Study on mitogenic activity of serum from patients with total coronary occlusions: relation to duration of occlusion.

In contrast to the extensive evidence from animal studies, only few human data are available on the relation of vascular growth factors and collateral function as well as on the conditions which may modify their release or function. In 31 patients with total coronary occlusion (TCOs) blood was collected from distal to the occlusion site (collateral circulation) and from the aortic root (systemic circulation). Serum was used to assess its mitogenic potential in [H]-thymidine incorporation assay on human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Effect of blood loss during caesarean section on coagulation parameters.

Introduction: Venous thrombosis is the leading cause of pregnancy-related maternal morbidity and mortality. The thrombosis risk is increased by caesarean section and blood loss, though underlying mechanisms of these prothrombotic changes remain unknown.

Materials And Methods: This prospective study recruited 50 pregnant women at term undergoing elective caesarean section at University Hospital Magdeburg, Germany.

Dual-center experiences with interventional closure of patent foramen ovale: A medium-term follow-up study comparing two patient groups aged under and over 60 years.

Background: Current guidelines recommend interventional closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) in patients with cryptogenic ischemic stroke who are under 60 years of age.

Hypothesis: The hypothesis of this study was to compare follow-up results of PFO closure in patients over 60 years of age to those of patients under 60 years of age in order to determine whether the procedure is safe and effective for both age groups.

Methods: We included 293 patients who had a cryptogenic ischemic stroke and a PFO confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and who were scheduled for percutaneous closure of the PFO between 2014 and 2019.

Angiotensin receptor blockers and tumorigenesis: something to be (or not to be) concerned about?

The possibility of carcinogenic side effects of antihypertensive therapies due to their chronic administration has been raised multiple times in the past. Recently, the issue has again drawn attention, this time in relation to angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). This, among others, caused both American and European drug regulation authorities to review the underlying evidence concerning the relationship between this class of medications and potential adverse carcinogenic outcome.

TGF-β1/ALK5-induced monocyte migration involves PI3K and p38 pathways and is not negatively affected by diabetes mellitus.

Aims: Monocytes contribute to arteriogenesis by infiltration to sites of collateral growth and subsequent production and release of growth factors. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) mediates monocyte motility and stimulates arteriogenesis. TGF-β1 signalling mechanisms mediating monocyte motility are unknown so far.

A disintegrin and metalloprotease 10 is a novel mediator of vascular endothelial growth factor-induced endothelial cell function in angiogenesis and is associated with atherosclerosis.

Objective: To elucidate the downstream mechanisms of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), a key receptor in angiogenesis, which has been associated with atherosclerotic plaque growth and instability.

Methods And Results: By using a yeast-2-hybrid assay, we identified A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease 10 (ADAM10) as a novel binding partner of VEGFR2. ADAM10 is a metalloprotease with sheddase activity involved in cell migration; however, its exact function in endothelial cells (ECs), angiogenesis, and atherosclerosis is largely unknown.

Diabetes mellitus activates signal transduction pathways resulting in vascular endothelial growth factor resistance of human monocytes.

Background: Monocytes are cellular components of wound repair, arteriogenesis, and atherogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and placental growth factor recruit monocytes to sites of arteriogenesis via stimulation of VEGF receptor-1 (VEGFR-1). The chemotactic response of monocytes to VEGF-A is attenuated in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM).

Pregnancy-associated changes in the hemostatic system in wild-type and factor V Leiden mice.

Background: Pregnancy, oral contraceptive (OC)use and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are established risk factors for venous thrombosis. Acquired resistance to activated protein C (APC) has been proposed to contribute to the increased thrombosis risk. Mouse models are often used for preclinical testing of newly developed hormone preparations.

Flt-1 signaling in macrophages promotes glioma growth in vivo.

Several lines of evidence indicate that Flt-1, a fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor, which binds to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, VEGF-B, and PlGF, is a positive regulator of angiogenesis in the context of tumor growth and metastasis. However, the molecular basis of its action is still not clear. Besides endothelial cells, Flt-1 is also expressed by other different cell types, including myeloid hematopoeitic cells (monocytes and macrophages).

Noninvasive diagnosis of ruptured peripheral atherosclerotic lesions and myocardial infarction by antibody profiling.

Novel biomarkers, such as circulating (auto)antibody signatures, may improve early detection and treatment of ruptured atherosclerotic lesions and accompanying cardiovascular events, such as myocardial infarction. Using a phage-display library derived from cDNAs preferentially expressed in ruptured peripheral human atherosclerotic plaques, we performed serological antigen selection to isolate displayed cDNA products specifically interacting with antibodies in sera from patients with proven ruptured peripheral atherosclerotic lesions. Two cDNA products were subsequently evaluated on a validation series of patients with peripheral atherosclerotic lesions, healthy controls, and patients with coronary artery disease at different stages.

The molecular basis of VEGFR-1 signal transduction pathways in primary human monocytes.

Objective: Arteriogenesis, the growth of preexisting arterioles into functional arteries, is dependent on the proper function of monocytes. Likewise, wound healing is monocyte-dependent. The activation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1) in monocytes induces a chemotactic response, triggers the expression of tissue factor, and gene expression of cytokines and chemokines.

Novel PDGFbetaR antisense encapsulated in polymeric nanospheres for the treatment of restenosis.

Nanospheres composed of the biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, poly-DL-lactide/glycolide and containing platelet-derived growth factor beta-receptor antisense (PDGFbetaR-AS) have been formulated and examined in vitro and in vivo in balloon-injured rat restenosis model. The nanospheres (approximately 300 nm) of homogenous size distribution exhibited high encapsulation efficiency (81%), and a sustained release of PDGFbetaR-AS (phosphorothioated). Cell internalization was visualized, and the inhibitory effect on SMC was observed.