High Glucose Promotes the CTGF Expression in Human Mesangial Cells via Serum and Glucocorticoid-induced Kinase 1 Pathway

The role of serum and glucocorticoid-induced kinase 1 （SGK1） pathway in the connective tissue growth factor （CTGF） expression was investigated in cultured human mesangial cells （HMCs） under high glucose. By using RT-PCR and Western blot, the effect of SGK1 on the CTGF expression in HMCs under high glucose was examined. Overexpression of active SGK1 in HMCs transfected with PIRES2-EGFP- S422D hSGK1 （SD） could increase the expression of phosphorylated SGK1 and CTGF as compared with HMCs groups transfected with PIRES2-EGFP （FP） under high glucose or normal glucose. Overexpression of inactive SGK1 in HMCs transfected with PIRES2-EGFP- K127N hSGK1 （KN） could decrease phosphorylated SGK1 and CTGF expression as compared with HMCs groups transfected with FP under high glucose. In conclusion, these results suggest that high glucose-induced CTGF expression is mediated through the active SGK1 in HMCs.

SGK3 overexpression correlates with a poor prognosis in endoscopically resected superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasia:A long-term study

BACKGROUND The expression status of serum and glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase 3(SGK3)in superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasia(ESCN)remains unknown.AIM To evaluate the SGK3 overexpression rate in ESCN and its influence on the prognosis and outcomes of patients with endoscopic resection.METHODS A total of 92 patients who had undergone endoscopic resection for ESCN with more than 8 years of follow-up were enrolled.Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate SGK3 expression.RESULTS SGK3 was overexpressed in 55(59.8%)patients with ESCN.SGK3 overexpression showed a significant correlation with death(P=0.031).Overall survival and disease-free survival rates were higher in the normal SGK3 expression group than in the SGK3 overexpression group(P=0.013 and P=0.004,respectively).Cox regression analysis models demonstrated that SGK3 overexpression was an independent predictor of poor prognosis in ESCN patients(hazard ratio 4.729;95% confidence interval:1.042-21.458).CONCLUSION SGK3 overexpression was detected in the majority of patients with endoscopically resected ESCN and was significantly associated with shortened survival.Thus,it might be a new prognostic factor for ESCN.

Effects of Glucocorticoid?Induced Transcript 1 Gene Deficiency on Glucocorticoid Activation in Asthmatic Mice

Background: Glucocorticoid (GC) is the first?line therapy for asthma, but some asthmatics are insensitive to it. Glucocorticoid?induced transcript 1 gene (GLCCI1) is reported to be associated with GCs efficiency in asthmatics, while its exact mechanism remains unknown. Methods: A total of 30 asthmatic patients received fluticasone propionate for 12 weeks. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and GLCCI1 expression were detected. Asthma model was constructed in wild?type and GLCCI1 knockout (GLCCI1?/?) mice. Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and mitogen?activated protein kinase phosphatase 1 (MKP?1) expression were detected by polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting (WB). The phosphorylation of p38 mitogen?activated protein kinase (MAPK) was also detected by WB. Results: In asthmatic patients, the change of FEV1 was well positively correlated with change of GLCCI1 expression (r = 0.430, P = 0.022). In animal experiment, GR and MKP?1 mRNA levels were significantly decreased in asthmatic mice than in control mice (wild?type: GR: 0.769 vs. 1.000, P = 0.022; MKP?1: 0.493 vs. 1.000, P < 0.001. GLCCI1?/?: GR: 0.629 vs. 1.645, P < 0.001; MKP?1: 0.377 vs. 2.146, P < 0.001). Hydroprednisone treatment significantly increased GR and MKP?1 mRNA expression levels than in asthmatic groups; however, GLCCI1?/?.asthmatic mice had less improvement (wild?type: GR: 1.517 vs. 0.769, P = 0.023; MKP?1: 1.036 vs. 0.493, P = 0.003. GLCCI1?/?: GR: 0.846 vs. 0.629, P = 0.116; MKP?1: 0.475 vs. 0.377, P = 0.388). GLCCI1?/? asthmatic mice had more obvious phosphorylation of p38 MAPK than wild?type asthmatic mice (9.060 vs. 3.484, P < 0.001). It was still higher even though after hydroprednisone treatment (6.440 vs. 2.630, P < 0.001). Conclusions: GLCCI1 deficiency in asthmatic mice inhibits the activation of GR and MKP?1 and leads to more obvious phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, leading to a decremental sensitivity to GCs.