Cardiac progenitor cell-derived extracellular vesicles promote angiogenesis through both associated- and co-isolated proteins.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived lipid bilayer-enclosed particles that play a role in intercellular communication. Cardiac progenitor cell (CPC)-derived EVs have been shown to protect the myocardium against ischemia-reperfusion injury via pro-angiogenic effects. However, the mechanisms underlying CPC-EV-induced angiogenesis remain elusive.

Towards integrated paediatric services in the Netherlands: a survey of views and policies on collaboration in the care for children with cerebral palsy.

Aim: Worldwide, family-centred and co-ordinated care are seen as the two most desirable and effective methods of paediatric care delivery. This study outlines current views on how team collaboration comprising professionals in paediatric rehabilitation and special education and the parents of children with disabilities should be organized, and analyses the policies of five paediatric rehabilitation settings associated with the care of 44 children with cerebral palsy (CP) in the Netherlands.

Methods: For an overview of current ideas on collaboration, written statements of professional associations in Dutch paediatric rehabilitation were examined.

A review of salient elements defining team collaboration in paediatric rehabilitation.

Objective: To explicate the complex process of team collaboration and identify salient elements of team collaboration in paediatric rehabilitation.

Data Sources: After an initial search to define key features of team collaboration a systematic search on team collaboration and the key features was executed to identify salient elements. The systematic search was carried out in Index Medicus (MEDLINE), Educational Resource Information Clearinghouse (ERIC) and American Psychological Association (Psyc INFO) covering the period from January 1993 to December 2004.

Microarray analysis on Runx2-deficient mouse embryos reveals novel Runx2 functions and target genes during intramembranous and endochondral bone formation.

A major challenge in developmental biology is to correlate genome-wide gene expression modulations with developmental processes in vivo. In this study, we analyzed the role of Runx2 during intramembranous and endochondral bone development, by comparing gene expression profiles in 14.5 dpc wild-type and Runx2 (-/-) mice.

Microarray analysis reveals expression regulation of Wnt antagonists in differentiating osteoblasts.

Wnt signaling has been implicated in regulating bone formation by controlling osteoblast proliferation and function. Although stabilization of beta-catenin by Wnt has been shown to increase alkaline phosphatase expression and osteoblast differentiation, the precise role of Wnt signaling during the process of osteoblast differentiation is largely unknown. In this study, we used microarray technology to investigate expression regulation of Wnt signaling components during in vitro osteoblast differentiation.

Regulation of Notch signaling genes during BMP2-induced differentiation of osteoblast precursor cells.

The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-induced Smad signal transduction pathway is an important positive regulator of osteoblast differentiation. BMP and other members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) family have distinct effects on osteoblast differentiation, depending on cell type and cell differentiation status. In C2C12 mesenchymal cells, BMP-induced osteoblast differentiation can be blocked by TGF-beta.

Identification of novel regulators associated with early-phase osteoblast differentiation.

Unlabelled: Key regulatory components of the BMP-induced osteoblast differentiation cascade remain to be established. Microarray and subsequent expression analyses in mice identified two transcription factors, Hey1 and Tcf7, with in vitro and in vivo expression characteristics very similar to Cbfa1. Transfection studies suggest that Tcf7 modulates BMP2-induced osteoblast differentiation.

Gene array analysis of bone morphogenetic protein type I receptor-induced osteoblast differentiation.

Unlabelled: The genomic response to BMP was investigated by ectopic expression of activated BMP type I receptors in C2C12 myoblast using cDNA microarrays. Novel BMP receptor target genes with possible roles in inhibition of myoblast differentiation and stimulation of osteoblast differentiation were identified.

Introduction: Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) have an important role in controlling mesenchymal cell fate and mediate these effects by regulating gene expression.

Microarray analysis of bone morphogenetic protein, transforming growth factor beta, and activin early response genes during osteoblastic cell differentiation.

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 2, a member of the transforming growth factor (TGF) beta family, is a potent regulator of osteoblast differentiation. In addition, both TGF-beta and activin A can either induce bone formation or inhibit bone formation depending on cell type and differentiation status. Although much is known about the receptors and intracellular second messengers involved in the action of TGF-beta family members, little is known about how selectivity in the biological response of individual family members is controlled.

Comprehensive microarray analysis of bone morphogenetic protein 2-induced osteoblast differentiation resulting in the identification of novel markers for bone development.

Osteoblasts are cells responsible for matrix deposition during bone development and although temporal expression of many genes has been related to osteoblast differentiation, a complete description of osteoblast-specific gene regulation will lead to a better understanding of osteoblast function. In this study, microarray technology was used to analyze gene expression on a broad scale during osteoblast differentiation. Expression analysis of 9596 sequences revealed 342 genes and expressed sequence tags (ESTs) to be modulated differentially during a time course experiment in which murine C2C12 mesenchymal progenitor cells were induced to differentiate into mature osteoblasts by treatment with bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2).

Antiestrogens specifically up-regulate bone morphogenetic protein-4 promoter activity in human osteoblastic cells.

Bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4) plays an important role in the onset of endochondral bone formation in humans, and a reduction in BMP-4 expression has been associated with a variety of bone diseases. Here we describe, by transient transfection assays in bone cells, that the human BMP-4 promoter recently characterized in our laboratory can be stimulated specifically by antiestrogens but not by estrogens or other steroid hormones. This activity is dependent on the presence of the estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha, although the promoter lacks a consensus estrogen-responsive element.

Homeobox proteins as signal transduction intermediates in regulation of NCAM expression by recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 in osteoblast-like cells.

The role of homeobox genes in signaling of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) was studied in osteoblast-like cells. Expression of several homeobox genes was decreased by rhBMP-2. The finding that this regulation of homeobox gene expression by rhBMP-2 was not dependent on protein synthesis suggests that homeobox proteins can act as direct intermediates in signal transduction of BMPs.

Functional characterization of two promoters in the human bone morphogenetic protein-4 gene.

Bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4) is a member of the BMP family, which consists of important regulators of bone formation and embryonic development. We have previously isolated the human BMP-4 encoding gene, which is associated with the heritable disorder Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva. In this study, we describe the molecular cloning and functional characterization of two promoters involved in the transcriptional regulation of the human BMP-4 gene, one upstream of exon 1, the second located in intron 1, upstream of exon 2.

Human progesterone receptor A and B isoforms in CHO cells. I. Stable transfection of receptor and receptor-responsive reporter genes: transcription modulation by (anti)progestagens.

A hormone-dependent transcription modulation system was established on the basis of a two-step transfection procedure of the human progesterone receptor isoforms (hPR-A and hPR-B, respectively) and a progesterone receptor-responsive reporter (MMTV-Luc). In the first step, stable transfection of the hPR-A and hPR-B isoform-encoding cDNAs was performed in the steroid receptor-negative CHO K1 cell line. Individual clones were characterized for hPR-isoform expression with respect to Western immuno-blotting, transcriptional activation and hormone binding.

Human serotonin 5-HT7 receptor: cloning and pharmacological characterisation of two receptor variants.

Two splice variants of the 5-HT7 receptor were identified in human brain that differ in the lengths of their intracellular carboxy terminal tail. Identification of the variants of this receptor is of particular interest since the 5-HT7 receptor is known to have a high affinity for a number of antidepressants and is localized in brain regions thought to be implicated in depression. The two isoforms are expressed in roughly equal amounts in various regions of the human brain.

Cell-type-specific modulation of Hox gene expression by members of the TGF-beta superfamily: a comparison between human osteosarcoma and neuroblastoma cell lines.

Homeobox gene expression in osteoblast-like cells was investigated using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 13 homeobox genes was detected in U-2 OS (human osteosarcoma) and MC3T3-E1 (mouse osteoblast) cells by sequencing cloned PCR products. Using specific primers, a different pattern of Hox gene expression was shown for the neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-SH relative to U-2 OS and MC3T3-E1.

Molecular biology and biochemistry of human recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (Puregon).

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is a heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone produced in the anterior pituitary gland. The hormone is essential in the regulation of reproductive processes, such as follicular development and ovulation. It is clinically used for treatment of anovulation and in assisted reproduction technologies such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel orphan receptor (P2P) expressed in human pancreas that shows high structural homology to the P2U purinoceptor.

Here we report the cloning of a gene encoding a new member of the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors. The gene encodes a protein of 365 amino acids closely resembling two recently cloned nucleotide binding receptors, called P2U and P2Y purinoceptors (71% and 49% sequence identity within the transmembrane domains, respectively). Our studies show that this new putative purinoceptor (designated P2P) is encoded by an intronless single copy gene that is exclusively expressed in pancreas, in contrast to the P2U and the P2Y purinoceptors which are widely distributed throughout the periphery.

Genomic organization of the human bone morphogenetic protein-4 gene: molecular basis for multiple transcripts.

The structure of the human bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4) gene has been characterized from a genomic cosmid clone of about 38 kb. The transcriptional unit of the human BMP-4 gene is encoded by 5 exons and spans approximately 7 kb. The exon-intron organization of the human BMP-4 gene is similar to that of the mouse gene, with notable sequence differences in the 5' non-coding exons.

Genomic organisation and functional expression of the gene encoding the human serotonin 5-HT2C receptor.

The 5-HT2C receptor gene is unique among the members of the 5-HT receptor family by virtue of its genomic organisation. The human 5-HT2C receptor gene, unlike many other genes for guanine nucleotide binding (G)-proteins, contains three introns which interrupt the coding sequence into four exons. The first two introns are at equivalent positions as compared to the intervening sequences previously found in the 5-HT2(A) receptor gene, suggesting a close evolutionary relationship between both genes.

Immortalization of antigen selected B cells.

This paper reports the generation of monoclonal antibody producing hybridomas from a small number of antigen-specific B cells selected by panning on antigen-coated dishes and rosetting with antigen-coupled paramagnetic beads. Anti-HIV positive B cells from spleen could be recovered by panning with an efficiency of 5% and a purity of 24%. Immunobead selection of anti-HIV positive B cells from the same mice yielded a recovery of 17% and a purity of 7%.

The human gene for the zona pellucida glycoprotein ZP3 and a second polymorphic locus are located on chromosome 7.

Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA and gene-cloning experiments have recently shown that the human ZP3 gene is not a single-copy gene. The human genome harbors sequences encoding a protein of 424 amino acids and, in addition, a polymorphic locus with the potential to give rise to a probably nonfunctional polypeptide of 372 residues. In this report it is shown, by screening of a panel of human x hamster hybrid cell lines, that both the ZP3 and ZP3P loci are located on human chromosome 7.

Cloning and characterization of the human sperm receptor ligand ZP3: evidence for a second polymorphic allele with a different frequency in the Caucasian and Japanese populations.

The human ZP3 gene, encoding the glycoprotein responsible for sperm-egg recognition, has been cloned using mouse ZP3 DNA as a probe. Genomic and cDNA cloning revealed eight exons, spread over 18 kb, encoding a protein of 424 amino acids with a 67% homology to mouse and hamster ZP3. Southern blotting, gene cloning, and sequence analysis were used to show that ZP3 is not a single-copy gene and that the human genome contains a second polymorphic locus which, due to an extra G residue in exon 8, has the potential to encode a truncated protein of 372 amino acids.