多囊蛋白2离子通道功能及在常染色体显性多囊肾发病中的作用机制

多囊蛋白2 (polycystin-2,PC2,或称TRPP2,PKD2)是一种瞬时受体电位通道(transient receptor potential channel,TRP),在维持细胞正常的Ca²⁺信号传导中起着关键作用,也是最常见的单基因常染色体显性遗传多囊肾病(transient receptor potential channel,ADPKD)的潜在病因之一。PC2可自身组装为同源四聚体离子通道或与其他蛋白质形成异源受体-离子通道复合物,参与调节机械感觉、细胞极性、细胞增殖和凋亡等多种生理功能,导致囊性细胞从正常的吸收、静止状态转变为病理性分泌、增殖状态。本文阐述了PC2蛋白相关结构域以及通道特性在维持细胞内Ca²⁺信号传导中的关键作用,并总结了PC2在细胞膜、纤毛、内质网以及线粒体等特定亚细胞定位形成多囊蛋白复合物,参与多种细胞分化、增殖、存活和凋亡相关信号通路,为确定特异性的有效的ADPKD干预治疗途径和靶点药物提供新的思考方向。     

骨细胞初级纤毛及其在机械信号转导中的作用

骨细胞是矿化骨基质中的唯一细胞,在骨代谢中作为调控的"大脑",调节着成骨细胞的骨形成以及破骨细胞的骨吸收,骨细胞渐渐成为骨代谢研究的重点。然而,骨细胞在骨代谢中感受外界机械与化学信号的机制一直不明确。近年来研究表明,骨细胞初级纤毛(primary cilium)作为一种细胞表面的信号感受器官,不仅是感受外界机械信号刺激的"天线",而且是多种化学信号的受体及信号转导的集合器。本文综述了骨细胞初级纤毛的结构及其伴随细胞周期重建与解体的过程,着重讨论了初级纤毛在骨细胞机械信号以及其他化学信号转导中的作用,并展望了骨细胞初级纤毛的研究趋势。     

二维回转培养对MLO-Y4骨样细胞PKD2表达定位及胞内钙信号的影响

目的：PKD2（polycystin2,多囊肾病蛋白2）能够在细胞膜上形成无选择性的阳离子通道,在肾上皮细胞中PKD2与初级纤毛共定位,通过改变胞内的钙信号过程参与细胞对力学刺激的响应。本实验通过二维回转培养来模拟失重效应,旨在探讨二维回转培养对MLO-Y4骨样细胞PKD2表达定位,及胞内钙信号的影响。初步了解PKD2在小鼠骨样细胞MLO-Y4响应力学刺激过程中起的作用。方法：采用二维回转培养骨样细胞MLO-Y4,用RT-PCR和western blotting检测PKD2的表达,用荧光共聚焦显微镜检测细胞中PKD2与初级纤毛的定位及细胞内钙离子含量。结果：与对照组相比,在二维回转培养后,骨样细胞MLO-Y4的PKD2表达在mRNA和蛋白水平都有明显的下降,PKD2、PKD1（polycystin1,多囊肾病蛋白1）和乙酰化的α-tubulin共定位,同时二维回转培养降低了细胞内钙离子含量。结论：在二维回转培养下,PKD2可能通过调节自身表达来改变细胞膜上PKD通道的数目和开放情况来影响细胞内钙离子含量,参与骨细胞对细胞外应力的感受过程,其详细机制还有待进一步实验研究。这将对探讨骨细胞响应力学刺激的具体机制提供重要的理论依据。     

二维回转培养对MLO-Y4骨样细胞PKD2表达定位 及胞内钙信号的影响

目的：PKD2(polycystin2,多囊肾病蛋白2)能够在细胞膜上形成无选择性的阳离子通道,在肾上皮细胞中PKD2 与初级纤毛 共定位,通过改变胞内的钙信号过程参与细胞对力学刺激的响应。本实验通过二维回转培养来模拟失重效应,旨在探讨二维回转 培养对MLO-Y4 骨样细胞PKD2 表达定位,及胞内钙信号的影响。初步了解PKD2 在小鼠骨样细胞MLO-Y4 响应力学刺激过程 中起的作用。方法：采用二维回转培养骨样细胞MLO-Y4,用RT-PCR和western blotting检测PKD2的表达,用荧光共聚焦显微镜 检测细胞中PKD2 与初级纤毛的定位及细胞内钙离子含量。结果：与对照组相比,在二维回转培养后,骨样细胞MLO-Y4 的PKD2 表达在mRNA和蛋白水平都有明显的下降,PKD2、PKD1(polycystin1,多囊肾病蛋白1)和乙酰化的α-tubulin 共定位,同时二维回 转培养降低了细胞内钙离子含量。结论：在二维回转培养下,PKD2可能通过调节自身表达来改变细胞膜上PKD 通道的数目和开 放情况来影响细胞内钙离子含量,参与骨细胞对细胞外应力的感受过程,其详细机制还有待进一步实验研究。这将对探讨骨细胞 响应力学刺激的具体机制提供重要的理论依据。     

初级纤毛的结构与功能及其在运动系统疾病中的研究进展

纤毛是由微管组成,存在于大部分细胞表面呈头发状结构的细胞器。根据纤毛是否运动,可以将其分为初级纤毛和动纤毛(多纤毛)。动纤毛常分布于大脑中央水管上皮、气道上皮、生殖系统的输卵管上皮组织等处。初级纤毛则分布于其余的大部分组织器官的细胞内,例如肾小管上皮细胞、各骨细胞或者软骨细胞、椎间盘细胞等。初级纤毛被认为是细胞把外界信号转导到细胞内的机械信号或者化学感受器和多种信号通路转导的中心。运动系统是由骨、软骨、关节、肌腱等组织组成,具有运动、支持、保护功能的人体主要承受力学的系统。因此,作为人体机械信号感受器的初级纤毛被认为与人体运动系统正常生理功能的维持密切相关。参与纤毛形成的基因突变可导致纤毛缺失,从而引起运动系统的多组织器官异常。同时,人们也发现在骨性关节炎、椎间盘退变、脊柱侧弯等许多常见的运动系统疾病中存在初级纤毛异常。因此,深入研究初级纤毛在运动系统组织器官生理功能维持及与疾病的关系有助于运动系统疾病的治疗。该文对初级纤毛与运动系统疾病的研究进展进行综述,指出了纤毛与运动系统疾病的最新进展及重点与难点,为运动系统疾病的发病机制研究提供理论参考。     

细胞纤毛在信号转导与器官发育中的作用与机制

纤毛(cilia)是细胞表面的突起状细胞器,几乎存在于所有细胞表面,且广泛分布于组织和器官的上皮.纤毛由外部的纤毛膜和内部的轴丝组成,结构在进化上十分保守.根据微管组成和排列方式的不同,纤毛可分为9+2型运动纤毛与9+0型基本纤毛或非运动纤毛.作为一种特殊的感受器,纤毛通过影响细胞信号通路参与胚胎形成、心脏等内脏器官发育及人体重要生理活动.本课题组在国际上首次把前列腺素信号通路与纤毛生长及心脏发育相联系.研究发现,ABCC4/LKT前列腺素转运蛋白从细胞内运输前列腺素E2(PGE2)至细胞外,并通过结合位于纤毛膜上的G蛋白偶联受体EP4影响细胞内c AMP浓度,调节纤毛内运输蛋白的正向速率,进而调控纤毛生长与心脏等器官的左右不对称性发育.纤毛生长或功能缺陷会引发先天性心脏病、多囊肾、视网膜变性等多种疾病.本文主要介绍纤毛参与调控细胞内信号转导与器官发育及相关纤毛疾病.     

初级纤毛与Wnt信号通路相关性研究进展

初级纤毛是一类以微管为基础结构的细胞器,其来源于细胞的母中心粒,锚定在细胞膜并如“天线”般突出细胞表面。作为细胞感受器,初级纤毛从环境中接受各种信号,传导至细胞内引起细胞反应。近期的研究表明,初级纤毛对与胚胎发育密切相关的Wnt信号通路的传导起重要作用。纤毛的损害可造成Wnt信号通路的异常,并引起胚胎中多类脏器一系列的病理改变,导致初级纤毛相关疾病的发生。文章主要阐述了初级纤毛与Wnt/β-catenin、Wnt/PCP通路及初级纤毛相关疾病之间的关系,并对初级纤毛相关疾病的治疗进行了初步探讨。对初级纤毛与Wnt信号通路关系的深入研究将有助于人们对该类疾病的进一步诊断和治疗。     

细胞内信号传递与转录调控的研究进展

综合近年来有关细胞内信号传递与转录调控的研究进展,总结出３个细胞内信号传递系统－ＭＡＰ激酶途径、ＪＡＫ／ＳＴＡＴ途径和ＮＫ－ｋＢ途径,细胞外信号分别通过以上３种途径,在细胞核、细胞膜、细胞浆中激活转录因子,调控基因表达,其中可逆性磷酸化对转录因子活性的调节起着重要的作用。     

骨细胞功能研究进展

骨细胞(osteocyte)是骨组织中含量最为丰富的细胞,其寿命甚至可接近机体的寿命.骨细胞是一种活动的、具有多种功能的细胞.作为骨机械应力的直接感受器,骨细胞不仅可以将机械应力信号转化为生化信号,并且可将信号传递到骨组织其他类型细胞、调控其功能活动;此外,骨细胞还具有调整骨陷窝微环境和矿物质平衡的作用.骨细胞网络结构的完整性对于维持骨组织的正常功能至关重要.骨细胞在失重引起的骨丢失机制中也具有重要作用.     

ICAT蛋白在抑制肿瘤作用中的新进展

Wnt信号传导途径的调控失常是导致多种类型的细胞发生癌变的主要原因之一,该途径成员之一beta-连环蛋白／T细胞因子4的激活可促进癌变,而另一成员ICAT通过阻止beta-连环蛋白／T细胞因子4复合物的形成而对Wnt信号传导途径进行负调控来发挥抑癌作用。现综述ICAT蛋白抑瘤机制新进展。     

A tale of two tails: ciliary mechanotransduction in ADPKD

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a common lethal genetic disorder, characterized by the progressive development of fluid-filled cysts in the kidney, pancreas and liver, and anomalies of the cardiovascular system. Mutations in PKD1 and PKD2, which encode the transmembrane proteins polycystin-1 (PC1) and polycystin-2 (PC2) respectively, account for almost all cases of ADPKD. However, the mechanisms by which abnormalities in PKD1 and PKD2 lead to aberrant kidney development remain unknown. Recent progress in the understanding of ADPKD has focused on primary cilia, which act as sensory transducers in renal epithelial cells. New evidence shows that a mechanosensitive signal, cilia bending, activates the PC1-PC2 channel complex. When working properly, this functional complex elicits a transient Ca(2+) influx, which is coupled to the release of Ca(2+) from intracellular stores.     

Ouabain activates the Na-K-ATPase signalosome to induce autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease cell proliferation

The Na-K-ATPase is part of a cell signaling complex, the Na-K-ATPase signalosome, which upon activation by the hormone ouabain regulates the function of different cell types. We previously showed that ouabain induces proliferation of epithelial cells derived from renal cysts of patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD cells). Here, we investigated the signaling pathways responsible for mediating the effects of ouabain in these cells. Incubation of ADPKD cells with ouabain, in concentrations similar to those found in blood, stimulated phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and promoted its association to the Na-K-ATPase. In addition, ouabain activated the kinase Src, but not the related kinase Fyn. Tyrphostin AG1478 and PP2, inhibitors of EGFR and Src, respectively, blocked ouabain-dependent ADPKD cell proliferation. Treatment of ADPKD cells with ouabain also caused phosphorylation of the caveolar protein caveolin-1, and disruption of cell caveolae with methyl-β-cyclodextrin prevented Na-K-ATPase-EGFR interaction and ouabain-induced proliferation of the cells. Downstream effects of ouabain in ADPKD cells included activation of B-Raf and MEK and phosphorylation of the extracellular regulated kinase ERK, which translocated into the ADPKD cell nuclei. Finally, ouabain reduced expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21 and p27, which are suppressors of cell proliferation. Different from ADPKD cells, ouabain showed no significant effect on B-Raf, p21, and p27 in normal human kidney epithelial cells. Altogether, these results identify intracellular pathways of ouabain-dependent Na-K-ATPase-mediated signaling in ADPKD cells, including EGFR-Src-B-Raf-MEK/ERK, and establish novel mechanisms involved in ADPKD cell proliferation.     

Celecoxib inhibits growth of human autosomal dominant polycystic kidney cyst-lining epithelial cells through the VEGF/Raf/MAPK/ERK signaling pathway

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a progressive chronic kidney disease. To date there are no effective medicines to halt development and growth of cysts. In the present study, we explored novel effects of celecoxib (CXB), a COX-2 specific inhibitor, on primary cultures of human ADPKD cyst-lining epithelial cells. Primary cultures of ADPKD cyst-lining epithelial cells were obtained from five patients. Effects of CXB were measured by various assays to detect BrdU incorporation, apoptosis and proliferation in vitro. Additionally, effects of CXB on kidney weight, the cyst index, the fibrosis index, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), serum 6-keto-PGF-1α, serum thromboxane-2 (TXB2) and renal PCNA expression were assessed in Han:SPRD rat, a well-characterized rodent model of PKD. CXB inhibited proliferation of ADPKD cyst-lining epithelial cells, blocked the release of VEGF from the cells and induced extensive apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Moreover, CXB up-regulated the cell cycle negative regulator p21(CIP/WAF1) and the cell cycle positive regulator Cyclin A, blocked ERK1/2 phosphorylation, induced apoptotic factors (Bax and caspase-3) and reduced Bcl-2. Furthermore, CXB inhibited the expression of VEGFR-2 and Raf-1 in ADPKD cyst-lining epithelial cells. CXB markedly reduced the cyst index, the fibrosis index, leukocyte infiltration, BUN, SCr, serum 6-keto-PGF-1α, TXB2 and renal PCNA expression in Han:SPRD rat. We demonstrated for the first time that CXB could suppress renal cyst-lining growth both in vitro and in vivo in Han:SPRD rat. CXB can inhibit proliferation, suppress cell cycle progression, and induce apoptosis in ADPKD cyst-lining epithelial cells through the inhibition of the VEGF/VEGFR-2/Raf-1/MAPK/ERK signaling pathway.     

Plasticity of epithelial cells derived from human normal and ADPKD kidneys in primary cultures

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is characterized by cyst formation initiated by dedifferentiation and proliferation of renal tubular epithelial cells. Renal tubular epithelial cells (RTC, derived from normal kidney tissue) in primary cultures exhibit both homogeneous expression of γ-glutamyl transferase and low molecular weight cytokeratin, two different markers for proximal and distal renal epithelial cells, respectively. RTC in cultures also abnormally express the dedifferentiation markers vimentin and PAX-2, which are proteins normally expressed in epithelial cells lining cysts in ADPKD kidneys but not tubular cells in normal kidneys. In contrast, different cultures of cystic epithelial cells (CEC, derived from the cysts walls of polycystic kidneys) display variable expression of cytokeratin, γ-glutamyl transferase, and PAX-2, but a constant level of vimentin. Importantly, RTC and CEC exhibit the capacity to convert to their respective original structures by forming tubules and cysts, respectively, when cultured in a three-dimensional gel matrix, whereas HK-2, LLC-PK1, and MDCK renal epithelial cell lines form cell aggregates or cysts. Our study demonstrates that the marker expression of the various epithelial cell types is not highly stable in primary cultures. Their modulation is different in cells originating from normal and ADPKD kidneys and in cells cultured in monolayer and three-dimensions. These results indicate the plasticity of epithelial cells that display a mixed epithelial/dedifferentiated/mesenchymal phenotype during their expansion in culture. However, RTC and CEC morphogenic epithelial properties in three-dimensional cultures are similar to those in vivo. Thus, this model is useful for studying the mechanisms leading to tubulogenesis and cystogenesis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. This work was supported by a grant from The Polycystic Kidney Foundation. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Children’s Medical Research Institute and Children’s Miracle Network Foundation.     

Polycystins, calcium signaling, and human diseases

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a major, inherited nephropathy affecting over 1:1000 of the worldwide population. It is a systemic condition with frequent hepatic and cardiovascular manifestations in addition to the progressive development of fluid-filled cysts from the tubules and collecting ducts of affected kidneys. The pathogenesis of cyst formation is currently thought to involve increased proliferation of epithelial cells, mild dedifferentiation, and fluid accumulation. In the past decade, study of ADPKD led to the discovery of a unique family of highly complex proteins, the polycystins. Loss-of-function mutations in either of two polycystin proteins, polycystin-1 or polycystin-2, give rise to ADPKD. These proteins are thought to function together as part of a multiprotein complex that may initiate Ca2+ signals, directing attention to the regulation of intracellular Ca2+ as a possible misstep that participates in cyst formation. Here we review what is known about the Ca2+ signaling functions of polycystin proteins and focus on findings that have significantly advanced our physiological insight. Special attention is paid to the recently discovered role of these proteins in the mechanotransduction of the renal primary cilium and the model it suggests.     

The exocyst localizes to the primary cilium in MDCK cells

Primary cilia play a role in the maintenance of tubular epithelial differentiation and ciliary dysfunction can result in abnormal cyst formation, such as occurs in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). We previously showed that the exocyst, an eight-protein complex involved in the biogenesis of polarity from yeast to mammals, is centrally involved in cyst formation [Mol. Biol. Cell. 11 (2000) 4259]. Here we show that the exocyst complex localizes to the primary cilium in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) tubular epithelial cells. We further show that the exocyst is overexpressed in both cell lines and primary cell cultures of ADPKD origin, suggesting that the exocyst may be involved in the pathogenesis of ADPKD.     

Rosiglitazone inhibits transforming growth factor-β1 mediated fibrogenesis in ADPKD cyst-lining epithelial cells

Background

Interstitial fibrosis plays an important role in progressive renal dysfunction in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). In our previous studies, we confirmed that PPAR-γ agonist, rosiglitazone could protect renal function and prolong the survival of a slowly progressive ADPKD animal model by reducing renal fibrosis. However, the mechanism remains unknown.

Methods

Primary culture epithelial cells pretreated with TGF-β1 were incubated with rosiglitazone. Extracellular matrix proteins were detected using real-time PCR and Western blotting. MAPK and Smad2 phosphorylation were measured with western blot. ERK1/2 pathway and P38 pathway were inhibited with the specific inhibitors PD98059 and SB203580. The Smad2 pathway was blocked with the siRNA. To address whether PPAR-γ agonist-mediated inhibition of TGF-β1–induced collagen type I expression was mediated through a PPAR-γ dependent mechanism, genetic and pharmaceutical approaches were used to block the activity of endogenous PPARγ.

Results

TGF-β1-stimulated collagen type I and fibronectin expression of ADPKD cyst-lining epithelia were inhibited by rosiglitazone in a dosage-dependent manner. Smad2, ERK1/2 and P38 pathways were activated in response to TGF-β1; however, TGF-β1 had little effect on JNK pathway. Rosiglitazone suppressed TGF-β1 induced Smad2 activation, while ERK1/2 and P38MAPK signals remained unaffected. Rosiglitazone could also attenuate TGF-β1-stimulated collagen type I and fibronectin expression in primary renal tubular epithelial cells, but had no effect on TGF-β1–induced activation of Smad2, ERK1/2 and P38 pathways. There was no crosstalk between the Smad2 and MAPK pathways in ADPKD cyst-lining epithelial cells. These inhibitory effects of rosiglitazone were reversed by the PPARγ specific antagonist GW9662 and PPARγ siRNA.

Conclusion

ADPKD cyst-lining epithelial cells participate in TGF-β1 mediated fibrogenesis. Rosiglitazone could suppress TGF-β1–induced collagen type I and fibronectin expression in ADPKD cyst-lining epithelia through modulation of the Smad2 pathway. Our study may provide therapeutic basis for clinical applications of rosiglitazone in retarding the progression of ADPKD.