Association between enhanced type I collagen expression and epigenetic repression of the FLI1 gene in scleroderma fibroblasts.

Objective: Scleroderma (systemic sclerosis; SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by vasculopathy and widespread organ fibrosis. Altered fibroblast function, both in vivo and in vitro, is well documented and illustrated by augmented synthesis and deposition of extracellular matrix proteins. We undertook this study to investigate the possibility that epigenetic mechanisms mediate the emergence and persistence of the altered SSc fibroblast phenotype.

Inhibitory effect of quercetin on proliferation of human microvascular endothelial cells in vitro.

Aim: To investigate the role of quercetin (Que) in the proliferation of cultured human skin microvascular endothelial cells (MVEC).

Methods: Cell count and [methyl-3H]thymidine ([3H]TdR) uptake assay were used to measure the effect of Que in the proliferation of cultured MVEC. Cytotoxicity of Que on MVEC was also evaluated by 51Cr release assay.

[Effects of quercetin on platelet-endothelial cell adhesion and their expression of adhesion molecules].

Aim: To observe the effect of quercetin (Que) on the adhesion of platelets to cultured endothelial cells and adhesion molecule expression by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and platelets.

Methods: [3H]-Adenine labeled platelets were incubated with HUVEC to investigate the effect of Que on adhesion of platelets to HUVEC. The number of platelets adhering to the HUVEC monolayer was determined by liquid scintillation spectroscopy.

Expression of recombinant human ICOS and in vitro characterization of its bioactivity on B lymphocytes.

Inducible costimulator (ICOS) is a novel costimulatory molecule expressed in activated T cell and has critical regulation effect on special immune response. In this study, the cDNA encoding human ICOS was cloned from activated tonsil cells via RT-PCR, and was expressed in E. coli on pET28 expression vector.

Inhibitory effects of prostaglandin A1 on apoptosis of rat cardiac microvascular endothelial cells was mediated by NF-kappaB.

Aim: To study the effects of prostaglandin A1 (PGA1) on rat cardiac microvascular endothelial cells. METH-ODS: Isolated rat cardiac microvascular endothelial cells were cultured in hypoxia and reoxygen conditions, respectively. Endothelial cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining.