Cholesterol and its reciprocal association with prion infection
AbstractPrion diseases are incurable, infectious and fatal neurodegenerative diseases that affect both humans and animals. The pathogenesis of prion disease involves the misfolding of the cellular prion protein, PrPC, to a disease-causing conformation, PrPSc, in the brain. The exact mechanism of conversion of PrPC to PrPSc is not clear; however, there are numerous studies supporting that this process of misfolding requires the association of PrPC with lipid raft domains of the plasma membrane. An increase in the cellular cholesterol content with prion infection has been observed in both in vivo and in vitro studies. As cho...
Source: Cell and Tissue Research - July 12, 2022 Category: Cytology Source Type: research
Sestrin2 attenuates renal damage by regulating Hippo pathway in diabetic nephropathy
In this study, we investigated the role of Sesn2 on renal damage in diabetic kidney using transgenic mice overexpressing Sesn2 and the effect of Sesn2 on mesangial cell proliferation and extracellular matrix accumulation in diabetic conditions and the possible molecular mechanisms involved. Sesn2 overexpression improved renal function and decreased glomerular hypertrophy, albuminuria, mesangial expansion, extracellular matrix accumulation, and TGF- β1 expression, as well as oxidative stress in diabetic mice. In vitro experiments, using human mesangial cells (HMCs), revealed that Sesn2 overexpression inhibited high glucose...
Source: Cell and Tissue Research - July 12, 2022 Category: Cytology Source Type: research
Prion strains: shining new light on old concepts
AbstractPrion diseases are a group of inevitably fatal neurodegenerative disorders affecting numerous mammalian species, including humans. The existence of heritable phenotypes of disease in the natural host suggested that prions exist as distinct strains. Transmission of sheep scrapie to rodent models accelerated prion research, resulting in the isolation and characterization of numerous strains with distinct characteristics. These strains are grouped into categories based on the incubation period of disease in different strains of mice and also by how stable the strain properties were upon serial passage. These classical...
Source: Cell and Tissue Research - July 7, 2022 Category: Cytology Source Type: research
Modulation of matrix metalloproteases by ciliary neurotrophic factor in human placental development
AbstractCiliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a pleiotropic cytokine that signals through a receptor complex containing a specific subunit, CNTF receptor α (CNTFRα). The two molecules are constitutively expressed in key structures for human placental growth and differentiation. The possible role of CNTF in enhancing cell proliferation and/or invasion during placental development and remodelling was investigated using HTR-8/SVneo and BeWo cells, tak en respectively as cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast models. In both cell lines, treatment with human recombinant (hr) CNTF activated JAK2/STAT3 signalling and inhibited...
Source: Cell and Tissue Research - July 7, 2022 Category: Cytology Source Type: research
Mechanically induced histochemical and structural damage in the annulus fibrosus and cartilaginous endplate: a multi-colour immunofluorescence analysis
In conclusion, the immunofluorescence analysis captured histochemical and structural damage in collagenous spine tissues, namely, the AF and EP. (Source: Cell and Tissue Research)
Source: Cell and Tissue Research - July 6, 2022 Category: Cytology Source Type: research
Extracellular matrix in intervertebral disc: basic and translational implications
AbstractIntervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IVDD) is the most common spinal disorder, which can lead to the symptoms of neck pain or low back pain. In healthy mature IVD tissues, extracellular matrix (ECM) complex possesses favorable biochemical and biomechanical properties, withstanding compression and torsion forces. IVD cells and ECM associate with each other to form a coordinated functional system. IVD cells are the main producers of ECM components, while ECM could modulate the viability and phenotype of IVD cells via direct interactions or indirect regulations. However, with the process of IVDD and ageing, ECM of ...
Source: Cell and Tissue Research - July 6, 2022 Category: Cytology Source Type: research
Exploring Nrf2 as a therapeutic target in testicular dysfunction
AbstractTesticular dysfunction, a major contributory factor to infertility, has received a lot of attention over the recent years. Several studies have linked abnormal sperm function and morphology with an enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress. The nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2 (Nrf2) is a transcriptional response to cellular stresses (intrinsic or extrinsic) that regulates the oxidative status, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and proteostasis. In this review, the therapeutic role of Nrf2 was explored. To do so, scientific data were retrieved from databases such as Elsevier...
Source: Cell and Tissue Research - July 5, 2022 Category: Cytology Source Type: research
Effectiveness of exosome mediated miR-126 and miR-146a delivery on cardiac tissue regeneration
This study demonstrated that animal rat models ’ combination treatment with microRNA-126 and microRNA-146a mimics in exosomes is desirable for cardiac regeneration after myocardial infarction. The exosomes isolated from stem cells and loaded with microRNAs were characterized their impacts in cell migration, tube formation, and vascular endothe lial growth factor degree. In the following, the usefulness of loaded microRNAs in exosomes and their encapsulation within alginate derivative hydrogel was analyzed in myocardial infarction for an animal model. Exosomes isolated and loaded with microRNAs showed the synergetic impac...
Source: Cell and Tissue Research - July 5, 2022 Category: Cytology Source Type: research
Endothelial cells induce degradation of ECM through enhanced secretion of MMP14 carried on extracellular vesicles in venous malformation
AbstractVenous malformations (VMs), featuring localized dilated veins, are the most common developmental vascular anomalies. Aberrantly organized perivascular extracellular matrix (ECM) is one of the prominent pathological hallmarks of VMs, accounting for vascular dysfunction. Although previous studies have revealed various proteins involved in ECM remodeling, the detailed pattern and molecular mechanisms underlying the endothelium-ECM interplay have not been fully elucidated. Our previous studies revealed drastically elevated extracellular vesicle (EV) secretion in VM lesions. Here, we identified increased EV-carried MM...
Source: Cell and Tissue Research - July 4, 2022 Category: Cytology Source Type: research
Region specificity of fibroblast-like cells in the mucosa of the rat large intestine
In this study, we investigated the region-specific characteristics of FBLCs in the rat large intestine using histological analysis including SBF-SEM. Immunohistochemistry revealed that CD34+CD31− FBLCs were localized in the lamina propria beneath the crypt bases throughout the large intestine and were more abundant in the descending colon than in the other regions. In addition, platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα)+ FBLCs were ubiquitously present just below the epithelium throughout the large intestine, and those at the crypt base were slightly more abundant in the descending colon than in the other regio...
Source: Cell and Tissue Research - July 2, 2022 Category: Cytology Source Type: research
Prepubertal nutritional modulation in the bull and its impact on sperm DNA methylation
AbstractEnhanced pre-pubertal nutrition in Holstein bulls increased reproductive hormone production and sperm production potential with no negative effects on sperm quality. However, recent trends in human epigenetic research have identified pre-pubertal period to be critical for epigenetic reprogramming in males. Our objective was to evaluate the methylation changes in sperm of bulls exposed to different pre-pubertal diets. One-week-old Holstein bull calves (n = 9), randomly allocated to 3 groups, were fed either a high, medium or low diet (20%, 17% or 12.2% crude protein and 67.9%, 66% or 62.9% total digestible nutri...
Source: Cell and Tissue Research - July 2, 2022 Category: Cytology Source Type: research
Downregulation of CDC42 inhibits the proliferation and stemness of human trophoblast stem cell via EZRIN/YAP inactivation
In this study, we showed that the expression of CDC42 was decreased in the villous tissue of RSA samples compared to healthy controls. Further examination demonstrated that CDC42 deficiency led to the differentiation of human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs) and inhibited their proliferation. Genetic manipulation of YAP and EZRIN in hTSCs revealed that CDC42 regulates the stemness and proliferation of hTSCs; this is dependent on EZRIN, which translocates YAP into the nucleus. Moreover, the expression pattern of EZRIN, YAP, and Ki67 was also abnormal in the villous tissue of RSA samples, consistent with in vitro experiments. ...
Source: Cell and Tissue Research - June 25, 2022 Category: Cytology Source Type: research
Lactose on the basolateral side of mammary epithelial cells inhibits milk production concomitantly with signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 inactivation
AbstractMammary epithelial cells (MECs) are the only cells capable of synthesizing lactose. During lactation, alveolar MECs secrete lactose through the apical membrane into the alveolar lumen, whereas alveolar tight junctions (TJs) block the leakage of lactose into the basolateral sides of the MECs. However, lactose leaks from the alveolar lumen into the blood plasma in the mastitis and after weaning. This exposes the basolateral membrane of MECs to lactose. The relationship between lactose in blood plasma and milk production has been suggested. The present study determined whether lactose exposure on the basolateral membr...
Source: Cell and Tissue Research - June 24, 2022 Category: Cytology Source Type: research
