Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ): Reviewing its mechanisms and signaling pathways on the regulation of endothelial barrier function.

Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is a pleiotropic cytokine that plays a critical role in mediating an array of immune responses including promotes antiviral activity, facilitates macrophage activation, controls Th1/Th2 balance, and regulates cellular apoptosis and proliferation. A few articles have previously reviewed the effects of IFN-γ in the regulation of barrier permeability, but none of these articles focuses on barrier function of endothelial cells. This review aims to discuss the regulatory mechanisms of IFN-γ on endothelial barrier function and its underlying signaling pathways.

Protective Effects of Ethanolic Extract against TNF- or HO-Induced Endothelial Activation in Human Aortic Endothelial Cells.

Activation of the endothelium has been shown to contribute to the early stage of vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and hypertension. In endothelial activation, excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and increased expression of cell adhesion molecules cause an increase in vascular permeability. (L.

Cardiovascular Protective Effects of Centella asiatica and Its Triterpenes: A Review.

, a triterpene-rich medicinal herb, is traditionally used to treat various types of diseases including neurological, dermatological, and metabolic diseases. A few articles have previously reviewed a broad range of pharmacological activities of , but none of these reviews focuses on the use of in cardiovascular diseases. This review aims to summarize recent findings on protective effects of and its active constituents (asiatic acid, asiaticoside, madecassic acid, and madecassoside) in cardiovascular diseases.

Malaysian Tualang Honey Inhibits Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Endothelial Hyperpermeability.

Malaysian Tualang honey (TH) is a known therapeutic honey extracted from the honeycombs of the Tualang tree (Koompassia excelsa) and has been reported for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and wound healing properties. However, the possible vascular protective effect of TH against oxidative stress remains unclear. In this study, the effects of TH on hydrogen peroxide- (HO-) elicited vascular hyperpermeability in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and Balb/c mice were evaluated.

Mesenchymal stem cells facilitate cardiac differentiation in Sox2-expressing cardiac C-kit cells in coculture.

Stem cell therapy offers hope to reconstitute injured myocardium and salvage heart from failing. A recent approach using combinations of derived Cardiac-derived c-kit expressing cells (CCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in transplantation improved infarcted hearts with a greater functional outcome, but the effects of MSCs on CCs remain to be elucidated. We used a novel two-step protocol to clonogenically amplify colony forming c-kit expressing cells from 4- to 6-week-old C57BL/6N mice.

Asiatic acid stabilizes cytoskeletal proteins and prevents TNF-α-induced disorganization of cell-cell junctions in human aortic endothelial cells.

Endothelial hyperpermeability represents an initiating step in early atherosclerosis and it often occurs as a result of endothelial barrier dysfunction. Asiatic acid, a major triterpene isolated from Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, has previously been demonstrated to protect against tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced endothelial barrier dysfunction.

Water extract of Clinacanthus nutans leaves exhibits in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo anti-angiogenic activities in endothelial cell via suppression of cell proliferation.

Background: Clinacanthus nutans (Burm. f.) Lindau.

Interferon-γ induces biphasic changes in caldesmon localization as well as adherens junction organization and expression in HUVECs.

Endothelial barrier dysfunction leads to increased endothelial permeability and is an early step in the development of vascular inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ), a proinflammatory cytokine, is known to cause increased endothelial permeability. However, the mechanisms by which IFN-γ disrupts the endothelial barrier have not been clarified.

Barrier protective effect of asiatic acid in TNF-α-induced activation of human aortic endothelial cells.

Background: Endothelial cell activation is characterized by increased endothelial permeability and increased expression of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). This allows monocyte adherence and migration across the endothelium to occur and thereby initiates atherogenesis process. Asiatic acid is a major triterpene isolated from Centella asiatica (L.

Cryptotanshinone inhibits TNF-α-induced early atherogenic events in vitro.

Endothelial dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Salvia miltiorrhiza (danshen) is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been effectively used to treat cardiovascular disease. Cryptotanshinone (CTS), a major lipophilic compound isolated from S.

Asiaticoside Inhibits TNF-α-Induced Endothelial Hyperpermeability of Human Aortic Endothelial Cells.

The increase in endothelial permeability often promotes edema formation in various pathological conditions. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), a pro-atherogenic cytokine, impairs endothelial barrier function and causes endothelial dysfunction in early stage of atherosclerosis. Asiaticoside, one of the triterpenoids derived from Centella asiatica, is known to possess antiinflammatory activity.

Interferon-Gamma Increases Endothelial Permeability by Causing Activation of p38 MAP Kinase and Actin Cytoskeleton Alteration.

Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is known to potentiate the progression of inflammatory diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease and atherosclerosis. IFN-γ has been found to disrupt the barrier integrity of epithelial and endothelial cell both in vivo and in vitro. However, the mechanisms of IFN-γ underlying increased endothelial cell permeability have not been extensively elucidated.