The aim of the study was to determine whether plasma levels of total glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) (MMP-3, MMP-10), and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) (TIMP-1, TIMP-2) as well as transforming growth factor (TGF-) differ in the patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) in relation to the healthy subjects. Plasma samples were obtained from 106 people (64 patients with SSc and 42 healthy individuals) and measured for MMP-3, MMP-10, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, and TGF- levels using ELISA methods. GAGs isolated from plasma samples were quantified using a hexuronic acid assay. The plasma levels of total GAGs, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, and TGF- were significantly higher, while MMP-3 was significantly decreased in SSc patients compared to the controls. We have revealed a significant correlation between plasma GAGs and TGF- ( = -0.47) and TIMP-2 ( = 0.38), respectively. The results of this study revealed that remodeling of the extracellular matrix, reflected by quantitative changes in plasma glycosaminoglycans, occurs during systemic sclerosis. Thus, the alterations in GAG metabolism connected with SSc may lead to systemic changes in the properties of the connective tissue extracellular matrix.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/6416514 | DOI Listing |
Reprod Biol
January 2025
Department of Biology, Edge Hill University, L39 4QP, UK. Electronic address:
Mechanisms controlling the process and patterning of blood vessel development in the placenta remain largely unknown. The close physical proximity of early blood vessels observed in the placenta and the cytotrophoblast, as well as the reported production of vasculogenic growth factors by the latter, suggests that signalling between these two niches may be important. Here, we have developed an in vitro model to address the hypothesis that the cytotrophoblast, by the secretion of soluble factors, drives differentiation of resident sub-trophoblastic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) along a vascular lineage, thereby establishing feto-placental circulation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Mol Sci
January 2025
Research Department, Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, Adliya 15503, Bahrain.
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are M2 macrophage markers that are modulated by inflammation. A disintegrin and metalloproteinases (ADAMS) and those with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS) regulate the shedding of membrane-bound proteins, growth factors, cytokines, ligands, and receptors; MMPs, ADAMS, and ADAMTS may be regulated by tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). This study aimed to determine whether these interacting proteins were dysregulated in PCOS.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
January 2025
Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, 10-748, Poland.
Equine endometrosis is a major cause of infertility in mares and is characterized by degenerative, functional and fibrotic changes in the endometrium with increased collagen (COL) deposition. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 is one of the major pro-fibrotic factors involved in the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components in the equine endometrium. It has been demonstrated that ovarian steroids, specifically 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4), not only regulate the cyclicity of the estrous cycle, but also have been implicated as anti- or pro-fibrotic factors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAm J Pathol
December 2024
Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Electronic address:
Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) modulate extracellular matrix remodeling for maintaining homeostasis and promoting cell migration and proliferation. Pathologic conditions can alter TIMP homeostasis and aggravate disease progression. The roles of TIMPs have been studied in tissue-related disorders; however, their contributions to tissue repair during corneal injury are undefined.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVet Res Commun
December 2024
Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias (FCV), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina.
In dairy herds, it is expected that cows will be cycling and the uterus will be ready for a new conception before the fourth week postpartum. However, an alteration in the endometrial remodeling can delay conception, increasing the parturition-to-conception interval, and consequently decreasing the reproductive performance. The endometrial matrix has a relevant participation in the processes of postpartum uterine remodeling.
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