L-selectin is a calcium-dependent lectin on leukocytes mediating leukocyte rolling in high endothelial venules and inflamed microvessels. Many selectin ligands require modification of glycoproteins by leukocyte core2 beta1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (Core2GlcNAcT-I). To test the role of Core2GlcNAcT-I for L-selectin ligand biosynthesis, we investigated leukocyte rolling in venules of unt...

To determine role of estrogen receptors in testicular descent, a morphometric study of the testis and structures derived from the gubernaculum was made in sexually mature male mice having an estrogen receptor disrupted gene mutation (ERKO). Macroscopic dissections and sagittal serial sections were made of the pelvis of four wild-type mice, four mice heterozygous for the ERKO mutation, and four ...

During exercise, local mechanisms in tissues cause arterioles to rapidly dilate to increase blood flow to tissues to meet the metabolic demands of contracting muscle. Despite decades of study, the mechanisms underlying this important aspect of blood flow control are still far from clear. We now report a novel mechanism wherein fibronectin fibrils in connective tissue matrices transduce signals ...

OBJECTIVE Despite the role that extracellular matrix (ECM) plays in vascular signaling, little is known of the complex structural arrangement between specific ECM proteins and vascular smooth muscle cells. Our objective was to examine the hypothesis that adventitial elastin fibers are dominant in vessels subject to longitudinal stretch. METHODS AND RESULTS Cremaster muscle arterioles were iso...

Previous studies report functional differences in large conductance Ca2+ activated-K+ channels (BKCa) of smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from rat cerebral and cremaster muscle resistance arteries. The present studies aimed to determine if this complexity in BKCa activity may, in part, be due to splice variants in the pore-forming α-subunit. BKCa variants in the intracellular C terminus of the α-subu...

Background: New findings point out that the mechanism of formation of the hernias can be related to the collagenous tissues, under activity of aggressive agents such as the tobacco, alcohol and diabetes. Aim: To analyze the collagen present in the cremaster muscle in patients with inguinal hernias, focusing the effect of tobacco, alcohol, and diabetes. Methods: Fifteen patients with ingu...

Alterations in resting tone, maximum diameter, and dilator reactivity to acetylcholine (ACH) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were assessed in cremaster muscle microvessels of Sprague-Dawley rats receiving angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition with captopril for 4 days and in untreated time-control rats. The transilluminated in situ cremaster muscle was superfused with physiologic salt s...

Vascular smooth muscle (VSM) transmembrane potentials (Em) were measured in situ in small branch arteries (150-300-microns o.d.), small branch veins (300-400-microns o.d.), arterioles (90-150-microns o.d.), and venules (80-250-microns o.d.) in the mesenteric and gracilis muscle and the arterioles and venules of cremaster muscle vascular beds in anesthetized rats with reduced renal mass hyperten...