Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Le Yang, Hang Zhang, Chengbin Dong, Wenhui Yue, Renmin Xue, Fuquan Liu, Lin Yang, Liying Li
Summary: Neuron-glial antigen 2 (NG2) is upregulated in fibrotic livers and promotes the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) to myofibroblasts (MFs). Inhibition of NG2 attenuates liver fibrosis and may be a promising therapeutic target for liver disease.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Sheng-wen Zhou, Jing Wang, Sheng-yu Chen, Ke-feng Ren, You-xiang Wang, Jian Ji
Summary: Changes in cellular microenvironment stiffness play a crucial role in pathological processes of blood vessels. This study constructed hydrogel substrates with physiological stiffness and found that an increase in stiffness within the physiological range significantly enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation behaviors.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Johanna Kohlhaas, Marius Andreas Jaeger, Leandra Lust, Carolina De La Torre, Markus Hecker, Thomas Korff
Summary: The study found that vascular endothelial cells can influence the gene expression pattern of vascular smooth muscle cells, particularly by reducing the expression of key genes controlling cholesterol biosynthesis, affecting the function of VSMCs.
EXPERIMENTAL CELL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Christine Veith, Ipek Varturk-Ozcan, Magdalena Wujak, Stefan Hadzic, Cheng-Yu Wu, Fenja Knoepp, Simone Kraut, Aleksandar Petrovic, Marija Gredic, Oleg Pak, Monika Brosien, Marie Heimbrodt, Jochen Wilhelm, Friederike C. Weisel, Kathrin Malkmus, Katharina Schaefer, Henning Gall, Khodr Tello, Djuro Kosanovic, Akylbek Sydykov, Akpay Sarybaev, Andreas Guenther, Ralf P. Brandes, Werner Seeger, Friedrich Grimminger, Hossein A. Ghofrani, Ralph T. Schermuly, Grazyna Kwapiszewska, Natascha Sommer, Norbert Weissmann
Summary: This study provides evidence for the involvement of SPARC in the pathogenesis of human PH and chronic hypoxia-induced PH in mice, most likely by affecting vascular cell function.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ningning Sun, Beyongsam Chu, Dong-Hyun Choi, Leejin Lim, Heesang Song
Summary: Abnormal communication between endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) promotes vascular diseases. ETS variant transcription factor 2 (ETV2) plays a role in pathological angiogenesis, but its role in the communication between ECs and VSMCs is unknown. CXCL5 induced by ETV2 in ECs promotes VSMC migration through MMP upregulation and the activation of Akt and p38/c-Jun.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chih-Yu Yang, Pu-Yuan Chang, Bo-Sheng Wu, Der-Cherng Tarng, Oscar Kuang-Sheng Lee
Summary: The study demonstrated that exposure to fluid shear stress and a high phosphate environment can lead to venous smooth muscle cell osteogenesis through activation of the integrin beta 1-ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Mitochondrial biogenesis also played a role in the early stage of venopathy pathogenesis. These findings suggest a potential therapeutic target for reducing AVF calcification and warrant further investigation in vivo.
Article
Biophysics
Xiaoyu Wang, Bin Gao, Xiang-kui Ren, Jintang Guo, Shihai Xia, Wencheng Zhang, Cheng Yang, Yakai Feng
Summary: This study developed a strategy for synchronizing promotion of endothelial cells and inhibition of smooth muscle cells, providing a new approach for the treatment of vascular restenosis.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Hematology
Jiyuan Chen, Jinrui Miao, Dansha Zhou, Jing Liao, Ziyi Wang, Ziying Lin, Chenting Zhang, Xiaoyun Luo, Yi Li, Xiang Li, Shiyun Liu, Yue Xing, Zizhou Zhang, Manjia Zhao, Sophia Parmisano, Yuqin Chen, Jason X. -J. Yuan, Kai Yang, Dejun Sun, Jian Wang
Summary: Piezo1 plays an important role in pulmonary vascular remodeling during the development of pulmonary hypertension (PH). Upregulation of Piezo1 is associated with inhibited pulmonary vascular contraction and relaxation, and is related to different cell signaling pathways in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs).
THROMBOSIS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Kaili Wang, Hao Chen, Si Qin, Shuhui Chen, Qian Zhang, Jiali Chen, Donghua Di, Guangyue Su, Yue Yuan
Summary: In this study, a multifunctional nanoplatform based on VA modified ZIF-8 nanoparticles was designed for co-delivery of chemical drug and genetic drug to achieve targeted synergistic chemo-gene therapy against liver fibrosis. The results showed that this nanocomplex could effectively reduce extracellular matrix deposition and ameliorate hepatic fibrosis.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Michael M. Orlich, Rodrigo Dieguez-Hurtado, Regine Muehlfriedel, Vithiyanjali Sothilingam, Hartwig Wolburg, Cansu Ebru Oender, Pascal Woelffing, Christer Betsholtz, Konstantin Gaengel, Mathias Seeliger, Ralf H. Adams, Alfred Nordheim
Summary: This study reveals the crucial role of the transcription factor SRF in pericytes and vascular smooth muscle cells, which is essential for maintaining vascular integrity and tone.
CIRCULATION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yuya Hiroshima, Yuki Oyama, Kaoru Sawasaki, Masanori Nakamura, Naoyuki Kimura, Koji Kawahito, Hiromichi Fujie, Naoya Sakamoto
Summary: A new coculture model was developed in this study to investigate cellular interactions under higher wall shear stress (WSS) conditions. The model showed similar characteristics to healthy blood vessels under high WSS conditions and exhibited different expression ratios of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors.
ANNALS OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Menno P. J. de Winther, Magnus Back, Paul Evans, Delphine Gomez, Isabel Goncalves, Helle F. Jorgensen, Rory R. Koenen, Esther Lutgens, Giuseppe Danilo Norata, Elena Osto, Lea Dib, Michael Simons, Konstantinos Stellos, Seppo Yla-Herttuala, Holger Winkels, Marie-Luce Bochaton-Piallat, Claudia Monaco
Summary: The advent of single-cell biology has opened up new possibilities for understanding human biological processes and diagnosing, monitoring, and treating diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). By analyzing CVD samples at the single-cell level, new cell communities that play a role in disease development can be identified, leading to new therapeutic strategies. This review focuses on the single-cell analysis of atherosclerotic plaques, highlighting the current understanding of cellular subpopulations and their heterogeneity and plasticity in relation to clinically relevant features. The clinical impact of single-cell technologies in CVD patient care is emphasized, calling for multidisciplinary and international collaborative efforts.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Keiichi Torimoto, Keisuke Okuno, Ryohei Kuroda, No'Ad Shanas, Stephanie M. Cicalese, Kunie Eguchi, Katherine J. Elliott, Tatsuo Kawai, Cali B. Corbett, Amanda M. Peluzzo, Amanda K. St Paul, Michael Autieri, Rosario Scalia, Victor Rizzo, Tomoki Hashimoto, Satoru Eguchi
Summary: This study investigates the glucose consumption and the effects of angiotensin II (AngII) stimulation on vascular cells at different glucose concentrations. The results show that all cell types exhibited significant glucose consumption in low, high, or middle glucose concentrations. AngII stimulation increased glucose consumption and extracellular acidification rate in fibroblasts. The study highlights the high risk of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia when using standard low or high glucose media with vascular cells, and suggests monitoring of media glucose concentration and use of middle glucose media for all vascular cell types.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Gabriel Hoi-Huen Chan, Enoch Chan, Carsten Tsun-Ka Kwok, George Pak-Heng Leung, Simon Ming-Yuen Lee, Sai-Wang Seto
Summary: Ageing is a risk factor for degenerative diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. The tumor suppressor gene p53 may play a regulatory role in vascular remodeling, atherosclerosis, and pulmonary hypertension. Further studies are needed to fully understand the effects of p53 in cardiovascular function and its therapeutic potential.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Peng Zhao, Qingzhou Yao, Pei-Jian Zhang, Erlinda The, Yufeng Zhai, Lihua Ao, Michael J. Jarrett, Charles A. Dinarello, David A. Fullerton, Xianzhong Meng
Summary: In this study, it was found that low and oscillatory shear stress can induce pro-inflammatory endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, leading to smooth muscle cell proliferation and extracellular matrix protein up-regulation. IL-37 was shown to suppress this pro-inflammatory transformation, thereby preventing abnormal smooth muscle cell proliferation and ECM protein remodeling.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Simon Tupin, Kei Takase, Makoto Ohta
Summary: The experimental study on the multilayer flow modulator (MFM) device showed that it effectively decreases intra-aneurysmal flow while preserving branch flow, reducing the risk of type II endoleak. The developed experimental system was effective in simulating endovascular procedures and assessing the safety and effectiveness of endovascular devices.
CARDIOVASCULAR AND INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biophysics
Shingo Tsukamoto, Takumi Asakawa, Shun Kimura, Naoyuki Takesue, Mohammad R. K. Mofrad, Naoya Sakamoto
Summary: In this study, local mechanical strains within the nucleus of a living cell subjected to substrate stretching were found to exhibit heterogeneous distribution, highlighting the importance of intranuclear mechanical properties heterogeneity. Treatment with Trichostatin A and Cytochalasin D did not cause significant changes in the intranuclear strain distribution, demonstrating the robustness of the observed phenomenon.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kojiro Matsushita, Chiharu Nakahara, Shun Kimura, Naoya Sakamoto, Satoshi Ii, Hiromi Miyoshi
Summary: Cell nuclei exhibit viscoelastic properties, with the mesoscale viscoelasticity within the nuclei of stem cells changing during differentiation. This change in viscoelasticity affects force transmission efficiency, gene expression pattern, and mechanosensitivity in the nucleus, with chromatin condensation playing a critical role in modulating these properties during stem cell differentiation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Takashi Miyano, Atsushi Suzuki, Naoya Sakamoto
Summary: Research has shown that hyperosmotic stress can induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tubular epithelial cells, contributing to renal injury. Under hyperosmotic conditions, mannitol not only causes osmotic stress on cells but also potentially leads to mechanical stress, resulting in rearrangement of cell cytoskeleton and focal adhesions.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yuya Hiroshima, Yuki Oyama, Kaoru Sawasaki, Masanori Nakamura, Naoyuki Kimura, Koji Kawahito, Hiromichi Fujie, Naoya Sakamoto
Summary: A new coculture model was developed in this study to investigate cellular interactions under higher wall shear stress (WSS) conditions. The model showed similar characteristics to healthy blood vessels under high WSS conditions and exhibited different expression ratios of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors.
ANNALS OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shingo Tsukamoto, Keng-Hwee Chiam, Takumi Asakawa, Kaoru Sawasaki, Naoyuki Takesue, Naoya Sakamoto
Summary: This study assessed the role of actin cytoskeletons in nuclear deformation caused by cell substrate stretching with different directions. The results showed that a decrease in actin cytoskeletal tension affected the nuclear deformation, and the deformation of the nucleus presented different characteristics in the stretching and perpendicular directions, indicating the important role of actin cytoskeletons in orientation-dependent nuclear deformation.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Takashi Miyano, Atsushi Suzuki, Naoya Sakamoto
Summary: This study assessed the role of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channel-mediated calcium influx in hyperosmolarity-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The findings suggest that TRPV4 channels contribute to the EMT of tubular epithelial cells under hyperosmotic stress.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Takashi Miyano, Atsushi Suzuki, Naoya Sakamoto
Summary: This study investigated the effect of hyperosmotic stress on autophagy in renal tubular epithelial cells, focusing on the role of actin and microtubule cytoskeletons. The results showed that hyperosmotic stress can induce autophagy in tubular epithelial cells through the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Acoustics
Muhammad Shiddiq Sayyid Hashuro, Simon Tupin, Narendra Kurnia Putra, Kotaro Daibo, Kosuke Inoue, Takuro Ishii, Hiroyuki Kosukegawa, Kenichi Funamoto, Toshiyuki Hayase, Makoto Ohta
Summary: A transparent ultrasound flow phantom material composed of poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel (PVA-H) with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and water solution was proposed for visualizing and measuring flow inside ultrasound systems. The material's refractive index was modified to match that of glass for transparency. Feasibility tests were conducted, and an ultrasound flow phantom was fabricated for B-mode visualization and Doppler-PIV comparison. The results showed promising accuracy in velocity measurement and similarity to real tissue visualization, with some limitations regarding sound velocity and Doppler measurements.
ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Meghane Decroocq, Carole Frindel, Pierre Rouge, Makoto Ohta, Guillaume Lavoue
Summary: This paper proposes an automatic method to generate a structured hexahedral mesh suitable for CFD directly from centerlines, which offers better robustness and mesh quality compared to existing methods. It allows for easy editing of vascular models to study the impact of vascular geometry and topology on hemodynamics.
MEDICAL IMAGE ANALYSIS
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Makoto Ohta, Naoya Sakamoto, Kenichi Funamoto, Zi Wang, Yukiko Kojima, Hitomi Anzai
Summary: Vascular endothelial cells are exposed to mechanical stress from blood flow and their functions can be studied using specific chamber designs. The functions of these cells are closely connected to the outer layers of arteries and organs, and the interaction between smooth muscle cells in the middle layer and endothelial cells can be investigated using coculture chambers. Additionally, microfabrication technology in microfluidic devices allows for mechanical and chemical stimulation of cells to study their dynamics in vivo microenvironments.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL BIOMATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Simon Tupin, Kei Takase, Makoto Ohta
Summary: This study investigated the ability of a porous stent called the Multilayer Flow Modulator (MFM) to maintain renal perfusion in vascular surgery. The results showed that the MFM device was able to preserve renal perfusion thanks to its highly porous microstructure. However, overlapping MFM devices led to a decrease in certain 2D metrics, but did not affect branch perfusion.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Kohei Mitsuzuka, Yujie Li, Toshio Nakayama, Hitomi Anzai, Daisuke Goanno, Simon Tupin, Mingzi Zhang, Haoran Wang, Kazunori Horie, Makoto Ohta
Summary: This study aimed to improve the visibility of angioscopy operations. Through computational fluid dynamics simulations under different values for the parameters of the injection waveform, endoscope position, and catheter angle, the study found that using a stepped waveform, bottom endoscope, and three-degree-angle catheter resulted in the highest visibility, improving the success rate of angioscopy operations.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL BIOMATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Joris Pauty, Shizuka Nakano, Ryo Usuba, Tadaaki Nakajima, Yoshikazu Johmura, Satotaka Omori, Naoya Sakamoto, Akihiko Kikuchi, Makoto Nakanishi, Yukiko T. Matsunaga
Summary: Aging of human tissues leads to organ dysfunction and disease. Senescent fibroblasts alter the extracellular matrix and induce angiogenesis, affecting aging and cancer research. The tissue model-on-a-chip provides a useful tool to study these changes and potential inhibitors.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2021)
