Loss of Upk1a and Upk1b expression is linked to stage progression in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.

BACKGROUND: Uroplakin-1a (Upk1a) and uroplakin-1b (Upk1b) have recently been identified as diagnostic markers for the distinction of urothelial carcinomas from other solid tumor entities. Both proteins play an important role in the stabilization and strengthening of epithelial cells that line the bladder. METHODS: To evaluate the prognostic role of uroplakin expression in urothelial carcinomas, more than 2700 urothelial neoplasms were analyzed in a tissue microarray format by immunohistochemistry. To further assess the diagnostic role of uroplakin immunohistochemistry, results were compared with preexisting GATA3 data. RESULT: The fraction of Upk1a/Upk1b positive cases decreased slightly from pTaG2 low-grade (88% positive for Upk1a/87% positive for Upk1b) and pTaG2 high-grade (92%/89%) to pTaG3 (83%/88%; p > 0.05) and was lower in muscle-invasive (pT2-4) carcinomas (42%/64%; p < 0.0001/p < 0.0001 for pTa vs. pT2-4). Within pT2-4 carcinomas, high expression of Upk1a and Upk1b was linked to nodal metastasis and lymphatic vessel infiltration (p < 0.05) but unrelated to patient outcome. There were significant associations between Upk1a, Upk1b and GATA3 immunostaining (p < 0.0001 each), but 11% of GATA3 negative cancers were Upk1a/b positive and 8% of Upk1a/b negative cancers were GATA3 positive. Absence of GATA3/Upk1a/b staining was significantly linked to poor patient survival in the subgroup of 126 pT4 carcinomas (p = 0.0004) but not in pT2 and pT3 cancers. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the results of our study demonstrate that Upk1a and/or Upk1b immunohistochemistry can complement GATA3 for the distinction of urothelial carcinomas. Furthermore, a progressive loss of Upk1a/b expression during stage progression and a prognostic role of the combination GATA3/Upk1a/Upk1b in pT4 carcinomas is evident.

Uroplakin 1a Interacts with Regucalcin and Proteasome Subunit Beta 1.

Uroplakins (UPKs) are specialized proteins that plan an important role in protecting the epithelium of the bladder from toxic waste. We recently demonstrated the expression pattern of UPKs in the male reproductive tract and their importance in sperm function in murine models. However, the exact mechanisms through which UPKs affect spermatogenesis are not reported. In this study, using yeast two-hybrid screening was conducted to determine the interaction partners of Uroplakin 1a (UPK1A). Y2H Gold yeast strain overexpressing UPK1A was mated with Y187 yeast strain overexpressing human testis cDNA library and the mutants were plated on SD agar plates containing selection media. Colonies that grew on SD/-Trp, SD/-Leu, SD/-His, and SD/-Ade plates were isolated and evaluated to identify the interacting partners of UPK1A. Regucalcin (RGN) and proteasome subunit beta 1 (PSMB1) were identified as potential interaction partners. Using HEK cells that overexpress UPK1A and RGN or PMSB1, the co-localization and interaction were estimated with high-resolution microscopy and Pearson's coefficient. In light of the fact that UPK1A knockout caused subfertility and that the role of RGN and PSMB1 in spermatogenesis is documented, an interaction between UPK1A and RGN or PSMB1 could be required for spermatogenesis.

Analysis of the distal urinary tract in larval and adult zebrafish reveals homology to the human system.

Little is known about the distal excretory component of the urinary tract in Danio rerio (zebrafish). This component is affected by many human diseases and disorders of development. Here, we have undertaken multi-level analyses to determine the structure and composition of the distal urinary tract in the zebrafish. In silico searches identified uroplakin 1a (ukp1a), uroplakin 2 (upk2) and uroplakin 3b (upk3b) genes in the zebrafish genome (orthologues to genes that encode urothelium-specific proteins in humans). In situ hybridization demonstrated ukp1a expression in the zebrafish pronephros and cloaca from 96 h post-fertilization. Haematoxylin and Eosin staining of adult zebrafish demonstrated two mesonephric ducts uniting into a urinary bladder that leads to a distinct urethral opening. Immunohistochemistry identified Uroplakin 1a, Uroplakin 2 and GATA3 expression in zebrafish urinary bladder cell layers that match human urothelial expression. Fluorescent dye injections demonstrated zebrafish urinary bladder function, including urine storage and intermittent micturition, and a urethral orifice separate from the larger anal canal and rectum. Our findings reveal homology between the urinary tracts of zebrafish and humans, and offer the former as a model system to study disease.

Uroplakin 1a Knockout Mice Display Marginal Reduction in Fecundity, Decreased Bacterial Clearance Capacity, and Drastic Changes in the Testicular Transcriptome.

Uroplakins (UPKs) form physical and chemical barriers in the bladder and other urinary tract tissues. We previously reported the identification and localization of UPKs in the male reproductive tract of rat. In this study, we characterized Upk1a knockout mice and report a marginal reduction in fecundity associated with significant decrease in sperm count. Upk1a mice had lower bacterial clearance capacity when challenged with uropathogenic Escherichia coli for 1 to 5 days. High-throughput analyses of testicular transcriptome indicated that 1128 genes that are expressed in testis of wild-type mice were completely absent in the knockout, while 2330 genes were found to be expressed only in the testis of knockout mice. Furthermore, differential regulation of 148 (67 upregulated and 81 downregulated) was observed. Gene ontology analyses indicated that processes related to integral components of membrane (plasma membrane), G-protein receptor activity and signaling, olfactory receptor activity and perception of smell, organization of extracellular space/region, immune and inflammatory responses to pathogens, spermatid development, meiotic cell cycle, and formation of synaptonemal complex were affected. Results of this study provide evidence on the possible multi-functional role of Upk1a in male reproductive tract and in other tissues as well.

Large-scale human tissue analysis identifies Uroplakin 1a as a putative diagnostic marker for urothelial cancer.

Uroplakin 1A (Upk1a) protein is relevant for stabilizing and strengthening urothelial cells and helps to prevent them from rupturing during bladder distension. Based on RNA expression data Upk1a is expressed in a limited number of normal tissues and tumors. To comprehensively evaluate the potential diagnostic and prognostic utility of Upk1a immunohistochemistry, a tissue microarray containing 6929 samples from 115 different tumor types and subtypes and 608 samples of 76 different normal tissue types was analyzed. Upk1a positivity was found in 34 (29.6 %) different tumor types including 9 (7.8 %) tumor types with at least one strongly positive case. The highest rates of Upk1a positivity were seen in various subtypes of urothelial neoplasms (42.6-98 %) including Brenner tumors of the ovary (64.9 %) followed by neoplasms of the thyroid (10.4-33.3 %). In urothelial tumors, Upk1a staining predominated at the cell membranes and staining intensity was often moderate to strong. In thyroidal neoplasms the staining was mostly purely cytoplasmic and of low to moderate intensity. Upk1a positivity was also seen in up to 15 % of cases in 25 additional tumor categories but the staining intensity was often cytoplasmic and the intensity was usually judged as weak and only rarely as moderate. Within non-invasive (pTa) tumors, the Upk1a positivity rate decreased from 94 % in pTa G2 (low grade) to 90.1 % in pTa G3 (p = 0.012) and was even lower in muscle-invasive carcinomas (41.5 %; p < 0.0001 vs pTaG3). Within muscle invasive carcinomas, Upk1a expression was unrelated to nodal metastasis (p > 0.05) and patient outcome (p > 0.05). In conclusion, Upk1a immunohistochemistry is a potentially useful and specific diagnostic marker for the distinction of urothelial carcinomas from other neoplasms. However, its sensitivity is less than 50 % in muscle-invasive cancers because Upk1a expression decreases during grade and stage progression.

Genetic polymorphism predicting Methotrexate efficacy in Chinese patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

BACKGROUND: Methotrexate is the first systemic therapeutics of psoriasis. It is reported that 40% of the patients achieved a PASI75 after 12 weeks with a small dose of methotrexate (15mg / w) treatment. So far there is not any large-scale exome sequencing been used to predict the efficacy of methotrexate in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the genetic polymorphism to predict methotrexate efficacy in Chinese patients with psoriasis vulgaris. METHODS: In this study, we used the whole exon high-throughput sequencing technology to detect the DNA sequence of 22 psoriasis vulgaris patients (11 responders, 11 non-responders) treated with methotrexate and captured approximately 236 variants with statistically significant in the whole exon sequencing, then in accordance with statistical differences and clinical relevance, we further selected 36 SNPs and 14 SNPs that have been reported in articles associated with the response of methotrexate. We used MassARRAY method to verify the 50 SNPs in 100 psoriatic patients treated with methotrexate. RESULTS: We found 3 SNPs, rs216195T>C in SMG6, rs1050301G>A in IMMT, rs2285421T>C in UPK1A which might associate with the drug response of methotrexate. CONCLUSION: We have searched 3 new SNPs that could predict the efficacy of methotrexate in psoriasis vulgaris to some extent, providing a theoretical basis for precision medicine of methotrexate in future.

Effect of Dendrimer Generation and Aglyconic Linkers on the Binding Properties of Mannosylated Dendrimers Prepared by a Combined Convergent and Onion Peel Approach.

An efficient study of carbohydrate-protein interactions was achieved using multivalent glycodendrimer library. Different dendrimers with varied peripheral sugar densities and linkers provided an arsenal of potential novel therapeutic agents that could be useful for better specific action and greater binding affinities against their cognate protein receptors. Highly effective click chemistry represents the basic method used for the synthesis of mannosylated dendrimers. To this end, we used propargylated scaffolds of varying sugar densities ranging from 2 to 18 for the attachment of azido mannopyranoside derivatives using copper catalyzed click cycloaddition. Mannopyranosides with short and pegylated aglycones were used to evaluate their effects on the kinetics of binding. The mannosylated dendrons were built using varied scaffolds toward the accelerated and combined "onion peel" strategy These carbohydrates have been designed to fight E. coli urinary infections, by inhibiting the formation of bacterial biofilms, thus neutralizing the adhesion of FimH type 1 lectin present at the tip of their fimbriae against the natural multiantennary oligomannosides of uroplakin 1a receptors expressed on uroepithelial tissues. Preliminary DLS studies of the mannosylated dendrimers to cross- link the leguminous lectin Con A used as a model showed their high potency as candidates to fight the E. coli adhesion and biofilm formation.

Urinary mRNA analysis of biomarkers to epithelial mesenchymal transition of renal allograft.

Renal allograft loss is most often a chronic process, irrespective of the mechanism at stake. In this prospective study, we studied the expression of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers vimentin and ß-catenin by immunohistochemistry in the surveillance biopsy and measured the mRNA encoding vimentin (VIM), CD45, GAPDH and uroplakin 1a (UPK) by quantitative PCR in urinary cells in 75 renal transplant patients. The aim is to establish a simple screening test for chronic renal allograft dysfunction. We found that the value of the mRNA of vimentin and CD45 relative to the uroplakin 1a (UPK) mRNA is correlated with the score in vimentin immunostaining in routine biopsies. These biomarkers could be used as a noninvasive tool to monitor the renal graft fibrogenesis. This test could be used for early detection of fibrotic diseases of the kidney transplant.

The Conformational Variability of FimH: Which Conformation Represents the Therapeutic Target?

FimH is a bacterial lectin found at the tips of type 1 pili of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). It mediates shear-enhanced adhesion to mannosylated surfaces. Binding of UPEC to urothelial cells initiates the infection cycle leading to urinary tract infections (UTIs). Antiadhesive glycomimetics based on α-d-mannopyranose offer an attractive alternative to the conventional antibiotic treatment because they do not induce a selection pressure and are therefore expected to have a reduced resistance potential. Genetic variation of the fimH gene in clinically isolated UPEC has been associated with distinct mannose binding phenotypes. For this reason, we investigated the mannose binding characteristics of four FimH variants with mannose-based ligands under static and hydrodynamic conditions. The selected FimH variants showed individually different binding behavior under both sets of conditions as a result of the conformational variability of FimH. Clinically relevant FimH variants typically exist in a dynamic conformational equilibrium. Additionally, we evaluated inhibitory potencies of four FimH antagonists representing different structural classes. Inhibitory potencies of three of the tested antagonists were dependent on the binding phenotype and hence on the conformational equilibrium of the FimH variant. However, the squarate derivative was the notable exception and inhibited FimH variants irrespective of their binding phenotype. Information on antagonist affinities towards various FimH variants has remained largely unconsidered despite being essential for successful antiadhesion therapy.

Dual ligand/receptor interactions activate urothelial defenses against uropathogenic E. coli.

During urinary tract infection (UTI), the second most common bacterial infection, dynamic interactions take place between uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) and host urothelial cells. While significant strides have been made in the identification of the virulence factors of UPEC, our understanding of how the urothelial cells mobilize innate defenses against the invading UPEC remains rudimentary. Here we show that mouse urothelium responds to the adhesion of type 1-fimbriated UPEC by rapidly activating the canonical NF-κB selectively in terminally differentiated, superficial (umbrella) cells. This activation depends on a dual ligand/receptor system, one between FimH adhesin and uroplakin Ia and another between lipopolysaccharide and Toll-like receptor 4. When activated, all the nuclei (up to 11) of a multinucleated umbrella cell are affected, leading to significant amplification of proinflammatory signals. Intermediate and basal cells of the urothelium undergo NF-κB activation only if the umbrella cells are detached or if the UPEC persistently express type 1-fimbriae. Inhibition of NF-κB prevents the urothelium from clearing the intracellular bacterial communities, leading to prolonged bladder colonization by UPEC. Based on these data, we propose a model of dual ligand/receptor system in innate urothelial defenses against UPEC.

Downregulation of UPK1A suppresses proliferation and enhances apoptosis of bladder transitional cell carcinoma cells.

Uroplakin 1A (UPK1A) is a specific marker of mammalian urothelium and one of major proteins contained in urothelial plaques. Many recent studies reported that UPK1A could be useful marker for diagnosis, detection and prognostic prediction of transitional cell carcinoma. However, relatively little is known about its exact roles in bladder transitional cell carcinoma (BTCC). We tried to explore the roles UPK1A plays in BTCC via the transfection of its antisense nucleotides (AS) into T24 cells to observe their changes of proliferation and apoptosis. After AS was successfully transfected into T24 cells, the percentages of proliferating T24 cells at 24 and 48 h after the treatment were 57.2 ± 6.8 and 44.7 ± 5.2%, significantly lower than that of control group, as shown by MTT (p < 0.05 and 0.01). At 24 h after transfection of AS, the percentage of apoptotic T24 cells was 26.87% measured by flow cytometry, significantly higher than that of control group (p < 0.01). Similarly, Hoechst 33258 staining showed that the percentage of apoptotic nuclei of T24 cells after 24 h treated by AS was 28.9%, significantly higher than that of control (p < 0.05). The most common and typical morphological changes of apoptosis, including shrink, pyknosis and karyorrhexis of T24 cells nuclei and DNA fragmentation were seen from Hoechst 33258 staining and DNA agarose gel electrophoresis. Taken together, inhibition of UPK1A can suppress proliferation and enhance apoptosis of BTCC T24 cells, suggesting it a potential target to treat this disease.

Reduced expression of uroplakin 1A is associated with the poor prognosis of gastric adenocarcinoma patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and prognostic significance of Uroplakin1A (UPK1A) in gastric adenocarcinoma patients. Functional studies were also analyzed in vitro. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), western blotting, and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining methods were used to analyze the expression of UPK1A in primary gastric adenocarcinoma tissue samples. Compared with matched adjacent non-tumor, the expression of UPK1A in fresh surgical specimens was reduced, which was confirmed by RT-qPCR (P<0.01) and western blotting analysis (P<0.01). The paraffin specimens from a consecutive series of 445 gastric adenocarcinoma patients who underwent surgery between 2003 and 2006 were analyzed by IHC staining. The relationship between UPK1A expression, clinicopathological factors, and survival were evaluated. IHC staining analysis revealed that the reduced expression of UPK1A was observed in 224 cases (50.3%). Additionally, the correlation analysis of clinicopathological factors demonstrated that reduced expression of UPK1A was significantly associated with histological grade (P = 0.022), node metastasis (P<0.001) and tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage (P = 0.008) (7th edition of the International Union Against Cancer (UICC)). Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that the reduced expression of UPK1A was significantly associated with poor prognosis (P = 0.043). Cox hazards model analysis indicated that UPK1A expression was an independent risk factor at the 0.1 level (P = 0.094). The function of UPK1A in cell cycle, migration, and invasion was investigated by overexpressing UPK1A in the MKN45 gastric cancer cell line. The elevated expression of UPK1A cells induced G1 phase arrest and significantly inhibited migration and invasion. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The reduced expression of UPK1A might play a role in the progression of gastric cancer. Thus, UPK1A could be a potential favorable biomarker associated with gastric cancer prognosis.

Differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells co-cultured with urothelium cell line toward a urothelium-like phenotype in a nude murine model.

OBJECTIVE: To investigated the urothelium differentiation potential of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) that were coimplanted with the immortalized human bladder urothelium cell line (SV-HUC-1) into the subcutaneous tissue of athymic mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ASCs were isolated from the human adipose tissue of patients undergoing liposuction procedures and were expanded in vitro. After labeling with CM-DiI, the ASCs were mixed with SV-HUC-1 and implanted into the subcutaneous tissue of athymic mice for 2 and 4 weeks. The urothelium-specific markers uroplakin-Ia and uroplakin-II were detected by immunofluorescence. The transformation rate of ASCs into the urothelium phenotype was evaluated at each measurement point. RESULTS: We found that 25.87% ± 1.38% of ASCs expressed the urothelium-specific marker uroplakin-Ia and 23.60% ± 2.57% of ASCs expressed uroplakin-II 2 weeks after coimplantation with SV-HUC-1 in vivo. After 4 weeks, 70.07% ± 3.84% of ASCs expressed uroplakin-Ia and 65.56% ± 2.94% expressed uroplakin-II. However, no obvious organizational multilayered urothelium structure, such as that of the native bladder mucosa, was found in the subcutaneous tissues of the athymic mice. CONCLUSION: The results of our study have demonstrated that ASCs could be differentiated toward the urothelium-like phenotype when they were coimplanted in direct contact with cells of a mature urothelium cell line, and the proportion of differentiated cells increased from 2 to 4 weeks. The differentiation potential of ASCs toward the urothelial cell type suggests that ASCs might have potential to be used in urinary tract repair with a tissue engineering approach in the future.

Self-renewal and differentiation capacity of urine-derived stem cells after urine preservation for 24 hours.

Despite successful approaches to preserve organs, tissues, and isolated cells, the maintenance of stem cell viability and function in body fluids during storage for cell distribution and transportation remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to characterize urine-derived stem cells (USCs) after optimal preservation of urine specimens for up to 24 hours. A total of 415 urine specimens were collected from 12 healthy men (age range 20-54 years old). About 6 × 10(4) cells shed off from the urinary tract system in 24 hours. At least 100 USC clones were obtained from the stored urine specimens after 24 hours and maintained similar biological features to fresh USCs. The stored USCs had a "rice grain" shape in primary culture, and expressed mesenchymal stem cell surface markers, high telomerase activity, and normal karyotypes. Importantly, the preserved cells retained bipotent differentiation capacity. Differentiated USCs expressed myogenic specific proteins and contractile function when exposed to myogenic differentiation medium, and they expressed urothelial cell-specific markers and barrier function when exposed to urothelial differentiation medium. These data demonstrated that up to 75% of fresh USCs can be safely persevered in urine for 24 hours and that these cells stored in urine retain their original stem cell properties, indicating that preserved USCs could be available for potential use in cell-based therapy or clinical diagnosis.