Barrier Function of the Laryngeal Mucosa

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 54-62
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Erickson-DiRenzo
Keyword(s):  
Barrier Function ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Vocal Fold Vibration ◽  
Laryngeal Mucosa ◽  
Mucus Barrier ◽  
Novel Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
And Function ◽  
Nearly Continuous ◽  
Novel Model

The larynx is exposed to nearly continuous insults from the airway, digestive tract, and through the mechanical stresses of vocal fold vibration. The protection from these insults offered by laryngeal mucosa is called barrier function. Two essential mucosal barriers include the epithelial barrier and the mucus barrier. The purpose of this article is to provide an introduction to our current knowledge of the laryngeal epithelial and mucus barriers. Specifically, the composition of these barriers will be discussed. Research generating novel model systems to study the epithelial and mucus barriers and investigations of how common insults impact barrier structure and function will be highlighted. Compromise of these barriers may substantially increase laryngeal susceptibility to injury and impact overarching laryngeal health. Despite recent gains in our understanding of the epithelial and mucus barriers, continued research is necessary in order to advance the field of laryngeal biology and develop novel therapeutic strategies to improve laryngeal barrier function.

scholarly journals Role for diet in normal gut barrier function: developing guidance within the framework of food-labeling regulations

2019 ◽  
Vol 317 (1) ◽  
pp. G17-G39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Camilleri ◽  
Barbara J. Lyle ◽  
Karen L. Madsen ◽  
Justin Sonnenburg ◽  
Kristin Verbeke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Barrier Function ◽  
Intestinal Barrier ◽  
Normal Function ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Intestinal Barrier Function ◽  
Dietary Interventions ◽  
Labeling Regulations ◽  
Gut Barrier Function ◽  
And Function

A reduction in intestinal barrier function is currently believed to play an important role in pathogenesis of many diseases, as it facilitates passage of injurious factors such as lipopolysaccharide, peptidoglycan, whole bacteria, and other toxins to traverse the barrier to damage the intestine or enter the portal circulation. Currently available evidence in animal models and in vitro systems has shown that certain dietary interventions can be used to reinforce the intestinal barrier to prevent the development of disease. The relevance of these studies to human health is unknown. Herein, we define the components of the intestinal barrier, review available modalities to assess its structure and function in humans, and review the available evidence in model systems or perturbations in humans that diet can be used to fortify intestinal barrier function. Acknowledging the technical challenges and the present gaps in knowledge, we provide a conceptual framework by which evidence could be developed to support the notion that diet can reinforce human intestinal barrier function to restore normal function and potentially reduce the risk for disease. Such evidence would provide information on the development of healthier diets and serve to provide a framework by which federal agencies such as the US Food and Drug Administration can evaluate evidence linking diet with normal human structure/function claims focused on reducing risk of disease in the general public.

scholarly journals The impact of the lung environment on macrophage development, activation and function: diversity in the face of adversity

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Calum C. Bain ◽  
Andrew S. MacDonald
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Lung Macrophage ◽  
Renaissance Period ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
The Face ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Novel Model

AbstractThe last decade has been somewhat of a renaissance period for the field of macrophage biology. This renewed interest, combined with the advent of new technologies and development of novel model systems to assess different facets of macrophage biology, has led to major advances in our understanding of the diverse roles macrophages play in health, inflammation, infection and repair, and the dominance of tissue environments in influencing all of these areas. Here, we discuss recent developments in our understanding of lung macrophage heterogeneity, ontogeny, metabolism and function in the context of health and disease, and highlight core conceptual advances and key unanswered questions that we believe should be focus of work in the coming years.

Noncoding RNAs in Medicinal Plants and Their Regulatory Roles in Bioactive Compound Production

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caili Li ◽  
Meizhen Wang ◽  
Xiaoxiao Qiu ◽  
Hong Zhou ◽  
Shanfa Lu
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Salvia Miltiorrhiza ◽  
Noncoding Rnas ◽  
Bioactive Compound ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Small Interfering Rnas ◽  
Regulatory Pathways ◽  
Regulatory Modules

Background: Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), play significant regulatory roles in plant development and secondary metabolism and are involved in plant response to biotic and abiotic stresses. They have been intensively studied in model systems and crops for approximately two decades and massive amount of information have been obtained. However, for medicinal plants, ncRNAs, particularly their regulatory roles in bioactive compound biosynthesis, are just emerging as a hot research field. Objective: This review aims to summarize current knowledge on herbal ncRNAs and their regulatory roles in bioactive compound production. Results and Conclusion: So far, scientists have identified thousands of miRNA candidates from over 50 medicinal plant species and 11794 lncRNAs from Salvia miltiorrhiza, Panax ginseng, and Digitalis purpurea. Among them, more than 30 miRNAs and five lncRNAs have been predicted to regulate bioactive compound production. The regulation may achieve through various regulatory modules and pathways, such as the miR397-LAC module, the miR12112-PPO module, the miR156-SPL module, the miR828-MYB module, the miR858-MYB module, and other siRNA and lncRNA regulatory pathways. Further functional analysis of herbal ncRNAs will provide useful information for quality and quantity improvement of medicinal plants.

Effects of Maternal Obesity and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus on the Placenta: Current Knowledge and Targets for Therapeutic Interventions

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-192
Author(s):  
Samantha Bedell ◽  
Janine Hutson ◽  
Barbra de Vrijer ◽  
Genevieve Eastabrook
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Gestational Diabetes ◽  
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Maternal Obesity ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Placental Development ◽  
Exchange Site ◽  
And Function

: Obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are becoming more common among pregnant women worldwide and are individually associated with a number of placenta-mediated obstetric complications, including preeclampsia, macrosomia, intrauterine growth restriction and stillbirth. The placenta serves several functions throughout pregnancy and is the main exchange site for the transfer of nutrients and gas from mother to fetus. In pregnancies complicated by maternal obesity or GDM, the placenta is exposed to environmental changes, such as increased inflammation and oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, and altered hormone levels. These changes can affect placental development and function and lead to abnormal fetal growth and development as well as metabolic and cardiovascular abnormalities in the offspring. This review aims to summarize current knowledge on the effects of obesity and GDM on placental development and function. Understanding these processes is key in developing therapeutic interventions with the goal of mitigating these effects and preventing future cardiovascular and metabolic pathology in subsequent generations.

The Oxford Handbook of the Auditory Brainstem

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Auditory Pathway ◽  
Auditory Brainstem ◽  
Auditory Midbrain ◽  
Current State ◽  
Neuronal Mechanisms ◽  
Maladaptive Plasticity ◽  
And Function ◽  
Auditory Field

The Oxford Handbook of the Auditory Brainstem provides an in-depth reference to the organization and function of ascending and descending auditory pathways in the mammalian brainstem. Individual chapters are organized along the auditory pathway, beginning with the cochlea and ending with the auditory midbrain. Each chapter provides an introduction to the respective area and summarizes our current knowledge before discussing the disputes and challenges that the field currently faces.The handbook emphasizes the numerous forms of plasticity that are increasingly observed in many areas of the auditory brainstem. Several chapters focus on neuronal modulation of function and plasticity on the synaptic, neuronal, and circuit level, especially during development, aging, and following peripheral hearing loss. In addition, the book addresses the role of trauma-induced maladaptive plasticity with respect to its contribution in generating central hearing dysfunction, such as hyperacusis and tinnitus.The book is intended for students and postdoctoral fellows starting in the auditory field and for researchers of related fields who wish to get an authoritative and up-to-date summary of the current state of auditory brainstem research. For clinical practitioners in audiology, otolaryngology, and neurology, the book is a valuable resource of information about the neuronal mechanisms that are currently discussed as major candidates for the generation of central hearing dysfunction.

scholarly journals Cancer of Unknown Primary: Challenges and Progress in Clinical Management

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 451
Author(s):  
Noemi Laprovitera ◽  
Mattia Riefolo ◽  
Elisa Ambrosini ◽  
Christiane Klec ◽  
Martin Pichler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Distant Metastases ◽  
Cancer Of Unknown Primary ◽  
Unknown Primary ◽  
Diagnostic Strategies ◽  
Molecular Features ◽  
Tissue Of Origin ◽  
Novel Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Aggressive Clinical Behavior

Distant metastases are the main cause of cancer-related deaths in patients with advanced tumors. A standard diagnostic workup usually contains the identification of the tissue-of-origin of metastatic tumors, although under certain circumstances, it remains elusive. This disease setting is defined as cancer of unknown primary (CUP). Accounting for approximately 3–5% of all cancer diagnoses, CUPs are characterized by an aggressive clinical behavior and represent a real therapeutic challenge. The lack of determination of a tissue of origin precludes CUP patients from specific evidence-based therapeutic options or access to clinical trial, which significantly impacts their life expectancy. In the era of precision medicine, it is essential to characterize CUP molecular features, including the expression profile of non-coding RNAs, to improve our understanding of CUP biology and identify novel therapeutic strategies. This review article sheds light on this enigmatic disease by summarizing the current knowledge on CUPs focusing on recent discoveries and emerging diagnostic strategies.

scholarly journals The Cross-Talk between Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Immune Cells in Tissue Repair and Regeneration

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 2472
Author(s):  
Carl Randall Harrell ◽  
Valentin Djonov ◽  
Vladislav Volarevic
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Tissue Repair ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Multipotent Stem Cells ◽  
Tissue Repair And Regeneration ◽  
Almost All ◽  
And Function

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are self-renewable, rapidly proliferating, multipotent stem cells which reside in almost all post-natal tissues. MSCs possess potent immunoregulatory properties and, in juxtacrine and paracrine manner, modulate phenotype and function of all immune cells that participate in tissue repair and regeneration. Additionally, MSCs produce various pro-angiogenic factors and promote neo-vascularization in healing tissues, contributing to their enhanced repair and regeneration. In this review article, we summarized current knowledge about molecular mechanisms that regulate the crosstalk between MSCs and immune cells in tissue repair and regeneration.

scholarly journals Antioxidant and Signaling Role of Plastid-Derived Isoprenoid Quinones and Chromanols

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 2950
Author(s):  
Beatrycze Nowicka ◽  
Agnieszka Trela-Makowej ◽  
Dariusz Latowski ◽  
Kazimierz Strzalka ◽  
Renata Szymańska
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Stress Factors ◽  
Oxygenic Photosynthesis ◽  
Ros Generation ◽  
Main Site ◽  
Storage Lipids ◽  
Abiotic Stress Factors ◽  
Cell Components ◽  
And Function

Plant prenyllipids, especially isoprenoid chromanols and quinols, are very efficient low-molecular-weight lipophilic antioxidants, protecting membranes and storage lipids from reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are byproducts of aerobic metabolism that can damage cell components, they are also known to play a role in signaling. Plants are particularly prone to oxidative damage because oxygenic photosynthesis results in O2 formation in their green tissues. In addition, the photosynthetic electron transfer chain is an important source of ROS. Therefore, chloroplasts are the main site of ROS generation in plant cells during the light reactions of photosynthesis, and plastidic antioxidants are crucial to prevent oxidative stress, which occurs when plants are exposed to various types of stress factors, both biotic and abiotic. The increase in antioxidant content during stress acclimation is a common phenomenon. In the present review, we describe the mechanisms of ROS (singlet oxygen, superoxide, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical) production in chloroplasts in general and during exposure to abiotic stress factors, such as high light, low temperature, drought and salinity. We highlight the dual role of their presence: negative (i.e., lipid peroxidation, pigment and protein oxidation) and positive (i.e., contribution in redox-based physiological processes). Then we provide a summary of current knowledge concerning plastidic prenyllipid antioxidants belonging to isoprenoid chromanols and quinols, as well as their structure, occurrence, biosynthesis and function both in ROS detoxification and signaling.

scholarly journals Protective Role of Nrf2 in Renal Disease

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 39
Author(s):  
Melania Guerrero-Hue ◽  
Sandra Rayego-Mateos ◽  
Cristina Vázquez-Carballo ◽  
Alejandra Palomino-Antolín ◽  
Cristina García-Caballero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Renal Diseases ◽  
Related Factor ◽  
Ckd Progression ◽  
Protective Mechanisms ◽  
Novel Therapeutic Strategies

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the fastest-growing causes of death and is predicted to become by 2040 the fifth global cause of death. CKD is characterized by increased oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. However, therapies to slow or prevent CKD progression remain an unmet need. Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) is a transcription factor that plays a key role in protection against oxidative stress and regulation of the inflammatory response. Consequently, the use of compounds targeting Nrf2 has generated growing interest for nephrologists. Pre-clinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that Nrf2-inducing strategies prevent CKD progression and protect from acute kidney injury (AKI). In this article, we review current knowledge on the protective mechanisms mediated by Nrf2 against kidney injury, novel therapeutic strategies to induce Nrf2 activation, and the status of ongoing clinical trials targeting Nrf2 in renal diseases.

scholarly journals Hampering Stromal Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment as a Therapeutic Strategy to Destem Cancer Stem Cells

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 3191
Author(s):  
Katherine Po Sin Chung ◽  
Rainbow Wing Hei Leung ◽  
Terence Kin Wah Lee
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Intrinsic Regulation ◽  
Mechanistic Basis ◽  
Novel Therapeutic Strategies

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) within the tumor bulk play crucial roles in tumor initiation, recurrence and therapeutic resistance. In addition to intrinsic regulation, a growing body of evidence suggests that the phenotypes of CSCs are also regulated extrinsically by stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we discuss the current knowledge of the interplay between stromal cells and cancer cells with a special focus on how stromal cells drive the stemness of cancer cells and immune evasive mechanisms of CSCs. Knowledge gained from the interaction between CSCs and stromal cells will provide a mechanistic basis for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancers.

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