AIM To examine the histology of preserved anterior lens capsule in vitrectomised and lensectomised rabbit eyes with and without silicone oil tamponade. METHODS Forty adult Japanese albino rabbits received two port vitrectomy and lensectomy with or without silicone oil tamponade in one eye under both general and topical anaesthesia. Anterior lens capsule was preserved during operation. After h...

The novel approach of tissue engineering to treat many forms of liver diseases using hepatocytes requires sufficient numbers and sustained survival of the transplanted cells. It has been shown that providing extracellular matrix components extracted from Engelbreth-HolmSwarm cells (EHS-ECMs) to heterotopically transplanted hepatocytes allows significantly greater hepatocyte survival. We investi...

Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast that causes systemic mycosis in immunosuppressed individuals. Recent studies have determined that this fungus produces vesicles that are released to the extracellular environment both in vivo and in vitro. These vesicles contain assorted cargo that includes several molecules associated with virulence and implicated in host-pathogen interactions, ...

OBJECTIVES We evaluated mRNA expression levels of genes that encode TGF-β1; the TGF-β1 receptor; the collagen-modifying enzymes LOX, PLOD1, and PLOD2; and the extracellular matrix proteins COMP, FN1, TNC and TNXB in synovial/capsule specimens from patients with idiopathic adhesive capsulitis. Possible associations between the measured mRNA levels and clinical parameters were also investigated. ...

Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii cause meningoencephalitis and are an increasing human health threat. These pathogenic Cryptococcus species are neurotropic and persist in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the mammalian host during infection. In order to survive in the host, pathogenic fungi must procure nutrients, such as carbon and nitrogen, from the CSF. To enhance our understanding of nu...

Cryptococcus neoformans is a common environmental yeast and opportunistic pathogen responsible for 15% of AIDS-related deaths worldwide. Mortality primarily results from meningoencephalitis, which occurs when fungal cells disseminate to the brain from the initial pulmonary infection site. A key C. neoformans virulence trait is the polysaccharide capsule. Capsule shields C. neoformans from immun...

Introduction: Among the components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and basement membrane (BM), laminitis heterotrimeric glycoprotein (laminin) and collagen type IV are the most important. In a previous study we have examined the role of collagen type IV in the developing lens capsule. The present study aims to determine the appearance and distribution of laminin in the BM and ECM of lenses ...

A general review is presented of our current understanding of the fine structure of the lens, its capsule, and zonular fibers, and illustrated with original material from the human lens. The principal points emphasized include the nature of the capsule as a laminated basement membrane; the relative paucity of extracellular space; the presence of interdigitating cell processes in the epithelium ...

introduction: among the components of the extracellular matrix (ecm) and basement membrane (bm), laminitis heterotrimeric glycoprotein (laminin) and collagen type iv are the most important. in a previous study we have examined the role of collagen type iv in the developing lens capsule. the present study aims to determine the appearance and distribution of laminin in the bm and ecm of lenses du...

Bacterial polysaccharides are usually associated with the outer surface of the bacterium. They can form an amorphous layer of extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) surrounding the cell that may be further organized into a distinct structure termed a capsule. Additional polysaccharide molecules such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or lipooligosaccharide (LOS) may also decorate the cell surface. Polysac...