Role and Regulation of Wnt/β-Catenin in Hepatic Perivenous Zonation and Physiological Homeostasis

Abstract The investigations presented here focus on the CO2/H2O gas exchange in damaged and undamaged spruce trees while using open-air measurements as well as measurements under defined conditions in the laboratory. The studies were performed at two different sites in the Hunsrück and the Westerwald mountains. In the laboratory the CO2/H2O gas exchange was measured on detached branches under controlled conditions in the course of two years. CO2 saturation curves were also generated. In addition CO2 compensation points were deter mined employing a closed system. In the natural habitat diurnal course measurements of photosynthesis and transpiration as well as light-saturation curves for photosynthesis were performed. In parallel with the photosynthesis and transpiration measurements, measurements of the water potential were taken at both locations. The photosynthetic capacity and transpiration rate show a typical annual course with pronounced maxima in spring and late summer and minima in summer and winter. The needles of the damaged trees exhibit higher transpiration rates and a distinct reduction in photosyn thesis than the needles of the undamaged trees during two seasons. The diurnal course measurements of net photosynthesis and transpiration show a maximum in photosynthesis and transpiration in the afternoon in May and September, but a characteristic midday depression in July. Photosynthesis was markedly lower and transpiration higher in the needles of the damaged trees. The damaged trees show a lower increase in the light and CO2 saturation curves and higher CO2 compensation points as compared to the undamaged trees. The water potential reaches much lower values during the course of the day in needles of the dam aged trees. The reduction of the photosynthetic rate on one hand and the increase in transpiration on the other hand result in an extreme lowering of the water use efficiency in photosynthesis. The damage to the thylakoid membranes and to the guard cells obviously results in a pro found disturbance of the physiological homeostasis of the needles and could thus lead to premature needle loss.

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Current Evidence for a Role of Neuropeptides in the Regulation of Autophagy

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2017/5856071 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Elisabetta Catalani ◽

Clara De Palma ◽

Cristiana Perrotta ◽

Davide Cervia

Keyword(s):

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Pathological Conditions ◽

Organ Systems ◽

Intercellular Signalling ◽

Physiological Homeostasis ◽

Response To Stress ◽

Autophagic Process ◽

Regulatory Functions

Neuropeptides drive a wide diversity of biological actions and mediate multiple regulatory functions involving all organ systems. They modulate intercellular signalling in the central and peripheral nervous systems as well as the cross talk among nervous and endocrine systems. Indeed, neuropeptides can function as peptide hormones regulating physiological homeostasis (e.g., cognition, blood pressure, feeding behaviour, water balance, glucose metabolism, pain, and response to stress), neuroprotection, and immunomodulation. We aim here to describe the recent advances on the role exerted by neuropeptides in the control of autophagy and its molecular mechanisms since increasing evidence indicates that dysregulation of autophagic process is related to different pathological conditions, including neurodegeneration, metabolic disorders, and cancer.

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The cardiac nanoenvironment: form and function at the nanoscale

Biophysical Reviews ◽

10.1007/s12551-021-00834-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jashan P. Singh ◽

Jennifer L. Young

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

New Materials ◽

Length Scales ◽

Form And Function ◽

Molecular Features ◽

Wide Range ◽

Physiological Homeostasis ◽

Organ Level ◽

And Function

AbstractMechanical forces in the cardiovascular system occur over a wide range of length scales. At the whole organ level, large scale forces drive the beating heart as a synergistic unit. On the microscale, individual cells and their surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) exhibit dynamic reciprocity, with mechanical feedback moving bidirectionally. Finally, in the nanometer regime, molecular features of cells and the ECM show remarkable sensitivity to mechanical cues. While small, these nanoscale properties are in many cases directly responsible for the mechanosensitive signaling processes that elicit cellular outcomes. Given the inherent challenges in observing, quantifying, and reconstituting this nanoscale environment, it is not surprising that this landscape has been understudied compared to larger length scales. Here, we aim to shine light upon the cardiac nanoenvironment, which plays a crucial role in maintaining physiological homeostasis while also underlying pathological processes. Thus, we will highlight strategies aimed at (1) elucidating the nanoscale components of the cardiac matrix, and (2) designing new materials and biosystems capable of mimicking these features in vitro.

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Salivary AsHPX12 influence pre-blood meal associated behavioral properties in the mosquito Anopheles stephensi

10.1101/2020.06.12.147959 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Seena Kumari ◽

Tanwee Das De ◽

Charu Chauhan ◽

Jyoti Rani ◽

Sanjay Tevatiya ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Salivary Gland ◽

Blood Meal ◽

Anopheles Stephensi ◽

Blood Feeding ◽

Vital Role ◽

Host Attraction ◽

Altered Expression ◽

Rnaseq Data ◽

Transcriptional Modulation ◽

Physiological Homeostasis

AbstractIn the adult female mosquito, successful blood meal acquisition is accomplished by salivary glands, which releases a cocktail of proteins to counteract vertebrate host’s immune-homeostasis. However, the biological relevance of many salivary proteins remains unknown. Here, we characterize a salivary specific Heme peroxidase family member HPX12, originally identified from Plasmodium vivax infected salivary RNAseq data of the mosquito Anopheles stephensi. We demonstrate that dsRNA silencing mediated mRNA depletion of salivary AsHPX12 (80-90%), causes enhanced host attraction but reduced blood-meal acquisition abilities, by increasing probing propensity (31%), as well as probing time (100–200s, P<0.0001) as compared to control (35-90s) mosquitoes group. Altered expression of the salivary secretory and antennal proteins may account for an unusual fast release of salivary cocktail proteins, but the slowing acquisition of blood meal, possibly due to salivary homeostasis disruption of AsHPX12 silenced mosquitoes. A parallel transcriptional modulation in response to blood feeding and P. vivax infection, further establish a possible functional correlation of AsHPX12 role in salivary immune-physiology and Plasmodium sporozoites survival/transmission. We propose that salivary HPX12 may have a vital role in the management of ‘pre- and post’-blood meal associated physiological-homeostasis and parasite transmission.Graphical abstractFigure 1:Schematic representation of mosquito’s blood meal acquisition and upshot on blood-feeding after silencing of salivary gland HPX-12. (A) After landing over host skin, mosquito mouthparts (proboscis) actively engaged to search, probe, and pierce the skin followed by a rapid release of the pre-synthesized salivary cocktail, which counteracts the host homeostasis, inflammation, and immune responses, during blood meal uptake. (B) Silencing of HPX-12 disrupts salivary gland homeostasis, enhancing mosquito attraction, possibly by up-regulating odorant-binding proteins genes-OBP-7,10 and OBP-20 expression in the Olfactory System. However, HPX-12 disruption may also cause significant effects on pre-blood meal associated probing abilities, which may be due to fast down-regulation of salivary cocktail proteins such as Anopheline, Apyrase, D7L proteins.

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Impact of gut microbiota on immune system

Acta Microbiologica et Immunologica Hungarica ◽

10.1556/030.2021.01532 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Farhad Riazi-Rad ◽

Ava Behrouzi ◽

Hoora Mazaheri ◽

Asal Katebi ◽

Soheila Ajdary

Keyword(s):

Immune System ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Immune Responses ◽

Disease Susceptibility ◽

Adaptive Immune System ◽

Vital Role ◽

Symbiotic Relationship ◽

Adaptive Immune ◽

Physiological Homeostasis ◽

Environmental Antigens

AbstractThe commensal microflora collection known as microbiota has an essential role in maintaining the host's physiological homeostasis. The microbiota has a vital role in induction and regulation of local and systemic immune responses. On the other hand, the immune system involves maintaining microbiota compositions. Optimal microbiota-immune system cross-talk is essential for protective responses to pathogens and immune tolerance to self and harmless environmental antigens. Any change in this symbiotic relationship may cause susceptibility to diseases. The association of various cancers and auto-immune diseases with microbiota has been proven. Here we review the interaction of immune responses to gut microbiota, focusing on innate and adaptive immune system and disease susceptibility.

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Cardiorenal Syndrome

Kidney Protection ◽

10.1093/med/9780190611620.003.0041 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 407-416

Author(s):

Edward A. Ross ◽

Uyanga Batnyam ◽

Abdo M. Asmar

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Essential Role ◽

Cardiorenal Syndrome ◽

The Other ◽

Current Understanding ◽

Therapeutic Interventions ◽

Management Options ◽

Cardiac Functions ◽

Physiological Homeostasis ◽

Common Risk Factors

Renal and cardiac crosstalk plays an essential role in maintaining physiological homeostasis. Both organ diseases are prevalent and share common risk factors. Impairment in one organ has the potential to affect the other. This interaction is referred to as cardiorenal syndrome, and it is driven by complex neurohumoral and vascular processes. Cardiorenal syndrome refers to a state of either acute or chronic impairment of both renal and cardiac functions. Despite progress in therapeutic interventions, treatment of cardiorenal syndrome remains challenging. In this chapter, we review the current understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of cardiorenal syndrome, as well as its management options.

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Modulation of Autophagy for Controlling Immunity

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells8020138 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 138 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Young Jin Jang ◽

Jae Hwan Kim ◽

Sanguine Byun

Keyword(s):

Immune Responses ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Inflammatory Diseases ◽

Mechanisms Of Action ◽

Innate And Adaptive Immunity ◽

Pathological Conditions ◽

Physiological Homeostasis ◽

Autophagy Pathway ◽

Key Steps ◽

Additional Role

Autophagy is an essential process that maintains physiological homeostasis by promoting the transfer of cytoplasmic constituents to autophagolysosomes for degradation. In immune cells, the autophagy pathway plays an additional role in facilitating proper immunological functions. Specifically, the autophagy pathway can participate in controlling key steps in innate and adaptive immunity. Accordingly, alterations in autophagy have been linked to inflammatory diseases and defective immune responses against pathogens. In this review, we discuss the various roles of autophagy signaling in coordinating immune responses and how these activities are connected to pathological conditions. We highlight the therapeutic potential of autophagy modulators that can impact immune responses and the mechanisms of action responsible.

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The β-catenin/YAP signaling axis is a key regulator of melanoma-associated fibroblasts

Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy ◽

10.1038/s41392-019-0100-7 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Tianyi Liu ◽

Linli Zhou ◽

Kun Yang ◽

Kentaro Iwasawa ◽

Ana Luisa Kadekaro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nuclear Translocation ◽

Biological Effects ◽

New Paradigm ◽

Stromal Fibroblasts ◽

Multifunctional Protein ◽

Proximity Ligation ◽

Mechanistic Investigation ◽

Signaling Axis ◽

Physiological Homeostasis

Abstractβ-catenin is a multifunctional protein that plays crucial roles in embryonic development, physiological homeostasis, and a wide variety of human cancers. Previously, we showed that in vivo targeted ablation of β-catenin in melanoma-associated fibroblasts after melanoma formation significantly suppressed tumor growth. However, when the expression of β-catenin was ablated in melanoma-associated fibroblasts before tumor initiation, melanoma development was surprisingly accelerated. How stromal β-catenin deficiency leads to opposite biological effects in melanoma progression is not completely understood. Here, we report that β-catenin is indispensable for the activation of primary human stromal fibroblasts and the mediation of fibroblast-melanoma cell interactions. Using coimmunoprecipitation and proximity ligation assays, we identified Yes-associated protein (YAP) as an important β-catenin-interacting partner in stromal fibroblasts. YAP is highly expressed in the nuclei of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in both human and murine melanomas. Mechanistic investigation revealed that YAP nuclear translocation is significantly modulated by Wnt/β-catenin activity in fibroblasts. Blocking Wnt/β-catenin signaling in stromal fibroblasts inhibited YAP nuclear translocation. In the absence of YAP, the ability of stromal fibroblasts to remodel the extracellular matrix (ECM) was inhibited, which is consistent with the phenotype observed in cells with β-catenin deficiency. Further studies showed that the expression of ECM proteins and enzymes required for remodeling the ECM was suppressed in stromal fibroblasts after YAP ablation. Collectively, our data provide a new paradigm in which the β-catenin-YAP signaling axis regulates the activation and tumor-promoting function of stromal fibroblasts.

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Autophagy contributes to the feeding, reproduction, and mobility of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus at low temperatures

Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica ◽

10.1093/abbs/gmz068 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 51 (8) ◽

pp. 864-872 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hongbin Liu ◽

Xiaoqin Wu ◽

Yaqi Feng ◽

Lin Rui

Keyword(s):

Defense Mechanisms ◽

Feeding Rate ◽

Pine Wilt Disease ◽

Bursaphelenchus Xylophilus ◽

Reproductive Rate ◽

Reproduction Rate ◽

Marker Proteins ◽

Physiological Homeostasis ◽

Autophagic Activity ◽

Growth And Reproduction

Abstract The pine wood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is the pathogen causing pine wilt disease (PWD), which is a devastating forest disease. At present, little is known about the defense mechanisms of the PWN, which limits PWD control. Although autophagy plays an important role in the physiological and pathological processes of eukaryotes, its significance in the PWN remains unknown. In this study, we prepared an anti-BxATG8 polyclonal antibody and identified two PWN autophagy marker proteins: BxATG8-I and BxATG8-II. By western blot analysis, we found that the ratio of BxATG8-II to BxATG8-I, which represents autophagic activity, was decreased significantly when samples were treated with the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine. As such, we were able to successfully detect and quantify autophagic activity in the PWN. Thereafter, we investigated the effects of low and high temperatures on PWN growth and reproduction. The results revealed that feeding rate, reproduction rate, and mobility decreased at 15°C and increased at 35°C. By contrast, autophagic activity was high at 15°C and low at 35°C, suggesting that the PWN regulates autophagic activity in response to changes in temperature to maintain physiological homeostasis. When autophagy was inhibited at 15°C, feeding rate, reproductive rate, and mobility declined further, indicating that autophagy is crucial for PWN growth and reproduction at low temperature. These results indicate that autophagy in the PWN is an important response mechanism to temperature changes.

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