Sign in to use this feature.

Years

Between: -

Subjects

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Journals

Article Types

Countries / Regions

Search Results (94)

Search Parameters:
Keywords = ANGPT2

Order results
Result details
Results per page
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
27 pages, 2780 KB  
Article
Identification and Integration of LRG1-Induced Differentially Expressed Gene (DEG) Hub Profiles in Breast Cancer Cells
by Federico Osorio-Antonio, Daniela Michel Diaz-González, Gabriela Elizabeth Campos-Viguri, José Manuel Sánchez-López, José Luis Cortez-Sánchez, Francisco Castelán, Jesús Ramses Chávez-Rios, Paola Maycotte-González, Paulina Cortés-Hernández, Oscar Peralta-Zaragoza and Elizabeth Bautista-Rodríguez
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(8), 3613; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27083613 - 18 Apr 2026
Viewed by 611
Abstract
Breast carcinoma is a major cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide. Identifying novel molecular targets remains essential, particularly for aggressive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein 1 (LRG1) has been linked to tumor progression and angiogenesis, but its molecular mechanisms in breast [...] Read more.
Breast carcinoma is a major cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide. Identifying novel molecular targets remains essential, particularly for aggressive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein 1 (LRG1) has been linked to tumor progression and angiogenesis, but its molecular mechanisms in breast cancer are poorly defined. We evaluated the effects of recombinant human LRG1 (rhLRG1) on cell viability and migration in MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells and performed transcriptomic profiling followed by functional enrichment analyses using GenArise, Cytoscape, and R-based tools. RhLRG1 treatment significantly increased cell viability and migration. Transcriptomic analysis revealed activation of key oncogenic cascades, including the PI3K/AKT, MAPK, and RAS signaling pathways. Hub-gene analysis identified upregulated genes involved in proliferation (NRAS, STAT5B, IGF2), angiogenesis (PGF, ANGPT2), and apoptosis (CASP8, BAD), whereas downregulated genes were associated with apoptotic resistance (BCL2, MCL1) and adhesion (LAMB1, ITGB4). Functional enrichment highlighted LRG1’s role in the bioinformatic analysis of differentially expressed genes that were obtained from microarray assays. LRG1 remodels the tumor microenvironment by promoting proliferation, angiogenesis, and apoptotic sensitivity while repressing resistance-related genes. These findings position LRG1 as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for advanced breast carcinoma. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Oncology)
Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 851 KB  
Article
Angiopoietin-2 and Growth Differentiation Factor-15 as Predictors of Device-Detected Atrial Fibrillation Burden
by Valentin Bilgeri, Philipp Spitaler, Jasmina Gavranovic-Novakovic, Theresa Dolejsi, Patrick Rockenschaub, Moritz Messner, Marc Michael Zaruba, Fabian Barbieri, Agne Adukauskaite, Markus Stühlinger, Bernhard Erich Pfeifer, Pietro Lacaita, Gudrun Feuchtner, Peter Willeit, Axel Bauer and Wolfgang Dichtl
Biomedicines 2026, 14(4), 902; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14040902 - 16 Apr 2026
Viewed by 437
Abstract
Background: Pacemakers enable continuous long-term surveillance of atrial fibrillation detected by implanted devices. Circulating biomarkers reflecting endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and myocardial stress may help identify patients at risk for atrial fibrillation (AF) progression and higher arrhythmic burden. Methods: This analysis included [...] Read more.
Background: Pacemakers enable continuous long-term surveillance of atrial fibrillation detected by implanted devices. Circulating biomarkers reflecting endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and myocardial stress may help identify patients at risk for atrial fibrillation (AF) progression and higher arrhythmic burden. Methods: This analysis included patients from the prospective ACaSA study (NCT05127720) with a dual chamber pacemaker (Microport® BOREA DR or TEO DR) and monitored weekly via remote monitoring technology (SMARTVIEW®). Individuals with permanent AF or single-chamber systems were excluded. Baseline plasma concentrations of angiopoietin-2 (ANGPT2), growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23), bone morphogenetic protein-10 (BMP10), and tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor-2 (TRAIL-R2) were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was measured using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Biomarkers were log2-transformed, with values below assay detection limits imputed at half the lower limit of detection. Two endpoints were assessed following a 30-day blanking period: (1) progression to persistent AF, defined as ≥7 consecutive days with >99% daily AF burden, analyzed using Cox regression; and (2) AF burden, calculated as total AF time normalized to monitored days and categorized as <25%, 25–75%, or >75%, analyzed using multinomial logistic regression. Multivariable models were adjusted for age, sex, heart failure, diabetes, and prior myocardial infarction; Cox models were limited to age, sex, and heart failure due to fewer events. Results: A total of 223 patients were included (median age 75 years; 37.2% women). During follow-up, 28 patients (13.3%) progressed to persistent AF. Higher baseline ANGPT2 was the strongest predictor of progression (HR per doubling 1.83, 95% CI 1.27–2.66, p = 0.001), followed by GDF-15 (HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.03–2.24, p = 0.036). In the burden analysis, ANGPT2 demonstrated a pronounced graded relationship with arrhythmic load, with markedly increased odds of high (>75%) AF burden (OR 8.31, 95% CI 2.63–26.26, p < 0.001). GDF-15 independently predicted both medium (OR 2.05, p = 0.025) and high burden (OR 2.32, p = 0.037). NT-proBNP displayed a borderline association with high burden (OR 2.02, p = 0.061). No significant associations were observed for FGF-23, BMP10, or TRAIL-R2. Conclusions: In continuously monitored pacemaker patients, ANGPT2 and GDF-15 emerged as key biomarkers associated with AF disease severity. ANGPT2 was strongly linked to both progression to persistent AF and high AF burden, whereas GDF-15 consistently predicted higher AF burden and also contributed to risk of progression. These findings highlight endothelial and inflammatory pathways as potential markers of atrial disease progression. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cell Biology and Pathology)
Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 2684 KB  
Article
RNA-Seq Analysis of Human Cumulus Cells Identifies Angiogenic Pathways Associated with Infertility
by Alejandro Baratas, Victoria Pérez-Quiroga, Rosario Planello, Mónica Aquilino, Magdalena Serrano, Moisés de la Casa, Yosu Franco-Iriarte and Rosa Roy
Cells 2026, 15(8), 677; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells15080677 - 11 Apr 2026
Viewed by 495
Abstract
Non-invasive assessment of oocyte quality remains a challenge in assisted reproductive technology (ART). Through their bidirectional communication with the gamete, cumulus cells (CCs) act as a functional mirror of oocyte competence; however, the specific angiogenic signature within this microenvironment is still poorly understood. [...] Read more.
Non-invasive assessment of oocyte quality remains a challenge in assisted reproductive technology (ART). Through their bidirectional communication with the gamete, cumulus cells (CCs) act as a functional mirror of oocyte competence; however, the specific angiogenic signature within this microenvironment is still poorly understood. In the present study, we performed RNA-seq on CCs from healthy oocyte donors and infertile patients, utilizing a multi-pipeline bioinformatic approach (STAR-Cufflinks, TopHat-HTSeq, and HISAT2-StringTie) to establish a high-confidence, exploratory transcriptomic profile. A set of 234 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) consistently identified across pipelines was obtained, with functional enrichment highlighting blood vessel morphogenesis and angiogenesis as primary drivers of transcriptomic divergence between groups. RT-qPCR validation in individual samples confirmed statistically significant differences for ANKRD22 (upregulated) and E2F7 (downregulated) in infertile patients, while other angiogenesis-related genes, including ANGPT1, ANGPT2 and THBS1, showed consistent but non-significant expression trends, suggesting alterations in angiogenesis-related processes within the follicular microenvironment. These findings support the presence of coordinated angiogenesis-related alterations in cumulus cells and provide a basis for future studies exploring their potential relevance in oocyte competence and ART outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Reproductive Biology: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

12 pages, 386 KB  
Article
Association Between the ANGPT2 rs2442598 Polymorphism and Diabetic Nephropathy in Slovenian Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
by Petra Nussdorfer, Jernej Letonja, Matej Završnik, Boštjan Matos, Danijel Petrovič and Ines Cilenšek
Genes 2026, 17(4), 373; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17040373 - 25 Mar 2026
Viewed by 453
Abstract
Background: The aim of our study was to evaluate the association of angiopoietin 2 (ANGPT2) rs2442598 and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) rs2010963 with diabetic nephropathy (DN) in Slovenian subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Angiopoietin–endothelial tyrosine [...] Read more.
Background: The aim of our study was to evaluate the association of angiopoietin 2 (ANGPT2) rs2442598 and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) rs2010963 with diabetic nephropathy (DN) in Slovenian subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Angiopoietin–endothelial tyrosine kinase receptor (Ang-Tie2) and VEGF-A signaling regulate glomerular endothelial stability and permeability and may contribute to DN susceptibility. Methods: We conducted a case–control study including 897 unrelated Slovenian subjects with T2DM (344 DN cases; 553 long-standing T2DM controls without DN). ANGPT2 rs2442598 and VEGFA rs2010963 were genotyped using TaqMan assays. Genetic associations were analysed using co-dominant, additive, dominant, and recessive genetic models with logistic regression adjusted for waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, and triglycerides. Results: ANGPT2 rs2442598 was significantly associated with DN, with increased risk in carriers of the C allele, including a significant additive per allele effect (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.10–1.74) and a dominant model effect (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.11–1.96). In contrast, VEGFA rs2010963 showed no evidence of association across genetic models. Conclusions: In Slovenian patients with T2DM, ANGPT2 rs2442598 is associated with DN, whereas VEGFA rs2010963 is not. This association suggests that ANGPT2 genetic variation may influence DN risk and supports further functional work to define the biological effects of rs2442598. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Genetics and Genomics)
Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 3782 KB  
Article
Proteomic Analysis of Endothelial Activation Induced by Adult Angiostrongylus vasorum Homogenate: Insights into Vascular Remodeling and Hemostatic Imbalance
by Manuel Collado-Cuadrado, Iván Rodríguez-Escolar, Alfonso Balmori-de la Puente, Ana Montero-Calle, Sara Vázquez-Ávila, Fabio Macchioni, Rodrigo Barderas, Javier Sotillo, Miguel Pericacho and Rodrigo Morchón
Animals 2026, 16(6), 926; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16060926 - 15 Mar 2026
Viewed by 564
Abstract
The interaction between Angiostrongylus vasorum and the vascular endothelium of the host plays a key role in the pathogenesis of canine angiostrongylosis. The adult stage of A. vasorum resides in right ventricles and pulmonary arteries of dogs and foxes and maintains close contact [...] Read more.
The interaction between Angiostrongylus vasorum and the vascular endothelium of the host plays a key role in the pathogenesis of canine angiostrongylosis. The adult stage of A. vasorum resides in right ventricles and pulmonary arteries of dogs and foxes and maintains close contact with the endothelium, whose activation may contribute to the hemostatic and hemorrhagic disorders observed in infected animals. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this endothelial dysfunction remain poorly understood. To investigate this interaction, an in vitro model of vascular endothelial cells was stimulated with the adult A. vasorum homogenate. Quantitative proteomic analysis, combined with bioinformatic tools, identified 691 and 6011 protein groups in the cell supernatants and the cell lysates, respectively. Of these, 213 proteins in the cell supernatants (193 up-regulated and 20 down-regulated) and 564 in the cell lysates (358 up-regulated and 206 down-regulated) showed differential expression compared to control cells. Up-regulated proteins included TFPI, CD59, VWF, ANGPT2, MMRN1, and FLT1, which are involved in endothelial activation, angio-genesis, and coagulation regulation. Conversely, C3, SERPINE1, SERPINB2, PLAU, PLAUR, and ICAM1 were down-regulated, suggesting modulation of fibrinolysis, inflammation, and cell adhesion pathways. These findings indicate that adult A. vasorum homogenate induces a multifactorial endothelial activation characterized by dysregulation of coagulation, complement, and vascular remodelling pathways. Future studies focusing on the temporal and molecular characterization of endothelial responses to excretory/secretory antigens in both definitive and accidental hosts will further clarify the mechanisms of vascular pathology and parasite tolerance. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 8974 KB  
Article
Novel Blood-Based Extracellular Vesicle-Derived Biomarkers in Small Cell Lung Cancer Identified via Proximity Extension Assay
by Hubert Krzyslak, Weronika Maria Szejniuk, Marwan Malluhi, Henrik Steglich-Arnholm, Ursula Falkmer, Jonas Ellegaard Mortensen, Søren Risom Kristensen and Shona Pedersen
Cancers 2026, 18(4), 580; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18040580 - 10 Feb 2026
Viewed by 900
Abstract
Background: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive malignancy with rapid progression and early metastasis, yet it lacks validated biomarkers for early diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nano-sized particles released by cells that carry cargo reflective of their [...] Read more.
Background: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive malignancy with rapid progression and early metastasis, yet it lacks validated biomarkers for early diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nano-sized particles released by cells that carry cargo reflective of their origin, making them promising candidates for liquid biopsy-based biomarker discovery. Methods: Plasma-derived EVs were isolated from 29 SCLC patients and 28 healthy controls (HCs) using ultracentrifugation and characterized via nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Proteomic profiling was performed using the Olink® Immuno-Oncology panel. Group differences were analyzed using multivariate models (Boruta, Elastic Net, and partial least squares discriminant analysis). Diagnostic potential was assessed using ROC analysis, and predictive response associations were evaluated by correlating EV protein changes with tumor size reduction (FDR-adjusted Spearman). Results: Of the 58 detected proteins, 36 were significantly upregulated in SCLC. PDGF-B, CXCL5, CCL17, EGF, and LAP-TGF-β1 showed good discriminatory performance (AUC 0.95–0.98). Additionally, a two-protein panel (LAP-TGF-β1 and PDGF-B) achieved an out-of-fold AUC of 0.96 (CI 0.89–1.00). NOS3, VEGFR-2, and ANGPT2 levels correlated inversely with tumor reduction after chemotherapy. Conclusions: These exploratory findings highlight EV proteomics as a minimally invasive platform for potential SCLC diagnosis and monitoring. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thoracic Neuroendocrine Tumors and the Role of Emerging Therapies)
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 1667 KB  
Article
Iatrogenic Hypoglycemia in Type 2 Diabetes Affects Endothelial Proteins Involved in Cardiovascular Dysfunction
by Edwina Brennan, Abu Saleh Md Moin, Thozhukat Sathyapalan, Laura Dempsey, Stephen L. Atkin and Alexandra E. Butler
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(2), 822; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27020822 - 14 Jan 2026
Viewed by 575
Abstract
Hypoglycemia is associated with cardiovascular events reflected by platelet abnormalities. We hypothesized that sequential endothelial changes may occur during hypoglycemia that may enhance cardiovascular risk. In type 2 diabetes (T2D) (n = 23) and controls (n = 23), blood SOMAscan proteomic [...] Read more.
Hypoglycemia is associated with cardiovascular events reflected by platelet abnormalities. We hypothesized that sequential endothelial changes may occur during hypoglycemia that may enhance cardiovascular risk. In type 2 diabetes (T2D) (n = 23) and controls (n = 23), blood SOMAscan proteomic analysis of endothelial proteins at baseline, insulin-induced hypoglycemia and post hypoglycemia to 24 h were examined using repeated-measures linear mixed modeling with a prospective parallel study design. Most endothelial proteins that changed over time did not differ between groups. Baseline levels of P-selectin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1; serpine-1), E-selectin and angiopoietin-1 (ANGPT1) were significantly higher, whilst cadherin-5 was lower in T2D. Several proteins exhibited changes versus baseline in both T2D and controls. Under hypoglycemia, decreases in cadherin-5 and soluble angiopoietin-1 receptor (sTie-2) were observed, with increased P-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-3 (ICAM3), ANGPT1 and PAI-1. Post hypoglycemia, decreased cadherin-5 and ICAM5 were observed at 2 h and PAI-1 at 4 h, as well as increases in P-selectin at 30 min, 1 h and 24 h and ICAM3 at 24 h. Post hypoglycemia, E-selectin, P-selectin and ICAM3 were significantly lower in T2D patients at 2 h, while PAI-1 was significantly lower at 4 h and ICAM3 was significantly lower at 24 h. Baseline endothelial proteins differed between T2D and controls, which may suggest local endothelial inflammatory activation leading to a pro-thrombotic, destabilized vascular phenotype characteristic of diabetic vasculopathy. Hypoglycemia may exacerbate this towards a pro-adhesive and pro-thrombotic phenotype, worsening endothelial dysfunction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Aspects of Diabetes and Its Complications)
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 4654 KB  
Article
Hypobaric Hypoxia Ameliorates Impaired Regeneration After Diabetic Skeletal Muscle Injury by Promoting HIF-1α Signaling
by Jinrun Lin, Minghao Geng, Li Zhou, Danni Qu, Hao Lin, Jihao Xing, Ryosuke Nakanishi, Hiroyo Kondo, Noriaki Maeshige and Hidemi Fujino
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(2), 648; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27020648 - 8 Jan 2026
Viewed by 863
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus severely impairs skeletal muscle regeneration after injury, limiting satellite cell activation and angiogenesis and disrupting barrier integrity while increasing fibrosis. Hypobaric hypoxia has been proposed to improve the regenerative microenvironment through hypoxia-responsive signaling, but its temporal effects and the coordination between [...] Read more.
Diabetes mellitus severely impairs skeletal muscle regeneration after injury, limiting satellite cell activation and angiogenesis and disrupting barrier integrity while increasing fibrosis. Hypobaric hypoxia has been proposed to improve the regenerative microenvironment through hypoxia-responsive signaling, but its temporal effects and the coordination between vascular and myogenic programs in diabetic muscle remain unclear. To clarify these processes, adult male mice were divided into five groups: diabetes mellitus control (DM), cardiotoxin-injured (CTX) diabetes assessed on days 7 and 14 (CTX7, CTX14), and hypobaric-hypoxia-treated diabetic injury assessed on days 7 and 14 (H+CTX7, H+CTX14). Animals in the hypoxia groups were exposed to a hypobaric hypoxia chamber for 8 h per day for 14 days. Fibrosis, angiogenic and myogenic markers, and endothelial junctional genes were examined using histology, immunofluorescence, immunoblotting, and qRT-PCR (Quantitative Real-Time PCR). Hypobaric hypoxia on day 7 enhanced HIF-1α (hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha), VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthas), Kdr (kinase insert domain receptor, VEGFR-2), and Angpt2 (angiopoietin-2) expression, accompanied by simultaneous endothelial sprouting and early myogenic stimulation compared to CTX7. Improvements were observed in Angpt1 (angiopoietin-1), Cdh5 (cadherin-5, VE-cadherin), Emcn (endomucin), the Angpt1/Angpt2 ratio, and CD31 density. Myogenin and MyHC (myosin heavy chain) were induced with a reduction in eMyHC (embryonic myosin heavy chain) in accordance with stabilization of endothelium and maturation of fibers, which occurred by day 14. A decrease in fibrosis and an increase in the myofiber cross-sectional area occurred. These findings suggest that hypobaric hypoxia modulates HIF-1α signaling, which in turn induces the VEGF-Kdr-eNOS pathway and the angiopoietin–Tie2–VE-cadherin pathway. Together, these pathways coordinate vascular remodeling and myogenic regeneration, ultimately improving the structural and functional recovery of diabetic muscle. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism)
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 5930 KB  
Article
The Levonorgestrel Intrauterine System Attenuates the Expression of Angiopoietin-1, Angiopoietin-2, and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Adenomyosis
by SiHyun Cho, Hyun Kyung Kim, Young Sik Choi and Joo Hyun Park
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(24), 8629; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14248629 - 5 Dec 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 754
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Adenomyosis is characterized by aberrant endometrial invasion and heavy menstrual bleeding, with angiogenesis being implicated as a key mechanism of this condition. We compared vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin-1 (ANGPT-1), and angiopoietin-2 (ANGPT-2) expression in eutopic and ectopic endometria from [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Adenomyosis is characterized by aberrant endometrial invasion and heavy menstrual bleeding, with angiogenesis being implicated as a key mechanism of this condition. We compared vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin-1 (ANGPT-1), and angiopoietin-2 (ANGPT-2) expression in eutopic and ectopic endometria from patients with adenomyosis and evaluated whether the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) modulates these angiogenic markers. Methods: In a case–control analysis, specimens from patients with adenomyosis without an LNG-IUS (n = 20), those with adenomyosis with prior LNG-IUS insertion (n = 18), and controls (n = 12) were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry with H-scores was used to assess protein expression in eutopic and ectopic tissues. ANGPT1, ANGPT2, and VEGFA mRNA in eutopic endometrial tissue were quantified by qRT-PCR. Results: In untreated adenomyosis patients, ectopic endometria showed higher protein expression than eutopic tissue for ANGPT-1, ANGPT-2, and VEGF (all p ≤ 0.05). The LNG-IUS was associated with significantly lower expression of all three markers in both eutopic and ectopic tissue (all p < 0.01), with eutopic levels approaching those of controls. qRT-PCR findings corroborated the decrease in ANGPT1, ANGPT2, and VEGFA transcript levels after LNG-IUS insertion (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: Adenomyosis is characterized by upregulated angiogenic signaling in both eutopic and ectopic endometria. The LNG-IUS attenuates ANGPT-1, ANGPT-2, and VEGF expression at both the protein and transcript levels, suggesting that modulation of angiogenic pathways may contribute to its therapeutic benefit in abnormal uterine bleeding associated with adenomyosis. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 260 KB  
Review
Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia—Current Therapies and Future Prospects
by Dominika Żyła, Katarzyna Zych, Milena Krawczyk and Julia Nowakowska
J. Vasc. Dis. 2025, 4(4), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/jvd4040043 - 11 Nov 2025
Viewed by 2910
Abstract
Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), also known as Osler–Weber–Rendu disease, is an autosomal dominant vascular disorder caused most commonly by pathogenic variants in the ENG and ACVRL1/ALK1 genes. It is characterized by mucocutaneous telangiectasias and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in various organs, leading to recurrent [...] Read more.
Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), also known as Osler–Weber–Rendu disease, is an autosomal dominant vascular disorder caused most commonly by pathogenic variants in the ENG and ACVRL1/ALK1 genes. It is characterized by mucocutaneous telangiectasias and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in various organs, leading to recurrent epistaxis, gastrointestinal bleeding, and iron deficiency anemia. Diagnosis relies on the Curaçao Criteria, which include recurrent nosebleeds, characteristic telangiectasias, visceral AVMs, and family history. This review aims to present current therapeutic approaches and emerging treatment strategies for HHT. Traditional surgical and laser-based methods are increasingly complemented or replaced by targeted pharmacological interventions. Antiangiogenic agents such as bevacizumab and thalidomide have demonstrated efficacy in reducing bleeding frequency and transfusion requirements, although adverse effects may limit long-term use. Novel therapies under investigation target molecular pathways involved in vascular remodeling, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors (sorafenib, nintedanib), anti-ANGPT2 antibodies, and modulators of BMP9/ALK1 signaling (tacrolimus, sirolimus). Preclinical and early clinical studies suggest that these agents may provide disease-modifying benefits. Continued research should focus on optimizing treatment efficacy, reducing toxicity, and developing individualized therapeutic regimens based on genetic and clinical characteristics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Peripheral Vascular Diseases)
11 pages, 2172 KB  
Communication
Integrated Meta-Analysis of Scalp Transcriptomics and Serum Proteomics Defines Alopecia Areata Subtypes and Core Disease Pathways
by Li Xi, Elena Peeva, Yuji Yamaguchi, Zhan Ye, Craig L. Hyde and Emma Guttman-Yassky
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(19), 9662; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26199662 - 3 Oct 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2329
Abstract
Alopecia areata (AA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by non-scarring hair loss, with subtypes ranging from patchy alopecia (AAP) to alopecia totalis and universalis (AT/AU). The aim of this research is to investigate molecular features across AA severity by performing an integrated [...] Read more.
Alopecia areata (AA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by non-scarring hair loss, with subtypes ranging from patchy alopecia (AAP) to alopecia totalis and universalis (AT/AU). The aim of this research is to investigate molecular features across AA severity by performing an integrated analysis of scalp transcriptomic datasets (GSE148346, GSE68801, GSE45512, GSE111061) and matched serum proteomic data from GSE148346. Differential expression analysis indicated that, relative to normal scalp, non-lesional AA tissue shows early immune activation—including Type 1 (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 9 (CXCL9), CXCL10, CD8a molecule (CD8A), C-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5)) and Type 2 (CCL13, CCL18) signatures—together with reduced expression of hair-follicle structural genes (keratin 32(KRT32)–35, homeobox C13 (HOXC13)) (FDR < 0.05, |fold change| > 1.5). Lesional AAP and AT/AU scalp showed stronger pro-inflammatory upregulation and greater loss of keratins and keratin-associated proteins (KRT81, KRT83, desmoglein 4 (DSG4), KRTAP12/15) compared with non-lesional scalp (FDR < 0.05, |fold change| > 1.5). Ferroptosis-associated genes (cAMP responsive element binding protein 5 (CREB5), solute carrier family 40 member 1 (SLC40A1), (lipocalin 2) LCN2, SLC7A11) and IRS (inner root sheath) differentiation genes (KRT25, KRT27, KRT28, KRT71–KRT75, KRT81, KRT83, KRT85–86, trichohyalin (TCHH)) were consistently repressed across subtypes, with the strongest reductions in AT/AU lesions versus AAP lesions, suggesting that oxidative-stress pathways and follicular structural integrity may contribute to subtype-specific pathology. Pathway analysis of lesional versus non-lesional scalp highlighted enrichment of IFN-α/γ, cytotoxic, and IL-15 signaling. Serum proteomic profiling, contrasting AA vs. healthy controls, corroborated scalp findings, revealing parallel alterations in immune-related proteins (CXCL9–CXCL10, CD163, interleukin-16 (IL16)) and structural markers (angiopoietin 1 (ANGPT1), decorin (DCN), chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1)) across AA subtypes. Together, these data offer an integrated view of immune, oxidative, and structural changes in AA and found ferroptosis-related and IRS genes, along with immune signatures, as potential molecular indicators to support future studies on disease subtypes and therapeutic strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Immunology)
Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 43654 KB  
Article
Analysis of Microarray and Single-Cell RNA-Seq Finds Gene Co-Expression and Tumor Environment Associated with Extracellular Matrix in Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition in Prostate Cancer
by Ali Shakeri Abroudi, Mahtab Mashhouri Moghaddam, Danial Hashemi Karoii, Melika Djamali, Hossein Azizi and Thomas Skutella
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(17), 8575; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178575 - 3 Sep 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3155
Abstract
A complex and gradual process, the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) occurs both during embryonic development and tumor progression. Cells undergo a transition from an epithelial to a mesenchymal state throughout this process. More and more evidence points to EMT as a cause of increased [...] Read more.
A complex and gradual process, the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) occurs both during embryonic development and tumor progression. Cells undergo a transition from an epithelial to a mesenchymal state throughout this process. More and more evidence points to EMT as a cause of increased metastatic spread of prostate cancer (PCa), along with stemness enhancement and therapy resistance. Here, we used bioinformatic methods to analyze gene expression microarray data, single-cell RNA sequencing, oncogenes, and tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) in order to reconstruct the network of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in the epithelial–mesenchymal transition with PCa. No prior study has documented this sort of analysis. We next validated our results using data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), which included microarray and single-cell RNA sequencing. Potentially useful in PCa diagnosis and treatment are extracellular matrix in epithelial–mesenchymal transition genes, including ITGBL1, DSC3, COL4A6, ANGPT1, ARMCX1, MICAL2, and EPHA5. In this study, we aimed to shed light on the molecular characteristics and pathways of DEGs in PCa, as well as to identify possible biomarkers that are important in the development and advancement of this cancer. These insights have important implications for understanding prostate cancer progression and for the development of therapeutic strategies targeting ECM-mediated pathways. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Oncology)
Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 5312 KB  
Article
Positive Behavioral, Morphophysiological, and Gene Expression Effects of the Administration of Virgin Coconut Oil in an Ischemic Stroke Surgical Rat Model
by Rodel Jonathan S. Vitor, Ryota Tochinai, Shin-Ichi Sekizawa and Masayoshi Kuwahara
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(13), 6215; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26136215 - 27 Jun 2025
Viewed by 1218
Abstract
Stroke is still considered a predominant cause of morbidity and mortality, for which research on prevention and cure has been sought to prevent neuronal damage after a stroke incident. In this research, we evaluated the protective effects of virgin coconut oil (VCO) using [...] Read more.
Stroke is still considered a predominant cause of morbidity and mortality, for which research on prevention and cure has been sought to prevent neuronal damage after a stroke incident. In this research, we evaluated the protective effects of virgin coconut oil (VCO) using behavioral, morphophysiological, and gene expression parameters using an ischemic stroke surgical rat model using Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Eight-week-old SD rats were subjected to repeated oral administration (5 mL/kg/day) of either 1% Tween 80 or VCO. For behavioral and morphophysiological parameters, surgery was performed for each group, after which neurological scoring was performed at 4 h, 24 h, 48 h, 5 d, and 10 d. Further, hematological and brain morphology assessment was performed after euthanasia and necropsy of the animals. For gene expression studies, surgery was performed with animals sacrificed at different time points (baseline, before surgery, 4 h, 24 h, and 48 h after surgery) to collect the brain. Results of the study showed that there are differences in the neurological scores between the two treatments 24 h, 48 h, and 5 d after surgery. Brain morphology assessment also showed favorable results for VCO for infarct size, edema, and hypoxic neurons. Gene expression studies also showed positive results with an increase in the relative expression of angiogenin (Ang), angiopoietin (Angpt 1), Parkin, dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp 1), mitofusin 2 (Mfn 2), and mitochondrial rho (Miro) and decreased relative expression of caspase 3, receptor for advanced glycation end-product (Rage), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (Gapdh). In summary, the current study shows that VCO may have protective effects on the brain after stroke, which may be explained by the results of the gene expression studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Stroke: Novel Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches)
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 3304 KB  
Article
Enhancement of Hypoxia Tolerance of Gibel Carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) via a Ferroporphyrin-Rich Diet
by Hualiang Liang, Haifeng Mi, Kai Wang, Mingchun Ren, Lu Zhang, Dongyu Huang and Jiaze Gu
Antioxidants 2025, 14(6), 738; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14060738 - 16 Jun 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2085
Abstract
Gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) were hypoxia stressed for 12 h after an 8-week FPR nutrient-enriched feeding experiment, which was to evaluate the role of FPR in hypoxic stress in gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio). The dissolved oxygen was [...] Read more.
Gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) were hypoxia stressed for 12 h after an 8-week FPR nutrient-enriched feeding experiment, which was to evaluate the role of FPR in hypoxic stress in gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio). The dissolved oxygen was reduced to a range of 0.6 ± 0.2 mg/L. Results showed that FPR supplementation could maintain the osmotic pressure equilibrium by improving the ion concentrations of plasma including Na+, Ca+ and K+, and Na+/K+-ATPase activity of liver. FPR supplementation could effectively enhance the antioxidant capacity by improving the levels of GPX, SOD, CAT, and GSH, and reduce the level of MDA. FPR supplementation could improve the core gene expressions of Nrf2 signalling pathway including nrf2, sod, ho-1, gpx, and cat. The high levels of FPR supplementation (0.04%) might had a negative effect on immunity. FPR supplementation could improve the expression levels of HIF-1 signalling pathway-related genes to adapt to hypoxia condition including hif-1α, epo, angpt1, vegf, et1, and tfr-1. These results also were supported by higher SR and number of gill mitochondria in FPR supplementation. In general, the appropriate FPR supplementation was 0.01% based on the results of this study and economic cost, which could heighten hypoxic adaptation and SR. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antioxidants Benefits in Aquaculture—3rd Edition)
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 564 KB  
Review
Angiogenesis in Atrial Fibrillation: A Literature Review
by Jie Lin, Haihuan Lin, Zhijun Xu, Zhihui Yang, Chenglv Hong, Ying Wang and Haocheng Lu
Biomedicines 2025, 13(6), 1399; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13061399 - 6 Jun 2025
Viewed by 2562
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most prevalent clinically significant cardiac arrhythmia, is characterized by chaotic atrial electrical activity and currently affects an estimated 2.5–3.5% of the global population. Its pathogenesis involves ion channel dysfunction, inflammatory cascades, and structural remodeling processes, notably fibrosis. Angiogenesis, the [...] Read more.
Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most prevalent clinically significant cardiac arrhythmia, is characterized by chaotic atrial electrical activity and currently affects an estimated 2.5–3.5% of the global population. Its pathogenesis involves ion channel dysfunction, inflammatory cascades, and structural remodeling processes, notably fibrosis. Angiogenesis, the physiological/pathological process of new blood vessel formation, plays a multifaceted role in AF progression. This review synthesizes evidence highlighting angiogenesis’s dual role in AF pathogenesis: while excessive or dysregulated angiogenesis promotes atrial remodeling through fibrosis, and electrical dysfunction via VEGF, ANGPT, and FGF signaling pathways, compensatory angiogenesis exerts protective effects by improving tissue perfusion to alleviate ischemia and inflammation. Therapeutically, targeting angiogenic pathways—particularly VEGF—represents a promising strategy for modulating structural remodeling; however, non-selective VEGF inhibition raises safety concerns due to cardiovascular toxicity, necessitating cautious exploration. Emerging evidence highlights that anti-cancer agents (e.g., ibrutinib, bevacizumab) impair endothelial homeostasis and elevate AF risk, underscoring the need for cardio-oncology frameworks to optimize risk–benefit ratios. Preclinical studies on angiogenesis inhibitors and gene therapies provide mechanistic insights, but clinical validation remains limited. Future research should prioritize elucidating mechanistic complexities, developing biomarker refinement, and implementing interdisciplinary strategies integrating single-cell sequencing with cardio-oncology principles. This review emphasizes the imperative to clarify angiogenic mechanisms, optimize therapeutic strategies, and balance pro-arrhythmic versus compensatory angiogenesis, in pursuit of personalized AF management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Angiogenesis and Related Disorders)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop