Utility of syntenic relationships of VDAC1 pseudogenes for not only an understanding of the phylogenetic divergence history of rodents, but also ascertaining possible pseudogene candidates as genuine pseudogenes

Rodent and human genomes were screened to identify pseudogenes of the type 1 voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC1) in mitochondria. In addition to the 16 pseudogenes of rat VDAC1 identified in our recent study, 15 and 13 sequences were identified as pseudogenes of VDAC1 in mouse and human genome, respectively; and 4, 2, and 1 sequences, showing lower similarities with the VDAC1 sequence, were identified as “possible pseudogene candidates” in rat, mouse, and human, respectively. No syntenic combination was observed between rodent and human pseudogenes, but 2 and 1 possible pseudogene candidates of VDAC1 of rat and mouse, respectively, were found to have syntenic counterparts in mouse and rat genome, respectively; and these syntenic counterparts were genuine VDAC1 pseudogenes. Therefore, syntenic combinations of pseudogenes of VDAC1 were useful not only for a better understanding of the phylogenetic divergence history of rodents but also for ascertaining possible pseudogene candidates as genuine pseudogenes

Perifascial areolar tissue graft promotes angiogenesis and wound healing in an exposed ischemic component rabbit model.

Multiple studies have reported the use of perifascial areolar tissue (PAT) grafts to treat wounds involving exposed ischemic tissues, avascular structures, and defective membrane structures. Our objective was to assess the quantitative effects of PAT grafts and their suitability for wounds with ischemic tissue exposure and to qualitatively determine the factors through which PAT promotes wound healing and repair. We conducted histological, immunohistochemical, and mass spectrometric analyses of the PAT grafts. PAT grafts contain numerous CD34+ progenitor/stem cells, extracellular matrix, growth factors, and cytokines that promote wound healing and angiogenesis. Furthermore, we established a male rabbit model to compare the efficacy of PAT grafting with that of an occlusive dressing treatment (control) for wounds with cartilage exposure. PAT grafts could cover ischemic components with granulation tissue and promote angiogenesis. Macroscopic and histological observations of the PAT graft on postoperative day seven revealed capillaries bridging the ischemic tissue (vascular bridging). Additionally, the PAT graft suppressed wound contraction and alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) levels and promoted epithelialization. These findings suggested that PAT can serve as a platform to enhance wound healing and promote angiogenesis. This is the first study to quantify the therapeutic efficacy of PAT grafts, revealing their high value for the treatment of wounds involving exposed ischemic structures. The effectiveness of PAT grafts can be attributed to two primary factors: vascular bridging and the provision of three essential elements (progenitor/stem cells, extracellular matrix molecules, and growth factors/cytokines). Moreover, PAT grafts may be used as transplant materials to mitigate excessive wound contraction and the development of hypertrophic scarring

Emerging Role of AP-1 Transcription Factor JunB in Angiogenesis and Vascular Development

Blood vessels are essential for the formation and maintenance of almost all functional tissues. They play fundamental roles in the supply of oxygen and nutrition, as well as development and morphogenesis. Vascular endothelial cells are the main factor in blood vessel formation. Recently, research findings showed heterogeneity in vascular endothelial cells in different tissue/organs. Endothelial cells alter their gene expressions depending on their cell fate or angiogenic states of vascular development in normal and pathological processes. Studies on gene regulation in endothelial cells demonstrated that the activator protein 1 (AP-1) transcription factors are implicated in angiogenesis and vascular development. In particular, it has been revealed that JunB (a member of the AP-1 transcription factor family) is transiently induced in endothelial cells at the angiogenic frontier and controls them on tip cells specification during vascular development. Moreover, JunB plays a role in tissue-specific vascular maturation processes during neurovascular interaction in mouse embryonic skin and retina vasculatures. Thus, JunB appears to be a new angiogenic factor that induces endothelial cell migration and sprouting particularly in neurovascular interaction during vascular development. In this review, we discuss the recently identified role of JunB in endothelial cells and blood vessel formation

Wound closure analysis.

A. Open wound area in each group on days 7 and 14. * P B. Open wound length of each group on days 7 and 14. ** P C. Wound contraction length of each group on days 7 and 14. ** P D. Wound closure length, rate of epithelialization, and wound contraction. The displayed value represents the rate of epithelialization and wound contraction lengths compared to the created wound length. Left: control. Right: PAT. E. Anti-α-SMA immunostaining. Left: control on day 7; second: PAT on day 7; third: control on day 14; Right: PAT on day 14. F. Level of α-SMA expression on days 7 and 14. ** P < 0.01. N = 30 per group. PAT: perifascial areolar tissue group.</p

Materials and methods.

A. A schematic representation of the materials and methods employed. PAT: perifascial areolar tissue. B. Measurement of granulation tissue. The central 10-mm area represents a perichondrium defect; the outer 10-mm area represents a healthy perichondrium. Yellow dotted line: granulation tissue; orange line: granulation tissue thickness; green line: length of granulation tissue. C. Measuring the open wound, wound contraction, and epithelialization. Black triangle: first hair follicle near the wound edge; yellow triangle: epithelial tip.</p

Wound healing evaluation.

A. Comparison of granulation ability between perichondrium and the perichondrial defect areas in the control group. Left: thickness of granulation tissue. ** P Right: length of granulation tissue. ** P B. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining findings at the perichondrial defect on days 7 and 14. Yellow dotted line: granulation tissue. PAT: perifascial areolar tissue. C. Comparison of the control and PAT granulation ability at the perichondrial defect. Left: thickness of granulation tissue. * P P Right: length of granulation tissue. * P P D. Representative histological and immunohistochemical findings for angiogenesis at the perichondrial defect on days 7 and 14, shown in the sequence of H&E staining, anti-CD31 immunostaining (CD31), and anti-CD34 immunostaining (CD34). Red arrow: CD31+ cells; yellow arrow: CD34+/CD31₋ cells. E. Angiogenesis at the perichondrial defect. Left: count of CD31₋ expressing cells. Right: level of CD34 expression at the perichondrial defect. ** P F. Gene Ontology term enrichment analysis of the top 100 molecules using Metascape. The upper black arrow indicates the response wound signaling pathway, and the lower black arrow indicates the vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGFA)/ vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2) signaling pathway.</p

Minimal underlying data set for the study.

Multiple studies have reported the use of perifascial areolar tissue (PAT) grafts to treat wounds involving exposed ischemic tissues, avascular structures, and defective membrane structures. Our objective was to assess the quantitative effects of PAT grafts and their suitability for wounds with ischemic tissue exposure and to qualitatively determine the factors through which PAT promotes wound healing and repair. We conducted histological, immunohistochemical, and mass spectrometric analyses of the PAT grafts. PAT grafts contain numerous CD34+ progenitor/stem cells, extracellular matrix, growth factors, and cytokines that promote wound healing and angiogenesis. Furthermore, we established a male rabbit model to compare the efficacy of PAT grafting with that of an occlusive dressing treatment (control) for wounds with cartilage exposure. PAT grafts could cover ischemic components with granulation tissue and promote angiogenesis. Macroscopic and histological observations of the PAT graft on postoperative day seven revealed capillaries bridging the ischemic tissue (vascular bridging). Additionally, the PAT graft suppressed wound contraction and alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) levels and promoted epithelialization. These findings suggested that PAT can serve as a platform to enhance wound healing and promote angiogenesis. This is the first study to quantify the therapeutic efficacy of PAT grafts, revealing their high value for the treatment of wounds involving exposed ischemic structures. The effectiveness of PAT grafts can be attributed to two primary factors: vascular bridging and the provision of three essential elements (progenitor/stem cells, extracellular matrix molecules, and growth factors/cytokines). Moreover, PAT grafts may be used as transplant materials to mitigate excessive wound contraction and the development of hypertrophic scarring.</div

Top 25 extracellular matrix proteins, top 25 membrane proteins, and top six growth factors and cytokines in perifascial areolar tissue.

Top 25 extracellular matrix proteins, top 25 membrane proteins, and top six growth factors and cytokines in perifascial areolar tissue.</p