Publications by authors named "Shannon L J Sproul"

Article Synopsis
  • * Research shows decreased MED15 levels in pancreatic islets from individuals with type 2 diabetes, suggesting its importance in maintaining β-cell function and health.
  • * Studies indicate that Med15 interacts with transcription factors Nkx6-1 and NeuroD1 to regulate genes crucial for β-cell maturation, and this is also seen in genetically modified human stem cells that show improved maturation when MED15 levels are increased.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Multicellular organisms balance oxygen delivery and toxicity by having oxygen pass through several barriers before cellular delivery. In human cell culture, these physiologic barriers are removed, exposing cells to higher oxygen levels. Human cells cultured in ambient air may appear normal, but this is difficult to assess without a comparison at physiologic oxygen.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are a potential unlimited source of insulin-producing β cells for diabetes treatment. A greater understanding of how β cells form during embryonic development will improve current hESC differentiation protocols. All pancreatic endocrine cells, including β cells, are derived from Neurog3-expressing endocrine progenitors.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

There is a well-documented relationship between cerebral vasculature and multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions: abnormal accumulations of iron have been found in the walls of the dilated veins in cerebral MS plaques. The source of this iron is unknown, but could be related to the recognized phenomenon of capillary and venous hemorrhages leading to blood extravasation. In turn, hemorrhaging leading to hemolysis results in extracellular release of hemoglobin, a reactive molecule that could induce local oxidative stress, inflammation, and tissue damage.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF