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Soluble Molecules (soluble + molecule)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	60%

Selected Abstracts

Neural cell adhesion molecule stimulates survival of premyelinating oligodendrocytes via the fibroblast growth factor receptor

JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH, Issue 15 2009
Anne L. Palser
Abstract Axonal signals are critical in promoting the survival and maturation of oligodendrocytes during myelination, with contact-dependent signals thought to play a key role. However, the exact nature of these signals remains unclear. Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) is expressed by both axons and oligodendrocytes and is ideally localized to transduce signals from the axon. This study sought to investigate the influence of NCAM on premyelinating oligodendrocytes in vitro. Both a soluble molecule comprising the extracellular domain of NCAM and a peptide derived from the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) binding motif within the first fibronectin domain stimulated a dose-dependent increase in survival of premyelinating oligodendrocytes in vitro. The survival effect was blocked by a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor and an FGFR inhibitor, suggesting that activation of MAPK signalling pathways following interaction with the FGFR is involved in the survival effect of NCAM. Furthermore, NCAM presented in a cellular monolayer induced an increase in radial process outgrowth of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. These data suggest that NCAM may play a role in axon,oligodendrocyte signalling during myelination, leading to an increase in oligodendrocyte survival and process outgrowth following axonal contact. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Co-Cultures of Primary Cells on Self-Supporting Nanoporous Alumina Membranes,

ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 7 2010
Andreas Hoess
Due to their unique properties, self-supporting nanoporous aluminum oxide (alumina) membranes are useful substrates for the indirect co-cultivation of cells. The membrane can act as a physical barrier between different cell types, whereas the cell-to-cell communication is guaranteed by the diffusion of soluble molecules or factors through the pores. With the help of such membranes the mRNA expression of hepatic genes can be induced in human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hASCs) during an indirect co-cultivation with primary mouse hepatocytes under different culture conditions. This proof of concept shows that such a cultivation approach is beneficial for different issues in the field tissue engineering or cell therapy. [source]

Regenerative medicine in dermatology: biomaterials, tissue engineering, stem cells, gene transfer and beyond

EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 8 2010
Christina Dieckmann
Please cite this paper as: Regenerative medicine in dermatology: biomaterials, tissue engineering, stem cells, gene transfer and beyond. Experimental Dermatology 2010; 19: 697,706. Abstract:, The term ,regenerative medicine' refers to a new and expanding field in biomedical research that focuses on the development of innovative therapies allowing the body to replace, restore and regenerate damaged or diseased cells, tissues and organs. It combines several technological approaches including the use of soluble molecules, biomaterials, tissue engineering, gene therapy, stem cell transplantation and the reprogramming of cell and tissue types. Because of its easy accessibility, skin is becoming an attractive model organ for regenerative medicine. Here, we review recent developments in regenerative medicine and their potential relevance for dermatology with a particular emphasis on biomaterials, tissue engineering, skin substitutes and stem cell-based therapies for skin reconstitution in patients suffering from chronic wounds and extensive burns. [source]

Roles of oxidized low-density lipoprotein and its receptors in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic diseases

GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2002
Noriaki Kume
In elderly populations, atherosclerotic diseases, including ischemic heart disease and stroke, frequently impair quality of life and affect mortality. Hypercholesterolemia, especially increased plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL), is one of the strongest risk factors for atheroscletorotic diseases. Oxidative modification of LDL appears to convert LDL particles to more atherogenic forms. Scavenger receptor class A (SR-A) and CD36 have been identified and well-characerized as receptors for Ox-LDL in macrophages. In addition to these molecules, lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor (LOX)-1 and scavenger receptor for phosphatidylserine and oxidized lipoprotein (SR-PSOX) are type II and I membrane glycoproteins, respectively, both of which can act as cell-surface endocytosis receptors for atherogenic oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL). LOX-1 expression can dynamically be induced by pro-inflammatory stimuli, and is detectable in cultured macrophages and activated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), in addition to endothelial cells. LOX-1-dependent uptake of Ox-LDL induces apoptosis of cultured VSMC. In vivo, endothelial cells that cover early atherosclerotic lesions, and intimal macrophages and VSMC in advanced atherosclerotic plaques dominantly express LOX-1. LOX-1 expressed on the cell-surface can be cleaved in part and released as soluble molecules, suggesting the diagnostic value of soluble LOX-1. SR-PSOX is a newly identified receptor for Ox-LDL, which appears to be identical to CXCL16, a novel membrane-anchored chemokine directed to CXCR6-positive lymphocytes. In contrast to LOX-1, which is expressed by a variety of cell types, SR-PSOX expression appeared relatively confined to macrophages in atherogenesis. Taken together, oxidized LDL receptors, including LOX-1 and SR-PSOX, may play important roles in atherogenesis and atherosclerotic plaque rupture. [source]

Differential expression of miRNAs in the visceral adipose tissue of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 3 2010
M. Estep
Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 487,497 Summary Background, Progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can be facilitated by soluble molecules secreted by visceral adipose tissue (VAT). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are likely to regulate some of these molecular pathways involved in pathogenesis of NAFLD. Aim, To profile miRNA expression in the visceral adipose tissue of patients with NAFLD. Methods, Visceral adipose tissue samples were collected from NAFLD patients and frozen. Patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD were divided into non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) (n = 12) and non-NASH (n = 12) cohorts controlled for clinical and demographic characteristics. Extracted total RNA was profiled using TaqMan Human MicroRNA arrays. Univariate Mann,Whitney comparisons and multivariate regression analysis were performed to compare miRNA profiles. Results, A total of 113 miRNA differentially expressed between NASH patients and non-NASH patients (P < 0.05). Of these, seven remained significant after multiple test correction (hsa-miR-132, hsa-miR-150, hsa-miR-433, hsa-miR-28-3p, hsa-miR-511, hsa-miR-517a, hsa-miR-671). Predicted target genes for these miRNAs include insulin receptor pathway components (IGF1, IGFR13), cytokines (CCL3, IL6), ghrelin/obestatin gene, and inflammation-related genes (NFKB1, RELB, FAS). In addition, two miRNA species, hsa-miR-197 and hsa-miR-99, were significantly associated with pericellular fibrosis in NASH patients (P < 0.05). Levels of IL-6 in the serum negatively correlated with the expression levels of all seven miRNAs capable of down regulating IL-6 encoding gene. Conclusions, miRNA expression from VAT may contribute to the pathogenesis of NAFLD , a finding which may distinguish relatively simple steatosis from NASH. This could help identify potential targets for pharmacological treatment regimens and candidate biomarkers for NASH. [source]