The Role of Transforming Growth Factor Beta and Smad Receptors in Determining Prognosis in High-Grade Primary Brain Tumors: Glioblastoma Multiforme / O papel do fator de crescimento transformador beta e receptores smad na determinação do prognóstico em tumores cerebrais primários de alto grau: glioblastoma multiforme

Introduction High-grade primary brain tumors cause serious morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to investigate the role of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) and suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic (Smad) receptors in high-grade primary brain tumors. Material and Method Thirteen patients with a pathological diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme were included in the study. Pathological preparations of each patient were analyzed retrospectively in histochemistry and immunohistochemistry laboratories. Transforming growth factor beta 1, TGF-ß2, TGF-ß3, Smad 1/2/3, Smad 6, and Smad 7 stainings were evaluated, and the immunoreactivity densities were examined. Result We found out an increase in the expression of TGF-ß1 and TGF-ß3 protein. Regarding the inhibitin receptors, Smad 6 showed much more expression than Smad 7. Thus, we found that Smad 6 has a protective effect and role in the tissue. Immunhistochemically, TGF-ß family stains, which are activated by types I-and -II receptors, and the stainless staining of the Smad family might also be showing that the TGF-ß family is taking action with a secondary pathway other than the Smad family. Conclusion In addition to Smad family receptors, Shc-GBR2, SARA, and Ras-Erk1/2 receptors should be investigated in future research. After that, the prognosis, diagnosis, and patient-based chemotherapy strategies for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme may take a more prominent role.

Objetivo Tumores cerebrais primários de alto grau causam morbidade e mortalidade graves. Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar o papel dos receptores fato de crescimento transformante beta (TGF-ß) e mães contra homólogo decapentaplégico (Smad, na sigla em inglês) em tumores cerebrais primários de alto grau. Métodos Treze pacientes com diagnóstico patológico de glioblastoma multiforme foram incluídos no estudo. As preparações patológicas de cada paciente foram analisadas retrospectivamente em laboratórios de histoquímica e imunohistoquímica. As colorações de TGF-ß1, TGF-ß2, TGF-ß3, Smad 1/2/3, Smad 6, e Smad 7 foram avaliadas, e as densidades de imunorreatividade foram examinadas. Resultados Encontramos aumento na expressão das proteínas TGF-ß1 e TGF-ß3. Em relação aos receptores de inibitina, o Smad 6 mostrou muito mais expressão do que o Smad 7. Assim, concluímos que o Smad 6 tem efeito e função protetores no tecido. As colorações imunohistoquímicas da família TGF-ß, que são ativadas pelos receptores do tipo I e do tipo II, e as colorações menos da família Smad também podem estar mostrando que a família TGF-ß está agindo com outra via secundária que não a família Smad. Conclusão Assim como os estudos na família Smad, receptores como Shc-GBR2, SARA, Ras-Erk1/2 devem ser investigados em pesquisas futuras. Posteriormente, o prognóstico, o diagnóstico, e as estratégias de quimioterapia baseadas no paciente podem assumir um lugar mais priminente no futuro, no glioblastoma multiforme.

Mecanismos etiopatogénicos en la esclerosis sistémica / Ethiopathogenic Mechanisms in the Systemic Sclerosis

Se realizó un compendio de los principales factores etiopatogénicos causantes de la expresividad clínica de la esclerosis sistémica, aún no bien establecida, la asociación genética, herencia, factores ambientales y respuesta inflamatoria, su relación con infecciones endógenas comportándose de manera especial en otras enfermedades reumáticas inflamatorias. El objetivo del artículo fue describir los elementos de la etiopatogenia que distinguen a esta enfermedad del colágeno. Los mecanismos etiopatogénicos basados en anormalidades moleculares, pueden ser correctas en la esclerosis sistémica. Su espectro clínico heterogéneo responde a una etiopatogenia distinta en cada individuo, así como, a eventos complejos que pueden ocurrir en fases iniciales de la enfermedad y no a una patogenia única.

A summary of the main ethiopathogenic factors that cause the clinical expressiveness of the Systemic Sclerosis, still as soon as established, the genetic association, inheritance, environmental factors and inflammatory response, their relationship with endogenous infections behaving from a special way to other inflammatory rheumatic illnesses. The objective of this article was to describe the ethiopathogenic elements that distinguish this illness of the collagen. The ethiopathogenic mechanisms based on molecular abnormalities can be correct in the systemic sclerosis. Its heterogenic clinical spectrum responds to a different etiopathogeny in each individual, as well as to complex events that can happen in initial phases of the illness and not to a unique pathogenic.

Up-regulation of the kinin B2 receptor pathway modulates the TGF-ß/Smad signaling cascade to reduce renal fibrosis induced by albumin.

The presence of high protein levels in the glomerular filtrate plays an important role in renal fibrosis, a disorder that justifies the use of animal models of experimental proteinuria. Such models have proved useful as tools in the study of the pathogenesis of chronic, progressive renal disease. Since bradykinin and the kinin B2 receptor (B2R) belong to a renoprotective system with mechanisms still unclarified, we investigated its anti-fibrotic role in the in vivo rat model of overload proteinuria. Upon up-regulating the kinin system by a high potassium diet we observed reduction of tubulointerstitial fibrosis, decreased renal expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and vimentin, reduced Smad3 phosphorylation and increase of Smad7. These cellular and molecular effects were reversed by HOE-140, a specific B2R antagonist. In vitro experiments, performed on a cell line of proximal tubular epithelial cells, showed that high concentrations of albumin induced expression of mesenchymal biomarkers, in concomitance with increases in TGF-ß1 mRNA and its functionally active peptide, TGF-ß1. Stimulation of the tubule cells by bradykinin inhibited the albumin-induced changes, namely α-SMA and vimentin were reduced, and cytokeratin recovered together with increase in Smad7 levels and decrease in type II TGF-ß1 receptor, TGF-ß1 mRNA and its active fragment. The protective changes produced by bradykinin in vitro were blocked by HOE-140. The development of stable bradykinin analogues and/or up-regulation of the B2R signaling pathway may prove value in the management of chronic renal fibrosis in progressive proteinuric renal diseases.

Characterization of Wnt/ß-catenin and BMP/Smad signaling pathways in an in vitro model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Different pathways activated by morphogens of the early embryonic development, such as the Wnt and the Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) ligands, are involved in diverse physiological and pathological conditions of the nervous system, including neurodegeneration. In this work, we have analyzed the endogenous activity of the canonical Wnt/ß-catenin and BMP/Smad-dependent pathways in an in vitro model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), given by motor neuron-like NSC34 cells stably expressing wild-type or G93A mutated forms of human Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1). As ALS-derived motor neurons, NSC34 cells expressing mutated hSOD1 show a decreased proliferation rate, are more susceptible to oxidation-induced cell death and display Golgi fragmentation. In addition, they display an impaired ability to induce the expression of the motor neuronal marker Hb9 and, consistently, to morphologically differentiate into a motor neuronal phenotype. Regarding signaling, our data show that the transcriptional activity associated to the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway is decreased, a finding possibly associated to the cytosolic aggregation of ß-catenin. In turn, the BMP-dependent phosphorylation of Smad1 and the transcriptional activation of the BMP/Smad pathway is increased in the pathologic model. Together, these findings suggest that Wnt/ß-catenin and the BMP-dependent pathways could play relevant roles in the neurodegeneration of motor neurons in the context of ALS.

Smad y otros blancos terapéuticos en esclerodermia / Smad and other therapeutic targets in scleroderma / Smad and other therapeutic targets in scleroderma

La esclerodermia es una enfermedad caracterizada por la acumulación excesiva de tejido fibroso que lleva a alteración en la estructura y función de la piel y de órganos internos. La principal citoquina involucrada en este proceso es el factor transformante de crecimiento beta y sus funciones se realizan principalmente a través de la señalización intracelular mediada por las proteínas Smad. Se han desarrollado estrategias para bloquear los efectos del factor transformante de crecimiento beta y la identificación de la vía de transmisión de señales proporciona nuevas herramientas para la investigación de futuras terapias, pero son necesarios más estudios en modelos animales y en humanos que logren reproducir en forma satisfactoria y segura los resultados. El propósito de este artículo es analizar la función del factor transformante de crecimiento beta en la fisiopatología de la esclerodermia profundizando en la vía de señalización mediada por Smad; además, revisar los estudios que involucran estas proteínas como blanco terapéutico de moléculas y medicamentos como posibles tratamientos para la esclerodermia.

Scleroderma is a disease characterized by excessive accumulation of fibrous tissue that leads to alteration in the structure and function of the skin and internal organs. The main cytokine involved in this process is the transforming growth factor beta and their functions are carried out mainly through intracellular signaling mediated by Smad proteins. Several strategies have been developed to block the effects of the transforming growth factor beta and understanding the signaling pathway provides new tools for the investigation of future therapies, but more studies are needed in animal models and humans to get the replication of the results in a satisfactory and safe manner. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the role of the transforming growth factor beta in the pathophysiology of scleroderma emphasizing the signaling pathway mediated by Smad; it is also to review some studies involving these proteins as therapeutic targets of molecules and drugs that could become potential treatments for scleroderma.

Transforming growth factor-β/Smad signaling function in the aortopathies / Fator transformador de crescimento-β/Smad como via de sinalização em aortopatias

OBJECTIVES: Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/Smad signaling pathway in aortic dissection patients and normal subjects has not been previously described. The present study was designed to evaluate the TGF-β/Smad signaling expressions in the patients with acute type A aortic dissection in comparison with those in the patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm and with coronary artery disease, and (or) the healthy subjects. METHODS: Consecutive surgical patients for acute type A aortic dissection (20 patients), aortic aneurysm (nine patients) or coronary artery disease (20 patients) were selected into this study. Blood samples (4 ml) were obtained from the right radial arterial indwelling catheter after systemic heparinization prior to the start of cardiopulmonary bypass in the operating room. Twenty-one young healthy volunteers without underlying health issues who donated forearm venous blood samples (4 ml) were taken as control. The surgical specimens of the aortic tissues were obtained immediately after they were severed during the operations of the replacement of the aorta in the patients with aortic dissection or aortic aneurysm. In patients receiving coronary artery bypass grafting, the tiny aortic tissues were taken when the punch holes of the proximal anastomosis on the anterior wall of the ascending aorta were made. The aortic tissues were for RNA, protein, or supernatant preparations until detection of TGF-β1 mRNA by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, of TGF-β1, TGF-β receptor I, Smad2/3, Smad4 and Smad7 by Western blot, and of TGF-β1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. In particular, the linear correlations of the relative grayscales between different proteins of each group, and those correlations between the quantitative TGF-β1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the time interval from the onset to surgery or the maximal dimensions of the ...

OBJETIVOS: Fator transformador de crescimento (TGF) -β/ Smad como via de sinalização em casos de dissecção aórtica e indivíduos normais não foi descrito anteriormente. O presente estudo foi elaborado para avaliar as expressões TGF-β/Smad como via de sinalização nos pacientes com dissecção aguda da aorta, em comparação com que nos pacientes com aneurisma da aorta torácica e com doença arterial coronariana, e (ou) com indivíduos saudáveis. MÉTODOS: Pacientes cirúrgicos consecutivos para o tipo A de dissecção aguda da aorta (20 pacientes), aneurisma da aorta (nove pacientes) ou doença arterial coronária (20 pacientes) foram selecionados para este estudo. Amostras de sangue (4 ml) foram obtidas a partir do cateter arterial radial direito após heparinização sistêmica antes do início da circulação extracorpórea na sala de cirurgia. Vinte e um voluntários jovens e saudáveis, sem problemas de saúde subjacentes que doaram amostras de sangue venoso do antebraço (4 ml) foram tomados como controle. Os espécimes cirúrgicos de tecidos aórtico foram obtidos imediatamente após terem sido cortados durante as operações da substituição da aorta nos pacientes com dissecção aórtica ou aneurisma da aorta. Em pacientes que foram submetidos à cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica, os tecidos da aorta minúsculos foram obtidos quando os orifícios da anastomose proximal na parede anterior da aorta ascendente foram feitos. Os tecidos da aorta foram para a RNA, proteínas ou preparações sobrenadantes até a detecção de TGF-β1 mRNA pela reação de transcrição reversa quantitativa em tempo real em cadeia da polimerase, de TGF-β1, receptor I de TGF-β, Smad2/3, Smad4 e Smad7 por Western Blot, e de TGF-β1 pelo teste de ELISA, respectivamente. Em particular, as correlações lineares dos tons de cinza relativo entre diferentes proteínas de cada grupo, e aquelas correlações entre os quantitativos TGF-β1 pelo teste de ELISA e o intervalo de ...