1,721,118 research outputs found
Cellular metabolism and diseases
No full textLINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Cellular metabolism and diseases. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v178.10/issuetoc
Light sheet fluorescence microscopy for quantitative 3D imaging of vascular remodelling
Full text linkNo abstract available
Cyclopentenone prostaglandins as anti-inflammatory agents: a novel therapeutic strategy.
No full textCyclopentenone prostaglandins (cyPG) are naturally occurring derivatives of prostaglandin E1, E2, and D2 containing an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl group in the cyclopentane ring structure (cyclopentenone). These molecules exhibit a wide array of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory effects, by interacting with intracellular target proteins. A large body of evidence shows that cyPG mainly interact with signal proteins and transcription factors, such as “Nuclear Factor-kB” (NF-κB), “Heat Shock Factor-1” (HSF1), and Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor-γ (PPAR- γ), which play crucial and opposite roles in inflammatory diseases. NF-κB is an early mediator of immune and inflammatory responses whereas HSF1, and PPAR-γ activation have been related to mechanisms leading to the resolution of inflammation. The identification of cyclopentenone as the active moiety of cyPG responsible for HSF1 activation as well as for the inhibition of inflammatory genes in human cells, opens new perspectives for the design and development of a new class of cytoprotective molecules devoid of the pleiotropic effects of natural eicosanoids. In this review we summarize the recent information on the anti-inflammatory effect of cyclopentenones and discuss the possible development of novel therapeutic strategies relying upon the simultaneous activation of cytoprotective genes and down-regulation of inflammatory genes
Extracellular vesicle signalling in atherosclerosis
Full text linkAtherosclerosis is a major cardiovascular disease and in 2016, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated 17.5 million global deaths, corresponding to 31% of all global deaths, were driven by inflammation and deposition of lipids into the arterial wall. This leads to the development of plaques which narrow the vessel lumen, particularly in the coronary and carotid arteries. Atherosclerotic plaques can become unstable and rupture, leading to myocardial infarction or stroke. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a heterogeneous population of vesicles secreted from cells with a wide range of biological functions. EVs participate in cell-cell communication and signalling via transport of cargo including enzymes, DNA, RNA and microRNA in both physiological and patholophysiological settings. EVs are present in atherosclerotic plaques and have been implicated in cellular signalling processes in atherosclerosis development, including immune responses, inflammation, cell proliferation and migration, cell death and vascular remodeling during progression of the disease. In this review, we summarise the current knowledge regarding EV signalling in atherosclerosis progression and the potential of utilising EV signatures as biomarkers of disease
Molecular imaging of cardiovascular inflammation
No full textCardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including atherosclerosis, are chronic inflammatory diseases characterised by a complex and evolving tissue micro-environment. Molecular heterogeneity of inflammatory responses translates into clinical outcomes. However, current medical imaging modalities are unable to reveal the cellular and molecular events at a level of detail that would allow more accurate and timely diagnosis and treatment. This is an inherent limitation of the current imaging tools, which are restricted to anatomical or functional data. Molecular imaging—the visualisation and quantification of molecules in the body—is already established in the clinic in the form of PET, yet the use of PET in CVD is limited. In this visual review, we will guide you through the current state of molecular imaging research, assessing the respective strengths and weaknesses of molecular imaging modalities, including those already being used in the clinic such as PET and MRI and emerging technologies at preclinical stage, such as photoacoustic imaging. We discuss the basic principles of each technology and provide key examples of their application in imaging inflammation in CVD and the added value into the diagnostic decision-making process. Finally, we discuss the barriers to the rapid successful clinical translation of these novel diagnostic modalities. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Molecular imaging - visual themed issue. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v178.21/issuetoc
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