When injured, vascular endothelial cells produce growth factors that cause smooth muscle cells (SMC) to migrate from the media to the intima of the vessel wall, replicate in the intima, and stimulate arteriosclerotic changes. Interference with the actions of growth factors in allograft arteriosclerosis was explored. The somatostatin analog angiopeptin was administered to allograft-recipient rats after transplantation of aortic allografts between major and minor histoincompatible rat strains. Levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in grafts from angiopeptin-treated recipients were 35% to 75% of levels in grafts from nontreated recipients. Replication of SMC in the media and intima was reduced by 30% to 90% and intimal thickening by approximately 50%. The effect of blockade of IGF-1 receptors (IGF-1R) on the intimal response was also investigated. SMC cultures were serum-deprived of growth factors, then stimulated to replicate by addition of PDGF-B and EGF. Anti-IGF-1 and anti-IGF-1R antibodies reduced SMC replication by 50% and 90%, respectively. A D-amino acid analog of IGF-1, JB3, inhibited SMC replication and dose-dependently inhibited insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) and IGF-1R phosphorylation in vitro. Infusion of JB3 into rats undergoing balloon dilatation injury inhibited SMC replication in the injured vascular area by nearly 70%, but inhibited intimal thickening by only 30%. In conclusion, interference in the growth factor response may be one way of reducing/preventing vascular injury. However, blockade of more than one growth factor may be needed to achieve an optimal effect.

Keloids are characterized by fibroblast activation and altered architecture of extracellular matrix (ECM). Excessive deposition of ECM molecules and irregular organization of collagen fibers have been observed in keloids. However, the ultrastructural alteration of collagen has not been fully investigated. In this study, the differences in tissue structure, collagen ultrastructure, matrix components, mechanical properties and collagen assembling molecules between keloids and their extra-lesional skins (ELSs) were explored using histology, transmission electron microscope (TEM), qPCR, Western blot, immunohistochemistry and bioinformatics. Histological evaluation showed thinner fibers in keloids with increased contents of collagen III and proteoglycans, which were supported by TEM findings of thinner collagen fibrils and less developed D-band periodicity in keloids than in ELSs (p < 0.05). In addition, total collagen and water contents were significantly increased (p < 0.05) along with rich proteoglycan production in keloids vs ELSs, which also led to increased stiffness and decreased maximal load in keloids compared with ELSs. Mechanism study showed that multiple molecules related to matrix assembly were significantly upregulated in keloids (p < 0.05). In particular, lumican and collagen V showed high degrees in co-expression analysis and their upregulation levels were revealed from microarray data, which were also verified in keloids at both gene and protein levels (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, siRNA knockdown of lumican failed to affect in vitro collagen assembly, but caused upregulated collagen V expression along with the upregulation of focal adhesion kinase, TGF-β1, TGF-β3 and PDGF, some are known for capable of enhancing collagen V expression. In conclusion, this study demonstrates impaired collagen assembly along with enhanced expression of lumican and collagen V, both are known for interfering with collagen fibril assembly.

Keywords: Collagen V; Collagen fibril assembly; Collagen fibril superstructure; Keloid; Lumican.

This study was purposed to investigate the accumulative regularity of tumor-associated noncellular components in supernatant of stored packed red blood cells (PRBC) during storage. The supernatant of PRBC was obtained by centrifugation with 1 006×g for 10 min at day 0, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 d. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the expression of T cells and the accumulative levels of secreted RANTES/CCL5, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1). The results showed that the high concentration of RANTES/CCL5 and TNF-α was found in fresh PRBC, and their accumulative concentration did not increase along with the prolonging of storage time. The VEGF level in PRBC at day 0 of storage was 229.9 pg/ml, and increased to 749.08 pg/ml at end of day 7, then it was stable, and increased to 760.67 pg/ml at end of day 35. The PDGF level in supernatant of PRBC was 13.54 ng/L at dag 0 of storage, and increased stably during storage, then decreased at day 28, however PDGF rapidly rose to 22.13 ng/L at the end of day 35 (P < 0.05). The MCP-1 level in supernatant of PRBC was 39.98 ng/L at day 0 of storage, then slowly increased during storage time, at end of day 35 MCP-1 level increased to 49.83 ng/L. It is concluded that along with the prolongation of storage time, the growth factors in the supernatant of PRBC display the tendency of accumulative increment and RANTES/CCL5 and TNF-α show relative high level at day 0 of storage, moreover, no obvious increase of accumulation is observed along with prolonging of the storage time, suggesting no relation of concentration with storage time.

Background: Biliary atresia (BA) is a neonatal cholangiopathy characterized by progressive destruction of the biliary system resulting in liver cirrhosis. Residual bile drainage can temporarily be achieved through Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE) and some children show long-term survival with their native liver. However, most children eventually require liver transplantation (LTX). As several growth factors (GF) and chemokines have been shown to promote fibrogenesis in the liver, we assessed whether GF are predictive for the course of disease.

Material and methods: Liver and sera samples were collected from 49 infants with BA during KPE. Levels of 13 different GF were measured by multiplex immunoassay. Patient outcomes were stratified into favorable (bilirubin < 20 µmol/L at 2-year follow-up) and unfavorable (LTX). GF levels were compared between groups by a t-test, correlation coefficients were calculated, and principal component analyses performed.

Results: Twenty-two patients showed a favorable and 27 an unfavorable disease course. No relation of GF and outcome could be established. In both groups, high levels of SDF-1alpha/CXCL12 (1473.0 ± 497.5 pg/mL), FGF2 (301.2 ± 207.8 pg/mL), and VEGF-a (209.0 ± 146.4 pg/mL) levels were measured within the liver, followed (in descending order) by PDGF-bb, LIF, GM-CSF, BDNF, VEGF-d, beta-NGF, IL-7, SCF, PIGF-1, and EGF. Serum marker levels showed much higher mean variation compared to hepatic values and no correlation to the protein microenvironment in the liver.

Conclusions: Our study demonstrates high amounts of GF in livers from infants with BA at KPE, but no correlation to the outcome or serum values could be established. Our data suggest that local or systemic GF levels are unsuitable for prediction of the disease course. Collectively, we conclude that in BA the degree of proliferative activity caused by GF is a dismissible factor for the further course of disease.

Keywords: BA; Kasai procedure; LTX; biliary atresia; growth factors; liver; liver cirrhosis; liver transplantation; long term outcome; multiplex; prognosis; serum.

The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between the platelet-derived growth factor-D (PDGF-D) gene and sheep tail type character and explore the potential underlying mechanism. A total of 533 sheep were included in this study. Polymorphic sites were examined by Pool-seq, and individual genotype identification and correlation analysis between tail type data were conducted using the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF-MS) method. JASPART website was used to predict transcription factor binding sites in the promoter region with and without PDGF-D gene mutation. The effect of PDGF-D on adipogenic differentiation of sheep preadipocytes was investigated. Two single nucleotide polymorphism sites were identified: g.4122606 C > G site was significantly correlated with tail length, and g.3852134 C > T site was significantly correlated with tail width. g.3852134 C > T was located in the promoter region. Six transcription factor binding sites were eliminated after promoter mutation, and three new transcription factor binding sites appeared. Expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and lipoproteinlipase (LPL) were significantly up-regulated upon PDGF-D overexpression. Oil red O staining showed increased small and large oil drops in the PDGF-D overexpression group. Together these results indicate the PDGF-D gene is an important gene controlling sheep tail shape and regulating sheep tail fat deposition to a certain degree.

We aimed to investigate the effects of LH and FSH on the gene expression of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) gene family in human granulosa-luteal cells. We found that LH significantly increased PDGF-D messenger RNA (mRNA) expression but suppressed PDGF-B and PDGF-C mRNA in human granulosa-luteal cells, and FSH also increases PDGF-D gene expression, but to a lesser extent.

Salicornia europaea L. (SE) has been used as folk medicine for the treatment of various diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cancer. However, its effects on atherosclerotic events in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) remain unknown. The present study explored the effects of the ethyl acetate fraction of desalted SE hot water extract (SEWEAF) on atherosclerotic responses (especially migration and proliferation) in VSMCs and vascular neointima formation. Treatment with the SEWEAF significantly suppressed the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced VSMC migration and proliferation as well the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) such as the p38 MAPK and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2. Moreover, oral administration of the SEWEAF resulted in the attenuation of neointima formation in balloon-injured rat carotid arteries. Additionally, HPLC analysis showed that the major components in the two subfractions of the SEWEAF were five phenolic acids and four flavonols. In the SEWEAF components, for which atherosclerosis-linked responses in VSMCs have not been known, p-coumaric acid, quercetin-3-β-d-glucoside, and isorhamnetin-3-β-d-glucoside inhibited both PDGF-BB-induced migration and proliferation and isorhamnetin attenuated only PDGF-BB-stimulated VSMC proliferation. These results suggest that the SEWEAF may suppress PDGF-BB-induced VSMC migration by downregulating the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and ERK1/2, thus leading to the reduction of neointimal hyperplasia during vascular remodeling. Therefore, the desalted SE extract, SEWEAF may be a potential ingredient for dietary supplements or nutraceuticals to ameliorate and/or prevent vascular remodeling-related disorders.

OBJECTIVE

To prepare high-titer recombinant retrovirus for transducting platelet-derived growth factor A chain(PDGF-A) gene, which will pave the way for future research in vitro and in vivo on biological function of autocrine and paracrine of PDGF-A gene expression product.

METHODS

The cDNA fragment of human PDGF-A was inserted into the polyclonal sites of retroviral vector GINa containing cytomegalovirus (CMV) promotor. The constructed recombinant plasmid was transformed into PA317 packaging cell line. The positive clones were obtained by selection in G418-medium and amplified. The supernatant virus was used to infect NIH3T3 cells and titrated. After drug resistance selection, NIH3T3 cell clones were amplified, and a histochemical analysis was performed. SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and Western blot as well as 3H-TdR incorporation methods were adopted to assay the presence and the mitogenic activity of the PDGF in the conditioned medium.

RESULTS

The highest titer of the virus was 1.4 x 10(5) CFU/ml. The PDGF-A expression was verified with SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and Western blot and immunofluorescent staining. The cell mitogenic activitiy in the media was up to 51.2 U/(10(6).d).

CONCLUSIONS

We had made high-titer recombinant retrovirus for transducting human PDGF-A gene. The gene was expressed with high efficiency. The expressed product has significant mitogenic effect on NIH3T3 cell line.

It was previously reported that in Ras transformed NIH3T3 cells, dynamin II acts as an intermediate messenger in the Ras signal transduction pathway leading to membrane ruffling and cell migration. However, these results do not provide sufficient evidence of a relationship between dynamin II and the Ras signal transduction pathway leading to membrane ruffling and cell migration. The results showed that a dynamin II association with myosin II as a signaling molecule is involved in NIH3T3 cell migration through the Ras/PI3K signaling pathway, and is associated with the p85 subunit of PI3K. Confocal microscopy also revealed co-localization between dynamin II and paxillin after PDGF stimulation. In addition, immunofluorescence results showed that dynamin II was colocalized with the actin filament. After stimulating the NIH3T3 cells with PDGF and treating them with an actin inhibitor, such as Cytochalasin D, it was observed that dynamin II with the myosin II complex inhibited binding to the actin. Therefore, dynamin II is localized in focal adhesion when cell migration is triggered and binds to the actin filament component, suggesting that it is a good candidate nanomolecule to regulate the cell attachment and migration to the materials such as implants etc.

Nintedanib is a triple angiokinase-inhibitor of VEGF-receptor 1-3, FGF-receptor 1-3 and PDGF-receptor-a/-b. Thereby it targets angiogenic escape mechanisms. The TRICC-C trial evaluates the addition of nintedanib to mFOLFOX6 in patients with mCRC. TRICC-C is a randomized controlled, double-blinded, phase II trial in mCRC patients that received a first-line non-oxaliplatin containing chemotherapy. Patients received mFOLFOX6+nintedanib (F+N) (2 x 200 mg p.o./d, dddpoint was mPFS and secondary overall response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS) and safety. 53 patients (27 F+N; 26 F+P) were randomized between 12/2012 to 5/2016 (scheduled n=180). The trial was terminated prematurely due to slow accrual. The trial did not reach its primary endpoint but mPFS, mOS and disease control rate (DCR) were numerically higher in the F+N arm compared to the F+P arm, however, the difference was not significant (mPFS: F+P: 4.6 mo. vs. F+N: 8.1 mo.; HR 0.65; 95% CI 0.32-1.30; p = 0.2156; mOS: F+P: 9.9 mo. vs. F+N: 17.1 mo.; HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.48-2.23; p = 0.9387; DCR: F+P: 50% vs. F+N: 66,7%; p = 0.2709). Toxicity was moderate and only different for neutropenia (F+P: 11.5%, F+N: 19.2%) and gastrointestinal disorders (F+P: 65.4%, F+N: 84.6%). Final results show safety and a non-significant trend towards improved PFS and DCR for the combination of mFOLFOX6+nintedanib in the 2nd-line therapy of mCRC. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Advanced colorectal cancer; BIBF 1200; FGFR; PDGFR; VEGFR; angiogenesis; nintedanib.

Bile duct cancer is known to contain numerous fibroblasts, and reported to recruit cancer- associated fibroblasts by secreting platelet-derived growth factor-D (PDGF-D) which needs serine proteases, such as matriptase, to behave as a ligand. However, their expression pattern, and prognostic value have not been clarified. In this study, we investigated the clinicopathological significance of PDGF-D and matriptase expression in patients with extrahepatic bile duct cancer. The samples were obtained from 256 patients who underwent the surgical resection between 1991 and 2015, and the expression levels of PDGF-D and matriptase were evaluated immunohistochemically. Staining intensities and distribution were scored, and finally classified into low and high expression groups in cancer cells and stroma respectively. High expression of matriptase in the cancer stroma was detected in 91 tumors (40%). The high stromal matriptase expression was significantly associated with shorter recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) (P = 0.0027 and 0.0023, respectively). Multivariate analyses also demonstrated that the stromal matriptase expression level was an independent influential factor in RFS (P = 0.0050) and OS (P = 0.0093). Our findings suggest that the high stromal matriptase expression was strongly associated with tumor progression, recurrence and poor outcomes in patients with extrahepatic bile duct cancer.

C<em>D</em>24, a heavily glycosylated glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored surface protein, inhibits phagocytosis as potently as C<em>D</em>47. The relationship between such anti-phagocytic factors and immune-response with immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) remains unexplored. We evaluated C<em>D</em>24 and C<em>D</em>47 tumor proportion scores (TPS) in 68 of the 106 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who participated in a prospective observational study of ICI treatment. We also explored the impact of C<em>D</em>24 TPS and C<em>D</em>47 TPS on ICI efficacy and serum cytokine changes. C<em>D</em>24 positivity (TPS ≥1) was negatively associated with progression free survival of ICI when P<em>D</em>-L1 TPS <50 (median PFS; 37 vs. 127 days, P=0.033), but there was no association when P<em>D</em>-L1 TPS ≥50 (median PFS; 494 vs. 144 days, P=0.168). C<em>D</em>24 positivity was also related to significantly higher increase of CCL2 from baseline to 4-6 weeks later, and such increase was notably observed only when P<em>D</em>-L1 TPS <50 (P=0.0004). CCL2 increase after ICI initiation was negatively predictive for survival after initiation of ICI (median survival time; not reached vs. 233 days, P=0.028). C<em>D</em>47 TPS high (≥60) significantly suppressed the increase in VEGF-A, <em>D</em> and <em>PDGF</em>-AB/BB after ICI initiation. There was no association, however, between C<em>D</em>47 tumor expression and the efficacy of ICI. In conclusion, C<em>D</em>24, not C<em>D</em>47, is a candidate negative predictive marker of ICI in advanced, non-small cell lung cancer with P<em>D</em>-L1 TPS <50. Tumor expression of both C<em>D</em>24 and C<em>D</em>47 was associated with changes in factors related to monocytes and angiogenesis after ICI initiation.

Keywords: CCL2; CDDD-L1; lung cancer.

To determine the effect of platelet-derived growth factor-C (PDGF-C) on biological characters of human hair dermal papilla cells cultured in vitro.

The human dermal papilla cells(HDPCs) were isolated from human hair skin obtained from rhytidectomy procedure and then cultured in vitro. Cell counting and CCK-8 assay were used to detect the effects of PDGF-C (0,10,20,30 and 40ng/ml) on the proliferation of HDPCs at 0,1 d,2d,3d,4d,5d,6d.Under the optimal concentration, flow cytometry was used to detect cell phases. Transwell assay and cell scratch test were performed to detect cell migration. Alkaline Phosphatase Activity Assay kit was used to detect the inductive activity of HDPCs.

PDGF-C significantly induced the proliferation of HDPCs. PDGF-C of 30ng/mL promoted the HDPCs proliferation at a summit and increased the percentage of the cells arrested at S phase (P ＜ 0.05).PDGF-C also increased the migration populations of cultured HDPCs. The cell number in lower side of the transwell insert membrane of 30ng/ml PDGF-C treated group was (361.3 ± 24.95)while the control was (246.8 ± 7.525),showing significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).The alkaline phosphate activity of cultured HDPCs was increased comparing to the control group, the difference was significant (P ＜ 0.05).

PDGF-C can promote the proliferation, migration and inductive activity of cultured human dermal papilla cells, which might be beneficial to promote the cultivation of human dermal papilla cells in vitro.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the concentration of three polypeptide growth factors: transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) in the blood of patients treated with Italian Logos system implants. The blood for analysis was collected three times: prior to the surgery, the day after and four months after the procedure before implant exposure for the prosthetic phase. The concentration of growth factors was assayed using ELISA method with R&D kits. The mean serum PDGF concentration on the first day and after 4 months following the procedure were comparable to the preliminary examination. The mean serum concentration of TGF beta in the second examination increased significantly compared to that before surgery. Four months later its mean concentration was lower than in the second examination, but still higher than in the preliminary examination. The mean serum FGF concentration in our patients remained similar throughout the study. Based on presented above data we conclude that inflammation process caused by tissue injure during implantation stimulates TGF beta release what can be detected by increase of it's concentration in blood serum.

It has been known that benzimidazol-4,7-diones have antiproliferative activity against various cancer cell lines. Recently, we have also reported that these compounds strongly inhibited the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Although benzimidazol-4,7-diones have important biological activities, the molecular mechanism of the compounds in these cells remains to be elucidated. In order to investigate the anti-proliferation mechanism of the compounds in smooth muscle cell, we selected 6-anilino-6-chloro-5-chloro-1H-benzo{d}midazole-4,7-dione (BUD-0203) among 12 benzimidazol-4,7-dione derivatives and examined its antiproliferative effects. Phosphorylation of the extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) reached a maximal level at 1h after treatment with BUD-0203 and was sustained during the examined period. We also observed that phosphorylation of p38 reached a maximal level at 4h and decreased to control levels after 8h. These results showed that BUD-0203 sustainedly activated MAP kinase pathways in SMC. However, this compound did not induce cell cycle arrest in G1 or G2 phase in these cells. We also demonstrated that BUD-0203 not only induced apoptosis of SMC, but it also strongly inhibited SMC migration induced by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) or serum. Taken together, our experiments indicate that benzimidazol-4,7-diones induce apoptosis of smooth muscle cell via simultaneously prolonged activation of MAP kinase pathways including ERK, p38, and JNK/SAPK, similar with the apoptosis mechanism reported previously.

Phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides (PS oligos) manifest both antisense and G-quartet aptameric inhibitory effects on vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation. In this study, we examined the effects of three cytidine (S-dC) homopolymers lacking any guanosines of various chain length-S-dC28, S-dC18 and S-dC12-on in vitro SMC proliferation and in vivo neointimal formation. S-dC18 significantly inhibited human vascular SMC proliferation, although it had only half the potency as the same dose of S-dC28. Furthermore, S-dC12 at the same concentrations as S-dC18 did not significantly inhibit vascular SMC proliferation. S-dC28 and S-dC18 inhibited PDGF-induced in vitro SMC migration, whereas D-dC12 had no significant effect on PDGF-induced in vitro SMC migration. We determined the effects of S-dC28, S-dC18, and S-dC12 on neointimal SMC formation in the rat carotid balloon injury model. Rat carotid artery neointimal formation after balloon injury was significantly attenuated by S-dC28 treatment compared with the control group and by S-dC18 treatment compared with the control group. S-dC28 and S-dC18 treatment significantly reduced the intima/media area ratio compared with the values of the control groups. However, S-dC12 did not significantly inhibit neointimal formation. We investigated the time course of the inhibitory effects of S-dC28 on rat carotid artery neointimal formation. S-dC28 significantly inhibited rat carotid artery intimal area and intima/media area ratio at 4 weeks and 8 weeks. Fluoresceinated S-dC28 (FITC-S-dC28) was found to be present throughout the rat carotid arterial wall within 6 hours after balloon injury. Taken together, the potent non-G-quartet, nonsequence-specific inhibitory effects of S-dC compounds on in vitro SMC proliferation and in vivo neointimal formation in the rat carotid balloon injury model are chain length dependent and long lasting.

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) stimulates platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-A expression and enhances alveolarization in rat lungs. On d 16 of gestation, pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to either a retinoic acid group (intragastric ATRA at 10 mg/kg body weight) or a vehicle group. We punctured each amniotic sac, and fetuses in the opposite uterine horn served as controls. On d 21 of gestation, the fetuses were delivered by cesarean section. Rats subjected to oligohydramnios exhibited significantly lower lung weights and lung/body weight ratios, and ATRA had no effects on the body or lung weights of oligohydramnios-exposed rats. Lung PDGF-A and -B mRNA expression was significantly lower in oligohydramnios-exposed rats compared with control littermates of maternal vehicle-treated dams. Maternal retinoic acid treatment significantly increased PDGF-A and -B mRNA expression in control and oligohydramnios-exposed rats compared with all rats and oligohydramnios-exposed rats of maternal vehicle-treated dams, respectively. Rats exposed to oligohydramnios exhibited a significantly lower generation of alveolar saccules than did control rats in the maternal retinoic acid- and vehicle-treated groups. In this model, maternal retinoic acid treatment showed no positive effects on oligohydramnios-induced pulmonary hypoplasia in the pseudoglandular stage.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT-1 receptor) blocker on the progression of rat hepatic fibrosis induced by CCl4.

METHODS

60 male wistar rats weighting about 250 g were divided into 4 groups. Model group (Mo): The rats were injected with 40% CCl(4) 0.25 ml/100 g subcutaneously three times a week. Perindopril group (Pe): The rats were injected with 40% CCl(4). Perindopril, equivalent to 2 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), was given i.g. Losartan group (Lo): The rats were injected with 40% CCl(4). Losartan, equivalent to 50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), was given i.g. Control group (Nc): the rats were injected with olive oil only. After 4, 6 weeks, morphological examination was based on microscopy. RT-PCR was utilized to detect gene expression of AT-1 receptor in the liver. Meanwhile, the protein expressions of AT-1 receptor, TGF-beta1 and PDGF-BB in liver tissue were examined by Western blot. The activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) was assessed by zymography. Serum laminin (LN) and hyaluronic acid (HA) were measured using radioimmunoassays.

RESULTS

RT-PCR and Western blot revealed that there was a up-regulation in AT-1 receptor expression in model group compared with control group. Both of perindopril and losartan treatment significantly reduced mean fibrosis score, messenger RNA and protein levels of AT1 receptor, protein levels of TGF-beta1 and PDGF-BB, Serum levels of HA and LN, and MMP-2 activity.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that angiotensin IImay play an important role in fibrosis of liver. Perindopril and losartan may have inhibiting effects on CCl(4)-induced hepatic fibrogenesis of rat.

We have previously reported that collagen-induced phosphorylation of heat shock protein (HSP) 27 via p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in human platelets is sufficient to induce the secretion of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AB and the release of soluble cluster of differentiation 40 ligand (sCD40L). Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which is known to regulate energy homeostasis, has a crucial role as an energy sensor in various eukaryotic cells. The present study investigated the effects of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-d-ribofuranosyl 5'-monophosphate (AICAR), which is an activator of AMPK, on the collagen-induced activation of human platelets. It was demonstrated that AICAR dose-dependently reduced collagen-stimulated platelet aggregation up to 1.0 µM. Analysis of the size of platelet aggregates demonstrated that AICAR decreased the ratio of large aggregates (50-70 µm), whereas the ratio of small aggregates (9-25 µm) was increased by AICAR administration. AICAR markedly attenuated the phosphorylation levels of p44/p42 MAP kinase and HSP27, which are induced by collagen. Furthermore, AICAR significantly decreased the secretion of PDGF-AB and the collagen-induced release of sCD40L. These results indicated that AICAR-activated AMPK may reduce the secretion of PDGF-AB and the collagen-induced release of sCD40L by inhibiting HSP27 phosphorylation via p44/p42 MAP kinase in human platelets.

Fibrates, besides their hypolipidemic action, share alternative effects, such as decreased plasma fibrinogen and uric acid levels. Because of their complex action, additional effects have been investigated. A group of 23 patients with clinical signs of atherosclerosis and hyperlipoproteinemia was randomly allocated after a 1-month washout period and treated with either 100 mg/d of ciprofibrate or 100 mg/d of aspirin for 2 months. Patients were then treated with a combination of these two agents for the next 2 months. Ciprofibrate decreased plasma concentrations of triglycerides (-29%) and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-27%) in monotherapy and a larger reduction was observed if ciprofibrate was added to the aspirin therapy: triglycerides (-39%), very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-33%), total cholesterol (-18%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-17%), and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (+36%). Ciprofibrate increased plasma levels of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) AB in both monotherapy patients (+162.9 pg/ml, +297%) and in aspirin-pretreated patients (+129.8 pg/ml, +134%); the increase of PDGF AB platelet store was significant only in aspirin-pretreated patients (+11.1 ng/ml, +51%). Aspirin in monotherapy did not modulate either plasma or platelet store of PDGF AB. Ciprofibrate did not inhibit thromboxane B 2 synthesis in platelets. Aspirin did not influence plasma thromboxane B 2 concentration at all, whereas it decreased thromboxane B 2 platelet production markedly in monotherapy (-85%) and in combination with ciprofibrate (-91%). Ciprofibrate increases PDGF AB content, which is amplified by aspirin pretreatment without correlation with its hypolipidemic action. The increase of PDGF production is suggested to participate in plaque stabilization.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effects of a novel biodegradable implant releasing platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) at the fracture site on fracture healing in a rat tibia fracture model.

Methods: In this study, 35 male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 300 and 350 g were used. The rats were divided into four groups: Group A (control group without any treatment, n=10), Group B (spacer without PDGF Group, n=10), Group C (spacer with PDGF group, n=10), and Group D (healthy rat Group, n=5). Standardized fractures were created in the right tibias of rats, and then biodegradable implants made of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxy valerate were implanted at the fracture sites in Groups B and C. In Group C, implants were loaded with 600 ng of PDGF. Animals were sacrificed 30 days after the operation, and fracture healing in each group was assessed radiologically based on the Goldberg score. Furthermore, the anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) callus diameters were measured macroscopically, and fracture sites were mechanically tested.

Results: In the radiological assessment, Group C showed higher fracture healing rate than Groups A and B (p=0.001), whereas no significant difference was found between group C and Group D (p>0.05). In the macroscopic assessment, while Group C exhibited the thickest AP callus diameter (p=0.02), no significant differences in ML callus diameters existed among the groups (p>0.05). Mechanical testing revealed that Group C had higher torsional strength (p=0.001) and stiffness than Groups A and B (p=0.001) while there was no significant difference between Groups C and D (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Biodegradable implant releasing PDGF may have positive effects on fracture healing.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a key role in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. In chronic liver injury, HSCs undergo transdifferentiation to an activated myofibroblastic phenotype and migrate to injured areas in response to chemotactic factors, producing extracellular matrix proteins such as collagen type I to repair the damage as well as overexpression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Paeoniae Radix, the root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall, was investigated for PDGF-BB-induced HSC chemotaxis. Rat HSCs and LX-2, a human HSC cell line, were used for the in vitro experiments. Cell migration was analyzed by wound-healing and transwell assays. An ELISA and a Sircol collagen assay kit were used to detect the expressions of α-SMA and of collagen, respectively. Phosphorylations of mitogen-activated protein kinases, including ERK 1/2, p38, and JNK, were evaluated with immunoblotting. Results indicated that PDGF-BB increased migration as well as α-SMA and collagen expression in HSCs. Paeoniae Radix extracts and its active components, paeonol and 1,2,3,4,6-penta- O-galloyl- β-D-glucose (PGG), inhibited PDGF-BB-induced HSC migration and α-SMA and collagen expressions in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibitory effects were associated with downregulation of PDGF receptor- α, ERK, p38, and JNK activation. Both paeonol and PGG participate in HSC migration, but via differential mechanisms.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation and migration and neointima formation in rat carotid artery balloon injury model.

METHODS

Rat VSMCs were divided into control group, TNF-α (10 ng/ml) group, SAMe (0.2 mmol/L) group and TNF-α + SAMe group. VSMC migration distance and proliferation were examined by cell scrape tests and MTT method. NF-κB activity was analyzed by EMSA. PDGF mRNA expression was detected by Northern blot. SD rat were divided into control group, carotid balloon injury group treated with saline or SAMe (15 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) for 14 d), then blood vessel proliferation was observed histologically in rat carotid artery.

RESULTS

(1) In vitro, the VSMCs migration distance, absorbance at 490 nm, PDGF mRNA expression, NF-κB activity were all increased in TNF-α group compared to the control group (P < 0.01), and decreased in TNF-α + SAMe group compared to the TNF-α group (P < 0.01). (2) In the balloon injury in vivo models, the intima area of saline group and SAMe group was increased compared to the control group, while the lumen area was larger and the intima area was smaller in the SAMe group than in the saline group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

SAMe could reduce TNF-α induced VSMC proliferation and migration possibly through inhibiting NF-κB activity and downregulating PDGF gene expression.

By various chromatographic methods, three flavonoids, (2S)-naringenin (1), isorhamnetin 3-O-(2-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl) β-D-glucopyranoside (2), typhaneoside (3), and two sterol glycosides, β-sitosterol-3-O-(6-octadecanoyl) β-D-glucopyranoside (4) and β-sitosterol-3-O-(6-octadeca-9Z,12Z-dienoyl) β-D-glucopyranoside (5), were isolated from the pollen of Typha angustata. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. The flavonoids (1-3) were evaluated for their effects on the viability and proliferation of rat aortic smooth muscle cells. (2S)-naringenin (1) significantly inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner without cytotoxic at concentrations of 30, and 50 μM; it reduced the number of cells following PDGF-BB treatment to 1.83 ± 0.30 × 10(4) and 2.20 ± 0.60 × 10(4) cells/well, respectively. These findings suggest that (2S)-naringenin has antiproliferative effects on aortic smooth muscle cells.