scholarly journals Studying cell biology in the skin

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (23) ◽  
pp. 4183-4186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angel Morrow ◽  
Terry Lechler
Keyword(s):  
Cell Biology ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Model System ◽  
In Vivo Model ◽  
Primary Cells ◽  
Unique Combination ◽  
Future Prospects ◽  
Ultrastructural Studies ◽  
Different Cell Types

Advances in cell biology have often been driven by studies in diverse organisms and cell types. Although there are technical reasons for why different cell types are used, there are also important physiological reasons. For example, ultrastructural studies of vesicle transport were aided by the use of professional secretory cell types. The use of tissues/primary cells has the advantage not only of using cells that are adapted to the use of certain cell biological machinery, but also of highlighting the physiological roles of this machinery. Here we discuss advantages of the skin as a model system. We discuss both advances in cell biology that used the skin as a driving force and future prospects for use of the skin to understand basic cell biology. A unique combination of characteristics and tools makes the skin a useful in vivo model system for many cell biologists.

A ‘tad’ of hope in the fight against airway disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 2347-2357
Author(s):  
Eamon Dubaissi
Keyword(s):  
Cell Types ◽  
Airway Disease ◽  
Live Imaging ◽  
Model System ◽  
In Vivo Model ◽  
Large Airways ◽  
Human Airways ◽  
Tadpole Skin ◽  
Mucociliary Epithelia

Xenopus tadpoles have emerged as a powerful in vivo model system to study mucociliary epithelia such as those found in the human airways. The tadpole skin has mucin-secreting cells, motile multi-ciliated cells, ionocytes (control local ionic homeostasis) and basal stem cells. This cellular architecture is very similar to the large airways of the human lungs and represents an easily accessible and experimentally tractable model system to explore the molecular details of mucociliary epithelia. Each of the cell types in the tadpole skin has a human equivalent and a conserved network of genes and signalling pathways for their differentiation has been discovered. Great insight into the function of each of the cell types has been achieved using the Xenopus model and this has enhanced our understanding of airway disease. This simple model has already had a profound impact on the field but, as molecular technologies (e.g. gene editing and live imaging) continue to develop apace, its use for understanding individual cell types and their interactions will likely increase. For example, its small size and genetic tractability make it an ideal model for live imaging of a mucociliary surface especially during environmental challenges such as infection. Further potential exists for the mimicking of human genetic mutations that directly cause airway disease and for the pre-screening of drugs against novel therapeutic targets.

scholarly journals Therapeutic Attributes of Endocannabinoid System against Neuro-Inflammatory Autoimmune Disorders

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 3389
Author(s):  
Ishtiaq Ahmed ◽  
Saif Ur Rehman ◽  
Shiva Shahmohamadnejad ◽  
Muhammad Anjum Zia ◽  
Muhammad Ahmad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cannabinoid Receptors ◽  
Cannabinoid Receptor ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Autoimmune Disorders ◽  
Specific Receptors ◽  
Different Cell Types

In humans, various sites like cannabinoid receptors (CBR) having a binding affinity with cannabinoids are distributed on the surface of different cell types, where endocannabinoids (ECs) and derivatives of fatty acid can bind. The binding of these substance(s) triggers the activation of specific receptors required for various physiological functions, including pain sensation, memory, and appetite. The ECs and CBR perform multiple functions via the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1); cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2), having a key effect in restraining neurotransmitters and the arrangement of cytokines. The role of cannabinoids in the immune system is illustrated because of their immunosuppressive characteristics. These characteristics include inhibition of leucocyte proliferation, T cells apoptosis, and induction of macrophages along with reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion. The review seeks to discuss the functional relationship between the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and anti-tumor characteristics of cannabinoids in various cancers. The therapeutic potential of cannabinoids for cancer—both in vivo and in vitro clinical trials—has also been highlighted and reported to be effective in mice models in arthritis for the inflammation reduction, neuropathic pain, positive effect in multiple sclerosis and type-1 diabetes mellitus, and found beneficial for treating in various cancers. In human models, such studies are limited; thereby, further research is indispensable in this field to get a conclusive outcome. Therefore, in autoimmune disorders, therapeutic cannabinoids can serve as promising immunosuppressive and anti-fibrotic agents.

TMOD-09. CREATION OF A P53-INDEPENDENT IN VITRO AND IN VIVO MODEL SYSTEM FOR THE STUDY OF H3.1K27M DIPG

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi217-vi217
Author(s):  
Joseph Lagas ◽  
Lihua Yang ◽  
Oren Becher ◽  
Joshua Rubin
Keyword(s):  
Sex Difference ◽  
High Grade Glioma ◽  
Model System ◽  
In Vivo Model ◽  
Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells ◽  
Cell Of Origin ◽  
Founder Mutations ◽  
Transgenic Mouse Line

Abstract Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is a devastating pediatric high-grade glioma that occurs in the brainstem with a median survival of less than 1 year. A greater understanding of the early tumorigenic events is essential for the development of effective therapeutics. DIPG is characterized by founder mutations in histone H3, either H3.1K27M or H3.3K27M. These mutations cause global hypomethylation, resulting in aberrant gene expression. It is unknown how this mechanism contributes to tumorigenesis. Interestingly, H3.1K27M DIPG show an increased incidence in females, whereas H3.3K27M DIPG shows no sex difference. This illustrates that the tumorigenic potential of H3.1K27M may be different between the sexes. Few models of DIPG incorporate the study of H3.1K27M despite the fact that it represents a unique opportunity to obtain valuable information on the tumorigenesis of DIPG through the study of the sex difference. Thus, we have created an in vitro and in vivo model system for H3.1K27M DIPG utilizing the RCAS mouse model system. This system utilizes RCAS vectors and a RCAS-ntva transgenic mouse line to deliver specific mutations to nestin expressing cells in the brainstem, including oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), the predicted cell of origin. Delivering H3.1K27M, ACVR1 R206H, and PDGFaa at postnatal day 7 produces DIPG-like tumors in vivo, confirmed by H and E staining, between 60 – 110 days post injection. Additionally, confirmed through immunofluorescence staining, we can isolate a pure population of OPCs via immunopanning and infect them with RCAS vectors in vitro to produce stable expression of H3.1K27M. Introduction of H3.1K27M alone into male and female OPC cultures provides an opportunity to compare the early tumorigenic effects of H3.1K27M between the sexes in vitro. These results demonstrate that we have created an in vitro and in vivo H3.1K27M DIPG model system for the study of sex differences and tumorigenesis in DIPG.

scholarly journals Bromodomain protein inhibition: a novel therapeutic strategy in rheumatic diseases

RMD Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. e000744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerstin Klein
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Rheumatic Diseases ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Therapeutic Strategy ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Protein Inhibition ◽  
Different Cell Types ◽  
Novel Therapeutic

The reading of acetylation marks on histones by bromodomain (BRD) proteins is a key event in transcriptional activation. Small molecule inhibitors targeting bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins compete for binding to acetylated histones. They have strong anti-inflammatory properties and exhibit encouraging effects in different cell types in vitro and in animal models resembling rheumatic diseases in vivo. Furthermore, recent studies that focus on BRD proteins beyond BET family members are discussed.

scholarly journals Filopodyan: An open-source pipeline for the analysis of filopodia

2017 ◽  
Vol 216 (10) ◽  
pp. 3405-3422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasja Urbančič ◽  
Richard Butler ◽  
Benjamin Richier ◽  
Manuel Peter ◽  
Julia Mason ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Dynamic Properties ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Molecular Heterogeneity ◽  
Interactive Editing ◽  
Motile Cells ◽  
Different Cell Types ◽  
Neuronal Growth Cones

Filopodia have important sensory and mechanical roles in motile cells. The recruitment of actin regulators, such as ENA/VASP proteins, to sites of protrusion underlies diverse molecular mechanisms of filopodia formation and extension. We developed Filopodyan (filopodia dynamics analysis) in Fiji and R to measure fluorescence in filopodia and at their tips and bases concurrently with their morphological and dynamic properties. Filopodyan supports high-throughput phenotype characterization as well as detailed interactive editing of filopodia reconstructions through an intuitive graphical user interface. Our highly customizable pipeline is widely applicable, capable of detecting filopodia in four different cell types in vitro and in vivo. We use Filopodyan to quantify the recruitment of ENA and VASP preceding filopodia formation in neuronal growth cones, and uncover a molecular heterogeneity whereby different filopodia display markedly different responses to changes in the accumulation of ENA and VASP fluorescence in their tips over time.

scholarly journals The organisation and functions of local Ca2+ signals

2001 ◽  
Vol 114 (12) ◽  
pp. 2213-2222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin D. Bootman ◽  
Peter Lipp ◽  
Michael J. Berridge
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Gene Transcription ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Different Cell Types ◽  
Intracellular Messenger ◽  
Sensory Mechanisms

Calcium (Ca2+) is a ubiquitous intracellular messenger, controlling a diverse range of cellular processes, such as gene transcription, muscle contraction and cell proliferation. The ability of a simple ion such as Ca2+ to play a pivotal role in cell biology results from the facility that cells have to shape Ca2+ signals in space, time and amplitude. To generate and interpret the variety of observed Ca2+ signals, different cell types employ components selected from a Ca2+ signalling ‘toolkit’, which comprises an array of homeostatic and sensory mechanisms. By mixing and matching components from the toolkit, cells can obtain Ca2+ signals that suit their physiology. Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of local Ca2+ signals in defining the specificity of the interaction of Ca2+ with its targets. Furthermore, local Ca2+ signals are the triggers and building blocks for larger global signals that propagate throughout cells.

scholarly journals The TRH Gene Is Regulated by Thyroid Hormone at the Level of Transcription in Vivo

2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 136-136
Author(s):  
Michelle L. Sugrue ◽  
Kristen R. Vella ◽  
Crystal Morales ◽  
Marisol E. Lopez ◽  
Anthony N. Hollenberg
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Hormone ◽  
Genomic Region ◽  
Model System ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
In Vivo Model ◽  
Pituitary Thyroid Axis ◽  
Thyroid Axis ◽  
Normal Production

ABSTRACT The expression of the TRH gene in the paraventricular nucleus (PVH) of the hypothalamus is required for the normal production of thyroid hormone (TH) in rodents and humans. In addition, the regulation of TRH mRNA expression by TH, specifically in the PVH, ensures tight control of the set point of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. Although many studies have assumed that the regulation of TRH expression by TH is at the level of transcription, there is little data available to demonstrate this. We used two in vivo model systems to show this. In the first model system, we developed an in situ hybridization (ISH) assay directed against TRH heteronuclear RNA to measure TRH transcription directly in vivo. We show that in the euthyroid state, TRH transcription is present both in the PVH and anterior/lateral hypothalamus. In the hypothyroid state, transcription is activated in the PVH only and can be shut off within 5 h by TH. In the second model system, we employed transgenic mice that express the Cre recombinase under the control of the genomic region containing the TRH gene. Remarkably, TH regulates Cre expression in these mice in the PVH only. Taken together, these data affirm that TH regulates TRH at the level of transcription in the PVH only and that genomic elements surrounding the TRH gene mediate its regulation by T3. Thus, it should be possible to identify the elements within the TRH locus that mediate its regulation by T3 using in vivo approaches.

scholarly journals Internalization mechanisms of cell-penetrating peptides

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 101-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivana Ruseska ◽  
Andreas Zimmer
Keyword(s):  
Cellular Uptake ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Cell Penetrating Peptides ◽  
Uptake Mechanism ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Cell Penetrating ◽  
Basic Peptides ◽  
Different Cell Types ◽  
Immense Potential

In today’s modern era of medicine, macromolecular compounds such as proteins, peptides and nucleic acids are dethroning small molecules as leading therapeutics. Given their immense potential, they are highly sought after. However, their application is limited mostly due to their poor in vivo stability, limited cellular uptake and insufficient target specificity. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) represent a major breakthrough for the transport of macromolecules. They have been shown to successfully deliver proteins, peptides, siRNAs and pDNA in different cell types. In general, CPPs are basic peptides with a positive charge at physiological pH. They are able to translocate membranes and gain entry to the cell interior. Nevertheless, the mechanism they use to enter cells still remains an unsolved piece of the puzzle. Endocytosis and direct penetration have been suggested as the two major mechanisms used for internalization, however, it is not all black and white in the nanoworld. Studies have shown that several CPPs are able to induce and shift between different uptake mechanisms depending on their concentration, cargo or the cell line used. This review will focus on the major internalization pathways CPPs exploit, their characteristics and regulation, as well as some of the factors that influence the cellular uptake mechanism.

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