Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 2 of 2
Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences
Mouse Models Of Intervertebral Disc Development, Degeneration And Mechanical Loading, Matthew R. Mccann
Mouse Models Of Intervertebral Disc Development, Degeneration And Mechanical Loading, Matthew R. Mccann
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a complex and multi-factorial process that is influenced by aging, genetic predispositions and environmental influences, such as altered mechanical loading. While recent studies have begun to characterize changes in the IVD associated with degeneration, the underlying etiology remains elusive. It is thought that the loss of notochord cells from the nucleus pulposus (NP) is one initiating factor contributing to the cascade of disc degeneration. However, questions remain about the function of notochord cells within the disc, including their capacity as tissue specific progenitor cells for the nucleus pulposus. We have demonstrated, with the use of …
Tak1 Mediates Tgf Beta-1 Responses In Gingival Fibroblasts, Hanna Kuk
Tak1 Mediates Tgf Beta-1 Responses In Gingival Fibroblasts, Hanna Kuk
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
In fibroblasts, transforming growth factor β-1 (TGFβ1) signals via canonical and non-canonical pathways to promote wound healing or hyper-contractile responses resulting in scars. The oral cavity however does not scar and fibrotic responses such as gingival hyperplasia are characterized by a hyper-proliferative response. The involvement of non-canonical, TGFβ-activated kinase-1 (TAK1) - mediated TGFβ1 signaling in gingival fibroblasts has not been previously examined. Here I show that TAK1 selective inhibitor (5Z)-7-Oxozeaenol blocks TGFβ1-induced expression of wound healing and fibrotic marker CCN2 (connective tissue growth factor) in gingival fibroblasts. Genome-wide expression profiling revealed that essentially all TGFβ1 induced genes were in fact …