Review
Rheumatology
Yasushi Kawaguchi, Masataka Kuwana
Summary: In patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), vascular manifestations precede skin and organ fibrosis. There is increasing evidence demonstrating a pathogenic link between early vascular injury and subsequent development of tissue fibrosis.
CURRENT OPINION IN RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eshaan Patnaik, Matthew Lyons, Kimberly Tran, Debendra Pattanaik
Summary: Systemic sclerosis, also known as scleroderma, is an autoimmune disorder characterized by vascular abnormalities, autoimmunity, and multiorgan fibrosis. Endothelial damage and activation occur early, possibly triggered by various factors, leading to defective angiogenesis and fibrosis. The aim of this review is to discuss the molecular aspect of endothelial dysfunction that contributes to the development of systemic sclerosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biology
Eloisa Romano, Irene Rosa, Bianca Saveria Fioretto, Marco Matucci-Cerinic, Mirko Manetti
Summary: In systemic sclerosis (SSc), abnormalities in microvessel morphology evolve into a distinctive vasculopathy that progresses alongside tissue fibrosis orchestrated by myofibroblasts. The endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) process may play a central role in the pathogenesis of SSc, contributing to both fibrotic vascular lesions and tissue fibrosis. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying myofibroblast differentiation inside vessel walls provides the basis for targeted therapeutic strategies for SSc.
Article
Physiology
Rebecca L. Ross, Georgia Mavria, Francesco Del Galdo, Jacobo Elies
Summary: This study investigates the role of hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) and its relevance in cardiovascular complications occurring in systemic sclerosis (SSc). The study shows that the expression of HO-1 is lower in dermal fibroblast of SSc patients and this reduction is associated with endothelial dysfunction and vasculopathy. The study also demonstrates the role of HO-1/carbon monoxide (CO) signaling pathway in calcium handling, angiogenesis, and cardiac action potential modulation.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bianca Saveria Fioretto, Irene Rosa, Marco Matucci-Cerinic, Eloisa Romano, Mirko Manetti
Summary: Systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) is a rare connective tissue disease characterized by immune dysregulation, small vessel vasculopathy, impaired angiogenesis, and fibrosis. Microvascular impairment is the initial event of the disease and is linked to disabling and life-threatening clinical manifestations. Despite available treatment options, managing SSc-related vascular disease remains challenging. Vascular biomarkers have shown promise in assessing disease progression, predicting prognosis, and guiding therapy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Zhaocheng Zhang, Kristy A. Warner, Andrea Mantesso, Jacques E. Nor
Summary: Dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) can differentiate into functional blood vessels via vasculogenesis, and the maturation of these vessels is regulated by PDGF-BB signaling through PDGFR-beta.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Rheumatology
Jakob Hoeppner, Cosimo Bruni, Oliver Distler, Simon C. Robson, Gerd R. Burmester, Elise Siegert, Jorg H. W. Distler
Summary: SSc is a chronic autoimmune rheumatic disease with histopathological hallmarks including vasculopathy, fibrosis, and autoimmune phenomena. Purinergic signalling pathway may play a role in the pathophysiology of SSc, exacerbating vasculopathy and immune dysregulation, while also promoting organ and tissue fibrosis. Targeting purinergic signalling could offer new therapeutic options for SSc.
Article
Oncology
Wen Ling, Sarah K. Johnson, Syed J. Mehdi, Daisy Alapat, Michael Bauer, Maurizio Zangari, Carolina Schinke, Sharmilan Thanendrarajan, Frits van Rhee, Shmuel Yaccoby
Summary: In multiple myeloma, the expression of the receptor EDNRA gradually increases with disease progression, with high-risk patients having higher expression than low-risk patients. These findings suggest that EDNRA could serve as a useful biomarker for disease progression and disrupted bone marrow vasculature. The detached EDNRA-expressing cells indicate increased angiogenesis.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Diana Kim, Alexander Grath, Yao Wei Lu, Karl Chung, Max Winkelman, John J. Schwarz, Guohao Dai
Summary: Sox17 plays a critical role in regulating arterial identity during embryonic vascular development. Its impact on adult endothelial cells (ECs) is examined in this study. It is found that Sox17-induced ECs exhibit gene profile favoring arterial and tip cell identity, and they demonstrate greater adaptability in response to fluid shear stress. Sox17-mediated ECs also display distinct morphogenic behaviors during vessel formation.
Review
Immunology
P. Di Benedetto, P. Ruscitti, O. Berardicurti, M. Vomero, L. Navarini, V. Dolo, P. Cipriani, R. Giacomelli
Summary: Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by vascular alterations and multi-organ fibrosis. The process of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition plays a crucial role in the development of progressive fibrosis in SSc, and understanding this mechanism is important for identifying therapeutic targets.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Zi Guo, Zhaohui Mo
Summary: During vertebrate development, the cardiovascular system becomes functional earlier than other organs. Endothelial cells play a crucial role in vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, with cellular biology and epigenetics being important factors in these processes. There is growing interest in the role of proteins and signaling molecules in controlling embryonic vascular development, and the transplantation of iPSC-ECs shows promise in treating cardiovascular diseases. However, challenges in maintaining cell viability and function limit the clinical application of iPSC-ECs in regenerative medicine.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Hao Ren, Licong Liu, Yangfan Xiao, Yaqian Shi, Zhuotong Zeng, Yan Ding, Puyu Zou, Rong Xiao
Summary: Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by immune dysfunction, vascular system dysfunction, and tissue fibrosis. Early diagnosis and rational treatment are crucial for improving patient survival and quality of life.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Eloisa Romano, Irene Rosa, Bianca Saveria Fioretto, Dilia Giuggioli, Mirko Manetti, Marco Matucci-Cerinic
Summary: Pharmacological sGC stimulation effectively improves the angiogenic performance and reduces the myofibroblast-like profibrotic phenotype of SSc-MVECs, providing new evidence for repurposing sGC stimulators for the treatment of SSc.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lucio Diaz-Flores, Ricardo Gutierrez, Maria Pino Garcia, Miriam Gonzalez-Gomez, Lucio Diaz-Flores, Jose Luis Carrasco, Juan Francisco Madrid, Aixa Rodriguez Bello
Summary: Perivascular cells, including pericytes and CD34+ stromal cells/telocytes, play an important role in angiogenesis. The behavior and changes of these cells differ depending on the type of angiogenesis, involving various cell-to-cell interactions and signaling pathways. Perivascular cells and CD34+ stromal cells/telocytes have important functions in vessel development and tissue repair, while their involvement in intussusceptive angiogenesis is limited.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Wajda, Marcela Walczyk, Ewa Dudek, Barbara Stypinska, Aleksandra Lewandowska, Katarzyna Romanowska-Prochnicka, Marek Chojnowski, Marzena Olesinska, Agnieszka Paradowska-Gorycka
Summary: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare multisystem chronic disease with autoimmune features. In this study, the expression profile of selected microRNAs, including miR-126, -132, -143, -145, -155, -181a, -29a and -3148, was investigated in SSc patients compared to healthy controls. The results showed that the expression of these microRNAs was significantly altered in SSc patients, with miR-181a downregulated and miR-132, miR-143, miR-145 and miR-155 overexpressed. These findings suggest that these microRNAs may serve as potential biomarkers for SSc diagnosis and disease progression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Olivier Cerles, Tania Cristina Goncalves, Sandrine Chouzenoux, Evelyne Benoit, Alain Schmitt, Nathaniel Edward Bennett Saidu, Niloufar Kavian, Christiane Chereau, Camille Gobeaux, Bernard Weill, Romain Coriat, Carole Nicco, Frederic Batteux
ACTA NEUROPATHOLOGICA COMMUNICATIONS
(2019)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Nathaniel Edward Bennett Saidu, Niloufar Kavian, Karen Leroy, Claus Jacob, Carole Nicco, Frederic Batteux, Jerome Alexandre
MEDICINAL RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2019)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marine Peyneau, Niloufar Kavian, Sandrine Chouzenoux, Carole Nicco, Mohamed Jeljeli, Laurie Toullec, Jeanne Reboul-Marty, Camille Chenevier-Gobeaux, Fernando M. Reis, Pietro Santulli, Ludivine Doridot, Charles Chapron, Frederic Batteux
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2019)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mohamed Jeljeli, Luiza Gama Coelho Riccio, Ludivine Doridot, Charlotte Chene, Carole Nicco, Sandrine Chouzenoux, Quentin Deletang, Yannick Allanore, Niloufar Kavian, Frederic Batteux
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2019)
Article
Immunology
Niloufar Kavian, Asmaa Hachim, Leo L. M. Poon, Sophie A. Valkenburg
Correction
Immunology
Asmaa Hachim, Niloufar Kavian, Carolyn A. Cohen, Alex W. H. Chin, Daniel K. W. Chu, Chris K. P. Mok, Owen T. Y. Tsang, Yiu Cheong Yeung, Ranawaka A. P. M. Perera, Leo L. M. Poon, J. S. Malik Peiris, Sophie A. Valkenburg
Article
Immunology
Asmaa Hachim, Niloufar Kavian, Carolyn A. Cohen, Alex W. H. Chin, Daniel K. W. Chu, Chris K. P. Mok, Owen T. Y. Tsang, Yiu Cheong Yeung, Ranawaka A. P. M. Perera, Leo L. M. Poon, J. S. Malik Peiris, Sophie A. Valkenburg
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Carolyn A. Cohen, Athena P. Y. Li, Asmaa Hachim, David S. C. Hui, Mike Y. W. Kwan, Owen T. Y. Tsang, Susan S. Chiu, Wai Hung Chan, Yat Sun Yau, Niloufar Kavian, Fionn N. L. Ma, Eric H. Y. Lau, Samuel M. S. Cheng, Leo L. M. Poon, J. S. Malik Peiris, Sophie A. Valkenburg
Summary: This study shows that infected children have lower CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 proteins compared to infected adults. Children also have reduced CD4(+) T cell effector memory but comparable T cell polyfunctionality.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chao Wu, Abraham J. Qavi, Asmaa Hachim, Niloufar Kavian, Aidan R. Cole, Austin B. Moyle, Nicole D. Wagner, Joyce Sweeney-Gibbons, Henry W. Rohrs, Michael L. Gross, J. S. Malik Peiris, Christopher F. Basler, Christopher W. Farnsworth, Sophie A. Valkenburg, Gaya K. Amarasinghe, Daisy W. Leung
Summary: The study characterizes the biochemical properties of the nucleocapsid protein N encoded by SARS-CoV-2 and highlights the value of using N domains as highly specific and sensitive diagnostic markers. The research provides insights into N oligomerization, RNA binding, phosphorylation regulation, and immunogenicity of different N domains.
Article
Virology
Asmaa Hachim, Niloufar Kavian, Sophie A. Valkenburg
Summary: In addition to structural proteins, SARS-CoV-2 virions may express an additional 30 proteins during infection, which can modulate cellular processes, affect disease pathogenesis, and serve as specific serological antigens. Characterizing the serological responses to these proteins provides insights into the antibody landscape and the biological relevance of SARS-CoV-2 proteins.
CURRENT OPINION IN VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Asmaa Hachim, Haogao Gu, Otared Kavian, Masashi Mori, Mike Y. W. Kwan, Wai Hung Chan, Yat Sun Yau, Susan S. Chiu, Owen T. Y. Tsang, David S. C. Hui, Chris K. P. Mok, Fionn N. L. Ma, Eric H. Y. Lau, Gaya K. Amarasinghe, Abraham J. Qavi, Samuel M. S. Cheng, Leo L. M. Poon, J. S. Malik Peiris, Sophie A. Valkenburg, Niloufar Kavian
Summary: The antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 in children is less studied compared to adults. This study shows that children have lower levels of antibodies to structural proteins and suggests that antibodies to non-structural proteins can be used to differentiate infection and vaccination. The study also found that the magnitude and kinetics of the antibody response may affect the severity of COVID-19 and long-term protection. Antibodies to internal proteins of the virus may be an important tool for sero surveillance in the pediatric population.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jaime S. Rosa Duque, Xiwei Wang, Daniel Leung, Samuel M. S. Cheng, Carolyn A. Cohen, Xiaofeng Mu, Asmaa Hachim, Yanmei Zhang, Sau Man Chan, Sara Chaothai, Kelvin K. H. Kwan, Karl C. K. Chan, John K. C. Li, Leo L. H. Luk, Leo C. H. Tsang, Wilfred H. S. Wong, Cheuk Hei Cheang, Timothy K. Hung, Jennifer H. Y. Lam, Gilbert T. Chua, Winnie W. Y. Tso, Patrick Ip, Masashi Mori, Niloufar Kavian, Wing Hang Leung, Sophie Valkenburg, Malik Peiris, Wenwei Tu, Yu Lung Lau
Summary: This study compares the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of two widely available SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, BNT162b2 (an mRNA vaccine) and CoronaVac (a whole-virus inactivated vaccine), in healthy adolescents. The results show that the antibody and T cell immune responses in adolescents receiving two doses of either BNT162b2 or CoronaVac are similar to those seen in adults receiving two doses of the same vaccine. However, the immune response to a single dose of BNT162b2 in adolescents is not as robust. Additionally, CoronaVac induces a higher proportion of adolescents to have positive antibody responses compared to adults. Adverse reactions are generally mild for both vaccines, with BNT162b2 having slightly more frequent adverse reactions.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Chao Wu, Abraham J. Qavi, Austin B. Moyle, Nicole D. Wagner, Asmaa Hachim, Niloufa Kavian, Aidan R. Cole, Joyce Sweeney-Gibbons, Henry W. Rohrs, J. S. Malik Peiris, Christopher F. Basler, Michael L. Gross, Sophie A. Valkenburg, Christopher W. Farnsworth, Gaya K. Amarasinghe, Daisy W. Leung
Summary: This article describes protocols for gathering domain-specific insights about essential properties of nucleocapsid proteins in the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle, including assays like dynamic light scattering, fluorescence polarization, mass spectrometry, electron microscopy, interferon reporter assay, and serology assay. These assays provide valuable information for improved sensitivity and specificity in studying RNA-encapsidated nucleocapsids.
Article
Immunology
Niloufar Kavian, Asmaa Hachim, Benjamin J. Cowling, Sophie A. Valkenburg
Summary: The timing of influenza vaccination and antigenic change impact the quality of immune responses. Staggered vaccination with two different H3N2 strains can result in higher antibody and B-cell memory responses. Both staggered and cumulative vaccination provide protection from lethal-drifted H3N2 virus challenge, while reducing lung IL-6 and inflammation levels.
CLINICAL & TRANSLATIONAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Letter
Immunology
Paul K. S. Chan, Grace Lui, Asmaa Hachim, Ronald L. W. Ko, Siaw S. Boon, Timothy Li, Niloufar Kavian, Fion Luk, Zigui Chen, Emily M. Yau, Kin H. Chan, Chi-Hang Tsang, Samuel M. S. Cheng, Daniel K. W. Chu, Ranawaka A. P. M. Perera, Wendy C. S. Ho, Apple C. M. Yeung, Chit Chow, Leo L. M. Poon, Sophie A. Valkenburg, David S. C. Hui, Malik Peiris
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2020)
