Evaluation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Its Receptors in Human Neointima.

Objective: The potential contribution of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in neointima development has been evaluated in numerous animal studies. However, its role remains controversial. Moreover, little is known about neointima formation in humans.

Does vascular endothelial growth factor participate in uterine myoma growth stimulation?

Objective: Peptide growth factors play a role in the rebuilding of extracellular matrix in the course of leiomyoma growth, and exert a regulative effect on the cell only when they bind with a specific membrane receptor and transmit a signal into the cell. A high content of certain peptide growth factors and their receptors in leiomyoma suggests that in the course of the tumour growth hyperstimulation of cells takes place. A combined action of various peptide growth factors causes an amplification of signal paths in cells, inducing gene expression of proteins responsible for cell division and changes of metabolism.

Influence of thrombophlebitis on TGF-β1 and its signaling pathway in the vein wall.

Extensive extracellular matrix remodeling of the vein wall is involved in varicose veins pathogenesis. This process is controlled by numerous factors, including peptide growth factors. The aim of the study was to evaluate influence of thrombophlebitis on TGF-β1 and its signaling pathway in the vein wall.

Evaluation of transforming growth factor-beta signaling pathway in the wall of normal and varicose veins.

Objective(s): Extracellular matrix remodeling in the vein wall is involved in varicose vein pathogenesis, with transforming growth factor beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) playing a potential role. The aim of the study was to assess the TGF-beta signaling pathway including its receptor (TGF-beta RII) and phosphorylated receptor-regulated Smads (p-Smad2/3) in varicose veins.

Methods: Varicose veins from patients undergoing varicose vein surgery were the studied material, whereas normal greater saphenous veins from patients undergoing infrainguinal arterial bypass surgery were the control material.

CCN2 protein is an announcing marker for cardiac remodeling following STZ-induced moderate hyperglycemia in mice.

Diabetes causes changes in the myocardium, which are often called diabetic cardiomyopathy. This condition has been extensively investigated in animal models with high glucose levels. Nevertheless, it has not been investigated whether moderate hyperglycemia, in the absence of other features of metabolic syndrome, may also cause similar changes in the heart.

Evaluation of aFGF/bFGF and FGF signaling pathway in the wall of varicose veins.

Background: Extensive extracellular matrix remodeling of the vein wall is involved in varicose veins pathogenesis. The process is controlled by numerous factors, including peptide growth factors. The aim of the study was to evaluate acidic (aFGF) and basic (bFGF) fibroblast growth factors, their receptor (FGFR) and the MAP kinase pathway (ERK 1/2) in the wall of varicose and varicose veins complicated by thrombophlebitis, when compared to normal ones.

Lumican core protein inhibits melanoma cell migration via alterations of focal adhesion complexes.

Lumican is a small leucine-rich proteoglycan (SLRP) of the extracellular matrix (ECM) with anti-tumor activity. We recently demonstrated that lumican inhibits the migration of melanoma cells and identified beta1 integrin as mediator of this effect [M.F.

TGF-beta binding in human Wharton's jelly.

Our previous study reported that TGF-beta may be isolated from human Wharton's jelly (WJ) in a form of soluble, high molecular complex(es). We decided to study the effect of extracellular matrix degradation and reduction of disulphide bridges reduction on the release of TGF-beta from WJ. The WJ prepared from the umbilical cords of newborns delivered at term by healthy mothers was homogenised and treated with hyaluronidase, collagenase, heparinase, chondroitinase and beta-mercaptoethanol, the resulting extracts were then submitted to TGF-beta immunoassay and SDS/PAGE followed by Western immunoblotting.

FGF binding by extracellular matrix components of Wharton's jelly.

Our earlier paper has reported that Wharton's jelly is a reservoir of several peptide growth factors, including acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (aFGF and bFGF, respectively). Both can be extracted by buffered salts solutions in the form of high molecular mass complexes, probably with a component(s) of the extracellular matrix. Both aFGF and bFGF from such extracts hardly penetrate 10% polyacrylamide gels during electrophoresis.

Evaluation of enzymes involved in proteoglycan degradation in the wall of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

The abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) wall represents an extreme example of arterial remodeling with disturbed elastin, collagen and proteoglycan metabolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate enzymes involved in the degradation of glycosaminoglycan chains and core proteins of proteoglycans in the AAA wall. The study material consisted of wall samples from 10 AAA.