Rapid, nongenomic stimulation of multidrug resistance protein 2 (Mrp2) activity by glucocorticoids in renal proximal tubule.

In renal proximal tubule, multidrug resistance protein 2 (Mrp2) actively transports many organic anions into urine, including drugs and metabolic wastes. Upon exposure to nephrotoxicants or during endotoxemia, both Mrp2 activity and expression are up-regulated. This may result from induced de novo synthesis of Mrp2 or post-transcriptional events involving specific signaling pathways.

High urinary excretion of kidney injury molecule-1 is an independent predictor of end-stage renal disease in patients with IgA nephropathy.

Background: The variable course of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) warrants accurate tools for the prediction of progression. Urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) are markers for the detection of early tubular damage caused by various renal conditions. We evaluated the prognostic value of these markers in patients with IgAN.

Hematopoietic stem cells exhibit a specific ABC transporter gene expression profile clearly distinct from other stem cells.

Background: ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters protect cells against unrelated (toxic) substances by pumping them across cell membranes. Earlier we showed that many ABC transporters are highly expressed in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) compared to more committed progenitor cells. The ABC transporter expression signature may guarantee lifelong protection of HSCs but may also preserve stem cell integrity by extrusion of agents that trigger their differentiation.

To seek shelter from the WNT in osteoarthritis? WNT-signaling as a target for osteoarthritis therapy.

Recent evidence from animal experiments and clinical samples points at a role for Wnt-signaling in osteoarthritis (OA) pathology. These pathways are key inducers and regulators of joint development, and are involved in formation of bone, cartilage and also synovium. Disregulation of members from this pathways have been described in OA.

Glycogenic hepatopathy: a rare cause of elevated serum transaminases in diabetes mellitus.

Glycogenic hepatopathy (GH) is a rare cause of serum transaminase elevations in type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). We describe a 29-year-old woman with a history of poorly controlled type 1 DM who presented with hepatomegaly and severe transaminase flares. Liver histology confirmed GH, with glycogen accumulation due to severe fluctuations in both glucose and insulin.

Contribution of bone marrow-derived cells in renal repair after acute kidney injury.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent clinical problem with a high mortality rate, generally caused by ischemic insults. Nevertheless, the kidney has a remarkably high capacity to regenerate after ischemic injury. Tubular cells can restore renal function by proliferation and dedifferentiation into a mesenchymal cell-type, but also stem cells residing in bone marrow (BM) have been suggested to contribute.

Databasing receptor distributions in the brain.

Receptor distributions in the brain are studied by autoradiographic mapping in brain slices, which is a labor-intensive and expensive procedure. To keep track of the results of such studies, we have designed CoReDat, a multi-user relational database system that is available for download from www.cocomac.

The immunosuppressive drug FK778 induces regulatory activity in stimulated human CD4+ CD25- T cells.

The induction of transplantation tolerance involves a T-cell-mediated process of immune regulation. In clinical transplantation, the use of immunosuppressive drugs that promote or facilitate this process would be highly desirable. Here, we investigated the tolerance-promoting potential of the immunosuppressive drug FK778, currently under development for clinical therapy.