Abstract 8: GTPase-Activating Protein for Rho Associated with FAK (GRAF) Regulates Cardiomyocyte Membrane Integrity

2012 ◽  
Vol 111 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas J O'Neill ◽  
Kaitlin Lenhart ◽  
Jason Doherty ◽  
Mauricio Rojas ◽  
Mack P Christopher ◽  
...  

Cardiac myocytes are unique in their requirement to sustain continuous repetitive contraction in the setting of intense mechanical stress while simultaneously maintaining high membrane integrity for an appropriate electrical gradient. The consequence of failure of the membrane repair response has been highlighted in recent reports linking cardiomyocyte membrane fragility with cardiac degeneration in patients as well as in their analogous mouse models. Herein, we describe a novel role for GTPase activator for Rho associated with Focal Adhesion Kinase (GRAF) in regulating cardiomyocyte membrane integrity. We previously published that disruption of GRAF in Xenopus laevis resulted in progressive skeletal muscle degeneration. We now show that GRAF-depleted tadpoles exhibit defective cardiac formation and function. Interestingly, damage of muscle cells in vivo and in vitro led to a translocation of GRAF to the sarcolemma, suggesting that GRAF may be an important component of the cardiac membrane repair machinery. To further explore this possibility, we generated GRAF hypomorphic mice that exhibit greater than 99% reduction of endogenous GRAF expression. While GRAF deficient mice show normal Mendelian birth distribution and are viable, they exhibit a modest skeletal muscle pathology. Although baseline cardiac integrity was not compromised in GRAF deficient mice, treatment either with cardiotoxin or intraperitoneal injection of isoproterenol led to elevated cardiomyocyte membrane damage (assessed by Evan’s blue dye uptake) in GRAF deficient compared to control mice (19% vs 2% of myocytes within afflicted ventricular area for cardiotoxin, 18% vs 8% for isoproterenol respectively). Moreover, cultured GRAF null myocytes exhibited a significantly attenuated membrane resealing response following laser-mediated disruption compared to GRAF-containing control cells as assessed by accumulation of the membrane impermeable dye, FM-143. As well, the survival rate after injury of GRAF-deficient cells was markedly attenuated (20% vs 85% in control cells). While cardiac cell membrane damage is likely a frequent and important event, the repair process is currently understudied, and this is the first report to implicate a Rho regulator in this response.

1977 ◽  
Vol 232 (3) ◽  
pp. F187-F195 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. Lewis

The function of adult mammalian urinary bladder is evaluated in light of recent in vitro experiments. The discrepancy between in vivo and in vitro experimental results is examined and a possible solution proposed. Techniques for eliminating edge damage and measuring apical membrane surface area are described. A new chamber design for microelectrode studies is illustrated. The possibility of apical cell membrane damage caused by microelectrodes is critically examined and tested using the polyene antibiotic Nystatin. Using data from transepithelial and microelectrode experiments, a model for net Na+ transport across the bladder is proposed and then critically analyzed. The possible clinical implications of the in vitro experiments are briefly discussed.


Blood ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 99 (8) ◽  
pp. 2835-2844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mònica Suelves ◽  
Roser López-Alemany ◽  
Frederic Lluı́s ◽  
Gloria Aniorte ◽  
Erika Serrano ◽  
...  

Abstract Plasmin, the primary fibrinolytic enzyme, has a broad substrate spectrum and is implicated in biologic processes dependent upon proteolytic activity, such as tissue remodeling and cell migration. Active plasmin is generated from proteolytic cleavage of the zymogen plasminogen (Plg) by urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA). Here, we have investigated the role of plasmin in C2C12 myoblast fusion and differentiation in vitro, as well as in skeletal muscle regeneration in vivo, in wild-type and Plg-deficient mice. Wild-type mice completely repaired experimentally damaged skeletal muscle. In contrast, Plg−/− mice presented a severe regeneration defect with decreased recruitment of blood-derived monocytes and lymphocytes to the site of injury and persistent myotube degeneration. In addition, Plg-deficient mice accumulated fibrin in the degenerating muscle fibers; however, fibrinogen depletion of Plg-deficient mice resulted in a correction of the muscular regeneration defect. Because we found that uPA, but not tPA, was induced in skeletal muscle regeneration, and persistent fibrin deposition was also reproducible in uPA-deficient mice following injury, we propose that fibrinolysis by uPA-dependent plasmin activity plays a fundamental role in skeletal muscle regeneration. In summary, we identify plasmin as a critical component of the mammalian skeletal muscle regeneration process, possibly by preventing intramuscular fibrin accumulation and by contributing to the adequate inflammatory response after injury. Finally, we found that inhibition of plasmin activity with α2-antiplasmin resulted in decreased myoblast fusion and differentiation in vitro. Altogether, these studies demonstrate the requirement of plasmin during myogenesis in vitro and muscle regeneration in vivo.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yishuai Lin ◽  
Ying Zhang ◽  
Shixing Liu ◽  
Dandan Ye ◽  
Liqiong Chen ◽  
...  

Colistin is being considered as “the last ditch” treatment in many infections caused by Gram-negative stains. However, colistin is becoming increasingly invalid in treating patients who are infected with colistin-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Klebsiella Pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae). To cope with the continuous emergence of colistin resistance, the development of new drugs and therapies is highly imminent. Herein, in this work, we surprisingly found that the combination of quercetin with colistin could efficiently and synergistically eradicate the colistin-resistant E. coli and K. pneumoniae, as confirmed by the synergy checkboard and time-kill assay. Mechanismly, the treatment of quercetin combined with colistin could significantly downregulate the expression of mcr-1 and mgrB that are responsible for colistin-resistance, synergistically enhancing the bacterial cell membrane damage efficacy of colistin. The colistin/quercetin combination was notably efficient in eradicating the colistin-resistant E. coli and K. pneumoniae both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, our results may provide an efficient alternative pathway against colistin-resistant E. coli and K. pneumoniae infections.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suprit Gupta ◽  
Julian Yano ◽  
Htet Htwe Htwe ◽  
Hijai R. Shin ◽  
Zeynep Cakir ◽  
...  

AbstractLysosomes must maintain integrity of their limiting membrane to ensure efficient fusion with incoming organelles and degradation of substrates within their lumen. Pancreatic cancer cells upregulate lysosomal biogenesis to enhance nutrient recycling and stress resistance, but whether dedicated programs for maintaining lysosomal membrane integrity facilitate pancreatic cancer growth is unknown. Using proteomic-based organelle profiling, we identify the Ferlin family plasma membrane repair factor, Myoferlin, as selectively and highly enriched on the membrane of pancreatic cancer lysosomes. Mechanistically, lysosome localization of Myoferlin is necessary and sufficient for maintenance of lysosome health and provides an early-acting protective system against membrane damage that is independent from the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT)-mediated repair network. Myoferlin is upregulated in human pancreatic cancer, predicts poor survival, and its ablation severely impairs lysosome function and tumour growth in vivo. Thus, retargeting of plasma membrane repair factors enhances pro-oncogenic activities of the lysosome.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengke Han ◽  
Jiangbo Zhao ◽  
Joseph Mahandas Fabian ◽  
Sanam Mustafa ◽  
Yinlan Ruan ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTNanoparticles with desirable properties and functions have been actively developed for various bio-medical research, such as in vivo and in vitro sensors, imaging agents and delivery vehicles of therapeutics. However, an effective method to deliver nanoparticles into the intracellular environment is a major challenge and critical to many biological studies. Current techniques, such as intracellular uptake, electroporation and microinjection, each have their own set of benefits and associated limitations (e.g., aggregation and endosomal degradation of nanoparticles, high cell mortality and low throughput). Here, the well-established microelectrophoresis technique is applied for the first time to deliver nanoparticles into target cells, which overcomes some of these delivery difficulties. Semiconductive quantum dots, with average hydrodynamic diameter of 24.4 nm, have been successfully ejected via small electrical currents (−0.2 nA) through fine-tipped glass micropipettes as an example, into living human embryonic kidney cells (roughly 20 - 30μm in length). As proposed by previous studies, micropipettes were fabricated to have an average tip inner diameter of 206 nm for ejection but less than 500 nm to minimize the cell membrane damage and cell distortion. In addition, delivered quantum dots were found to stay monodispersed within the cells for approximately one hour. We believe that microelectrophoresis technique may serve as a simple and general strategy for delivering a variety of nanoparticles intracellularly in various biological systems.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Stefano Maggi ◽  
Alberto Ferrari ◽  
Korotoum Yabre ◽  
Aleksandra Anna Bonini ◽  
Claudio Rivetti ◽  
...  

A large number of bacterial toxin–antitoxin (TA) systems have been identified so far and different experimental approaches have been explored to investigate their activity and regulation both in vivo and in vitro. Nonetheless, a common feature of these methods is represented by the difficulty in cell transformation, culturing, and stability of the transformants, due to the expression of highly toxic proteins. Recently, in dealing with the type I Lpt/RNAII and the type II YafQ/DinJ TA systems, we encountered several of these problems that urged us to optimize methodological strategies to study the phenotype of recombinant Escherichia coli host cells. In particular, we have found conditions to tightly repress toxin expression by combining the pET expression system with the E. coli C41(DE3) pLysS strain. To monitor the RNase activity of the YafQ toxin, we developed a fluorescence approach based on Thioflavin-T which fluoresces brightly when complexed with bacterial RNA. Fluorescence microscopy was also applied to reveal loss of membrane integrity associated with the activity of the type I toxin Lpt, by using DAPI and ethidium bromide to selectively stain cells with impaired membrane permeability. We further found that atomic force microscopy can readily be employed to characterize toxin-induced membrane damages.


2014 ◽  
Vol 115 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Li ◽  
Yuan Xiao ◽  
Yuqi Cui ◽  
Hua Zhu ◽  
Chandrakala A Narasimhulu ◽  
...  

Aims: cell-based therapy with bone marrow stem cells (MSCs) remains a viable option for tissue repair and regeneration. One of the major challenges for cell-based therapy is the limited survival of the cells after in vivo administration. The exact mechanism(s) for impaired in vivo survival of the implanted MSCs remains to be defined. Oxidized low-density lipid protein (ox-LDL) is a natural product in human blood, and the major contributor to the development of atherosclerosis. The present study was to investigate the effect of ox-LDL on the survival of bone marrow stem cells and the mechanisms in vitro. Methods and Results: Rat bone marrow multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPCs) were treated with ox-LDL (with the final concentration of 10 and 20 ug/ml) for up to 48 hours. Exposure to ox-LDL resulted in significant cell death and apoptosis of MAPCs in association with a significant increase in LDH release in the conditioned media in a dose- and time-dependent manner, indicating significant cell membrane damage. The membrane damage was further confirmed with the rapid entry of the small fluorescent dye FM1-43 as detected using confocal microscope. Ox-LDL generated a significant amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the culture system as measured with electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC, 0.1 mM) completely inhibited the production of ROS from ox-LDL. However, it didn’t prevent ox-LDL-induced cell death or apoptosis. However, pre-treatment of the cells with the specific membrane protective recombinant human MG53 protein (rhMG53)(66 ug/ml, final concentration) significantly, reduced LDH release and the entry of FM1-43 dye into the cells exposed to ox-LDL. Conclusion: Ox-LDL enhanced cell death and apoptosis of MAPCs with a mechanism independent of ROS generation in vitro. Ox-LDL impaired the survival of MAPCs partially through cell membrane damage in vitro.


2012 ◽  
Vol 56 (10) ◽  
pp. 5296-5302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Warren E. Rose ◽  
Lucas T. Schulz ◽  
David Andes ◽  
Rob Striker ◽  
Andrew D. Berti ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTAntistaphylococcal beta-lactams enhance daptomycin activity and have been used successfully in combination for refractory methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) infections. Ceftaroline possesses MRSA activity, but it is unknown if it improves the daptomycin potency comparably to other beta-lactams. We report a complex patient case of endocarditis who was treated with daptomycin in combination with ceftaroline, which resulted in clearance of a daptomycin-nonsusceptible strain. Anin vitropharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model of renal failure was used to simulate the development of daptomycin resistance and evaluate the microbiologic effects of daptomycin plus ceftaroline treatment. Combination therapy with daptomycin and ceftaroline restored daptomycin sensitivityin vivoand resulted in clearance of persistent blood cultures. Daptomycin susceptibilityin vitrowas increased in the presence of either ceftaroline or oxacillin. Daptomycin at 6 mg/kg of body weight every 48 h was bactericidal in the model but resulted in regrowth and daptomycin resistance (MIC, 2 to 4 μg/ml) with continued monotherapy. The addition of ceftaroline at 200 mg every 12 h after the emergence of daptomycin resistance enhanced bacterial killing. Importantly, daptomycin plus ceftaroline as the initial combination therapy produced rapid and sustained bactericidal activity and prevented daptomycin resistance. Bothin vivo- andin vitro-derived daptomycin resistance resulted in bacteria with more fluid cell membranes. After ceftaroline was added in the model, fluidity was restored to the level of the initialin vivoisolate. Daptomycin-resistant isolates required high daptomycin exposures (at least 10 mg/kg) to optimize cell membrane damage with daptomycin alone. Ceftaroline combined with daptomycin was effective in eliminating daptomycin-resistant MRSA, and these results further justify the potential use of daptomycin plus beta-lactam therapy for these refractory infections.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Niluni M. Wijesundara ◽  
Song F. Lee ◽  
Zhenyu Cheng ◽  
Ross Davidson ◽  
H. P. Vasantha Rupasinghe

AbstractStreptococcus pyogenes is an important human pathogen worldwide. The identification of natural antibacterial phytochemicals has renewed interest due to the current scarcity of antibiotic development. Carvacrol is a monoterpenoid found in herbs. We evaluated carvacrol alone and combined with selected antibiotics against four strains of S. pyogenes in vitro. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of carvacrol against S. pyogenes were 125 µg/mL (0.53 mM) and 250 µg/mL (1.05 mM), respectively. Kill curve results showed that carvacrol exhibits instantaneous bactericidal activity against S. pyogenes. We also demonstrated the potential mechanism of action of carvacrol through compromising the cell membrane integrity. Carvacrol induced membrane integrity changes leading to leakage of cytoplasmic content such as lactate dehydrogenase enzymes and nucleic acids. We further confirmed dose-dependent rupturing of cells and cell deaths using transmission electron microscopy. The chequerboard assay results showed that carvacrol possesses an additive-synergistic effect with clindamycin or penicillin. Carvacrol alone, combined with clindamycin or penicillin, can be used as a safe and efficacious natural health product for managing streptococcal pharyngitis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tonglei Shi ◽  
Xuan Hou ◽  
Shuqing Guo ◽  
Lei Zhang ◽  
Changhong Wei ◽  
...  

AbstractBiofilms contribute to bacterial infection and drug resistance and are a serious threat to global human health. Antibacterial nanomaterials have attracted considerable attention, but the inhibition of biofilms remains a major challenge. Herein, we propose a nanohole-boosted electron transport (NBET) antibiofilm concept. Unlike known antibacterial mechanisms (e.g., reactive oxygen species production and cell membrane damage), nanoholes with atomic vacancies and biofilms serve as electronic donors and receptors, respectively, and thus boost the high electron transport capacity between nanomaterials and biofilms. Electron transport effectively destroys the critical components (proteins, intercellularly adhered polysaccharides and extracellular DNA) of biofilms, and the nanoholes also significantly downregulate the expression of genes related to biofilm formation. The anti-infection capacity is thoroughly verified both in vitro (human cells) and in vivo (rat ocular and mouse intestinal infection models), and the nanohole-enabled nanomaterials are found to be highly biocompatible. Importantly, compared with typical antibiotics, nanomaterials are nonresistant and thereby exhibit high potential for use in various applications. As a proof-of-principle demonstration, these findings hold promise for the use of NBET in treatments for pathogenic bacterial infection and antibiotic drug resistance.


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