QM107, a novel CD148 (RTP Type J) activating peptide therapy for treating neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Background And Purpose: Angiogenesis is a pathological component of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Current therapies, although successful, are prone to high levels of patient non-response and a loss of efficacy over time, indicating the need to explore other therapeutic avenues. We have shown that an interaction between syndecan-2 and the tyrosine phosphatase receptor CD148 (RTP Type J) results in the ablation of angiogenesis.

A research-led flexible cell biology practical for biological sciences undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses.

A challenge in the pandemic era is to implement effective but flexible practical teaching for biological sciences courses. Such teaching needs to deliver conceptual, analytical and practical skills training while having the option to rapidly respond to health and safety issues, local regulations, staff and student concerns. In this paper, we describe a set of cell biology practicals (mini-project) that meets many of these requirements and provides flexibility in providing skills training both through online and in practical laboratory environments.

Roles of Syndecan-4 in cardiac injury and repair.

The heparan sulphate proteoglycan Syndecan-4 belongs to a 4-member family of transmembrane receptors. Genetic deletion of Syndecan-4 in mice causes negligible developmental abnormalities however when challenged these animals show distinct phenotypes. Synedcan-4 is expressed in many cell types in the heart and its expression is elevated in response to cardiac injury and recent studies have suggested roles for Syndecan-4 in repair mechanisms within the damaged heart.

Structural Basis for Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor Activation and Implications for Disease Therapy.

Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) bind to membrane receptors on a wide variety of cells to regulate diverse biological responses. The VEGF-A family member promotes vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, processes which are essential for vascular development and physiology. As angiogenesis can be subverted in many disease states, including tumour development and progression, there is much interest in understanding the mechanistic basis for how VEGF-A regulates cell and tissue function.

Scavenger Receptors as Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets in Cardiovascular Disease.

The process of atherosclerosis leads to the formation of plaques in the arterial wall, resulting in a decreased blood supply to tissues and organs and its sequelae: morbidity and mortality. A class of membrane-bound proteins termed scavenger receptors (SRs) are closely linked to the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Increasing interest in understanding SR structure and function has led to the idea that these proteins could provide new routes for cardiovascular disease diagnosis, management, and treatment.

Separation of pair housed roosters is associated with transient increased corticosteroid excretion.

Immunoreactive corticosterone and corticosterone metabolites (ICCM) were quantified in excreta of permanently single housed (n=10) and permanently pair housed (n=20) roosters. The pair housed roosters were separated and single housed, and ICCM were quantified in the droppings before and during 15 days after separation. There was no statistically significant difference in ICCM excretion in the droppings between the permanently single or pair housed roosters.