Endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors: a potential therapeutic target for vascular dysfunction in obesity and insulin resistance Diabetes The endothelium consists of a single layer of cells that serves as a barrier between blood and tissues and actively participates in the regulation of vascular tone and function (1). The influence of the endothelium on blood flow in arterioles and capillaries is modulated by the synthesis and release of a number of endothelial-derived relaxing and constricting substances such as nitric oxide (NO), prostacyclin (PGI2), and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors (EDHF) (2). Read more VEGF-A acts via PDGFRa to promote viability of cells enduring hypoxia Molecular and Cellular Biology Vascular endothelial cells growth factor A (VEGF) is a biologically and therapeutically important growth factor because it promotes angiogenesis in response to hypoxia, which underlies a wide variety of both physiological and pathological settings. Herein we report that both VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2)-positive, and -negative cells depended on VEGF to endure hypoxia. Read more Autocrine release of angiopoietin-2 mediates cerebrovascular disintegration in Moyamoya disease Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism Moyamoya disease is a rare steno-occlusive cerebrovascular disorder often resulting in hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes. Although sharing the same ischemic stimulus with atherosclerotic cerebrovascular disease, Moyamoya disease is characterized by a highly instable cerebrovascular system which is prone to rupture due to pathological neovascularization. Read more Intravascular Inflammation Triggers Intracerebral Activated Microglia and Contributes to Secondary Brain Injury After Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (eSAH) Translational Stroke Research Activation of innate immunity contributes to secondary brain injury after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (eSAH). Microglia accumulation and activation within the brain has recently been shown to induce neuronal cell death after eSAH. In isolated mouse brain capillaries after eSAH, we show a significantly increased gene expression for intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and P-selectin. Read more β-Catenin C-terminal signals suppress p53 and are essential for artery formation Nature Communications Increased activity of the tumour suppressor p53 is incompatible with embryogenesis, but how p53 is controlled is not fully understood. Differential requirements for p53 inhibitors Mdm2 and Mdm4 during development suggest that these control mechanisms are context-dependent. Read more Combined Non-Invasive Assessment of Endothelial Shear Stress and Molecular Imaging of Inflammation for the Prediction of Inflamed Plaque in Hyperlipidemic Rabbit Aortas European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Imaging AIMS: To evaluate the incremental value of low endothelial shear stress (ESS) combined with high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)- and computed tomography angiography (CTA)-based imaging for the prediction of inflamed plaque. Read more Point-of-Care Technologies for Precision Cardiovascular Care and Clinical Research: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Working Group JACC: Basic to Translational Science Point-of-care technologies (POC or POCT) are enabling innovative cardiovascular diagnostics that promise to improve patient care across diverse clinical settings. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute convened a working group to discuss POCT in cardiovascular medicine. Read more |