Localization and functional consequences of a direct interaction between TRIOBP-1 and hERG proteins in the heart.

Reduced levels of the cardiac human (h)ERG ion channel protein and the corresponding repolarizing current can cause arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death, but the underlying cellular mechanisms controlling hERG surface expression are not well understood. Here, we identified TRIOBP-1, an F-actin-binding protein previously associated with actin polymerization, as a putative hERG-interacting protein in a yeast-two hybrid screen of a cardiac library. We corroborated this interaction by performing Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) in HEK293 cells and co-immunoprecipitation in HEK293 cells and native cardiac tissue.

The hunt for a selective 17,20 lyase inhibitor; learning lessons from nature.

Given prostate cancer is driven, in part, by its responsiveness to androgens, treatments historically employ methods for their removal from circulation. Approaches as crude as castration, and more recently blockade of androgen synthesis or receptor binding, are still of limited use long term, since other steroids of adrenal origin or tumor origin can supersede that role as the 'castration resistant' tumor re-emerges. Broader inhibition of steroidogenesis using relatively nonselective P450 inhibitors such as ketoconazole is not an alternative since a general disruption of steroid biosynthesis is neither safe nor effective.

Contributing factors to complications and surgical success in mouse kidney transplantation.

Purpose: Mouse kidney transplantation is a challenging technique for novice microsurgeons. Factors that affect transplant outcomes for a clinical surgeon starting microsurgery have not yet been investigated.

Materials And Methods: 110 consecutive mouse kidney transplants were performed over a 9-month period.

Mycophenolic acid may delay allograft fibrosis by inhibiting transforming growth factor-beta1-induced activation of Nox-2 through the nuclear factor-kappaB pathway.

Background: We evaluated the role of renal tubular Nox-2 in the pathogenesis of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in kidney allografts.

Methods: We examined this question in the human kidney allografts with interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy not otherwise specified (IFTANOS), in the Fisher to Lewis rat transplant model, and in the in vitro model of transforming growth factor-beta1-induced EMT in normal rat kidney epithelial cells (NRK52E).

Results: We first demonstrated that Nox-2 and alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA) were increased in renal tubules from kidney transplant recipients on calcineurin inhibitors, mycophenolic acid (MPA), and prednisone with IFTANOS, suggestive of EMT (n=6).

One-year serum albumin is an independent predictor of outcomes in kidney transplant recipients.

Objective: This research study was conducted to investigate whether serum albumin levels predict allograft/patient outcomes in the new era of transplant medicine and immunology.

Methods: The association of 1-year post-transplant serum albumin, and patient and graft outcomes was retrospectively analyzed in 500 kidney transplant recipients between 1998 and 2005. Albumin was used as a categorical and a continuous variable in univariate and multivariate Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses.

Increase in proteinuria >200 mg/g after late rejection is associated with poor graft survival.

Background: There is no information on the effects of proteinuria on outcomes following rejection.

Methods: We addressed this question in a retrospective study of 925 kidney transplant recipients between January 2003 and December 2007. Selection criteria were based on (i) biopsy proven diagnosis of a first episode of acute rejection, and (ii) available data on urine protein to creatinine (UPC) ratios at baseline (lowest serum creatinine before biopsy), time of biopsy and 1 month after biopsy.