Degree of synovitis on MRI by comprehensive whole knee semi-quantitative scoring method correlates with histologic and macroscopic features of synovial tissue inflammation in knee osteoarthritis

Objective: To evaluate the association between synovitis on contrast enhanced (CE) MRI with microscopic and macroscopic features of synovial tissue inflammation. Method: Forty-one patients (mean age 60 years, 61% women) with symptomatic radiographic knee OA were studied: twenty underwent arthroscopy (macroscopic features were scored (0-4),...

Endothelium specific matrilysin (MMP-7) expression in human cancers

Over-expression of matrilysin (MMP-7) is predominantly associated with epithelial (pre)malignant cells. In the present study MMP-7 expression is also found in endothelial cells in various human cancer types. Endothelial MMP-7 was associated with CD34 and/or CD105 expression. These immunohistochemical data were confirmed by RT-PCR on VEGF...

Insights into mechanisms behind arteriogenesis: What does the future hold?

Arteriogenesis, the enlargement of collateral vessels, seems a promising new target to improve blood flow to ischemic regions in patients suffering from cardiovascular conditions. With the growing knowledge of the mechanisms involved in arteriogenesis and the factors that influence the process, an increasing number of clinical trials are being...

Angiogenesis: An improved in vitro biological system and automated image-based workflow to aid identification and characterization of angiogenesis and angiogenic modulators

Angiogenesis is a general term describing formation of new tube-like microvessel sprouts that are the size of capillary blood vessels. Angiogenesis is fundamental in key stages of embryonic development, organ formation, and wound repair and is also involved in the development and progression of a variety of pathological conditions, including...

Vascular Growth in Ischemic Limbs: A Review of Mechanisms and Possible Therapeutic Stimulation

Stimulation of vascular growth to treat limb ischemia is promising, and early results obtained from uncontrolled clinical trials using angiogenic agents, e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor, led to high expectations. However, negative results from recent placebo-controlled trials warrant further research. Here, current insights into...

Pericellular proteases in angiogenesis and vasculogenesis

Pericellular proteases play an important role in angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. They comprise (membrane-type) matrix metalloproteinases [(MT-)MMPs], serine proteases, cysteine cathepsins, and membrane-bound aminopeptidases. Specific inhibitors regulate them. Major roles in initiating angiogenesis have been attributed to MT1-matrix...

CD34+ cells home, proliferate, and participate in capillary formation, and in combination with CD34- cells enhance tube formation in a 3-dimensional matrix

Objective - Emerging evidence suggests that human blood contains bone marrow (BM)-derived endothelial progenitor cells that contribute to postnatal neovascularization. Clinical trials demonstrated that administration of BM-cells can enhance neovascularization. Most studies, however, used crude cell populations. Identifying the role of different...

Modulating angiogenesis: The yin and the yang in ginseng

Background-Ginseng is a commonly used nutraceutical. Intriguingly, existing literature reports both wound-healing and antitumor effects of ginseng extract through opposing activities on the vascular system. To elucidate this perplexity, we merged a chemical fingerprinting approach with a deconstructional study of the effects of pure molecules...

Membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase-mediated angiogenesis in a fibrin-collagen matrix

Adult angiogenesis, associated with pathologic conditions, is often accompanied by the formation of a fibrinous exudate. This temporary matrix consists mainly of fibrin but is intermingled with plasma proteins and collagen fibers. The formation of capillary structures in a fibrinous matrix in vivo was mimicked by an in vitro model, in which...

Analysis of coagulation cascade and endothelial cell activation during inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor pathway in cancer patients

Objective - The angiogenesis inhibitor SU5416 is a potent inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor-1 and -2. VEGF may be involved in hemostasis by altering the hemostatic properties of endothelial cells. We analyzed the effects of SU5416 on the coagulation cascade and the vessel wall in patients with advanced cancer....

Urokinase receptor expression on human microvascular endothelial cells is increased by hypoxia: Implications for capillary-like tube formation in a fibrin matrix

Hypoxia stimulates angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels. This study evaluates the direct effect of hypoxia (1% oxygen) on the angiogenic response of human microvascular endothelial cells (hMVECs) seeded on top of a 3-dimensional fibrin matrix, hMVECs stimulated with fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) or vascular endothelial growth...

Angiogenesis and anti-angiogenesis: Perspectives for the treatment of solid tumors

Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels from preexisting ones. Many solid tumors depend on an extensive newly formed vascular network to become nourished and to expand. Tumor cells induce the formation of an extensive but aberrant vascular network by the secretion of angiogenic factors. A proper context is needed for the endothelial...

Impact of endothelial activation on fibrinolysis and local proteolysis in tissue repair

Chemicals/CAS: Cytokines; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1; plasminogen activator, urokinase receptors; Plasminogen, 9001-91-6; Receptors, Cell Surface; Urinary Plasminogen Activator, EC 3.4.21.73.