ABSTRACT
Vascular smooth muscle cell (vSMC) is the predominant cell type in the blood vessel wall and is constantly subjected to a complex extracellular microenvironment. Mechanical forces that are conveyed by changes in stiffness/elasticity, geometry and topology of the extracellular matrix have been indicated by experimental studies to affect the phenotype and function of vSMCs. vSMCs perceive the mechanical stimuli from matrix via specialized mechanosensors, translate these stimuli into biochemical signals controlling gene expression and activation, with the consequent modulation in controlling various aspects of SMC behaviors. Changes in vSMC behaviors may further cause disruption of vascular homeostasis and then lead to vascular remodeling. A better understanding of how SMC senses and transduces mechanical forces and how the extracellular mechano-microenvironments regulate SMC phenotype and function may contribute to the development of new therapeutics for vascular diseases.
Subject(s)
Humans , Biophysics , Cells, Cultured , Extracellular Matrix , Muscle, Smooth, Vascular , Myocytes, Smooth Muscle , Phenotype , Vascular RemodelingABSTRACT
The Her-2 proto-oncogene encodes a 185kDa transmenbrane glycoprotein p185 which has intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity. It is overexpressed in several malignant human tumors like breast cancer. A chimeric antibody by assembling a single-chain Fv antibody and a human IgG1 Fc fragment was constructed. This chimeric antibody reacts with tumor surface antigen p185c-erbB-2 specifically. In order to put the antibody into clinical application, two steps purification method was used to attain the antibody’s purity more than 95%. Both the lyophilized pharmaceutical formulations of the antibody were found. The formulations can keep the stability and activity of the antibody for at least one year. These results were the foundation of the chimeric antibody for cancer therapy.