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JCI table of contents, 16 June 2003

Sandra McLachlan and her team reveal that cleavage of the TSHR A subunit can induce or amplify the immune response to the TSHR, resulting in autoantibodies that stimulate thyroid hormones. This finding increases understanding of why autoantibodies arise specifically to the TSHR, leading to Graves hyperthyroidism.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 16, 2003

The elusive preeclampsia factor discovered?

Scientists found that elevated levels of sFlt1 protein mediate the progression to preeclampsia by reducing angiogenic factors. Reducing VEGF-A in kidney cells also caused similar kidney disease, suggesting a plausible scenario for preeclampsia

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 4, 2003

Adult stem cells selectively delivered into the eye and used to control angiogenesis at TSRI

Researchers at TSRI have developed a technique to selectively deliver adult stem cells into the eye, which can stimulate vessel growth and address inherited retinal degenerations. The cells can incorporate into the vasculature and make it normal, or be loaded with antiangiogenics to selectively wipe out the formation of new blood vessels.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalNature Medicine·DateJul 29, 2002

Tether for water channels found: May impact research on brain swelling

Researchers have made a groundbreaking finding that may impact brain swelling research by discovering how the Aquaporin-4 protein is tethered to Syntrophin, leading to better understanding of the blood-brain barrier. The study's results suggest that AQP4 and Syntrophin play a crucial role in regulating water flow in the brain.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 4, 2002

Nature's own medicine for vision loss: Inhibitor of angiogenesis found by biologists at The Scripps Research Institute

Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have discovered a fragment of the human protein TrpRS that inhibits angiogenesis, offering new hope for treatments of age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. The truncated form of TrpRS appears to be more potent than existing antiangiogenic compounds.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 2, 2002

Blood vessels grown in live animals

Researchers at the University of Michigan successfully grew new, mature blood vessels in live animals by implanting scaffolds that delivered critical growth factors. The innovative approach, reported in Nature Biotechnology, has potential medical applications for alternatives to heart bypass surgery and treatments for vascular disease.

SourceWhitaker Foundation·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateNov 19, 2001

Gene therapy may be a tool to prevent blindness

Researchers have successfully used gene therapy to reduce new blood vessel growth by up to 90% in mice with conditions similar to macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Two genes, endostatin and pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), were injected into the animals' eyes or tails to demonstrate the potential of gene therapy a...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateSep 10, 2001

Scientists find protein can protect new blood vessels from leaking ---promising complement togrowth stimulant VEGF

Researchers at UCSF and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals have found that the protein angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) can restore leaky vessels to normal, block leakage effects of substances, and complement VEGF's growth-promoting action. This discovery holds strong promise for treating chronic inflammatory diseases and promoting healthy blood vessel gr...

Drug stops blinding blood vessel growth in mice

Scientists have identified a drug that completely stops the growth of abnormal blood vessels on or beneath the retinas of laboratory mice, potentially preventing vision loss. The drug, PKC 412, has shown promising results in halting abnormal vessel growth by up to 100%, with no apparent adverse effects on normal blood vessels.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateJun 9, 1999

Growth Factor Contributes To Angiogenesis

A University of Michigan team discovered that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) helps blood vessels survive and proliferate in the face of nutrient depletion. This mechanism is thought to support tumor growth, leading researchers to explore strategies for inhibiting VEGF to starve tumors.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateFeb 2, 1999

Amnesia After Sex: More Than A Washington Phenomenon

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that bearing down hard during sex can cause transient global amnesia, a temporary inability to form new memories. The study found two cases of men experiencing confusion and amnesia after sex, linked to the Valsalva maneuver and sympathetic nervous system activation.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalThe Lancet·DateNov 6, 1998

Novel Liver Steroid Slows Brain Tumor Growth

Squalamine, a novel liver steroid, has been shown to inhibit the growth of brain tumors called gliomas by disabling blood vessel formation. In laboratory tests, it proved as effective as carmustine in slowing tumor growth and constricting blood vessels, suggesting potential as a human therapy.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCancer Research·DateJul 1, 1998