@article{ZebgerGongMuellerDierckeetal.2011,
  author    = {Zebger-Gong, Hong and Mueller, Dominik and Diercke, Michaela and Haffner, Dieter and Hocher, Berthold and Verberckmoes, Steven and Schmidt, Sven and D'Haese, Patrick C. and Querfeld, Uwe},
  title     = {1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D-3-induced aortic calcifications in experimental uremia: up-regulation of osteoblast markers, calcium-transporting proteins and osterix},
  series = {Journal of hypertension},
  volume    = {29},
  journal   = {Journal of hypertension},
  number    = {2},
  publisher = {Lippincott Williams \& Wilkins},
  address   = {Philadelphia},
  issn      = {0263-6352},
  doi       = {10.1097/HJH.0b013e328340aa30},
  pages     = {339 -- 348},
  year      = {2011},
  abstract  = {Background and objective Whether treatment with vitamin D receptor activators contributes to cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic kidney disease is a matter of debate. We studied mechanisms involved in vitamin D-related vascular calcifications in vivo and in vitro. Methods Aortic calcifications were induced in subtotally nephrectomized (SNX) rats by treatment with a high dose (0.25 mu g/kg per day) of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 (calcitriol) given for 6 weeks. Likewise, primary rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were incubated with calcitriol at concentrations ranging from 10(-11) to 10(-7) mol/l. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the aortic expression of osteopontin, osteocalcin and bone sialoprotein was significantly increased in calcitriol-treated SNX rats compared to untreated SNX controls. In addition, aortic expression of the transient receptor potential vanilloid calcium channel 6 (TRPV6) and calbindin D9k was significantly up-regulated by treatment with calcitriol. Furthermore, calcitriol significantly increased expression of the osteogenic transcription factor osterix. In-vitro studies showed similar results, confirming that these effects could be attributed to treatment with calcitriol. Conclusions High-dose calcitriol treatment induces an osteoblastic phenotype in VSMC both in SNX rats and in vitro, associated with up-regulation of proteins regulating mineralization and calcium transport, and of the osteogenic transcription factor osterix.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{LiChenWangetal.2013,
  author    = {Li, Jian and Chen, You-Peng and Wang, Zi-Neng and Liu, Tie-Bin and Chen, Dan and Dong, Yun-Peng and Hocher, Berthold},
  title     = {A functional fetal HSD11B2[CA]n microsatellite polymorphism is associated with maternal serum cortisol concentrations in pregnant women},
  series = {Kidney \& blood pressure research : official organ of the Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Nephrologie},
  volume    = {38},
  journal   = {Kidney \& blood pressure research : official organ of the Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Nephrologie},
  number    = {1},
  publisher = {Karger},
  address   = {Basel},
  issn      = {1420-4096},
  doi       = {10.1159/000355761},
  pages     = {132 -- 141},
  year      = {2013},
  abstract  = {Background/Aims: Cortisol plays an important role during pregnancy. It controls maternal glucose metabolism and fetal development. Cortisol metabolism is partially controlled by the 11b-HSD2. This enzyme is expressed in the kidney and human placenta. The activity of the enzyme is partially controlled by functional polymorphisms: the HSD11B2[CA]n microsatellite polymorphism. The impact of this functional gene polymorphism on cortisol metabolism and potential effects on the newborn's is unknown so far. Methods: In the current prospective birth cohort study in southern Asia, we analyzed the association of the HSD11B2[CA]n microsatellite polymorphisms in 187 mothers and their newborn's on maternal and newborn's serum cortisol concentrations. Results: Using multivariable regression analyses considering known confounding ( gestational age, newborn's gender, the labor uterine contraction states and the timing during the day of blood taking), we showed that the fetal HSD11B2[CA]n microsatellite polymorphisms in the first intron was related to maternal cortisol concentration ( R2=0.26, B=96.27, p=0.007), whereas as the newborn's cortisol concentrations were independent of fetal and maternal HSD11B2[CA] n microsatellite polymorphism. Conclusions: Our study showed for the first time that the fetal HSD11B2[CA]n microsatellite polymorphism of the HSD11B2 gene in healthy uncomplicated human pregnancy is associated with maternal cortisol concentration. This indicates that fetal genes controlling cortisol metabolism may affect maternal cortisol concentration and hence physiology in healthy pregnant women.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{vanderValkKreinerMollerKooijmanetal.2015,
  author    = {van der Valk, Ralf J. P. and Kreiner-Moller, Eskil and Kooijman, Marjolein N. and Guxens, Monica and Stergiakouli, Evangelia and Saaf, Annika and Bradfield, Jonathan P. and Geller, Frank and Hayes, M. Geoffrey and Cousminer, Diana L. and Koerner, Antje and Thiering, Elisabeth and Curtin, John A. and Myhre, Ronny and Huikari, Ville and Joro, Raimo and Kerkhof, Marjan and Warrington, Nicole M. and Pitkanen, Niina and Ntalla, Ioanna and Horikoshi, Momoko and Veijola, Riitta and Freathy, Rachel M. and Teo, Yik-Ying and Barton, Sheila J. and Evans, David M. and Kemp, John P. and St Pourcain, Beate and Ring, Susan M. and Smith, George Davey and Bergstrom, Anna and Kull, Inger and Hakonarson, Hakon and Mentch, Frank D. and Bisgaard, Hans and Chawes, Bo Lund Krogsgaard and Stokholm, Jakob and Waage, Johannes and Eriksen, Patrick and Sevelsted, Astrid and Melbye, Mads and van Duijn, Cornelia M. and Medina-Gomez, Carolina and Hofman, Albert and de Jongste, Johan C. and Taal, H. Rob and Uitterlinden, Andre G. and Armstrong, Loren L. and Eriksson, Johan and Palotie, Aarno and Bustamante, Mariona and Estivill, Xavier and Gonzalez, Juan R. and Llop, Sabrina and Kiess, Wieland and Mahajan, Anubha and Flexeder, Claudia and Tiesler, Carla M. T. and Murray, Clare S. and Simpson, Angela and Magnus, Per and Sengpiel, Verena and Hartikainen, Anna-Liisa and Keinanen-Kiukaanniemi, Sirkka and Lewin, Alexandra and Alves, Alexessander Da Silva Couto and Blakemore, Alexandra I. F. and Buxton, Jessica L. and Kaakinen, Marika and Rodriguez, Alina and Sebert, Sylvain and Vaarasmaki, Marja and Lakka, Timo and Lindi, Virpi and Gehring, Ulrike and Postma, Dirkje S. and Ang, Wei and Newnham, John P. and Lyytikainen, Leo-Pekka and Pahkala, Katja and Raitakari, Olli T. and Panoutsopoulou, Kalliope and Zeggini, Eleftheria and Boomsma, Dorret I. and Groen-Blokhuis, Maria and Ilonen, Jorma and Franke, Lude and Hirschhorn, Joel N. and Pers, Tune H. and Liang, Liming and Huang, Jinyan and Hocher, Berthold and Knip, Mikael and Saw, Seang-Mei and Holloway, John W. and Melen, Erik and Grant, Struan F. A. and Feenstra, Bjarke and Lowe, William L. and Widen, Elisabeth and Sergeyev, Elena and Grallert, Harald and Custovic, Adnan and Jacobsson, Bo and Jarvelin, Marjo-Riitta and Atalay, Mustafa and Koppelman, Gerard H. and Pennell, Craig E. and Niinikoski, Harri and Dedoussis, George V. and Mccarthy, Mark I. and Frayling, Timothy M. and Sunyer, Jordi and Timpson, Nicholas J. and Rivadeneira, Fernando and Bonnelykke, Klaus and Jaddoe, Vincent W. V.},
  title     = {A novel common variant in DCST2 is associated with length in early life and height in adulthood},
  series = {Human molecular genetics},
  volume    = {24},
  journal   = {Human molecular genetics},
  number    = {4},
  publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press},
  address   = {Oxford},
  organization    = {Early Genetics Lifecourse, Genetic Invest ANthropometric, Early Growth Genetics EGG},
  issn      = {0964-6906},
  doi       = {10.1093/hmg/ddu510},
  pages     = {1155 -- 1168},
  year      = {2015},
  abstract  = {Common genetic variants have been identified for adult height, but not much is known about the genetics of skeletal growth in early life. To identify common genetic variants that influence fetal skeletal growth, we meta-analyzed 22 genome-wide association studies (Stage 1; N = 28 459). We identified seven independent top single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (P < 1 x 10(-6)) for birth length, of which three were novel and four were in or near loci known to be associated with adult height (LCORL, PTCH1, GPR126 and HMGA2). The three novel SNPs were followed-up in nine replication studies (Stage 2; N = 11 995), with rs905938 in DC-STAMP domain containing 2 (DCST2) genome-wide significantly associated with birth length in a joint analysis (Stages 1 + 2; beta = 0.046, SE = 0.008, P = 2.46 x 10(-8), explained variance = 0.05\%). Rs905938 was also associated with infant length (N = 28 228; P = 5.54 x 10(-4)) and adult height (N = 127 513; P = 1.45 x 10(-5)). DCST2 is a DC-STAMP-like protein family member and DC-STAMP is an osteoclast cell-fusion regulator. Polygenic scores based on 180 SNPs previously associated with human adult stature explained 0.13\% of variance in birth length. The same SNPs explained 2.95\% of the variance of infant length. Of the 180 known adult height loci, 11 were genome-wide significantly associated with infant length (SF3B4, LCORL, SPAG17, C6orf173, PTCH1, GDF5, ZNFX1, HHIP, ACAN, HLA locus and HMGA2). This study highlights that common variation in DCST2 influences variation in early growth and adult height.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HeLiuLuetal.2017,
  author    = {He, Jing and Liu, Zhi-Wei and Lu, Yong-Ping and Li, Tao-Yuan and Liang, Xu-Jing and Arck, Petra and Huang, Si-Min and Hocher, Berthold and Chen, You-Peng},
  title     = {A systematic review and meta-analysis of influenza a virus infection during pregnancy associated with an increased risk for stillbirth and low birth weight},
  series = {Kidney \& blood pressure research : official organ of the Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Nephrologie ; official organ of the Deutsche Liga zur Bek{\"a}mpfung des Hohen Blutdruckes e.V., Deutsche Hypertonie-Gesellschaft},
  volume    = {42},
  journal   = {Kidney \& blood pressure research : official organ of the Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Nephrologie ; official organ of the Deutsche Liga zur Bek{\"a}mpfung des Hohen Blutdruckes e.V., Deutsche Hypertonie-Gesellschaft},
  number    = {2},
  publisher = {Karger},
  address   = {Basel},
  issn      = {1420-4096},
  doi       = {10.1159/000477221},
  pages     = {232 -- 243},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Background/Aims: Impaired pregnancy outcomes, such as low birth weight are associated with increased disease risk in later life, however little is known about the impact of common infectious diseases during pregnancy on birth weight. The study had two aims: a) to investigate risk factors of influenza virus infection during pregnancy, and b) to analyze the impact of influenza virus infection on pregnancy outcome, especially birth weight. Methods: Prospective and retrospective observational studies found in PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Google Scholar, and WangFang database were included in this meta analysis. Data of included studies was extracted and analyzed by the RevMan software. Results: Pregnant women with anemia (P=0.004, RR=1.46, 95\% CI: 1.13-1.88), obesity (P<0.00001, RR=1.35, 95\% CI: 1.25-1.46) and asthma (P<0.00001, RR=1.99, 95\% CI: 1.67-2.37) had higher rates of influenza virus infection. Regarding birth outcomes, influenza A virus infection did not affect the likelihood for cesarean section. Mothers with influenza had a higher rate of stillbirth (P=0.04, RR=2.36, 95\% CI: 1.05-5.31), and their offspring had low 5-minute APGR Scores (P=0.009, RR=1.39, 95\% CI: 1.08-1.79). Furthermore, the rate for birth weight < 2500g (P=0.04, RR=1.71, 95\% CI: 1.03-2.84) was increased. Conclusion: Results of this study showed that anemia, asthma and obesity during pregnancy are risk factors influenza A virus infection during pregnancy. Moreover, gestational influenza A infection impairs pregnancy outcomes and increases the risk for low birth weight, a known risk factor for later life disease susceptibility.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{AlterOttvonWebskyetal.2011,
  author    = {Alter, Markus L. and Ott, Ina and von Websky, Karoline and Tsuprykov, Oleg and Sharkovska, Yuliya and Krause-Relle, Katharina and Raila, Jens and Henze, Andrea and Kretschmer, Axel and Stasch, Johannes-Peter and Hocher, Berthold},
  title     = {Additional stimulation of sGC on top of standard treatment with ARB`s may offer a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy resistant to ARB treatment alone},
  series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  journal   = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  number    = {855},
  issn      = {1866-8372},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-42825},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-428250},
  pages     = {4},
  year      = {2011},
  abstract  = {Background Riociguat is the first of a new class of drugs, the soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators. Riociguat has a dual mode of action: it sensitizes sGC to the body's own NO and can also increase sGC activity in the absence of NO. The NO-sGC-pathway is impaired in many cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure, pulmonary hypertension and diabetic nephropathy (DN). DN leads to high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. There is still a high unmet medical need. The urinary albumin excretion rate is a predictive biomarker for these clinical events. Therefore, we investigated the effect of riociguat, alone and in combination with the angiotensin II receptor antagonist (ARB) telmisartan on the progression of DN in diabetic eNOS knock out mice, a new model closely resembling human pathology. Methods Seventy-six male eNOS knockout C57BL/6J mice were divided into 4 groups after receiving intraperitoneal high-dose streptozotocin: telmisartan (1 mg/kg), riociguat (3 mg/kg), riociguat+telmisartan (3 and 1 mg/kg), and vehicle. Fourteen mice were used as non-diabetic controls. After 12 weeks, urine and blood were obtained and blood pressure measured. Glucose concentrations were highly increased and similar in all diabetic groups. Results Riociguat, alone (105.2 ± 2.5 mmHg; mean±SEM; n = 14) and in combination with telmisartan (105.0 ± 3.2 mmHg; n = 12), significantly reduced blood pressure versus diabetic controls (117.1 ± 2.2 mmHg; n = 14; p = 0.002 and p = 0.004, respectively), whereas telmisartan alone (111.2 ± 2.6 mmHg) showed a modest blood pressure lowering trend (p = 0.071; n = 14). The effects of single treatment with either riociguat (97.1 ± 15.7 µg/d; n = 13) or telmisartan (97.8 ± 26.4 µg/d; n = 14) did not significantly lower albumin excretion on its own (p = 0.067 and p = 0.101, respectively). However, the combined treatment led to significantly lower urinary albumin excretion (47.3 ± 9.6 µg/d; n = 12) compared to diabetic controls (170.8 ± 34.2 µg/d; n = 13; p = 0.004), and reached levels similar to non-diabetic controls (31.4 ± 10.1 µg/d, n = 12). Conclusion Riociguat significantly reduced urinary albumin excretion in diabetic eNOS knock out mice that were refractory to treatment with ARB's alone. Patients with diabetic nephropathy refractory to treatment with ARB's have the worst prognosis among all patients with diabetic nephropathy. Our data indicate that additional stimulation of sGC on top of standard treatment with ARB`s may offer a new therapeutic approach for patients with diabetic nephropathy resistant to ARB treatment.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{Hocher2010,
  author    = {Hocher, Berthold},
  title     = {Adenosine A1 receptor antagonists in clinical research and development},
  issn      = {0085-2538},
  doi       = {10.1038/Ki.2010.204},
  year      = {2010},
  abstract  = {Selective adenosine A1 receptor antagonists targeting renal microcirculation are novel pharmacologic agents that are currently under development for the treatment of acute heart failure as well as for chronic heart failure. Despite several studies showing improvement of renal function and/or increased diuresis with adenosine A1 antagonists, particularly in chronic heart failure, these findings were not confirmed in a large phase III trial in acute heart failure patients. However, lessons can be learned from these and other studies, and there might still be a potential role for the clinical use of adenosine A1 antagonists. We review the role of adenosine A1 receptors in the regulation of renal function, and emerging data regarding the safety and efficacy of A1 adenosine receptor antagonists based on all available completed and reported clinical trials using A1 adenosine receptor antagonists. The majority of trials were done in heart failure patients. However, there is clear clinical evidence for a role of this new class in hepatorenal syndrome, hypotension on dialysis, and radiocontrast media-induced nephropathy.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HeunischChaykovskavonEinemetal.2017,
  author    = {Heunisch, Fabian and Chaykovska, Lyubov and von Einem, Gina and Alter, Markus and Dschietzig, Thomas and Kretschmer, Axel and Kellner, Karl-Heinz and Hocher, Berthold},
  title     = {ADMA predicts major adverse renal events in patients with mild renal impairment and/or diabetes mellitus undergoing coronary angiography},
  series = {Medicine},
  volume    = {96},
  journal   = {Medicine},
  number    = {6},
  publisher = {Lippincott Williams \& Wilkins},
  address   = {Philadelphia},
  issn      = {0025-7974},
  doi       = {10.1097/MD.0000000000006065},
  pages     = {7},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is a competitive inhibitor of the nitric oxide (NO)-synthase and a biomarker of endothelial dysfunction (ED). ED plays an important role in the pathogenesis of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). The aim of our study was to evaluate serum ADMA concentration as a biomarker of an acute renal damage during the follow-up of 90 days after contrast medium (CM) application. Blood samples were obtained from 330 consecutive patients with diabetes mellitus or mild renal impairment immediately before, 24 and 48 hours after the CM application for coronary angiography. The patients were followed for 90 days. The composite endpoints were major adverse renal events (MARE) defined as occurrence of death, initiation of dialysis, or a doubling of serum creatinine concentration. Overall, ADMA concentration in plasma increased after CM application, although, there was no differences between ADMA levels in patients with and without CIN. ADMA concentration 24 hours after the CM application was predictive for dialysis with a specificity of 0.889 and sensitivity of 0.653 at values higher than 0.71 mu mol/L (area under the curve: 0.854, 95\% confidential interval: 0.767-0.941, P<0.001). This association remained significant in multivariate Cox regression models adjusted for relevant factors of long-term renal outcome. 24 hours after the CM application, ADMA concentration in plasma was predictive for MARE with a specificity of 0.833 and sensitivity of 0.636 at a value of more than 0.70 mu mol/L (area under the curve: 0.750, 95\% confidence interval: 0.602-0.897, P=0.004). Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that ADMA and anemia were significant predictors of MARE. Further analysis revealed that increased ADMA concentration in plasma was highly significant predictor of MARE in patients with CIN. Moreover, patients with CIN and MARE had the highest plasma ADMA levels 24 hours after CM exposure in our study cohort. The impact of ADMA on MARE was independent of such known CIN risk factors as anemia, pre-existing renal failure, pre-existing heart failure, and diabetes. ADMA concentration in plasma is a promising novel biomarker of major contrast-induced nephropathy-associated events 90 days after contrast media exposure.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{GlosseFegerMutigetal.2018,
  author    = {Glosse, Philipp and Feger, Martina and Mutig, Kerim and Chen, Hong and Hirche, Frank and Hasan, Ahmed Abdallah Abdalrahman Mohamed and Gaballa, Mohamed Mahmoud Salem Ahmed and Hocher, Berthold and Lang, Florian and F{\"o}ller, Michael},
  title     = {AMP-activated kinase is a regulator of fibroblast growth factor 23 production},
  series = {Kidney international : official journal of the International Society of Nephrology},
  volume    = {94},
  journal   = {Kidney international : official journal of the International Society of Nephrology},
  number    = {3},
  publisher = {Elsevier},
  address   = {New York},
  issn      = {0085-2538},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.kint.2018.03.006},
  pages     = {491 -- 501},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a proteohormone regulating renal phosphate transport and vitamin D metabolism as well as inducing left heart hypertrophy. FGF23-deficient mice suffer from severe tissue calcification, accelerated aging and a myriad of aging-associated diseases. Bone cells produce FGF23 upon store-operated calcium ion entry (SOCE) through the calcium selective ion channel Orai1. AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) is a powerful energy sensor helping cells survive states of energy deficiency, and AMPK down-regulates Orai1. Here we investigated the role of AMPK in FGF23 production. Fgf23 gene transcription was analyzed by qRT-PCR and SOCE by fluorescence optics in UMR106 osteoblast-like cells while the serum FGF23 concentration and phosphate metabolism were assessed in AMPKa1-knockout and wild-type mice. The AMPK activator, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR) down-regulated, whereas the AMPK inhibitor, dorsomorphin dihydrochloride (compound C) and AMPK gene silencing induced Fgf23 transcription. AICAR decreased membrane abundance of Orai1 and SOCE. SOCE inhibitors lowered Fgf23 gene expression induced by AMPK inhibition. AMPKa1-knockout mice had a higher serum FGF23 concentration compared to wild-type mice. Thus, AMPK participates in the regulation of FGF23 production in vitro and in vivo. The inhibitory effect of AMPK on FGF23 production is at least in part mediated by Orai1-involving SOCE.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{VignonZellwegerRahnenfuehrerTheuringetal.2012,
  author    = {Vignon-Zellweger, Nicolas and Rahnenf{\"u}hrer, Jan and Theuring, Franz and Hocher, Berthold},
  title     = {Analysis of cardiac and renal endothelin receptors by in situ hybridization in mice},
  series = {Clinical laboratory : the peer reviewed journal for clinical laboratories and laboratories related to blood transfusion},
  volume    = {58},
  journal   = {Clinical laboratory : the peer reviewed journal for clinical laboratories and laboratories related to blood transfusion},
  number    = {9-10},
  publisher = {Clin Lab Publ., Verl. Klinisches Labor},
  address   = {Heidelberg},
  issn      = {1433-6510},
  doi       = {10.7754/Clin.Lab.2012.120216},
  pages     = {939 -- 949},
  year      = {2012},
  abstract  = {Background: Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a multifunctional peptide, which is implicated in the renal and cardiac physicology as well as in many pathologies of these systems. ET-1's actions take place after the activation of two receptors: ETA and ETB. The expression of these receptors may be modulated during the pathologic process. The analysis of the distribution and level of expression of the receptors in animal models is therefore crucial. Methods: We developed a protocol for non-radioactive in situ hybridization for the mRNA of the two endothelin receptors on paraffin-embedded tissue using digoxigenin-labeled RNA probes. Results: In heart and kidney, the staining was reliable and specific. In a mouse model for endothelin/nitric oxide imbalance, cardiac ETB expression was reduced. The distribution of the receptors was in accordance with the actual knowledge. Differences in cell specific expression are discussed. Conclusions: We developed a protocol for the in situ hybridization of the endothelin receptors in mice. Given that the endothelin system is implicated in the development of many diseases, we believe that this protocol may be useful for a number of future preclinical studies.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{PutraNeuberReichetzederetal.2014,
  author    = {Putra, Sulistyo Emantoko Dwi and Neuber, Corinna and Reichetzeder, Christoph and Hocher, Berthold and Kleuser, Burkhard},
  title     = {Analysis of genomic DNA methylation levels in human placenta using liquid Chromatography-Electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry},
  series = {Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology},
  volume    = {33},
  journal   = {Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology},
  number    = {4},
  publisher = {Karger},
  address   = {Basel},
  issn      = {1015-8987},
  doi       = {10.1159/000358666},
  pages     = {945 -- 952},
  year      = {2014},
  abstract  = {Background: DNA-methylation is a common epigenetic tool which plays a crucial role in gene regulation and is essential for cell differentiation and embryonic development. The placenta is an important organ where gene activity can be regulated by epigenetic DNA modifications, including DNA methylation. This is of interest as, the placenta is the interface between the fetus and its environment, the mother. Exposure to environmental toxins and nutrition during pregnancy may alter DNA methylation of the placenta and subsequently placental function and as a result the phenotype of the offspring. The aim of this study was to develop a reliable method to quantify DNA methylation in large clinical studies. This will be a tool to analyze the degree of DNA methylation in the human placenta in relationship to clinical readouts. Methods: Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization/multi-stage mass spectrometry (LC-ESI/MS/MS) technique was used for the quantification of the 5dmC/dG ratio in placentas from 248 healthy pregnancies. We were able to demonstrate that this method is a reliable and stable way to determine global placental DNA methylation in large clinical trials. Results/Conclusion: The degree of placental DNA methylation seen in our pilot study varies substantially from 2\% to 5\%. The clinical implications of this variation need to be demonstrated in adequately powered large studies.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{YangLaiDengetal.2014,
  author    = {Yang, Fang and Lai, Xinlong and Deng, Li and Liu, Xiaoxiao and Li, Jian and Zeng, Shuixiu and Zhang, Cheng and Hocher, Carl-Friedrich and Hocher, Berthold},
  title     = {Association of endothelin-1 gene polymorphisms with the clinical phenotype in primary nephrotic syndrome of children},
  series = {Life sciences : molecular, cellular and functional basis of therapy},
  volume    = {118},
  journal   = {Life sciences : molecular, cellular and functional basis of therapy},
  number    = {2},
  publisher = {Elsevier},
  address   = {Oxford},
  issn      = {0024-3205},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.lfs.2014.04.010},
  pages     = {446 -- 450},
  year      = {2014},
  abstract  = {Aims:This study aims to investigate the relationship between plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) concentrations, ET-1 gene polymorphisms in loci rs5370, rs1630736, 3A/4A and clinical features of primary nephrotic syndrome (NS) in children. Materials and methods: Thirty-six children with primary NS were selected as case group, and 94 healthy children were selected as control group. All subjects were genotyped for three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs5370, rs10478694 [3A4A) and rs 1630736) in the ET-1 gene by gene sequencing. The plasma ET-1 concentrations were measured using a radio-immunoassay. Key findings: Plasma ET-1 concentrations were higher in NS patients (P = 0.007) as compared to healthy children. The allele frequencies between control and NS patients were significantly different only with respect to the rs10478694 SNP of the ET-1 gene. The allele frequencies between control and NS patients for the rs5370 SNP showed a trend towards difference (P = 0.057). Plasma cholesterol in NS patients is associated with both: the Cl genotype in locus rs5370 and the 3A4A genotype in locus rs10478694 (P < 0.05 in both cases). Significance: The ET systems might play a disease modifying role in pediatric NS. Plasma cholesterol, a hallmark of NS. seems to be associated with genetic variations within the human ET-1 gene. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{LiWangChenetal.2012,
  author    = {Li, Jian and Wang, Zi-Neng and Chen, You-Peng and Dong, Yun-Peng and Mao, Xiao-Min and Hocher, Berthold},
  title     = {Association of fetal but not maternal P-glycoprotein C3435T polymorphism with fetal growth and birth weight, a possible risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in later life},
  series = {Clinical laboratory : the peer reviewed journal for clinical laboratories and laboratories related to blood transfusion},
  volume    = {58},
  journal   = {Clinical laboratory : the peer reviewed journal for clinical laboratories and laboratories related to blood transfusion},
  number    = {9-10},
  publisher = {Clin Lab Publ., Verl. Klinisches Labor},
  address   = {Heidelberg},
  issn      = {1433-6510},
  doi       = {10.7754/Clin.Lab.2012.110920},
  pages     = {1085 -- 1089},
  year      = {2012},
  abstract  = {Background: The multidrug transporter P-glycoprotein (PGP) is expressed in the human placenta. In particular the C3435T ABCB1 polymorphism was associated with altered tissue expression of PGP in the human placenta. However, the potential functional impact of this polymorphism on the offspring is unknown so far. Methods: We analyzed the impact of the ABCB1/C3435T polymorphism on fetal growth in 262 mother/child pairs. Fetal growth was assessed by differential ultrasound examination of the fetal body prior to birth and by measuring birth weight. Results: The maternal ABCB1/C3435T polymorphism showed no trend for an association with birth weight or any ultrasound parameter describing late gestational fetal body shape. Genotyping the newborns, however, demonstrated that newborns carrying two copies of the T allele had a birth weight of 3176.39 g, whereas CT and CC newborns had a birth weight of 3345.04 g (p = 0.022). Adjusting for gestational age at delivery, child's gender, maternal BM1, maternal age and body weight at delivery confirmed this finding (p = 0.009). Considering gestational day of late ultrasound examination, gestational age at delivery, child's gender, maternal BMI, maternal age and maternal body weight at delivery, the fetal ABCB1/C3435T genotype revealed likewise a significant negative correlation with abdominal diameter and abdominal circumference (R-2 = 0.538, p = 0.010 and R-2 = 0.534, p = 0.005, respectively). Conclusions: Low birth weight may be a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in later life. The fetal ABCB1/C3435T gene polymorphism may contribute to this risk. Since PGP controls transport of various biological agents, we suggest that PGP is involved in the transport of biological agents to the fetus that are important for normal fetal growth.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{DwiPutraReichetzederHasanetal.2020,
  author    = {Dwi Putra, Sulistyo Emantoko and Reichetzeder, Christoph and Hasan, Ahmed Abdallah Abdalrahman Mohamed and Slowinski, Torsten and Chu, Chang and Kr{\"a}mer, Bernhard K. and Kleuser, Burkhard and Hocher, Berthold},
  title     = {Being born large for gestational age is associated with increased global placental DNA methylation},
  series = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  journal   = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  number    = {1},
  issn      = {1866-8372},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-51628},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-516289},
  pages     = {12},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Being born small (SGA) or large for gestational age (LGA) is associated with adverse birth outcomes and metabolic diseases in later life of the offspring. It is known that aberrations in growth during gestation are related to altered placental function. Placental function is regulated by epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation. Several studies in recent years have demonstrated associations between altered patterns of DNA methylation and adverse birth outcomes. However, larger studies that reliably investigated global DNA methylation are lacking. The aim of this study was to characterize global placental DNA methylation in relationship to size for gestational age. Global DNA methylation was assessed in 1023 placental samples by LC-MS/MS. LGA offspring displayed significantly higher global placental DNA methylation compared to appropriate for gestational age (AGA; p<0.001). ANCOVA analyses adjusted for known factors impacting on DNA methylation demonstrated an independent association between placental global DNA methylation and LGA births (p<0.001). Tertile stratification according to global placental DNA methylation levels revealed a significantly higher frequency of LGA births in the third tertile. Furthermore, a multiple logistic regression analysis corrected for known factors influencing birth weight highlighted an independent positive association between global placental DNA methylation and the frequency of LGA births (p=0.001).},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{DwiPutraReichetzederHasanetal.2020,
  author    = {Dwi Putra, Sulistyo Emantoko and Reichetzeder, Christoph and Hasan, Ahmed Abdallah Abdalrahman Mohamed and Slowinski, Torsten and Chu, Chang and Kr{\"a}mer, Bernhard K. and Kleuser, Burkhard and Hocher, Berthold},
  title     = {Being born large for gestational age is associated with increased global placental DNA methylation},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {10},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  number    = {1},
  publisher = {Springer Nature},
  address   = {London},
  issn      = {2045-2322},
  doi       = {10.1038/s41598-020-57725-0},
  pages     = {1 -- 10},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Being born small (SGA) or large for gestational age (LGA) is associated with adverse birth outcomes and metabolic diseases in later life of the offspring. It is known that aberrations in growth during gestation are related to altered placental function. Placental function is regulated by epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation. Several studies in recent years have demonstrated associations between altered patterns of DNA methylation and adverse birth outcomes. However, larger studies that reliably investigated global DNA methylation are lacking. The aim of this study was to characterize global placental DNA methylation in relationship to size for gestational age. Global DNA methylation was assessed in 1023 placental samples by LC-MS/MS. LGA offspring displayed significantly higher global placental DNA methylation compared to appropriate for gestational age (AGA; p<0.001). ANCOVA analyses adjusted for known factors impacting on DNA methylation demonstrated an independent association between placental global DNA methylation and LGA births (p<0.001). Tertile stratification according to global placental DNA methylation levels revealed a significantly higher frequency of LGA births in the third tertile. Furthermore, a multiple logistic regression analysis corrected for known factors influencing birth weight highlighted an independent positive association between global placental DNA methylation and the frequency of LGA births (p=0.001).},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{LuoChenZengetal.2018,
  author    = {Luo, Ting and Chen, Xiaoyi and Zeng, Shufei and Guan, Baozhang and Hu, Bo and Meng, Yu and Liu, Fanna and Wong, Taksui and Lu, Yongpin and Yun, Chen and Hocher, Berthold and Yin, Lianghong},
  title     = {Bioinformatic identification of key genes and analysis of prognostic values in clear cell renal cell carcinoma},
  series = {Oncology Letters},
  volume    = {16},
  journal   = {Oncology Letters},
  number    = {2},
  publisher = {Spandidos publ LTD},
  address   = {Athens},
  issn      = {1792-1074},
  doi       = {10.3892/ol.2018.8842},
  pages     = {1747 -- 1757},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {The present study aimed to identify new key genes as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis or targeted therapy of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Three expression profiles (GSE36895, GSE46699 and GSE71963) were collected from Gene Expression Omnibus. GEO2R was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in ccRCC tissues and normal samples. The Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery was utilized for functional and pathway enrichment analysis. STRING v10.5 and Molecular Complex Detection were used for protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction and module analysis, respectively. Regulation network analyses were performed with the WebGestal tool. UALCAN web-portal was used for expression validation and survival analysis of hub genes in ccRCC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). A total of 65 up- and 164 downregulated genes were identified as DEGs. DEGs were enriched with functional terms and pathways compactly related to ccRCC pathogenesis. Seventeen hub genes and one significant module were filtered out and selected from the PPI network. The differential expression of hub genes was verified in TCGA patients. Kaplan-Meier plot showed that high mRNA expression of enolase 2 (ENO2) was associated with short overall survival in ccRCC patients (P=0.023). High mRNA expression of cyclin D1 (CCND1) (P<0.001), fms related tyrosine kinase 1 (FLT1) (P=0.004), plasminogen (PLG) (P<0.001) and von Willebrand factor (VWF) (P=0.008) appeared to serve as favorable factors in survival. These findings indicate that the DEGs may be key genes in ccRCC pathogenesis and five genes, including ENO2, CCND1, PLT1, PLG and VWF, may serve as potential prognostic biomarkers in ccRCC.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{ChaykovskaTsuprykovHocher2011,
  author    = {Chaykovska, Lyubov and Tsuprykov, Oleg and Hocher, Berthold},
  title     = {Biomarkers for the prediction of mortality and morbidity in patients with renal replacement therapy},
  series = {Clinical laboratory : the peer reviewed journal for clinical laboratories and laboratories related to blood transfusion},
  volume    = {57},
  journal   = {Clinical laboratory : the peer reviewed journal for clinical laboratories and laboratories related to blood transfusion},
  number    = {7-8},
  publisher = {Clin Lab Publ., Verl. Klinisches Labor},
  address   = {Heidelberg},
  issn      = {1433-6510},
  pages     = {455 -- 467},
  year      = {2011},
  abstract  = {The mortality of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on dialysis remains high despite great improvement of dialysis technologies in the past decades. These patients die due to infectious diseases (mainly sepsis), cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke, and, in particular, sudden cardiac death. End stage renal disease is a complex condition, where the failure of kidney function is accompanied by numerous metabolic changes affecting almost all organ systems of the human body. Many of the biomarker characteristics of the individually affected organ systems have been associated with adverse outcomes. These biomarkers are different in patients with ESRD compared to the general population in the prediction of morbidity and mortality. Biomarker research in this field should aim to identify patients at risk for the different disease entities. Traditional biomarkers such as CRP, BNP, and troponins as well as new biomarkers such as fetuin, CD 154, and relaxin were analyzed in patients on dialysis. We will include observational as well as prospective clinical trials in this review. Furthermore, we will also discuss proteomics biomarker studies. The article assess the potential diagnostic value of different biomarkers in daily clinical practice as well as their usefulness for clinical drug development in end stage renal disease patients.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HocherHeimerlSlowinskietal.2011,
  author    = {Hocher, Berthold and Heimerl, Dirk and Slowinski, Torsten and Godes, Michael and Halle, Horst and Priem, Friedrich and Pfab, Thiemo},
  title     = {Birthweight and Fetal Glycosylated Hemoglobin at Birth in Newborns Carrying the GLUT1 XbaI Gene Polymorphism},
  series = {Clinical laboratory : the peer reviewed journal for clinical laboratories and laboratories related to blood transfusion},
  volume    = {57},
  journal   = {Clinical laboratory : the peer reviewed journal for clinical laboratories and laboratories related to blood transfusion},
  number    = {9-10},
  publisher = {Clin Lab Publ., Verl. Klinisches Labor},
  address   = {Heidelberg},
  issn      = {1433-6510},
  pages     = {651 -- 657},
  year      = {2011},
  abstract  = {Background: Low birthweight is an independent risk factor of glucose intolerance and type 2 diabetes in later life. Genetically determined insulin resistance and subsequently impaired glucose uptake might explain both reduced fetal growth and elevated blood glucose. The glucose transporter 1 (GLUT!) plays an important role for fetal glucose uptake as well as for maternal-fetal glucose transfer, and it has been associated with insulin resistance in adults. The present study hypothesized that the common fetal GLUT1 XbaI polymorphism might reduce fetal insulin sensitivity and/or glucose supply in utero, thus affecting fetal blood glucose and fetal growth. Methods: A genetic association study was conducted at the obstetrics department of the Charite University Hospital, Berlin, Germany. 119.1 white women were included after delivery, and all newborns were genotyped for the GLUT1 XbaI polymorphism. Total glycosylated hemoglobin was quantified, serving as a surrogate of glycemia during the last weeks of pregnancy. Results: The analysis of this large population showed no significant differences in fetal glycosylated hemoglobin or birthweight for the different fetal GLUT1 XbaI genotypes. Only newborns carrying the mutated allele show the previously published inverse association between birthweight and glycosylated hemoglobin. Conclusions: The results suggest that there is no prenatal effect of the fetal GLUT1 XbaI polymorphism on fetal insulin sensitivity, intrauterine fetal glucose supply or fetal growth. However, the polymorphism seems to modulate the inverse interaction between birthweight and fetal glycemia.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SharkovskaReichetzederAlteretal.2014,
  author    = {Sharkovska, Yuliya and Reichetzeder, Christoph and Alter, Markus L. and Tsuprykov, Oleg and Bachmann, Sebastian and Secher, Thomas and Klein, Thomas and Hocher, Berthold},
  title     = {Blood pressure and glucose independent renoprotective effects of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibition in a mouse model of type-2 diabetic nephropathy},
  series = {Journal of hypertension},
  volume    = {32},
  journal   = {Journal of hypertension},
  number    = {11},
  publisher = {Lippincott Williams \& Wilkins},
  address   = {Philadelphia},
  issn      = {0263-6352},
  doi       = {10.1097/HJH.0000000000000328},
  pages     = {2211 -- 2223},
  year      = {2014},
  abstract  = {Background: Despite the beneficial effects of type 4 dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP-4) inhibitors on glucose levels, its effects on diabetic nephropathy remain unclear. Method: This study examined the long-term renoprotective effects of DPP-4 inhibitor linagliptin in db/db mice, a model of type 2 diabetes. Results were compared with the known beneficial effects of renin-angiotensin system blockade by enalapril. Ten-week-old male diabetic db/db mice were treated for 3 months with either vehicle (n = 10), 3 mg linagliptin/kg per day (n = 8), or 20 mg enalapril/kg per day (n = 10). Heterozygous db/m mice treated with vehicle served as healthy controls (n = 8). Results: Neither linagliptin nor enalapril had significant effects on the parameters of glucose metabolism or blood pressure in diabetic db/db mice. However, linagliptin treatment reduced albuminuria and attenuated kidney injury. In addition, expression of podocyte marker podocalyxin was normalized. We also analysed DPP-4 expression by immunofluorescence in human kidney biopsies and detected upregulation of DPP-4 in the glomeruli of patients with diabetic nephropathy, suggesting that our findings might be of relevance for human kidney disease as well. Conclusion: Treatment with DPP-4 inhibitor linagliptin delays the progression of diabetic nephropathy damage in a glucose-independent and blood-pressure-independent manner. The observed effects may be because of the attenuation of podocyte injury and inhibition of myofibroblast transformation.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{PengZhuDongetal.2015,
  author    = {Peng, Tao and Zhu, Ganghua and Dong, Yunpeng and Zeng, Junjie and Li, Wei and Guo, Weiwei and Chen, Yong and Duan, Maoli and Hocher, Berthold and Xie, Dinghua},
  title     = {BMP4: a possible key factor in differentiation of auditory neuron-like cells from bone-derived mesenchymal stromal cells},
  series = {Clinical laboratory : the peer reviewed journal for clinical laboratories and laboratories related to blood transfusion},
  volume    = {61},
  journal   = {Clinical laboratory : the peer reviewed journal for clinical laboratories and laboratories related to blood transfusion},
  number    = {9},
  publisher = {Clin Lab Publ., Verl. Klinisches Labor},
  address   = {Heidelberg},
  issn      = {1433-6510},
  doi       = {10.7754/Clin.Lab.2015.150217},
  pages     = {1171 -- 1178},
  year      = {2015},
  abstract  = {Background: Previous studies have shown that BMP4 may play an important part in the development of auditory neurons (ANs), which are degenerated in sensorineural hearing loss. However, whether BMP4 can promote sensory fate specification from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) is unknown so far. Methods: MSCs isolated from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were confirmed by expression of MSC markers using flow cytometry and adipogenesis/osteogenesis using differentiation assays. MSCs treated with a complex of neurotrophic factors (BMP4 group and non-BMP4 group) were induced into auditory neuron-like cells, then the differences between the two groups were analyzed in morphological observation, cell growth curve, qRT-PCR, and immunofluorescence. Results: Flow cytometric analysis showed that the isolated cells expressed typical MSC surface markers. After adipogenic and osteogenic induction, the cells were stained by oil red O and Alizarin Red. The neuronal induced cells were in the growth plateau and had special forms of neurons. In the presence of BMP4, the inner ear genes NF-M, Neurog1, GluR4, NeuroD, Calretinin, NeuN, Tau, and GATA3 were up-regulated in MSCs. Conclusions: MSCs have the capacity to differentiate into auditory neuron-like cells in vitro. As an effective inducer, BMP4 may play a key role in transdifferentiation.},
  language  = {en}
}
@inproceedings{SharkovskaPohlHocheretal.2013,
  author    = {Sharkovska, Y. and Pohl, K. K. and Hocher, Berthold and Dschietzig, T.},
  title     = {Cardiac expression of relaxin and its receptor RXFP1 in rats with renovascular hypertension},
  series = {EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL},
  volume    = {34},
  booktitle = {EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL},
  number    = {10},
  publisher = {OXFORD UNIV PRESS},
  address   = {OXFORD},
  issn      = {0195-668X},
  pages     = {1056 -- 1056},
  year      = {2013},
  language  = {en}
}