Inhibition of phosphodiesterases 1 and 4 prevents myofibroblast transformation in Peyronie's disease.

Objectives: To investigate which phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoforms are expressed in fibroblasts isolated from the tunica albuginea (TA) of patients with Peyronie's disease (PD), and to measure the potency of PDE inhibitors in preventing transformation of these fibroblasts to profibrotic myofibroblasts.

Materials And Methods: Fibroblasts isolated from the TA of men undergoing surgery for correction of PD curvature were transformed to myofibroblasts using transforming growth factor beta-1. The expression of 21 PDE isoforms was investigated using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and protein analysis, as were the effects of various PDE inhibitors on prevention of myofibroblast transformation.

RT-qPCR Testing and Performance Metrics in the COVID-19 Era.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the crucial role of diagnostic testing in managing infectious diseases, particularly through the use of reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) tests. RT-qPCR has been pivotal in detecting and quantifying viral RNA, enabling the identification and management of SARS-CoV-2 infections. However, despite its widespread use, there remains a notable gap in understanding fundamental diagnostic metrics such as sensitivity and specificity among many scientists and healthcare practitioners.

TGF-β1 induces formation of TSG-6-enriched extracellular vesicles in fibroblasts which can prevent myofibroblast transformation by modulating Erk1/2 phosphorylation.

Extracellular vesicles have emerged as important mediators of cell-to-cell communication in the pathophysiology of fibrotic diseases. One such disease is Peyronie's disease (PD), a fibrotic disorder of the penis caused by uncontrolled transformation of resident fibroblasts to alpha-smooth muscle actin positive myofibroblasts. These cells produce large amounts of extracellular matrix, leading to formation of a plaque in the penile tunica albuginea (TA), causing pain, penile curvature, and erectile dysfunction.

FlashPCR: Revolutionising qPCR by Accelerating Amplification through Low ∆T Protocols.

Versatility, sensitivity, and accuracy have made the real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) a crucial tool for research, as well as diagnostic applications. However, for point-of-care (PoC) use, traditional qPCR faces two main challenges: long run times mean results are not available for half an hour or more, and the requisite high-temperature denaturation requires more robust and power-demanding instrumentation. This study addresses both issues and revises primer and probe designs, modified buffers, and low ∆T protocols which, together, speed up qPCR on conventional qPCR instruments and will allow for the development of robust, point-of-care devices.

Temporal gene signature of myofibroblast transformation in Peyronie's disease: first insights into the molecular mechanisms of irreversibility.

Background: Transformation of resident fibroblasts to profibrotic myofibroblasts in the tunica albuginea is a critical step in the pathophysiology of Peyronie's disease (PD). We have previously shown that myofibroblasts do not revert to the fibroblast phenotype and we suggested that there is a point of no return at 36 hours after induction of the transformation. However, the molecular mechanisms that drive this proposed irreversibility are not known.