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Scientists found means to inhibit capillary leakage in sepsis

Researchers at the University of Helsinki have identified a monoclonal antibody that inhibits capillary leakage in sepsis. The antibody targets β1-integrin, a key molecule in endothelial cells, and improves junctions between endothelial cells, decreasing vascular leakage and protecting against sepsis-induced heart failure.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 25, 2018

New insights into blood vessel growth

Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt found that single cells in the innermost layer of blood vessels proliferate after injury and contribute to the formation of new vessels. This process, known as clonal expansion, is thought to play a significant role in tissue damage repair, such as in diabetes or heart attacks.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalCirculation Research·DateMay 7, 2018

New mouse model makes stem cells light up green

Researchers have developed a method to selectively mark multipotent stromal cells in mice using the CD73 gene, allowing for the analysis of their distribution pattern and function in living organisms. This breakthrough enables the study of these stem cells in their original state, providing insights into their role in regenerative medi...

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateFeb 1, 2018

Secret alter ego of well-known protein fights leaky blood vessels

Scientists discovered a new cell signaling pathway governed by Notch signaling protein that keeps blood vessels intact, which could lead to better drug development and reduce side effects of cancer and cardiovascular treatments. The new pathway operates through a different mechanism than the protein's known transcription-based pathway.

How new blood vessels sprout

Researchers at IBS and KAIST found that YAP/TAZ promotes cytoskeleton remodeling and junction formation in endothelial cells, essential for normal as well as pathological angiogenesis. Overexpression of YAP/TAZ leads to excessive blood vessel growth, while removal results in vision impairment and internal bleeding.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 29, 2017

New insights into complex processes

Scientists at the University of Würzburg discovered differences in gene expression between embryonic endothelial cells of the central nervous system and other organs, shedding light on the blood-brain barrier's development and maturation. The study also identified transcription factors involved in this process.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalScience Signaling·DateJul 18, 2017

Tracking the mechanisms of artery formation

Researchers found that a receptor called Notch is crucial in the process of artery formation, directing sprouting cells into developing arteries. The study provides new insights into how vascular networks are established and may lead to identifying new therapeutic approaches to stimulate growth of new arteries after organ injury.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateJul 17, 2017

Low doses of radiation could harm cardiovascular health, study suggests

A recent study published in the International Journal of Radiation Biology found that low doses of radiation can cause permanent alterations in coronary artery endothelial cells, leading to reduced nitric oxide production and increased oxidative stress. This damage can result in long-term premature dysfunction and an increased risk of ...

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalInternational Journal of Radiation Biology·DateJul 13, 2017

Houston team one step closer to growing capillaries

Researchers from Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine have demonstrated a key step in generating implantable tissues with functioning capillaries. They used human endothelial cells and mesenchymal stem cells to initiate tubulogenesis, crucial for blood-transporting capillary formation.

SourceRice University·JournalBiomaterials Science·DateJul 10, 2017

Blood vessels are not designed to fight infection

Researchers discovered that endothelial cells lining blood vessels are not as effective at removing invading bacteria via xenophagy, a process used by epithelial cells. The study suggests that targeting the ubiquitination pathway could lead to new approaches for fighting infections like GAS.

SourceOsaka University·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJul 9, 2017

Reproducing a retinal disease on a chip

Scientists developed an organ-on-a-chip model that mimics human retinal cells and vascular endothelial cells. The model replicates neovascularization in wet-type age-related macular degeneration, offering a potential alternative to animal models for disease modeling and drug screening.

SourceTohoku University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 14, 2017

Making vessels leaky on demand could aid drug delivery

Rice University scientists have discovered a way to selectively open gaps in blood vessel barriers, allowing large molecule drugs to reach targeted tissues. The technique uses magnets to manipulate nanoparticles and alter the endothelial cell's structure, creating temporary 'leakiness' that can be controlled.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 8, 2017

Epigenetic program leading to vessel differentiation

A collaborative research group found that histone code changes and a transcription factor group essential for blood vessel differentiation play key roles in vessel formation. They also discovered that the regulatory genomic region of the transcription factors has gradually switched from suppressing to activating transcription.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateMay 19, 2017

Where does your blood actually come from?

Scientists at Lund University have developed a new understanding of how human blood cells form during embryonic development, showing that endothelial cells undergo dramatic changes to become blood cells. The research provides critical insights into the origins of blood and its regulation in development.

SourceLund University·JournalCell Reports·DateApr 6, 2017

Scripps Florida scientists find clue to why Zika, but not its close relatives, causes birth defects

Researchers discovered that human umbilical endothelial cells are more susceptible to Zika infection, allowing it to access the fetal bloodstream. The virus uses a cell surface molecule called AXL to exploit a secret passage, enabling it to cause birth defects such as microcephaly and eye damage.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 6, 2017

See how immune cells break through blood vessel walls

Researchers discovered that immune cells use an active process to create gaps in blood vessel walls, involving the breakage of thin filaments and rapid reassembly. This process allows immune cells to squeeze through and survey organs for problems or join the fight against pathogens.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Reports·DateJan 17, 2017