Developmental Progression of the Coronary Vasculature in Human Embryos and Fetuses
Anatomical Record (Hoboken)
Although considerable advances in our understanding of mammalian and avian embryonic coronary development have occurred during the last decade, our current knowledge of this topic in humans is limited. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to determine if the development of the human coronary vasculature in humans is like that of other mammals and avians.  Read more 

Small Rho GTPase-mediated actin dynamics at endothelial adherens junctions
Small GTPases
VE-cadherin-based cell-cell junctions form the major restrictive barrier of the endothelium to plasma proteins and blood cells. The function of VE-cadherin and the actin cytoskeleton are intimately linked. Vascular permeability factors and adherent leukocytes signal through small Rho-GTPases to tightly regulate actin cytoskeletal rearrangements in order to open and re-assemble endothelial cell-cell junctions in a rapid and controlled manner.  Read more 

F-actin-rich contractile endothelial pores prevent vascular leakage during leukocyte diapedesis through local RhoA signalling
Nature Communications
During immune surveillance and inflammation, leukocytes exit the vasculature through transient openings in the endothelium without causing plasma leakage. However, the exact mechanisms behind this intriguing phenomenon are still unknown. Here we report that maintenance of endothelial barrier integrity during leukocyte diapedesis requires local endothelial RhoA cycling.  Read more 

Acid Sphingomyelinase-Derived Ceramide Regulates ICAM-1 Function during T Cell Transmigration across Brain Endothelial Cells
Journal of Immunology
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disorder of the CNS characterized by immune cell infiltration across the brain vasculature into the brain, a process not yet fully understood. We previously demonstrated that the sphingolipid metabolism is altered in MS lesions.  Read more 

Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Controls Vascular Integrity by Regulating VE-Cadherin Trafficking
PLOS One
Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), a serine protease inhibitor, is expressed and secreted by endothelial cells. Patients with PAI-1 deficiency show a mild to moderate bleeding diathesis, which has been exclusively ascribed to the function of PAI-1 in down-regulating fibrinolysis.  Read more 

Crossing the Vascular Wall: Common and Unique Mechanisms Exploited by Different Leukocyte Subsets during Extravasation
Mediators of Inflammation
Leukocyte extravasation is one of the essential and first steps during the initiation of inflammation. Therefore, a better understanding of the key molecules that regulate this process may help to develop novel therapeutics for treatment of inflammation-based diseases such as atherosclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis.  Read more 

High density lipoprotein modulates thrombosis by preventing von Willebrand factor self-association and subsequent platelet adhesion
Blood
The ability of von Willebrand factor (VWF) to initiate platelet adhesion depends on the number of monomers in individual VWF multimers and on the self-association of individual VWF multimers into larger structures. VWF self-association is accelerated by shear stress.  Read more 

Stem Cell-Based Human Blood-Brain Barrier Models for Drug Discovery and Delivery
Trends in Biotechnology
The development of novel neuropharmaceuticals requires the evaluation of blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and toxicity. Recent studies have highlighted differences in the BBB among different species, with the most important differences involving the expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), multidrug resistance-associated proteins, transporters, and claudins.  Read more