Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Alvaro Navarrete, Pablo Varela, Miguel Lopez, Claudio M. Garcia-Herrera, Diego J. Celentano, Bernardo Krause
Summary: This study presents a characterization of the active response of the carotid artery of guinea pig fetuses using experiments, modeling, and numerical simulation. The experimental measurements are used to calibrate a coupled mechanochemical model, which accurately describes the influence of smooth cell behavior on the passive and active mechanical response of the vascular tissue. The model is validated and optimized by performing finite element numerical simulations. The main strengths of the model lie in its ability to predict the stationary state of the tissue's active mechanical response through a realistic representation of the mechanochemical process at the cellular level.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jorge Reyes-Garcia, Veronica Diaz-Hernandez, Abril Carbajal-Garcia, Maria F. Casas-Hernandez, Bettina Sommer, Luis M. Montano
Summary: Theophylline, a drug commonly used to treat asthma, has been found to be more effective in teenage boys and males due to the upregulation of K+ channels in airway smooth muscle. Testosterone is suggested to reduce the severity of asthma symptoms, but its effect is gender-dependent. Chronic exposure to testosterone enhances the relaxation response to methylxanthines, including theophylline, through the increase in expression of beta(2)-adrenoreceptors and K(V)1.2 and K(V)1.5 channels. These findings highlight the importance of considering gender when prescribing methylxanthines for asthma treatment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ge Liu, Mizuki Kaneko, Kento Yoshioka, Keisuke Obara, Yoshio Tanaka
Summary: In this study, the effects of platelet-activating factor (PAF) on the contractile activities of guinea pig and mouse urinary bladder smooth muscle tissues were investigated. The results showed that PAF can enhance the basal tone and spontaneous contractile activities of the smooth muscle tissues through its receptor. The mRNA expression of PAF-synthesizing and -degrading enzymes was also detected in the urinary bladder tissues. These findings suggest that PAF plays a role in regulating the contractility of the urinary bladder smooth muscle and may contribute to detrusor overactivity.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Respiratory System
Mariska P. M. van den Berg, Susan Nijboer-Brinksma, I. Sophie T. Bos, Maarten van den Berge, David Lamb, Martijn van Faassen, Ido P. Kema, Reinoud Gosens, Loes E. M. Kistemaker
Summary: The study evaluated the efficacy of the TRPA1 antagonist BI01305834 in guinea-pig models of asthma, showing that 1mg/kg BI01305834 effectively inhibited asthma characteristics without affecting inflammation.
RESPIRATORY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Keisuke Obara, Mizuki Kaneko, Mio Yamashita, Ge Liu, Kento Yoshioka, Yoshio Tanaka
Summary: The study investigated the role of extracellular Ca2+ influx pathways in enhancing the contractile activities of guinea pig detrusor smooth muscle (DSM) induced by platelet-activating factor (PAF). The results showed that the DSM contractile activities enhanced by PAF were completely inhibited by the removal of extracellular Ca2+ and strongly suppressed by inhibitors of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (VDCCs). The remaining contractile activities in the presence of verapamil, a VDCC inhibitor, were not inhibited by LOE-908, an inhibitor of receptor-operated Ca2+ channels (ROCCs), but were almost completely inhibited by SKF96365, an inhibitor of store-operated Ca2+ channels (SOCCs) and ROCCs. Therefore, VDCCs and SOCCs are responsible for the PAF-enhanced DSM contractile activities.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Pathology
George Lambrinos, Vivian Cristofaro, Kristine Pelton, Alexander Bigger-Allen, Claire Doyle, Evalynn Vasquez, Diane R. Bielenberg, Maryrose P. Sullivan, Rosalyn M. Adam
Summary: Appropriate coordination of smooth muscle contraction and relaxation is crucial for normal colonic motility. This study discovered that neuropilin 2 (Nrp2) is highly expressed in colonic smooth muscle in mice and humans. Deletion of Nrp2 in smooth muscle resulted in increased contractility and enhanced colonic motility. These findings highlight the potential of Nrp2 as a novel target for conditions characterized by abnormal colonic motility.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Sina Nejati, Jiangshan Wang, Sotoudeh Sedaghat, Nicole K. Balog, Amanda M. Long, Ulisses Heredia Rivera, Venkat Kasi, Kinam Park, Jay S. Johnson, Mohit S. Verma, Rahim Rahimi
Summary: The gastrointestinal tract has a diverse microbial community that plays a crucial role in the host's metabolism, physiology, nutrition, and immune function. Changes in these microbial communities are closely related to the development of metabolic diseases. However, the relationship between microbiota and diet, as well as the effectiveness of pre and probiotics in modifying the colonic microbiota and preventing digestive diseases, is not well understood. In this study, a smart capsule was developed for targeted sampling of the gut microbiome in the proximal colon, providing new avenues for gastroenterological research and clinical applications.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Article
Biology
Salah A. Baker, Wesley A. Leigh, Guillermo Del Valle, Inigo F. De Yturriaga, Sean M. Ward, Caroline A. Cobine, Bernard T. Drumm, Kenton M. Sanders
Summary: Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) produce pacemaker activity that is responsible for rhythmic contractions in colon, while ICC along the submucosal border (ICC-SM) contribute to more complex patterns of colonic motility. Our study demonstrates how ICC-SM exhibit rhythmic firing of Ca2+ transients, which play a crucial role in driving smooth muscle activity and overall colonic contractions. This intricate process is organized and dependent on specific Ca2+ channels, highlighting the complexity of colonic pacemaker ICC-SM function.
Article
Immunology
Hong-Ying Qiu, Na-Na Zhang, Qing-Qing Ma, Rui-Ting Li, Meng-Yue Guan, Li-Li Zhang, Jia Zhou, Rong-Rong Zhang, Xing-Yao Huang, Wen-Hui Yang, Yong-Qiang Deng, Cheng-Feng Qin, Dong-Sheng Zhou
Summary: This study demonstrates that Zika virus can be transmitted via aerosol routes, resulting in systemic infection and inducing immune responses.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2022)
Article
Andrology
Yuan Wang, Jingshen Wang, Zhiqiang Hao, Heng Yang, Yongle Li, Minghui Tan, Lixin Liu, Shiming Feng, Liang Mei, Biao Qian
Summary: The study found that inhibiting gap junction may induce smooth muscle apoptosis.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Guanghan Ou, Miki Fujisawa, Ayano Yashiro, Keyue Xu, Kento Yoshioka, Keisuke Obara, Yoshio Tanaka
Summary: The study found that U46619 and other prostanoids can enhance the basal tone and spontaneous contractile activities of UBSM, and this enhancing effect can be suppressed by a TP receptor antagonist. TP receptors and TP-receptor-activated VDCCs/SOCCs are key molecules responsible for these effects.
Review
Developmental Biology
Michael Donadon, Massimo M. Santoro
Summary: The article primarily describes the developmental origin of smooth muscle cells in different organs, as well as their specification and differentiation in the cardiovascular, respiratory, and intestinal systems. It discusses the important roles of smooth muscle in organ development and how they instruct the development of other organs through signaling and mechanical feedback mechanisms. By understanding smooth muscle cell development, the aim is to advance therapeutic approaches related to tissue regeneration and other smooth muscle-related diseases.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Changlei Xi, Yuntian Hong, Baoxiang Chen, Xiaoyu Xie, Weicheng Liu, Qun Qian, Congqing Jiang, Xianghai Ren
Summary: This study identified differentially expressed circular RNAs (circRNAs) in patients with slow transit constipation (STC) and predicted their association with smooth muscle relaxation, actin binding, actin cytoskeleton organization, and other functions. The findings provide a useful blueprint for further research on the pathogenesis of STC and the identification of potential biomarkers and treatment targets.
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
Biochemical Research Methods
Jung Hun Lee, Yu-Jung Hwang, Hui Li, Hyeyoon Kim, Myung-Whan Suh, Dohyun Han, Seung-Ha Oh
Summary: This study successfully identified 1413 proteins in guinea pig perilymph samples, expanding the previous understanding of the guinea pig perilymph proteome and providing a comprehensive proteomic resource for the research community.
Article
Neurosciences
Nick J. Spencer, Sarah Greenheigh, Melinda Kyloh, Tim J. Hibberd, Harman Sharma, Luke Grundy, Stuart M. Brierley, Andrea M. Harrington, Elizabeth A. Beckett, Simon J. Brookes, Vladimir P. Zagorodnyuk
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY
(2018)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Marcello Costa, Lauren J. Keightley, Lukasz Wiklendt, Timothy J. Hibberd, John W. Arkwright, Taher Omari, David A. Wattchow, Simon J. H. Brookes, Phil G. Dinning, Nick J. Spencer
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-GASTROINTESTINAL AND LIVER PHYSIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Anesthesiology
Luke Grundy, Andrea M. Harrington, Ashlee Caldwell, Joel Castro, Vasiliki Staikopoulos, Vladimir P. Zagorodnyuk, Simon J. H. Brookes, Nick J. Spencer, Stuart M. Brierley
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Adam Humenick, Bao Nan Chen, Chris I. W. Lauder, David A. Wattchow, Vladimir P. Zagorodnyuk, Phil G. Dinning, Nick J. Spencer, Marcello Costa, Simon J. H. Brookes
NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY AND MOTILITY
(2019)
Article
Neurosciences
Marcello Costa, Lauren J. Keightley, Lukasz Wiklendt, Timothy J. Hibberd, John W. Arkwright, Taher Omari, David A. Wattchow, Vladimir Zagorodnyuk, Simon J. H. Brookes, Phil G. Dinning, Nick J. Spencer
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2019)
Article
Neurosciences
R. A. Peterson, C. M. Barry, L. Wiklendt, S. J. H. Brookes
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Reizal M. Rosli, Paul T. Heitmann, Raghu Kumar, Tim J. Hibberd, Marcello Costa, Lukasz Wiklendt, David A. Wattchow, John Arkwright, Dayan de Fontgalland, Simon J. H. Brookes, Nick J. Spencer, Phil G. Dinning
NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY AND MOTILITY
(2020)
Article
Neurosciences
T. J. Hibberd, W. P. Yew, B. N. Chen, M. Costa, S. J. Brookes, N. J. Spencer
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Adam Humenick, Bao Nan Chen, David A. Wattchow, Vladimir P. Zagorodnyuk, Phil G. Dinning, Nick J. Spencer, Marcello Costa, Simon J. H. Brookes
Summary: In this study, different types of enteric neurons in the human colon were characterized immunohistochemically using a combination of retrograde tracing and multiple labeling immunohistochemistry. Long ascending neurons and descending neurons in the colon were found to have distinct types, providing insights into their functions and connectivity within the colonic enteric nervous system. This research lays the foundation for understanding the roles of these neurons and building a comprehensive account of human colonic enteric neurons.
NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY AND MOTILITY
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Marcello Costa, Lauren J. Keightley, Timothy J. Hibberd, Lukasz Wiklendt, David J. Smolilo, Phil G. Dinning, Simon J. Brookes, Nick J. Spencer
Summary: Two distinct types of colonic motor complexes (CMCs) were identified in isolated mouse colon, complete and incomplete CMCs, with differences in the duration of smooth muscle action potentials, propagation speed, and frequency. Recognizing these different patterns of motility will be important for future interpretation of murine colonic motility recordings. Alternating patterns of motor activity in the proximal colon, but not in the distal colon, may reflect specific neural mechanisms for fecal pellet formation.
NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY AND MOTILITY
(2021)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
David Wattchow, Paul Heitmann, David Smolilo, Nick J. Spencer, Dominic Parker, Timothy Hibberd, Simon S. J. Brookes, Phil G. Dinning, Marcello Costa
Summary: This review combines animal studies with human patient studies on postoperative ileus, summarizing the conceptual advances in understanding the underlying mechanisms. It also evaluates the efficacy of treatments tested in human subjects and provides perspectives on how to move forward with this common yet debilitating condition.
NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY AND MOTILITY
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Marcello Costa, Lauren J. Keightley, Timothy J. Hibberd, Lukasz Wiklendt, Phil G. Dinning, Simon J. Brookes, Nick J. Spencer
Summary: The study identified three major neurally mediated motor patterns in the mouse large intestine, each involving extended ensembles of enteric neurons firing at close to 2 Hz. These motor patterns demonstrate distinct functional differences between proximal and distal colon, suggesting a potential organizational principle in other mammalian species, including humans.
NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY AND MOTILITY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Marcello Costa, Timothy J. Hibberd, Lauren J. Keightley, Lukasz Wiklendt, Melinda A. Kyloh, Phil G. Dinning, Simon J. H. Brookes, Nick J. Spencer
Summary: Soft faecal material is transformed into pellet-shaped faeces at the colonic flexure, with water content decreasing from cecum to rectum. Pellet formation is not solely explained by changes in viscosity, but involves a complex interaction of antegrade proximal colon migrating motor complexes and retrograde myogenic slow phasic contractions at the flexure. Additionally, unidentified extrinsic and/or humoral influences contribute to the processing of faecal content in vivo.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Paul T. Heitmann, Reizal Mohd Rosli, Lyn Maslen, Lukasz Wiklendt, Raghu Kumar, Taher I. Omari, David Wattchow, Marcello Costa, Simon J. Brookes, Phil G. Dinning
Summary: This study utilized high-resolution impedance manometry to investigate colonic motor patterns and gas transit in healthy volunteers. Results showed an increase in the prevalence of the 2-8/minute cyclic motor pattern and propagation of impedance events after a meal or gas insufflation. The temporal association between propagating contractions and gas transit supports the hypothesis that the 2-8/minute cyclic motor pattern acts as a physiological brake modulating rectal filling.
NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY AND MOTILITY
(2022)
Review
Surgery
David A. Wattchow, David Smolilo, Tim Hibberd, Nick J. Spencer, Simon J. H. Brookes, Roberto De Giorgio, Paul T. Heitmann, Marcello Costa, Phil G. Dinning
Summary: This article discusses the advantages and opportunities for surgeons and basic scientists to conduct research on the nervous system of the intestines. It highlights the translation of findings from animal studies to human subjects, which has greatly expanded our knowledge of the human enteric nervous system. These findings have led to therapeutic trials for gastrointestinal disorders.
ANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY
(2022)