Renal fibrosis is characterized by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins. Recent findings show that transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) induces a rapid but transient expression of early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1) by skin fibroblasts. The present study aims to define the role of Egr-1 in mineralocorticoid-induced renal fibrosis. Therefore, we transiently transfected immortalized human renal fibroblasts (TK188) with recombinant Egr-1 and analysed the transcription of several pro-fibrotic genes (Coll1A1, Coll1A2, osteopontin, TIMP-1, and CTGF). We also examined Egr-1 expression and the regulation of pro-fibrotic genes in DOCA- (deoxycorticosterone acetate) and TGF-beta-treated renal fibroblasts. Finally, we compared Egr-1 gene expression in DOCA/high salt-induced fibrotic kidneys and untreated mice. Egr-1 transfection of TK188 fibroblasts induced the expression of TIMP-1 and osteopontin mRNA. Similar results were obtained after DOCA-activation of TK188 cells. Stimulation of TK188 with TGF-beta, but not with DOCA, resulted in elevated Coll1A1/Coll1A2 and CTGF levels. Co-stimulation with DOCA and TGF-beta was followed by enhanced Egr-1, Coll1A1, TIMP-1, and CTGF transcription. In conclusion, both DOCA and TGF-beta alone or in combination synergistically induced Egr-1 expression by human renal fibroblasts. DOCA induction of TIMP-1/osteopontin is Egr-1 dependent, whereas TGF-beta appears to induce Coll1A1 and CTGF by an Egr-1 independent pathway. In vivo analyses revealed significantly higher Egr-1 transcript levels in DOCA/high salt-induced fibrotic kidneys compared to untreated mice. Thus, we show for the first time that Egr-1 might participate in DOCA-induced renal fibrosis.
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Ecotoxicol Environ Saf
January 2025
Laboratory of Mucosal Exposome and Biomodulation, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea; Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea; Graduate Program of Genomic Data Sciences, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea; Program of Total Foodtech and PNU-Korea Maritime Institute (KMI) Collaborative Research Center, Busan, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:
Deoxynivalenol (DON), a prevalent mycotoxin produced by Fusarium species, contaminates global agricultural products and poses significant health risks, particularly to the gastrointestinal (GI) system. DON exposure disrupts ribosomal function, inducing stress responses linked to various inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this study, we elucidate a novel regulatory mechanism involving ribosomal proteins (RPs) RPL13A and RPS3, which mediate proinflammatory chemokine production in DON-exposed gut epithelial cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Behav Neurosci
December 2024
Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States.
Molecular and genetic techniques now allow selective tagging and manipulation of the population of neurons, often referred to as "engram cells," that were active during a specific experience. One common approach to labeling these cells is to use the transgenic mouse (TetTag). In addition to tagging cells active during learning, it is common to examine the reactivation of these cells using immediate early gene (IEG) expression as an index of neural activity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNutr Metab (Lond)
December 2024
College of Physical Education and Health Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, 688 Yingbin Road, Jinhua, 321004, Zhejiang Province, China.
Objective: Impaired skeletal muscle glycogen synthesis contributes to insulin resistance (IR). Aerobic exercise reported to ameliorate IR by augmenting insulin signaling, however the detailed mechanism behind this improvement remains unclear. This study investigated whether aerobic exercise enhances glycogen anabolism and insulin sensitivity via EGR-1/PTP1B signaling pathway in skeletal muscle of rats.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Med (Lausanne)
December 2024
Section of Neurobiology of the Eye, Ophthalmic Research Institute, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
Purpose: Changes in choroidal thickness (ChT) are proposed to predict myopia development but evidence is mixed. We investigated time courses of choroidal responses, following different types of dynamic artificial stimulation in chicks with and without spectacle lenses, as well as changes in retinal dopamine metabolism and expression of candidate genes.
Methods: Chicks were kept in an arena surrounded by computer monitors presenting dynamic checkerboard fields of small, medium and large size.
Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an intermittent hypoxia disorder associated with cognitive dysfunction, including learning and memory impairments. There is evidence that alterations in protease activity and neuronal activation as associated with cognitive dysfunction, are dependent on sex, and may be brain region-specific. However, the mechanisms mediating OSA-induced cognitive impairments are unclear.
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