The bone morphogenic protein antagonist gremlin is expressed during embryonic development and under different pathologic conditions, including cancer. Gremlin is a proangiogenic protein belonging to the cystine-knot superfamily that includes transforming growth factor-β proteins and the angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs). Here, we demonstrate that gremlin binds VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR2), the main transducer of VEGF-mediated angiogenic signals, in a bone morphogenic protein-independent manner. Similar to VEGF-A, gremlin activates VEGFR2 in endothelial cells, leading to VEGFR2-dependent angiogenic responses in vitro and in vivo. Gremlin thus represents a novel proangiogenic VEGFR2 agonist distinct from the VEGF family ligands with implications in vascular development, angiogenesis-dependent diseases, and tumor neovascularization.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1182/blood-2010-06-291930 | DOI Listing |
Cureus
December 2024
Department of Periodontics, Panineeya Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Hyderabad, IND.
The field of periodontal regeneration focuses on restoring the form and function of periodontal tissues compromised due to diseases affecting the supporting structures of teeth. Biomaterials have emerged as a vital component in periodontal regenerative therapy, offering a variety of properties that enhance cellular interactions, promote healing, and support tissue reconstruction. This review explores current advances in biomaterials for periodontal regeneration, including ceramics, polymers, and composite scaffolds, and their integration with biological agents like growth factors and stem cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCells
December 2024
Institute of Clinical Physiology IFC-CNR, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
Background: Vascular calcification (VC) is a dynamic, tightly regulated process driven by cellular activity and resembling the mechanisms of bone formation, with specific molecules playing pivotal roles in its progression. We aimed to investigate the involvement of the bone morphogenic proteins (, , , and ) system in this process. Our study used an advanced in vitro model that simulates the biological environment of the vascular wall, assessing the ability of a phosphate mixture to induce the osteoblastic switch in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMCs).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Surg
January 2025
Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Purpose: Congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) is a rare condition typically manifesting within the first decade of life. The primary objectives of surgical intervention for CPT include achieving long-term bony union of the tibia, preventing or minimizing limb length discrepancies (LLD), avoiding mechanical axis deviations of the tibia and adjacent joints, and preventing refracture. This study aims to conduct a systematic review of current treatment methods for CPT to determine the most effective non-surgical and surgical management strategies for pediatric patients with this condition.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Vet Intern Med
January 2025
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota, USA.
Background: Nephrocalcinosis is a common pathological finding in cats with chronic kidney disease and nephrolithiasis. Understanding its pathogenesis may identify future therapeutic targets.
Hypothesis: Nephrocalcinosis is associated with expression of an osteogenic phenotype.
Cells Dev
January 2025
Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States of America; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, United States of America; Jackson Laboratory, Farmington, CT, United States of America. Electronic address:
The maternal-fetal interface has long been considered as a frontier for an evolutionary arms race due to the close juxtaposition of genetically distinct tissues. In hemochorial species with deep placental invasion, including in humans, maternal stroma prepares its defenses against deep trophoblast invasion by decidualization, a differentiation process characterized by increased stromal cell matrix production, and contractile force generation. Decidualization has evolved from an ancestral wound healing response of fibroblast activation by the endometrial stroma.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!