Transcriptome analysis of signaling pathways of human peritoneal mesothelial cells in response to different osmotic agents in a peritoneal dialysis…

A new interesting article has been published in BMC Nephrol. 2019 May 21;20(1):181. doi: 10.1186/s12882-019-1376-0. and titled:

Transcriptome analysis of signaling pathways of human peritoneal mesothelial cells in response to different osmotic agents in a peritoneal dialysis…

Authors of this article are:

Liu B, Feng S, Dairi G, Guan Q, Chafeeva I, Wang H, Liggins R, da Roza G, Kizhakkedathu JN, Du C.

A summary of the article is shown below:

BACKGROUND: Glucose is a primary osmotic agent in peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions, but its long-term use causes structural alteration of the peritoneal membrane (PM). Hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG) is a promising alternative to glucose. This study was designed to compare the cellular responses of human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) to these two different osmotic agents in a hypertonic solution using transcriptome analysis.METHODS: Cultured HPMCs were repeatedly exposed to HPG-based or Physioneal 40 (PYS, glucose 2.27%) hypertonic solutions. Transcriptome datasets were produced using Agilent SurePrint G3 Human GE 8 × 60 microarray. Cellular signaling pathways were examined by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). Protein expression was examined by flow cytometry analysis and Western blotting.RESULTS: The HPG-containing solution was better tolerated compared with PYS, with less cell death and disruption of cell transcriptome. The levels of cell death in HPG- or PYS- exposed cells were positively correlated with the number of affected transcripts (HPG: 128 at day 3, 0 at day 7; PYS: 1799 at day 3, 212 at day 7). In addition to more affected “biosynthesis” and “cellular stress and death” pathways by PYS, both HPG and PYS commonly affected “sulfate biosynthesis”, “unfolded protein response”, “apoptosis signaling” and “NRF2-mediated oxidative stress response” pathways at day 3. PYS significantly up-regulated HLA-DMB and MMP12 in a time-dependent manner, and stimulated T cell adhesion to HPMCs.CONCLUSION: The lower cytotoxicity of hypertonic HPG solution is in agreement with its transient and minimal impact on the pathways for the “biosynthesis of cell constituents” and the “cellular stress and death”. The significant up-regulation of HLA-DMB and MMP12 by PYS may be part of its initiation of immune response in the PM.

Check out the article’s website on Pubmed for more information:



This article is a good source of information and a good way to become familiar with topics such as: Glucose; Hyperbranched polyglycerol; Osmotic agents; Peritoneal mesothelial cells; Signaling pathways; Transcriptome.

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