Project description:Nature exploits cage-like proteins for a variety of biological purposes from molecular packaging and cargo delivery to catalysis. These cage-like proteins are of immense importance in nanomedicine due to their propensity to self-assemble from simple identical building blocks to highly-ordered architecture and the design flexibility afforded by protein engineering. However, delivery of protein nanocages to the renal tubules remains a major challenge because of the glomerular filtration barrier, which effectively excludes conventional size nanocages. Here we show that DNA-binding Protein from Starved cells (Dps)—the extremely small archaeal antioxidant nanocage—is able to cross the glomerular filtration barrier and is endocytosed by the renal proximal tubules. Using a model of endotoxemia, we present an example of the way in which proximal tubule-selective Dps nanocage can limit the degree of endotoxin-induced kidney injury. This was accomplished by amplifying the endogenous antioxidant property of Dps with addition of a dinuclear manganese cluster. Dps is the first-in-class, protein cage nanoparticle that can be targeted to renal proximal tubules through glomerular filtration. In addition to its therapeutic potential, chemical and genetic engineering of Dps will offer a novel nanoplatform to advance our understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of glomerular filtration and tubular endocytosis.
Project description:Our objective is to monitor glomerular filtration rate (GFR)during the perioperative phase of patients undergoing robotic surgery for rectum or large bowel cancers. We will use both a single injection and a continuous infusion of iohexol to measure kidney function for 72 hours after surgery.
Project description:We used microarray to determine the differences in hepatic gene expression for diet-induced obese Sprague-Dawley rats consuming different dietary proteins. Proteins of interest included skim milk powder (dairy), casein, and the branched-chain amino acid, leucine. The primary aims of this study were: (i) to compare the effects of diets with protein derived from casein, casein supplemented with leucine, and complete dairy on body composition and insulin sensitivity; and (ii) to determine if there is a synergistic effect of dietary Ca and protein source on body composition and insulin sensitivity. Secondarily, we used microarray analysis to examine the effect of casein, leucine, or complete dairy containing diets on the expression of hepatic genes related to lipid and glucose metabolism.
Project description:We used microarray to determine the differences in hepatic gene expression for diet-induced obese Sprague-Dawley rats consuming different dietary proteins. Proteins of interest included skim milk powder (dairy), casein, and the branched-chain amino acid, leucine. The primary aims of this study were: (i) to compare the effects of diets with protein derived from casein, casein supplemented with leucine, and complete dairy on body composition and insulin sensitivity; and (ii) to determine if there is a synergistic effect of dietary Ca and protein source on body composition and insulin sensitivity. Secondarily, we used microarray analysis to examine the effect of casein, leucine, or complete dairy containing diets on the expression of gastrocnemius muscle genes related to lipid and glucose metabolism.
Project description:Five healthy Laoshan dairy goats (four years old, third lactation) from Qingdao Laoshan dairy goat primary farm (Shandong Province, China) were used. The mammary gland samples were collected surgically after general anaesthesia using Xylazine Hydrochloride injection solution (Huamu Animal Health Products Co., Ltd. China) at corresponding lactation stage, including early, peak and late lactations.