Identification of a novel lncRNA induced by the nephrotoxin ochratoxin A and expressed in human renal tumor tissue.

Long non-coding RNAs represent a fraction of the transcriptome that is being increasingly recognized. For most of them no function has been allocated so far. Here, we describe the nature and function of a novel non-protein-coding transcript, named WISP1-AS1, discovered in human renal proximal tubule cells exposed to the carcinogenic nephrotoxin ochratoxin A. WISP1-AS1 overlaps parts of the fourth intron and fifth exon of the Wnt1-inducible signaling pathway protein 1 (WISP1) gene. The transcript is 2922 nucleotides long, transcribed in antisense direction and predominantly localized in the nucleus. WISP1-AS1 is expressed in all 20 samples of a human tissue RNA panel with the highest expression levels detected in uterus, kidney and adrenal gland. Its expression was confirmed in primary tissues of human kidneys. In addition, WISP1-AS1 is expressed at higher levels in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cell lines compared to primary proximal tubule cells as well as in RCC lesions than in the adjacent healthy control tissue from the same patient. Using specific gapmer antisense oligonucleotides to prevent its upregulation, we show that WISP1-AS1 (1) does not influence the mRNA expression of WISP1, (2) affects transcriptional regulation by Egr-1 and E2F as revealed by RNA-sequencing, enrichment analysis and reporter assays, and (3) modulates the apoptosis-necrosis balance. In summary, WISP1-AS1 is a novel lncRNA with modulatory transcriptional function and the potential to alter the cellular phenotype in situations of stress or oncogenic transformation. However, its precise mode of action and impact on cellular functions require further investigations.

Role of microRNA-29b in the ochratoxin A-induced enhanced collagen formation in human kidney cells.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is an ubiquitous mycotoxin suspected to cause fibrotic kidney diseases. The involvement of mircoRNAs in these processes is unknown. Here, we investigated the role of the anti-fibrotic miR-29b in OTA-induced alterations of cellular collagen homeostasis. OTA exposure of human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) cells led to an increase of collagen I, III and IV protein amounts without changes in collagen mRNA expression levels, indicating post-transcriptionally mediated mechanisms potentially involving microRNAs and 3'UTRs of collagen mRNAs. This was confirmed by enhanced luciferase activity of a collagen1A1-3'UTR reporter plasmid after OTA exposure. OTA also enhanced the luciferase activity of a reporter plasmid containing the seed region of miR-29b showing that OTA diminishes miR-29b action. Additionally, OTA induced an altered intracellular distribution of miR-29b leading to decreased cytoplasmic abundance of miR-29b. Abundantly added miR-29b (miR-29b clamp) completely prevented OTA-induced collagen formation. In summary, we show that OTA has the potential to initiate or support the development of fibrotic kidney diseases by involving post-transcriptional regulation mechanisms comprising miR-29b. OTA reduces the impact of miR-29b and thus enhances collagen protein expression. These findings allow a new perspective on how the exposure to nanomolar OTA concentrations can lead to fibrotic tissue alterations.

The nephrotoxic Ifosfamide-metabolite chloroacetaldehyde interferes with renal extracellular matrix homeostasis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chronic renal proximal tubule dysfunction after therapy with the antineoplastic agent ifosfamide (IFO) is often attributed to the metabolite chloroacetaldehyde (CAA). Chronic IFO-nephropathy is reported to result in tubulointerstitial fibrosis and inflammation. METHODS: To elucidate possible effects of CAA on extracellular matrix homeostasis, we investigated the action of CAA on markers of extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis in human proximal tubule cells (RPTEC) by use of direct ELISA for extracellular collagens and gelatin zymography. RESULTS: An increase in type III collagen and a decrease in type IV collagen abundance in the media of RPTEC could be observed after exposure to CAA in clinically relevant concentrations. CAA increased intracellular type III and decreased intracellular type IV collagen. MMP-2 activity was decreased but MMP-9 activity unchanged. The enhanced CAA-induced collagen III formation could be attenuated by the intracellular Ca(2+)-chelator BAPTA-AM, the PKA-antagonist H-89 and by extracellular acidification. CAA-induced collagen III abundance was enhanced by db-cAMP and IBMX and by protein overload. CONCLUSIONS: CAA exerts profibrotic effects on RPTEC dependent on Ca(2+) and cAMP/PKA-signaling. These effects are enhanced by additional protein burden and attenuated by acidification. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.

The food contaminant and nephrotoxin ochratoxin A enhances Wnt1 inducible signaling protein 1 and tumor necrosis factor-α expression in human primary proximal tubule cells.

SCOPE: The underlying molecular mechanisms of nanomolar ochratoxin A (OTA) concentrations, especially those on pathophysiological relevant gene expression in target tissue and underlying signaling mechanisms are unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: qPCR arrays showed that 14 days exposure of human primary proximal tubule cells to 10 nM OTA influences the expression of genes that are related to inflammation, malignant transformation, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Wnt1 inducible signaling protein 1 (WISP1), an oncogenic, and profibrotic growth factor, turned out to be the gene with the strongest upregulation. Its expression, and that of TNF-α, an important inflammatory mediator, was further investigated in human renal cells and in primary human lung fibroblasts. OTA-induced upregulation of WISP1 and TNF-α occurs only in renal cells. Inhibition of ERK1/2 activation reverses the effect of OTA on WISP1 and TNF-α expression. Wnt or other signaling pathways were not involved. Upregulation of WISP1 and TNF-α occured independently of each other. CONCLUSION: Long-term exposure of human kidney cells with OTA concentrations expectable in renal tissue due to average dietary intake leads in an ERK1/2-dependent manner to pathogenetic alterations of gene expression, notably WISP1 and TNF-α. Renal long-term risk by OTA is actually not excludable and argues for low but rational safety levels.

Chemopreventive effects of in vitro digested and fermented bread in human colon cells.

PURPOSE: Bread as a staple food product represents an important source for dietary fibre consumption. Effects of wheat bread, wholemeal wheat bread and wholemeal rye bread on mechanisms which could have impact on chemoprevention were analysed in colon cells after in vitro fermentation. METHODS: Effects of fermented bread samples on gene expression, glutathione S-transferase activity and glutathione content, differentiation, growth and apoptosis were investigated using the human colon adenoma cell line LT97. Additionally, apoptosis was studied in normal and tumour colon tissue by determination of caspase activities. RESULTS: The expression of 76 genes (biotransformation, differentiation, apoptosis) was significantly upregulated (1.5-fold) in LT97 cells. The fermented bread samples were able to significantly increase glutathione S-transferase activity (1.8-fold) and glutathione content (1.4-fold) of the cells. Alkaline phosphatase activity as a marker of differentiation was also significantly enhanced (1.7-fold). The fermented bread samples significantly inhibited LT97 cell growth and increased the level of apoptotic cells (1.8-fold). Only marginal effects on apoptosis in tumour compared to normal tissue were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study which presents chemopreventive effects of different breads after in vitro fermentation. In spite of differences in composition, the results were comparable between the bread types. Nevertheless, they indicate a potential involvement of this staple food product regarding the prevention of colon cancer.