Functional microvascularization of human myocardium .

In this study, we report static and perfused models of human myocardial-microvascular interaction. In static culture, we observe distinct regulation of electrophysiology of human induced pluripotent stem cell derived-cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) in co-culture with human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (hCMVECs) and human left ventricular fibroblasts (hLVFBs), including modification of beating rate, action potential, calcium handling, and pro-arrhythmic substrate. Within a heart-on-a-chip model, we subject this three-dimensional (3D) co-culture to microfluidic perfusion and vasculogenic growth factors to induce spontaneous assembly of perfusable myocardial microvasculature.

Chronic kidney disease mediates cardiac dysfunction associated with increased resident cardiac macrophages.

Background: The leading cause of death in end-stage kidney disease is related to cardiovascular disease. Macrophages are known to be involved in both chronic kidney disease (CKD) and heart failure, however their role in the development of cardiorenal syndrome is less clear. We thus sought to investigate the role of macrophages in uremic cardiac disease.

Circulating microRNAs predispose to takotsubo syndrome following high-dose adrenaline exposure.

Aims: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute heart failure, typically triggered by high adrenaline during physical or emotional stress. It is distinguished from myocardial infarction (MI) by a characteristic pattern of ventricular basal hypercontractility with hypokinesis of apical segments, and in the absence of culprit coronary occlusion. We aimed to understand whether recently discovered circulating biomarkers miR-16 and miR-26a, which differentiate TTS from MI at presentation, were mechanistically involved in the pathophysiology of TTS.

A dual CysLT antagonist attenuates allergen-induced airway responses in subjects with mild allergic asthma.

Background: The cysteinyl leukotrienes (cysLTs) play a key role in the pathophysiology of asthma. In addition to functioning as potent bronchoconstrictors, cysLTs contribute to airway inflammation through eosinophil and neutrophil chemotaxis, plasma exudation, and mucus secretion. We tested the activity of the dual cysLT antagonist, ONO-6950, against allergen-induced airway responses.

A comparison of methods for assessing hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity in asthma patients treated with inhaled corticosteroids.

Suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is an accepted indicator of potential side effects from inhaled corticosteroids. Although cortisol monitoring is frequently used to detect changes in HPA axis activity, the optimal method for identifying the subset of asthma patients on inhaled steroids who experience severe cortisol suppression of potential clinical significance has not been established. The objective of this study was to compare several methods for assessing HPA axis activity in asthma patients taking inhaled corticosteroids.