Publications by authors named "D Thomas Dickey"
Expression of fatty acid binding proteins in mesenteric adipose tissue.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun
January 2025
Adipose is a complex tissue comprised of adipocytes, immune cells, endothelial and progenitor stem cells. In humans, there are at least nine defined adipose depots, each containing variable numbers of genetically identified adipocyte clusters suggesting remarkable heterogeneity and potential functionality in each depot with respect to lipid metabolism. Although subcutaneous and visceral depots are commonly analyzed for biochemical and molecular functions, the mesenteric depot has been overlooked yet strongly implicated in lipid mediated immune surveillance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLipid enals are electrophilic products of lipid peroxidation that induce genotoxic and proteotoxic stress by covalent modification of DNA and proteins, respectively. As lipid enals accumulate to substantial amounts in visceral adipose during obesity and aging, we hypothesized that biogenic lipid enals may represent an endogenously generated, and therefore physiologically relevant, senescence inducers. To that end, we identified that 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), 4-hydroxyhexenal (4-HHE) or 4-oxo-2-nonenal (4-ONE) initiate the cellular senescence program of IMR90 fibroblasts and murine adipose stem cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Aging is a complex biological process characterized by obesity and immunosenescence throughout the organism. Immunosenescence involves a decline in immune function and the increase in chronic-low grade inflammation, called inflammaging. Adipose tissue expansion, particularly that of visceral adipose tissue (VAT), is associated with an increase in pro-inflammatory macrophages that play an important role in modulating immune responses and producing inflammatory cytokines.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Guanylyl cyclase-A (GC-A) is an important target for drug development because it helps regulate cardiovascular and renal functions, and current research aims to create small molecular activators instead of relying solely on peptides.
- This study utilized high-throughput screening and in silico design to discover small molecules that enhance the effects of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) on GC-A in various cellular experiments.
- The findings revealed a new allosteric binding site on GC-A that small molecules can target selectively, paving the way for potential new cardiovascular therapies that improve the efficacy of ANP and BNP.
Backgrounds: The Curriculum Committee of a medical school introduced a longitudinal course for clinical medical students addressing the hidden curriculum as a way to enhance the overall learning environment in undergraduate medical education.
Methods: This novel design included podcasts, virtual online sessions, and self-reflection videos.
Outcomes: Students and faculty viewed it as successful.