Publications

Background: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) suppress inflammation in atherosclerosis, and therefore have the therapeutic potential to decrease the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke. However, there is currently no method to generate antigen specific Tregs that target atherosclerosis. We therefore engineered Tregs that express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting malonaldehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MDA-LDL), the most common form of oxidized LDL and a key molecular component of atherosclerosis.

Background The critical role for chronic inflammation in the development of thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAADs) has been recognized in both experimental and clinical settings. However, challenges remain on translating this knowledge to clinical applications. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that TLR-7 signaling triggered by self-RNAs substantiates chronic inflammation, promoting TAAD formation. Methods A mouse TAAD model induced by SMC-specific deletion of Tgfbr1 (Tgfbr1iko) was used.

Abstract Unavailable

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) has become an important tool in laboratory experimentation by providing a qualitative or semi-quantitative technique to detect nucleic acids across different sample types and species. It also serves as a promising platform for the discovery of novel RNA biomarkers and the development of molecular diagnostic assays. While technologies to detect hundreds or thousands of gene transcripts in situ with single-cell resolution are rapidly coming online, smaller scale FISH analysis continues to be highly useful in neuroscience research.

The milestone achievement of reprogramming a human somatic cell into a pluripotent stem cell by Yamanaka and Takahashi in 2007 has changed the stem cell research landscape tremendously. Their discovery opened the unprecedented opportunity to work with human-induced pluripotent stem cells and the differentiated progeny thereof, without major ethical restrictions.

Gains and/or losses of large genomic loci such as full or partial aneuploidies/aneusomies can be routinely identified in single cells using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH); however, standard FISH typically cannot resolve single genes or gene variations. Here we provide a protocol for DNA in situ hybridization (DISH) that is capable of identifying single gene loci and gene variants within the nucleus of single cells.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is increasing in incidence and is often first diagnosed on a cytology fine needle aspiration (FNA) specimen of metastatic nodal disease of the neck. In the setting of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, HPV status defines the disease with HPV-associated tumors having better overall prognosis than those that are HPV negative. Furthermore, metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the neck of unknown origin requires testing for HPV as a positive result suggests an oropharyngeal primary.

Circadian sleep/wake rhythms are synchronized to environmental light/dark cycles in a process known as photoentrainment. We have previously shown that activation of β-endorphin-preferring μ-opioid receptors (MORs) inhibits the light-evoked firing of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), the sole conduits of photoentrainment. Although we have shown that β-endorphin is expressed in the adult mouse retina, the conditions under which β-endorphin is expressed are unknown.

Mike May, is a freelance writer and editor with more than 30 years of experience. He earned an MS in biological engineering from the University of Connecticut and a PhD in neurobiology and behavior from Cornell University. He worked as an associate editor at American Scientist, and he is the author of more than 1,000 articles for clients that include GEN, Nature, Science, Scientific American and many others. In addition, he served as the editorial director of many publications, including several Nature Outlooks and Scientific American Worldview.

Rationale DNA damage accumulation is a hallmark of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) ageing. Importantly, VSMC DNA damage accumulation and ageing has been implicated in the progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including atherosclerosis and vascular calcification. Chemotherapy drugs used in the treatment of many cancers are known to induce DNA damage in cardiovascular cells and accelerate CVD. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are drugs being investigated for novel treatments of many cancers.