Cardiac remodelling is a key risk factor for the development of heart failure in the chronic phase following myocardial infarction. Our previous studies have shown an anti-remodelling role of ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) in vivo during…
Tumor vessels are characterized by abnormal morphology and hyperpermeability that together cause inefficient delivery of chemotherapeutic agents. Although vascular endothelial growth factor has been established as a critical regulator of tumor…
Aldosterone plays a pathological role in cardiac fibrosis by directly affecting cardiac fibroblasts. Understanding of the cellular mechanisms of aldosterone action in cardiac fibroblasts, however, is rudimentary. One possibility is that aldosterone…
Cardiac fibroblasts regulate formation of extracellular matrix in the heart, playing key roles in cardiac remodeling and hypertrophy. In this study, we sought to characterize cross-talk between G(q) and G(s) signaling pathways and its impact on…
Black currant fruits containing high amounts of anthocyanins are known to possess potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We have previously reported that anthocyanin-rich black currant skin extract (BCSE) inhibits diethylnitrosamine…
Transformation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, characterized by expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and production of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, is a key event in connective tissue remodeling. Approaches to inhibit this…
Aminopeptidase-A (APA) is a less well-studied enzyme of the renin-angiotensin system. We propose that it is involved in cardiac angiotensin (ANG) metabolism and its pathologies. ANG-(1-7) can ameliorate remodeling after myocardial injury. The aims of…
Liver cancer, predominantly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), represents a complex and fatal malignancy driven primarily by oxidative stress and inflammation. Due to dismal prognosis and limited therapeutic intervention, chemoprevention has emerged as…
