scholarly journals Vascular Patterning as Integrative Readout of Complex Molecular and Physiological Signaling by VESsel GENeration Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Mark Lagatuz ◽  
Ruchi J. Vyas ◽  
Marina Predovic ◽  
Shiyin Lim ◽  
Nicole Jacobs ◽  
...  

The molecular signaling cascades that regulate angiogenesis and microvascular remodeling are fundamental to normal development, healthy physiology, and pathologies such as inflammation and cancer. Yet quantifying such complex, fractally branching vascular patterns remains difficult. We review application of NASA’s globally available, freely downloadable VESsel GENeration (VESGEN) Analysis software to numerous examples of 2D vascular trees, networks, and tree-network composites. Upon input of a binary vascular image, automated output includes informative vascular maps and quantification of parameters such as tortuosity, fractal dimension, vessel diameter, area, length, number, and branch point. Previous research has demonstrated that cytokines and therapeutics such as vascular endothelial growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor (fibroblast growth factor-2), transforming growth factor-beta-1, and steroid triamcinolone acetonide specify unique “fingerprint” or “biomarker” vascular patterns that integrate dominant signaling with physiological response. In vivo experimental examples described here include vascular response to keratinocyte growth factor, a novel vessel tortuosity factor; angiogenic inhibition in humanized tumor xenografts by the anti-angiogenesis drug leronlimab; intestinal vascular inflammation with probiotic protection by <i>Saccharomyces boulardii</i>, and a workflow programming of vascular architecture for 3D bioprinting of regenerative tissues from 2D images. Microvascular remodeling in the human retina is described for astronaut risks in microgravity, vessel tortuosity in diabetic retinopathy, and venous occlusive disease.

2018 ◽  
pp. 6778-6787 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo S Reineri ◽  
María S. Coria ◽  
María G. Barrionuevo ◽  
Olegario Hernández ◽  
Santiago Callejas ◽  
...  

Introduction. Growth and follicular maturation involve transformations of various components of the follicle, such as the oocyte, granulosa and techa cells. Several growth factors, including differentiation growth factor 9 (GDF9), bone morphogenic protein 15 (BMP15) and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) are important for follicular development and oocyte maturation, by its ability to increase the proliferation of granulosa, techa cells and the ovarian stroma. Objetive. Evaluate mRNA expression of GDF9, BMP15, FGF2 and their main receptors, transforming growth factor beta receptor 1 (TGFβ-R1), bone morphogenetic protein receptor, type IB (BMPR-IB) and fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) in bovine follicular cells. Materials and methods. Total RNA was isolated from pooled samples of oocytes (OOs), cumulus cells (CCs) of cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) and follicular cell pellets (PCs) of 70 ovaries obtained from 96 beef heifers, collected at a local abattoir. The expression pattern of growth factors and their receptors in follicular bovine cells was evaluated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results. The mRNA transcripts encoding GDF9, BMP15, FGF2, TGFβ-R1, BMPR-IB and FGFR2 genes were detected, by RT-PCR, in all studied cells. This is the first time that the expression of TGFβ-R1 and BMPR-IB receptors is reported in bovine oocytes. Conclusions. The presence of growth factors and receptor transcripts in the studied cells indicate that these factors could act as paracrine and autocrine regulators of folliculogenesis.


1987 ◽  
Vol 105 (2) ◽  
pp. 957-963 ◽  
Author(s):  
O Saksela ◽  
D Moscatelli ◽  
D B Rifkin

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), a potent inducer of angiogenesis in vivo, stimulates the production of both urokinase- and tissue-type plasminogen activators (PAs) in cultured bovine capillary endothelial cells. The observed increase in proteolytic activity induced by bFGF was effectively diminished by picogram amounts of transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta), but could not be abolished by increasing the amount of TGF beta. However, the inhibition by TGF beta was greatly enhanced if the cells were pretreated with TGF beta before addition of bFGF. After prolonged incubation of cultures treated simultaneously with bFGF and TGF beta, the inhibitory effect of TGF beta diminished and the stimulatory effect of the added bFGF dominated as assayed by PA levels. TGF beta did not alter the receptor binding of labeled bFGF, nor did a 6-h pretreatment with TGF beta reduce the amount of bFGF bound. The major difference between the effects of bFGF and TGF beta was that while bFGF effectively enhanced PA activity expressed by the cells, TGF beta decreased the amounts of both cell-associated and secreted PA activity by decreasing enzyme production. Both bFGF and TGF beta increased the secretion of the endothelial-type plasminogen activator inhibitor.


1987 ◽  
Author(s):  
O Saksela ◽  
D Moscatelli ◽  
D B Rifkin

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), a potent inducer of angio-genesis in vivo, stimulates the production of both the cell-associated and the secreted forms of urokinase-and tissue-type plasminogen activators (PA) in cultured bovine capillary endothelial cells. This stimulation was counteracted by picogram amounts of transforming growth factor beta The stimulatory effect of bFGF was not completely abolished by increasing the amount of TGFb However, the inhibition by TGFb was greatly enhanced if the cells were pretreated for 1-3 hours with TGFb before addition of bFGF, and the inhibition was almost total, if the' preincubationtime with TGFb was 6 hours.Sequential chanqes of serum-containing medium prior to addition ofbFGF also blocked the PA stimulatory effect of bFGF. This inhibitory activity of serum was reduced by incubation of the serum with anti-TGFb-IgG. After pro-longed incubation of cultures treated simultaneously with bFGF' and TGFb, the inhibitory effect of the added bFGF dominated as assayed by PAlevels. TGFbdid not alter the receptor binding of labeled bFGF, nor did a 6 hour pretreatment with TGFb reducethe amount of bound bFGF. The major difference between effects by bFGF and TGFb was thatwhile bFGF effectively enhanced PA-activi-ty expressed by the cells, TGF decreased the amounts of both cell-associated and secreted PA activity by decreasing enzyme production and proenzyme activation. Both bFGF and TGFb increased the secretion of the endothelial type 1 plasminogen activatorinhibitor (PAI 1). The highest concentration of TGFb is found in platelets, and it is known to be released during clot formation. The suppression of PA production by theendothelium by the release of TGFb shouldresult in a decrease in the fibrinolytic activity and promote clot maintenance. In addition, the rapid stimulation of high levels of PAI 1 secretion from the surrounding capillarycells by platelet released TGFb may further suppress fibrinolysis'. The reversabil it.y of theTGFb effect and domination of bFGF stimulation may be important in relation to the subsequentonset of clot lysis or angiogenesis leadino to thrombus reorganization and wound healing.


2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. E7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harvey Chim ◽  
Sunil Manjila ◽  
Alan R. Cohen ◽  
Arun K. Gosain

The interplay of signals between dura mater, suture mesenchyme, and brain is essential in determining the fate of cranial sutures and the pathogenesis of premature suture fusion leading to craniosynostosis. At the forefront of research into suture fusion is the role of fibroblast growth factor and transforming growth factor–β, which have been found to be critical in the cell-signaling cascade involved in aberrant suture fusion. In this review, the authors discuss recent and ongoing research into the role of fibroblast growth factor and transforming growth factor–β in the etiopathogenesis of craniosynostosis.


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