Identification of HIF-2α-regulated genes that play a role in human microvascular endothelial sprouting during prolonged hypoxia in vitro.

During prolonged hypoxic conditions, endothelial cells change their gene expression to adjust to the low oxygen environment. This process is mainly regulated by the hypoxia-inducible factors, HIF-1α and HIF-2α. Although endothelial cells do not form sprouts during prolonged hypoxic culturing, silencing of HIF-2α partially restores sprout formation.

Correction: HIF-2α Expression Regulates Sprout Formation into 3D Fibrin Matrices in Prolonged Hypoxia in Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

HIF-2α Expression Regulates Sprout Formation into 3D Fibrin Matrices in Prolonged Hypoxia in Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells.

Background: During short-term hypoxia, Hypoxia Inducible Factors (particular their subunits HIF-1α and HIF-2α) regulate the expression of many genes including the potent angiogenesis stimulator VEGF. However, in some pathological conditions chronic hypoxia occurs and is accompanied by reduced angiogenesis.

Objectives: We investigated the effect of prolonged hypoxia on the proliferation and sprouting ability of human microvascular endothelial cells and the involvement of the HIFs and Dll4/Notch signaling.

Genome-Wide Identification of Epigenetic Hotspots Potentially Related to Cardiovascular Risk in Adult Women after a Complicated Pregnancy.

Background: The physiological demands of pregnancy on the maternal cardiovascular system can catapult women into a metabolic syndrome that predisposes to atherosclerosis in later life. We sought to identify the nature of the epigenomic changes associated with the increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in adult women following pre-eclampsia.

Findings: We assessed the genome wide epigenetic profile by methyl-C sequencing of monozygotic parous twin sister pairs discordant for a severe variant of pre-eclampsia.

Hypoxia inducible factor 1α down regulates cell surface expression of α1,2-fucosylated glycans in human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells.

The α1,2-fucosyltransferase activity in pancreatic tumors is much lower compared to normal pancreatic tissue. Here we show that hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) 1α is constitutively expressed in the pancreatic cancer cell lines Pa-Tu-8988S and Pa-Tu-8988T and suppresses the expression of the α1,2-fucosyltransferase genes FUT1 and FUT2. Down regulation of HIF-1α expression resulted in elevated FUT1 and FUT2 transcript levels and an increased expression of α1,2-fucosylated glycan structures on the surface of these cells.

Hypoxic signaling during tissue repair and regenerative medicine.

In patients with chronic wounds, autologous tissue repair is often not sufficient to heal the wound. These patients might benefit from regenerative medicine or the implantation of a tissue-engineered scaffold. Both wound healing and tissue engineering is dependent on the formation of a microvascular network.

Adipose tissue-derived stromal cells acquire endothelial-like features upon reprogramming with SOX18.

Adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ASC) form a rich source of autologous cells for use in regenerative medicine. In vitro induction of an endothelial phenotype may improve performance of ASCs in cardiovascular repair. Here, we report on an in vitro strategy using direct reprogramming of ASCs by means of ectopic expression of the endothelial-specific transcription factor SRY (sex determining region Y)-box18 (SOX18).

Insulin responsiveness of glucose transporter 4 in 3T3-L1 cells depends on the presence of sortilin.

Insulin-dependent translocation of glucose transporter 4 (Glut4) to the plasma membrane of fat and skeletal muscle cells plays the key role in postprandial clearance of blood glucose. Glut4 represents the major cell-specific component of the insulin-responsive vesicles (IRVs). It is not clear, however, whether the presence of Glut4 in the IRVs is essential for their ability to respond to insulin stimulation.

Mechano-optical waveguide on-off intensity modulator.

High-extinction on-off modulators are essential for channel selection in integrated-optical sensor arrays. We report a standard SiON-technology-based electrostatically driven integrated mechano-optical waveguide on-off intensity modulator. On-off modulation is achieved by movement of an absorbing element into and out of the evanescent field of the guided mode.

Set-up of a decision support system to support sustainable development of the Laguna de Bay, Philippines.

Over recent decades, population expansion, deforestation, land conversion, urbanisation, intense fisheries and industrialisation have produced massive changes in the Laguna de Bay catchment, Philippines. The resulting problems include rapid siltation of the lake, eutrophication, inputs of toxics, flooding problems and loss of biodiversity. Rational and systematic resolution of conflicting water use and water allocation interests is now urgently needed in order to ensure sustainable use of the water resources.