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Sinusoidal Endothelium (sinusoidal + endothelium)
Selected AbstractsEnhanced T cell transmigration across the murine liver sinusoidal endothelium is mediated by transcytosis and surface presentation of chemokines,HEPATOLOGY, Issue 4 2008Arnhild Schrage Transmigration through the liver endothelium is a prerequisite for the homeostatic balance of intrahepatic T cells and a key regulator of inflammatory processes within the liver. Extravasation into the liver parenchyma is regulated by the distinct expression patterns of adhesion molecules and chemokines and their receptors on the lymphocyte and endothelial cell surface. In the present study, we investigated whether liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) inhibit or support the chemokine-driven transmigration and differentially influence the transmigration of pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory CD4+ T cells, indicating a mechanism of hepatic immunoregulation. Finally, the results shed light on the molecular mechanisms by which LSEC modulate chemokine-dependent transmigration. LSEC significantly enhanced the chemotactic effect of CXC-motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) and CXCL9, but not of CXCL16 or CCL20, on naive and memory CD4+ T cells of a T helper 1, T helper 2, or interleukin-10,producing phenotype. In contrast, brain and lymphatic endothelioma cells and ex vivo isolated lung endothelia inhibited chemokine-driven transmigration. As for the molecular mechanisms, chemokine-induced activation of LSEC was excluded by blockage of Gi -protein,coupled signaling and the use of knockout mice. After preincubation of CXCL12 to the basal side, LSEC took up CXCL12 and enhanced transmigration as efficiently as in the presence of the soluble chemokine. Blockage of transcytosis in LSEC significantly inhibited this effect, and this suggested that chemokines taken up from the basolateral side and presented on the luminal side of endothelial cells trigger T cell transmigration. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate a unique capacity of LSEC to present chemokines to circulating lymphocytes and highlight the importance of endothelial cells for the in vivo effects of chemokines. Chemokine presentation by LSEC could provide a future therapeutic target for inhibiting lymphocyte immigration and suppressing hepatic inflammation. (HEPATOLOGY 2008.) [source] CC531s colon carcinoma cells induce apoptosis in rat hepatic endothelial cells by the Fas/FasL-mediated pathwayLIVER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2003Katrien Vekemans Abstract The mechanisms involved in colorectal carcinoma with liver metastasis are not well known. Metastasizing colon carcinoma cells express more FasL than primary colon carcinoma cells and cancer cells induce apoptosis in hepatocytes by the Fas/FasL pathway. Therefore, this study focused on Fas/FasL expression and functionality in rat liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) and CC531s colon carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo. RT-PCR and immunochemistry revealed Fas and FasL in LSECs and CC531s, respectively. Functionality of Fas was assessed in vitro by incubation with human recombinant FasL (1,100 ng/ml) with or without enhancer. At concentrations of 10 and 100 ng/ml with enhancer, respectively 21% and 44% of endothelial cells showed signs of apoptosis using Hoechst 33342/propidium iodide staining and electron microscopy. In co-cultures, apoptosis could be detected in endothelial cells neighboring the CC531s and could be inhibited by an antagonistic FasL antibody. Moreover, 18 h after mesenteric injection of CC531s, the sinusoidal endothelium revealed disruption. In conclusion, (i) CC531s cells induce apoptosis in LSECs in vitro by using Fas/FasL; (ii) CC531s cells damage the sinusoidal endothelial lining in vivo; and (iii) this might provide FasL-positive tumor cells a gateway towards the hepatocytes. [source] ORIGINAL RESEARCH,BASIC SCIENCE: Effects of ACE Inhibition and Beta-Blockade on Female Genital Structures in Spontaneously Hypertensive RatsTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 6 2007Jorge E. Toblli MD ABSTRACT Introduction and Aim., This study evaluated the possible differences between an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and a beta-blocker concerning their potential protective role on female external genitalia in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Main Outcome Measures., Morphological changes in the clitoris after antihypertensive treatments. Methods., For 6 months, SHR received no treatment; SHR + ramipril (RAM), SHR + atenolol (AT), and control Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats received no treatment. Clitorises were processed for immunohistochemistry using anti-,-smooth muscle actin (,-SMA), anti-collagen I and III, anti-transforming growth factor ,1 (TGF,1), and anti-endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) antibodies. Results., SHR + RAM and SHR + AT presented significantly lower blood pressure in both groups vs. untreated SHR. Compared with WKY, ,-SMA was increased in the arteries and in the cavernous spaces of the clitoris together with a marked increase in wall/lumen ratio in clitoral vessels in untreated SHR. All these alterations were diminished in SHR + AT (P < 0.01). SHR + RAM presented differences with respect to SHR + AT in the reduction of these variables. TGF,1 expression in the vessel wall from the clitoris and collagen I and III deposition in the interstitium from the clitoris in untreated SHR were significantly more (P < 0.01) than in WKY. While SHR + AT showed a mild decrease in these variables, SHR + RAM presented a significant reduction (P < 0.01) in TGF,1 expression interstitial fibrosis and in both types of collagens. Positive immunostaining of eNOS in the sinusoidal endothelium from the clitoris was less (P < 0.01) in untreated SHR (3.4 ± 1.3%) and SHR + AT (5.1 ± 1.2%) than in SHR + RAM (17.2 ± 1.6%) and WKY (15.9 ± 1.7%). Untreated SHR and SHR + AT presented more surrounding connective tissue at the perineurium in the clitoris (P < 0.01) than SHR + RAM. Conclusion., ACE inhibition provided a considerable protective role on the female external genitalia structures in SHR by a mechanism that may be, at least in part, independent of the degree of blood pressure lowering. Toblli JE, Cao G, Casabé AR, and Bechara AJ. Effects of ACE inhibition and beta-blockade on female genital structures in spontaneously hypertensive rats. J Sex Med 2007;4:1593,1603. [source] Post-transplant reactivation of hepatitis C virus: lymphocyte infiltration and the expression of adhesion molecules and their ligands in liver allografts,APMIS, Issue 4 2006KATRI LIPSON Hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence after liver transplantation has been associated with chronic rejection. Biopsies from 10 patients with post-transplant HCV were examined for expression of adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and ELAM-1, number of lymphocytes positive for their ligands LFA-1, VLA-4, and SLeX, and activation markers MHC class II antigens and IL2-R by immunohistochemistry. The phenotypes of the graft-infiltrating lymphocytes were determined. Results were compared to those for patients with normal graft function or rejection. Five recipients with HCV reactivation and one with de novo HCV had a biopsy available showing induction of ICAM-1 in sinusoidal endothelium (p<0.05) and hepatocytes (p<0.01), and Class II antigens in hepatocytes (p<0.01), compared to normal controls. Lymphocytes in the graft infiltrate expressed LFA-1, VLA-4, and Class II antigens, but IL2-R was not significantly expressed. CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ cells were observed. In our study, HCV recurrence was not associated with acute or chronic rejection, and the inflammation was due to the viral infection. [source] |