Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Rong Liu, Min Zhu, Jiaojiao Chen, Junwei Gai, Jing Huang, Yingqun Zhou, Yakun Wan, Chuantao Tu
Summary: In this study, a novel nanobody (Nb) against human connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) was identified, which showed antifibrotic effects in vitro by regulating the biological functions of human stellate cells. This study is of great importance for the development of antifibrotic therapies for liver fibrosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NANOMEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hangyuan He, Hanwen Luo, Liang Liu, Yangfan Shangguan, Xingkui Xie, Yinxian Wen, Hui Wang, Liaobin Chen
Summary: Prenatal caffeine exposure was found to inhibit long bone development in female fetal rats by reducing osteogenesis-related gene expression and H-type blood vessel abundance. This effect was mediated through decreased CTGF expression by miR375.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Takeshi Tamura, Takahiro Kodama, Katsuhiko Sato, Kazuhiro Murai, Teppei Yoshioka, Minoru Shigekawa, Ryoko Yamada, Hayato Hikita, Ryotaro Sakamori, Hirofumi Akita, Hidetoshi Eguchi, Randy L. Johnson, Hideki Yokoi, Masashi Mukoyama, Tomohide Tatsumi, Tetsuo Takehara
Summary: The dysregulation of PI3K and Hippo signaling pathways induces chronic pancreatitis via upregulation of CTGF.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Yuecheng Jiang, Xin Lin, Yan Mao, Jianqiu Zhao, Guihua Zhang, Jiali Yu, Rong Dong, Yan Zha
Summary: The study found that acteoside (ACT) can inhibit renal fibrosis in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) rats, probably by inhibiting the beta-catenin/CTGF signaling pathway.
NATURAL PRODUCT COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Weiwei Wang, Jun Guo, Dongqiang Wang
Summary: The study found that chemerin and the TGF-beta 1/Smads/CTGF signaling pathway may play a key role in the development and progression of DKD, while high glucose accelerates kidney injury by activating fibrotic pathways.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Xu Shi-Wen, Michael Racanelli, Aaisham Ali, Amara Simon, Katherine Quesnel, Richard J. Stratton, Andrew Leask
Summary: Fibrosis is perpetuated by a signaling loop involving myofibroblasts and the extracellular matrix. YAP1 plays a crucial role in regulating the expression of matricellular proteins and the effect of YAP inhibitors on profibrotic gene expression is a subject of study. The selective YAP inhibitor VP shows potential in reducing fibrogenic gene expression and may offer a novel method for treating fibrosis.
JOURNAL OF CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Polina I. I. Selina, Irina V. V. Alekseenko, Anastasia I. I. Kurtova, Victor V. V. Pleshkan, Elena E. E. Voronezhskaya, Ilya V. V. Demidyuk, Sergey V. V. Kostrov
Summary: This study explored the functionality of human CTGF and FAP promoters, finding that the CTGF and CMV promoters exhibited similar high efficiency of protein expression in Zebrafish embryos, while the FAP promoter only showed high expression levels in developmentally abnormal individuals.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Xiaozheng Song, Yuqiang Cui, Teng Zhu
Summary: The study aimed to verify the effects of miR-19 on cardiac fibrosis and its target. The expression of miR-19 was reduced in the heart tissue and cardiac fibroblasts. Upregulating miR-19 can improve cardiac function and attenuate cardiac fibrosis by inhibiting the CTGF and MAPK pathways.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF THE MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
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
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Toyoshi Yanagihara, Kazuya Tsubouchi, Mahsa Gholiof, Sy Giin Chong, Kenneth E. Lipson, Quan Zhou, Ciaran Scallan, Chandak Upagupta, Jussi Tikkanen, Shaf Keshavjee, Kjetil Ask, Martin R. J. Kolb
Summary: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a fatal lung disease characterized by the accumulation of myofibroblasts. The study found that connective-tissue growth factor (CTGF) plays a key role in pulmonary fibrosis. Increased levels of CTGF exacerbate lung fibrosis and CTGF expression is upregulated in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Different cells contribute to the maintenance of the fibrotic phenotype during fibrogenesis.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Liya Pi, Chunbao Sun, Natacha Jn-Simon, Sreenivasulu Basha, Haven Thomas, Victoria Figueroa, Ali Zarrinpar, Qi Cao, Bryon Petersen
Summary: Liver fibrosis is a common outcome of chronic liver diseases, and this study shows that cellular communication network factor 2 (CCN2)/Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) plays an important role in liver fibrosis. The CCN2/CTGF protein was highly upregulated in liver cells during fibrosis, and its deletion reduced the expression of fibrosis-related genes. Additionally, the study found a connection between CCN2/CTGF and the Slit2/Robo signaling pathway.
JOURNAL OF CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Banghong Jiang, Ao Shi, Yidi Xu, Yiwen Zhang, Yu Chen, Xiao Jiang, Hongwei Liu, Li Zhang
Summary: An effective wound healing dressing composite made of GelMA hydrogels loaded with SDF-1 alpha and CTGF was developed to regenerate bioactive granulation tissue. The GelMA hydrogels showed a stable structure and biocompatibility, and could release the loaded cytokines continuously. In vitro experiments demonstrated that the GelMA hydrogels promoted cell recruitment, fibroblast differentiation, fibroblastic marker expression, and collagen synthesis. In vivo studies showed that the GelMA-CTGF/SDF-1 alpha hydrogels increased the number of recruited cells, regenerated bioactive granulation tissue, and shortened wound healing time.
MATERIALS TODAY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Roos J. Leguit, Reinier A. P. Raymakers, Konnie M. Hebeda, Roel Goldschmeding
Summary: CCN2, also known as Connective Tissue Growth Factor, is a matricellular protein that modifies signaling activity and orchestrates cross-talk in various signaling pathways. It is involved in regulating multiple biological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, survival, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix production. In the bone marrow, CCN2 is crucial for mesenchymal stem cell function and supports hematopoietic stem cells maintenance and lymphocyte differentiation. Overexpression of CCN2 has been linked to fibrosis and certain types of cancer, particularly in leukemias.
JOURNAL OF CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Kazuya Kusama, Yuta Fukushima, Kanoko Yoshida, Mana Azumi, Mikihiro Yoshie, Yumi Mizuno, Takeshi Kajihara, Kazuhiro Tamura
Summary: The study indicates that proinflammatory factors from peritoneal hemorrhage, as well as menstrual-related factors P/T, can induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition and fibroblast to myofibroblast transdifferentiation in endometrial cells, leading to fibrotic changes in endometriosis lesions. These findings reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of endometriotic lesions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yanyan Sun, Jia Ge, Fang Shao, Zhengrong Ren, Zhen Huang, Zhi Ding, Lei Dong, Jiangning Chen, Junfeng Zhang, Yuhui Zang
Summary: Long noncoding RNA AI662270 is significantly increased in renal fibrosis models and promotes CTGF expression by recruiting METTL3 and depositing m(6)A modifications on CTGF mRNA. This study uncovers a novel regulatory mechanism of CTGF in the pathogenesis of kidney fibrosis.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
James D. Theuerle, Ali H. Al-Fiadh, Edmond Wong, Sheila K. Patel, Gizem Ashraf, Thanh Nguyen, Tien Yin Wong, Francesco L. Ierino, Louise M. Burrell, Omar Farouque
Summary: Endothelial dysfunction is a precursor to atherosclerosis and is associated with the coexistence of CVD and CKD. This study found that retinal arteriolar endothelial dysfunction is present in CVD patients with early-stage CKD and serves as an indicator of long-term CKD progression in those with normal renal function.
Article
Immunology
Chansavath Phetsouphanh, David Darley, Daniel B. Wilson, Annett Howe, C. Mee Ling Munier, Sheila K. Patel, Jennifer A. Juno, Louise M. Burrell, Stephen J. Kent, Gregory J. Dore, Anthony D. Kelleher, Gail Matthews
Summary: Phetsouphanh and colleagues found that individuals with long COVID exhibit persistent activation of the immune system even 8 months after infection. They also identified a set of analytes associated with long COVID, suggesting potential opportunities for prevention and treatment.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
J. M. McGree, C. Hockham, S. Kotwal, A. Wilcox, A. Bassi, C. Pollock, L. M. Burrell, T. Snelling, V. Jha, M. Jardine, M. Jones
Summary: The CLARITY trial is a randomized controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of angiotensin receptor blockers in COVID-19 patients. The trial design is Bayesian adaptive, with the primary outcome being clinical status assessed using a 7-point ordinal scale. The trial will follow the intention-to-treat principle in data analysis.
Article
Immunology
Bruce D. Wines, Liriye Kurtovic, Halina M. Trist, Sandra Esparon, Ester Lopez, Klasina Chappin, Li-Jin Chan, Francesca L. Mordant, Wen Shi Lee, Nicholas A. Gherardin, Sheila K. Patel, Gemma E. Hartley, Phillip Pymm, James P. Cooney, James G. Beeson, Dale Godfrey, Louise M. Burrell, Menno C. van Zelm, Adam K. Wheatley, Amy W. Chung, Wai-Hong Tham, Kanta Subbarao, Stephen J. Kent, P. Mark Hogarth
Summary: Joining a function-enhanced Fc-portion of human IgG to the SARS-CoV-2 entry receptor ACE2 produces an antiviral decoy with strain transcending virus neutralizing activity. Fc-modification was utilized to optimize SARS-CoV-2 neutralization and Fc-effector functions of ACE2-Fc decoy proteins. Different Fc-modifications had distinct effects on neutralization and effector functions.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Hui Yin Lim, Louise M. Burrell, Rowena Brook, Harshal H. Nandurkar, Geoffrey Donnan, Prahlad Ho
Summary: Despite advancements in the field of cardiovascular disease, currently available clinical markers and tests are not sufficient to predict individual risk. A more precise and complex tool is needed to predict individual thrombosis and bleeding risks, enabling early interventions with a favorable risk-benefit profile. This review explores the fundamental concept of thrombosis and how personalized risk assessment can be improved using various tools.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jay Ramchand, Jean-Pierre Iskandar, Habib Layoun, Rishi Puri, Michael Chetrit, Louise M. Burrell, Amar Krishnaswamy, Brian P. Griffin, James J. Yun, Scott D. Flamm, Samir R. Kapadia, Deborah H. Kwon, Serge C. Harb
Summary: Among patients with chronic kidney disease and severe aortic stenosis, native T1 mapping can be used to predict major adverse cardiovascular events. Longer native T1 is associated with a higher occurrence of adverse events in these patients.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Hui Yin Lim, Sheila K. Patel, Ping Huang, Mark Tacey, Kay Weng Choy, Julie Wang, Geoffrey Donnan, Harshal H. Nandurkar, Prahlad Ho, Louise M. Burrell
Summary: The study found that plasma ACE2 activity is very low or undetectable in young healthy individuals and has minimal clinically relevant associations with coagulation function. However, patients with cardiovascular risk factors and/or disease have increased plasma ACE2 activity, suggesting that it may be an important biomarker for endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Liam Toner, Janet X. C. Chen, Jay Ramchand, Piyush Srivastava, David O'Donnell, Paul Calafiore, Elizabeth Jones
Summary: This study aimed to assess the impact of right ventricular mid-septal pacing on right ventricular function. The results showed that abnormalities in right ventricular strain occurred in some patients one year after pacemaker insertion, indicating potential issues with right ventricular function after atrial pacing.
HEART LUNG AND CIRCULATION
(2023)
Correction
Immunology
Bruce D. Wines, Liriye Kurtovic, Halina M. Trist, Sandra Esparon, Ester Lopez, Klasina Chappin, Li-Jin Chan, Francesca L. Mordant, Wen Shi Lee, Nicholas A. Gherardin, Sheila K. Patel, Gemma E. Hartley, Phillip Pymm, James P. Cooney, James G. Beeson, Dale I. Godfrey, Louise M. Burrell, Menno C. van Zelm, Adam K. Wheatley, Amy W. W. Chung, Wai-Hong Tham, Kanta Subbarao, Stephen J. Kent, P. Mark Hogarth
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Anesthesiology
Tim G. Coulson, Lachlan F. Miles, Alex Zarbock, Louise M. Burrell, Sheila K. Patel, Thilo von Groote, David Pilcher, Laurence Weinberg, Giovanni Landoni, Rinaldo Bellomo
Summary: Compared with norepinephrine, angiotensin II infusion can suppress renin release while maintaining aldosterone levels, providing a potential treatment for vasoplegia after cardiac surgery. Plasma renin concentration before surgery is associated with vasopressor requirement for norepinephrine but not angiotensin II.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF ANAESTHESIA
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Sheila K. Patel, Carolina Restrepo, Mohamed Khlif, Emilio Werden, Jay Ramchand, Piyush M. Srivastava, Richard J. MacIsaac, Elif I. Ekinci, Louise M. Burrell, Amy Brodtmann
JOURNAL OF HYPERTENSION
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Nicholas Alexander Doumtsis, Sheila Patel, Jay Ramchand, Ken Lu, Piyush Srivastava, Louise Burrell
JOURNAL OF HYPERTENSION
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Lebo F. Gafane-Matemane, Louise M. Burrell, Sheila K. Patel, Ruan Kruger, Aletta E. Schutte
JOURNAL OF HYPERTENSION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
John A. Adegoke, Callum Gassner, Varun J. Sharma, Sheila K. Patel, Louise Jackett, Isaac O. Afara, Jaishankar Raman, Louise M. Burrell, Bayden R. Wood
Summary: This study demonstrates that a portable handheld near-infrared spectrometer coupled with machine learning algorithms can effectively differentiate between kidney and cardiac fibrosis in a rat model of kidney failure, providing a potential intraoperative surgical tool for detecting and quantifying fibrosis in the heart and kidney.
ANALYSIS & SENSING
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Meg J. Jardine, Sradha S. Kotwal, Abhinav Bassi, Carinna Hockham, Mark Jones, Arlen Wilcox, Carol Pollock, Louise M. Burrell, James McGree, Vinay Rathore, Christine R. Jenkins, Lalit Gupta, Angus Ritchie, Ashpak Bangi, Sanjay D'Cruz, Andrew J. McLachlan, Simon Finfer, Michelle M. Cummins, Thomas Snelling, Vivekanand Jha
Summary: The study aimed to determine whether using angiotensin receptor blockers could improve clinical outcomes in people with covid-19. The results showed no evidence of benefit when using telmisartan, predominantly at a dose of 40 mg/day, as an angiotensin receptor blocker in hospitalized patients with mild covid-19.
BMJ-BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2022)