-
Heliyon Mar 2024Ovarian cancer (OC) is deadly, and likely arises from the fallopian tube epithelium (FTE). Despite the association of OC with ovulation, OC typically presents in...
Ovarian cancer (OC) is deadly, and likely arises from the fallopian tube epithelium (FTE). Despite the association of OC with ovulation, OC typically presents in post-menopausal women who are no longer ovulating. The goal of this study was to understand how ovulation and aging interact to impact OC progression from the FTE. Follicular fluid released during ovulation induces DNA damage in the FTE, however, the role of aging on FTE exposure to follicular fluid is unexplored. Follicular fluid samples were collected from 14 women and its effects on FTE cells was assessed. Follicular fluid caused DNA damage and lipid oxidation in an age-dependent manner, but instead induced cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, independent of age in FTE cells. Follicular fluid regardless of age disrupted FTE spheroid formation and stimulated attachment and growth on ultra-low attachment plates. Proteomics analysis of the adhesion proteins in the follicular fluid samples identified vitronectin, a glycoprotein responsible for FTE cell attachment and spreading.
PubMed: 38501015
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27336 -
Cancers Mar 2024Colorectal cancer metastasizes predominantly to the liver but also to the lungs and the peritoneum. The presence of extra-hepatic metastases limits curative (surgical)...
Colorectal cancer metastasizes predominantly to the liver but also to the lungs and the peritoneum. The presence of extra-hepatic metastases limits curative (surgical) treatment options and is associated with very poor survival. The mechanisms governing multi-organ metastasis formation are incompletely understood. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the site of tumor growth influences extra-hepatic metastasis formation. To this end, we implanted murine colon cancer organoids into the primary tumor site (i.e., the caecum) and into the primary metastasis site (i.e., the liver) in immunocompetent mice. The organoid-initiated liver tumors were significantly more efficient in seeding distant metastases compared to tumors of the same origin growing in the caecum (intra-hepatic: 51 vs. 40%, = 0.001; peritoneal cavity: 51% vs. 33%, = 0.001; lungs: 30% vs. 7%, = 0.017). The enhanced metastatic capacity of the liver tumors was associated with the formation of 'hotspots' of vitronectin-positive blood vessels surrounded by macrophages. RNA sequencing analysis of clinical samples showed a high expression of vitronectin in liver metastases, along with signatures reflecting hypoxia, angiogenesis, coagulation, and macrophages. We conclude that 'onward spread' from liver metastases is facilitated by liver-specific microenvironmental signals that cause the formation of macrophage-associated vascular hotspots. The therapeutic targeting of these signals may help to contain the disease within the liver and prevent onward spread.
PubMed: 38473429
DOI: 10.3390/cancers16051073 -
Poultry Science May 2024Pulmonary artery remodeling is a characteristic feature of broiler ascites syndrome (BAS). Pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs) regulated by HIF-1α play a...
Pulmonary artery remodeling is a characteristic feature of broiler ascites syndrome (BAS). Pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs) regulated by HIF-1α play a critical role in pulmonary artery remodeling, but the underlying mechanisms of HIF-1α in BAS remain unclear. In this experiment, primary PAECs were cultured in vitro and were identified by coagulation factor VIII. After hypoxia and RNA interference, the mRNA and protein expression levels of HIF-1α and VEGF were determined by qPCR and Western blotting. The transcriptome profiles of PAECs were obtained by RNA sequencing. Our results showed that the positive rate of PAECs was more than 90%, hypoxia-induced promoted the proliferation and apoptosis of PAECs, and RNA interference significantly downregulated the expression of HIF-1α, inhibited the proliferation of PAECs, and promoted the apoptosis of PAECs. In addition, transcriptome sequencing analysis indicated that HIF-1α may regulate broiler ascites syndrome by mediating COL4A, vitronectin, vWF, ITGα8, and MKP-5 in the ECM, CAMs and MAPK pathways in PAECs. These studies lay the foundation for further exploration of the mechanisms of pulmonary artery remodeling, and HIF-1α may be a potentially effective gene for the prevention and treatment of BAS.
Topics: Animals; Chickens; Pulmonary Artery; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; Endothelial Cells; RNA Interference; Cell Proliferation; Avian Proteins; Poultry Diseases; Ascites; Apoptosis; Cells, Cultured
PubMed: 38428352
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.103388 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark... Feb 2024Large-scale production of mesenchymal stromal cells is essential for sufficient therapeutic doses in regenerative medicine. However, long-term cultivation encounters...
BACKGROUND
Large-scale production of mesenchymal stromal cells is essential for sufficient therapeutic doses in regenerative medicine. However, long-term cultivation encounters limited cell growth and cellular aging. Therefore, an alternative cell culture approach that promotes proliferation and attenuates cell senescence is required. Human platelet lysate (HPL) is a potent supplement for cell expansion. Applying HPL as a coating material can potentially improve mesenchymal stromal cell cultures.
METHOD
To examine the capacity of HPL, it was used to pre-coat a tissue culture plate for adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cell expansion. Alterations in biological features of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) were investigated, including cell adhesion assays, cell proliferation, population doubling time, and cellular senescence.
RESULTS
ADSCs cultured on HPL-coated plates significantly increased cell adhesion rate, shortened population doubling time, and stimulated cell growth. The senescent cells were significantly decreased in ADSCs cultured in an HPL-coated plate, and the expression levels of senescence-associated genes, including , , and , were downregulated. Furthermore, Western blotting analysis revealed that HPL was enriched with fibronectin and vitronectin, essential cell adhesive proteins.
CONCLUSIONS
HPL was effectively used as a coating material for ADSC expansions. Cellular cultivation on the HPL coating is an alternative approach for producing mesenchymal stromal cells.
Topics: Humans; Blood Platelets; Cell Culture Techniques; Cells, Cultured; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Cell Proliferation; Cell Differentiation
PubMed: 38420820
DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2902088 -
Cell Reports Feb 2024Schlemm's canal (SC) functions to maintain proper intraocular pressure (IOP) by draining aqueous humor and has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for glaucoma,...
Schlemm's canal (SC) functions to maintain proper intraocular pressure (IOP) by draining aqueous humor and has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for glaucoma, the second-leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. However, our current understanding of the mechanisms governing SC development and functionality remains limited. Here, we show that vitronectin (VTN) produced by limbal macrophages promotes SC formation and prevents intraocular hypertension by activating integrin αvβ3 signaling. Genetic inactivation of this signaling system inhibited the phosphorylation of AKT and FOXO1 and reduced β-catenin activity and FOXC2 expression, thereby causing impaired Prox1 expression and deteriorated SC morphogenesis. This ultimately led to increased IOP and glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Intriguingly, we found that aged SC displayed downregulated integrin β3 in association with dampened Prox1 expression. Conversely, FOXO1 inhibition rejuvenated the aged SC by inducing Prox1 expression and SC regrowth, highlighting a possible strategy by targeting VTN/integrin αvβ3 signaling to improve SC functionality.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Integrin alphaVbeta3; Schlemm's Canal; Optic Nerve Diseases; Glaucoma; Hypertension; Macrophages
PubMed: 38367239
DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113799 -
Cancer Medicine Jan 2024RGD peptide can be found in cell adhesion and signaling proteins, such as fibronectin, vitronectin, and fibrinogen. RGD peptides' principal function is to facilitate... (Review)
Review
RGD peptide can be found in cell adhesion and signaling proteins, such as fibronectin, vitronectin, and fibrinogen. RGD peptides' principal function is to facilitate cell adhesion by interacting with integrin receptors on the cell surface. They have been intensively researched for use in biotechnology and medicine, including incorporation into biomaterials, conjugation to medicinal molecules or nanoparticles, and labeling with imaging agents. RGD peptides can be utilized to specifically target cancer cells and the tumor vasculature by engaging with these integrins, improving drug delivery efficiency and minimizing adverse effects on healthy tissues. RGD-functionalized drug carriers are a viable option for cancer therapy as this focused approach has demonstrated promise in the future. Writing a review on the RGD peptide can significantly influence how drugs are developed in the future by improving our understanding of the peptide, finding knowledge gaps, fostering innovation, and making drug design easier.
Topics: Humans; Oligopeptides; Peptides; Integrins; Neoplasms
PubMed: 38349028
DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6800 -
BioRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Jan 2024Eight of the 24 integrin heterodimers bind to the tripeptide Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) motif in their extracellular ligands, and play essential roles in cell adhesion,...
Eight of the 24 integrin heterodimers bind to the tripeptide Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) motif in their extracellular ligands, and play essential roles in cell adhesion, migration, and homeostasis. Despite similarity in recognizing the RGD motif and some redundancy, these integrins can selectively recognize RGD-containing ligands including fibronectin, vitronectin, fibrinogen, nephronectin and the prodomain of the transforming growth factors to fulfill specific functions in cellular processes. Subtype-specific antibodies against RGD-binding integrins are desirable for investigating their specific functions. In this study, we discovered 11 antibodies that exhibit high specificity and affinity towards integrins αVβ3, αVβ5, αVβ6, αVβ8, and α5β1 from a synthetic yeast-displayed Fab library. Of these, 6 are function-blocking antibodies containing an R(G/L/T) D motif in their CDR3 sequences. We report antibody binding specificity, kinetics, and binding affinity for purified integrin ectodomains as well as intact integrins on the cell surface. We further employed these antibodies to reveal binding preferences of the αV subunit for its 5 β-subunit partners: β6=β8>β3>β1=β5.
PubMed: 38328192
DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.26.577394 -
Materials Today. Bio Apr 2024Completely synthetic cell cultivation materials for human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are important for the future clinical use of hPSC-derived cells. Currently, cell...
Completely synthetic cell cultivation materials for human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are important for the future clinical use of hPSC-derived cells. Currently, cell culture materials conjugated with extracellular matrix (ECM)-derived peptides are being prepared using only one specific integrin-targeting peptide. We designed dual peptide-conjugated hydrogels, for which each peptide was selected from different ECM sites: the laminin β4 chain and fibronectin or vitronectin, which can target α6β1 and α2β1 or αVβ5. hPSCs cultured on dual peptide-conjugated hydrogels, especially on hydrogels conjugated with peptides obtained from the laminin β4 chain and vitronectin with a low peptide concentration of 200 μg/mL, showed high proliferation ability over the long term and differentiated into cells originating from 3 germ layers as well as a specific lineage of cardiac cells. The design of grafting peptides was also important, for which a joint segment and positive amino acids were added into the designed peptide. Because of the designed peptides on the hydrogels, only 200 μg/mL peptide solution was sufficient for grafting on the hydrogels, and the hydrogels supported hPSC cultures long-term; in contrast, in previous studies, greater than 1000 μg/mL peptide solution was needed for the grafting of peptides on cell culture materials.
PubMed: 38318478
DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2024.100969 -
Particle and Fibre Toxicology Feb 2024Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) represent one of the most widespread environmental pollutants of the twenty-first century to which all humans are orally exposed. Upon...
BACKGROUND
Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) represent one of the most widespread environmental pollutants of the twenty-first century to which all humans are orally exposed. Upon ingestion, MNPs pass harsh biochemical conditions within the gastrointestinal tract, causing a unique protein corona on the MNP surface. Little is known about the digestion-associated protein corona and its impact on the cellular uptake of MNPs. Here, we systematically studied the influence of gastrointestinal digestion on the cellular uptake of neutral and charged polystyrene MNPs using THP-1-derived macrophages.
RESULTS
The protein corona composition was quantified using LC‒MS-MS-based proteomics, and the cellular uptake of MNPs was determined using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Gastrointestinal digestion resulted in a distinct protein corona on MNPs that was retained in serum-containing cell culture medium. Digestion increased the uptake of uncharged MNPs below 500 nm by 4.0-6.1-fold but did not affect the uptake of larger sized or charged MNPs. Forty proteins showed a good correlation between protein abundance and MNP uptake, including coagulation factors, apolipoproteins and vitronectin.
CONCLUSION
This study provides quantitative data on the presence of gastrointestinal proteins on MNPs and relates this to cellular uptake, underpinning the need to include the protein corona in hazard assessment of MNPs.
Topics: Humans; Microplastics; Protein Corona; Polystyrenes; Plastics; Digestion
PubMed: 38311718
DOI: 10.1186/s12989-024-00563-z -
International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2024and other closely related pathogenic yeast-like fungi carry on their surface numerous loosely adsorbed "moonlighting proteins"-proteins that play evolutionarily...
Glyceraldehyde 3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase on the Surface of and Cells-A Moonlighting Protein That Binds Human Vitronectin and Plasminogen and Can Adsorb to Pathogenic Fungal Cells via Major Adhesins Als3 and Epa6.
and other closely related pathogenic yeast-like fungi carry on their surface numerous loosely adsorbed "moonlighting proteins"-proteins that play evolutionarily conserved intracellular functions but also appear on the cell surface and exhibit additional functions, e.g., contributing to attachment to host tissues. In the current work, we characterized this "moonlighting" role for glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH, EC 1.2.1.12) of and . GAPDH was directly visualized on the cell surface of both species and shown to play a significant part in the total capacity of fungal cells to bind two selected human host proteins-vitronectin and plasminogen. Using purified proteins, both host proteins were found to tightly interact with GAPDH, with dissociation constants in an order of 10 M, as determined by bio-layer interferometry and surface plasmon resonance measurements. It was also shown that exogenous GAPDH tightly adheres to the surface of candidal cells, suggesting that the cell surface location of this moonlighting protein may partly result from the readsorption of its soluble form, which may be present at an infection site (e.g., due to release from dying fungal cells). The major dedicated adhesins, covalently bound to the cell wall-agglutinin-like sequence protein 3 (Als3) and epithelial adhesin 6 (Epa6)-were suggested to serve as the docking platforms for GAPDH in and , respectively.
Topics: Humans; Candida albicans; Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases; Plasminogen; Vitronectin; Fungal Proteins
PubMed: 38256088
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021013