Periostin regulates lysyl oxidase through ERK1/2 MAPK-dependent serum response factor in activated cardiac fibroblasts.

Collagen crosslinking, mediated by lysyl oxidase, is an adaptive mechanism of the cardiac repair process initiated by cardiac fibroblasts postmyocardial injury. However, excessive crosslinking leads to cardiac wall stiffening, which impairs the contractile properties of the left ventricle and leads to heart failure. In this study, we investigated the role of periostin, a matricellular protein, in the regulation of lysyl oxidase in cardiac fibroblasts in response to angiotensin II and TGFβ1.

NET-associated citrullinated histones promote LDL aggregation and foam cell formation in vitro.

Neutrophils have been recently identified in the atherosclerotic lesion and they can release neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) under the pro-inflammatory conditions prevailing in the lesion. Citrullinated histones (Cit-histones) are the major type of citrullinated proteins associated with NET release. Since elevated levels of citrullinated proteins have been detected in inflammatory diseases including atherosclerosis, this study analysed the role played by NET and Cit-histones in different atherogenic events in vitro.

Calcium depletion at high glucose concentration promotes vesicle-mediated NET release in response to Staphylococcus aureus.

The primary immune response against Staphylococcus aureus is mediated by neutrophils. In response to S. aureus and its proteins, neutrophil shows two different kinds of NETosis, viz.

Monocyte clearance of apoptotic neutrophils is unhindered in the presence of NETosis, but proteins of NET trigger ETosis in monocytes.

Resolution of inflammation needs effective and timely removal of dead cells and other toxic products of neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages. In this study, we evaluated the role of monocytes in the clearance of neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) and apoptotic neutrophils in the inflammation site. For this, monocytes were observed microscopically after exposing them with NETs and/or apoptotic bodies.