Search results for "Adhesion molecules"
showing 10 items of 216 documents
The C-terminal rod 2 fragment of filamin A forms a compact structure that can be extended
2012
Filamins are large proteins that cross-link actin filaments and connect to other cellular components. The C-terminal rod 2 region of FLNa (filamin A) mediates dimerization and interacts with several transmembrane receptors and intracellular signalling adaptors. SAXS (small-angle X-ray scattering) experiments were used to make a model of a six immunoglobulin-like domain fragment of the FLNa rod 2 (domains 16–21). This fragment had a surprising three-branched structural arrangement, where each branch was made of a tightly packed two-domain pair. Peptides derived from transmembrane receptors and intracellular signalling proteins induced a more open structure of the six domain fragment. Mutagen…
Novel Hydrazine Molecules as Tools To Understand the Flexibility of Vascular Adhesion Protein-1 Ligand-Binding Site: Toward More Selective Inhibitors
2011
Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) belongs to a family of amine oxidases. It plays a role in leukocyte trafficking and in amine compound metabolism. VAP-1 is linked to various diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, psoriasis, depression, diabetes, and obesity. Accordingly, selective inhibitors of VAP-1 could potentially be used to treat those diseases. In this study, eight novel VAP-1 hydrazine derivatives were synthesized and their VAP-1 and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibition ability was determined in vitro. MD simulations of VAP-1 with these new molecules reveal that the VAP-1 ligand-binding pocket is flexible and capable of fitting substantially larger ligands than was previously believ…
Mir-661: A key Factor in Embryo-Maternal dialog With Potential Clinical Application to Predict Implantation Outcome?
2015
Implantation resulting in a full-term pregnancy is, by large, more than a passive process in which the developed conceptus is passively glued to the uterus through adhesive molecules. It is the result of a perfectly orchestrated dialog between a viable embryo and a receptive endometrium, through a mixture of paracrine and juxtacrine processes in which many key proteins and growth factors play fundamental roles (Pellicer et al., 2002.) Since their discovery, microRNAs have become prominent regulatory candidates, providing missing links for a few biological pathways in this process, although their exact role in human normal embryo formation and endometrial preparation for pregnancy remains un…
Roles of molecules involved in epithelial/mesenchymal transition during angiogenesis
2007
Formation of vessels requires "epithelial-mesenchymal" transition of endothelial cells, with several modifications at the level of endothelial cell plasma membranes. These processes are associated with redistribution of cell-cell and cell-substrate adhesion molecules, cross talk between external ECM and internal cytoskeleton through focal adhesion molecules and the expression of several proteolytic enzymes, including matrix metalloproteases and serine proteases. These enzymes with their degradative action on ECM components, generate molecules acting as activators and/or inhibitors of angiogenesis. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the molecules involved in epithelial-m…
Dscam1 Is Required for Normal Dendrite Growth and Branching But Not for Dendritic Spacing in Drosophila Motoneurons
2014
Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule, Dscam, serves diverse neurodevelopmental functions, including axon guidance and synaptic adhesion, as well as self-recognition and self-avoidance, depending on the neuron type, brain region, or species under investigation. InDrosophila, the extensive molecular diversity that results from alternative splicing of Dscam1 into >38,000 isoforms provides neurons with a unique molecular code for self-recognition in the nervous system. Each neuron produces only a small subset of Dscam1 isoforms, and distinct Dscam1 isoforms mediate homophilic interactions, which in turn, result in repulsion and even spacing of self-processes, while allowing contact with neig…
Post-weaning social isolation rearing influences the expression of molecules related to inhibitory neurotransmission and structural plasticity in the…
2012
Several lines of evidence indicate that alterations in the structure of neural circuits and inhibitory neurotransmission underlie the physiopathogenesis of schizophrenia. Most of the studies on these parameters have been focused on cortical regions and, despite the crucial role of the amygdala in this psychiatric disorder, there is less information on this region. In order to expand this knowledge, we have studied the expression of molecules related to inhibitory neurotransmission and structural plasticity in rats subjected to post-weaning isolation rearing, an animal model that reproduces several core symptoms of schizophrenia. We have analyzed, using qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, the …
Increased airway inflammatory cells in endurance athletes: what do they mean?
2003
Inflammatory cells are increased in the airways of endurance athletes, but their role in causing exercise-induced respiratory symptoms and bronchoconstriction, or their possible long-term consequences, are uncertain.To put the results of athlete studies in perspective, by analysing the pathogenesis of airway cell changes and their impact on respiratory function.Athletes of different endurance sports at rest showed increased airway neutrophils. Elite swimmers and skiers also showed large increases in airway eosinophils and lymphocytes, possibly related to chronic, exercise-related exposure to irritants or cold and dry air, respectively. Post-exercise studies reported variable responses of ai…
Characterization of neutrophil subsets in healthy human pregnancies
2014
We have previously shown that in successful pregnancies increased arginase activity is a mechanism that contributes to the suppression of the maternal immune system. We identified the main type of arginase-expressing cells as a population of activated low-density granulocytes (LDGs) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in term placentae. In the present study, we analyzed the phenotype of LDGs and compared it to the phenotype of normal density granulocytes (NDGs) in maternal peripheral blood, placental biopsies and cord blood. Our data reveal that only LDGs but no NDGs could be detected in placental biopsies. Phenotypically, NDGs and LDGs from both maternal and cord blood expressed diff…
Effects of transdermal hormone replacement therapy on levels of soluble P- and E-selectin in postmenopausal healthy women
2002
Abstract Objective: To study the adhesion molecule pattern in postmenopausal women who were not receiving hormone replacement therapy (HRT), HRT users, and fertile women. Design: Case-control study. Setting: Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy. Patient(s): Fifty healthy naturally postmenopausal women and 20 fertile women. Intervention(s): Twenty-six women received no HRT and 24 received continuous transdermal 17β−estradiol, 0.05 mg/d, plus oral acetate nomegestrol, 5 mg/d. Main Outcome Measure(s): Levels of the soluble forms of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin, and P-selectin. Result(s): Women who did not received HRT …
An open-label, randomized phase II study of adecatumumab, a fully human anti-EpCAM antibody, as monotherapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer
2009
Background: High-level expression of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is associated with unfavorable prognosis in breast cancer. This study was designed to investigate two doses of the fully human IgG1 anti-EpCAM antibody adecatumumab (MT201) in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Methods: A total of 109 patients were stratified into high- and low-level EpCAM expression by immunohistochemical staining of primary tumors and subsequently randomly assigned to receive monotherapy with either high- (6 mg/kg every two weeks (q2w)) or low-dose adecatumumab (2 mg/kg/ q2w) until disease progression. Results: No complete or partial tumor responses could be confirmed by central RECI…