Mast cell derived carboxypeptidase A3 is decreased among patients with advanced coronary artery disease

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) affects milions of people and can result in myocardialinfarction (MI). Previously, mast cells (MC) have been extensively investigated in the context of hypersensitivity,however as regulators of the local inflammatory response they can potentially contribute toCAD and/or its progression. The aim of the study was to assess if serum concentration of MC proteases:carboxypeptidase A3, cathepsin G and chymase 1 is associated with the extension of CAD and MI.Methods: The 44 patients with angiographically confirmed CAD (23 subjects with non-ST-segmentelevation MI [NSTEMI] and 21 with stable CAD) were analyzed. Clinical data were obtained as wellserum concentrations of carboxypeptidase A3, cathepsin G and chymase 1 were also measured.Results: Patients with single vessel CAD had higher serum concentration of carboxypeptidase thanthose with more advanced CAD (3838.6 ± 1083.1 pg/mL vs. 2715.6 ± 442.5 pg/mL; p = 0.02). Therewere no significant differences in levels of any protease between patients with stable CAD and those withNSTEMI. Patients with hypertension had ≈2-fold lower serum levels of cathepsin G than normotensiveindividuals (4.6 ± 0.9 pg/mL vs. 9.4 ± 5.8 pg/mL; p = 0.001). Cathepsin G levels were also decreasedin sera of the current smokers as compared with non-smokers (3.1 ± 1.2 ng/mL vs. 5.8 ± 1.2 ng/mL,p = 0.02).Conclusions: Decreased serum level of carboxypeptidase is a hallmark of more advanced CAD. Lowerserum levels of carboxypeptidase A3 and catepsin G are associated with risk factors of blood vessel damagesuggesting a protective role of these enzymes in CAD

Statin treatment and serum levels of VEGF.

<p>Healthy and hypertensive individuals treated with statins had increased serum levels of VEGF when compared with not treated subjects (Mann- Whitney U test; p = 0.04). The data are presented as medians (symbols inside the boxes), 25–75% percentiles (boundaries of the boxes) and minimum-maximum (error bars outside the boxes). Statistical significance (p<0.05) is marked with “*”.</p

Angiogenin concentration in hypertension.

<p>Patients with hypertension were characterized by lower serum concentration of angiogenin than healthy individuals (Mann- Whitney U test; p = 0.01). The data are presented as medians (symbols inside the boxes), 25–75% percentiles (boundaries of the boxes) and minimum—maximum (error bars outside the boxes). Statistical significance (p<0.05) is marked with “*”.</p

Taxonomic Position and Phylogeny of the Genus <i>Vargasiella</i> (Orchidaceae, Vandoideae) Based on Molecular and Morphological Evidence

<div><p>Since the description of the Neotropical genus <i>Vargasiella</i> in 1952, its taxonomic position has remained unclear, mainly due to a lack of sufficient data. In this study, the taxonomic position of <i>Vargasiella</i> was revised based on the outcomes of macro- and micromorphological studies, analyses of selected molecular markers and ecological methods of niche distribution modeling. The phylogenetic relationships were inferred using three DNA markers: <i>mat</i>K, <i>trn</i>L-F and ITS sequences. The morphological studies included the analysis of macromorphological features of herbarium specimens as well as micromorphological examination of preserved flowers. The ecological niche modeling was applied to identify the distribution of the suitable niches of the studied taxa. The relationships between <i>Vargasiella</i> and most similar taxa remain unresolved based on the molecular analysis. The outcomes from the morphological studies indicated significant differences between <i>Vargasiella, Warrea</i> and <i>Warreopsis</i>. Moreover, a niche shift in response to changing climate after the last glacial maximum is observed in <i>Vargasiella</i>, while no substantial changes in the occupied habitats were identified in the other related taxa. The clocktree of the Zygopetaleae estimated from the <i>mat</i>K gene indicated that the most recent common ancestors of <i>Vargasiella</i>, <i>Warrea</i> and <i>Warreopsis</i> originated in the Miocene, while the divergence time for <i>Vargasiella</i> and <i>Warrea</i> was assessed at approximately 5.4 Ma ago. <i>Vargasiella</i> seems to be an outshoot of the main branch of evolution of the Zygopetaleae. It is noteworthy that the <i>Vargasiella-Warrea</i> dichotomy could have taken place later than the divergence of <i>Warreopsis</i> from the mutual lineage. The molecular analysis and morphological data suggest that <i>Vargasiella</i> and <i>Warrea</i> could have evolved from a common ancestor. Accumulation of morphological differences and acceleration of the evolution of <i>Vargasiella</i> were more intensive than in other Warreinae and this could probably be synchronized with adaptation to different climatic conditions.</p></div

<i>Vargasiella venezuelana</i> C.Schweinf.

<p>(A) Lip with central fleshy disc divided into two thickenings. (B) Lip base. (C) Details of (B): the irregularly sized rounded cells to obpyriform and conical papillae, visible cuticle swellings on the cells. (D) Lip middle part and apex. (E) Detail of (D). Surface between thickenings built by the obpyriform to slightly conical papillae (F). (G) Conical papillae present on the thickenings; Visible cuticle swellings on the cells (F-G). (H) The involute undulate margins built by groups of elongated conical papillae. (I) Papillae (detail of H) covered by undulated cuticle, cuticle swellings also present.</p

Current distribution of the suitable habitats of Vargasiella (A), Warrea costaricensis (B), Warrea warreana (C), Warreopsis pardina (D) and Warreopsis parviflora (E).

<p>Current distribution of the suitable habitats of Vargasiella (A), Warrea costaricensis (B), Warrea warreana (C), Warreopsis pardina (D) and Warreopsis parviflora (E).</p

Distribution of the suitable habitats of <i>Vargasiella</i> (A), <i>Warrea costaricensis</i> (B), <i>Warrea warreana</i> (C), <i>Warreopsis pardina</i> (D) and <i>Warreopsis parviflora</i> (E) during LGM.

<p>Distribution of the suitable habitats of <i>Vargasiella</i> (A), <i>Warrea costaricensis</i> (B), <i>Warrea warreana</i> (C), <i>Warreopsis pardina</i> (D) and <i>Warreopsis parviflora</i> (E) during LGM.</p

Flowers of <i>Vargasiella peruviana</i> (A) and <i>Warrea warreana</i> (B-C).

<p>Photos: T. Kusibab.</p