Adenosine infusion increases plasma levels of VEGF in humans

Background  

Many in vitro studies have shown that adenosine (Ado) can induce vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA and protein expression and stimulate endothelial proliferation. In the present study, we seek to determine whether Ado can increase circulating levels of VEGF protein in the intact human.     

Obstructive apneas induce early activation of mesenchymal stem cells and enhancement of endothelial wound healing

Background

The aim was to test the hypothesis that the blood serum of rats subjected to recurrent airway obstructions mimicking obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) induces early activation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and enhancement of endothelial wound healing.

Methods

We studied 30 control rats and 30 rats subjected to recurrent obstructive apneas (60 per hour, lasting 15 s each, for 5 h). The migration induced in MSC by apneic serum was measured by transwell assays. MSC-endothelial adhesion induced by apneic serum was assessed by incubating fluorescent-labelled MSC on monolayers of cultured endothelial cells from rat aorta. A wound healing assay was used to investigate the effect of apneic serum on endothelial repair.

Results

Apneic serum showed significant increase in chemotaxis in MSC when compared with control serum: the normalized chemotaxis indices were 2.20 ± 0.58 (m ± SE) and 1.00 ± 0.26, respectively (p < 0.05). MSC adhesion to endothelial cells was greater (1.75 ± 0.14 -fold; p < 0.01) in apneic serum than in control serum. When compared with control serum, apneic serum significantly increased endothelial wound healing (2.01 ± 0.24 -fold; p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The early increases induced by recurrent obstructive apneas in MSC migration, adhesion and endothelial repair suggest that these mechanisms play a role in the physiological response to the challenges associated to OSA.

     

Endothelial cells influence the osteogenic potential of bone marrow stromal cells

Background  

Improved understanding of the interactions between bone cells and endothelial cells involved in osteogenesis should aid the development of new strategies for bone tissue engineering. The aim of the present study was to determine whether direct communication between bone marrow stromal cells (MSC) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (EC) could influence the osteogenic potential of MSC in osteogenic factor-free medium.     

Tumor necrosis factor-α enhances hyperbaric oxygen-induced visfatin expression via JNK pathway in human coronary arterial endothelial cells

Background  

Visfatin, a adipocytokine with insulin-mimetic effect, plays a role in endothelial angiogenesis. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) has been used in medical practice. However, the molecular mechanism of beneficial effects of HBO is poorly understood. We sought to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of regulation of visfatin by HBO in human coronary arterial endothelial cells (CAECs).     

Increased NO bioavailability in aging male rats by genistein and exercise training: using 4, 5-diaminofluorescein diacetate

Background  

Several kinds of anti-oxidants have drawn a lot of intension for their benefits on vascular protection. In addition, it has been demonstrated that exercise training could improve endothelial function by up-regulating endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) protein. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the effects of genistein, a potent phyto-antioxidant, and exercise training on age-induced endothelial dysfunction in relation to NO bioavailability using in situ NO-sensitive fluorescent dye detection.     

Small artery elasticity is decreased in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus without increased intima media thickness

Introduction  

The objectives of this study were to determine small arterial elasticity (SAE) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to investigate its relationship with intima media thickness (IMT), accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), endothelial activation and inflammation.     

Intravenous administration of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor humanized monoclonal antibody bevacizumab improves articular cartilage repair

Introduction  

In this study, we investigate the efficacy of repairing an osteochondral defect in rabbit knee joints by administering bevacizumab, a humanized monoclonal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibody.     

Characterization of bovine immortalized luteal endothelial cells: action of cytokines on production and content of arachidonic acid metabolites

Background  

The interactions between luteal, vascular endothelial, immune cells and its products: steroids, peptide hormones, prostaglandins (PGs), growth factors and cytokines play a pivotal role in the regulation of corpus luteum (CL) function. Luteal endothelial cells undergo many dynamic morphological changes and their action is regulated by cytokines. The aims are: (1) to establish in vitro model for bovine luteal endothelial cells examination; (2) to study the effect of cytokines: tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and interferon gamma (IFNgamma) on cell viability, leukotrienes (LTs) and PG synthases, and endothelin-1 (EDN-1) mRNA, protein expression and their secretion in bovine immortalized luteal endothelial (EnCL-1) cells.     

Gene expression profiling in circulating endothelial cells from systemic sclerosis patients shows an altered control of apoptosis and angiogenesis that is modified by iloprost infusion

Introduction  

Circulating endothelial cells are increased in patients affected by systemic sclerosis (SSc) and their number strongly correlates with vascular damage. The effects of iloprost in systemic sclerosis are only partially known. We aimed at studying the gene expression profile of circulating endothelial cells and the effects of iloprost infusion and gene expression in patients with systemic sclerosis.     

Endothelial cell markers reflecting endothelial cell dysfunction in patients with mixed connective tissue disease

Introduction  

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between cardiovascular risk factors and endothelial dysfunction in patients with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) and to determine which biomarkers are associated with atherosclerotic complications, such as cardiovascular disease.     

The association between microvascular and macrovascular endothelial function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional study

Introduction  

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). One of the earliest manifestations of CVD is endothelial dysfunction (ED). ED can occur in both the microcirculation and the macrocirculation, and these manifestations might be relatively independent of each other. Little is known about the association between endothelial function in the microcirculation and the macrocirculation in RA. The objectives of the present study were to examine the relationship between microvascular and macrovascular endothelial function in patients with RA.     

Advanced glycation endproducts are increased in rheumatoid arthritis patients with controlled disease

Introduction  

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are produced and can accumulate during chronic inflammation, as might be present in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). AGEs are involved in the development of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether AGEs are increased in patients with long-standing RA and whether AGE accumulation is related to disease activity, disease severity and measures of (premature) atherosclerosis, such as endothelial activation, endothelial dysfunction and intima media thickness (IMT).     

Adiponectin may contribute to synovitis and joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis by stimulating vascular endothelial growth factor, matrix metalloproteinase-1, and matrix metalloproteinase-13 expression in fibroblast-like synoviocytes more than proinflammatory mediators

Introduction  

The role of adiponectin in the pathogenesis of arthritis is still controversial. This study was performed to examine whether adiponectin is involved in joint inflammation and destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in relation to the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).     

Fas induces apoptosis in human coronary artery endothelial cells in vitro

Background  

Published work suggests that some types of endothelial cells undergo apoptosis in response to ligation of the receptor Fas (CD95, APO1) but other types are resistant. Because heterogeneity among endothelial cells from different tissues, has been demonstrated, the purpose of this study was to determine, if Fas ligation and/or activation by human Fas ligand induces apoptosis and caspase activities, in cultured human coronary artery endothelial cells, and the differences between TNF-a and FAS induced apoptosis in these cells.     

Effect of cAMP derivates on assembly and maintenance of tight junctions in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Background  

Endothelial tight and adherens junctions control a variety of physiological processes like adhesion, paracellular transport of solutes or trafficking of activated leukocytes. Formation and maintenance of endothelial junctions largely depend on the microenvironment of the specific vascular bed and on interactions of the endothelium with adjacent cell types. Consequently, primary cultures of endothelial cells often lose their specific junctional pattern and fail to establish tight monolayer in vitro. This is also true for endothelial cells isolated from the vein of human umbilical cords (HUVEC) which are widely used as model for endothelial cell-related studies.     

Non-viral eNOS gene delivery and transfection with stents for the treatment of restenosis

Background  

In this study, we have examined local non-viral gene delivery, transfection, and therapeutic efficacy of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) encoding plasmid DNA administered using coated stents in a rabbit iliac artery restenosis model.     

Decrease of PECAM-1-gene-expression induced by proinflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and IFN-α is reversed by TGF-β in sinusoidal endothelial cells and hepatic mononuclear phagocytes

Background and aim  

The mechanisms of transmigration of inflammatory cells through the sinusoids are still poorly understood. This study aims to identify in vitro conditions (cytokine treatment) which may allow a better understanding of the changes in PECAM (platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule)-1-gene-expression observed in vivo.     

Iterleukin 1 alpha is a marker of endothelial cellular senescent

Background  

The functional changes associated with endothelial senescence may be involved in human aging and age-related vascular disorders. Since the inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL-)1 inhibits endothelial growth, we evaluated the expression of IL-1α, IL-1β and their antagonist, the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), in endothelial in vitro senescence and quiescence. We also examined the expression of IL-1α in human senescent and progeric fibroblasts.     

Angiopoietin-1 is associated with cerebral vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia in subarachnoid hemorrhage

Background  

Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and -2 (Ang-2) are keyplayers in the regulation of endothelial homeostasis and vascular proliferation. Angiopoietins may play an important role in the pathophysiology of cerebral vasospasm (CVS). Ang-1 and Ang-2 have not been investigated in this regard so far.