Search results for "elastin"
showing 10 items of 54 documents
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…
Unexpected multivalent display of proteins by temperature triggered self-assembly of elastin-like polypeptide block copolymers
2012
We report herein the unexpected temperature triggered self-assembly of proteins fused to thermally responsive elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) into spherical micelles. A set of six ELP block copolymers (ELP(BC)) differing in hydrophilic and hydrophobic block lengths were genetically fused to two single domain proteins, thioredoxin (Trx) and a fibronectin type III domain (Fn3) that binds the α(v)β(3) integrin. The self-assembly of these protein-ELP(BC) fusions as a function of temperature was investigated by UV spectroscopy, light scattering, and cryo-TEM. Self-assembly of the ELP(BC) was unexpectedly retained upon fusion to the two proteins, resulting in the formation of spherical micelles …
Correlations between transmural mechanical and morphological properties in porcine thoracic descending aorta.
2015
Determination of correlations between transmural mechanical and morphological properties of aorta would provide a quantitative baseline for assessment of preventive and therapeutic strategies for aortic injuries and diseases. A multimodal and multidisciplinary approach was adopted to characterize the transmural morphological properties of descending porcine aorta. Histology and multi-photon microscopy were used for describing the media layer micro-architecture in the circumferential-radial plane, and Fourier Transform infrared imaging spectroscopy was utilized for determining structural protein, and total protein content. The distributions of these quantified properties across the media thi…
Effect of Prolonged Physical Training on the Development of Connective Tissues in Growing Mice
1975
A rapid progress has taken place in the field of connective tissue chemistry during recent years. The structure and metabolism of collagen, elastin, glycosaminoglycans and pro-. teoglycans of different connective tissues have been extensively investigated. One of the main observations has been that large differences exist between various connective tissues [12]. For example, four different forms of collagen have been identified. The collagens in bone, cartilage, skin and basement membrane have either different amino acid composition in the a-chains or contain one or two similar a-chains in the triple helix. The scope of the connective tissue research has been extended also to skeletal muscl…
The Aspect of Anti-Proteinase 3 Antibodies as AECA
2001
Publisher Summary The discovery of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) has caused a great impact on the diagnostic procedure and clinical observation of systemic necrotizing vasculitides like Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), microscopic polyangiitis, Churg- Strauss syndrome and necrotizing glomerulonephritis. There is persuasive circumstantial evidence for a pathogenic role of ANCA in ANCA-related vasculitides involving both neutrophils and vascular endothelial cells. The major stepthrough in the pathogenesis of ANCA related diseases was the identification of proteinase-3 (PR-3) as the main target antigen of ANCA in Wegener's Granulomatosis. PR-3 has been described as a constituent …
Dexamethasone dipropionate loaded nanoparticles of α-elastin-g-PLGA for potential treatment of restenosis.
2013
A graft copolymer of α-elastin with poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) has been synthesized and successfully employed to produce nanoparticles. Exploiting the known biological activity of α-elastin to promote the maintenance of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) contractile phenotype and the antiproliferative effect of glucocorticoids, the aim of this research was to produce drug-loaded nanoparticles suitable for potential treatment of restenosis. In particular, nanoparticles of α-elastin-g-PLGA with a mean size of 200 nm have been produced and loaded with dexamethasone dipropionate (10% w/w), chosen as a model drug that inhibits proliferation of vascular SMCs. These nanoparticles are able to pro…
Secretion of haemolysins and proteases by Aeromonas hydrophila EO63: separation and characterization of the serine protease (caseinase) and the metal…
2004
C . E S T E V E A N D T . H . B I R K B E C K . 2004. Aims: To determine the haemolysins and proteases excreted by the virulent strain EO63 of Aeromonas hydrophila grown in complex media and to then fractionate and characterize them, in particular those with elastolytic activity. Methods and Results: The amount of haemolytic and proteolytic activity in EO63 culture supernatants was dependent on the culture media used. In all media, haemolysins appeared during the phase of active growth and haemolytic activity decreased quickly thereafter, as previously described for aerolysin. In contrast, proteases were mainly released during the stationary phase. Serine protease activity in EO63 culture s…
Biomechanical properties and histomorphometric features of aortic tissue in patients with or without bicuspid aortic valve
2020
Background We sought to investigate and compare biomechanical properties and histomorphometric findings of thoracic ascending aorta aneurysm (TAA) tissue from patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) in order to clarify mechanisms underlying differences in the clinical course. Methods Circumferential sections of TAA tissue in patients with BAV (BAV-TAA) and TAV (TAV-TAA) were obtained during surgery and used for biomechanical tests and histomorphometrical analysis. Results In BAV-TAA, we observed biomechanical higher peak stress and lower Young modulus values compared with TAV-TAA wall. The right lateral longitudinal region seemed to be the most fragile zon…
Impact of T-cell-mediated immune response on xenogeneic heart valve transplantation: short-term success and mid-term failure.
2017
Objectives Allogeneic frozen cryopreserved heart valves (allografts or homografts) are commonly used in clinical practice. A major obstacle for their application is the limited availability in particular for paediatrics. Allogeneic large animal studies revealed that alternative ice-free cryopreservation (IFC) results in better matrix preservation and reduced immunogenicity. The objective of this study was to evaluate xenogeneic (porcine) compared with allogeneic (ovine) IFC heart valves in a large animal study. Methods IFC xenografts and allografts were transplanted in 12 juvenile merino sheep for 1-12 weeks. Immunohistochemistry, ex vivo computed tomography scans and transforming growth fa…