Comprehensive analytics for virus-cell and cell-cell multinucleation system.

Cell-fusion mediated generation of multinucleated syncytia represent critical feature during viral infection and in development. Efficiency of syncytia formation is usually illustrated as fusion efficiency under given condition by quantifying total number of nuclei in syncytia normalized to total number of nuclei (both within syncytia and unfused cell nuclei) in unit field of view. However heterogeneity in multinucleated syncytia sizes poses challenge in quantification of cell-fusion multinucleation under diverse conditions. Taking in-vitro SARS-CoV-2 spike-protein variants mediated virus-cell fusion model and placenta trophoblast syncytialization as cell-cell fusion model; herein we emphasize wide application of simple unbiased detailed measure of virus-cell and cell-cell multinucleation using experiential cumulative distribution function (CDF) and fusion number events (FNE) approaches illustrating comprehensive metrics for syncytia interpretation.

Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles Modulate Apoptosis, TNF Alpha and Interferon Gamma Response Gene mRNA Expression in T Lymphocytes.

Recent studies have highlighted the therapeutic potential of small extracellular bodies derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-sEVs) for various diseases, notably through their ability to alter T-cell differentiation and function. The current study aimed to explore immunomodulatory pathway alterations within T cells through mRNA sequencing of activated T cells cocultured with bone marrow-derived MSC-sEVs. mRNA profiling of activated human T cells cocultured with MSC-sEVs or vehicle control was performed using the QIAGEN Illumina sequencing platform. Pathway networks and biological functions of the differentially expressed genes were analyzed using Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA)® software, KEGG pathway, GSEA and STRING database. A total of 364 differentially expressed genes were identified in sEV-treated T cells. Canonical pathway analysis highlighted the RhoA signaling pathway. Cellular development, movement, growth and proliferation, cell-to-cell interaction and inflammatory response-related gene expression were altered. KEGG enrichment pathway analysis underscored the apoptosis pathway. GSEA identified enrichment in downregulated genes associated with TNF alpha and interferon gamma response, and upregulated genes related to apoptosis and migration of lymphocytes and T-cell differentiation gene sets. Our findings provide valuable insights into the mechanisms by which MSC-sEVs implement immunomodulatory effects on activated T cells. These findings may contribute to the development of MSC-sEV-based therapies.

Reduced insulin signaling and high glucagon in early insulin resistance impaired fast-fed regulation of renal gluconeogenesis via insulin receptor substrate.

Gluconeogenesis is one of the key processes through which the kidney contributes to glucose homeostasis. Urinary exosomes (uE) have been used to study renal gene regulation noninvasively in humans and rodents. Recently, we demonstrated fast-fed regulation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), the rate-limiting enzyme for gluconeogenesis, in human uE. The regulation was impaired in subjects with early insulin resistance. Here, we studied primary human proximal tubule cells (hPT) and human uE to elucidate a potential link between insulin resistance and fast-fed regulation of renal PEPCK. We demonstrate that fasted hPTs had higher PEPCK and insulin receptor substrate-2 (IRS2) mRNA and protein levels, relative to fed cells. The fast-fed regulation was, however, attenuated in insulin receptor knockdown (IRKO) hPTs. The IRKO was confirmed by the blunted insulin-induced response on PEPCK, PGC1α, p-IR, and p-AKT expression in IRKO cells. Exosomes secreted by the wild-type or IRKO hPT showed similar regulation to the respective hPT. Similarly, in human uE, the relative abundance of IRS-2 mRNA (to IRS1) was higher in the fasted state relative to the fed condition. However, the fast-fed difference was absent in subjects with early insulin resistance. These subjects had higher circulating glucagon levels relative to subjects with optimal insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, in hPT cells, glucagon significantly induced PEPCK and IRS2 gene, and gluconeogenesis. IR knockdown in hPT cells further increased the gene expression levels. Together the data suggest that reduced insulin sensitivity and high glucagon in early insulin resistance may impair renal gluconeogenesis via IRS2 regulation.

Development of RNA-Based Assay for Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Clinical Samples.

INTRODUCTION: The ongoing spread of pandemic coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is of growing concern. Rapid diagnosis and management of SARS-CoV-2 are crucial for controlling the outbreak in the community. Here, we report the development of a first rapid-colorimetric assay capable of detecting SARS-CoV-2 in the human nasopharyngeal RNA sample in less than 30 min. METHOD: We utilized a nanomaterial-based optical sensing platform to detect RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene of SARS-CoV-2, where the formation of oligo probe-target hybrid led to salt-induced aggregation and change in gold-colloid color from pink to blue visibility range. Accordingly, we found a change in colloid color from pink to blue in assay containing nasopharyngeal RNA sample from the subject with clinically diagnosed COVID-19. The colloid retained pink color when the test includes samples from COVID-19 negative subjects or human papillomavirus-infected women. RESULTS: The results were validated using nasopharyngeal RNA samples from positive COVID-19 subjects (n = 136). Using real-time polymerase chain reaction as gold standard, the assay was found to have 85.29% sensitivity and 94.12% specificity. The optimized method has detection limit as little as 0.5 ng of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. CONCLUSION: We found that the developed assay rapidly detects SARS-CoV-2 RNA in clinical samples in a cost-effective manner and would be useful in pandemic management by facilitating mass screening.

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in urine exosomes reflect impairment in renal gluconeogenesis in early insulin resistance and diabetes.

Impaired insulin-induced suppression of renal gluconeogenesis could be a risk for hyperglycemia. Diabetes is associated with elevated renal gluconeogenesis; however, its regulation in early insulin resistance is unclear in humans. A noninvasive marker of renal gluconeogenesis would be helpful. Here, we show that human urine exosomes (uE) contain three gluconeogenic enzymes: phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase, and glucose 6-phosphatase. Their protein levels were positively associated with whole body insulin sensitivity. PEPCK protein in uE exhibited a meal-induced suppression. However, subjects with lower insulin sensitivity had blunted meal-induced suppression. Also, uE from subjects with prediabetes and diabetic rats had higher PEPCK relative to nondiabetic controls. Moreover, uE-PEPCK was higher in drug-naïve subjects with diabetes relative to drug-treated subjects with diabetes. To determine whether increased renal gluconeogenesis is associated with hyperglycemia or PEPCK expression in uE, acidosis was induced in rats by 0.28 M NH4Cl with 0.5% sucrose in drinking water. Control rats were maintained on 0.5% sucrose. At the seventh day posttreatment, gluconeogenic enzyme activity in the kidneys, but not in the liver, was higher in acidotic rats. These rats had elevated PEPCK in their uE and a significant rise in blood glucose relative to controls. The induction of gluconeogenesis in human proximal tubule cells increased PEPCK expression in both human proximal tubules and human proximal tubule-secreted exosomes in the media. Overall, gluconeogenic enzymes are detectable in human uE. Elevated PEPCK and its blunted meal-induced suppression in human urine exosomes are associated with diabetes and early insulin resistance.

Systemic inhibition of miR-451 increases fibrotic signaling and diminishes autophagic response to exacerbate renal damage in Tallyho/Jng mice.

miRNAs provide fine tuning of gene expression via inhibition of translation. miR-451 has a modulatory role in cell cycling via downregulation of mechanistic target of rapamycin. We aimed to test whether chronic systemic inhibition of miR-451 would enhance renal fibrosis (associated with deranged autophagy). Adult TallyHo/Jng mice (obese insulin resistant) were randomized to two treatment groups to receive either miR-451 inhibition [via a locked nucleic acid construct] or a similar scrambled locked nucleic acid control for 8 wk. All mice were fed a high-fat diet (60% kcal from fat) ad libitum and humanely euthanized after 12 wk. Kidneys and blood were collected for analysis. Renal expression of miR-451 was sixfold lower in inhibitor-treated mice compared with control mice. miR-451 inhibition increased kidney weight and collagen and glycogen deposition. Blood chemistry revealed significantly higher Na+ and anion gap (relative metabolic acidosis) in inhibitor-treated mice. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry of the kidney revealed that the inhibitor increased markers of renal injury and fibrosis, e.g., kidney injury molecule 1, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, transforming growth factor-ß, 14-3-3 protein-ζ, mechanistic target of rapamycin, AMP-activated protein kinase-α, calcium-binding protein 39, matrix metallopeptidase-9, and the autophagy receptor sequestosome 1. In contrast, the inhibitor reduced the epithelial cell integrity marker collagen type IV and the autophagy markers microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B light chain 3B and beclin-1. Taken together, these results support a protective role for miR-451 in reducing renal fibrosis by enhancing autophagy in obese mice.

Acid Loading Unmasks Glucose Homeostatic Instability in Proximal-Tubule-Targeted Insulin/Insulin-Like-Growth-Factor-1 Receptor Dual Knockout Mice.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes are associated with some degree of acidosis. Acidosis has also been shown to upregulate renal gluconeogenesis. Whether impaired insulin or insulin-like-growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1) signaling alter this relationship is not known. Our aim was to determine the effects of deletion of insulin and IGF1 receptors (Insr and Igf1r) from renal proximal tubule (PT) on the gluconeogenic response to acidosis. METHODS: We developed a mouse model with PT-targeted dual knockout (KO) of the Insr/Igf1r by driving Cre-recombinase with the gamma-glutamyl transferase (gGT) promoter. Male and female mice were maintained as control or acidotic by treatment with NH4Cl in the drinking water for 1-week. RESULTS: Acidosis in both genotypes increased renal expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and fructose-1-bisphosphatase (FBP1), but not glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit (G6PC), which showed significantly lower expression in the KO regardless of treatment. Several differences between KO and WT suggested a protective role for insulin/IGF1 receptor signaling in maintaining relative euglycemia in the face of acidosis. First, the increase in FBP1 with acid was greater in the KO (significant interactive term). Secondly, proximal-tubule-associated FOXO1 and AKT overall protein levels were suppressed by acid loading in the KO, but not in the WT. Robust intact insulin signaling would be needed to reduce gluconeogenesis in PT. Third, phosphorylated FOXO1 (pS256) levels were markedly reduced by acid loading in the KO PT, but not in the WT. This reduction would support greater gluconeogenesis. Fourth, the sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT1) was increased by acid loading in the KO kidney, but not the WT. While this would not necessarily affect gluconeogenesis, it could result in increased circulatory glucose via renal reabsorption. Reduced susceptibility to glucose-homeostatic dysregulation in the WT could potentially relate to the sharp (over 50%) reduction in renal levels of sirtuin-1 (SIRT1), which deacetylates and regulates transcription of a number of genes. This reduction was absent in the KO. CONCLUSION: Insulin resistance of the kidney may increase whole-body glucose instability a major risk factor for morbidity in diabetes. High dietary acid loads provide a dilemma for the kidney, as ammoniagenesis liberates α-ketoglutarate, which is a substrate for gluconeogenesis. We demonstrate an important role for insulin and/or IGF1 receptor signaling in the PT to facilitate this process and reduce excursions in blood glucose. Thus, medications and lifestyle changes that improve renal insulin sensitivity may also provide added benefit in type 2 diabetes especially when coupled with metabolic acidosis.

Impaired Autophagy Flux is Associated with Proinflammatory Microglia Activation Following Japanese Encephalitis Virus Infection.

Role of autophagy in Japanese encephalitis viral (JEV) infection is not well known. In the present study, we reported the role of autophagy flux in microglia activation, neurobehavioral function and neuronal death using a mouse model of JEV. Markers for autophagy (LC3-II/I, SQSTM1/P62, phos-Akt, phos-AMPK), and neuronal death (cleaved caspase 12, H2Ax, polyubiquitin) were investigated by western blot at 1, 3 and 7 days post inoculation. Cathepsin D was measured in cerebral cotex of JEV infected mice spectrophotometrically. Microglia activation and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL1ß, TNF-α, IFNγ, IL6) were measured by immunohistochemistry, western blot and qPCR analysis. In order to determine the neuroinflammatory changes and autophagy mediated neuronal cell death, BV2-microglia and N2a-neuronal cells were used. Autophagy activation marker LC3-II/I and its substrate SQSTM1/P62 were significantly increased while cathepsin D activity was decreased on day 7 post inoculation in cerebral cortex. Microglia in cortex were activated and showed higher expression of proinflammatory mRNA of IL1ß, TNF-α, IFNγ and IL6, with increased DNA damage (H2AX) and neuronal cell death pathways in hippocampus and neurobehavioral dysfunction. Similar observations on JEV infection mediated autophagy flux inhibition and neuronal cell death was found in N2a neuronal cell. Collectively, our study provides evidence on the role of autophagy regulation, microglial activation and neurodegeneration following JEV infection.

Deletion of insulin receptor in the proximal tubule and fasting augment albumin excretion.

The contribution of proximal tubules (PT) to albumin uptake is now well recognized, however, its regulation is understudied area. There are reports suggesting that insulin resistance is associated with the development of albuminuria in nondiabetic individuals. We have previously reported reduced insulin receptor (IR) expression in renal-tubular-epithelial cells, including PT in various models of insulin resistance. However, the effect of a physiological fall in insulin levels and the role for IR in PT in tubular albumin uptake is not clear. To address these gaps in our understanding, we estimated urine excretion and renal uptake of albumin in fasted and fed C57Bl/6 mice injected with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-albumin (5 µg/mL/kg body weight, intraperitoneal, n = 6 per group). In addition, we compared spot urine analysis from 33 clinically healthy humans after overnight fasting (when insulin levels are lower than in the fed state) and then at 2 hours after 75 g oral glucose challenge (postprandial). Fasted mice had attenuated renal uptake of FITC-albumin and higher excretion in urine, relative to fed mice ( P = 0.04). Moreover, a significant drop in urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) and urine albumin concentration (UAC) was observed in the postprandial state in these subjects ( P = 0.001 and P = 0.017, for ACR and UAC, respectively). The drop was negatively associated with postprandial blood glucose levels (ρ = -0.36, P = 0.03 for ΔUAC and ρ = -0.34, P = 0.05 for ΔACR). To test the role of IR in PT, we analyzed 24-hour urine albumin excretion in male mice with targeted deletion of IR from PT (insulin receptor knockout [IRKO]) and their wild-type (WT) littermates ( n = 7 per group). IRKO mice had significantly higher 24-hour urine albumin excretion relative to WT. Moreover, kidneys from KO mice revealed reduced expression of megalin and cubulin proteins in the PT relative to the WT. We also demonstrated insulin (100 nM) induced albumin internalization in human proximal tubule cells (hPT) and this effect of insulin was attenuated in hydroxy-2-naphthalenylmethylphosphonic acid (100 µM), a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, pretreated hPT. Our findings revealed albumin excretion was attenuated by glucose administration to fasting individuals implying a regulatory role for insulin in PT albumin reabsorption. Thus albuminuria associated with insulin resistance/diabetes may relate not only to glomerular dysfunction but also to impairment in insulin-mediated reabsorption.

Time-restricted feeding reduces high-fat diet associated placental inflammation and limits adverse effects on fetal organ development.

Maternal nutrition has become a major public health concern over recent years and is a known predictor of adverse long-term metabolic derangement in offspring. Time-restricted feeding (TRF), wherein food consumption is restricted to the metabolically active phase of the day, is a dietary approach that improves metabolic parameters when consuming a high-fat diet (HFD). Here, we tested whether TRF could reduce maternal HFD associated inflammation and thereby mitigate defects in fetal organ developmental. Female rats were kept on following three dietary regimens; Ad libitum normal chow diet (NCD-AL), Ad libitum HFD (HFD-AL) and Time-restricted fed HFD (HFD-TRF) from 5 months prior to mating and continued throughout pregnancy. Rat dams were sacrificed at embryonic day 18.5 (ED18.5) and placental tissues from these rats were processed for the analysis of cellular apoptosis, inflammatory cytokines (TNFα and IL-6), oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and autophagy. Furthermore, fetal hepatic triglyceride (TG) content and fetal lung maturation were assessed at ED18.5. Biochemical analysis revealed that HFD-TRF rat had significantly lower serum TG levels and body weight compared to HFD-AL rats. Additionally, TRF significantly blocked HFD-induced placental apoptosis and inflammation via minimizing cellular stress, and restoring autophagic flux. In addition, fetal hepatosteatosis and delayed fetal lung maturation induced by HFD was significantly ameliorated in HFD-TRF compared to HFD-AL. Collectively, our results suggest that reducing placental inflammation via TRF could prevent adverse fetal metabolic outcomes in pregnancies complicated by maternal obesity.

Chronic Insulin Infusion Down-Regulates Circulating and Urinary Nitric Oxide (NO) Levels Despite Molecular Changes in the Kidney Predicting Greater Endothelial NO Synthase Activity in Mice.

Insulin therapy is often needed to overcome insulin receptor resistance in type 2 diabetes; however, the impact of providing additional insulin to already hyperinsulinemic subjects is not clear. We infused male TALLYHO/Jng (TH) mice (insulin resistant) with insulin (50 U/kg·bw/d) or vehicle (control) by osmotic minipump for 14 days. One group of insulin-infused mice was switched to 4% NaCl diet (high-sodium diet, HSD) in the second week. Blood chemistry revealed a significantly higher anion gap and blood sodium concentrations with insulin infusion, i.e., relative metabolic acidosis. Systolic BP and heart rate were slightly (~5 mm Hg) higher in insulin-infused versus control mice. HSD resulted in a modest and transient rise in mean arterial blood pressure (BP), relative to control or insulin-infused, normal-NaCl-fed mice. In kidney, insulin infusion: (1) increased total and phosphorylated (serine-1177) endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) band densities; (2) reduced band density of the uncoupled form of eNOS; and (3) increased renal homogenate nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity. Despite this, plasma and urine levels of nitrates plus nitrites (NOx) fell with insulin infusion, by day 14 (40⁻50%) suggesting worsening of resistance. Overall, insulin infusion ramps up the cellular means in kidney to increase vasodilatory and natriuretic NO, but in the long term may be associated with worsening of insulin receptor resistance.

Reduced Insulin Receptor Expression Enhances Proximal Tubule Gluconeogenesis.

Reduced insulin receptor protein levels have been reported in the kidney cortex from diabetic humans and animals. We recently reported that, targeted deletion of insulin receptor (IR) from proximal tubules (PT) resulted in hyperglycemia in non-obese mice. To elucidate the mechanism, we examined human proximal tubule cells (hPTC) and C57BL/6 mice fed with high-fat diet (HFD, 60% fat for 20 weeks). Immunoblotting revealed a significantly lower protein level of IR in HFD compare to normal chow diet (NCD). Furthermore, a blunted rise in p-AKT308 levels in the kidney cortex of HFD mice was observed in response to acute insulin (0.75 IU/kg body weight, i.p) relative to NCD n = 8/group, P < 0.05). Moreover, we found significantly higher transcript levels of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK, a key gluconeogenic enzyme) in the kidney cortex from HFD, relative to mice on NCD. The higher level of PEPCK in HFD was confirmed by immunoblotting. However, no significant differences were observed in cortical glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) or fructose-1,6, bisphosphosphatase (FBPase) enzyme transcript levels. Furthermore, we demonstrated insulin inhibited glucose production in hPTC treated with cyclic AMP and dexamethasone (cAMP/DEXA) to stimulate gluconeogenesis. Transcript levels of the gluconeogenic enzyme PEPCK were significantly increased in cAMP/DEXA-stimulated hPTC cells (n = 3, P < 0.05), and insulin attenuated this upregulation Furthermore, the effect of insulin on cAMP/DEXA-induced gluconeogenesis and PEPCK induction was significantly attenuated in IR (siRNA) silenced hPTC (n = 3, P < 0.05). Overall the above data indicate a direct role for IR expression as a determinant of PT-gluconeogenesis. Thus reduced insulin signaling of the proximal tubule may contribute to hyperglycemia in the metabolic syndrome via elevated gluconeogenesis. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 276-285, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Inhibition of Inositol 1, 4, 5-Trisphosphate Receptor Induce Breast Cancer Cell Death Through Deregulated Autophagy and Cellular Bioenergetics.

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3 Rs) regulate autophagy in normal cells and are associated with metastasis in cancer cells. In breast cancer, however, the regulation and role of IP3 Rs is not clear. To study this, we used MCF-7 breast cancer cell line and mouse model of breast cancer. Inhibiting IP3 R sub types resulted in compromised bioenergetics both in terms of glucose and mitochondrial metabolism. The siRNA mediated silencing of IP3 R or its blocking by its inhibitors Xestospongin C and 2-Amino-ethoxy diphenyl borate increased cell death and LC3II expression in MCF-7 cells as well as attenuated cellular bioenergetics. The level of Autophagy related gene, Atg5 was found to be up regulated after pharmacological as well as siRNA blocking of IP3 R. The specificity of its role in autophagy was confirmed through specific shRNA knockdown of the Atg5 along with IP3 R inhibitor. Inhibiting as well as silencing of IP3 R receptor also resulted in increase in ROS production which was abolished after pretreatment with N-acetyl cysteine. Its role in autophagy was confirmed through decrease in the levels of LC3 II after pretreatment with IP3 R inhibitor and N acetyl cysteine.Moreover, inhibiting as well as silencing IP3 R-induced cell death in MCF-7 cells was attenuated by autophagic inhibitors (Bafilomycin A1 or 3-Methyladeneine). In mice, blocking of IP3 Rs by 2-Amino-ethoxy diphenyl borate arrested tumor growth. Overall our findings indicate that IP3 R blocking resulted in autophagic cell death in breast cancer cells and provides a role of IP3 Rs in determining the breast cancer cell fate. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 2333-2346, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

MicroRNA-21 could be a molecular marker to predict the recurrence of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer.

INTRODUCTION: High relapse rate of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is a major challenge. Overexpression of microRNA-21 (miR-21) which targets phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), a gene associated with malignancy, has been reported in the bladder tumor tissue compared to normal mucosa by us and others. We have tested whether miR-21 levels in bladder mucosa could predict tumor recurrence. METHODS: In a prospective cohort setting, tumor tissues and normal bladder mucosa (NBM) were taken from BC patients during transurethral resection of bladder tumor. Age- and ethnicity-matched NBM from benign prostate hyperplasia patients was taken as controls. The expression of miR-21 was analyzed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Patients were followed for 4 years for tumor reoccurrence. Postoperative recurrence were recorded and calculated by Kaplan-Meier curve. RESULTS: In 31 patients, miR-21 was up-regulated (>4-fold, P = 0.003), and PTEN levels were significantly lower (<7-folds, P = 0.001) in tumor tissue relative to NBM. Moreover, the fold change in miR-21 levels was significantly higher (>3-folds, P = 0.03) in patients showing recurrence compared to those in which tumor did not recur. Further, Kaplan-Meier analysis shows overexpression of miR-21 corresponds to less time to recurrence with higher cumulative hazard. CONCLUSION: We found overexpression of miR-21 in tumor tissue and its association with recurrence, time to recurrence and invasiveness in BC. Quantification of miR-21 along with other pathological parameters could be more objective molecular approach to predict recurrence in NMIBC.

Bladder cancer: Micro RNAs as biomolecules for prognostication and surveillance.

INTRODUCTION: Bladder cancer (BC) has varied clinical behavior in terms of recurrence and progression. Current pathological characteristics are insufficient to prognosticate the outcome of a given treatment. Cellular metabolic regulatory molecules, such as micro RNA (miRNA), could be a potential biomarker to prognosticate the treatment outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched for publications from 1990 to 2016, related to miRNA biogenesis, its function, and role in the pathogenesis of bladder as well as other cancers. Articles were searched using MeSH terms micrornas, micrornas AND neoplasm, and micrornas AND urinary bladder neoplasm. Out of the 108 publications reviewed 75 references were selected based on the clinical relevance. Articles were reviewed to assess the role of miRNA in various cancers and those in BC as a diagnostic or therapeutic tool. RESULTS: More than 35 miRNAs were found to be associated with different pathways of cellular dedifferentiation, proliferation, and progression of BC as well as other cancers. A normal looking mucosa may show molecular changes preceding phenotypic changes in the form of varied expression of miR-129, miR-200a, and miR-205. miR-214, miR-99a, and miR-125b have been shown to be potential urinary biomarkers of BC. miRNAs could act as a repressor for protein molecule functioning or activator of different pathways to be used as a therapeutic target too. CONCLUSIONS: Despite certain limitations, such as instability, rapid plasma clearance, and targeting antagonist proteins of cellular metabolic pathways, miRNAs have potential to be studied as a biomarker or a therapeutic target for BC.

Insulin regulates nitric oxide production in the kidney collecting duct cells.

The kidney is an important organ for arterial blood pressure (BP) maintenance. Reduced NO generation in the kidney is associated with hypertension in insulin resistance. NO is a critical regulator of vascular tone; however, whether insulin regulates NO production in the renal inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD), the segment with the greatest enzymatic activity for NO production in kidney, is not clear. Using an NO-sensitive 4-amino-5-methylamino-2',7'-difluorofluorescein (DAF-FM) fluorescent dye, we found that insulin increased NO production in mouse IMCD cells (mIMCD) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. A concomitant dose-dependent increase in the NO metabolite (NOx) was also observed in the medium from insulin-stimulated cells. NO production peaked in mIMCD cells at a dose of 100 nm insulin with simultaneously increased NOx levels in the medium. At this dose, insulin significantly increased p-eNOS(Ser1177) levels in mIMCD cells. Pretreatment of cells with a PI 3-kinase inhibitor or insulin receptor silencing with RNA interference abolished these effects of insulin, whereas insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) silencing had no effect. We also showed that chronic insulin infusion to normal C57BL/6J mice resulted in increased endothelial NOS (eNOS) protein levels and NO production in the inner medulla. However, insulin-infused IRKO mice, with targeted deletion of insulin receptor from tubule epithelial cells of the kidney, had ∼50% reduced eNOS protein levels in their inner medulla along with a significant rise in BP relative to WT littermates. We have previously reported increased baseline BP and reduced urine NOx in IRKO mice. Thus, reduced insulin receptor signaling in IMCD could contribute to hypertension in the insulin-resistant state.

Zoledronate and Molecular Iodine Cause Synergistic Cell Death in Triple Negative Breast Cancer through Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress.

Women consuming molecular iodine (I2) through seaweeds suffer the least from breast cancers. Zoledronate (Zol) is in clinical use for alleviation of bone pain in cancer patients. Triple negative breast cancers exhibit high mortality due to lack of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. I2 and Zol independently cause weak antiproliferative and apoptotic effect. So far, their combined effects have not been tested. We analyzed the effect of combination of I2 with Zol as a potent adjuvant therapeutic agent for triple negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MBA-231) and in the mice model of breast cancer. Cell viability, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining, Western blotting, real-time PCR, flow cytometry, and other assays were performed for assessing cell death, calcium levels, and migration potential, respectively, in treated cells. The increased caspase 8, increased [Ca(2+)]c levels, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress resulted in apoptosis. Real time and fluorescence-based analysis demonstrated that the combination treatment targets ER Ca(2+) homeostasis chaperons leading to apoptosis. Combination therapy reduces metalloproteinases 2 and 9, inhibits invasion/migration of cells, and prevents growth of tumor in mice. I2 + Zol combination treatment induces synergistic increase in ER-mediated apoptosis, reduces invasion/migration potential of MDA-MB-231 cells, and exhibits antiproliferative property in vivo demonstrating its potential as combination therapy.

Molecular cystoscopy: Micro-RNAs could be a marker for identifying genotypic changes for transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder.

INTRODUCTION: Normal-looking mucosa may harbor genetic changes preceding a visible tumor. This study was aimed at exploring the role of the quantitative expression of micro-RNAs (miRNAs) in bladder cancer tissue in comparison with normal mucosa and healthy controls (HCs) as a molecular marker. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October 2011 to December 2012, tissue from the bladder tumor of 21 patients (cases tumor, CT), normal mucosa (case control, CC) of the same patients (n-21) and normal bladder mucosa from 10 HCs were obtained. miRNAs of angiogenesis, endothelial mesenchymal transition and apoptosis were quantified using stem-loop RT Taq Man polymerase chain reaction. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi square and independent sample T tests by using SPSS version 16. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients and controls were 55.41 ± 11.03 and 52.14 ± 13.04 years. miR-21, miR-205, miR-126, miR-10b and miR-200a were highly expressed in CT (P < 0.027, <0.048, <0.025, <0.029 and < 0.005) as compared with HC. Expression of miR-21 and miR-129 were both correlated with grade and stage (P = 0.001 and < 0.009, respectively) and the level of expression was different in the same grade of non-muscle invasive tumors. The fold change of miR129, miR205 and miR200a was significantly higher in the normal-looking mucosa of bladder tumor patients than the HC (P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: Expression of miR129, miR205 and miR200a in the normal-looking mucosa of bladder cancer patients was significantly higher than the normal mucosa of a HC. This may help in predicting recurrence and formulating the follow-up strategy.

Micro-architectural changes in cancellous bone differ in female and male C57BL/6 mice with high-fat diet-induced low bone mineral density.

The relationship between fat and bone mass at distinct trabecular and cortical skeletal compartments in a high-fat diet (HFD) model was studied. For this, C57BL/6 mice were assigned to four groups of eight animals each. Two groups, each of males and females, received a standard chow diet while the remaining other two groups received the HFD for a period of 10 weeks. Male mice on the HFD were heavier and gained more weight (15·8 %; P<  0·05) v. those on the control diet or when compared with the female rats fed the HFD. We observed an increased lipid profile in both males and females, with significantly higher lipid levels (about 20-25 %; P< 0·01) in males. However, glucose intolerance was more pronounced in females than males on the HFD (about 30 %; P< 0·05). The micro-architectural assessment of bones showed that compared with female mice on the HFD, male mice on the HFD showed more deterioration at the trabecular region. This was corroborated by plasma osteocalcin and carboxy-terminal collagen crosslinks (CTx) levels confirming greater loss in males (about 20 %; P< 0·01). In both sexes cortical bone parameters and strength remained unchanged after 10 weeks of HFD treatment. The direct effect of the HFD on bone at the messenger RNA level in progenitor cells isolated from femoral bone marrow was a significantly increased expression of adipogenic marker genes v. osteogenic genes. Overall, the present data indicate that obesity induced by a HFD aggravates bone loss in the cancellous bone compartment, with a greater loss in males than females, although 10 weeks of HFD treatment did not alter cortical bone mass and strength in both males and females.

Deletion of the insulin receptor in the proximal tubule promotes hyperglycemia.

Nearly all renal tubular epithelial cells express insulin receptor. The insulin receptor in the distal tubule appears to modulate BP, but the role of the insulin receptor in the proximal tubule is unknown. Here, we selectively knocked out the insulin receptor from the proximal tubules of mice. Western blotting confirmed a two- to three-fold reduction in renal cortical homogenate insulin receptor-ß among knockout mice compared with wild-type littermates. Young knockout mice exhibited a mildly diabetic phenotype, evidenced by higher fasting plasma glucose levels than wild-type mice. Assessments by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp and a glucose tolerance test revealed no differences in insulin sensitivity or overt pancreatic function, respectively. Renal cortical mRNA expression and enzyme activity of glucose-6-phosphatase, which catalyzes the final step of glucose production, were significantly higher in knockout mice. Taken together, these results support a role for insulin receptor in the proximal tubule in the modulation of systemic glucose levels. Downregulation of the insulin receptor in the proximal tubule, which occurs in insulin-resistant states, may promote hyperglycemia through enhanced gluconeogenesis.