SnoN residue (1-366) attenuates hypertrophic scars through resistance to transforming growth factor-β1-induced degradation.

Hypertrophic scars (HSs) are characterized by fibroblast hyperproliferation and excessive matrix deposition. During wound healing, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1/Smad signaling acts as a key regulator. As a transcriptional corepressor of TGF-β1/Smads, SnoN is expressed at low levels in many fibrotic diseases due to TGF-β1/Smad-induced degradation.

Dachengqi Decoction Attenuates Intestinal Vascular Endothelial Injury in Severe Acute Pancreatitis in Vitro and in Vivo.

Background/aims: Dachengqi decoction (DCQD) is a well-known traditional Chinese herbal drug with strong anti-inflammatory effects. Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) plays a vital role in maintaining the stability and integrity of the vascular wall and prevents vascular leakage due to inflammatory mediators. Our previous work found that DCQD protects against pancreatic injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

Preparation of Plasma Membrane Vesicles from Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Potential Cytoplasm Replacement Therapy.

We have previously reported on the generation of plasma membrane vesicles (PMVs) through the mechanical extrusion of mammalian cells. The fusion of PMVs with mitochondrial deficient Rho0 cells restored mitotic activity under normal culture conditions. Atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer are age-related diseases that have been reported to be associated with multiple mechanical and functional defects in the cytosol and organelles of a variety of cell types.

VSV-G Viral Envelope Glycoprotein Prepared from Enhances Transfection of DNA into Animal Cells.

Vesicular stomatitis virus G glycoprotein (VSV-G) has been widely used for pseudotyping retroviral, lentiviral, and artificial viral vectors. The objective of this study was to establish a potential approach for large-scale production of VSV-G. To this end, VSV-G was cloned with an N-terminal His-tag into expression vector pPIC3.

Incorporation of Viral Glycoprotein VSV-G Improves the Delivery of DNA by Erythrocyte Ghost into Cells Refractory to Conventional Transfection.

The objective of this study was to formulate a novel gene delivery system based on the erythrocyte ghost (EG) integrated with fusogenic viral glycoprotein vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein G (VSV-G). VSV-G proteins were harvested as condition medium of Ad293 cells carrying a VSV-G transgene and then incorporated into EG. Plasmid DNA was condensed by various transfection reagents.

Niacin receptor GPR109A inhibits insulin secretion and is down-regulated in type 2 diabetic islet beta-cells.

Objectives: We previously found niacin receptor GPR109A was expressed in murine islet beta-cells, and signaling through GPR109A inhibited glucose stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). However, the expression of GPR109A in human islets and its functional relevance is still not known.

Methods: The expression of GPR109A was examined by antibody staining and in situ hybridization on pancreatic paraffin sections.

Incorporation of VSV-G produces fusogenic plasma membrane vesicles capable of efficient transfer of bioactive macromolecules and mitochondria.

The objective of this study was to determine if plasma membrane vesicles (PMVs) could be exploited for efficient transfer of macro-biomolecules and mitochondria. PMVs were derived from mechanical extrusion, and made fusogenic (fPMVs) by incorporating the glycoprotein G of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV-G). Confocal microscopy examination revealed that cytoplasmic proteins and mitochondria were enclosed in PMVs as evidenced by tracing with cytoplasmically localized and mitochondria-targeted EGFP, respectively.

SHCBP1 is over-expressed in breast cancer and is important in the proliferation and apoptosis of the human malignant breast cancer cell line.

Background: SHC SH2-binding protein 1, a member of Src homolog and collagen homolog (Shc) family, has been recently identified in different contexts in unbiased screening assays. It has been reported to be over-expressed in several malignant cancers.

Methods: Immunohistochemistry of SHCBP1 on 128 breast cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues were used to evaluate the prognostic significance of SHCBP1.

Early prediction of intestinal mucosal barrier function impairment by elevated serum procalcitonin in rats with severe acute pancreatitis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels as a prognostic indicator of intestinal barrier function impairment in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

Methods: Thirty-six male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly grouped into SAP group (injected sodium taurocholate via biliopancreatic duct), Gln group (gavaged with glutamine after modeling), and control group. Blood, pancreatic, and terminal ileum tissues were obtained from the rats after 6 h of modeling.

Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein-Angiopoietin-1 Has a Protective Effect of Vascular Endothelial Barrier in Rat With Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis.

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) from capillary endothelial damage in rats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP).

Methods: 96 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly averaged and divided into control group, ANP group, Si-Ang-1 group, and COMP (cartilage oligomeric matrix protein)-Ang-1 group. Animals were killed at 6, 12, and 24 hours after molding.