The purpose of this review is to briefly summarize the roles of alcohol (ethanol) and related compounds in promoting cancer and inflammatory injury in many tissues. Long-term chronic heavy alcohol exposure is known to increase the chances of…
The transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channel is a mechanosensor in endothelial cells (EC) that regulates cyclic strain-induced reorientation and flow-mediated nitric oxide production. We have recently demonstrated that TRPV4…
The ability of retroviruses (RVs) to cause neurodegeneration is critically dependent upon two activities of the envelope protein (Env). First, Env facilitates viral genome delivery to CNS target cells through receptor binding and membrane fusion.…
Bile acids facilitate nutrient absorption and are endogenous ligands for nuclear receptors that regulate lipid and energy metabolism. The brain-gut-liver axis plays an essential role in maintaining overall glucose, bile, and immune homeostasis.…
Cysteinyl leukotrienes (cys-LTs) are proinflammatory mediators that enhance vascular permeability through distinct receptors (CysLTRs). We found that CysLT2R regulates angiogenesis in isolated mouse endothelial cells (ECs) and in Matrigel implants in…
Cysteinyl leukotrienes (cys-LTs) are proinflammatory mediators that enhance vascular permeability through distinct receptors (CysLTRs). We found that CysLT2R regulates angiogenesis in isolated mouse endothelial cells (ECs) and in Matrigel implants in…
Diabetes and obesity have reached an epidemic status worldwide. Diabetes increases the risk for cardiovascular disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Primary bile acids are synthesized in hepatocytes and are transformed to secondary bile…
Diabetes and obesity have reached an epidemic status worldwide. Diabetes increases the risk for cardiovascular disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Primary bile acids are synthesized in hepatocytes and are transformed to secondary bile acids…
Activation of the nuclear bile acid receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR) protects against hepatic inflammation and injury, while Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) promotes adipose tissue browning and energy metabolism. Here, we examined the…
Inflammation is a complex physiological process that poses a serious threat to people's health. However, the potential molecular mechanisms of inflammation are still not clear. Moreover, there is lack of effective anti-inflammatory drugs that meet…
The coronary circulation is both culprit and victim of acute myocardial infarction. The rupture of an epicardial atherosclerotic plaque with superimposed thrombosis causes coronary occlusion, and this occlusion must be removed to induce reperfusion.…
Ischemic heart diseases (IHD) cause millions of deaths around the world annually. While surgical and pharmacological interventions are commonly used to treat patients with IHD, their efficacy varies from patient to patient and is limited by the…
Metabolic dysfunction accompanies neurodegenerative disease and aging. An important step for therapeutic development is a more sophisticated understanding of the source of metabolic dysfunction, as well as to distinguish disease-associated changes…
Induced vascular progenitor cells (iVPCs) were created as an ideal cell type for regenerative medicine and have been reported to positively promote collateral blood flow and improve cardiac function in a rat model of myocardial ischemia. Exosomes…
Introduction Plasmid-based gene therapy is an intriguing option for treating malignant and bladder pathologies. The RhoA pathway is involved in bladder smooth muscle regulation, cancer invasion and…
VEGF signaling via VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR2) is a major regulator of endothelial cell (EC) functions, including angiogenesis. Although most studies of angiogenesis focus on soluble VEGF signaling, mechanical signaling also plays a critical role. Here,…
OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of hepatic FOXA3 (forkhead box A3) in lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis. Approach and Results: Hepatic FOXA3 expression was reduced in diabetic or high fat diet-fed mice or patients with nonalcoholic…
Primary genetic mitochondrial diseases are often difficult to diagnose, and the term 'possible' mitochondrial disease is used frequently by clinicians when such a diagnosis is suspected. There are now many known phenocopies of mitochondrial disease.…
Primary genetic mitochondrial diseases are often difficult to diagnose, and the term 'possible' mitochondrial disease is used frequently by clinicians when such a diagnosis is suspected. There are now many known phenocopies of mitochondrial disease.…
Sterol 12alpha-hydroxylase (CYP8B1) is required for synthesis of cholic acid in the classic bile acid synthesis pathway and plays a role in dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. However, the mechanism of the involvement of Cyp8b1 in dyslipidemia and…
Anticancer drugs exert their effects on cancer cells by deregulating many pathways linked to cell cycle, apoptosis, etc. but cancer cells gradually become resistive against anticancer drugs, thereby necessitating the development of newer generation…
This review examines some of the reasons why we don't have a vaccine against autoimmune diseases and highlights the progress that has been made. Many autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis (MS) and type 1 diabetes…
Alcohol impairs activation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) during the granulopoietic response to serious bacterial infection. This study investigated the involvement of guanylate‐binding protein 7 (GBP7) in the regulation of HSPC…
Granulocytes are the major type of phagocytes constituting the front line of innate immune defense against bacterial infection. In adults, granulocytes are derived from hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow. Alcohol is the most frequently…
Long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 1 (ACSL1) plays a pivotal role in fatty acid betaoxidation in heart, adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. However, key functions of ACSL1 in the liver remain largely unknown. We investigated acute effects of hepatic…
Long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 1 (ACSL1) plays a pivotal role in fatty acid betaoxidation in heart, adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. However, key functions of ACSL1 in the liver remain largely unknown. We investigated acute effects of hepatic…
Macrophages play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, but the molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here we show that microRNA-34a (miR-34a) is a key regulator of macrophage cholesterol efflux and reverse cholesterol…
Hepatocytes are the major source of hepatic lipocalin‐2 (LCN2), which is up‐regulated in response to inflammation, injury, or metabolic stress. So far, the role of hepatocyte‐derived LCN2 in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)…
