Augueste Sturk

Bio: Augueste Sturk is an academic researcher from University of Amsterdam. The author has contributed to research in topics: Preeclampsia & Cell-Derived Microparticles. The author has an hindex of 35, co-authored 66 publications receiving 6992 citations. Previous affiliations of Augueste Sturk include Leiden University Medical Center.

Classification, Functions, and Clinical Relevance of Extracellular Vesicles

Abstract: Both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells release small, phospholipid-enclosed vesicles into their environment. Why do cells release vesicles? Initial studies showed that eukaryotic vesicles are used to remove obsolete cellular molecules. Although this release of vesicles is beneficial to the cell, the vesicles can also be a danger to their environment, for instance in blood, where vesicles can provide a surface supporting coagulation. Evidence is accumulating that vesicles are cargo containers used by eukaryotic cells to exchange biomolecules as transmembrane receptors and genetic information. Because also bacteria communicate to each other via extracellular vesicles, the intercellular communication via extracellular cargo carriers seems to be conserved throughout evolution, and therefore vesicles are likely to be a highly efficient, robust, and economic manner of exchanging information between cells. Furthermore, vesicles protect cells from accumulation of waste or drugs, they contribute to physiology and pathology, and they have a myriad of potential clinical applications, ranging from biomarkers to anticancer therapy. Because vesicles may pass the blood-brain barrier, they can perhaps even be considered naturally occurring liposomes. Unfortunately, pathways of vesicle release and vesicles themselves are also being used by tumors and infectious diseases to facilitate spreading, and to escape from immune surveillance. In this review, the different types, nomenclature, functions, and clinical relevance of vesicles will be discussed.

Cell-derived microparticles circulate in healthy humans and support low grade thrombin generation.

Abstract: We determined the numbers, cellular origin and thrombin-generating properties of microparticles in healthy individuals (n = 15). Microparticles, isolated from fresh blood samples and identified by flow cytometry, originated from platelets [237 x 10(6)/L (median; range 116-565)], erythrocytes (28 x 10(6)/L; 13-46), granulocytes (46 x 10(6)/L; 16-94) and endothelial cells (64 x 10(6)/L; 16-136). They bound annexin V, indicating surface exposure of phosphatidylserine, and supported coagulation in vitro. Interestingly, coagulation occurred via tissue factor (TF)-independent pathways, because antibodies against TF or factor (F)VII were ineffective. In contrast, in our in vitro experiments coagulation was partially inhibited by antibodies against FXII (12%, p = 0.006), FXI (36%, p <0.001), FIX (28%, p <0.001) or FVIII (32%, p <0.001). Both the number of annexin V-positive microparticles present in plasma and the thrombin-generating capacity inversely correlated to the plasma concentrations of thrombin-antithrombin complex (r = -0.49, p = 0.072 and r = -0.77, p = 0.001, respectively), but did not correlate to prothrombin fragment F1+2 (r = -0.002, p = 0.99). The inverse correlations between the number of microparticles and their thrombin-forming capacity and the levels of thrombin-antithrombin complex in plasma may indicate that microparticles present in the circulation of healthy individuals have an anticoagulant function by promoting the generation of low amounts of thrombin that activate protein C. We conclude that microparticles in blood from healthy individuals support thrombin generation via TF- and FVII-independent pathways, and which may have an anticoagulant function.

Elevated numbers of tissue-factor exposing microparticles correlate with components of the metabolic syndrome in uncomplicated type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract: Background— Type 2 diabetes is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis. Because cell-derived microparticles support coagulation and inflammation, they may be involved in atherogenesis. We characterized circulating microparticles both in patients with uncomplicated, well-regulated type 2 diabetes and in healthy subjects, as well as their relationship with coagulation and metabolic control. Methods and Results— Microparticles were isolated from plasma, stained with annexin V, cell-specific monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) and a MoAb directed against tissue factor (TF), and analyzed by flow cytometry. Microparticle numbers and origin were comparable in the two groups, but the median number of TF-positive microparticles was twice as high in patients than in controls (P=0.018). Patients had higher percentages of TF-positive microparticles from T-helper cells (P=0.045), granulocytes (P=0.004), and platelets (P=0.002). Subpopulations of TF-positive microparticles from platelets and T-helper cells exposed granul...

Cell-Derived Microparticles Generated in Patients During Cardiopulmonary Bypass Are Highly Procoagulant

Abstract: Background Microparticles from platelets and other cells have been extensively studied and characterized in vitro. Although the level of platelet-derived microparticles is elevated in a variety of diseases, including cardiac surgery, virtually nothing is known about their functions in vivo. The aim of the present study was to investigate the procoagulant properties of microparticles generated in vivo. Methods and Results In 6 patients at the end of cardiopulmonary bypass, 14.8×109/L (median; range, 9.7 to 27.4×109/L) platelet-derived microparticles were present in pericardial blood, whereas blood obtained from the systemic circulation contained 1.6×109/L (median; range, 0.4 to 8.9×109/L) of such microparticles, as determined by flow cytometry. Microparticles stained positively for phosphatidylserine as determined with labeled annexin V. In contrast to systemic blood, pericardial blood contained not only microparticles of platelet origin but also microparticles that originated from erythrocytes, monocytes, or granulocytes, and other hitherto unknown cellular sources. Plasma prepared from pericardial blood and to a lesser extent plasma from systemic blood obtained at the same time, stimulated formation of thrombin in vitro. This activity of pericardial plasma was lost after removal of its microparticles by high-speed centrifugation, whereas the corresponding microparticle pellet was strongly procoagulant. The generation of thrombin in vitro involved a tissue factor/factor VII–dependent and factor XII–independent pathway. Conclusions This study is the first to demonstrate that microparticles generated in vivo can stimulate coagulation.

Value of Myoglobin, Troponin T, and CK-MBmass in Ruling Out an Acute Myocardial Infarction in the Emergency Room

Abstract: Background Ruling out acute myocardial infarction (AMI) on the basis of rapid assays for cardiac markers will allow early triage of patients and cost-effective use of available coronary care facilities. Methods and Results We studied the value of myoglobin, creatine kinase (CK)–MBmass, and troponin T in ruling out an AMI in the emergency room in 309 consecutive patients presenting with chest pain. The gold standard for AMI was the combination of history, ECG, and a typical curve of the CK-MB activity (CK-MBact). Myoglobin was the earliest marker, and its negative predictive value (NPV) was significantly higher than for CK-MBmass and troponin T from 3 to 6 hours after the onset of symptoms (myoglobin versus CK-MBmass, P<.03; myoglobin versus troponin T, P<.01). The NPV of myoglobin reached 89% 4 hours after the onset of symptoms. The NPV of CK-MBmass reached 95% 7 hours after the onset of symptoms. Troponin T was not an early marker for ruling out AMI, and NPV changed over time, together with CK-MBact. The...

ACC/AHA 2006 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Valvular Heart Disease

Abstract: PREAMBLE......e4 APPENDIX 1......e121 APPENDIX 2......e122 APPENDIX 3......e124 REFERENCES......e124 It is important that the medical profession play a significant role in critically evaluating the use of diagnostic procedures and therapies as they are introduced in the detection, management,

The NOX Family of ROS-Generating NADPH Oxidases: Physiology and Pathophysiology

Abstract: For a long time, superoxide generation by an NADPH oxidase was considered as an oddity only found in professional phagocytes. Over the last years, six homologs of the cytochrome subunit of the phag...

Biogenesis, Secretion, and Intercellular Interactions of Exosomes and Other Extracellular Vesicles

Abstract: In the 1980s, exosomes were described as vesicles of endosomal origin secreted from reticulocytes. Interest increased around these extracellular vesicles, as they appeared to participate in several cellular processes. Exosomes bear proteins, lipids, and RNAs, mediating intercellular communication between different cell types in the body, and thus affecting normal and pathological conditions. Only recently, scientists acknowledged the difficulty of separating exosomes from other types of extracellular vesicles, which precludes a clear attribution of a particular function to the different types of secreted vesicles. To shed light into this complex but expanding field of science, this review focuses on the definition of exosomes and other secreted extracellular vesicles. Their biogenesis, their secretion, and their subsequent fate are discussed, as their functions rely on these important processes.

Biological properties of extracellular vesicles and their physiological functions

Abstract: In the past decade, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been recognized as potent vehicles of intercellular communication, both in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. This is due to their capacity to transfer proteins, lipids and nucleic acids, thereby influencing various physiological and pathological functions of both recipient and parent cells. While intensive investigation has targeted the role of EVs in different pathological processes, for example, in cancer and autoimmune diseases, the EV-mediated maintenance of homeostasis and the regulation of physiological functions have remained less explored. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of the physiological roles of EVs, which has been written by crowd-sourcing, drawing on the unique EV expertise of academia-based scientists, clinicians and industry based in 27 European countries, the United States and Australia. This review is intended to be of relevance to both researchers already working on EV biology and to newcomers who will encounter this universal cell biological system. Therefore, here we address the molecular contents and functions of EVs in various tissues and body fluids from cell systems to organs. We also review the physiological mechanisms of EVs in bacteria, lower eukaryotes and plants to highlight the functional uniformity of this emerging communication system.

Biogenesis, Secretion, and Intercellular Interactions of Exosomes and Other

Abstract: In the 1980s, exosomes were described as vesicles of endosomal origin secreted from reticulocytes. Interest increased around these extracellular vesicles, as they appeared to participate in several cellular processes. Exosomes bear proteins, lipids, and RNAs, mediating intercellular communication between different cell types in the body, and thus affecting normal and pathological conditions. Only recently, scientists acknowledged the difficulty of separating exosomes from other types of extracellular vesicles, which precludes a clear attribution of a particular function to the different types of secreted vesicles. To shed light into this complex but expanding field of science, this review focuses on the definition of exosomes and other secreted extracellular vesicles. Their biogenesis, their secretion, and their subsequent fate are discussed, as their functions rely on these important processes.