Publications

The diverse roles of the low-density lipoprotein receptor family (LDLR) have been associated with many processes critical to maintaining central nervous system (CNS) health and contributing to neurological diseases or cancer. In this review, we provide a comprehensive understanding of the LDLR's involvement in common brain tumors, specifically high-grade gliomas, emphasizing the receptors' critical role in the pathophysiology and progression of these tumors due to LDLR's high expression. We delve into LDLR's role in regulating cellular uptake and transport through the brain barrier. Additionally, we highlight LDLR's role in activating several signaling pathways related to tumor proliferation, migration, and invasion, engaging readers with an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms at play. By synthesizing current research findings, this review underscores the significance of LDLR during tumorigenesis and explores its potential as a therapeutic target for high-grade gliomas. The collective insights presented here contribute to a deeper appreciation of LDLR's multifaceted roles and implications for physiological and pathological states, opening new avenues for tumor treatment. The role of LDLR family receptors in mediating the transport of LDL across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), facilitating processes such as survival, proliferation, and invasion in high-grade gliomas. Nanoparticles targeting LDLR can be used for drug delivery, potentially inducing cell death and reducing tumor proliferation and survival in high-grade glioma cells. image

JTD Keywords: Animals, Blood-brain-barrier, Brain neoplasms, Cancer, Delivery, Doxorubicin, Expression, Glioblastomas, Glioma, Humans, Low-density lipoprotein receptors, Low‐density lipoprotein receptors, Migratio, Nanoparticles, Neoplasm grading, Proliferation, Receptors, ldl, Signal transduction, Targeted therapie, Targeted therapies, Targeting therapy, Tumor microenvironment

Conventional osteogenic platforms utilize active growth factors to repair bone defects that are extensive in size, but they can adversely affect patient health. Here, an unconventional osteogenic platform is reported that functions by promoting capture of inactive osteogenic growth factor molecules to the site of cell growth for subsequent integrin-mediated activation, using a recombinant fragment of latent transforming growth factor beta-binding protein-1 (rLTBP1). It is shown that rLTBP1 binds to the growth-factor- and integrin-binding domains of fibronectin on poly(ethyl acrylate) surfaces, which immobilizes rLTBP1 and promotes the binding of latency associated peptide (LAP), within which inactive transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) is bound. rLTBP1 facilitates the interaction of LAP with integrin beta 1 and the subsequent mechanically driven release of TGF-beta 1 to stimulate canonical TGF-beta 1 signaling, activating osteogenic marker expression in vitro and complete regeneration of a critical-sized bone defect in vivo. An osteogenic platform that functions by capturing inactive growth factor molecules is engineered to overcome conventional challenges associated with the use of active growth factors. The platform triggers capture of inactive transforming growth factor beta-1 for its subsequent integrin-mediated activation which activates osteogenic downstream signaling in vitro and fully repairs critical-sized bone defect in vivo. image

JTD Keywords: Animals, Bone, Bone defect, Bone regeneration, Cell proliferation, Cells, Chemical activation, Defects, Differentiation, Fibronectin, Fibronectins, Growth factor, Growth factors, Humans, Integrin beta1, Integrins, Latency associated peptides, Latent tgf-beta binding proteins, Ltbp1, Osteogenesis, Osteogenic, Protein binding, Recombinant proteins, Release, Repair, Signal transduction, Surface properties, Tgf-beta, Tgf-β1, Transforming growth factor beta1, Transforming growth factors

Steroid myopathy is a clinically challenging condition exacerbated by prolonged corticosteroid use or adrenal tumors. In this study, we engineered a functional three-dimensional (3D) in vitro skeletal muscle model to investigate steroid myopathy. By subjecting our bioengineered muscle tissues to dexamethasone treatment, we reproduced the molecular and functional aspects of this disease. Dexamethasone caused a substantial reduction in muscle force, myotube diameter and induced fatigue. We observed nuclear translocation of the glucocorticoid receptor (GCR) and activation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system within our model, suggesting their coordinated role in muscle atrophy. We then examined the therapeutic potential of taurine in our 3D model for steroid myopathy. Our findings revealed an upregulation of phosphorylated AKT by taurine, effectively countering the hyperactivation of the ubiquitin- proteasomal pathway. Importantly, we demonstrate that discontinuing corticosteroid treatment was insufficient to restore muscle mass and function. Taurine treatment, when administered concurrently with corticosteroids, notably enhanced contractile strength and protein turnover by upregulating the AKT-mTOR axis. Our model not only identifies a promising therapeutic target, but also suggests combinatorial treatment that may benefit individuals undergoing corticosteroid treatment or those diagnosed with adrenal tumors.

JTD Keywords: 3d bioengineered skeletal muscle tissues, Adrenal cortex hormones, Atroph, Colocalization, Corticosteroids, Dexamethasone, Glucocorticoid-receptor, Humans, Mechanisms, Models, biological, Mtor protein, human, Muscle contraction, Muscle fibers, skeletal, Muscle strength, Muscle, skeletal, Muscular diseases, Organ size, Phosphorylation, Proteasome endopeptidase complex, Proto-oncogene proteins c-akt, Receptors, glucocorticoid, Signal transduction, Skeletal-muscle, Steroid myopathy, Steroids, Supplementation, Taurin, Taurine, Tor serine-threonine kinases, Ubiquitin

During embryogenesis, the mammalian kidney arises because of reciprocal interactions between the ureteric bud (UB) and the metanephric mesenchyme (MM), driving UB branching and nephron induction. These morphogenetic processes involve a series of cellular rearrangements that are tightly controlled by gene regulatory networks and signaling cascades. Here, we discuss how kidney developmental studies have informed the definition of procedures to obtain kidney organoids from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). Moreover, bioengineering techniques have emerged as potential solutions to externally impose controlled microenvironments for organoid generation from hPSCs. Next, we summarize some of these advances with major focus On recent works merging hPSC-derived kidney organoids (hPSC-kidney organoids) with organ-on-chip to develop robust models for drug discovery and disease modeling applications. We foresee that, in the near future, coupling of different organoid models through bioengineering approaches will help advancing to recreate organ-to-organ crosstalk to increase our understanding on kidney disease progression in the human context and search for new therapeutics.Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

JTD Keywords: Animal, Animals, Bioengineering, Cell differentiation, Embryo development, Embryology, Embryonic structures, Gene regulatory network, Human, Humans, Kidney, Kidney development, Kidney mesenchyme cell, Kidney organoid, Mammal, Mammals, Mesenchyme, Metanephric mesenchyme, Microenvironment, Nephron, Nephrons, Organoid, Organoids, Physiology, Pluripotent stem cell, Pluripotent stem cells, Review, Signal transduction, Ureteric bud

Interactions between living cells and nanoparticles are extensively studied to enhance the delivery of therapeutics. Nanoparticles size, shape, stiffness, and surface charge are regarded as the main features able to control the fate of cell-nanoparticle interactions. However, the clinical translation of nanotherapies has so far been limited, and there is a need to better understand the biology of cell-nanoparticle interactions. This study investigates the role of cellular mechanosensitive components in cell-nanoparticle interactions. It is demonstrated that the genetic and pharmacologic inhibition of yes-associated protein (YAP), a key component of cancer cell mechanosensing apparatus and Hippo pathway effector, improves nanoparticle internalization in triple-negative breast cancer cells regardless of nanoparticle properties or substrate characteristics. This process occurs through YAP-dependent regulation of endocytic pathways, cell mechanics, and membrane organization. Hence, the study proposes targeting YAP may sensitize triple-negative breast cancer cells to chemotherapy and increase the selectivity of nanotherapy.© 2023 The Authors. Advanced Science published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.

JTD Keywords: cancer treatment, cells, differentiation, hippo pathway, mechanics, mechanobiology, mechanotransduction, nanoparticles, progression, protein, resistance, yap-signaling, yap/taz, Adaptor proteins, signal transducing, Bio-nano interaction, Bio-nano interactions, Breast cancer cells, Cancer cells, Cancer treatment, Cells, Cellular therapeutics, Cellular uptake, Chemotherapy, Cytology, Diseases, Extracellular-matrix, Human, Humans, Mechano-biology, Mechanobiology, Metabolism, Nanoparticle, Nanoparticle interaction, Nanoparticles, Physiology, Protein serine threonine kinase, Protein serine-threonine kinases, Protein signaling, Signal transducing adaptor protein, Signal transduction, Therapeutic effects, Triple negative breast cancer, Triple negative breast neoplasms, Triple-negative breast cancers, Yap-signaling, Yap-signaling proteins, Yes-associated protein-signaling

Autonomous circadian clocks exist in nearly every mammalian cell type. These cellular clocks are subjected to a multilayered regulation sensitive to the mechanochemical cell microenvironment. Whereas the biochemical signaling that controls the cellular circadian clock is increasingly well understood, mechanisms underlying regulation by mechanical cues are largely unknown. Here we show that the fibroblast circadian clock is mechanically regulated through YAP/TAZ nuclear levels. We use high-throughput analysis of single-cell circadian rhythms and apply controlled mechanical, biochemical, and genetic perturbations to study the expression of the clock gene Rev-erbα. We observe that Rev-erbα circadian oscillations are disrupted with YAP/TAZ nuclear translocation. By targeted mutations and overexpression of YAP/TAZ, we show that this mechanobiological regulation, which also impacts core components of the clock such as Bmal1 and Cry1, depends on the binding of YAP/TAZ to the transcriptional effector TEAD. This mechanism could explain the impairment of circadian rhythms observed when YAP/TAZ activity is upregulated, as in cancer and aging.© 2023 Abenza et al.

JTD Keywords: activation, dynamics, forces, growth, hippo pathway, liver, platform, time, transcription, Animals, Circadian clocks, Circadian rhythm, Gene-expression, Mammals, Signal transduction, Tea domain transcription factors, Transcriptional coactivator with pdz-binding motif proteins, Yap-signaling proteins

Upon the initiation of collective cell migration, the cells at the free edge are specified as leader cells; however, the mechanism underlying the leader cell specification remains elusive. Here, we show that lamellipodial extension after the release from mechanical confinement causes sustained extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation and underlies the leader cell specification. Live-imaging of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells and mouse epidermis through the use of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensors showed that leader cells exhibit sustained ERK activation in a hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-dependent manner. Meanwhile, follower cells exhibit oscillatory ERK activation waves in an epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling-dependent manner. Lamellipodial extension at the free edge increases the cellular sensitivity to HGF. The HGF-dependent ERK activation, in turn, promotes lamellipodial extension, thereby forming a positive feedback loop between cell extension and ERK activation and specifying the cells at the free edge as the leader cells. Our findings show that the integration of physical and biochemical cues underlies the leader cell specification during collective cell migration.Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

JTD Keywords: activation, c-met, contact inhibition, focal adhesions, heparan-sulfate, mechanical forces, morphogenesis, rho, stress fibers, Collective cell migration, Erk, Feedback regulation, Fret, Growth-factor receptor, Hgf, Lamellipodia, Leader cell specification, Signal transduction, Traction force, Wound healing

Sex differences in immune-mediated diseases are linked to the activity of estrogens on innate immunity cells, including macrophages. Tamoxifen (TAM) is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) used in estrogen receptor-alpha (ER alpha)-dependent breast cancers and off-target indications such as infections, although the immune activity of TAM and its active metabolite, 4-OH tamoxifen (4HT), is poorly characterized. Here, we aimed at investigating the endocrine and immune activity of these SERMs in macrophages. Using primary cultures of female mouse macrophages, we analyzed the expression of immune mediators and activation of effector functions in competition experiments with SERMs and 17 beta-estradiol (E2) or the bacterial endotoxin LPS. We observed that 4HT and TAM induce estrogen antagonist effects when used at nanomolar concentrations, while pharmacological concentrations that are reached by TAM in clinical settings regulate the expression of VEGF alpha and other immune activation genes by ER alpha- and G protein-coupled receptor 1 (GPER1)-independent mechanisms that involve NRF2 through PI3K/Akt-dependent mechanisms. Importantly, we observed that SERMs potentiate cell phagocytosis and modify the effects of LPS on the expression of inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF alpha and IL1 beta, with an overall increase in cell inflammatory phenotype, further sustained by potentiation of IL1 beta secretion through caspase-1 activation.

JTD Keywords: drug repurposing, inflammation, macrophage, nrf2, Afimoxifene, Animals, Apoptosis, Breast-cancer, Cells, cultured, Drug repurposing, Esr1 protein, mouse, Estrogen receptor alpha, Expression, Female, Gper1 protein, mouse, Immunomodulating agents, Inflammation, Inflammation mediators, Lipopolysaccharide, escherichia coli o111 b4, Lipopolysaccharides, Macrophage, Macrophages, peritoneal, Mice, Mice, inbred c57bl, Mice, knockout, Nf-e2-related factor 2, Nfe2l2 protein, mouse, Nrf2, Phagocytosis, Phenotype, Receptors, estrogen, Receptors, g-protein-coupled, Resistance, Selective estrogen receptor modulators, Sex-differences, Signal transduction, Tamoxifen, Tumor-associated macrophages

© 2020 Elsevier Ltd Protein phase transitions are particularly amenable for cell signalling as these highly cooperative processes allow cells to make binary decisions in response to relatively small intracellular changes. The different processes of condensate formation and the distinct material properties of the resulting condensates provide a dictionary to modulate a range of decisions on cell fate. We argue that, on the one hand, the reversibility of liquid demixing offers a chance to arrest cell growth under specific circumstances. On the other hand, the transition to amyloids is better suited for terminal decisions such as those leading to apoptosis and necrosis. Here, we review recent examples of both scenarios, highlighting how mutations in signalling proteins affect the formation of biomolecular condensates with drastic effects on cell survival.

JTD Keywords: amyloid, cell death, deep mutagenesis, llps, rna-binding proteins, Amyloid, Cell death, Deep mutagenesis, Llps, Phase transition, Proteins, Rna-binding proteins, Signal transduction

© 2021, The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature. Our understanding in the inherent properties of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have made possible the development of differentiation procedures to generate three-dimensional tissue-like cultures, so-called organoids. Here we detail a stepwise methodology to generate kidney organoids from hPSCs. This is achieved through direct differentiation of hPSCs in two-dimensional monolayer culture toward the posterior primitive streak fate, followed by induction of intermediate mesoderm-committed cells, which are further aggregated and cultured in three-dimensions to generate kidney organoids containing segmented nephron-like structures in a process that lasts 20 days. We also provide a concise description on how to assess renal commitment during the time course of kidney organoid generation. This includes the use of flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry analyses for the detection of specific renal differentiation markers.

JTD Keywords: 2d monolayer, 3d organotypic culture, differentiation, flow cytometry, human pluripotent stem cells, immunocytochemistry, intermediate mesoderm, kidney organoid, nephron progenitor cells, nephrons, primitive streak, 2d monolayer, 3d organotypic culture, Cell culture techniques, Cell differentiation, Cells, cultured, Differentiation, Flow cytometry, Fluorescent antibody technique, Gene expression regulation, developmental, Human pluripotent stem cells, Humans, Immunocytochemistry, Intermediate mesoderm, Kidney, Kidney organoid, Microscopy, fluorescence, Morphogenesis, Nephron progenitor cells, Nephrons, Organoids, Pluripotent stem cells, Primitive streak, Signal transduction, Time factors, Tissue, Tissue engineering

Goel and colleagues show that CDK4/6 inhibition induces global chromatin changes mediated by AP-1 factors, which mediate key biological and clinical effects in breast cancer. Pharmacologic inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) were designed to induce cancer cell cycle arrest. Recent studies have suggested that these agents also exert other effects, influencing cancer cell immunogenicity, apoptotic responses and differentiation. Using cell-based and mouse models of breast cancer together with clinical specimens, we show that CDK4/6 inhibitors induce remodeling of cancer cell chromatin characterized by widespread enhancer activation, and that this explains many of these effects. The newly activated enhancers include classical super-enhancers that drive luminal differentiation and apoptotic evasion, as well as a set of enhancers overlying endogenous retroviral elements that are enriched for proximity to interferon-driven genes. Mechanistically, CDK4/6 inhibition increases the level of several activator protein-1 transcription factor proteins, which are in turn implicated in the activity of many of the new enhancers. Our findings offer insights into CDK4/6 pathway biology and should inform the future development of CDK4/6 inhibitors.

JTD Keywords: Abemaciclib, Androgen receptor, Animal experiment, Animal model, Animal tissue, Apoptosis, Article, Breast cancer, C-jun, Cancer cell, Carcinoembryonic antigen related cell adhesion molecule 1, Caspase 3, Cell cycle arrest, Cells, Chromatin, Chromatin immunoprecipitation, Controlled study, Cyclin dependent kinase 4, Cyclin dependent kinase 6, Dna damage, Epidermal growth factor receptor 2, Estrogen receptor, Female, Flow cytometry, Fulvestrant, Hla drb1 antigen, Human, Human cell, Immunoblotting, Immunogenicity, Immunoprecipitation, Interferon, Luciferase assay, Mcf-7 cell line, Mda-mb-231 cell line, Microarray analysis, Morphogenesis, Mouse, Nonhuman, Palbociclib, Protein, Protein expression, Rb, Resistance, Rna polymerase ii, Rna sequence, Selective-inhibition, Senescence, Short tandem repeat, Signal transduction, Tamoxifen, Transcription elongation, Transcription factor, Transcription factor ap 1, Transcriptome, Tumor biopsy, Tumor differentiation, Tumor spheroid, Tumor xenograft, Vinculin, Whole exome sequencing