Glycopolymer Inhibitors of Galectin-3 Suppress the Markers of Tissue Remodeling in Pulmonary Hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension is a cardiovascular disease with a low survival rate. The protein galectin-3 (Gal-3) binding β-galactosides of cellular glycoproteins plays an important role in the onset and development of this disease. Carbohydrate-based drugs that target Gal-3 represent a new therapeutic strategy in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension.

Structure-activity relationships of oomycete elicitins uncover the role of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in triggering plant defense responses.

Elicitins are proteinaceous elicitors that induce the hypersensitive response and plant resistance against diverse phytopathogens. Elicitin recognition by membrane receptors or high-affinity sites activates a variety of fast responses including the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO), leading to induction of plant defense genes. Beta-cryptogein (CRY) is a basic β-elicitin secreted by the oomycete Phytophthora cryptogea that shows high necrotic activity in some plant species, whereas infestin 1 (INF1) secreted by the oomycete P.

The Influence of Low- and High-Negative-Pressure Liposuction and Different Harvesting Sites on the Viability and Yield of Adipocytes and Other Nucleated Cells.

Background: The volume effect of fat grafting is highly dependent on the presence of viable adipocytes and other nucleated cells within the lipoaspirate. We suspected that one of the crucial factors influencing cell viability is the negative pressure applied during the fat graft harvesting and the suitability of various harvest sites when compared to others. Despite much discussion, there is no consensus on the optimal negative pressure or the best site for harvesting so we designed an experiment to test this.

Interaction between Galectin-3 and Integrins Mediates Cell-Matrix Adhesion in Endothelial Cells and Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a β-galactoside-binding protein that influences various cell functions, including cell adhesion. We focused on the role of Gal-3 as an extracellular ligand mediating cell-matrix adhesion. We used human adipose tissue-derived stem cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells that are promising for vascular tissue engineering.

The Influence of High and Low Negative Pressure Liposuction and Various Harvesting Techniques on the Viability and Function of Harvested Cells-a Systematic Review of Animal and Human Studies.

Background: An understanding of fat grafting methodology, techniques and patient-related factors is crucial when considering fat grafting. Multiple factors can influence the success of a fat graft and consequently the outcome of the procedure. The aim of this systematic review is to elucidate the influence of negative pressure and various techniques of fat harvesting on the viability and function of cells, particularly adipocytes and adipose-derived stem cells.

Growth Factors VEGF-A and FGF-2 as Multifunctional Biomolecules Governing Cell Adhesion and Proliferation.

Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) are currently used for the functionalization of biomaterials designed for tissue engineering. We have developed a new simple method for heterologous expression and purification of VEGF-A and FGF-2 in the yeast expression system of . The biological activity of the growth factors was assessed in cultures of human and porcine adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Differentiation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells towards vascular smooth muscle cells on modified poly(L-lactide) foils.

The aim of our research was to study the behaviour of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) on variously modified poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) foils, namely on pristine PLLA, plasma-treated PLLA, PLLA grafted with polyethylene glycol (PEG), PLLA grafted with dextran (Dex), and the tissue culture polystyrene (PS) control. On these materials, the ADSCs were biochemically differentiated towards VSMCs by a medium supplemented with TGFβ1, BMP4 and ascorbic acid (i.e.