Review
Physiology
Sebastian Himbert, Maikel C. Rheinstadter
Summary: Red blood cells, the most abundant cell type in the human body, have a simple structure and are both flexible and resistant to shear stress. The composition and organization of their outer shell play a crucial role in their mechanical properties. Current research indicates that the structure of the cell membrane is patchy, with liquid ordered and disordered lipid and peptide domains. Contrary to previous beliefs, the membrane is surprisingly soft, potentially due to the interaction between polyunsaturated lipids and cholesterol.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Kanika Suri, Anisha D'Souza, Di Huang, Aashray Bhavsar, Mansoor Amiji
Summary: Cancer therapy is shifting towards immunotherapy that activates the host immune system. Bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs) are being studied as a potential tool for controlling immune responses and for drug delivery. However, there are still unanswered questions regarding the use of BEVs, especially for long-term immunotherapies.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paula Abou Karam, Irit Rosenhek-Goldian, Tamar Ziv, Hila Ben Ami Pilo, Ido Azuri, Anna Rivkin, Edo Kiper, Ron Rotkopf, Sidney R. Cohen, Ana Claudia Torrecilhas, Ori Avinoam, Alicia Rojas, Mattia Morandi, Neta Regev-Rudzki
Summary: Researchers have discovered that malaria parasites use extracellular vesicles (EVs) to deliver different subpopulations of proteins to host cells, leading to varied host responses. Small EVs are enriched in complement-system proteins, while large EVs contain proteasome subunits. Small EVs also have a higher ability to fuse with early endosome liposomes compared to large EVs.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vassilis L. Tzounakas, Alkmini T. Anastasiadi, Monika Dzieciatkowska, Dimitrios G. Karadimas, Konstantinos Stamoulis, Issidora S. Papassideri, Kirk C. Hansen, Angelo D'Alessandro, Anastasios G. Kriebardis, Marianna H. Antonelou
Summary: Studying the effects of storage on red blood cells from donors with beta-thalassemia traits, researchers found that these cells cope better under stress and exhibit unique membrane proteome characteristics, including upregulation of certain proteins and downregulation of nitrogen-related transporters. These findings shed light on the physiology and aging of stored beta-thalassemia red blood cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Frances Tran, Manasi S. Gangan, Brian P. Weaver, James Q. Boedicker
Summary: The exchange of bacterial extracellular vesicles is a route of gene transfer between bacteria. Some bacteria have developed mechanisms to regulate the rate of gene transfer within vesicles. Recent research has shown that certain small molecules can influence the formation and uptake of extracellular vesicles, leading to an overall increase in vesicle exchange rate within bacterial populations. Adding membrane-binding compounds to a bacterial coculture, including antibiotics at subinhibitory concentrations, can increase the rate of horizontal gene transfer via vesicle exchange.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Qichen Shen, Zhuizui Huang, Lingyan Ma, Jiachen Yao, Ting Luo, Yao Zhao, Yingping Xiao, Yuanxiang Jin
Summary: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a global disease without a cure, and disruption of the microbial ecosystem is considered a major cause. This study investigated the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and membrane vesicles (MVs) in host-microbe interactions in colitis. The researchers found that miR-181b-5p transplantation inhibited inflammation and promoted macrophage polarization, while miR-200b-3p regulated the microbiota composition and contributed to intestinal barrier integrity. MVs from feces and BMVs from colitis also had similar effects. These findings provide new insights and potential treatment strategies for colitis.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dylan R. Weaver, Gavin M. King
Summary: The translocation of specific polypeptide chains across membranes is a vital process in all life forms. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) can be used to directly visualize the dynamic structure of the membrane-external protein topography of Sec system components, providing insights into the translocation process. AFM investigations have revealed the association of SecA with SecYEG, forming membrane-bound translocases, and suggested that the mechanism of translocation may vary depending on the hydrophobic content of precursor sequences.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Zongran Liu, Robin Barry Chan, Zhijian Cai, Xiaodan Liu, Yufeng Wu, Zhenwei Yu, Tao Feng, Ying Yang, Jing Zhang
Summary: This study found that alpha-synuclein derived from red blood cells mediates the sensitization of peripheral monocytes in patients with Parkinson's disease. This process leads to increased inflammatory activity in monocytes.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Salvatore Andrea Gazze, Samantha J. Thomas, Jetzabel Garcia-Parra, David W. James, Paul Rees, Victoria Marsh-Durban, Randolph Corteling, Deyarina Gonzalez, R. Steven Conlan, Lewis W. Francis
Summary: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are extensively studied for their biomolecular shuttling properties and potential for diagnosis and therapy. This study optimizes quantitative nanomechanical tools and demonstrates the advantages of EV population screening by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The research provides high-content informatics tools for EV characterization, highlighting the impact of EV sample preparation techniques on their biomechanical and biochemical properties.
Review
Microbiology
Jianwei Chen, Hongfang Zhang, Siqi Wang, Yujie Du, Bin Wei, Qiang Wu, Hong Wang
Summary: Bacterial extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a significant role in bacterial infections by influencing the infection process through various mechanisms. With the increasing problem of antibiotic resistance, researching and developing novel therapeutic approaches is of high importance.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yi Li, Zhicheng Guo, Tian Xu, Yejia Zhang, Lingbing Zeng, Xiaotian Huang, Qiong Liu
Summary: This review summarizes the role of ferroptosis in bacterial infection and its regulatory mechanism, and innovatively speculates on the function and potential mechanism of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in bacterial-induced ferroptosis, aiming to provide possible novel directions and ideas for future anti-infection research.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Pawel Krzyzek, Beatrice Marinacci, Irene Vitale, Rossella Grande
Summary: The proper functioning of the human body has been extensively studied, and probiotics have been found to have a significant impact on human health through their production of extracellular vesicles. These vesicles contribute to maintaining the balance of microorganisms, regulating the immune system, enhancing digestion, and preventing or alleviating diseases. However, the health-promoting effects of extracellular vesicles secreted by non-pathogenic microorganisms, including probiotics, are not well understood. This review article aims to provide the latest literature data on the health-inducing properties of probiotics' extracellular vesicles, including their physicochemical properties and proteome.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Felix Behrens, Teresa C. Funk-Hilsdorf, Wolfgang M. Kuebler, Szandor Simmons
Summary: Respiratory infection-induced pneumonia is the leading cause of death in global infectious diseases, with antibiotics and vaccines helping to reduce the burden. However, lack or refusal of vaccines and antibiotics in some regions, the rise of multidrug-resistant pathogens, and high fatality rates even in patients treated appropriately pose a global threat. Bacteria's secretome contains extracellular vesicles that can trigger inflammatory responses and serve as promising vaccine candidates.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gregory Barshtein, Alexander Gural, Dan Arbell, Refael Barkan, Leonid Livshits, Ivana Pajic-Lijakovic, Saul Yedgar
Summary: Reduced deformability of red blood cells (RBCs) is associated with various circulatory disorders and anemias, and is linked to metabolic and structural alterations. This study identified 14 proteins that are positively correlated with RBC deformability, suggesting that the level of one or a few of these proteins can be used to assess cell deformability.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Yanzhen Wang, Xinghong Luo, Xiaozhen Xiang, Chunbo Hao, Dandan Ma
Summary: Accumulating evidence suggests that not all bidirectional microbiota-host interactions involve direct cell contact. Bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs) mediate microbiota functions by delivering effector molecules that modulate host signaling pathways, potentially driving or inhibiting disease pathogenesis in different systems within the host.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alex van der Ham, Xue Liu, Dario Calvani, Adela Melcrova, Melania Kozdra, Francesco Buda, Herman S. Overkleeft, Wouter H. Roos, Dmitri Filippov, Gregory F. Schneider
Summary: Molecularly thin films are crucial in material sciences, but controlling their chemical functionalities is challenging. In this study, the authors successfully formed freestanding and mechanically stable molecular films using decacyclene, held together solely by supramolecular interactions without covalent crosslinking.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Matthew T. J. Halma, Jack A. Tuszynski, Gijs J. L. Wuite
Summary: The time and cost of developing new therapeutic drugs is a significant burden, involving computational screening, compound assays, and expensive clinical trials. This review highlights the value of dynamic conformational information obtained through optical tweezers for targeting "undruggable" proteins. Optical tweezers provide insights into the relationship between biological mechanisms and structural conformations, aiding in drug discovery. Developing workflows and tools for optical tweezers will improve efficiency, allowing for greater adoption in the biopharmaceutical industry. As a complementary tool, optical tweezers increase the number of potential drug candidates, enhance understanding of a target's complex structural dynamics, and elucidate compound-target interactions.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Longfu Xu, Matthew T. J. Halma, Gijs J. L. Wuite
Summary: Single-stranded DNA-binding proteins (SSBs) are essential for DNA metabolism and play crucial roles in maintaining genome integrity and coordinating with other proteins involved in DNA replication, recombination, and repair. Recent advances in single-molecule techniques and structural methods have greatly improved our understanding of the binding dynamics and interaction of SSBs with ssDNA and other protein partners. We highlight the central coordination role of SSBs in directly modulating the activities of other proteins and discuss the various modes of interaction between SSBs and their protein partners, providing a comprehensive view of the interaction network shaped by SSBs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kimi Azad, Delphine Guilligay, Cecile Boscheron, Sourav Maity, Nicola De Franceschi, Guidenn Sulbaran, Gregory Effantin, Haiyan Wang, Jean-Philippe Kleman, Patricia Bassereau, Guy Schoehn, Wouter H. Roos, Ambroise Desfosses, Winfried Weissenhorn
Summary: This study presents cryo-EM structures of membrane-coated CHMP2A-CHMP3 filaments from Homo sapiens, which reveal helical filaments assembled by CHMP2A-CHMP3 heterodimers in the open ESCRT-III conformation. Inter-filament interactions are electrostatic, facilitating filament sliding upon VPS4-mediated polymer remodeling. Fluorescence microscopy and high-speed atomic force microscopy imaging confirm that VPS4 can constrict and cleave CHMP2A-CHMP3 membrane tubes. It is concluded that CHMP2A-CHMP3-VPS4 act as a minimal membrane fission machinery.
NATURE STRUCTURAL & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shahar Goren, Maayan Levin, Guy Brand, Ayelet Lesman, Raya Sorkin
Summary: Fibrous hydrogels are important components of soft animal tissues, supporting cellular functions and facilitating mechanical communication between cells. This study investigates force propagation in tensed fibrin hydrogels and finds that it becomes anisotropic, with a stronger response to perturbations perpendicular to the axis of tension. Furthermore, external tension can increase the range of force transmission.
Review
Cell Biology
Juntao Fang, Alain de Bruin, Andreas Villunger, Raymond Schiffelers, Zhiyong Lei, Joost P. G. Sluijter
Summary: Polyploid cells, containing more than one set of chromosome pairs, are common in nature. They provide cells with several advantages, including increased cell size, organ growth, tissue homeostasis, and enhanced tolerance to genomic stress and apoptotic signals. This article focuses on the reasons for polyploidy, the stress responses and molecular signals involved, as well as its crucial roles in cell growth and tissue regeneration in the heart, liver, and other tissues.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nazma F. Ilahibaks, Arif I. Ardisasmita, Songpu Xie, Anders Gunnarsson, Joseph Brealey, Pieter Vader, Olivier G. de Jong, Saskia de Jager, Niek Dekker, Ben Peacock, Raymond M. Schiffelers, Joost P. G. Sluijter, Zhiyong Lei
Summary: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are being explored as biocompatible drug delivery vehicles for their ability to deliver bioactive cargo to recipient cells. However, effective methods for loading and unloading proteins inside EVs remain a challenge. In this study, we present the Technology Of Protein delivery through Extracellular Vesicles (TOP-EVs) as an efficient tool for intracellular protein delivery mediated by EVs. Our results demonstrate the versatility and potential of TOP-EVs for protein-based therapeutics in vitro and in vivo.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Longfu Xu, Jordi Cabanas-Danes, Matthew T. J. Halma, Iddo Heller, Sarah A. Stratmann, Antoine M. van Oijen, Seung-Joo Lee, Erwin J. G. Peterman, Gijs J. L. Wuite
Summary: In vitro experiments show that bacteriophage T7 single-stranded DNA-binding protein (gp2.5) can protect transiently exposed regions of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) through its dynamic interaction. Furthermore, the sequence of T7 gp2.5, the ssDNA conformation induced by template tension, and the acidic C-terminal domain of T7 gp2.5 significantly affect its DNA binding properties. Finally, a unique template-catalyzed recycling behavior of T7 gp2.5 is revealed, facilitating efficient spatial redistribution during the synthesis of successive Okazaki fragments.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Guus van der Borg, Harry Warner, Melina Ioannidis, Geert van den Bogaart, Wouter H. Roos
Summary: 3D printing with polylactic acid (PLA) filament is shown to be a cheaper and more easily accessible alternative to resin printing for manufacturing PDMS molds. A method using chloroform vapor treatment is introduced to smoothen the printed PLA mold, which was successfully used to cast PDMS rings. The PDMS-glass well created with the PLA mold showed no leakage and was suitable for cell culturing, as tested with monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs).
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Laura E. Swart, Marcel H. A. M. Fens, Anita van Oort, Piotr Waranecki, L. Daniel Mata Casimiro, David Tuk, Martijn Hendriksen, Luca van den Brink, Elizabeth Schweighart, Cor Seinen, Ryan Nelson, Anja Krippner-Heidenreich, Tom O'Toole, Raymond M. Schiffelers, Sander Kooijmans, Olaf Heidenreich
Summary: Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are rapidly evolving as promising delivery systems for oligonucleotides, including siRNAs. In this study, LNPs were specifically targeted to hematopoietic progenitor cells in the bone marrow using a modified tripeptide ligand. Functionalized LNPs showed improved uptake and delivery of siRNA in patient-derived leukemia cells, as well as increased accumulation and retention in the bone marrow. These findings suggest the potential of LNPs for targeted therapy in leukemia and other hematological disorders.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Emile F. van Vliet, Maarten J. Knol, Raymond M. Schiffelers, Massimiliano Caiazzo, Marcel H. A. M. Fens
Summary: Parkinson's disease is characterized by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, causing dopamine deficiency and motor symptoms. Current treatment using L-DOPA has limitations and side effects. Encapsulation of L-DOPA into nanoparticles can protect it and improve delivery to the brain, reducing required dosages and side effects. Alternative delivery methods, such as intravenous administration and transdermal delivery, enhance therapeutic effects. This review discusses recent advances and future perspectives on NP-mediated L-DOPA delivery to the brain.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
C. M. van Kammen, S. J. van Woudenberg, R. Schiffelers, F. Terstappen, A. T. Lely
Summary: Preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction are pregnancy complications that can be treated with nanomedicines, which regulate drug interaction with the placenta to enhance treatment efficacy and minimize fetal exposure. Liposomes and polymeric drug delivery systems show promising results in preventing trans-placental passage of nanomedicines, while quantum dots and silicon nanoparticles have limited research in placental insufficiency syndromes. Animal studies demonstrate positive effects on maternal and fetal health, but results are influenced by various factors. Further research is needed to understand the pathophysiology of these complex diseases and ensure the safety and efficacy of nanomedicines before clinical implementation.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Biophysics
Vadim Bogatyr, Andreas S. Biebricher, Giulia Bergamaschi, Erwin J. G. Peterman, Gijs J. L. Wuite
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Biophysics
Gijs Wuite
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ye Zeng, Mariona Estape Senti, M. Clara I. Labonia, Panagiota Papadopoulou, Maike A. D. Brans, Inge Dokter, Marcel H. Fens, Alain van Mil, Joost P. G. Sluijter, Raymond M. Schiffelers, Pieter Vader, Alexander Kros
Summary: This study demonstrates the efficient delivery of mRNA-LNPs to difficult-to-transfect cardiomyocytes using fusogenic coiled-coil peptides. Local administration via intramyocardial injection significantly enhances mRNA delivery and protein expression. These findings have the potential to advance regenerative therapies for heart failure.