Microenvironment-induced myofibroblast-like conversion of engrafted keratinocytes.

Myofibroblasts, recognized classically by α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression, play a key role in the wound-healing process, promoting wound closure and matrix deposition. Although a body of evidence shows that keratinocytes explanted onto a wound bed promote closure of a skin injury, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. The basal layer of epidermis is rich in undifferentiated keratinocytes (UKs).

Microenvironment-evoked cell lineage conversion: Shifting the focus from internal reprogramming to external forcing.

Seeking possible ways to create replacement cells for the faded ones with deficits in functionality or quantity inspires comprehensive needs for cell lineage conversion. To fulfill this promise, reprogramming and microenvironment direction have been used to manipulate abundant cell fates. We briefly describe the evolution and fundamental insights of these two major strategies applied for lineage specification, comment generally on their current limitations, and analyze the orchestral interplay between them.

[Effects of ethyl pyruvate on injuries of sepsis in mice].

Objective: To explore the effect of ethyl pyruvate (EP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) on injuries of sepsis and the mechanism involved.

Methods: A murine sepsis model of cecal ligation and puncture was reproduced, and 90 male Kunming mice were divided randomly into sham-operation, model and EP-intervention groups. 75 mg/kg EP was intraperitoneally injected in EP groups 1 hour after establishment of model, and the mice in model group were given a same volume of Ringer's solution.

[Research advances in human mitochondrial DNA with aging and degenerative diseases].

The human mitochondrial genome consists of approximate 1500 genes, among which 37 are encoded by the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and the remainder encoded in the nuclear DNA (nDNA). The mitochondria produces large amount of the cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS induces the mutations of mtDNA and mtDNA, which are associated with a wide range of age-related diseases including neurodegenerative diseases, cardiomyopathy, diabetes and various cancers.

Recurrent FBN1 mutation (R62C) in a Chinese family with isolated ectopia lentis.

Purpose: To examine the fibrillin-1 (FBN1) gene for mutations in members of a Chinese family with isolated ectopia lentis.

Design: Clinically relevant laboratory investigation.

Methods: Family members underwent clinical examinations.