ScienceDaily (Nov. 13, 2012) Max Planck researchers are investigating the signalling pathways via which the smooth muscle cells of blood vessels react to extracellular changes.

Blood vessels are extremely dynamic: depending on the external conditions, they can adapt their permeability for nutrients, their contractility, and even their shape. Unlike cardiac muscle cells, for example, the smooth muscle cells in blood vessels demonstrate a high degree of plasticity, so they can specialise or multiply as required, even repairing damage to the vessel wall. This vascular remodelling is evidently precisely regulated. Disruptions are extremely significant in conditions such as atherosclerosis or high blood pressure. At the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research in Bad Nauheim, scientists conducting research on genetically modified mice have discovered how external signals regulate vascular remodelling at cell level. This has created an entirely new understanding of regulation, which could pave the way for new approaches in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis and other vascular diseases.

The walls of blood vessels consist of smooth muscle cells, elastic fibres, and endothelial cells, which line the interior surface of the vessel. The vessels change their permeability and contractility as required. If a blood vessel is damaged, existing smooth muscle cells can give rise to new specialised muscle cells to repair it. However, in the case of a vascular problem, this necessary and useful cell plasticity can have negative consequences. For example, if a coronary blood vessel is opened up with dilatation and stents via a catheter, muscle cell growth may cause it to narrow once again. In the common condition atherosclerosis or vascular calcification, too, remodelling processes lead to formation of the dreaded plaque. All these processes are regulated by hormones or neurotransmitters, some of which are released by cells and nerves in the vessel wall. Most of these vasoactive messengers work by binding to receptors, which in turn, once activated, bind to what are known as G proteins. These are situated on the inside of the cell membrane and relay the signal from there into the cell interior.

"There are two different families of G proteins which play a crucial role in vascular remodelling. They are called Gq/G11 and G12/G13 after their protein components," explains Max Planck scientist Stefan Offermanns, who has been researching these proteins and their molecular signalling pathways for several years now. In the latest study on genetically modified mice, the team was able to demonstrate for the first time how, in a living animal, these two signalling pathways are regulated by messengers. "Contrary to expectations, the two G protein-mediated signalling pathways antagonistically regulate the plasticity of smooth muscle cells," says Offermanns, summarising the findings. This is surprising in that these signalling pathways act together in other contexts: stimuli that promote vessel contraction and thus increase blood pressure activate both signalling pathways in parallel.

In order to investigate the signalling pathways and their regulation, Till Althoff, who headed the study, examined mice whose genes for the various G proteins he had specifically deactivated. Thus the researcher was able to show, for example, that in a mouse suffering from atherosclerosis and missing G12/G13 in the smooth muscle cells, these cells begin to grow excessively -- the result was a considerably thickened vessel wall. By contrast, animals lacking a Gq/G11 protein were protected against this thickening of the cell wall.

"We see here clearly that in vascular remodelling the two signalling pathways work as antagonists," Offermanns explains. Which is only sensible, as it is the only way a system can balance cell growth and regression. In further tests, the scientists also demonstrated the steps required for the two pathways to achieve their objective and stimulate the genes in the cell interior responsible for generating specialised cells or for cell growth.

"Our results really do reveal a completely new picture of the regulation of vascular remodelling, also in pathological processes," says Offermanns. The researchers are therefore hopeful that new pharmacological approaches can be developed. Offermanns can well imagine, for example, that drugs could be used to modulate plasticity in cases of vascular diseases like atherosclerosis or after cardiological interventions. Now that the target structures in both signalling pathways have been identified, new possibilities are opening up. For instance, the pathway that promotes growth could be blocked and the stabilising pathway activated in order to slow down the remodelling process. "In animal models we are already investigating new therapeutic approaches to preventing atherosclerosis and suppressing cell growth in damaged vessels," reports Offermanns.

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CAMBRIDGE, MA -- An improving housing market and record low interest rates are driving projections of strong gains in home improvement activity through the end of the year and into the first half of 2013, according to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) released today by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. The LIRA suggests that the seeds for what appears to be a very robust remodeling recovery have been planted, with annual homeowner improvement spending expected to reach double-digit growth in the first half of 2013.

"After a bump in home improvement activity during the mild winter, there was a bit of a pause this summer," says Eric S. Belsky, managing director of the Joint Center. "However, the LIRA is projecting an acceleration in market activity beginning this quarter, and strengthening as we move into the new year."

"Strong growth in sales of existing homes and housing starts, coupled with historically low financing costs, have typically been associated with an upturn in home remodeling activity some months later," says Kermit Baker, director of the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center. "While the housing market has faced some unique challenges in recent years, this combination is expected to produce a favorable outlook for home improvement spending over the coming months."

The Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) is designed to estimate national homeowner spending on improvements for the current quarter and subsequent three quarters. The indicator, measured as an annual rate-of-change of its components, provides a short-term outlook of homeowner remodeling activity and is intended to help identify future turning points in the business cycle of the home improvement industry. The development of the LIRA is detailed in "Developing a Leading Indicator for the Remodeling Industry" (JCHS Research Note N07-1). In July 2008, the LIRA was re-benchmarked due to changes in the underlying reference series. These changes are explained in "Addendum to Research Note N07-1: Re-Benchmarking the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity" (JCHS Research Note N08-1). The LIRA is released by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University in the third week after each quarter's closing. The next LIRA release date is January 17, 2013.

The Remodeling Futures Program, initiated by the Joint Center for Housing Studies in 1995, is a comprehensive study of the factors influencing the growth and changing characteristics of housing renovation and repair activity in the United States. The Program seeks to produce a better understanding of the home improvement industry and its relationship to the broader residential construction industry.

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Minecraft Let #39;s Play Ep 3: IT #39;S A TRAP!
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Kansas City Remodeling Including Basements, Kitchens, And Bathrooms
New Dimension Builders LLC. http://www.newdimensionbuilders.net https Rick Meireis (816) 839-2829 rick.ndb@gmail.com On top of all of our commercial and residential services, we also provide a wide variety of general services including flooring, painting, siding, and windows.From:Rick MeireisViews:0 0ratingsTime:00:40More inHowto Style

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General Contractor Carterville IL Mid South Builders
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An Introduction from Mike with MK White
Call today for your free quote: Mike: (818) 808-6140 Kristi: (562) 644-0141 or email: mkwhitellc@gmail.com Providing professional home remodeling and renovations to Omaha, Council Bluffs and surrounding areas.From:Michael WhiteViews:1 0ratingsTime:00:24More inPeople Blogs

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Lameplay Theater - Phantasy Star Online 2 Shenanigans -Part 1-
"Lameplay Theater Presents: How To NOT Use A Character Creation Mode" ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sharon tried. It #39;s not HER fault we don #39;t understand moonspeak! (itISherfaultfornotknowingwhereeverythingishavingplayedthisgamebeforethough!%D) #65288;C #65289;SEGA #12302;PHANTASY STAR ONLINE 2 #12303; #20844; #24335; #12469; #12452; #12488;pso2.jp ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- trg.fireball20xl.com : My homepage, in DESPERATE need of remodeling. fireball20xl.tumblr.com : My homepage #39;s host! http://www.youtube.com : You #39;re here right now! http://www.youtube.com : Be sure to subscribe to this channel! http://www.youtube.com : My main YouTube channel. http://www.facebook.com : Like and subscribe on Facebook! Follow me for Lameplay Theater news and other such nonsense on Twitter @MisterOhmaFrom:LameplayTheaterViews:0 0ratingsTime:38:04More inGaming

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About The Home Improvement Source
The Home Improvement Source is your one stop ship for all your remodeling needs! Our showroom is located in Largo, Fl and our fabrication facility is located in Pinellas Park, Fl. We use no subcontractors so you will always know who is working on your project. Here at the Home Improvement Source we fabricate our own cabinets so we can create any kitchen cabinets you can dream up. Call us today (800) 526-2450 or visit our website http://www.homeimprovementsource.net to request a free estimate!From:TampaHomeImprovementViews:1 0ratingsTime:07:26More inHowto Style

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Lameplay Theater - Phantasy Star Online 2 Shenanigans -Part 2-
"This Is What All Assholes Strive For" ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Having pulled Nala back from the brink, I embark on what I ASSUME is the tutorial? #65288;C #65289;SEGA #12302;PHANTASY STAR ONLINE 2 #12303; #20844; #24335; #12469; #12452; #12488;pso2.jp ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- trg.fireball20xl.com : My homepage, in DESPERATE need of remodeling. fireball20xl.tumblr.com : My homepage #39;s host! http://www.youtube.com : You #39;re here right now! http://www.youtube.com : Be sure to subscribe to this channel! http://www.youtube.com : My main YouTube channel. http://www.facebook.com : Like and subscribe on Facebook! Follow me for Lameplay Theater news and other such nonsense on Twitter @MisterOhmaFrom:LameplayTheaterViews:0 0ratingsTime:15:32More inGaming

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Lameplay Theater - Resident Evil 6 -Part 47-
"Aces And Eights" ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Somebody call the Orkin Man! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- trg.fireball20xl.com : My homepage, in DESPERATE need of remodeling. fireball20xl.tumblr.com : My homepage #39;s host! http://www.youtube.com : You #39;re here right now! http://www.youtube.com : Be sure to subscribe to this channel! http://www.youtube.com : My main YouTube channel. http://www.facebook.com : Like and subscribe on Facebook! Follow me for Lameplay Theater news and other such nonsense on Twitter @MisterOhmaFrom:LameplayTheaterViews:0 0ratingsTime:20:33More inGaming

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