Serum TGF Research Articles

Unravelling interplay of serum MMP-7 and TGF- β in diabetic nephropathy - A study from a tertiary centre in eastern India

ABSTRACT Background: Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) constitutes nearly half of cases of end stage renal disease. Despite decrease in kidney function, eGFR in the early stages may remain unaltered, making diagnosis difficult pointing towards need of more accurate biomarkers for early detection. Altered serum Matrix Metallo-Proteinase-7 (MMP-7) and transforming growth factor- β (TGF-β) has been noted independently in diabetic complications. The role of MMP-7 with TGF-β together has been highlighted in extracellular matrix remodelling in kidneys of diabetic rats. Interaction between MMP-7 with TGF- β in DN cases is scarce. Hence, the objective of present study is to evaluate role of serum MMP-7 and TGF-β in DN. Methods: This case control Study included 61 DN cases, 61 diabetes Mellitus controls and 61 healthy controls. After clinical evaluation routine biochemical parameters were estimated along with serum MMP-7 and TGF-β. They were analysed in relation to glycemia and eGFR along with correlation analysis. Results: Serum MMP-7 and TGF-β registered significant rise (P value-<0.001) in DN cases in comparison to control groups. Their substantial association with each other and with glycaemic status and renal function was noted in the correlational analysis. Diagnostic accuracy of MMP-7 and TGF-β for DN was also noted with significant sensitivity and specificity. Multiple regression analysis documented MMP-7 as an independent determinant for Diabetic nephropathy. Conclusion: Serum MMP-7 along with TGF-β play significant role in the pathogenesis of DN. Prospective longitudinal study with future Genetic analysis for their expression is needed to establish their role in disease diagnosis and progression.

Evaluating the role of active TGF-β1 as inflammatory biomarker in Kashmiri (North-Indian) patients with systemic sclerosis: a case-control study

Abstract Background As a master immune system regulator, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) is closely linked to the complicated pathophysiology and development of systemic sclerosis (SSc), a multisystem fibrotic disease. Objective We aim to evaluate the transcriptional levels of TGF-β1 mRNA in PBMCs, assess the TGF-β1 serum levels of SSc patients, and compare them with those of healthy subjects. Methods PBMCs were isolated from whole blood of 50 SSc patients and in 30 healthy controls. After total RNA was extracted from isolated PBMCs, complementary DNA (cDNA) synthesis was performed. Afterward, the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA was assessed using quantitative real-time PCR using the SYBR Green, GAPDH, and TGF-β1 specific primers. The serum levels of TGF-β1 were determined using a commercially available ELISA kit. Results There was a significant upregulation of TGF-β1 relative expression (p < 0.0001), when SSc patients were compared to the control group. The diffuse subgroup was more common in patients with elevated TGF-β1 mRNA expression (p < 0.0001). However, an insignificant difference was observed between the disease subsets of SSc. Serum TGF- β1 levels were upregulated in SSc patients (78.35 ± 23.16) compared to healthy subjects (61.06 ± 15.90), and were considerably higher in SSc patients with ILD (p < 0.01) and positive anti-topo-Isomerase antibody (p < 0.0001). Conclusion In patients with SSc, elevated levels of TGF-β1 in serum and their correlation with clinical symptoms imply that this cytokine may serve as a marker for fibrotic and vascular involvement in SSc.

Retraction: Relationship between serum TGF- β 1, MMP-9 and IL-1β and pathological features and prognosis in breast cancer.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1095338.].

Serum transforming growth factor-beta levels and severity of retinoblastoma in children

Background Transforming growth factor-? (TGF-?) expression contributes to the growth of retinoblastoma. TGF-? is produced or released by infiltrating cells such as lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages. TGF-? levels are a potential marker of disease severity.
 Objective To assess the difference in serum TGF-? levels before chemotherapy in patients with retinoblastoma grades III and IV. 
 Methods This cross-sectional observational study was done at Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital, Makassar, Indonesia from January to November 2019. Subjects were pediatric patients with grade III and IV retinoblastoma who had not undergone chemotherapy. Patients who met the inclusion criteria provided blood specimens for TGF-? testing. We analyzed the difference in serum TGF-? level between grade III and grade IV patients.
 Results We obtained 38 subjects, consisting of 13 grade III and 25 grade IV retinoblastoma patients. Mean TGF-? levels were in 1,061 ng/L in grade III and 988 ng/L in grade IV patients. The Mann-Whitney U test revealed no significant difference between the levels of TGF-?, retinoblastoma grade III and IV (P=0.655). However, TGF-? levels in both groups were markedly above the normal value (100 ng/L).
 Conclusion TGF-? levels are markedly increased in grade III and IV retinoblastoma patients. There was no significant difference in TGF-? level between grade III and IV patients. Our findings suggest that TGF-? plays an important role in tumor cell development. Further research on differences in TGF-? levels between late stages (grades III and IV) and early stages (grades I and II) of retinoblastoma to elucidate the role of TGF-? as a marker of retinoblastoma severity.

Unveiling the TGF- β1 paradox: Significant implication of TGF- β1 promoter variants and its mRNA and protein expression in atopic dermatitis

Unveiling the TGF- β1 paradox: Significant implication of TGF- β1 promoter variants and its mRNA and protein expression in atopic dermatitis

Dietary yeast cell wall enhanced intestinal health of broiler chickens by modulating intestinal integrity, immune responses, and microbiota

Dietary yeast cell wall enhanced intestinal health of broiler chickens by modulating intestinal integrity, immune responses, and microbiota

Relationship between serum TGF- β 1, MMP-9 and IL-1β and pathological features and prognosis in breast cancer.

To investigate the levels of serum transforming growth factor-β 1 (TGF-β1), Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and Interleukin-1 β (IL-1 β) in breast cancer (BC), and analyzing their relationship with pathological features and prognosis. Retrospective analysis of 86 subjects with BC (BC subgroup) and another 50 healthy subjects (control subgroup) during the same period were included. The clinical data were collected. In this research, in BC subgroup, The levels of serum TGF- β 1, MMP-9 and IL-1 β were significantly higher than those in control subgroup. The levels of TGF- β 1 and MMP-9 in serum of BC subjects was correlated with clinical stage, histological grade, lymph node metastasis and molecular classification, but not with age, tumor size and menopausal status. The level of serum IL-1 β was related to tumor size, clinical stage, histological grade and lymph node metastasis. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the high level of serum TGF- β1 and MMP-9 was independent risk factors for BC. High level of serum IL-1 β was not an independent risk factor for BC. The 3-year disease-free survival rate in high TGF- β1 subgroup and high MMP-9 subgroup was significantly lower than that in low TGF- β 1 subgroup and low MMP- 9 subgroup. To conclude, serum TGF- β 1, MMP-9 and IL-1β are highly expressed in BC, and the subjects with elevated serum levels of TGF- β 1 and MMP-9 suggests poor prognosis.

The Therapeutic Effect of Quyu Jiedu Xiaozheng Tang Combined with Diqu Progesterone Tablets on Endometriosis and Its Effect on Serum MIF and TGF- Β Impact Of 1

The Therapeutic Effect of Quyu Jiedu Xiaozheng Tang Combined with Diqu Progesterone Tablets on Endometriosis and Its Effect on Serum MIF and TGF- Β Impact Of 1

Interactions between Caveolin-1 polymorphism and Plant-based dietary index on metabolic and inflammatory markers among women with obesity

A series of recent studies have indicated that the Caveolin-1 (CAV-1) gene variant may be associated with metabolic and inflammatory markers and anthropometric measures. Furthermore, it has been shown that a plant-based dietary index (PDI) can elicit a positive impact on these metabolic markers. Therefore, we sought to examine whether PDI intakes may affect the relationship between CAV-1 (rs3807992) and metabolic factors, as well as serum inflammatory markers and anthropometric measures, in women with obesity. This current study consisted of 400 women with overweight and obesity, with a mean (SD) age of 36.67 ± 9.10 years. PDI was calculated by a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The anthropometric measurements and serum profiles were measured by standard protocols. Genotyping of the CAV-1(rs3807992) was conducted by the PCR–RFLP method. The following genotypic frequencies were found among the participants: GG (47.8%), AG (22.3%), and AA (2.3%). In comparison to GG homozygotes, risk-allele carriers (AA + AG) with higher PDI intake had lower ALT (P: 0.03), hs-CRP (P: 0.008), insulin (P: 0.01) and MCP-1 (P: 0.04). Furthermore, A-allele carriers were characterized by lower serum ALT (P: 0.04), AST (P: 0.02), insulin (P: 0.03), and TGF-β (P: 0.001) when had the higher following a healthful PDI compared to GG homozygote. Besides, risk-allele carriers who consumed higher unhealthful PDI had higher WC (P: 0.04), TC/HDL (P: 0.04), MCP-1 (P: 0.03), and galactin-3 (P: 0.04). Our study revealed that A-allele carriers might be more sensitive to PDI composition compared to GG homozygotes. Following a healthful PDI in A-allele carriers may be associated with improvements in metabolic and inflammatory markers and anthropometric measures.

Role of TGF-β1 and PDGF-B in Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Eastern Anatolia Region in Turkey.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between serum TGF-β1 and PDGF-B levels with the pathogenesis, clinical course and prognosis of adult Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) patients. 50 adult patients and 30 healthy individuals as a control group were included in the study, who were followed up and treated with the diagnosis of CCHF at the Atatürk University Faculty of Medicine Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Clinic, between March 2017 and September 2019 in Eastern Anatolia Region in Turkey. Blood samples were taken from patients on the first day of their hospitalization and on the sixth day of their complaints. TGF-β1 and serum PDGF-B levels were studied by ELISA method using commercial kits, from serum samples taken from CCHF patient group and individuals in healthy control group and stored at -80°C. While the serum TGF- β1 levels of patients with CCHF were found to be significantly higher on the sixth day of their complaints compared to the first day of hospitalization (42.33 ± 15.42, 28.40 ± 7.06, p = 0.001, respectively), the serum PGDF-B levels were found to be significantly lower on the sixth day of their complaints compared to those measured on the day of hospitalization (62.14 ± 19.75, 93.96 ± 20.02, respectively, p = 0.001). Serum TGF-β1 levels are higher and PDGF-B levels are lower in CCHF patients with severe disease, indicating that serum TGF-β1 and PDGF-B play an important role in the pathogenesis of CCHF.

Anti-neuron antibody syndrome: clinical features, cytokines/chemokines and predictors

BackgroundNeuroimmunology is a rapidly expanding field, and there have been recent discoveries of new antibodies and neurological syndromes. Most of the current clinical studies have focused on disorders involving one specific antibody. We have summarized a class of antibodies that target common neuronal epitopes, and we have proposed the term “anti-neuron antibody syndrome” (ANAS). In this study, we aimed to clarify the clinical range and analyse the clinical features, cytokines/chemokines and predictors in ANAS.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study investigating patients with neurological manifestations that were positive for anti-neuron antibodies.ResultsA total of 110 patients were identified, of which 43 patients were classified as having autoimmune encephalitis (AE) and the other 67 were classified as having paraneoplastic neurological syndrome (PNS). With regards to anti-neuron antibodies, 42 patients tested positive for anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibody, 19 for anti-Hu, 14 for anti-Yo and 12 for anti-PNMA2 (Ma2). There were significant differences between the ANAS and control groups in serum B cell-activating factor (BAFF) levels and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) C-X-C motif chemokine10 (CXCL10), CXCL13, interleukin10 (IL10), BAFF and transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) levels. Predictors of poor outcomes included having tumours (P = 0.0193) and having a chronic onset (P = 0.0306), and predictors of relapses included having lower levels of CSF BAFF (P = 0.0491) and having a larger ratio of serum TGFβ1/serum CXCL13 (P = 0.0182).ConclusionsMost patients with ANAS had a relatively good prognosis. Having tumours and a chronic onset were both associated with poor outcomes. CSF BAFF and the ratio of serum TGFβ1/serum CXCL13 were associated with relapses.

Impact of immune checkpoint molecules on FoxP3+ Treg cells and related cytokines in patients with acute and chronic brucellosis

BackgroundThe immunoregulatory functions of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the development and progression of some chronic infectious diseases are mediated by immune checkpoint molecules and immunosuppressive cytokines. However, little is known about the immunosuppressive functions of Tregs in human brucellosis, which is a major burden in low-income countries. In this study, expressions of immune checkpoint molecules and Treg-related cytokines in patients with acute and chronic Brucella infection were evaluated to explore their impact at different stages of infection.MethodsForty patients with acute brucellosis and 19 patients with chronic brucellosis admitted to the Third People’s Hospital of Linfen in Shanxi Province between August 2016 and November 2017 were enrolled. Serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from patients before antibiotic treatment and from 30 healthy subjects. The frequency of Tregs (CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+ T cells) and expression of CTLA-4, GITR, and PD-1 on Treg cells were detected by flow cytometry. Levels of Treg-related cytokines, including IL-35, TGF-β1, and IL-10, were measured by customised multiplex cytokine assays using the Luminex platform.ResultsThe frequency of Tregs was higher in chronic patients than in healthy controls (P = 0.026) and acute patients (P = 0.042); The frequency of CTLA-4+ Tregs in chronic patients was significantly higher than that in healthy controls (P = 0.011). The frequencies of GITR+ and PD-1+ Tregs were significantly higher in acute and chronic patients than in healthy controls (P < 0.05), with no significant difference between the acute and chronic groups (all P > 0.05). Serum TGF-β1 levels were higher in chronic patients (P = 0.029) and serum IL-10 levels were higher in acute patients (P = 0.033) than in healthy controls. We detected weak correlations between serum TGF-β1 levels and the frequencies of Tregs (R = 0.309, P = 0.031) and CTLA-4+ Tregs (R = 0.302, P = 0.035).ConclusionsTreg cell immunity is involved in the chronicity of Brucella infection and indicates the implication of Tregs in the prognosis of brucellosis. CTLA-4 and TGF-β1 may contribute to Tregs-mediated immunosuppression in the chronic infection stage of a Brucella infection.

Evaluation of Serum Alkaline Phosphatase Changes and TGF- β Expression in the Liver of Cholestatic Rats Treated with Ethanolic Extract of Plantago Ovata

BACKGROUND: Induction of cholestasis is one of the methods of liver fibrosis which causes the development of oxidative stress, increased expression of fibrogenic markers, excessive deposition of extracellular matrix, and finally the incidence of fibrosis. Plantago ovata is known as a rich source of various secondary metabolites such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, alkaloids, trypanoids, and ascorbic acid. OBJECTIVES: the present study, the expression of TGF- β as a fibrotic marker and serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) changes in cholestatic rats treated with P. ovata extract were evaluated. METHODS: In this study, 48 adult Wistar rats were used. The rats were randomly divided into eight groups of six animals each as follows: (1) healthy control group without bile duct ligation (BDL) surgery and treatment; (2–4) three healthy experimental plus P. ovata groups: rats without BDL, treated with P. ovata at dose levels of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight, respectively; (5) the BDL group: rats with BDL and treated with distilled water; and (6–8) the BDL plus P. ovata groups: rats with BDL and treated with P. ovata at dose levels of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight, respectively. The rats were treated with P. ovata extract for 45 consecutive days (once per day). After euthanasia and serum isolation, ALP enzyme level was measured. Moreover, the rat liver was fixed in 10% formalin buffer solution. The immunohistochemical study was performed by TGF-β antibody. Data analysis was performed using the One-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test and the Prism statistical program (p <0.0001). RESULTS: The results showed a significant increase in the serum levels of ALP enzyme and TGF-β expression in BDL group. Treatment with P. ovata extract was able to significantly improve these changes in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that P. ovata extract probably due to its phenolic compounds and its antioxidant effect has a protective effect on the liver and subsequently improves the increased serum ALP level and also reduced TGF-β expression

Higher CD19+CD25+ Bregs are independently associated with better graft function in renal transplant recipients

BackgroundThe Identification of B cell subsets with regulatory functions might open the way to new therapeutic strategies in the field of transplantation, which aim to reduce the dose of immunosuppressive drugs and prolong the graft survival. CD25 was proposed as a marker of a B-cell subset with an immunosuppressive action termed Bregs. The effect of CD19 + CD25 + Bregs on graft function in renal transplant recipients has not yet been elucidated. We investigated a potential impact of CD19 + CD25 + Bregs on renal graft function as well as a possible interaction of CD19 + CD25 + Bregs with peripheral Tregs in healthy controls, end-stage kidney disease patients (ESKD), and renal transplant recipients. Moreover, we aimed to investigate the association of CD19 + CD25 + Bregs with serum IL-10, TGF-ß1, and IFN-γ in the same study groups.MethodThirty-one healthy controls, ninety renal transplant recipients, and eighteen ESKD patients were enrolled. We evaluated the CD19 + CD25 + Bregs and Treg absolute counts. Next, we investigated CD19 + CD25 + Bregs as predictors of good graft function in multiple regression and ROC analyses. Finally, we evaluated the association between CD19 + CD25+ Bregs and serum IL-10, TGF-ß, and IFN-γ.ResultsESKD patients and renal transplant recipients showed lower counts of CD19 + CD25+ Bregs compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001). Higher CD19 + CD25+ Breg counts were independently associated with a better GFR in renal transplant recipients (unstandardized B coefficient = 9, p = 0.02). In these patients, higher CD19 + CD25+ Bregs were independently associated with higher Treg counts (unstandardized B = 2.8, p = 0.004). In ROC analysis, cut-offs for CD19 + CD25 + Breg counts and serum TGF-ß1 of 0.12 cell/μl and 19,635.4 pg/ml, respectively, were shown to provide a good sensitivity and specificity in identifying GFR ≥ 30 ml/min (AUC = 0.67, sensitivity 77%, specificity 43%; AUC = 0.65, sensitivity 81%, specificity 50%, respectively). Finally, a significant positive association between CD19 + CD25+ Bregs and TGF-ß1 was shown in renal transplant recipients (r = 0.255, p = 0.015).ConclusionsOur findings indicate that higher counts of CD19 + CD25+ Bregs are independently associated with better renal function and higher absolute Treg counts in renal transplant recipients.

Initial Combination Empagliflozin and Linagliptin Improves Kidney Fibrotic Marker in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF- ß1) is a novel cytokine marker and also one of the therapeutic targets in the treatment of diabetic kidney disease. Both sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor and dipeptidyl-peptides 4 inhibitor reduce TGF- ß 1 level in animal studies, but whether it is effective in human is unknown. Objective: To evaluate the effects of combinations of empagliflozin/linagliptin, comparing with empagliflozin alone, in patients with type 2 diabetes. Material and Methods: Subjects are randomized to a combination of empagliflozin 10 mg and linagliptin 5 mg (n = 23), or empagliflozin 10 mg (n = 22) as add-on to standard treatment for 12 weeks. The primary end point is changed from baseline in serum TGF- ß1 at 12 weeks. Results: Among the 45 subjects who completed the study, mean change in TGF-ß1 was -928.2 + 1,204.2 pg/mL, and +206.6 + 592.5 pg/mL in the empagliflozin/linagliptin group and empagliflozin group, respectively (p <0.001). Mean change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) increased in the empagliflozin /linagliptin group 4.4 + 7.59 mL/min/1.73m2, whereas mean eGFR decreased in empagliflozin group -0.06 + 11.16 mL/min/1.73m2 (p =0.133). Mean change in HbA1c was -1.3 + 0.6% and -0.4 + 0.6% in empagliflozin/linagliptin and empagliflozin group, respectively (p<0.001). Baseline level of eGFR significantly correlated with baseline TGF- ß1 but did not predict response to therapy. Conclusion: Initial combination empagliflozin and linagliptin may delay progression of kidney fibrosis as early as 12 weeks of treatment. Our study supports that this combination had synergistic action not only glycemic control but also beneficial in kidney protection. Keyword: transforming growth factor - ß1, diabetic kidney disease, combination empagliflozin and linagliptin

The potential regulatory role of hsa_circ_0004104 in the persistency of atrial fibrillation by promoting cardiac fibrosis via TGF-\u03b2 pathway

IntroductionThe progression of paroxysmal AF (PAF) to persistent AF (PsAF) worsens the prognosis of AF, but its underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Recently, circular RNAs (circRNAs) were reported to be associated with cardiac fibrosis. In case of the vital role of cardiac fibrosis in AF persistency, we hypothesis that circRNAs may be potential regulators in the process of AF progression.Materials and methods6 persistent and 6 paroxysmal AF patients were enrolled as derivation cohort. Plasma circRNAs expressions were determined by microarray and validated by RT-PCR. Fibrosis level, manifested by serum TGF-β, was determined by ELISA. Pathways and related non-coding RNAs involving in the progression of AF regulated were predicted by in silico analysis.ResultsPsAF patients showed a distinct circRNAs expression profile with 92 circRNAs significantly dysregulated (fold change ≥ 2, p < 0.05), compared with PAF patients. The validity of the expression patterns was subsequently validated by RT-PCR in another 60 AF patients (30 PsAF and PAF, respectively). In addition, all the 5 up and down regulated circRNAs were clustered in MAPK and TGF-beta signaling pathway by KEGG pathway analysis. Among the 5 circRNAs, hsa_circ_0004104 was consistently downregulated in PsAF group (0.6 ± 0.33 vs 1.46 ± 0.41, p < 0.001) and predicted to target several AF and/or cardiac fibrosis related miRNAs reported by previous studies. In addition, TGF-β1 level was significantly higher in the PsAF group (5560.23 ± 1833.64 vs 2236.66 ± 914.89, p < 0.001), and hsa_circ_0004104 showed a significant negative correlation with TGF-β1 level (r = − 0.797, p < 0.001).ConclusionCircRNAs dysregulation plays vital roles in AF persistency. hsa_circ_0004104 could be a potential regulator and biomarker in AF persistency by promoting cardiac fibrosis via targeting MAPK and TGF-beta pathways.

Impact of concurrent diabetes on periodontal health in patients with acromegaly

Previous studies have suggested excess GH/IGF1 secretion in patients with acromegaly is protective for periodontal health. Diabetes is prevalent comorbidity in patients of acromegaly and is associated with worsening of periodontal disease. The present study evaluates the periodontal health and cytokines status in treatment-naive active acromegaly patients with and without diabetes. Eleven patients, each of acromegaly with and without diabetes and 20 healthy controls were enrolled. Periodontal parameters were assessed. GCF and blood samples for IL-6, TGF-β1, and PDGF were obtained. Serum GH, IGF1, HbA1c, pituitary hormones and MRI sella were performed in patients with acromegaly. There was no significant difference in periodontal status of patients with acromegaly and healthy controls. However, a significant increase in serum IL-6 (p = 0.019) and TGF-β1 (p = 0.025) levels in patients with acromegaly was observed and all patients had concurrent hypogonadism. Nevertheless, the patients with acromegaly having diabetes had modestly higher CAL and PD and serum IL-6 levels (p = 0.051), but it could not exert adverse effects on periodontal health in presence of GH/IGF1 excess. GH/IGF1 excess did not exert a protective effect on periodontal status in acromegaly, possibly due to concurrent hypogonadism and opposing cytokines; however, it could mask the ill-effects of diabetes on periodontal health.

Effects of ZnT8 on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and tubulointerstitial fibrosis in diabetic kidney disease

Zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8) transports zinc ions for crystallization and storage of insulin in pancreatic beta-cells and ZnT8 dysfunction is involved in pathogenesis of diabetes. The current study aimed to investigate whether ZnT8 has effects in pathophysiology of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) by using animal models for diabetes, including STZ-induced diabetic, db/db, ZnT8-KO, ZnT8-KO-STZ and ZnT8-KO-db/db mice. Results demonstrated that urine albumin to creatinine ratio and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were increased in kidneys of ZnT8-KO-STZ and ZnT8-KO-db/db mice compared with C57BL/6 J and ZnT8-KO mice, while serum TGF-β1, IL-6, and TNF-α levels were elevated in parallel. In kidneys of mice intercrossed between ZnT8-KO and STZ-induced diabetic or db/db mice, these three inflammatory factors, ACR and EMT were also found to be increased compared with C57BL/6J, db/db and ZnT8-KO mice. Furthermore, ZnT8 up-regulation by hZnT8-EGFP reduced the levels of high glucose (HG)-induced EMT and inflammatory factors in normal rat kidney tubular epithelial cell (NRK-52E cells). Expression of phosphorylated Smad2/Smad3 was up-regulated after HG stimulation and further enhanced by ZnT8 siRNA but down-regulated after hZnT8-EGFP gene transfection. The current study thus provides the first evidence that ZnT8 protects against EMT-tubulointerstitial fibrosis though the restrain of TGF-β1/Smads signaling activation in DKD.

AB0723 SERUM LEVELS OF TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR BETA1 AND SCLEROSTIN AND THEIR CORRELATIONS WITH MRI AND LABORATORY FINDINGS IN PATIENTS WITH SPONDYLOARTHRITIS

AB0723 SERUM LEVELS OF TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR BETA1 AND SCLEROSTIN AND THEIR CORRELATIONS WITH MRI AND LABORATORY FINDINGS IN PATIENTS WITH SPONDYLOARTHRITIS

Evaluación sérica y salival del factor de crecimiento transformante beta, factor de crecimiento endotelial vascular y factor de necrosis tumoral alfa en liquen plano oral

Introduction: Lichen planus is one of the most common oral mucosal lesions. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF- β) has a marked effect on epithelial–mesenchymal transition and immune cells function. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is a key regulator of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) mediates T-lymphocyte homing and apoptosis of epithelial cells. Objetive: The present study was conducted in order to compare the expression of serum and salivary TGF- β, VEGF, TNF-α between OLP patients and control individuals to investigate if saliva can be used as an alternative to serum for diagnostic purposes and for monitoring disease. Materials and Methods: 23 OLP patients and 23 control individuals were included to evaluate serum and salivary TGF-β, VEGF, TNF-α using ELISA kits. Five milliliters of venous blood was collected and unstimulated saliva was collected by the spitting method. Results: Serum and salivary levels of TGF- β, VEGF, TNF-α are higher in OLP patients compared to normal controls. Mean difference is higher in saliva than serum. Moreover, there was a significant difference in serum and salivary VEGF and TNF-α between symptomatic and asymptomatic groups. Conclusions: Saliva can be a used as a substitute for serum to evaluate levels of the assessed biomarkers.