BGP-15 Inhibits Hyperglycemia-Aggravated VSMC Calcification Induced by High Phosphate.

Vascular calcification associated with high plasma phosphate (Pi) level is a frequent complication of hyperglycemia, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease. BGP-15 is an emerging anti-diabetic drug candidate. This study was aimed to explore whether BGP-15 inhibits high Pi-induced calcification of human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) under normal glucose (NG) and high glucose (HG) conditions. Exposure of VSMCs to Pi resulted in accumulation of extracellular calcium, elevated cellular Pi uptake and intracellular pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-4 (PDK-4) level, loss of smooth muscle cell markers (ACTA, TAGLN), and enhanced osteochondrogenic gene expression (KLF-5, Msx-2, Sp7, BMP-2). Increased Annexin A2 and decreased matrix Gla protein (MGP) content were found in extracellular vesicles (EVs). The HG condition markedly aggravated Pi-induced VSMC calcification. BGP-15 inhibited Pi uptake and PDK-4 expression that was accompanied by the decreased nuclear translocation of KLF-5, Msx-2, Sp7, retained VSMC markers (ACTA, TAGLN), and decreased BMP-2 in both NG and HG conditions. EVs exhibited increased MGP content and decreased Annexin A2. Importantly, BGP-15 prevented the deposition of calcium in the extracellular matrix. In conclusion, BGP-15 inhibits Pi-induced osteochondrogenic phenotypic switch and mineralization of VSMCs in vitro that make BGP-15 an ideal candidate to attenuate both diabetic and non-diabetic vascular calcification.

Ferryl Hemoglobin and Heme Induce A1-Microglobulin in Hemorrhaged Atherosclerotic Lesions with Inhibitory Function against Hemoglobin and Lipid Oxidation.

Infiltration of red blood cells into atheromatous plaques and oxidation of hemoglobin (Hb) and lipoproteins are implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. α1-microglobulin (A1M) is a radical-scavenging and heme-binding protein. In this work, we examined the origin and role of A1M in human atherosclerotic lesions. Using immunohistochemistry, we observed a significant A1M immunoreactivity in atheromas and hemorrhaged plaques of carotid arteries in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and macrophages. The most prominent expression was detected in macrophages of organized hemorrhage. To reveal a possible inducer of A1M expression in ruptured lesions, we exposed aortic endothelial cells (ECs), SMCs and macrophages to heme, Oxy- and FerrylHb. Both heme and FerrylHb, but not OxyHb, upregulated A1M mRNA expression in all cell types. Importantly, only FerrylHb induced A1M protein secretion in aortic ECs, SMCs and macrophages. To assess the possible function of A1M in ruptured lesions, we analyzed Hb oxidation and heme-catalyzed lipid peroxidation in the presence of A1M. We showed that recombinant A1M markedly inhibited Hb oxidation and heme-driven oxidative modification of low-density lipoproteins as well plaque lipids derived from atheromas. These results demonstrate the presence of A1M in atherosclerotic plaques and suggest its induction by heme and FerrylHb in the resident cells.

A novel splice site indel alteration in the EIF2AK3 gene is responsible for the first cases of Wolcott-Rallison syndrome in Hungary.

BACKGROUND: Wolcott-Rallison Syndrome (WRS) is a rare autosomal recessive disease that is the most common cause of neonatal diabetes in consanguineous families. WRS is caused by various genetic alterations of the Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 2-Alpha Kinase 3 (EIF2AK3) gene. METHODS: Genetic analysis of a consanguineous family where two children were diagnosed with WRS was performed by Sanger sequencing. The altered protein was investigated by in vitro cloning, expression and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The first cases in Hungary, - two patients in one family, where the parents were fourth-degree cousins - showed the typical clinical features of WRS: early onset diabetes mellitus with hyperglycemia, growth retardation, infection-induced multiple organ failure. The genetic background of the disease was a novel alteration in the EIF2AK3 gene involving the splice site of exon 11- intron 11-12 boundary: g.53051_53062delinsTG. According to cDNA sequencing this created a new splice site and resulted in a frameshift and the development of an early termination codon at amino acid position 633 (p.Pro627AspfsTer7). Based on in vitro cloning and expression studies, the truncated protein was functionally inactive. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the intact protein was absent in the islets of pancreas, furthermore insulin expressing cells were also dramatically diminished. Elevated GRP78 and reduced CHOP protein expression were observed in the liver. CONCLUSIONS: The novel genetic alteration causing the absence of the EIF2AK3 protein resulted in insufficient handling of severe endoplasmic reticulum stress, leading to liver failure and demise of the patients.

Therapeutic Potential of Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) in Hemolytic and Hemorrhagic Vascular Disorders-Interaction between the Heme Oxygenase and H2S-Producing Systems.

Over the past decades, substantial work has established that hemoglobin oxidation and heme release play a pivotal role in hemolytic/hemorrhagic disorders. Recent reports have shown that oxidized hemoglobins, globin-derived peptides, and heme trigger diverse biological responses, such as toll-like receptor 4 activation with inflammatory response, reprogramming of cellular metabolism, differentiation, stress, and even death. Here, we discuss these cellular responses with particular focus on their mechanisms that are linked to the pathological consequences of hemorrhage and hemolysis. In recent years, endogenous gasotransmitters, such as carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S), have gained a lot of interest in connection with various human pathologies. Thus, many CO and H2S-releasing molecules have been developed and applied in various human disorders, including hemolytic and hemorrhagic diseases. Here, we discuss our current understanding of oxidized hemoglobin and heme-induced cell and tissue damage with particular focus on inflammation, cellular metabolism and differentiation, and endoplasmic reticulum stress in hemolytic/hemorrhagic human diseases, and the potential beneficial role of CO and H2S in these pathologies. More detailed mechanistic insights into the complex pathology of hemolytic/hemorrhagic diseases through heme oxygenase-1/CO as well as H2S pathways would reveal new therapeutic approaches that can be exploited for clinical benefit.

The Fungal Iron Chelator Desferricoprogen Inhibits Atherosclerotic Plaque Formation.

Hemoglobin, heme and iron are implicated in the progression of atherosclerosis. Therefore, we investigated whether the hydrophobic fungal iron chelator siderophore, desferricoprogen (DFC) inhibits atherosclerosis. DFC reduced atherosclerotic plaque formation in ApoE-/- mice on an atherogenic diet. It lowered the plasma level of oxidized LDL (oxLDL) and inhibited lipid peroxidation in aortic roots. The elevated collagen/elastin content and enhanced expression of adhesion molecule VCAM-1 were decreased. DFC diminished oxidation of Low-density Lipoprotein (LDL) and plaque lipids catalyzed by heme or hemoglobin. Formation of foam cells, uptake of oxLDL by macrophages, upregulation of CD36 and increased expression of TNF-α were reduced by DFC in macrophages. TNF-triggered endothelial cell activation (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAMs), E-selectin) and increased adhesion of monocytes to endothelium were attenuated. The increased endothelial permeability and intracellular gap formation provoked by TNF-α was also prevented by DFC. DFC acted as a cytoprotectant in endothelial cells and macrophages challenged with a lethal dose of oxLDL and lowered the expression of stress-responsive heme oxygenase-1 as sublethal dose was employed. Saturation of desferrisiderophore with iron led to the loss of the beneficial effects. We demonstrated that DFC accumulated within the atheromas of the aorta in ApoE-/- mice. DFC represents a novel therapeutic approach to control the progression of atherosclerosis.

Heme, Heme Oxygenase, and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-A New Insight into the Pathophysiology of Vascular Diseases.

The prevalence of vascular disorders continues to rise worldwide. Parallel with that, new pathophysiological pathways have been discovered, providing possible remedies for prevention and therapy in vascular diseases. Growing evidence suggests that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is involved in a number of vasculopathies, including atherosclerosis, vascular brain events, and diabetes. Heme, which is released from hemoglobin or other heme proteins, triggers various pathophysiological consequence, including heme stress as well as ER stress. The potentially toxic free heme is converted by heme oxygenases (HOs) into carbon monoxide (CO), iron, and biliverdin (BV), the latter of which is reduced to bilirubin (BR). Redox-active iron is oxidized and stored by ferritin, an iron sequestering protein which exhibits ferroxidase activity. In recent years, CO, BV, and BR have been shown to control cellular processes such as inflammation, apoptosis, and antioxidant defense. This review covers our current knowledge about how heme induced endoplasmic reticulum stress (HIERS) participates in the pathogenesis of vascular disorders and highlights recent discoveries in the molecular mechanisms of HO-mediated cytoprotection in heme stress and ER stress, as well as crosstalk between ER stress and HO-1. Furthermore, we focus on the translational potential of HIERS and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, and brain hemorrhage.

In vivo application of a small molecular weight antifungal protein of Penicillium chrysogenum (PAF).

The antifungal protein of Penicillium chrysogenum (PAF) inhibits the growth of important pathogenic filamentous fungi, including members of the Aspergillus family and some dermatophytes. Furthermore, PAF was proven to have no toxic effects on mammalian cells in vitro. To prove that PAF could be safely used in therapy, experiments were carried out to investigate its in vivo effects. Adult mice were inoculated with PAF intranasally in different concentrations, up to 2700 µg·kg⁻¹ daily, for 2 weeks. Even at the highest concentration--a concentration highly toxic in vitro for all affected molds used, animals neither died due to the treatment nor were any side effects observed. Histological examinations did not find pathological reactions in the liver, in the kidney, and in the lungs. Mass spectrometry confirmed that a measurable amount of PAF was accumulated in the lungs after the treatment. Lung tissue extracts from PAF treated mice exerted significant antifungal activity. Small-animal positron emission tomography revealed that neither the application of physiological saline nor that of PAF induced any inflammation while the positive control lipopolysaccharide did. The effect of the drug on the skin was examined in an irritative dermatitis model where the change in the thickness of the ears following PAF application was found to be the same as in control and significantly less than when treated with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate used as positive control. Since no toxic effects of PAF were found in intranasal application, our result is the first step for introducing PAF as potential antifungal drug in therapy.

Genomic differences in the background of different severity in juvenile-onset respiratory papillomatoses associated with human papillomavirus type 11.

This study aimed to compare complete genome sequences of human papillomavirus (HPV) type 11 from two solitary papillomas (considered minimally aggressive), two moderately (six and nine episodes) and two highly aggressive (30 and 33 episodes) juvenile-onset respiratory papillomatoses. Genomic regions were sequenced using the Sanger method; sequences were compared to available GenBank genomes. Activity of the long control region (LCR) was assessed in HEp-2 cell line using luciferase assays and compared to that of the reference (GenBank Accession Number M14119). Site-directed mutagenesis was performed to confirm the association of polymorphisms with differences in LCR activity. Eleven alterations resulted in amino acid changes in different open reading frames. A72E in E1 and Q86K in E2 proteins were exclusively present in a moderately aggressive disease, L1 alterations A476V and S486F were unique to a severe papillomatosis. HPV11s in both solitary papillomas had identical LCRs containing a T7546C polymorphism, which strongly attenuated LCR activity, as confirmed by site-directed mutagenesis. This strong attenuator polymorphism was also present in the other four genomes showing significantly higher activities, but in these other alterations with demonstrable but statistically not significant attenuating (A7413C, 7509 T deletion) or enhancing (C7479T, T7904A) effect on transactivating potential (as demonstrated by site-directed mutagenesis) were also detected. LCR activities corresponded well to severity, excepting the highly aggressive papillomatosis with the L1 alterations. Presence of intratypic variants cannot explain differences in severity of respiratory papillomatoses associated with HPV11; virulence seems to be determined by the interaction of multiple genetic differences.

Prevention of Chronic Morbidities in Extremely Premature Newborns with LISA-nCPAP Respiratory Therapy and Adjuvant Perinatal Strategies.

Less invasive surfactant administration techniques, together with nasal continuous airway pressure (LISA-nCPAP) ventilation, an emerging noninvasive ventilation (NIV) technique in neonatology, are gaining more significance, even in extremely premature newborns (ELBW), under 27 weeks of gestational age. In this review, studies on LISA-nCPAP are compiled with an emphasis on short- and long-term morbidities associated with prematurity. Several perinatal preventative and therapeutic investigations are also discussed in order to start integrated therapies as numerous organ-saving techniques in addition to lung-protective ventilations. Two thirds of immature newborns can start their lives on NIV, and one third of them never need mechanical ventilation. With adjuvant intervention, these ratios are expected to be increased, resulting in better outcomes. Optimized cardiopulmonary transition, especially physiologic cord clamping, could have an additively beneficial effect on patient outcomes gained from NIV. Organ development and angiogenesis are strictly linked not only in the immature lung and retina, but also possibly in the kidney, and optimized interventions using angiogenic growth factors could lead to better morbidity-free survival. Corticosteroids, caffeine, insulin, thyroid hormones, antioxidants, N-acetylcysteine, and, moreover, the immunomodulatory components of mother's milk are also discussed as adjuvant treatments, since immature newborns deserve more complex neonatal interventions.

Overview on hydrogen sulfide-mediated suppression of vascular calcification and hemoglobin/heme-mediated vascular damage in atherosclerosis.

Vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques with hemorrhage considerably contribute to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Calcification is the main characteristic of advanced atherosclerotic lesions and calcified aortic valve disease (CAVD). Lyses of red blood cells and hemoglobin (Hb) release occur in human hemorrhagic complicated lesions. During the interaction of cell-free Hb with plaque constituents, Hb is oxidized to ferric and ferryl states accompanied by oxidative changes of the globin moieties and heme release. Accumulation of both ferryl-Hb and metHb has been observed in atherosclerotic plaques. The oxidation hotspots in the globin chain are the cysteine and tyrosine amino acids associated with the generation of Hb dimers, tetramers and polymers. Moreover, fragmentation of Hb occurs leading to the formation of globin-derived peptides. A series of these pro-atherogenic cellular responses can be suppressed by hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Since H2S has been explored to exhibit a wide range of physiologic functions to maintain vascular homeostasis, it is not surprising that H2S may play beneficial effects in the progression of atherosclerosis. In the present review, we summarize the findings about the effects of H2S on atherosclerosis and CAVD with a special emphasis on the oxidation of Hb/heme in atherosclerotic plaque development and vascular calcification.

Dominance of variant A in human herpesvirus 6 viraemia after renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), mostly variant B reactivation in renal transplant patients has been published by other authors, but the pathogenetic role of HHV-6 variant A has not been clarified. Our aims were to examine the prevalence of HHV-6, to determine the variants, and to investigate the interaction between HHV-6 viraemia, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection and clinical symptoms. METHODS: Variant-specific HHV-6 nested PCR and quantitative real-time PCR were used to examine blood samples from renal transplant patients and healthy blood donors for the presence and load of HHV-6 DNA and to determine the variants. Active HHV-6 infection was proved by RT-PCR, and active HCMV infection was diagnosed by pp65 antigenaemia test. RESULTS: HHV-6 viraemia was significantly more frequent in renal transplant patients compared to healthy blood donors (9/200 vs. 0/200; p = 0.004), while prevalence of HHV-6 latency was not significantly different (13/200 vs. 19/200; p > 0.05). Dominance of variant A was revealed in viraemias (8/9), and the frequency of HHV-6A was significantly higher in active infections compared with latency in renal transplant patients (8/9 vs. 2/13; p = 0.0015). Latency was established predominantly by HHV-6B both in renal transplant patients and in healthy blood donors (11/13 and 18/19). There was no statistical significant difference in occurrence of HCMV and HHV-6 viraemia in renal transplant patients (7/200 vs. 9/200). Statistical analysis did not reveal interaction between HHV-6 viraemia and clinical symptoms in our study. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to previous publications HHV-6A viraemia was found to be predominant in renal transplant patients. Frequency of variant A was significantly higher in cases of active infection then in latency.

Heme cytotoxicity is the consequence of endoplasmic reticulum stress in atherosclerotic plaque progression.

Hemorrhage and hemolysis with subsequent heme release are implicated in many pathologies. Endothelial cells (ECs) encounter large amount of free heme after hemolysis and are at risk of damage from exogenous heme. Here we show that hemorrhage aggravates endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in human carotid artery plaques compared to healthy controls or atheromas without hemorrhage as demonstrated by RNA sequencing and immunohistochemistry. In EC cultures, heme also induces ER stress. In contrast, if cultured ECs are pulsed with heme arginate, cells become resistant to heme-induced ER (HIER) stress that is associated with heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and ferritin induction. Knocking down HO-1, HO-2, biliverdin reductase, and ferritin show that HO-1 is the ultimate cytoprotectant in acute HIER stress. Carbon monoxide-releasing molecules (CORMs) but not bilirubin protects cultured ECs from HIER stress via HO-1 induction, at least in part. Knocking down HO-1 aggravates heme-induced cell death that cannot be counterbalanced with any known cell death inhibitors. We conclude that endothelium and perhaps other cell types can be protected from HIER stress by induction of HO-1, and heme-induced cell death occurs via HIER stress that is potentially involved in the pathogenesis of diverse pathologies with hemolysis and hemorrhage including atherosclerosis.

Ferryl Hemoglobin Inhibits Osteoclastic Differentiation of Macrophages in Hemorrhaged Atherosclerotic Plaques.

Intraplaque hemorrhage frequently occurs in atherosclerotic plaques resulting in cell-free hemoglobin, which is oxidized to ferryl hemoglobin (FHb) in the highly oxidative environment. Osteoclast-like cells (OLCs) derived from macrophages signify a counterbalance mechanism for calcium deposition in atherosclerosis. Our aim was to investigate whether oxidized hemoglobin alters osteoclast formation, thereby affecting calcium removal from mineralized atherosclerotic lesions. RANKL- (receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand-) induced osteoclastogenic differentiation and osteoclast activity of RAW264.7 cells were studied in response to oxidized hemoglobin via assessing bone resorption activity, expression of osteoclast-specific genes, and the activation of signalization pathways. OLCs in diseased human carotid arteries were assessed by immunohistochemistry. FHb, but not ferrohemoglobin, decreased bone resorption activity and inhibited osteoclast-specific gene expression (tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, calcitonin receptor, and dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein) induced by RANKL. In addition, FHb inhibited osteoclastogenic signaling pathways downstream of RANK (receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β). It prevented the induction of TRAF6 (tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor 6) and c-Fos, phosphorylation of p-38 and JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase), and nuclear translocation of NFκB (nuclear factor kappa-Β) and NFATc1 (nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1). These effects were independent of heme oxygenase-1 demonstrated by knocking down HO-1 gene in RAW264.7 cells and in mice. Importantly, FHb competed with RANK for RANKL binding suggesting possible mechanisms by which FHb impairs osteoclastic differentiation. In diseased human carotid arteries, OLCs were abundantly present in calcified plaques and colocalized with regions of calcium deposition, while the number of these cells were lower in hemorrhagic lesions exhibiting accumulation of FHb despite calcium deposition. We conclude that FHb inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclastic differentiation of macrophages and suggest that accumulation of FHb in a calcified area of atherosclerotic lesion with hemorrhage retards the formation of OLCs potentially impairing calcium resorption.

Investigation of the occurrence of torque tenovirus in malignant and potentially malignant disorders associated with human papillomavirus.

In a previous pilot study, a significantly poorer outcome of laryngeal cancer was found in patients co-infected with human papillomavirus (HPV) and genogroup 1 torque tenovirus (TTV). The present study aimed to collect data on the overall prevalence of TTVs on the prevalence of genogroup 1 TTV in two other malignancies associated with HPV, oral squamous cell cancer and cervical cancer, and in oral and cervical premalignant lesions (oral lichen planus, oral leukoplakia, cervical atypia). Oral samples from all patients were accompanied with a sample from the healthy mucosa. The overall prevalence of TTV was significantly higher both in oral squamous cell cancer and cervical cancer compared with other patient groups or with the respective controls. The prevalence of genogroup 1 TTV was significantly higher in lesions of oral squamous cell cancer and oral lichen planus, but not in lesions of oral leukoplakia (24.6%, 10.1%, and 4.5%, respectively), compared with the prevalence in the oral cavity of controls (1.4%). Co-infection rates with genogroup 1 TTV and HPV were significantly higher in oral squamous cell cancer than in controls, oral lichen planus or oral leukoplakia patients (12.3%, 0.0%, 6.7%, and 4.5%, respectively). The prevalence of genogroup 1 TTV in all cervical samples were comparable. These data suggest that genogroup 1 TTV may be associated specifically with some head and neck mucosal disorders, but disproves a (co)carcinogenic role in oral cancer or cervical cancer as well as an association with HPV or with malignancies associated with HPV.

Epstein-Barr virus prevalence in oral squamous cell cancer and in potentially malignant oral disorders in an eastern Hungarian population.

We tested 65, 44, and 116 patients with oral squamous cell cancer (OSCC), oral leukoplakia (OL), and oral lichen planus (OLP) against 68 age-matched controls for the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Apparently healthy mucosa was simultaneously sampled and examined in all patients. Paraffin-embedded tissue sections of all EBV-positive patients with OSCC were examined for latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1) expression (demonstrable in most EBV-associated malignancies) using immunohistochemistry. The prevalence of EBV in the controls and in OSCC, OL, and OLP lesions was 19.1%, 73.8%, 29.5%, and 46.6%, respectively, and 66.2%, 22.7%, and 31.9% in the healthy mucosa of patients, respectively. The prevalence of EBV in OSCC patients was significantly higher than in controls or in respective samples of the other two patient groups both in the lesion and in the healthy mucosa. Comparisons including only patients with EBV-negative lesions yielded similar results. Lesions of patients with OLP, but not of patients with OL, differed significantly from controls in EBV prevalence. In OSCC, LMP-1 expression was not detected, and EBV carriage was not significantly associated with any risk factors and did not influence the outcome. Although a high prevalence of EBV was found in OSCC, comparable carriage rates on healthy mucosa of patients indicated that an aetiological role of EBV is unlikely.

Zinc Inhibits HIF-Prolyl Hydroxylase Inhibitor-Aggravated VSMC Calcification Induced by High Phosphate.

Vascular calcification is a life-threatening clinical condition in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is associated with reduced zinc serum levels. Anemia is another frequent complication of CKD. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) stabilizers, also known as HIF prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors (PHI), are promising candidates to treat CKD-associated anemia by increasing erythropoietin synthesis. Recent evidence suggests that HIFs play a pivotal role in vascular calcification. Our study explored feasible impacts of HIF PHI on phosphate (Pi)-induced calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and tested whether zinc might inhibit this mineralization process. Treatment of VSMCs with PHI aggravated Pi-induced calcium deposition and Pi uptake. PHI promoted Pi-induced loss of smooth muscle cell markers (ACTA-2, MYH11, SM22α) and enhanced osteochondrogenic gene expression (Msx-2, BMP-2, Sp7) triggering osteochondrogenic phenotypic switch of VSMCs. These effects of PHI paralleled with increased pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) expression, decreased Runx2 Ser451 phosphorylation, and reduced cell viability. Zinc inhibited Pi-induced mineralization of VSMCs in a dose-dependent manner and also attenuated the pro-calcification effect of PHI in Pi-induced mineralization. Zinc inhibited osteochondrogenic phenotypic switch of VSMCs reflected by lowering Pi uptake, decreasing the expressions of Msx-2, BMP-2, and Sp7 as well as the loss of smooth muscle cell-specific markers. Zinc preserved phosphorylation state of Runx2 Ser451, decreased PDK4 level, and restored cell viability. PHI alone reduced the expression of smooth muscle markers without inducing mineralization, which was also inhibited by zinc. In addition, we observed a significantly lower serum zinc level in CKD as well as in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy compared to healthy individuals. Conclusion - PHI promoted the loss of smooth muscle markers and augmented Pi-induced osteochondrogenic phenotypic switch leading to VSMCs calcification. This mineralization process was attenuated by zinc. Enhanced vascular calcification is a potential risk factor during PHI therapy in CKD which necessitates the strict follow up of vascular calcification and zinc supplementation.

Follow-up of HPV DNA copy number in cidofovir therapy of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

BACKGROUND: Cidofovir is a cytosine nucleoside analogue antiviral drug given as an adjuvant therapy in recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Intralesional cidofovir therapy was given to a 14-year-old male patient. The papilloma severity score (PSS) of Derkay et al. was used for follow-up. Serial fresh-frozen biopsies were taken from the lesions in the larynx and soft palate prior to therapy and during its course. After human papillomavirus (HPV) typing and the determination of the genomic physical state, the HPV DNA copy number was estimated with real-time PCR. RESULTS: All the papillomas harboured HPV 11 DNA in episomal form. Prior to therapy, the HPV copy number fluctuated with time. In the initial treatment period with 2-week-intervals both the viral load and the PSS decreased and a transient complete remission was observed. Subsequently, when the injections were given at longer intervals, the viral load returned to the initial values or greated, fluctuations reappeared and the RRP recurred at a controlled rate. CONCLUSION: The initial treatment period was successful, as the viral load decreased, and long-term effects of cidofovir might account for the controlled disease as the injection intervals were prolonged.

Heme Induces Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress (HIER Stress) in Human Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells.

Accumulation of damaged or misfolded proteins resulted from oxidative protein modification induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by activating the pathways of unfolded protein response. In pathologic hemolytic conditions, extracellular free hemoglobin is submitted to rapid oxidation causing heme release. Resident cells of atherosclerotic lesions, after intraplaque hemorrhage, are exposed to heme leading to oxidative injury. Therefore, we raised the question whether heme can also provoke ER stress. Smooth muscle cells are one of the key players of atherogenesis; thus, human aortic smooth muscle cells (HAoSMCs) were selected as a model cell to reveal the possible link between heme and ER stress. Using immunoblotting, quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemistry, we quantitated the markers of ER stress. These were: phosphorylated eIF2α, Activating transcription factor-4 (ATF4), DNA-damage-inducible transcript 3 (also known as C/EBP homology protein, termed CHOP), X-box binding protein-1 (XBP1), Activating transcription factor-6 (ATF6), GRP78 (glucose-regulated protein, 78kDa) and heme responsive genes heme oxygenase-1 and ferritin. In addition, immunohistochemistry was performed on human carotid artery specimens from patients who had undergone carotid endarterectomy. We demonstrate that heme increases the phosphorylation of eiF2α in HAoSMCs and the expression of ATF4. Heme also enhances the splicing of XBP1 and the proteolytic cleavage of ATF6. Consequently, there is up-regulation of target genes increasing both mRNA and protein levels of CHOP and GRP78. However, TGFß and collagen type I decreased. When the heme binding proteins, alpha-1-microglobulin (A1M) and hemopexin (Hpx) are present in cell media, the ER stress provoked by heme is inhibited. ER stress pathways are also retarded by the antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) indicating that reactive oxygen species are involved in heme-induced ER stress. Consistent with these findings, elevated expression of the ER stress marker GRP78 and CHOP were observed in smooth muscle cells of complicated lesions with hemorrhage compared to either atheromas or healthy arteries. In conclusion, heme triggers ER stress in a time- and dose-dependent manner in HAoSMCs. A1M and Hpx as well as NAC effectively hamper heme-induced ER stress, supporting their use as a potential therapeutic approach to reverse such a deleterious effects of heme toxicity.

Optimization of desferrioxamine E production by Streptomyces parvulus.

Siderophores are produced by a number of microbes to capture iron with outstandingly high affinity, which property also generates biomedical and industrial interests. Desferrioxamine E (DFO-E) secreted by streptomycetes bacteria can be an ideal candidate for iron chelation therapy, which necessitates its cost-effective production for in vitro and animal studies. This study focused on the optimization of DFO-E production by Streptomyces parvulus CBS548.68. Different combinations of various carbon and nitrogen sources as well as the addition of 3-morpholinopropane-1-sulfonic acid (MOPS) markedly affected DFO-E yields, which were attributed, at least in part, to the higher biomass productions found in MOPS-supplemented cultures. In MOPS-supplemented glucose and sodium glutamate medium, DFO-E productions as high as 2,009 ± 90 mg/l of culture medium were reached. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis demonstrated that a simple two-step purification process yielded DFO-E preparations with purities of ∼97%. Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry analysis showed that purified DFO-E always contained traces of desferrioxamine D2.

Application of a low molecular weight antifungal protein from Penicillium chrysogenum (PAF) to treat pulmonary aspergillosis in mice.

PAF, a small antifungal protein from Penicillium chrysogenum, inhibits the growth of several pathogenic filamentous fungi, including members of the Aspergillus genus. PAF has been proven to have no toxic effects in vivo in mice by intranasal application. To test its efficacy against invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), experiments were carried out in mice suffering from IPA. Adult mice were immunosuppressed and then infected with Aspergillus fumigatus. After stable infection, the animals were inoculated with PAF intranasally at a concentration of 2.7 mg/kg twice per day. At this concentration-which is highly toxic in vitro to A. fumigatus-the mortality of the animals was slightly delayed but finally all animals died. Histological examinations revealed massive fungal infections in the lungs of both PAF-treated and untreated animal groups. Because intranasally administered PAF was unable to overcome IPA, modified and combined therapies were introduced. The intraperitoneal application of PAF in animals with IPA prolonged the survival of the animals only 1 day. Similar results were obtained with amphotericin B (AMB), with PAF and AMB being equally effective. Combined therapy with AMB and PAF-which are synergistic in vitro-was found to be more effective than either AMB or PAF treatment alone. As no toxic effects of PAF in mammals have been described thus far, and, moreover, there are so far no A. fumigatus strains with reported inherent or acquired PAF resistance, it is worth carrying out further studies to introduce PAF as a potential antifungal drug in human therapy.