < 0.01). In summary, high glucose upregulates PPAR-gamma and when significantly induced demonstrates anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects.
 ...
PMID:The effect of high glucose and PPAR-gamma agonists on PPAR-gamma expression and function in HK-2 cells. 1511 52

Changes in glucose transporter expression in glomerular cells occur early in diabetes. These changes, especially the GLUT1 increase in mesangial cells, appear to play a pathogenic role in the development of ECM expansion and perhaps other features of diabetic nephropathy. In addition, it appears that at least some diabetic patients may be predisposed to nephropathy because of polymorphisms in their GLUT1 genes. GLUT1 overexpression leads to increased glucose metabolic flux which in turn triggers the polyol pathway and activation of PKC alpha and B1. Activation of these PKC isoforms can lead directly to AP-1 induced increases in fibronectin expression and ECM accumulation. Other, more novel effects of GLUT1 on cellular hypertrophy and injury could also promote changes of diabetic nephropathy. Strategies to prevent GLUT1 overexpression could ameliorate or prevent the progression of diabetic nephropathy.
 ...
PMID:Glucose transporters in diabetic nephropathy. 1571 66

Despite the potentially protective effects of estrogen on bone and cardiovascular tissue as well as against kidney diseases, its effects on diabetic nephropathy are unknown. Here, we examined the therapeutic effectiveness of 17beta-estradiol and raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, for preventing functional and histological alterations in the kidneys of db/db mice, a model of type 2 diabetes. In the first experiment, ovariectomized female db/db mice were treated with 17beta-estradiol for 8 weeks. The treatment significantly ameliorated albuminuria, attenuated weight gain, and reduced hyperglycemia in diabetic ovariectomized db/db mice. Histologically, the increases in mesangial area and the accumulation of fibronectin were significantly inhibited by 17beta-estradiol. In the second experiment, mice were administered vehicle or raloxifene hydrochloride (3 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks. Raloxifene significantly reduced mesangial expansion and fibronectin accumulation in db/db mice, but in contrast to 17beta-estradiol, it failed to affect body weight or hyperglycemia. An in vitro experiment further demonstrated that raloxifene inhibited transforming growth factor beta-1-induced fibronectin transcription and AP-1 activity. Thus, our findings suggest that raloxifene, which lacks the harmful effects of estrogen, is useful for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.
 ...
PMID:Estrogen and raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, ameliorate renal damage in db/db mice. 1592 Jan 48

Accumulation of glomerular matrix is a hallmark of diabetic nephropathy. The serine/threonine kinase Akt mediates glucose-induced upregulation of collagen I in mesangial cells through transactivation of the EGF receptor (EGFR). In addition, in renal tubular cells, glucose-induced secretion of TGF-beta requires phosphoinositide-3-OH kinase, suggesting a possible role for Akt in the modulation of TGF-beta expression, but the mechanisms of Akt activation and its involvement in TGF-beta regulation are unknown. Here, in primary mesangial cells, high glucose induced AktS473 phosphorylation, which correlates with its activation, in a protein kinase C beta (PKC-beta)-dependent manner. Glucose led to PKC-beta1 membrane translocation and association with Akt, and PKC-beta1 immunoprecipitated from glucose-treated cells phosphorylated recombinant Akt on S473. PKC is known to mediate glucose-induced TGF-beta1 upregulation through the transcription factor AP-1; here, inhibitors of phosphoinositide-3-OH kinase, PKC-beta and Akt, and dominant-negative Akt all prevented glucose-induced activation of AP-1 and upregulation of TGF-beta1. Finally, pharmacologic and dominant negative inhibition of EGFR blocked glucose-induced activation of PKC-beta1, phosphorylation of AktS473, activation of AP-1, and upregulation of TGF-beta1. In vivo, the PKC-beta inhibitor ruboxistaurin prevented Akt activation in the renal cortex of diabetic rats. In conclusion, PKC-beta1 is an Akt S473 kinase in glucose-treated mesangial cells, and TGF-beta1 transcriptional upregulation requires EGFR/PKC-beta1/Akt signaling. New therapeutic approaches for diabetic nephropathy may result from targeting components of this pathway, particularly the initial EGFR transactivation.
 ...
PMID:PKC-beta1 mediates glucose-induced Akt activation and TGF-beta1 upregulation in mesangial cells. 1921 11

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) may play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy, by modulating extracellular matrix turnover. AGEs are known to activate specific membrane receptors, including the receptor for AGE (RAGE). In the present study, we analyzed the various receptors for AGEs expressed by human mesangial cells and we studied the effects of glycated albumin and of carboxymethyl lysine on matrix protein and remodelling enzyme synthesis. Membrane RAGE expression was confirmed by FACS analysis. Microarray methods, RT-PCR, and Northern blot analysis were used to detect and confirm specific gene induction. Zymographic analysis and ELISA were used to measure the induction of tPA and PAI-1. We show herein that cultured human mesangial cells express AGE receptor type 1, type 2 and type 3 and RAGE. AGEs (200 microg/ml) induced at least a 2-fold increase in mRNA for 10 genes involved in ECM remodelling, including tPA, PAI-1 and TIMP-3. The increase in tPA synthesis was confirmed by fibrin zymography. The stimulation of PAI-1 synthesis was confirmed by ELISA. AGEs increased PAI-1 mRNA through a signalling pathway involving reactive oxygen species, the MAP kinases ERK-1/ERK-2 and the nuclear transcription factor NF-kappaB, but not AP-1. Carboxymethyl lysine (CML, 5 microM), which is a RAGE ligand, also stimulated PAI-1 synthesis by mesangial cells. In addition, a blocking anti-RAGE antibody partially inhibited the AGE-stimulated gene expression and decreased the PAI-1 accumulation induced by AGEs and by CML. Inhibition of AGE receptors or neutralization of the protease inhibitors TIMP-3 and PAI-1 could represent an important new therapeutic strategy for diabetic nephropathy.
 ...
PMID:Advanced glycation end products regulate extracellular matrix protein and protease expression by human glomerular mesangial cells. 1928 28


1 2 3 Next >>