Three-dimensional modulation of cortical plasticity during pseudopodial protrusion of mouse leukocytes

β2-Integrins – Regulatory and Executive Bridges in the Signaling Network Controlling Leukocyte Trafficking and Migration

Leukocyte trafficking is an essential process of immunity, occurring as leukocytes travel within the bloodstream and as leukocyte migration within tissues. While it is now established that leukocytes can utilize the mesenchymal migration mode or amoeboid migration mode, differences in the migratory behavior of leukocyte subclasses and how these are realized on a molecular level in each subclass is not fully understood. To outline these differences, first migration modes and their dependence on parameters of the extracellular environments will be explained, as well as the intracellular molecular machinery that powers migration in general. Extracellular parameters are detected by adhesion receptors such as integrins. β2-integrins are surface receptors exclusively expressed on leukocytes and are essential for leukocytes exiting the bloodstream, as well as in mesenchymal migration modes, however, integrins are dispensable for the amoeboid migration mode. Additionally, the balance of different RhoGTPases – which are downstream of surface receptor signaling, including integrins – mediate formation of membrane structures as well as actin dynamics. Individual leukocyte subpopulations have been shown to express distinct RhoGTPase profiles along with their differences in migration behavior, which will be outlined. Emerging aspects of leukocyte migration include signal transduction from integrins via actin to the nucleus that regulates DNA status, gene expression profiles and ultimately leukocyte migratory phenotypes, as well as altered leukocyte migration in tumors, which will be touched upon.

Mechanistic insight into how gonadotropin hormone receptor complexes direct signaling†

Gonadotropin hormones and their receptors play a central role in the control of male and female reproduction. In recent years, there has been growing evidence surrounding the complexity of gonadotropin hormone/receptor signaling, with it increasingly apparent that the Gαs/cAMP/PKA pathway is not the sole signaling pathway that confers their biological actions. Here we review recent literature on the different receptor-receptor, receptor-scaffold, and receptor-signaling molecule complexes formed and how these modulate and direct gonadotropin hormone-dependent intracellular signal activation. We will touch upon the more controversial issue of extragonadal expression of FSHR and the differential signal pathways activated in these tissues, and lastly, highlight the open questions surrounding the role these gonadotropin hormone receptor complexes and how this will shape future research directions.

Transparent Tiger barb Puntius tetrazona, a fish model for in vivo analysis of nocardial infection

Nocardiosis afflicts multiple species of cultured fish, resulting in substantial economic losses to the aquaculture industry, however, lack of detailed knowledge on disease pathogenesis has hampered the development of effective prevention and control strategies. In this study, we injected a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled Nocardia seriolae strain into a transparent mutant strain of Tiger barb (Puntius tetrazona) to monitor tissue pathogen accumulation and tissue damage in vivo, and to clarify the relationship between pathogenic processes and overt symptoms. GFP-labeled bacteria were phagocytized by leukocytes and could proliferate within these cells, which in turn led to leukocyte aggregation, leukocyte death, and granuloma formation. In addition, intracellular bacteria could permanently colonize various tissues via leukocyte circulation, causing multi-organ infection as revealed by changes of tissue transparency. Histology revealed granulomatous lesions in organs such as muscle, kidney, and spleen that was corresponded to the tissue opacities in vivo. Confocal microscopy confirmed massive accumulations of GFP-labeled bacteria within these granulomas, which often contained a necrotic core. Tiger barb transparency allows for real-time observation of in vivo pathological changes within the same animal, and the pathogenic process can be evaluated based on the shape and size of body opacities. Thus, transparent Tiger barb is a promising model to study the pathogenesis of nocardiosis.

Impact of Concanavalin-A-Mediated Cytoskeleton Disruption on Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-1 Internalization and Cell Surface Expression in Glioblastomas

The low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP-1) is a multiligand endocytic receptor, which plays a pivotal role in controlling cytoskeleton dynamics during cancer cell migration. Its rapid endocytosis further allows efficient clearance of extracellular ligands. Concanavalin-A (ConA) is a lectin used to trigger in vitro physiological cellular processes, including cytokines secretion, nitric oxide production, and T-lymphocytes activation. Given that ConA exerts part of its effects through cytoskeleton remodeling, we questioned whether it affected LRP-1 expression, intracellular trafficking, and cell surface function in grade IV U87 glioblastoma cells. Using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, we found that loss of the cell surface 600-kDa mature form of LRP-1 occurs upon ConA treatment. Consequently, internalization of the physiological α2-macroglobulin and the synthetic angiopep-2 ligands of LRP-1 was also decreased. Silencing of known mediators of ConA, such as the membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase, and the Toll-like receptors (TLR)-2 and TLR-6 was unable to rescue ConA-mediated LRP-1 expression decrease, implying that the loss of LRP-1 was independent of cell surface relayed signaling. The ConA-mediated reduction in LRP-1 expression was emulated by the actin cytoskeleton-disrupting agent cytochalasin-D, but not by the microtubule inhibitor nocodazole, and required both lysosomal- and ubiquitin-proteasome system-mediated degradation. Our study implies that actin cytoskeleton integrity is required for proper LRP-1 cell surface functions and that impaired trafficking leads to specialized compartmentation and degradation. Our data also strengthen the biomarker role of cell surface LRP-1 functions in the vectorized transport of therapeutic angiopep bioconjugates into brain cancer cells.

Applications of computational models to better understand microvascular remodelling: a focus on biomechanical integration across scales

Microvascular network remodelling is a common denominator for multiple pathologies and involves both angiogenesis, defined as the sprouting of new capillaries, and network patterning associated with the organization and connectivity of existing vessels. Much of what we know about microvascular remodelling at the network, cellular and molecular scales has been derived from reductionist biological experiments, yet what happens when the experiments provide incomplete (or only qualitative) information? This review will emphasize the value of applying computational approaches to advance our understanding of the underlying mechanisms and effects of microvascular remodelling. Examples of individual computational models applied to each of the scales will highlight the potential of answering specific questions that cannot be answered using typical biological experimentation alone. Looking into the future, we will also identify the needs and challenges associated with integrating computational models across scales.

Topography design concept of a tissue engineering scaffold for controlling cell function and fate through actin cytoskeletal modulation

The physiological role of the actin cytoskeleton is well known: it provides mechanical support and endogenous force generation for formation of a cell shape and for migration. Furthermore, a growing number of studies have demonstrated another significant role of the actin cytoskeleton: it offers dynamic epigenetic memory for guiding cell fate, in particular, proliferation and differentiation. Because instantaneous imbalance in the mechanical homeostasis is adjusted through actin remodeling, a synthetic extracellular matrix (ECM) niche as a source of topographical and mechanical cues is expected to be effective at modulation of the actin cytoskeleton. In this context, the synthetic ECM niche determines cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation, all of which have to be controlled in functional tissue engineering scaffolds to ensure proper regulation of tissue/organ formation, maintenance of tissue integrity and repair, and regeneration. Here, with an emphasis on the epigenetic role of the actin cytoskeletal system, we propose a design concept of micro/nanotopography of a tissue engineering scaffold for control of cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation in a stable and well-defined manner, both in vitro and in vivo.