The extracellular matrix is fast emerging as important component mediating cell-cell interactions, along with its established role as a scaffold for cell support. Collagen, being the principal component of extracellular matrix, has been implicated in a number of pathological conditions. However, collagens are complex protein structures belonging to a large family consisting of 28 members in humans; hence, there exists a lack of in depth information about their structural features. Annotating and appreciating the functions of these proteins is possible with the help of the numerous biocomputational tools that are currently available. This study reports a comparative analysis and characterization of the alpha-1 chain of human collagen sequences. Physico-chemical, secondary structural, functional and phylogenetic classification was carried out, based on which, collagens 12, 14 and 20, which belong to the FACIT collagen family, have been identified as potential players in diseased conditions, owing to certain atypical properties such as very high aliphatic index, low percentage of glycine and proline residues and their proximity in evolutionary history. These collagen molecules might be important candidates to be investigated further for their role in skeletal disorders.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.6026/97320630008026 | DOI Listing |
Sci Rep
January 2025
Department of Engineering Mechanics, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.
Aneurysm rupture is a life-threatening event, yet its underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear. This study investigated the fracture properties of the thoracic aneurysmatic aorta (TAA) using the symmetry-constraint Compact Tension (symconCT) test and compared results to native and enzymatic-treated porcine aortas' tests. With age, the aortic stiffness increased, and tissues ruptured at lower fracture energy [Formula: see text].
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Nucl Med
January 2025
Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou, China; and
The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using F-labeled fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) PET/CT in assessing the fibrotic remodeling of the pulmonary artery (PA) and the right ventricle (RV) in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). In a rat model of monocrotaline-induced PAH, rats were euthanized at different time points for tissue analysis (fibroblast activation protein immunofluorescence and Masson's trichrome staining) after completing F-FAPI PET/CT and hemodynamic measurements. Thirty-eight PAH patients were enrolled to participate in F-FAPI PET/CT imaging, with right heart catheterization and echocardiography performed within 1 wk to assess pulmonary hemodynamics and cardiac function.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEur J Pharmacol
January 2025
Academy of Integrated Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China. Electronic address:
Dihydrotanshinone I (DHT) is an active ingredient derived from Salvia miltiorrhiza. Previous studies have demonstrated that DHT can improve cardiac function in rats with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (IR). However, the mechanism by which DHT improves myocardial injury in rats still requires further research.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJMIR Hum Factors
December 2024
Center for Bioethics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
Background: The rarity that is inherent in rare disease (RD) often means that patients and parents of children with RDs feel uniquely isolated and therefore are unprepared or unsupported in their care. To overcome this isolation, many within the RD community turn to the internet, and social media groups in particular, to gather useful information about their RDs. While previous research has shown that social media support groups are helpful for those affected by RDs, it is unclear what these groups are particularly useful or helpful for patients and parents of children with RDs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBull Math Biol
January 2025
Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, UMR 5525, VetAgro Sup, Grenoble INP, TIMC, 38000, Grenoble, France.
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex structure involved in many biological processes with collagen being the most abundant protein. Density of collagen fibers in the matrix is a factor influencing cell motility and migration speed. In cancer, this affects the ability of cells to migrate and invade distant tissues which is relevant for designing new therapies.
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