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| 2. |
- Bertorello, Alejandro M., et al.
(författare)
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Increased Arterial Blood Pressure and Vascular Remodeling in Mice Lacking Salt-Inducible Kinase 1 (SIK1)
- 2015
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Ingår i: Circulation Research. - : American Heart Association. - 0009-7330 .- 1524-4571. ; 116:4, s. 642-U190
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Rationale: In human genetic studies a single nucleotide polymorphism within the salt-inducible kinase 1 (SIK1) gene was associated with hypertension. Lower SIK1 activity in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) leads to decreased sodium-potassium ATPase activity, which associates with increased vascular tone. Also, SIK1 participates in a negative feedback mechanism on the transforming growth factor-beta 1 signaling and downregulation of SIK1 induces the expression of extracellular matrix remodeling genes. Objective: To evaluate whether reduced expression/activity of SIK1 alone or in combination with elevated salt intake could modify the structure and function of the vasculature, leading to higher blood pressure. Methods and Results: SIK1 knockout (sik1(-/-)) and wild-type (sik1(+/+)) mice were challenged to a normal-or chronic high-salt intake (1% NaCl). Under normal-salt conditions, the sik1(-/-) mice showed increased collagen deposition in the aorta but similar blood pressure compared with the sik1(+/+) mice. During high-salt intake, the sik1+/+ mice exhibited an increase in SIK1 expression in the VSMCs layer of the aorta, whereas the sik1(-/-) mice exhibited upregulated transforming growth factor-beta 1 signaling and increased expression of endothelin-1 and genes involved in VSMC contraction, higher systolic blood pressure, and signs of cardiac hypertrophy. In vitro knockdown of SIK1 induced upregulation of collagen in aortic adventitial fibroblasts and enhanced the expression of contractile markers and of endothelin-1 in VSMCs. Conclusions: Vascular SIK1 activation might represent a novel mechanism involved in the prevention of high blood pressure development triggered by high-salt intake through the modulation of the contractile phenotype of VSMCs via transforming growth factor-beta 1-signaling inhibition.
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| 4. |
- Davies, G., et al.
(författare)
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Study of 300,486 individuals identifies 148 independent genetic loci influencing general cognitive function
- 2018
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Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 2041-1723. ; 9:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- General cognitive function is a prominent and relatively stable human trait that is associated with many important life outcomes. We combine cognitive and genetic data from the CHARGE and COGENT consortia, and UK Biobank (total N = 300,486; age 16-102) and find 148 genome-wide significant independent loci (P < 5 × 10-8) associated with general cognitive function. Within the novel genetic loci are variants associated with neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders, physical and psychiatric illnesses, and brain structure. Gene-based analyses find 709 genes associated with general cognitive function. Expression levels across the cortex are associated with general cognitive function. Using polygenic scores, up to 4.3% of variance in general cognitive function is predicted in independent samples. We detect significant genetic overlap between general cognitive function, reaction time, and many health variables including eyesight, hypertension, and longevity. In conclusion we identify novel genetic loci and pathways contributing to the heritability of general cognitive function.
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| 5. |
- Di Gennaro, A., et al.
(författare)
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Cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 antagonism prevents experimental abdominal aortic aneurysm
- 2018
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. - : Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - 0027-8424 .- 1091-6490. ; 115:8, s. 1907-1912
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cysteinyl-leukotrienes (cys-LTs) are 5-lipoxygenase-derived lipid mediators involved in the pathogenesis and progression of inflammatory disorders, in particular asthma. We have previously found evidence linking these mediators to increased levels of proteolytic enzymes in tissue specimens of human abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Here we show that antagonism of the CysLT1 receptor by montelukast, an established antiasthma drug, protects against a strong aorta dilatation (>50% increase = aneurysm) in a mouse model of CaCl2-induced AAA at a dose comparable to human medical practice. Analysis of tissue extracts revealed that montelukast reduces the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha) in the aortic wall. Furthermore, aneurysm progression was specifically mediated through CysLT1 signaling since a selective CysLT2 antagonist was without effect. A significantly reduced vessel dilatation is also observed when treatment with montelukast is started days after aneurysm induction, suggesting that the drug not only prevents but also stops and possibly reverts an already ongoing degenerative process. Moreover, montelukast reduced the incidence of aortic rupture and attenuated the AAA development in two additional independent models, i.e., angiotensin II- and porcine pancreatic elastase-induced AAA, respectively. Our results indicate that cys-LTs are involved in the pathogenesis of AAA and that antagonism of the CysLT1 receptor is a promising strategy for preventive and therapeutic treatment of this clinically silent and highly lethal disease.
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| 6. |
- Eriksson, Linnea
(författare)
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Policy Integration for Sustainable Transport Development : Case Studies of Two Swedish Regions
- 2016
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- It has been argued that for the management of complex issues such as sustainability, which transcend traditional policy sectors and require coordination between several different interests and actors, policymaking depends upon collaboration and integration processes between different sectors and tiers of government. The overall aim of this thesis is therefore to study how and why (or why not) policy integration processes are being developed in regional policymaking and what this means for the achievement of sustainable transport. The thesis consists of two separate qualitative case studies of policymaking in two Swedish regions, one representing a least likely case and the other a most likely case of policy integration. The focus has been on the organizational actors involved in policymaking processes for the regional transport system. For the general discussion the theoretical framework of policy integration, complemented by the analytical concepts of policy logics, organizational identities and boundary object are used. The findings are presented in four articles. An overall conclusion is that policy integration processes do not necessarily result in policy for sustainable transport. If policy integration becomes a goal in itself and the same as joint policy, it risks neglecting sustainable values and becoming the smallest common denominator that a number of actors can agree on. For developing sustainable transport solutions, collaboration for the coordination of policy may be beneficial, but the aim of such processes should not be joint policy.
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| 7. |
- Folkesson, Maggie, et al.
(författare)
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Proteolytically active ADAM10 and ADAM17 carried on membrane microvesicles in human abdominal aortic aneurysms
- 2015
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Ingår i: Thrombosis and Haemostasis. - : SCHATTAUER GMBH-VERLAG MEDIZIN NATURWISSENSCHAFTEN. - 0340-6245 .- 2567-689X. ; 114:6, s. 1165-1174
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The intraluminal thrombus (ILT) of human abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has been suggested to damage the underlying aortic wall, but previous work found scant activity of soluble proteases in the abluminal layer of the ILT, adjacent to the aneurysm. We hypothesised that transmembrane proteases carried by membrane microvesicles (MV) from dying cells remain active in the abluminal ILT. ILTs and AAA segments collected from 21 patients during surgical repair were assayed for two major transmembrane proteases, ADAM10 (a disintegrin and metalloprotease-10) and ADAM17. We also exposed cultured cells to tobacco smoke and assessed ADAM10 and ADAM17 expression and release on MVs. Immunohistochemistry showed abundant ADAM10 and ADAM17 protein in the ILT and underlying aneurysmal aorta. Domain-specific antibodies indicated both transmembrane and shed ADAM17. Importantly, ADAM10 and ADAM 17 in the abluminal ILT were enzymatically active. Electron microscopy of abluminal ILT and aortic wall showed MVs with ADAM10 and ADAM17. By flow cytometry, ADAM-positive microvesicles from abluminal ILT carried the neutrophil marker CD66, but not the platelet marker CD61. Cultured HL60 neutrophils exposed to tobacco smoke extract showed increased ADAM10 and ADAM17 content, cleavage of these molecules into active forms, and release of MVs carrying mature ADAM10 and detectable ADAM17. In conclusion, our results implicate persistent, enzymatically active ADAMs on MVs in the abluminal ILT, adjacent to the aneurysmal wall. The production of ADAM10- and ADAM17-positive MVs from smoke-exposed neutrophils provides a novel molecular mechanism for the vastly accelerated risk of AAA in smokers.
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| 8. |
- Gotthardt, Martin, et al.
(författare)
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Detection and quantification of beta cells by PET imaging : why clinical implementation has never been closer
- 2018
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Ingår i: Diabetologia. - : SPRINGER. - 0012-186X .- 1432-0428. ; 61:12, s. 2516-2519
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this issue of Diabetologia, Alavi and Werner (10.1007/s00125-018-4676-1) criticise the attempts to use positron emission tomography (PET) for in vivo imaging of pancreatic beta cells, which they consider as futile'. In support of this strong statement, they point out the limitations of PET imaging, which they believe render beta cell mass impossible to estimate using this method. In our view, the Alavi and Werner presentation of the technical limitations of PET imaging does not reflect the current state of the art, which leads them to questionable conclusions towards the feasibility of beta cell imaging using this approach. Here, we put forward arguments in favour of continuing the development of innovative technologies enabling in vivo imaging of pancreatic beta cells and concisely present the current state of the art regarding putative technical limitations of PET imaging. Indeed, far from being a futile' effort, we demonstrate that beta cell imaging is now closer than ever to becoming a long-awaited clinical reality.
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| 9. |
- Lindsten, Therése, et al.
(författare)
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Effect of macrophages on breast cancer cell proliferation, and on expression of hormone receptors, uPAR and HER-2
- 2017
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Ingår i: International Journal of Oncology. - : Spandidos Publications. - 1019-6439 .- 1791-2423. ; 51:1, s. 104-114
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Malignant tumors, including breast cancers, are frequently infiltrated with innate immune cells and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) represent the major inflammatory component in stroma of many tumors. In this study, we examined the immunoreactivity of the macrophage markers CD68 and CD163 as well as the hormone receptors estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha), progesterone receptor (PR), estrogen receptor beta 1 (ER beta 1), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and the proliferations marker Ki67 in 17 breast cancer biopsies. The quantitative score for CD68(+) and CD163(+) strongly indicate M2 phenotype dominance in the currently investigated biopsies. We found that an increasing level of macrophages was negatively associated with ER alpha or PR, whereas a positive association was observed for Ki-67 or uPAR. No significant association could be seen between the level of macrophage and HER-2, ER beta 1 or MMP-9 expression. Effect of conditioned media (CM) generated from cultured human M1 and M2 macrophage phenotypes were investigated on the proliferation and expression of selected markers in the T47D breast cancer cell line. We found that in contrast to the in vivo situation, in particularly the CM from M1 macrophages decreased the growth and Ki67 expression in T47D, and significantly increased ER beta 1 mRNA levels. Moreover, in accordance to the in vivo situation the CM from the macrophages decreased the expression of ER alpha protein as well as ER alpha or PR mRNA. In conclusion our results show that macrophages alone have the capability to decrease the tumor cell expression of ER alpha and PR in vitro. In the tumor environment in vivo macrophages also contribute to an increase in tumor cell expression of uPAR and Ki67, suggesting that macrophages are involved in impairing the prognosis for breast cancer patients.
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| 10. |
- Savage, J. E., et al.
(författare)
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Genome-wide association meta-analysis in 269,867 individuals identifies new genetic and functional links to intelligence
- 2018
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Ingår i: Nature Genetics. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 1061-4036 .- 1546-1718. ; 50:7, s. 912-919
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Intelligence is highly heritable 1 and a major determinant of human health and well-being 2 . Recent genome-wide meta-analyses have identified 24 genomic loci linked to variation in intelligence 3-7, but much about its genetic underpinnings remains to be discovered. Here, we present a large-scale genetic association study of intelligence (n = 269,867), identifying 205 associated genomic loci (190 new) and 1,016 genes (939 new) via positional mapping, expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) mapping, chromatin interaction mapping, and gene-based association analysis. We find enrichment of genetic effects in conserved and coding regions and associations with 146 nonsynonymous exonic variants. Associated genes are strongly expressed in the brain, specifically in striatal medium spiny neurons and hippocampal pyramidal neurons. Gene set analyses implicate pathways related to nervous system development and synaptic structure. We confirm previous strong genetic correlations with multiple health-related outcomes, and Mendelian randomization analysis results suggest protective effects of intelligence for Alzheimer's disease and ADHD and bidirectional causation with pleiotropic effects for schizophrenia. These results are a major step forward in understanding the neurobiology of cognitive function as well as genetically related neurological and psychiatric disorders.
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