Transverse aortic constriction-induced heart failure leads to increased levels of circulating microparticles.

Background: Circulating microparticles represent one type of signal transmission between cells. Previous studies revealed increased levels of circulating microparticles in patients with heart failure, while composition, temporal occurrence and biological effects are largely unknown.

Methods: Circulating microparticles were quantified by flow cytometry in mice following TAC.

The endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol inhibits endothelial function and repair.

Background: Endothelial dysfunction promotes atherogenesis, vascular inflammation, and thrombus formation. Reendothelialization after angioplasty is required in order to prevent stent failure. Previous studies have highlighted the role of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in murine experimental atherogenesis and in human coronary artery disease.

The Role of Macrophage-Inducible C-Type Lectin in Different Stages of Chronic Liver Disease.

The macrophage-inducible C-type lectin (mincle) is part of the innate immune system and acts as a pattern recognition receptor for pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPS) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Ligand binding induces mincle activation which consequently interacts with the signaling adapter Fc receptor, SYK, and NF-kappa-B. There is also evidence that mincle expressed on macrophages promotes intestinal barrier integrity.

Elevated levels of 2-arachidonoylglycerol promote atherogenesis in ApoE-/- mice.

Background: The endocannabinoid (eCB) 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is a known modulator of inflammation and ligand to both, pro-inflammatory cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and anti-inflammatory CB2. While the role of both receptors in atherogenesis has been studied extensively, the significance of 2-AG for atherogenesis is less well characterized.

Methods: The impact of 2-AG on atherogenesis was studied in two treatment groups of ApoE-/- mice.

Intercellular transfer of miR-126-3p by endothelial microparticles reduces vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and limits neointima formation by inhibiting LRP6.

Background: Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation is of importance in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases such as restenosis or atherosclerosis. Endothelial microparticles (EMPs) regulate function and phenotype of target endothelial cells (ECs), but their influence on VSMC biology is unknown. We aim to investigate the role of EMPs in the regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and vascular remodeling.

Vascular endothelial microparticles-incorporated microRNAs are altered in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Background: Circulating microRNAs (miRs) are differentially regulated and selectively packaged into microparticles (MPs). We evaluated whether diabetes mellitus alters circulating vascular and endothelial MP-incorporated miRs expression levels.

Methods And Results: Circulating MPs were isolated from 135 patients with or without diabetes mellitus type II and characterized using flow cytometer and electron microscope.

Myeloid-Specific Deletion of Diacylglycerol Lipase α Inhibits Atherogenesis in ApoE-Deficient Mice.

Background: The endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is a known modulator of inflammation. Despite its high concentration in vascular tissue, the role of 2-AG in atherogenesis has not yet been examined.

Methods: ApoE-deficient mice were sublethally irradiated and reconstituted with bone marrow from mice with a myeloid-specific knockout of the 2-AG synthesising enzyme diacylglycerol lipase α (Dagla) or control bone marrow with an intact 2-AG biosynthesis.

Role and Function of MicroRNAs in Extracellular Vesicles in Cardiovascular Biology.

Intercellular communication mediated by extracellular vesicles is crucial for preserving vascular integrity and in the development of cardiovascular disease. Extracellular vesicles consist of apoptotic bodies, microvesicles, and exosomes that can be found in almost every fluid compartment of the body like blood, saliva, and urine. In the recent years, a lot of reports came up suggesting that major cardiovascular and metabolic pathologies like atherogenesis, heart failure, or diabetes are highly influenced by transfer of microRNAs via extracellular vesicles leading to altered protein expression and phenotypes of recipient cells.

Staufen2 regulates neuronal target RNAs.

RNA-binding proteins play crucial roles in directing RNA translation to neuronal synapses. Staufen2 (Stau2) has been implicated in both dendritic RNA localization and synaptic plasticity in mammalian neurons. Here, we report the identification of functionally relevant Stau2 target mRNAs in neurons.

IL-17C is a mediator of respiratory epithelial innate immune response.

The IL-17 family of cytokines consists of at least six members (IL-17A to -F). IL-17 directly activates epithelial cells leading to the expression of inflammatory mediators and antimicrobial factors. Recent studies showed that IL-17C is expressed by epithelial cells.