scholarly journals Tiny dancers

2002 ◽  
Vol 158 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan S. Smyth ◽  
Cam Patterson

A vital step in growth factor–driven angiogenesis is the coordinated engagement of endothelial integrins with the extracellular matrix. The molecular mechanisms that partner growth factors and integrins are being elucidated, revealing an intricate interaction of surface receptors and their signaling pathways.

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi235-vi235
Author(s):  
Ana Jimenez-Pascual ◽  
James Hale ◽  
Defne Bayik ◽  
Daniel Silver ◽  
Gustavo Roversi ◽  
...  

Abstract Glioblastomas (GBM) are lethal brain tumors where poor outcome is attributed to cellular heterogeneity, therapeutic resistance, and a highly infiltrative nature. These characteristics are preferentially linked to GBM cancer stem cells (CSCs), but how CSCs maintain their stemness is incompletely understood and the subject of intense investigation. CSCs rely both on cell intrinsic programs and microenvironmental interactions to regulate their maintenance. Recent work has demonstrated that CSCs can modulate their surrounding microenvironment by metalloproteinase expression, allowing direct modification of the extracellular matrix that provides structural tissue integrity, and instructive signalling via engagement of key cell surface receptors and sequestration of essential growth factors. Here, we identify a novel growth factor signalling loop that induces and maintains CSCs via an atypical metalloproteinase, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-like protein decysin 1 (ADAMDEC1), secreted by CSCs. ADAMDEC1 solubilizes fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) in the tumor microenvironment. We find that CSCs exclusively express FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1), which upon binding of FGF2 induces upregulation of Zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1). ZEB1 is a regulator of stemness and tumor initiation, and therefore ADAMDEC1-FGF2-FGFR1 signalling promotes malignancy in GBM. We further show that ERK phosphorylation drives ZEB1, which regulates ADAMDEC1 expression, creating a positive feedback loop via repression of microRNA-203. Genetic or pharmacological targeting of components of this axis attenuates self-renewal and tumor growth. These findings reveal a new signalling axis for CSC maintenance and highlight ADAMDEC1 and FGFR1 as potential therapeutic targets in GBM. In addition, these findings provide a new paradigm for GBM growth through which key growth factors embedded within the extracellular matrix can be selectively accessed by CSC for their maintenance.


1995 ◽  
Vol 108 (6) ◽  
pp. 2153-2162 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.F. Talts ◽  
A. Weller ◽  
R. Timpl ◽  
M. Ekblom ◽  
P. Ekblom

We have here studied the composition and regulation of stromal extracellular matrix components in an experimental tumor model. Nude mice were inoculated with WCCS-1 cells, a human Wilms' tumor cell line. In the formed tumors the stroma was found to contain mesenchymal extracellular matrix proteins such as tenascin-C, fibulins-1 and 2 and fibronectin, but no nidogen. Nidogen was confined to basement membranes of tumor blood vessels. Since glucocorticoids have been shown to downregulate tenascin-C expression in vitro, we tested whether dexamethasone can influence biosynthesis of extracellular matrix components during tumor formation in vivo. A downregulation of tenascin-C mRNA and an upregulation of fibronectin mRNA expression by dexamethasone was noted. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 mRNA levels were unaffected by the dexamethasone treatment. Glucocorticoids can thus downregulate tenascin-C synthesis although local stimulatory growth factors are present. The competition between a negative and a positive extrinsic factor on synthesis of stromal extracellular matrix components was studied in a fibroblast/preadipocyte cell line. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 stimulated tenascin-C synthesis but did not affect fibronectin or fibulin-2 synthesis. Dexamethasone at high concentrations could completely suppress the effect of transforming growth factor-beta 1 on tenascin-C mRNA expression. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 could in turn overcome the downregulation of tenascin-C mRNA expression caused by a lower concentration of dexamethasone. We therefore suggest that the limited expression of tenascin-C in part is due to a continuous suppression by physiological levels of glucocorticoids, which can be overcome by local stimulatory growth factors when present in sufficient amounts.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Junsheng Dong ◽  
Jun Li ◽  
Jianji Li ◽  
Luying Cui ◽  
Xia Meng ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Bovine endometrial epithelial cells (BEECs) undergo regular regeneration after calving. Elevated cortisol concentrations have been reported in postpartum cattle due to various stresses. However, the effects of the physiological level of cortisol on proliferation in BEECs have not been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate whether cortisol can influence the proliferation properties of BEECs and to clarify the possible underlying mechanism. Methods BEECs were treated with different concentrations of cortisol (5, 15 and 30 ng/mL). The mRNA expression of various growth factors was detected by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), progression of the cell cycle in BEECs was measured using flow cytometric analysis, and the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathways was detected with Western blot and immunofluorescence. Results Cortisol treatment resulted in upregulated mRNA levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF); however, it had no influence on transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1). Cortisol (15 ng/mL) accelerated the cell cycle transition from the G0/G1 to the S phase. Cortisol upregulated the expression of β-catenin, c-Myc, and cyclinD1 and promoted the phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT. Conclusions These results demonstrated that cortisol may promote proliferation in BEECs by increasing the expression of some growth factors and activating the Wnt/β-catenin and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways.


2000 ◽  
Vol 7 (2-4) ◽  
pp. 89-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elke Schönherr ◽  
Heinz-JüRgen Hausser

The extracellular matrix (ECM) as well as soluble mediators like cytokines can influence the behavior of cells in very distinct as well as cooperative ways. One group of ECM molecules which shows an especially broad cooperativety with cytokines and growth factors are the proteoglycans. Proteoglycans can interact with their core proteins as well as their glycosaminoglycan chains with cytokines. These interactions can modify the binding of cytokines to their cell surface receptors or they can lead to the storage of the soluble factors in the matrix. Proteoglycans themselves may even have cytokine activity. In this review we describe different proteoglycans and their interactions and relationships with cytokines and we discuss in more detail the extracellular regulation of the activity of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) by proteoglycans and other ECM molecules. In the third part the interaction of heparan sulfate chains with fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2, basic FGF) as a prototype example for the interaction of heparin-binding cytokines with heparan sulfate proteoglycans is presented to illustrate the different levels of mutual dependence of the cytokine network and the ECM.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 212-227
Author(s):  
V. V. Povoroznyuk ◽  
N. V. Dedukh ◽  
M. A. Bystrytska ◽  
V. S. Shapovalov

This review provides a rationale for the cellular and molecular mechanisms of bone remodeling stages under physiological conditions and glucocorticoids (GCs) in excess. Remodeling is a synchronous process involving bone resorption and formation, proceeding through stages of: (1) resting bone, (2) activation, (3) bone resorption, (4) reversal, (5) formation, (6) termination. Bone remodeling is strictly controlled by local and systemic regulatory signaling molecules. This review presents current data on the interaction of osteoclasts, osteoblasts and osteocytes in bone remodeling and defines the role of osteoprogenitor cells located above the resorption area in the form of canopies and populating resorption cavities. The signaling pathways of proliferation, differentiation, viability, and cell death during remodeling are presented. The study of signaling pathways is critical to understanding bone remodeling under normal and pathological conditions. The main signaling pathways that control bone resorption and formation are RANK / RANKL / OPG; M-CSF – c-FMS; canonical and non-canonical signaling pathways Wnt; Notch; MARK; TGFβ / SMAD; ephrinB1/ephrinB2 – EphB4, TNFα – TNFβ, and Bim – Bax/Bak. Cytokines, growth factors, prostaglandins, parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, calcitonin, and estrogens also act as regulators of bone remodeling. The role of non-encoding microRNAs and long RNAs in the process of bone cell differentiation has been established. MicroRNAs affect many target genes, have both a repressive effect on bone formation and activate osteoblast differentiation in different ways. Excess of glucocorticoids negatively affects all stages of bone remodeling, disrupts molecular signaling, induces apoptosis of osteocytes and osteoblasts in different ways, and increases the life cycle of osteoclasts. Glucocorticoids disrupt the reversal stage, which is critical for the subsequent stages of remodeling. Negative effects of GCs on signaling molecules of the canonical Wingless (WNT)/β-catenin pathway and other signaling pathways impair osteoblastogenesis. Under the influence of excess glucocorticoids biosynthesis of biologically active growth factors is reduced, which leads to a decrease in the expression by osteoblasts of molecules that form the osteoid. Glucocorticoids stimulate the expression of mineralization inhibitor proteins, osteoid mineralization is delayed, which is accompanied by increased local matrix demineralization. Although many signaling pathways involved in bone resorption and formation have been discovered and described, the temporal and spatial mechanisms of their sequential turn-on and turn-off in cell proliferation and differentiation require additional research.


Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 1356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milito ◽  
Brancaccio ◽  
D’Argenio ◽  
Castellano

Liver fibrosis is a pathophysiologic process involving the accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins as collagen deposition. Advanced liver fibrosis can evolve in cirrhosis, portal hypertension and often requires liver transplantation. At the cellular level, hepatic fibrosis involves the activation of hepatic stellate cells and their transdifferentiation into myofibroblasts. Numerous pro-fibrogenic mediators including the transforming growth factor-β1, the platelet-derived growth factor, endothelin-1, toll-like receptor 4, and reactive oxygen species are key players in this process. Knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying hepatic fibrosis development need to be extended to find novel therapeutic strategies. Antifibrotic therapies aim to inhibit the accumulation of fibrogenic cells and/or prevent the deposition of extracellular matrix proteins. Natural products from terrestrial and marine sources, including sulfur-containing compounds, exhibit promising activities for the treatment of fibrotic pathology. Although many therapeutic interventions are effective in experimental models of liver fibrosis, their efficacy and safety in humans are largely unknown. This review aims to provide a reference collection on experimentally tested natural anti-fibrotic compounds, with particular attention on sulfur-containing molecules. Their chemical structure, sources, mode of action, molecular targets, and pharmacological activity in the treatment of liver disease will be discussed.


2007 ◽  
Vol 156 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alper Gürlek ◽  
Niki Karavitaki ◽  
Olaf Ansorge ◽  
John A H Wass

Prolactinoma is the most common pituitary tumour in adults. Macroprolactinomas, particularly in men, may occasionally exhibit a very aggressive clinical course as evidenced by progressive growth, invasion through bone into the sphenoid sinus, cavernous sinus, suprasellar region or the nasopharynx. Some may even progress to pituitary carcinoma with craniospinal or systemic metastases. Aggressive tumours have low cure rates despite appropriate medical and surgical treatment. The mechanisms underlying this aggressive biological behaviour have not yet been fully clarified. Recent immunohistochemical, molecular and genetic studies have provided some insight in this respect. Invasive prolactinomas may be associated with a high Ki-67/MIB-1 labelling index indicating increased cell proliferation, although this is not a universal finding. The AA polymorphism in the cyclin adenine (A)/guanine (G) gene is more frequently detected in invasive prolactinomas. Increased expression of the polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and reduced expression of the E-cadherin/catenin complex implies a contribution of altered cell-to-cell adhesion and cellular migration. Extracellular matrix components (ECM), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors play important roles in the context of angiogenesis and invasion. The induction of fibroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor via oestrogen-induced overexpression of novel genes (PTTG, hst and Edpm5) enhance cell growth, proliferation and angiogenesis contributing to invasiveness in prolactinomas. Although mutations in proto-oncogenes like Ras are uncommon, loss of tumour suppressor genes at loci 11q13, 13q12–14, 10q and 1p seem to be associated with invasiveness. Of the described mechanisms, only reduced E-cadherin/catenin expression and overexpression of hst gene seem to be relatively specific markers for prolactinoma invasiveness compared with other pituitary adenomas. Further research is needed to clarify the molecular mechanisms behind the aggressive course of some prolactinomas to predict those with a potentially poor clinical outcome, and to devise treatments that will eventually enable the cure of these challenging tumours.


2004 ◽  
Vol 97 (4) ◽  
pp. 1550-1558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Li ◽  
Suzanne Oparil ◽  
Wenguang Feng ◽  
Yiu-Fai Chen

This study tested the hypothesis that expression of the novel adhesion molecule periostin (PN) and osteopontin (OPN) is increased in lung and in isolated pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) in response to the stress of hypoxia and explored the signaling pathways involved. Adult male rats were exposed to 10% O2 for 2 wk, and growth-arrested rat PASMCs were incubated under 1% O2 for 24 h. Hypoxia increased PN and OPN mRNA expression in rat lung. In PASMCs, hypoxia increased PN but not OPN expression. The hypoxia-responsive growth factors fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) and angiotensin II (ANG II) caused dose- and time-dependent increases in PN and OPN expression in PASMCs. FGF-1-induced PN expression was blocked by the FGF-1 receptor antagonist PD-166866 and by inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) (LY-294002, wortmannin), p70S6K (rapamycin), MEK1/2 (U-0126, PD-98059), and p38MAPK (SB-203580) but not of JNK (SP-600125). ANG II-induced PN expression was blocked by the AT1-receptor antagonist losartan and by inhibitors of PI3K and MEK1/2. In contrast, FGF-1-induced OPN expression was blocked by inhibitors of JNK or MEK1/2 but not of PI3K, p70S6K, or p38MAPK. Activation of p70S6K and p38MAPK by anisomycin robustly stimulated PN but not OPN expression. This study is the first to demonstrate that growth factor-induced expression of PN in PASMCs is mediated through PI3K/p70S6K, Ras/MEK1/2, and Ras/p38MAPK signaling pathways, whereas the expression of OPN is mediated through Ras/MEK1/2 and Ras/JNK signaling pathways. These differences in signaling suggest that PN and OPN may play different roles in pulmonary vascular remodeling under pathophysiological conditions.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takeshi Nowatari ◽  
Kiyoshi Fukunaga ◽  
Nobuhiro Ohkohchi

Among all organs, the liver has a unique regeneration capability after sustaining injury or the loss of tissue that occurs mainly due to mitosis in the hepatocytes that are quiescent under normal conditions. Liver regeneration is induced through a cascade of various cytokines and growth factors, such as, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6, hepatocyte growth factor, and insulin-like growth factor, which activate nuclear factorκB, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, and phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase signaling pathways. We previously reported that platelets can play important roles in liver regeneration through a direct effect on hepatocytes and collaborative effects with the nonparenchymal cells of the liver, including Kupffer cells and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, which participate in liver regeneration through the production of various growth factors and cytokines. In this paper, the roles of platelets and nonparenchymal cells in liver regeneration, including the associated cytokines, growth factors, and signaling pathways, are described.


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