Organ failure in Plasmodium falciparum malaria is associated with neutrophil activation and endothelial damage. This study investigates whether neutrophil-induced endothelial damage involves apoptosis and whether it can be prevented by neutralization of neutrophil secretory products. Endothelial cells from human umbilical veins were coincubated with neutrophils from healthy donors and with sera...

In the cheek pouch of anesthetized male hamsters, microiontophoresis of Ach (endothelium-dependent vasodilator) or phenylephrine (PE; smooth muscle-specific vasoconstrictor) onto an arteriole (resting diameter, 30-40 microm) evokes vasodilation or vasoconstriction (amplitude, 15-25 microm), respectively, that conducts along the arteriolar wall. In previous studies of conduction, endothelial and...

BACKGROUND Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissues disease of unknown origin characterized by vascular damage and extensive fibrosis. Recently, we demonstrated that α2-antiplasmin (α2AP) is associated with the development of fibrosis in SSc. We herein investigate the roles of α2AP in vascular dysfunction in SSc. METHODS Vascular damage in mice was determined by the levels of blood ve...

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes and other inflammatory cells release superoxide anion and additional oxidant species following stimulation. Corneal endothelial cells were exposed to a flux of chemically generated superoxide anion (oxygen-free radical) produced by the combination of 1 mM hypoxanthine and 0.06 U/ml xanthine oxidase. Exposure of endothelial cells to the combination of hypoxanthine an...

BACKGROUND Endothelial damage and angiogenesis are essential for atherosclerotic plaque development and destabilization. We sought to examine whether contrast enhanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) using gadofosveset could show endothelial damage and neovessel formation in balloon injured porcine coronary arteries. METHODS AND RESULTS Data were obtained from seven pigs that all unde...

Vascular endothelial cells are key targets for hyperglycemic damage that facilitates vascular inflammation and the vasculopathy associated with diabetes mellitus. However, the mechanisms underlying this damage remain undefined. We now demonstrate that hyperglycemia induces activation of sphingosine kinase (SphK), which represents a novel signaling pathway that mediates endothelial damage under ...

A recent study showed that 355-nm nanosecond lasers cut cornea with similar precision to infrared femtosecond lasers. However, use of ultraviolet wavelength requires precise assessment of ocular safety to determine the range of possible ophthalmic applications. In this study, the 355-nm nanosecond laser was evaluated for corneal and iris damage in rabbit, porcine, and human donor eyes as determ...

OBJECTIVE Chronic autoimmune diseases are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular death. Endothelial dysfunction represents the first stage of subclinical atherosclerosis and multiple factors contribute to endothelial injury. Among these, an altered balance between endothelial microparticle (EMP) release and endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) generation promotes endothelial dysfunction....

Arterial stent deployment by balloon or selfexpandable structure introduces shear forces and radial forces that can damage or remove the endothelial cell layer. These factors can subsequently cause failure by restenosis or endothelial leaks. These conditions can be exacerbated by pulsatile blood flow and arterial asymmetry, which can cause migration or displacement. In mechanical or finiteeleme...

Background. Radiotherapy is commonly used to treat breast and thoracic cancers but it also causes delayed microvascular damage and increases the risk of cardiac mortality. Endothelial cell proliferation and revascularization are crucial to restore microvasculature damage and maintain function of the irradiated heart. We have therefore examined the potential of bone marrow-derived endothelial pr...