OBJECTIVE Smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration and proliferation play an essential role in neointimal formation after vascular injury. In this study, we intended to investigate whether the X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1) was involved in these processes. APPROACH AND RESULTS In vivo studies on femoral artery injury models revealed that vascular injury triggered an immediate upregulation of XBP1 e...

The transforming growth factor βs (TGF-β) belong a family of structurally related, dimeric, disulfide-linked polypeptides that includes five TGF-β isoforms, activins, inhibins, Müllerian inhibiting substance, bone morphogenic proteins, and products of the Xenopus Vg1 and Drosophila decapentaplegic (dpp) genes (reviewed in Rizzino, 1988; Massagué, 1990; Roberts and Sporn, 1990). In mammals, thre...

The NXF (nuclear export factor) family members are implicated in the transport of mRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Recently, some members of the NXF family have been reported to play divergent functional roles, such as post-transcriptional regulation, translational control, regulation of mRNA stability and trafficking. However, little is known about the roles of NXF3 in spermatogenesis. ...

INTRODUCTION Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Ang II (angiotensin II), a vasoconstrictive peptide, is a well-known inducer of kidney, heart, and liver fibrosis. The goal of this study was to investigate the profibrotic potential of Ang II in the mouse skin. METHODS Ang II was administ...