Search results for " Collagen"

"RKKH" peptides from the snake venom metalloproteinase of Bothrops jararaca bind near the metal ion-dependent adhesion site of the human integrin alp…

1999

Integrin alpha(1)beta(1) and alpha(2)beta(1) are the major cellular receptors for collagen, and collagens bind to these integrins at the inserted I-domain in their alpha subunit. We have previously shown that a cyclic peptide derived from the metalloproteinase domain of the snake venom protein jararhagin blocks the collagen-binding function of the alpha(2) I-domain. Here, we have optimized the structure of the peptide and identified the site where the peptide binds to the alpha(2) I-domain. The peptide sequence Arg-Lys-Lys-His is critical for recognition by the I-domain, and five negatively charged residues surrounding the "metal ion-dependent adhesion site" (MIDAS) of the I-domain, when mu…

Silica as a morphogenetically active inorganic polymer.

2013

At present the scaffolds used for bioprinting of cells do not elicit morphogenetic responses in the cells. In the present study we approached a solution by studying the effect of an inorganic silica supplement added to an Na-alginate matrix. Bone- and osteoblast-like SaOS-2 cells were embedded into this organic polymeric matrix which was additionally enriched with 400 μM prehydrolyzed TEOS [tetra-ethoxy-silane], a source of ortho-silicate. In this silica-based matrix the cells synthesized hydroxyapatite crystallites after exposure to a mineralization activation cocktail composed of β-glycerophosphate, ascorbic acid and dexamethasone. The degree of hydroxyapatite synthesis, determined by sta…

FACIT collagen (1alpha-chain) is expressed by hemocytes and epidermis during the inflammatory response of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis

2008

Based on previous cloning and sequencing study, real-time PCR and in situ hybridization assays of the inflamed body wall of LPS-injected Ciona intestinalis showed the enhanced gene expression of a collagen with FACIT structural features (Ci-type IX-Col 1a-chain). By using specific antibodies raised against an opportunely chosen Ci-type IX-Col synthetic peptide, the fibroblast property of hemocytes challenged in vitro with LPS (at 4 h) was displayed by flow cytometry, while immunocytochemistry identified hemocytes with large granules (morula cells) as collagen-producing cells. Hemocyte lysate supernatant analyzed in immunoblotting contained a 60 kDa band identifiable as 1a-chain-Ci-type IX-C…

Human nasoseptal chondrocytes maintain their differentiated phenotype on PLLA scaffolds produced by thermally induced phase separation and supplement…

2018

Damage of hyaline cartilage such as nasoseptal cartilage requires proper reconstruction, which remains challenging due to its low intrinsic repair capacity. Implantation of autologous chondrocytes in combination with a biomimetic biomaterial represents a promising strategy to support cartilage repair. Despite so far mostly tested for bone tissue engineering, bioactive glass (BG) could exert stimulatory effects on chondrogenesis. The aim of this work was to produce and characterize composite porous poly(L-lactide) (PLLA)/1393BG scaffolds via thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) technique and assess their effects on chondrogenesis of nasoseptal chondrocytes. The PLLA scaffolds without or…

Advanced microscopy analysis of the micro-nanoscale architecture of human menisci

2019

AbstractThe complex inhomogeneous architecture of the human meniscal tissue at the micro and nano scale in the absence of artefacts introduced by sample treatments has not yet been fully revealed. The knowledge of the internal structure organization is essential to understand the mechanical functionality of the meniscus and its relationship with the tissue’s complex structure. In this work, we investigated human meniscal tissue structure using up-to-date non-invasive imaging techniques, based on multiphoton fluorescence and quantitative second harmonic generation microscopy complemented with Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy measurements. Observations on 50 meniscal samples extract…

A combined dietary approach using isotope and dental buccal-microwear analysis of human remains from the Neolithic, Roman and Medieval periods from t…

2016

Stable isotope and dental-microwear analysis are methods commonly used to reconstruct dietary habits in modern and ancient human populations. However, it is rare that they are both used together in the same study, and here both methods are combined to obtain information on human dietary habits from the site of Tossal de les Basses (Alicante, Spain) through time. Middle Neolithic, Late Roman and Medieval (Islamic) individuals have been analyzed for carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios of bone collagen, as well as for buccal-dental microwear. Overall, δ13C and δ15N isotopic values show that for all periods the diet was mainly based on C3 terrestrial resources. However, the isotopic signa…

Effect of collagen substrates on proteomic modulation of breast cancer cells

2004

We have previously described the occurrence, in breast and colon cancer extra-cellular matrix, of an oncofoetal form of collagen, OF/LB, able to induce an increase in cell proliferation and motility in the breast cancer cell line 8701-BC. It also caused an increased amount of type V collagen which appears to exert an anti-proliferative effect on the same cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate, at the proteomic level, the effect of OF/LB and type V collagens used as substrates for neoplastic cell growth. Due to the complexity of a whole proteomic profile, a subset of significant protein classes was used to assess variations in protein expression levels. For this study we adop…

Evidence for auto-reactivity against the collectins, SP-A and MBL, in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fluids: Lack of cross-reactivity with C1q or type…

1997

A novel approach to fully characterize fiber network morphology of planar fibrous tissues and scaffolds

2010

Understanding how scaffold structure influences cell morphology, metabolism, phenotypic expression, and predicting mechanical behaviors have increasingly become crucial goals in the development of engineered tissue scaffolds. A novel image-based analysis algorithm that provides an automatic tool to characterize engineered tissue fiber network topology is presented. Micro architectural descriptors that unambiguously define the fiber network topology were detected, which include fiber orientation distribution, connectivity, intersection spatial density, and diameter. Algorithm performance was tested using actual sample scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of (1) electrospun poly(ester ur…

Impact of single-dose application of TGF-β, copper peptide, stanozolol and ascorbic acid in hydrogel on midline laparatomy wound healing in a diabeti…

2012

Despite numerous advances and improvements in surgical techniques the incidence of incisional hernias after laparotomy remains high. The aim of this study was to investigate possible effects of single application of ascorbic acid, stanozolol, a synthetic anabolic steroid, copper peptide and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) on laparotomy wound healing in an incisional wound model in diabetic mice. After diabetes induction with streptozotozin in Balb-c mice, midline laparatomies were carried out. Closure of the linea alba was followed by single-dose application of the agents dissolved in a hydrogel before skin closure. The functional outcome was assessed in terms of maximum tensile streng…