Publications
Below you can find a list of our published research.
Below you can find a list of our published research.
110 results
Cited 12 times since 2012 (1 per year) source: EuropePMC
Cardiovascular research, Volume 97, Issue 1, 12 2 2012, Pages 171-181 Similar arrhythmicity in hypertrophic and fibrotic cardiac cultures caused by distinct substrate-specific mechanisms. Askar SF, Bingen BO, Schalij MJ, Swildens J, Atsma DE, Schutte CI, de Vries AA, Zeppenfeld K, Ypey DL, Pijnappels DA
Aims: Cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis are associated with potentially lethal arrhythmias. As these substrates often occur simultaneously in one patient, distinguishing between pro-arrhythmic mechanisms is difficult. This hampers understanding of underlying pro-arrhythmic mechanisms and optimal treatment. This study investigates and compares arrhythmogeneity and underlying pro-arrhythmic mechanisms of either cardiac hypertrophy or fibrosis in in vitro models. Methods and results: Fibrosis was mi... Abstract
Cited 26 times since 2012 (2.2 per year) source: EuropePMC
Journal of cellular and molecular medicine, Volume 16, Issue 7, 1 1 2012, Pages 1508-1521 Cardiomyogenic differentiation-independent improvement of cardiac function by human cardiomyocyte progenitor cell injection in ischaemic mouse hearts. den Haan MC, Grauss RW, Smits AM, Winter EM, van Tuyn J, Pijnappels DA, Steendijk P, Gittenberger-De Groot AC, van der Laarse A, Fibbe WE, de Vries AA, Schalij MJ, Doevendans PA, Goumans MJ, Atsma DE
We previously showed that human cardiomyocyte progenitor cells (hCMPCs) injected after myocardial infarction (MI) had differentiated into cardiomyocytes in vivo 3 months after MI. Here, we investigated the short-term (2 weeks) effects of hCMPCs on the infarcted mouse myocardium. MI was induced in immunocompromised (NOD/scid) mice, immediately followed by intramyocardial injection of hCMPCs labelled with enhanced green fluorescent protein (hCMPC group) or vehicle only (control group). Sham-operat... Abstract
Cited 17 times since 2012 (1.4 per year) source: EuropePMC
Stem cells (Dayton, Ohio), Volume 30, Issue 6, 1 1 2012, Pages 1236-1245 Gap junctional coupling with cardiomyocytes is necessary but not sufficient for cardiomyogenic differentiation of cocultured human mesenchymal stem cells. Ramkisoensing AA, Pijnappels DA, Swildens J, Goumans MJ, Fibbe WE, Schalij MJ, de Vries AA, Atsma DE
Gap junctional coupling is important for functional integration of transplanted cells with host myocardium. However, the role of gap junctions in cardiomyogenic differentiation of transplanted cells has not been directly investigated. The objective of this work is to study the role of connexin43 (Cx43) in cardiomyogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Knockdown of Cx43 gene expression (Cx43↓) was established in naturally Cx43-rich fetal amniotic membrane (AM) hMSCs, whil... Abstract
Cited 33 times since 2011 (2.7 per year) source: EuropePMC
Cardiovascular research, Volume 93, Issue 3, 22 4 2011, Pages 434-444 Connexin43 silencing in myofibroblasts prevents arrhythmias in myocardial cultures: role of maximal diastolic potential. Askar SF, Bingen BO, Swildens J, Ypey DL, van der Laarse A, Atsma DE, Zeppenfeld K, Schalij MJ, de Vries AA, Pijnappels DA
Aims: Arrhythmogenesis in cardiac fibrosis remains incompletely understood. Therefore, this study aims to investigate how heterocellular coupling between cardiomyocytes (CMCs) and myofibroblasts (MFBs) affects arrhythmogeneity of fibrotic myocardial cultures. Potentially, this may lead to the identification of novel anti-arrhythmic strategies. Methods and results: Co-cultures of neonatal rat CMCs and MFBs in a 1:1 ratio were used as a model of cardiac fibrosis, with purified CMC cultures as cont... Abstract
Cited 12 times since 2011 (1 per year) source: EuropePMC
Nucleic acids research, Volume 40, Issue 8, 20 3 2011, Pages 3443-3455 Concerted nicking of donor and chromosomal acceptor DNA promotes homology-directed gene targeting in human cells. Gonçalves MA, van Nierop GP, Holkers M, de Vries AA
The exchange of genetic information between donor and acceptor DNA molecules by homologous recombination (HR) depends on the cleavage of phosphodiester bonds. Although double-stranded and single-stranded DNA breaks (SSBs) have both been invoked as triggers of HR, until very recently the focus has been primarily on the former type of DNA lesions mainly due to the paucity of SSB-based recombination models. Here, to investigate the role of nicked DNA molecules as HR-initiating substrates in human s... Abstract
Cited 21 times since 2011 (1.7 per year) source: EuropePMC
Journal of cellular and molecular medicine, Volume 15, Issue 12, 1 1 2011, Pages 2675-2683 Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transformation alters electrical conductivity of human epicardial cells. Bax NA, Pijnappels DA, van Oorschot AA, Winter EM, de Vries AA, van Tuyn J, Braun J, Maas S, Schalij MJ, Atsma DE, Goumans MJ, Gittenberger-de Groot AC
The myocardium of the developing heart tube is covered by epicardium. These epicardial cells undergo a process of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) and develop into epicardium-derived cells (EPDCs). The ingrowing EPDCs differentiate into several celltypes of which the cardiac fibroblasts form the main group. Disturbance of EMT of the epicardium leads to serious hypoplasia of the myocardium, abnormal coronary artery differentiation and Purkinje fibre paucity. Interestingly, the elect... Abstract
Cited 12 times since 2011 (1 per year) source: EuropePMC
Nucleic acids research, Volume 40, Issue 5, 12 2 2011, Pages 1984-1999 Nonspaced inverted DNA repeats are preferential targets for homology-directed gene repair in mammalian cells. Holkers M, de Vries AA, Gonçalves MA
DNA repeats constitute potential sites for the nucleation of secondary structures such as hairpins and cruciforms. Studies performed mostly in bacteria and yeast showed that these noncanonical DNA structures are breakage-prone, making them candidate targets for cellular DNA repair pathways. Possible culprits for fragility at repetitive DNA sequences include replication and transcription as well as the action of structure-specific nucleases. Despite their patent biological relevance, the paramete... Abstract
Cited 48 times since 2011 (3.8 per year) source: EuropePMC
PloS one, Volume 6, Issue 9, 9 2 2011, Pages e24164 Human embryonic and fetal mesenchymal stem cells differentiate toward three different cardiac lineages in contrast to their adult counterparts. Ramkisoensing AA, Pijnappels DA, Askar SF, Passier R, Swildens J, Goumans MJ, Schutte CI, de Vries AA, Scherjon S, Mummery CL, Schalij MJ, Atsma DE
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show unexplained differences in differentiation potential. In this study, differentiation of human (h) MSCs derived from embryonic, fetal and adult sources toward cardiomyocytes, endothelial and smooth muscle cells was investigated. Labeled hMSCs derived from embryonic stem cells (hESC-MSCs), fetal umbilical cord, bone marrow, amniotic membrane and adult bone marrow and adipose tissue were co-cultured with neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (nrCMCs) or cardiac fibroblasts... Abstract
Cited 46 times since 2011 (3.6 per year) source: EuropePMC
Cell transplantation, Volume 21, Issue 1, 7 1 2011, Pages 153-173 Myogenic properties of human mesenchymal stem cells derived from three different sources. de la Garza-Rodea AS, van der Velde-van Dijke I, Boersma H, Gonçalves MA, van Bekkum DW, de Vries AA, Knaän-Shanzer S
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) of mammals have been isolated from many tissues and are characterized by their aptitude to differentiate into bone, cartilage, and fat. Differentiation into cells of other lineages like skeletal muscle, tendon/ligament, nervous tissue, and epithelium has been attained with MSCs derived from some tissues. Whether such abilities are shared by MSCs of all tissues is unknown. We therefore compared for three human donors the myogenic properties of MSCs from adipose tiss... Abstract
Cited 43 times since 2011 (3.3 per year) source: EuropePMC
Basic research in cardiology, Volume 106, Issue 5, 24 4 2011, Pages 829-847 In vitro epithelial-to-mesenchymal transformation in human adult epicardial cells is regulated by TGFβ-signaling and WT1. Bax NA, van Oorschot AA, Maas S, Braun J, van Tuyn J, de Vries AA, Groot AC, Goumans MJ
Adult epicardial cells are required for endogenous cardiac repair. After myocardial injury, they are reactivated, undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) and migrate into the injured myocardium where they generate various cell types, including coronary smooth muscle cells and cardiac interstitial fibroblasts, which contribute to cardiac repair. To understand what drives epicardial EMT, we used an in vitro model for human adult epicardial cells. These cells have an epithelium-like... Abstract
Netherlands heart journal : monthly journal of the Netherlands Society of Cardiology and the Netherlands Heart Foundation, Volume 19, Issue 3, 12 2 2011, Pages 151-152 The quest for an atrium-specific biomarker. van der Laarse A, de Vries AA
Cited 26 times since 2011 (2 per year) source: EuropePMC
Molecular therapy : the journal of the American Society of Gene Therapy, Volume 19, Issue 7, 25 4 2011, Pages 1331-1341 Transcription factor rational design improves directed differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells into skeletal myocytes. Gonçalves MA, Janssen JM, Nguyen QG, Athanasopoulos T, Hauschka SD, Dickson G, de Vries AA
There is great interest in transdifferentiating cells from one lineage into those of another and in dedifferentiating mature cells back into a stem/progenitor cell state by deploying naturally occurring transcription factors (TFs). Often, however, steering cellular differentiation pathways in a predictable and efficient manner remains challenging. Here, we investigated the principle of combining domains from different lineage-specific TFs to improve directed cellular differentiation. As proof-of... Abstract
Cited 24 times since 2011 (1.8 per year) source: EuropePMC
Cardiovascular research, Volume 90, Issue 2, 13 2 2011, Pages 295-304 Antiproliferative treatment of myofibroblasts prevents arrhythmias in vitro by limiting myofibroblast-induced depolarization. Askar SF, Ramkisoensing AA, Schalij MJ, Bingen BO, Swildens J, van der Laarse A, Atsma DE, de Vries AA, Ypey DL, Pijnappels DA
Aims: Cardiac fibrosis is associated with increased incidence of cardiac arrhythmias, but the underlying proarrhythmic mechanisms remain incompletely understood and antiarrhythmic therapies are still suboptimal. This study tests the hypothesis that myofibroblast (MFB) proliferation leads to tachyarrhythmias by altering the excitability of cardiomyocytes (CMCs) and that inhibition of MFB proliferation would thus lower the incidence of such arrhythmias. Methods and results: Endogenous MFBs in neon... Abstract
Cited 23 times since 2011 (1.7 per year) source: EuropePMC
PloS one, Volume 6, Issue 1, 6 1 2011, Pages e14493 Exploitation of herpesvirus immune evasion strategies to modify the immunogenicity of human mesenchymal stem cell transplants. de la Garza-Rodea AS, Verweij MC, Boersma H, van der Velde-van Dijke I, de Vries AA, Hoeben RC, van Bekkum DW, Wiertz EJ, Knaän-Shanzer S
Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells residing in the connective tissue of many organs and holding great potential for tissue repair. In culture, human MSCs (hMSCs) are capable of extensive proliferation without showing chromosomal aberrations. Large numbers of hMSCs can thus be acquired from small samples of easily obtainable tissues like fat and bone marrow. MSCs can contribute to regeneration indirectly by secretion of cytokines or directly by differentiation into sp... Abstract
Cited 39 times since 2010 (2.9 per year) source: EuropePMC
Cell transplantation, Volume 20, Issue 2, 18 3 2010, Pages 217-231 Long-term contribution of human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells to skeletal muscle regeneration in mice. de la Garza-Rodea AS, van der Velde I, Boersma H, Gonçalves MA, van Bekkum DW, de Vries AA, Knaän-Shanzer S
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are attractive for cellular therapy of muscular dystrophies as they are easy to procure, can be greatly expanded ex vivo, and contribute to skeletal muscle repair in vivo. However, detailed information about the contribution of bone marrow (BM)-derived human MSCs (BM-hMSCs) to skeletal muscle regeneration in vivo is very limited. Here, we present the results of a comprehensive study of the fate of LacZ-tagged BM-hMSCs following implantation in cardiotoxin (CTX)-i... Abstract
Cited 9 times since 2010 (0.7 per year) source: EuropePMC
PloS one, Volume 5, Issue 6, 3 1 2010, Pages e10954 Rapid and sensitive lentivirus vector-based conditional gene expression assay to monitor and quantify cell fusion activity. Gonçalves MA, Janssen JM, Holkers M, de Vries AA
Cell-to-cell fusion is involved in multiple fundamental biological processes. Prominent examples include osteoclast and giant cell formation, fertilization and skeletal myogenesis which involve macrophage, sperm-egg and myoblast fusion, respectively. Indeed, the importance of cell fusion is underscored by the wide range of homeostatic as well as pathologic processes in which it plays a key role. Therefore, rapid and sensitive systems to trace and measure cell fusion events in various experimenta... Abstract
Cited 21 times since 2010 (1.5 per year) source: EuropePMC
European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society, Volume 19, Issue 9, 19 3 2010, Pages 1540-1544 Spinal decompensation in degenerative lumbar scoliosis. de Vries AA, Mullender MG, Pluymakers WJ, Castelein RM, van Royen BJ
Due to the aging population, degenerative scoliosis is a growing clinical problem. It is associated with back pain and radicular symptoms. The pathogenesis of degenerative scoliosis lies in degenerative changes of the spinal structures, such as the intervertebral disc, the facet joints and the vertebrae itself. Possibly muscle weakness also plays a role. However, it is not clear what exactly causes the decompensation to occur and what determines the direction of the curve. It is known that in th... Abstract
Cited 9 times since 2010 (0.6 per year) source: EuropePMC
Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology, Volume 26, Issue 6, 1 1 2010, Pages 999-1010 Integrin stimulation favors uptake of macromolecules by cardiomyocytes in vitro. Swildens J, de Vries AA, Li Z, Umar S, Atsma DE, Schalij MJ, van der Laarse A
Previously, our research group showed that integrin stimulation induces release of cardiac troponin I from viable neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes (NRCMs), but would it also stimulate uptake of exogenous macromolecules? For this purpose, beating NRCMs were incubated without or with an RGD motif-containing peptide (GRGDS) to stimulate integrins in the presence of Texas Red-conjugated ovalbumin (OTR; 45 kDa) or dextran (DTR; 70 kDa). After incubation periods of 8, 16 and 24 hours endocytosi... Abstract
Cited 29 times since 2009 (2 per year) source: EuropePMC
Nucleic acids research, Volume 37, Issue 17, 3 1 2009, Pages 5725-5736 Stimulation of homology-directed gene targeting at an endogenous human locus by a nicking endonuclease. van Nierop GP, de Vries AA, Holkers M, Vrijsen KR, Gonçalves MA
Homologous recombination (HR) is a highly accurate mechanism of DNA repair that can be exploited for homology-directed gene targeting. Since in most cell types HR occurs very infrequently (approximately 10(-6) to 10(-8)), its practical application has been largely restricted to specific experimental systems that allow selection of the few cells that become genetically modified. HR-mediated gene targeting has nonetheless revolutionized genetics by greatly facilitating the analysis of mammalian ge... Abstract
Cited 14 times since 2008 (0.9 per year) source: EuropePMC
Stem cells (Dayton, Ohio), Volume 26, Issue 12, 18 3 2008, Pages 3210-3217 Phenotypic and functional reversal within the early human hematopoietic compartment. Knaän-Shanzer S, van der Velde-van Dijke I, van de Watering MJ, de Leeuw PJ, Valerio D, van Bekkum DW, de Vries AA
The fate of phenotypically defined human hematopoietic stem cells (hHSCs) in culture and the link between their surface marker expression profile and function are still controversial. We studied these aspects of hHSC biology by relating the expression of the early lineage markers (ELM) CD33, CD38, and CD71 on the surface of human umbilical cord blood (UCB) CD34(+) cells to their long-term nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mouse repopulation activity (LT-SRA). In uncult... Abstract