Characterization and modulation of fibroblast/endothelial cell co-cultures for the in vitro preformation of three-dimensional tubular networks.

Various assays of different complexity are used in research on angiogenesis in health and disease. The results of these assays increasingly impact the field of tissue engineering because preformed microvascular networks may connect and conduct to the vascular system of the host, thereby helping us to support the survival of implanted cells and tissue constructs. An interesting model that supports the formation of EC (endothelial cells) tubular structures in vitro is based on co-culturing them with fibroblasts.

[A 37-year-old patient with fever, dyspnea and elevated transaminases after a stay in Mexico].

Case Report: A 37-year-old patient with cephalgia and fever after his return from Mexico is reported. Due to persistently elevated transaminases, a liver biopsy was performed. Histological examination revealed hepatic involvement of a granulomatous disease.

Analyzing the molecular weight distribution in supramolecular polymers.

We have investigated the formation process of supramolecular linear polymer chains and its influence on the resulting chain length distribution function. For this purpose, we explored the migration of excitation energy between oligofluorene units coupled together through quadruple hydrogen-bonding groups to form linear chains that are terminated by oligophenylene vinylene end-caps acting as energy traps. The energy transfer dynamics from the main chain to the chain end was monitored experimentally using time-resolved PL spectroscopy and compared to an equivalent Monte Carlo simulation incorporating information on the structure of the chains, the transition transfer rates, and various weight distribution trial functions.

Fibroblastic reaction and vascular maturation in human colon cancers.

Purpose: The objective of the present study was to provide evidence for the hypothesis of fibroblasts and the desmoplastic reaction, respectively, to impact the formation and maturation of the vascular network in human colon tumours via a retrospective in situ study. An in vivo xenograft model was evaluated to verify its potential for fibroblast-related functional studies.

Materials And Methods: In situ: Fiftytwo G2/G3 colon tumours were histomorphologically categorised into low (<50%), medium (50-75%) and high (>75%) grade desmoplasia based on hematoxylin/eosin and Elastica van Gieson stained paraffin sections.

Lactate adversely affects the in vitro formation of endothelial cell tubular structures through the action of TGF-beta1.

When lactate accumulation in a tumor microenvironment reaches an average concentration of 10-20 mM, it tends to reflect a high degree of malignancy. However, the hypothesis that tumor-derived lactate has a number of partially adverse biological effects on malignant and tumor-associated host cells requires further evidence. The present study attempted to evaluate the impact of lactate on the process of angiogenesis, in particular on the formation of tubular structures.