Project description:This SuperSeries is composed of the following subset Series:; GSE4028: Effects of diethylstilbestrol (DES) on the anterior pituitary gland of the ACI, Copenhagen and Brown Norway Rat. GSE4080: Effect of DES-treated Ept congenic rat lines on gene expression in the anterior pituitary gland. GSE4081: Expression QTL (eQTL) mapping in the anterior pituitary gland using DES-treated COPxACI F2 rats. Experiment Overall Design: Refer to individual Series
Project description:Therapeutic neo-vasculogenesis in vivo can be achieved by the co-transplantation of human endothelial colony-forming progenitor cells (ECFCs) with mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (MSPCs).The underlying mechanism is not completely understood thus hampering the development of novel stem cell therapies.We hypothesized that proteomic profiling could be used to retrieve the in vivo signaling signature during the initial phase of human neo-vasculogenesis. ECFCs and MSPCs were therefore either transplanted alone or co-transplanted subcutaneously into immune deficient mice. Early cell signaling, occurring within the first 24 hours in vivo, was analyzed using antibody microarray proteomic profiling.Vessel formation and persistence were verified in parallel transplants for up to 24 weeks. Proteomic analysis revealed significant alteration of regulatory components including caspases, calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, DNA protein kinase,human ErbB2 receptor-tyrosine kinase as well as mitogen-activated protein kinases.Therapeutic candidate caspase-4 was selected from array results for targeting vascular network formation in vitro as well as modulating therapeutic vasculogenesis in vivo. As a proof-of-principle, caspase-4 and general caspase-blocking led to diminished endothelial network formation in vitro and significantly decreased vasculogenesis in vivo. Proteomic profiling ex vivo thus unraveled a signaling signature which can be targeted to modulate neo-vasculogenesis in vivo.
Project description:Based on its phylogenetic relationship to monitor lizards (Varanidae), Gila monsters (Heloderma spp.), and the earless monitor Lanthanotus borneesis, the Chinese crocodile lizard, Shinisaurus crocodilurus, has been assigned to the Toxicofera clade, which comprises venomous reptiles. However, no data about composition and biological activities of its oral secretion have been reported. In the present study, a proteomic analysis of the mandibular gland of S. crocodilurus and, for comparison, of the herbivorous Solomon Island skink Corucia zebrata, was performed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the teeth from S. crocodilurus revealed a sharp ridge on the anterior surface, but no grooves, whereas those of C. zebrata possess a flattened crown with a pointed cusp. Proteomic analysis of their gland extracts provided no evidence of venom-derived peptides or proteins, strongly supporting the non-venomous character of these lizards.
Project description:Identification of genes enriched in the presumptive primary mouth. Dissected tissues from the primary mouth anlage and two other anterior regions for comparison, the anterior dorsal and ventral plus cement gland.