Insulin and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling pathway regulate Ribonuclease 7 expression in the human urinary tract.

ABSTRACT: Diabetes mellitus is a systemic disease associated with a deficiency of insulin production or action. Diabetic patients have an increased susceptibility to infection with the urinary tract being the most common site. Recent studies suggest that Ribonuclease 7 (RNase 7) is a potent antimicrobial peptide that plays an important role in protecting the urinary tract from bacterial insult. Because the impact of diabetes on RNase 7 expression and function are unknown, we investigated the effects of insulin on RNase 7 using human urine specimens. The urinary RNase 7 concentrations were measured in healthy control patients and insulin-deficient type 1 diabetics before and after starting insulin therapy. Compared with controls, diabetic patients had suppressed urinary RNase 7 concentrations, which

SUBMITTER: Eichler TE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5576060 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature