Author
Kari Alitalo
Other affiliations: Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Cornell University, Kyoto University ...read more
Bio: Kari Alitalo is an academic researcher from University of Helsinki. The author has contributed to research in topics: Angiogenesis & Vascular endothelial growth factor C. The author has an hindex of 174, co-authored 817 publications receiving 114231 citations. Previous affiliations of Kari Alitalo include Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto & Cornell University.
Papers published on a yearly basis
Papers
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TL;DR: In this paper , the authors used various genetically engineered mouse models in combination with cellular, biochemical, and molecular biology approaches to elucidate the signaling pathways regulating junction morphology and function in lymphatic capillaries, revealing that antagonistic inputs into ROCK-dependent cytoskeleton contractions regulate the interconversion of lymphatic junctions in the intestine and in other tissues.
Abstract: BACKGROUND
Lymphatic vessels are responsible for tissue drainage, and their malfunction is associated with chronic diseases. Lymph uptake occurs via specialized open cell-cell junctions between capillary lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs), whereas closed junctions in collecting LECs prevent lymph leakage. LEC junctions are known to dynamically remodel in development and disease, but how lymphatic permeability is regulated remains poorly understood.
METHODS
We used various genetically engineered mouse models in combination with cellular, biochemical, and molecular biology approaches to elucidate the signaling pathways regulating junction morphology and function in lymphatic capillaries.
RESULTS
By studying the permeability of intestinal lacteal capillaries to lipoprotein particles known as chylomicrons, we show that ROCK (Rho-associated kinase)-dependent cytoskeletal contractility is a fundamental mechanism of LEC permeability regulation. We show that chylomicron-derived lipids trigger neonatal lacteal junction opening via ROCK-dependent contraction of junction-anchored stress fibers. LEC-specific ROCK deletion abolished junction opening and plasma lipid uptake. Chylomicrons additionally inhibited VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor)-A signaling. We show that VEGF-A antagonizes LEC junction opening via VEGFR (VEGF receptor) 2 and VEGFR3-dependent PI3K/AKT activation of the small GTPase RAC1, thereby restricting RhoA/ROCK-mediated cytoskeleton contraction.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results reveal that antagonistic inputs into ROCK-dependent cytoskeleton contractions regulate the interconversion of lymphatic junctions in the intestine and in other tissues, providing a tunable mechanism to control the lymphatic barrier.
TL;DR: Defining the role of neu in cellular transformation became a high-priority task in many laboratories around the world because of the intense interest in its cellular function.
Abstract: Soon after the characterization of the neu oncogene by Weinberg and colleagues [1, 2], the discovery of its amplification in breast cancer by Slamon and others [3, 4, 5, 6] created an intense interest in its cellular function. Defining the role of neu in cellular transformation became a high-priority task in many laboratories around the world.
Patent•
29 Jun 2007
TL;DR: In this article, the VEGF-D polypeptides are used to stimulate endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis and increase vascular permeability, as well as fragments, dimers, and methods of using the same.
Abstract: The present invention provides VEGF-D polypeptides, which among other things stimulate endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis and increases vascular permeability, as well as fragments, dimers, and methods of using the same.
Cited by
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TL;DR: Recognition of the widespread applicability of these concepts will increasingly affect the development of new means to treat human cancer.
51,099 citations
TL;DR: This work has been supported by the Department of the Army and the National Institutes of Health, and the author acknowledges the support and encouragement of the National Cancer Institute.
28,811 citations
28 Jul 2005
TL;DR: PfPMP1）与感染红细胞、树突状组胞以及胎盘的单个或多个受体作用，在黏附及免疫逃避中起关键的作�ly.
Abstract: 抗原变异可使得多种致病微生物易于逃避宿主免疫应答。表达在感染红细胞表面的恶性疟原虫红细胞表面蛋白1（PfPMP1）与感染红细胞、内皮细胞、树突状细胞以及胎盘的单个或多个受体作用，在黏附及免疫逃避中起关键的作用。每个单倍体基因组var基因家族编码约60种成员，通过启动转录不同的var基因变异体为抗原变异提供了分子基础。
18,940 citations
TL;DR: It is now becoming clear that the tumour microenvironment, which is largely orchestrated by inflammatory cells, is an indispensable participant in the neoplastic process, fostering proliferation, survival and migration.
Abstract: Recent data have expanded the concept that inflammation is a critical component of tumour progression. Many cancers arise from sites of infection, chronic irritation and inflammation. It is now becoming clear that the tumour microenvironment, which is largely orchestrated by inflammatory cells, is an indispensable participant in the neoplastic process, fostering proliferation, survival and migration. In addition, tumour cells have co-opted some of the signalling molecules of the innate immune system, such as selectins, chemokines and their receptors for invasion, migration and metastasis. These insights are fostering new anti-inflammatory therapeutic approaches to cancer development.
12,395 citations
TL;DR: Amplification of the HER-2/neu gene was a significant predictor of both overall survival and time to relapse in patients with breast cancer, and had greater prognostic value than most currently used prognostic factors in lymph node-positive disease.
Abstract: The HER-2/neu oncogene is a member of the erbB-like oncogene family, and is related to, but distinct from, the epidermal growth factor receptor. This gene has been shown to be amplified in human breast cancer cell lines. In the current study, alterations of the gene in 189 primary human breast cancers were investigated. HER-2/neu was found to be amplified from 2- to greater than 20-fold in 30% of the tumors. Correlation of gene amplification with several disease parameters was evaluated. Amplification of the HER-2/neu gene was a significant predictor of both overall survival and time to relapse in patients with breast cancer. It retained its significance even when adjustments were made for other known prognostic factors. Moreover, HER-2/neu amplification had greater prognostic value than most currently used prognostic factors, including hormonal-receptor status, in lymph node-positive disease. These data indicate that this gene may play a role in the biologic behavior and/or pathogenesis of human breast cancer.
11,597 citations