Familial colorectal cancer and tooth agenesis caused by an AXIN2 variant: how do we detect families with rare cancer predisposition syndromes?

We present a three-generation family with an AXIN2 variant and a family history of colorectal cancer (CRC), colon polyps and tooth agenesis. A likely pathogenic variant was detected in the AXIN2 gene (c.1994dup; p.(Asn666Glnfs*41)). This variant has previously been associated with tooth agenesis and polyposis, only. In this case report we describe eight carriers with tooth agenesis and variable clinical findings, including polyps and CRC. Our case provides additional knowledge to the sparse data on genotype-phenotype association related to AXIN2 associated cancer syndrome. Further, our case highlights the importance of analysing an extended CRC and oligodontia/ectodermal dysplasia gene panel including AXIN2 but also raises awareness and discussion about appropriate surveillance program.

Changes in urinary excretion of water and sodium transporters during amiloride and bendroflumethiazide treatment.

AIM: To quantify changes in urinary excretion of aquaporin2 water channels (u-AQP2), the sodium-potassium-chloride co-transporter (u-NKCC2) and the epithelial sodium channels (u-ENaC) during treatment with bendroflumethiazide (BFTZ), amiloride and placebo. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, 3-way crossover study we examined 23 healthy subjects on a standardized diet and fluid intake. The subjects were treated with amiloride 5 mg, BFTZ 1.25 mg or placebo twice a day for 4.5 d before each examination day. On the examination day, glomerular filtration rate was measured by the constant infusion clearance technique with (51)Cr-EDTA as reference substance. To estimate the changes in water transport via AQP2 and sodium transport via NKCC2 and ENaC, u-NKCC2, the gamma fraction of ENaC (u-ENaCγ), and u-AQP2 were measured at baseline and after infusion with 3% hypertonic saline. U-NKCC2, u-ENaCγ, u-AQP2 and plasma concentrations of vasopressin (p-AVP), renin (PRC), angiotensin II (p-ANG II) and aldosterone (p-Aldo) were measured, by radioimmunoassay. Central blood pressure was estimated by applanation tonometry and body fluid volumes were estimated by bio-impedance spectroscopy. General linear model with repeated measures or related samples Friedman's two-way analysis was used to compare differences. Post hoc Bonferroni correction was used for multiple comparisons of post infusion periods to baseline within each treatment group. RESULTS: At baseline there were no differences in u-NKCC2, u-ENaCγ and u-AQP2. PRC, p-Ang II and p-Aldo were increased during active treatments (P < 0.001). After hypertonic saline, u-NKCC2 increased during amiloride (6% ± 34%; P = 0.081) and increased significantly during placebo (17% ± 24%; P = 0.010). U-AQP2 increased significantly during amiloride (31% ± 22%; P < 0.001) and placebo (34% ± 27%; P < 0.001), while u-NKCC2 and u-AQP2 did not change significantly during BFTZ (-7% ± 28%; P = 0.257 and 5% ± 16%; P = 0.261). U- ENaCγ increased in all three groups (P < 0.050). PRC, AngII and p-Aldo decreased to the same extent, while AVP increased, but to a smaller degree during BFTZ (P = 0.048). cDBP decreased significantly during BFTZ (P < 0.001), but not during amiloride or placebo. There were no significant differences in body fluid volumes. CONCLUSION: After hypertonic saline, u-NKCC2 and u-AQP2 increased during amiloride, but not during BFTZ. Lower p-AVP during BFTZ potentially caused less stimulation of NKCC2 and AQP2 and subsequent lower reabsorption of water and sodium.

Effect of nebivolol on renal nitric oxide availability and tubular function in patients with essential hypertension.

AIMS: Nebivolol is a selective ß1 -receptor antagonist with vasodilating properties. In patients with essential hypertension, we tested the hypothesis that nebivolol increases systemic and renal nitric oxide (NO) availability using L-N(G) -monomethyl arginine (L-NMMA) as an inhibitor of NO production. METHODS: In a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study, patients with essential hypertension were treated with nebivolol for five days, along with a standardized diet and fluid intake. We examined the acute effects of systemic NO synthase inhibition with L-NMMA on brachial blood pressure (bBP), pulse wave velocity (PWV) and central blood pressure (cBP) estimated by applanation tonometry, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), fractional excretion of sodium (FENa ), urinary excretion of both aquaporin-2 (u-AQP2) and epithelial sodium channels (u-ENaCγ ), and plasma concentrations of nitrate/nitrite (p-NOx ) and vasoactive hormones after five days' treatment with placebo and nebivolol. RESULTS: Nebivolol significantly reduced PWV, bBP, cBP and plasma renin, angiotensin II and aldosterone concentrations. The renal parameters, p-NOx and plasma arginine vasopressin concentration were not changed by nebivolol. There was no difference between nebivolol and placebo in the response to L-NMMA, with LMMA inducing a similar increase in PWV, bBP and cBP and a similar decrease in GFR, uAQP2 and u-ENaCγ and FENa [mean change -0.62% (95% confidence interval {CI} -0.40 to -0.84) during placebo vs. -0.57% (95% CI -0.46 to -0.68; P = 0.564) during nebivolol treatment]. Vasoactive hormones were changed to a similar extend by L-NMMA during administration of nebivolol and placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Nebivolol did not change p-NOx , and inhibition of NO synthesis induced the same response in blood pressure, GFR, renal tubular function and vasoactive hormones during nebivolol and placebo. Thus, the data did not support the hypothesis that nebivolol changes vascular and renal NO availability in patients with essential hypertension.

Abnormal urinary excretion of NKCC2 and AQP2 in response to hypertonic saline in chronic kidney disease: an intervention study in patients with chronic kidney disease and healthy controls.

BACKGROUND: Renal handling of sodium and water is abnormal in chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that abnormal activity of the aquaporin-2 water channels (AQP2), the sodium-potassium-2chloride transporter (NKCC2) and/or the epithelial sodium channels (ENaC) contribute to this phenomenon. METHODS: 23 patients with CKD and 24 healthy controls at baseline and after 3% saline infusion were compared. The following measurements were performed: urinary concentrations of AQP2 (u-AQP2), NKCC2 (u-NKCC2), ENaC (u-ENaCγ), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimated by 51Cr-EDTA clearance, free water clearance (CH2O), urinary output (UO), fractional excretion of sodium (FENa), plasma concentrations of AVP, renin (PRC), Angiotensin II (ANG II), Aldosterone (Aldo) and body fluid volumes. RESULTS: At baseline, GFR was 34 ml/min in CKD patients and 89 ml/ml in controls. There were no significant differences in u-AQP2, u-NKCC2 or u-ENaCγ, but FENa, p-Aldo and p-AVP were higher in CKD patients than controls. In response to hypertonic saline, patients with CKD had an attenuated decrease in CH2O and UO. A greater increase in U-AQP2 was observed in CKD patients compared to controls. Furthermore, u-NKCC2 increased in CKD patients, whereas u-NKCC2 decreased in controls. Body fluid volumes did not significantly differ. CONCLUSIONS: In response to hypertonic saline, u-NKCC2 increased, suggesting an increased sodium reabsorption via NKCC2 in patients with CKD. U-AQP2 increased more in CKD patients, despite an attenuated decrease in CH2O. Thus, though high levels of p-AVP and p-Aldo, the kidneys can only partly compensate and counteract acute volume expansion due to a defective tubular response. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trial no: NCT01623661. Date of trial registration: 18.06.2012.

Effect of atorvastatin on renal NO availability and tubular function in patients with stage II-III chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Statins have beneficial effects on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality independently of reduction of plasma cholesterol. PURPOSE AND METHODS: In patients with type 2 diabetes and nephropathy, chronic kidney disease stage II-III, we tested the hypothesis that atorvastatin increased systemic and renal nitric oxide (NO) availability using L-NMMA as an inhibitor of NO production. We performed a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study, using atorvastatin/placebo treatment for five days with a standardized diet and fluid intake. We measured brachial BP (bBP), central BP (cBP), GFR, urinary output (OU), free water clearance (CH2O), fractional excretion of sodium (FENa), urinary excretion of albumin (UAER and UACR), AQP2 (u-AQP2) and ENaC (u-ENaCγ) and plasma concentrations of vasoactive hormones: renin, angiotensin II, aldosterone, arginine vasopressin, endothelin-1 and brain natriuretic peptide. RESULTS: During atorvastatin and placebo treatment, L-NMMA infusion, changed the effect variables significantly, but to the same extent, i.e. an increase in bBP and cBP, and a decrease in GFR, OU, CH2O, FENa, u-AQP2 and u-ENaCγ. In addition, renin and angiotensin II was reduced, aldosterone increased, and vasopressin, endothelin-1 and brain natriuretic hormone unchanged. CONCLUSION: During, atorvastatin and placebo treatment, inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis induced the same response in brachial and central blood pressure, GFR, renal tubular function and vasoactive hormones. Thus, atorvastatin did not change nitric oxide availability in type 2 diabetics with nephropathy.

Effect of volume expansion with hypertonic- and isotonic saline and isotonic glucose on sodium and water transport in the principal cells in the kidney.

BACKGROUND: The renal distal nephron plays an important role in the maintenance of sodium balance, extra cellular volume and blood pressure. The degree of water transport, via aquaporin2 water channels (AQP2), and sodium transport, via epithelial sodium channels (ENaC) in renal collecting duct principal cells are reflected by the level of urinary excretion of AQP2 (u-AQP2) and the γ-fraction of ENaC (u-ENaCγ). The effects of an acute intravenous volume load with isotonic saline, hypertonic saline and glucose on u-AQP2, u-ENaCγ and underlying mechanisms have never been studied in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in healthy humans. METHODS: We studied the effects of 0.9% saline (23 ml/kg), 3% saline (7 ml/kg) and 5% glucose (23 ml/kg) on u-AQP2 and u-ENaCγ, fractional sodium excretion (FENa), free water clearance (CH2O), and plasma concentrations of vasopressin (AVP), renin (PRC), angiotensin II (ANG II) and aldosterone (Aldo) in a randomized, crossover study of 23 healthy subjects, who consumed a standardized diet, regarding calories, sodium and fluid for 4 days before each examination day. RESULTS: After isotonic saline infusion, u-AQP2 increased (27%). CH2O and u-ENaCγ were unchanged, whereas FENa increased (123%). After hypertonic saline infusion, there was an increase in u-AQP2 (25%), u-ENaCγ (19%) and FENa (96%), whereas CH2O decreased (-153%). After isotonic glucose infusion, there was a decrease in u-AQP2 (-16%), ENaCγ (-10%) and FENa (-44%) whereas CH2O increased (164%). AVP remained unchanged after isotonic saline and glucose, but increased after hypertonic saline (139%). PRC, AngII and p-Aldo decreased after isotonic and hypertonic saline infusion, but not after glucose infusion. CONCLUSIONS: Volume expansion with 3% and 0.9% saline increased u-AQP2, while isotonic glucose decreased u-AQP2. Infusion of hypertonic saline increased u-ENaCγ, whereas u-ENaCγ was not significantly changed after isotonic saline and tended to decrease after glucose. Thus, the transport of water and sodium is changed both via the aquaporin 2 water channels and the epithelial sodium channels during all three types of volume expansion to regulate and maintain water- and sodium homeostasis in the body. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trial no: NCT01414088.

Effect of amiloride and spironolactone on renal tubular function and central blood pressure in patients with arterial hypertension during baseline conditions and after furosemide: a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial.

This study demonstrates that the increased potassium content in the body seems to change both the blood pressure and renal tubular function. We wanted to test the hypotheses that amiloride and spironolactone induced potassium retention reduces ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) and central blood pressure (CBP) during baseline conditions and after furosemide and that the tubular transport via the epithelial sodium channels (ENaCs) and aquaporin-2 (AQP2) water channels was increased by furosemide in arterial hypertension. Each of three 28-day treatment periods (placebo, amiloride, and spironolactone) was completed by a 4-day period with standardized diet regarding calories and sodium and water intake. At the end of each period, we measured pulse wave velocity (PWV), central systolic blood pressure (CSBP), central diastolic blood pressure (CDBP), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), free water clearance (CH2O), fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) and potassium (FEK), urinary excretion of AQP2 (u-AQP2), urinary excretion of γ-fraction of the ENaC (u-ENaCγ), and plasma concentrations of renin (PRC), angiotensin II (p-Ang II), and aldosterone (p-Aldo) at baseline conditions and after furosemide bolus. Ambulatory blood pressure and CBP were significantly lowered by amiloride and spironolactone. During 24-hour urine collection and at baseline, GFR, CH2O, FENa, FEK, u-AQP2 and u-ENaCγ were the same. After furosemide, CH2O, FENa, FEK, u-AQP2, u-ENaCγ, PRC, p-Ang II, p-Aldo, PWV and CDBP increased after all treatments. However, during amiloride treatment, FEK increased to a larger extent than after spironolactone and during placebo after furosemide, and CSBP was not significantly reduced. The increases in water and sodium absorption via AQP2 and ENaC after furosemide most likely are compensatory phenomena to antagonize water and sodium depletion. Amiloride is less effective than spironolactone to reduce renal potassium excretion.

Targeting the autolysis loop of urokinase-type plasminogen activator with conformation-specific monoclonal antibodies.

Tight regulation of serine proteases is essential for their physiological function, and unbalanced states of protease activity have been implicated in a variety of human diseases. One key example is the presence of uPA (urokinase-type plasminogen activator) in different human cancer types, with high levels correlating with a poor prognosis. This observation has stimulated efforts into finding new principles for intervening with uPA's activity. In the present study we characterize the so-called autolysis loop in the catalytic domain of uPA as a potential inhibitory target. This loop was found to harbour the epitopes for three conformation-specific monoclonal antibodies, two with a preference for the zymogen form pro-uPA, and one with a preference for active uPA. All three antibodies were shown to have overlapping epitopes, with three common residues being crucial for all three antibodies, demonstrating a direct link between conformational changes of the autolysis loop and the creation of a catalytically mature active site. All three antibodies are potent inhibitors of uPA activity, the two pro-uPA-specific ones by inhibiting conversion of pro-uPA to active uPA and the active uPA-specific antibody by shielding the access of plasminogen to the active site. Furthermore, using immunofluorescence, the conformation-specific antibodies mAb-112 and mAb-12E6B10 enabled us to selectively stain pro-uPA or active uPA on the surface of cultured cells. Moreover, in various independent model systems, the antibodies inhibited tumour cell invasion and dissemination, providing evidence for the feasibility of pharmaceutical intervention with serine protease activity by targeting surface loops that undergo conformational changes during zymogen activation.

A novel mode of intervention with serine protease activity: targeting zymogen activation.

Serine proteases are secreted from cells as single-chain zymogens, typically having activities orders of magnitude lower than those of the mature two-chain enzymes. Activation occurs by a conformational change initiated by cleavage of a specific peptide bond. We have derived a monoclonal antibody (mAb-112) which binds with subnanomolar affinity to pro-uPA, the zymogen form of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA). We mapped the epitope of the antibody to the autolysis loop, one of the structural elements known to change conformation during zymogen activation. A mechanistic evaluation with biophysical methods elucidated a novel bifunctional inhibitory mechanism whereby mAb-112 not only delays the proteolytic conversion of single-chain pro-uPA into the two-chain form but also subsequently averts the conformational transition to a mature protease by sequestering the two-chain form in a zymogen-like, noncatalytic state. Functional studies employing two variants of human HT-1080 cells, exhibiting high and low levels of dissemination in a chorioallantoic membrane assay, demonstrate that mAb-112 is an effective inhibitor of tumor cell intravasation. These findings show that pharmacological interference with zymogen activation is a plausible and robust means to regulate uPA activity and the downstream effects of plasminogen activation in the spread of cancer and other processes of pathological tissue remodeling. A strategy that targets regions related to pro-enzyme activation likely provide a unique inhibitor-protease interaction surface and is, thus, expected to enhance the chances of engineering high inhibitor specificity. Our results provide new information about the structural flexibility underlying the equilibrium between active and inactive forms of serine proteases.