Notch-independent RBPJ controls angiogenesis in the adult heart.

Increasing angiogenesis has long been considered a therapeutic target for improving heart function after injury such as acute myocardial infarction. However, gene, protein and cell therapies to increase microvascularization have not been successful, most likely because the studies failed to achieve regulated and concerted expression of pro-angiogenic and angiostatic factors needed to produce functional microvasculature. Here, we report that the transcription factor RBPJ is a homoeostatic repressor of multiple pro-angiogenic and angiostatic factor genes in cardiomyocytes.

Mammalian dap3 is an essential gene required for mitochondrial homeostasis in vivo and contributing to the extrinsic pathway for apoptosis.

Death-associated protein-3 (DAP3) is a GTP binding protein previously implicated in both intramitochondrial protein synthesis and apoptosis. To explore the in vivo roles of DAP3, we generated and characterized DAP3-deficient mice. Homozygous dap3-/- embryos died at approximately day 9.

Integrin expression is upregulated during early healing in a canine intrasynovial flexor tendon repair and controlled passive motion model.

To explore crucial early molecular events involved in contact healing of the intrasynovial flexor tendon, integrin expression was evaluated at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels during the first two weeks following injury, repair and controlled passive motion in a canine model. Specifically, immunohistochemical and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) techniques were employed to evaluate expression of the fibronectin, vitronectin and endothelial cell binding integrin receptor subunits alpha5, alphav and alpha6, along with the common beta1 subunit. The two techniques revealed increasing expression of the four subunits over the two week post-repair period.

Matrix assessment of the articular cartilage surface after chondroplasty with the holmium:YAG laser.

The goal of this study was to evaluate, histologically and biochemically, repair of the articular cartilage in a rabbit joint after the use of the holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser in a cartilage chondroplasty model. In 30 New Zealand White rabbits, chondroplasty was performed with the laser at an intensity of 0.8 J at a rate of 10 Hz.