The Regulation of MS-KIF18A Expression and Cross Talk with Estrogen Receptor

This study provides a novel view on the interactions between the MS-KIF18A, a kinesin protein, and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) which were studied in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, the regulation of MS-KIF18A expression by estrogen was investigated at the gene and protein levels. An association between recombinant proteins; ERα and MS-KIF18A was demonstrated in vitro in a pull down assay. Such interactions were proven also for endogenous proteins in MBA-15 cells were detected prominently in the cytoplasm and are up-regulated by estrogen. Additionally, an association between these proteins and the transcription factor NF-κB was identified. MS-KIF18A mRNA expression was measured in vivo in relation to age and estrogen level in mice and rats models. A decrease in MS-KIF18A mRNA level was measured in old and in OVX-estrogen depleted rats as compared to young animals. The low MS-KIF18A mRNA expression in OVX rats was restored by estrogen treatment. We studied the regulation of MS-KIF18A transcription by estrogen using the luciferase reporter gene and chromatin immuno-percipitation (ChIP) assays. The luciferase reporter gene assay demonstrated an increase in MS-KIF18A promoter activity in response to 10−8 M estrogen and 10−7M ICI-182,780. Complimentary, the ChIP assay quantified the binding of ERα and pcJun to the MS-KIF18A promoter that was enhanced in cells treated by estrogen and ICI-182,780. In addition, cells treated by estrogen expressed higher levels of MS-KIF18A mRNA and protein and the protein turnover in MBA-15 cells was accelerated. Presented data demonstrated that ERα is a defined cargo of MS-KIF18A and added novel insight on the role of estrogen in regulation of MS-KIF18A expression both in vivo and in vitro

Ultrasonic emulsification and aspiration for coral reef atherosclerosis as a novel alternative to transaortic endarterectomy and thoracic aorta-based bypass grafting

Transaortic endarterectomy (TE) is an effective and durable method of restoring patency in the aorta afflicted with atherosclerotic disease, which most commonly affects the infrarenal aorta and common iliac artery. When the suprarenal aorta is involved, the disease is usually confined to the orifices of the visceral vessels without obstruction of the aortic lumen. In rare cases, dense, calcified, exophytic, and amorphous lesions causing severe luminal obstruction, termed coral reef atherosclerosis (CRA) of the suprarenal aorta, may occur. Not all CRAs, however, are amenable to TE due to aortic wall plaque erosion and adventitial thinning. Thoracic aorta-based bypass grafting of the visceral vessels is another option if the descending thoracic aorta is clampable. However, like TE, this option may not be viable for all patients due to compromised pulmonary function or comorbidities. We present a novel alternative to TE using a Sonopet ultrasonic aspiration device in patients with CRA

Gene expression of extracellular matrix proteoglycans in human cyclosporin-induced gingival overgrowth

Background: Gingival overgrowth is one of the side effects associated with the systemic use of cyclosporin A (CsA). in vitro studies on the extracellular matrix of gingival tissues have demonstrated an altered composition, particularly an accumulation of proteoglycans and collagen. We investigated the gene expression of extracellular matrix proteoglycans in CsA-induced gingival tissue alterations.Methods: mRNA expression of the proteoglycans perlecan, decorin, biglycan, and versican was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in gingival samples obtained from 12 individuals, six with CsA-induced gingival overgrowth (CsA group) and six with a normal gingiva (control group). the RT-PCR products were subjected to 1% agarose gel electrophoresis containing ethidium bromide and analyzed qualitatively and semiquantitatively by densitometry. Density values were normalized by determining the expression of the housekeeping gene beta-actin in the same sample. Groups were compared by the Student's t test.Results: Perlecan expression showed a marked increase (54%) in the CsA group compared to the control group (P<0.01), while no significant differences were observed for the other proteoglycans.Conclusion: CsA-induced gingival overgrowth seems to be associated with increased expression of perlecan, a typical basement membrane proteoglycan, but not decorin, biglycan, or versican.Univ São Paulo, Sch Dent, Dept Periodont, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Oswaldo Ramos Fdn, Kidney & Hypertens Hosp, São Paulo, BrazilPro Sangue Fdn, São Paulo Blood Ctr, Lab Tumor Biol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Oswaldo Ramos Fdn, Kidney & Hypertens Hosp, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc