Mapping cell type-specific transcriptional enhancers using high affinity, lineage-specific Ep300 bioChIP-seq
ELife
Understanding the mechanisms that regulate cell type-specific transcriptional programs requires developing a lexicon of their genomic regulatory elements. The authors developed a lineage-selective method to map transcriptional enhancers, regulatory genomic regions that activate transcription, in mice.  Read more

Fluid shear stress induces upregulation of COX-2 and PGI2 release in endothelial cells via a pathway involving PECAM-1 , PI3K , FAK, and p38
American Journal of Physiology Heart and Circulatory Physiology
Vascular endothelial cells play an important role in the regulation of vascular function in response to mechanical stimuli in both healthy and diseased states. Prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) is an important anti-atherogenic prostanoid and vasodilator produced in endothelial cells through the action of cyclooxygenase isoenzymes COX-1 and COX-2.  Read more

Identification and Profiling of Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators in Human Tears by Lipid Mediator Metabolomics
Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids
Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPM), e.g. Resolvin D1, Protectin D1, Lipoxin A4, and Resolvin E1 have each shown to be active in ocular models reducing inflammation. In general, SPMs have specific agonist functions that stimulate resolution of infection and inflammation in animal disease models.  Read more

Vagal regulation of Group-3 innate lymphoid cells and the immunoresolvent PCTR1 controls infection resolution
Immunity
Uncovering mechanisms that control immune responses in the resolution of bacterial infections is critical for the development of new therapeutic strategies that resolve infectious inflammation without unwanted side effects. The authors found that disruption of the vagal system in mice delayed resolution of Escherichia coli infection.  Read more

Hypoxia induces heart regeneration in adult mice
Nature
The adult mammalian heart is incapable of regeneration following cardiomyocyte loss, which underpins the lasting and severe effects of cardiomyopathy. Recently, it has become clear that the mammalian heart is not a post-mitotic organ. For example, the neonatal heart is capable of regenerating lost myocardium, and the adult heart is capable of modest self-renewal.  Read more

Role of Genetic Variation in Collateral Circulation in the Evolution of Acute Stroke: A Multimodal Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study
Stroke
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: No studies have determined the effect of differences in pial collateral extent (number and diameter), independent of differences in environmental factors and unknown genetic factors, on severity of stroke. The authors examined ischemic tissue evolution during acute stroke, as measured by magnetic resonance imaging and histology, by comparing 2 congenic mouse strains with otherwise identical genetic backgrounds but with different alleles of the Determinant of collateral extent-1 (Dce1) genetic locus.  Read more

Local Vascular Gene Therapy With Apolipoprotein A-I to Promote Regression of Atherosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
OBJECTIVE: Gene therapy, delivered directly to the blood vessel wall, could potentially prevent atherosclerotic lesion growth and promote atherosclerosis regression. Previously, we reported that a helper-dependent adenoviral (HDAd) vector expressing apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) in carotid endothelium of fat-fed rabbits reduced early (4 weeks) atherosclerotic lesion growth.  Read more

Tropoelastin coated PLLA-PLGA scaffolds promote vascular network formation
Biomaterials
The robust repair of large wounds and tissue defects relies on blood flow. This vascularization is the major challenge faced by tissue engineering on the path to forming thick, implantable tissue constructs. Without this vasculature, oxygen and nutrients cannot reach the cells located far from host blood vessels.  Read more

Deletion of neuropilin 2 enhances detrusor contractility following bladder outlet obstruction
Journal of Clinical Investigation Insight
Chronic urethral obstruction and the ensuing bladder wall remodeling can lead to diminished bladder smooth muscle (BSM) contractility and debilitating lower urinary tract symptoms. No effective pharmacotherapy exists to restore BSM contractile function.  Read more