Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:2.7.10.1 (ERK)
95,504 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of transmuscle laser revascularization (TMR) in combination with endothelial progenitor cell grafting on neovascularization of ischemic hindlimbs of nude rats. Mononuclear cells (MNCs) isolated from human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) by density gradient centrifugation were expanded in vitro. Spindle-shaped attaching (AT) cells and cord-like structures were developed from culture of MNCs. Acetylated low-density lipoprotein (Ac-LDL) incorporation by AT cells was performed. Phenotypic characterization was assessed by immunocytochemistry, and flow cytometry analysis. EPCs were labeled with 1, 1'-dioctadecyl-1 to 3,3, 3', 3'- tetramethyl-indocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI) before being injected into the Nd:YAG laser channels or ischemic region. An acute ischemic limb model was created with the following four groups of nude rats by ligating the right external iliac artery: TMR + EPC group: rats with local transplantation of EPCs into laser channels; TMR group: those with transmuscular channels created without EPCs; EPC group: those with EPCs injected into the ischemic hindlimb; control group: an ischemic model without TMR or EPCs. All rats underwent femoral artery ultrasonic blood flow measurements of the ischemic and nonischemic limbs to obtain a flow ratio (femoral artery flow index [FAFI]: right femoral artery flow/left femoral artery flow) immediately after ligation of the artery (at baseline) and 28 days postoperation, and the ischemic limb muscle was sampled for histochemical and immunohistologic analysis. AT cells expressed AC 133 and endothelial cell (ECs) markers (KDR, CD34, CD31, and von Willebrand factor) and exhibited function similar to that of ECs as estimated by Ac-LDL incorporation. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that AT cells were positive for CD34 (62% +/- 7%) and AC133 (57.2% +/- 9.8%) at day 7 of culture. Twenty-eight days after the operation, the FAFI was significantly higher in the TMR+EPC group and EPC group than that in the control group. It was significantly higher in the TMR+EPC group, EPC group, and TMR group than that at their respective baselines. The FAFI in the control group was unchanged and no difference in FAFI was found between the TMR group and control group, and among the TMR+EPC, TMR, and EPC groups. TMR+EPC, TMR, and EPC treatment resulted in an increased number of capillaries in the treated regional area compared to the control group. Nd: YAG-laser transmuscle revascularization combined with the EPC grafting can significantly ameliorate perfusion and augment neovascularization in this ischemic hindlimb model of nude rats.
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PMID:Implantation of endothelial progenitor cells into laser-induced channels in rat ischemia hindlimb augments neovascularization. 1578 70

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been reported to possess the capacity to colonize vascular grafts and hold promise for therapeutic neovascularization. However, limited quantities of EPCs have been the major factor impeding effective research on vasculoangiogenesis. In this study, cytokine and culture conditions necessary for the provision of large quantities of endothelial cells (ECs) were investigated. Cord blood was collected from 18 normal full-term deliveries and CD34+ cells were isolated by MACS system (Miltenyi Biotech, Bergish-Gladbach, Germany). To evaluate the effect of cytokines, CD34+ cells were cultured with various cytokine combinations, such as stem cell factor (SCF), flt3-ligand (FL), and thrombopoietin (TPO) with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin-1 beta , fibroblast growth factor-basic (FGF-b) as basic cytokines. The quantities of non-adherent and adherent cells were the greatest with SCF, FL and TPO. The addition of TPO to all other cytokines significantly increased the number of non-adherent and adherent cells (p< 0.05, Wilcoxon rank sum test). After four weeks of culture, adherent cells expressed endothelial specific markers such as KDR, CD31 and CD62E. Typical morphology of ECs was observed during culture, such as cord-like structure and cobblestone appearance, suggesting that the adherent cells were consistent with ECs. In this study, the experimental conditions that optimize the production of ECs for therapeutic neovascularization were described. And it was possibly suggested that TPO plays a major role in differentiation from EPCs to ECs.
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PMID:Isolation of endothelial progenitor cells from cord blood and induction of differentiation by ex vivo expansion. 1586

The mechanisms controlling blood vessel formation during early embryonal development have only partly been elucidated. Shb is an adaptor protein previously implicated in the angiogenic response to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). To elucidate a possible role of Shb in embryonic vascular development, wild-type and SH2 domain mutated (R522K) Shb were overexpressed in murine embryonic stem (ES) cells. Embryoid bodies (EBs) differentiating from Shb-overexpressing ES cells in vitro were stained for CD31 or VEGFR-2 to visualize the formation of vascular structures. We found that Shb promotes the outgrowth of blood vessels in EBs both in the absence and presence of growth factors. This response may be the consequence of an increased number of VEGFR-2 positive cells at an early stage of EB development, a finding corroborated by both immunostaining and real-time RT-PCR. In addition, Shb overexpression upregulated the expression of PDGFR-beta, CD31, CD41 and Tal1. Cells co-expressing VEGFR-2 and PDGFR-beta were commonly observed when Shb was overexpressed and inhibition of PDGF-BB signaling reduced the amount of VEGFR-2 mRNA under these conditions. EBs expressing the Shb R522K-mutant did not form vascular structures. Microarray analysis of VEGFR-2/CD31 positive cells after 6 days of differentiation revealed numerous changes of expression of genes relating to an endothelial/hematopoietic phenotype in response to Shb overexpression. The findings suggest that Shb may play a crucial role during early ES cell differentiation to vascular structures by transducing VEGFR-2 and PDGFR-beta signals.
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PMID:Shb promotes blood vessel formation in embryoid bodies by augmenting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta signaling. 1591 73

In this work, we isolated and produced long-term cultures of human fetal endothelial cells (fECs) deriving from different organs of the same 12-week-old embryos. Highly pure endothelium cultures were obtained from specimens of brain, heart, lung, liver, aorta and kidney by using magnetic microspheres coated with CD31 or CD34 specific endothelial antibodies. The endothelial nature of these cells was confirmed by the presence of von Willebrand Factor (vWf), Flk-1/VEGFR2 and CD31. The fECs cultures showed organ-specific differences as regards to the morphological appearance, the growth rate and the expression of cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs) before or after stimulation by the inflammatory cytokines IL-1beta and TNF-alpha. For instance, TNF-alpha showed a specific effect on fetal heart ECs by stimulating E-selectin expression. Our findings indicate that fECs may represent an innovative tool to study differences among ECs of different vascular districts of the same individual, thus increasing the possibility to compare many pathological aspects of human adult and fetal microvasculature.
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PMID:Human microvascular endothelial cells from different fetal organs demonstrate organ-specific CAM expression. 1593 57

Reducing the blood supply of tumors is one modality to combat cancer. The objective of this study was to evaluate such an approach in the treatment of localized murine AML (acute myelogenous leukemia). For this purpose we designed an experimental model in which leukemic cells were embedded in 1% agar discs before subcutaneous implantation in C57Bl female mice. The C-1498 AML cell line (Frederick Inst., NCI, MD, USA) was used. Thirty experimental mice received on alternate days injections of 5 x 2.5 microg anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and 5 x 2.5 microg anti-Flk-1 (VEGFR2) antibodies to the site of cell implantation over a period of 10 d. Fifteen control mice received daily PBS injections. All mice were sacrificed 16 d after AML implantation. Of the 30 experimental animals, macroscopic examination showed in 21 animals (70%) small sized, pale tumors (0.5 g); in six mice (20%) the tumors were replaced completely by necrotic tissue, while in three mice (10%), there were large (2.5 g), highly vascularized tumors. In all 15 control mice large highly vascularized tumors were seen. A separate group of mice was studied for total survival following AML implantation. While 12 mice in the control group not treated with antibodies survived for 16 d post-implantation, survival was prolonged in 15 antibody treated mice by approximate 30 d to a total survival time of 48 d. Tumor specimens were processed for histology, immunohistochemistry (IHC) for CD31 endothelial cell antigen, and tube-like formation assay. The small, pale tumors of antibody treated animals consisted of degenerate hyaline material with remnant nests of leukemic cells, whereas large tumors showed sheets of leukemic cells and numerous blood vessels. Specimens processed for CD31 antigen showed scarce or absence of blood vessels in the small, pale tumors in contrast to intensive staining from a rich network of blood vessels in the large, highly vascularized tumors. Tube-like formation assays disclosed rudimentary Grade 1 endothelial cell tubes in the small, pale tumors as opposed to polygonal Grade 4 tube formation in control animals. In conclusion, this murine model of localized AML allows assessment of anti-angiogenic tumor regression. Anti-angiogenic antibodies against VEGF and Flk-1 have therapeutic effects in murine AML.
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PMID:Anti-angiogenic effects and regression of localized murine AML produced by anti-VEGF and anti-Flk-1 antibodies. 1594 9

Assessment of chemosensitivity of neovessel endo-thelium associated to tumor mass is hindered by the limited availability of experimental models of actively proliferating endothelial cells. In fact, primary endothelial cells possess a limited lifespan and replicative senescence represents a major limit to their long-term culture. Moreover, non-dividing senescent cells undergo a gradual loss of phenotypic markers and become unable to respond to mitogenic stimuli. We report the generation of an immortalized human endothelial cell line by transfection of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) with both SV40 large/small T antigens and the catalytic subunit of human telomerase. This cell line (HUV-ST) possesses stabilized telomere length and increased proliferation rate with respect to parental cells or to cells transfected with SV40 T antigens only (HUV-S). Nevertheless, even at PD > 100 it is not tumorigenic and displays all major endothelial phenotypic markers, such as von Willebrand factor, CD31, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors (VEGFR1/Flt-1, VEGR2/KDR) and CD105/endoglin. HUV-ST cells are capable of organizing into tubule-like networks with branching morphology in response to appropriate stimuli and migrate upon exposure to VEGF. Interestingly, HUV-ST cells over-express the tumor endothelial marker-1/endosialin which is regarded as the most differentially expressed molecule in tumor-derived endothelium versus normal-derived endothelium. Analysis of chemosensitivity to the wide spectrum methylating agent temozolomide (TMZ), an anticancer drug more effective against actively dividing cells than against resting or slowing proliferating cells, indicated that HUV-ST cells are more susceptible to the drug with respect to HUVEC or HUV-S cells. Abrogation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity significantly enhances growth inhibition induced by TMZ. In conclusion, the immortalized human endothelial line HUV-ST represents a suitable model for studying the efficacy of anti-neovascular therapy, mimicking proliferating neovascular endothelial cells associated to the tumor mass.
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PMID:Generation of an immortalized human endothelial cell line as a model of neovascular proliferating endothelial cells to assess chemosensitivity to anticancer drugs. 1601 Apr 36

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) can be isolated from many sites adults and the fetus. Cells with osteoblastic, chondrogenic, leiomiogenic and stromogenic potentials have been obtained from the bovine artery wall, and we now show that MSC can be isolated also from the adult human vein wall. Cells detached from internal surface of the saphenous vein are cultured in vitro for 2-3 weeks and replated weekly. The culture forms a semi-confluent layer of spindle-shaped cells that are CD13(+), CD29(+), CD44(+), CD34(-), CD45(-), CD14(-), CD133(-), CD31(-), CD33(-), CD54(+), CD106(-), CD90(+), KDR(-), cadherin-5-, HLA class I(+) and HLA-DR- and differentiate in vitro into osteoblasts, chondrocytes and adipocytes. Gene expression, when compared with seven other normal tissues, shows strong similarity with MSC obtained from other sources. Three genes more expressed in saphenous MSC than in the other two MSC are related to angiogenesis, and the expression of two of them is shared by endothelial cells. These results demonstrate that the human vein wall contains mesenchymal cells with morphologic features, immunophenotypic markers, gene expression profile and differentiation potential that are similar to MSC obtained from the bone marrow and from the umbilical vein.
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PMID:Mesenchymal stem cells can be obtained from the human saphena vein. 1601 99

Maspin is a unique member of the serpin family involved in regulation of cell migration, apoptosis and angiogenesis in breast and prostate cancers. In this study maspin expression in comparison with c-erbB-2 (HER2/neu) oncogene expression and microvessel density was investigated. The examined material included specimens of primary invasive ductal breast cancer derived from 69 patients. They were analyzed immunocytochemically to assess maspin and c-erbB-2 expression, as well as microvessel density using endothelium marker CD31. In the studied cancers, maspin expression in cancer cells was detected in more than half of the cases (50.73%). Although statistically insignificant (p=0.27), maspin expression showed decreasing tendency with the increase of tumor grade. C-erbB-2 oncogene expression was observed in 78.26% of the examined cancers. Statistically significant positive correlation was found between c-erbB-2 expression and tumor grade (p<0.005). Analysis of the dependence between maspin and c-erbB-2 expression exhibited statistically significant inverse correlation (p<0.001). Mean microvessel density (MVD) of the studied cancers was 71.64 (SD=19.36). MVD decreased with the increase of maspin expression, whereas in the cases showing c-erbB-2 overexpression MVD was clearly higher. Both correlations were statistically significant (p<0.005). In conclusion, it could be stated that increase in maspin expression is associated with weaker expression of c-erbB-2 oncogene and lower microvessel density, which implies a significant role of maspin in tumor biology. However, the exact mechanism of maspin action (including its potential role in angiogenesis), as well as the assessment of its prognostic significance in breast cancer require further studies.
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PMID:Maspin and c-erbB-2 expression in correlation with microvessel density in invasive ductal breast cancer. 1604 48

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) plays a pleiotropic role in multiple myeloma (MM), that is, in survival, proliferation, chemotaxis, and angiogenesis. Strategies targeting the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) may therefore be important to develop efficient anti-MM agents. In this work we investigated the effect of an IGF-1R tyrosine kinase (IGF-1RTK) inhibitor (picropodophyllin or PPP) in the 5T33MM mouse model. In vitro data showed that PPP reduced IGF-1R autophosphorylation and downstream ERK activation, leading to inhibition of IGF-1-stimulated proliferation and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion of MM cells. In an in vivo study, PPP reduced the bone marrow tumor burden and serum paraprotein in 5T33MM mice by 77% and 90%, respectively, compared to vehicle-treated animals. Angiogenesis was assessed by quantifying the microvessel density on CD31-stained paraffin sections and this was reduced by 60% in the PPP-treated group. In a separate survival experiment, Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated a significant increase in survival in PPP-treated 5T33MM animals compared to the vehicle controls (28 versus 18 days). These data suggest that the IGF-1RTK inhibitor PPP possesses a marked antitumor activity and strongly points to the possibility of using IGF-1R inhibitors in the treatment of MM.
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PMID:Inhibiting the IGF-1 receptor tyrosine kinase with the cyclolignan PPP: an in vitro and in vivo study in the 5T33MM mouse model. 1604 27

The yolk sac and the para-aortic splanchnopleura/aorta-genital ridges-mesonephros (P-Sp/AGM) region are the main sites of haematopoietic activity in the mouse embryo at the pre-liver stage of development. By day 11.5 of gestation, the AGM region is capable of autonomous initiation and expansion of definitive haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). By day 12.5, HSC activity in the AGM region is reduced whilst a second wave of HSCs begins to emerge in the yolk sac. We show here that HSCs emerging in both locations are marked by co-expression of the endothelial-specific marker VE-cadherin and the pan-leukocyte antigen CD45. Phenotypic characterisation using CD31, TIE2, FLK1, Ac-LDL receptors, and CD34 markers demonstrated significant similarities between this VE-cadherin+CD45+ ;double-positive' population and endothelial cells suggesting a common origin for these cells. The double-positive fraction also expressed the stem cell markers Kit, Sca1 and AA4.1. Long-term transplantation experiments demonstrated that the double-positive population, which constituted less than 0.05% of the day 11.5 AGM region and the day 12.5 yolk sac, is highly enriched for HSCs. In vitro assays showed that this population is also enriched for myeloid progenitors. During foetal liver colonization, circulating HSCs remained within the VE-cadherin+ cell fraction, although their phenotypic similarity with endothelial cells became less prominent. Upon liver colonisation the majority of HSCs downregulated VE-cadherin, expression of which was completely lost in the adult bone marrow. Partial loss of VE-cadherin expression in HSCs can be observed extra hepatically in the advanced AGM region by E12.5. Similarly, the CD34+KIT+ population in the placenta, recently identified as a reservoir of HSCs, partly lose VE-cadherin expression by E12.5. By culturing isolated E11.5 AGM region and E12.5 yolk sac we show that the developmental switch from a ;primary' VE-cadherin+CD45+ to a more ;advanced' VE-cadherin-CD45+ phenotype does not require contact of HSCs with the liver and is probably a function of developmental time.
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PMID:Progressive divergence of definitive haematopoietic stem cells from the endothelial compartment does not depend on contact with the foetal liver. 1610 75


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