Exploration of the mechanism of NORAD activation of TGF-β1/Smad3 through miR-136-5p and promotion of tacrolimus-induced renal fibrosis.

Background: Tacrolimus is a potent immunosuppressant, but has various side effects, with nephrotoxicity being the most common. Renal fibrosis is an important process of tacrolimus nephrotoxicity. Therefore, it is important to identify the factors that contribute to renal fibrosis after tacrolimus nephrotoxicity, and control its development.

Immature dendritic cells derived exosomes promotes immune tolerance by regulating T cell differentiation in renal transplantation.

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of immature dendritic cells-derived exosomes (imDECs) in the regulation of T cell differentiation and immune tolerance in renal allograft model mice.

Results: imDECs significantly improved the percent of survival, relieved inflammatory response, and reduced CD4+T cell infiltration. In addition, imDECs reduced the rejection associated cytokines in allograft mice, and increased the percentage of Foxp3+CD4+T cells in spleen and kidney tissues.

Bortezomib ameliorates acute allograft rejection after renal transplant by inhibiting Tfh cell proliferation and differentiation via miR-15b/IRF4 axis.

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the functional role of bortezomib in the development of acute allograft rejection (AR) after renal transplant.

Methods: The mouse model of AR was established by allograft kidney transplant followed by the treatment of bortezomib. The serum cytokines, renal function, and the percentage of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells in CD4 T cells were measured.

Over-expressed microRNA-181a reduces glomerular sclerosis and renal tubular epithelial injury in rats with chronic kidney disease via down-regulation of the TLR/NF-κB pathway by binding to CRY1.

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) contribute to the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) by regulating renal homeostasis. This study explored the effects of miR-181a on CKD through the Toll-like receptor (TLR)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway by binding to CRY1.

Methods: Seventy male rats were selected and assigned into specific groups: miR-181a mimic, miR-181a inhibitor, and siRNA against CRY1, with each group undergoing different treatments to investigate many different outcomes.

Kidney transplantation from pediatric donors in a single Chinese center.

To report clinical outcomes of kidney transplantation from pediatric brain and cardiac death donors (DBCD) in a single Chinese center and to investigate its feasibility to expand organ donor pool. 18 recipients, transplanted between August 2011 and October 2013 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, receive a single graft from DBCD donors age ranged from 1.5 to 13 years old.

[Co-culture of cryopreserved rat islets with small intestinal submucosa].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and benefits of co-culture of cryopreserved islets with small intestinal submucosa (SIS).

Methods: Purified rat islets cryopreserved for one month were divided into SIS group and control group, and after culture in standard islet culture media RPMI1640 for 1 week, the morphology and function of the islets were assessed.

Results: The SIS protects the fragile islets from damage by cryopreservation, and increased the recovery from (60.

[Cryopreservation of microencapsulated rat islets].

Objective: To investigate the role of alginate-polylysine-alginate (APA) microcapsules in protecting rat islet cells in cryopreservation.

Method: Purified rat islet cells microencapsulated with APA and free islet cells were cryopreserved for one month and then thawed for culture in RPMI 1640 overnight. The morphology of the cells was observed and their function assessed by stimulated insulin release test.

Small intestinal submucosa improves islet survival and function during in vitro culture.

Aim: To evaluate the recovery and function of isolated rat pancreatic islets during in vitro culture with small intestinal submucosa (SIS).

Methods: Pancreatic islets were isolated from Wistar rats by standard surgical procurement followed by intraductal collagenase distension, mechanical dissociation and Euroficoll purification. Purified islets were cultured in plates coated with multilayer SIS (SIS-treated group) or without multilayer SIS (standard cultured group) for 7 and 14 d in standard islet culture media of RPMI 1640.

Effect of small intestinal submucosa on islet recovery and function in vitro culture.

Background: The ability to maintain isolated human islet preparation in tissue culture has recently been adopted by most islet transplant centers to improve the safety and practicality of islet transplantation. However, maintaining islet viability and recovery remains a challenge in clinical setting. Extracellular matrix (ECM) is one of the most important components of islet microenvironment.