Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Lorenzo Scipioni, Alessandro Rossetta, Giulia Tedeschi, Enrico Gratton
Summary: The Phasor S-FLIM technology combines multichannel digital frequency domain electronics with a multidimensional phasor approach to accurately extract photophysical information of fluorescent specimens, addressing common challenges in biological and biomedical fields.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joao Aguilar, Leonel Malacrida, German Gunther, Belen Torrado, Viviana Torres, Bruno F. Urbano, Susana A. Sanchez
Summary: Cells adapt to their environment to maintain their identity, and the plasma membrane plays a crucial role in this adaptation. Nanometer and micrometer areas in the plasma membrane change their distribution in response to mechanical signals. However, investigations on the connection between fluidity domains and mechanical stimuli are still ongoing.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Haruna Hori, Ayaka Kotani, Junya Abe, Shuji Matsuguchi, Yohei Hirai
Summary: The expression and processing of filaggrin in the skin epidermis is closely related to keratinocyte cornification. Extracellular EPM inhibits the expression of Pro-FLG and reduces the production of NMF in HaCaT keratinocytes.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Kyohei Furukawa, Masaya Kono, Tetsuro Kataoka, Yukio Hasebe, Huijuan Jia, Hisanori Kato
Summary: The study found that nutritional supplementation of eggshell membrane (ESM) can have a beneficial effect on maintaining skin health and improving the skin aging process, possibly through upregulating calcium signaling.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sarka Pokorna, Ana E. Ventura, Tania C. B. Santos, Martin Hof, Manuel Prieto, Anthony H. Futerman, Liana C. Silva
Summary: This study provides a thorough analysis of the factors that can lead to variability in Laurdan GP measurements and suggests approaches to improve data quality. It also demonstrates the impact of cell culture conditions on GP determination.
JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY B-BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Guanlin Zhou, Chao Wang, Chengwei Wu, Wei Zhang
Summary: The cell elastic modulus is widely used as a mechanics-based marker to analyze the biological effects of substrates on cells. However, the traditional Hertz model used to extract the apparent elastic modulus can cause errors due to violations of the small deformation assumption, infinite half-space assumption, and inability to account for substrate deformation. In this study, an active learning model is proposed to effectively extract the cell elastic modulus and reduce extraction errors. Numerical calculations and indentation experiments confirm the accuracy and efficiency of the established model.
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Lihui Yang, Xiaobo Liu, Bing Yin, Xunxun Deng, Xiaotong Lin, Jie Song, Shuo Wu
Summary: Real-time monitoring of extracellular pH at the single-cell level is critical for understanding disease mechanisms and investigating drug effects, especially in cancer cells. Developing a reliable method with good selectivity, reproducibility, and stability for measuring pHe heterogeneity in cancer cells is necessary. The high-throughput, real-time measuring technique based on polyaniline micro-electrode arrays in this study showed high sensitivity and reliability for monitoring single-cell pHe, revealing significant cellular heterogeneity in pHe changes of different cancer cells.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Julien Mortier, Stefanie Van Riet, Diana Senovilla Herrero, Kristof Vanoirbeek, Abram Aertsen
Summary: Elucidating phenotypic heterogeneity is important for understanding bacterial behavior and engineering bacteria in biotechnology. This study presents a high-throughput and high-resolution time-lapse fluorescence microscopy-based strategy for screening heterogeneously expressed genes in Bacillus subtilis. The proof-of-concept screening validates this approach.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Samantha Kaonis, Zack Aboellail, Jack Forman, Soham Ghosh
Summary: The mechanical environment plays a critical role in determining the gene expression and function of MSCs. This study found that an abnormal stiff environment can lead to increased heterogeneity in the MSC population and unwanted osteoprogenitor differentiation. The researchers developed a method to measure heterogeneity and investigated intervention strategies to create a more homogeneous MSC population.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Nicolas Goffin, Emilie Buache, Celine Charpentier, Veronique Lehrter, Hamid Morjani, Cyril Gobinet, Olivier Piot
Summary: Cell heterogeneity is crucial for understanding complex biomedical issues. Trajectory inference-based approaches are tools developed for analyzing single-cell transcriptomics data, which aim to reconstruct evolving pathways from different cell states. This concept can be extended to Raman spectroscopy to study the dynamics of adipocyte differentiation.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Leonid Andronov, Rachel Genthial, Didier Hentsch, Bruno P. Klaholz
Summary: The development of an image splitter based multi-color single-molecule localization microscopy method (splitSMLM) in combination with a spectral demixing algorithm improves localization accuracy as exemplified by three-color imaging of nuclear pore complex proteins.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Laura Sachs, Jan Wesche, Lea Lenkeit, Andreas Greinacher, Markus Bender, Oliver Otto, Raghavendra Palankar
Summary: This study examines the impact of different ex vivo anticoagulants on the biomechanical and functional properties of single platelets. The results show that the choice of anticoagulant can greatly influence the mechanophenotyping outcomes. It is unclear whether ex vivo anticoagulants used during blood collection affect the mechanophenotype of blood components.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Agustin Mangiarotti, Luis A. Bagatolli
Summary: Using fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy, this study found that water dynamics at the interface of lipid bilayers can be regulated by proteins and PEG, with the regulation correlating with the structure of the polymers. The results suggest a crucial role of water in mediating the coupling between structural changes in macromolecules and supramolecular arrangements of lipids, which may be relevant to cell structure and function in crowded intracellular environments.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jadwiga Maniewska, Zaneta Czyznikowska, Berenika M. Szczesniak-Siega, Krystyna Michalak
Summary: The modified 1,2-benzothiazine analogues discussed in this paper are oxicam derivatives designed as new drug candidates. The study focused on their interaction with biological membranes using simplified models and evaluated their pharmacological effects and ADMET parameters.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Simon Fabiunke, Christian Fillafer, Anne Paeger, Matthias F. Schneider
Summary: The action potential (AP) is a nonlinear pulse with threshold and amplitude saturation that propagates within organisms. The thermodynamic interpretation suggests that the cell membrane undergoes state changes during an AP. Experimental evidence shows that the cell membrane condenses followed by expansion during an AP, supporting the thermodynamic interpretation of cellular excitability.
PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Allergy
Ioana Agache, Yang Song, Margarita Posso, Pablo Alonso-Coello, Claudio Rocha, Ivan Sola, Jessica Beltran, Cezmi Akdis, Mubeccel Akdis, Knut Brockow, Tomas Chivato, Stefano del Giacco, Thomas Eiwegger, Kilian Eyerich, Ana Gimenez-Arnau, Jan Gutermuth, Emma Guttman-Yassky, Marcus Maurer, Graham Ogg, Peck Y. Ong, Liam O'Mahony, Jurgen Schwarze, Thomas Werfel, Carlos Canelo-Aybar, Oscar Palomares, Marek Jutel
Summary: This review evaluated the efficacy, safety, and economic impact of dupilumab compared to standard care for uncontrolled moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Dupilumab showed significant improvements in symptoms and quality of life for both adult and adolescent patients. Long-term safety data is needed for both children and adults, along with more efficacy data for the pediatric population.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Miguel Bernabe-Rubio, Minerva Bosch-Fortea, Esther Garcia, Jorge Bernardino de la Serna, Miguel A. Alonso
Summary: This study uses a method based on STED microscopy and RICS to demonstrate the important role of lipid liquid-liquid immiscibility in primary ciliogenesis through the midbody remnant.
Article
Allergy
Ioana Agache, Cezmi Akdis, Mubeccel Akdis, Knut Brockow, Tomas Chivato, Stefano del Giacco, Thomas Eiwegger, Kilian Eyerich, Ana Gimenez-Arnau, Jan Gutermuth, Emma Guttman-Yassky, Marcus Maurer, Graham Ogg, Peck Y. Ong, Liam O'Mahony, Juergen Schwarze, Amena Warner, Thomas Werfel, Oscar Palomares, Marek Jutel
Summary: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) poses a significant burden on patients, families and healthcare systems, but a stratified approach to management supported by better understanding of mechanisms allows for targeted treatment with omalizumab.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Miguel Bernabe-Rubio, Minerva Bosch-Fortea, Miguel A. Alonso, Jorge Bernardino de la Serna
Summary: The assembly of the primary cilium in polarized epithelial cells involves the formation of the centrosome-associated membrane patch (CAMP) from the remnant-associated membrane patch (RAMP), from which the ciliary membrane stems. A correlative imaging approach has been developed to quantitatively analyze the lipid collective assembly at the plasma membrane over time and different spatial scales. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms behind the biogenesis of the ciliary membrane in polarized epithelial cells.
Article
Virology
Pradeep Darshana Pushpakumara, Deshan Madhusanka, Saubhagya Dhanasekara, Chandima Jeewandara, Graham S. Ogg, Gathsaurie Neelika Malavige
Summary: Research shows that cross-reactive T cell immunity to seasonal coronaviruses (HCoVs) may impact immunopathology or protection during SARS-CoV2 infection. Candidate CD8(+) T cell epitopes were identified with high homology to other HCoVs, while specific epitopes were found in structural and non-structural proteins of SARS-CoV2.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chandima Jeewandara, Achala Kamaladasa, Pradeep Darshana Pushpakumara, Deshni Jayathilaka, Inoka Sepali Aberathna, Danasekara Rallage Saubhagya Rasikangani Danasekara, Dinuka Guruge, Thushali Ranasinghe, Shashika Dayarathna, Thilagaraj Pathmanathan, Gayasha Somathilake, Panambara Arachchige Deshan Madhusanka, Shyrar Tanussiya Ramu, Tibutius Thanesh Pramanayagam Jayadas, Heshan Kuruppu, Ayesha Wijesinghe, Herath Mudiyanselage Thashmi Nimasha, Dushantha Milroy, Achini Anuja Nandasena, Poththawela Kankanam Gamage Nilanka Sanjeewani, Ruwan Wijayamuni, Sudath Samaraweera, Lisa Schimanski, T. K. Tan, Tao Dong, Graham S. Ogg, Alain Townsend, Gathsaurie Neelika Malavige
Summary: This study found that in a large cohort of healthcare workers, a single dose of the AZD1222 vaccine resulted in 92.9% seroconversion, irrespective of age and gender. The vaccine generated high antibody levels against the wild-type SARS-CoV-2 but low levels against the B.1.351 variant, indicating potential limitations of a single dose in protecting against emerging variants.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Lilit Hovhannisyan, Ewa Czechowska, Danuta Gutowska-Owsiak
Summary: Extracellular vesicles, particularly exosomes, play a crucial role in mediating information exchange between distant cells, directly impacting the biological characteristics and functionality of recipient cells. EVs significantly contribute to shaping immune responses, not only from immune cell-secreted vesicles but also from EVs produced by stroma or epithelial cells in inflamed organs.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Clare S. Hardman, Yi-Ling Chen, Maryam Salimi, Janina Nahler, Daniele Corridoni, Marta Jagielowicz, Chathuranga L. Fonseka, David Johnson, Emmanouela Repapi, David J. Cousins, Jillian L. Barlow, Andrew N. J. McKenzie, Alison Simmons, Graham Ogg
Summary: Cutaneous ILC2 can directly sense skin pathogens through NOD2 and TLR2, leading to cytokine production. NOD2 signaling plays a role in regulating ILC2-derived IL-6 and activating autophagy.
SCIENCE IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Allergy
Jian Luo, Yi-Ling Chen, Wentao Chen, David A. Duncan, Alexander Mentzer, Julian C. Knight, Graham Ogg, Paul Klenerman, Ian D. Pavord, Luzheng Xue
Summary: This study found that pre-existing asthma was not associated with an enhanced cytokine response after COVID-19 infection, disease severity, or mortality. There were no significant differences between COVID-19 patients with asthma and those without asthma in terms of disease severity, inflammatory markers, and circulating cytokine responses.
ALLERGY ASTHMA AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Maier Lorizate, Oihana Terrones, Jon Ander Nieto-Garai, Iratxe Rojo-Bartolome, Dalila Ciceri, Ornella Morana, June Olazar-Intxausti, Aroa Arboleya, Alexia Martin, Marta Szynkiewicz, Maria Calleja-Felipe, Jorge Bernardino de la Serna, F. -Xabier Contreras
Summary: This paper introduces a new bioorthogonal-based cholesterol probe (chol-N-3) that, in combination with nanoscopy, provides a powerful method for direct visualization and characterization of lipid rafts in living cells at unprecedented resolution. The probe allows for observation of cholesterol-rich nanodomains of <50 nm at the plasma membrane of resting living cells, revealing multiple cholesterol diffusion modes at different spatial localizations. The method also shows potential for imaging across thick organ samples to address essential biological questions.
Article
Dermatology
R. A. Sabroe, F. Lawlor, C. E. H. Grattan, M. R. Ardern-Jones, A. Bewley, L. Campbell, C. Flohr, T. A. Leslie, A. M. Marsland, G. Ogg, W. A. C. Sewell, M. Hashme, L. S. Exton, M. F. Mohd Mustapa, M. C. Ezejimofor
BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Paul R. Buckley, Chloe H. Lee, Mariana Pereira Pinho, Rosana Ottakandathil Babu, Jeongmin Woo, Agne Antanaviciute, Alison Simmons, Graham Ogg, Hashem Koohy
Summary: This study explores the cross-protective immunity between SARS-CoV-2 and common-cold human coronaviruses and identifies several highly similar immunogenic peptides. The study also suggests that the distribution of specific TCRs in COVID-19 patients may be HLA-dependent. Additionally, the study provides several conserved SARS-CoV-2 peptides that are recognized by a high proportion of the global population.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ornella Morana, Jon Ander Nieto-Garai, Patrik Bjorkholm, Jorge Bernardino de la Serna, Oihana Terrones, Aroa Arboleya, Dalila Ciceri, Iratxe Rojo-Bartolome, Cedric M. Blouin, Christophe Lamaze, Maier Lorizate, Francesc-Xabier Contreras
Summary: This study identifies cholesterol as a molecular switch regulating the transmembrane signaling of the cytokine interferon-gamma receptor (IFN-gamma R). Cholesterol binds to a conserved motif in the IFN-gamma R, driving its partitioning into lipid nanodomains and facilitating oligomerization and transmembrane signaling. This discovery has significant implications for understanding lipid selectivity by membrane proteins and the role of lipids in modulating cell surface receptor function. In addition, inhibiting the cholesterol-IFN-gamma R2 interaction may be a potential therapeutic strategy for IFN-gamma-dependent diseases.
Article
Immunology
Sofia R. Gardeta, Eva M. Garcia-Cuesta, Gianluca D'Agostino, Blanca Soler Palacios, Adriana Quijada-Freire, Pilar Lucas, Jorge Bernardino de la Serna, Carolina Gonzalez-Riano, Coral Barbas, Jose Miguel Rodriguez-Frade, Mario Mellado
Summary: The local lipid environment plays an important role in regulating CXCR4 organization and function, and modulating chemokine-triggered directed cell migration. Treatment of T cells with bacterial sphingomyelinase alters the lipid composition of the cell membrane, affecting membrane fluidity and CXCR4 nanoclustering and dynamics.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Yusman Manchanda, Stavroula Bitsi, Shiqian Chen, Johannes Broichhagen, Jorge Bernardino de la Serna, Ben Jones, Alejandra Tomas
Summary: The incretin receptors, GLP-1R and GIPR, are important therapeutic targets for type 2 diabetes and obesity. While GLP-1R has been favored as a therapeutic target due to blunted GIPR responses in T2D patients, recent developments have renewed interest in GIPR biology. Our study compares the surface expression, trafficking, and signaling characteristics of both receptors in pancreatic beta cells, identifying potential differences that might underlie distinct pharmacological responses associated with each receptor.