Current Molecular Medicine - Volume 10, Issue 3, 2010

Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is a glycoprotein that belongs to the superfamily of serine protease inhibitors. It was first purified from the conditioned media of human retinal pigment epithelial cells as a factor with potent neuronal differentiating activity. Recently, PEDF has been shown to be a highly effective inhibitor of angiogenesis in cell culture and animal models. Further, we, along with others, have found that Read More

Neuronal degeneration is closely associated with cognitive, motor and visual dysfunctions. Neuroprotective strategies have been investigated with the view to being employed as potential therapy for patients with these disabilities. Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is a 50-kDa secreted glycoprotein and a non-inhibitory member of the serine protease inhibitor (SERPIN) gene family. PEDF is detected in a broad range of hu Read More

Most diseases that cause blindness do so as a result of neovascularization. Angiogenesis is a complex process regulated in adult tissues by a large interacting network of molecules. In pathological conditions the checks and balances of the angiogenesis system go awry and endothelial cells of the microvasculature, proliferate, migrate, and form new but leaky vessels that invade the tissue. Hemorrhaging vessels cause edema a Read More

The vascular system has an important function of supplying tissues with oxygen and nutrients and clearing waste products. Therefore, the microvasculature must be sufficiently permeable to allow the free, bidirectional passage of small molecules and gases and, to a lesser extent, of plasma proteins. It is well recognized that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) can increase vascular permeability, thus playing im Read More

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) such as myocardial infarction and stroke is a leading cause of death in developed countries. Atherothrombosis, characterized by atherosclerotic lesion disruption with superimposed thrombus formation, is thought to be the major cause of CVD. Although remarkable therapeutic advances in the treatment of atherothrombosis have been made with anti-platelet and anti-thrombotic therapy, Read More

Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), one of the non-inhibitory serpines, is widely expressed throughout the body. Although PEDF was initially identified as a neuronal differentiation factor, more attention has been paid to its anti-angiogenic activity. Additionally, recent researches have demonstrated that PEDF has an anti-tumor effect against several human neoplasms. This review focuses on the pathological role of PED Read More

First discovered in 1991 as a factor secreted by retinal pigment epithelial cells, the potency of pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) as an anti-angiogenic has led to examination of its role in active bone growth, repair and remodelling. In the musculoskeletal system, PEDF expression occurs particularly at sites of active bone formation. Expression has been noted in osteoblasts and to a lesser degree osteoclasts, the major cla Read More

Pigment epithelial-derived factor (PEDF) is a 50-kDa secreted glycoprotein that belongs to the non-inhibitory serpin. It has an α/β core serine-protease inhibitor domain, 3 major β-sheets, and 10 α-helices. Although PEDF does not inhibit either serine or cysteine proteinases, PEDF exerts diverse physiological activities including anti-angiogenesis, anti-vasopermeability, anti-tumor, and neurotrophic activities. Recent studies Read More

Septic shock is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Endotoxin plays an important role in the pathogenesis of septic shock. Lack of clinical success with anti-endotoxin or anti-cytokine therapies has shifted interest to extracorporeal therapies to reduce circulating levels of various mediators for septic shock patients. Polymyxin B -immobilized polystyrene fiber (PMX-F) is a medical device that aims to remove circulati Read More

Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is reported to play a protective role against diabetic vascular complications through its anti-oxidative properties. However, since a commercially available kit is not suitable for measurement of serum PEDF in humans, kinetics and regulation of serum PEDF are not known in these devastating disorders. Therefore, we developed a simple, specific and reliable method for measurement of Read More

Damaged DNA can lead to aneuploidy and/or chromosomal instability, which is believed to be major contributor to tumor progression. DNA damage in response to genotoxic and oncogenic stresses activate the tumor suppressor pathways initiating DNA damage response (DDR). One of the cellular fates in response to DDR is permanent growth arrest in mitotically active cells, including stem cells, leading to senescence. On th Read More

The impact of selected antibiotics on combating malaria infections was discovered in the mid of last century. Only recently, studies on their modes of action in malaria parasites have been initiated, prompted by the discovery of a prokaryotic organelle, the apicoplast. This plastid-derived structure, which originates from a secondary endosymbiotic event, possesses important metabolic as well as housekeeping functions, in Read More