LncRNA PVT1 Suppresses the Progression of Renal Fibrosis via Inactivation of TGF-ß Signaling Pathway.

BACKGROUND: Renal fibrosis is a frequent pathway leading to end-stage kidney dysfunction. In addition, renal fibrosis is the ultimate manifestation of chronic kidney diseases (CKD). Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known to be involved in occurrence of renal fibrosis, and lncRNA plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) has been reported to act as a key biomarker in renal diseases. However, the role of PVT1 in renal fibrosis remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HK-2 cells were treated with TGF-ß1 to mimic renal fibrosis in vitro. Gene and protein expressions in HK-2 cells were measured by qRT-PCR and Western-blot, respectively. ELISA was used to test the level of creatinine (CR) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in serum of mice. Additionally, unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal fibrosis mice model was established to investigate the effect of PVT1 on renal fibrosis in vivo. RESULTS: PVT1 was upregulated in TGF-ß1-treated HK-2 cells. In addition, TGF-ß1-induced upregulation of α-SMA and fibronectin in HK-2 cells was significantly reversed by PVT1 knockdown. Meanwhile, PVT1 bound to miR-181a-5p in HK-2 cells. Moreover, miR-181a-5p directly targeted TGF-ßR1. Furthermore, miR-181a-5p antagonist could significantly reverse the anti-fibrotic effect of PVT1 knockdown. Besides, knockdown of PVT1 notably attenuated the symptom of renal fibrosis in vivo. CONCLUSION: Knockdown of PVT1 significantly inhibited the progression of renal fibrosis in vitro and in vivo. Thus, PVT1 may serve as a potential target for the treatment of renal fibrosis.

Human mannose-binding lectin inhibits human cytomegalovirus infection in human embryonic pulmonary fibroblast.

A limited number of drugs have been used for treatment of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), all sharing the similar antiviral mechanism of inhibiting virus replication. This study investigates the anti-HCMV activities of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) from blocking virus entry and inhibiting virus spread. Recombinant human MBL was produced in CHO cells and native human MBL was isolated from human serum. A HCMV neutralization test was performed by pre-treating HCMV with each diluted MBL solution. Then the treated HCMV was inoculated onto the human embryonic pulmonary fibroblasts (HELF), which was followed by HCMV-DNA detection, PP65 positivity examination and confocal imaging of the infected cells. To test the activity of MBL in inhibiting viral spreading after viral invasion, HCMV growth inhibition test was performed. The infected cells were incubated with each diluted MBL, every 24 h, the supernatant was tested for HCMV-DNA. After 72 h, cells were collected for HCMV-DNA and PP65 examination. Then the cytopathic effect was observed and cell viability was measured at the 5 days after infection. HCMV neutralization test revealed 10 µg/mL MBL significantly decreased the HCMV invasion in HELF and the anti-HCMV activity can be blocked by 20 mg/mL mannan. HCMV growth inhibition test indicated that at 48 h after HCMV invasion, the HCMV-DNA level in the culture supernatant with 10 µg/mL MBL was lower than the control. After 72 h, both the HCMV-DNA levels and PP65 positivity in cells incubated with MBL were reduced. This is the first to report on the anti-HCMV activities of MBL by in vitro studies.

[Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) inhibits human cytomegalovirus infection of human MD-DC].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the inhibitory effect of different sources, different concentrations of Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) on human cytomegalovirus infection of human MD-DC cells. METHODS: The recombinant MBL was acquired by vector construction, and the natural MBL was purified from human plamsa. MD-DC were pre-exposed to several dilutions of the hMBL/rMBL for 30 min, then HCMV suspensions were added to MD-DC for 2 h to compare the inhibitory effect of hMBL/rMBL on the HCMV infection of MD-DC. MD-DC infected by HCMV co-culture with hMBL/rMBL to compare the inhibitory effect of hMBL/rMBL on the HCMV diffusion between MD-DC. HCMV-DNA in MD-DC was detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR. HCMV-PP65 in MD-DC was analyzed with flow cytometry, the ability of MD-DC to capture HCMV was observed with immunofluorescence confocal microscope. RESULTS: In hMBL/rMBL inhibition the ability of MD-DC capture HCMV experiments, the fluorescent quantitative PCR demonstrated that the amount of HCMV-DNA in 1 microg/mL of hMBL/rMBL treated cells was not significantly different from that of control group (P < 0.05). But the HCMV-DNA in 5 microg/mL and 10 microg/mL hMBL/rMBL treated group were significantly lower than that of control group (P < 0.05). The significant inhibit effects of 10 microg/mL hMBL/rMBL on the ability of MD-DC capture HCMV were observed by immunofluorescence confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. The inhibit effects of hMBL/rMBL on HCMV diffusion between MD-DC were also observed in 5 microg/mL and 10 microg/mL hMBL/rMBL treated groups at 72 hours. CONCLUSION: The hMBL/rMBL in physiological concentration range (5-10 microg/mL) can significantly inhibit human cytomegalovirus infection of human MD-DC cells, and the hMBL is more effective than rMBL.

Risk factors for prolonged shedding of 2009 H1N1 influenza virus.

This retrospective study was conducted to estimate the shedding of 2009 H1N1 virus and the risk analysis by review of medical charts, laboratory and radiological findings of all inpatients with confirmed pandemic influenza A (H1N1) at a provincial pediatric hospital. A total of 41 cases attending the inpatient department between 15 November, 2009 to 14 December, 2009 were included. Prolonged and discontinuous shedding of 2009 H1N1 virus (median, 10 days; range, 2 to 24 days) were detected by real-time RT-PCR. The interval from onset of symptom to the start of oseltamivir therapy was an independent risk factor for prolonged virus shedding.