Project description:Previously, we demonstrated using a rat model of spinal cord injury (SCI) that bladder wall tissue compliance significantly increased within the first 2 weeks following injury. In order to explore the potential molecular-level mechanisms of this event, the present study quantified molecules pertinent to bladder tissue remodeling and changes in mechanical properties. An initial gene array analysis followed by real-time qPCR revealed that the message levels for tropoelastin and lysyl oxidase were as high as 8-fold in SCI rats compared to normal. Furthermore, both the message and protein levels of TGF-beta1 and IGF-1, known stimulators of elastin synthesis, in SCI rat bladders were significantly higher compared to those of normal rats. Taken together, it can be speculated that functional changes of the bladder associated with SCI induce release of select growth factors, which, in turn, stimulate elastogenesis that lead to alteration of biomechanical properties of the wall tissue.
Project description:Metzincins and related genes (MARGS) play important roles in ECM remodeling in fibrotic conditions. In this investigation, gene expression was examined in a rat model to investigate whether the previously described MARGS based fibrosis classifier had diagnostic value in an experimental rat model of lithium-induced renal fibrosis
Project description:The aim of this cDNA array study is to search for advanced markers related to the pathogenesis of ketamine-induced cystitis. The result revealed a number of gene expressions involved in chronic wound healing response and collagen accumulation, which were closely related to fibrosis progression in the connective tissue of mice urinary bladder.
Project description:Using RNA-seq analysis, we study a DEN-induced HCC rat model during fibrosis progression and HCC development with special focus on liver inflammatory microenvironment. RNA-seq results show that DEN-induced liver tumors in rat model share remarkable molecular characteristics with human HCC, especially with HCC associated with high proliferation. In conclusion, our study provides detailed insight into the hepatocarcinogenesis in a commonly used model of HCC, facilitating the future use of this model for preclinical testing.
Project description:During cyclophosphamide (CYP) induced ctstitis progression differential expression of microRNAs (miRs) play a role in urinary bladder inflammation and detrusor function. We identified eight UBs miRs that are known to be involved in various other bladder pathologies which exhibited altered expression in CYP mice and e predicted to have a role in inflammation and smooth muscle function (miR-34c-5p, -34b-3p, -212-3p, -449a-5p, -21a-3p, -376b-3p, -376b-5p and -409-5p).