Search results for "EGF"

Age-dependent regulation of antioxidant genes by p38α MAPK in the liver

2018

p38α is a redox sensitive MAPK activated by pro-inflammatory cytokines and environmental, genotoxic and endoplasmic reticulum stresses. The aim of this work was to assess whether p38α controls the antioxidant defense in the liver, and if so, to elucidate the mechanism(s) involved and the age-related changes. For this purpose, we used liver-specific p38α-deficient mice at two different ages: young-mice (4 months-old) and old-mice (24 months-old). The liver of young p38α knock-out mice exhibited a decrease in GSH levels and an increase in GSSG/GSH ratio and malondialdehyde levels. However, old mice deficient in p38α had higher hepatic GSH levels and lower GSSG/GSH ratio than young p38α knock-…

Assessing the Effects of VEGF Releasing Microspheres on the Angiogenic and Foreign Body Response to a 3D Printed Silicone-Based Macroencapsulation De…

2021

Macroencapsulation systems have been developed to improve islet cell transplantation but can induce a foreign body response (FBR). The development of neovascularization adjacent to the device is vital for the survival of encapsulated islets and is a limitation for long-term device success. Previously we developed additive manufactured multi-scale porosity implants, which demonstrated a 2.5-fold increase in tissue vascularity and integration surrounding the implant when compared to a non-textured implant. In parallel to this, we have developed poly(ε-caprolactone-PEG-ε-caprolactone)-b-poly(L-lactide) multiblock copolymer microspheres containing VEGF, which exhibited continued release of bioa…

Second-generation Langerhans cells originating from epidermal precursors are essential for CD8+ T cell priming.

2014

Abstract In vivo studies questioned the ability of Langerhans cells (LCs) to mediate CD8+ T cell priming. To address this issue, we used intradermal immunization with plasmid DNA, a system in which activation of CD8+ T cells depends on delayed kinetics of Ag presentation. We found that dendritic cells (DCs) located in the skin at the time of immunization have limited ability to activate CD8+ T cells. This activity was mediated by a second generation of DCs that differentiated in the skin several days after immunization, as well as by lymph node–resident DCs. Intriguingly, CD8+ T cell responses were not affected following treatment with clodronate liposomes, immunization of CCR2−/− mice, or …

SAHA/TRAIL combination induces detachment and anoikis of MDA-MB231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells

2012

Abstract SAHA, an inhibitor of histone deacetylase activity, has been shown to sensitize tumor cells to apoptosis induced by TRAIL, a member of TNF-family. In this paper we investigated the effect of SAHA/TRAIL combination in two breast cancer cell lines, the ERα−positive MCF-7 and the ERα−negative MDA-MB231. Treatment of MDA-MB231 and MCF-7 cells with SAHA in combination with TRAIL caused detachment of cells followed by anoikis, a form of apoptosis which occurs after cell detachment, while treatment with SAHA or TRAIL alone did not produce these effects. The effects were more evident in MDA-MB231 cells, which were chosen for ascertaining the mechanism of SAHA/TRAIL action. Our results show…

Evidence of neuroplasticity in the human visual cortex following beneficial anti-VEGF treatment in exudative age-related macular degeneration

2012

Purpose Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents have been shown to improve visual acuity and prevent vision loss in exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). As the vision improves relatively quickly in response to intravitreal injections, we wanted to know whether this improvement is reflected in electrophysiolocal markers of visual cortical processing. Methods Our interventional case series included 6 elderly patients who underwent injection treatment to the affected eye. Their visual acuity, tomographic images of retinal thickness and visual evoked potentials (VEP) were assessed before of the treatment and six weeks after the last injection. Results All patients sho…

Combination of Resveratrol with omega-3 fatty acids synergize to counteract VEGF-R pathway in sick retinal pigment epithelium cells mimicking AMD

2015

Purpose The aim of this work is to assess whether RSV (Resveratrol) can act synergistically with omega-3 fatty acids to modulate VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) signaling pathway in order to identify a new and more effective therapy for the treatment of AMD (Age-Related Macular Degeneration). Methods In this study, undifferentiated and differentiated human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19) were used. The cells were treated with an omega-3/RSV preparation (Resvega®), or a RSV-free formulation or RSV alone for 24 h. The expression of key proteins in VEGF signaling pathway was evaluated by Western Blotting. Results We observed that the combination omega-3/RSV preparation (Re…

Hitler A Bayreuth. Storia di un'amicizia (1923-1940)

2013

Il saggio si sofferma sulle vite parallele di Winifred Majorie Williams (moglie di Sigfried Wagner e dopo la sua morte "Signora di Bayreuth") e Adolf Hitler, grande ammiratore dell'opera wagneriana e "amico" di famiglia della famiglia Wagner a partire dalla fine degli anni Venti. Il testo ripercorre le tappe del rapporto personale fra Winifred Wagner e Adolf Hitler, rievocando al tempo stesso alcuni episodi della biografia hitleriana legati al Festival di Bayreuth.

Association between single nucleotide polymorphisms in the COX-2, TNF-alpha and VEGF-A genes and susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma

2010

Inhibition of VEGF expression through blockade of Hif1a and STAT3 signalling mediates the anti-angiogenic effect of melatonin in HepG2 liver cancer c…

2013

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth relies on angiogenesis via vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) release. Hypoxia within tumour environment leads to intracellular stabilisation of hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (Hif1α) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT3). Melatonin induces apoptosis in HCC, and shows anti-angiogenic features in several tumours. In this study, we used human HepG2 liver cancer cells as an in vitro model to investigate the anti-angiogenic effects of melatonin. Methods: HepG2 cells were treated with melatonin under normoxic or CoCl2-induced hypoxia. Gene expression was analysed by RT–qPCR and western blot. Melatonin-induced anti-…

miR-20b modulates VEGF expression by targeting HIF-1 alpha and STAT3 in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

2010

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate the expression of different genes, including genes involved in cancer progression. A functional link between hypoxia, a key feature of the tumor microenvironment, and miRNA expression has been documented. We investigated whether and how miR-20b can regulate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in MCF-7 breast cancer cells under normoxic and hypoxia-mimicking conditions (CoCl(2) exposure). Using immunoblotting, ELISA, and quantitative real-time PCR, we demonstrated that miR-20b decreased VEGF protein levels at 4 and 24 h following CoCl(2) treatment, and VEGF mRNA at 4 h of treatment. In addition, miR-20b reduce…