Article
Biology
Daniel Porto, Yohei Matsunaga, Barbara Franke, Rhys M. Williams, Hiroshi Qadota, Olga Mayans, Guy M. Benian, Hang Lu
Summary: The study demonstrates the stretch-unfolding of twitchin kinase in active muscle, with mechanical activity regulating the signaling pathway of this cytoskeletal kinase. The developed techniques could be used to obtain in vivo evidence for force-induced conformational changes or elastic behavior of other proteins.
Article
Neurosciences
Clara Posner, Sohum Mehta, Jin Zhang
Summary: Cells respond to environmental cues by encoding information in compartmentalized biochemical signaling reactions. Genetically encoded fluorescent biosensors enable the monitoring of signaling events in live cells. Temporal and spatiotemporal computational models can be used to interpret biosensor experiments and explore hypotheses difficult to test experimentally.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Birhanu Belay, Elina Mantyla, Christian Maibohm, Oscar F. Silvestre, Jari Hyttinen, Jana B. Nieder, Teemu O. Ihalainen
Summary: Cellular physiology has traditionally been studied using two-dimensional cell culture substrates, which do not accurately mimic the in vivo extracellular environment and interactions. This has led to a demand for more complex model systems in life sciences. Micro-engineered scaffolds have shown promise in understanding the role of physical cues in regulating cellular functions. In this study, we used direct laser writing via two-photon polymerization to create substrates with different surface microtopographies, and combined this with advanced high-resolution spectral imaging to investigate the effects on cellular alignment, nuclear morphology, and mechanics. We found that certain microtopographies influenced cell behavior, such as actin organization and nuclear force transduction.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Foteini K. Kozaniti, Despina D. Deligianni, Margarita D. Georgiou, Diana Portan
Summary: The hypothesis of this research is that modifying the substrate's topography and/or stiffness to mimic biological conditions can influence cell behavior. Substrates with similar surface chemistry but varying stiffness and topographies were created, and their effects on Wharton's Jelly Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells were investigated. The results showed that while solvent casting scaffolds had better mechanical properties, the biomimetic fibrous texture of the electrospun substrates improved cell viability and proliferation. Cell adhesion and differentiation were more pronounced on solvent casting substrates. Soft substrates enhanced cell multiplication and migration, while stiff substrates induced differentiation into bone cells.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Raja Chinnappan, Norhan Sameh Zaghloul, Razan AlZabn, Abeer Malkawi, Anas Abdel Rahman, Khalid M. Abu-Salah, Mohammed Zourob
Summary: The article introduces osteoporosis (OP) and its biomarkers OC and BC, as well as the development of highly sensitive aptasensors using aptamer-based methods for detecting OC and BC.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Muxin Yue, Yunsong Liu, Ping Zhang, Zheng Li, Yongsheng Zhou
Summary: The study investigates the interaction between stem cell transcriptional and metabolic signals in extracellular matrices with different stiffnesses. It reveals that the stiffness of the matrix plays a role in determining the fate of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, with different stiffnesses leading to different differentiation pathways.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Aeolus Vilar, Margeaux Hodgson-Garms, Gina D. Kusuma, Ilze Donderwinkel, James Carthew, Jean L. Tan, Rebecca Lim, Jessica E. Frith
Summary: The stiffness of the substrate significantly affects the paracrine activity of MSCs, altering their proliferation, differentiation, immune modulation, and regenerative potential. These findings can be used to customize the culture environment for manufacturing potent MSCs for specific clinical applications, or to design biomaterials that support MSC activity after delivery.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Ankita Das, Shreya Adhikary, Amit Roy Chowdhury, Ananya Barui
Summary: The study investigates the impact of substrate stiffness on the left-right asymmetry of cultured mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), demonstrating higher asymmetry in cells cultured on stiffer matrices. Various parameters such as aspect ratio, orientation angle, and expression of polarized proteins were used to confirm cellular asymmetry. The study is the first to quantitatively relate MSC asymmetry to matrix properties using a simple 2D model.
BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Heizel Rosado-Galindo, Maribella Domenech
Summary: This study investigates the effect of topographical cues on the secretory profile and potency of bone marrow-derived MSCs (hBM-MSCs). The results show that microgrooves and surfaces with low contact angles can enhance cell elongation and shift cell metabolism to a glycolytic state, leading to increased protein secretion. Gene ontology analysis reveals enrichment of bioprocesses associated with immune modulation and tissue regeneration. Furthermore, co-culture experiments confirm the enhanced immunosuppressive potency of hBM-MSCs on these topographical substrates.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2023)
Review
Polymer Science
Aiah A. El-Rashidy, Sara El Moshy, Israa Ahmed Radwan, Dina Rady, Marwa M. S. Abbass, Christof E. Doerfer, Karim M. Fawzy El-Sayed
Summary: The stiffness of the extracellular matrix plays a regulatory role in directing the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs, with MSCs sensing and responding to their ECM to undergo differentiation. Customizing scaffold materials to mimic cells' natural environment is crucial in the tissue engineering process.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jefferson O. Abaricia, Arth H. Shah, Rene Olivares-Navarrete
Summary: Recent studies have shown that neutrophils regulate NET formation in response to physical and mechanical cues from biomaterials through integrin/FAK signaling pathways. Neutrophils on higher stiffness substrates exhibit increased NET formation and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, with fibronectin being the most potent inducer of NET formation in a stiffness-dependent manner. Inhibition of FAK activity abolishes the stiffness-dependent increase in NET formation and pro-inflammatory molecule secretion.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Hong Cao, Qian Zhou, Chungeng Liu, Yecen Zhang, Minghui Xie, Weihua Qiao, Nianguo Dong
Summary: This study investigates the effect of substrate stiffness on the differentiation of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (h-iPSCs) into valve endothelial-like cells (h-iVECs). The results show that moderate substrate stiffness can enhance the differentiation efficiency of h-iVECs and is regulated by the WNT/Calcineurin signaling pathway. This study emphasizes the importance of using substrate stiffness to achieve a more specific and mature differentiation of h-iVECs.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Yali Fan, Quanmei Sun, Xia Li, Jiantao Feng, Zhuo Ao, Xiang Li, Jiandong Wang
Summary: Studies have shown that increased substrate stiffness promotes proliferation of ovarian cancer cells and is associated with nuclear translocation of oncogenes, while softening of the substrate promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition in tumor cells. Substrate stiffness also affects cellular sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs, potentially through influencing cellular mechanical properties and gene expression.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Zheng Li, Muxin Yue, Xuenan Liu, Yunsong Liu, Longwei Lv, Ping Zhang, Yongsheng Zhou
Summary: This study reveals the role of extracellular matrix stiffness in regulating stem cell fate and the novel mechanism of mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in promoting osteogenesis in 3D matrix. These findings provide new perspectives for strategies of osteoporosis.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Xiao Zhang, Qianhui Wei, Hongbin Zhao, Feng Wei, Tengfei Li
Summary: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an important gas messenger in the human body and its real-time monitoring is crucial for clinical diagnoses and research. In this study, a high-efficient electrochemical sensor was developed using Pt-modified copper oxide (Pt-CuO) as the electrocatalyst. The sensor exhibited remarkable detection performance for H2S as well as selectivity for other gases. The sensor was also successfully applied to monitor H2S released from stem cells. The findings demonstrate the great potential of the Pt-CuO-based electrochemical sensor in clinical applications and understanding the role of H2S in biological processes.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wei Wu, Qiuping Zhou, Takeya Masubuchi, Xiaoshan Shi, Hua Li, Xinyi Xu, Min Huang, Li Meng, Xing He, Hengyu Zhu, Shuaixin Gao, Nan Zhang, Ruirui Jing, Jie Sun, Haopeng Wang, Enfu Hui, Catherine Chiulan Wong, Chenqi Xu
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jung-Soo Suh, Heon-Su Kim, Tae-Jin Kim
Summary: A novel FRET-based hACE2 biosensor was developed to monitor the interaction between hACE2 and SARS-CoV-2 RBD with high spatial and temporal resolutions at the single-cell level. The biosensors were sensitive to both exogenous and endogenous hACE2 expression, potentially aiding in the development of drugs targeting SARS-CoV-2 by inhibiting the hACE2-RBD interaction.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ruirui Jing, Peng Jiao, Jiangqing Chen, Xianhui Meng, Xiaoyan Wu, Yanting Duan, Kai Shang, Liling Qian, Yanjie Huang, Junwei Liu, Tao Huang, Jin Jin, Wei Chen, Xun Zeng, Weiwei Yin, Xiaofei Gao, Chun Zhou, Michel Sadelain, Jie Sun
Summary: Genome editing of T cells using modified plasmid DNA can simplify and expedite the process of producing CAR-T cells, increasing their potency for research and clinical purposes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Longwei Liu, Praopim Limsakul, Xianhui Meng, Yan Huang, Reed E. S. Harrison, Tse-Shun Huang, Yiwen Shi, Yiyan Yu, Krit Charupanit, Sheng Zhong, Shaoying Lu, Jin Zhang, Shu Chien, Jie Sun, Yingxiao Wang
Summary: The authors developed a high-throughput FRET sorting and next-generation sequencing approach, FRET-seq, to identify sensitive biosensors for Fyn and ZAP70 kinases. These biosensors enabled dynamic imaging of T-cell activation and drug screening, leading to the identification of a FDA-approved cancer drug that can be repurposed for inhibiting ZAP70 activity and autoimmune-disease-related T-cell activation.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hongjun Li, Zejun Wang, Edikan Archibong, Qing Wu, Guojun Chen, Quanyin Hu, Tianyuan Ci, Zhaowei Chen, Jinqiang Wang, Di Wen, Hongwei Du, Jie Jiang, Jie Sun, Xingcai Zhang, Gianpietro Dotti, Zhen Gu
Summary: A porous microneedle patch is used to load CAR T cells and escort them to solid tumors, breaking the physical barrier without losing cellular activity. This patch offers a transformative platform for scattered seeding of living cells for treating various tumors.
NATIONAL SCIENCE REVIEW
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biology
Tae-Jin Kim
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yanting Duan, Ruoqi Chen, Yanjie Huang, Xianhui Meng, Jiangqing Chen, Chan Liao, Yongmin Tang, Chun Zhou, Xiaofei Gao, Jie Sun
Summary: This review provides an overview of the research on scFvs and their role in CARs, discusses methods to measure scFv affinity, summarizes scFv optimization studies for different antigens, and offers guidelines for choosing the right scFvs in CAR design.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chanbin Lee, Jieun Kim, Jinsol Han, Dayoung Oh, Minju Kim, Hayeong Jeong, Tae-Jin Kim, Sang-Woo Kim, Jeong Nam Kim, Young-Su Seo, Ayako Suzuki, Jae Ho Kim, Youngmi Jung
Summary: The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is higher in men than premenopausal women. This study demonstrates that formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2) levels are regulated by estrogen, and that FPR2 contributes to NAFLD resistance in female mice.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yanting Duan, Jiangqing Chen, Xianhui Meng, Longwei Liu, Kai Shang, Xiaoyan Wu, Yajie Wang, Zihan Huang, Houyu Liu, Yanjie Huang, Chun Zhou, Xiaofei Gao, Yingxiao Wang, Jie Sun
Summary: CD19 and AXL-specific 1XX CARs showed better antitumor efficacy in pancreatic and melanoma mouse models, with longer persistence of 1XX CAR-T cells in vivo and a higher percentage of central memory cells. 1XX CAR induced higher Ca2+ elevation and faster Erk activation compared to wild-type CAR, shedding light on the underlying molecular mechanism of CAR signaling.
Review
Plant Sciences
Tae-Jin Kim, Gah-Hyun Lim
Summary: Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) is activated when infected leaves produce SAR-inducing signals that are transported to uninfected parts and activate systemic immunity. The transport routes of many SAR-associated chemicals are still unknown. Recent studies suggest that pathogen-infected cells preferentially transport salicylic acid (SA) through the apoplast, while glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) and azelaic acid (AzA) travel through the plasmodesmata (PD) channel. This review discusses the role of SA as a mobile signal and the regulation of SA transport in SAR.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jung-Soo Suh, Tae-Jin Kim
Summary: Understanding the spatiotemporal behavior of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) is crucial for studying DNA damage and repair processes. Traditional methods rely on biochemical assays, such as immunostaining, to detect DSBs. However, a reliable technique for real-time visualization and assessment of DSB activity in living cells is still lacking. In this study, we developed a novel DNA biosensor based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), which specifically reacts to gamma H2AX activity induced by drugs or ionizing radiation (IR). Our biosensor enables the quantification of DSB events at high spatiotemporal resolutions, providing a new experimental tool for studying DNA double-strand breaks. This biosensor has the potential to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying DNA damage and repair processes.
BIOMATERIALS RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Sang-Hyun Ahn, Jung-Soo Suh, Gah-Hyun Lim, Tae-Jin Kim
Summary: Human vision is dependent on the retina, an essential tissue in the central nervous system. Glaucoma, a complex retinal disease, is influenced by various factors including genetics, environment, and chance. Although glaucoma was traditionally associated with the elderly, it has become a growing concern among younger individuals, with excessive light exposure being suggested as a contributing factor. Blue light induces cell death in the retina while red light promotes cell regeneration and reduces inflammation. Minimizing blue light exposure and implementing red light treatment strategies can potentially enhance existing treatments for retinal disease and glaucoma. This review highlights the correlation between light exposure and glaucoma onset, and explores the potential of photobiomodulation therapy.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Sanghyun Ahn, Jung -Soo Suh, Yoon-Kwan Jang, Heonsu Kim, Kiseok Han, Yerim Lee, Gyuho Choi, Tae-Jin Kim
Summary: The TAUCON and TAUCOM biosensors, based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), can accurately detect abnormal conformational changes in tau protein at the single-cell level. These biosensors provide valuable tools for investigating the initial causes, mechanisms, progression, and treatment of tauopathies.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Jie Jiang, Jiangqing Chen, Chan Liao, Yanting Duan, Yajie Wang, Kai Shang, Yanjie Huang, Yongming Tang, Xiaofei Gao, Ying Gu, Jie Sun
Summary: CAR-T therapies for T-cell malignancies face challenges due to fratricide caused by the same target expression. This study used CRISPR/Cas9 to knockout CD7, reducing fratricide, and developed a 2-in-1 strategy to insert CD7-specific CAR at the disrupted CD7 locus. Compared to other strategies, these CAR-T cells showed enhanced anti-tumor activity and expanded well, demonstrating potential for clinical application in T-cell malignancies.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chan Liao, Yajie Wang, Yanjie Huang, Yanting Duan, Yan Liang, Jiangqing Chen, Jie Jiang, Kai Shang, Chun Zhou, Ying Gu, Nan Liu, Xun Zeng, Xiaofei Gao, Yongmin Tang, Jie Sun
Summary: The stable expression of CD38 in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) makes CD38 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T/natural killer (NK) a potential therapy for T-ALL. However, normal T/NK cells expressing CD38 cause fratricide of CD38 CAR-T/NK cells. To overcome this, a 2-in-1 gene editing strategy was developed to generate fratricide-resistant CAR-T/NK cells. The strategy involved integrating CD38-specific CAR into disrupted CD38 locus and controlling its expression using endogenous or exogenous promoters.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Lin-Lin Luo, Jie Xu, Bing-Qiao Wang, Chen Chen, Xi Chen, Qiu-Mei Hu, Yu-Qiu Wang, Wan-Yun Zhang, Wan-Xiang Jiang, Xin-Ting Li, Hu Zhou, Xiao Xiao, Kai Zhao, Sen Lin
Summary: A novel AAV serotype, AAVYC5, introduced in this study, showed more efficient transduction into multiple retinal layers compared to AAV2, and enabled successful delivery of anti-angiogenic molecules in mice and non-human primates.