Are syndecans differentially expressed during the course of aortic aneurysm formation?
Given the established functional properties of this family heparan sulfate proteoglycans, chronically accelerated macrophage syndecan-1 shedding could generate a sustained proinflammatory, proteolytic, growth-stimulating environment. As a component of a counterbalancing reparative process, cell surface syndecan-2 may assist in TGF-beta mediated responses to limit the growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms.
VSL#3 is effective at preventing severe diarrhea following chemotherapy with irinotecan and therefore has potential to be used clinically by cancer patients.