Platelet derived growth factor-evoked Ca2+ wave and matrix gene expression through phospholipase C in human pulmonary fibroblast.

The primary role of fibroblasts is production and degradation of extracellular matrix, and thus it helps in the structural framework of tissues. The close relation between fibroblast malfunction and many diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and fibrosis is widely accepted. Fibroblasts are known to respond to different growth factors and cytokines including platelet-derived growth factors (PDGF).

Transforming growth factor-β evokes Ca2+ waves and enhances gene expression in human pulmonary fibroblasts.

Fibroblasts maintain the structural framework of animal tissue by synthesizing extracellular matrix molecules. Chronic lung diseases are characterized in part by changes in fibroblast numbers, properties, and more. Fibroblasts respond to a variety of growth factors, cytokines, and proinflammatory mediators.

NS2a-NS2b sequence analysis of DEN-4 virus strains.

To study the genetic variability of DEN-4 Chinese isolates, and to trace the origin of DV4 Chinese isolates, we cloned and sequenced the NS2a-NS2b junction of 5 isolates and prototype DV4 (H-241). Our results show that isolates from the 1990 Guangdong epidemic, which were isolated in the early, middle, and late periods of the epidemic, share the same sequence in the NS2a-NS2b junction. The sequence similarity between isolates from the Guangdong epidemic in 1990 and DV4 H-241 is 96%; these isolates can be grouped into genotype I.