title: Taurine Transporter Gene Expression in Mononuclear Blood Cells of Type 1 Diabetes Patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Taurine transporter gene expression (RNA-TauT) has a role in retinal cell function and is modulated in vitro and in vivo by hyperglycemia and/or oxidative stress. This study was aimed at testing whether RNA-TauT gene expression is modified in blood mononuclear peripheral cells (MPCs) of type 1 diabetic patients, is related to plasma markers of oxidative stress or endothelial dysfunction, or, finally, is related to presence of retinopathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  RNA-TauT was measured in MPCs by real-time PCR-analysis in 35 type 1 diabetic patients and in 33 age- and sex-matched controls, additionally measuring plasma and cell taurine and markers of oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  RNA-TauT, expressed as 2(-ΔΔCt), was significantly higher in MPCs of type 1 diabetic patients than in controls [median (interquartile range): 1.32(0.31) versus 1.00(0.15); P = 0.01]. In diabetic patients RNA-TauT was related to HbA1c (r = 0.42; P = 0.01) and inversely to plasma homocysteine (r = -0.39; P = 0.02) being additionally significantly higher in MPCs of patients without retinopathy [(n = 22); 1.36(0.34)] compared to those with retinopathy [(n = 13); 1.16(0.20)], independently from HbA1c or diabetes duration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RNA-TauT gene expression is significantly upregulated in MPCs of type 1 diabetes patients and is related to HbA1c levels and inversely to plasma homocysteine. Finally, in diabetes patients, RNA-TauT upregulation seems to be blunted in patients with retinopathy independently of their metabolic control or longer diabetes duration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Chemistry, S. Jacopo Hospital, 51100 Pistoia, Italy.
authors.forename: Zaleida
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Napoli
authors.affiliation: Agenzia Regionale Sanità, Toscana, Florence, Italy; Accademia Medica Pistoiese F. Pacini, 51100 Pistoia, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Seghieri
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Chemistry, S. Jacopo Hospital, 51100 Pistoia, Italy.
authors.forename: Loria
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.affiliation: Diabetes Unit, S. Jacopo Hospital, 51100 Pistoia, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Anichini
authors.affiliation: Diabetes Unit, S. Jacopo Hospital, 51100 Pistoia, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Bellis
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Campesi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Ciriaco
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carru
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Occhioni
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zinellu
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Flavia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Franconi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D015854:Up-Regulation; D000099247:Taurine Transporters
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D006710:Homocysteine; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000099247:Taurine Transporters; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human