Futurity.org » endothelial cells

Built-in bypass bolstered by key molecule

Leslie Lang-UNC — Fri, 28 May 2010 16:05:14 +0000

UNC-CHAPEL HILL(US)—An abundance of tiny specialized blood vessels, called collaterals, can reduce damage caused by a blocked artery—such as stroke, heart attack, or leg injury—by enlarging to create a natural bypass. Research shows that this ability is related to levels of nitric oxide, a key signaling molecule.

The study, conducted in animal models, also suggests that nitric oxide is critical to maintaining the number of collateral vessels in healthy individuals. Full study details are reported in the journal Circulation Research.

Workouts strengthen endothelial cells’ grasp

Jordan Reese-Penn — Wed, 19 May 2010 21:29:34 +0000

U. PENN (US)—Bioengineers have demonstrated that the cells that line blood vessels respond to mechanical forces—the microscopic tugging and pulling on cellular structures—by reinforcing and growing their connections, thus creating stronger adhesive interactions between neighboring cells.

Understanding how forces affect cell-cell adhesion could provide new opportunities for therapies targeting acute and chronic dysfunction of blood vessels. Details are reported in the current issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Fewer blood cells may signal preeclampsia

Anita Srikameswaran-Pittsburgh — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:27:16 +0000

As a healthy pregnancy progresses, two types of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) increase in number, possibly indicating the augmentation of the mother’s cardiovascular system to meet the need of the growing fetus, explains senior author Carl Hubel. But this adaptation doesn’t happen in patients with preeclampsia. Seen above are cells in a normal pregnancy and a reduced number of cells in a patient with preeclampsia. (Courtesy: U. Pitt)

U. PITTSBURGH (US)—Compared to women with uncomplicated pregnancies, women with preeclampsia have reduced numbers of special cells that are thought to help grow and maintain blood vessels. Preeclampsia is the leading cause of preterm labor.

The findings from a study by researchers at the Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI) and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine are available online in the journal Reproductive Sciences.

As a healthy pregnancy progresses, two types of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) increase in number, possibly indicating the augmentation of the mother’s cardiovascular system to meet the need of the growing fetus, explains senior author Carl Hubel, an MWRI associate investigator and an associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at Pitt.

To understand GI infections, learn the language

Ryan Garcia-Texas A&M — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:52:47 +0000

TEXAS A&M (US)—New technology is able to mimic the unique bacteria-laden environment of the human GI tract because it knows how to decode the complex way cells “talk” to each other, a new study reports.

The system, developed by Arul Jayaraman, assistant professor in the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University, will help scientists understand how certain pathogenic bacteria strains such as E. coli cause infection in humans.

Oral bacteria linked to preterm birth

Mary Gerity-Case Western — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:27:43 +0000

CASE WESTERN (US)—Researchers are working to block a common bacterium that is harmless in a mother’s mouth, but can turn deadly when it reaches an unborn child.

The bacterium, Fusobacterium nucleatum, becomes destructive once it leaves the mouth and enters the blood stream. The invasion of the bacteria through the placenta then allows it to multiply rapidly in the immune-free environment that protects the fetus, causing the placenta to become inflamed, which in turn, can trigger preterm birth and fetal death.

Plaque buildup may be linked to stiffening arteries

Futurity-Jenny Leonard — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 22:31:22 +0000

Endothelial cells, which make up the inner lining of arteries (Credit: Joseph Califano)

CORNELL (US)—Joints are not the only parts of our body that stiffen as we age. Our blood vessels do, too. In more than half of the U.S. population over 65, this stiffening of the blood vessels is accompanied by a buildup of plaque inside arterial walls, known as atherosclerosis, which can increase the risk of a heart attack.

Researchers have long known that factors like smoking and high cholesterol intake contribute to the disease. But Cynthia Reinhart-King, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Cornell University, is investigating atherosclerosis from a different perspective—with hopes of finding new ways to treat it.