Article
Cell Biology
Julian Rapp, Malte Jung, Rhena F. U. Klar, Julian Wolf, Jakob Arnold, Oliver Gorka, Olaf Gross, Clemen Lange, Hansjurgen Agostini, Guenther Schlunck, Felicitas Bucher
Summary: Aberrant angiogenesis is a hallmark of cardiovascular and retinal neovascular disease. The STAT3 signaling pathway represents a potential pharmacological target for these diseases due to its impact on angiogenesis. However, the effects of STAT3 activation on angiogenesis vary depending on the specific cytokine.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Hao-Wei Xu, Xin-Yue Fang, Xiao-Wei Liu, Shu-Bao Zhang, Yu-Yang Yi, Sheng-Jie Chang, Hao Chen, Shan-Jin Wang
Summary: This study examined the effects of long-term administration of alpha-KG on aging-associated IVDD in adult rats. The results showed that alpha-KG supplementation effectively improved IVDD and attenuated senescence of nucleus pulposus cells, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic strategy for IVDD.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Athina Dritsoula, Laura Dowsett, Camilla Pilotti, Marie N. O'Connor, Stephen E. Moss, John Greenwood
Summary: This study investigates the role of IL-6 in defective angiogenesis mediated by LRG1. The results show that IL-6 activates LRG1 transcription through STAT3 phosphorylation, resulting in vascular destabilization. This finding is important for understanding the role of IL-6 in COVID-19 patients.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Brendan J. O'Brien, Harold A. Singer, Alejandro P. Adam, Roman G. Ginnan
Summary: Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) plays a crucial role in endothelial function downstream of an interleukin-6 (IL-6)/JAK/STAT3 signaling axis, promoting cell migration and proliferation, as well as in vivo angiogenesis. This study demonstrates that transcriptional regulation of CaMKII delta by STAT3 influences endothelial motility, proliferation, and angiogenesis, providing new insights into vascular remodeling mechanisms.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Prem Patel, Veeral Sheth
Summary: AMD is a common cause of vision loss, with two main types, neovascular and non-neovascular, treated primarily through inhibition of VEGF. Discrepancies between clinical trial results and real-world outcomes exist, indicating the potential for new treatments to improve therapeutic efficacy.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Archana A. Nair, Avni P. Finn, Paul Sternberg
Summary: The emergence of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents has revolutionized the treatment of retinal neovascular diseases, and multiple agents and methods are being developed to increase treatment duration and reduce patient burden. Faricimab, the newest agent on the market, targets two distinct pathways to create a more durable effect, and clinical trials have shown increased treatment duration.
DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Elaine Mai, Joyce Chan, Levina Goon, Braeden K. Ego, Jack Bevers, Tiffany Wong, Manda Wong, Racquel Corpuz, Hongkang Xi, Jia Wu, Kellen Schneider, Dhaya Seshasayee, Michele Grimbaldeston, Gerald Nakamura, Vahan B. Indjeian, Menno van Lookeren Campagne, Kelly M. Loyet, Laetitia Comps-Agrar
Summary: Research has shown that most current commercial hIL-33 detection assays lack the sensitivity to accurately detect reduced hIL-33 at lower biological relevant levels (sub-to-low pg/mL), especially in the presence of human sST2 (hsST2). As a result, researchers developed and validated a highly sensitive and specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) capable of accurately quantifying both total and reduced hIL-33 levels even in the presence of high levels of sST2.
JOURNAL OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhenzhou Zhang, Jianqiong Tang, Jiawei Song, Mengshi Xie, Ying Liu, Zhaojie Dong, Xiaoyan Liu, Xueting Li, Miwen Zhang, Yihang Chen, Hongyu Shi, Jiuchang Zhong
Summary: The study found that elabela can inhibit hypertension-induced pathological cardiac remodeling and fibrosis by modulating the IL-6/STAT3/GPX4 signaling pathway. Targeting the elabela-APJ axis may serve as a novel strategy for hypertensive heart diseases.
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xinwang Zhu, Congxiao Zhang, Mai Shi, Huimin Li, Xue Jiang, Lining Wang
Summary: The study found that the glomerular sclerosis rate significantly increased in individuals over 40 years old and was strongly correlated with age. Additionally, the expression of p16, STAT3, GP130, and p62 increased significantly in aged kidneys, while LC3II and autophagosomes were decreased. IL-6/STAT3-mediated autophagy may play a role in the development of age-related glomerulosclerosis.
JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Maya Kishi, Akiko Miki, Aya Kamimura, Mina Okuda, Wataru Matsumiya, Hisanori Imai, Sentaro Kusuhara, Makoto Nakamura
Summary: This retrospective study evaluated the functional and anatomical effects of switching to faricimab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) patients who were refractory to intravitreal aflibercept. The results showed that after switching, the patients experienced a significant decrease in central retinal thickness (CRT), an extended injection interval, and a decrease in the presence of intraretinal fluid and subretinal fluid. However, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central choroidal thickness (CCT) did not change significantly. The study suggests that switching to faricimab could be an additional treatment option for nAMD patients who are refractory to aflibercept.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Cenhao Wu, Jun Ge, Ming Yang, Qi Yan, Yingjie Wang, Hao Yu, Huilin Yang, Jun Zou
Summary: In this study, resveratrol was found to improve nucleus pulposus cells' (NPCs) cell viability and inhibit cell apoptosis and cycle arrest. Additionally, resveratrol improved NPCs' degeneration by increasing the expression of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) and N-Cadherin, as well as extracellular matrix components. Furthermore, resveratrol attenuated IL-6 secretion and inhibited JAK/STAT3 pathway phosphorylation, suggesting a protective effect against NPCs' degeneration.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Aniket Ramshekar, Haibo Wang, M. Elizabeth Hartnett
Summary: AMD is a major cause of blindness worldwide, with neovascular AMD leading to vision loss. The current standard of care with anti-angiogenic agents is only effective in around 50% of AMD cases. Studies have shown that Rac1 activation plays a crucial role in the invasion of choroidal endothelial cells into the neural retina in AMD.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ling Yeung, Yi-Ting Hsieh, Chang-Hao Yang, Lee-Jen Chen, Shih-Jen Chen, Cheng-Kuo Cheng, Shwu-Jiuan Sheu, Ching-Yao Tsai, Tsung-Tien Wu, Wei-Chi Wu, San-Ni Chen
Summary: The article provides recommendations on diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up strategies for neovascular age-related macular degeneration, focusing on comprehensive ophthalmologic examination, anti-VEGF therapy, treatment regimen selection and adjustment, and patient education.
JOURNAL OF THE FORMOSAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
(2021)
Article
Ophthalmology
Sanjeeb Bhandari, Susan Vitale, Elvira Agron, Traci E. Clemons, Emily Y. Chew
Summary: A prospective cohort study within the AREDS2 trial evaluated the risk of late AMD development after cataract surgery, and found that cataract surgery did not increase the risk of late AMD among participants with up to 10 years of follow-up.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ruth M. Galindo-Camacho, Cristina Blanco-Llamero, Raquel da Ana, Mayra A. Fuertes, Francisco J. Senorans, Amelia M. Silva, Maria L. Garcia, Eliana B. Souto
Summary: This article reviews the challenges in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), innovative nanoformulations, 3D bioprinting, and techniques for monitoring progress.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Grace M. Richter, Jae Chang Lee, Nasir Khan, Alexander Vorperian, Brennan Hand, Bruce Burkemper, Xiao Zhou, Zhongdi Chu, Ruikang Wang, Rohit Varma, Amir H. Kashani
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between systemic and ocular characteristics and perifoveal and macular vessel density in healthy African American eyes. The results showed that longer axial length, reduced signal strength, reduced central subfield thickness, and older age were independently associated with reduced perifoveal and macular vessel density.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemical Research Methods
Ruikang K. Wang, Sina Farsiu
Summary: The new Editor-in-Chief Ruikang (Ricky) Wang and Deputy Editor Sina Farsiu of Biomedical Optics Express share their introductory message as they start their editorial terms on 1 January 2022.
BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chen Xin, Xiaofei Wang, Ningli Wang, Ruikang Wang, Murray Johnstone
Summary: This study introduces a new laboratory platform to investigate the motion responses of trabecular meshwork (TM) to ocular transients. The findings suggest that abnormal TM motion is a leading cause of glaucoma and that the platform permits quantitation of TM motion responses to designed pulse transients. The study's implications include improved interpretation of new TM motion measurements in clinic and a better understanding of glaucoma mechanisms and management.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Jie Lu, Hao Zhou, Yingying Shi, James Choe, Mengxi Shen, Liang Wang, Kelly Chen, Qinqin Zhang, William J. Feuer, Giovanni Gregori, Philip J. Rosenfeld, Ruikang K. Wang
Summary: In normal eyes, choroidal thickness is strongly correlated between fellow eyes but slightly thicker in the right eye. Choroidal vascularity index is moderately correlated between eyes but slightly smaller in the right eye in certain macular subregions. There is no clear correlation between interocular differences in choroidal thickness and vascularity index.
QUANTITATIVE IMAGING IN MEDICINE AND SURGERY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Yaping Shi, Jie Lu, Nhan Le, Ruikang K. Wang
Summary: This study reports a handheld scanning probe integrated with built-in pressure sensors, allowing real-time control of mechanical stress applied to the skin for optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) in skin imaging applications. It demonstrates the impact of different mechanical pressures on OCTA imaging and suggests a pressure range for stable imaging.
BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Paul. S. Micevych, Jessica Wong, Hao Zhou, Ruikan. K. Wang, Travis. C. Porco, Joseph Carroll, Austin Roorda, Jacque. L. Duncan
Summary: This study compared cone structure and function between patients with RPGR and USH2A-related retinal degeneration. It found that outer retinal structure and choriocapillaris perfusion were more abnormal in patients with RPGR-related retinal degeneration compared to those with USH2A-related retinal degeneration. However, there were no significant differences in below-normal regional sensitivity between rod-cone degeneration associated with variants in these 2 genes expressed at the photoreceptor-connecting cilium.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Qinqin Zhang, Yingying Shi, Mengxi Shen, Yuxuan Cheng, Hao Zhou, William Feuer, Luis DE Sisternes, Giovanni Gregori, Philip J. Rosenfeld, Ruikang K. Wang
Summary: The study aimed to determine whether the outer retinal layer (ORL) thickness around geographic atrophy (GA) could serve as a clinical biomarker to predict the annual enlargement rate (ER) of GA. The study found a negative correlation between ORL thickness and GA growth, and a significant correlation between ORL thickness and RPE-BM distances. This suggests that the loss of photoreceptors is associated with the formation of basal laminar deposits around GA.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Yi Xu, Xiaofeng Zhu, Yongyi Wang, Zhongdi Chu, Ruikang K. K. Wang, Lina Lu, Haidong Zou
Summary: There are specific changes in retinal microcirculation in prediabetic patients, which are correlated with mild kidney function impairment.
OPHTHALMIC RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Wenbin Zhu, Catherine M. M. Davis, Elyse M. M. Allen, Sarah L. L. Feller, Thierno M. M. Bah, Robert E. E. Shangraw, Ruikang K. K. Wang, Nabil J. J. Alkayed
Summary: In this study, the researchers found that poor outcome after stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes (DM2) is linked to impaired microvascular tissue reperfusion. Furthermore, they discovered differences in microvascular reperfusion response between male and female DM2 mice after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). These findings suggest that DM2 impairs capillary perfusion and exacerbates ischemic brain injury in male but not female mice with DM2.
Editorial Material
Biochemical Research Methods
Ruikang K. Wang, Sina Farsiu
Summary: The Editor-in-Chief and Deputy Editor of Biomedical Optics Express have introduced a new prize to honor the best paper published in the Journal between 2019 and 2021.
BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Lorena Perez-Gutierrez, Napoleone Ferrara
Summary: The formation of new blood vessels, known as angiogenesis, is regulated by various factors, with vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and its receptors VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 being key components. The VEGF pathway is the main target of anti-angiogenic drugs approved by the FDA, which are widely used in oncology and the treatment of neovascular eye disorders. In this Review, the molecular basis of VEGFA action, its interactions with other pathways, and its role in regenerative medicine are discussed.
NATURE REVIEWS MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Qinghua He, Wanyu Li, Yaping Shi, Yi Yu, Wenqian Geng, Zhiyuan Sun, Ruikang K. Wang
Summary: SpeCamX is a mobile application that transforms a regular smartphone into a multispectral imager. It utilizes the smartphone's RGB photographs and converts them into multispectral images, eliminating the need for specialized devices or attachments. The app also includes plugin functions for extracting medical information. In a clinical study, SpeCamX was used to create an augmented smartphone bilirubinometer with superior performance compared to default smartphone cameras.
BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Philip J. Rosenfeld, Yuxuan Cheng, Mengxi Shen, Giovanni Gregori, Ruikang K. Wang
Summary: The use of optical attenuation coefficients in OCT imaging has improved the segmentation of anatomical layers and allows for better measurement of choroidal indicators. It also enables the detection of factors associated with disease progression.
BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Qinghua He, Wenqian Geng, Wanyu Li, Ruikang k. Wang
Summary: This study presents a method and system for non-contact measurement of neck pulses using micro-motion imaging (mu MI). The proposed method extracts carotid pulse (CP) and jugular vein pulse (JVP) waveforms without the need for manual identification, making it non-invasive and self-guided. The experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of the method and its potential use in early screening of cardiovascular diseases.
BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS
(2023)
