OBJECTIVE: GDF11 is a member of the TGF-β superfamily that was recently implicated as potential "rejuvenating" factor, which can ameliorate metabolic disorders. The main objective of the presented study was to closely characterize the role of GDF11 signaling in the glucose homeostasis and in the differentiation of white adipose tissue. METHODS: We performed microscopy imaging, biochemical and transcriptomic analyses of adipose tissues of 9 weeks old ob/ob mice and murine and human pre-adipocyte cell lines. RESULTS: Our in vivo experiments employing GDF11 treatment in ob/ob mice showed improved glucose/insulin homeostasis, decreased weight gain and white adipocyte size. Furthermore, GDF11 treatment inhibited adipogenesis in pre-adipocytes by ALK5-SMAD2/3 activation in cooperation with the WNT/β-catenin pathway, whose inhibition resulted in adipogenic differentiation. Lastly, we observed significantly elevated levels of the adipokine hormone adiponectin and increased glucose uptake by mature adipocytes upon GDF11 exposure. CONCLUSION: We show evidence that link GDF11 to adipogenic differentiation, glucose, and insulin homeostasis, which are pointing towards potential beneficial effects of GDF11-based "anti-obesity" therapy.

• MeSH
• adipogeneze * MeSH
• adiponektin metabolismus   MeSH
• beta-katenin * metabolismus   MeSH
• buněčná diferenciace fyziologie   MeSH
• glukosa metabolismus   MeSH
• inzulin metabolismus   MeSH
• kostní morfogenetické proteiny metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• myši MeSH
• protein Smad2 MeSH
• protein Smad3 MeSH
• receptory regulované proteiny Smad MeSH
• růstové diferenciační faktory metabolismus   MeSH
• signální dráha Wnt MeSH
• TGF-beta receptor I. typu MeSH
• transformující růstový faktor beta metabolismus   MeSH
• tukové buňky metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the systemic and skeletal muscle levels of atrophy-associated myokines in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) and their association with clinical characteristics of myositis. METHODS: A total of 94 IIM patients and 162 healthy controls were recruited. Of those, 20 IIM patients and 28 healthy controls underwent a muscle biopsy. Circulating concentrations of myostatin, follistatin, activin A and TGF-β1 were assessed by ELISA. The expression of myokines and associated genes involved in the myostatin signalling pathway in muscle tissue was determined by real-time PCR. RESULTS: We report decreased levels of circulating myostatin (median 1817 vs 2659 pg/ml; P = 0.003) and increased follistatin (1319 vs 1055 pg/ml; P = 0.028) in IIM compared with healthy controls. Activin A levels were also higher in IIM (414 vs 309 pg/ml; P = 0.0005) compared with controls. Myostatin was negatively correlated to muscle disease activity assessed by physician on visual analogue scale (MDA) (r = -0.289, P = 0.015) and positively to manual muscle testing of eight muscles (r = 0.366, P = 0.002). On the other hand, follistatin correlated positively with MDA (r = 0.235, P = 0.047). Gene expression analysis showed higher follistatin (P = 0.003) and myostatin inhibitor follistatin-like 3 protein (FSTL3) (P = 0.008) and lower expression of activin receptor type 1B (ALK4) (P = 0.034), signal transducer SMAD3 (P = 0.023) and atrophy marker atrogin-1 (P = 0.0009) in IIM muscle tissue compared with controls. CONCLUSION: This study shows lower myostatin and higher follistatin levels in circulation and attenuated expression of myostatin pathway signalling components in skeletal muscle of patients with myositis, a newly emerging pattern of the activin A-myostatin-follistatin system in muscle wasting diseases.

• MeSH
• aktivinové receptory typu I genetika   MeSH
• folistatin analýza   MeSH
• fyzikální vyšetření metody   MeSH
• korelace dat MeSH
• kosterní svaly * metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• myostatin analýza   MeSH
• myozitida * krev   diagnóza   etiologie   patofyziologie   MeSH
• posouzení stavu pacienta MeSH
• protein Smad3 genetika   MeSH
• proteinligasy komplexu SCF genetika   MeSH
• proteiny související s folistatinem genetika   MeSH
• signální transdukce MeSH
• stanovení celkové genové exprese MeSH
• svalová atrofie * metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• svalové proteiny genetika   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Lower respiratory tract infection due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa has become increasingly challenging, resulting in a worse morbidity and mortality. Airway remodeling is a common phenomenon in this process, to which epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) may contribute as an important promoter. Previous studies showed that epithelium-specific integrin αvβ6-mediated EMT was involved in pulmonary fibrosis via transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) signaling, but whether integrin αvβ6 plays a role in the P. aeruginosa-associated airway remodeling remains unknown. BEAS-2B cells were incubated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from P. aeruginosa in the presence or the absence of integrin αvβ6-blocking antibodies. Morphologic changes were observed by an inverted microscopy. The EMT markers were detected using Western blotting and immunofluorescence. The activation of TGF-β1-Smad2/3 signaling pathway was assessed. Furthermore, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 in the medium were measured using ELISA. P. aeruginosa's LPS decreased the expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin and promoted the mesenchymal markers, vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin in BEAS-2B cells. The expression of integrin αvβ6 was significantly increased during EMT process. Blocking integrin αvβ6 could attenuate P. aeruginosa's LPS-induced EMT markers' expression via TGF-β1-Smad2/3 signaling pathway. Furthermore, blocking integrin αvβ6 could prevent morphologic changes and oversecretion of MMP-2 and -9. Integrin αvβ6 mediates epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human bronchial epithelial cells induced by lipopolysaccharides of P. aeruginosa via TGF-β1-Smad2/3 signaling pathway and might be a promising therapeutic target for P. aeruginosa-associated airway remodeling.

• MeSH
• antigeny nádorové genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• epitelo-mezenchymální tranzice * MeSH
• epitelové buňky cytologie   účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• integriny genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lipopolysacharidy metabolismus   MeSH
• matrixové metaloproteinasy genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• protein Smad2 genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• protein Smad3 genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• pseudomonádové infekce genetika   metabolismus   mikrobiologie   patofyziologie   MeSH
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa metabolismus   MeSH
• signální transdukce MeSH
• transformující růstový faktor beta1 genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Three cases of superficial acral fibroblastic spindle cell neoplasms with EWSR1-SMAD3 fusion have been recently reported. Their differential diagnosis is broad, primarily comprising rare tumors from the fibroblastic/myofibroblastic category. The aim of this report is to present 4 new cases of this entity and to discuss the appropriate differential diagnosis. Also, as the ERG antibody seems to be a characteristic marker for these tumors, we analyzed ERG immunostaining characteristics in potential mimics of this entity. All cases in our cohort occurred in women aged 5 to 68 years (mean, 36.5 y). Two were located on the hand, 1 on foot, and the last case arose on the calf. The tumor size ranged from 1 to 1.5 cm in the greatest dimension, with a mean size of 1.2 cm. Except for one recent case, follow-up was available, ranging from 7 to 18 years (mean, 11.7 y), with a recurrence noted in 1 case after 10 years. All tumors were subcutaneous and showed 2 main components. One consisted of bland, spindled cells with elongated nuclei which were round when observed on the cross-section. These cells mostly grew in relatively hypercellular, well-organized, and intersecting fascicles. The second component was prominently hyalinized and paucicellular, but lacked calcifications. Both components showed either a distinct zonation pattern, or they were randomly intermingled with each other. In all 3 analyzable tumors, next-generation sequencing showed EWSR1-SMAD3 gene fusion in each case. By fluorescence in situ hybridization, one tested case also revealed unbalanced rearrangement of the EWSR1 gene. All 4 cases showed strong, diffuse nuclear expression of ERG, whereas none of the mimics stained with this antibody except for weak to moderate staining in calcifying aponeurotic fibromas (9/10 cases). Two tumors showed focal weak to moderate expression of SAT-B2. The 4 herein presented cases further broaden the clinicopathologic spectrum of tumors with EWSR1-SMAD3 gene fusion. They also confirm that they represent a novel entity for which we propose the name EWSR1-SMAD3-rearranged fibroblastic Tumor. Our study also proves that in the context of fibroblastic/myofibroblastic tumors, ERG immunohistochemistry is a relatively specific marker for these neoplasms.

• MeSH
• biopsie MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• fenotyp MeSH
• fibroblasty asociované s nádorem chemie   patologie   MeSH
• fúze genů * MeSH
• genetická predispozice k nemoci MeSH
• genová přestavba * MeSH
• hybridizace in situ fluorescenční MeSH
• imunohistochemie MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• myofibroblasty chemie   patologie   MeSH
• nádorové biomarkery analýza   genetika   MeSH
• nádory z pojivové a měkké tkáně chemie   genetika   patologie   chirurgie   MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• protein EWS vázající RNA genetika   MeSH
• protein Smad3 genetika   MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• transkripční regulátor ERG analýza   MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• vysoce účinné nukleotidové sekvenování MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• kazuistiky MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Increased plasma levels of soluble endoglin (sEng) were detected in patients with endothelial dysfunction-related disorders and hypercholesterolemia. In this study, we hypothesized that high levels of sEng accompanied by mild hypercholesterolemia could aggravate endothelial and vessel wall dysfunction and affect endoglin/eNOS signaling in mouse aorta. METHODS: Three-month-old female transgenic mice on CBAxC57BL/6J background, with high levels of sEng (Sol-Eng+high HFD), and their littermates with low levels of sEng (Sol-Eng+low HFD), were fed a high fat diet for six months. Plasma samples were used for biochemical, ELISA and Luminex analyses of total cholesterol, sEng and inflammatory markers. Functional parameters of aorta were assessed with wire myograph 620M. Western blot analyses of membrane endoglin/eNOS signaling and endothelial dysfunction/inflammation markers in aorta were performed. RESULTS: Functional analysis of aorta showed impaired KCl induced vasoconstriction, endothelial-dependent relaxation after the administration of acetylcholine as well as endothelial-independent relaxation induced by sodium nitroprusside in the Sol-Eng+high HFD group compared to the Sol-Eng+low HFD group. Ach-induced vasodilation after administration of l-NAME was significantly higher in the Sol-Eng+high HFD group compared to the Sol-Eng+low HFD group. The expression of endoglin, p-eNOS/eNOS, pSmad2/3/Smad2/3 signaling pathway was significantly lower in the Sol-Eng+high HFD group compared to the Sol-Eng+low HFD group. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that long-term hypercholesterolemia combined with high levels of sEng leads to the aggravation of endothelial and vessel wall dysfunction in aorta, with possible alterations of the membrane endoglin/eNOS signaling, suggesting that high levels of soluble endoglin might be considered as a risk factor of cardiovascular diseases.

• MeSH
• aorta metabolismus   patologie   patofyziologie   MeSH
• ateroskleróza genetika   metabolismus   patologie   patofyziologie   MeSH
• cévní endotel metabolismus   patologie   patofyziologie   MeSH
• dieta s vysokým obsahem tuků MeSH
• endoglin genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• fosforylace MeSH
• hypercholesterolemie komplikace   etiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mediátory zánětu metabolismus   MeSH
• modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
• myši inbrední C57BL MeSH
• myši inbrední CBA MeSH
• myši transgenní MeSH
• nemoci aorty genetika   metabolismus   patologie   patofyziologie   MeSH
• protein Smad2 metabolismus   MeSH
• protein Smad3 metabolismus   MeSH
• signální transdukce MeSH
• synthasa oxidu dusnatého, typ III metabolismus   MeSH
• upregulace MeSH
• vazodilatace MeSH
• vazokonstrikce MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

OBJECTIVES: Hedgehog signalling plays a critical role during the pathogenesis of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Besides canonical hedgehog signalling with smoothened (SMO)-dependent activation of GLI transcription factors, GLI can be activated independently of classical hedgehog ligands and receptors (so-called non-canonical pathways). Here, we aimed to evaluate the role of non-canonical hedgehog signalling in SSc and to test the efficacy of direct GLI inhibitors that target simultaneously canonical and non-canonical hedgehog pathways. METHODS: The GLI inhibitor GANT-61 was used to inhibit canonical as well as non-canonical hedgehog signalling, while the SMO inhibitor vismodegib was used to selectively target canonical hedgehog signalling. Furthermore, GLI2 was selectively depleted in fibroblasts using the Cre-LoxP system. The effects of pharmacological or genetic of GLI2 on transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signalling were analysed in cultured fibroblasts, in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis and in mice with overexpression of a constitutively active TGF-β receptor I. RESULTS: TGF-β upregulated GLI2 in a Smad3-dependent manner and induced nuclear accumulation and DNA binding of GLI2. Fibroblast-specific knockout of GLI2 protected mice from TBR(act)-induced fibrosis. Combined targeting of canonical and non-canonical hedgehog signalling with direct GLI inhibitors exerted more potent antifibrotic effects than selective targeting of canonical hedgehog signalling with SMO inhibitors in experimental dermal and pulmonary fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that hedgehog pathways and TGF-β signalling both converge to GLI2 and that GLI2 integrates those signalling to promote tissue fibrosis. These findings may have translational implications as non-selective inhibitors of GLI2 are in clinical use and selective molecules are currently in development.

• MeSH
• anilidy farmakologie   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• fibroblasty účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• fibróza MeSH
• genový knockout MeSH
• inhibitor aktivátoru plazminogenu 1 genetika   MeSH
• kolagen typu I genetika   MeSH
• kultivované buňky MeSH
• kůže účinky léků   patologie   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• messenger RNA metabolismus   MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• myši knockoutované MeSH
• myši transgenní MeSH
• myši MeSH
• plicní fibróza chemicky indukované   metabolismus   MeSH
• protein Smad3 metabolismus   MeSH
• protein-serin-threoninkinasy antagonisté a inhibitory   genetika   MeSH
• proteiny hedgehog metabolismus   MeSH
• pteridiny farmakologie   MeSH
• pyridiny farmakologie   MeSH
• pyrimidiny farmakologie   MeSH
• receptor Smoothened antagonisté a inhibitory   MeSH
• receptory transformujícího růstového faktoru beta antagonisté a inhibitory   genetika   MeSH
• rekombinantní proteiny farmakologie   MeSH
• růstový faktor pojivové tkáně genetika   MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• signální transdukce účinky léků   MeSH
• systémová sklerodermie genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• transformující růstový faktor beta metabolismus   farmakologie   MeSH
• transkripční faktory Krüppel-like antagonisté a inhibitory   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• myši MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

OBJECTIVES: Tribbles homologue 3 (TRB3) is a pseudokinase that modifies the activation of various intracellular signalling pathways to control fundamental processes extending from mitosis and cell activation to apoptosis and modulation of gene expression. Here, we aimed to analyse the role of TRB3 in fibroblast activation in systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: The expression of TRB3 was quantified by quantitative PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry. The role of TRB3 was analysed in cultured fibroblasts and in experimental fibrosis using small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown and overexpression of TRB3. RESULTS: TRB3 expression was increased in fibroblasts of patients with SSc and in murine models of SSc in a transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad-dependent manner. Overexpression of TRB3 stimulated canonical TGF-β signalling and induced an activated phenotype in resting fibroblasts. In contrast, knockdown of TRB3 reduced the profibrotic effects of TGF-β and decreased the collagen synthesis. Moreover, siRNA-mediated knockdown of TRB3 exerted potent antifibrotic effects and ameliorated bleomycin as well as constitutively active TGF-β receptor I-induced fibrosis with reduced dermal thickening, decreased hydroxyproline content and impaired myofibroblast differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: The present study characterises TRB3 as a novel profibrotic mediator in SSc. TGF-β induces TRB3, which in turn activates canonical TGF-β/Smad signalling and stimulates the release of collagen, thereby inducing a positive feedback loop that may contribute to aberrant TGF-β signalling in SSc.

• MeSH
• antibiotika antitumorózní toxicita   MeSH
• bleomycin toxicita   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• fibroblasty metabolismus   MeSH
• fibróza chemicky indukované   genetika   MeSH
• genový knockdown MeSH
• genový knockin MeSH
• imunohistochemie MeSH
• kolagen metabolismus   MeSH
• kožní nemoci chemicky indukované   genetika   MeSH
• kultivované buňky MeSH
• kvantitativní polymerázová řetězová reakce MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
• myši MeSH
• protein Smad3 metabolismus   MeSH
• protein-serin-threoninkinasy antagonisté a inhibitory   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• proteiny buněčného cyklu genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• receptory transformujícího růstového faktoru beta MeSH
• represorové proteiny genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• signální transdukce genetika   MeSH
• škára cytologie   MeSH
• studie případů a kontrol MeSH
• systémová sklerodermie genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• transformující růstový faktor beta metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• myši MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

OBJECTIVES: S100A4 is a calcium binding protein with regulatory functions in cell homeostasis, proliferation and differentiation that has been shown to promote cancer progression and metastasis. In the present study, we evaluated the role of S100A4 in fibroblast activation in systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: The expression of S100A4 was analysed in human samples, murine models of SSc and in cultured fibroblasts by real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry and western blot. The functional role of S100A4 was evaluated using siRNA, overexpression, recombinant protein and S100A4 knockout (S100A4(-/-)) mice. Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signalling was assessed by reporter assays, staining for phosphorylated Smad2/3 and analyses of target genes. RESULTS: The expression of S100A4 was increased in SSc skin and in experimental fibrosis in a TGF-β/Smad-dependent manner. Overexpression of S100A4 or stimulation with recombinant S100A4 induced an activated phenotype in resting normal fibroblasts. In contrast, knockdown of S100A4 reduced the pro-fibrotic effects of TGF-β and decreased the release of collagen. S100A4(-/-) mice were protected from bleomycin-induced skin fibrosis with reduced dermal thickening, decreased hydroxyproline content and lower myofibroblast counts. Deficiency of S100A4 also ameliorated fibrosis in the tight-skin-1 (Tsk-1) mouse model. CONCLUSIONS: We characterised S100A4 as a downstream mediator of the stimulatory effects of TGF-β on fibroblasts in SSc. TGF-β induces the expression of S100A4 to stimulate the release of collagen in SSc fibroblasts and induce fibrosis. Since S100A4 is essentially required for the pro-fibrotic effects of TGF-β and neutralising antibodies against S100A4 are currently evaluated, S100A4 might be a candidate for novel antifibrotic therapies.

• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• fibroblasty metabolismus   MeSH
• kůže metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
• myši knockoutované MeSH
• myši MeSH
• protein Smad2 metabolismus   MeSH
• protein Smad3 metabolismus   MeSH
• proteiny S100 metabolismus   MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• systémová sklerodermie metabolismus   MeSH
• transformující růstový faktor beta metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• myši MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Several lines of evidence suggest that in mice the activation of SMAD2/3 signaling by oocyte secreted factors, together with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation, is essential to induce cumulus expansion. Here we show that inhibition of EGFR kinase in follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)-stimulated porcine oocyte-cumulus cell complex (OCCs) strongly decreases hyaluronan (HA) synthesis and its retention in the matrix, as well as progesterone synthesis. Although porcine cumulus cells undergo expansion independently of oocytes, we use biochemical and gene expression analyses to show that they do require activation of SMAD2/3 for optimal stimulation of HA synthesis and proteins involved in the organization of this polymer in the expanded matrix. Furthermore, FSH-induced progesterone synthesis by porcine cumulus cells was increased by blocking SMAD2/3 activation. In conclusion, these results support the hypothesis that an FSH-EGF autocrine loop is active in porcine OCCs, and provide the first evidence that the SMAD2/3 signaling pathway is induced by paracrine/autocrine factors in porcine cumulus cells and is involved in the control of both cumulus expansion and steroidogenesis.

• MeSH
• benzamidy farmakologie   MeSH
• C-reaktivní protein metabolismus   MeSH
• chinazoliny farmakologie   MeSH
• dioxoly farmakologie   MeSH
• epidermální růstový faktor metabolismus   MeSH
• erbB receptory antagonisté a inhibitory   metabolismus   MeSH
• folikuly stimulující hormon metabolismus   MeSH
• glukuronosyltransferasa antagonisté a inhibitory   metabolismus   MeSH
• isochinoliny farmakologie   MeSH
• kumulární buňky metabolismus   MeSH
• kyselina hyaluronová biosyntéza   MeSH
• meióza účinky léků   MeSH
• molekuly buněčné adheze antagonisté a inhibitory   metabolismus   MeSH
• myši MeSH
• oocyty enzymologie   fyziologie   MeSH
• prasata MeSH
• progesteron biosyntéza   MeSH
• protein Smad2 antagonisté a inhibitory   metabolismus   MeSH
• protein Smad3 antagonisté a inhibitory   metabolismus   MeSH
• pyridiny farmakologie   MeSH
• pyrroly farmakologie   MeSH
• sérový amyloidový protein metabolismus   MeSH
• signální transdukce účinky léků   MeSH
• tyrphostiny farmakologie   MeSH
• vývojová regulace genové exprese účinky léků   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• myši MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Endoglin, a homodimeric transmembrane glycoprotein, is a part of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) receptor cascade. It has been demonstrated that endoglin can affect TGF-beta signaling and eNOS expression by affecting SMAD proteins in vitro. We planned to go one step forward and evaluate whether endoglin is co-expressed with SMAD2, phosphorylated SMAD2/3 protein and eNOS in endothelium of normocholesterolemic C57BL/6J mice, and in advanced atherosclerotic lesions in hypercholesterolemic apoE/LDLr-deficient mice by means of fluorescence immunohistochemistry. Female C57BL/6J mice were fed with a chow diet (standard laboratory diet) for 12 weeks after weaning (at the age of 4 weeks). Two-month-old female apoE/LDLr-deficient mice were fed the western type diet (atherogenic diet) containing 21% fat (11% saturated fat) and 0.15% cholesterol for 2 months. Immunohistochemical analysis of endoglin, SMAD2, phosphorylated SMAD2/3 and eNOS expression was performed in mice aortic sinus. Immunohistochemical analysis showed the expression of endoglin in intact endothelium in both C57BL/6J and apoE/LDLr-deficient mice and in endothelium covering the atherosclerotic lesion in apoE/LDLr-deficient mice. Fluorescence immunohistochemistry revealed co-expression of endoglin with SMAD2, phosphorylated SMAD2/3 and eNOS in intact aortic endothelium in C57BL/6J mice. Moreover, strong co-localization of endoglin, SMAD2, phosphorylated SMAD2/3 and eNOS was also detected in endothelium covering atherosclerotic lesions in apoE/LDLr-deficient mice. In conclusion, we suggest that endoglin, SMAD2, phosphorylated SMAD2/3 and eNOS may be important in vessel endothelium homeostasis underlying their role in atherogenesis.

• MeSH
• aorta cytologie   MeSH
• apolipoproteiny E genetika   nedostatek   MeSH
• cévní endotel metabolismus   MeSH
• dieta aterogenní MeSH
• fluorescenční protilátková technika přímá MeSH
• fosforylace MeSH
• hypercholesterolemie metabolismus   MeSH
• imunohistochemie MeSH
• intracelulární signální peptidy a proteiny genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• myši inbrední C57BL MeSH
• myši MeSH
• protein Smad2 genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• protein Smad3 genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• synthasa oxidu dusnatého, typ III metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• myši MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH