Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Serena Calamaio, Marialaura Serzanti, Jennifer Boniotti, Annamaria Fra, Emirena Garrafa, Manuela Cominelli, Rosanna Verardi, Pietro Luigi Poliani, Silvia Dotti, Riccardo Villa, Giovanna Mazzoleni, Patrizia Dell'Era, Nathalie Steimberg
Summary: The process of developing a new drug is time-consuming and expensive, and hepatotoxicity is a major concern. Animal models have limitations due to interspecies differences, but human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) offer new possibilities for drug testing. We miniaturized the process of generating hepatic organoids using hiPSC-derived mesenchymal stem cells, hepatocytes, and endothelial cells. These organoids were cultivated in vitro using static and dynamic cultures, and could be maintained for up to 1 week. This hiPSC-derived liver organoid model could potentially replace animal testing in pharmacological and toxicological studies.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Maryam Parsian, Pelin Mutlu, Ender Yildirim, Can Ildiz, Can Ozen, Ufuk Gunduz
Summary: The study introduces a new tissue culture approach that combines a microfluidic chip with microdissected breast cancer tumors, maintaining the viability of tissue samples and enabling stable culturing of tumor tissues compared to conventional methods. This new culturing technique may have the potential to develop new treatment strategies more effectively.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Garrett Winkelmaier, Kosar Jabbari, Lung-Chang Chien, Peter Grabham, Bahram Parvin, Janice Pluth
Summary: During space travel, astronauts face the challenge of adapting to microgravity and stressful living conditions. The impact of microgravity on organ development is not well understood, and this study used mouse mammary epithelial cells to investigate its effects. The results suggest that microgravity can cause abnormal changes in mammary epithelial cells and increase the risk of cancer.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Isabella B. Metelmann, Sebastian Kraemer, Matthias Steinert, Stefan Langer, Peggy Stock, Olga Kurow
Summary: This study developed a 3D organotypic model of the pleural mesothelium and demonstrated its similarity to human pleura tissue in terms of morphology and microenvironment. The permeability test of the model indicated its ability to mimic physiological conditions in vivo.
Article
Dermatology
Melanie Schwab, Sabrina Lohr, Jakob Schneider, Michaela Kaiser, Damir Krunic, Doris Helbig, Cyrill Geraud, Peter Angel
Summary: The study demonstrates that loss of PDPN in murine cSCC cells leads to decreased migration and invasion in vitro, highlighting the crucial role of PDPN in cSCC progression. Experiments with Pdpn mutants further reveal the importance of both intra- and extracellular domains in cancer cell invasion. Orthotopic injection of labeled cells into nude mice confirms the impact of PDPN on tumor infiltration into the stroma.
EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lin He, Chuxia Deng
Summary: Organotypic tissue slice culture has numerous advantages in anticancer drug development, including the preservation of cell repertoire, quick assessment of therapeutic efficacy, and the ability to select personalized treatment regimens. It is expected to become a potent platform for individualized drug screening.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Jonathan Robert Weitz, Herve Tiriac, Tatiana Hurtado de Mendoza, Alexis Wascher, Andrew M. Lowy
Summary: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has the highest mortality rate among major cancers, and current therapies have had limited success. Understanding the complex tumor microenvironment (TME) of PDAC, including fibrotic matrix and immunosuppressive features, is crucial for developing effective treatments. Organotypic tumor slices from patient tumors provide a valuable model system to study TME interactions and potential therapeutic approaches for personalized cancer therapy.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yue Li, Shan Zeng, Fengjie Zhou, Huiqun Jie, Dongzhen Yu, Shule Hou, Penghui Chen, Dekun Gao, Yupeng Liu, Jun Yang, Jingchun He
Summary: Cisplatin is an effective drug for solid tumors, but it often causes ototoxicity. This study found that overexpression of XIAP can protect cochlear hair cells from cisplatin-induced injury.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Gareth Morris, Massimo Avoli, Christophe Bernard, Kate Connor, Marco de Curtis, Chris G. Dulla, John G. R. Jefferys, Caterina Psarropoulou, Kevin J. Staley, Mark O. Cunningham
Summary: In vitro preparations offer valuable tools for studying and modeling seizures and epilepsy, as well as screening anti-seizure compounds. However, these models are simplifications of reality and have limitations. Therefore, a combination of in vitro models, in vivo studies, chronic epilepsy animal models, and human cell/tissue-derived preparations is recommended to maximize their potential value.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Danyang Wang, Simone Hildorf, Elissavet Ntemou, Linn Salto Mamsen, Lihua Dong, Susanne Elisabeth Pors, Jens Fedder, Erik Clasen-Linde, Dina Cortes, Jorgen Thorup, Claus Yding Andersen
Summary: This study showed that organotypic culture of testicular tissue from infants with cryptorchidism could support the development of spermatogonia and somatic cells, with the addition of retinoic acid (RA) inducing spermatocytes and enhancing the maturation of Sertoli cells. The absence of RA in the culture medium led to an increase in peritubular myoid cells. This research provides insights for future studies on in vitro spermatogenesis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Dermatology
Rishika Agarwal, Tanja Dittmar, Hans-Dietmar Beer, Michael Kunz, Simon Mueller, Elisabeth A. A. Kappos, Emmanuel Contassot, Alexander A. Navarini
Summary: This study presents a method for generating human epidermis organotypic cultures (HEOCs) from primary keratinocytes and an immortalized keratinocyte cell line (KerTr). The HEOCs were characterized and shown to express markers associated with proliferation and differentiation. The ability to generate HEOCs reproducibly on a large scale makes them a valuable model for drug screening and studying epidermal pathologies.
EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Joanne X. Shen, Morgane Couchet, Jeremy Dufau, Thais de Castro Barbosa, Maximilian H. Ulbrich, Martin Helmstadter, Aurino M. Kemas, Reza Zandi Shafagh, Marie-Adeline Marques, Jacob B. Hansen, Niklas Mejhert, Dominique Langin, Mikael Ryden, Volker M. Lauschke
Summary: A scaffold-free versatile 3D adipocyte culture platform was developed in this study, accurately recapitulating adipogenesis with mature molecular and cellular phenotypes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ingrid Zahn, Fabian Garreis, Martin Schicht, Vera Roetzer, Jens Waschke, Yuqiuhe Liu, Valerian L. Altersberger, Friedrich Paulsen, Jana Dietrich
Summary: A new 3D organotypic slice culture model of mouse meibomian glands (MGs) was established, which allows for the study of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and dry eye disease (DED). The effects of melanocortins on exocrine secretion were investigated, potentially leading to new insights in the development of treatments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Danila Kolesov, Violetta O. Ivanova, Elena L. Sokolinskaya, Liubov A. Kost, Pavel M. Balaban, Konstantin A. Lukyanov, Evgeny S. Nikitin, Alexey M. Bogdanov
Summary: Insect odorant receptors have been suggested to function as ligand-gated cation channels with OrX/Orco heteromers. Different G proteins mediate the metabotropic activity of these receptors, providing insight into their natural and artificial tuning features for potential applications in chemogenetics, drug screening, and repellent design.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Marina da Silva Oliveira, Larissa Marcely Gomes Cassiano, Jeanne Pioline, Ketyllen Reis Andrade de Carvalho, Anna Christina de Matos Salim, Pedro Augusto Alves, Gabriel da Rocha Fernandes, Alexandre de Magalhaes Vieira Machado, Roney Santos Coimbra
Summary: This study evaluated how two Brazilian Zika virus (ZIKV) isolates with subtle genetic differences impact hippocampal infection and host response, and found that these differences can also lead to long-term effects on neuronal population.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2023)
Letter
Otorhinolaryngology
Paolo Boscolo-Rizzo, Thomas Hummel, Claire Hopkins, Andrea D'Alessandro, Anna Menini, Michele Dibattista, Giancarlo Tirelli
JAMA OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD & NECK SURGERY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Nicole Sarno, Andres Hernandez-Clavijo, Anna Boccaccio, Anna Menini, Simone Pifferi
Summary: Adaptation is important in sensory systems, and the vomeronasal system controls social behaviors by detecting pheromones. This study found that vomeronasal neurons exhibit short-term spike frequency adaptation to repeated stimuli, and slow inactivation of Na+ channels contributes to this adaptation.
Article
Cell Biology
Renza Spelat, Nie Jihua, Cesar Adolfo Sanchez Trivino, Simone Pifferi, Diletta Pozzi, Matteo Manzati, Simone Mortal, Irene Schiavo, Federica Spada, Melania Eva Zanchetta, Tamara Ius, Ivana Manini, Irene Giulia Rolle, Pietro Parisse, Ana P. Millan, Ginestra Bianconi, Fabrizia Cesca, Michele Giugliano, Anna Menini, Daniela Cesselli, Miran Skrap, Vincent Torre
Summary: Seizures are a common symptom in gliomas, and the pathogenesis of tumor-related seizures may involve the peritumoral microenvironment. This study investigates the role of exosomes released by glioma cells in regulating neuronal synchrony. The results demonstrate that exosomes can induce synchronization in early-stage neuronal cultures but disrupt synchrony in mature cultures. The mechanisms involve the formation of new neuronal branches, modifications in synaptic efficiency, and direct effects on neuronal electrical properties. Additionally, exosomes selectively enhance glutamatergic signaling in mature cultures and contribute to the neurological pathologies of patients with low-grade glioma.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kevin Y. Gonzalez-Velandia, Andres Hernandez-Clavijo, Anna Menini, Michele Dibattista, Simone Pifferi
Summary: This study provides the first complete description of the stomatin-domain protein family in the olfactory system, highlighting their composition, functional interactions, and the importance of STOML3 for the localization of STOM in OSNs.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Otorhinolaryngology
Paolo Boscolo-Rizzo, Thomas Hummel, Sara Invitto, Giacomo Spinato, Michele Tomasoni, Enzo Emanuelli, Margherita Tofanelli, Angelo Cavicchia, Vittorio Grill, Luigi Angelo Vaira, Jerome R. Lechien, Daniele Borsetto, Jerry Polesel, Michele Dibattista, Anna Menini, Claire Hopkins, Giancarlo Tirelli
Summary: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of smell and taste dysfunction 2 years after mildly symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, taking into account the background of chemosensory dysfunction in the non-COVID-19 population. The results showed that cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection still exhibited a significant excess of olfactory dysfunction 2 years after the infection when compared to matched controls.
INTERNATIONAL FORUM OF ALLERGY & RHINOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Otorhinolaryngology
Paolo Boscolo-Rizzo, Thomas Hummel, Sara Invitto, Giacomo Spinato, Luigi Angelo Vaira, Jerome R. Lechien, Anna Menini, Claire Hopkins (Oxon), Giancarlo Tirelli
INTERNATIONAL FORUM OF ALLERGY & RHINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andres Hernandez-Clavijo, Cesar Adolfo Sanchez Trivino, Giorgia Guarneri, Chiara Ricci, Fabian A. Mantilla-Esparza, Kevin Y. Gonzalez-Velandia, Paolo Boscolo-Rizzo, Margherita Tofanelli, Pierluigi Bonini, Michele Dibattista, Giancarlo Tirelli, Anna Menini
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted our limited understanding of human olfactory physiology. By using acute slices of human olfactory epithelium and whole-cell patch-clamp technique, this study characterized the electrical properties of olfactory sensory neurons and supporting cells. The study also demonstrated the intact transduction cascade in this preparation through responses to odorant mixtures. This research provides valuable insights into human olfactory physiology and lays the foundation for future studies.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Giorgia Guarneri, Simone Pifferi, Michele Dibattista, Johannes Reisert, Anna Menini
Summary: The Ca2+-activated Cl over bar channel TMEM16B plays a crucial role in olfactory sensory neurons by controlling the transduction current and the length of action potentials. Knockout of TMEM16B in mice resulted in larger EOG responses, faster kinetics, and altered adaptation to repeated stimulation. This paradoxical effect may be due to the removal of clamping and/or shunting action of Ca2+-activated Cl over bar currents.
Article
Cell Biology
Andres Hernandez-Clavijo, Kevin Y. Gonzalez-Velandia, Uday Rangaswamy, Giorgia Guarneri, Paolo Boscolo-Rizzo, Margherita Tofanelli, Nicoletta Gardenal, Remo Sanges, Michele Dibattista, Giancarlo Tirelli, Anna Menini
Summary: This study found that ACE2 and TMEM16F are co-expressed in non-neuronal supporting cells of the human olfactory epithelium, indicating a potential role of syncytia formation in COVID-19 smell loss.
CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Miao Xiao, Xiaoyun Li, Simone Pifferi, Beatrice Pastore, Yun Liu, Marco Lazzarino, Vincent Torre, Xiaowei Yang, Anna Menini, Mingliang Tang
Summary: Neural interfaces have the potential to monitor and stimulate the brain for the treatment of nervous disorders. This study shows that uncoated Ti3C2Tx MXene material can be used as a neural interface without altering the physiological properties of neuronal tissue. It preserves the basal physiology of neuronal activity and has promising potential for neural prosthetic devices and neuroscience research.
