scholarly journals Inference of the drivers of collective movement in two cell types: Dictyostelium and melanoma

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (123) ◽  
pp. 20160695 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine A. Ferguson ◽  
Jason Matthiopoulos ◽  
Robert H. Insall ◽  
Dirk Husmeier
Keyword(s):  
Model Comparison ◽  
Cell Movement ◽  
Information Criterion ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Human Melanoma ◽  
Diffusion Reaction ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Melanoma Model ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Different Cell Types

Collective cell movement is a key component of many important biological processes, including wound healing, the immune response and the spread of cancers. To understand and influence these movements, we need to be able to identify and quantify the contribution of their different underlying mechanisms. Here, we define a set of six candidate models—formulated as advection–diffusion–reaction partial differential equations—that incorporate a range of cell movement drivers. We fitted these models to movement assay data from two different cell types: Dictyostelium discoideum and human melanoma. Model comparison using widely applicable information criterion suggested that movement in both of our study systems was driven primarily by a self-generated gradient in the concentration of a depletable chemical in the cells' environment. For melanoma, there was also evidence that overcrowding influenced movement. These applications of model inference to determine the most likely drivers of cell movement indicate that such statistical techniques have potential to support targeted experimental work in increasing our understanding of collective cell movement in a range of systems.

scholarly journals LSD induces increased signalling entropy in rats' prefrontal cortex

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurora Savino ◽  
Charles D Nichols
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Molecular Level ◽  
Transcriptional Regulators ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Psychedelic Drugs ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Brain Entropy ◽  
New Compounds ◽  
Different Cell Types

Psychedelic drugs are gaining attention from the scientific community as potential new compounds for the treatment of psychiatric diseases such as mood and substance use disorders. The 5-HT2A receptor has been identified as the main molecular target, and early studies pointed to an effect on the expression of neuroplasticity genes. Analysing RNA-seq data from the prefrontal cortex of rats chronically treated with lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), we describe the psychedelic-induced rewiring of gene co-expression networks, which become less centralized but more complex, with an overall increase in signalling entropy, typical of highly plastic systems. Intriguingly, signalling entropy mirrors, at the molecular level, the increased brain entropy reported through neuroimaging studies in human, suggesting the underlying mechanisms of higher-order phenomena. Moreover, from the analysis of network topology we identify potential transcriptional regulators and imply different cell types in psychedelics' activity.

scholarly journals Oxidative Stress, Neuroinflammation and Mitochondria in the Pathophysiology of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Obrador ◽  
Rosario Salvador ◽  
Rafael López-Blanch ◽  
Ali Jihad-Jebbar ◽  
Soraya L. Vallés ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
T Cell Subsets ◽  
Cellular Interactions ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Different Cell Types ◽  
And Oxidative Stress ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive motor neuron (MN) disease. Its primary cause remains elusive, although a combination of different causal factors cannot be ruled out. There is no cure, and prognosis is poor. Most patients with ALS die due to disease-related complications, such as respiratory failure, within three years of diagnosis. While the underlying mechanisms are unclear, different cell types (microglia, astrocytes, macrophages and T cell subsets) appear to play key roles in the pathophysiology of the disease. Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress pave the way leading to neurodegeneration and MN death. ALS-associated mitochondrial dysfunction occurs at different levels, and these organelles are involved in the mechanism of MN death. Molecular and cellular interactions are presented here as a sequential cascade of events. Based on our present knowledge, the discussion leads to the idea that feasible therapeutic strategies should focus in interfering with the pathophysiology of the disease at different steps.

scholarly journals The Influence of Structural Gradients in Large Pore Organosilica Materials on the Capabilities for Hosting Cellular Communities

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Bronner ◽  
Anna-Katharina Holzer ◽  
Alexander Finke ◽  
Marius Kunkel ◽  
Andreas Marx ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Special Property ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Native State ◽  
Chemical Gradient ◽  
Polymeric Foam ◽  
Different Cell Types ◽  
Organosilica Materials

<div><div><div><div><p>Cells exist in the so-called extracellular matrix (ECM) in their native state, and numerous future applications require reliable and potent ECM-mimics. A perspective, which goes beyond ECM emulation, is the design of a host-material with features, which are not accessible in the biological portfolio. Such a feature would, for instance be, the creation of a structural or chemical gradient, and to explore how this special property influences the biological processes. First, we wanted to test if macroporous organosilica materials with appropriate surface modification can act as a host for the implementation of human cells like HeLa or LUHMES. It was possible to use a commercially available polymeric foam as a scaffold and coat it with a layer of a thiophenol-containing organosilica layer, followed by biofunctionalization with biotin using click chemistry and the subsequent coupling of streptavidin - fibronectin to it. More importantly, deformation of the scaffold allowed the generation of a permanent structural gradient. In this work, we show that the structural gradient has a tremendous influence on the capability of the described material for the accommodation of living cells. The introduction of a bi-directional gradient enabled the establishment of a cellular community comprising different cell types in spatially distinct regions of the material. An interesting perspective is to study communication between cell types or to create cellular communities, which can never exist in a natural enviornment.</p></div></div></div></div>

scholarly journals Allograft Inflammatory Factor-1 in Metazoans: Focus on Invertebrates

Biology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 355
Author(s):  
Jacopo Vizioli ◽  
Tiziano Verri ◽  
Patrizia Pagliara
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Binding ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Adaptor Protein ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Inflammatory Factor ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Activated Macrophages ◽  
Different Cell Types ◽  
Physical Challenges

Allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1) is a calcium-binding scaffold/adaptor protein often associated with inflammatory diseases. Originally cloned from active macrophages in humans and rats, this gene has also been identified in other vertebrates and in several invertebrate species. Among metazoans, AIF-1 protein sequences remain relatively highly conserved. Generally, the highest expression levels of AIF-1 are observed in immunocytes, suggesting that it plays a key role in immunity. In mammals, the expression of AIF-1 has been reported in different cell types such as activated macrophages, microglial cells, and dendritic cells. Its main immunomodulatory role during the inflammatory response has been highlighted. Among invertebrates, AIF-1 is involved in innate immunity, being in many cases upregulated in response to biotic and physical challenges. AIF-1 transcripts result ubiquitously expressed in all examined tissues from invertebrates, suggesting its participation in a variety of biological processes, but its role remains largely unknown. This review aims to present current knowledge on the role and modulation of AIF-1 and to highlight its function along the evolutionary scale.

scholarly journals Modulation of In Vivo Migratory Function of α2β1 Integrin in Mouse Liver

1997 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1863-1875 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wai-chi Ho ◽  
Christine Heinemann ◽  
Dolores Hangan ◽  
Shashi Uniyal ◽  
Vincent L. Morris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Liver ◽  
Cell Movement ◽  
Liver Parenchyma ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Optimal Level ◽  
Matrix Proteins ◽  
Different Cell Types ◽  
Α2β1 Integrin

We report herein that expression of α2β1 integrin increased human erythroleukemia K562 transfectant (KX2C2) cell movement after extravasation into liver parenchyma. In contrast, a previous study demonstrated that α2β1 expression conferred a stationary phenotype to human rhabdomyosarcoma RD transfectant (RDX2C2) cells after extravasation into the liver. We therefore assessed the adhesive and migratory function of α2β1 on KX2C2 and RDX2C2 cells using a α2β1-specific stimulatory monoclonal antibody (mAb), JBS2, and a blocking mAb, BHA2.1. In comparison with RDX2C2 cells, KX2C2 were only weakly adherent to collagen and laminin. JBS2 stimulated α2β1-mediated interaction of KX2C2 cells with both collagen and laminin resulting in increases in cell movement on both matrix proteins. In the presence of Mn2+, JBS2-stimulated adhesion on collagen beyond an optimal level for cell movement. In comparison, an increase in RDX2C2 cell movement on collagen required a reduction in its adhesive strength provided by the blocking mAb BHA2.1. Consistent with these in vitro findings, in vivo videomicroscopy revealed that α2β1-mediated postextravasation cell movement of KX2C2 cells in the liver tissue could also be stimulated by JBS2. Thus, results demonstrate that α2β1 expression can modulate postextravasation cell movement by conferring either a stationary or motile phenotype to different cell types. These findings may be related to the differing metastatic activities of different tumor cell types.

scholarly journals Recent Advances in Understanding the Roles of Pectin as an Active Participant in Plant Signaling Networks

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1712
Author(s):  
Yesol Shin ◽  
Andrea Chane ◽  
Minjung Jung ◽  
Yuree Lee
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Plant Cells ◽  
Structural Diversity ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Signaling Networks ◽  
Cell Wall Polysaccharide ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Plant Signaling ◽  
Different Cell Types ◽  
Important Basis

Pectin is an abundant cell wall polysaccharide with essential roles in various biological processes. The structural diversity of pectins, along with the numerous combinations of the enzymes responsible for pectin biosynthesis and modification, plays key roles in ensuring the specificity and plasticity of cell wall remodeling in different cell types and under different environmental conditions. This review focuses on recent progress in understanding various aspects of pectin, from its biosynthetic and modification processes to its biological roles in different cell types. In particular, we describe recent findings that cell wall modifications serve not only as final outputs of internally determined pathways, but also as key components of intercellular communication, with pectin as a major contributor to this process. The comprehensive view of the diverse roles of pectin presented here provides an important basis for understanding how cell wall-enclosed plant cells develop, differentiate, and interact.

scholarly journals New Transcriptional Reporters to Quantify and Monitor PPARγ Activity

PPAR Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Séverine A. Degrelle ◽  
Hussein Shoaito ◽  
Thierry Fournier
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Metabolism ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Reporter Genes ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Placental Development ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor ◽  
Nuclear Receptor Superfamily ◽  
Different Cell Types

The peroxisome-proliferator-activated-receptor-γ (PPARγ) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily that plays a critical role in diverse biological processes, including adipogenesis, lipid metabolism, and placental development. To study the activity of PPARγ, we constructed two new reporter genes: a fluorescent GFP-tagged histone-2B (PPRE-H2B-eGFP) and a secreted nanoluciferase (PPRE-pNL1.3[secNluc]). This study demonstrates their usage to monitor PPARγ activity in different cell types and screen for PPARγ’s potential ligands.

scholarly journals Ultrastructural and functional analysis of extra-axonemal structures in trichomonads

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica M Coceres ◽  
Lucrecia S Iriarte ◽  
Abigail Miranda-Magalhaes ◽  
Thiago Andre S de Andrade ◽  
Natalia de Miguel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Tritrichomonas Foetus ◽  
Semi Solid ◽  
Parasite Motility ◽  
Different Cell Types

Trichomonas vaginalis and Tritrichomonas foetus are extracellular flagellated parasites that inhabit humans and other mammals, respectively. In addition to motility, flagella act in a variety of biological processes in different cell types; and extra-axonemal structures (EASs) has been described as fibrillar structures that provide mechanical support and act as metabolic, homeostatic and sensory platforms in many organisms. Here, we identified the presence of EASs forming prominent flagellar swellings in T. vaginalis and T. foetus and we observed that their formation was associated with the parasites adhesion on the host cells, fibronectin, and precationized surfaces; and parasite:parasite interaction. A high number of rosettes, clusters of intramembrane particles that has been proposed as sensorial structures, and microvesicles protruding from the membrane were observed in the EASs. The protein VPS32, a member of the ESCRT-III complex crucial for diverse membrane remodeling events, the pinching off and release of microvesicles, was found in the surface as well as in microvesicles protruding from EASs. Moreover, we demonstrated that overexpression of VPS32 protein induce EAS formation and increase parasite motility in semi-solid medium. These results provide valuable data about the role of the flagellar EASs in the cell-to-cell communication and pathogenesis of these extracellular parasites.

scholarly journals S-acylation of Orai1 regulates store-operated Ca2+ entry

2021 ◽  
Vol 135 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Savannah J. West ◽  
Goutham Kodakandla ◽  
Qioachu Wang ◽  
Ritika Tewari ◽  
Michael X. Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Central Component ◽  
Channel Activation ◽  
Crac Channels ◽  
Store Depletion ◽  
Crac Channel ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Different Cell Types

ABSTRACT Store-operated Ca2+ entry is a central component of intracellular Ca2+ signaling pathways. The Ca2+ release-activated channel (CRAC) mediates store-operated Ca2+ entry in many different cell types. The CRAC channel is composed of the plasma membrane (PM)-localized Orai1 channel and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized STIM1 Ca2+ sensor. Upon ER Ca2+ store depletion, Orai1 and STIM1 form complexes at ER–PM junctions, leading to the formation of activated CRAC channels. Although the importance of CRAC channels is well described, the underlying mechanisms that regulate the recruitment of Orai1 to ER–PM junctions are not fully understood. Here, we describe the rapid and transient S-acylation of Orai1. Using biochemical approaches, we show that Orai1 is rapidly S-acylated at cysteine 143 upon ER Ca2+ store depletion. Importantly, S-acylation of cysteine 143 is required for Orai1-mediated Ca2+ entry and recruitment to STIM1 puncta. We conclude that store depletion-induced S-acylation of Orai1 is necessary for recruitment to ER–PM junctions, subsequent binding to STIM1 and channel activation.

scholarly journals The Yin and Yang of Autosomal Recessive Primary Microcephaly Genes: Insights from Neurogenesis and Carcinogenesis

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1691 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaokun Zhou ◽  
Yiqiang Zhi ◽  
Jurui Yu ◽  
Dan Xu
Keyword(s):  
Autosomal Recessive ◽  
Brain Size ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Primary Microcephaly ◽  
Current Therapies ◽  
Yin And Yang ◽  
The Common ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Different Cell Types ◽  
Autosomal Recessive Primary Microcephaly

The stem cells of neurogenesis and carcinogenesis share many properties, including proliferative rate, an extensive replicative potential, the potential to generate different cell types of a given tissue, and an ability to independently migrate to a damaged area. This is also evidenced by the common molecular principles regulating key processes associated with cell division and apoptosis. Autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH) is a neurogenic mitotic disorder that is characterized by decreased brain size and mental retardation. Until now, a total of 25 genes have been identified that are known to be associated with MCPH. The inactivation (yin) of most MCPH genes leads to neurogenesis defects, while the upregulation (yang) of some MCPH genes is associated with different kinds of carcinogenesis. Here, we try to summarize the roles of MCPH genes in these two diseases and explore the underlying mechanisms, which will help us to explore new, attractive approaches to targeting tumor cells that are resistant to the current therapies.

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