Article
Biology
Jill T. Kuwabara, Akitoshi Hara, Sumit Bhutada, Greg S. Gojanovich, Jasmine Chen, Kanani Hokutan, Vikram Shettigar, Anson Y. Lee, Lydia P. DeAngelo, Jack R. Heckl, Julia R. Jahansooz, Dillon K. Tacdol, Mark T. Ziolo, Suneel S. Apte, Michelle D. Tallquist
Summary: Reducing fibroblasts in the heart has a protective effect and can alleviate cardiac fibrosis after injury. The loss of fibroblasts does not significantly alter the quantitative composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) but reduces the distribution and quantity of collagen VI. This study has important implications for the treatment of heart disease.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Xiaomin Wu, Ri Liu, Li Li, Fan Yang, Dongdong Liu, Lu Wang, Wentao Yu, Junyang Xu, Zhankun Weng, Litong Dong, Zuobin Wang
Summary: This paper investigates the effect of physically modified silicon nanostructures on single-cell patterning. It is found that physically modified grid silicon nanostructures can regulate the single-cell localization growth, and the rational design of substrate structures can maximize the single-cell localization ratio.
ANALYTICAL METHODS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuta Yamamura, Norihiko Sakai, Yasunori Iwata, David Lagares, Akinori Hara, Shinji Kitajima, Tadashi Toyama, Taro Miyagawa, Hisayuki Ogura, Koichi Sato, Megumi Oshima, Shiori Nakagawa, Akira Tamai, Keisuke Horikoshi, Takahiro Matsuno, Naoki Yamamoto, Daiki Hayashi, Yoshitada Toyota, Daichi Kaikoi, Miho Shimizu, Andrew M. Tager, Takashi Wada
Summary: This study reveals the importance of the MRTF-SRF pathway in renal fibrosis by regulating the expression of extracellular matrix components and promoting myofibroblast differentiation. The findings suggest that targeting the MRTF-SRF pathway could be a potential therapeutic strategy for renal fibrosis.
Article
Biology
Guya Diletta Marconi, Luigia Fonticoli, Ylenia Della Rocca, Thangavelu Soundara Rajan, Adriano Piattelli, Oriana Trubiani, Jacopo Pizzicannella, Francesca Diomede
Summary: This study focused on the effects of different dental implant surfaces on the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) components by human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs). The results showed that the rough surface of titanium dental implant can enhance the expression of ECM molecules and osteogenic markers in cells, which can positively impact the osseointegration process.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Guya Diletta Marconi, Luigia Fonticoli, Ylenia Della Rocca, Stefano Oliva, Thangavelu Soundara Rajan, Oriana Trubiani, Giovanna Murmura, Francesca Diomede, Jacopo Pizzicannella
Summary: The study focused on the interaction between human periodontal ligament stem cells and two different implant titanium surfaces to evaluate cytotoxicity, cellular adhesion capacity, and improvement in ECM release. Various techniques including microscopic evaluation, viability assays, immunofluorescence, Western blot, and RT-PCR were used to analyze the parameters. Understanding cell/implant interaction is essential for developing more effective surfaces that enhance ECM release and promote osseointegration.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Ruixuan Geng, Seong-Gook Kang, Kunlun Huang, Tao Tong
Summary: UV radiation is the main factor causing skin photoaging, while dietary components have been shown to have positive effects in combating it. Skin photoaging is a complex process involving various regulators and mechanisms.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Noa Moshkovitz, Gali Epstein Shochet, David Shitrit
Summary: In this study, we investigated the effects of a PGE2 and PDE4 inhibitor, Roflumilast, in an IPF-CM system. The results showed that a combination of PGE2 and Roflumilast could block the large aggregate formation induced by IPF-CM and also inhibit cell migration, proliferation, and pro-fibrotic gene expression. Moreover, a review of patient records revealed a higher proportion of slow-progressing patients who were exposed to NSAIDs. These findings suggest the involvement of PGE2/PDE4 signaling in IPF progression and warrant further investigation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yushi Wang, Ryan Singer, Xinyue Liu, Seth J. Inman, Quynh Cao, Quan Zhou, Alex Noble, Laura Li, Aidee Veronica Arizpe Tafoya, Mouhanad Babi, Kjetil Ask, Martin R. Kolb, Scott Ramsay, Fei Geng, Boyang Zhang, Yaron Shargall, Jose Manuel Moran-Mirabal, Mohammadhossein Dabaghi, Jeremy A. Hirota
Summary: This article presents an open-source cell and tissue stretcher for studying lung health and disease in in vitro and ex vivo models. The stretcher is programmable, scalable, and modular, allowing for various applications and experimental systems. Traditional biomedical outcome measurements can still be performed using this stretcher. Additionally, the system is built using economically feasible and accessible components, making it more accessible to other research groups.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chipeng Guo, Lizhu Liang, Jingbin Zheng, Yang Xie, Xiaonan Qiu, Guozhen Tan, Jingang Huang, Liangchun Wang
Summary: In this study, it was found that UCHL1 was significantly upregulated in keloid fibroblasts and played a role in the pathological process of keloid by promoting collagen I and alpha-SMA expression. UCHL1 expression was also found to be promoted by M2 macrophages via TGF-beta 1. These findings expand our understanding of the pathogenesis of keloid and provide potential therapeutic targets for the disease.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dimitrios Kalafatis, Anna Loefdahl, Per Naesman, Goeran Dellgren, Asa M. Wheelock, Linda Elowsson Rendin, Magnus Skoeld, Gunilla Westergren-Thorsson
Summary: This study utilized a novel ex vivo model to investigate the association between protein changes in serum of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and disease severity and treatment response. The findings support the applicability of the model in studying IPF mechanisms and provide additional evidence for established and potentially new biomarkers in IPF.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Hannah M. Micek, Lauren Rosenstock, Yicheng Ma, Caitlin Hielsberg, Lauren Montemorano, Metti K. Gari, Suzanne M. Ponik, Pamela K. Kreeger
Summary: High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) metastasizes through transcoelomic spread, forming single cells and spheroids which can detach and aggregate or collectively detach. An in vitro model was developed to study the effect of collective detachment on disease progression. The model confirmed that ECM production occurs after detachment and inhibiting fibronectin assembly reduces Sph-CD-mesothelial adhesion strength under shear stress.
APL BIOENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Fausta Natella, Barbara Guantario, Roberto Ambra, Giulia Ranaldi, Federica Intorre, Carolina Burki, Raffaella Canali
Summary: The study demonstrates the bioavailability of phenolic compounds in Hamamelis virginiana and the effects of its metabolites on the response of cultured dermal fibroblasts to ultraviolet A radiation, suggesting a potential role in skin damage recovery by activating genes involved in repair processes.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jill T. Kuwabara, Akitoshi Hara, Jack R. Heckl, Brisa Pena, Sumit Bhutada, Regan DeMaris, Malina J. Ivey, Lydia P. DeAngelo, Xiaoting Liu, Juwon Park, Julia R. Jahansooz, Luisa Mestroni, Timothy A. McKinsey, Suneel S. Apte, Michelle D. Tallquist
Summary: Reducing fibroblasts in the perinatal mouse heart led to decreased fibrosis, increased cardiomyocyte DNA synthesis, proliferation, and reduced tissue stiffness. While cardiac architecture was not significantly affected, the loss of fibroblasts ultimately resulted in perinatal death due to reduced fibroblast populations in other organs.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR CARDIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Andrea Ravasio, Eugenia Morselli, Cristina Bertocchi
Summary: Cells respond to mechanical forces and physical cues from their environment, with autophagy playing a major role in maintaining cellular processes and regulating interactions with the environment. This review summarizes the interaction between autophagy and mechanotransduction machinery associated with cell adhesions, termed as "Mechanoautophagy".
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Meihan Tao, Fang Liang, Jing He, Wei Ye, Rabia Javed, Weizuo Wang, Tianhao Yu, Jun Fan, Xiaohong Tian, Xiaohong Wang, Weijian Hou, Qiang Ao
Summary: In this study, an anti-adhesion membrane, DTM, was successfully prepared from homologous extracellular matrix using an optimized decellularization method. DTM showed potential to prevent tendon adhesion and improve tendon repair quality, with proven bioactivity retention and biocompatibility. High-throughput proteomics technology was used to analyze DTM's protein components, providing valuable scientific support for its application.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2021)