Review
Physiology
Franziska Vielmuth, Mariya Y. Radeva, Sunil Yeruva, Anna M. Sigmund, Jens Waschke
Summary: Regulation of cadherin-mediated cell adhesion is crucial for maintaining tissue integrity and barrier function, as well as electromechanical coupling within the myocardium. The loss of cadherin-mediated adhesion can lead to various disorders, and the mechanisms involved in regulating cadherin-mediated binding have been identified as potential therapeutic targets. Cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) has emerged as a master regulator of cell adhesion in endothelium, epithelium, and cardiomyocytes. The molecular mechanisms involve the regulation of Rho family GTPase and phosphorylation of the adaptor protein plakoglobin.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ceren Canse, Ecem Yildirim, Aylin Yaba
Summary: Cell-cell junctions play crucial roles in maintaining cell integrity, polarity, cell fate specification, and morphogenesis during embryonic development. By orchestrating mechanotransduction, morphokinetics, and signaling networks, these junctions, along with cell adhesion molecules and cytoskeletal elements, regulate the development of early embryos. This review focuses on the structure, organization, function, and expression pattern of cell-cell junction complexes during early embryonic development. Understanding the importance of dynamic junction formation and maturation processes will provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying developmental abnormalities in early embryos.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qian-Rui Xu, Xiao-Hui Du, Ting-Ting Huang, Yu-Chun Zheng, Yu-Ling Li, Dan-Yi Huang, Hao-Qiang Dai, En-Min Li, Wang-Kai Fang
Summary: Cell-cell junctions play a crucial role in regulating cellular processes and diseases such as cancer. Abnormal expression or localization of cell-cell junction molecules is associated with the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The study of cell-cell junctions is important for understanding disease mechanisms, diagnosis, and therapeutic developments.
Review
Cell Biology
Lauren F. O'Leary, Andrea M. Tomko, Denis J. Dupre
Summary: The immune system plays a crucial role in regulating the permeability of the epithelial barrier and maintaining immune balance. Tolerance must be maintained for both pathogenic insults and non-pathogenic antigens, with the endocannabinoid system also contributing to this balance. Understanding the effects of endo- and phytocannabinoids on epithelial permeability could lead to potential therapeutic targets for dysregulated immune responses and diseases.
INFLAMMATION RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Bieke Vanslembrouck, Jian-hua Chen, Carolyn Larabell, Jolanda van Hengel
Summary: Considerable progress has been made in understanding the morphological and functional varieties of anchoring junctions. This review discusses the main microscopy techniques used to study cell-cell contacts and provides guidance for choosing appropriate imaging techniques. The latest techniques and challenges in studying cell-cell adhesion using microscopic techniques are also highlighted.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Harleen Kaur, Regis Moreau
Summary: The role of mTORC1 in the regulation of intestinal barrier function and permeability remains to be fully elucidated.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christopher Mendoza, Sai Harsha Nagidi, Dario Mizrachi
Summary: The JAM family, members of the immunoglobulin superfamily, each have unique tertiary structures despite similar secondary structures; heterotypic interactions among JAM family members may be greatly favored compared to homotypic interactions; homotypic or heterotypic interactions among JAMs are stronger than that of E-CADs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Orsolya Somogyi, Zsolt Dajnoki, Lilla Szabo, Krisztian Gaspar, Zoltan Hendrik, Christos C. Zouboulis, Klaudia Docs, Peter Szucs, Katalin Dull, Daniel Torocsik, Aniko Kapitany, Andrea Szegedi
Summary: By comparing non-lesional HS skin, lesional HS skin, and healthy skin, the study found that none of the investigated molecules were significantly altered in non-lesional HS skin, while 11 molecules changed significantly in lesional HS skin. The study also showed that the permeability barrier function was not significantly damaged in HS skin, and permeability barrier alterations are not the driver factors of keratinocyte activation in this disease.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Micah W. W. Yoder, Nathan T. T. Wright, Maegen A. A. Borzok
Summary: The intercalated disk in the heart is a structure composed of adherens junctions, desmosomes, and gap junctions, which provide mechanical stability and electrical synchronization. Calpain proteases, regulated by calcium homeostasis, play an important role in regulating the components of the intercalated disk. This review examines the role of calcium in calpain function, how calpains regulate the activity of specific proteins in the intercalated disk, and the molecular mechanisms behind calpain dysregulation and its impact on heart diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sofie Van Den Broucke, Jeroen A. J. Vanoirbeek, Rita Derua, Peter H. M. Hoet, Manosij Ghosh
Summary: This study investigated the impact of environmental and occupational irritants on the airway epithelial barrier using an in vitro coculture model. The findings suggest that graphene nanoparticles have a negative effect on the epithelial barrier, possibly due to slight alterations in tight junction organization.
Article
Neurosciences
Astha Shukla, Utkarsh Bhardwaj, Apoorva, Pankaj Seth, Sunit K. Singh
Summary: This study revealed that miRNA-101 decreases the expression of VE-cadherin and claudin-5 in brain endothelial cells exposed to hypoxic conditions, leading to the disruption of endothelial barrier integrity and increased permeability.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Medical Laboratory Technology
Manxi Zheng, Shuang Sun, Jun Zhou, Min Liu
Summary: Epithelial cells form the first barrier against pathogenic microorganisms by connecting through cell junctions. Bacterial pathogens disrupt epithelial cell junctions by targeting junctional proteins, and strategies used by common pathogens have been studied. Targeting pathogenic mechanisms shows potential in treating pathogen-associated diseases.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Yi Zhu, Wenna Li, Yifang Dong, Chujie Xia, Rong Fu
Summary: The function mechanisms of collagens in regulating innate immunity are largely unknown. This study investigated the role of collagens in epidermal immune defense using C. elegans as a model. It was found that most collagens in the epidermis are unable to trigger immune defense when damaged, except for six DPY collagens and the BLI-1 collagen. Further investigation revealed that the interaction between BLI-1 and the hemidesmosome receptor MUP-4 is regulated by the six DPY collagens. Collagen damage leads to the separation of BLI-1 from MUP-4, resulting in the induction of antimicrobial peptides.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ju Zhao, Ye Zhao, Haifeng Liu, Quanquan Cao, Lin Feng, Zhihao Zhang, Weidan Jiang, Pei Wu, Yang Liu, Wei Luo, Xiaoli Huang, Jun Jiang
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the possible impact and mechanism of leucine on fish intestinal barrier function. The results showed that the intestinal activities of certain enzymes and the levels of immune proteins had positive responses to dietary leucine levels. These findings suggest that leucine can improve fish intestinal barrier function by enhancing humoral immunity, antioxidative capacities, and tight junction protein levels.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Guibin Chen, Yanhong Yang, Wanwan Liu, Li Huang, Lanxiang Yang, Yuting Lei, Huijuan Wu, Zili Lei, Jiao Guo
Summary: The study on EpCAM knockout mice revealed that the loss of EpCAM may result in the reduction and mislocalization of proteins composing adherens junctions, partially through downregulation of nectin 1 in the intestines.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yanfeng Zhou, Qin Wang, Bin Song, Sicong Wu, Yuanyuan Su, Huimin Zhang, Yao He
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qin Wang, Yanfeng Zhou, Bin Song, Yiling Zhong, Sicong Wu, Rongrong Cui, Haixia Cong, Yuanyuan Su, Huimin Zhang, Yao He
Review
Cell Biology
Rong Fu, Xiaowan Jiang, Zhaohui Huang, Huimin Zhang
SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2017)
Article
Cell Biology
Rong Fu, Yi Zhu, Xiaowan Jiang, Yuanbao Li, Ming Zhu, Mengqiu Dong, Zhaohui Huang, Chunxia Wang, Michel Labouesse, Huimin Zhang
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2018)
Article
Cell Biology
Chunxia Wang, Yuyan Yang, Rong Fu, Yi Zhu, Huimin Zhang
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2020)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Chunxia Wang, Chujie Xia, Yi Zhu, Huimin Zhang
Summary: C. elegans has been widely used in the biological field for half a century as a successful multicellular model organism, with advantages such as small body size, rapid life cycle, high-reproductive rate, well-defined anatomy, and conserved genome. Recent advances in biomolecule-targeting techniques for noninvasive optical imaging have expanded the toolbox for qualitative and quantitative analysis of biomolecules in C. elegans, providing new horizons for high-efficiency quantitative optical analysis in live organisms.
Article
Cell Biology
Rong Fu, Xiaowan Jiang, Yuyan Yang, Chunxia Wang, Yun Zhang, Yi Zhu, Huimin Zhang
Summary: This study investigates the effects of structural damage on autophagy in C. elegans. The researchers found that damage to the basal extracellular matrix or underlying muscle cells promotes autophagy activation in the epidermis, while damage to the apical side inhibits autophagy. Furthermore, elevated autophagy in the epidermis is detrimental to cell survival. These findings provide insights into the regulation of autophagy by structural and mechanical properties of cells.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Pingkang Xu, Qimin Chen, Xiaoman Chen, Hao Qi, Yuyan Yang, Weiqi Li, Xin Yang, Amelia Gunawan, Shuoyu Chen, Huimin Zhang, Han-Ming Shen, Dejian Huang, Brian Kennedy, Li Xu, Ziyun Wu
Summary: This study demonstrates that morusin and mulberrin can extend the lifespan of yeast and C. elegans by targeting SCH9 and akt-1 or akt-2 genes, respectively. Additionally, they exhibit other benefits in worms and slow cell senescence in HeLa cells.
Article
Cell Biology
Qin Wang, Rong Fu, Gang Li, Shaojie Xiong, Yi Zhu, Huimin Zhang
Summary: Hedgehog signaling plays important roles in epithelial barrier tissues' development and homeostasis. The study reveals the direct regulation of innate immunity in epithelial cells by Hedgehog signaling. Loss of Patched family receptor induces up-regulation of antimicrobial peptides in epidermis through a STAT-dependent pathway. The findings demonstrate the immune-surveillance function of Hedgehog receptors and the insult-sensing and response strategy of epithelial tissues.
Article
Cell Biology
Rong Fu, Zhaohui Huang, Huijun Li, Yi Zhu, Huimin Zhang
