Current knowledge suggests that intimal smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in native
atherosclerotic plaque derive mainly from the medial arterial layer. During this process …

Gap junctions are essential to the function of multicellular animals, which require a high
degree of coordination between cells. In vertebrates, gap junctions comprise connexins and …

Establishment of a functional vascular network is rate-limiting in embryonic development,
tissue repair and engineering. During blood vessel formation, newly generated endothelial …

Vascular walls change their dimension and mechanical properties in response to injury such
as balloon angioplasty and endovascular stent implantation. Placement of bare metal stents …

Abstract Extracellular adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine molecules are
intimately involved in immune responses. ATP is mostly a pro-inflammatory molecule and is …

Abstract The nucleotide adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) has classically been considered
the cell's primary energy currency. Importantly, a novel role for ATP as an extracellular …

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which potentially transdifferentiate into multiple cell types,
are increasingly reported to be beneficial in models of organ system injury. However, the …

The protease renin is the key enzyme of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone cascade, which
is relevant under both physiological and pathophysiological settings. The kidney is the only …

Direct intercellular communication via gap junctions is critical in the control and coordination
of vascular function. In the cardiovascular system, gap junctions are made up of one or more …

Breast cancer and melanoma cells commonly metastasize to the brain using homing
mechanisms that are poorly understood. Cancer patients with brain metastases display poor …