PATJ inhibits histone deacetylase 7 to control tight junction formation and cell polarity.

The conserved multiple PDZ-domain containing protein PATJ stabilizes the Crumbs-Pals1 complex to regulate apical-basal polarity and tight junction formation in epithelial cells. However, the molecular mechanism of PATJ's function in these processes is still unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that knockout of PATJ in epithelial cells results in tight junction defects as well as in a disturbed apical-basal polarity and impaired lumen formation in three-dimensional cyst assays. Mechanistically, we found PATJ to associate with and inhibit histone deacetylase 7 (HDAC7). Inhibition or downregulation of HDAC7 restores polarity and lumen formation. Gene expression analysis of PATJ-deficient cells revealed an impaired expression of genes involved in cell junction assembly and membrane organization, which is rescued by the downregulation of HDAC7. Notably, the function of PATJ regulating HDAC7-dependent cilia formation does not depend on its canonical interaction partner, Pals1, indicating a new role of PATJ, which is distinct from its function in the Crumbs complex. By contrast, polarity and lumen phenotypes observed in Pals1- and PATJ-deficient epithelial cells can be rescued by inhibition of HDAC7, suggesting that the main function of this polarity complex in this process is to modulate the transcriptional profile of epithelial cells by inhibiting HDAC7.

Role of Mouse Organic Cation Transporter 2 for Nephro- and Peripheral Neurotoxicity Induced by Chemotherapeutic Treatment with Cisplatin.

Cisplatin (CDDP) is an efficient chemotherapeutic agent broadly used to treat solid cancers. Chemotherapy with CDDP can cause significant unwanted side effects such as renal toxicity and peripheral neurotoxicity. CDDP is a substrate of organic cation transporters (OCT), transporters that are highly expressed in renal tissue. Therefore, CDDP uptake by OCT may play a role in causing unwanted toxicities of CDDP anticancer treatment. In this study, the contribution of the mouse OCT2 (mOCT2) to CDDP nephro- and peripheral neurotoxicity was investigated by comparing the effects of cyclic treatment with low doses of CDDP on renal and neurological functions in wild-type (WT) mice and mice with genetic deletion of OCT2 (OCT2-/- mice). This CDDP treatment protocol caused significant impairment of kidneys and peripherical neurological functions in WT mice. These effects were significantly reduced in OCT2-/- mice, however, less profoundly than what was previously measured in mice with genetic deletion of both OCT1 and 2 (OCT1-2-/- mice). Comparing the apparent affinities (IC50) of mOCT1 and mOCT2 for CDDP, the mOCT1 displayed a higher affinity for CDDP than the mOCT2 (IC50: 9 and 558 µM, respectively). Also, cellular toxicity induced by incubation with 100 µM CDDP was more pronounced in cells stably expressing mOCT1 than in cells expressing mOCT2. Therefore, in mice, CDDP uptake by both OCT1 and 2 contributes to the development of CDDP undesired side effects. OCT seem to be suitable targets for establishing treatment protocols aimed at decreasing unwanted CDDP toxicity and improving anticancer treatment with CDDP.

A SEC61A1 variant is associated with autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Autosomal dominant polycystic liver and kidney disease is a spectrum of hereditary diseases, which display disturbed function of primary cilia leading to cyst formation. In autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease a genetic cause can be determined in almost all cases. However, in isolated polycystic liver disease (PLD) about half of all cases remain genetically unsolved, suggesting more, so far unidentified genes to be implicated in this disease. METHODS: Customized next-generation sequencing was used to identify the underlying pathogenesis in two related patients with PLD. A variant identified in SEC61A1 was further analysed in immortalized patients' urine sediment cells and in an epithelial cell model. RESULTS: In both patients, a heterozygous missense change (c.706C>T/p.Arg236Cys) was found in SEC61A1, which encodes for a subunit of the translocation machinery of protein biosynthesis at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). While kidney disease is absent in the proposita, her mother displays an atypical polycystic kidney phenotype with severe renal failure. In immortalized urine sediment cells, mutant SEC61A1 is expressed at reduced levels, resulting in decreased levels of polycystin-2 (PC2). In an epithelial cell culture model, we found the proteasomal degradation of mutant SEC61A1 to be increased, whereas its localization to the ER is not affected. CONCLUSIONS: Our data expand the allelic and clinical spectrum for SEC61A1, adding PLD as a new and the major phenotypic trait in the family described. We further demonstrate that mutant SEC61A1 results in enhanced proteasomal degradation and impaired biosynthesis of PC2.

Interaction of Masitinib with Organic Cation Transporters.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) such as Masitinib were reported to be useful as therapeutic options in malignant disorders and nonmalignant diseases, like coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Most kinases must be translocated into targeted cells by the action of specific transport proteins, as they are hydrophilic and not able to cross cell membranes freely. Accordingly, the efficacy of TKI in target cells is closely dependent on the expression of their transporters. Specifically, Masitinib is an organic cation and is expected to interact with organic cation transporters (OCT and Multidrug and Toxin Extrusion proteins-MATE-). The aim of this work was to characterize the interaction of Masitinib with different OCTs. Human embryonic kidney 293 cells stably transfected with murine or human OCT were used for the experiments. The interaction of Masitinib with OCTs was investigated using quenching experiments. The intracellular accumulation of this drug was quantified using high performance liquid chromatography. Our results identified interactions of Masitinib with almost all investigated mouse (m) and human (h) OCTs and hMATE1 and indicated OCT1 and hOCT2 to be especially potent Masitinib translocators across cell membranes. Interestingly, some important differences were observed for the interaction with murine and human OCTs. In the future, investigations concerning further in vitro and in vivo properties of Masitinib and its efficacy related to transporter-related uptake mechanisms under pathophysiological conditions should be performed. Clinical trials in humans and other animals with Masitinib have already shown promising results. However, further research is necessary to understand the disease specific transport mechanisms of Masitinib to contribute to a successful and responsible therapy employment.

Properties of Transport Mediated by the Human Organic Cation Transporter 2 Studied in a Polarized Three-Dimensional Epithelial Cell Culture Model.

The renal secretory clearance for organic cations (neurotransmitters, metabolism products and drugs) is mediated by transporters specifically expressed in the basolateral and apical plasma membrane domains of proximal tubule cells. Here, human organic cation transporter 2 (hOCT2) is the main transporter for organic cations in the basolateral membrane domain. In this study, we stably expressed hOCT2 in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells and cultivated these cells in the presence of an extracellular matrix to obtain three-dimensional (3D) structures (cysts). The transport properties of hOCT2 expressed in MDCK cysts were compared with those measured using human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) stably transfected with hOCT2 (hOCT2-HEK cells). In the MDCK cysts, hOCT2 was expressed in the basolateral membrane domain and showed a significant uptake of the fluorescent organic cation 4-(4-(dimethylamino)styryl)-N-methylpyridinium (ASP+) with an affinity (Km) of 3.6 ± 1.2 µM, similar to what was measured in the hOCT2-HEK cells (Km = 3.1 ± 0.2 µM). ASP+ uptake was inhibited by tetraethylammonium (TEA+), tetrapentylammonium (TPA+), metformin and baricitinib both in the hOCT2-HEK cells and the hOCT2- MDCK cysts, even though the apparent affinities of TEA+ and baricitinib were dependent on the expression system. Then, hOCT2 was subjected to the same rapid regulation by inhibition of p56lck tyrosine kinase or calmodulin in the hOCT2-HEK cells and hOCT2- MDCK cysts. However, inhibition of casein kinase II regulated only activity of hOCT2 expressed in MDCK cysts and not in HEK cells. Taken together, these results suggest that the 3D cell culture model is a suitable tool for the functional analysis of hOCT2 transport properties, depending on cell polarization.

Pals1 prevents Rac1-dependent colorectal cancer cell metastasis by inhibiting Arf6.

Loss of apical-basal polarity and downregulation of cell-cell contacts is a critical step during the pathogenesis of cancer. Both processes are regulated by the scaffolding protein Pals1, however, it is unclear whether the expression of Pals1 is affected in cancer cells and whether Pals1 is implicated in the pathogenesis of the disease.Using mRNA expression data and immunostainings of cancer specimen, we show that Pals1 is frequently downregulated in colorectal cancer, correlating with poorer survival of patients. We further found that Pals1 prevents cancer cell metastasis by controlling Rac1-dependent cell migration through inhibition of Arf6, which is independent of the canonical binding partners of Pals1. Loss of Pals1 in colorectal cancer cells results in increased Arf6 and Rac1 activity, enhanced cell migration and invasion in vitro and increased metastasis of transplanted tumor cells in mice. Thus, our data reveal a new function of Pals1 as a key inhibitor of cell migration and metastasis of colorectal cancer cells. Notably, this new function is independent of the known role of Pals1 in tight junction formation and apical-basal polarity.

An integrative approach to cisplatin chronic toxicities in mice reveals importance of organic cation-transporter-dependent protein networks for renoprotection.

Cisplatin (CDDP) is one of the most important chemotherapeutic drugs in modern oncology. However, its use is limited by severe toxicities, which impair life quality after cancer. Here, we investigated the role of organic cation transporters (OCT) in mediating toxicities associated with chronic (twice the week for 4 weeks) low-dose (4 mg/kg body weight) CDDP treatment (resembling therapeutic protocols in patients) of wild-type (WT) mice and mice with OCT genetic deletion (OCT1/2-/-). Functional and molecular analysis showed that OCT1/2-/- mice are partially protected from CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity and peripheral neurotoxicity, whereas ototoxicity was not detectable. Surprisingly, proteomic analysis of the kidneys demonstrated that genetic deletion of OCT1/2 itself was associated with significant changes in expression of proinflammatory and profibrotic proteins which are part of an OCT-associated protein network. This signature directly regulated by OCT consisted of three classes of proteins, viz., profibrotic proteins, proinflammatory proteins, and nutrient sensing molecules. Consistent with functional protection, CDDP-induced proteome changes were more severe in WT mice than in OCT1/2-/- mice. Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry analysis demonstrated that the presence of OCT was not associated with higher renal platinum concentrations. Taken together, these results redefine the role of OCT from passive membrane transporters to active modulators of cell signaling in the kidney.

Identification of the Tetraspanin CD9 as an Interaction Partner of Organic Cation Transporters 1 and 2.

Organic cation transporters (OCTs) are membrane proteins with relevant physiological (because they accept neurotransmitters as substrate) and pharmacological (because of their interaction with drugs) roles. The human OCTs hOCT1 (SLC22A1/hOCT1) and hOCT2 (SLC22A2/hOCT2) are highly expressed in hepatic (hOCT1) and in renal and neuronal tissue (hOCT2), suggesting a possible role in modulating neurotransmitter activity in the liver, kidney, and brain, and their clearance from the blood. Even though there are several data demonstrating that OCTs are regulated under various patho-physiological conditions, it remains largely unknown which proteins directly interact with OCTs and thereby influence their cellular processing, localization, and function. In this work, using a mating-based split-ubiquitin yeast two-hybrid system, we characterized the potential interactome of hOCT1 and 2. It became evident that these OCTs share some potential interaction partners, such as the tetraspanins CD63 and CD9. Moreover, we confirmed interaction of hOCT2 with CD9 by fluorescence-activated cell sorting coupled with Förster resonance energy transfer analysis. Together with other proteins, tetraspanins build "tetraspanins webs" in the plasma membrane, which are able to regulate cellular trafficking and compartmentalization of interacting partners. While CD63 was demonstrated to mediate the localization of the hOCT2 to the endosomal system, we show here that co-expression of hOCT2 and CD9 led to strong cell surface localization of the transporter. These data suggest that tetraspanins regulate the cellular localization and function of OCTs. Co-localization of CD9 and hOCT was confirmed in tissues endogenously expressing proteins, highlighting the potential biological relevance of this interaction.

Interaction of the New Monofunctional Anticancer Agent Phenanthriplatin With Transporters for Organic Cations.

Cancer treatment with platinum compounds is an important achievement of modern chemotherapy. However, despite the beneficial effects, the clinical impact of these agents is hampered by the development of drug resistance as well as dose-limiting side effects. The efficacy but also side effects of platinum complexes can be mediated by uptake through plasma membrane transporters. In the kidneys, plasma membrane transporters are involved in their secretion into the urine. Renal secretion is accomplished by uptake from the blood into the proximal tubules cells, followed by excretion into the urine. The uptake process is mediated mainly by organic cation transporters (OCT), which are expressed in the basolateral domain of the plasma membrane facing the blood. The excretion of platinum into the urine is mediated by exchange with protons via multidrug and toxin extrusion proteins (MATE) expressed in the apical domain of plasma membrane. Recently, the monofunctional, cationic platinum agent phenanthriplatin, which is able to escape common cellular resistance mechanisms, has been synthesized and investigated. In the present study, the interaction of phenanthriplatin with transporters for organic cations has been evaluated. Phenanthriplatin is a high affinity substrate for OCT2, but has a lower apparent affinity for MATEs. The presence of these transporters increased cytotoxicity of phenanthriplatin. Therefore, phenanthriplatin may be especially effective in the treatment of cancers that express OCTs, such as colon cancer cells. However, the interaction of phenanthriplatin with OCTs suggests that its use as chemotherapeutic agent may be complicated by OCT-mediated toxicity. Unlike cisplatin, phenanthriplatin interacts with high specificity with hMATE1 and hMATE2K in addition to hOCT2. This interaction may facilitate its efflux from the cells and thereby decrease overall efficacy and/or toxicity.

Tetraspanin CD63 controls basolateral sorting of organic cation transporter 2 in renal proximal tubules.

CD63 is a ubiquitously expressed member of the tetraspanin superfamily. Using a mating-based split-ubiquitin-yeast 2-hybrid system, pull-down experiments, total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, Förster resonance energy transfer, and biotinylation assays, we found that CD63 interacts with human organic cation transporter 2 (hOCT2), which transports endogenous and exogenous substrates, such as neurotransmitters and drugs in several epithelial cells. CD63 overexpression affects cellular localization of hOCT2 expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK)293 cells. Studies with CD63-knockout mice indicate that in renal proximal tubules, CD63 determines the insertion of the mouse ortholog of the transporter into the proper membrane domain and mediates transporter regulation by trafficking processes. In polarized Madin-Darby kidney canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells, CD63 and hOCT2 colocalize with the small GTPase Rab4, which controls the rapid recycling from sorting endosomes back to the cell surface. Suitable negative and positive control experiments were performed for each experimental approach. Empty vector transfected cells and wild-type mice were used as control. CD63 seems to play a role in the recycling of hOCT2 from endosomes to the basolateral membrane in polarized epithelia. These data indicate that CD63 has a previously uncharacterized function in regulating trafficking of specific membrane proteins in polarized cells.-Schulze, U., Brast, S., Grabner, A., Albiker, C., Snieder, B., Holle, S., Schlatter, E., Schröter, R., Pavenstädt, H., Herrmann, E., Lambert, C., Spoden, G. A., Florin, L., Saftig, P., Ciarimboli, G. Tetraspanin CD63 controls basolateral sorting of organic cation transporter 2 in renal proximal tubules.

Non-invasive imaging of acute allograft rejection after rat renal transplantation using 18F-FDG PET.

The number of patients with end-stage renal disease, and the number of kidney allograft recipients continuously increases. Episodes of acute cellular allograft rejection (AR) are a negative prognostic factor for long-term allograft survival, and its timely diagnosis is crucial for allograft function (1). At present, AR can only be definitely diagnosed by core-needle biopsy, which, as an invasive method, bares significant risk of graft injury or even loss. Moreover, biopsies are not feasible in patients taking anticoagulant drugs and the limited sampling site of this technique may result in false negative results if the AR is focal or patchy. As a consequence, this gave rise to an ongoing search for new AR detection methods, which often has to be done in animals including the use of various transplantation models. Since the early 60s rat renal transplantation is a well-established experimental method for the examination and analysis of AR (2). We herein present in addition small animal positron emission tomography (PET) using (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) to assess AR in an allogeneic uninephrectomized rat renal transplantation model and propose graft FDG-PET imaging as a new option for a non-invasive, specific and early diagnosis of AR also for the human situation (3). Further, this method can be applied for follow-up to improve monitoring of transplant rejection (4).

Potential of noninvasive serial assessment of acute renal allograft rejection by 18F-FDG PET to monitor treatment efficiency.

UNLABELLED: We propose (18)F-FDG PET as a method to monitor acute rejection of allogeneic renal transplants in a rat model. METHODS: Allogeneically transplanted (aTX) rats (binephrectomized Lewis-brown Norway to Lewis) served as the renal transplant model. aTX rats treated with cyclosporine A (CSA) served as a therapy monitoring group. Healthy control rats, rats with acute CSA nephrotoxicity, rats with acute tubular necrosis, syngeneically transplanted (sTX) rats, and aTX rats treated with CSA since postoperative day 0 served as controls. After surgery, renal glucose metabolism was assessed in vivo serially up to postoperative day 7 by performing small-animal PET 3 h after intravenous injection of 30 MBq of (18)F-FDG. Mean radioactivity (cps/mm(3) of tissue) was measured and the percentage injected dose calculated. Results were confirmed by histologic, functional, and autoradiographic analysis. RESULTS: Renal (18)F-FDG uptake was significantly elevated at postoperative day 4 in aTX rats, when compared with control, sTX, acute tubular necrosis, or CSA-treated rats (P < 0.05). In vivo (18)F-FDG uptake correlated with the results of autoradiography and with inflammatory infiltrates observed on histologic examination. Notably, (18)F-FDG PET assessed the response to therapy 48 h earlier than the time at which serum creatinine decreased and when histologic examination still showed signs of allograft rejection. In aTX rats, the CSA-susceptible graft infiltrate was dominated by activated cytotoxic T cells and monocytes/macrophages. CONCLUSION: (18)F-FDG PET is an option to noninvasively assess early response to therapy in rat renal allograft rejection.

Non-invasive imaging of acute renal allograft rejection in rats using small animal F-FDG-PET.

BACKGROUND: At present, renal grafts are the most common solid organ transplants world-wide. Given the importance of renal transplantation and the limitation of available donor kidneys, detailed analysis of factors that affect transplant survival are important. Despite the introduction of new and effective immunosuppressive drugs, acute cellular graft rejection (AR) is still a major risk for graft survival. Nowadays, AR can only be definitively by renal biopsy. However, biopsies carry a risk of renal transplant injury and loss. Most important, they can not be performed in patients taking anticoagulant drugs. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We present a non-invasive, entirely image-based method to assess AR in an allogeneic rat renal transplantation model using small animal positron emission tomography (PET) and (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). 3 h after i.v. injection of 30 MBq FDG into adult uni-nephrectomized, allogeneically transplanted rats, tissue radioactivity of renal parenchyma was assessed in vivo by a small animal PET-scanner (post operative day (POD) 1,2,4, and 7) and post mortem dissection. The mean radioactivity (cps/mm(3) tissue) as well as the percent injected dose (%ID) was compared between graft and native reference kidney. Results were confirmed by histological and autoradiographic analysis. Healthy rats, rats with acute CSA nephrotoxicity, with acute tubular necrosis, and syngeneically transplanted rats served as controls. FDG-uptake was significantly elevated only in allogeneic grafts from POD 1 on when compared to the native kidney (%ID graft POD 1: 0.54+/-0.06; POD 2: 0.58+/-0.12; POD 4: 0.81+/-0.06; POD 7: 0.77+/-0.1; CTR: 0.22+/-0.01, n = 3-28). Renal FDG-uptake in vivo correlated with the results obtained by micro-autoradiography and the degree of inflammatory infiltrates observed in histology. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: We propose that graft FDG-PET imaging is a new option to non-invasively, specifically, early detect, and follow-up acute renal rejection. This method is potentially useful to improve post-transplant rejection monitoring.

Protective role of NHE-3 inhibition in rat renal transplantation undergoing acute rejection.

Acute rejection in renal transplantation disturbs solute and volume maintenance in humans accompanied by delayed graft function and poor prognosis. We recently reported that decreased expression and function of Na+/H+ exchanger type 3 (NHE-3) in proximal tubules and epithelial Na+ channels and aquaporin 2 in collecting ducts are major mechanisms involved in Na+ and water imbalances shortly after transplantation in rat undergoing acute rejection. We performed kidney transplantations in rats with bilaterally nephrectomized recipients with acute rejection and, in addition, systemically administered a specific inhibitor of NHE-3 (NHE-I). NHE inhibition in acute renal failure was shown to improve tubular function and recovery. The aim of this therapy was to reduce energy consumption of the graft and preserve NHE-3 function. Imbalances in electrolyte excretion declined in NHE-I-treated animals and NHE-3 activity was preserved. Observed NHE-I-dependent changes in electrolyte excretion, polyuria, and reduced protein reabsorption in the acute postoperative phase are predictors of favorable graft outcome in humans.

Acute rejection after rat renal transplantation leads to downregulation of NA+ and water channels in the collecting duct.

Renal transplantation is associated with alterations of tubular functions and of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. The underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms are unclear. We used an allogeneic rat renal transplantation model of acute rejection with and without immunosuppression by cyclosporine A (CsA) and a syngeneic model as control. Uninephrectomized Lewis or Lewis-Brown-Norway (LBN) rats received a kidney from LBN-rats. Renal transporters and receptors were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, semiquantitative RT-PCR and Western-blot analysis. Intracellular Na(+) was analyzed microfluorimetrically in isolated cortical collecting ducts. mRNA expression and function of the epithelial Na(+)-channel (ENaC) and mRNA and protein expression of the water-channel AQP2 were downregulated in transplanted kidneys undergoing rejection. Expression of the serum- and glucocorticoid-kinase (Sgk1) was decreased and that of the ubiquitin-protein ligase Nedd4-2 was increased. These changes were absent under CsA-therapy and in syngeneic model. Expression and function of the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, expression of the secretory K(+)-channel and of the mineralocorticoid receptor remained unchanged. Reduced ENaC function is likely due to decreased Sgk1- and increased Nedd4-2 mRNA expression leading to reduced ENaC expression in the membrane. These acute downregulations of ENaC and AQP2 may be triggered to reduce energy consumption in the distal nephron to protect the kidney immediately after transplantation.