The Insulin-like Growth Factor System and Aging.

There is strong evidence that insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling is involved in fundamental aspects of the aging process. However, the extracellular part of the IGF system is complex with various receptors, ligand effectors, high affinity IGF binding proteins, proteinases and endogenous inhibitors that all, along with their biological context, must be considered. The IGF system components are evolutionarily conserved, underscoring the importance of understanding this system in physiology and pathophysiology.

Beyond basic characterization and omics: Immunomodulatory roles of platelet-derived extracellular vesicles unveiled by functional testing.

Renowned for their role in haemostasis and thrombosis, platelets are also increasingly recognized for their contribution in innate immunity, immunothrombosis and inflammatory diseases. Platelets express a wide range of receptors, which allows them to reach a variety of activation endpoints and grants them immunomodulatory functions. Activated platelets release extracellular vesicles (PEVs), whose formation and molecular cargo has been shown to depend on receptor-mediated activation and environmental cues.

The pro-atherogenic enzyme PAPP-A is active in eluates from human carotid and femoral atherosclerotic plaques.

Background: Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) regulates bioavailability of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) in various tissues by proteolytic cleavage of a subset of IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs). Pre-clinical studies have established a role of PAPP-A in atherosclerosis and proposed that targeting the proteolytic activity of PAPP-A has therapeutic value.This study aimed to investigate whether human atherosclerotic plaques contain proteolytically active PAPP-A, a prerequisite for further considering PAPP-A as a therapeutic target in patients.

The metalloproteinase PAPP-A is required for IGF-dependent chondrocyte differentiation and organization.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling is required for proper growth and skeletal development in vertebrates. Consequently, its dysregulation may lead to abnormalities of growth or skeletal structures. IGF is involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes.