Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Osama Elabi, Abderahim Gaceb, Robert Carlsson, Thomas Padel, Rana Soylu-Kucharz, Irene Cortijo, Wen Li, Jia-Yi Li, Gesine Paul
Summary: The pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease is the formation of Lewy bodies containing alpha-synuclein, but microvascular alterations have also been linked to neurodegeneration in PD. Using a human alpha-synuclein overexpression mouse model, researchers demonstrated compromised blood-brain barrier integrity, dynamic changes in vessel morphology, and activation of pericytes, supporting the occurrence of vascular pathology as an important aspect in PD. This model provides a powerful tool to investigate disease-modifying factors and guide the development of new treatments for Parkinson's disease.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Benjamin M. Kahn, Alfredo Lucas, Rohan G. Alur, Maximillian D. Wengyn, Gregory W. Schwartz, Jinyang Li, Kathryn Sun, H. Carlo Maurer, Kenneth P. Olive, Robert B. Faryabi, Ben Z. Stanger
Summary: Through studying the tumor vascular environment, the use of the endothelial index (EI) and vascular microenvironment signatures (VMS) can better assess tumor vascular density, which is associated with prognosis in certain cancer types. These findings suggest that these metrics may enable more precise deployment of antiangiogenesis therapy.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Alena Maria Wolkersdorfer, Isabelle Jugovic, Lena Scheller, Marcus Gutmann, Lukas Hahn, Joachim Diessner, Tessa Luehmann, Lorenz Meinel
Summary: VEGF-A(165) positively affects hyperplasia, stenosis, and neovascularization, but its short half-life limits its potential therapeutic use. To address this issue, we designed VEGF-A(165) bioconjugates carrying PEG. After purification, two PEGylated species were obtained, with one or two PEG attached per VEGF-A(165) dimer. Both bioconjugates exhibited high purity, wild-type bioactivity, and increased hydrodynamic radii.
ACS BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Xiaoya Zhao, Zhenwu Zhang, Qian Zhu, Yurui Luo, Qinying Ye, Shuxiang Shi, Xueyang He, Jing Zhu, Duo Zhang, Wei Xia, Yiqin Zhang, Linlin Jiang, Long Cui, Yinghui Ye, Yangfei Xiang, Junhao Hu, Jian Zhang, Chao-Po Lin
Summary: Ruptured ectopic pregnancy (REP) occurs when embryos aberrantly implant, invade deeply, and overgrow in the fallopian tubes, resulting in tube rupture and accounting for 4%-10% of pregnancy-related deaths. The lack of ectopic pregnancy phenotypes in rodents hinders our understanding of its pathological mechanisms. This study utilized cell culture and organoid models to investigate the interaction between human trophoblast development and intravillous vascularization in REP. The findings demonstrate the crucial role of WNT-mediated angiogenesis and provide insights into the intricate communication between trophoblasts and endothelial/endothelial progenitor cells using an organoid co-culture model.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xi Guo, Hong Yi, Tin Chiu Li, Yu Wang, Huilin Wang, Xiaoyan Chen
Summary: VEGF is a well-known angiogenic factor that plays a critical role in embryo implantation by enhancing embryo development and facilitating interactions between the embryo and endometrium. Changes in VEGF expression are correlated with reproductive failure, including recurrent implantation failure and recurrent miscarriage. This study aimed to clarify the role of VEGF in embryo implantation by reviewing recent literature and exploring its effects and underlying mechanisms.
Review
Immunology
Haoting Zhan, Haolong Li, Chenxi Liu, Linlin Cheng, Songxin Yan, Yongzhe Li
Summary: Circulating VEGF levels are associated with autoimmune diseases and may predict disease manifestations and activity in patients, indicating potential therapeutic implications.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Emily R. Mahoney, Logan Dumitrescu, Annah M. Moore, Francis E. Cambronero, Philip L. De Jager, Mary Ellen Koran, Vladislav A. Petyuk, Rena A. S. Robinson, Sandeep Goyal, Julie A. Schneider, David A. Bennett, Angela L. Jefferson, Timothy J. Hohman
Summary: The study revealed that the VEGF gene family plays a complex role in neuroprotection and is associated with cognitive performance, cognitive decline, and Alzheimer's disease pathology.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Don Gueu Park, Min Seung Kim, In Ja Shin, Jung Han Yoon
Summary: This study suggests that STN-DBS can improve vascular endothelial function in PD patients. Age is a key factor influencing the change in vascular endothelial function.
PARKINSONISM & RELATED DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Kazuki Takasaki, Takayuki Ichinose, Yuko Miyagawa, Shiho Fukui, Kei Hashimoto, Haruka Nishida, Yuko Takahashi, Haruko Hiraike, Koji Saito, Yuko Sasajima, Kazunori Nagasaka
Summary: This study investigated two cases of granulosa cell tumors (GCTs) to find a biomarker for evaluating treatment and predicting recurrence. The findings suggest that serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels can be used as a clinical biomarker for disease progression in GCTs and to determine the efficacy of bevacizumab therapy.
JOURNAL OF OVARIAN RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Larissa Schawe, Ben Raude, Jan Christoph Carstens, Irene Hinterseher, Raphael Donatus Hein, Safwan Omran, Gilles Berger, Nina A. Hering, Matthias Buerger, Andreas Greiner, Jan Paul Frese
Summary: The study investigated the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in ischemic and non-ischemic skeletal muscle in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The results showed that preoperative VEGF levels were significantly higher in ischemic muscles compared to controls, and postoperative values decreased significantly. There was no significant change in VEGF levels in the non-ischemic muscle. This suggests impaired angiogenesis mechanisms in PAD patients.
Article
Hematology
Ferdows Atiq, Jens van de Wouw, Oana Sorop, Ilkka Heinonen, Moniek P. M. de Maatl, Daphne Merkus, Dirk J. Duncker, Frank W. G. Leebeek
Summary: The levels of von Willebrand factor (VWF) and factor VIII (FVIII) are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Short-term hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia increase FVIII levels independently of VWF, while long-term diabetes and hypercholesterolemia increase VWF levels through endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis, indicating VWF as a biomarker for advanced cardiovascular disease.
THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nan-Ni Chen, Chau-Yin Chen, Jin-Jhe Wang, Heng-Chiao Huang, Wei-Dar Chen, Ching-Lung Chen, Yao-Hsu Yang, Meng-Hung Lin, Ting-Yu Kuo, Chien-Hsiung Lai
Summary: This study investigated the outcomes of anti-VEGF treatment in patients with exudative AMD with or without OSA. The results showed that patients with OSA had a higher rate of subretinal fluid resorption compared to patients without OSA, but there were no significant differences in other imaging biomarkers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Rui Huang, Yuyuan Gao, Qingrui Duan, Qingxi Zhang, Peikun He, Jianing Chen, Guixian Ma, Limin Wang, Yuhu Zhang, Kun Nie, Lijuan Wang
Summary: Parkinson's disease is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons and the accumulation of misfolded alpha-synuclein protein in Lewy bodies. In addition to motor impairment, cognitive impairment is also commonly observed in Parkinson's disease. This study reveals a close association between brain microvasculature damage and cognitive impairment. It demonstrates that vascular damage exacerbates the abnormal accumulation of alpha-synuclein protein and neuronal apoptosis.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Hanxu Zhang, Shuang Zhou, Minxue Sun, Manqi Hua, Zhiyan Liu, Guangyan Mu, Zhe Wang, Qian Xiang, Yimin Cui
Summary: The review discusses the role of ferroptosis in endothelial cells in vascular diseases and explores potential therapeutic strategies for treating ferroptosis.
Article
Cell Biology
Kun Zhang, Ning Wu, Jing Cen, Jie Li, Zhen Wang, Qiang Xia, Lijian Hui
Summary: Ex vivo gene manipulation in human hepatocytes is a promising therapeutic strategy for inherited liver diseases. In this study, proliferating human hepatocytes (ProliHHs) were shown to be highly susceptible to lentivirus-mediated genetic modification and maintained cellular phenotypes after lentiviral infection. Transplantation of F8-modified ProliHHs into immunocompromised haemophilia A mice resulted in effective repopulation of the mouse liver and therapeutic benefits in mouse models, with no genotoxicity detected through lentiviral integration site analysis.
CELL PROLIFERATION
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Charisse Kuo, Colin R. Green, Ilva D. Rupenthal, Odunayo O. Mugisho
ACTA DIABETOLOGICA
(2020)
Article
Cell Biology
Gareth W. Price, Christos E. Chadjichristos, Panagiotis Kawadas, Sydney C. W. Tang, Wai Han Yiu, Colin R. Green, Joe A. Potter, Eleftherios Siamantouras, Paul E. Squires, Claire E. Hills
CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2020)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Lisa A. Feldman, Shewta Haldankar, Simon J. O'Carroll, Karen Liu, Barbara Fackelmeier, William C. Broaddus, Tony Anene-Maidoh, Colin R. Green, Joel R. Garbow, Jian Guan
JOURNAL OF NEUROPATHOLOGY AND EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2020)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Frazer P. Coutinho, Colin R. Green, Monica L. Acosta, Ilva D. Rupenthal
DRUG DELIVERY AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jingshu Xu, Stefano Patassini, Paul Begley, Stephanie Church, Henry J. Waldvogel, Richard L. M. Faull, Richard D. Unwin, Garth J. S. Cooper
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Article
Cell Biology
Louise Nugent, Boatemaa Ofori-Frimpong, Patricia E. Martin, Colin R. Green, Catherine S. Wright
Summary: The study revealed that Cx31.1 expression is increased under diabetic conditions and is correlated with levels of apoptosis. Additionally, Cx31.1 plays a regulatory role in the wound healing process.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Panzao Yang, Joanne O. Davidson, Tania M. Fowke, Robert Galinsky, Guido Wassink, Rashika N. Karunasinghe, Jaya D. Prasad, Sumudu Ranasinghe, Colin R. Green, Laura Bennet, Alistair J. Gunn, Justin M. Dean
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Ophthalmology
Henry H. Louie, Avik Shome, Charisse Y. J. Kuo, Ilva D. Rupenthal, Colin R. Green, Odunayo O. Mugisho
Summary: Recent research has shown that connexin43 hemichannel blockers can inhibit activation of the inflammasome pathway in diabetic retinopathy. The development of an ex vivo human retinal organotypic culture model provides a more accurate representation of the inflammatory process in diabetic retinopathy, supporting the potential use of connexin43 hemichannel blockers as new therapies for the disease.
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Heather Lyon, Avik Shome, Ilva D. Rupenthal, Colin R. Green, Odunayo O. Mugisho
Summary: The study demonstrated that tonabersat can inhibit inflammasome activation and proinflammatory cytokine release in diabetic retinopathy, showing potential for reducing inflammation in this condition.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mohd N. Mat Nor, Ilva D. Rupenthal, Colin R. Green, Monica L. Acosta
Summary: This study investigated the effects of using the retinal therapeutic drugs probenecid and tonabersat in light-damaged rat retinas. Results showed that tonabersat alone was more effective than probenecid, and probenecid did not enhance the therapeutic effect of connexin hemichannel block in this model.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joe A. Potter, Gareth W. Price, Chelsy L. Cliff, Colin R. Green, Paul E. Squires, Claire E. Hills
Summary: Chronic Kidney Disease is associated with inflammation and fibrosis, in this study, collagen I is shown to regulate cell function through connexin-43 hemichannel-mediated ATP release, emphasizing its role in renal disease.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Heather Lyon, Naibo Yin, Ilva D. Rupenthal, Colin R. Green, Odunayo O. Mugisho
Summary: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in various chronic conditions, including retinal diseases. Blocking connexin43 (Cx43) hemichannels can protect against retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) BRB breakdown and attenuate EMT.
CELL BIOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Jie Zhang, Colin R. Green, Odunayo O. Mugisho
Summary: Cell transdifferentiation involves the conversion of one cell type to another without passing through a pluripotent cell state, and includes processes such as epithelial- and endothelial-mesenchymal transition. These processes can occur during embryonic development and wound healing, but can also be pathological. The role of connexins in these processes in the eye and related diseases suggests potential for therapeutic intervention.
EXPERIMENTAL CELL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Christine J. Arasaratnam, Jennifer J. Song, Tomoko Yoshida, Maurice A. Curtis, Ann M. Graybiel, Richard L. M. Faull, Henry J. Waldvogel
Summary: The dorsal striatum is a central node of the basal ganglia, which is involved in mood and movement regulation. It connects the neocortex and thalamus with circuits that modulate these functions. Striatal projection neurons, including D1-type and D2-type dopamine receptors, form the direct and indirect output systems of the basal ganglia. Within the striatum, there is a compartmental organization with striosomes embedded within a larger striatal matrix. DARPP-32, a key signaling molecule, is highly concentrated in striosomes in the dorsal human striatum.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Monica L. Acosta, Mohd N. Mat Nor, Cindy X. Guo, Odunayo O. Mugisho, Frazer P. Coutinho, Ilva D. Rupenthal, Colin R. Green
Summary: Compounds that block the function of connexin and pannexin protein channels have shown potential as valuable therapeutics for diseases, but the current literature on their molecular effects on tissues is inconclusive. This review discusses the distinct physiological and pathological implications of blocking different channel types, as well as the contribution of connexins and pannexins to excessive ATP release linked to disease onset and progression.
NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH
(2021)