Glycogen-storing so-called clear cell kidney tubules (CCTs), precursor lesions of renal cell carcinoma, have been described in diabetic rats and in humans. The lesions show upregulation of the Akt/mTO Show more
Glycogen-storing so-called clear cell kidney tubules (CCTs), precursor lesions of renal cell carcinoma, have been described in diabetic rats and in humans. The lesions show upregulation of the Akt/mTOR-pathway and the related transcription factor carbohydrate responsive element binding protein (ChREBP), which is supposedly pro-oncogenic. We investigated the effect of ChREBP-knockout on nephrocarcinogenesis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic and normoglycemic mice. Diabetic, but not non-diabetic mice, showed CCTs at 3, 6 and 12 months of age. Glycogenosis was confirmed by periodic acid schiff reaction and transmission electron microscopy. CCTs in ChREBP-knockout mice consisted of larger cells and occurred more frequently compared to wildtype mice. Progression towards kidney tumors was observed in both diabetic groups but occurred earlier in ChREBP-knockout mice. Proliferative activity assessed by BrdU-labeling was lower in 1-week-old but higher in 12-month-old diabetic ChREBP-knockout mice. Surprisingly, renal neoplasms occurred spontaneously in non-diabetic ChREBP-knockout, but not non-diabetic wildtype mice, indicating an unexpected tumor-suppressive function of ChREBP. Immunohistochemistry showed upregulated glycolysis and lipogenesis, along with activated Akt/mTOR-signaling in tumors of ChREBP-knockout groups. Immunohistochemistry of human clear cell renal cell carcinomas revealed reduced ChREBP expression compared to normal kidney tissue. However, the molecular mechanisms by which loss of ChREBP might facilitate tumorigenesis require further investigation. Show less
In order to identify biological processes relevant for cell death and survival in the brain following stroke, the postischemic brain transcriptome was studied by a large-scale cDNA array analysis of t Show more
In order to identify biological processes relevant for cell death and survival in the brain following stroke, the postischemic brain transcriptome was studied by a large-scale cDNA array analysis of three peri-infarct brain regions at eight time points during the first 24 h of reperfusion following middle cerebral artery occlusion in the rat. K-means cluster analysis revealed two distinct biphasic gene expression patterns that contained 44 genes (including 18 immediate early genes), involved in cell signaling and plasticity (i.e. MAP2K7, Sprouty2, Irs-2, Homer1, GPRC5B, Grasp). The first gene induction phase occurred at 0-3 h of reperfusion, and the second at 9-15 h, and was validated by in situ hybridization. Four gene clusters displayed a progressive increase in expression over time and included 50 genes linked to cell motility, lipid synthesis and trafficking (i.e. ApoD, NPC1, G3P-dehydrogenase1, and Choline kinase) or cell death-regulating genes such as mitochondrial CLIC. We conclude that a biphasic transcriptional up-regulation of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR)-mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling pathways occurs in surviving tissue, concomitant with a progressive and persistent activation of cell proliferation signifying tissue regeneration, which provide the means for cell survival and postischemic brain plasticity. Show less