Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Oscar J. Pundel, Liisa M. Blowes, John T. Connelly
Summary: Adhesive cues from the extracellular matrix (ECM) transmit mechanical forces through the cytoskeleton to specify the size and shape of the nucleus. This study finds that limited adhesion promotes nucleolar fusion, reduces nuclear volume, and condenses heterochromatin. Nucleolar remodeling impacts ribogenesis and protein synthesis, and is associated with specific transcriptional changes in ribogenesis genes.
Article
Cell Biology
Romy Winkler, Marianne Quaas, Stefan Glasmacher, Uwe Wolfrum, Torsten Thalheim, Joerg Galle, Knut Krohn, Thomas M. Magin, Gabriela Aust
Summary: The expression and function of GPR115 in skin, specifically in epidermal differentiation, has been largely unknown. This study reveals that GPR115 is present in a small subset of keratinocytes in the stratified epidermis, and its expression is delayed in psoriatic skin. Deletion of GPR115 leads to reduced keratinocyte stratification, suggesting its role in epidermal differentiation. Intriguingly, endogenous GPR115 localizes along keratin filaments in a regular pattern, indicating a previously unknown function in regulating epidermal differentiation and keratin expression.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Fan Feng, Mingying Liu, Lianhong Pan, Jiaqin Wu, Chunli Wang, Li Yang, Wanqian Liu, Wei Xu, Mingxing Lei
Summary: Keloids are a fibroproliferative skin disorder caused by abnormal healing of injured or irritated skin. Mechanical stimulation can lead to excessive fibroblast proliferation, extracellular matrix deposition, and increase of keloid matrix stiffness, while matrix mechanics further activates the fibrotic phenotype. The TGF-beta/Smad signaling pathway, integrin signaling pathway, YAP/TAZ signaling pathway, and calcium ion pathway are involved in keloid formation. Understanding the role of biomechanical factors in keloid formation may facilitate the development of therapeutic interventions.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Alexander R. Mikesell, Olena Isaeva, Francie Moehring, Katelyn E. Sadler, Anthony D. Menzel, Cheryl L. Stucky
Summary: PIEZO1 is identified as a key mechanotransducer in epidermal keratinocytes, playing a crucial role in sensory neuron activity and behavioral responses to mechanical stimuli.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Fan Tian, Qingling Jiang, Junjie Chen, Zhenmi Liu
Summary: Silicone gel sheeting (SGS) is a common treatment for keloid scars, but there is currently no up-to-date systematic review on its effectiveness. Two studies showed uncertain results regarding the severity of scars and pain when comparing SGS with no treatment, non-SGS, or intralesional injections of triamcinolone acetonide. Further studies are needed to reduce uncertainty and provide more evidence for decision-making in using SGS to treat keloid scars.
COCHRANE DATABASE OF SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Wenchao Chen, Yuanzeng Zhu, Wei Zhang, Han Zhang, Yang Zhou, Peichun Sun, Gang Wu
Summary: The overexpression of CDC42EP3 in gastric cancer is positively correlated with tumor grade, while its knockdown inhibits cell proliferation and migration, promotes cell apoptosis, and suppresses tumor growth. Additionally, silencing CDC42EP3 was found to inhibit HSP27 and IGF-1sR expression and promote the expression of Caspase3, p53, TNF-alpha, TNF-beta, TRAILR-1, and TRAILR-2. CDC42EP3 acts as a tumor promoter in the development and progression of gastric cancer, making it a potential therapeutic target.
Article
Oncology
Benjamin Z. Z. Sundqvist, Sami K. K. Kilpinen, Tom O. O. Boehling, Virve S. K. Koljonen, Harri J. J. Sihto
Summary: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a cutaneous neuroendocrine malignancy with a poor prognosis and an unknown cell of origin. By studying the most variably expressed genes, we identified three distinct molecular subgroups of MCC with prognostic relevance. We propose that the dichotomic expression of epidermis-related genes might reflect both an epidermal and a nonepidermal origin for MCPyV-positive MCC.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Hanxiao Yin, Mingzheng Hu, Dengwen Li
Summary: The epidermis is a barrier in the outermost layer of the skin that protects against pathogens. Basal keratinocytes, acting as stem cells, are crucial for epidermal development and skin damage recovery. Understanding the molecular mechanism of basal keratinocytes in epidermal development and stratification is important for preventing and treating skin lesions.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Dominique Talabot-Ayer, Alejandro Diaz -Barreiro, Ali Modarressi, Gaby Palmer
Summary: IL-38, encoded by the IL1F10 gene, is closely correlated with keratinocyte differentiation in human epidermis. This study characterized the regulation of IL1F10 expression and identified downstream enhancer regions that play a role in IL1F10 transcription. Overexpression of the transcription factors KLF4 and TAp63 beta promoted the expression of IL1F10 and differentiation markers in keratinocytes, indicating their involvement in regulating IL1F10 transcription. These findings provide insights into the coordinated transcription and epigenetic remodeling of IL1F10 in differentiated keratinocytes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hirofumi Teshima, Mayuko Endo, Yumea Furuyama, Hiroyuki Takama, Masashi Akiyama, Tokuji Tsuji, Hideki Tatsukawa, Kiyotaka Hitomi
Summary: The formation of human skin epidermis can be replicated in a 3D keratinocyte culture system with air-exposure being crucial for differentiation. An analysis of biological properties in submerged and air-liquid interphase culture systems revealed significant changes in hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-related genes. Despite high HIF protein levels, air-exposure treatment drastically reduced the transcriptional activity of HIF on its canonical response element, which was found to be essential for differentiation. Oxygen supplementation in submerged culture restored keratinocyte differentiation, highlighting the role of HIF in air-exposure-dependent differentiation in a 3D culture system.
Review
Cell Biology
Manami Toriyama, Ken J. Ishii
Summary: The skin, as the largest organ of the human body, acts as a physical and immunological barrier against pathogen infection. There is still little known about which cells in human skin have primary cilia and how they change in response to immune reactions or disease. Several studies have described mechanisms of cilia regulation by immune reactions and the physiological relevance of cilia regulating proliferation and differentiation of stroma cells.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Luca Pontiggia, Akshay Kumar Ahuja, Hesham Kamaleldin Yosef, Dominic Rutsche, Ernst Reichmann, Ueli Moehrlen, Thomas Biedermann
Summary: This study found that human suprabasal keratinocytes have proliferative capacity and can retro-differentiate into basal stem cells in a wound situation or when in contact with the basement membrane.
Article
Cell Biology
Alexandra Charruyer, Tracy Weisenberger, Hang Li, Ayman Khalifa, Andrew W. Schroeder, Annika Belzer, Ruby Ghadially
Summary: With age, the epidermis becomes thinner and less proliferative, with a shift towards more symmetric stem cell self-renewal divisions and a decrease in asymmetric divisions. The decrease in asymmetric stem cell divisions and increase in symmetric divisions may contribute to the hypoplasia of aging skin. Studies suggest that p53 plays a role in the reduced asymmetric stem cell divisions with age, and Notch signaling is required for p53-induced asymmetric stem cell divisions in aged keratinocytes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Peipei Zhang, Masaki Ishikawa, Andrew Doyle, Takashi Nakamura, Bing He, Yoshihiko Yamada
Summary: Panx3 regulates skin development by modulating the transcription factor Epfn. Panx3(-/-) mice show impaired skin development and delayed hair follicle regeneration, while Panx3 overexpression promotes HaCaT cell differentiation.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Siyuan Huang, Zhu Chen, Xiaoqiang Hou, Kuankuan Han, Bingshe Xu, Miao Zhang, Shukai Ding, Yongtao Wang, Yingjun Yang
Summary: Mechanical stimulation is believed to be a potential cause of acral melanoma. This study analyzed the influence of cyclic straining on melanoma cell proliferation and explored the mechanotransduction mechanism of promoted proliferation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Orthopedics
S. Fu, H. Meng, S. Inamdar, B. Das, H. Gupta, W. Wang, C. L. Thompson, M. M. Knight
Summary: The study demonstrates that TRPV4 plays an anti-inflammatory role in chondrocytes and cartilage explants, regulating tubulin modifications and cilia length to suppress interleukin-1β-mediated inflammatory signaling.
OSTEOARTHRITIS AND CARTILAGE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yuanhao Wu, Gabriele Maria Fortunato, Babatunde O. Okesola, Francesco Luigi Pellerej Di Brocchetti, Ratima Suntornnond, John Connelly, Carmelo De Maria, Jose Carlos Rodriguez-Cabello, Giovanni Vozzi, Wen Wang, Alvaro Mata
Summary: The study introduces a self-assembling bioink based on ELR and GO, with reproducibility and optimized printing parameters for fabricating novel structures with physiological relevance, as well as the capability to modulate pore size and permeability.
Correction
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Clare L. Thompson, Su Fu, Hannah K. Heywood, Martin M. Knight, Stephen D. Thorpe
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Patricia Costa, Liisa M. Blowes, Ana C. Laly, John T. Connelly
Summary: The study demonstrates that adhesive cues from the extracellular matrix guide collective epithelial polarity and migration, depending on adherens junctions and microtubules. Disruption of the microtubule network blocks collective polarization and inhibits directed migration of epithelial cells according to pre-established polarity.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2021)
Correction
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Han Wu, Zhao Wang, Song Liu, Huan Meng, Shengyuan Liu, Julia C. Shelton, Clare L. Thompson, Su Fu, Martin M. Knight
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Clare L. Thompson, Megan McFie, J. Paul Chapple, Philip Beales, Martin M. Knight
Summary: This study demonstrates the essential role of polycystins in chondrocyte mechanotransduction and highlights the importance of PC2 cilia trafficking as a key component of cilia-mediated mechanotransduction.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
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)
Editorial Material
Biology
Michael P. Philpott
Summary: Analyzing changes in hair pigmentation can provide insights into the effects of 'life events' on human biology and aging.
Article
Oncology
Stefaan W. Verbruggen, Clare L. Thompson, Michael P. Duffy, Sophia Lunetto, Joanne Nolan, Oliver M. T. Pearce, Christopher R. Jacobs, Martin M. Knight
Summary: Metastatic lesions in bone tissue are common in late-stage breast and prostate cancer patients, influenced by mechanical stimulation from bone cells, leading to significantly increased proliferation and invasion of breast cancer cells.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Beatrice Malacrida, Sam Nichols, Eleni Maniati, Roanne Jones, Robin Delanie-Smith, Reza Roozitalab, Eleanor J. Tyler, Morgan Thomas, Gina Boot, Jonas Mackerodt, Michelle Lockley, Martin M. Knight, Frances R. Balkwill, Oliver M. T. Pearce
Summary: The team developed a four-cell culture model to investigate the role of platelets in malignant cell invasion and extracellular matrix production, revealing their promotion of factors associated with poor prognosis. They found that platelet activation is critical in stimulating malignant cell invasion and successfully dissected the roles of malignant cells and mesothelial cells.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Katarzyna Figlak, Greg Williams, Marta Bertolini, Ralf Paus, Michael P. Philpott
Summary: Hair follicles are mini-organs that go through phases of growth, regression, and quiescence. Research shows that the outer root sheath of follicles contains glycogen that fluctuates in different stages. It has been demonstrated that hair follicles can synthesize glycogen through an internal Cori cycle and regulate growth by modulating PYGL activity.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Oscar J. Pundel, Liisa M. Blowes, John T. Connelly
Summary: Adhesive cues from the extracellular matrix (ECM) transmit mechanical forces through the cytoskeleton to specify the size and shape of the nucleus. This study finds that limited adhesion promotes nucleolar fusion, reduces nuclear volume, and condenses heterochromatin. Nucleolar remodeling impacts ribogenesis and protein synthesis, and is associated with specific transcriptional changes in ribogenesis genes.
Editorial Material
Dermatology
Michael Philpott
BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Shohreh Nourinovin, Muhammad M. Rahman, Michael P. Philpott, Qammer H. Abbasi, Akram Alomainy
Summary: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is difficult to identify in early stages and often leads to metastasis due to its asymptomatic characteristics. Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy and imaging have been recognized as novel techniques for early cancer detection, as they are nonionizing and have significant THz wave absorption by water's hydrogen bonds and higher hydration in tumors. However, there is a lack of research on THz characterization of oral cancer. In this study, a 3-D organotypic model of OSCC was cultivated to investigate the THz spectroscopy of the tumor at various phases and the effects of the anticancer drug AG1478 on its THz spectra. The results show that AG1478 has an effect on shifting the THz spectra towards normal tissue, but has no effect on aggressive OSCC (AOSCC). These findings may contribute to early-stage tumor diagnosis and detection techniques.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INSTRUMENTATION AND MEASUREMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ana C. Laly, Kristina Sliogeryte, Oscar J. Pundel, Rosie Ross, Michael C. Keeling, Deepa Avisetti, Ahmad Waseem, Nuria Gavara, John T. Connelly
Summary: The keratin cytoskeleton plays a critical role in sensing matrix rigidity, with keratinocytes adapting to increased stiffness by forming a rigid interconnected network and boosting cell stiffness. Mutations disrupting keratin stability hinder the normal mechanical response and impair mechanotransduction. Depletion of cytolinker proteins, however, enhances mechanoresponsiveness and up-regulates lamin A/C.