Investigating angiogenin/ribonuclease 5 as a diagnostic biomarker for bladder cancer: In-depth analysis from a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Bladder cancer (BC) represents a prevalent malignancy in North America and Europe, posing significant health burdens. The identification of a reliable biomarker for early BC detection is imperative to enhance prognostic outcomes. Our aim for this study is to determine the diagnostic accuracy and potential clinical utility of Angiogenin/Ribonuclease 5 (ANG/RNase 5) as a biomarker for detection of BC. A systematic literature search across multiple databases up to March 20, 2024, was conducted. CMA 3.7 and Meta-disk 1.4 were used to analyze specificity, sensitivity, AUC, DOR, LR+, LR-, Q*index, and SROC for ANG as a urinary biomarker in BC patients. Publication bias was assessed using Egger's regression asymmetry and Begg's rank correlation tests. Additional diagnosing analyses were performed using Python programming language version 3.12.1. In this meta-analysis of seven case-control studies comprising 1,051 participants (576 cases and 481 controls), pooled sensitivity was 0.701 (95 % CI: 0.662-0.738), specificity was 0.787 (95 % CI: 0.752-0.819), LR + was 3.582 (95 % CI: 2.260-5.676), LR- was 0.398 (95 % CI: 0.327-0.485), and DOR was 10.637 (95 % CI: 6.106-18.529). The AUC and Q* index values were 0.823 and 0.756, respectively. Both Begg and Mazumdar Rank Correlation Test (p = 0.229) and Egger's Test of the Intercept (p = 0.135) revealed no significant evidence of publication bias. Our meta-analysis confirms ANG/RNase 5 as a reliable biomarker for early bladder cancer detection, showing strong diagnostic accuracy and no publication bias.

Role of circulating angiogenin levels in portal hypertension and TIPS.

BACKGROUND: Pathogenesis of portal hypertension is multifactorial and includes pathologic intrahepatic angiogenesis, whereby TIPS insertion is an effective therapy of portal hypertension associated complications. While angiogenin is a potent contributor to angiogenesis in general, little is known about its impact on TIPS function over time. METHODS: In a total of 118 samples from 47 patients, angiogenin concentrations were measured in portal and inferior caval vein plasma at TIPS insertion (each blood compartment n = 23) or angiographic intervention after TIPS (each blood compartment n = 36) and its relationship with patient outcome was investigated. RESULTS: Angiogenin levels in the inferior caval vein were significantly higher compared to the portal vein (P = 0.048). Ten to 14 days after TIPS, inferior caval vein angiogenin level correlated inversely with the portal systemic pressure gradient (P<0.001), measured invasively during control angiography. Moreover, patients with TIPS revision during this angiography, showed significantly lower angiogenin level in the inferior caval vein compared to patients without TIPS dysfunction (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: In cirrhosis patients with complications of severe portal hypertension, circulating levels of angiogenin are derived from the injured liver. Moreover, angiogenin levels in the inferior caval vein after TIPS may predict TIPS dysfunction.

Human ribonuclease 1 serves as a secretory ligand of ephrin A4 receptor and induces breast tumor initiation.

Human ribonuclease 1 (hRNase 1) is critical to extracellular RNA clearance and innate immunity to achieve homeostasis and host defense; however, whether it plays a role in cancer remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that hRNase 1, independently of its ribonucleolytic activity, enriches the stem-like cell population and enhances the tumor-initiating ability of breast cancer cells. Specifically, secretory hRNase 1 binds to and activates the tyrosine kinase receptor ephrin A4 (EphA4) signaling to promote breast tumor initiation in an autocrine/paracrine manner, which is distinct from the classical EphA4-ephrin juxtacrine signaling through contact-dependent cell-cell communication. In addition, analysis of human breast tumor tissue microarrays reveals a positive correlation between hRNase 1, EphA4 activation, and stem cell marker CD133. Notably, high hRNase 1 level in plasma samples is positively associated with EphA4 activation in tumor tissues from breast cancer patients, highlighting the pathological relevance of the hRNase 1-EphA4 axis in breast cancer. The discovery of hRNase 1 as a secretory ligand of EphA4 that enhances breast cancer stemness suggests a potential treatment strategy by inactivating the hRNase 1-EphA4 axis.

Angiogenin-A Proposed Biomarker for Cardiovascular Disease-Is Not Associated With Long-Term Survival in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease.

We evaluated angiogenin as a prospective biomarker in peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients with and without claudication symptoms. A pilot study suggested an elevation of angiogenin in critical limb ischemia. However, in PAD patients, the predictive value of angiogenin has not yet been evaluated. For this purpose, 342 patients with PAD (age: 69 ± 10 years, 34.5% women) were followed-up for 7 years in a cross-sectional study. Angiogenin was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All-cause and cardiovascular mortality were analyzed by Cox regression. Angiogenin levels were higher in men (P = .001) and were associated with patient waist-to-hip ratio (P < .001), fasting triglycerides (P = .011), and inversely with estimated glomerular filtration rate (P = .009). However, angiogenin showed no association with age, characteristics of diabetes, markers of lipid metabolism, or C-reactive protein. Angiogenin did not correlate with markers of angiogenesis such as vascular endothelial growth factor, angiopoietin-2, or tie-2. Furthermore, angiogenin was not associated with PAD Fontaine stages or with patient ankle-brachial index in addition to all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.09 [95% CI: 0.89-1.34]) or cardiovascular morality (HR = 1.05 [0.82-1.35]). These results suggest that angiogenin does not provide further information regarding outcome prediction in patients with PAD.

Serum angiogenin as a potential biomarker for early detection of colorectal adenomas and colorectal cancer.

Although colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common causes of cancer mortality, early-stage detection dramatically improves survival rate. To explore the feasibility of serum angiogenin (ANG) as a biomarker for early detection of colorectal neoplasia, we collected serum samples from 781 participants, including 369 patients with CRC, 133 with colorectal adenoma and 279 healthy controls. We examined the levels of serum ANG by ELISA, calculated the diagnostic accuracy of ANG by plotted receiver operating characteristic curves (ROCs), and compared it with those obtained by carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9). We also analyzed the relationship between serum ANG level and TNM stage in CRC patients. The results showed that ANG serum levels were significantly elevated in patients with colorectal adenomas and CRC (P < 0.01). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for ANG in distinguishing CRC patients from healthy controls was 0.740 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.705-0.744], comparable to that of CEA (0.770; 95% CI: 0.735-0.802; P = 0.26) but significantly higher than that of CA19-9 (0.636; 95% CI: 0.598-0.674, P < 0.01), with much higher sensitivity (67.75%) than CEA (36.86%) or CA19-9 (12.20%). We observed no significant differences in ANG serum levels among CRCs at different TNM stages. Furthermore, sensitivity and specificity of ANG for distinguishing colorectal adenomas patients from healthy controls were 66.20% and 64.90%, respectively. ANG has the potential to serve as a serum biomarker for early detection of colorectal neoplasia.

Enhanced neutrophil apoptosis accompanying myeloperoxidase release during hemodialysis.

Biocompatibility of hemodialysis (HD) systems have been considerably improved. However, mortality and morbidity rates of patients have remained high, raising questions regarding the biocompatibility of current systems. In the present study, 70 patients on regular HD (51 males; mean age, 63 years; median duration of HD, 18 months) with high-performance membrane (polysulfone, 77%; polymethylmethacrylate, 23%) at Tohoku University Hospital were examined. Blood samples before and after HD, were subjected to measure apoptosis cells of white blood cells, plasma levels of the following molecules: myeloperoxidase (MPO), pentraxin 3 (PTX3), angiogenin, complements, and 17 cytokines. The main findings were as follows: significant decreases in leukocyte counts by dialysis, significant increases in apoptosis-positive leukocytes by dialysis (neutrophils and monocytes), and significant decrease in plasma angiogenin accompanying increase in plasma MPO and PTX3 levels, with no or only marginal changes in plasma pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and complement products by dialysis. The findings underlined the unsolved issue of bio-incompatibility of HD systems, and suggest the possible pathology of neutrophil apoptosis accompanying MPO release for the development of microinflammation in patients on HD.

Enzymatic and Chemical-Based Methods to Inactivate Endogenous Blood Ribonucleases for Nucleic Acid Diagnostics.

There are ongoing research efforts into simple and low-cost point-of-care nucleic acid amplification tests (NATs) addressing widespread diagnostic needs in resource-limited clinical settings. Nucleic acid testing for RNA targets in blood specimens typically requires sample preparation that inactivates robust blood ribonucleases (RNases) that can rapidly degrade exogenous RNA. Most NATs rely on decades-old methods that lyse pathogens and inactivate RNases with high concentrations of guanidinium salts. Herein, we investigate alternatives to standard guanidinium-based methods for RNase inactivation using an activity assay with an RNA substrate that fluoresces when cleaved. The effects of proteinase K, nonionic surfactants, SDS, dithiothreitol, and other additives on RNase activity in human serum are reported. Although proteinase K has been widely used in protocols for nuclease inactivation, it was found that high concentrations of proteinase K are unable to eliminate RNase activity in serum, unless used in concert with denaturing concentrations of SDS. It was observed that SDS must be combined with proteinase K, dithiothreitol, or both for irreversible and complete RNase inactivation in serum. This work provides an alternative chemistry for inactivating endogenous RNases for use in simple, low-cost point-of-care NATs for blood-borne pathogens.

RNase A activity analysis and imaging using label-free DNA-templated silver nanoclusters.

A label-free, ultra-sensitive and turn-on method for detecting RNase A has been developed using enhanced DNA-templated silver nanoclusters (DNA-AgNCs) as the fluorescence probe. In this system, an RNA strand, which can perfectly hybridize with DNA template of nanocluster synthesis, was applied to lock the fluorescent signal of DNA-AgNCs by forming an RNA/DNA duplex. Meanwhile, the hybridized RNA/DNA duplex was used as the substrate of RNase A. The fluorescence signal of AgNCs was restored due to the degradation of RNA by RNase A. From the fluorescence signal change of this system caused by RNase A, it was found that the fluorescence signal showed a positive linear relation with RNase A concentration in the range from 0.2 pg/µL to 10 pg/µL with a detection limit of 0.098 pg/µL. Except for potential inhibitor screening and the kinetic study of this enzyme, this strategy was further used for monitoring dynamic change of RNase A in living cells successfully. In summary, the simple and sensitive method for RNase A assay can be hopefully used for drug screening in vitro and in vivo.

The association between serum angiogenin and osteopontin levels and coronary collateral circulation in patients with chronic total occlusion.

OBJECTIVE: A well-developed coronary collateral circulation lowers both in-hospital and long-term morbidity and mortality limiting the infarct. Angiogenin (AGN) and osteopontin (OPN) are known to be potent inducers of angiogenesis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between serum ANG and OPN levels and collateral filling grade in subjects with stable coronary artery disease (SCAD). METHODS: A total of 122 age- and gender-matched consecutive patients who were found to have total occlusion (n=70) and no significant stenosis in epicardial coronary arteries (n=52) who underwent coronary angiography due to SCAD between January 2015 and July 2017 were included in the study. AGN and OPN levels were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Coronary collateral circulation was graded using Rentrop's classification of collateral filling. RESULTS: A total of 52 patients (61.60±11.78 years, 61.5% male) without significant epicardial coronary artery stenosis and 70 patients (62.87±8.24 years, 65.7% male) with totally occluded coronary arteries were included in the study. Subjects with total occlusion had significantly higher levels of AGN [122.00 (79.00-623.00) pg/mL vs. 98.00 (18.00-160.00) pg/mL, p<0.001] and OPN [1863.50 (125.00-6500.00) pg/mL vs. 451.00 (112.00- 1850.00) pg/mL, p<0.001] than those without significant stenosis. In addition, AGN [127.00 (87.00-623.00) pg/mL vs. 110.00 (79.00-188.00) pg/mL, p=0.011] and OPN [2681.00 (126.00-6500.00) pg/mL vs. 649.00 (125.00-4255.00) pg/mL, p=0.001] levels were significantly higher in patients with better developed collaterals. Serum AGN and OPN levels were found to be significantly associated with coronary collateral development. CONCLUSION: AGN and OPN are associated with better developed coronary collateral circulation and may have therapeutic implications for the promotion of coronary collateral development.

Nailfold capillary changes in adult new-onset dermatomyositis: a prospective cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: It is to prospectively analyze nailfold capillaroscopy (NC) findings in new-onset dermatomyositis (DM) and to correlate NC findings with serum angiogenic cytokines and DM clinical and laboratory features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients with DM who experienced < 12 months of symptoms were included in the study. To assess serum cytokine levels, 23 age-, sex-, and ethnicity-matched healthy volunteers were used. NC characteristics and DM activity parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: Significantly higher serum angiogenin (ANG) and vascular endothelial growth factor-1 (VEGF1) levels were observed in DM patients than in controls. Capillary density and avascular areas correlated positively and negatively, respectively, with serum levels of ANG. Moreover, the capillary density correlated inversely with the number of enlarged and giant capillaries and avascular areas. The number of enlarged capillaries correlated positively with patient and physician visual analogue scales (VAS), the presence of a facial rash, giant capillaries, and microhemorrhages. Giant capillaries had a positive correlation with physician and cutaneous VAS, enlarged capillaries, avascular areas, microhemorrhages and bushy capillaries, and a negative correlation with capillary density. Microhemorrhages correlated positively with the "V-neck" sign and physician VAS. VEGF1 showed no relationship with the NC parameters with DM-related clinical and laboratory features. Additionally, 15 out of 23 patients were assessed prospectively after 3.21 years. All patients had a major clinical response with significant improvement in all NC parameters, except for enlarged and bushy capillaries. CONCLUSIONS: The NC may be a useful tool to assess disease activity in recent-onset DM, and it can also reinforce the role of ANG in the angiogenesis of this myopathy.

Repeated arctigenin treatment produces antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects in mice.

Depression is the root of various diseases. It is one of the most debilitating conditions globally. Antidepressant drugs are usually the first-line of depression treatment. Arctigenin (ARC), one of active ingredient of Arctium lappa L, has been found to exert neuroprotective, anti-decrepitude, and anti-inflammatory activities. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the potential antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects of ARC using acute and chronic mild stress (CMS) mice model. ICR mice model received acute stress or chronic mild stress assessed by open field test (OFT), novelty suppressed feeding (NSF), sucrose preference test (SPT), forced-swimming test (FST), and tail suspension test (TST). After the final test, blood was collected to detect the serum levels of angiogenin (ANG), thrombopoietin (TPO), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The behavioral results showed that repeated ARC (10, 30 mg/kg) administration significantly relieved the antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects. And repeated ARC administration at the dose of 10 and 30 mg/kg could significantly block depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors caused by CMS. Finally, ELISA results showed that ARC administration increased the serum levels of angiogenin (ANG), thrombopoietin (TPO), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Results showed that chronic ARC administration produces antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects, which provides direct evidence for the first time that ARC may be a novel strategy for the treatment of depression and even stress-related disorders. The present data supports further exploration for developing ARC administration as a novel therapeutic strategy for depression and even stress-related disorders.

Severity of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy correlates with increased expression of angiogenin in neonates.

BACKGROUND: Angiogenin is a small protein encoded by the ANG gene. It is activated by tissue hypoxia, and is known to be a potent stimulator of angiogenesis. The role of angiogenic factors in the pathogenesis of HIE is poorly understood, yet, angiogenin may be part of the molecular mechanisms underlying HIE. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to explore the predictive value of angiogenin as a biochemical marker in early hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy staging. STUDY DESIGN: We prospectively studied 36 full term HIE neonates and 20 non- asphyxia neonates. Cord blood samples from all subjects immediately at delivery were withdrawn. Neurological examination and grading of HIE were performed during the first day of life. RESULTS: Concentrations of cord blood angiogenin were increased in infants with asphyxia when compared txht o controls (P = 0). Within the asphyxia group, the median cord blood angiogenin was significantly higher in stage III encephalopathy patient compared to stage I and stage II (p = 0). There was a negative correlation between pH, HCo3 level and angiogenin in stage II and stage III. CONCLUSION: Angiogenin helps in assessing the severity of HIE in neonates and is promising marker predicting the stage of hypoxia-ischemia so treatment may be initiated earlier.

HBV Facilitated Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Proliferation by Up-Regulating Angiogenin Expression Through IL-6.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are at a high risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we aim to investigate the roles of HBV on angiogenin (ANG), as well as the effects on cell proliferation in presence of ANG down-regulation. METHODS: Serum ANG was determined by ELISA. The expression of ANG mRNA and protein in HCC cell lines with or without HBV/HBx were determined. Western blot and ELISA were conducted to determine the effects of HBV/HBx on IL-6 expression. The role of IL-6 on ANG was evaluated by IL-6 recombinant protein or IL-6 neutralizing antibody. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the nuclear translocation of ANG. MTT was performed to evaluate the relative inhibition ratio. RESULT: In vivo experiments showed elevation of serum ANG in patients infected with HBV. In vitro experiments showed HBV and HBx contributed to the transcription and translation of ANG. ANG expression showed increase after IL-6 stimulation, and ANG protein decreased in the presence of IL-6 blocking with its antibody. HBV promoted nuclear translocation of ANG. Inhibiting ANG expression or blocking of nuclear transfer of ANG attenuated the 45S rRNA synthesis and cell proliferation. CONCLUSION: HBV and HBx protein can increase the level of ANG through IL-6. HBV and HBx contributed to the nuclear translocation of ANG. Cell proliferation was inhibited after inhibiting the expression or nuclear transfer of ANG.

Angiogenin/Ribonuclease 5 Is an EGFR Ligand and a Serum Biomarker for Erlotinib Sensitivity in Pancreatic Cancer.

Pancreatic ribonuclease (RNase) is a secreted enzyme critical for host defense. We discover an intrinsic RNase function, serving as a ligand for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a member of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The closely related bovine RNase A and human RNase 5 (angiogenin [ANG]) can trigger oncogenic transformation independently of their catalytic activities via direct association with EGFR. Notably, high plasma ANG level in PDAC patients is positively associated with response to EGFR inhibitor erlotinib treatment. These results identify a role of ANG as a serum biomarker that may be used to stratify patients for EGFR-targeted therapies, and offer insights into the ligand-receptor relationship between RNase and RTK families.

Pleiotropic activity of systemically delivered angiogenin in the SOD1G93A mouse model.

Loss-of-function mutations in the angiogenin (ANG) gene have been identified in familial and sporadic ALS patients. Previous work from our group identified human ANG (huANG) to protect motoneurons in vitro, and provided proof-of-concept that daily intraperitoneal (i.p.) huANG injections post-symptom onset increased lifespan and delayed disease progression in SOD1G93A mice. huANG's mechanism of action remains less well understood. Here, we implemented a preclinical in vivo design to validate our previous results, provide pharmacokinetic and protein distribution data after systemic administration, and explore potential pleiotropic activities of huANG in vivo. SOD1G93A mice (n = 45) and non-transgenic controls (n = 31) were sex- age- and litter-matched according to the 2010 European ALS/MND group guidelines, and treated with huANG (1 µg, i.p., 3 times/week) or vehicle from 90 days on. huANG treatment increased survival and delayed motor dysfunction as assessed by rotarod in SOD1G93A mice. Increased huANG serum levels were detectable 2 and 24 h after i.p. injection equally in transgenic and non-transgenic mice. Exogenous huANG localized to spinal cord astrocytes, supporting a glia-mediated, paracrine mechanism of action; uptake into endothelial cells was also observed. 1 µg huANG or vehicle were administered from 90 to 115 days of age for histological analysis. Vehicle-treated SOD1G93A mice showed decreased motoneuron numbers and vascular length per ventral horn area, while huANG treatment resulted in improved vascular network maintenance and motoneuron survival. Our data suggest huANG represents a new class of pleiotropic ALS therapeutic that acts on the spinal cord vasculature and glia to delay motoneuron degeneration and disease progression.

Serum concentrations of Ang-2 and Flt-1 may be predictive of pregnancy outcome in women with pregnancies of uncertain viability: a phase I exploratory prognostic factor study.

The aim of this study was to determine whether serum concentrations of Ang-1, Ang-2, Flt-1, IL-15 and/or TRAIL can be used to predict outcome in women with pregnancies of uncertain viability (PUVs). Women presenting to the Early Pregnancy Unit at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham between 17.06.14 and 01.09.15 were prospectively recruited. Serum concentrations of Ang-1, Ang-2, Flt-1, IL-15 and TRAIL were measured in women with PUVs. Women were followed-up according to departmental protocols until viability was determined. Biomarker concentrations were correlated with pregnancy outcome. Ninety-four PUVs were studied, of which 61 (64.9%) were subsequently proven to be viable. There were statistically significant (p < .01), linear (p-valuetrend <.01) associations between Ang-2 and Flt-1 concentrations and pregnancy viability such that women with lower concentrations were significantly more likely to have viable pregnancies than women with higher concentrations. In conclusion, Ang-2 and Flt-1 may be useful in predicting outcome in women with PUVs. Impact statement What is already known on this subject: Predicting outcome in women with pregnancies of uncertain viability (PUVs) is challenging. There is currently no accurate and reliable method. All PUVs need to be followed-up until a definitive diagnosis of either a viable or non-viable pregnancy can be made. This takes time, utilises limited resources and generates significant anxiety. Recent studies have demonstrated serum concentrations of Ang-1, Ang-2, Flt-1, IL-15 and TRAIL in viable pregnancies are significantly different to those in non-viable or ectopic pregnancies. What the results of this study add: The results from this prospective study of 94 women with PUVs suggest that serum concentrations of Ang-2 and Flt-1 may be able to predict pregnancy viability in cases of uncertainty. Women with PUVs and low concentrations of Ang-2 or Flt-1 are significantly more likely to have viable pregnancies than women with high concentrations. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research: Evidence from multiple studies is necessary to appreciate the discriminating ability of these prognostic factors. Rapid clinical adoption in the absence of such evidence may lead to wasted resources. If our findings are confirmed, however, these biomarkers, either alone or as part of a prognostic model, may be capable of accurately predicting pregnancy outcome in cases of uncertainty. This would reduce the strain on limited resources and alleviate anxiety for women.

Mediators of angiogenesis and fibrosis in IgG4-related disease.

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a rare fibro-inflammatory condition that can affect almost any organ, characterized by tumefactive lesions and often by eosinophilia and elevated serum IgG4 concentrations. The aim of the study is to analyze in IgG4-RD patients the serum levels of a group of cytokines and growth factors potentially involved in the regulation of fibrotic processes. In the sera of 12 patients affected by IgG4-RD and of 15 normal healthy subjects (NHS), pro-fibrogenic mediators (TGF-ß1 and periostin) and pro- (VEGF and angiogenin-1) and anti- (endostatin and thrombospondin-1) angiogenic mediators were measured by sandwich enzyme immunoassay. Among mediators regulating fibrosis and angiogenesis, endostatin levels were significantly higher in IgG4-RD patients compared to NHS (p < 0.0001). No differences in the levels of TGF-ß1, periostin, VEGF, angiogenin-1 and thrombospondin-1 were observed between groups. Our study suggests that among the mediators mainly involved in fibrosis and angiogenesis endostatin might play a role in the pathogenetic processes of IgG4-RD.

Relevance of serum angiogenic cytokines in adult patients with dermatomyositis.

BACKGROUND: Until now, there are few studies evaluating serum levels of angiogenic cytokines in dermatomyositis (DM). Therefore, the aims of the present study were: (a) to analyze systematically and simultaneously serum levels of angiogenin (ANG), angiopoietin (ANGPT)-1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-1 and - 2, platelet derived growth factor (PDGF)-AA and -BB in DM; (b) to correlate the serum level of these cytokines with the DM clinical and laboratory features. METHODS: This is a cross sectional study, in which 48 patients with DM aged 18 to 45 years were gender-, age- and ethnicity-matched with 48 healthy individuals (control group). The serum levels of cytokines analyses were performed by multiplex immunoassay. The parameters of DM activity were based on the scores established by the International Myositis Assessment & Clinical Studies Group. RESULTS: The mean ages, gender frequencies and ethnicities were comparable between the patients with DM and the control group. A significantly higher serum FGF-1 and FGF-2 levels (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively), lower VEGF and PDGF-AA levels (P = 0.009 and P = 0.022), and comparable ANG, ANGPT-1 and PDGF-BB levels were observed in DM patients compared to controls. There was a tendency for cytokines (with the exceptions of VEGF and PDGF-BB) to correlate positively with the DM activity parameters, whereas FGF-2 correlated inversely. Moreover, FGF-1 strongly correlated with DM cutaneous manifestations. CONCLUSIONS: The present data provide the relevance of different serum angiogenic cytokines in patients with DM. Additional studies will be needed to validate the data obtained in this work.

[Changes in serum levels of the key factors of angiogenesis in different outcomes of combined injuries in children]. / Izmeneniia kontsentratsii v syvorotke krovi kliuchevykh faktorov angiogeneza pri razlichnykh iskhodakh sochetannoi travmy u detei.

AIM: To study the changes in the key angiogenic factors VEGF-A and angiogenin (ANG) in children with different outcomes of combined injuries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Contents of VEGF-A and ANG in blood serum were determined by enzyme immunoassay. The study included 40 patients, 21 boys and 19 girls. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to the outcome of injury: 1 - the recovery or mild residual symptoms; 2 - disabled; 3 - vegetable state; 4 - death. Patients were examined at different times after injury: 1-6 days, 7-11 days, 12-19 and 20-33 days. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In the first days after injury, the content of VEGF-A in patients of 1-3 groups was at the level of the reference group, moreover, in patients of the 3rd group it was close to the top edge. In group 4, the content of VEGF-A was maximal in the first days after injury and then gradually decreased to the point of death. In groups 1 and 3, the level of VEGF-A increased significantly starting from the 2nd week while in group 2 this indicator was slightly increased approaching later (up to 33 days of observation) to the upper values in the reference group. In the 3rd group, the content of VEGF-A reached the plateau on the 19th day after injury and was higher than the reference data, but lower than in patients of the 1st group. No correlation between the changes in ANG content at different times after combined injuries and outcome was found. There was a trend towards decreased levels of ANG, especially after 3-4 weeks after injury. The data obtained are important for the control over processes of vascular and tissue reparation after injury and for searching for effective ways of treatment of altered angiogenesis in such patients.

[Clinical value of angiogenin in predicting the prognosis of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between angiogenin-1/2 (Ang-1/2) and clinical parameters of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and to assess the value of Ang-1/2 in predicting the prognosis of patients with IPF. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted. Ninety-one patients diagnosed as IPF by high resolution CT (HRCT) and lung biopsy admitted to Daqing Oil Field General Hospital from March 2014 to January 2015 were enrolled. The general data, serum parameters and pulmonary function parameters of all patients were collected. After treatment, all of the 91 patients were followed-up to 2 years. The patients were divided into favorable prognosis group and unfavorable prognosis group according to follow-up results. The differences in all parameters between the two groups were compared. The relationship between Ang-1, Ang-2 and lung function parameters was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to evaluate the effect of clinical parameters on the prognosis of patients with IPF. The effect of Ang-2 in predicting prognosis of patients with IPF was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: During the 2-year follow-up period, 30 of 91 patients showed a favorable prognosis, and 55 showed an unfavorable prognosis with a poor prognosis rate of 64.71%, and 6 patients withdrew from the study due to loss of follow-up and death. Compared with the favorable prognosis group, Ang-2 level in the unfavorable prognosis group was significantly increased (µg/L: 2.88±1.63 vs. 1.89±1.22, t = 2.909, P = 0.005), but Ang-1 only showed a slight increase (µg/L: 28.70±14.26 vs. 25.62±11.95, t = 1.005, P = 0.318). The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that Ang-2 level was negatively correlated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FVC1) and the percentage of carbon monoxide diffusing capacity accounting for the expected value (DLCO%: r value was -0.227 and -0.206, and P value was 0.147 and 0.253, respectively), but no significant correlation between the level of Ang-1 and FVC1 as well as DLCO% was found (r value was -0.153 and -0.121, and P value was 0.147 and 0.253, respectively). Cox proportional hazard regression model analysis showed that the prognosis of patients with IPF was significantly affected by smoking time and Ang-2 (both P < 0.05), and the influence of Ang-2 was greater [relative risk (RR): 1.236 vs. 1.006, P = 0.037]. Age, gender, smoking and the levels of FVC1, DLCO% and Ang-1 had no significant effect on the prognosis of IPF patients (all P > 0.05). Prognostic analysis showed that the area under ROC curve (AUC) of Ang-2 for predicting prognosis of patients with IPF was 0.692, and the best diagnostic point was 0.35 µg/L, the sensitivity was 61.8%, the specificity was 73.3%, the positive predictive value was 69.8%, and the negative predictive value was 65.7% which indicated that Ang-2 could predict the prognosis of patients with IPF. CONCLUSIONS: Ang-2 could assess the prognosis of patients with IPF, which is expected to be used as an indicator of predicting the prognosis of patients with IPF.