Hydrogen sulfide donor activates AKT-eNOS signaling and promotes lymphatic vessel formation.

The lymphatic network is pivotal for various physiological functions in the human body. Accumulated evidence supports the role of therapeutic lymphangiogenesis in the treatment of several pathologies. Endogenous gasotransmitter, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been extensively studied for its potential as a pro-angiogenic factor and vascular function modulator.

Identification of cell division cycle protein 20 in various forms of acute and chronic kidney injury in mice.

Tubular epithelial cell fate following exposure to various types of injurious stimuli can be decided at distinct cell cycle checkpoints. One such checkpoint occurs during mitosis, known as the spindle assembly checkpoint, and is tightly regulated through the actions of cell division cycle protein 20 (CDC20). Due to our paucity of knowledge about the role of CDC20 in the kidney, the present study was designed to investigate the expression levels and distribution of CDC20 within the kidney and how pharmacological inhibition of CDC20 function affects kidney recovery using various rodent models of kidney injury.

CD47 Activation by Thrombospondin-1 in Lymphatic Endothelial Cells Suppresses Lymphangiogenesis and Promotes Atherosclerosis.

Background: TSP1 (thrombospondin-1)-a well-known angiogenesis inhibitor-mediates differential effects via interacting with cell surface receptors including CD36 (cluster of differentiation) and CD47. However, the role of TSP1 in regulating lymphangiogenesis is not clear. Our previous study suggested the importance of cell-specific CD47 blockade in limiting atherosclerosis.

Cannabinoid Type 2 Receptor Activation Reduces the Progression of Kidney Fibrosis Using a Mouse Model of Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction.

Kidney fibrosis is a hallmark consequence of all forms of chronic kidney disease with few available treatment modalities. In this study, we performed the unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) procedure to investigate the effects of a selective cannabinoid type 2 (CB2) agonist receptor, SMM-295, as a nephroprotective therapy. SMM-295 was demonstrated to exhibit 50-fold selectivity over the cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor with an EC ∼2 nM.