| 1. |
- Albinsson, Sebastian, et al.
(författare)
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Stretch-dependent smooth muscledifferentiation in theportal vein - role of actin polymerization, calcium signaling and microRNAs.
- 2014
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Ingår i: Microcirculation. - : Wiley. - 1549-8719 .- 1073-9688. ; 21:3, s. 230-238
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The mechanical forces acting onsmooth muscle cells in the vascular wall are known to regulate processes such as vascular remodeling and contractile differentiation. However, investigations to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of mechanotransduction in smooth muscle have been hampered by technical limitations associated with mechanical studies on pressurized small arteries, due primarily to the small amount of available tissue. The murine portal vein is a relatively large vessel showing myogenic tone that in many respects recapitulates the properties of small resistance vessels. Studies on stretched portal veins to elucidate mechanisms of mechanotransduction in the vascular wall have shown that stretch-sensitive regulation of contractile differentiation is mediated via Rho-activation and actin polymerization, while stretch-induced growth is regulated by the MAP-kinase pathway. In this review, we have summarized findings on mechanotransduction in the portal vein with focus on stretch-induced contractile differentiation and the role of calcium, actin polymerization and microRNAs in this response. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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| 2. |
- Andersson, Kristina E, et al.
(författare)
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Dietary oats and modulation of atherogenic pathways.
- 2012
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Ingår i: Molecular Nutrition and Food Research. - : Wiley. - 1613-4133 .- 1613-4125. ; 56:7, s. 1003-1013
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Consumption of oats has long been known to lower plasma total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, an effect usually attributed to the soluble fibers β-glucans. On the basis of this cholesterol-lowering effect, oats are ascribed cardiovascular health-promoting properties. However, besides cholesterol levels, effects of oats on parameters relating to atherosclerosis development have not been extensively investigated. Since oxidation of lipoproteins and inflammation are characteristics of atherosclerosis in addition to lipid accumulation in the vessel wall, micronutrients in oats (phytochemicals) with antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties may contribute to an atheroprotective action. Here, we summarize evidence on antiatherogenic properties of oats obtained from in vitro assays, animal experiments, and human studies. Possible effects involving anti-inflammatory and antioxidative actions, as well as preservation of endothelial function, are considered in addition to those related to reduction of plasma cholesterol. Since results of in vitro assays with isolated oat components are difficult to compare with effects of whole oats in humans and experimental animals, more observational studies with isolated oat components or fractions of oats are warranted. Also, there is a lack of epidemiological studies focusing on effects of oat intake on the cardiovascular disease panorama.
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| 3. |
- Forte, Amalia, et al.
(författare)
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Polyamines and microbiota in bicuspid and tricuspid aortic valve aortopathy
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0022-2828. ; 129, s. 179-187
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Polyamines are small aliphatic cationic molecules synthesized via a highly regulated pathway and involved in general molecular and cellular phenomena. Both mammalian cells and microorganisms synthesize polyamines, and both sources may contribute to the presence of polyamines in the circulation. The dominant location for microorganisms within the body is the gut. Accordingly, the gut microbiota probably synthesizes most of the polyamines in the circulation in addition to those produced by the mammalian host cells. Polyamines are mandatory for cellular growth and proliferation. Established evidence suggests that the polyamine spermidine prolongs lifespan and improves cardiovascular health in animal models and humans through both local mechanisms, involving improved cardiomyocyte function, and systemic mechanisms, including increased NO bioavailability and reduced systemic inflammation. Higher levels of polyamines have been detected in non-dilated aorta of patients affected by bicuspid aortic valve congenital malformation, an aortopathy associated with an increased risk for thoracic ascending aorta aneurysm. In this review, we discuss metabolism of polyamines and their potential effects on vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cell function in vascular pathology of the thoracic ascending aorta associated with bicuspid or tricuspid aortic valve.
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| 4. |
- Hellstrand, Per, et al.
(författare)
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Stretch-dependent growth and differentiation in vascular smooth muscle: role of the actin cytoskeleton
- 2005
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Ingår i: Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology. - : Canadian Science Publishing. - 0008-4212 .- 1205-7541. ; 83:10, s. 869-875
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The smooth muscle cells in the vascular wall are constantly exposed to distending forces from the intraluminal pressure. A rise in blood pressure triggers growth of the vessel wall, which is characterized primarily by hypertrophy of smooth muscle cells with maintained differentiation in a contractile phenotype. Growth factor stimulation of dissociated smooth muscle cells, on the other hand, causes proliferative growth with loss of contractility. This type of response is also found in neointima development following angioplasty and in atherosclerotic lesions. An intact tissue environment is therefore critical for preserved differentiation. Recent advances point to a role of actin polymerization in the expression of smooth muscle differentiation marker genes, in concert with serum response factor (SRF) and cofactors, such as myocardin. Stretch of intact venous smooth muscle activates Rho and inhibits the actin filament severing factor cofilin, resulting in increased actin polymerization. Concomitantly, the rates of synthesis of SRF-regulated differentiation markers, such as SM22 alpha, calponin, and alpha-actin, are increased. This increase in differentiation signals is parallel with activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway. Thus stretch-induced growth in a maintained contractile phenotype occurs by dual activation of signal pathways regulating both growth and differentiation. A current challenge is to identify sites of crosstalk between these pathways in intact smooth muscle tissue.
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