Publications by authors named "Merlin Lee"
This case illustrates the need to consider SARS-CoV-2 infection as a catalyst for Coombs-negative hemolytic anemia as well as the potential for IVIG to serve as an effective treatment for the condition.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTumor/host-generated thrombin (endogenous thrombin) was investigated with tumor growth and metastasis experiments in mice by the use of hirudin, a highly potent specific inhibitor of thrombin. Pretreatment with hirudin inhibited tumor implantation in nude or syngeneic mice, following subcutaneous injection of 2 human and 2 murine tumors. Hirudin induced a considerable lag period in the appearance of tumor growth, compared with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) treatment, but had no effect on established tumor nodule growth in vivo or on tumor growth in vitro.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Angiogenesis is crucial for tumor growth and metastasis, and thrombin has been identified as a significant promoter of this process.
- Researchers found that thrombin treatment significantly increased the expression of angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) mRNA in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, particularly through enhanced transcription, rather than stabilization.
- The up-regulation of Ang-2 mRNA led to increased protein synthesis and secretion, with thrombin's effects being specific and reversible by hirudin, suggesting a key role for thrombin in promoting angiogenesis within tumors.