Mechanisms of integration of cells and extracellular matrices by integrins.

CD147 (Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase Inducer-EMMPRIN) Expression by Human Articular Chondrocytes

Background: Integrins are a family of transmembrane proteins that allow communication between the extracellular matrix and the interior of cells. Chondrocytes, cells of articular cartilage, express integrins and these molecules appear to have a variety of roles including mechanotransduction. Integrins are known to associate with a number of accessory molecules such as CD147 that may act to regu...

Ovarian Stimulation by Exogenous Gonadotropin Decreases the Implantation Rate and Expression of Mouse Blastocysts Integrins

Background: Integrins are heterodimeric glycoprotein receptors that regulate the interaction of cells with extracellular matrix and may have a critical role in implantation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ovulation induction on the expression of α4, αv, β1, and β3 integrins in mouse blastocyst at the time of implantation. Methods: The ovarian stimulated and non-stimulate...

Improvement of Expression of α6 and β1 Integrins by the Co-culture of Adult Mouse Spermatogonial Stem Cells with SIM Mouse Embryonic Fibroblast Cells (STO) and Growth Factors

I-28: Role of Mevalonate-Ras Homology (Rho)/Rho-Associated Coiled-Coil-Forming Protein Ki nase-Mediated Signaling Pathway in The Pathogenesis of Endometriosis-Associated Fibrosis

Background: Endometriosis, a disease affecting 3-10% of women of reproductive age, is characterized by the ectopic growth of endometrial glands and stroma surrounded by dense fibrous tissue. Whereas, normal eutopic endometrium shows scarless tissue repair during menstrual cycles, which suggests that the endometriotic tissues have distinct mechanisms of fibrogenesis. During the development of en...

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase activation by mechanical stretch is integrin-dependent and matrix-specific in rat cardiac fibroblasts.

Integrins, which connect the cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix and mediate a variety of signaling cascades, may transduce mechanical stimuli into biochemical signals. We studied integrin- and matrix-dependent activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK2), c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK1), and p38 in response to 4% static biaxial stretch in rat cardiac fibroblasts. ERK2 and J...