Identification of biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets of kidney stone disease using bioinformatics.

PURPOSE: Kidney stone disease (KSD) is a common urological disease, but its pathogenesis remains unclear. In this study, we screened KSD-related hub genes using bioinformatic methods and predicted the related pathways and potential drug targets. METHODS: The GSE75542 and GSE18160 datasets in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were selected to identify common differentially expressed genes (DEGs). We conducted Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses to identify enriched pathways. Finally, we constructed a hub gene-miRNA network and drug-DEG interaction network. RESULTS: In total, 44 upregulated DEGs and 1 downregulated DEG were selected from the GEO datasets. Signaling pathways, such as leukocyte migration, chemokine activity, NF-κB, TNF, and IL-17, were identified in GO and KEGG. We identified 10 hub genes using Cytohubba. In addition, 21 miRNAs were predicted to regulate 4 or more hub genes, and 10 drugs targeted 2 or more DEGs. LCN2 expression was significantly different between the GEO datasets. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analyses showed that seven hub gene expressions in HK-2 cells with CaOx treatment were significantly higher than those in the control group. CONCLUSION: The 10 hub genes identified, especially LCN2, may be involved in kidney stone occurrence and development, and may provide new research targets for KSD diagnosis. Furthermore, KSD-related miRNAs may be targeted for the development of novel drugs for KSD treatment.

A novel prognostic model based on six methylation-driven genes predicts overall survival for patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a lethal urological malignancy. DNA methylation is involved in the regulation of ccRCC occurrence and progression. This study aimed to establish a prognostic model based on DNA methylation to predict the overall survival (OS) of patients with ccRCC. To create this model, we used the transcriptome and DNA methylation data of patients with ccRCC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. We then used the MethylMix R package to identify methylation-driven genes, and LASSO regression and multivariate Cox regression analyses established the prognostic risk model, from which we derived risk scores. We incorporated these risk scores and clinical parameters to develop a prognostic nomogram to predict 3-, 5-, and 7-year overall survival, and its predictive power was validated using the ArrayExpress cohort. These analyses identified six methylation-driven genes (SAA1, FUT6, SPATA18, SHROOM3, AJAP1, and NPEPL1) that produced risk scores, which were sorted into high- and low-risk patient groups. These two groups differed in nomogram-predicted prognosis, the extent of immune cell infiltration, tumor mutational burden, and expected response to additional therapies. In conclusion, we established a nomogram based on six DNA methylation-driven genes with excellent accuracy for prognostic prediction in ccRCC patients. This nomogram model might provide novel insights into the epigenetic mechanism and individualized treatment of ccRCC.

Early Changes and Predictive Value of Serum Histone H3 Concentration in Urosepsis: A Prospective Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: To assess early changes in serum histone H3 concentration in patients with urosepsis and its predictive ability for the onset of urosepsis. METHODS: A total of 80 patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotripsy were enrolled in the study and divided into control and urosepsis groups based on their postoperative outcomes. Serum histone H3 concentrations were detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, blood indexes were tested by automatic blood analyzers, and vital signs data were obtained by monitors and manual measurements. These results were correlated with the incidence of postoperative urosepsis. Repeated measurements and receiver operating characteristic curves were employed to analyze early changes and the predictive value of serum histone H3 concentration in urosepsis. RESULTS: Sixteen of the 80 patients (20%) developed urosepsis after surgery. Our data showed significant intra-group differences in terms of postoperative histone H3 concentrations (P < 0.0001) and variation trends (P < 0.0001). Among analyzed blood markers, serum histone H3 concentrations 3 h postoperation [0.825 (95% confidence interval 0.718-0.931, P < 0.0001; cut-off value 256.74 ng/ml, 93.8% sensitivity, 67.2% specificity)] and 6 h post-operation [0.834 (95% CI 0.721-0.947, P < 0.0001, cut-off value 300.875 ng/ml, 68.8% sensitivity, 87.5% specificity)] displayed a higher area under the corresponding receiver operating characteristic curves, indicating that these markers had a decent predictive value for postoperative urosepsis. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that serum histone H3 concentration is a novel predictor of postoperative urosepsis in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotripsy. The findings of this study can be validated in a larger cohort. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY NUMBER: ChiCTR1800016679.

miR-101-3p Serves as a Tumor Suppressor for Renal Cell Carcinoma and Inhibits Its Invasion and Metastasis by Targeting EZH2.

BACKGROUND: The role of miRNAs in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is not certain. We wanted to study the biological functions and potential mechanisms of miR-101-3p in RCC. METHODS: miR-101-3p was inhibited in A498 and OSRC-2 (two RCC cell lines). We studied its effect on cell invasion and proliferation. Target EZH2 of miR-101-3p was designated by different methods, including luciferase functional analysis and Western blotting. The expression level of the target gene in treated cells was quantitatively analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. In addition, induction of miR-101-3p to prevent tumor formation of A498 cells in mice was further studied. RESULTS: The overexpression of miR-101-3p significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion in two RCC cells. Western blotting and luciferase functional analysis indicated that miR-101-3p regulated the expression of EZH2 in two cell lines. Mice inoculated with A498 and OSRC-2 cells transfected with miR-101-3p mimics showed significantly smaller xenografts and weaker EZH2 expression levels than the control group. CONCLUSIONS: miR-101-3p inhibited RCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by targeting EZH2.

The Early Diagnostic Efficacy of Serum Histone H3 in Rabbit Urosepsis Model.

OBJECTIVE: We want to explore the changing law of circulating histones in the acute stage of urosepsis and to find more sensitive and specific biomarkers for diagnosing urosepsis as early as possible. METHODS: Twenty healthy male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups (N = 5): the control group, sham group, model group of LPS 600 µg/kg, and model group of LPS 1000 µg/kg. Heart rate (HR), respiration rate (RR), rectal temperature (T), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were examined at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours after operation. Besides, peripheral blood cell counts (RBC, WBC, PLT, and Hb) and C reaction protein (CRP) were tested at 1, 3, and 6 hours after operation, while the levels of histone H3, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and procalcitonin (PCT) in the serum were tested at 1, 3, and 6 hours after operation by ELISA. The heart, left lung, liver, and left kidney were harvested for HE stain and observed to research the pathological change of these tissues. RESULTS: (1) The general status of rabbits: rabbits in the control and sham groups came out in 2 h after operation and regain to drink and eat in 12-24 h after operation. State of the rabbits in the control group was better than that in the sham group. Rabbits in the model groups were languid after operation and stopped to drink and eat. (2) Vital signs of rabbits: there was no statistic difference in HR (P = 0.238) and RR (P = 0.813) among all groups. MAP of the model groups decreased at 3 h postoperative, but transient (P < 0.001). The T of the LPS 1000 group decreased at 6 h postoperative (P = 0.003). (3) The change of biomarkers: H3 level of the LPS groups in the serum increased at 1 h postoperative (P < 0.01); MMP-9 of the LPS 1000 group increased at 1 h postoperative (P < 0.01); WBC of the model groups decreased at 3 h postoperative (P < 0.05); PLT of the LPS 1000 group is significantly increased at 1 h postoperative (P < 0.05); no statistic difference was found in CRP, PCT, and TIMP-1 among all groups. (4) Pathological sections: no abnormal performance was found in the control and sham groups. Glomerulus of the model groups was out of shape and necrosis with obvious renal tubule expansion. Pulmonary pathology showed alveolar septum diffuse increased and inflammatory infiltrate. Change of the LPS 1000 group was more serious than that of the LPS 600 group. CONCLUSIONS: Ligating the ureter after an injection of 1000 µg/kg LPS into the ureter of the rabbit can establish the animal model of urosepsis. Histone H3 increase immediately at 1 h postoperative and are promised to be biomarkers of urosepsis, which are more effective than WBC, CRP, and PCT.

The Innovative Use of Ureter Catheter in the Surgery of Obstructive Uropathy.

PURPOSE: Relieving obstruction and protecting renal function are the main therapeutic purposes of obstructive uropathy which often involve surgical treatment, and the ureter catheter is one of the surgical instruments commonly used in surgery. We aimed to explore the innovative use of a ureter catheter in the surgery of obstructive uropathy. METHODS: We used a ureteral catheter to innovate the surgical procedure of the most common causes of obstructive uropathy: ureteral calculi and stricture, establishing an internal circulation system (ICS), proposing a three-step dilatation method, and reviewing their effects on patients. Furthermore, we introduced a simple real-time intrapelvic pressure measurement device to monitor intrarenal pressure during operation. RESULTS: Postoperative laboratory examination showed that blood CRP, leukocyte neutrophil level, changes in the hemoglobin, urine occult blood, and positive rate of urine culture in the ICS group are significantly lower than those in the control group, corresponding to a lower incidence of bleeding and infection-related complications clinically. A three-month follow-up revealed 1/3 rate of ureteral stricture in the ICS group comparing to the control. We applied the three-step dilatation in patients with severe stenosis in which the balloon could not pass; the overall effective rate was 90.9%. The pressure of the renal pelvis was displayed on the monitor in real time. The surgeon could estimate the degree of filling of the renal pelvis and adjust the intake volume through the data. CONCLUSION: The innovative application of ureteral catheters in the operation of obstructive uropathy can realize the real-time monitor of intraoperative renal pelvis pressure, reduce the incidence of lithotripsy postoperative complications, and expand the indications of balloon dilatation in ureteral stricture, which has certain clinical significance.

Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 stimulates the differentiation of rat stem and progenitor Leydig cells during regeneration.

BACKGROUND: Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1) is a chemokine secreted by Leydig cells and peritubular myoid cells in the rat testis. Its role in regulating the development of Leydig cells via autocrine and paracrine is still unclear. The objective of the current study was to investigate the effects of MCP-1 on Leydig cell regeneration from stem cells in vivo and on Leydig cell development in vitro. RESULTS: Intratesticular injection of MCP-1(10 ng/testis) into Leydig cell-depleted rat testis from post-EDS day 14 to 28 significantly increased serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels, up-regulated the expression of Leydig cell proteins, LHCGR, SCARB1, CYP11A1, HSD3B1, CYP17A1, and HSD17B3 without affecting progenitor Leydig cell proliferation, as well as increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation. MCP-1 (100 ng/ml) significantly increased medium testosterone levels and up-regulated LHCGR, CYP11A1, and HSD3B1 expression without affecting EdU incorporation into stem cells after in vitro culture for 7 days. RS102895, a CCR2 inhibitor, reversed MCP-1-mediated increase of testosterone level after culture in combination with MCP-1. CONCLUSION: MCP-1 stimulates the differentiation of stem and progenitor Leydig cells without affecting their proliferation.

Dexamethasone suppresses the differentiation of stem Leydig cells in rats in vitro.

BACKGROUND: It is an established fact that excess of glucocorticoids could cause the harmful effects, such as suppression on the male reproduction. Although glucocorticoids pharmacologically inhibit the Leydig cell function, their roles in Leydig cell development are unclear. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate effects of synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DEX) on rat stem Leydig cell proliferation and differentiation. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats received a single intraperitoneal injection of 75 mg/kg EDS to eliminate Leydig cells and an in vitro culture system of the seminiferous tubules was established from Leydig cell-depleted testis. Using basal medium and Leydig cell differentiation-inducing medium (LIM) in the culture system, we examined the effects of DEX (0-100 nM) on the proliferation and differentiation of the stem Leydig cells in vitro, respectively. RESULTS: Results showed that LIM is a good agent to induce stem Leydig cell differentiation into Leydig cells that produce testosterone in vitro. DEX inhibited the differentiation of stem Leydig cells by reducing the expression levels of Cyp17a1 and Scarb1 and that NR3C1 antagonist RU38486 reversed the DEX-mediated effects. However, DEX are not involved with the proliferation of stem Leydig cells. CONCLUSIONS: DEX suppressed the differentiation of rat Leydig cells in vitro and glucocorticoid-induced effects acted through NR3C1. This suppression partially targets on Cyp17a1 and Scarb1 gene expression.

Aldosterone Blocks Rat Stem Leydig Cell Development In Vitro.

Aldosterone (ALDO) is a primary endogenous mineralocorticoid, appearing as the main hormone controlling sodium and water homeostasis. Its emerging role in the development of many organs has gained interest over the past few years. In the testis, Leydig cells contain mineralocorticoid receptors and ALDO stimulates androgen synthesis via the mineralocorticoid receptors in rat adult Leydig cells. Although ALDO pharmacologically promoted the Leydig cell function, its role in Leydig cell development was unclear. In the present study, we investigated effects of ALDO on rat stem Leydig cell (SLC) proliferation and differentiation. Using an in vitro culture system of the seminiferous tubules from Leydig cell-depleted testis and EdU (a modified thymidine analog) incorporation into the SLC for flurorescent labeling to judge its DNA synthesis and measurement of medium testosterone production, steroidogenesis-related gene and protein expression, we found that: (1) ALDO suppressed EdU incorporation into SLCs at 100 nM via mineralocorticoid receptor-mediated mechanism and (2) ALDO reduced Leydig cell number. In conclusion, ALDO pharmacologically blocked rat SLC development.