scholarly journals Collagen Assembly at the Cell Surface: Dogmas Revisited

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 662
Author(s):  
Moses Musiime ◽  
Joan Chang ◽  
Uwe Hansen ◽  
Karl E. Kadler ◽  
Cédric Zeltz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Collagen Matrix ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Collagen Binding ◽  
Collagen Fibrillogenesis ◽  
Fibrillar Collagens ◽  
Absolute Dependence ◽  
Tissue Reorganization

With the increased awareness about the importance of the composition, organization, and stiffness of the extracellular matrix (ECM) for tissue homeostasis, there is a renewed need to understand the details of how cells recognize, assemble and remodel the ECM during dynamic tissue reorganization events. Fibronectin (FN) and fibrillar collagens are major proteins in the ECM of interstitial matrices. Whereas FN is abundant in cell culture studies, it is often only transiently expressed in the acute phase of wound healing and tissue regeneration, by contrast fibrillar collagens form a persistent robust scaffold in healing and regenerating tissues. Historically fibrillar collagens in interstitial matrices were seen merely as structural building blocks. Cell anchorage to the collagen matrix was thought to be indirect and occurring via proteins like FN and cell surface-mediated collagen fibrillogenesis was believed to require a FN matrix. The isolation of four collagen-binding integrins have challenged this dogma, and we now know that cells anchor directly to monomeric forms of fibrillar collagens via the α1β1, α2β1, α10β1 and α11β1 integrins. The binding of these integrins to the mature fibrous collagen matrices is more controversial and depends on availability of integrin-binding sites. With increased awareness about the importance of characterizing the total integrin repertoire on cells, including the integrin collagen receptors, the idea of an absolute dependence on FN for cell-mediated collagen fibrillogenesis needs to be re-evaluated. We will summarize data suggesting that collagen-binding integrins in vitro and in vivo are perfectly well suited for nucleating and supporting collagen fibrillogenesis, independent of FN.

scholarly journals Biparatopic Protein Nanoparticles for the Precision Therapy of CXCR4+ Cancers

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2929
Author(s):  
Olivia Cano-Garrido ◽  
Patricia Álamo ◽  
Laura Sánchez-García ◽  
Aïda Falgàs ◽  
Alejandro Sánchez-Chardi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Cell Surface ◽  
Drug Exposure ◽  
Human Cancer ◽  
Surface Protein ◽  
Therapeutic Index ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Protein Nanoparticles

The accumulated molecular knowledge about human cancer enables the identification of multiple cell surface markers as highly specific therapeutic targets. A proper tumor targeting could significantly avoid drug exposure of healthy cells, minimizing side effects, but it is also expected to increase the therapeutic index. Specifically, colorectal cancer has a particularly poor prognosis in late stages, being drug targeting an appropriate strategy to substantially improve the therapeutic efficacy. In this study, we have explored the potential of the human albumin-derived peptide, EPI-X4, as a suitable ligand to target colorectal cancer via the cell surface protein CXCR4, a chemokine receptor overexpressed in cancer stem cells. To explore the potential use of this ligand, self-assembling protein nanoparticles have been generated displaying an engineered EPI-X4 version, which conferred a modest CXCR4 targeting and fast and high level of cell apoptosis in tumor CXCR4+ cells, in vitro and in vivo. In addition, when EPI-X4-based building blocks are combined with biologically inert polypeptides containing the CXCR4 ligand T22, the resulting biparatopic nanoparticles show a dramatically improved biodistribution in mouse models of CXCR4+ human cancer, faster cell internalization and enhanced target cell death when compared to the version based on a single ligand. The generation of biparatopic materials opens exciting possibilities in oncotherapies based on high precision drug delivery based on the receptor CXCR4.

Kinase Targets for Mycolic Acid Biosynthesis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahinda S.R. Alsayed ◽  
Chau C. Beh ◽  
Neil R. Foster ◽  
Alan D. Payne ◽  
Yu Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Enzymatic Activity ◽  
Bacterial Pathogen ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Mycolic Acid ◽  
Adaptive Responses ◽  
Mycolic Acids ◽  
Hydroxylated Fatty Acids

Background:Mycolic acids (MAs) are the characteristic, integral building blocks for the mycomembrane belonging to the insidious bacterial pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb). These C60-C90 long α-alkyl-β-hydroxylated fatty acids provide protection to the tubercle bacilli against the outside threats, thus allowing its survival, virulence and resistance to the current antibacterial agents. In the post-genomic era, progress has been made towards understanding the crucial enzymatic machineries involved in the biosynthesis of MAs in M.tb. However, gaps still remain in the exact role of the phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of regulatory mechanisms within these systems. To date, a total of 11 serine-threonine protein kinases (STPKs) are found in M.tb. Most enzymes implicated in the MAs synthesis were found to be phosphorylated in vitro and/or in vivo. For instance, phosphorylation of KasA, KasB, mtFabH, InhA, MabA, and FadD32 downregulated their enzymatic activity, while phosphorylation of VirS increased its enzymatic activity. These observations suggest that the kinases and phosphatases system could play a role in M.tb adaptive responses and survival mechanisms in the human host. As the mycobacterial STPKs do not share a high sequence homology to the human’s, there have been some early drug discovery efforts towards developing potent and selective inhibitors.Objective:Recent updates to the kinases and phosphatases involved in the regulation of MAs biosynthesis will be presented in this mini-review, including their known small molecule inhibitors.Conclusion:Mycobacterial kinases and phosphatases involved in the MAs regulation may serve as a useful avenue for antitubercular therapy.

scholarly journals A molecular architectural design that promises potent antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant pathogens

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bing Yuan ◽  
Jiaojiao Liu ◽  
Zhixiong Deng ◽  
Lin Wei ◽  
Wenwen Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Architectural Design ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
In Vitro Cytotoxicity ◽  
Antimicrobial Drugs ◽  
Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations ◽  
Antimicrobial Efficiency ◽  
Multidrug Resistant Pathogens

AbstractAddressing the devastating threat of drug-resistant pathogens requires the discovery of new antibiotics with advanced action mechanisms and/or novel strategies for drug design. Herein, from a biophysical perspective, we design a class of synthetic antibacterial complexes with specialized architectures based on melittin (Mel), a natural antimicrobial peptide, and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), a clinically available agent, as building blocks that show potent and architecture-modulated antibacterial activity. Among the complexes, the flexibly linear complex consisting of one Mel terminally connected with a long-chained PEG (e.g., PEG12k–1*Mel) shows the most pronounced improvement in performance compared with pristine Mel, with up to 500% improvement in antimicrobial efficiency, excellent in vitro activity against multidrug-resistant pathogens (over a range of minimal inhibitory concentrations of 2–32 µg mL−1), a 68% decrease in in vitro cytotoxicity, and a 57% decrease in in vivo acute toxicity. A lipid-specific mode of action in membrane recognition and an accelerated “channel” effect in perforating the bacterial membrane of the complex are described. Our results introduce a new way to design highly efficient and low-toxicity antimicrobial drugs based on architectural modulations with clinically available agents.

scholarly journals Synthesis, Characterization and Evaluation of Peptide Nanostructures for Biomedical Applications

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (15) ◽  
pp. 4587
Author(s):  
Fanny d’Orlyé ◽  
Laura Trapiella-Alfonso ◽  
Camille Lescot ◽  
Marie Pinvidic ◽  
Bich-Thuy Doan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Chemical Reactivity ◽  
Physical Stability ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Imaging Probes ◽  
Therapeutic Molecules

There is a challenging need for the development of new alternative nanostructures that can allow the coupling and/or encapsulation of therapeutic/diagnostic molecules while reducing their toxicity and improving their circulation and in-vivo targeting. Among the new materials using natural building blocks, peptides have attracted significant interest because of their simple structure, relative chemical and physical stability, diversity of sequences and forms, their easy functionalization with (bio)molecules and the possibility of synthesizing them in large quantities. A number of them have the ability to self-assemble into nanotubes, -spheres, -vesicles or -rods under mild conditions, which opens up new applications in biology and nanomedicine due to their intrinsic biocompatibility and biodegradability as well as their surface chemical reactivity via amino- and carboxyl groups. In order to obtain nanostructures suitable for biomedical applications, the structure, size, shape and surface chemistry of these nanoplatforms must be optimized. These properties depend directly on the nature and sequence of the amino acids that constitute them. It is therefore essential to control the order in which the amino acids are introduced during the synthesis of short peptide chains and to evaluate their in-vitro and in-vivo physico-chemical properties before testing them for biomedical applications. This review therefore focuses on the synthesis, functionalization and characterization of peptide sequences that can self-assemble to form nanostructures. The synthesis in batch or with new continuous flow and microflow techniques will be described and compared in terms of amino acids sequence, purification processes, functionalization or encapsulation of targeting ligands, imaging probes as well as therapeutic molecules. Their chemical and biological characterization will be presented to evaluate their purity, toxicity, biocompatibility and biodistribution, and some therapeutic properties in vitro and in vivo. Finally, their main applications in the biomedical field will be presented so as to highlight their importance and advantages over classical nanostructures.

Factors Controlling Electropermeabilisation of Cell Membranes

2002 ◽  
Vol 1 (5) ◽  
pp. 319-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. P. Rols ◽  
M. Golzio ◽  
B. Gabriel ◽  
J. Teissié
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Electric Field ◽  
Pulse Duration ◽  
Cell Membranes ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Local Exchange ◽  
Physical Mechanisms ◽  
A Cell

Electric field pulses are a new approach for drug and gene delivery for cancer therapy. They induce a localized structural alteration of cell membranes. The associated physical mechanisms are well explained and can be safely controlled. A position dependent modulation of the membrane potential difference is induced when an electric field is applied to a cell. Electric field pulses with an overcritical intensity evoke a local membrane alteration. A free exchange of hydrophilic low molecular weight molecules takes place across the membrane. A leakage of cytosolic metabolites and a loading of polar drugs into the cytoplasm are obtained. The fraction of the cell surface which is competent for exchange is a function of the field intensity. The level of local exchange is strongly controlled by the pulse duration and the number of successive pulses. The permeabilised state is long lived. Its lifetime is under the control of the cumulated pulse duration. Cell viability can be preserved. Gene transfer is obtained but its mechanism is not a free diffusion. Plasmids are electrophoretically accumulated against the permeabilised cell surface and form aggregates due to the field effect. After the pulses, several steps follow: translocation to the cytoplasm, traffic to the nucleus and expression. Molecular structural and metabolic changes in cells remain mostly poorly understood. Nevertheless, while most studies were established on cells in culture ( in vitro), recent experiments show that similar effects are obtained on tissue ( in vivo). Transfer remains controlled by the physical parameters of the electrical treatment.

scholarly journals Vaccinia Virus Envelope H3L Protein Binds to Cell Surface Heparan Sulfate and Is Important for Intracellular Mature Virion Morphogenesis and Virus Infection In Vitro and In Vivo

2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (7) ◽  
pp. 3353-3365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chi-Long Lin ◽  
Che-Sheng Chung ◽  
Hans G. Heine ◽  
Wen Chang
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Vaccinia Virus ◽  
Heparan Sulfate ◽  
Mutant Virus ◽  
Wild Type Virus ◽  
Type Virus ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Virion Morphogenesis

ABSTRACT An immunodominant antigen, p35, is expressed on the envelope of intracellular mature virions (IMV) of vaccinia virus. p35 is encoded by the viral late gene H3L, but its role in the virus life cycle is not known. This report demonstrates that soluble H3L protein binds to heparan sulfate on the cell surface and competes with the binding of vaccinia virus, indicating a role for H3L protein in IMV adsorption to mammalian cells. A mutant virus defective in expression of H3L (H3L−) was constructed; the mutant virus has a small plaque phenotype and 10-fold lower IMV and extracellular enveloped virion titers than the wild-type virus. Virion morphogenesis is severely blocked and intermediate viral structures such as viral factories and crescents accumulate in cells infected with the H3L− mutant virus. IMV from the H3L− mutant virus are somewhat altered and less infectious than wild-type virions. However, cells infected by the mutant virus form multinucleated syncytia after low pH treatment, suggesting that H3L protein is not required for cell fusion. Mice inoculated intranasally with wild-type virus show high mortality and severe weight loss, whereas mice infected with H3L− mutant virus survive and recover faster, indicating that inactivation of the H3L gene attenuates virus virulence in vivo. In summary, these data indicate that H3L protein mediates vaccinia virus adsorption to cell surface heparan sulfate and is important for vaccinia virus infection in vitro and in vivo. In addition, H3L protein plays a role in virion assembly.

Cells in regenerating deer antler cartilage provide a microenvironment that supports osteoclast differentiation

2001 ◽  
Vol 204 (3) ◽  
pp. 443-455
Author(s):  
C. Faucheux ◽  
S. Nesbitt ◽  
M. Horton ◽  
J. Price
Keyword(s):  
Type I Collagen ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Osteoclast Differentiation ◽  
Cathepsin K ◽  
Collagen Matrix ◽  
Tartrate Resistant Acid Phosphatase ◽  
Type I ◽  
Deer Antler

Deer antlers are a rare example of mammalian epimorphic regeneration. Each year, the antlers re-grow by a modified endochondral ossification process that involves extensive remodelling of cartilage by osteoclasts. This study identified regenerating antler cartilage as a site of osteoclastogenesis in vivo. An in vitro model was then developed to study antler osteoclast differentiation. Cultured as a high-density micromass, cells from non-mineralised cartilage supported the differentiation of large numbers of osteoclast-like multinucleated cells (MNCs) in the absence of factors normally required for osteoclastogenesis. After 48 h of culture, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive mononuclear cells (osteoclast precursors) were visible, and by day 14 a large number of TRAP-positive MNCs had formed (783+/−200 per well, mean +/− s.e.m., N=4). Reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that receptor activator of NF κ B ligand (RANKL) and macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) mRNAs were expressed in micromass cultures. Antler MNCs have the phenotype of osteoclasts from mammalian bone; they expressed TRAP, vitronectin and calcitonin receptors and, when cultured on dentine, formed F-actin rings and large resorption pits. When cultured on glass, antler MNCs appeared to digest the matrix of the micromass and endocytose type I collagen. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) may play a role in the resorption of this non-mineralised matrix since it is highly expressed in 100 % of MNCs. In contrast, cathepsin K, another enzyme expressed in osteoclasts from bone, is only highly expressed in resorbing MNCs cultured on dentine. This study identifies the deer antler as a valuable model that can be used to study the differentiation and function of osteoclasts in adult regenerating mineralised tissues.

scholarly journals De novo design of self-assembling helical protein filaments

Science ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 362 (6415) ◽  
pp. 705-709 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao Shen ◽  
Jorge A. Fallas ◽  
Eric Lynch ◽  
William Sheffler ◽  
Bradley Parry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Computational Design ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Repeat Units ◽  
Self Assembling ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Helical Protein ◽  
Monomeric Proteins

We describe a general computational approach to designing self-assembling helical filaments from monomeric proteins and use this approach to design proteins that assemble into micrometer-scale filaments with a wide range of geometries in vivo and in vitro. Cryo–electron microscopy structures of six designs are close to the computational design models. The filament building blocks are idealized repeat proteins, and thus the diameter of the filaments can be systematically tuned by varying the number of repeat units. The assembly and disassembly of the filaments can be controlled by engineered anchor and capping units built from monomers lacking one of the interaction surfaces. The ability to generate dynamic, highly ordered structures that span micrometers from protein monomers opens up possibilities for the fabrication of new multiscale metamaterials.

scholarly journals MiR-26a-5p inhibits GSK3β expression and promotes cardiac hypertrophy in vitro

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e10371
Author(s):  
Liqun Tang ◽  
Jianhong Xie ◽  
Xiaoqin Yu ◽  
Yangyang Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Myocardial Cell ◽  
Immunofluorescence Staining ◽  
Cell Surface Area ◽  
Direct Target

Background The role of miR-26a-5p expression in cardiac hypertrophy remains unclear. Herein, the effect of miR-26a-5p on cardiac hypertrophy was investigated using phenylephrine (PE)-induced cardiac hypertrophy in vitro and in a rat model of hypertension-induced hypertrophy in vivo. Methods The PE-induced cardiac hypertrophy models in vitro and vivo were established. To investigate the effect of miR-26a-5p activation on autophagy, the protein expression of autophagosome marker (LC3) and p62 was detected by western blot analysis. To explore the effect of miR-26a-5p activation on cardiac hypertrophy, the relative mRNA expression of cardiac hypertrophy related mark GSK3β was detected by qRT-PCR in vitro and vivo. In addition, immunofluorescence staining was used to detect cardiac hypertrophy related mark α-actinin. The cell surface area was measured by immunofluorescence staining. The direct target relationship between miR-26a-5p and GSK3β was confirmed by dual luciferase report. Results MiR-26a-5p was highly expressed in PE-induced cardiac hypertrophy. MiR-26a-5p promoted LC3II and decreased p62 expression in PE-induced cardiac hypertrophy in the presence or absence of lysosomal inhibitor. Furthermore, miR-26a-5p significantly inhibited GSK3β expression in vitro and in vivo. Dual luciferase report results confirmed that miR-26a-5p could directly target GSK3β. GSK3β overexpression significantly reversed the expression of cardiac hypertrophy-related markers including ANP, ACTA1 and MYH7. Immunofluorescence staining results demonstrated that miR-26a-5p promoted cardiac hypertrophy related protein α-actinin expression, and increased cell surface area in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion Our study revealed that miR-26a-5p promotes myocardial cell autophagy activation and cardiac hypertrophy by regulating GSK3β, which needs further research.

scholarly journals Human macrophage maturation and heterogeneity: analysis with a newly generated set of monoclonal antibodies to differentiation antigens

Blood ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 67 (5) ◽  
pp. 1257-1264 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Andreesen ◽  
KJ Bross ◽  
J Osterholz ◽  
F Emmrich
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibodies ◽  
Cell Surface ◽  
Cell Lineage ◽  
Culture Conditions ◽  
Human Macrophage ◽  
Blood Monocytes ◽  
Differentiation Antigens

We have analyzed the expression of late differentiation antigens during terminal in vitro maturation of human macrophages (M phi) from blood monocytes (MO) in comparison to their distribution among mature M phi residing in various tissue sites. By immunizing mice with M phi derived from blood MO by culture on hydrophobic Teflon foils, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were developed (MAX.1, MAX.2, MAX.3, MAX.11) that reacted with lineage-restricted differentiation antigens. These antigens were expressed exclusively on M phi or were markedly increased after in vitro differentiation. The only overlap to another hemopoietic cell lineage was observed with MAX.3, which is shared by platelets and megakaryocytes. In the course of M phi maturation in vitro, the MAX.1 and MAX.3 antigens are detected within the cytoplasm two days before they appear on the cell surface. In contrast, the MAX.11 antigen is expressed simultaneously in the cytoplasm and at the cell surface, is found in varying degrees on a minor portion of blood MO and U937 cells, and is expressed rapidly at high density during early M phi differentiation in vitro. Among conventional mAbs that do not react with MO we found those against the transferrin (TF)-receptor, the BA-2, and the PCA1 antigen to label M phi. M phi matured in vivo and isolated from body fluids were positive with some but not all MAX mAbs. Distinctive patterns were observed with pulmonary M phi, exudate M phi from pleural and peritoneal effusions, synovial fluids, and early lactation milk. M phi from the alveolar space, for example, constantly expressed the MAX.2 antigen but not the MAX.3 antigen. Pleural effusion M phi, however, did not react with the MAX.1 mAb, but in most cases, it did react with the MAX.3 mAb. The detection of novel differentiation antigens, all expressed on monocyte-derived M phi but differently expressed on site-specific M phi in situ, underlines the remarkable heterogeneity among human M phi. The expression of these antigens is flexible because those MAX antigens that were not expressed in situ could be induced if cells from distinct tissue sites were cultured in vitro for several days. MAX mAbs may be of potential value to study both the sequential stages of maturation within the M phi lineage as well as differential developments induced by various culture conditions in parallel to environmental factors in vivo.

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