Review
Cell Biology
Shuying Yang, Sergey V. Plotnikov
Summary: Cells in the human body respond to environmental cues, and tissue mechanics play a key role in disease development. During inflammation, tissue stiffness is upregulated, promoting immune cell response and fibrotic phenotype formation.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Shijie He, Dara A. Azar, Farid Nasr Esfahani, Golara A. Azar, Tarek Shazly, Nima Saeidi
Summary: The study developed a novel procedure/device, called mechanoscopy, which accurately detects and differentiates fibrosis and inflammation in rodent models of colitis. As a result, mechanoscopy offers a translationally relevant approach for ultrasensitive and minimally invasive IBD diagnosis.
INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yume Suzuki, Hiroki Oinaka, Hideki Nakajima, Mai Nampei, Fumihiro Kawakita, Yoichi Miura, Ryuta Yasuda, Naoki Toma, Hidenori Suzuki
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between plasma FBLN5 levels and neurovascular events or outcomes in patients with aneurysmal SAH. The results showed that plasma FBLN5 levels were associated with severe admission clinical grades, neurological exacerbation, and poor outcomes. The delayed elevation of plasma FBLN5 may be related to poor outcomes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Thomas J. Petet, Halston E. Deal, Hanhsen S. Zhao, Amanda Y. He, Christina Tang, Christopher A. Lemmon
Summary: Cells can sense mechanical properties and make decisions accordingly, with most research focusing on cellular responses to substrate stiffness. There is currently no direct experimental method to detect the viscous effects of a substrate, but researchers can control substrate mechanical properties using polymers with different PDMS formulations.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Mandi Luo, Dan Yan, Xiaolu Liang, Yi Huang, Pengcheng Luo, Zhen Yang, Yucong Zhang, Ting Xu, Shangbang Gao, Le Zhang, Yiwu Zhou, Qing Shi, Cuntai Zhang, Lei Ruan
Summary: Arterial stiffness is the basis for cardiovascular diseases and its early detection and intervention are crucial for improving global burden of CVD. In this study, the researchers used quantitative proteomics to analyze plasma samples and found that fibulin-1 was significantly upregulated in individuals with high arterial stiffness, and it was positively correlated with arterial stiffness.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Wendian Yin, Liang Zhang, Meifang Qian
Summary: This study found that fibulin-5 attenuated inflammation and prevented lung injury in patients and mice with lung infections through suppression of the CGRP pathway. Upregulation of fibulin-5 in an in vitro model also reduced inflammation and suppressed the CREB/CGRP pathway. However, upregulation of the CREB/CGRP pathway weakened the anti-inflammation effects of fibulin-5 in an infection-induced lung injury model.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL REGULATORS AND HOMEOSTATIC AGENTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Felix-Mihai Maralescu, Adrian Vaduva, Adalbert Schiller, Ligia Petrica, Ioan Sporea, Alina Popescu, Roxana Sirli, Alis Dema, Madalina Bodea, Iulia Grosu, Flaviu Bob
Summary: Renal biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing and managing glomerulonephritis. The new software from Hologic Supersonic Mach 30 shows promise in assessing renal tissue stiffness and viscosity. In a study of 40 patients with chronic glomerulopathies, the elastography technique was found to reveal renal tissue fibrosis.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jin Wang, Si-an Xie, Ning Li, Tao Zhang, Weijuan Yao, Hucheng Zhao, Wei Pang, Lili Han, Jiayu Liu, Jing Zhou
Summary: Vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) are capable of changing their phenotype in response to mechanical cues from the extracellular matrix (ECM), and a receptor tyrosine kinase known as discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1) plays a crucial role in this process. The study reveals that the stiffness of the ECM activates DDR1, which then regulates the expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) to influence vSMC phenotype and proinflammatory responses. DDR1 is shown to play a critical role in vascular pathologies and may have implications for the design of engineered vascular grafts and networks.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Yuanyuan Fu, Pengzhi Wan, Jie Zhang, Xue Li, Jia Xing, Yu Zou, Kaiyue Wang, Hui Peng, Qizhuo Zhu, Liu Cao, Xiaoyue Zhai
Summary: It was found in the study that increased ECM stiffness aggravates the progression of renal fibrosis through the Piezo1-p38MAPK-YAP pathway, and targeting mechanosensitive Piezo1 might be a potential therapeutic strategy for delaying the progression of renal fibrosis.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Physiology
Manlin He, Lan Feng, Yang Chen, Bin Gao, Yiwei Du, Lu Zhou, Fei Li, Hongbao Liu
Summary: This study demonstrates that polydatin (PD) has the potential to delay the progression of renal fibrosis in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) by inhibiting the expression and nuclear translocation of Yes-associated protein (YAP). PD can reduce the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and collagen I, and also decrease the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, PD is more effective than the pharmacological inhibitor of YAP, verteporfin (VP), in reducing urinary protein, blood glucose, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and renal fibrosis.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jialun Cai, Junjuan Wang, Chenxuan Sun, Jianwu Dai, Can Zhang
Summary: Interface tissue engineering is a rapidly growing field focused on developing engineered tissue replacements to promote integration between multiple tissue types by using biomaterials with specific compositions and stiffness gradients to regulate cellular behavior and tissue regeneration.
BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Physiology
Ting Guo, Cindy Wantono, Yuyong Tan, Feihong Deng, Tianying Duan, Deliang Liu
Summary: This article provides a comprehensive view of the role of matrix stiffness in the pathological progression of hepatic disease, particularly liver cirrhosis and carcinoma. The regulators that modulate matrix stiffness, including ECM components, MMPs, and crosslinking modifications, are discussed. The latest advances in the research on matrix mechanics in regulating intercellular signaling and cell phenotype are classified, with a focus on hepatic stellate cells, hepatocytes, and immunocytes. The molecular mechanism of sensing and transducing mechanical signaling is highlighted, and the current progress in targeting ECM stiffness for the treatment of liver disease is detailed.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Theresa Failer, Michael Amponsah-Offeh, Ales Neuwirth, Ioannis Kourtzelis, Pallavi Subramanian, Peter Mirtschink, Mirko Peitzsch, Klaus Matschke, Sems M. Tugtekin, Tetsuhiro Kajikawa, Xiaofei Li, Anne Steglich, Florian Gembardt, Annika C. Wegner, Christian Hugo, George Hajishengallis, Triantafyllos Chavakis, Andreas Deussen, Vladimir Todorov, Irakli Kopaliani
Summary: DEL-1, an endogenous anti-inflammatory factor, improves endothelial function, prevents cardiovascular remodeling, and inhibits the progression of hypertension.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gabrielle L. Clark-Patterson, Sambit Roy, Laurephile Desrosiers, Leise R. Knoepp, Aritro Sen, Kristin S. Miller
Summary: The study showed that fibulin-5 deficiency and prolapse progression decreased vaginal contractility and increased vaginal wall stress. Additionally, the elastin area fraction of the vaginal wall was negatively correlated with contractility, while vaginal wall stresses positively correlated with prolapse grade.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Ophthalmology
Sarah Powell, Mustapha Irnaten, Colm O'Brien
Summary: Glaucoma is an age-related optic neuropathy characterized by progressive vision loss and increased stiffness of ocular tissues. This stiffness is attributed to increased collagen deposition and loss of elastin structure, resulting in abnormal biomechanical compliance and reduced tissue elasticity. Studies have shown that various ocular tissues, including the trabecular meshwork, Schlemm's canal, cornea, sclera, and the lamina cribrosa, are stiffer in glaucomatous eyes compared to healthy eyes.
CURRENT EYE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Jayakanthan Kabeerdoss, Ruchika Goel, Hindumathi Mohan, Debashish Danda
Summary: The study investigated the effects of TLR-4 activation by pro-inflammatory and angiogenic factors in PBMCs of patients with TA. Results showed increased expression of IL-1 beta and IL-1R2 genes in PBMCs of TA patients upon TLR4 activation. Additionally, CCL2 gene expression was elevated in unstimulated PBMCs of TA patients, and significantly higher expression of HPSE, TIMP1, and lower expression of VEGFB, S1PR1, SERPINF1, ANGPLT4, ANGPT2, TIE1, and NOS3 genes were observed in the screening cohort.
RHEUMATOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Jayakanthan Kabeerdoss, Pulukool Sandhya, Biji T. Kurien, Robert Hal Scofield, Debashish Danda
Summary: This study found that Curcumin can reduce IL-6 secretion levels in salivary gland tissue of patients with pSS, as well as lower mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and IL-1 beta.
RHEUMATOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Correction
Rheumatology
Jayakanthan Kabeerdoss, Pulukool Sandhya, Biji T. Kurien, Robert Hal Scofield, Debashish Danda
Summary: The abstract section in the original article is published incorrectly.
RHEUMATOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Snehil Kumar, R. Sam Arul Doss, Grace Rebekah, Nitty S. Mathews, Debashish Danda, John Mathew, Dolly Daniel
Summary: This study assessed the frequency of HLA-B*27 subtypes in Indian Tamil AS patients, revealing disease predisposition for different subtypes in males and associated clinical manifestations.
Article
Rheumatology
Pramod Prahlad Chebbi, Ruchika Goel, J. Ramya, M. Gowri, ArianeL Herrick, Debashish Danda
Summary: The presence of anti-U1RNP antibody is associated with distinct microvascular abnormalities in SLE, with more profound patterns seen in patients with MCTD and less marked changes in RNP-negative SLE patients.
RHEUMATOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Pulukool Sandhya, Jayakanthan Kabeerdoss, Pamela Christudoss, Roy Arulraj, Santosh Kumar Mandal, Ramya Janardana, Pramod Prahlad Chebbi, Maya Pavalasseril Ganesan, Gowri Mahasampath, Debashish Danda
Summary: This study recruited patients meeting the 2016 ACR/EULAR criteria for pSS, as well as age-matched healthy and disease controls, and found significant differences in salivary FLC lambda and salivary IgG between the pSS group and controls. The results suggest that these markers could be potential non-invasive biomarkers in pSS.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2022)
Editorial Material
Rheumatology
Paula Alba Moreyra, Francis Berenbaum, Debashish Danda, Bettina Groetsch, Simon R. Stones, Sowmya Viswanathan
Summary: In this viewpoint, six rheumatology researchers at different career stages and from different regions discuss the challenges of conducting research during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also reflect on how the pandemic has changed their attitudes towards research and their plans for the future.
NATURE REVIEWS RHEUMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Avanish Jha, Debashish Danda, Abigail Ruth Gojer, Ajit Kumar Surin, Rachana Shenoy, Sangeetha Priya, Bijesh Yadav
Summary: This study aimed to examine the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMDs) in patients with systemic sclerosis and evaluate the effectiveness of a standardized interview technique for screening CMDs. The results showed a higher occurrence of depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in systemic sclerosis patients compared to the general population. Additionally, adjusting the cutoff score for the screening tool improved its sensitivity for psychiatric diagnosis.
RHEUMATOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Orthopedics
A. Singh, S. Das, A. Chopra, D. Danda, B. J. Paul, L. March, A. J. Mathew, P. Shenoy, C. Gotay, A. J. Palmer, B. Antony
Summary: This study aimed to describe the burden of osteoarthritis (OA) in India from 1990 to 2019. The results showed that the number of individuals with OA and DALYs due to OA in India increased during this period, with knee OA being the most common form. The prevalence, incidence, and DALYs for OA were consistently higher in females than males. Suitable control and preventive measures are needed to reduce the burden of OA in India.
OSTEOARTHRITIS AND CARTILAGE
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Gabriela Hernandez-Molina, Belchin Kostov, Pilar Brito-Zeron, Arjan Vissink, Thomas Mandl, Anneline C. Hinrichs, Luca Quartuccio, Chiara Baldini, Raphaele Seror, Antonia Szanto, David Isenberg, Roberto Gerli, Gunnel Nordmark, Astrid Rasmussen, Roser Solans-Laque, Benedikt Hofauer, Damien Sene, Sandra G. Pasoto, Maureen Rischmueller, Sonja Praprotnik, Tamer A. Gheita, Debashish Danda, Berkan Armagan, Yasunori Suzuki, Valeria Valim, Valerie Devauchelle-Pensec, Soledad Retamozo, Marika Kvarnstrom, Agata Sebastian, Fabiola Atzeni, Roberto Giacomelli, Steven E. Carsons, Seung-Ki Kwok, Hideki Nakamura, Virginia Fernandes Moca Trevisani, Alejandra Flores-Chavez, Xavier Mariette, Manuel Ramos-Casals
Summary: This study characterized 414 patients with primary SS who developed haematological malignancies and analyzed the impact of SS- and lymphoma-related features on presentation patterns and outcomes. The results showed that B-cell lymphomas, especially MALT lymphoma, predominated in the salivary glands and had a favorable prognosis.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Michal Sobecki, Jing Chen, Ewelina Krzywinska, Shunmugam Nagarajan, Zheng Fan, Eric Nelius, Josep M. Monne Rodriguez, Frauke Seehusen, Amro Hussein, Greta Moschini, Edries Y. Hajam, Ravi Kiran, Dagmar Gotthardt, Julien Debbache, Cecile Badoual, Tatsuyuki Sato, Takayuki Isagawa, Norihiko Takeda, Corinne Tanchot, Eric Tartour, Achim Weber, Sabine Werner, Johannes Loffing, Lukas Sommer, Veronika Sexl, Christian Muenz, Carol Feghali-Bostwick, Elena Pachera, Oliver Distler, Jess Snedeker, Colin Jamora, Christian Stockmann
Summary: This study demonstrates that immunotherapy targeting fibrogenic cells could be a potential approach to treat fibrosis.
Review
Immunology
Edries Yousaf Hajam, Patricia Panikulam, Chung-Ching Chu, Haarshadri Jayaprakash, Amitabha Majumdar, Colin Jamora
Summary: As the interface between the body and the environment, the skin not only acts as a physical barrier, but also as an immunologically active organ. Regulatory T cells (T-regs) play a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis, clearing pathogens, and promoting wound healing. Recent studies have uncovered non-lymphoid functions of cutaneous T-regs, suggesting that they have executive control over various biological activities in the skin. These findings highlight the importance of T-regs and their potential role in future discoveries in the field of regenerative medicine.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Peter C. Grayson, Cristina Ponte, Ravi Suppiah, Joanna C. Robson, Katherine Bates Gribbons, Andrew Judge, Anthea Craven, Sara Khalid, Andrew Hutchings, Debashish Danda, Raashid A. Luqmani, Richard A. Watts, Peter A. Merkel
Summary: This study developed and validated new classification criteria for Takayasu arteritis through expert panel review and data analysis. The model showed a high level of accuracy and sensitivity when tested in the validation data set.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Dermatology
Isha Rana, Sunny Kataria, Tuan Lin Tan, Edries Yousaf Hajam, Deepak Kumar Kashyap, Dyuti Saha, Johan Ajnabi, Sayan Paul, Shashank Jayappa, Akhil S. H. P. Ananthan, Pankaj Kumar, Rania F. Zaarour, J. Haarshaadri, Gaurav Kansagara, Abrar Rizvi, Ravindra K. Zirmire, Krithika Badarinath, Sneha Uday Khedkar, Yogesh Chandra, Rekha Samuel, Renu George, Debashish Danda, Paul Mazhuvanchary Jacob, Rakesh Dey, Perundurai S. Dhandapany, You-Wen He, John Varga, Shyni Varghese, Colin Jamora
Summary: It was discovered that the transcription factor SNAI1 is overexpressed in the epidermis of patients with systemic sclerosis, and a transgenic mouse model mimicking this expression pattern can induce many clinical features of the human disease. The study found that Mindin protein plays a critical role in fibrogenesis by inducing early inflammatory cytokine production and collagen secretion in resident dermal fibroblasts. Targeting Mindin protein holds promise as an effective therapy for fibrosis.
JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Peter C. Grayson, Cristina Ponte, Ravi Suppiah, Joanna C. Robson, Katherine Bates Gribbons, Andrew Judge, Anthea Craven, Sara Khalid, Andrew Hutchings, Debashish Danda, Raashid A. Luqmani, Richard A. Watts, Peter A. Merkel
Summary: The objective of this study was to develop and validate new classification criteria for Takayasu arteritis (TAK). The study consisted of six phases and resulted in the establishment of validated criteria for TAK classification.
ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATOLOGY
(2022)