| 1. |
- Bauer, Wolfgang, et al.
(author)
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Plasma Proteome Fingerprints Reveal Distinctiveness and Clinical Outcome of SARS-CoV-2 Infection
- 2021
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In: Viruses. - : MDPI. - 1999-4915. ; 13:12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: We evaluated how plasma proteomic signatures in patients with suspected COVID-19 can unravel the pathophysiology, and determine kinetics and clinical outcome of the infection.Methods: Plasma samples from patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with symptoms of COVID-19 were stratified into: (1) patients with suspected COVID-19 that was not confirmed (n = 44); (2) non-hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 (n = 44); (3) hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 (n = 53) with variable outcome; and (4) patients presenting to the ED with minor diseases unrelated to SARS-CoV-2 infection (n = 20). Besides standard of care diagnostics, 177 circulating proteins related to inflammation and cardiovascular disease were analyzed using proximity extension assay (PEA, Olink) technology.Results: Comparative proteome analysis revealed 14 distinct proteins as highly associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and 12 proteins with subsequent hospitalization (p < 0.001). ADM, IL-6, MCP-3, TRAIL-R2, and PD-L1 were each predictive for death (AUROC curve 0.80-0.87). The consistent increase of these markers, from hospital admission to intensive care and fatality, supported the concept that these proteins are of major clinical relevance.Conclusions: We identified distinct plasma proteins linked to the presence and course of COVID-19. These plasma proteomic findings may translate to a protein fingerprint, helping to assist clinical management decisions.
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| 2. |
- Caglayan, Evren, et al.
(author)
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Disruption of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-Dependent Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase and Phospholipase C gamma 1 Activity Abolishes Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Migration and Attenuates Neointima Formation In Vivo
- 2011
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In: Journal of the American College of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0735-1097 .- 1558-3597. ; 57:25, s. 2527-2538
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: We tested the hypothesis whether selective blunting of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-dependent vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration is sufficient to prevent neointima formation after vascular injury. BACKGROUND: To prevent neointima formation and stent thrombosis after coronary interventions, it is essential to inhibit VSMC proliferation and migration without harming endothelial cell function. The role of PDGF-a potent mitogen and chemoattractant for VSMC that does not affect endothelial cells-for neointima formation remains controversial. METHODS: To decipher the signaling pathways that control PDGF beta receptor (βPDGFR)-driven VSMC proliferation and migration, we characterized 2 panels of chimeric CSF1R/βPDGFR mutants in which the binding sites for βPDGFR-associated signaling molecules (Src, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase [PI3K], GTPase activating protein of ras, SHP-2, phospholipase Cγ 1 [PLCγ]) were individually mutated. Based on in vitro results, the importance of PDGF-initiated signals for neointima formation was investigated in genetically modified mice. RESULTS: Our results indicate that the chemotactic response to PDGF requires the activation of Src, PI3K, and PLCγ, whereas PDGF-dependent cell cycle progression is exclusively mediated by PI3K and PLCγ. These 2 signaling molecules contribute to signal relay of the βPDGFR by differentially regulating cyclin D1 and p27(kip1). Blunting of βPDGFR-induced PI3K and PLCγ signaling by a combination mutant (F3) completely abolished the mitogenic and chemotactic response to PDGF. Disruption of PDGF-dependent PI3K and PLCγ signaling in mice expressing the F3 receptor led to a profound reduction of neointima formation after balloon injury. CONCLUSIONS: Signaling by the activated βPDGFR, particularly through PI3K and PLCγ, is crucial for neointima formation after vascular injury. Disruption of these specific signaling pathways is sufficient to attenuate pathogenic processes such as vascular remodeling in vivo.
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| 3. |
- Djureinovic, Dijana, et al.
(author)
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Multiplex plasma protein profiling identifies novel markers to discriminate patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung
- 2019
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In: BMC Cancer. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2407. ; 19
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background:The overall prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is poor, and currently only patients with localized disease are potentially curable. Therefore, preferably non-invasively determined biomarkers that detect NSCLC patients at early stages of the disease are of high clinical relevance. The aim of this study was to identify and validate novel protein markers in plasma using the highly sensitive DNA-assisted multiplex proximity extension assay (PEA) to discriminate NSCLC from other lung diseases. Methods:Plasma samples were collected from a total of 343 patients who underwent surgical resection for different lung diseases, including 144 patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LAC),68 patients with non-malignant lung disease, 83 with lung metastasis of colorectal cancers and 48 patients with typical carcinoid. One microliter of plasma was analyzed using PEA, allowing detection and quantification of 92 established cancer related proteins. The concentrations of the plasma proteins were compared between disease groups.Results:The comparison between LAC and benign samples revealed significantly different plasma levels for four proteins; CXL17, CEACAM5, VEGFR2 and ERBB3 (adjusted p-value < 0.05). A multi-parameter classifier was developed to discriminate between samples from LAC patients and from patients with non-malignant lung conditions. With a bootstrap aggregated decision tree algorithm (TreeBagger) a sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 64% was achieved to detect LAC in this risk population. Conclusion:By applying the highly sensitive PEA, reliable protein profiles could be determined in microliter amounts of plasma. We further identified proteins that demonstrated different plasma concentration in defined disease groups and developed a signature that holds potential to be included in a screening assay for early lung cancer detection.
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| 4. |
- Horie, Masafumi, et al.
(author)
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Transcriptome analysis of periodontitis-associated fibroblasts by CAGE sequencing identified DLX5 and RUNX2 long variant as novel regulators involved in periodontitis
- 2016
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In: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 6
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Periodontitis is affecting over half of the adult population, and represents a major public health problem. Previously, we isolated a subset of gingival fibroblasts (GFs) from periodontitis patients, designated as periodontitis-associated fibroblasts (PAFs), which were highly capable of collagen degradation. To elucidate their molecular profiles, GFs isolated form healthy and periodontitis-affected gingival tissues were analyzed by CAGE-seq and integrated with the FANTOM5 atlas. GFs from healthy gingival tissues displayed distinctive patterns of CAGE profiles as compared to fibroblasts from other organ sites and characterized by specific expression of developmentally important transcription factors such as BARX1, PAX9, LHX8, and DLX5. In addition, a novel long non-coding RNA associated with LHX8 was described. Furthermore, we identified DLX5 regulating expression of the long variant of RUNX2 transcript, which was specifically active in GFs but not in their periodontitis-affected counterparts. Knockdown of these factors in GFs resulted in altered expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. These results indicate activation of DLX5 and RUNX2 via its distal promoter represents a unique feature of GFs, and is important for ECM regulation. Down-regulation of these transcription factors in PAFs could be associated with their property to degrade collagen, which may impact on the process of periodontitis.
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| 5. |
- Hytönen, Jarkko, et al.
(author)
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Activation of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-δ as Novel Therapeutic Strategy to Prevent In-Stent Restenosis and Stent Thrombosis
- 2016
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In: Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology. - 1079-5642 .- 1524-4636. ; 36:8, s. 1534-1548
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective Drug-eluting coronary stents reduce restenosis rate and late lumen loss compared with bare-metal stents; however, drug-eluting coronary stents may delay vascular healing and increase late stent thrombosis. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-delta (PPAR) exhibits actions that could favorably influence outcomes after drug-eluting coronary stents placement. Approach and Results Here, we report that PPAR ligand-coated stents strongly reduce the development of neointima and luminal narrowing in a rabbit model of experimental atherosclerosis. Inhibition of inflammatory gene expression and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration, prevention of thrombocyte activation and aggregation, and proproliferative effects on endothelial cells were identified as key mechanisms for the prevention of restenosis. Using normal and PPAR-depleted VSMCs, we show that the observed effects of PPAR ligand GW0742 on VSMCs and thrombocytes are PPAR receptor dependent. PPAR ligand treatment induces expression of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase isozyme 4 and downregulates the glucose transporter 1 in VSMCs, thus impairing the ability of VSMCs to provide the increased energy demands required for growth factor-stimulated proliferation and migration. Conclusions In contrast to commonly used drugs for stent coating, PPAR ligands not only inhibit inflammatory response and proliferation of VSMCs but also prevent thrombocyte activation and support vessel re-endothelialization. Thus, pharmacological PPAR activation could be a promising novel strategy to improve drug-eluting coronary stents outcomes.
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| 6. |
- Kappert, Kai, et al.
(author)
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Antioxidants relieve phosphatase inhibition and reduce PDGF signaling in cultured VSMCs and in restenosis
- 2006
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In: Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology. - 1079-5642 .- 1524-4636. ; 26:12, s. 2644-2651
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective - Growth factor- and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced activation of VSMCs is involved in vascular disease. This study investigates whether inhibitory oxidation of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) contributes to signaling in VSMCs in vitro and in vivo, and analyzes whether ROS- and growth factor-dependent vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) signaling is blunted by antioxidants that are able to activate oxidized PTPs. Methods and Results - Signaling induced by H2O2 and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) was analyzed in VSMCs with or without the antioxidants N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) and tempol. Effects of antioxidants on PDGF-stimulated chemotaxis and proliferation were determined. In vivo effects of antioxidants were analyzed in the rat carotid balloon-injury model, by analyzing neointima formation, cell proliferation, PDGF beta-receptor status, and PTP expression and activity. NAC treatment prevented H2O2-induced PTP inhibition, and reduced H2O2-and ligand-induced PDGF beta-receptor phosphorylation, PDGF-induced proliferation, and chemotaxis of VSMCs. Antioxidants inhibited neointima formation and reduced PDGF receptor phosphorylation in the neointima and also increased PTP activity. Conclusion - PTP-inhibition was identified as an intrinsic component of H2O2-and PDGF-induced signaling in cultured VSMCs. The reduction in PDGF beta-receptor phosphorylation in vivo, and the increase in PTP activity, by antioxidants indicate activation of oxidized PTPs as a previously unrecognized mechanism for the antirestenotic effects of antioxidants. The findings thus suggest, in general terms, reactivation of oxidized PTPs as a novel antirestenotic strategy.
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| 7. |
- Kappert, Kai, et al.
(author)
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Dynamic changes in the expression of DEP-1 and other PDGF receptor-antagonizing PTPs during onset and termination of neointima formation
- 2007
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In: The FASEB Journal. - : Wiley. - 0892-6638 .- 1530-6860. ; 21:2, s. 523-534
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Growth factor-dependent tissue remodeling, such as restenosis, is believed to be predominantly regulated by changes in expression of receptor-tyrosine-kinases (RTKs) and their ligands. As endogenous antagonists of RTKs, protein-tyrosine-phosphatases (PTPs) are additional candidate regulators of these processes. Using laser-capture-microdissection and quantitative RT-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), we investigated the layer-specific expression of the four platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) isoforms, the PDGF-alpha and beta receptors, and five PTPs implied in control of PDGF-receptor signaling 8 and 14 days after balloon injury of the rat carotid. Results were correlated with analyses of PDGF-beta receptor phosphorylation and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation in vivo. The expression levels of all components, as well as receptor activation and VSMC proliferation, showed specific changes, which varied between media and neointima. Interestingly, PTP expression--particularly, DEP-1 levels--appeared to be the dominating factor determining receptor-phosphorylation and VSMC proliferation. In support of these findings, cultured DEP-1(-/-) cells displayed increased PDGF-dependent cell signaling. Hyperactivation of PDGF-induced signaling was also observed after siRNA-down-regulation of DEP-1 in VSMCs. The results indicate a previously unrecognized role of PDGF-receptor-targeting PTPs in controlling neointima formation. In more general terms, the observations indicate transcriptional regulation of PTPs as an important mechanism for controlling onset and termination of RTK-dependent tissue remodeling.
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| 8. |
- Kappert, Kai, et al.
(author)
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Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Attenuates Re-Endothelialization and Alters Neointima Formation in the Rat Carotid Artery After Balloon Injury
- 2006
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In: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 1525-4135 .- 1944-7884. ; 43:4, s. 383-392
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has led to a sustained decline of HIV-associated morbidity and mortality. HAART exhibits significant side effects, however, such as hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia, which possibly contribute to accelerated atherosclerosis in HAART-treated patients. In addition, direct effects of HAART on vascular cells have been described, which may promote atherosclerotic lesion formation. The effects of HAART on balloon-induced neointima formation have not been studied previously. The rat carotid artery balloon model was used to evaluate the effects of HAART (lopinavir, ritonavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine) on neointima formation and endothelial recovery. Furthermore, the effects of concomitant administration of the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor rosuvastatin were investigated. HAART-treated animals displayed an increase in lesion size (neointima/media ratio: 1.14 +/- 0.32 vs. 1.31 +/- 0.20 in control vs. HAART; P < 0.05) and an impaired regenerative capacity of the endothelium, as indicated by reduction in endothelial regrowth from an adjacent undilated vessel segment 14 days after injury (re-endothelialization area: 8.29 +/- 1.45 mm vs. 5.09 +/- 0.53 mm in control vs. HAART; P < 0.05). When rosuvastatin was given in addition to HAART, these effects were not observed. In conclusion, HAART inhibited endothelial cell-mediated healing and promoted neointima formation after angioplasty in rats. These deleterious effects were attenuated by cotreatment with rosuvastatin, however. Our studies suggest that currently used drug regimens against HIV infection may lead to an increased risk for restenosis after percutaneous vascular interventions. Moreover, the findings indicate that the additional treatment with statins might counteract these adverse effects by HAART.
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| 9. |
- Kramer, Frederike, et al.
(author)
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Platelet-derived growth factor receptor β activation and regulation in murine myelofibrosis
- 2020
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In: Haematologica. - : Ferrata Storti Foundation (Haematologica). - 0390-6078 .- 1592-8721. ; 105:8, s. 2083-2094
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There is prevailing evidence to suggest a decisive role for platelet-derived growth factors (PDGF) and their receptors in primary myelofibrosis. While PDGF receptor β (PDGFRβ) expression is increased in bone marrow stromal cells of patients correlating with the grade of myelofibrosis, knowledge on the precise role of PDGFRβ signaling in myelofibrosis is sparse. Using the Gata-1low mouse model for myelofibrosis, we applied RNA sequencing, protein expression analyses, multispectral imaging and, as a novel approach in bone marrow tissue, an in situ proximity ligation assay to provide a detailed characterization of PDGFRβ signaling and regulation during development of myelofibrosis. We observed an increase in PDGFRβ and PDGF-B protein expression in overt fibrotic bone marrow, along with an increase in PDGFRβ–PDGF-B interaction, analyzed by proximity ligation assay. However, PDGFRβ tyrosine phosphorylation levels were not increased. We therefore focused on regulation of PDGFRβ by protein tyrosine phosphatases as endogenous PDGFRβ antagonists. Gene expression analyses showed distinct expression dynamics among PDGFRβ-targeting phosphatases. In particular, we observed enhanced T-cell protein tyrosine phosphatase protein expression and PDGFRβ–T-cell protein tyrosine phosphatase interaction in early and overt fibrotic bone marrow of Gata-1low mice. In vitro, T-cell protein tyrosine phosphatase (Ptpn2) knockdown increased PDGFRβ phosphorylation at Y751 and Y1021, leading to enhanced downstream signaling in fibroblasts. Furthermore, Ptpn2 knockdown cells showed increased growth rates when exposed to low-serum growth medium. Taken together, PDGF signaling is differentially regulated during myelofibrosis. Protein tyrosine phosphatases, which have so far not been examined during disease progression, are novel and hitherto unrecognized components in myelofibrosis.
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| 10. |
- Micke, Patrick, et al.
(author)
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Cancer-associated fibroblasts and the role of TGFbeta
- 2008
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In: Transforming Growth Factor-beta in Cancer Therapy, Vol II. - Totowa, NJ : The Humana Press, Inc.. - 9781588297150 ; , s. 417-441
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Book chapter (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Tumors present a complex composition of cancer and stromal cells that interact by direct cell-to-cell contact, extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, cytokines, and growth factors. Fibroblasts represent a major cell type in the tumor stroma and participate actively in the process of tumorigenesis. These stromal cells, commonly termed cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), are phenotypically different to their normal counterparts in physiological tissues, and often show myofibroblastic characteristics. Based on similarities with wound healing and inflammatory diseases, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is considered to be the main factor involved in fibroblast recruitment, activation, and also differentiation to myofibroblasts. This review presents experimental evidence on the important role of TGF-β in fibroblast-epithelial interaction, as obtained from in vitro studies and from animal models. Additionally, global gene expression analyses of TGF-β stimulated fibroblasts and CAFs from the in situ environment suggest a TGF-β signature in the tumor stroma. While previous studies support a tumor stimulating effect of TGF-β via fibroblast activation, some recent studies utilizing genetically engineered mice models, indicate an opposite effect on tumor growth. Thus, similar to the dualistic effects of TGF-β on epithelial cells, the TGF-β response on CAFs is also highly context-dependent. The general connection between CAF biology and TGF-β function in tumorigenesis provides a new opportunity for novel stroma-based strategies in anticancer therapy.
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