Enhancing uterine receptivity for embryo implantation through controlled collagenase intervention.

Ineffective endometrial matrix remodeling, a key factor in infertility, impedes embryo implantation in the uterine wall. Our study reveals the cellular and molecular impact of human collagenase-1 administration in mouse uteri, demonstrating enhanced embryo implantation rates. Collagenase-1 promotes remodeling of the endometrial ECM, degrading collagen fibers and proteoglycans.

Contrast enhanced photoacoustic detection of fibrillar collagen in the near infrared region-I.

Fibrillar collagen accumulation emerges as a promising biomarker in several diseases, such as desmoplastic tumors and unstable atherosclerotic plaque. Gold nanorods (GNRs) hold great potential as contrast agents in high-resolution, biomedically safe, and non-invasive photoacoustic imaging (PAI). This study presents the design and characterization of a specialized imaging tool which exploits GNR assisted targeted photoacoustic imaging that is tailored for the identification of fibrillar collagen.

Integrated Metabolomics and Proteomics of Symptomatic and Early Presymptomatic States of Colitis.

Colitis has a multifactorial pathogenesis with a strong cross-talk among microbiota, hypoxia, and tissue metabolism. Here, we aimed to characterize the molecular signature of the disease in symptomatic and presymptomatic stages of the inflammatory process at the tissue and fecal level. The study is based on two different murine models for colitis, and HR-MAS NMR on "intact" colon tissues and LC-MS/MS on colon tissue extracts were used to derive untargeted metabolomics and proteomics information, respectively.

Proteolytic Vesicles Derived from Serovar Typhimurium-Infected Macrophages: Enhancing MMP-9-Mediated Invasion and EV Accumulation.

Proteolysis of the extracellular matrix (ECM) by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) plays a crucial role in the immune response to bacterial infections. Here we report the secretion of MMPs associated with proteolytic extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by macrophages in response to serovar Typhimurium infection. Specifically, we used global proteomics, in vitro, and in vivo approaches to investigate the composition and function of these proteolytic EVs.