This study characterized the zebrafish (Danio rerio) ovarian IGF system, its spatial and temporal expression and regulation BTK high throughput screening by gonadotropins and steroids.

Three ligands (igf2a, igf2b, igf3) and two receptors (igf1ra and igf1rb) were demonstrated in the ovary using RT-qPCR. Though it was examined, igf1 expression was not detected in the zebrafish ovary. Igf3 expression significantly decreased in the hours prior to ovulation and was confined to the follicle cells. Igf2a, igf2b and the two receptors were detected in both the follicle cells and the oocyte and were constitutively expressed in ovarian tissue across the daily ovulatory cycle. In vitro addition of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG; 20 IU/ml) stimulated a significant increase in igf3 expression in both midvitellogenic (MV; 0.45-0.56 mm) and full grown (FG; 0.57-0.65 mm) follicles while ell) expression increased only in FG follicles. Treatment of follicles in vitro with 17 alpha,20 beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20 beta-P; 10 ng/ml) significantly decreased igf3 and igf2b expression in both MV and FG follicles. 17 beta-Estradiol (E(2); 25 ng/ml) had no effect on the expression of igf3 in MV or FG follicles. Igf1rb expression did not change after treatment with hCG, 17,20 beta-P or E2. Collectively, these results demonstrate the presence of an ovarian IGF system

in zebrafish that is differentially regulated by gonadotropin and steroids. (C) VE-821 price 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“Objective: Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a clinical syndrome linked with exposure in renal failure patients to gadolinium-based magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents (GBCAs). The pathogenesis of the disease is largely unknown. The present study addresses potential pathophysiological mechanisms.\n\nMaterials and Methods: Here,

we have examined human skin in organ culture and human dermal fibroblasts in monolayer culture for responses to 17-AAG order GBCA stimulation.\n\nResults: Treatment of normal human skin in organ culture with Omniscan had no significant effect on type I procollagen but increased both matrix metalloproteinase-1 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1. At the histologic level, many interstitial cells demonstrated cytologic features characteristic of activation (ie, light staining, oblong, plump nuclei). Omniscan, as well as 3 other magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents (Magnevist, Multihance, and Prohance), increased proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts in monolayer culture. Increased Proliferation was accompanied by an increase in production of both matrix metalloproteinase-1 and tissue inhibitor of metallproteinases-1 but no increase in type I procollagen. Concentrations required for effects differed among the 4 agents (Omniscan < Magnevist and Multihance < Prohance).