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Poglitsch, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Poglitsch, M..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

Intercellular crosstalk regulating ARRB2/RARRES1 is involved in transition from fibrosis to cancer

Progressive fibrogenesis in chronic liver injury is often associated with cancer development. Beta-arrestin-2 (ARRB2) is a regulator of the profibrotic Angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AGTR1). The role of ARRB2 in liver fibrosis and in the transition from fibrosis to cancer is not fully understood and was investigated in this study. This study demonstrates that upregulation of the retinoic acid receptor responder 1 (RARRES1) in HSC mediated by ARRB2 leads to fibrosis. This process is driven by exosomal ARRB2 transfer to HSC, major fibrosis contributors, from injured hepatocytes, which highly express ARRB2. By contrast, downregulation of RARRES1 in hepatocytes induces malignant transformation and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. Consequently, Arrb2-deficient mice show higher number and size of liver tumors than wild-type mice in a hepatocellular carcinoma model with fibrosis. The identified relationship between ARRB2 and RARRES1 was observed in at least two species, including human cells and tissues in fibrosis and HCC and has a predictive value for survival in cancer patients. This study describes the discovery of a novel molecular pathway mediating the transition from fibrosis to cancer offering potential diagnostics and therapeutics.

molecular biology

Effects of Endogenous Angiotensin II on Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms and Atherosclerosis in Angiotensin II-infused Mice

Angiotensin II (AngII), a major effector of the renin-angiotensin system, exerts critical roles in regulating vascular function. AngII infusion induces abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) and exacerbates atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic mice. We determined the effects of AngII infusion on endogenous AngII regulation and AngII-mediated AAAs and atherosclerosis. AngII infusion increased renal, but not plasma, AngII concentrations in male mice. AngI concentrations were decreased modestly in kidney, but more profoundly in plasma, during AngII infusion. Bovine AngII (DRVYVHPF) has one amino acid difference from mouse AngII (DRVYIHPF) that can be distinguished by LC-MS/MS. Therefore, we determined exogenous versus endogenous peptides in mice infused with bovine AngII. Bovine AngII infusion reduced endogenous renal AngII concentrations. To determine whether the residual endogenous AngII exerted an effect on AAAs and atherosclerosis in mice infused with AngII, aliskiren (a direct renin inhibitor) was administered to AngII-infused male LDL receptor deficient mice. Although aliskiren did not attenuate AAAs in AngII-infused mice, atherosclerotic lesion size was reduced. In conclusion, endogenous AngII concentrations are reduced during AngII infusion but still contribute to atherosclerosis, but not AAA, in AngII-infused hypercholesterolemic mice.

pathology