scholarly journals Morphofunctional characteristics of endothelial cells in coronary atherosclerosis

2011 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 921-932 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vesna Lackovic ◽  
Irena Tanaskovic ◽  
Dj. Radak ◽  
Vesna Nesic ◽  
Z. Gluvic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Coronary Atherosclerosis ◽  
Complex Disease ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Intercellular Junctions ◽  
Vascular Wall ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
Numerous Data

Atherosclerosis represents a complex disease which encompasses all the components of the vascular wall. Nevertheless, according to all known theories of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, the key role in this process belongs to the endothelial cells, i.e. the changes that they are subjected to especially during the initial stage of the lesion. In this review we have attempted, according to the results of our continuous research and numerous data from available modern literature, to show the cytohistological characteristics of endothelial cells, as well as the changes they are subjected to in all stages of atherosclerosis. In the first part we have reviewed the ultrastructure, function and pathology of the endothelium, subcellular organization of the endothelial cells, their specific characteristics, micro compartments and intercellular junctions. In the second part we have described the morphological and functional changes of endothelial cells during atherosclerosis. Special attention is given to the role of endothelial cells in the development of the initial stage of lesion: endothelial dysfunction, factors that cause the increased expression of adhesion molecules in endothelial cells and mechanisms that cause leukocytes to migrate through the endothelial layer to subendothelial connective tissue in the early stage of atherosclerosis.

scholarly journals EBF1 is expressed in pericytes and contributes to pericyte cell commitment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Pagani ◽  
Elisa Tratta ◽  
Patrizia Dell’Era ◽  
Manuela Cominelli ◽  
Pietro Luigi Poliani
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Cell Lineage ◽  
Cell Maturation ◽  
Cell Commitment

AbstractEarly B-cell factor-1 (EBF1) is a transcription factor with an important role in cell lineage specification and commitment during the early stage of cell maturation. Originally described during B-cell maturation, EBF1 was subsequently identified as a crucial molecule for proper cell fate commitment of mesenchymal stem cells into adipocytes, osteoblasts and muscle cells. In vessels, EBF1 expression and function have never been documented. Our data indicate that EBF1 is highly expressed in peri-endothelial cells in both tumor vessels and in physiological conditions. Immunohistochemistry, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis suggest that EBF1-expressing peri-endothelial cells represent bona fide pericytes and selectively express well-recognized markers employed in the identification of the pericyte phenotype (SMA, PDGFRβ, CD146, NG2). This observation was also confirmed in vitro in human placenta-derived pericytes and in human brain vascular pericytes (HBVP). Of note, in accord with the key role of EBF1 in the cell lineage commitment of mesenchymal stem cells, EBF1-silenced HBVP cells showed a significant reduction in PDGFRβ and CD146, but not CD90, a marker mostly associated with a prominent mesenchymal phenotype. Moreover, the expression levels of VEGF, angiopoietin-1, NG2 and TGF-β, cytokines produced by pericytes during angiogenesis and linked to their differentiation and activation, were also significantly reduced. Overall, the data suggest a functional role of EBF1 in the cell fate commitment toward the pericyte phenotype.

Biology and pathology of atherosclerosis

2010 ◽  
pp. 2873-2881
Author(s):  
Robin P. Choudhury ◽  
Edward A. Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Vessel Wall ◽  
Inflammatory Process ◽  
Inflammatory Cells ◽  
Vascular Wall ◽  
Atheromatous Plaque ◽  
Apo B ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
Intimal Layer

Formation of an atheromatous plaque—this is an inflammatory process that involves the contribution of endothelial cells, monocytes, and smooth muscle cells in conjunction with the deposition of atherogenic lipoproteins in the intimal layer of the vascular wall. The initial stage involves activation of the endothelium at regions of nonlaminar flow in vessels resulting in increased permeability to Apo B-containing lipoproteins (LDL). Inflammatory cells, in particular monocytes, are recruited into the intimal layer of the vessel wall via the action of chemokines and adhesion molecules mobilized by activated endothelium....

scholarly journals Transition in successors’ behavior and mindset while managing long-lived small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises: a qualitative study

F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 285
Author(s):  
Hiroo Suzuki ◽  
Yasunobu Kino
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Manufacturing Enterprises ◽  
Double Loop Learning ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
Core Category ◽  
Stable Employment

Background: There have been many studies conducted on succession, which can be considered as the most important issue in family businesses. However, most of these previous studies have focused only on the early stage of succession, uncovering the role of the predecessor and the successor. Only a few studies have made efforts to examine the total lifecycle of succession. The purpose of this study is to explore the process of the transition in successors' behavior and mindset while managing long-lived small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises throughout the lifecycle of succession. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six successors of small and medium-sized manufacturing companies who are more than half a century old. Their answers were analyzed using the Modified-GTA method to construct a hypothetical model. Results: In total, 46 concepts, four categories, 17 subcategories, and one core category were generated. An analysis result diagram using all concepts and categories was formed. From the observation of this diagram, the successors gained confidence in management through the dilemma between autonomy and constraint in the early stage of succession, which was found in previous research. Following the initial stage, the successors responded to the crisis caused by market constraints and created autonomous strategies in their businesses. Conclusions: By experiencing repetitive crises, the successors tend to acquire new perspectives toward the naturally occurring crises. This change of premise by the successors is considered as the process of double-loop learning. Relationships inside and outside the company influence the generation of this viewpoint. From a long-term perspective, a sense of unity with employees, stable employment, and the pursuit of enjoyment constitute the successors' own values in this model.

scholarly journals Ophthalmic markers of the diabetic polyneuropathy

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariia I Krasavina ◽  
Sergey Yu Astakhov ◽  
Fedor E Shadrichev ◽  
Nikita Yu Dal
Keyword(s):  
World Literature ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Diabetic Polyneuropathy ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Ulcer Formation ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Corneal Nerves ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Severity Degree

In the article, a world literature analysis is presented on the relationship between structural and functional changes of the retina and of the optic nerve and the diabetic polyneuropathy severity degree. Diabetic polyneuropathy is one of the most common and severe complications of diabetes mellitus leading in many patients to ulcer formation and to foot amputation. Modern methods for neuropathy diagnosis either do not allow revealing early stage changes, or include invasive procedures. Ophthalmologists, involved in diabetic patients care, due to objective reasons focus on diabetic retinopathy. However, the evidence that the corneal nerves state is a marker of peripheral neuropathy suggests a new and very important role of the ophthalmologist in diabetic patient care. Several studies obtained promising results about structural and functional retinal changes could be found in diabetic patients before retinopathy start; this allows to suggest the neuropathy role at their origin.

scholarly journals Transition in successors’ behavior and mindset while managing long-lived small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises: a qualitative study

F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 285
Author(s):  
Hiroo Suzuki ◽  
Yasunobu Kino
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Manufacturing Enterprises ◽  
Double Loop Learning ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
Core Category ◽  
Stable Employment

Background: There have been many studies conducted on succession, which can be considered as the most important issue in family businesses. However, most of these previous studies have focused only on the early stage of succession, uncovering the role of the predecessor and the successor. Only a few studies have made efforts to examine the total lifecycle of succession. The purpose of this study is to explore the process of the transition in successors' behavior and mindset while managing long-lived small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises throughout the lifecycle of succession. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six successors of small and medium-sized manufacturing companies who are more than half a century old. Their answers were analyzed using the Modified-GTA method to construct a hypothetical model. Results: In total, 46 concepts, four categories, 17 subcategories, and one core category were generated. An analysis result diagram using all concepts and categories was formed. From the observation of this diagram, the successors gained confidence in management through the dilemma between autonomy and constraint in the early stage of succession, which was found in previous research. Following the initial stage, the successors responded to the crisis caused by market constraints and created autonomous strategies in their businesses. Conclusions: By experiencing repetitive crises, the successors tend to acquire new perspectives toward the naturally occurring crises. This change of premise by the successors is considered as the process of double-loop learning. Relationships inside and outside the company influence the generation of this viewpoint. From a long-term perspective, a sense of unity with employees, stable employment, and the pursuit of enjoyment constitute the successors' own values in this model.

scholarly journals Structural, Functional, and Metabolic Alterations in Human Cerebrovascular Endothelial Cells during Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Amelioration by Verapamil In Vitro

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 1386
Author(s):  
Alaa T. Al-sandaqchi ◽  
Victoria Marsh ◽  
Huw E. L. Williams ◽  
Carl W. Stevenson ◽  
Hany M. Elsheikha
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Intercellular Junctions ◽  
Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Brain Infection ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection ◽  
Cerebrovascular Endothelial Cells ◽  
Treatment Application

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, is a frequent cause of brain infection. Despite its known ability to invade the brain, there is still a dire need to better understand the mechanisms by which this parasite interacts with and crosses the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The present study revealed structural and functional changes associated with infection and replication of T. gondii within human brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) in vitro. T. gondii proliferated within the BMECs and disrupted the integrity of the cerebrovascular barrier through diminishing the cellular viability, disruption of the intercellular junctions and increasing permeability of the BMEC monolayer, as well as altering lipid homeostasis. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR)-based metabolomics combined with multivariate data analysis revealed profiles that can be attributed to infection and variations in the amounts of certain metabolites (e.g., amino acids, fatty acids) in the extracts of infected compared to control cells. Notably, treatment with the Ca2+ channel blocker verapamil rescued BMEC barrier integrity and restricted intracellular replication of the tachyzoites regardless of the time of treatment application (i.e., prior to infection, early- and late-infection). This study provides new insights into the structural and functional changes that accompany T. gondii infection of the BMECs, and sheds light upon the ability of verapamil to inhibit the parasite proliferation and to ameliorate the adverse effects caused by T. gondii infection.

scholarly journals The glycolytic process in endothelial cells and its implications

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan, Wai Sum Leung ◽  
Yi Shi
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Vascular Tone ◽  
Cell Metabolism ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Glutamine Metabolism ◽  
Acid Oxidation ◽  
Metabolic Processes ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Pathological Conditions

AbstractEndothelial cells play an obligatory role in regulating local vascular tone and maintaining homeostasis in vascular biology. Cell metabolism, converting food to energy in organisms, is the primary self-sustaining mechanism for cell proliferation and reproduction, structure maintenance, and fight-or-flight responses to stimuli. Four major metabolic processes take place in the energy-producing process, including glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, glutamine metabolism, and fatty acid oxidation. Among them, glycolysis is the primary energy-producing mechanism in endothelial cells. The present review focused on glycolysis in endothelial cells under both physiological and pathological conditions. Since the switches among metabolic processes precede the functional changes and disease developments, some prophylactic and/or therapeutic strategies concerning the role of glycolysis in cardiovascular disease are discussed.

Constitutive activation of p46JNK2 is indispensable for C/EBPδ induction in the initial stage of adipogenic differentiation

2017 ◽  
Vol 474 (20) ◽  
pp. 3421-3437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joji Kusuyama ◽  
Tomokazu Ohnishi ◽  
Kenjiro Bandow ◽  
Muhammad Subhan Amir ◽  
Kaori Shima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Energy Homeostasis ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Adipogenic Differentiation ◽  
Endocrine System ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor ◽  
Initial Stage

Adipogenic differentiation plays a vital role in energy homeostasis and endocrine system. Several transcription factors, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2 and CCAAT–enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) α, β, and δ, are important for the process, whereas the stage-specific intracellular signal transduction regulating the onset of adipogenesis remains enigmatic. Here, we explored the functional role of c-jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) in adipogenic differentiation using in vitro differentiation models of 3T3-L1 cells and primary adipo-progenitor cells. JNK inactivation with either a pharmacological inhibitor or JNK2-specific siRNA suppressed adipogenic differentiation, characterized by decreased lipid droplet appearance and the down-regulation of Adiponectin, fatty acid protein 4 (Fabp4), Pparg2, and C/ebpa expressions. Conversely, increased adipogenesis was observed by the inducible overexpression of p46JNK2 (JNK2-1), whereas it was not observed by that of p54JNK2 (JNK2-2), indicating a distinct role of p46JNK2. The essential role of JNK appears restricted to the early stage of adipogenic differentiation, as JNK inhibition in the later stages did not influence adipogenesis. Indeed, JNK phosphorylation was significantly induced at the onset of adipogenic differentiation. As for the transcription factors involved in early adipogenesis, JNK inactivation significantly inhibited the induction of C/ebpd, but not C/ebpb, during the initial stage of adipogenic differentiation. JNK activation increased C/ebpd mRNA and protein expression through the induction and phosphorylation of activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2) that binds to a responsive element within the C/ebpd gene promoter region. Taken together, these data indicate that constitutive JNK activity is specifically required for the initial stage differentiation events of adipocytes.

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