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Abstract Our previous manuscript showed that thrombocytopenia predicts all-cause mortality in Chinese hemodialysis (HD) patients. Based on the role of platelets in coagulation, clot formation, and systemic inflammation, we speculate that high platelets increase risk of thrombo-embolic events, hence the mortality. However, research evidence is currently lacking. Therefore, we utilized data from a very large international cohort study to explore the association of platelet counts with mortality and cardiovascular (CV) death in hemodialysis (HD) patients. International data from 396 facilities enrolled in the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) phase 5 (2012–2015) were analyzed. Participants were divided into 3 groups according to their platelet counts (low: 300*109). Associations between platelet counts and all-cause and CV mortality were analyzed using Cox regression, adjusted for confounders. There were 13,631 patients with median age of 65 years old. Males accounted for 61.2%. Mean platelet count was 205*109/L overall and ranged from 173 *109/L in China to 227 *109/L in Sweden. Overall, 2,348 (17.2%) patients died and 1017 (7.5%) died from CV disease. Both low (HR:1.48, 95% CI 1.21–1.80, p

Abstract Liver kinase B1 (LKB1) is a serine/threonine kinase controlling cell homeostasis. Among post-translational modification, Sumoylation is vital for LKB1 activating adenosine 5’-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), the key regulator in energy metabolism. Of note, AMPK-regulated fatty acid metabolism is highly involved in maintaining normal renal function. However, the regulative mechanisms of LKB1 Sumoylation remain elusive. In this study, we demonstrated that β-catenin, a notorious signal in renal fibrosis, inhibited the Sumoylation of LKB1, thereby disrupting fatty acid oxidation in renal tubular cells and triggering renal fibrosis. Mechanically, we found that Sumo3 was the key mediator for LKB1 Sumoylation in renal tubular cells, which was transcriptionally inhibited by β-catenin/Transcription factor 4 (TCF4) signaling. Overexpression of Sumo3, not Sumo1 or Sumo2, restored β-catenin-disrupted fatty acid metabolism, and retarded lipid accumulation and fibrogenesis in the kidney. In vivo, conditional knockout of β-catenin in tubular cells effectively preserved fatty acid oxidation and blocked lipid accumulation by maintaining LKB1 Sumoylation and AMPK activation. Furthermore, ectopic expression of Sumo3 strongly inhibited Wnt1-aggravated lipid accumulation and fibrogenesis in unilateral ischemia-reperfusion mice. In patients with chronic kidney disease, we found a loss of Sumo3 expression, and it was highly related to LKB1 repression. This contributes to fatty acid metabolism disruption and lipid accumulation, resulting in renal fibrosis. Overall, our study revealed a new mechanism in fatty acid metabolism dysfunction and provided a new therapeutic target pathway for regulating Sumo modification in renal fibrosis.

Abstract Early insulin therapy is capable to achieve glycemic control and restore β-cell function in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2D), but its effect on cardiovascular outcomes in these patients remains unclear. In this nationwide real-world study, we analyzed electronic health record data from 19 medical centers across China between 1 January 2000, and 26 May 2022. We included 5424 eligible patients (mean age 56 years, 2176 women/3248 men) who were diagnosed T2D within six months and did not have prior cardiovascular disease. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to estimate the associations of early insulin therapy (defined as the first-line therapy for at least two weeks in newly diagnosed T2D patients) with the incidence of major cardiovascular events including coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and hospitalization for heart failure (HF). During 17,158 persons years of observation, we documented 834 incident CHD cases, 719 stroke cases, and 230 hospitalized cases for HF. Newly diagnosed T2D patients who received early insulin therapy, compared with those who did not receive such treatment, had 31% lower risk of incident stroke, and 28% lower risk of hospitalization for HF. No significant difference in the risk of CHD was observed. We found similar results when repeating the aforesaid analysis in a propensity-score matched population of 4578 patients and with inverse probability of treatment weighting models. These findings suggest that early insulin therapy in newly diagnosed T2D may have cardiovascular benefits by reducing the risk of incident stroke and hospitalization for HF.

Energy metabolism disorder, mainly exhibiting the inhibition of fatty acid degradation and lipid accumulation, is highly related with aging acceleration. However, the intervention measures are deficient. Here, we reported Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega-3 PUFAs), especially EPA, exerted beneficial effects on maintaining energy metabolism and lipid homeostasis to slow organ aging. As the endogenous agonist of peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor α (PPARα), Omega-3 PUFAs significantly boosted fatty acid β-oxidation and ATP production in multiple aged organs. Consequently, Omega-3 PUFAs effectively inhibited age-related pathological changes, preserved organ function, and retarded aging process. The beneficial effects of Omega-3 PUFAs were also testified in mfat-1 transgenic mice, which spontaneously generate abundant endogenous Omega-3 PUFAs. In conclusion, our study innovatively demonstrated Omega-3 PUFAs administration in diet slow aging through promoting energy metabolism. The supplement of Omega-3 PUFAs or fat-1 transgene provides a promising therapeutic approach to promote healthy aging in the elderly.

Abstract. Background:. Whether functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are associated with the long-term risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the prospective association of FGIDs with CKD and examine whether mental health mediated the association. Methods:. About 416,258 participants without a prior CKD diagnosis enrolled in the UK Biobank between 2006 and 2010 were included. Participants with FGIDs (including irritable bowel syndrome [IBS], dyspepsia, and other functional intestinal disorders [FIDs; mainly composed of constipation]) were the exposure group, and non-FGID participants were the non-exposure group. The primary outcome was incident CKD, ascertained from hospital admission and death registry records. A Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to investigate the association between FGIDs and CKD, and the mediation analysis was performed to investigate the mediation proportions of mental health. Results:. At baseline, 33,156 (8.0%) participants were diagnosed with FGIDs, including 21,060 (5.1%), 8262 (2.0%), and 6437 (1.6%) cases of IBS, dyspepsia, and other FIDs, respectively. During a mean follow-up period of 12.1 years, 11,001 (2.6%) participants developed CKD. FGIDs were significantly associated with a higher risk of incident CKD compared to the absence of FGIDs (hazard ratio [HR], 1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28–1.44). Similar results were observed for IBS (HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.17–1.38), dyspepsia (HR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.17–1.44), and other FIDs (HR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.43–1.79). Mediation analyses suggested that the mental health score significantly mediated 9.05% of the association of FGIDs with incident CKD and 5.63–13.97% of the associations of FGID subtypes with CKD. Specifically, the positive associations of FGIDs and FGID subtypes with CKD were more pronounced in participants with a high genetic risk of CKD. Conclusion:. Participants with FGIDs had a higher risk of incident CKD, which was partly explained by mental health scores and was more pronounced in those with high genetic susceptibility to CKD.

Anemia is a common complication of chronic kidney disease with major option treatment of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs). This study aimed to investigate the influencing factors of erythropoietin resistance index (ERI) and its association with mortality in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Patients enrolled from China Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) 5 were included. ERI was calculated as follows: ESA (IU/week)/weight (kg, post-dialysis)/hemoglobin level (g/dL). The Cox regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors on survival outcomes. Stepwise multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the related risk factors, and subgroup analyses were performed. A total of 1270 MHD subjects (687 males and 583 females) were included, with an average age of 60 (49.0, 71.0) years. All subjects were divided into two groups by the median ERI of 14.03. Multivariate logistic regression showed that dialysis vintage (OR 0.957, 95% CI: 0.929–0.986), white blood cells (OR 0.900, 95% CI: 0.844–0.960), high flux dialyzer use (OR 0.866, 95% CI: 0.755–0.993), body mass index (OR 0.860, 95% CI: 0.828–0.892), males (OR 0.708, 95% CI: 0.625–0.801), and albumin (OR 0.512, 95% CI: 0.389–0.673) had a negative association with high ERI baseline (all p

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is in high prevalence worldwide but with no therapeutic strategies. Programmed cell death in tubular epithelial cells has been reported to accelerate a variety of AKI, but the major pathways and underlying mechanisms are not defined. Herein, we identified that pyroptosis was responsible for AKI progression and related to ATP depletion in renal tubular cells. We found that FAM3A, a mitochondrial protein that assists ATP synthesis, was decreased and negatively correlated with tubular cell injury and pyroptosis in both mice and patients with AKI. Knockout of FAM3A worsened kidney function decline, increased macrophage and neutrophil cell infiltration, and facilitated tubular cell pyroptosis in ischemia/reperfusion injury model. Conversely, FAM3A overexpression alleviated tubular cell pyroptosis, and inhibited kidney injury in ischemic AKI. Mechanistically, FAM3A promoted PI3K/AKT/NRF2 signaling, thus blocking mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mt-ROS) accumulation. NLRP3 inflammasome sensed the overload of mt-ROS and then activated Caspase-1, which cleaved GSDMD, pro-IL-1β, and pro-IL-18 into their mature forms to mediate pyroptosis. Of interest, NRF2 activator alleviated the pro-pyroptotic effects of FAM3A depletion, whereas the deletion of NRF2 blocked the anti-pyroptotic function of FAM3A. Thus, our study provides new mechanisms for AKI progression and demonstrates that FAM3A is a potential therapeutic target for treating AKI.

AbstractThe role of facility-level serum potassium (sK+) variability (FL-SPV) in dialysis patients has not been extensively studied. This study aimed to evaluate the association between FL-SPV and clinical outcomes in hemodialysis patients using data from the China Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) 5. FL-SPV was defined as the standard deviation (SD) of baseline sK+ of all patients in each dialysis center. The mean and SD values of FL-SPV of all participants were calculated, and patients were divided into the high FL-SPV (>the mean value) and low FL-SPV (≤the mean value) groups. Totally, 1339 patients were included, with a mean FL-SPV of 0.800 mmol/L. Twenty-three centers with 656 patients were in the low FL-SPV group, and 22 centers with 683 patients were in the high FL-SPV group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that liver cirrhosis (OR = 4.682, 95% CI: 1.246–17.593), baseline sK+ (

Abstract Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and heart failure (HF) are highly prevalent, aggravate each other, and account for substantial mortality. However, the mechanisms underlying cardiorenal interaction and the role of kidney afferent nerves and their precise central pathway remain limited. Here, we combined virus tracing techniques with optogenetic techniques to map a polysynaptic central pathway linking kidney afferent nerves to subfornical organ (SFO) and thereby to paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and rostral ventrolateral medulla that modulates sympathetic outflow. This kidney-brain neural circuit was overactivated in mouse models of CKD or HF and subsequently enhanced the sympathetic discharge to both the kidney and the heart in each model. Interruption of the pathway by kidney deafferentation, selective deletion of angiotensin II type 1a receptor (AT1a) in SFO, or optogenetic silence of the kidney-SFO or SFO-PVN projection decreased the sympathetic discharge and lessened structural damage and dysfunction of both kidney and heart in models of CKD and HF. Thus, kidney afferent nerves activate a kidney-brain neural circuit in CKD and HF that drives the sympathetic nervous system to accelerate disease progression in both organs. These results demonstrate the crucial role of kidney afferent nerves and their central connections in engaging cardiorenal interactions under both physiological and disease conditions. This suggests novel therapies for CKD or HF targeting this kidney-brain neural circuit.

Background: The association between changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) over time and the risk of stroke remains inconclusive. We aimed to evaluate the relation of eGFR change during the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT) with the risk of first stroke during the subsequent post-trial follow-up. Methods: A total of 11,742 hypertensive participants with two eGFR measurements (median measure interval, 4.4; interquartile range, 4.2–4.6 years) and without a history of stroke from the CSPPT were included in this analysis. Results: Over a median post-trial follow-up of 4.4 years, 729 first strokes were identified, of which 635 were ischemic, 88 were hemorrhagic, and 6 were uncertain types of strokes. Compared with those with 1 to

Kidney fibrosis is associated with tubular injury, oxidative stress and activation of interstitial fibroblasts. However, whether these events are somehow connected is poorly understood. In this study, we show that glutathione peroxidase-3 (GPX3) depletion in renal tubular epithelium after kidney injury plays a central role in orchestrating an oxidatively stressed extracellular microenvironment, which drives interstitial fibroblast activation and proliferation. Through transcriptional profiling by RNA-sequencing, we found that the expression of GPX3 was down-regulated in various models of chronic kidney disease (CKD), which was correlated with induction of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAPDH) oxidase-4 (NOX4). By using decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffold, we demonstrated that GPX3-depleted extracellular microenvironment spontaneously induced NOX4 expression and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in renal fibroblasts and triggered their activation and proliferation. Activation of NOX4 by advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) mimicked the loss of GPX3, increased the production of ROS, stimulated fibroblast activation and proliferation, and activated protein kinase C-α (PKCα)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling. Silencing NOX4 or inhibition of MAPK with small molecule inhibitors hampered fibroblast activation and proliferation. In mouse model of CKD, knockdown of NOX4 repressed renal fibroblast activation and proliferation and alleviated kidney fibrosis. These results indicate that loss of GPX3 orchestrates an oxidatively stressed extracellular microenvironment, which promotes fibroblast activation and proliferation through a cascade of signal transduction. Our studies underscore the crucial role of extracellular microenvironment in driving fibroblast activation and kidney fibrosis.

Abstract Background The relations of the variety and quantity of different sources of dietary insoluble fibers and hypertension remain uncertain. We aimed to investigate the associations between the variety and quantity of insoluble fibers intake from six major food sources and new-onset hypertension, using data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). Methods Twelve thousand one hundred thirty-one participants without hypertension at baseline from CHNS were included. Dietary intake was measured by three consecutive 24-h dietary recalls combined with a household food inventory. The variety score of insoluble fiber sources was defined as the number of insoluble fiber sources consumed at the appropriate level, accounting for both types and quantities of insoluble fibers. The study outcome was new-onset hypertension, defined as blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg, or physician-diagnosed hypertension or receiving antihypertensive treatments during the follow-up. Results During a median follow-up of 6.1 years, 4252 participants developed hypertension. There were L-shaped associations of dietary insoluble fibers derived from vegetables, beans, tubers, and fruits with new-onset hypertension; a reversed J-shaped association of whole grain-derived insoluble fiber with new-onset hypertension; and no obvious association of refined grain-derived insoluble fiber with new-onset hypertension. Therefore, refined grain was not included in the insoluble fiber variety score calculation. More importantly, a higher insoluble fiber variety score was significantly associated with lower risks of new-onset hypertension (per score increment, hazard ratio, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.45–0.55). Conclusions There was an inverse association between the variety of insoluble fibers with appropriate quantity from different food sources and new-onset hypertension.

G2/M arrest of epithelial cells leads to fibrosis with unclear mechanisms. This study identifies a protein-encoding circRNA, circBNC2, which inhibits epithelial cells G2/M arrest to prevent fibrotic maladaptive repair in damaged kidney and liver, revealing a potential intervention target for fibrosis.

Abstract Background The kidneys require vast amounts of mitochondria to provide ample energy to reabsorb nutrients and regulate electrolyte, fluid, and blood pressure homeostasis. The lack of the human model hinders the investigation of mitochondria homeostasis related to kidney physiology and disease. Results Here, we report the generation of mitochondria-rich kidney organoids via partial reprogramming of human urine cells (hUCs) under the defined medium. First, we reprogrammed mitochondria-rich hUCs into expandable intermediate mesoderm progenitor like cells (U-iIMPLCs), which in turn generated nephron progenitors and formed kidney organoids in both 2D and 3D cultures. Cell fate transitions were confirmed at each stage by marker expressions at the RNA and protein levels, along with chromatin accessibility dynamics. Single cell RNA-seq revealed hUCs-induced kidney organoids (U-iKOs) consist of podocytes, tubules, and mesenchyme cells with 2D dominated with mesenchyme and 3D with tubule and enriched specific mitochondria function associated genes. Specific cell types, such as podocytes and proximal tubules, loop of Henle, and distal tubules, were readily identified. Consistent with these cell types, 3D organoids exhibited the functional and structural features of the kidney, as indicated by dextran uptake and transmission electron microscopy. These organoids can be further matured in the chick chorioallantoic membrane. Finally, cisplatin, gentamicin, and forskolin treatment led to anatomical abnormalities typical of kidney injury and altered mitochondria homeostasis respectively. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that U-iKOs recapitulate the structural and functional characteristics of the kidneys, providing a promising model to study mitochondria-related kidney physiology and disease in a personalized manner.

Introduction: Comprehensive data on the risk of hospital-acquired (HA) acute kidney injury (AKI) among adult users of opioid analgesics are lacking. This study aimed to systematically compare the risk of HA-AKI among the users of various opioid analgesics. Methods: This multicenter, retrospective real-world study analyzed 255265 adult hospitalized patients who received at least one prescription of opioid analgesic during the first 30 days of hospitalization. Primary outcome was the time from the first opioid analgesic prescription to HA-AKI occurrence. 12 subtypes of opioid analgesics were analyzed, including 9 for treating moderate-to-severe pain and 3 for mild-to-moderate pain. We examined the association between the exposure to each subtype of opioid analgesic and the risk of HA-AKI using Cox proportional hazards models, using the most commonly used opioid analgesic as the reference group. Results: As compared to dezocine, the most commonly used opioid analgesic treating moderate-to-severe pain, exposure to morphine, but not the other 7 types of opioid analgesics, was associated with a significantly increased risk of HA-AKI (adjusted hazard ratio 1.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.40–1.78). The association was consistent in stratified analyses and in a propensity-matched cohort. There were no significant differences in the risk of HA-AKI among the opioid analgesics users with mild-to-moderate pain after adjusting for confounders. Conclusion: The use of morphine was associated with an increased risk of HA-AKI in adult patients with moderate-to-severe pain. Opioid analgesics other than morphine should be chosen preferentially in adult patients with high risk of HA-AKI when treating moderate-to-severe pain.

Protein reabsorption in renal proximal tubules is essential for maintaining nutrient homeostasis. Renal proximal tubule-specific gene knockout is a powerful method to assess the function of genes involved in renal proximal tubule protein reabsorption. However, the lack of inducible renal proximal tubule-specific Cre recombinase-expressing mouse strains hinders the study of gene function in renal proximal tubules. To facilitate the functional study of genes in renal proximal tubules, we developed an AMNCreERT2 knock-in mouse strain expressing a Cre recombinase–estrogen receptor fusion protein under the control of the promoter of the amnionless (AMN) gene, a protein reabsorption receptor in renal proximal tubules. AMNCreERT2 knock-in mice were generated using the CRISPR/Cas9 strategy, and the tissue specificity of Cre activity was investigated using the Cre/loxP reporter system. We showed that the expression pattern of CreERT2-mEGFP in AMNCreERT2 mice was consistent with that of the endogenous AMN gene. Furthermore, we showed that the Cre activity in AMNCreERT2 knock-in mice was only detected in renal proximal tubules with high tamoxifen induction efficiency. As a proof-of-principle study, we demonstrated that renal proximal tubule-specific knockout of Exoc4 using AMNCreERT2 led to albumin accumulation in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells. The AMNCreERT2 mouse is a powerful tool for conditional gene knockout in renal proximal tubules and should offer useful insight into the physiological function of genes expressed in renal proximal tubules.

Abstract Background Acute kidney disease (AKD) evolves a spectrum of acute and subacute kidney disease requiring a global strategy to address. The present study aimed to explore the impact of AKD on the prognosis of ischemic stroke. Methods The Third China National Stroke Registry (CNSR-III) was a nationwide registry of ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack between August 2015 and March 2018. As a subgroup of CNSR-III, the patients who had serum creatinine (sCr) and serum cystatin C (sCysC) centrally tested on admission and at 3-month, and with 1-year follow-up data were enrolled. Modified AKD criteria were applied to identify patients with AKD during the first 3 months post stroke according to the guidelines developed by the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes in 2012. The primary clinical outcome was 1-year all-cause death, and secondary outcomes were stroke recurrence and post stroke disability. Results Five thousand sixty-five patients were recruited in the study. AKD was identified in 3.9%, 6.7%, 9.9% and 6.2% of the patients by using sCr, sCr-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFRsCr), sCysC-based eGFR (eGFRsCysC), and combined sCr and sCysC-based eGFR (eGFRsCr+sCysC) criteria, respectively. AKD defined as sCr or eGFRsCr criteria significantly increased the risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 2.67, 95% CI: 1.27–5.61; adjusted HR 2.19, 95% CI: 1.17–4.10) and post stroke disability (adjusted OR 1.60, 95% CI: 1.04–2.44; adjusted OR 1.51, 95% CI: 1.08–2.11). AKD diagnosed by eGFRsCysC or eGFRsCr+sCysC criteria had no significant impact on the risk of all-cause death and post stroke disability. AKD, defined by whichever criteria, was not associated with the risk of stroke recurrence in the adjusted model. Conclusions AKD, diagnosed by sCr or eGFRsCr criteria, were independently associated with 1-year all-cause death and post stroke disability in Chinese ischemic stroke patients.

Abstract Background Hemodialysis (HD) patients have a higher mortality rate compared with general population. Our previous study revealed that platelet counts might be a potential risk factor. The role of platelets in HD patients has rarely been studied. The aim of this study is to examine if there is an association of thrombocytopenia (TP) with elevated risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular (CV) death in Chinese HD patients. Methods Data from a prospective cohort study, China Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) 5, were analyzed. Demographic data, comorbidities, platelet counts and other lab data, and death records which extracted from the medical record were analyzed. TP was defined as the platelet count below the lower normal limit (

Klotho is an anti-ageing protein whose expression is downregulated in chronic kidney disease, but the large size of the protein makes it challenging to deliver therapeutically. Here, the authors develop a Klotho-derived peptide, and show that it recapitulates the anti-fibrotic action of Klotho and prevents kidney fibrosis in mice by targeting TGF-β signalling.

Wnt/β-catenin is a developmental signaling pathway that plays a crucial role in driving kidney fibrosis after injury. Activation of β-catenin is presumed to be regulated through the posttranslational protein modification. Little is known about whether β-catenin is also subjected to regulation at the posttranscriptional mRNA level. Here, we report that insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3) plays a pivotal role in regulating β-catenin. IGF2BP3 was upregulated in renal tubular epithelium of various animal models and patients with chronic kidney disease. IGF2BP3 not only was a direct downstream target of Wnt/β-catenin but also was obligatory for transducing Wnt signal. In vitro, overexpression of IGF2BP3 in kidney tubular cells induced fibrotic responses, whereas knockdown of endogenous IGF2BP3 prevented the expression of injury and fibrosis markers in tubular cells after Wnt3a stimulation. In vivo, exogenous IGF2BP3 promoted β-catenin activation and aggravated kidney fibrosis, while knockdown of IGF2BP3 ameliorated renal fibrotic lesions after obstructive injury. RNA immunoprecipitation and mRNA stability assays revealed that IGF2BP3 directly bound to β-catenin mRNA and stabilized it against degradation. Furthermore, knockdown of IGF2BP3 in tubular cells accelerated β-catenin mRNA degradation in vitro. These studies demonstrate that IGF2BP3 promotes β-catenin signaling and drives kidney fibrosis, which may be mediated through stabilizing β-catenin mRNA. Our findings uncover a previously underappreciated dimension of the complex regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and suggest a potential target for therapeutic intervention of fibrotic kidney diseases.

Abstract Background Sepsis is the most common trigger for AKI and up to 40% of mild or moderate septic AKI would progress to more severe AKI, which is associated with significantly increased risk for death and later CKD/ESRD. Early identifying high risk patients for AKI progression is a major challenge in patients with septic AKI. Methods This is a prospective, multicenter cohort study which enrolled adult patients with sepsis and initially developed stage 1 or 2 AKI in the intensive care unit from January 2014 to March 2018. AKI was diagnosed and staged according to 2012 KDIGO-AKI guidelines. Renal cell arrest biomarkers (urinary TIMP2*IGFBP7, u[TIMP-2]*[IGFBP7]) and renal damage biomarkers (urinary KIM-1[uKIM-1] and urinary IL-18 [uIL-18]) were measured at time of AKI clinical diagnosis, and the performance of biomarkers for predicting septic AKI progression alone or in combination were evaluated. The primary outcome was AKI progression defined as worsening of AKI stage. The secondary outcome was AKI progression with subsequent death during hospitalization. Results Among 433 screened patients, 149 patients with sepsis and stage 1 or 2 AKI were included, in which 63 patients developed progressive AKI and 49 patients subsequently died during hospitalization. u[TIMP-2]*[IGFBP7], uKIM-1 and uIL-18 independently predicted the progression of septic AKI in which u[TIMP-2]*[IGFBP7] showed the greatest AUC (0.745; 95%CI, 0.667-0.823) as compared to uKIM-1 (AUC 0.719; 95%CI 0.638-0.800) and uIL-18 (AUC 0.619; 95%CI 0.525-0.731). Combination of u[TIMP-2]*[IGFBP7] with uKIM-1 improved the performance of predicting septic AKI progression with AUC of 0.752. u[TIMP-2]*[IGFBP7], alone or combined with uKIM-1/uIL-18, improved the risk reclassification over the clinical risk factor model alone both for the primary and secondary outcomes, as evidenced by significant category-free net reclassification index. Conclusions Combination of renal cell arrest and damage biomarkers enhanced the prediction of AKI progression in patients with sepsis and improved risk reclassification over the clinical risk factors.

Abstract Background The association between serum advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and mortality risk remains equivocal. We aimed to assess the correlation of serum AOPP levels with the risk of all-cause mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Methods A total of 1394 maintenance HD patients with complete data on AOPP and related parameters were included from China Collaborative Study on Dialysis (CCSD), a multi-center, prospective cohort study. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, the secondary outcome was cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Results During a median follow-up duration of 5.2 years (IQR, 2.1–5.4), all-cause mortality occurred in 492 (31.4%) participants. Overall, there was a reversed L-shaped association between serum AOPP and all-cause mortality in HD patients (P for nonlinearity = 0.04), with an inflection point at 87 µmol/L. Accordingly, there was no significant association between serum AOPP and all-cause mortality (per SD increment; HR, 0.94; 95%CI, 0.84, 1.05) in participants with AOPP

Abstract Our understanding of the protective immunity, particularly the long-term dynamics of neutralizing antibody (NAbs) response to SARS-CoV-2, is currently limited. We enrolled a cohort of 545 COVID-19 patients from Hubei, China, who were followed up up to 7 months, and determined the dynamics of NAbs to SARS-CoV-2 by using a surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT). In our validation study, sVNT IC50 titers and the neutralization rate measured at a single dilution (1:20) were well correlated with FRNT titers (r = 0.85 and 0.84, respectively). The median time to seroconversion of NAbs was 5.5 days post onset of symptoms. The rate of positive sVNT was 52% in the first week, reached 100% in the third week, and remained above 97% till 6 months post onset. Quantitatively, NAbs peaked in the fourth week and only a quarter of patients had an estimated peak titer of >1000. NAbs declined with a half-time of 61 days (95% CI: 49–80 days) within the first two months, and the decay deaccelerated to a half-time of 104 days (95% CI: 86–130 days) afterward. The peak levels of NAbs were positively associated with severity of COVID-19 and age, while negatively associated with serum albumin levels. The observation that the low-moderate peak neutralizing activity and fast decay of NAbs in most naturally infected individuals called for caution in evaluating the feasibility of antibody-based therapy and vaccine durability. NAbs response positively correlated with disease severity, warning for the possibility of repeat infection in patients with mild COVID-19.

Background: Hemodialysis (HD) patients usually have impaired physical function compared with the general population. Self-reported physical function is a simple method to implement in daily dialysis care. This study aimed to examine the association of self-reported physical function with clinical outcomes of HD patients. Methods: The Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) is a prospective cohort study. Data on 1,427 HD patients in China DOPPS5 were analyzed. Self-reported physical function was characterized by 2 items of “moderate activities limited level” and “climbing stairs limited level.” Demographic data, comorbidities, hospitalization, and death records were collected from patients’ records. Associations between physical function and outcomes were analyzed using COX regression models. Results: Compared to “limited a lot” in moderate activities, “limited a little” and “not limited at all” groups were associated with lower all-cause mortality after adjusted for covariates (HR: 0.652, 95% CI: 0.435–0.977, and HR: 0.472, 95% CI: 0.241–0.927, respectively). And, not limited in moderate activities was associated with lower risk of hospitalization than the “limited a lot” group after adjusted for covariates (HR: 0.747, 95% CI: 0.570–0.978). Meanwhile, compared to “limited a lot” in climbing stairs, “limited a little” and “not limited at all” groups were associated with lower all-cause mortality (HR: 0.574, 95% CI: 0.380–0.865 and HR: 0.472, 95% CI: 0.293–0.762, respectively) but not hospitalization after fully adjusted. Conclusion: Higher limited levels in self-reported physical function were associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality and hospitalization in HD patients.

Introduction: Congestive heart failure (CHF) is one of the common complications in patients with end-stage kidney disease. In the general population, CHF increases the risk of the death. However, there is no well-designed relevant study in the Chinese hemodialysis (HD) population addressing the risks associated with CHF. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of CHF on clinical outcomes in HD patients. Methods: Data from a prospective cohort study, the China Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) 5 (2012-2015), were analyzed. Demographic data, comorbidities, lab data, and death records were extracted. CHF was defined by the diagnosis records upon study inclusion. Our primary outcome was all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality; secondary outcomes were all-cause and cause-specific hospitalization risk. Associations between CHF and outcomes were evaluated using Cox regression models. Stepwise multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the related risk factors, and subgroup analyses were carried out. Results: Of 1411 patients without missing CHF history information, 24.1% (340) had CHF diagnosis at enrollment. The overall mortality rates were 21.8% vs. 12.0% (p

Abstract The number of patients on hemodialysis (HD) is rapidly increasing in China. As an Asian country with a large number of HD patients, understanding the status of Chinese HD patients has a special significance. We reported here the baseline data for China Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Pattern Study Phase 5 (DOPPS5). The DOPPS is an international prospective, observational cohort study. Patients were restricted to the initial sample of patients who participated in China DOPPS5. We summarized the baseline demographic and clinical data of patients. Results were weighted by facility sampling fraction. 1186 patients were initial patients in China DOPPS5. The mean age was 58.7 ± 3.5 years, with 54.6% males. The median dialysis vintage was 3.4 (1.5, 6.3) years. The main assigned primary end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) causes was chronic glomerulonephritis (45.9%), followed by diabetes (19.9%). 17.6% patients had hepatitis B infection, and 10.0% patients had hepatitis C infection. 25.9% patients had a single-pooled Kt/V 3.5 g/dl. 18.8% patients had hemoglobin

The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smads signal plays an important role in cancer metastasis by mediating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer cells. lnc-TSI is a recently identified long noncoding RNA that negatively regulates the TGF-β/Smads signal. The present study was conducted to test the hypothesis that lnc-TSI inhibits metastasis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) by regulating the TGF-β/Smad3 pathway. Herein, we show that lnc-TSI was upregulated in ccRCC cells and tissue and was associated with activation of the TGF-β/Smads signal. Depleting lnc-TSI enhanced tumor cell invasion and metastasis in vitro and ccRCC lung metastasis in vivo, whereas overexpressing lnc-TSI inhibited ccRCC cell invasion and tumor metastasis. Mechanistic studies indicated that lnc-TSI specifically inhibited the phosphorylation of Smad3 and subsequent EMT by binding with the MH2 domain of Smad3 to block the interaction between Smad3 and TGF-β receptor I in ccRCC cells. In a cohort of 150 patients with ccRCC, expression of lnc-TSI in tumors was negatively correlated with phosphorylated (p)Smad3 and activated EMT markers. Patients with expression of tumor lnc-TSI greater than or equal to the median at radical nephrectomy had a higher survival rate compared to those with lnc-TSI below the median during follow-up. These findings reveal a new regulatory mechanism of ccRCC metastasis and suggest a potential molecular target for the development of anti-cancer drugs.

Abstract Tubular injury and peripheral fibroblast activation are the hallmarks of chronic kidney disease (CKD), suggesting intimate communication between the two types of cells. However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be determined. Exosomes play a role in shuttling proteins and other materials to recipient cells. In our study, we found that exosomes were aroused by β‐catenin in renal tubular cells. Osteopontin (OPN), especially its N‐terminal fragment (N‐OPN), was encapsulated in β‐catenin‐controlled tubular cell‐derived exosome cargo, and subsequently passed to fibroblasts. Through binding with CD44, exosomal OPN promoted fibroblast proliferation and activation. Gene deletion of β‐catenin in tubular cells (Ksp‐β‐catenin−/−) or gene ablation of CD44 (CD44−/−) greatly ameliorated renal fibrosis. Notably, N‐OPN was carried by exosome and secreted into the urine of patients with CKD, and negatively correlated with kidney function. The urinary exosomes from patients with CKD greatly accelerated renal fibrosis, which was blocked by CD44 deletion. These results suggest that exosome‐mediated activation of the OPN/CD44 axis plays a key role in renal fibrosis, which is controlled by β‐catenin.

Abstract Background The association between alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and incident diabetes remains uncertain. Our study aimed to investigate the prospective relation of serum ALP with the risk of new-onset diabetes, and explore possible effect modifiers, in hypertensive adults. Methods A total 14,393 hypertensive patients with available ALP measurements and without diabetes and liver disease at baseline were included from the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT). The primary outcome was new-onset diabetes, defined as physician-diagnosed diabetes or use of glucose-lowering drugs during follow-up, or fasting glucose ≥ 7.0 mmol/L at the exit visit. The secondary study outcome was new-onset impaired fasting glucose (IFG), defined as FG

Background: There is a paucity of information regarding severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. We aimed to estimate the cumulative attack rate of SARS-CoV-2 in hemodialysis patients in China using a serological test. Methods: We enrolled all hemodialysis patients from 8 hemodialysis facilities in Honghu and Jingzhou of Hubei province and Guangzhou and Foshan of Guangdong province in China. We screened these patients for SARS-CoV-2 infection by both a reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for viral RNA and a serological test for IgG and IgM antibodies. Data on demographics and clinical characteristics were collected via case report forms. We also enrolled the health care workers from the participating hospitals and compared the seropositive rate between hemodialysis patients and health care workers in the same region. Results: Among 1542 hemodialysis patients, 5 (0.32%) and 51 (3.3%) were tested positive by the RT-PCR test and the serological test, respectively. The seropositive rate in Hubei (3.6%) was higher than that in Guangdong (2.8%), although the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.5). Most of the seropositive patients were asymptomatic. Independent risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection were being older than 65 years, having manifestation of lung infection in imaging examinations, and having a lower level of serum albumin. In comparison, the seropositive rate in 3205 health care workers was 1.2%，which was significantly lower than that observed in the hemodialysis patients (P < .001). Conclusion: The cumulative rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection in hemodialysis patients in China was high at 3.3%. Serological test detected 10 times more cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection than the RT-PCR test and should be the preferred tool for estimating the prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The relation of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is still uncertain. We aimed to examine the prospective association between serum ALP and CKD progression, and the modifying effect of serum ALP on folic acid in preventing CKD progression in treated hypertensive patients. This is a post-hoc analysis of 12,734 hypertensive adults with relevant measurements and without liver disease at baseline from the renal sub-study of the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial, where participants were randomly assigned to daily treatments of 10 mg enalapril and 0.8 mg folic acid, or 10 mg enalapril alone. The primary outcome was CKD progression, defined as a decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of ≥30% and to a level of

The relation of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) with stroke risk remains uncertain. We aimed to examine the association between serum ALP and the risk of first stroke, and explore the possible effect modifiers in the association, among adults with hypertension. A total of 19,747 participants with baseline ALP measurements and without liver disease at baseline from the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT) were included. The primary outcome was a first stroke. Over a median follow-up of 4.5 years, there was a positive association between serum ALP levels and the risk of first stroke (per SD increment, adjusted HR, 1.10; 95%CI: 1.01, 1.20). When serum ALP was evaluated as quartiles, a significantly higher risk of first stroke was observed in those in quartile 2–4 (ALP ≥79 IU/L; adjusted HR, 1.38; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.71), compared with participants in quartile 1 (ALP

Aging is a multifaceted process regulated by multiple cellular pathways, including the proteostasis network. Pharmacological or genetic enhancement of the intracellular proteostasis network extends lifespan and prevents age-related diseases. However, how proteostasis is regulated in different tissues throughout the aging process remains unclear. Here, we show that Drosophila homologs of Cubilin- and Amnionless (dCubilin and dAMN, respectively)-mediated protein reabsorption (CAMPR) from hemolymph insect blood by nephrocytes modulate longevity through regulating proteostasis in muscle and brain tissues. We find that overexpression of dAMN receptor in nephrocytes extends lifespan, whereas nephrocyte-specific dCubilin or dAMN RNAi knockdown shortens lifespan. We also show that CAMPR in nephrocytes regulates proteostasis in hemolymph and improves healthspan. In addition, we show that enhanced CAMPR in nephrocytes slows down the aging process in muscle and brain by maintaining the proteostasis network in these tissues. Altogether, our work has revealed an inter-organ communication network across nephrocytes and muscle/neuronal tissue that is essential for maintaining proteostasis, and to delay senescence in these organs. These findings provide insight into the role of renal protein reabsorption in the aging process via this tele-proteostasis network.

Background The association between blood pressure (BP) control and incident diabetes mellitus remains unknown. We aim to investigate the association between degree of time‐averaged on‐treatment systolic blood pressure (SBP) control and incident diabetes mellitus in hypertensive adults. Methods and Results A total of 14 978 adults with hypertension without diabetes mellitus at baseline were included from the CSPPT (China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial). Participants were randomized double‐masked to daily enalapril 10 mg and folic acid 0.8 mg or enalapril 10 mg alone. BP measurements were taken every 3 months after randomization. The primary outcome was incident diabetes mellitus, defined as physician‐diagnosed diabetes mellitus, or use of glucose‐lowering drugs during follow‐up, or fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL at the exit visit. Over a median of 4.5 years, a significantly higher risk of incident diabetes mellitus was found in participants with time‐averaged on‐treatment SBP 130 to

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) complicates chronic kidney disease (CKD). We tested the hypothesis that CKD activates a broad reflex response from the kidneys and the white adipose tissue to impair peripheral glucose uptake and investigated the role of salt intake in this process. Methods: 5/6-nephrectomized rats were administered normal- or high-salt for 3 weeks. Conclusions were tested in 100 non-diabetic patients with stage 3–5 CKD. Findings: High-salt in 5/6-nephrectomized rats decreased insulin-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose uptake >25% via a sympathetic nervous system (SNS) reflex that linked the IR to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in brain and peripheral tissues. Salt-loading in CKD enhanced inflammation in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, and enhanced the impairment of insulin signaling and Glut4 trafficking. Denervation of the kidneys or adipose tissue or deafferentation of adipose tissue improved IR >40%. In patients with non-diabetic CKD, IR was positively correlated with salt intake after controlling for cofounders (r = 0.334, P = 0.001) and was linked to activation of the RAS/SNS and to impaired glucose uptake in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, all of which depended on salt intake. Interpretation: CKD engages a renal/adipose-cerebral-peripheral sympathetic reflex that activates the RAS/ROS axes to promote IR via local inflammation and impaired Glut4 trafficking that are enhanced by high-salt intake. The findings point to a role for blockade of RAS or α-and-β-adrenergic receptors to reduce IR in patients with CKD. Fund: National Natural Science Foundation of China. Keywords: Insulin resistance, Salt, Sympathetic reflex, Adipose tissue, Renin-angiotensin system, Chronic kidney disease

The aim of the present study was to examine the association between peripheral differential leukocyte counts and dyslipidemia in a Chinese hypertensive population. A total of 10,866 patients with hypertension were enrolled for a comprehensive assessment of cardiovascular risk factors using data from the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial. Plasma lipid levels and total leukocyte, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts were determined according to standard methods. Peripheral differential leukocyte counts were consistently and positively associated with serum total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), and TG levels (all P < 0.001 for trend), while inversely associated with HDL cholesterol levels (P < 0.05 for trend). In subsequent analyses where serum lipids were dichotomized (dyslipidemia/normolipidemia), we found that patients in the highest quartile of total leukocyte count (≥7.6 × 109 cells/l) had 1.64 times the risk of high TG [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.46, 1.85], 1.34 times the risk of high TC (95% CI: 1.20, 1.50), and 1.24 times the risk of high LDL-C (95% CI: 1.12, 1.39) compared with their counterparts in the lowest quartile of total leukocyte count. Similar patterns were also observed with neutrophils and lymphocytes. In summary, these findings indicate that elevated differential leukocyte counts are directly associated with serum lipid levels and increased odds of dyslipidemia.

Background: Macrophage polarization plays a pivotal role in the process of inflammation which is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Macrophages polarization under the condition of CKD remains poorly understood. Here we tested the hypothesis that CKD promotes macrophage M1 polarization. Methods: A rat model of CKD was established by reduced renal mass (RRM). Polarization of macrophages was induced in ex vivo macrophages from RRM rats and cultured ones under the condition of uremic serum. The markers were evaluated by RT-PCR, western blot, and flow cytometer. Results: Our data showed that macrophages from RRM rats displayed enhanced M1 and impaired M2 polarization as revealed by increased M1 markers (tumor necrosis factor α, IL-6, IL-12p40, nitric oxide) and decreased M2 markers (IL-10, CD206, arginase activity) in response to LPS and IL-4 induction, respectively. Treatment with uremic sera in peritoneal and bone marrow derived macrophages from normal rats led to similar results. Moreover, macrophages from RRM rats and cultured under the condition of uremic sera had reduced mitochondrial biogenesis. The disturbed macrophage polarization and mitochondrial biogenesis were accompanied by reduced activity of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein (AMP)-activated kinase (AMPK). Enhancing activation of AMPK restored mitochondrial biogenesis and M2 macrophage polarization. Conclusion: These observations suggest that CKD disturbs macrophage polarization and mitochondrial biogenesis through inhibition of AMPK. This might provide a novel therapeutic strategy for intervention of chronic inflammation in CKD.

Background We aimed to test the impact of achieved blood pressure (BP) on first stroke among patients with grade 1 hypertension and without cardiovascular diseases in the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial. Methods and Results A total of 3187 patients with uncomplicated grade 1 hypertension were included. The risk of outcomes was assessed according to: (1) the proportion of visits in which BP was reduced to

Background The optimal range of blood pressure variability remains unclear. We aimed to stratify the degree of risk of stroke based on visit‐to‐visit systolic blood pressure (SBP) variability in a large Chinese hypertensive population in 32 communities. Methods and Results We retrospectively analyzed the data of 20 702 hypertensive patients from the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial. The participants were randomized into 2 treatment groups to receive either enalapril or enalapril plus folic acid. Their blood pressures were measured every 3 months. The outcome was the first stroke. Three parameters of SBP variability were calculated: standard deviation, coefficient of variation, and average real variability. The records of first 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 visits at which SBP was measured were used to calculate SBP variability and to predict subsequent stroke risk in adjusted Cox regression models. After median follow‐up of 4.5 years, 597 patients had experienced stroke. Visit‐to‐visit SBP variability was an independent predictor of subsequent stroke (eg, the hazard ratio for the highest quintile of average real variability [22.67–61.07 mm Hg] over 6 visits was 1.55, 95% CI 1.07–2.25, P=0.021), independent of mean SBP over the follow‐up period. Its value was more predictive when more blood pressure records were used. Conclusions Visit‐to‐visit SBP variability is an independent predictor of primary stroke in Chinese hypertensive patients. This predictive value depends on the number of blood pressure measurements used to calculate variability but is independent of mean SBP. Clinical Trial Registration URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00794885.

BackgroundAlthough several risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) have been identified, early detection of AKI in acute decompensated heart failure patients remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a risk score for early prediction of AKI in acute decompensated heart failure patients. Methods and ResultsA total of 676 consecutive acute decompensated heart failure participants were prospectively enrolled from 6 regional central hospitals. Data from 507 participants were analyzed. Participants from 4 of the 6 hospitals (n=321) were used to develop a risk score and conduct internal validation. External validation of the developed risk score was conducted in participants from the other 2 hospitals (n=186). Sequential logistic regression was used to develop and validate the risk score. The c statistic and calibration plot were used to assess the discrimination and calibration of the proposed risk score. The overall occurrence of AKI was 33.1% (168/507). The risk score, ranging from 0 to 55, demonstrated good discriminative power with an optimism‐corrected c statistic of 0.859. Similar results were obtained from external validation with c statistic of 0.847 (95% CI 0.819‐0.927). The risk score had good calibration with no apparent over‐ or under‐prediction observed from calibration plots. ConclusionsThe novel risk score is a simple and accurate tool that can help clinicians assess the risk of AKI in acute decompensated heart failure patients, which in turn helps them plan and initiate the most appropriate disease management for patients in time.

Background Conflicting evidence exists regarding whether reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and proteinuria are independent risk factors for stroke and its subtypes in hypertensive patients. This study investigated the association of these renal measures with first incident stroke in adults under treatment for hypertension in China. Methods and Results The study included 19 599 adults aged 45 to 75 years who participated in the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial. Baseline eGFR was calculated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration creatinine equation. Proteinuria was assessed by qualitative dipstick urinalysis and in a subset by the quantitative albumin–creatinine ratio method. Cox regression analysis was used to examine the effects of eGFR and proteinuria on the risk of first incident stroke. During a median of 4.5 years of follow‐up, a total of 585 first strokes (472 ischemic strokes) were identified. Compared to participants without proteinuria, participants with proteinuria (trace or more by dipstick) had a 35% increased risk of first stroke: the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) (95% CI) was 1.35 (1.09–1.66, P=0.005). The results were robust in subgroup analyses. In a subset with data on proteinuria measured by quantitative albumin–creatinine ratio, a similar association was found. In both independent and combined analyses with proteinuria, eGFR was not significantly associated with stroke. Conclusions In adults under treatment for hypertension in China, baseline proteinuria measured by dipstick or quantitative albumin–creatinine ratio, but not reduced eGFR, was found to be an independent risk factor for first incident stroke and ischemic stroke.

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) leads to several clinical manifestations including hepatic fibrosis. Excess deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components including collagen is the eponymous lesion of liver fibrosis. In this study, we demonstrated that elevated concentration of Hcy induced the expression of collagen type I in cultured human liver cells as well as in liver tissue of HHcy mice. Meanwhile, Hcy inhibited the expression of histone methyltransferase G9a. Mechanistically, silencing endogenous G9a by siRNA enhanced the promoter activity of COL1A1 in LO2 cells. Conversely, overexpressing G9a inhibited the promoter activity of COL1A1. CHIP assay demonstrated that G9a binds to the neuron-restrictive silencer element (NRSE) on the promoter of COL1A1. Hcy treatment decreased the binding of G9a on NRSE, which in turn decreased the level of H3K9me2 on the promoter of COL1A1, led to upregulation of COL1A1. Taken together, these results provide a novel mechanism on explaining how HHcy promotes ECM production.

Heart damage is widely present in patients with chronic kidney disease. Salt diet is the most important environmental factor affecting development of chronic renal failure and cardiovascular diseases. The proteins involved in chronic kidney disease -induced heart damage, especially their posttranslational modifications, remain largely unknown to date. Sprague-Dawley rats underwent 5/6 nephrectomy (chronic renal failure model) or sham operation were treated for 2 weeks with a normal-(0.4% NaCl), or high-salt (4% NaCl) diet. We employed TiO2 enrichment, iTRAQ labeling and liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry strategy for phosphoproteomic profiling of left ventricular free walls in these animals. A total of 1724 unique phosphopeptides representing 2551 non-redundant phosphorylation sites corresponding to 763 phosphoproteins were identified. During normal salt feeding, 89 (54%) phosphopeptides upregulated and 76 (46%) phosphopeptides downregulated in chronic renal failure rats relative to sham rats. In chronic renal failure rats, high salt intake induced upregulation of 84 (49%) phosphopeptides and downregulation of 88 (51%) phosphopeptides. Database searches revealed that most of the identified phospholproteins were important signaling molecules such as protein kinases, receptors and phosphatases. These phospholproteins were involved in energy metabolism, cell communication, cell differentiation, cell death and other biological processes. The Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes analysis revealed functional links among 15 significantly regulated phosphoproteins in chronic renal failure rats compared to sham group, and 23 altered phosphoproteins induced by high salt intake. The altered phosphorylation levels of two proteins involved in heart damage, lamin A and phospholamban were validated. Expression of the downstream genes of these two proteins, desmin and SERCA2a, were also analyzed.