1,721,198 research outputs found
Signaling pathways in elastic tissues
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208566.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)For many years elastin was considered as the matrix component structurally required to provide tissue elasticity. However, the expanded knowledge on the regulation of connective tissue homeostasis has revealed that elastic fibers also represent a source of elastokines and are the target of a number of signaling pathways mainly involving the TGF-beta/BMP axis. A better understanding of these complex regulatory networks may pave the way for targeted therapeutic strategies in a number of genetic as well as acquired diseases and for the development of new functionalized biomaterials
Apoptosis in the Extraosseous Calcification Process
Full text linkExtraosseous calcification is a pathologic mineralization process occurring in soft connective tissues (e.g., skin, vessels, tendons, and cartilage). It can take place on a genetic basis or as a consequence of acquired chronic diseases. In this last case, the etiology is multifactorial, including both extra- and intracellular mechanisms, such as the formation of membrane vesicles (e.g., matrix vesicles and apoptotic bodies), mitochondrial alterations, and oxidative stress. This review is an overview of extraosseous calcification mechanisms focusing on the relationships between apoptosis and mineralization in cartilage and vascular tissues, as these are the two tissues mostly affected by a number of age-related diseases having a progressively increased impact in Western Countries
Correlations between age and rat dermis modifications. Ultrastructural- morphometric evaluations and lysyl oxidase activity
No full textThe extracellular matrix is a complex, integrated macromolecular system which plays a crucial role in the economy of each organ. In this study we focused our attention on the correlations between age and rat skin dermis. The latter was chosen as a model of the connective tissue, and was analyzed by means of electron microscopy and by measurement of the activity of lysyl oxidase, the enzyme involved in collagen and elastin crosslink formation. Ultra-structural and morphometric evaluations associated to body weight growth, showed a progressive increase in the amounts of extracellular components and a progressive reduction in the cell density. Skin from adult animals appeared characterized by a well organized matrix; by contrast, in old rats, we observed several degenerative features such as the disorganization of collagen bundles, the vacuolization of elastic fibers, and the atrophy of the mesenchimal cells. Morphometric evaluations in old animals showed a slight but significant reduction in the percentage of the total collagen measured, a fair stability in the area occupied by the elastin fibers, and an increase of the apparently non-structured matrix. The fact that lysyl oxidase activity was diminished in old rats does not corroborate the observation by several authors that increased collagen insolubility is a consequence of higher intra-and intermolecular crosslinking. This would suggest that other chemical modifications, such as crosslink oxidation or non enzymatic glycosylation, might be involved during the aging of connective tissue. The qualitative and quantitative modifications observed at all ages illustrate the correlation between connective tissue modifications and structural and/or functional properties of the skin. © 1989, Editrice Kurtis s.r.l.. All rights reserved
Correlazione fra modalità proliferative e caratteristiche differenziative nelle leucosi acute. Progetto finalizzato oncologia CNR. Tumori del sistema linfatico e del sistema emopoietico
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Contributo delle indagini citobiologiche all'inquadramento delle sindromi mielodisplastiche
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