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Combined TLR2 and TLR4 ligation in the context of bacterial or helminth extracts in human monocyte derived dendritic cells: Molecular correlates for Th1/Th2 polarization

van Riet, E. (author), Everts, B. (author), Retra, K. (author), Phylipsen, M. (author), van Hellemond, J.J. (author), Tielens, A.G.M. (author), van der Kleij, D. (author), Hartgers, F.C. (author), Yazdanbakhsh, M. (author), TNO Defensie en Veiligheid (author)

Background: Recognition of pathogens by dendritic cells (DCs) through interaction with pattern recognition receptors, including Toll like receptors (TLR), is crucial for the initiation of appropriate polarized T helper (Th) cell responses. Yet, the characteristics and differences in molecular profiles of DCs with different T cell polarizing...

article 2009

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Transcriptome analysis of sorbic acid-stressed Bacillus subtilis reveals a nutrient limitation response and indicates plasma membrane remodeling

ter Beek, A. (author), Keijser, B.J.F. (author), Boorsma, A. (author), Zakrzewska, A. (author), Orij, R. (author), Smits, G.J. (author), Brul, S. (author), TNO Kwaliteit van Leven (author)

The weak organic acid sorbic acid is a commonly used food preservative, as it inhibits the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and molds. We have used genome-wide transcriptional profiling of Bacillus subtilis cells during mild sorbic acid stress to reveal the growth-inhibitory activity of this preservative and to identify potential resistance...

article 2008

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Enhanced expression and activation of pro-inflammatory transcription factors distinguish aneurysmal from atherosclerotic aorta: IL-6- and IL-8-dominated inflammatory responses prevail in the human aneurysm

Lindeman, J.H.N. (author), Abdul-Hussien, H. (author), Schaapherder, A.F.M. (author), van Bockel, J.H. (author), von der Thüsen, J.H. (author), Roelen, D.L. (author), Kleemann, R. (author)

Inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of an AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysm); however, the nature of the inflammatory factors and cellular response(s) involved in AAA growth is controversial. In the present study, we set out to determine the aortic levels of inflammatory cytokines in relation to downstream inflammatory transcription...

article 2008

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A genome-wide survey of HD-Zip genes in rice and analysis of drought-responsive family members

Agalou, A. (author), Purwantomo, S. (author), Övernäs, E. (author), Johannesson, H. (author), Zhu, X. (author), Estiati, A. (author), de Kam, R.J. (author), Engström, P. (author), Slamet-Loedin, I.H. (author), Zhu, Z. (author), Wang, M. (author), Xiong, L. (author), Meijer, A.H. (author), Ouwerkerk, P.B.F. (author), TNO Kwaliteit van Leven (author)

The homeodomain leucine zipper (HD-Zip) genes encode transcription factors that have diverse functions in plant development and have often been implicated in stress adaptation. The HD-Zip genes are the most abundant group of homeobox (HB) genes in plants and do not occur in other eukaryotes. This paper describes the complete annotation of the HD...

article 2008

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Pericellular-acting proteases in human first trimester decidua

Plaisier, M. (author), Koolwijk, P. (author), Willems, F. (author), Helmerhorst, F.M. (author), van Hinsbergh, V.W.M. (author), TNO Kwaliteit van Leven (author)

Proteolysis is essential for decidual development during embryonic implantation, but little is known regarding the expression and functions of membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases (MT-MMPs) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor uPAR in decidua. Therefore, their protein and mRNA levels were analysed in three first...

article 2008

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Transcriptome analysis provides new insights into liver changes induced in the rat upon dietary administration of the food additives butylated hydroxytoluene, curcumin, propyl gallate and thiabendazole

Stierum, R. (author), Conesa, A. (author), Heijne, W. (author), Ommen, B.v. (author), Junker, K. (author), Scott, M.P. (author), Price, R.J. (author), Meredith, C. (author), Lake, B.G. (author), Groten, J. (author), TNO Kwaliteit van Leven (author), KvL (author)

Transcriptomics was performed to gain insight into mechanisms of food additives butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), curcumin (CC), propyl gallate (PG), and thiabendazole (TB), additives for which interactions in the liver can not be excluded. Additives were administered in diets for 28 days to Sprague-Dawley rats and cDNA microarray experiments were...

article 2008

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Molecular cloning, functional characterization and expression analysis of a novel monosaccharide transporter gene OsMST6 from rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Wang, Y. (author), Xiao, Y. (author), Zhang, Y. (author), Chai, C. (author), Wei, G. (author), Wei, X. (author), Xu, H. (author), Wang, M. (author), Ouwerkerk, P.B.F. (author), Zhu, Z. (author), TNO Kwaliteit van Leven (author)

Monosaccharides transporters play important roles in assimilate supply for sink tissue development. In this study, a new monosaccharide transporter gene OsMST6 was identified from rice (Oryza sativa L.). The predicted OsMST6 protein shows typical features of sugar transporters and shares 79.6% identity with the rice monosaccharide transporter...

article 2008

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Molecular cloning and expression analysis of a monosaccharide transporter gene OsMST4 from rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Wang, Y. (author), Xu, H. (author), Wei, X. (author), Chai, C. (author), Xiao, Y. (author), Zhang, Y. (author), Chen, B. (author), Xiao, G. (author), Ouwerkerk, P.B.F. (author), Wang, M. (author), Zhu, Z. (author), TNO Kwaliteit van Leven (author)

Monosaccharide transporters mediate the membrane transport of a variable range of monosaccharides, which plays a crucial role in sugar distribution throughout the plant. To investigate the significance of monosaccharide transporters for rice (Oryza sativa L.) seed development, cDNA of a new putative monosaccharide transporter gene OsMST4 was...

article 2007

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Inhibition of neointima formation by local delivery of estrogen receptor alpha and beta specific agonists

Krom, Y.D. (author), Pires, N.M.M. (author), Jukema, J.W. (author), de Vries, M.R. (author), Frants, R.R. (author), Havekes, L.M. (author), van Dijk, K.W. (author), Quax, P.H.A. (author), TNO Kwaliteit van Leven (author)

Objective: Neointima formation is the underlying mechanism of (in-stent) restenosis. 17β-Estradiol (E2) is known to inhibit injury-induced neointima formation and post-angioplasty restenosis. Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) has been demonstrated to mediate E2 anti-restenotic properties. However, the role of estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) is not...

article 2007

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Differentiation of primary adult microglia alters their response to TLR8-mediated activation but not their capacity as APC

Zuiderwijk-Sick, E.A. (author), van der Putten, C. (author), Bsibsi, M. (author), Deuzing, I.P. (author), de Boer, W. (author), Persoon-Deen, C. (author), Kondova, I. (author), Boven, L.A. (author), van Noort, J.M. (author), 't Hart, B.A. (author), Amor, S. (author), Bajramovic, J.J. (author), TNO Defensie en Veiligheid TNO Kwaliteit van Leven (author)

Activated microglia are found in a variety of neuroinflammatory disorders where they have attributed roles as effector as well as antigen-presenting cells (APC). Critical determinants for the multifaceted role of microglia are the differentiation potential of microglia and their mode of activation. In this study, we have investigated the effects...

article 2007

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Collagen degradation in the abdominal aneurysm: A conspiracy of matrix metalloproteinase and cysteine collagenases

Abdul-Hussien, H. (author), Soekhoe, R.G.V. (author), Weber, E. (author), von der Thüsen, J.H. (author), Kleemann, R. (author), Mulder, A. (author), Hajo Van Bockel, J. (author), Hanemaaijer, R. (author), Lindeman, J.H.N. (author), TNO Biomedical Instrumentation (author)

Growth and rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) result from increased collagen turnover. Collagen turnover critically depends on specific collagenases that cleave the triple helical region of fibrillar collagen. As yet, the collagenases responsible for collagen degradation in AAAs have not been identified. Increased type I collagen...

article 2007

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Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, stromal cell-derived factor-1, and CXCR4 in human limb muscle with acute and chronic ischemia

van Weel, V. (author), Seghers, L. (author), de Vries, M.R. (author), Kuiper, E.J. (author), Schlingemann, R.O. (author), Bajema, I.M. (author), Lindeman, J.H.N. (author), van Delis-Diemen, P.M. (author), van Hinsbergh, V.W.M. (author), van Bockel, J.H. (author), Quax, P.H.A. (author), TNO Kwaliteit van Leven (author)

OBJECTIVE - Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) has been implicated in angiogenesis in ischemic tissues by recruitment of CXCR4-positive bone marrow-derived circulating cells with paracrine functions in preclinical models. Here, evidence for this is provided in patients with peripheral artery...

article 2007

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Sirolimus and paclitaxel provoke different vascular pathological responses after local delivery in a murine model for restenosis on underlying atherosclerotic arteries

Pires, N.M.M. (author), Eefting, D. (author), de Vries, M.R. (author), Quax, P.H.A. (author), Jukema, J.W. (author), TNO Kwaliteit van Leven (author)

Background: Drug-eluting stents (DES) have been introduced successfully in clinical practice to prevent post angioplasty restenosis. Nevertheless, concerns about the safety of DES still exist. Objective: To investigate the vascular pathology and transcriptional responses to sirolimus and paclitaxel in a murine model for restenosis on underlying...

article 2007

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Effect of the anti-tumor necrosis factor-α antibody infliximab on the ex vivo mucosal matrix metalloproteinase-proteolytic phenotype in inflammatory bowel disease

Meijer, M.J. (author), Mieremet-Ooms, M.A.C. (author), van Duijn, W. (author), van der Zon, A.M. (author), Hanemaaijer, R. (author), Verheijen, J.H. (author), van Hogezand, R.A. (author), Lamers, C.B.H.W. (author), Verspaget, H.W. (author), TNO Kwaliteit van Leven (author)

Background: Previous studies have shown an upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in intestinal tissue of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and significant clinical improvement after administration of the anti-TNF-α antibody infliximab. The aims of our study were to determine expression and secretion of MMP-1, -2, -3, -9,...

article 2007

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A sandwich-cultured rat hepatocyte system with increased metabolic competence evaluated by gene expression profiling

Kienhuis, A.S. (author), Wortelboer, H.M. (author), Maas, W.J. (author), van Herwijnen, M. (author), Kleinjans, J.C.S. (author), van Delft, J.H.M. (author), Stierum, R.H. (author), TNO Kwaliteit van Leven (author)

A rapid decline of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzyme activities remains a drawback of rat hepatocyte-based in vitro cultures. Consequently, judgment of the toxic potential of compounds that need bioactivation by CYP450s may not be adequate using this model. In the present study, an improved hepatocyte-based in vitro system was developed with...

article 2007

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Short-term dexamethasone treatment inhibits vein graft thickening in hypercholesterolemic ApoE3Leiden transgenic mice

Schepers, A. (author), Pires, N.M.M. (author), Eefting, D. (author), de Vries, M.R. (author), van Bokel, J.H. (author), Quax, P.H.A. (author), TNO Kwaliteit van Leven (author)

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether the anti-inflammatory agent dexamethasone can inhibit vein graft thickening without the occurrence of serious side effects. Methods: Venous interposition grafting was performed in the common carotid artery of hypercholesterolemic ApoE3Leiden transgenic mice. Mice were treated with...

article 2006

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αB-Crystallin-reactive T cells from knockout mice are not encephalitogenic

Wang, C. (author), Chou, Y.K. (author), Rich, C.M. (author), Link, J.M. (author), Afentoulis, M.E. (author), van Noort, J.M. (author), Wawrousek, E.F. (author), Offner, H. (author), van den Bark, A.A. (author), TNO Kwaliteit van Leven (author)

Alpha B-crystallin (αB) is a small heat shock protein that is strongly up-regulated in multiple sclerosis (MS) brain tissue, and can induce strong T cell responses. Assessing a potential encephalitogenic function for αB protein in MS and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) has been challenging due to its ubiquitous expression that...

article 2006

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Rosuvastatin reduces plasma lipids by inhibiting VLDL production and enhancing hepatobiliary lipid excretion in ApoE*3-Leiden mice

Delsing, D.J.M. (author), Post, S.M. (author), Groenendijk, M. (author), Solaas, K. (author), van der Boom, H. (author), van Duyvenvoorde, W. (author), de Wit, E.C.M. (author), Bloks, V.W. (author), Kuipers, F. (author), Havekes, L.M. (author), Princen, H.M.G. (author), TNO Kwaliteit van Leven (author)

The present study was designed to investigate the lipid-lowering properties and mechanisms of action of a new HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, rosuvastatin, in female ApoE*3-Leiden transgenic mice. Mice received a high fat/cholesterol (HFC) diet containing either rosuvastatin (O [control], 0.00125%, 0.0025%, or 0.005% [w/w]) or 0.05% (w/w)...

article 2005

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Tumor necrosis factor-α plays an important role in restenosis development

Monraats, P.S. (author), Pires, N.M.M. (author), Schepers, A. (author), Agema, W.R.P. (author), Boesten, L.S.M. (author), de Vries, M.R. (author), Zwinderman, A.H. (author), de Maat, M.P.M. (author), Doevendans, P.A.F.M. (author), de Winter, R.J. (author), Tio, R.A. (author), Waltenberger, J. (author), 't Hart, L.M. (author), Frants, R.R. (author), Quax, P.H.A. (author), van Vlijmen, B.J.M. (author), Havekes, L.M. (author), van der Laarse, A. (author), van der Wall, E.E. (author), Jukema, J.W. (author), TNO Kwaliteit van Leven (author)

Genetic factors appear to be important in the restenotic process after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), as well as in inflammation, a pivotal factor in restenosis. TNFα, a key regulator of inflammatory responses, may exert critical influence on the development of restenosis after PCI. The GENetic DEterminants of Restenosis (GENDER)...

article 2005

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Differential effects of pharmacological liver X receptor activation on hepatic and peripheral insulin sensitivity in lean and ob/ob mice

TNO Kwaliteit van Leven (author), Grefhorst, A. (author), van Dijk, T.H. (author), Hammer, A. (author), van der Sluijs, F.H. (author), Havinga, R. (author), Havekes, L.M. (author), Romijn, J.A. (author), Groot, P.H. (author), Reijngoud, D.J. (author), Kuipers, F. (author)

Liver X receptor (LXR) agonists have been proposed to act as anti-diabetic drugs. However, pharmacological LXR activation leads to severe hepatic steatosis, a condition usually associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. To address this apparent contradiction, lean and ob/ob mice were treated with the LXR agonist GW-3965 for...

article 2005