scholarly journals An adhesion code ensures robust pattern formation during tissue morphogenesis

Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 370 (6512) ◽  
pp. 113-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tony Y.-C. Tsai ◽  
Mateusz Sikora ◽  
Peng Xia ◽  
Tugba Colak-Champollion ◽  
Holger Knaut ◽  
...  

Animal development entails the organization of specific cell types in space and time, and spatial patterns must form in a robust manner. In the zebrafish spinal cord, neural progenitors form stereotypic patterns despite noisy morphogen signaling and large-scale cellular rearrangements during morphogenesis and growth. By directly measuring adhesion forces and preferences for three types of endogenous neural progenitors, we provide evidence for the differential adhesion model in which differences in intercellular adhesion mediate cell sorting. Cell type–specific combinatorial expression of different classes of cadherins (N-cadherin, cadherin 11, and protocadherin 19) results in homotypic preference ex vivo and patterning robustness in vivo. Furthermore, the differential adhesion code is regulated by the sonic hedgehog morphogen gradient. We propose that robust patterning during tissue morphogenesis results from interplay between adhesion-based self-organization and morphogen-directed patterning.

2018 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 391-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deniz Atasoy ◽  
Scott M. Sternson

Chemogenetic technologies enable selective pharmacological control of specific cell populations. An increasing number of approaches have been developed that modulate different signaling pathways. Selective pharmacological control over G protein-coupled receptor signaling, ion channel conductances, protein association, protein stability, and small molecule targeting allows modulation of cellular processes in distinct cell types. Here, we review these chemogenetic technologies and instances of their applications in complex tissues in vivo and ex vivo.


Author(s):  
Purnima Singh ◽  
Tanmay Mondal ◽  
Kuldeep Kumar ◽  
Kinsuk Das ◽  
N Mahalakshmi ◽  
...  

Induced Pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) have a high ability to renew and differentiate themselves into various lineages and as vehicles of cell based therapy. Stem cell can differentiate under appropriate in vitro and in vivo conditions into different cell types. This study described the establishment of condition for in vitro expression of alpha MHC gene in cardiac differentiated canine iPSC (ciPSC). In vitro differentiation of canine iPSCs via embryoid bodies (EBs) were produced by ‘Hanging Drop’ method. EB’s were differentiated by using IMDM differentiation media: FBS – 10%, NEAA (100X) – 0.5%, Â-Mercaptoethanol- 100mM, Gentamycin- 5µg/ml supplemented with Azacytidine- 0.5µM. During differentiation, EBs were collected on day 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 for characterization of cardiomyocytes specific marker expression. Total RNA from EBs were extracted by using Trizol method and subsequently cDNA were synthesized. The differentiated cells expressed cardiac specific gene (Alpha MHC) which started from day 6 of differentiation upto day 24 Immunocytochemistry and relative expression of cardiac specific genes revealed that ciPSC have the potential to differentiate into cardiomyocytes which can be used for cardiac tissue regeneration and as disease models for pharmaceutical testing.


2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (30) ◽  
pp. 17510-17512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennie B. Altman ◽  
Justin Taft ◽  
Tim Wedeking ◽  
Conor N. Gruber ◽  
Michael Holtmannspötter ◽  
...  

Type I IFN (IFN-I) is thought to be rapidly internalized and degraded following binding to its receptor and initiation of signaling. However, many studies report the persistent effects mediated by IFN-I for days or even weeks, both ex vivo and in vivo. These long-lasting effects are attributed to downstream signaling molecules or induced effectors having a long half-life, particularly in specific cell types. Here, we describe a mechanism explaining the long-term effects of IFN-I. Following receptor binding, IFN-I is siloed into endosomal compartments. These intracellular “IFN silos” persist for days and can be visualized by fluorescence and electron microscopy. However, they are largely dormant functionally, due to IFN-I−induced negative regulators. By contrast, in individuals lacking these negative regulators, such as ISG15 or USP18, this siloed IFN-I can continue to signal from within the endosome. This mechanism may underlie the long-term effects of IFN-I therapy and may contribute to the pathophysiology of type I interferonopathies.


eLife ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander M Herman ◽  
Longwen Huang ◽  
Dona K Murphey ◽  
Isabella Garcia ◽  
Benjamin R Arenkiel

Channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) has quickly gained popularity as a powerful tool for eliciting genetically targeted neuronal activation. However, little has been reported on the response kinetics of optogenetic stimulation across different neuronal subtypes. With excess stimulation, neurons can be driven into depolarization block, a state where they cease to fire action potentials. Herein, we demonstrate that light-induced depolarization block in neurons expressing ChR2 poses experimental challenges for stable activation of specific cell types and may confound interpretation of experiments when ‘activated’ neurons are in fact being functionally silenced. We show both ex vivo and in vivo that certain neuronal subtypes targeted for ChR2 expression become increasingly susceptible to depolarization block as the duration of light pulses are increased. We find that interneuron populations have a greater susceptibility to this effect than principal excitatory neurons, which are more resistant to light-induced depolarization block. Our results highlight the need to empirically determine the photo-response properties of targeted neurons when using ChR2, particularly in studies designed to elicit complex circuit responses in vivo where neuronal activity will not be recorded simultaneous to light stimulation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 246-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara Termini ◽  
Enrique Boccardo

In vitro culture of primary or established cell lines is one of the leading techniques in many areas of basic biological research. The use of pure or highly enriched cultures of specific cell types obtained from different tissues and genetics backgrounds has greatly contributed to our current understanding of normal and pathological cellular processes. Cells in culture are easily propagated generating an almost endless source of material for experimentation. Besides, they can be manipulated to achieve gene silencing, gene overexpression and genome editing turning possible the dissection of specific gene functions and signaling pathways. However, monolayer and suspension cultures of cells do not reproduce the cell type diversity, cell-cell contacts, cell-matrix interactions and differentiation pathways typical of the three-dimensional environment of tissues and organs from where they were originated. Therefore, different experimental animal models have been developed and applied to address these and other complex issues in vivo. However, these systems are costly and time consuming. Most importantly the use of animals in scientific research poses moral and ethical concerns facing a steadily increasing opposition from different sectors of the society. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of alternative in vitro experimental models that accurately reproduce the events observed in vivo to reduce the use of animals. Organotypic cultures combine the flexibility of traditional culture systems with the possibility of culturing different cell types in a 3D environment that reproduces both the structure and the physiology of the parental organ. Here we present a summarized description of the use of epithelial organotypic for the study of skin physiology, human papillomavirus biology and associated tumorigenesis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Que ◽  
David Lukacsovich ◽  
Wenshu Luo ◽  
Csaba Földy

AbstractThe diversity reflected by >100 different neural cell types fundamentally contributes to brain function and a central idea is that neuronal identity can be inferred from genetic information. Recent large-scale transcriptomic assays seem to confirm this hypothesis, but a lack of morphological information has limited the identification of several known cell types. In this study, we used single-cell RNA-seq in morphologically identified parvalbumin interneurons (PV-INs), and studied their transcriptomic states in the morphological, physiological, and developmental domains. Overall, we find high transcriptomic similarity among PV-INs, with few genes showing divergent expression between morphologically different types. Furthermore, PV-INs show a uniform synaptic cell adhesion molecule (CAM) profile, suggesting that CAM expression in mature PV cells does not reflect wiring specificity after development. Together, our results suggest that while PV-INs differ in anatomy and in vivo activity, their continuous transcriptomic and homogenous biophysical landscapes are not predictive of these distinct identities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Imam Uddin ◽  
Tyler C. Kilburn ◽  
Sara Z. Jamal ◽  
Craig L. Duvall ◽  
John S. Penn

AbstractDiabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity and retinal vein occlusion are potentially blinding conditions largely due to their respective neovascular components. The development of real-time in vivo molecular imaging methods, to assess levels of retinal neovascularization (NV), would greatly benefit patients afflicted with these conditions. mRNA hybridization techniques offer a potential method to image retinal NV. The success of these techniques hinges on the selection of a target mRNA whose tissue levels and spatial expression patterns correlate closely with disease burden. Using a model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR), we previously observed dramatic increases in retinal endoglin that localized to neovascular structures (NV), directly correlating with levels of neovascular pathology. Based on these findings, we have investigated Endoglin mRNA as a potential marker for imaging retinal NV in OIR mice. Also of critical importance, is the application of innovative technologies capable of detecting mRNAs in living systems with high sensitivity and specificity. To detect and visualize endoglin mRNA in OIR mice, we have designed and synthesized a novel imaging probe composed of short-hairpin anti-sense (AS) endoglin RNA coupled to a fluorophore and black hole quencher (AS-Eng shRNA). This assembly allows highly sensitive fluorescence emission upon hybridization of the AS-Eng shRNA to cellular endoglin mRNA. The AS-Eng shRNA is further conjugated to a diacyl-lipid (AS-Eng shRNA–lipid referred to as probe). The lipid moiety binds to serum albumin facilitating enhanced systemic circulation of the probe. OIR mice received intraperitoneal injections of AS-Eng shRNA–lipid. Ex vivo imaging of their retinas revealed specific endoglin mRNA dependent fluorescence superimposed on neovascular structures. Room air mice receiving AS-Eng shRNA–lipid and OIR mice receiving a non-sense control probe showed little fluorescence activity. In addition, we found that cells in neovascular lesions labelled with endoglin mRNA dependent fluorescence, co-labelled with the macrophage/microglia-associated marker IBA1. Others have shown that cells expressing macrophage/microglia markers associate with retinal neovascular structures in proportion to disease burden. Hence we propose that our probe may be used to image and to estimate the levels of retinal neovascular disease in real-time in living systems.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 66
Author(s):  
Rashmita Pradhan ◽  
Phuong A. Ngo ◽  
Luz d. C. Martínez-Sánchez ◽  
Markus F. Neurath ◽  
Rocío López-Posadas

Rho proteins operate as key regulators of the cytoskeleton, cell morphology and trafficking. Acting as molecular switches, the function of Rho GTPases is determined by guanosine triphosphate (GTP)/guanosine diphosphate (GDP) exchange and their lipidation via prenylation, allowing their binding to cellular membranes and the interaction with downstream effector proteins in close proximity to the membrane. A plethora of in vitro studies demonstrate the indispensable function of Rho proteins for cytoskeleton dynamics within different cell types. However, only in the last decades we have got access to genetically modified mouse models to decipher the intricate regulation between members of the Rho family within specific cell types in the complex in vivo situation. Translationally, alterations of the expression and/or function of Rho GTPases have been associated with several pathological conditions, such as inflammation and cancer. In the context of the GI tract, the continuous crosstalk between the host and the intestinal microbiota requires a tight regulation of the complex interaction between cellular components within the intestinal tissue. Recent studies demonstrate that Rho GTPases play important roles for the maintenance of tissue homeostasis in the gut. We will summarize the current knowledge on Rho protein function within individual cell types in the intestinal mucosa in vivo, with special focus on intestinal epithelial cells and T cells.


Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1483
Author(s):  
Emily A. Bates ◽  
John R. Counsell ◽  
Sophie Alizert ◽  
Alexander T. Baker ◽  
Natalie Suff ◽  
...  

The human adenovirus phylogenetic tree is split across seven species (A–G). Species D adenoviruses offer potential advantages for gene therapy applications, with low rates of pre-existing immunity detected across screened populations. However, many aspects of the basic virology of species D—such as their cellular tropism, receptor usage, and in vivo biodistribution profile—remain unknown. Here, we have characterized human adenovirus type 49 (HAdV-D49)—a relatively understudied species D member. We report that HAdV-D49 does not appear to use a single pathway to gain cell entry, but appears able to interact with various surface molecules for entry. As such, HAdV-D49 can transduce a broad range of cell types in vitro, with variable engagement of blood coagulation FX. Interestingly, when comparing in vivo biodistribution to adenovirus type 5, HAdV-D49 vectors show reduced liver targeting, whilst maintaining transduction of lung and spleen. Overall, this presents HAdV-D49 as a robust viral vector platform for ex vivo manipulation of human cells, and for in vivo applications where the therapeutic goal is to target the lung or gain access to immune cells in the spleen, whilst avoiding liver interactions, such as intravascular vaccine applications.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi221-vi222
Author(s):  
Gerhard Jungwirth ◽  
Tao Yu ◽  
Cao Junguo ◽  
Catharina Lotsch ◽  
Andreas Unterberg ◽  
...  

Abstract Tumor-organoids (TOs) are novel, complex three-dimensional ex vivo tissue cultures that under optimal conditions accurately reflect genotype and phenotype of the original tissue with preserved cellular heterogeneity and morphology. They may serve as a new and exciting model for studying cancer biology and directing personalized therapies. The aim of our study was to establish TOs from meningioma (MGM) and to test their usability for large-scale drug screenings. We were capable of forming several hundred TO equal in size by controlled reaggregation of freshly prepared single cell suspension of MGM tissue samples. In total, standardized TOs from 60 patients were formed, including eight grade II and three grade III MGMs. TOs reaggregated within 3 days resulting in a reducted diameter by 50%. Thereafter, TO size remained stable throughout a 14 days observation period. TOs consisted of largely viable cells, whereas dead cells were predominantly found outside of the organoid. H&E stainings confirmed the successful establishment of dense tissue-like structures. Next, we assessed the suitability and reliability of TOs for a robust large-scale drug testing by employing nine highly potent compounds, derived from a drug screening performed on several MGM cell lines. First, we tested if drug responses depend on TO size. Interestingly, drug responses to these drugs remained identical independent of their sizes. Based on a sufficient representation of low abundance cell types such as T-cells and macrophages an overall number of 25.000 cells/TO was selected for further experiments revealing FDA-approved HDAC inhibitors as highly effective drugs in most of the TOs with a mean z-AUC score of -1.33. Taken together, we developed a protocol to generate standardized TO from MGM containing low abundant cell types of the tumor microenvironment in a representative manner. Robust and reliable drug responses suggest patient-derived TOs as a novel drug testing model in meningioma research.


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