HMGB-1 and TGFß-1 highlight immuno-inflammatory and fibrotic processes before proteinuria onset in pediatric patients with Alport syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Alport syndrome (ALP) is a rare genetic condition characterized by progressive involvement of the basal membranes and renal dysfunction. The purpose of the study was to evaluate urinary (u) and serum (s) levels of tumor growth factor (TGF)-beta(ß) and high mobility group box (HMGB)-1 in ALP patients with normal renal function, albuminuria and proteinuria. METHODS: A prospective, single-center study was performed with a follow-up period of 12 months, enrolling 11 pediatric ALP patients and 10 healthy subjects (HS). Normal values of serum creatinine, albuminuria and proteinuria, as well as unaltered estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were required at enrollment. RESULTS: ALP patients had significantly higher levels of serum and urinary HMGB1 compared to HS. The same trend was observed for TGF-ß1, with higher values in ALP patients than in HS. HMGB1 and TGF-ß1 correlated with each other and with markers of renal function and damage. Urinary biomarkers did not correlate with eGFR, whereas sHMGB1 and sTGF-ß1 were negatively related to filtration rate (r: - 0.66; p = 0.02, r: - 0.96; p < 0.0001, respectively). Using proteinuria as a dependent variable in a multiple regression model, only the association with sTGF-ß1 (ß = 0.91, p < 0.0001) remained significant. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of HMGB1 and TGF-ß1 characterized ALP patients with normal renal function, highlighting the subclinical pro-fibrotic and inflammatory mechanisms triggered before the onset of proteinuria. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of HMGB1 and TGFß-1 in ALP patients.

Ultrasound-guided collagen injections in the treatment of supraspinatus tendinopathy: a case series pilot study.

Aim of the present pilot study was to verify, for the first time ever, the effects of collagen injections in patients with chronic supraspinatus tendinopathy. Eighteen patients with chronic supraspinatus tendinopathy were treated with a series of 4 type I porcine collagen ultrasound-guided injections, at weekly intervals. The effects were verified at 2-week, 1-month and 3-month follow-up by means of shoulder scoring systems and sonography. A very strong evidence (p<0.001) of a statistically significant main effect amongst the multiple clinical observation was found. Ultrasound imaging highlighted improvement in the structural integrity of the tendon. Compared to other injection therapies, collagen injections proved to be at least equally effective, faster acting and safer.

HIGH-MOBILITY GROUP BOX 1 IN ALLERGIC AND NON ALLERGIC UPPER AIRWAY INFLAMMATION.

High mobility group box 1, an evolutionary ancient protein conserved in the eukaryotic kingdom, exerts intra- and extra- cellular functions, orchestrating a homeostatic defensive response in challenged tissues. Its action associated with various inflammatory cells is essential for the occurrence, progression, and persistence of asthma, rhinitis, and nasal polyposis. The recent discovery of High mobility group box 1, as a critical mediator of inflammation, stimulated an increasing interest in the field of inflammation research, suggesting new therapies for atopic and non-atopic inflammatory processes.

Acute pulmonary exacerbation and lung function decline in patients with cystic fibrosis: high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) between inflammation and infection.

Airway inflammation plays a central role in cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease, and biomarkers of inflammation, such as high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) could be used to monitor disease activity. The main aim of this study was to confirm the role of HMGB1 in CF patients, correlating its serum and sputum levels with pulmonary function and inflammation. Serum and sputum HMGB1 were evaluated in a cohort of 31 CF patients and 30 non-smoking healthy subjects (HS group). Acute pulmonary exacerbation events and lung function decline have been also evaluated during a 3-year follow-up period. Serum HMGB1 levels were significantly higher than those measured in HS, such as sputum HMGB1. Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed that patients with high HMGB1 values experienced a significantly faster evolution to decline of lung function. A multiple Cox regression analysis assessed that an increase of serum HMGB1 was associated with 5% increased risk of pulmonary disease progression, whereas elevated sputum HMGB1 was related to a 10% increased risk of lung function decline. In CF patients, HMGB1 closely reflects the entity of pulmonary impairment and represents a strong and independent risk marker for progression of lung function decline.

Central precocious puberty: from physiopathological mechanisms to treatment.

Puberty is a complex, coordinated biological process with multiple levels of regulations. The timing of puberty varies greatly in children and it is influenced by environmental, endocrine and genetic factors. Precocious puberty (PP) is an important issue, affecting between 1 in 5.000-10.000 children. The physiopathological mechanism is still unknown. From an etiological point of view, PP may be subdivided into gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) -dependent and independent causes. GnRH-dependent PP, often called central precocious puberty (CPP), is based on hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activation associated with progressive pubertal development, accelerated growth rate and advancement of skeletal age. Conversely, peripheral precocious puberty (PPP) is related to sex steroid exposure, independently of hypothalamic-–pituitary-–gonadal (HPG) axis activation. Kisspeptins play a central role in the modulation of GnRH secretion with peripheral factors that influence the timing of puberty, such as adipokines and endocrine disrupting chemicals. Moreover, PP could be related to genetic disorders, involving pivotal genes of the HPG axis. The standard test used to verify HPG activity is the gonadotropin response to administered GnRH analogs. We describe the physiopathological mechanisms of PP and its clinical implications, analysing diagnostic flow-chart and new potential biomarkers that could reveal PP. An update of the current literature was also carried out regarding the recent novelty for treatment.

CO(2) pneumoperitoneum induces in vitro hypoxic response culminating in apoptosis of human neuroblastoma cells.

The ablative role of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in neuroblastoma (NB) is still controversial due to the possible CO2 pneumoperitoneum side-effects on tumor aggressiveness. It is known that CO2 produces hypoxic condition with changes in tumor microenvironment influencing cell functions. Here we investigated whether CO2 exposure affects the transcription factor HIF-1α and the apoptotic signalling pathway in SH-SY5Y NB cells. SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to a pressure of 15 mmHg CO2 (100%) for 4 h (T0) and then moved to normal condition for 24 h (T24). In control and CO2 -exposed cells, we analyzed the mRNA levels and DNA binding activity of HIF-1α. We also evaluated the proliferative activity and cell viability as well as caspase-9/3 cleavage and nuclear fragmentation. A significant increase in HIF- 1α activation was observed in SH-SY5Y cells exposed to CO2 compared to control cells. CO2 treatment also decreased the proliferation rate and the percentage of viable cells. In addition, the expression and cleavage of caspase-9 and -3 were significantly increased in NB cells exposed to CO2. These data correlated with apoptotic feature observed in CO2 -treated NB cells. Our findings show that CO2 -induced hypoxic condition exerts cytotoxic effects on NB cells by eliciting mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and thereby improving the understanding of the possible clinical impact of CO2 pneumoperitoneum on NB behaviour.

LMNA gene mutation as a model of cardiometabolic dysfunction: from genetic analysis to treatment response.

AIM: This report highlights the metabolic, endocrine and cardiovascular comorbidities in a case of familial partial lipodystrophy (FPLD), and also evaluates the efficacy and safety of metformin therapy. METHODS: Mutational analysis was carried out of the LMNA gene in a teenage girl with an FPLD phenotype. Insulin resistance, sex hormones and metabolic parameters were also evaluated, and echocardiography, electrocardiography and 24-h blood pressure monitoring were also done. RESULTS: The patient showed atypical fat distribution, insulin resistance and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Physical examination revealed muscle hypertrophy with a paucity of fat in the extremities, trunk and gluteal regions, yet excess fat deposits in the face, neck and dorsal cervical region. LMNA sequencing revealed a heterozygous missense mutation (c.1543A>G) in exon 9, leading to substitution of lysine by glutamic acid at position 515 (K515E). Moderate hypertension and secondary polycystic ovary syndrome were also assessed. Treatment with metformin resulted in progressive improvement of metabolic status, while blood pressure values normalized with atenolol therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Very rapid and good results with no side-effects were achieved with metformin therapy for FPLD. The association of an unusual mutation in the LMNA gene was also described.