Endothelial Cell News Volume 1.20 | Aug 8 2016

TOP STORY

Endothelial PDGF-CC Regulates Angiogenesis-Dependent Thermogenesis in Beige Fat

Investigators showed that endothelial production of PDGF-CC during white adipose tissue (WAT) angiogenesis regulates WAT browning. [Nat Commun] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Persistence of Circulating Endothelial Microparticles in COPD Despite Smoking Cessation

Scientists hypothesized that pulmonary capillary apoptosis persists with the development of COPD and assessed its reversibility in healthy smokers and COPD smokers following smoking cessation. [Thorax] Abstract | Editorial

The Retinoid Agonist Tazarotene Promotes Angiogenesis and Wound Healing

Researchers showed, using a phenotype-driven high-content imaging screen of an annotated chemical library of 1280 bioactive small molecules, that the retinoid agonist Tazarotene, enhances in vitro angiogenesis, promoting branching morphogenesis, and tubule remodeling. [Mol Ther] Abstract

Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Interfere with Angiogenesis by Decreasing Endothelial VEGFR-2 Protein Half-Life in Part via a VE-Cadherin Dependent Mechanism

As signaling via the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) pathway is critical for angiogenic responses during tumor progression, scientists explored whether established antitumor effects of histone deacetylase inhibitors are partly mediated through diminished endothelial VEGFR-2 expression. [Exp Dermatol] Abstract

Significant Improvement of Direct Reprogramming Efficacy of Fibroblasts into Progenitor Endothelial Cells by ETV2 and Hypoxia

Some recent efforts successfully directly reprogrammed human fibroblasts into functional endothelial progenitor cell (EPCs); however, the procedure efficacy was low. Investigators aimed to improve the efficacy of direct reprogramming of human fibroblasts to functional EPCs. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Increased Lung Expression of Anti-Angiogenic Factors in Down Syndrome: Potential Role in Abnormal Lung Vascular Growth and the Risk for Pulmonary Hypertension

Researchers hypothesized that fetal lungs from subjects with Down syndrome are characterized by early over-expression of anti-angiogenic factors and have abnormal lung vascular growth in utero. [PLoS One] Full Article

Endometrial Stem Cells Repair Injured Endometrium and Induce Angiogenesis via AKT and ERK Pathways

Investigators established mouse endometrial injury model and examined the benefit of human endometrial mesenchymal stem cells derived from menstrual blood in restoration of injured endometrium. [Reproduction] Abstract

Overexpression of Angiopoietin 2 Promotes the Formation of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Increasing Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition-Induced Angiogenesis

Immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase were used to measure the expression of angiopoietin 2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma tissues. [Cancer Gene Ther] Full Article

Toxicity of Intracameral Injection of Fourth-Generation Fluoroquinolones on the Corneal Endothelium

Scientists compared the cellular susceptibility patterns and morphologic changes in the corneal endothelium associated with the use of fourth-generation fluoroquinolones. [Cornea] Abstract

Connexins in Endothelial Barrier Function – Novel Therapeutic Targets Countering Vascular Hyperpermeability

The authors review the role of connexins in microvascular organization and development, focusing on interactions of the endothelium with mural cells and tissue-specific perivascular cells. [Thromb Haemost] Abstract | Download Full Article

Metformin and Angiogenesis in Cancer – Revisited

The authors outline the available information from the literature regarding metformin and tumor angiogenesis and suggest eventual experimental and clinical approaches. [Oncology] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the endothelial cell research field.

BioLineRx Signs Second Clinical Immuno-Oncology Collaboration Agreement to Investigate Combination of BL-8040 and KEYTRUDA^® for Pancreatic Cancer

BioLineRx Ltd. announced the signing of a collaboration agreement with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for the investigation of BL-8040 in combination with KEYTRUDA^® in pancreatic cancer. BL-8040 functions as a high-affinity antagonist for CXCR4, a chemokine receptor that is directly involved in tumor progression, angiogenesis, metastasis and cell survival. [BioLineRx Ltd.] Press Release

Pfenex to Regain Full Rights to PF582 and Announces Phase I/II Results

Pfenex Inc. announced that the company will regain the full rights to PF582, a biosimilar candidate to Lucentis^®, following their partner’s strategic review of the current therapeutic focus of its biosimilar pipeline. [Pfenex Inc.] Press Release

Scientists Seek Influence on ‘Brexit Ministry’

Worried at the prospect of losing access to EU funding and collaborations, scientific societies have fired off numerous letters asking the government to keep their country in the EU’s research system, and warning of damage already caused by Brexit. [Nature News] Editorial

Major Review Calls Time on ‘Gaming’ in UK Research Assessment

The United Kingdom’s mammoth periodic audit of its research is set for a shake-up that could change the way universities hire academics – and might also encourage scientists to spend more time on public engagement. [Nature News] Editorial

Dispute over President’s Age Tears Pasteur Institute Apart

Is 65 too old to stay at the helm of a major research center? That question is sowing division at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, Science has learned, and has plunged the 128-year-old institute, home to 1200 scientists and the place where HIV was first isolated, into a leadership crisis. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

U.S. Mental Health Institute Puts Champion of Basic Science at the Helm

Up to now, Joshua Gordon has split his career between working with patients with mental illness and mice designed to mimic that illness. But this fall, the neuroscientist and psychiatrist will take control of the $1.5 billion U.S. National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Maryland. [ScienceInsider] Editorial | Press Release

Pan-European Pension Fund for Scientists Leaves the Station

A pan-European pension fund for researchers, called RESAVER, was set up by a consortium of employers to stimulate researcher mobility. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Russian Scientists Bracing for Massive Job Losses

Russia’s scientific community is reeling from news that the government plans to fire about 10,000 researchers over the next three years. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

The FDA Is Prohibited from Going Germline

A potentially renewable provision of the Consolidated Appropriation Act of 2016 forestalling the prospect of human germline modification was signed into law on December 18th, 2015. The provision has since been incorporated again into the House and Senate appropriation bills for the fiscal year. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

US Agency Lifts Ban on Funding Human–Animal Hybrids

Researchers in the United States will soon be able to resume creating chimaera-based projects. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW International Conference on Stem Cell Engineering 2016
October 23-26, 2016
Toronto, Canada

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.

NEW Research Assistant – In Vitro Models of the Endothelium (Jagiellonian University)

NEW PhD Thesis – In Vitro Models of the Blood-Saliva Barrier (Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Vascular Inflammation Contributes and Atherosclerosis (University of Hawaii)

NEW Associate Professor – Immune-Endothelial Cell Interactions (University of Virginia)

Postdoctoral Position – Molecular and Cell Biology (University Hospital of Munster)

Postdoctoral Position – Cardiopulmonary Molecular Biology (Hannover Medical School)

Postdoctoral Position – Vascular Biology (Boston Children’s Hospital)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Vascular Cell Signaling (LSU Health Science Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Endothelial Cells (KULeuven)

Postdoctoral Positions – Nuclear Receptors, Metabolism and Degenerative Diseases (University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

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