Search results for " AD"
showing 10 items of 18632 documents
Bifunctional Hydrogels Containing the Laminin Motif IKVAV Promote Neurogenesis
2017
Summary Engineering of biomaterials with specific biological properties has gained momentum as a means to control stem cell behavior. Here, we address the effect of bifunctionalized hydrogels comprising polylysine (PL) and a 19-mer peptide containing the laminin motif IKVAV (IKVAV) on embryonic and adult neuronal progenitor cells under different stiffness regimes. Neuronal differentiation of embryonic and adult neural progenitors was accelerated by adjusting the gel stiffness to 2 kPa and 20 kPa, respectively. While gels containing IKVAV or PL alone failed to support long-term cell adhesion, in bifunctional gels, IKVAV synergized with PL to promote differentiation and formation of focal adh…
E-Cadherin is Dispensable to Maintain Langerhans Cells in the Epidermis.
2019
The cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin is a major component of adherens junctions and marks Langerhans cells (LC), the only dendritic cell (DC) population of the epidermis. LC form a dense network and attach themselves to the surrounding keratinocytes via homophilic E-cadherin binding. LC activation, mobilization, and migration require a reduction in LC E-cadherin expression. To determine whether E-cadherin plays a role in regulating LC homeostasis and function, we generated CD11c-specific E-cadherin knockout mice (CD11c-Ecaddel). In the absence of E-cadherin−mediated cell adhesion, LC numbers remained stable and similar as in control mice, even in aged animals. Intriguingly, E-cadherin−defi…
Differentiation and characterization of rat adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells into endothelial-like cells
2018
In this study, mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from rat adipose tissue (AD-MSCs) to characterize and differentiate them into endothelial-like cells. AD-MSCs were isolated by mechanical and enzymatic treatments, and their identity was verified by colony-forming units (CFU) test and by differentiation into cells of mesodermal lineages. The endothelial differentiation was induced by plating another aliquot of cells in EGM-2 medium, enriched with specific endothelial growth factors. Five subcultures were performed. The expression of stemness genes (OCT4, SOX2 and NANOG) was investigated. The presence of CD90 and the absence of the CD45 were evaluated by flow cytometry. The endothelial-like…
FLT3 Ligand as a Molecular Adjuvant for Naked RNA Vaccines
2016
Intranodal immunization with antigen-encoding naked mRNA has proven to be an efficacious and safe approach to induce antitumor immunity. Thanks to its unique characteristics, mRNA can act not only as a source for antigen but also as an adjuvant for activation of the immune system. The search for additional adjuvants that can be combined with mRNA to further improve the potency of the immunization revealed Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) ligand as a potent candidate. Systemic administration of the dendritic cell-activating FLT3 ligand prior to or along with mRNA immunization-enhanced priming and expansion of antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells in lymphoid organs, T-cell homing into melanoma tu…
Angiotensin II and leukocyte trafficking: New insights for an old vascular mediator. Role of redox-signaling pathways.
2019
Abstract Inflammation and activation of the immune system are key molecular and cellular events in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, hypertension-induced target-organ damage, and abdominal aortic aneurysm. Angiotensin II (Ang-II) is the main effector peptide hormone of the renin-angiotensin system. Beyond its role as a potent vasoconstrictor and regulator of blood pressure and fluid homeostasis, Ang-II is intimately involved in the development of vascular lesions in cardiovascular diseases through the activation of different immune cells. The migration of leukocytes from circulation to the arterial subendothelial space is a crucial immune response in le…
Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs): Biochemistry, Signaling, Analytical Methods, and Epigenetic Effects
2020
The advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are organic molecules formed in any living organisms with a great variety of structural and functional properties. They are considered organic markers of the glycation process. Due to their great heterogeneity, there is no specific test for their operational measurement. In this review, we have updated the most common chromatographic, colorimetric, spectroscopic, mass spectrometric, and serological methods, typically used for the determination of AGEs in biological samples. We have described their signaling and signal transduction mechanisms and cell epigenetic effects. Although mass spectrometric analysis is not widespread in the detection of AGEs…
Expression and Signaling of β-Adrenoceptor Subtypes in the Diabetic Heart.
2020
Diabetes is a chronic, endocrine disorder that effects millions of people worldwide. Cardiovascular complications are the major cause of diabetes-related morbidity and mortality. Cardiac β1- and β2-adrenoceptor (AR) stimulation mediates positive inotropy and chronotropy, whereas β3-AR mediates negative inotropic effect. Changes in β-AR responsiveness are thought to be an important factor that contributes to the diabetic cardiac dysfunction. Diabetes related changes in β-AR expression, signaling, and β-AR mediated cardiac function have been studied by several investigators for many years. In the present review, we have screened PubMed database to obtain relevant articles on this topic. Our s…
Biophysical and functional characterization of the human olfactory receptor OR1A1 expressed in a mammalian inducible cell line
2014
International audience; Olfactory receptors (ORs) play a crucial role in detecting the odorant molecules present in the surrounding environment. These receptors, which belong to class A G-protein-coupled receptors, constitute the largest transmembrane protein family in the human genome. Functional studies showed that the OR family includes members that are able to respond to a large set of odorants and members that are activated by a relatively small number of related odorants. To understand the molecular mechanisms that govern the receptor-ligand interactions, we overexpressed the human OR hOR1A1 in a stable tetracycline-inducible HEK293S cell line. This receptor was engineered by insertin…
Effect of high pressure on the antimicrobial activity and secondary structure of the bacteriocin nisin
2018
International audience; Effect of high pressure (HP) treatment on the antimicrobial properties and the structure of nisin was evaluated. Nisin solutions at pH 2.8 or 6.1 were treated by HP at 500 MPa – 10 min – 20 °C and their antimicrobial potency was determined. It appeared that HP clearly impacted the antimicrobial activity of nisin, with respective activity loss of 22.5% and 49.9% at pH 2.8 and 6.1. Structural analysis of nisin by circular dichroism and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopies revealed that the decrease of nisin antimicrobial activity was likely due to the unfolding of the protein induced by HP. A loss of nisin β-turns structure, particularly significant at neutral pH,…
Enrichment, isolation and biodegradation potential of psychrotolerant polychlorinated-biphenyl degrading bacteria from the Kongsfjorden (Svalbard Isl…
2016
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), have been detected in abiotic Arctic matrices: surface sediments and seawater from coastal areas in the Kongsfjorden were collected and analyzed. Levels of PCBs varied depending on the sampling site. Total PCB concentrations were between 11.63 (site C2W) and 27.69 pg l-1 (site AW). These levels were comparable to those reported previously in lake sediments from the northern Svalbard. The occurrence and biodegradation potential of cold-adapted PCB-oxidizing bacteria in seawater and sediment along the fjord was also evaluated. After enrichment with biphenyl, 246 isolates were obtained with 45 of them that were abl…