Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology
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Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. · Dec 2004
Inhibitory effect of high concentration of glucose on relaxations to activation of ATP-sensitive K+ channels in human omental artery.
The present study was designed to examine in the human omental artery whether high concentrations of D-glucose inhibit the activity of ATP-sensitive K+ channels in the vascular smooth muscle and whether this inhibitory effect is mediated by the production of superoxide. ⋯ These results suggest that in the human visceral artery, acute hyperglycemia modulates vasodilation mediated by ATP-sensitive K+ channels via the production of superoxide possibly mediated by the activation of protein kinase C.
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Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. · Dec 2004
Promotion of leukocyte adhesion by a novel interaction between vitronectin and the beta2 integrin Mac-1 (alphaMbeta2, CD11b/CD18).
The leukocyte integrin Mac-1 (alphaMbeta2, CD11b/CD18) binds a number of ligands and counter-receptors and thereby is a major determinant in regulation of leukocyte adhesion and extravasation. Vitronectin (VN) is an adhesion-promoting factor that is abundantly present as matrix molecule in vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. Until now, only an indirect interaction between Mac-1 and VN via the urokinase receptor (urokinase plasminogen activator receptor) was known. We now propose that Mac-1 and VN can directly interact with each other. ⋯ These results show that there is a specific integrin-affinity-regulated interaction between Mac-1 and the matrix form but not the plasma form of VN that may significantly participate in leukocyte adhesion and extravasation.
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Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. · Nov 2004
Monitoring the cellular effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors in vitro and ex vivo.
Inhibition of 3hydroxy3methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase by statins and the subsequent reduction in Rho protein isoprenylation inactivates these important signaling molecules. The purpose of this study was to directly monitor statin effects on Rho proteins. ⋯ 2D-electrophoresis is a sensitive method for detecting changes in the amount of nonisoprenylated Rho proteins, allowing monitoring the direct cellular effects of statins.
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Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. · Aug 2004
ReviewThrombomodulin-protein C-EPCR system: integrated to regulate coagulation and inflammation.
Late in the 18th century, William Hewson recognized that the formation of a clot is characteristic of many febrile, inflammatory diseases (Owen C. A History of Blood Coagulation. Rochester, Minnesota: Mayo Foundation; 2001). ⋯ Recent evidence has revealed that TM, APC, and EPCR have activities that impact not only on coagulation but also on inflammation, fibrinolysis, and cell proliferation. This review highlights recent insights into the diverse functions of this complex multimolecular system and how its components are integrated to maintain homeostasis under hypercoagulable and/or proinflammatory stress conditions. Overall, the described advances underscore the usefulness of elucidating the relevant molecular pathways that link both systems for the development of novel therapeutic and diagnostic targets for a wide range of inflammatory diseases.