1
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Renganathan B, Moore A, Yeo WH, Petruncio A, Ackerman D, Wiegel A, Pasolli HA, Xu CS, Shtengel G, Hess HF, Serpinskaya AS, Zhang HF, Lippincott-Schwartz J, Gelfand VI. Transport and Organization of Individual Vimentin Filaments Within Dense Networks Revealed by Single Particle Tracking and 3D FIB-SEM. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.10.598346. [PMID: 38915582 PMCID: PMC11195130 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.10.598346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Single-particle tracking demonstrates that individual filaments in bundles of vimentin intermediate filaments are transported in the cytoplasm by motor proteins along microtubules. Furthermore, using 3D FIB-SEM the authors showed that vimentin filament bundles are loosely packed and coaligned with microtubules. Vimentin intermediate filaments (VIFs) form complex, tight-packed networks; due to this density, traditional ensemble labeling and imaging approaches cannot accurately discern single filament behavior. To address this, we introduce a sparse vimentin-SunTag labeling strategy to unambiguously visualize individual filament dynamics. This technique confirmed known long-range dynein and kinesin transport of peripheral VIFs and uncovered extensive bidirectional VIF motion within the perinuclear vimentin network, a region we had thought too densely bundled to permit such motility. To examine the nanoscale organization of perinuclear vimentin, we acquired high-resolution electron microscopy volumes of a vitreously frozen cell and reconstructed VIFs and microtubules within a ~50 μm3 window. Of 583 VIFs identified, most were integrated into long, semi-coherent bundles that fluctuated in width and filament packing density. Unexpectedly, VIFs displayed minimal local co-alignment with microtubules, save for sporadic cross-over sites that we predict facilitate cytoskeletal crosstalk. Overall, this work demonstrates single VIF dynamics and organization in the cellular milieu for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhuvanasundar Renganathan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Andrew Moore
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Wei-Hong Yeo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60201, USA
| | - Alyson Petruncio
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - David Ackerman
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Aubrey Wiegel
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - The CellMap Team
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - H. Amalia Pasolli
- Electron Microscopy Resource Center, Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - C. Shan Xu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Gleb Shtengel
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Harald F. Hess
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Anna S Serpinskaya
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Hao F. Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60201, USA
| | | | - Vladimir I. Gelfand
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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2
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Pinchiaroli J, Saldanha R, Patteson AE, Robertson-Anderson RM, Gurmessa BJ. Switchable microscale stress response of actin-vimentin composites emerges from scale-dependent interactions. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.07.597906. [PMID: 38895280 PMCID: PMC11185688 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.07.597906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
The mechanical properties of the mammalian cell regulate many cellular functions and are largely dictated by the cytoskeleton, a composite network of protein filaments, including actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. Interactions between these distinct filaments give rise to emergent mechanical properties that are difficult to generate synthetically, and recent studies have made great strides in advancing our understanding of the mechanical interplay between actin and microtubule filaments. While intermediate filaments play critical roles in the stress response of cells, their effect on the rheological properties of the composite cytoskeleton remains poorly understood. Here, we use optical tweezers microrheology to measure the linear viscoelastic properties and nonlinear stress response of composites of actin and vimentin with varying molar ratios of actin to vimentin. We reveal a surprising, nearly opposite effect of actin-vimentin network mechanics compared to single-component networks in the linear versus nonlinear regimes. Namely, the linear elastic plateau modulus and zero-shear viscosity are markedly reduced in composites compared to single-component networks of actin or vimentin, whereas the initial response force and stiffness are maximized in composites versus single-component networks in the nonlinear regime. While these emergent trends are indicative of distinct interactions between actin and vimentin, nonlinear stiffening and longtime stress response appear to both be dictated primarily by actin, at odds with previous bulk rheology studies. We demonstrate that these complex, scale-dependent effects arise from the varied contributions of network density, filament stiffness, non-specific interactions, and poroelasticity to the mechanical response at different spatiotemporal scales. Cells may harness this complex behavior to facilitate distinct stress responses at different scales and in response to different stimuli to allow for their hallmark multifunctionality.
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3
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Xu Y, Sun H, Chen J, Qin L, Wu M, Zhong Z, Zhang X. Loss of SIL1 Affects Actin Dynamics and Leads to Abnormal Neural Migration. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04272-8. [PMID: 38850350 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04272-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
SIL1 is a nucleotide exchange factor for the molecular chaperone protein Bip in the endoplasmic reticulum that plays a crucial role in protein folding. The Sil1 gene is currently the only known causative gene of Marinesco-Sjögren syndrome (MSS). Intellectual developmental disability is the main symptom of MSS, and its mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Studies have shown that mutations in the Sil1 gene can delay neuronal migration during cortical development, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. To further identify potential molecules involved in the regulation of central nervous system development by SIL1, we established a cortical neuron model with SIL1 protein deficiency and used proteomic analysis to screen for differentially expressed proteins after Sil1 silencing, followed by GO functional enrichment and protein‒protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. We identified 68 upregulated and 137 downregulated proteins in total, and among them, 10 upregulated and 3 downregulated proteins were mainly related to actin cytoskeleton dynamics. We further validated the differential changes in actin-related molecules using qRT‒PCR and Western blotting of a Sil1 gene knockout (Sil1-/-) mouse model. The results showed that the protein levels of ACTN1 and VIM decreased, while their mRNA levels increased as a compensatory response to protein deficiency. The mRNA and protein levels of IQGAP1 both showed a secondary increase. In conclusion, we identified ACTN1 and VIM as the key molecules regulated by SIL1 that are involved in neuronal migration during cortical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Xu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Hongji Sun
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Junyang Chen
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Liuting Qin
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Mengxue Wu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhaoming Zhong
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
| | - Xiaomin Zhang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
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4
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Eibauer M, Weber MS, Kronenberg-Tenga R, Beales CT, Boujemaa-Paterski R, Turgay Y, Sivagurunathan S, Kraxner J, Köster S, Goldman RD, Medalia O. Vimentin filaments integrate low-complexity domains in a complex helical structure. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2024; 31:939-949. [PMID: 38632361 PMCID: PMC11189308 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-024-01261-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Intermediate filaments (IFs) are integral components of the cytoskeleton. They provide cells with tissue-specific mechanical properties and are involved in numerous cellular processes. Due to their intricate architecture, a 3D structure of IFs has remained elusive. Here we use cryo-focused ion-beam milling, cryo-electron microscopy and tomography to obtain a 3D structure of vimentin IFs (VIFs). VIFs assemble into a modular, intertwined and flexible helical structure of 40 α-helices in cross-section, organized into five protofibrils. Surprisingly, the intrinsically disordered head domains form a fiber in the lumen of VIFs, while the intrinsically disordered tails form lateral connections between the protofibrils. Our findings demonstrate how protein domains of low sequence complexity can complement well-folded protein domains to construct a biopolymer with striking mechanical strength and stretchability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Eibauer
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Miriam S Weber
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Charlie T Beales
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Yagmur Turgay
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Suganya Sivagurunathan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Julia Kraxner
- Institute for X-Ray Physics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- MDC Berlin-Buch, Max-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sarah Köster
- Institute for X-Ray Physics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Robert D Goldman
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ohad Medalia
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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5
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Conboy JP, Istúriz Petitjean I, van der Net A, Koenderink GH. How cytoskeletal crosstalk makes cells move: Bridging cell-free and cell studies. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2024; 5:021307. [PMID: 38840976 PMCID: PMC11151447 DOI: 10.1063/5.0198119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Cell migration is a fundamental process for life and is highly dependent on the dynamical and mechanical properties of the cytoskeleton. Intensive physical and biochemical crosstalk among actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments ensures their coordination to facilitate and enable migration. In this review, we discuss the different mechanical aspects that govern cell migration and provide, for each mechanical aspect, a novel perspective by juxtaposing two complementary approaches to the biophysical study of cytoskeletal crosstalk: live-cell studies (often referred to as top-down studies) and cell-free studies (often referred to as bottom-up studies). We summarize the main findings from both experimental approaches, and we provide our perspective on bridging the two perspectives to address the open questions of how cytoskeletal crosstalk governs cell migration and makes cells move.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P. Conboy
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Irene Istúriz Petitjean
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Anouk van der Net
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Gijsje H. Koenderink
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
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6
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Jakob R, Britt BR, Giampietro C, Mazza E, Ehret AE. Discrete network models of endothelial cells and their interactions with the substrate. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2024; 23:941-957. [PMID: 38351427 PMCID: PMC11101350 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-023-01815-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Endothelial cell monolayers line the inner surfaces of blood and lymphatic vessels. They are continuously exposed to different mechanical loads, which may trigger mechanobiological signals and hence play a role in both physiological and pathological processes. Computer-based mechanical models of cells contribute to a better understanding of the relation between cell-scale loads and cues and the mechanical state of the hosting tissue. However, the confluency of the endothelial monolayer complicates these approaches since the intercellular cross-talk needs to be accounted for in addition to the cytoskeletal mechanics of the individual cells themselves. As a consequence, the computational approach must be able to efficiently model a large number of cells and their interaction. Here, we simulate cytoskeletal mechanics by means of molecular dynamics software, generally suitable to deal with large, locally interacting systems. Methods were developed to generate models of single cells and large monolayers with hundreds of cells. The single-cell model was considered for a comparison with experimental data. To this end, we simulated cell interactions with a continuous, deformable substrate, and computationally replicated multistep traction force microscopy experiments on endothelial cells. The results indicate that cell discrete network models are able to capture relevant features of the mechanical behaviour and are thus well-suited to investigate the mechanics of the large cytoskeletal network of individual cells and cell monolayers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Jakob
- Institute for Mechanical Systems, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Ben R Britt
- Institute for Mechanical Systems, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Zürich, Switzerland
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, CH-8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Costanza Giampietro
- Institute for Mechanical Systems, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Zürich, Switzerland
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, CH-8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Edoardo Mazza
- Institute for Mechanical Systems, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Zürich, Switzerland
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, CH-8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Alexander E Ehret
- Institute for Mechanical Systems, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Zürich, Switzerland.
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, CH-8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland.
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7
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Petitjean II, Tran QD, Goutou A, Kabir Z, Wiche G, Leduc C, Koenderink GH. Reconstitution of cytolinker-mediated crosstalk between actin and vimentin. Eur J Cell Biol 2024; 103:151403. [PMID: 38503131 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2024.151403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell shape and motility are determined by the cytoskeleton, an interpenetrating network of actin filaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. The biophysical properties of each filament type individually have been studied extensively by cell-free reconstitution. By contrast, the interactions between the three cytoskeletal networks are relatively unexplored. They are coupled via crosslinkers of the plakin family such as plectin. These are challenging proteins for reconstitution because of their giant size and multidomain structure. Here we engineer a recombinant actin-vimentin crosslinker protein called 'ACTIF' that provides a minimal model system for plectin, recapitulating its modular design with actin-binding and intermediate filament-binding domains separated by a coiled-coil linker for dimerisation. We show by fluorescence and electron microscopy that ACTIF has a high binding affinity for vimentin and actin and creates mixed actin-vimentin bundles. Rheology measurements show that ACTIF-mediated crosslinking strongly stiffens actin-vimentin composites. Finally, we demonstrate the modularity of this approach by creating an ACTIF variant with the intermediate filament binding domain of Adenomatous Polyposis Coli. Our protein engineering approach provides a new cell-free system for the biophysical characterization of intermediate filament-binding crosslinkers and for understanding the mechanical synergy between actin and vimentin in mesenchymal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Istúriz Petitjean
- Department of Bionanoscience & Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZ, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Quang D Tran
- CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, Université Paris Cité, Paris F-75013, France
| | - Angeliki Goutou
- Department of Bionanoscience & Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZ, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Zima Kabir
- Department of Bionanoscience & Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZ, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Gerhard Wiche
- Max Perutz Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Cécile Leduc
- CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, Université Paris Cité, Paris F-75013, France.
| | - Gijsje H Koenderink
- Department of Bionanoscience & Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZ, Delft, the Netherlands.
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8
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Alisafaei F, Mandal K, Saldanha R, Swoger M, Yang H, Shi X, Guo M, Hehnly H, Castañeda CA, Janmey PA, Patteson AE, Shenoy VB. Vimentin is a key regulator of cell mechanosensing through opposite actions on actomyosin and microtubule networks. Commun Biol 2024; 7:658. [PMID: 38811770 PMCID: PMC11137025 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06366-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
The cytoskeleton is a complex network of interconnected biopolymers consisting of actin filaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. These biopolymers work in concert to transmit cell-generated forces to the extracellular matrix required for cell motility, wound healing, and tissue maintenance. While we know cell-generated forces are driven by actomyosin contractility and balanced by microtubule network resistance, the effect of intermediate filaments on cellular forces is unclear. Using a combination of theoretical modeling and experiments, we show that vimentin intermediate filaments tune cell stress by assisting in both actomyosin-based force transmission and reinforcement of microtubule networks under compression. We show that the competition between these two opposing effects of vimentin is regulated by the microenvironment stiffness. These results reconcile seemingly contradictory results in the literature and provide a unified description of vimentin's effects on the transmission of cell contractile forces to the extracellular matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farid Alisafaei
- Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
| | - Kalpana Mandal
- Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 3340 Smith Walk, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Renita Saldanha
- Physics Department, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
- BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
| | - Maxx Swoger
- Physics Department, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
- BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
| | - Haiqian Yang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Xuechen Shi
- Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 3340 Smith Walk, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Ming Guo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Heidi Hehnly
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
| | - Carlos A Castañeda
- Departments of Biology and Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
| | - Paul A Janmey
- Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 3340 Smith Walk, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Departments of Physiology, and Physics & Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Alison E Patteson
- Physics Department, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
- BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
| | - Vivek B Shenoy
- Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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9
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Pajares MA, Pérez-Sala D. Type III intermediate filaments in redox interplay: key role of the conserved cysteine residue. Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:849-860. [PMID: 38451193 PMCID: PMC11088922 DOI: 10.1042/bst20231059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Intermediate filaments (IFs) are cytoskeletal elements involved in mechanotransduction and in the integration of cellular responses. They are versatile structures and their assembly and organization are finely tuned by posttranslational modifications. Among them, type III IFs, mainly vimentin, have been identified as targets of multiple oxidative and electrophilic modifications. A characteristic of most type III IF proteins is the presence in their sequence of a single, conserved cysteine residue (C328 in vimentin), that is a hot spot for these modifications and appears to play a key role in the ability of the filament network to respond to oxidative stress. Current structural models and experimental evidence indicate that this cysteine residue may occupy a strategic position in the filaments in such a way that perturbations at this site, due to chemical modification or mutation, impact filament assembly or organization in a structure-dependent manner. Cysteine-dependent regulation of vimentin can be modulated by interaction with divalent cations, such as zinc, and by pH. Importantly, vimentin remodeling induced by C328 modification may affect its interaction with cellular organelles, as well as the cross-talk between cytoskeletal networks, as seems to be the case for the reorganization of actin filaments in response to oxidants and electrophiles. In summary, the evidence herein reviewed delineates a complex interplay in which type III IFs emerge both as targets and modulators of redox signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- María A. Pajares
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, C.S.I.C., Ramiro de Maeztu, 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Dolores Pérez-Sala
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, C.S.I.C., Ramiro de Maeztu, 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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10
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Zrelski MM, Hösele S, Kustermann M, Fichtinger P, Kah D, Athanasiou I, Esser PR, Wagner A, Herzog R, Kratochwill K, Goldmann WH, Kiritsi D, Winter L. Plectin Deficiency in Fibroblasts Deranges Intermediate Filament and Organelle Morphology, Migration, and Adhesion. J Invest Dermatol 2024; 144:547-562.e9. [PMID: 37716646 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
Plectin, a highly versatile and multifunctional cytolinker, has been implicated in several multisystemic disorders. Most sequence variations in the human plectin gene (PLEC) cause epidermolysis bullosa simplex with muscular dystrophy (EBS-MD), an autosomal recessive skin-blistering disorder associated with progressive muscle weakness. In this study, we performed a comprehensive cell biological analysis of dermal fibroblasts from three different patients with EBS-MD, where PLEC expression analyses revealed preserved mRNA levels in all cases, whereas full-length plectin protein content was significantly reduced or completely absent. Downstream effects of pathogenic PLEC sequence alterations included massive bundling of vimentin intermediate filament networks, including the occurrence of ring-like nuclei-encasing filament bundles, elongated mitochondrial networks, and abnormal nuclear morphologies. We found that essential fibroblast functions such as wound healing, migration, or orientation upon cyclic stretch were significantly impaired in the cells of patients with EBS-MD. Finally, EBS-MD fibroblasts displayed reduced adhesion capacities, which could be attributed to smaller focal adhesion contacts. Our study not only emphasizes plectin's functional role in human skin fibroblasts, it also provides further insights into the understanding of EBS-MD-associated disease mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela M Zrelski
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sabrina Hösele
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Monika Kustermann
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Petra Fichtinger
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Delf Kah
- Center for Medical Physics and Technology, Department of Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ioannis Athanasiou
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Philipp R Esser
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Anja Wagner
- Core Facility Proteomics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Division of Pediatric Nephrology and Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Christian Doppler Laboratory for Molecular Stress Research in Peritoneal Dialysis, Division of Pediatric Nephrology and Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Rebecca Herzog
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology and Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Christian Doppler Laboratory for Molecular Stress Research in Peritoneal Dialysis, Division of Pediatric Nephrology and Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Klaus Kratochwill
- Core Facility Proteomics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Division of Pediatric Nephrology and Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Christian Doppler Laboratory for Molecular Stress Research in Peritoneal Dialysis, Division of Pediatric Nephrology and Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang H Goldmann
- Center for Medical Physics and Technology, Department of Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Dimitra Kiritsi
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lilli Winter
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Chikina AS, Zholudeva AO, Lomakina ME, Kireev II, Dayal AA, Minin AA, Maurin M, Svitkina TM, Alexandrova AY. Plasma Membrane Blebbing Is Controlled by Subcellular Distribution of Vimentin Intermediate Filaments. Cells 2024; 13:105. [PMID: 38201309 PMCID: PMC10778383 DOI: 10.3390/cells13010105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The formation of specific cellular protrusions, plasma membrane blebs, underlies the amoeboid mode of cell motility, which is characteristic for free-living amoebae and leukocytes, and can also be adopted by stem and tumor cells to bypass unfavorable migration conditions and thus facilitate their long-distance migration. Not all cells are equally prone to bleb formation. We have previously shown that membrane blebbing can be experimentally induced in a subset of HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells, whereas other cells in the same culture under the same conditions retain non-blebbing mesenchymal morphology. Here we show that this heterogeneity is associated with the distribution of vimentin intermediate filaments (VIFs). Using different approaches to alter the VIF organization, we show that blebbing activity is biased toward cell edges lacking abundant VIFs, whereas the VIF-rich regions of the cell periphery exhibit low blebbing activity. This pattern is observed both in interphase fibroblasts, with and without experimentally induced blebbing, and during mitosis-associated blebbing. Moreover, the downregulation of vimentin expression or displacement of VIFs away from the cell periphery promotes blebbing even in cells resistant to bleb-inducing treatments. Thus, we reveal a new important function of VIFs in cell physiology that involves the regulation of non-apoptotic blebbing essential for amoeboid cell migration and mitosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra S. Chikina
- N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, 24 Kashirskoe Shosse, Moscow 115478, Russia; (A.S.C.); (A.O.Z.); (M.E.L.)
- Dynamics of Immune Responses Team, INSERM-U1223 Institut Pasteur, 25-28 Rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Anna O. Zholudeva
- N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, 24 Kashirskoe Shosse, Moscow 115478, Russia; (A.S.C.); (A.O.Z.); (M.E.L.)
| | - Maria E. Lomakina
- N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, 24 Kashirskoe Shosse, Moscow 115478, Russia; (A.S.C.); (A.O.Z.); (M.E.L.)
| | - Igor I. Kireev
- Department of Biology and A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 1 Leninskie Gory, Moscow 119992, Russia;
| | - Alexander A. Dayal
- Institute of Protein Research, Department of Cell Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119988, Russia; (A.A.D.); (A.A.M.)
| | - Alexander A. Minin
- Institute of Protein Research, Department of Cell Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119988, Russia; (A.A.D.); (A.A.M.)
| | - Mathieu Maurin
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, INSERM U932, 26 rue d’Ulm, 75248 Paris, France;
| | - Tatyana M. Svitkina
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Antonina Y. Alexandrova
- N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, 24 Kashirskoe Shosse, Moscow 115478, Russia; (A.S.C.); (A.O.Z.); (M.E.L.)
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12
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Xu X, Tao N, Sun C, Hoffman RD, Shi D, Ying Y, Dong S, Gao J. Ligustilide prevents thymic immune senescence by regulating Thymosin β15-dependent spatial distribution of thymic epithelial cells. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 123:155216. [PMID: 38061285 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.155216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thymus is the most crucial organ connecting immunity and aging. The progressive senescence of thymic epithelial cells (TECs) leads to the involution of thymus under aging, chronic stress and other factors. Ligustilide (LIG) is a major active component of the anti-aging Chinese herbal medicine Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, but its role in preventing TEC-based thymic aging remains elusive. PURPOSE This study explored the protective role of Ligustilide in alleviating ADM (adriamycin) -induced thymic immune senescence and its underlying molecular mechanisms. METHOD The protective effect of Ligustilide on ADM-induced thymic atrophy was examined by mouse and organotypic models, and conformed by SA-β-gal staining in TECs. The abnormal spatial distribution of TECs in the senescent thymus was analyzed using H&E, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. The possible mechanisms of Ligustilide in ADM-induced thymic aging were elucidated by qPCR, fluorescence labeling and Western blot. The mechanism of Ligustilide was subsequently validated through actin polymerization inhibitor, genetic engineering to regulate Thymosin β15 (Tβ15) and Tβ4 expression, molecular docking and β Thymosin-G-actin cross-linking assay. RESULTS At a 5 mg/kg dose, Ligustilide markedly ameliorated ADM-induced weight loss and limb grip weakness in mice. It also reversed thymic damage and restored positive selection impaired by ADM. In vitro, ADM disrupted thymic structure, reduced TECs number and hindered double negative (DN) T cell differentiation. Ligustilide counteracted these effects, promoted TEC proliferation and reticular differentiation, leading to an increase in CD4+ single positive (CD4SP) T cell proportion. Mechanistically, ADM diminished the microfilament quantity in immortalized TECs (iTECs), and lowered the expression of cytoskeletal marker proteins. Molecular docking and cross-linking assay revealed that Ligustilide inhibited the protein binding between G-actin and Tβ15 by inhibiting the formation of the Tβ15-G-actin complex, thus enhancing the microfilament assembly capacity in TECs. CONCLUSION This study, for the first time, reveals that Ligustilide can attenuate actin depolymerization, protects TECs from ADM-induced acute aging by inhibiting the binding of Tβ15 to G-actin, thereby improving thymic immune function. Moreover, it underscores the interesting role of Ligustilide in maintaining cytoskeletal assembly and network structure of TECs, offering a novel perspective for deeper understanding of anti thymic aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xie Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Nana Tao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Caihua Sun
- Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Robert D Hoffman
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90066, USA.
| | - Dongling Shi
- Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310006, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Yuyuan Ying
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Shujie Dong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Jianli Gao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang, China; State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macao 999078, China.
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13
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Liu J, Li Z, Li M, Du W, Baumeister W, Yang J, Guo Q. Vimentin regulates nuclear segmentation in neutrophils. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2307389120. [PMID: 37983515 PMCID: PMC10691343 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2307389120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Granulocytes are indispensable for various immune responses. Unlike other cell types in the body, the nuclei of granulocytes, particularly neutrophils, are heavily segmented into multiple lobes. Although this distinct morphological feature has long been observed, the underlying mechanism remains incompletely characterized. In this study, we utilize cryo-electron tomography to examine the nuclei of mouse neutrophils, revealing the cytoplasmic enrichment of intermediate filaments on the concave regions of the nuclear envelope. Aided by expression profiling and immuno-electron microscopy, we then elucidate that the intermediate-filament protein vimentin is responsible for such perinuclear structures. Of importance, exogenously expressed vimentin in nonimmune cells is sufficient to form cytoplasmic filaments wrapping on the concave nuclear surface. Moreover, genetic deletion of the protein causes a significant reduction of the number of nuclear lobes in neutrophils and eosinophils, mimicking the hematological condition of the Pelger-Huët anomaly. These results have uncovered a new component establishing the nuclear segmentation of granulocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
| | - Zhixun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
- Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
| | - Meijing Li
- Department of Molecular Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried82152, Germany
| | - Wenjing Du
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
- Changping Laboratory, Beijing102206, China
| | - Wolfgang Baumeister
- Department of Molecular Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried82152, Germany
| | - Jing Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
- Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
- Peking University Third Hospital Cancer Center, Beijing100191, China
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen518055, China
| | - Qiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
- Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
- Changping Laboratory, Beijing102206, China
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14
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Doganyigit Z, Eroglu E, Okan A. Intermediate filament proteins are reliable immunohistological biomarkers to help diagnose multiple tissue-specific diseases. Anat Histol Embryol 2023; 52:655-672. [PMID: 37329162 DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Cytoskeletal networks are proteins that effectively maintain cell integrity and provide mechanical support to cells by actively transmitting mechanical signals. Intermediate filaments, which are from the cytoskeleton family and are 10 nanometres in diameter, are unlike actin and microtubules, which are highly dynamic cytoskeletal elements. Intermediate filaments are flexible at low strain, harden at high strain and resist breaking. For this reason, these filaments fulfil structural functions by providing mechanical support to the cells through their different strain-hardening properties. Intermediate filaments are suitable in that cells both cope with mechanical forces and modulate signal transmission. These filaments are composed of fibrous proteins that exhibit a central α-helical rod domain with a conserved substructure. Intermediate filament proteins are divided into six groups. Type I and type II include acidic and basic keratins, type III, vimentin, desmin, peripheralin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), respectively. Type IV intermediate filament group includes neurofilament proteins and a fourth neurofilament subunit, α-internexin proteins. Type V consists of lamins located in the nucleus, and the type VI group consists of lens-specific intermediate filaments, CP49/phakinin and filen. Intermediate filament proteins show specific immunoreactivity in differentiating cells and mature cells of various types. Various carcinomas such as colorectal, urothelial and ovarian, diseases such as chronic pancreatitis, cirrhosis, hepatitis and cataract have been associated with intermediate filaments. Accordingly, this section reviews available immunohistochemical antibodies to intermediate filament proteins. Identification of intermediate filament proteins by methodological methods may contribute to the understanding of complex diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuleyha Doganyigit
- Faculty of Medicine, Histology and Embryology, Yozgat Bozok University, Yozgat, Turkey
| | - Ece Eroglu
- Faculty of Medicine, Yozgat Bozok University, Yozgat, Turkey
| | - Aslı Okan
- Faculty of Medicine, Histology and Embryology, Yozgat Bozok University, Yozgat, Turkey
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15
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Oses C, De Rossi MC, Bruno L, Verneri P, Diaz MC, Benítez B, Guberman A, Levi V. From the membrane to the nucleus: mechanical signals and transcription regulation. Biophys Rev 2023; 15:671-683. [PMID: 37681098 PMCID: PMC10480138 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-023-01103-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanical forces drive and modulate a wide variety of processes in eukaryotic cells including those occurring in the nucleus. Relevantly, forces are fundamental during development since they guide lineage specifications of embryonic stem cells. A sophisticated macromolecular machinery transduces mechanical stimuli received at the cell surface into a biochemical output; a key component in this mechanical communication is the cytoskeleton, a complex network of biofilaments in constant remodeling that links the cell membrane to the nuclear envelope. Recent evidence highlights that forces transmitted through the cytoskeleton directly affect the organization of chromatin and the accessibility of transcription-related molecules to their targets in the DNA. Consequently, mechanical forces can directly modulate transcription and change gene expression programs. Here, we will revise the biophysical toolbox involved in the mechanical communication with the cell nucleus and discuss how mechanical forces impact on the organization of this organelle and more specifically, on transcription. We will also discuss how live-cell fluorescence imaging is producing exquisite information to understand the mechanical response of cells and to quantify the landscape of interactions of transcription factors with chromatin in embryonic stem cells. These studies are building new biophysical insights that could be fundamental to achieve the goal of manipulating forces to guide cell differentiation in culture systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Oses
- Instituto de Química Biológica de La Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Y Naturales (IQUIBICEN), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Y Naturales, CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Cecilia De Rossi
- Instituto de Química Biológica de La Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Y Naturales (IQUIBICEN), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Y Naturales, CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luciana Bruno
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Y Naturales, Instituto de Cálculo (IC), CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paula Verneri
- Instituto de Química Biológica de La Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Y Naturales (IQUIBICEN), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Y Naturales, CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Candelaria Diaz
- Instituto de Química Biológica de La Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Y Naturales (IQUIBICEN), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Y Naturales, CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Belén Benítez
- Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular Y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Y Naturales, CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandra Guberman
- Instituto de Química Biológica de La Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Y Naturales (IQUIBICEN), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Y Naturales, CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Y Naturales, Departamento de Fisiología, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Biología Molecular Y Celular, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Valeria Levi
- Instituto de Química Biológica de La Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Y Naturales (IQUIBICEN), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Y Naturales, CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Y Naturales, Departamento de Química Biológica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
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16
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Lorenz C, Forsting J, Style RW, Klumpp S, Köster S. Keratin filament mechanics and energy dissipation are determined by metal-like plasticity. MATTER 2023; 6:2019-2033. [PMID: 37332398 PMCID: PMC10273143 DOI: 10.1016/j.matt.2023.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Cell mechanics are determined by an intracellular biopolymer network, including intermediate filaments that are expressed in a cell-type-specific manner. A prominent pair of intermediate filaments are keratin and vimentin, as they are expressed by non-motile and motile cells, respectively. Therefore, the differential expression of these proteins coincides with a change in cellular mechanics and dynamic properties of the cells. This observation raises the question of how the mechanical properties already differ on the single filament level. Here, we use optical tweezers and a computational model to compare the stretching and dissipation behavior of the two filament types. We find that keratin and vimentin filaments behave in opposite ways: keratin filaments elongate but retain their stiffness, whereas vimentin filaments soften but retain their length. This finding is explained by fundamentally different ways to dissipate energy: viscous sliding of subunits within keratin filaments and non-equilibrium α helix unfolding in vimentin filaments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotta Lorenz
- Institute for X-Ray Physics, University of Göttingen, Friedrich-Hund-Platz 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Johanna Forsting
- Institute for X-Ray Physics, University of Göttingen, Friedrich-Hund-Platz 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Robert W. Style
- Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Klumpp
- Institute for the Dynamics of Complex Systems, University of Göttingen, Friedrich-Hund-Platz 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Max Planck School “Matter to Life”, Friedrich-Hund-Platz 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sarah Köster
- Institute for X-Ray Physics, University of Göttingen, Friedrich-Hund-Platz 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Max Planck School “Matter to Life”, Friedrich-Hund-Platz 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
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17
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González-Jiménez P, Duarte S, Martínez AE, Navarro-Carrasco E, Lalioti V, Pajares MA, Pérez-Sala D. Vimentin single cysteine residue acts as a tunable sensor for network organization and as a key for actin remodeling in response to oxidants and electrophiles. Redox Biol 2023; 64:102756. [PMID: 37285743 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cysteine residues can undergo multiple posttranslational modifications with diverse functional consequences, potentially behaving as tunable sensors. The intermediate filament protein vimentin has important implications in pathophysiology, including cancer progression, infection, and fibrosis, and maintains a close interplay with other cytoskeletal structures, such as actin filaments and microtubules. We previously showed that the single vimentin cysteine, C328, is a key target for oxidants and electrophiles. Here, we demonstrate that structurally diverse cysteine-reactive agents, including electrophilic mediators, oxidants and drug-related compounds, disrupt the vimentin network eliciting morphologically distinct reorganizations. As most of these agents display broad reactivity, we pinpointed the importance of C328 by confirming that local perturbations introduced through mutagenesis provoke structure-dependent vimentin rearrangements. Thus, GFP-vimentin wild type (wt) forms squiggles and short filaments in vimentin-deficient cells, the C328F, C328W, and C328H mutants generate diverse filamentous assemblies, and the C328A and C328D constructs fail to elongate yielding dots. Remarkably, vimentin C328H structures resemble the wt, but are strongly resistant to electrophile-elicited disruption. Therefore, the C328H mutant allows elucidating whether cysteine-dependent vimentin reorganization influences other cellular responses to reactive agents. Electrophiles such as 1,4-dinitro-1H-imidazole and 4-hydroxynonenal induce robust actin stress fibers in cells expressing vimentin wt. Strikingly, under these conditions, vimentin C328H expression blunts electrophile-elicited stress fiber formation, apparently acting upstream of RhoA. Analysis of additional vimentin C328 mutants shows that electrophile-sensitive and assembly-defective vimentin variants permit induction of stress fibers by reactive species, whereas electrophile-resistant filamentous vimentin structures prevent it. Together, our results suggest that vimentin acts as a break for actin stress fibers formation, which would be released by C328-aided disruption, thus allowing full actin remodeling in response to oxidants and electrophiles. These observations postulate C328 as a "sensor" transducing structurally diverse modifications into fine-tuned vimentin network rearrangements, and a gatekeeper for certain electrophiles in the interplay with actin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia González-Jiménez
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, C.S.I.C., 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sofia Duarte
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, C.S.I.C., 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alma E Martínez
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, C.S.I.C., 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Navarro-Carrasco
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, C.S.I.C., 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Vasiliki Lalioti
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, C.S.I.C., 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - María A Pajares
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, C.S.I.C., 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Dolores Pérez-Sala
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, C.S.I.C., 28040, Madrid, Spain.
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18
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Leube RE, Quinlan RA. Editorial: The wetware credentials of intermediate filaments involves coordinating, organising and networking in cells and tissues. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1146618. [PMID: 36861037 PMCID: PMC9969193 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1146618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rudolf E. Leube
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany,*Correspondence: Rudolf E. Leube, ; Roy A. Quinlan,
| | - Roy A. Quinlan
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, Upper Mountjoy Science Site, Durham, United Kingdom,Biophysical Sciences Institute, University of Durham, Durham, United Kingdom,Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States,*Correspondence: Rudolf E. Leube, ; Roy A. Quinlan,
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19
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Basu A, Paul MK, Weiss S. The actin cytoskeleton: Morphological changes in pre- and fully developed lung cancer. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2022; 3:041304. [PMID: 38505516 PMCID: PMC10903407 DOI: 10.1063/5.0096188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Actin, a primary component of the cell cytoskeleton can have multiple isoforms, each of which can have specific properties uniquely suited for their purpose. These monomers are then bound together to form polymeric filaments utilizing adenosine triphosphate hydrolysis as a source of energy. Proteins, such as Arp2/3, VASP, formin, profilin, and cofilin, serve important roles in the polymerization process. These filaments can further be linked to form stress fibers by proteins called actin-binding proteins, such as α-actinin, myosin, fascin, filamin, zyxin, and epsin. These stress fibers are responsible for mechanotransduction, maintaining cell shape, cell motility, and intracellular cargo transport. Cancer metastasis, specifically epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is one of the key steps of the process, is accompanied by the formation of thick stress fibers through the Rho-associated protein kinase, MAPK/ERK, and Wnt pathways. Recently, with the advent of "field cancerization," pre-malignant cells have also been demonstrated to possess stress fibers and related cytoskeletal features. Analytical methods ranging from western blot and RNA-sequencing to cryo-EM and fluorescent imaging have been employed to understand the structure and dynamics of actin and related proteins including polymerization/depolymerization. More recent methods involve quantifying properties of the actin cytoskeleton from fluorescent images and utilizing them to study biological processes, such as EMT. These image analysis approaches exploit the fact that filaments have a unique structure (curvilinear) compared to the noise or other artifacts to separate them. Line segments are extracted from these filament images that have assigned lengths and orientations. Coupling such methods with statistical analysis has resulted in development of a new reporter for EMT in lung cancer cells as well as their drug responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Shimon Weiss
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:
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20
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Alexandrova A, Lomakina M. How does plasticity of migration help tumor cells to avoid treatment: Cytoskeletal regulators and potential markers. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:962652. [PMID: 36278174 PMCID: PMC9582651 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.962652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor shrinkage as a result of antitumor therapy is not the only and sufficient indicator of treatment success. Cancer progression leads to dissemination of tumor cells and formation of metastases - secondary tumor lesions in distant organs. Metastasis is associated with acquisition of mobile phenotype by tumor cells as a result of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and further cell migration based on cytoskeleton reorganization. The main mechanisms of individual cell migration are either mesenchymal, which depends on the activity of small GTPase Rac, actin polymerization, formation of adhesions with extracellular matrix and activity of proteolytic enzymes or amoeboid, which is based on the increase in intracellular pressure caused by the enhancement of actin cortex contractility regulated by Rho-ROCK-MLCKII pathway, and does not depend on the formation of adhesive structures with the matrix, nor on the activity of proteases. The ability of tumor cells to switch from one motility mode to another depending on cell context and environmental conditions, termed migratory plasticity, contributes to the efficiency of dissemination and often allows the cells to avoid the applied treatment. The search for new therapeutic targets among cytoskeletal proteins offers an opportunity to directly influence cell migration. For successful treatment it is important to assess the likelihood of migratory plasticity in a particular tumor. Therefore, the search for specific markers that can indicate a high probability of migratory plasticity is very important.
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21
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Lorenz C, Köster S. Multiscale architecture: Mechanics of composite cytoskeletal networks. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2022; 3:031304. [PMID: 38505277 PMCID: PMC10903411 DOI: 10.1063/5.0099405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Different types of biological cells respond differently to mechanical stresses, and these responses are mainly governed by the cytoskeleton. The main components of this biopolymer network are actin filaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments, whose mechanical and dynamic properties are highly distinct, thus opening up a large mechanical parameter space. Aside from experiments on whole, living cells, "bottom-up" approaches, utilizing purified, reconstituted protein systems, tremendously help to shed light on the complex mechanics of cytoskeletal networks. Such experiments are relevant in at least three aspects: (i) from a fundamental point of view, cytoskeletal networks provide a perfect model system for polymer physics; (ii) in materials science and "synthetic cell" approaches, one goal is to fully understand properties of cellular materials and reconstitute them in synthetic systems; (iii) many diseases are associated with cell mechanics, so a thorough understanding of the underlying phenomena may help solving pressing biomedical questions. In this review, we discuss the work on networks consisting of one, two, or all three types of filaments, entangled or cross-linked, and consider active elements such as molecular motors and dynamically growing filaments. Interestingly, tuning the interactions among the different filament types results in emergent network properties. We discuss current experimental challenges, such as the comparability of different studies, and recent methodological advances concerning the quantification of attractive forces between filaments and their influence on network mechanics.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Lorenz
- Institute for X-Ray Physics, University of Göttingen, Friedrich-Hund-Platz 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - S. Köster
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:
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22
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Infante E, Etienne-Manneville S. Intermediate filaments: Integration of cell mechanical properties during migration. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:951816. [PMID: 35990612 PMCID: PMC9389290 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.951816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell migration is a vital and dynamic process required for the development of multicellular organisms and for immune system responses, tissue renewal and wound healing in adults. It also contributes to a variety of human diseases such as cancers, autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammation and fibrosis. The cytoskeleton, which includes actin microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments (IFs), is responsible for the maintenance of animal cell shape and structural integrity. Each cytoskeletal network contributes its unique properties to dynamic cell behaviour, such as cell polarization, membrane protrusion, cell adhesion and contraction. Hence, cell migration requires the dynamic orchestration of all cytoskeleton components. Among these, IFs have emerged as a molecular scaffold with unique mechanical features and a key player in the cell resilience to mechanical stresses during migration through complex 3D environment. Moreover, accumulating evidence illustrates the participation of IFs in signalling cascades and cytoskeletal crosstalk. Teaming up with actin and microtubules, IFs contribute to the active generation of forces required for cell adhesion and mesenchymal migration and invasion. Here we summarize and discuss how IFs integrate mechanical properties and signalling functions to control cell migration in a wide spectrum of physiological and pathological situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira Infante
- Cell Polarity, Migration and Cancer Unit, Institut Pasteur, UMR3691 CNRS, Université Paris-Cité, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Etienne-Manneville
- Cell Polarity, Migration and Cancer Unit, Institut Pasteur, UMR3691 CNRS, Université Paris-Cité, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Paris, France
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23
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Salvador J, Iruela-Arispe ML. Nuclear Mechanosensation and Mechanotransduction in Vascular Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:905927. [PMID: 35784481 PMCID: PMC9247619 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.905927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular cells are constantly subjected to physical forces associated with the rhythmic activities of the heart, which combined with the individual geometry of vessels further imposes oscillatory, turbulent, or laminar shear stresses on vascular cells. These hemodynamic forces play an important role in regulating the transcriptional program and phenotype of endothelial and smooth muscle cells in different regions of the vascular tree. Within the aorta, the lesser curvature of the arch is characterized by disturbed, oscillatory flow. There, endothelial cells become activated, adopting pro-inflammatory and athero-prone phenotypes. This contrasts the descending aorta where flow is laminar and endothelial cells maintain a quiescent and atheroprotective phenotype. While still unclear, the specific mechanisms involved in mechanosensing flow patterns and their molecular mechanotransduction directly impact the nucleus with consequences to transcriptional and epigenetic states. The linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) protein complex transmits both internal and external forces, including shear stress, through the cytoskeleton to the nucleus. These forces can ultimately lead to changes in nuclear integrity, chromatin organization, and gene expression that significantly impact emergence of pathology such as the high incidence of atherosclerosis in progeria. Therefore, there is strong motivation to understand how endothelial nuclei can sense and respond to physical signals and how abnormal responses to mechanical cues can lead to disease. Here, we review the evidence for a critical role of the nucleus as a mechanosensor and the importance of maintaining nuclear integrity in response to continuous biophysical forces, specifically shear stress, for proper vascular function and stability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M. Luisa Iruela-Arispe
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
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24
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Salvador J, Hernandez GE, Ma F, Abrahamson CW, Pellegrini M, Goldman R, Ridge KM, Iruela-Arispe ML. Transcriptional Evaluation of the Ductus Arteriosus at the Single-Cell Level Uncovers a Requirement for Vim (Vimentin) for Complete Closure. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2022; 42:732-742. [PMID: 35443793 PMCID: PMC9806842 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.121.317172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Failure to close the ductus arteriosus, patent ductus arteriosus, accounts for 10% of all congenital heart defects. Despite significant advances in patent ductus arteriosus management, including pharmacological treatment targeting the prostaglandin pathway, a proportion of patients fail to respond and must undergo surgical intervention. Thus, further refinement of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern vascular remodeling of this vessel is required. METHODS We performed single-cell RNA-sequencing of the ductus arteriosus in mouse embryos at E18.5 (embryonic day 18.5), and P0.5 (postnatal day 0.5), and P5 to identify transcriptional alterations that might be associated with remodeling. We further confirmed our findings using transgenic mouse models coupled with immunohistochemistry analysis. RESULTS The intermediate filament vimentin emerged as a candidate that might contribute to closure of the ductus arteriosus. Indeed, mice with genetic deletion of vimentin fail to complete vascular remodeling of the ductus arteriosus. To seek mechanisms, we turned to the RNA-sequencing data that indicated changes in Jagged1 with similar profile to vimentin and pointed to potential links with Notch. In fact, Notch3 signaling was impaired in vimentin null mice and vimentin null mice phenocopies patent ductus arteriosus in Jagged1 endothelial and smooth muscle deleted mice. CONCLUSIONS Through single-cell RNA-sequencing and by tracking closure of the ductus arteriosus in mice, we uncovered the unexpected contribution of vimentin in driving complete closure of the ductus arteriosus through a mechanism that includes deregulation of the Notch signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jocelynda Salvador
- Department of Cell and Development Biology (J.S., C.W.A., R.G., K.M.R., M.L.I.-A.), Northwestern University, Chicago
| | - Gloria E Hernandez
- Molecular Biology Institute (G.E.H., F.M.), University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Feiyang Ma
- Molecular Biology Institute (G.E.H., F.M.), University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Cyrus W Abrahamson
- Department of Cell and Development Biology (J.S., C.W.A., R.G., K.M.R., M.L.I.-A.), Northwestern University, Chicago
| | - Matteo Pellegrini
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Development Biology (M.P.), University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Robert Goldman
- Department of Cell and Development Biology (J.S., C.W.A., R.G., K.M.R., M.L.I.-A.), Northwestern University, Chicago
| | - Karen M Ridge
- Department of Cell and Development Biology (J.S., C.W.A., R.G., K.M.R., M.L.I.-A.), Northwestern University, Chicago.,Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine (K.M.R.), Northwestern University, Chicago
| | - M Luisa Iruela-Arispe
- Department of Cell and Development Biology (J.S., C.W.A., R.G., K.M.R., M.L.I.-A.), Northwestern University, Chicago
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25
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Nuclear lamin isoforms differentially contribute to LINC complex-dependent nucleocytoskeletal coupling and whole-cell mechanics. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2121816119. [PMID: 35439057 PMCID: PMC9170021 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2121816119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Interactions between the cell nucleus and cytoskeleton regulate cell mechanics and are facilitated by the interplay between the nuclear lamina and linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complexes. To date, the specific contribution of the four lamin isoforms to nucleocytoskeletal connectivity and whole-cell mechanics remains unknown. We discover that A- and B-type lamins distinctively interact with LINC complexes that bind F-actin and vimentin filaments to differentially modulate cortical stiffness, cytoplasmic stiffness, and contractility of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). We propose and experimentally verify an integrated lamin–LINC complex–cytoskeleton model that explains cellular mechanical phenotypes in lamin-deficient MEFs. Our findings uncover potential mechanisms for cellular defects in human laminopathies and many cancers associated with mutations or modifications in lamin isoforms. The ability of a cell to regulate its mechanical properties is central to its function. Emerging evidence suggests that interactions between the cell nucleus and cytoskeleton influence cell mechanics through poorly understood mechanisms. Here we conduct quantitative confocal imaging to show that the loss of A-type lamins tends to increase nuclear and cellular volume while the loss of B-type lamins behaves in the opposite manner. We use fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, atomic force microscopy, optical tweezer microrheology, and traction force microscopy to demonstrate that A-type lamins engage with both F-actin and vimentin intermediate filaments (VIFs) through the linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complexes to modulate cortical and cytoplasmic stiffness as well as cellular contractility in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). In contrast, we show that B-type lamins predominantly interact with VIFs through LINC complexes to regulate cytoplasmic stiffness and contractility. We then propose a physical model mediated by the lamin–LINC complex that explains these distinct mechanical phenotypes (mechanophenotypes). To verify this model, we use dominant negative constructs and RNA interference to disrupt the LINC complexes that facilitate the interaction of the nucleus with the F-actin and VIF cytoskeletons and show that the loss of these elements results in mechanophenotypes like those observed in MEFs that lack A- or B-type lamin isoforms. Finally, we demonstrate that the loss of each lamin isoform softens the cell nucleus and enhances constricted cell migration but in turn increases migration-induced DNA damage. Together, our findings uncover distinctive roles for each of the four major lamin isoforms in maintaining nucleocytoskeletal interactions and cellular mechanics.
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Abstract
More than 27 yr ago, the vimentin knockout (Vim-/- ) mouse was reported to develop and reproduce without an obvious phenotype, implying that this major cytoskeletal protein was nonessential. Subsequently, comprehensive and careful analyses have revealed numerous phenotypes in Vim-/- mice and their organs, tissues, and cells, frequently reflecting altered responses in the recovery of tissues following various insults or injuries. These findings have been supported by cell-based experiments demonstrating that vimentin intermediate filaments (IFs) play a critical role in regulating cell mechanics and are required to coordinate mechanosensing, transduction, signaling pathways, motility, and inflammatory responses. This review highlights the essential functions of vimentin IFs revealed from studies of Vim-/- mice and cells derived from them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen M Ridge
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
| | - John E Eriksson
- Cell Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Åbo Akademi University, FIN-20521 Turku, Finland
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, FIN-20521 Turku, Finland
- Euro-Bioimaging European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC), FIN-20521 Turku, Finland
| | - Milos Pekny
- Laboratory of Astrocyte Biology and CNS Regeneration, Center for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 413 90 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales 2300, Australia
| | - Robert D Goldman
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
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