Gremlin promotes peritoneal membrane injury in an experimental mouse model and is associated with increased solute transport in peritoneal dialysis patients.

The peritoneal membrane becomes damaged in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). Gremlin 1 (GREM1) inhibits bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) and plays a role in kidney development and fibrosis. We evaluated the role of gremlin in peritoneal fibrosis and angiogenesis.

A systematic review of the role of C4d in the diagnosis of acute antibody-mediated rejection.

In this study, we conducted a systematic review of the literature to re-evaluate the role of C4d in the diagnosis of acute antibody-mediated rejection of kidney allografts. Electronic databases were searched until September 2013. Eligible studies allowed derivation of diagnostic tables for the performance of C4d by immunofluorescence or immunohistochemistry with comparison to histopathological features of acute antibody-mediated rejection and/or donor-specific antibody (DSA) assays.

Increased recipient body mass index is associated with acute rejection and other adverse outcomes after kidney transplantation.

Background: Outcomes of kidney transplant recipients with increased body mass index (BMI) remain controversial. We studied the relationship between BMI and clinically relevant outcomes among kidney transplant recipients at a large center.

Methods: We performed an observational cohort study of all recipients of kidney transplants at our center from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2010 to determine if increased BMI at transplantation is associated with adverse outcomes, including delayed graft function and biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR).

Insulin receptor substrate-2 is expressed in kidney epithelium and up-regulated in diabetic nephropathy.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a progressive fibrotic condition that may lead to end-stage renal disease and kidney failure. Transforming growth factor-β1 and bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP7) have been shown to induce DN-like changes in the kidney and protect the kidney from such changes, respectively. Recent data identified insulin action at the level of the nephron as a crucial factor in the development and progression of DN.

CCN2/CTGF increases expression of miR-302 microRNAs, which target the TGFβ type II receptor with implications for nephropathic cell phenotypes.

Signalling interplay between transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) and CCN2 [also called connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)] plays a crucial role in the progression of diabetic nephropathy and has been implicated in cellular differentiation. To investigate the potential role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the mediation of this signalling network, we performed miRNA screening in mesangial cells treated with recombinant human CCN2. Analysis revealed a cohort of 22 miRNAs differentially expressed by twofold or more, including members of the miR-302 family.

Intensive home haemodialysis: benefits and barriers.

Accumulating evidence of the benefits of intensive home haemodialysis has led to increased international interest in this modality as a viable option for renal replacement therapy. Until the late 1970s, haemodialysis was primarily performed at home; however, the development of in-centre and satellite dialysis units and the advent of peritoneal dialysis led to decreased numbers of patients being managed by home haemodialysis. Over the past decade, a move towards once again providing and supporting haemodialysis at home has emerged, due to a desire to offer a more convenient form of dialysis for the patient in a more cost-effective manner.

Selenide ions as catalysts for homo- and crossed-Tishchenko reactions of expanded scope.

Selenide ions have been shown to catalyze the Tishchenko reaction for the first time. These catalysts are superior to previously reported thiolate analogues and promote the disproportionation of aldehydes with increased reaction rates and broader scope at lower catalyst loadings and temperatures. Significantly improved catalyst performance was also observed in the aryl selenide mediated crossed intermolecular Tishchenko reaction.

Deletion of Gremlin1 increases cell proliferation and migration responses in mouse embryonic fibroblasts.

Gremlin1 (Grem1) is an antagonist of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) that plays a critical role in embryonic and postnatal development. Grem1 has been implicated as both a promoter and an inhibitor of cell proliferation driven by BMP-4 and other mitogens in a diverse range of cell types. Recent data showed that Grem1 can trigger angiogenesis via vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR2) binding, highlighting that the precise modalities of Grem1 signalling require further elucidation.

Intensive hemodialysis: normalizing the "unphysiology" of conventional hemodialysis?

Interest in intensified hemodialysis (HD) regimens is increasing internationally, as there is growing evidence that they are associated with improved outcomes. Appreciation that conventional hemodialysis (CHD), delivered as 4-hour sessions three times a week, is not providing optimal physiological replacement of renal function has led to the development of intensified dialysis therapies. These include long intermittent hemodialysis typically lasting 6-8 hours and delivered three times a week, short daily hemodialysis, providing more frequent sessions 4-7 days a week lasting 2-3.

CTGF/CCN2 activates canonical Wnt signalling in mesangial cells through LRP6: implications for the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.

We describe the activation of Wnt signalling in mesangial cells by CCN2. CCN2 stimulates phosphorylation of LRP6 and GSK-3β resulting in accumulation and nuclear localisation of β-catenin, TCF/LEF activity and expression of Wnt targets. This is coincident with decreased phosphorylation of β-catenin on Ser 33/37 and increased phosphorylation on Tyr142.

Allelic depletion of grem1 attenuates diabetic kidney disease.

Objective: Gremlin (grem1) is an antagonist of the bone morphogenetic protein family that plays a key role in limb bud development and kidney formation. There is a growing appreciation that altered grem1 expression may regulate the homeostatic constraints on damage responses in diseases such as diabetic nephropathy.

Research Design And Methods: Here we explored whether knockout mice heterozygous for grem1 gene deletion (grem1(+/-)) exhibit protection from the progression of diabetic kidney disease in a streptozotocin-induced model of type 1 diabetes.