scholarly journals Tracheal tube fusion in Drosophila involves release of extracellular vesicles from multivesicular bodies

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Camelo ◽  
Anna Körte ◽  
Thea Jacobs ◽  
Stefan Luschnig

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) comprise diverse types of cell-released membranous structures that are thought to play important roles in intercellular communication. While the formation and functions of EVs have been investigated extensively in cultured cells, studies of EVs in vivo have remained scarce. We report here that EVs are present in the developing lumen of tracheal tubes in Drosophila embryos. We defined two distinct EV subpopulations, one of which contains the Munc13-4 homologue Staccato (Stac) and is spatially and temporally associated with tracheal tube fusion (anastomosis) events. The formation of Stac-positive luminal EVs depends on the tracheal tip-cell-specific GTPase Arl3, which is also required for the formation of Stac-positive multivesicular bodies, suggesting that Stac-EVs derive from fusion of Stac-MVBs with the luminal membrane in tip cells during anastomosis formation. The GTPases Rab27 and Rab35 cooperate downstream of Arl3 to promote Stac-MVB formation and tube fusion. We propose that Stac-MVBs act as membrane reservoirs that facilitate tracheal lumen fusion in a process regulated by Arl3, Rab27, Rab35, and Stac/Munc13-4.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Camelo ◽  
Anna Koerte ◽  
Thea Jacobs ◽  
Peter Robin Hiesinger ◽  
Stefan Luschnig

Fusion of endothelial or epithelial tubes is essential for the development of organs like the vertebrate vasculature or the insect tracheal system, but the mechanisms underlying the formation of tubular connections (anastomoses) are not well understood. Tracheal tube fusion in Drosophila is mediated by tip cells that transform into lumenized toroids to connect adjacent tubes. This process depends on the Munc13-4 orthologue Staccato (Stac), which localizes to tip-cell-specific lysosome-related organelles (LROs). We show that tracheal LROs display features of multivesicular bodies (MVBs) and that the tracheal lumen contains membranous extracellular vesicles (EVs), a subset of which carries Stac/Munc13-4 and is associated with tracheal anastomosis sites. The presence of LROs and luminal Stac-EVs depends on the tip-cell-specific GTPase Arl3, suggesting that Stac-EVs derive from fusion of MVBs with the luminal membrane in tip cells during anastomosis formation. The GTPases Rab27 and Rab35 cooperate downstream of Arl3 to promote Stac-MVB formation and tube fusion. We propose that Stac-MVBs act as membrane reservoirs that facilitate lumen fusion in tip cells, in a process regulated by Arl3, Rab27, Rab35, and Stac/Munc13-4.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jens C. Luoto ◽  
Leila S. Coelho-Rato ◽  
Sara H. Bengs ◽  
Jannica Roininen ◽  
John E. Eriksson ◽  
...  

AbstractExtracellular vesicles (EVs) loaded with biomolecules are important in intercellular communication and mediate local and long-range signals in cancer metastasis. However, it is currently unknown how the development of the primary tumor and onset of invasion affect the secretion and characteristics of EVs. In this study, we developed an EV production method utilizing in vivo-mimicking extracellular matrix-based 3D cultures, which allows tracking of EVs over the course of invasive development of tumor organoids. Using this method, combined with proteomic profiling, we show that PC3 human prostate cancer organoids secrete EVs with previously undefined protein cargo, which substantially differs from EV cargo of 2D cultured cells. Intriguingly, an increase in EV amounts and extensive changes in EV protein composition were detected upon invasive transition of the organoids. These results reveal that EV secretion and cargo loading are highly dependent on the developmental status of the tumor organoid, emphasizing the necessity of in vivo-mimicking conditions for discovery of novel cancer-derived EV components, applicable as diagnostic markers for cancer.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nan-Xing Jiang ◽  
Xue-Lian Li

As a rate-limiting step in pregnancy, embryo implantation is highly dependent on intercellular communication. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are newly identified to be important in the course of intercellular communication. EVs have been isolated from a wide variety of biofluids and tissues, including plasma, liver, uterine, semen, embryo, etc. The present and future use of EVs not only as biomarkers, but also as targeting drug delivery system, is promisingly pave the way for advanced comprehension of implantation failure in reproductive diseases. However, as the precise mechanisms of EVs in embryo implantation has not been elucidated yet. Herein, we summarize the current knowledge on the diverse effects of EVs from various sources and their cargos such as microRNA, long non-coding RNA, protein, etc. on embryo implantation, and the potential mechanisms of EVs in reproductive diseases such as recurrent implantation failure, polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis. It is essential to note that many of the biologically plausible functions of EVs in embryo implantation discussed in present literatures still need further research in vivo.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ula Štok ◽  
Saša Čučnik ◽  
Snežna Sodin-Šemrl ◽  
Polona Žigon

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by thrombosis, obstetric complications and the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) that cause endothelial injury and thrombophilia. Extracellular vesicles are involved in endothelial and thrombotic pathologies and may therefore have an influence on the prothrombotic status of APS patients. Intercellular communication and connectivity are important mechanisms of interaction between healthy and pathologically altered cells. Despite well-characterized in vitro and in vivo models of APS pathology, the field of extracellular vesicles is still largely unexplored and could therefore provide an insight into the APS mechanism and possibly serve as a biomarker to identify patients at increased risk. The analysis of EVs poses a challenge due to the lack of standardized technology for their isolation and characterization. Recent findings in the field of EVs offer promising aspects that may explain their role in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including APS.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 3-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuli Tang ◽  
Siming Yu ◽  
Jianan Cheng ◽  
Yanqiao Zhang ◽  
Xiaoyi Huang

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), which include exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies, are nanosized structures that are secreted by various cells and act as important mediators in intercellular communication. Recent studies have shown that exosomes carrying bioactive molecules are generated from multivesicular bodies and are present in various body fluids. mRNAs and microRNAs (miRNAs) are encapsulated in exosomes and have been found to be involved in multiple pathophysiological processes. Here, we provide a review of tumor-associated exosomal mRNAs and miRNAs and their roles in metastasis and drug resistance. In particular, we emphasize their clinical application potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of cancer and in cancer therapy.


Development ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 121 (6) ◽  
pp. 1801-1813 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. John ◽  
S.T. Smith ◽  
J.B. Jaynes

The Engrailed homeodomain protein is an ‘active’ or dominant transcriptional repressor in cultured cells. In contrast, the Fushi Tarazu homeodomain protein is an activator, both in cultured cells and in Drosophila embryos, where it activates several known target genes, including its own gene. This auto-activation has been shown to depend on targeting to a fushi tarazu enhancer by the Fushi Tarazu homeodomain. We combined Fushi Tarazu targeting and Engrailed active repression in a chimeric regulator, EFE. When EFE is ubiquitously expressed, it overrides endogenous Fushi Tarazu and causes a fushi tarazu mutant phenotype. Normal Fushi Tarazu target genes are affected as they are in fushi tarazu mutants. One such target gene is repressed by EFE even where Fushi Tarazu is not expressed, suggesting that the repression is active. This is confirmed by showing that the in vivo activity of EFE depends on a domain that is required for active repression in culture. A derivative that lacks this domain, while it cannot repress the endogenous fushi tarazu gene, can still reduce the activity of the fushi tarazu autoregulatory enhancer, suggesting that it competes with endogenous Fushi Tarazu for binding sites in vivo. However, this passive repression is much less effective than active repression.


Author(s):  
M.J. Murphy ◽  
R.R. Price ◽  
J.C. Sloman

The in vitro human tumor cloning assay originally described by Salmon and Hamburger has been applied recently to the investigation of differential anti-tumor drug sensitivities over a broad range of human neoplasms. A major problem in the acceptance of this technique has been the question of the relationship between the cultured cells and the original patient tumor, i.e., whether the colonies that develop derive from the neoplasm or from some other cell type within the initial cell population. A study of the ultrastructural morphology of the cultured cells vs. patient tumor has therefore been undertaken to resolve this question. Direct correlation was assured by division of a common tumor mass at surgical resection, one biopsy being fixed for TEM studies, the second being rapidly transported to the laboratory for culture.


Author(s):  
Frederick A. Murphy ◽  
Alyne K. Harrison ◽  
Sylvia G. Whitfield

The bullet-shaped viruses are currently classified together on the basis of similarities in virion morphology and physical properties. Biologically and ecologically the member viruses are extremely diverse. In searching for further bases for making comparisons of these agents, the nature of host cell infection, both in vivo and in cultured cells, has been explored by thin-section electron microscopy.


Author(s):  
N.K.R. Smith ◽  
K.E. Hunter ◽  
P. Mobley ◽  
L.P. Felpel

Electron probe energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis (XRMA) offers a powerful tool for the determination of intracellular elemental content of biological tissue. However, preparation of the tissue specimen , particularly excitable central nervous system (CNS) tissue , for XRMA is rather difficult, as dissection of a sample from the intact organism frequently results in artefacts in elemental distribution. To circumvent the problems inherent in the in vivo preparation, we turned to an in vitro preparation of astrocytes grown in tissue culture. However, preparations of in vitro samples offer a new and unique set of problems. Generally, cultured cells, growing in monolayer, must be harvested by either mechanical or enzymatic procedures, resulting in variable degrees of damage to the cells and compromised intracel1ular elemental distribution. The ultimate objective is to process and analyze unperturbed cells. With the objective of sparing others from some of the same efforts, we are reporting the considerable difficulties we have encountered in attempting to prepare astrocytes for XRMA.Tissue cultures of astrocytes from newborn C57 mice or Sprague Dawley rats were prepared and cultured by standard techniques, usually in T25 flasks, except as noted differently on Cytodex beads or on gelatin. After different preparative procedures, all samples were frozen on brass pins in liquid propane, stored in liquid nitrogen, cryosectioned (0.1 μm), freeze dried, and microanalyzed as previously reported.


Author(s):  
Mohammad Ghiasloo ◽  
Laura De Wilde ◽  
Kashika Singh ◽  
Patrick Tonnard ◽  
Alexis Verpaele ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Recent evidence confirms that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) facilitate angiogenesis mainly through paracrine function. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are regarded as key components of the cell secretome, possessing functional properties of their source cells. Subsequently, MSC-EVs have emerged as a novel cell-free approach to improve fat graft retention rate. Objectives To provide a systematic review of all studies reporting the use of MSC-EVs to improve graft retention rate. Methods A systematic search was undertaken using the Embase, PubMed and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases. Outcome measures included donor/receptor organism of the fat graft, study model, intervention groups, evaluation intervals, EV research data, in vitro and in vivo results. Results Of the total 1717 articles, 62 full-texts were screened. Seven studies reporting on 294mice were included. Overall, EV treated groups showed higher graft retention rates compared to untreated groups. Notably, retention rate was similar following EV- and MSC-treatment. In addition to reduced inflammation, graft enrichment with EVs resulted in early revascularization and better graft integrity. Interestingly, hypoxic preconditioning of MSCs improved their beneficial paracrine effects and led to a more proangiogenic EV population, as observed by both in vitro and in vivo results. Conclusions MSC-EVs appear to offer an interesting cell-free alternative to improve fat graft survival. While their clinical relevance remains to be determined, it is clear that not the cells, but their secretome is essential for graft survival. Thus, a paradigm shift from cell-assisted lipotransfer towards ‘secretome-assisted lipotransfer’ is well on its way.


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