Redox Dysregulation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Sirtuin-1 in Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm in Marfan Syndrome.

Background: Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) are abnormal aortic dilatations and a major cardiovascular complication of Marfan syndrome. We previously demonstrated a critical role for vascular smooth muscle (VSM) SirT1 (sirtuin-1), a lysine deacetylase, against maladaptive aortic remodeling associated with chronic oxidative stress and aberrant activation of MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases).

Methods: In this study, we investigated whether redox dysregulation of SirT1 contributed to the pathogenesis of TAA using fibrillin-1 hypomorphic mice (Fbn1), an established model of Marfan syndrome prone to aortic dissection/rupture.

Aging and Hypercholesterolemia Differentially Affect the Unfolded Protein Response in the Vasculature of Mice.

Background Persistent activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR) induces vascular cell apoptosis, contributing to atherogenesis. Aging and hypercholesterolemia are 2 independent proatherogenic factors. How they affect vascular UPR signaling remains unclear.

BCL11B Regulates Arterial Stiffness and Related Target Organ Damage.

[Figure: see text].

Redox-Resistant SERCA [Sarco(endo)plasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase] Attenuates Oxidant-Stimulated Mitochondrial Calcium and Apoptosis in Cardiac Myocytes and Pressure Overload-Induced Myocardial Failure in Mice.

Background: SERCA [sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum calcium ATPase] is regulated by oxidative posttranslational modifications at cysteine 674 (C674). Because sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium has been shown to play a critical role in mediating mitochondrial dysfunction in response to reactive oxygen species, we hypothesized that SERCA oxidation at C674 would modulate the effects of reactive oxygen species on mitochondrial calcium and mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in cardiac myocytes.

Methods: Adult rat ventricular myocytes expressing wild-type SERCA2b or a redox-insensitive mutant in which C674 is replaced by serine (C674S) were exposed to HO (100 µmol/Lμ).

Stable C and N isotope analysis of hair suggest undernourishment as a factor in the death of a mummified girl from late 19th century San Francisco, CA.

The chance discovery of a 1.5-3.5 years old mummified girl presents a unique opportunity to further our understanding of health and disease among children in 19th Century San Francisco.

Neuronal UCP1 expression suggests a mechanism for local thermogenesis during hibernation.

Hibernating mammals possess a unique ability to reduce their body temperature to ambient levels, which can be as low as -2.9 °C, by active down-regulation of metabolism. Despite such a depressed physiologic phenotype, hibernators still maintain activity in their nervous systems, as evidenced by their continued sensitivity to auditory, tactile, and thermal stimulation.

Neuronal mechanism for acute mechanosensitivity in tactile-foraging waterfowl.

Relying almost exclusively on their acute sense of touch, tactile-foraging birds can feed in murky water, but the cellular mechanism is unknown. Mechanical stimuli activate specialized cutaneous end organs in the bill, innervated by trigeminal afferents. We report that trigeminal ganglia (TG) of domestic and wild tactile-foraging ducks exhibit numerical expansion of large-diameter mechanoreceptive neurons expressing the mechano-gated ion channel Piezo2.