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Proximal aortic aneurysms in mice underexpressing transforming growth factor-β1
In humans, loss-of-function mutations in multiple component genes of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling have been demonstrated to cause proximal aortic aneurysms. However, association of human variants in the prototype ligand TGFB1 with thoracic …
Publication
Quantitative Ultrasound-Based Characterization of Placental Tissue Microstructure in a Rat Model of Preeclampsia
Objective: Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) methods were applied to detect changes in placental microstructure in the reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) model of preeclampsia in rats. Preeclampsia is a life-threatening pregnancy disorder associated …
Publication
Radial artery intima-media thickening is a sensitive marker of atherosclerosis and coronary artery stenosis, a lesson from a 6-year study of a spontaneous monkey model
Atherosclerosis is the primary driver of cardiovascular and cerebral vascular diseases globally. Atherosclerotic plaques have been detected in multiple arterial locations, such as the aorta, carotids, and coronaries. However, it remains uncertain if there …
Publication
Atrial electrical alterations with intact cardiac structure and contractile function in a mouse model of an HCM-linked ACTN2 variant
Background: Missense variants of Z-disk protein, alpha-actinin-2 (ACTN2), have been linked to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). A novel ACTN2 missense variant, M228T, was identified in family members presenting with HCM and/or atrial arrhythmias. …
Publication
Single-cell RNAseq of Angiotensin II-induced abdominal aortic tissue identifies aneurysm-associated cell clusters in C57BL/6J mice
Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are life-threatening due to the rupture of aorta. Different vascular cell types are known to be involved in AAA development. However, whether any specific cell cluster plays a critical role during AAA formation is …
Publication
TRPC6-targeted dexamethasone nanobubbles with ultrasound-guided theranostics for adriamycin-induced nephropathy
Background: Glucocorticoid (GC) intolerance and systemic toxicity pose significant challenges in the treatment of primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS), underscoring the urgent need for targeted therapies that maximize efficacy while minimizing adverse …
Publication
USP24 upregulation stabilizes PKA-Cα to promote lipogenesis, inflammation, and fibrosis during MASH progression
Background: Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 24 (USP24), a deubiquitinating enzyme, regulates protein stability by removing ubiquitin. This study investigates the role of UPS24 in lipid metabolism, inflammation, and fibrosis. It also explores the effect of …
Publication
Non-destructive in vivo tracking of gelatin hydrogels for advancing tissue engineering
Photo-crosslinkable gelatin-based hydrogels hold great promise for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. However, monitoring these hydrogels in vivo remains challenging and limits their further development and clinical translation. Here, we …
Publication
DAPK1 acts as a positive regulator of hypertension via induction of vasoconstriction
Death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1) is a tumor suppressor gene involved in apoptosis, autophagy, and tumor progression. However, its role in hypertension (HTN) remains largely unexplored and lacks systematic evaluation. We administered …
Publication
Generation and characterization of a DYNLT1-knockout mouse model reveals electrophysiological alterations and potential mechanistic contributors to atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia that increases the risk of stroke and heart failure and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. However, its molecular pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. In this study, we generated a …