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Biomedical subjects

Pontus B Persson

Publications and source records attributed to Pontus B Persson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Translational control of collagen prolyl 4-hydroxylase-alpha(I) gene expression under hypoxia.

Hypoxia is a pro-fibrotic stimulus, which is associated with enhanced collagen synthesis, as well as with augmented collagen prolyl 4-hydroxylase (C-P4H) activity. C-P4H activity is controlled mainly by regulated expression of the alpha C-P4H subunit. In this study we demonstrate that the increased synthesis of C-P4H-alpha(I) protein in human HT1080 fibroblasts under long term hypoxia (36 h, 1% oxygen) is controlled at the translational level. This is mediated by an interaction of RNA-binding protein nucleolin (approximately 64 kDa form) at the 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions (UTR) of the mRNA. The 5'/3'-UTR-dependent mechanism elevates the C-P4H-alpha(I) expression rate 2.3-fold, and participates in a 5.3-fold increased protein level under long term hypoxia. The interaction of nucleolin at the 5'-UTR occurs directly and depends on the existence of an AU-rich element. Statistical evaluation of the approximately 64-kDa nucleolin/RNA interaction studies revealed a core binding sequence, corresponding to UAAAUC or AAAUCU. At the 3'-UTR, nucleolin assembles indirectly via protein/protein interaction, with the help of another 3'-UTR-binding protein, presumably annexin A2. The increased protein level of the approximately 64-kDa nucleolin under hypoxia can be attributed to an autocatalytic cleavage of a high molecular weight nucleolin form, without alterations in nucleolin mRNA concentration. Thus, the alteration of translational efficiency by nucleolin, which occurs through a hypoxia inducible factor independent pathway, is an important step in C-P4H-alpha(I) regulation under hypoxia.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein-A2/B1 modulate collagen prolyl 4-hydroxylase, alpha (I) mRNA stability.

Collagen prolyl 4-hydroxylase (C-P4H) alpha-subunit is of regulatory importance in the assembling of C-P4H tetramers, which are necessary for the hydroxylation of procollagen chains. Change in collagen expression by hypoxia or iron diminishment is a significant issue in extracellular matrix remodeling. It was proposed that C-P4H-alpha (I) is regulated at the posttrancriptional level under these conditions. Here we report that the induction of C-P4H-alpha (I) in human fibrosarcoma cells HT1080 by the iron chelator 2,2-dipyridyl is predominantly caused by an enhancement of mRNA stability. This effect is mediated by an increased synthesis and binding of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP)-A2/B1, which interacts with a (U)(16) element located in the 3'-untranslated region of C-P4H-alpha (I) mRNA. Luciferase reporter gene assays depending on C-P4H-alpha (I) 3'-untranslated region and co-transfection with hnRNP-A2/B1 provide evidence that the (U)(16) element is necessary and sufficient for posttranscriptional control of C-P4H-alpha (I) synthesis under the analyzed conditions. Further indication for the significance of hnRNP-A2/B1 in C-P4H-alpha (I) induction was obtained by micro array experiments. In a data set representing 686 independent physiological conditions, we found a significant positive correlation between hnRNP-A2/B1 and C-P4H-alpha (I) mRNAs.

2,2'-Dipyridyl↗

Role of nucleolin in posttranscriptional control of MMP-9 expression.

Matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are able to degrade extra cellular matrix (ECM) components, are crucial in ECM-remodeling, under physiological (e.g., embryogenesis, wound healing, angiogenesis) or pathophysiological conditions (e.g., arthritis, cancer progression and metastasis, fibrosis). Treating HT1080 cells, a human fibrosarcoma cell line, with the iron chelator 2,2-Dipyridyl, which mimics certain aspects of hypoxia, leads to a 3-fold elevated Matrix-metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) protein level. This elevation occurs within 3 h, without any change of mRNA-concentration. The rapid increase in MMP-9 expression is caused by an enhancement of translational efficiency characterized by a recruitment of translationally inactive MMP-9 mRNP-complexes into the rough endoplasmatic reticulum (rER). Reporter gene assays, which depend on the untranslated regions (UTR) of MMP-9 mRNA, reveal that the posttranscriptional regulation is mainly attributed to the 3'UTR. RNA/protein interaction studies indicate that the elevated binding of nucleolin ( approximately 64 kDa form) to the 3'UTR may be of major importance for the increased efficiency of MMP-9 translation. The results show that MMP-9 expression can be regulated posttranscriptionally, affecting the efficiency of translation and localization of the mRNA.

2,2'-Dipyridyl↗

Contrast-induced nephropathy.

How contrast medium-induced nephropathy (CIN) comes about is not fully understood, although CIN constitutes a leading cause of renal failure. Here, a short review of clinical trials and a more thorough outline of mechanisms thought to cause CIN are outlined. Osmolality is only one of several physicochemical properties of contrast media (CM). Iso-osmolar CM are dimers, not monomers. Thus, they have physicochemical features different from other CM, e.g., in terms of viscosity (which is over fivefold greater than plasma viscosity). This may be of considerable pathophysiologic and clinical importance. There are studies providing evidence for a greater perturbation in renal functions by iso-osmolar CM in comparison to nonionic low-osmolar CM. Conversely, some previous clinical trials indicate an advantage of the iso-osmolar CM. This review highlights altered rheological properties, perturbation of renal hemodynamics, regional hypoxia, auto- and paracrine factors (adenosine, endothelin, reactive oxygen species) and direct cytotoxic effects, which are all thought to participate in causing CIN. It is concluded that the use of CM in general, and high viscous iso-osmolar CM in particular, can be deleterious to the kidney due to augmented resistance in the renal tubules.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

Renal haemodynamic alterations in contrast medium-induced nephropathy and the benefit of hydration.

Though several suggestions have been put forward, the underlying mechanism of contrast medium-induced nephropathy (CIN) is not clear. Most probably, however, the culprit is a combination of various mechanisms working together to cause the development of CIN. The generally accepted main factors in the pathophysiology of CIN are the reduction in renal perfusion by contrast media (CM) combined with the toxic effects on the tubular cells. With regard to the literature, misconceptions are widespread when explaining the development of CIN, e.g. that osmolar challenge induces renal vasoconstriction due to the tubuloglomerular feedback mechanism (TGF). Although popular, this assumption is most probably false, since osmotic pressure is not the signal for the TGF. Much attention has been paid to reducing the osmolarity of CM further. In an effort to obtain iso-osmolar CM, dimers were formed. These CM have osmolarities in the near physiological range, but at the cost of increased viscosity. This seems to have adverse effects with regard to kidney haemodynamics. In contrast to the multifarious interpretations of CIN, it is generally accepted that hydration is effective in preventing CIN from occuring. There is no universally accepted explanation for the effect of hydration, but it may rely on enhancing renal medullary blood flow and reducing the viscosity of the fluid in the collecting duct.

Contrast Media↗

Pathophysiology of contrast medium-induced nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Contrast medium-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a well-known cause of acute renal failure, but the development of CIN remains poorly understood. A number of studies have been performed with the one aim, to shed some light onto the pathophysiology of CIN. These have led to manifold interpretations and sometimes contradicting conclusions. METHODS: This review critically surveys mechanisms believed to mediate CIN by highlighting the complex pathophysiologic entity, including altered rheologic properties, perturbation of renal hemodynamics, regional hypoxia, auto- and paracrine factors [adenosine, endothelin, and reactive oxygen species (ROS)], and direct cytotoxic effects. Moreover, the importance of physicochemical properties of contrast media are made clear. RESULTS: The more recently developed iso-osmolar contrast media are dimers, not monomers as the widely used nonionic low osmolar contrast media. The dimers have physicochemical features different from other contrast media which may be of clinical importance, not only with respect to osmolality. The viscosity of the commercially available dimers is considerably higher than blood. CONCLUSION: Many experimental studies provide evidence for a greater perturbation in renal functions by dimeric contrast media in comparison to nonionic monomeric contrast media. Clinical trials have yielded conflicting results.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Mechanisms of blood pressure variability-induced cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction in mice with impaired baroreflex.

Enhanced blood pressure variability contributes to left ventricular hypertrophy and end-organ damage, even in the absence of hypertension. We hypothesized that the greater number of high-blood pressure episodes associated with enhanced blood pressure variability causes cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction by activation of mechanosensitive and autocrine pathways. Normotensive mice were subjected to sinoaortic baroreceptor denervation (SAD) or sham surgery. Twelve weeks later, blood pressure variability was doubled in SAD compared with sham-operated mice. Blood pressure did not differ. Cardiac hypertrophy was reflected in greater heart/body weight ratios, larger myocyte cross-sectional areas, and greater left ventricular collagen deposition. Furthermore, left ventricular atrial and brain natriuretic peptide mRNA expression was greater in SAD than in sham-operated mice. SAD had higher left ventricular end-diastolic pressures and lower myocardial contractility indexes, indicating cardiac dysfunction. Cardiac protein content of phosphorylated p125 focal adhesion kinase (p125 FAK) and phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) was greater in SAD than in sham-operated mice, indicating activation of mechanosensitive pathways of cardiac hypertrophy. Furthermore, enhanced cardiac renin and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGFbeta1) protein content indicates activation of autocrine pathways of cardiac hypertrophy. Adrenal tyrosine hydroxylase protein content and the number of renin-positive glomeruli were not different, suggesting that sympathetic activation and the systemic renin-angiotensin system did not contribute to cardiac hypertrophy. In conclusion, more frequent blood pressure rises in subjects with high blood pressure variability activate mechanosensitive and autocrine pathways leading to cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction even in the absence of hypertension.

Adrenal Glands↗

AT1 receptors mediate angiotensin II-induced release of nitric oxide in afferent arterioles.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have indicated that angiotensin II (Ang II) possibly activates the nitric oxide (NO) system. We investigated the role of AT receptor subtypes (AT-R) in mediating the Ang II-induced NO release in afferent arterioles (Af) of mice. METHODS: Isolated Af of mice were perfused, and the isotonic contraction measured. Further, NO release was determined using DAF-FM, a fluorescence indicator for NO. Moreover, we qualitatively assessed the expression of AT-R at the mRNA level using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Ang II reduced luminal diameters dose dependently (67.3 +/- 6.3% at 10(-6) mol/L). Inhibition of AT2-R with PD123.319 did not change the Ang II contractile response. AT1-R blockade with ZD7155 inhibited contraction. Stimulation of AT2-R during AT1-R inhibition with ZD7155, and preconstriction with norepinephrine (NE) had no influence on the diameter. Drug application via the perfusion pipette changed flow and pressure, and enhanced NO fluorescence by DeltaF = 4.0 +/- 0.4% (N= 14, background). Luminal application of Ang II (10(-7) mol/L) increased the NO fluorescence by DeltaF = 9.9 +/- 1.2% (N= 8). AT1-R blockade blunted the increase to background levels (DeltaF to 4.0 +/- 0.3%, N= 6, P < 0.05), but AT2-R blockade did not (8.1 +/- 0.9%, N= 9). L-NAME nearly abolished the Ang II effect on the NO fluorescence (DeltaF = 1.6 +/- 0.5% (N= 8). NE did not increase NO release beyond the background levels. RT-PCR showed expression of both AT1-R and AT2-R. CONCLUSION: The results indicate an Ang II-induced NO release in Af of mice, which is mediated by AT1-R. Thus, Ang II balances its own constrictor action in Af. This control mechanism is very important in view of high renin and angiotensin II concentration in the juxtaglomerular apparatus.

Angiotensin II↗