Article
Developmental Biology
Arpan De, John E. Morales, Zhihua Chen, Sumod Sebastian, Joseph H. McCarty
Summary: Neuroepithelial cells interact with blood vessels to regulate neurovascular development, with the beta 8 integrin cytoplasmic domain playing a crucial role in inside-out modulation of adhesion and activation of latent-TGFβs in the ECM. The cross-talk between TGFβs and Wnt pathways is essential for neurovascular development, as identified through the regulation of TGFβ-dependent gene expression in endothelial cells by the beta 8 integrin cytoplasmic domain.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Geun Ho An, Jaehun Lee, Xiong Jin, Jinwoo Chung, Joon-Chul Kim, Jung-Hyuck Park, Minkyung Kim, Choongseong Han, Jong-Hoon Kim, Dong-Hun Woo
Summary: This study introduced a truncated form of MFG-E8 that demonstrated advanced therapeutic benefits in treating liver fibrosis. The modified MFG-E8 more efficiently suppressed TGF-beta signaling, inhibiting hepatic stellate cell proliferation in the liver disease environment, and showed safety profiles in rat models.
Article
Oncology
Marius Kemper, Alina Schiecke, Hanna Maar, Sergey Nikulin, Andrey Poloznikov, Vladimir Galatenko, Michael Tachezy, Florian Gebauer, Tobias Lange, Kristoffer Riecken, Alexander Tonevitsky, Achim Aigner, Jakob Izbicki, Udo Schumacher, Daniel Wicklein
Summary: The knockdown of ITGAV in PDA cells significantly reduces primary tumor growth, peritoneal carcinomatosis, and spontaneous pulmonary metastasis. ITGAV activates latent TGF-beta and drives epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Combined depletion of ITGAV on tumor cells and E- and P-selectins in the tumor-host almost abolishes intraperitoneal spread.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Elga Esposito, Ester Licastro, Ornella Cuomo, Eng H. Lo, Kazuhide Hayakawa, Giuseppe Pignataro
Summary: Experimental studies show that ischemic postconditioning can interfere with cell death mechanisms and reduce infarction during the acute phase after focal cerebral ischemia. However, there are many limitations to its clinical translation. This study aims to explore the mechanisms of improved long-term recovery after ischemic postconditioning, and the results suggest that it may involve the promotion of neurogenesis and angiogenic remodeling via BDNF released by astrocytes.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Yoshimichi Sato, Jaime Falcone-Juengert, Teiji Tominaga, Hua Su, Jialing Liu
Summary: The neurovascular unit (NVU) depicts the relationship between brain cells and the vascular structure, regulating cerebral blood flow and maintaining brain homeostasis. Dysregulation of the NVU is a key pathological feature underlying neurological disorders. Understanding NVU dysfunction and remodeling is crucial for targeted therapy design and relevant research progress.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Mahbubul H. Shihan, Samuel G. Novo, Yan Wang, Dean Sheppard, Amha Atakilit, Thomas D. Arnold, Nicole M. Rossi, Adam P. Faranda, Melinda K. Duncan
Summary: This study explored the role of beta(8) integrin in fibrotic PCO, showing that beta(8) ITG-cKO LCs attenuated fibrotic responses while alpha(V)beta(8) integrin could be a potential target for prevention and treatment of PCO.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ewa Brzozowska, Sameer Deshmukh
Summary: Integrins are crucial for cell adhesion, migration, and positioning. Studies have shown that the expression levels of Integrin αVβ6 are closely related to malignant diseases and patient prognosis. It plays a significant role in cancer progression and the activation of transforming growth factor β(TGF-β). While essential for normal function in healthy individuals, it can also be a target for cancer treatment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Abhijit Nirwane, Yao Yao
Summary: This review focuses on the expression and functions of laminin and its receptors in the neurovascular unit under both physiological and pathological conditions. It discusses their roles in maintaining and repairing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and identifies gaps in knowledge for future research.
JOURNAL OF CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW AND METABOLISM
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Samuel X. Shi, Samuel J. Vodovoz, Yuwen Xiu, Ning Liu, Yinghua Jiang, Prasad V. G. Katakam, Gregory Bix, Aaron S. Dumont, Xiaoying Wang
Summary: The perturbation of the neurovascular unit (NVU) in hemorrhagic stroke plays a role in the progression of secondary injury and patient outcome. This review focuses on the interaction of T-lymphocytes with the NVU in the context of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), highlighting their involvement in ICH injury and the neurovascular unit.
Review
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Gesine Paul, Osama F. Elabi
Summary: Vascular alterations are commonly observed in various neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD). This review examines the evidence for different vascular changes in PD patients and animal models, ranging from pericyte activation and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption to compensatory angiogenesis and vascular rarefaction. The review also highlights the potential role of perivascular inflammation and metabolic disease in these vascular alterations. Understanding the contribution of vascular events to PD pathogenesis could lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies, such as modulating the BBB and its signaling at the interface between the blood and the brain.
FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lijun Zhong, Lin Tang, Xiaoxia He
Summary: It has been discovered that ANGPTL3 plays an oncogenic role in several types of human malignancies. This study found that ANGPTL3 is highly expressed in cervical cancer cells and silencing ANGPTL3 can inhibit cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis. The inhibitory effect of ANGPTL3 can be offset by upregulating the expression of alpha v beta 3, which also promotes blood vessel formation and the secretion of VEGF and VEGFR2 in cervical cancer cells.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hilary R. Keller, Davinna L. Ligons, Can Li, SuJin Hwang, Megan A. Luckey, Praveen Prakhar, Nurcin Liman, Assiatu Crossman, Vanja Lazarevic, Yoo Kyoung Park, Jung-Hyun Park
Summary: The regulatory mechanism of CD103 expression differs between CD4 and CD8 T cells, with the transcription factor Runx3 playing an important but non-essential role. Integrin beta 7 availability is crucial for CD103 surface expression, and forced CD103 expression impairs the generation of MHC-II-restricted TCR transgenic T cells. Overexpression of CD103 does not significantly affect CD4 T cells in peripheral tissues, suggesting they may use CD103-independent pathways for tissue retention.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sabrina Summer, Eva Rossmanith, Markus Pasztorek, Constantin Fiedler, Marion Groeger, Sabine Rauscher, Viktoria Weber, Michael B. Fischer
Summary: Mesenchymal stem cells play a crucial role in supporting endothelial cells during tissue regeneration and new vessel formation. By co-culturing these cells in a specific microenvironment, complex vascular networks can be formed. Under dynamic flow conditions, mesenchymal stem cells can bind to damaged endothelial cells, potentially aiding in the healing process.
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Yujia Li, Weiguo Fan, Frederik Link, Sai Wang, Steven Dooley
Summary: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is an important factor in the liver that plays a role in various processes initiated by liver injury. It affects different types of liver cells and the response depends on the specific context. In the healthy liver, TGF-beta is stored in the extracellular matrix as latent TGF-beta (L-TGF-beta), and the protein ECM1 is critical for maintaining its latency. Activation of L-TGF-beta has detrimental effects on liver structure and function. This review article presents current knowledge on the formation, secretion, matrix deposition, and activation of L-TGF-beta, and highlights the potential therapeutic benefits of reducing L-TGF-beta activation in liver fibrosis and liver cancer.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jian-Jun Liu, Sylvia Liu, Jiexun Wang, Sharon L. T. Pek, Janus Lee, Resham L. Gurung, Keven Ang, Yi Ming Shao, Subramaniam Tavintharan, Wern Ee Tang, Chee Fang Sum, Su Chi Lim
Summary: This study found that urine LRG1 is associated with the risk of progression to ESKD in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Higher urine LRG1 levels are associated with an increased risk of ESKD and are also related to rapid kidney function decline and progression to macroalbuminuria.