scholarly journals Vascular dysfunction and pathology: focus on mechanical forces

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gloria Garoffolo ◽  
Maurizio Pesce
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Cardiovascular System ◽  
Vascular Dysfunction ◽  
Force Distribution ◽  
Mechanical Forces ◽  
Biophysical Properties ◽  
Epigenetic Programming ◽  
New Concepts

The role of mechanical forces is emerging as a new player in pathophysiologic programming of the cardiovascular system. The ability of the cells to ‘sense’ mechanical forces does not relate only to perception of movement or flow, as intended traditionally, but also to the biophysical properties of the extracellular matrix, the geometry of the tissues and the force distribution inside them. This is also supported by the finding that cells can actively translate mechanical cues into discrete gene expression and epigenetic programming. In the present review we will contextualize these new concepts in the vascular pathologic programming.

The Therapeutic Potential and Role of miRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA in Osteoarthritis

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 255-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuangang Wu ◽  
Xiaoxi Lu ◽  
Bin Shen ◽  
Yi Zeng
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Inflammatory Reaction ◽  
Noncoding Rna ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Rna Binding Proteins ◽  
Protein Translation ◽  
Cochrane Library

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease characterized by progressive degeneration, joint hyperplasia, narrowing of joint spaces, and extracellular matrix metabolism. Recent studies have shown that the pathogenesis of OA may be related to non-coding RNA, and its pathological mechanism may be an effective way to reduce OA. Objective: The purpose of this review was to investigate the recent progress of miRNA, long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) and circular RNA (circRNA) in gene therapy of OA, discussing the effects of this RNA on gene expression, inflammatory reaction, apoptosis and extracellular matrix in OA. Methods: The following electronic databases were searched, including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, for published studies involving the miRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA in OA. The outcomes included the gene expression, inflammatory reaction, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix. Results and Discussion: With the development of technology, miRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA have been found in many diseases. More importantly, recent studies have found that RNA interacts with RNA-binding proteins to regulate gene transcription and protein translation, and is involved in various pathological processes of OA, thus becoming a potential therapy for OA. Conclusion: In this paper, we briefly introduced the role of miRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA in the occurrence and development of OA and as a new target for gene therapy.

An analysis of culmination in Dictyostelium using prestalk and stalk-specific cell autonomous markers

Development ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 111 (3) ◽  
pp. 779-787 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.A. Jermyn ◽  
J.G. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Tube Formation ◽  
Matrix Proteins ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Primary Role ◽  
Fusion Genes ◽  
Spore Mass

The ecmA (pDd63) and ecmB (pDd56) genes encode extracellular matrix proteins of the slime sheath and stalk tube of Dictyostelium discoideum. Using fusion genes containing the promoter of one or other gene coupled to an immunologically detectable reporter, we previously identified two classes of prestalk cells in the tip of the migrating slug; a central core of pstB cells, which express the ecmB gene, surrounded by pstA cells, which express the ecmA gene. PstB cells lie at the position where stalk tube formation is initiated at culmination and we show that they act as its founders. As culmination proceeds, pstA cells transform into pstB cells by activating the ecmB gene as they enter the stalk tube. The prespore region of the slug contains a population of cells, termed anterior-like cells (ALC), which have the characteristics of prestalk cells. We show that the ecmA and ecmB genes are expressed at a low level in ALC during slug migration and that their expression in these cells is greatly elevated during culmination. Previous observations have shown that ALC sort to surround the prespore cells during culmination (Sternfeld and David, 1982 Devl Biol. 93, 111–118) and we find just such a distribution for pstB cells. We believe that the ecmB protein plays a structural role in the stalk tube and its presence, as a cradle around the spore head, suggests that it may play a further function, perhaps in ensuring integrity of the spore mass during elevation. If this interpretation is correct, then a primary role of anterior-like cells may be to form these structures at culmination. We previously identified a third class of prestalk cells, pstO cells, which lie behind pstA cells in the slug anterior and which appeared to express neither the ecmA nor the ecmB gene. Using B-galactosidase fusion constructs, which give more sensitive detection of gene expression, we now find that these cells express the ecmA gene but at a much lower level than pstA cells. We also show that expression of the ecmA gene becomes uniformly high throughout the prestalk zone when slugs are allowed to migrate in the light. Overhead light favours culmination and it may be that increased expression of the ecmA gene in the pst ‘O’ region is a preparatory step in the process.

The role of the physicochemical environment in determining disc cell behaviour

2002 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 858-863 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. G. Urban
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Ionic Composition ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Mechanical Forces ◽  
Dense Matrix ◽  
Cellular Activity ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Cell Behaviour ◽  
Disc Cells

The cells of the intervertebral disc exist in an unusual environment. They are embedded in a dense matrix containing a high concentration of aggrecan whose fixed negative charges regulate the extracellular ionic composition and osmolarity; both extracellular cation concentrations and osmolarity are considerably higher than those experienced by most cell types. The disc also is avascular. Oxygen levels in the centre of the nucleus, where cells may be 6–8 mm from the blood supply, are very low. Since metabolism is mainly by glycolysis, lactic acid is produced at high rates and hence the pH is acidic. Finally, the disc is subjected to mechanical forces at all times; these vary with posture and activity. In particular, because the disc is under low loads during rest and high loads during the day's activities, it loses and regains around 25% of its fluid over a diurnal cycle with consequent changes to the concentrations of extracellular matrix macromolecules and ions and hence extracellular osmolality. Here we will briefly review these factors and discuss the influence of changes in the physicochemical environment on cellular activity, in particular on the rate at which disc cells synthesize and degrade matrix macro-molecules.

scholarly journals The Extracellular Matrix Contributes to Mechanotransduction in Uterine Fibroids

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phyllis C. Leppert ◽  
Friederike L. Jayes ◽  
James H. Segars
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Uterine Fibroids ◽  
Common Disease ◽  
Mechanical Forces ◽  
Chemical Signaling ◽  
Signaling System ◽  
New Strategies ◽  
Fibroid Growth

The role of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and mechanotransduction as an important signaling factor in the human uterus is just beginning to be appreciated. The ECM is not only the substance that surrounds cells, but ECM stiffness will either compress cells or stretch them resulting in signals converted into chemical changes within the cell, depending on the amount of collagen, cross-linking, and hydration, as well as other ECM components. In this review we present evidence that the stiffness of fibroid tissue has a direct effect on the growth of the tumor through the induction of fibrosis. Fibrosis has two characteristics: (1) resistance to apoptosis leading to the persistence of cells and (2) secretion of collagen and other components of the ECM such a proteoglycans by those cells leading to abundant disposition of highly cross-linked, disoriented, and often widely dispersed collagen fibrils. Fibrosis affects cell growth by mechanotransduction, the dynamic signaling system whereby mechanical forces initiate chemical signaling in cells. Data indicate that the structurally disordered and abnormally formed ECM of uterine fibroids contributes to fibroid formation and growth. An appreciation of the critical role of ECM stiffness to fibroid growth may lead to new strategies for treatment of this common disease.

scholarly journals Mechanotransduction in the Cardiovascular System: From Developmental Origins to Homeostasis and Pathology

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 1607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gloria Garoffolo ◽  
Maurizio Pesce
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular System ◽  
Mechanical Forces ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
Flow Shear ◽  
Surrounding Matrix ◽  
Cellular Mechanotransduction ◽  
Flow Shear Stress ◽  
Sense And Respond ◽  
Metabolic Dysfunctions

With the term ‘mechanotransduction’, it is intended the ability of cells to sense and respond to mechanical forces by activating intracellular signal transduction pathways and the relative phenotypic adaptation. While a known role of mechanical stimuli has been acknowledged for developmental biology processes and morphogenesis in various organs, the response of cells to mechanical cues is now also emerging as a major pathophysiology determinant. Cells of the cardiovascular system are typically exposed to a variety of mechanical stimuli ranging from compression to strain and flow (shear) stress. In addition, these cells can also translate subtle changes in biophysical characteristics of the surrounding matrix, such as the stiffness, into intracellular activation cascades with consequent evolution toward pro-inflammatory/pro-fibrotic phenotypes. Since cellular mechanotransduction has a potential readout on long-lasting modifications of the chromatin, exposure of the cells to mechanically altered environments may have similar persisting consequences to those of metabolic dysfunctions or chronic inflammation. In the present review, we highlight the roles of mechanical forces on the control of cardiovascular formation during embryogenesis, and in the development and pathogenesis of the cardiovascular system.

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