Abstract Alternatively activated “M2” macrophages are believed to function during late stages of wound healing, behaving in an anti-inflammatory manner to mediate the resolution of the ...pro-inflammatory response caused by “M1” macrophages. However, the differences between two main subtypes of M2 macrophages, namely interleukin-4 (IL-4)-stimulated “M2a” macrophages and IL-10-stimulated “M2c” macrophages, are not well understood. M2a macrophages are characterized by their ability to inhibit inflammation and contribute to the stabilization of angiogenesis. However, the role and temporal profile of M2c macrophages in wound healing are not known. Therefore, we performed next generation sequencing (RNA-seq) to identify biological functions and gene expression signatures of macrophages polarized in vitro with IL-10 to the M2c phenotype in comparison to M1 and M2a macrophages and an unactivated control (M0). We then explored the expression of these gene signatures in a publicly available data set of human wound healing. RNA-seq analysis showed that hundreds of genes were upregulated in M2c macrophages compared to the M0 control, with thousands of alternative splicing events. Following validation by Nanostring, 39 genes were found to be upregulated by M2c macrophages compared to the M0 control, and 17 genes were significantly upregulated relative to the M0, M1, and M2a phenotypes (using an adjusted p-value cutoff of 0.05 and fold change cutoff of 1.5). Many of the identified M2c-specific genes are associated with angiogenesis, matrix remodeling, and phagocytosis, including CD163, MMP8, TIMP1, VCAN, SERPINA1, MARCO, PLOD2, PCOCLE2 and F5 . Analysis of the macrophage-conditioned media for secretion of matrix-remodeling proteins showed that M2c macrophages secreted higher levels of MMP7, MMP8, and TIMP1 compared to the other phenotypes. Interestingly, temporal gene expression analysis of a publicly available microarray data set of human wound healing showed that M2c-related genes were upregulated at early times after injury, similar to M1-related genes, while M2a-related genes appeared at later stages or were downregulated after injury. While further studies are required to confirm the timing and role of M2c macrophages in vivo , these results suggest that M2c macrophages may function at early stages of wound healing. Identification of markers of the M2c phenotype will allow more detailed investigations into the role of M2c macrophages in vivo.
An examination is made of the growing involvement of foreign companies in US R&D, the motives of foreign direct investments in the US, and the operations of foreign-affiliated R&D laboratories in the ...US. Since 1980, foreign direct investments in R&D in the US have been tracked, and the US R&D activities of foreign-affiliated laboratories for the US Department of Commerce have been monitored. Findings of the research for the US Department of Commerce are highlighted, and lessons are drawn from the studies of other scholars that have examined foreign participation in US R&D.
Neural interactions with materials Dalton, Paul Donald; Mey, Joerg
Frontiers in bioscience,
01/2009, Letnik:
14, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
This article focuses on cell-material interactions of neurons in the context of nerve regeneration and tissue engineering applications. In this review, the cellular and molecular environment of ...neurons is described in both the uninjured and injured tissue. The interactions between specific materials and neurons is explained, in addition to heterogeneous substrates and guiding scaffolds that are used experimentally.
The number o f U.S. R&D facilities of foreign companies has increased significantly during the last five years. Some 250 R&D facilities in the United States are owned by more than 100 foreign parent ...companies. These R&D facilities are primarily owned by Japanese, German, British, French, and South Korean parent companies and are heavily concentrated in the electronics, biotechnology and automotive industries. Foreign R&D facilities in the U.S. focus on different types of activities, such as technology scanning, product application research, product customization, product design and development, and basic research. In recent years, a number of foreign R&D facilities in the U.S. have greatly expanded the scope of their operations and are increasingly conducting higher-value-added R&D.
Multinational companies from the US, Europe, and Asia are accelerating the pace of their direct investments in overseas R&D. More than 100 multinational companies have acquired multiple laboratories ...abroad and are increasingly tapping into these laboratories for new sources of technologies. Impressive as the raw data are, however, it is believed their real significance lies in what they reveal about the evolution of R&D globalization. Now companies are making overseas investments to complement their domestic research, technology and product strengths. Overseas R&D operations are thus becoming important sources of new science and technology for the entire global corporation.
According to the latest figures from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) of the US Department of Commerce, foreign R&D expenditures in the US increased from $15.5 billion in 1994 to $17.6 billion ...in 1995. Foreign-owned companies accounted for 18% of total company-funded R&D in the US, up from 16.1% in 1994 and 15% in 1993. An important development during the past 3 years is the expansion of US R&D activity by South Korean firms.
A new study reveals a marked rise in US activity of R&D by foreign companies. How large is direct foreign investment in R&D in the USA? What exactly do these facilities research and develop? Why have ...non-US companies set up new operations or expanded existing facilities for R&D in the USA? How do these firms decide where to locate? To address these and related questions, the operations of over 50 European, Japanese, and South Korean R&D facilities were studied. All belong to the the electronics, biotechnology or automotive industries. The results of this study are analysed.< >
Responses of 480 students aged 11-18, living in varied communities in Ga, to the Dalton Vocational Importance Questionnaire were analyzed to determine effects of race, ability, & SES on perceived ...importance of capacities, interests, & values. Low-ability Ss perceived values as more important than did middle-ability & high-ability Ss. Blacks perceived capacities & values as more important than did whites. High-status & low-status Ss perceived capacities as more important than did middle-status Ss. Modified HA.
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