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Seminars in Nephrology Jul 2019Although students initially learn of ionic buffering in basic chemistry, buffering and acid-base transport in biology often is relegated to specialized classes,... (Review)
Review
Although students initially learn of ionic buffering in basic chemistry, buffering and acid-base transport in biology often is relegated to specialized classes, discussions, or situations. That said, for physiology, nephrology, pulmonology, and anesthesiology, these basic principles often are critically important for mechanistic understanding, medical treatments, and assessing therapy effectiveness. This short introductory perspective focuses on basic chemistry and transport of buffers and acid-base equivalents, provides an outline of basic science acid-base concepts, tools used to monitor intracellular pH, model cellular responses to pH buffer changes, and the more recent development and use of genetically encoded pH-indicators. Examples of newer genetically encoded pH-indicators (pHerry and pHire) are provided, and their use for in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo experiments are described. The continued use and development of these basic tools provide increasing opportunities for both basic and potentially clinical investigations.
Topics: Acid-Base Equilibrium; Animals; Biological Transport; Buffers; Humans; Hydrogen; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Intracellular Fluid
PubMed: 31300088
DOI: 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2019.04.002 -
Brain Research Aug 2022The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a dynamic structure that protects the brain from harmful blood-borne, endogenous and exogenous substances and maintains the homeostatic... (Review)
Review
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a dynamic structure that protects the brain from harmful blood-borne, endogenous and exogenous substances and maintains the homeostatic microenvironment. All constituent cell types play indispensable roles in the BBB's integrity, and other structural BBB components, such as tight junction proteins, adherens junctions, and junctional proteins, can control the barrier permeability. Regarding the need to exchange nutrients and toxic materials, solute carriers, ATP-binding case families, and ion transporter, as well as transcytosis regulate the influx and efflux transport, while the difference in localisation and expression can contribute to functional differences in transport properties. Numerous chemical mediators and other factors such as non-physicochemical factors have been identified to alter BBB permeability by mediating the structural components and barrier function, because of the close relationship with inflammation. In this review, we highlight recently gained mechanistic insights into the maintenance and disruption of the BBB. A better understanding of the factors influencing BBB permeability could contribute to supporting promising potential therapeutic targets for protecting the BBB and the delivery of central nervous system drugs via BBB permeability interventions under pathological conditions.
Topics: Biological Transport; Blood-Brain Barrier; Brain; Humans; Permeability; Tight Junction Proteins; Tight Junctions
PubMed: 35568085
DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2022.147937 -
Fluids and Barriers of the CNS Nov 2020The blood-brain barrier is playing a critical role in controlling the influx and efflux of biological substances essential for the brain's metabolic activity as well as... (Review)
Review
The blood-brain barrier is playing a critical role in controlling the influx and efflux of biological substances essential for the brain's metabolic activity as well as neuronal function. Thus, the functional and structural integrity of the BBB is pivotal to maintain the homeostasis of the brain microenvironment. The different cells and structures contributing to developing this barrier are summarized along with the different functions that BBB plays at the brain-blood interface. We also explained the role of shear stress in maintaining BBB integrity. Furthermore, we elaborated on the clinical aspects that correlate between BBB disruption and different neurological and pathological conditions. Finally, we discussed several biomarkers that can help to assess the BBB permeability and integrity in-vitro or in-vivo and briefly explain their advantages and disadvantages.
Topics: Biological Transport; Biomarkers; Blood-Brain Barrier; Brain Diseases; Humans
PubMed: 33208141
DOI: 10.1186/s12987-020-00230-3 -
Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology Jul 2023To coordinate, adapt and respond to biological signals, cells convey specific messages to other cells. An important aspect of cell-cell communication involves secretion... (Review)
Review
To coordinate, adapt and respond to biological signals, cells convey specific messages to other cells. An important aspect of cell-cell communication involves secretion of molecules into the extracellular space. How these molecules are selected for secretion has been a fundamental question in the membrane trafficking field for decades. Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been recognized as key players in intercellular communication, carrying not only membrane proteins and lipids but also RNAs, cytosolic proteins and other signalling molecules to recipient cells. To communicate the right message, it is essential to sort cargoes into EVs in a regulated and context-specific manner. In recent years, a wealth of lipidomic, proteomic and RNA sequencing studies have revealed that EV cargo composition differs depending upon the donor cell type, metabolic cues and disease states. Analyses of distinct cargo 'fingerprints' have uncovered mechanistic linkages between the activation of specific molecular pathways and cargo sorting. In addition, cell biology studies are beginning to reveal novel biogenesis mechanisms regulated by cellular context. Here, we review context-specific mechanisms of EV biogenesis and cargo sorting, focusing on how cell signalling and cell state influence which cellular components are ultimately targeted to EVs.
Topics: Proteomics; Biological Transport; Extracellular Vesicles; Protein Transport; Signal Transduction; Cell Communication
PubMed: 36765164
DOI: 10.1038/s41580-023-00576-0 -
Annual Review of Cell and Developmental... Oct 2019The vertebrate vasculature displays high organotypic specialization, with the structure and function of blood vessels catering to the specific needs of each tissue. A... (Review)
Review
The vertebrate vasculature displays high organotypic specialization, with the structure and function of blood vessels catering to the specific needs of each tissue. A unique feature of the central nervous system (CNS) vasculature is the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The BBB regulates substance influx and efflux to maintain a homeostatic environment for proper brain function. Here, we review the development and cell biology of the BBB, focusing on the cellular and molecular regulation of barrier formation and the maintenance of the BBB through adulthood. We summarize unique features of CNS endothelial cells and highlight recent progress in and general principles of barrier regulation. Finally, we illustrate why a mechanistic understanding of the development and maintenance of the BBB could provide novel therapeutic opportunities for CNS drug delivery.
Topics: Animals; Astrocytes; Basement Membrane; Biological Transport; Blood-Brain Barrier; Brain; Central Nervous System; Endothelial Cells; Homeostasis; Humans; Leukocytes; Neurovascular Coupling; Pericytes; Tight Junctions; Transcytosis; Wnt Signaling Pathway
PubMed: 31299172
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-cellbio-100617-062608 -
The Journal of Experimental Medicine Apr 2020The blood vessels vascularizing the central nervous system exhibit a series of distinct properties that tightly control the movement of ions, molecules, and cells... (Review)
Review
The blood vessels vascularizing the central nervous system exhibit a series of distinct properties that tightly control the movement of ions, molecules, and cells between the blood and the parenchyma. This "blood-brain barrier" is initiated during angiogenesis via signals from the surrounding neural environment, and its integrity remains vital for homeostasis and neural protection throughout life. Blood-brain barrier dysfunction contributes to pathology in a range of neurological conditions including multiple sclerosis, stroke, and epilepsy, and has also been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. This review will discuss current knowledge and key unanswered questions regarding the blood-brain barrier in health and disease.
Topics: Animals; Biological Transport; Blood-Brain Barrier; Central Nervous System; Humans
PubMed: 32211826
DOI: 10.1084/jem.20190062 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark... Jan 2023Fatty acids (FAs) are critical nutrients that regulate an organism's health and development in mammal. Long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) can be divided into saturated and... (Review)
Review
Fatty acids (FAs) are critical nutrients that regulate an organism's health and development in mammal. Long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) can be divided into saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, depending on whether the carbon chain contains at least 1 double bond. The fatty acids that are required for humans and animals are obtained primarily from dietary sources, and LCFAs are absorbed from outside of cells in mammals. LCFAs enter cells through several mechanisms, including passive diffusion and protein-mediated translocation across the plasma membrane, the latter in which FA translocase (FAT/CD36), plasma membrane FA-binding protein (FABPpm), FA transport protein (FATP), and caveolin-1 are believed to have important functions. The LCFAs that are taken up by cells bind to FA-binding proteins (FABPs) and are transported to the specific organelles, where they are activated into acyl-CoA to target specific metabolic pathways. LCFA-CoAs can be esterified to phospholipids, triacylglycerol, cholesteryl ester, and other specialized lipids. Non-esterified free fatty acids are preferentially stored as triacylglycerol molecules. The main pathway by which fatty acids are catabolized is β-oxidation, which occurs in mitochondria and peroxisomes. stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD)-dependent and Fatty acid desaturases (FADS)-dependent fatty acid desaturation pathways coexist in cells and provide metabolic plasticity. The process of fatty acid elongation occurs by cycling through condensation, reduction, dehydration, and reduction. Extracellular LCFA can be mediated by membrane protein G protein-coupled receptor 40 (GPR40) or G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120) to activate mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling, and intracellular LCFA's sensor remains to be determined. The crystal structures of a phosphatidic acid phosphatase and a membrane-bound fatty acid elongase-condensing enzyme and other LCFA-related proteins provide important insights into the mechanism of utilization, increasing our understanding of the cellular uptake, metabolism and sensing of LCFAs.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Biological Transport; Cell Membrane; Fatty Acids; Membrane Proteins; Mitochondria; Protein Transport
PubMed: 36722264
DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2801010 -
Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology Oct 2020The term 'extracellular vesicles' refers to a heterogeneous population of vesicular bodies of cellular origin that derive either from the endosomal compartment... (Review)
Review
The term 'extracellular vesicles' refers to a heterogeneous population of vesicular bodies of cellular origin that derive either from the endosomal compartment (exosomes) or as a result of shedding from the plasma membrane (microvesicles, oncosomes and apoptotic bodies). Extracellular vesicles carry a variety of cargo, including RNAs, proteins, lipids and DNA, which can be taken up by other cells, both in the direct vicinity of the source cell and at distant sites in the body via biofluids, and elicit a variety of phenotypic responses. Owing to their unique biology and roles in cell-cell communication, extracellular vesicles have attracted strong interest, which is further enhanced by their potential clinical utility. Because extracellular vesicles derive their cargo from the contents of the cells that produce them, they are attractive sources of biomarkers for a variety of diseases. Furthermore, studies demonstrating phenotypic effects of specific extracellular vesicle-associated cargo on target cells have stoked interest in extracellular vesicles as therapeutic vehicles. There is particularly strong evidence that the RNA cargo of extracellular vesicles can alter recipient cell gene expression and function. During the past decade, extracellular vesicles and their RNA cargo have become better defined, but many aspects of extracellular vesicle biology remain to be elucidated. These include selective cargo loading resulting in substantial differences between the composition of extracellular vesicles and source cells; heterogeneity in extracellular vesicle size and composition; and undefined mechanisms for the uptake of extracellular vesicles into recipient cells and the fates of their cargo. Further progress in unravelling the basic mechanisms of extracellular vesicle biogenesis, transport, and cargo delivery and function is needed for successful clinical implementation. This Review focuses on the current state of knowledge pertaining to packaging, transport and function of RNAs in extracellular vesicles and outlines the progress made thus far towards their clinical applications.
Topics: Animals; Biological Transport; Cell Communication; Extracellular Vesicles; Humans; Mammals; RNA
PubMed: 32457507
DOI: 10.1038/s41580-020-0251-y -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2021Membranes plays enormous role in our life [...].
Membranes plays enormous role in our life [...].
Topics: Animals; Biological Transport; Cell Membrane; Ions; Membrane Proteins; Membranes, Artificial; Nanoparticles
PubMed: 33808070
DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073556 -
The FEBS Journal May 2021This review aims to serve as an introduction to the solute carrier proteins (SLC) superfamily of transporter proteins and their roles in human cells. The SLC superfamily... (Review)
Review
This review aims to serve as an introduction to the solute carrier proteins (SLC) superfamily of transporter proteins and their roles in human cells. The SLC superfamily currently includes 458 transport proteins in 65 families that carry a wide variety of substances across cellular membranes. While members of this superfamily are found throughout cellular organelles, this review focuses on transporters expressed at the plasma membrane. At the cell surface, SLC proteins may be viewed as gatekeepers of the cellular milieu, dynamically responding to different metabolic states. With altered metabolism being one of the hallmarks of cancer, we also briefly review the roles that surface SLC proteins play in the development and progression of cancer through their influence on regulating metabolism and environmental conditions.
Topics: Biological Transport; Cell Membrane; Humans; Membrane Transport Proteins; Neoplasms; Solute Carrier Proteins
PubMed: 32810346
DOI: 10.1111/febs.15531