Hypoxia response and VEGF-A expression in human proximal tubular epithelial cells in stable and progressive renal disease.

Proteinuria, inflammation, chronic hypoxia, and rarefaction of peritubular capillaries contribute to the progression of renal disease by affecting proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs). To study the transcriptional response that separates patients with a stable course from those with a progressive course of disease, we isolated PTECs by laser capture microdissection from cryocut tissue sections of patients with proteinuric glomerulopathies (stable n=20, progressive n=11) with a median clinical follow-up of 26 months. Gene-expression profiling and a systems biology analysis identified activation of intracellular vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling and hypoxia response pathways in progressive patients, which was associated with upregulation of hypoxia-inducible-factor (HIF)-1alpha and several HIF target genes, such as transferrin, transferrin-receptor, p21, and VEGF-receptor 1, but downregulation of VEGF-A.

Bortezomib-induced survival signals and genes in human proximal tubular cells.

Bortezomib has been introduced recently in the therapy of multiple myeloma (MM), a disease that is frequently associated with progressive renal failure. Because bortezomib-based therapy has been reported to lead to a rapid recovery of kidney function in patients with MM, we decided to study its direct effects in proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTCs) compared with glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs). After 24 h of stimulation, 50 nM bortezomib led to a 6.

In vitro--transcriptional response of polymorphonuclear leukocytes following contact with different antigens.

Background Human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) are activated and undergo apoptosis if brought into contact with cuprophane haemodialysis membranes, a phenomenon not observed if more 'biocompatible' polysulfone dialysers are used. It remains yet to be defined if this differential response is due to mechanisms regulated on a transcriptional or protein level. Furthermore, it is not clear if the contact of PMN with membranes ('frustrated' phagocytosis) activates the same response as phagocytosis of bacteria (complete phagocytosis).

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy as a suitable technique in the study of the materials used in waterproofing of archaeological amphorae.

The resinous materials from the interior surfaces of two Roman and one Iberian amphora were studied with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results were then compared with those obtained by synchrotron radiation-FTIR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The FTIR spectra obtained by the technique of KBr micropellets, prepared directly with the materials scraped from the amphora without any further sample preparation, provided enough information to establish their diterpenoic nature, and even to differentiate between the two main materials employed for waterproofing purposes, pitch and wood tar.

Gene expression profiles of human proximal tubular epithelial cells in proteinuric nephropathies.

In kidney disease renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (RPTEC) actively contribute to the progression of tubulointerstitial fibrosis by mediating both an inflammatory response and via epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Using laser capture microdissection we specifically isolated RPTEC from cryosections of the healthy parts of kidneys removed owing to renal cell carcinoma and from kidney biopsies from patients with proteinuric nephropathies. RNA was extracted and hybridized to complementary DNA microarrays after linear RNA amplification.