Article
Dermatology
John T. Connelly, Nuria Gavara, Kristina Sliogeryte, Liisa M. Blowes
Summary: Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a powerful technique for nanoscale imaging and mechanical analysis of biological specimens, particularly advantageous for the analysis of cells and tissues in their near-native state. In dermatology, AFM has led to important insights into our understanding of the biomechanics of normal healthy skin and the pathogenesis of various skin diseases.
JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mengxi Liu, Fang Li, Xiaoqing Wang, Zhenru Liu, Hoi Shiwn Wong, Yuan Zhou, Daguang Wang
Summary: This study found that onychopapilloma may originate from the nail bed rather than the nail matrix. The expression of nail bed-related keratins and HK31 could be used as diagnostic markers of onychopapilloma.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fanny Buchau, Franziska Vielmuth, Jens Waschke, Thomas M. Magin
Summary: Desmosomes are intercellular junctions that mediate cohesion and communication in tissues exposed to mechanical strain. The expression of K17 prevents the formation of stable, hyperadhesive desmosomes, while overexpression of Dsg3 or DPII enhances the formation of hyperadhesive desmosomes.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Chris S. Pridgeon, Dian P. Bolhuis, Filip Milosavljevic, Marina Manojlovic, Akos Vegvari, Massimiliano Gaetani, Marin M. Jukic, Magnus Ingelman-Sundberg
Summary: 3D liver spheroids provide a suitable model for studying chronic drug-induced liver toxicity and have revealed a novel drug-induced stress response. The formation of long slender filaments, known as thorns, may indicate hepatocyte metaplasia in response to toxicity, and alterations in ECM-derived protein expression could serve as biomarkers for liver disease and chronic drug-induced hepatotoxicity.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Pei Li, Dhiman Maitra, Ning Kuo, Raymond Kwan, Yang Song, Weiliang Tang, Lu Chen, Qing Xie, Li Liu, M. Bishr Omary
Summary: In this study, the SRC-family tyrosine kinases inhibitor, PP2, is found to protect against liver injury caused by K18 R90C mutation in a male-selective manner through inhibiting downstream Ser/Thr phosphorylation of K8/K18. Additionally, RAF kinase inhibitor vemurafenib shows a similar protective effect. These findings support the potential therapeutic opportunities for kinase inhibition in keratin and other intermediate filament-associated human diseases.
Article
Biology
Milind Vaidya, Crismita Dmello, Saie Mogre
Summary: Human oral cancer is a major malignancy in the Indian subcontinent and worldwide. Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) are the most common type of oral cancer, with over 90% of cases being SCC. The survival rate for oral squamous cell carcinoma is relatively low, and late diagnosis, recurrence, and metastasis are the main causes of high mortality rates. Biomarkers, particularly keratins, may have value in predicting the development and progression of oral precancerous lesions and cancers. However, further research is needed in this area.
Review
Cell Biology
Mahendra Pratap Kashyap, Jasim Khan, Rajesh Sinha, Lin Jin, Venkatram Atigadda, Jessy S. Deshane, Ayesha R. Ahmed, Ali Kilic, Chander Raman, M. Shahid Mukhtar, Craig A. Elmets, Mohammad Athar
Summary: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a highly inflamed and painful condition characterized by deep-seated lumps/abscesses, fistulae, and sinus tracts in the dermis. Dysregulated Notch signaling, bacterial infection, and alterations in keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts play important roles in the pathogenesis of HS. However, the underlying mechanisms and effective treatments are still not fully understood. The presence of extracellular matrix degradation products and dysregulation in immune cells further complicate the disease progression. This review provides up-to-date information on the dysregulated keratinocyte and immune cells, the role of extracellular matrix and keratin in HS pathogenesis.
SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Meghana Somlapura, Benjamin Gottschalk, Pooja Lahiri, Iris Kufferath, Daniela Pabst, Thomas Ruelicke, Wolfgang F. Graier, Helmut Denk, Kurt Zatloukal
Summary: The study reveals differences in the interaction with keratins 8 and 18 and in the cytoplasmic distribution and aggregation behavior of p62 isoforms p62-H1 and p62-H2, indicating the importance of considering p62 isoforms in protein aggregation disease.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Matthew Abueg, Robert Hinch, Neo Wu, Luyang Liu, William Probert, Austin Wu, Paul Eastham, Yusef Shafi, Matt Rosencrantz, Michael Dikovsky, Zhao Cheng, Anel Nurtay, Lucie Abeler-Dorner, David Bonsall, Michael V. McConnell, Shawn O'Banion, Christophe Fraser
Summary: The study shows that combining digital exposure notifications with other measures can effectively reduce COVID-19 infection and mortality rates, complementing traditional contact tracing. This research provides guidance for health authorities, highlighting the importance of digital technologies in fighting the spread of the virus.
NPJ DIGITAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yumei Wang, Yingqian Xu, Zhi Zhang, Ye He, Zongkun Hou, Zhibin Zhao, Jia Deng, Rui Qing, Bochu Wang, Shilei Hao
Summary: Keratins are promising candidates for hemostatic agents, but their development has been hindered by the complexity of their structure. Utilizing a recombinant synthesis approach, different types of keratins can be expressed and studied for the design of high-performance keratin hemostatic agents. Research findings suggest that mutating keratins with high α-helical content can significantly enhance their hemostatic efficiency.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
J. G. Zhu, P. Xie, M. D. Zheng, Y. Meng, M. L. Wei, Y. Liu, T. W. Liu, D. Q. Gong
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the composition of keratin in crop milk, as well as the variation of epithelial thickness and keratin gene expression in young pigeons during incubation and chick rearing. Results showed that K4 was the most abundant keratin, and K19 was identified as a marker for crop epithelium development. Additionally, the expression of keratin genes was influenced by the sex of the parent pigeon.
BRITISH POULTRY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sabrina Caporali, Biagio Didona, Mauro Paradisi, Alessandro Mauriello, Elena Campione, Mattia Falconi, Federico Iacovelli, Marilena Minieri, Massimo Pieri, Sergio Bernardini, Alessandro Terrinoni
Summary: Palmoplantar keratodermas (PPKs) are characterized by localized thickening of the stratum corneum and epidermal hyperkeratosis on the palms and soles. Mutations in keratin genes can be associated with different types of PPKs, and somatic mutations have been identified in mosaic cases. This study describes a patient with a unilateral hyperkeratosis on the right palm, caused by a somatic mutation in the KRT1 gene, demonstrating the importance of the K1 head domain in maintaining a functional keratinocyte cytoskeleton and the potential for deleterious mutations in later embryonic stages.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Ophthalmology
Wenjing Wu, Yushan Xu, Fengju Zhang
Summary: This study identified 36 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the anterior corneal stroma between high myopia and moderate myopia. Gene ontology (GO) analysis revealed significant changes in keratinocyte migration and structural constituent of cytoskeleton, with most proteins decreased in high myopic corneas. Keratin 16 (KRT16) and erythrocyte membrane protein band 4.1-like protein 4B were the only two proteins involved in both functions. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis showed a strong connection between keratin type II cytoskeletal 6A (KRT6A) and KRT16. Parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) results validated the TMT findings.
GRAEFES ARCHIVE FOR CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Innocent Chukwunonso Ossai, Fauziah Shahul Hamid, Auwalu Hassan
Summary: The valorisation of keratinous wastes through biorefining and recovery of bioresource materials can produce value-added keratin-based products, contributing to circular bioeconomy and sustainable waste management. The abundance of keratinous wastes from various industries benefits the extraction of keratins, providing a solution for an ecologically and economically sustainable keratin-based economy. Transitioning from traditional linear models to sustainable closed-loop recycling and recovery approaches is necessary to minimize pollution and resource loss.
Review
Cell Biology
Bowen Yu, Dandan Kong, Chen Cheng, Dongxi Xiang, Longxing Cao, Yingbin Liu, Yongning He
Summary: Keratins play a crucial role in maintaining the mechanical properties of cells and are involved in various cellular activities. However, the structural details and assembly mechanisms of keratins are still poorly understood.
SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Xiuxiang Tan, Jan Bednarsch, Mika Rosin, Simone Appinger, Dong Liu, Georg Wiltberger, Juan Garcia Vallejo, Sven Arke Lang, Zoltan Czigany, Shiva Boroojerdi, Nadine T. Gaisa, Peter Boor, Roman David Buelow, Judith De Vos-Geelen, Liselot Valkenburg-van Iersel, Marian C. Clahsen-van Groningen, Evelien J. M. de Jong, Bas Groot Koerkamp, Michail Doukas, Flavio G. Rocha, Tom Luedde, Uwe Klinge, Shivan Sivakumar, Ulf Peter Neumann, Lara Rosaline Heij
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between immune cell composition and expression of checkpoint molecules with nerve fiber density (NFD) in patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA). The study found that NFD correlates with PD-1+ T cells as a biomarker for a good prognosis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Heike Goebel, Barbara Koeditz, Manuel Huerta, Ersen Kameri, Tim Nestler, Thomas Kamphausen, Johannes Friemann, Matthias Hamdorf, Timo Ohrmann, Philipp Koehler, Oliver A. Cornely, Manuel Montesinos-Rongen, David Nicol, Hubert Schorle, Peter Boor, Alexander Quaas, Christian Pallasch, Axel Heidenreich, Melanie von Brandenstein
Summary: This study found that the upregulation of miR-371a-3p in the testis of COVID-19 patients is associated with the downregulation of AR and decreased spermatogenesis. This suggests that the SARS-CoV-2 virus may have an impact on fertility.
Editorial Material
Urology & Nephrology
Hans-Joachim Anders, Peter Boor
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pathology
Nassim Bouteldja, David Laurin Hoelscher, Barbara Mara Klinkhammer, Roman David Buelow, Johannes Lotz, Nick Weiss, Christoph Daniel, Kerstin Amann, Peter Boor
Summary: This research proposes a novel concept of stain augmentation to develop stain-independent CNNs for digital pathology. It outperforms state-of-the-art techniques and enables segmentation on immunohistochemical stainings without additional annotations, achieving performance comparable to the annotated stain. Examples of application in inflammation and fibrosis quantification are presented, indicating the effectiveness of stain augmentation in deep-learning segmentation algorithms.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pathology
Katja Ermert, Eva M. Buhl, Barbara M. Klinkhammer, Juergen Floege, Peter Boor
Summary: In chronic kidney disease (CKD), the endothelial glycocalyx (EG) experiences structural and functional changes. The study investigated the ultrastructural alterations of the EG in different CKD models and found reduced binding and significant pathologic alterations in peritubular capillaries.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Ting Jia, Tong Xu, Bart Smeets, Eva Miriam Buhl, Marcus Johannes Moeller, Juergen Floege, Barbara Mara Klinkhammer, Peter Boor
Summary: The study suggests that PDGF-B and its receptor PDGFR-beta play a crucial role in the development and progression of FSGS by affecting the activation, proliferation, and fibrotic characteristics of PECs. The molecular crosstalk between podocytes and PECs mediated by PDGF-B and PDGFR-beta drives glomerulosclerosis and the progression of FSGS. Treatment with PDGF-B neutralizing antibody can improve kidney function and reduce the occurrence of FSGS.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Critical Care Medicine
Daniel Gagiannis, Carsten Hackenbroch, Wilhelm Bloch, Fabian Zech, Frank Kirchhoff, Sonja Djudjaj, Saskia von Stillfried, Roman Buelow, Peter Boor, Konrad Steinestel
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Han Wang, Antonia Margarethe Stehr, Jeeshan Singh, Leticija Zlatar, Arndt Hartmann, Katja Evert, Elisabeth Naschberger, Saskia von Stillfried, Peter Boor, Luis E. E. Munoz, Jasmin Knopf, Michael Stuerzl, Martin Herrmann
Summary: During inflammatory responses, neutrophils utilize various defense mechanisms, such as phagocytosis, degranulation, recruitment of immune cells, secretion of anti-microbials, and release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Detection of NETs in tissue sections can be challenging due to the high fluorescence signals emitted from condensed nuclear DNA. However, using anti-DNA-IgM antibodies can effectively detect the extended DNA patches of NETs, providing a new perspective for studying neutrophil-associated immune reactions in diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marcelo A. S. de Toledo, Xuhuang Fu, Tiago Maie, Eva M. Buhl, Katrin Goetz, Susanne Schmitz, Anne Kaiser, Peter Boor, Till Braunschweig, Nicolas Chatain, Ivan G. Costa, Tim H. Bruemmendorf, Steffen Koschmieder, Martin Zenke
Summary: In this study, human induced pluripotent stem cells were differentiated into mast cells, which exhibited characteristics of systemic mastocytosis disease. These cells can be used for disease modeling and drug screening.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Jenni Soukka, Lauri Polari, Marko Kalliomaki, Lotta Saros, Teemu D. Laajala, Tero Vahlberg, Diana M. Toivola, Kirsi Laitinen
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of fish oil and/or probiotics supplementation on the concentration of immune mediators in colostrum, and their associations with perinatal clinical factors. The results showed that the fish oil+probiotics group had higher concentrations of IL-12p70 and FLT-3L compared to the other groups. However, the differences in IFN alpha 2 levels between the fish oil+probiotics group and the fish oil+placebo group were not statistically significant after correction for multiple testing. In conclusion, the fish oil/probiotics intervention had a minor effect on colostrum immune mediators, while medication during the perinatal period had a significant modulating effect on immune mediators.
MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura Zarnitz, Benedict M. Doorschodt, Lisa Ernst, Aisa Hosseinnejad, Eileen Edgworth, Tamara Fechter, Alexander Theissen, Sonja Djudjaj, Peter Boor, Rolf Rossaint, Rene H. Tolba, Christian Bleilevens
Summary: Donor organ shortage has led to the use of marginal grafts, but normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) can assess and restore the viability of these grafts before transplantation. An alternative to autologous packed red blood cell (pRBC)-based perfusates is the cell- and oxygen carrier-free solution Ecosol, supplemented with taurine, which may prevent adverse effects. This study compared the effects of 6 h NMP using pRBC and Ecosol on porcine kidneys, and found that despite some tissue damage in the Ecosol group, functional parameters and oxygenation were similar to the pRBC group, and taurine improved antioxidant capacity in the Ecosol group.
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Isaac Shiri, Behrooz Razeghi, Alireza Vafaei Sadr, Mehdi Amini, Yazdan Salimi, Sohrab Ferdowsi, Peter Boor, Deniz Guenduez, Slava Voloshynovskiy, Habib Zaidi
Summary: A federated learning (FL) framework was developed for multi-institutional PET/CT image segmentation. The FL algorithms showed comparable performance to centralized learning methods and outperformed the single center-based baseline. The results have promising implications for HN tumor segmentation from PET/CT images.
COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mervi Tenhami, Lauri Polari, Harry Kujari, Eliisa Loeyttyniemi, Diana M. Toivola, Markku Voutilainen
Summary: Investigation of K7 expression in different regions of the colon and terminal ileum showed its association with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, but not its ability to predict the severity and prognosis of IBD.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Roman D. Buelow, David L. Hoelscher, Ivan G. Costa, Peter Boor
NPJ SYSTEMS BIOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Mohamed Ramadan Mohamed, Johannes Haybaeck, Hanghang Wu, Huan Su, Matthias Bartneck, Cheng Lin, Mark V. Boekschoten, Peter Boor, Benjamin Goeppert, Christian Rupp, Pavel Strnad, Roger J. Davis, Francisco Javier, Christian Trautwein
Summary: This study investigated the role of JNK1/2 during cholestasis and its hepatocyte-specific function. The results showed that Jnk1 and Jnk2 work together to protect hepatocytes from cholestatic liver disease by controlling Apelin signalling. Blocking Apelin signalling attenuated liver injury and fibrosis induced by cholestasis. Targeting Jnk1/2 in hepatocytes may be a new molecular strategy for treating cholestatic liver disease.
