Article
Cell Biology
You -Tien Tsai, Hsiang -Yuan Yeh, Chia -Ter Chao, Jenq-Wen Huang, Chih-Kang Chiang
Summary: This study found that the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) plays a crucial role in vascular calcification (VC). The mechanism of TGF-beta's involvement in VC was investigated using experimental models and clinical specimens. The results revealed that TGF-beta 1 can regulate the occurrence and progression of VC by modulating the miR-378a-3p/CTGF signaling pathway at specific time points.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jose Carlos Rodriguez-Cabello, Israel Gonzalez De Torre, Miguel Gonzalez-Perez, Fernando Gonzalez-Perez, Irene Montequi
Summary: The cutting-edge strategies in biomaterials science are focused on mimicking the design of natural systems, particularly the structure of the extracellular matrix (ECM), while incorporating biomechanical and biomolecular cues for biomedical applications. Nanofiber-based scaffolds are actively studied for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, with a focus on incorporating dynamics, biochemistry and structural features of the native ECM.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Jiang Liu, Zibei Feng, Peng Liu, Lijun Fang, Xichun Wang, Haiyan Lao, Yueheng Wu, Zhanyi Lin
Summary: In order to construct tissue-engineered blood vessels (TEBVs) in vitro, seed cells need to be transferred to three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds for culture. However, the behavior of the cells after transfer to the scaffold is unclear. This study used transcriptome analysis to characterize the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) before and after transfer to 3D polyglycolic acid (PGA) scaffolds and found that the PGA scaffold affected gene expression in VSMCs and elastin production.
JOURNAL OF TISSUE ENGINEERING AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Deepti Rana, Prasanna Padmanaban, Malin Becker, Fabian Stein, Jeroen Leijten, Bart Koopman, Jeroen Rouwkema
Summary: Given the need for control over evolving biochemical cues within synthetic matrices, this study focused on the incorporation of VEGF165 specific aptamers into cell-instructive polymer networks to regulate VEGF bioactivity. Bicomponent micropatterns were fabricated via photopatterning and demonstrated the retention of aptamers, molecular recognition, and VEGF sequestration. The study also revealed the ability of aptamer-tethered VEGF to spatiotemporally regulate vascular morphogenesis.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Min Jeong Kang, Kug-Hwan Roh, Jae Sang Lee, Jae Hee Lee, SaeGwang Park, Dong Woo Lim
Summary: Genetically engineered fusion polypeptides were designed and synthesized to target vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1) and inhibit angiogenesis. These fusion polypeptides showed potential in vitro by inhibiting VEGFR1-VEGF binding and tube formation of endothelial cells, and in vivo by suppressing laser-induced choroidal neovascularization in a mouse model. This study suggests that VEGFR1-targeting fusion polypeptides have great potential for treating neovascularization diseases.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Alex Bryan, Ethan Wales, Samarth Vedante, Andreu Blanquer, Dipesh Neupane, Sanjay Mishra, Lucie Bacakova, Tomoko Fujiwara, Jessica Amber Jennings, Joel D. Bumgardner
Summary: This study successfully incorporated elastin and magnesium-phosphate particles into electrospun chitosan membranes, improving their properties for burn wound applications. Evaluation of fiber size, structure, hydrophilicity, elastin and MgP incorporation, release profiles, mechanical properties, degradation, and cytocompatibility showed that the addition of elastin and MgP enhanced the performance of the membranes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jeong Hee Lee, Seok Tae Choi, Young Jin Kang
Summary: In this study, it was found that in Ang II-stimulated VSMCs, kahweol inhibits CTGF-dependent synthetic phenotype switching and migration, potentially serving as a therapeutic agent. Kahweol's effects are mediated through FAK, Erk, and YAP.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
John T. Benjamin, Erin J. Plosa, Jennifer M. S. Sucre, Riet van der Meer, Shivangi Dave, Sergey Gutor, David S. Nichols, Peter M. Gulleman, Christopher S. Jetter, Wei Han, Matthew Xin, Peter C. Dinella, Ashley Catanzarite, Seunghyi Kook, Kalsang Dolma, Charitharth V. Lal, Amit Gaggar, J. Edwin Blalock, Dawn C. Newcomb, Bradley W. Richmond, Jonathan A. Kropski, Lisa R. Young, Susan H. Guttentag, Timothy S. Blackwell
Summary: Emerging evidence suggests that early life events may increase the risk for developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with neutrophilic inflammation potentially contributing to early-life predisposition to COPD. Mechanistic studies reveal a critical role for NE in the expression of elastic fiber components.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Qinsheng Lu, Dingqian Sun, Sourima Biswas Shivhare, Huomei Hou, Judith N. Bulmer, Barbara A. Innes, Dharani K. Hapangama, Gendie E. Lash
Summary: Appropriate growth and development of the endometrium is crucial for a woman's quality of life and reproductive health, while conditions like heavy menstrual bleeding and recurrent pregnancy loss significantly impact women's quality of life and healthcare systems. TGF beta 1 plays a key role in regulating endometrial vascular maturation and could be a potential therapeutic target for women with HMB and/or RPL.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Auspreeya Rujirachotiwat, Supaporn Suttamanatwong
Summary: Curcumin upregulated the expression of TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta RI, TGF-beta RII, and VEGF in an in vitro hGF wound healing model. The ERK pathway is required for the induction of TGF-beta RI, TGF-beta RII, and VEGF by curcumin.
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Benjamin Sommer Thinggaard, Frederik Pedersen, Jakob Grauslund, Lonny Stokholm
Summary: This cohort study examines the use and forecast of intravitreal injections of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor in Denmark from 2007 through 2022.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Thiviya Selvaras, Somyah Ali Alshamrani, Rathosivan Gopal, Saravana Kumar Jaganathan, Sivakumar Sivalingam, Suhaini Kadiman, Syafiqah Saidin
Summary: Biodegradable vascular membranes composed of PU, CS, and elastin were fabricated using electrospun nanofibers. The membranes showed increased fiber diameter, pore size, and porosity percentage when CS and elastin were incorporated. The membranes exhibited controlled release of CS and elastin and demonstrated antithrombogenic properties with delayed blood clotting time in comparison to PU membranes.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH PART B-APPLIED BIOMATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Genevieve A. Secker, Natasha L. Harvey
Summary: The importance of lymphatic vessels in human diseases, the initiation of lymphatic vascular development during embryogenesis, and the role of VEGF/VEGFR signaling in driving the construction of lymphatic vessels were discussed in this review.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Carlos Escudero, Jesenia Acurio, Eduardo Lopez, Andres Rodriguez, Antonia Benavente, Evelyn Lara, Steven J. Korzeniewski
Summary: Circulating VEGF levels were found to be elevated 24-48 hours after acute ischemic stroke and were associated with prognosis of moderate to severe disability at 6 months. Combining VEGF with interleukin 6 and C-reactive protein significantly improved predictive performance compared to using VEGF alone.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Simzar Hosseinzadeh, Zeinab Zarei-Behjani, Mahboubeh Bohlouli, Arash Khojasteh, Nazanin Ghasemi, Nasim Salehi-Nik
Summary: Vascular regeneration relies on the proliferation and spreading of injured endothelial cells to control vascular wall thickness. Nanofibrous scaffolds prepared using various strategies, such as surface modification, co-electrospinning and blend-electrospinning, demonstrated high bioactivity in supporting endothelial cell attachment and proliferation. Incorporating somatotropin in the polyurethane fibers resulted in a sustained release pattern, enhancing endothelial cell proliferation for therapeutic purposes.
IRANIAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Chengeng Yang, Anthony S. Weiss, Anna Tarakanova
Summary: Elastin is a crucial protein responsible for the elasticity of various organs. Damage to elastin caused by conditions like hypercalcemia and hyperglycemia can accumulate during aging and aging-associated diseases. This study investigates the structural and elastic effects of hypercalcemia and hyperglycemia on elastin at the molecular level. The findings provide insights into the behavior of tropoelastin and the biomechanics of elastin biomaterials in physiological environments.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Iman Roohani, Giselle C. Yeo, Suzanne M. Mithieux, Anthony S. Weiss
Summary: Human bones have a natural ability to regenerate, but for severe bone diseases or large defects, bone grafts or substitutes are needed. Tissue-engineered materials have limited regenerative capacity compared to native bone grafts, which is due to a lack of understanding of key events during bone healing and the inability to recreate the structure and composition of the target tissue. New strategies and advanced biomaterials have emerged to overcome this limitation.
CURRENT OPINION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Rheumatology
Yehya Al-Adwi, Johanna Westra, Harry van Goor, Janette K. Burgess, Christopher P. Denton, Douwe J. Mulder
Summary: SSc is a multiphase autoimmune disease characterized by vasculopathy, inflammation, and fibrosis. Macrophages play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of SSc, as they can initiate chronic inflammation and secrete fibrotic factors.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Robert D. Hume, Shaan Kanagalingam, Tejas Deshmukh, Siqi Chen, Suzanne M. Mithieux, Fairooj N. Rashid, Iman Roohani, Juntang Lu, Tram Doan, Dinny Graham, Zoe E. Clayton, Eugene Slaughter, Eddy Kizana, April S. Stempien-Otero, Paula Brown, Liza Thomas, Anthony S. Weiss, James J. H. Chong
Summary: This study demonstrated that tropoelastin can improve post-MI healing by enhancing cardiac repair and reducing scar formation. Tropoelastin injection significantly improved left ventricular function, reduced scar size, and increased scar elastin content. Furthermore, it promoted elastic fiber formation and reduced immune response. The findings suggest potential therapeutic strategies for manipulating scar synthesis after MI.
CIRCULATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Maunick Lefin Koloko Ngassie, Maaike De Vries, Theo Borghuis, Wim Timens, Don D. Sin, David Nickle, Philippe Joubert, Peter Horvatovich, Gyorgy Marko-Varga, Jacob J. Teske, Judith M. Vonk, Reinoud Gosens, Y. S. Prakash, Janette K. Burgess, Corry-Anke Brandsma
Summary: This study investigated age-associated extracellular matrix (ECM) differences in human lungs using transcriptomic, proteomic, and immunohistochemical analyses. Seven ECM proteins were found to be higher in expression with age, and these differences may contribute to the development of chronic lung diseases.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LUNG CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Sunny Shinchen Lee, Thu Thuy Vu, Anthony S. Weiss, Giselle C. Yeo
Summary: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold promise as cell-based therapies for degenerative and inflammatory conditions. However, their clinical translation is hindered by the heterogeneity and senescence of MSC populations, leading to inconsistent therapeutic efficacy. This review discusses the regenerative properties of MSCs, the triggers and mechanisms of MSC senescence, and strategies to delay or rejuvenate functions lost to senescence.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Ziyu Wang, Miao Zhang, Linyang Liu, Suzanne M. M. Mithieux, Anthony S. S. Weiss
Summary: Synthetic vascular grafts made of polyglycerol sebacate (PGS) show promising results for supporting neoartery formation in patients with severe occlusive arterial disease. This review provides an overview of PGS synthesis, modification, and mechanical properties. It also examines the performance, degradation, regeneration, and remodeling of PGS-based small-diameter vascular grafts, with a focus on reducing thrombosis, preventing dilation, and promoting cellular residency and extracellular matrix regeneration. Recent advances in using novel in situ cell sources for arterial regeneration in PGS-based vascular grafts are discussed, along with a comparison to other elastomeric alternatives.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH PART A
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mehmet Nizamoglu, Janette K. Burgess
Summary: Disruption of cell:matrix interactions in the lung ECM is a key element in lung diseases. Lung ECM-derived hydrogels have emerged as a model system that reflects native lung physiology and can be used for studying lung diseases. However, the full potential of these hydrogels has not yet been realized.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Rosa K. Kortekaas, Kerstin E. Geillinger-Kastle, Theo Borghuis, Kaoutar Belharch, Megan Webster, Wim Timens, Janette K. Burgess, Reinoud Gosens
Summary: IL-11 is found to be related to the pathogenesis of IPF, as it induces myofibroblast differentiation and stimulates excessive collagen deposition in the lung. This study reveals that IL-11 disrupts alveolar epithelial regeneration and inhibits the formation of mature alveolar epithelial cells. The distribution of IL-11 and IL-11 receptor in human lungs further supports these findings.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Akash Gupta, Janette K. Burgess, Dirk-Jan Slebos, Simon D. Pouwels
Summary: In this study, a cellulose matrix was used as an absorptive probe for bronchial epithelial lining fluid (bELF) sampling. The absorption and elution capacity of the matrix were validated, and the design of the sampling device was optimized. The bELF probe detected higher concentrations of inflammatory proteins compared to bronchial wash samples, indicating its effectiveness for high-precision bELF sampling.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Anyu Zhang, Johnny Kuan Un Wong, Katazhyna Redzikultsava, Mark Baldry, Seyedeh KH. Alavi, Ziyu Wang, Eveline van Koten, Anthony Weiss, Marcela Bilek, Giselle C. Yeo, Behnam Akhavan
Summary: The researchers found that conventional tissue culture vessels used for expanding mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are inefficient, expensive, and can cause decline in MSC phenotypes and functions. They proposed a dry plasma process to modify the internal surfaces of 3D printed, high surface area to volume ratio porous scaffolds as platforms for stem cell expansion. They demonstrated that the biofunctionalized scaffolds treated with this technology significantly promoted MSC expansion, preserved cell phenotypic expression and multipotency, while reducing the usage of costly growth factor supplements.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Simon D. Pouwels, Alina Sigaeva, Shanna de Boer, Ilse A. Eichhorn, Lisanne Koll, Jeroen Kuipers, Romana Schirhagl, Irene H. Heijink, Janette K. Burgess, Dirk-Jan Slebos
Summary: Endoscopic implantation of medical devices, such as airway stents and valves, is commonly used to treat lung diseases. However, the interaction between these devices, made from metals like nickel and titanium, and cells in the airways has not been well studied. This research examined the response of lung epithelial cells and fibroblasts to different implant device materials.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE-MATERIALS IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Erika Pinheiro-Machado, Vasilena E. Getova, Martin C. Harmsen, Janette K. Burgess, Alexandra M. Smink
Summary: The secretome of adipose-derived stromal cells (ASC) is a heterogeneous mixture of components that have a beneficial influence on cellular microenvironments. Pathophysiological conditions can enhance the therapeutic capacity of ASC and the benefits of their secretome. Secretomics, the unbiased analysis of a cell secretome by mass spectrometry, is a powerful tool to understand the composition of ASC secretomes. However, the currently available ASC secretomic studies lack standardization, making it difficult to draw solid conclusions on the therapeutic value of different ASC secretomes.
STEM CELL REVIEWS AND REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mehmet Nizamoglu, Maunick Lefin Koloko Ngassie, Rhode A. Meuleman, Martin Banchero, Theo Borghuis, Wim Timens, Martijn C. Nawijn, Barbro N. Melgert, Irene H. Heijink, Corry-Anke Brandsma, Janette K. Burgess
Summary: Abnormal deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) in lung tissue is a characteristic of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This study found consistently lower proportions of collagen type XIV in all lung tissue compartments across IPF samples, suggesting its potential implications for the assembly of ECM fibers and progression of fibrosis.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Polymer Science
Francisco Drusso Martinez-Garcia, Tony Fischer, Alexander Hayn, Claudia Tanja Mierke, Janette Kay Burgess, Martin Conrad Harmsen
Summary: This article reviews the common techniques used for characterizing hydrogel microarchitectures. It provides a concise description of the underlying principles of each method and summarizes the data obtained from cell-free and cell-loaded hydrogels. The advantages and limitations of each technique are discussed and compared. The information presented in this article is of importance to researchers using hydrogels for cell culture, 3D bioprinting, and other areas of hydrogel-based research.