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- Hibar, Derrek P., et al.
(author)
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Novel genetic loci associated with hippocampal volume
- 2017
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In: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The hippocampal formation is a brain structure integrally involved in episodic memory, spatial navigation, cognition and stress responsiveness. Structural abnormalities in hippocampal volume and shape are found in several common neuropsychiatric disorders. To identify the genetic underpinnings of hippocampal structure here we perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 33,536 individuals and discover six independent loci significantly associated with hippocampal volume, four of them novel. Of the novel loci, three lie within genes (ASTN2, DPP4 and MAST4) and one is found 200 kb upstream of SHH. A hippocampal subfield analysis shows that a locus within the MSRB3 gene shows evidence of a localized effect along the dentate gyrus, subiculum, CA1 and fissure. Further, we show that genetic variants associated with decreased hippocampal volume are also associated with increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (r(g) = -0.155). Our findings suggest novel biological pathways through which human genetic variation influences hippocampal volume and risk for neuropsychiatric illness.
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- Wain, Louise V, et al.
(author)
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Genome-wide association analyses for lung function and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease identify new loci and potential druggable targets.
- 2017
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In: Nature Genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1061-4036 .- 1546-1718. ; 49:3, s. 416-425
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by reduced lung function and is the third leading cause of death globally. Through genome-wide association discovery in 48,943 individuals, selected from extremes of the lung function distribution in UK Biobank, and follow-up in 95,375 individuals, we increased the yield of independent signals for lung function from 54 to 97. A genetic risk score was associated with COPD susceptibility (odds ratio per 1 s.d. of the risk score (∼6 alleles) (95% confidence interval) = 1.24 (1.20-1.27), P = 5.05 × 10(-49)), and we observed a 3.7-fold difference in COPD risk between individuals in the highest and lowest genetic risk score deciles in UK Biobank. The 97 signals show enrichment in genes for development, elastic fibers and epigenetic regulation pathways. We highlight targets for drugs and compounds in development for COPD and asthma (genes in the inositol phosphate metabolism pathway and CHRM3) and describe targets for potential drug repositioning from other clinical indications.
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- Stridh, Sara, et al.
(author)
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Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition blocks interstitial hyaluronan dissipation in the neonatal rat kidney via hyaluronan synthase 2 and hyaluronidase 1.
- 2011
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In: Matrix biology : journal of the International Society for Matrix Biology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1569-1802 .- 0945-053X. ; 30:1, s. 62-9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A functional renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is required for normal kidney development. Neonatal inhibition of the RAS in rats results in long-term pathological renal phenotype and causes hyaluronan (HA), which is involved in morphogenesis and inflammation, to accumulate. To elucidate the mechanisms, intrarenal HA content was followed during neonatal completion of nephrogenesis with or without angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition (ACEI) together with mRNA expression of hyaluronan synthases (HAS), hyaluronidases (Hyal), urinary hyaluronidase activity and cortical lymphatic vessels, which facilitate the drainage of HA from the tissue. In 6-8days old control rats cortical HA content was high and reduced by 93% on days 10-21, reaching adult low levels. Medullary HA content was high on days 6-8 and then reduced by 85% to 12-fold above cortical levels at day 21. In neonatally ACEI-treated rats the reduction in HA was abolished. Temporal expression of HAS2 corresponded with the reduction in HA content in the normal kidney. In ACEI-treated animals cortical HAS2 remained twice the expression of controls. Medullary Hyal1 increased in controls but decreased in ACEI-treated animals. Urine hyaluronidase activity decreased with time in control animals while in ACEI-treated animals it was initially 50% lower and did not change over time. Cells expressing the lymphatic endothelial mucoprotein podoplanin in ACEI-treated animals were increased 18-fold compared to controls suggesting compensation. In conclusion, the high renal HA content is rapidly reduced due to reduced HAS2 and increased Hyal1 mRNA expressions. Normal angiotensin II function is crucial for inducing these changes. Due to the extreme water-attracting and pro-inflammatory properties of HA, accumulation in the neonatally ACEI-treated kidneys may partly explain the pathological renal phenotype of the adult kidney, which include reduced urinary concentration ability and tubulointerstitial inflammation.
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- Carvalho, Carla, 1988-
(author)
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The Role of Kidney Oxygen Homeostasis for the Development of Kidney Disease
- 2019
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The relation between oxygen supply and demand determines tissue oxygen tension (PO2). When intrarenal tissue PO2 decreases, any compensatory increase in oxygen supply via increased renal blood flow is likely to increase glomerular filtration rate. The resulting increased tubular load of electrolytes destined for active transport increases oxygen consumption, thus affecting intrarenal tissue PO2. Consequently, the kidney is particularly sensitive to alterations in oxygen homeostasis and kidney hypoxia is acknowledged as a common pathway to end stage renal disease. Different factors that can affect intrarenal oxygen homeostasis, including alterations in blood pressure and sodium intake dietary or pathologies such as diabetes mellitus, anemia or atherosclerosis. This thesis focuses on understanding how these factors influence kidney oxygen homeostasis.Pronounced reduction in sodium intake caused tissue hypoxia in kidney cortex via activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone leading to increased tubular sodium reabsorption. Angiotensin II and aldosterone affect kidney oxygen handling differently. Whereas angiotensin II mainly affects kidney oxygen delivery, aldosterone mainly affects oxygen consumption.The hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) system is a cellular defense mechanism against prolonged hypoxia. Although diabetes causes intrarenal hypoxia, hyperglycemia per se also prevents HIF-activation. Therefore, the effects of type 1 diabetes were evaluated in genetically modified mice with chronic HIF-activation. Diabetic mice with globally increased HIF activity, due to heterozygote prolyl hydroxylase-2 deficiency, displayed reduced mitochondria leak respiration and preserved cortical PO2. Diabetic mice with kidney-specific HIF activation, due to homozygous deficiency of von Hippel-Lindau, developed reduced mitochondria leak respiration and reduced urinary albumin excretion.The normal age-related decline in kidney function has been proposed to be due to, at least in part, increased oxidative stress, which can induce mitochondrial leak respiration via activation of uncoupling proteins. Indeed, two-year old mice deficient of uncoupling protein-2 presented with improved mitochondria efficiency and reduced urinary protein excretion.Summarizing, the data presented in this thesis provide clear support for potent influence of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, HIF activation and mitochondria function on intrarenal oxygen availability. Maintaining kidney oxygen homeostasis may be a unifying strategy to protect kidney function.
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