Article
Neurosciences
Shoko Nakamuta, Yoshio Yamamoto, Masao Miyazaki, Atsuhiro Sakuma, Masato Nikaido, Nobuaki Nakamuta
Summary: Lungfish have two distinct sensory epithelia in their olfactory organs, corresponding to the lamellar olfactory epithelium and primitive vomeronasal organ (VNO) found in teleosts and tetrapods, respectively. The expression of V1Rs, a type of olfactory receptor, in lungfish suggests an intermediate step in the segregation of V1R expression between the olfactory epithelium and VNO, reflecting the evolutionary position of lungfish between teleosts and amphibians.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Elska B. Kaczmarek, Samantha M. Gartner, Mark W. Westneat, Elizabeth L. Brainerd
Summary: The study found that the major cranial bones serve as valves or pumps during air breathing and suction feeding, controlling the pattern of fluid flow; both behaviors exhibit an anterior-to-posterior wave of expansion and compression; the pectoral girdle and cranial rib rotate consistently during air breathing and suction feeding, with the muscle between them shortening during buccal expansion.
INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Serafin Mirete-Bachiller, Francisco Gambon
Summary: Sarcopterygian fishes are a taxon of bony fishes that evolved adaptations such as lungs and paired lobed fins. The study of their immunoglobulin genes reveals two evolutionary lineages, one focused on IgM and the other on IgW, allowing for high variability. The animals that went from water to land have IgD formed only by domains originating from the W lineage, while IgA/X and IgY arose from recombination between the two lineages.
MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jianyong Zhong, Annet Kirabo, Hai-Chun Yang, Agnes B. Fogo, Elaine L. Shelton, Valentina Kon
Summary: Kidney disease has adverse effects on various organs beyond the kidney, such as the heart, lungs, brain, and intestines. Recent studies show that kidney injury affects the intestinal lymphatics, leading to harmful substance production and distribution, which contributes to disease progression in distant organs. Understanding the mechanisms of kidney-intestinal cross talk is important for comprehending the vicious cycle of organ damage and developing new therapeutic strategies.
CIRCULATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yang-Bao Miao, Tianxing Xu, Ying Gong, Anmei Chen, Liang Zou, Tao Jiang, Yi Shi
Summary: Oral administration is the preferred method of drug delivery due to its safety and high patient compliance, but it is limited by poor bioavailability. This review discusses the targeted drug vehicles to the intestinal lymphatic system (ILS) and their significance in medication absorption and transport. The review presents various approaches to targeting the ILS for enhanced bioavailability and targeted delivery, as well as methods for opening the ILS window for potential clinical applications.
JOURNAL OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Samantha M. Gartner, Katrina R. Whitlow, J. D. Laurence-Chasen, Elska B. Kaczmarek, Michael C. Granatosky, Callum F. Ross, Mark W. Westneat
Summary: This study used XROMM to investigate the kinematics of cranial bones and muscles during feeding in West African lungfish. The results revealed the unique motion patterns of cranial elements and the contribution of muscle shortening to successful suction feeding.
Article
Cell Biology
Kenta Niimi, Jun Nakae, Shinobu Inagaki, Tatsuo Furuyama
Summary: The transcription factor FOXO1 has been shown to suppress the formation and maintenance of intraluminal lymphatic valves (LVs) in lymphatic endothelial cells. Oscillatory shear stress from bidirectional flow inactivates FOXO1, leading to the upregulation of LV-specific genes. This finding suggests that FOXO1 may be a potential therapeutic target for lymphatic circulatory abnormalities.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
J. Lisa Hoogenboom, Marty Kwok-Shing Wong, Susumu Hyodo, W. Gary Anderson
Summary: In this study, the mechanisms of nitrogen movement across the spiral valve of the cloudy catshark were investigated. The molecular identification of two ammonia transporters (Rhp2 and Rhbg) and a urea transporter (UT) revealed their specific cellular localizations. The mRNA abundance of Rhp2 and UT were found to be influenced by fasting and feeding, indicating their involvement in nitrogen homeostasis in the cloudy catshark.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY A-MOLECULAR & INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zichen Zhang, Yi Lu, Jianping Qi, Wei Wu
Summary: Orally administered drugs must survive the gastrointestinal environment, penetrate the enteric epithelia, and avoid hepatic metabolism before reaching the systemic circulation. Hepatic metabolism is a significant barrier, and alternative pathways like intestinal lymphatic transport are being explored. Main pathways for peroral lymphatic transport include the chylomicron and microfold cell pathways, with increasing research input and applications.
ACTA PHARMACEUTICA SINICA B
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Kyoung Sub Kim, Sanghee Lee, Kun Na, You Han Bae
Summary: This study describes a strategy using antigen and adjuvant encapsulated dendritic cell-targeted nanoparticles for immune activation in the small intestinal lymphatic system to inhibit melanoma development. Oral delivery of the nanoparticles enhances dendritic cell maturation and induces cancer-specific T helper type 1 and type 2 responses in the blood. Repeated oral administration of the nanoparticles increases the population of immune cells and completely prevents melanoma development.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Samantha Kraus, Esak Lee
Summary: This study developed a human lymphatic vessel chip to investigate the effects of acute and chronic inflammation on primary lymphatic valve function. The results showed that acute inflammation impeded lymphatic drainage, while chronic inflammation increased lymphatic permeability. This study reveals distinct mechanisms of primary lymphatic valve dysfunction in acute and chronic inflammation.
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Wendi Zhang, Jiang Li, Jiangjiu Liang, Xiumei Qi, Jinghui Tian, Ju Liu
Summary: The lymphatic system plays a key role in maintaining internal homeostasis, and the coagulation state in lymph is influenced by various factors. The risk of localized lymphatic coagulation is increased by internal obstructions, external compressions, or abnormaally high lymphatic pressure. The mechanisms of coagulation in lymphatic vessels are complex and influenced by factors such as antithrombin imbalance, endothelial injury, and tissue heterogeneity.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yaping Meng, Tong Lv, Junfeng Zhang, Weimin Shen, Lifang Li, Yaqi Li, Xin Liu, Xing Lei, Xuguang Lin, Hanfang Xu, Anming Meng, Shunji Jia
Summary: This study reveals the involvement of the Efnb2-Ephb4-Rasa1 regulated Erk signaling axis in lymphatic valve development. The inhibition of Erk signaling during valve cell specification and the opposite roles of Erk signaling in lymphatic vessel development and lymphatic valve formation are demonstrated. The findings provide insights into the molecular mechanism of lymphatic valve formation and have implications for the treatment of lymphatic disorders.
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION AND TARGETED THERAPY
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Laura Alderfer, Eva Hall, Donny Hanjaya-Putra
Summary: This article highlights the importance of using biomaterials to study the lymphatic system, emphasizing their potential roles in immune cell trafficking, drug delivery, and tissue regeneration. Insights gained from mechanistic studies can be applied to design innovative biomaterials for immunomodulation and future therapeutic strategies.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Yikang Huang, Huanyu Mao, Yan Chen
Summary: This manuscript summarizes the development of human vestibular hair cells and the latest research on their regeneration, highlighting the limitations of current studies and discussing future directions.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Leanne S. X. Teh, Jeslyn S. T. Poo, Mel Boo, Shit F. Chew, Yuen K. Ip
Summary: In the giant clam Tridacna squamosa, the outer mantle exhibited the highest transcript levels of symbiotic zooxanthellal GS1, indicating a high potential for urea degradation, which could provide essential substances for photosynthesis and amino acid synthesis in the symbionts. Light enhanced the protein abundance of Zoox-GS1 in both the outer and inner mantle, facilitating glutamine formation.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY A-MOLECULAR & INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
John Ndegwa Maina, Jose Manuel Icardo, Giacomo Zaccone, Marialuisa Aragona, Eugenia Rita Lauriano, Alessio Alesci, Marco Albano, Maria Cristina Guerrera, Antonino Germana, Jorge Manuel Oliveira Fernandes, Viswanath Kiron, Gioele Capillo
Summary: This study focused on the immune cell network in the gill and air-breathing organs of the sharptooth catfish, highlighting the interactions between different immune cells, neurotransmitters, and antimicrobial peptides. The research revealed the presence of a cholinergic innervation network across the gas exchange barrier and the localization of Ach in specific cells, providing insights into the neuro-immune interactions at mucosal barrier surfaces in fish.
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Yuen K. Ip, Mel Boo, Miguel Mies, Shit F. Chew
Summary: The study found that after 30 days of exposure to darkness, giant clams showed significant changes in coloration and gene expression in the outer mantle. However, after returning to a normal photoperiod for just 11 days, the quantity of symbionts and coloration increased significantly, indicating that the giant clam-coccoid dinoflagellate holobiont is phototrophically plastic and particularly tolerant to bleaching.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Giacomo Zaccone, Gioele Capillo, Jorge Manuel Oliveira Fernandes, Viswanath Kiron, Eugenia Rita Lauriano, Alessio Alesci, Patrizia Lo Cascio, Maria Cristina Guerrera, Michal Kuciel, Krystyna Zuwala, Jose Manuel Icardo, Atsushi Ishimatsu, Ryosuke Murata, Takafumi Amagai, Antonino Germana, Marialuisa Aragona
Summary: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are multifunctional peptides with antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities. This review focuses on the molecular characterization of the fish-specific AMP piscidin1 and its role in the immune response against pathogens. The discovery of piscidins in the gill and skin and their potential as drug targets for antimicrobial barrier function and aquaculture therapy is important for future research.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mel Boo, Caryn Z. Pang, Shit F. Chew, Yuen K. Ip
Summary: Giant clams require increased transport of Ca2+ and HCO3- for shell formation. This study identified two proteins involved in HCO3- transport and found that their expression levels increased significantly in response to light, suggesting their role in light-enhanced uptake of HCO3-.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY A-MOLECULAR & INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Caryn Z. Pang, Mel Boo, Yuen K. Ip, Shit F. Chew
Summary: Research on giant clams reveals that dinoflagellates utilize AMT2 to absorb ammonia in photosynthesis, particularly with a stronger absorption capacity in dinoflagellates residing in the outer mantle, enhancing the assimilation process of ammonia.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Germaine C. Y. Teng, Mel V. Boo, Siew H. Lam, Caryn Z. Pang, Shit F. Chew, Yuen K. Ip
Summary: This study reports on the glycerol transport protein in the symbionts of giant clams and suggests potential differences in glycerol transport capabilities among different genetic types.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuen K. Ip, Charmaine W. Q. Leong, Mel Boo, Wai P. Wong, Siew H. Lam, Shit F. Chew
Summary: African lungfishes are highly ammonia-tolerant obligatory air-breathers. The study found that branchial vacuolar-type H+-ATPase (Vha) played a crucial role in regulating the acidification of the external medium in lungfishes. Furthermore, exposure to high ammonia concentrations resulted in increased expression and activity of Vha, enhancing its ability to acidify the external medium.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY A-MOLECULAR & INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Caryn Z. Pang, Yuen K. Ip, Shit F. Chew
Summary: This study used transcript levels of ammonia transporter in different genera of Symbiodiniaceae dinoflagellates to estimate their potential of ammonia transport in the fluted giant clam. The results indicated that different phylotypes of Symbiodinium and Cladocopium have different potentials of ammonia transport, and Symbiodinium phylotypes might have higher potential of NO3- transport than ammonia transport. The study also revealed disparate potentials of ammonia transport among Symbiodiniaceae phylotypes residing in different organs of T. squamosa, suggesting functional diversity among these phylotypes.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY A-MOLECULAR & INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Raagavi Mani, Mel Boo, Siow Y. Ng, Shit F. Chew, Yuen K. Ip
Summary: Giant clams harbor symbiotic dinoflagellates that possess their own carbon concentration mechanism and are influenced by light exposure. The study indicates that light enhances the gene and protein expression levels of the symbiotic dinoflagellates in the clam's outer mantle, and different species may vary in their ability to generate CO2.
Article
Cell Biology
Giacomo Zaccone, Gioele Capillo, Marialuisa Aragona, Alessio Alesci, Camila Cupello, Eugenia Rita Lauriano, Maria Cristina Guerrera, Michal Kuciel, Kristina Zuwala, Antonino Germana, Jose Manuel Icardo
Summary: In this study, we conducted a morphological and immunohistochemical study of the gills of juvenile specimens of the obligate air-breathing fish Heterotis niloticus. The gills showed a reduced respiratory surface area by development of an interlamellar cellular mass (ILCM), which persisted under both normoxia and hypoxia. Neuroepithelial cells (NECs), the major oxygen and hypoxia sensing cell type, expressed 5HT, nNOS, and VAChT and were associated with nitrergic nerve fibers. The O2 levels did not affect the characteristics of NECs.
Article
Cell Biology
Alejandro Castilla-Ibeas, Sofia Zdral, Laura Galan, Endika Haro, Lila Allou, Victor M. Campa, Jose M. Icardo, Stefan Mundlos, Kerby C. Oberg, Marian A. Ros
Summary: Mammalian digit tip regeneration is dependent on the presence of nail tissue, and a nail-specific model is lacking. Nail-less double-ventral digits of DLARM1/2 mutants fail to regenerate, while double-dorsal double-nail digits can regenerate. Transcriptomic comparison reveals differential upregulation of vascularization and connective tissue functional signatures in wild-type digits versus upregulation of inflammation in the mutant, suggesting additional roles of Lmx1b in digit tip regeneration beyond nail formation.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Jose M. Icardo, Alessio Alesci, Michal Kuciel, Krystyna Zuwala, Maria C. Guerrera, Giacomo Zaccone
Summary: This study investigates the structure and relationships of the respiratory gas bladder and vertebrae in the osteoglossiform fish Heterotis niloticus. The gas bladder has a glottis-like opening and is lined with a highly vascularized parenchyma with alveolar-like structure. It exhibits good potential for respiratory gas exchange. The ventral wall of the gas bladder has a well-vascularized membrane and a richly innervated smooth muscle layer, implying adjustability. The trunk and caudal vertebrae have surface openings and intravertebral pneumatic spaces invaded by the bladder parenchyma. The findings suggest the exceptional role of the African Arowana in postcranial skeletal pneumaticity outside of Archosauria.
JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bjarke Jensen, Antoon Fransiscus Maria Moorman, Tobias Wang, Peter Rask Moller, Jose Manuel Icardo, Henrik Lauridsen
Article
Fisheries
Giacomo Zaccone, Alessio Alesci, Doaa M. M. Mokhtar, Marialuisa Aragona, Maria Cristina Guerrera, Gioele Capillo, Marco Albano, Jorge de Oliveira Fernandes, Viswanath Kiron, Ramy K. A. Sayed, Marwa M. M. Hussein, Patrizia Lo Cascio, Michal Kuciel, Krystyna Zuwala, Antonino Germana, Jose Manuel Icardo, Eugenia Rita Lauriano
Summary: The recognition and elimination of invading pathogens are essential for host survival. Macrophages, which function similarly to vertebrate macrophages, play a crucial role in host protection in all multicellular organisms. CD14 is a pattern responsible for bacterial recognition found on the surface of macrophages. These cells store antimicrobial molecules and display polarization states similar to mammalian macrophages. The present study reports the presence of various cell markers, including CD14, in the intestinal macrophages of catfish and bonytongue, providing insights into the in vivo function of macrophages in fish.