Objective To study the effect of recombinant human edostatin on peritoneal angiogenesis in uremic peritoneal dialysis(PD) rats. Methods Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: normal control rats (group 1), renal failure without PD rats (group 2), rats dialyzed with 4.25% PD solution (group 3), rats dialyzed with 4.25% PD solution and received subcutaneous injection of recombinant human endostatin 10 mg/kg (group 4), rats dialyzed with 4.25% PD solution and received subcutaneous injection of recombinant human endostatin 40 mg/kg (group 5). Recombinant human endostatin was given every other day during peritoneal dialysis period, total 14 times. After regular PD for 28 days, tissue immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of VEGF and bFGF in peritoneal tissues of each group rats. Microvessel density (MVD) of peritoneum was detected and quantified with anti-CD34 immunohistochemical staining. Results The mRNA and protein of VEGF and bFGF were expressed in each group. Compared to group 1, the mRNA and protein expression of VEGF and bFGF were significantly up-regulated in group 2 and group 3 (all P＜0.05). Compared with group 3, the mRNA and protein expression of VEGF and bFGF were significantly downregulated in group 4 and group 5 (all P＜0.05). Compared with group 4, the mRNA and protein expression of VEGF and bFGF were significantly down-regulated in group 5 (all P＜0.05). The new microvascular vessels in group 1 showed little or none. Compared with group 1, MVD was significantly increased in group 2 and group 3 (P＜0.05). Compared with group 3, MVD was significantly decreased in group 4 and group 5 (all P＜0.05). Conclusions Recombinant human endostatin can effectively inhibit rat peritoneal neoangiogensis. Down-regulated expression of VEGF and bFGF in peritoneum may be one of the mechanisms of recombinant human endostatin inhibiting peritoneal angiogenesis.

Objective:In order to get recombinant protein OCILRP 2-Fc and anti-OCILRP2 antibody for further study of OCILRP2.Methods:Eukaryotic expression vector pIg-CD5-OCILRP2 which fused with extracellular domain of OCILRP 2 and human IgG1 Fc fragment was constructed.G418 was used for stable expression cell strain after pIg-CD5-OCILRP2 transfected into CHO cells.Recombinant protein OCILRP 2-Fc purified from CHO cell supernatant was used to immunize rabbit and anti-OCILRP2 polyclonal antibody was purified from rabbit serum by using protein G column.Results: ELISA data showed that we got a high-titer anti-serum and anti-OCILRP2 antibody purified from the rabbit serum.Western blot indicated this antibody could specifically bind to OCILRP 2-Fc and OCILRP2 in NIH/3T3 lysate.OCILRP2 expression in murine bone marrow derived dendritic cells ( DC) was detected by this polyclonal antibody ,too.Compared to immature DC ,OCILRP2 expression was elevated in LPS induced-mature DC.Conclusion: This study has offered an available tool and provided a clue for further study of the roles of OCILRP 2 in immune response.

Objective To observe the role and related mechanism of chemerin and its receptor ChemR23 in glomerular endothelial cells (GEnCs) stimulated by high glucose.Methods Mouse GEnCs were cultured and divided into control group,20.0 mmol/L high glucose group,40.0 mmol/L high glucose group and mannitol control group.Then the expressions of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in cell culture supematant as well as the expressions of intracellular protein and mRNA of chemerin,ChemR23,IL-6 and TNF-α were detected.Lentiviral transfection targeting ChemR23 was applied before high glucose-or Chemerin-stimulated,and expressions of supernatant and intracellular mRNA of IL-6 and TNF-α were measured.Meanwhile whether p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) pathway was activated by high glucose was detected.The specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK was added prior to high glucose-stimulated,then supernatant and intracellular mRNA expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α was detected.The supernatant expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α were measured by ELISA.The intracellular protein expression and p38 MAPK phosphorylation activity were detected by Western blotting.The mRNA expression was detected by real time PCR.Results Compared with those in the control group,in high glucose groups the expressions of IL-6,TNF-α and chemerin were significantly increased (all P ＜ 0.05),however,the expressions of ChemR23 did not change (all P ＞ 0.05);the supernatant and mRNA expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α were also elevated in the chemerin group (all P ＜ 0.05).Lentivirus baring shRNA could efficiently suppress ChemR23 expression,and the Chemerin-or high glucose-induced expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α were reduced (all P ＜ 0.05).Also it could significantly reduce the expression of phosphorylated-p38 MAPK (p-p38 MAPK) induced by high glucose (P ＜ 0.05),as high glucose group had higher p-p38 MAPK than control group (P ＜ 0.05).While the high glucose-elevated expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly attenuated by p38 MAPK inhibitor (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions High glucose stimulation can induce the expression of chemerin in GEnCs.By binding to ChemR23,chemerin activates p38 MAPK signaling pathway,and then promotes the expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α.These inflammatory cytokines aggravate inflammation of GEnCs.

Objective:To detect serum level of complement factor B (CFB), and to explore its correlations with clinical parameters and prognosis in children with primary IgA nephropathy (IgAN).Methods:A total of 204 children with primary IgAN confirmed by kidney biopsy in the Department of Nephrology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from December 2014 to April 2017 were included in IgAN group.During the same period, 84 healthy children were included in healthy control group.Their mean age was (11.0±3.5) years and (10.9±3.2) years, respectively.Patients in IgAN group were divided into low CFB group (102 cases) and high CFB group (102 cases) according to the medium serum level of CFB measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Spearman′ s coefficient was employed to analyze correlation amongst various parameters.Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional ha-zards models were used to evaluate the relationship between serum CFB level and prognosis in children with IgAN. Results:Serum CFB levels were significantly higher in IgAN group than that in healthy control group [290.9 (186.2-453.9) mg/L vs.218.9 (155.0-321.3) mg/L, Z=-3.372, P=0.001]. Serum levels of CFB were negatively correlated with serum albumin ( r=-0.388, P<0.001) and estimated glomerular filtration rate ( r=-0.416, P<0.001), but positively correlated with serum creatinine ( r=0.305, P<0.001) and 24 h urinary protein ( r=0.456, P<0.001) in IgAN group.The incidences of crescents (C1-2) (70.6% vs.29.4%, χ2=34.588, P<0.001) and C 3 deposition (+ + -+ + + ) (63.7% vs.44.1%, χ2=7.892, P=0.005) were significantly higher in high CFB group than those in low CFB group. Kaplan- Meier analysis showed that high CFB levels predicted worse renal outcome in pediatric IgAN patients ( χ2=17.509, P<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the high CFB level was the independent risk factor for the poor renal outcome ( HR=2.517, 95% CI: 1.284-4.932, P=0.007). Conclusions:High serum levels of CFB are associated with decreased renal function, increased urinary protein excretion, crescentic formation and poor renal outcome in pediatric IgAN patients.

Objective:To investigate changes in serum C3d and C5b-9 levels in elderly patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy(IMN)and their correlations with prognosis.Methods:Two hundred thirty-one elderly patients with IMN and 96 non-elderly patients with IMN confirmed by kidney biopsy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2015 to May 2017 were enrolled.During the same period, 118 healthy individuals receiving health checkups were included as controls.Patients were divided into the low C3d group( n=112)and the high C3d group( n=113)according to the median level of serum C3d.Serum C3d and C5b-9 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results:Serum C3d and C5b-9 levels in elderly IMN patients were 0.23(0.15, 0.45)mg/L and 0.28(0.20, 1.23)mg/L, respectively, which were higher than those in healthy controls[0.18(0.13, 0.22)mg/L, 0.22(0.16, 0.26)mg/L, respectively]( Z=-4.261 and -6.213, P<0.001). Serum C3d levels in elderly and non-elderly IMN patients were correlated negatively with the estimated glomerular filtration rate( r=-0.155 and -0.426, P=0.019 and 0.000), but positively with serum creatinine, anti-phospholipase A2 receptor(PLA2R)antibody levels and 24 h urinary protein( r=0.184, 0.326, 0.407, 0.321 and 0.145, P=0.005, 0.001, 0.000, 0.001 and 0.027). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the cumulative renal survival rate in elderly IMN patients was lower in the high C3d group than in the low C3d group(47.8% vs.70.8%, Log Rank χ2=7.399, P=0.007). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that high C3d levels were an independent risk factor for poor renal outcomes in elderly IMN patients( HR=2.288, 95% CI: 1.082-4.839, P=0.030). Conclusions:High serum C3d levels are associated with increases in urinary protein excretion and anti-PLA2R antibody levels, renal function decline, and poor renal outcomes in elderly IMN patients.

Objective To sum up and analyze the clinical and pathological characteristics in patients with both IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and diabetes mellitus. Methods A total of 500 patients were recruited, including 25 patients with both IgAN and diabetes mellitus, and 475 patients with IgAN only, who were diagnosed by renal-biopsy during Jan 2015 to Jan 2017 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. The clinical and pathological data were collected and analyzed using SPSS 22.0. Propensity Score Matching was used to match and select the patients in the both groups, and thereafter the depth of the basement membrane from the matched patients were compared using electron microscopy. The data of the patients whose follow - up time was ≥3 months were retrospectively collected, and Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare the difference of the prognosis. Results Compared to the patients with IgAN only, patients with both IgAN and diabetes mellitus were older [(46.36±13.49) years vs (34.00±13.80) years, P<0.001], had higher level of serum triglyceride [2.06(1.52, 3.11) mmol/L vs 1.51(1.01, 2.25) mmol/L, P=0.012] and thicker basement membrane [(384.33 ± 61.20) nm vs (346.72 ± 52.65) nm, P=0.044]. The patients with both IgAN and diabetes mellitus were more prone to reach the composite endpoint [4/7(57.14％) vs 25/265(9.33％), P<0.001] and had worse prognosis (Log-Rank test, P=0.004). Conclusions IgAN patients with diabetes mellitus have different clinical, pathological characteristics and prognosis from patients with IgAN alone. These patients need to be closely monitored and actively treated.

Objective To investigate the incidence situation of metabolic syndrome (MS) in patients with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD),and analyze the correlation between MS and prognosis of patients.Methods The patients who received peritoneal dialysis from June 1,2002 to April 30,2018 and followed up regularly were divided into MS group and non-MS group according to the diagnostic criteria of MS.Follow-up was until July 31,2018.The differences of clinical data,metabolic indexes and clinical outcomes between the two groups were compared.The survival rates of the two groups were compared by Kaplan-Meier survival curve,and the risk factors of all-cause death and cardiovascular disease (CVD) death were analyzed by Cox regression analysis.Results A total of 516 patients with CAPD were enrolled in this study,including 340 males (65.9％)and 176 females (34.1％).Their age was (47.29± 12.20) years.The median follow-up time was 20 (9,39) months.According to the diagnostic criteria of MS,the patients were divided into MS group (210 cases,40.7％) and non-MS group (306 cases,59.3％).At baseline,there was no significant difference in age,educational background,duration of peritoneal dialysis,smoking history and drinking history between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05),but the patients in MS group were more exposed to high glucose peritoneal dialysate (P ＜ 0.05).The body mass index (BMI),blood phosphorus,blood glucose,blood potassium,triglyceride,cholesterol and systolic blood pressure in MS group were significantly higher than those in non-MS group (all P ＜ 0.05),and HDL-C level was significantly lower in MS group than in non-MS group (P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences in other indicators between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the cumulative survival rate in MS group was significantly lower than that in non-MS group,and the difference was statistically significant (Log-rank x2=14.87,P ＜ 0.001).If CVD death was taken as the end event,the cumulative survival rate in the non-MS group was significantly higher than that in the MS group (Log-rank x2=14.49,P ＜ 0.001).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that MS and high 4 h dialysate creatinine/serum creatinine ratio (4hD/Pcr) were independent risk factor for all-cause death (HR=1.982,95％CI 1.240-3.168,P=0.004;HR=3.855,95％CI 1.306-11.381,P=0.015) and CVD death (HR=2.499,95％CI 1.444-4.324,P=0.001;HR=5.799,95％ CI 1.658-20.278,P=0.006) in patients with CAPD.Conclusion The prevalence of MS in patients with CAPD is high,and MS and high 4hD/Pcr are independent risk factor for all-cause and CVD death in CAPD patients.They can be used as valuable indicators to predict the treatment outcomes and long-term prognosis of patients with CAPD.

Objective To observe the expression of ChemR23 induced by Angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ) in podocyte and its role in renal injury.Methods Conditionally immortalized mice podocytes were cultured in vitro.Immunofluorescence was used to observe the sub-cellular location of ChemR23.The expressions of ChemR23,Nephrin and Podocin stimulated by different concentrations of Ang Ⅱ were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting.Lentivirus targeting ChemR23 was used.The expressions of Nephrin and Podocin and the phosphorylation state of NF-κB P65 were detected by Western Blot.The inhibitor of NF-κB P65 was added to the cultural medium for 2 h before Ang Ⅱ stimulation.The effect of NF-κB P65 inhibitor on Ang Ⅱ-induced expression of Nephrin and Podocin was detected by Western Blot.Results It is showed that ChemR23 was located in cytosol and membrane.Compared with the normal control,the expression of ChemR23 was significantly increased by Ang Ⅱ in mRNA and protein level,while the expressions of Nephrin and Podocin were decreased (P ＜ 0.05).When using Lentivirus vector to interfere the expression of ChemR23,Ang Ⅱ-repressed expressions of Nephrin and Podocin were restored (P ＜ 0.05).Western Blot showed the level of phosphorylated NF-κB P65 was significantly increased by Ang Ⅱ stimulation (P ＜ 0.05),which could be inhibited by interfering the expression of ChemR23.When adding the NF-κB P65 inhibitor,the low expression of Nephrin and Podocin induced by Ang Ⅱ stimulation was restored (P＜0.05).Conclusions Ang Ⅱ can induce ChemR23 expression,which activates NF-κB P65 signaling pathway,and then inhibits the expressions of Nephrin and Podocin.Targeting ChemR23 is a potential way to alleviate podocyte injury caused by Ang Ⅱ.

Objective To observe the expression of NOD2 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) related proteins in podocytes in high glucose environment,and explore the molecular mechanism of NOD2 involved in EMT.Methods The human glomerular podocytes were the subjects of study.α-SMA and Nephrin expressions were detected by immunofluorescence;the mRNA and protein expressions of NOD2,Snail and EMT related proteins (α-SMA,Desmin,E-cadherin,Nephrin) were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blotting.The podocytes were stimulated by high-glucose after shRNA interfering the of NOD2 expression,and the expressions of Snail and subsequent EMT-related proteins were detected by Western blotting.Prior to the activation of NOD2 by muramyl dipeptide (MDP),shRNA was used to interfere with the expression of Snail.E-cadherin,Nephrin,Desmin,and α-SMA were detected by Western blotting.Results After 24 hours of high glucose stimulation,PCR and Western blotting results showed that the expressions of NOD2 and Snail were significantly increased;the expressions of epithelial phenotype proteins E-cadherin and Nephrin were down-regulated;and the expressions of interstitial phenotype proteins Desmin and α-SMA were increased (all P ＜ 0.05);while there was no significant change in the hypertonic control group.After interference with NOD2,the abnormal expression of Snail and EMT related proteins were all recovered.After interference with Snail expression,Compared with the MDP group,the protein expressions of E-cadherin and Nephrin were significantly increased (all P ＜ 0.05);the expressions of Desmin and α-SMA were significantly decreased.Conclusions High glucose can induce NOD2 expression in podocytes,and promote podocyte epithelial-mesenchymal transition by upregulating Snail expression.Gene intervention targeting the NOD2/Snail/EMT pathway can reduce high-glucose-induced podocyte injury and may provide new ideas for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

Objective: To explore the value of baseline geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) in evaluating the prognosis of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who underwent peritoneal dialysis (PD). Methods: The clinical data of patients who underwent PD catheterization and started PD therapy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 1, 2013 to December 30, 2018 were collected retrospectively. The follow-up endpoint was death or hemodialysis. The follow-up deadline was March 1, 2019. The GNRI cut-off value was determined according to the ROC curve, and the patients were divided into GNRI≤90.5 group and GNRI>90.5 group. The differences of clinical data and laboratory tests were compared between the two groups. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to compare the difference in PD rate between the two groups during follow-up, and the factors that affecting patients PD withdrawal were analyzed by Cox regression. Results: The GNRI cut-off value was determined to be 90.5 based on the ROC curve. Until the deadline for follow-up, the drop-out rate of GNRI≤90.5 group was significantly higher than the GNRI>90.5 group (35.88% vs 21.58%, P=0.003). Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed a higher rate of maintaining PD in the GNRI>90.5 group than that in GNRI≤90.5 group during follow-up (P=0.021). Cox univariate regression showed that male, GNRI and serum Alb were protective factors for PD patients, and Scr was a risk factor. After multiple factors correction, male and GNRI were also the protective factors for PD patients. Conclusion As an objective indicator of nutritional evaluation, baseline GNRI can be used as a prognostic indicator for PD patients.