The molecular and functional phenotype of glomerular podocytes reveals key features of contractile smooth muscle cells.

The glomerular podocyte is a highly specialized cell, with the ability to ultrafilter blood and support glomerular capillary pressures. However, little is known about either the genetic programs leading to this functionality or the final phenotype. We approached this question utilizing a human conditionally immortalized cell line, which differentiates from a proliferating epithelial phenotype to a differentiated form.

Increased EP4 receptor expression in colorectal cancer progression promotes cell growth and anchorage independence.

Cyclooxygenase-2 and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) levels are increased in colorectal cancers and a subset of adenomas. PGE(2) signaling through the EP4 receptor has previously been associated with colorectal tumorigenesis. However, changes in EP4 expression during adenoma to carcinoma progression have not been investigated, neither has whether levels of EP4 influence important markers of malignant potential, such as anchorage-independent growth or the tumors growth response to PGE(2).

Human podocytes possess a stretch-sensitive, Ca2+-activated K+ channel: potential implications for the control of glomerular filtration.

Podocytes express many proteins characteristic of smooth muscle, such as actin and myosin. They also express receptors to several vasoactive agents, including acetylcholine and angiotensin II; these phenotypic properties suggest that podocytes are not static entities but may respond to physiologic stimuli. The electrophysiologic properties of a conditionally immortalized human podocyte cell line that expresses the specific podocyte proteins nephrin, podocin, and synaptopodin were examined by patch clamp.

Expression of functional toll-like receptor-2 and -4 on alveolar epithelial cells.

The recognition of potentially harmful microorganisms involves the specific recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and the family of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) is known to play a central role in this process. TLR-4 is the major recognition receptor for lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a component of gram-negative bacterial cell walls, whereas TLR-2 responds to bacterial products from gram-positive organisms. Although resident alveolar macrophages are the first line of defense against microbial attack, it is now understood that the alveolar epithelium also plays a pivotal role in the innate immunity of the lung.

Primary human alveolar type II epithelial cell chemokine release: effects of cigarette smoke and neutrophil elastase.

An early response to cigarette smoke is an influx of leukocytes into the lung. Alveolar epithelial type II (ATII) cells may contribute by releasing chemokines in response to cigarette smoke and neutrophil elastase (NE). Human ATII cells were purified from normal regions of lungs resected for carcinoma (n = 14).

Correlation between enterococcal biofilm formation in vitro and medical-device-related infection potential in vivo.

Hospital-acquired infections caused by enterococci have increased dramatically since the 1970s. Many nosocomial enterococcal bloodstream infections are associated with medical devices such as central venous catheters. The ability to form biofilm on medical devices is a potential virulence trait that may allow enterococci to cause infections in the expanding population of patients managed with such devices.

Enterococcal intravascular catheter-related bloodstream infection: management and outcome of 61 consecutive cases.

Enterococci are an increasingly important cause of intravascular catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI), but the evidence base for treating such cases is limited. Successful antimicrobial treatment of CRBSI while leaving the central venous catheter (CVC) in situ has been reported for some bacteria, such as coagulase-negative staphylococci, but the effectiveness of this approach for treating enterococcal CRBSI is unknown. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of treatment options for enterococcal CRBSI and whether CVC removal is mandatory.