Fgf10 dosage is critical for the amplification of epithelial cell progenitors and for the formation of multiple mesenchymal lineages during lung development

The key role played by Fgf10 during early lung development is clearly illustrated in Fgf10 knockout mice, which exhibit lung agenesis. However, Fgf10 is continuously expressed throughout lung development suggesting extended as well as additional roles for FGF10 at later stages of lung organogenesis. We previously reported that the enhancer trap Mlcv1v-nLacZ-24 transgenic mouse strain functions as a reporter for Fgf10 expression and displays decreased endogenous Fgf10 expression. In this paper, we have generated an allelic series to determine the impact of Fgf10 dosage on lung development. We report that 80% of the newborn Fgf10 hypomorphic mice die within 24 h of birth due to respiratory failure. These mutant mouse lungs display severe hypoplasia, dilation of the distal airways and large hemorrhagic areas. Epithelial differentiation and proliferation studies indicate a specific decrease in TTF1 and SP-B expressing cells correlating with reduced epithelial cell proliferation and associated with a decrease in activation of the canonical Wnt signaling in the epithelium. Analysis of vascular development shows a reduction in PECAM expression at E14.5, which is associated with a simplification of the vascular tree at E18.5. We also show a decrease in α-SMA expression in the respiratory airway suggesting defective smooth muscle cell formation. At the molecular level, these defects are associated with decrease in Vegfa and Pdgfa expression likely resulting from the decrease of the epithelial/mesenchymal ratio in the Fgf10 hypomorphic lungs. Thus, our results indicate that FGF10 plays a pivotal role in maintaining epithelial progenitor cell proliferation as well as coordinating alveolar smooth muscle cell formation and vascular development.     

A biochemically semi-detailed model of auxin-mediated vein formation in plant leaves

We present here a model intended to capture the biochemistry of vein formation in plant leaves. The model consists of three modules. Two of these modules, those describing auxin signaling and transport in plant cells, are biochemically detailed. We couple these modules to a simple model for PIN (auxin efflux carrier) protein localization based on an extracellular auxin sensor. We study the single-cell responses of this combined model in order to verify proper functioning of the modeled biochemical network. We then assemble a multicellular model from the single-cell building blocks. We find that the model can, under some conditions, generate files of polarized cells, but not true veins.     

多孔自凝固磷酸钙/纤维蛋白1：1比例血管化的分析研究

目的：观察复合纤维蛋白的多孔自凝固磷酸钙的理学性能及体内血管化情况,探讨其各组份对材料生物学特性的影响,为其临床应用提供实验数据。方法：1）采用凝固时间测定和电镜观察材料表面和断面等方法对复合支架材料构造和理学性能进行分析;2）将24只新西兰白兔随机分为3组,每组8只,分别在每只实验兔腰背筋膜下植入1：1、CPC两种比例材料各一枚。术后2、4、8周进行取材,对材料及其周围组织进行组织学观察、微血管情况定量分析。结果：1）CPC/FG复合支架材料以1：1（g/ml）混合后,与单纯的CPC相比,初凝时间延长,而终凝时间没有明显的统计学差异;电镜观察发现多孔自凝固磷酸钙复合了纤维蛋白胶之后,纤维蛋白胶分布均匀贯穿多孔自凝固磷酸钙晶体之间,并将其紧密相连;2）术后2周材料外周可见幼稚的微血管。1：1组高于CPC组（P〈0.05）。4周微血管密度达到高峰,相对于2周时有明显差异。1：1组高于CPC组（P〈0.05）。8周时微血管密度相对4周没有显著差异。各组微血管密度与4周时没有明显变化（P〉0.05）。结论：复合支架材料具有合适的凝固时间和较好的结构,纤维蛋白胶及其降解产物影响复合材料在体内的微血管密度,使复合材料血管化能力提高,其可作为细胞载体和骨缺损修复支架材料应用于临床和实验中。     

A comparative study on the innervation and the vascularization of the bulbus arteriosus in teleost fish

Summary The structure of the bulbus arteriosus of a wide range of teleost fish is described with particular reference to the vascularization and innervation. The adventitia of the organ consists of blood vessels and large nerve bundles in a collagen matrix. The nerve bundles contain monoamines, and fluorescence studies show small terminal bundles penetrating the muscular media; this is confirmed by electron microscopy. The media consists of an extensive elastic tissue matrix with a spiral arrangement of smooth muscle cells joined end to end by desmosomes and presumed electrotonic junctions. The muscle cells are innervated only at the adventitia/media boundary and the significance of this innervation is discussed. It is proposed that there is a correlation between the degree of vascularization and innervation and the activity of a particular species offish.     

内皮克隆形成细胞的研究进展和应用前景

内皮克隆形成细胞(endothelial colony-forming cells, ECFCs)是内皮祖细胞(endothelial progenitor cells, EPCs)的一种亚型,具有高度增殖、克隆形成和裸鼠体内血管形成的能力,在维持血管稳态方面发挥着重要作用。ECFCs的来源很广,包括外周血、脐血、骨髓、血管壁,以及人诱导的多功能干细胞(human-induced pluripotent stem cells, hiPSCs),其中研究较为深入的是外周血ECFCs(PB-ECFCs)和脐血ECFCs(CB-ECFCs)。在此,我们将简要介绍ECFCs功能障碍与疾病的相关性,总结ECFCs在缺血损伤、组织工程以及肿瘤治疗领域的基础研究进展和应用前景,最后对小鼠体内研究的局限性以及细胞体外培养条件改良等问题进行探讨。     

Equilibrium model of a vascularized spherical carcinoma with central necrosis — Some properties of the solution

Properties of the solutions of a nonlinear time-independent diffusion equation are studied. The equation arises in a model of a spherically symmetric vascularized carcinoma with a central necrotic core. The boundary value problem as posed possesses a constant solution when the nutrient consumption rate and deposition rate (from the vascular network) are equal. This solution can lose uniqueness at a critical tumor dimension which corresponds to the onset of instability with respect to deviations from that uniform equilibrium state.     

Prostaglandin-mediated effects in early canine corpus luteum: In vivo effects on vascular and immune factors

Prostaglandins (PGs) are important regulators of the early corpus luteum (CL) in the dog. Whereas, initially, CL is gonadotropin independent, in the second half of its lifespan, hypophyseal support is required. The transition period is marked by decreased availability of PGs, in particular of PGE2. We previously reported that inhibition of COX2/PTGS2 in vivo suppressed luteal production of PGE2, lowered circulating progesterone and negatively affected luteal development. Therefore, bitches were treated with a COX2-specific blocker, firocoxib, for 5, 10, 20 and 30 days after ovulation, leading to suppression of the steroidogenic machinery. Control groups received a placebo for the same periods. Considering the wide range of possible modulatory roles of PGs shown in different organ systems, this follow-up project aimed to understand further possible PG-mediated effects in early canine CL. Thirty-four (34) factors related predominantly to vascularization and immune response were screened (mRNAs and proteins) on samples from the above described in vivo study. Most of the effects were observed during the transitional period (days 20 and 30). The inhibition of COX2 diminished the expression of angiopoietin family members ANGPT1, -2, Tie1 and -2 receptors. The expression of endothelin (ET)-1 was increased. Concerning the immune system, increased expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL1β, IL6 and IL12a, and elevated expression levels of CD4, was observed. Cumulatively, besides its involvement in regulating steroidogenesis, our results indicate a broader role of PGs in the canine CL, including modulation of angiogenesis, vascular stabilization and local immunomodulation. Possible cross-species translational effects are strongly implied.     

A novel strategy for engineering vascularized grafts in vitro

Tissue engineering is an interdisciplinary field promising new therapeutic means for replacing lost or severely damaged tissues or organs. However, the fabrication of complex engineered tissues has been hampered due to the lack of vascularization to provide sufficient blood supply after implantation. In this article, we propose using rapid prototyping technology to prefabricate a scaffold with an inside hollowed vascular system including an arterial end, a venous end and capillary networks between them. The scaffold will be 'printed' layer by layer. When printing every layer, a 'low-melting point' material will be used to form a blood vessel network and a tissue-specific material will be used outside it. Hereafter the 'low-melting point' material will be evacuated by vaporization to ensure a hollowed vessel network. Then the inside hollowed capillary network can be endothelialized by using autologous endothelial cells in a cycling bioreactor while the outside material can be embedded with tissue-special cells. In the end, the new vascularized autologous grafts could be transferred to the defect site by using microsurgical techniques to connect the grafts with the host artery and vein. The strategy would facilitate construction of complex tissue engineering if the hypothesis proved to be practical.     

The vascularization and monoaminergic structures of the organon vasculosum laminae terminalis of Rana temporaria

Summary In Rana temporaria, the organon vasculosum laminae terminalis is a highly vascularized organ which contains catecholaminergic cells and nerve fibres. Its ependymal cells are characterized by the presence of typical autofluorescent cytoplasmic granules. Intraependymal vacuolar spaces are described.     

Vascularization of the pars distalis of the hypophysis in the toad,Bufo bufo (L.) (Amphibia,Anura)

Summary The vascularization of the pars distalis of the hypophysis of the toad, Bufo bufo (L.), was studied by the traditional method of injecting a mixture of India-ink and gelatine into the circulatory system of the head via the arteria carotis communis. Further, methyl-methacrylate corrosion casts of the brains were made; the hypothalamo-adenohypophysial region of these corrosion casts was studied with the scanning electron microscope. The results showed that the portal vessels which arise from the median eminence do not supply distinct areas in the pars distalis as is supposed by the point-to-point-hypothesis. The portal vessels enter the ventro-median region of the pars distalis and branch off into a three-dimensional network of the secondary capillary plexus of the pars distalis. The plexus is made up mostly by four- to six-sided meshes. This angioarchitecture guarantees an optimal supply of the glandular cells of the pars distalis with nutritional factors and releasing hormones, on the one hand, and facilitates the removal of the hormones which are released by these cells, on the other hand. The venous drainage of the pars distalis is exerted mainly by two large veins, which bilaterally leave the dorso-lateral region (venous pole) of the pars distalis and by a few small veins, which drain into the wide, sinus-like vessel, which curves around the dorso-caudal region of the pars distalis and joins bilaterally the vena hypophysea transversa.This work was supported by the Fonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung (Projekt Nr. 2183/N 39) and by the Stiftungs- und Förderungsgesellschaft der Paris-Lodron-Universität SalzburgThe authors wish to thank Mag. Ursula Albrecht for excellent technical assistance and Mr. Gerhard Sulzer for photographic work