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Acosta FM, Riquelme MA, Gu S, Jiang JX. Evaluation of Connexin Hemichannel Activity In Vivo. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2801:111-124. [PMID: 38578417 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3842-2_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Connexin hemichannels (Cx HCs) are hexameric structures at the cell plasma membrane, whose function as membrane transport proteins allows for the passive flow of small hydrophilic molecules and ions (≤1 kDa) between the cytosol and the extracellular environment. Activation of Cx HCs is highly dependent on pathological conditions. HC activity provokes changes in the microenvironment, inducing the dissemination of signaling molecules in both an autocrine and paracrine manner. Given the elicitation of a variety of signaling pathways, and assortment of Cx species and dispersion throughout the body, Cx HCs have been implicated in a range of processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, cell death, and tissue modeling and remodeling. While studying the expression and localization of Cx HCs can be done using traditional laboratory techniques, such as immunoblot analysis, measuring the functionality/activity of the HCs requires a more explicit methodology and is essential for determining Cx-mediated physiological changes. The study of Cx HC function/activity has focused mainly on in vitro measurements through electrophysiological characterization or, more commonly, using HC-permeable dye uptake studies. Here, we describe the use of dye uptake to measure Cx HC activity in vivo using mechanically stimulated osteocytic Cx43 HCs with Evans blue dye as our model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca M Acosta
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Manuel A Riquelme
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Sumin Gu
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Jean X Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
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2
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Du Y, Acosta FM, Zhang J, Tong Y, Quan Y, Gu S, Jiang JX. Protocol for altering connexin hemichannel function in primary chicken lens fiber cells using high-titer retroviral RCAS(A) infection. STAR Protoc 2023; 4:102564. [PMID: 37738121 PMCID: PMC10519848 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Connexins (Cxs) play a crucial role in maintaining lens transparency. Here, we present a protocol for altering Cx hemichannel (HC) function in primary chicken lens fiber cells using high-titer retroviral replication competent avian sarcoma-leukosis virus long terminal repeat with splice acceptor (A) infection. We describe steps for incubating eggs, isolating lenses, culturing cells, preparing reagents, and infecting cells. We then detail cell treatment and detection of apoptosis and death. This protocol can assess protein kinase A, HC activity, and increased glutathione transport for protecting lens fiber cells against oxidative stress. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Liu et al.,1 Riquelme et al.,2 Shi et al.,3 Jiang,4 and Rath et al.5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Du
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital; Second Clinical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China.
| | - Francisca M Acosta
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
| | - Jianping Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
| | - Yuxin Tong
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
| | - Yumeng Quan
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
| | - Sumin Gu
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
| | - Jean X Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA.
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3
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Li Y, Acosta FM, Jiang JX. Gap Junctions or Hemichannel-Dependent and Independent Roles of Connexins in Fibrosis, Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transitions, and Wound Healing. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1796. [PMID: 38136665 PMCID: PMC10742173 DOI: 10.3390/biom13121796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis initially appears as a normal response to damage, where activated fibroblasts produce large amounts of the extracellular matrix (ECM) during the wound healing process to assist in the repair of injured tissue. However, the excessive accumulation of the ECM, unresolved by remodeling mechanisms, leads to organ dysfunction. Connexins, a family of transmembrane channel proteins, are widely recognized for their major roles in fibrosis, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and wound healing. Efforts have been made in recent years to identify novel mediators and targets for this regulation. Connexins form gap junctions and hemichannels, mediating communications between neighboring cells and inside and outside of cells, respectively. Recent evidence suggests that connexins, beyond forming channels, possess channel-independent functions in fibrosis, the EMT, and wound healing. One crucial channel-independent function is their role as the primary functional component for cell adhesion. Other channel-independent functions of connexins involve their roles in mitochondria and exosomes. This review summarizes the latest advances in the channel-dependent and independent roles of connexins in fibrosis, the EMT, and wound healing, with a particular focus on eye diseases, emphasizing their potential as novel, promising therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (Y.L.); (F.M.A.)
- Department of Pathology, Basic Medical School, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Francisca M. Acosta
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (Y.L.); (F.M.A.)
| | - Jean X. Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (Y.L.); (F.M.A.)
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Acosta FM, Ma B, Gu S, Jiang JX. Microinjection of Recombinant RCAS(A) Retrovirus into Embryonic Chicken Lens. J Vis Exp 2023. [PMID: 37677003 DOI: 10.3791/65727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryonic chicken (Gallus domesticus) is a well-established animal model for the study of lens development and physiology, given its high degree of similarity with the human lens. RCAS(A) is a replication-competent chicken retrovirus that infects dividing cells, which serves as a powerful tool to study the in situ expression and function of wild-type and mutant proteins during lens development by microinjection into the empty lumen of lens vesicle at early developmental stages, restricting its action to surrounding proliferating lens cells. Compared to other approaches, such as transgenic models and ex vivo cultures, the use of an RCAS(A) replication-competent avian retrovirus provides a highly effective, rapid, and customizable system to express exogenous proteins in chick embryos. Specifically, targeted gene transfer can be confined to proliferative lens fiber cells without the need for tissue-specific promoters. In this article, we will briefly overview the steps needed for recombinant retrovirus RCAS(A) preparation, provide a detailed, comprehensive overview of the microinjection procedure, and provide sample results of the technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca M Acosta
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio
| | - Bo Ma
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio
| | - Sumin Gu
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio
| | - Jean X Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio;
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Acosta FM, Pacelli S, Rathbone CR. Diabetes diminishes muscle precursor cell-mediated microvascular angiogenesis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0289477. [PMID: 37540699 PMCID: PMC10403078 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The skeletal muscles of Type II diabetic (T2D) patients can be characterized by a reduced vessel density, corresponding to deficiencies in microvascular angiogenesis. Interestingly, T2D also inhibits the function of many myogenic cells resident within skeletal muscle, including satellite cells, which are well-known for the role they play in maintaining homeostasis. The current study was undertaken to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms whereby satellite cell progeny, muscle precursor cells (MPCs), influence microvascular angiogenesis. Network growth and the expression of genes associated with angiogenesis were reduced when microvessels were treated with conditioned media generated by proliferating MPCs isolated from diabetic, as compared to control rat skeletal muscle, a phenomenon that was also observed when myoblasts from control or diabetic human skeletal muscle were used. When only exosomes derived from diabetic or control MPCs were used to treat microvessels, no differences in microvascular growth were observed. An evaluation of the angiogenesis factors in control and diabetic MPCs revealed differences in Leptin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), IL1-β, interleukin 10, and IP-10, and an evaluation of the MPC secretome revealed differences in interleukin 6, MCP-1, VEGF, and interleukin 4 exist. Angiogenesis was also reduced in tissue-engineered skeletal muscles (TE-SkM) containing microvessels when they were generated from MPCs isolated from diabetic as compared to control skeletal muscle. Lastly, the secretome of injured control, but not diabetic, TE-SkM was able to increase VEGF and increase microvascular angiogenesis. This comprehensive analysis of the interaction between MPCs and microvessels in the context of diabetes points to an area for alleviating the deleterious effects of diabetes on skeletal muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca M. Acosta
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
- UTSA-UTHSCSA Joint Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
| | - Settimio Pacelli
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
| | - Christopher R. Rathbone
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
- UTSA-UTHSCSA Joint Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
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6
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Zhao D, Wu J, Acosta FM, Xu H, Jiang JX. Connexin 43 hemichannels and prostaglandin E 2 release in anabolic function of the skeletal tissue to mechanical stimulation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1151838. [PMID: 37123401 PMCID: PMC10133519 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1151838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Bone adapts to changes in the physical environment by modulating remodeling through bone resorption and formation to maintain optimal bone mass. As the most abundant connexin subtype in bone tissue, connexin 43 (Cx43)-forming hemichannels are highly responsive to mechanical stimulation by permitting the exchange of small molecules (<1.2 kDa) between bone cells and the extracellular environment. Upon mechanical stimulation, Cx43 hemichannels facilitate the release of prostaglandins E2 (PGE2), a vital bone anabolic factor from osteocytes. Although most bone cells are involved in mechanosensing, osteocytes are the principal mechanosensitive cells, and PGE2 biosynthesis is greatly enhanced by mechanical stimulation. Mechanical stimulation-induced PGE2 released from osteocytic Cx43 hemichannels acts as autocrine effects that promote β-catenin nuclear accumulation, Cx43 expression, gap junction function, and protects osteocytes against glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in cultured osteocytes. In vivo, Cx43 hemichannels with PGE2 release promote bone formation and anabolism in response to mechanical loading. This review summarizes current in vitro and in vivo understanding of Cx43 hemichannels and extracellular PGE2 release, and their roles in bone function and mechanical responses. Cx43 hemichannels could be a significant potential new therapeutic target for treating bone loss and osteoporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dezhi Zhao
- School of Medicine, Northwest University, Xi’an, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, United States
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jiawei Wu
- School of Medicine, Northwest University, Xi’an, China
| | - Francisca M. Acosta
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Huiyun Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jean X. Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, United States
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7
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Ortiz-Alvarez L, Acosta FM, Xu H, Sanchez-Delgado G, Vilchez-Vargas R, Link A, Plaza-Díaz J, Llamas JM, Gil A, Labayen I, Rensen PCN, Ruiz JR, Martinez-Tellez B. Fecal microbiota composition is related to brown adipose tissue 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in young adults. J Endocrinol Invest 2023; 46:567-576. [PMID: 36242744 PMCID: PMC9938059 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-022-01936-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Human brown adipose tissue (BAT) has gained considerable attention as a potential therapeutic target for obesity and its related cardiometabolic diseases; however, whether the gut microbiota might be an efficient stimulus to activate BAT metabolism remains to be ascertained. We aimed to investigate the association of fecal microbiota composition with BAT volume and activity and mean radiodensity in young adults. METHODS 82 young adults (58 women, 21.8 ± 2.2 years old) participated in this cross-sectional study. DNA was extracted from fecal samples and 16S rRNA sequencing was performed to analyse the fecal microbiota composition. BAT was determined via a static 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan (PET/CT) after a 2 h personalized cooling protocol. 18F-FDG uptake was also quantified in white adipose tissue (WAT) and skeletal muscles. RESULTS The relative abundance of Akkermansia, Lachnospiraceae sp. and Ruminococcus genera was negatively correlated with BAT volume, BAT SUVmean and BAT SUVpeak (all rho ≤ - 0.232, P ≤ 0.027), whereas the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium genus was positively correlated with BAT SUVmean and BAT SUVpeak (all rho ≥ 0.262, P ≤ 0.012). On the other hand, the relative abundance of Sutterellaceae and Bifidobacteriaceae families was positively correlated with 18F-FDG uptake by WAT and skeletal muscles (all rho ≥ 0.213, P ≤ 0.042). All the analyses were adjusted for the PET/CT scan date as a proxy of seasonality. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that fecal microbiota composition is involved in the regulation of BAT and glucose uptake by other tissues in young adults. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings. CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION ClinicalTrials.gov no. NCT02365129 (registered 18 February 2015).
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Affiliation(s)
- L Ortiz-Alvarez
- PROFITH (PROmoting FITness and Health Through Physical Activity) Research Group, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
| | - F M Acosta
- PROFITH (PROmoting FITness and Health Through Physical Activity) Research Group, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- InFLAMES Research Flagship Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Physical and Sports Education, School of Sports Science, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - H Xu
- PROFITH (PROmoting FITness and Health Through Physical Activity) Research Group, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - G Sanchez-Delgado
- Department of Physical and Sports Education, School of Sports Science, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, 70808, USA
| | - R Vilchez-Vargas
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Otto-Von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - A Link
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Otto-Von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - J Plaza-Díaz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1, Canada
| | - J M Llamas
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria Ibs Granada, 18014, Granada, Spain
- Servicio de Medicina Nuclear, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | - A Gil
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria Ibs Granada, 18014, Granada, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red (CIBER) Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Málaga, Spain
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology "José Mataix", Biomedical Research Center, Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, University of Granada, Armilla, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria, Ibs.Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - I Labayen
- Institute for Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain (IS-FOOD), Public University of Navarra, Campus de Arrosadía, Pamplona, Spain
| | - P C N Rensen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, and Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - J R Ruiz
- PROFITH (PROmoting FITness and Health Through Physical Activity) Research Group, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Department of Physical and Sports Education, School of Sports Science, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria, Ibs.Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - B Martinez-Tellez
- PROFITH (PROmoting FITness and Health Through Physical Activity) Research Group, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, and Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Department of Education, Faculty of Education Sciences, SPORT Research Group (CTS-1024), CERNEP Research Center, University of Almería, Almería, Spain.
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Acosta FM, Gonzalez Porras MA, Stojkova K, Pacelli S, Rathbone CR, Brey EM. Three-Dimensional Culture of Vascularized Thermogenic Adipose Tissue from Microvascular Fragments. J Vis Exp 2023. [PMID: 36806034 DOI: 10.3791/64650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Engineering thermogenic adipose tissue (e.g., beige or brown adipose tissues) has been investigated as a potential therapy for metabolic diseases or for the design of personalized microtissues for health screening and drug testing. Current strategies are often quite complex and fail to accurately fully depict the multicellular and functional properties of thermogenic adipose tissue. Microvascular fragments, small intact microvessels comprised of arteriole, venules, and capillaries isolated from adipose tissue, serve as a single autologous source of cells that enable vascularization and adipose tissue formation. This article describes methods for optimizing culture conditions to enable the generation of three-dimensional, vascularized, and functional thermogenic adipose tissues from microvascular fragments, including protocols for isolating microvascular fragments from adipose tissue and culture conditions. Additionally, best practices are discussed, as are techniques for characterizing the engineered tissues, and sample results from both rodent and human microvascular fragments are provided. This approach has the potential to be utilized for the understanding and development of treatments for obesity and metabolic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca M Acosta
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center
| | - Maria A Gonzalez Porras
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio; Institute of Regenerative Medicine, University of Texas at San Antonio
| | - Katerina Stojkova
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio
| | - Settimio Pacelli
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio
| | - Christopher R Rathbone
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio; Institute of Regenerative Medicine, University of Texas at San Antonio
| | - Eric M Brey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio; Institute of Regenerative Medicine, University of Texas at San Antonio;
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Zeng Y, Riquelme MA, Hua R, Zhang J, Acosta FM, Gu S, Jiang JX. Mechanosensitive piezo1 calcium channel activates connexin 43 hemichannels through PI3K signaling pathway in bone. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:191. [PMID: 36457052 PMCID: PMC9716748 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00929-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mechanical loading promotes bone formation and osteocytes are a major mechanosensory cell in the bone. Both Piezo1 channels and connexin 43 hemichannels (Cx43 HCs) in osteocytes are important players in mechanotransduction and anabolic function by mechanical loading. However, the mechanism underlying mechanotransduction involving Piezo1 channels and Cx43 HCs in osteocytes and bone remains unknown. RESULTS We showed that, like mechanical loading, Piezo1 specific agonist Yoda1 was able to increase intracellular Ca2+ signaling and activate Cx43 HCs, while Yoda1 antagonist Dooku1 inhibited Ca2+ and Cx43 HC activation induced by both mechanical loading and Yoda1. Moreover, the intracellular Ca2+ signal activated by Yoda1 was reduced by the inhibition of Cx43 HCs and pannexin1 (Panx1) channels, as well as ATP-P2X receptor signaling. Piezo1 and Cx43 HCs were co-localized on the osteocyte cell surface, and Yoda1-activated PI3K-Akt signaling regulated the opening of Cx43 HCs. Furthermore, Cx43 HCs opening by mechanical loading on tibias was ablated by inhibition of Piezo1 activation in vivo. CONCLUSION We demonstrated that upon mechanical stress, increased intracellular Ca2+ activated by Piezo1 regulates the opening of HCs through PI3K-Akt and opened Cx43 HCs, along with Panx1 channels, and ATP-P2X signaling sustain the intracellular Ca2+ signal, leading to bone anabolic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zeng
- grid.267309.90000 0001 0629 5880Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX USA ,grid.452708.c0000 0004 1803 0208The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan China
| | - Manuel A. Riquelme
- grid.267309.90000 0001 0629 5880Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX USA
| | - Rui Hua
- grid.267309.90000 0001 0629 5880Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX USA
| | - Jingruo Zhang
- grid.267309.90000 0001 0629 5880Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX USA
| | - Francisca M. Acosta
- grid.267309.90000 0001 0629 5880Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX USA
| | - Sumin Gu
- grid.267309.90000 0001 0629 5880Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX USA
| | - Jean X. Jiang
- grid.267309.90000 0001 0629 5880Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX USA
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10
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Zhang J, Riquelme MA, Hua R, Acosta FM, Gu S, Jiang JX. Connexin 43 hemichannels regulate mitochondrial ATP generation, mobilization, and mitochondrial homeostasis against oxidative stress. eLife 2022; 11:82206. [DOI: 10.7554/elife.82206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is a major risk factor that causes osteocyte cell death and bone loss. Prior studies primarily focus on the function of cell surface expressed Cx43 channels. Here, we reported a new role of mitochondrial Cx43 (mtCx43) and hemichannels (HCs) in modulating mitochondria homeostasis and function in bone osteocytes under oxidative stress. In murine long bone osteocyte-Y4 cells, the translocation of Cx43 to mitochondria was increased under H2O2-induced oxidative stress. H2O2 increased the mtCx43 level accompanied by elevated mtCx43 HC activity, determined by dye uptake assay. Cx43 knockdown (KD) by the CRISPR-Cas9 lentivirus system resulted in impairment of mitochondrial function, primarily manifested as decreased ATP production. Cx43 KD had reduced intracellular reactive oxidative species levels and mitochondrial membrane potential. Additionally, live-cell imaging results demonstrated that the proton flux was dependent on mtCx43 HCs because its activity was specifically inhibited by an antibody targeting Cx43 C-terminus. The co-localization and interaction of mtCx43 and ATP synthase subunit F (ATP5J2) were confirmed by Förster resonance energy transfer and a protein pull-down assay. Together, our study suggests that mtCx43 HCs regulate mitochondrial ATP generation by mediating K+, H+, and ATP transfer across the mitochondrial inner membrane and the interaction with mitochondrial ATP synthase, contributing to the maintenance of mitochondrial redox levels in response to oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingruo Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center
| | - Manuel A Riquelme
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center
| | - Rui Hua
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center
| | - Francisca M Acosta
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center
| | - Sumin Gu
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center
| | - Jean X Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center
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11
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Shropshire DB, Acosta FM, Fang K, Benavides J, Sun LZ, Jin VX, Jiang JX. Association of adenosine signaling gene signature with estrogen receptor-positive breast and prostate cancer bone metastasis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:965429. [PMID: 36186774 PMCID: PMC9520286 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.965429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone metastasis is a common and devastating consequence of several major cancer types, including breast and prostate. Osteocytes are the predominant bone cell, and through connexin (Cx) 43 hemichannels release ATP to the bone microenvironment that can be hydrolyzed to adenosine. Here, we investigated how genes related to ATP paracrine signaling are involved in two common bone-metastasizing malignancies, estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast and prostate cancers. Compared to other sites, bone metastases of both cancer types expressed higher levels of ENTPD1 and NT5E, which encode CD39 and CD73, respectively, and hydrolyze ATP to adenosine. ADORA3, encoding the adenosine A3 receptor, had a similar expression pattern. In primary ER+ breast cancer, high levels of the triplet ENTPD1/NT5E/ADORA3 expression signature was correlated with lower overall, distant metastasis-free, and progression-free survival. In ER+ bone metastasis biopsies, this expression signature is associated with lower survival. This expression signature was also higher in bone-metastasizing primary prostate cancers than in those that caused other tumor events or did not lead to progressive disease. In 3D culture, a non-hydrolyzable ATP analog inhibited the growth of breast and prostate cancer cell lines more than ATP did. A3 inhibition also reduced spheroid growth. Large-scale screens by the Drug Repurposing Hub found ER+ breast cancer cell lines were uniquely sensitive to adenosine receptor antagonists. Together, these data suggest a vital role for extracellular ATP degradation and adenosine receptor signaling in cancer bone metastasis, and this study provides potential diagnostic means for bone metastasis and specific targets for treatment and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Brian Shropshire
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Francisca M. Acosta
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Kun Fang
- Division of Biostatistics and MCW Cancer Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Jaime Benavides
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Lu-Zhe Sun
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Victor X. Jin
- Division of Biostatistics and MCW Cancer Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Jean X. Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, United States
- *Correspondence: Jean X. Jiang,
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12
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Gonzalez Porras MA, Stojkova K, Acosta FM, Rathbone CR, Brey EM. Engineering Human Beige Adipose Tissue. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:906395. [PMID: 35845420 PMCID: PMC9283722 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.906395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we described a method for generating functional, beige (thermogenic) adipose microtissues from human microvascular fragments (MVFs). The MVFs were isolated from adipose tissue acquired from adults over 50 years of age. The tissues express thermogenic gene markers and reproduce functions essential for the potential therapeutic impact of beige adipose tissues such as enhanced lipid metabolism and increased mitochondrial respiration. MVFs serve as a potential single, autologous source of cells that can be isolated from adult patients, induced to recreate functional aspects of beige adipose tissue and enable rapid vascularization post-transplantation. This approach has the potential to be used as an autologous therapy for metabolic diseases or as a model for the development of a personalized approach to high-throughput drug development/screening for adipose tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A. Gonzalez Porras
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Katerina Stojkova
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Francisca M. Acosta
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Christopher R. Rathbone
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Eric M. Brey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
- *Correspondence: Eric M. Brey,
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13
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Acosta FM, Stojkova K, Zhang J, Garcia Huitron EI, Jiang JX, Rathbone CR, Brey EM. Engineering Functional Vascularized Beige Adipose Tissue from Microvascular Fragments of Models of Healthy and Type II Diabetes Conditions. J Tissue Eng 2022; 13:20417314221109337. [PMID: 35782994 PMCID: PMC9248044 DOI: 10.1177/20417314221109337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Engineered beige adipose tissues could be used for screening therapeutic
strategies or as a direct treatment for obesity and metabolic disease.
Microvascular fragments are vessel structures that can be directly isolated from
adipose tissue and may contain cells capable of differentiation into
thermogenic, or beige, adipocytes. In this study, culture conditions were
investigated to engineer three-dimensional, vascularized functional beige
adipose tissue using microvascular fragments isolated from both healthy animals
and a model of type II diabetes (T2D). Vascularized beige adipose tissues were
engineered and exhibited increased expression of beige adipose markers, enhanced
function, and improved cellular respiration. While microvascular fragments
isolated from both lean and diabetic models were able to generate functional
tissues, differences were observed in regard to vessel assembly and tissue
function. This study introduces an approach that could be employed to engineer
vascularized beige adipose tissues from a single, potentially autologous source
of cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca M. Acosta
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- UTSA-UTHSCSA Joint Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Katerina Stojkova
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Jingruo Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Eric Ivan Garcia Huitron
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Jean X. Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Christopher R. Rathbone
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- UTSA-UTHSCSA Joint Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Eric M. Brey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- UTSA-UTHSCSA Joint Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, San Antonio, TX, USA
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14
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Li Y, Acosta FM, Quan Y, Li Z, Gu S, Jiang JX. Studying macrophage activation in immune-privileged lens through CSF-1 protein intravitreal injection in mouse model. STAR Protoc 2022; 3:101060. [PMID: 35005642 PMCID: PMC8715327 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2021.101060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophage (MΦ) activation and promotion of fibrosis are critical processes in lens capsule healing after injury. Here, we detail a protocol that induces MΦ2 formation within the vitreous body of the eye. Our procedure combines the use of an intravitreal injection of a growth factor (CSF-1) and immunofluorescence to confirm the presence of MΦ2 and fibrotic tissue formation. This protocol allows assessment of the distribution of macrophages and quantification of fibrotic tissue formation/sealing within the vitreous body of mouse eyes. For complete details on the use and execution of this profile, please refer to Li et al. (2021), Gerhardt et al. (2003), Kubota et al. (2009).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Second Clinical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Francisca M. Acosta
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Yumeng Quan
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Zhen Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Sumin Gu
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Jean X. Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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15
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Acosta FM, Howland KK, Stojkova K, Hernandez E, Brey EM, Rathbone CR. Adipogenic Differentiation Alters Properties of Vascularized Tissue-Engineered Skeletal Muscle. Tissue Eng Part A 2022; 28:54-68. [PMID: 34102861 PMCID: PMC8812504 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2021.0064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Advances in the engineering of comprehensive skeletal muscle models in vitro will improve drug screening platforms and can lead to better therapeutic approaches for the treatment of skeletal muscle injuries. To this end, a vascularized tissue-engineered skeletal muscle (TE-SkM) model that includes adipocytes was developed to better emulate the intramuscular adipose tissue that is observed in skeletal muscles of patients with diseases such as diabetes. Muscle precursor cells cultured with and without microvessels derived from adipose tissue (microvascular fragments) were used to generate TE-SkM constructs, with and without a microvasculature, respectively. TE-SkM constructs were treated with adipogenic induction media to induce varying levels of adipogenesis. With a delayed addition of induction media to allow for angiogenesis, a robust microvasculature in conjunction with an increased content of adipocytes was achieved. The augmentation of vascularized TE-SkM constructs with adipocytes caused a reduction in maturation (compaction), mechanical integrity (Young's modulus), and myotube and vessel alignment. An increase in basal glucose uptake was observed in both levels of adipogenic induction, and a diminished insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was associated with the higher level of adipogenic differentiation and the greater number of adipocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca M. Acosta
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA.,UTSA-UTHSCSA Joint Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Kennedy K. Howland
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Katerina Stojkova
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Elizabeth Hernandez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Eric M. Brey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Christopher R. Rathbone
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA.,Address correspondence to: Christopher R. Rathbone, PhD, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
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16
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Liu X, Riquelme MA, Tian Y, Zhao D, Acosta FM, Gu S, Jiang JX. ATP Inhibits Breast Cancer Migration and Bone Metastasis through Down-Regulation of CXCR4 and Purinergic Receptor P2Y11. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13174293. [PMID: 34503103 PMCID: PMC8428338 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The skeleton is the most frequent metastatic site for advanced breast cancer, and complications resulting from breast cancer metastasis are a leading cause of death in patients. Therefore, the discovery of new targets for the treatment of breast cancer bone metastasis is of great significance. ATP released by bone osteocytes is shown to activate purinergic signaling and inhibit the metastasis of breast cancer cells in the bone. The aim of our study was to unveil the underlying molecular mechanism of ATP and purinergic signaling in inhibiting the bone metastasis of breast cancer cells. We demonstrated that CXCR4 and P2Y11 are key factors in regulating this process, and understanding of this important mechanism will aid in identifying new targets and developing first-in-class therapeutics. Abstract ATP released by bone osteocytes is shown to activate purinergic signaling and inhibit the metastasis of breast cancer cells into the bone. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is not well understood. Here, we demonstrate the important roles of the CXCR4 and P2Y11 purinergic receptors in mediating the inhibitory effect of ATP on breast cancer cell migration and bone metastasis. Wound-healing and transwell migration assays showed that non-hydrolysable ATP analogue, ATPγS, inhibited migration of bone-tropic human breast cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. BzATP, an agonist for P2X7 and an inducer for P2Y11 internalization, had a similar dose-dependent inhibition on cell migration. Both ATPγS and BzATP suppressed the expression of CXCR4, a chemokine receptor known to promote breast cancer bone metastasis, and knocking down CXCR4 expression by siRNA attenuated the inhibitory effect of ATPγS on cancer cell migration. While a P2X7 antagonist A804598 had no effect on the impact of ATPγS on cell migration, antagonizing P2Y11 by NF157 ablated the effect of ATPγS. Moreover, the reduction in P2Y11 expression by siRNA decreased cancer cell migration and abolished the impact of ATPγS on cell migration and CXCR4 expression. Similar to the effect of ATPγS on cell migration, antagonizing P2Y11 inhibited bone-tropic breast cancer cell migration in a dose-dependent manner. An in vivo study using an intratibial bone metastatic model showed that ATPγS inhibited breast cancer growth in the bone. Taken together, these results suggest that ATP inhibits bone-tropic breast cancer cells by down-regulating the P2Y11 purinergic receptor and the down-regulation of CXCR4 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowen Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA; (X.L.); (M.A.R.); (Y.T.); (D.Z.); (F.M.A.); (S.G.)
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Manuel A. Riquelme
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA; (X.L.); (M.A.R.); (Y.T.); (D.Z.); (F.M.A.); (S.G.)
| | - Yi Tian
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA; (X.L.); (M.A.R.); (Y.T.); (D.Z.); (F.M.A.); (S.G.)
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Dezhi Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA; (X.L.); (M.A.R.); (Y.T.); (D.Z.); (F.M.A.); (S.G.)
| | - Francisca M. Acosta
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA; (X.L.); (M.A.R.); (Y.T.); (D.Z.); (F.M.A.); (S.G.)
| | - Sumin Gu
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA; (X.L.); (M.A.R.); (Y.T.); (D.Z.); (F.M.A.); (S.G.)
| | - Jean X. Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA; (X.L.); (M.A.R.); (Y.T.); (D.Z.); (F.M.A.); (S.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-210-562-4094
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17
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Acosta FM, Jia UTA, Stojkova K, Howland KK, Guda T, Pacelli S, Brey EM, Rathbone CR. Diabetic Conditions Confer Metabolic and Structural Modifications to Tissue-Engineered Skeletal Muscle. Tissue Eng Part A 2021; 27:549-560. [PMID: 32878567 PMCID: PMC8126424 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2020.0138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle is a tissue that is directly involved in the progression and persistence of type 2 diabetes (T2D), a disease that is becoming increasingly common. Gaining better insight into the mechanisms that are affecting skeletal muscle dysfunction in the context of T2D has the potential to lead to novel treatments for a large number of patients. Through its ability to emulate skeletal muscle architecture while also incorporating aspects of disease, tissue-engineered skeletal muscle (TE-SkM) has the potential to provide a means for rapid high-throughput discovery of therapies to treat skeletal muscle dysfunction, to include that which occurs with T2D. Muscle precursor cells isolated from lean or obese male Zucker diabetic fatty rats were used to generate TE-SkM constructs. Some constructs were treated with adipogenic induction media to accentuate the presence of adipocytes that is a characteristic feature of T2D skeletal muscle. The maturity (compaction and creatine kinase activity), mechanical integrity (Young's modulus), organization (myotube orientation), and metabolic capacity (insulin-stimulated glucose uptake) were all reduced by diabetes. Treating constructs with adipogenic induction media increased the quantity of lipid within the diabetic TE-SkM constructs, and caused changes in construct compaction, cell orientation, and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in both lean and diabetic samples. Collectively, the findings herein suggest that the recapitulation of structural and metabolic aspects of T2D can be accomplished by engineering skeletal muscle in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca M. Acosta
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- UTSA-UTHSCSA Joint Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - U-Ter Aonda Jia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- UTSA-UTHSCSA Joint Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Katerina Stojkova
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Kennedy K. Howland
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Teja Guda
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Settimio Pacelli
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Eric M. Brey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Christopher R. Rathbone
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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18
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Chiou G, Jui E, Rhea AC, Gorthi A, Miar S, Acosta FM, Perez C, Suhail Y, Kshitiz, Chen Y, Ong JL, Bizios R, Rathbone C, Guda T. Scaffold Architecture and Matrix Strain Modulate Mesenchymal Cell and Microvascular Growth and Development in a Time Dependent Manner. Cell Mol Bioeng 2020; 13:507-526. [PMID: 33184580 PMCID: PMC7596170 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-020-00648-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Volumetric tissue-engineered constructs are limited in development due to the dependence on well-formed vascular networks. Scaffold pore size and the mechanical properties of the matrix dictates cell attachment, proliferation and successive tissue morphogenesis. We hypothesize scaffold pore architecture also controls stromal-vessel interactions during morphogenesis. METHODS The interaction between mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) seeded on hydroxyapatite scaffolds of 450, 340, and 250 μm pores and microvascular fragments (MVFs) seeded within 20 mg/mL fibrin hydrogels that were cast into the cell-seeded scaffolds, was assessed in vitro over 21 days and compared to the fibrin hydrogels without scaffold but containing both MSCs and MVFs. mRNA sequencing was performed across all groups and a computational mechanics model was developed to validate architecture effects on predicting vascularization driven by stiffer matrix behavior at scaffold surfaces compared to the pore interior. RESULTS Lectin staining of decalcified scaffolds showed continued vessel growth, branching and network formation at 14 days. The fibrin gel provides no resistance to spread-out capillary networks formation, with greater vessel loops within the 450 μm pores and vessels bridging across 250 μm pores. Vessel growth in the scaffolds was observed to be stimulated by hypoxia and successive angiogenic signaling. Fibrin gels showed linear fold increase in VEGF expression and no change in BMP2. Within scaffolds, there was multiple fold increase in VEGF between days 7 and 14 and early multiple fold increases in BMP2 between days 3 and 7, relative to fibrin. There was evidence of yap/taz based hippo signaling and mechanotransduction in the scaffold groups. The vessel growth models determined by computational modeling matched the trends observed experimentally. CONCLUSION The differing nature of hypoxia signaling between scaffold systems and mechano-transduction sensing matrix mechanics were primarily responsible for differences in osteogenic cell and microvessel growth. The computational model implicated scaffold architecture in dictating branching morphology and strain in the hydrogel within pores in dictating vessel lengths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gennifer Chiou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249 USA
| | - Elysa Jui
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249 USA
| | - Allison C. Rhea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249 USA
| | - Aparna Gorthi
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229 USA
| | - Solaleh Miar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249 USA
| | - Francisca M. Acosta
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249 USA
| | - Cynthia Perez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249 USA
| | - Yasir Suhail
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030 USA
| | - Kshitiz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030 USA
- Cancer Systems Biology at Yale, Yale University, West Haven, CT 06516 USA
| | - Yidong Chen
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229 USA
| | - Joo L. Ong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249 USA
| | - Rena Bizios
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249 USA
| | - Christopher Rathbone
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249 USA
| | - Teja Guda
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249 USA
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19
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Acosta FM, Stojkova K, Brey EM, Rathbone CR. A Straightforward Approach to Engineer Vascularized Adipose Tissue Using Microvascular Fragments. Tissue Eng Part A 2020; 26:905-914. [PMID: 32070226 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2019.0345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a need to overcome the donor-site morbidity and loss of volume over time that accompanies the current clinical approaches to treat soft tissue defects caused by disease and trauma. The development of bioactive constructs that can regenerate adipose tissue have made great progress toward addressing the limitations of current therapies, but their lack of vascularization and ability to meet the significant dimension requirements of tissue defects limit their clinical translatability. Microvascular fragments (MVFs) can form extensive vascular networks and contain resident cells that have the ability to differentiate into adipocytes. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine if vascularized adipose tissue could be engineered using a fibrin-based hydrogel containing MVFs as the sole source of microvessels and adipocyte-forming cells. The potential for MVFs from different fat depots (epididymal, inguinal, and subcutaneous) to form microvascular networks and generate adipocytes when exposed to growth media (GM), adipogenic differentiation media (ADM), or when treated with GM before adipogenic induction (i.e., they were allowed to presprout before adipogenic induction) was evaluated. MVFs treated with adipogenic induction media, both with and without presprouting, contained lipid droplets, had an increase in expression levels of genes associated with adipogenesis (adiponectin and fatty acid synthase [FAS]), and had an increased rate of lipolysis. MVFs allowed to presprout before ADM treatment maintained their ability to form vascular networks while maintaining an elevated lipid content, adipogenic gene expression, and lipolysis rate. Collectively, these results support the contention that MVFs can serve as the sole source of biologic material for creating a vascularized adipose tissue scaffold. Impact statement Microvascular fragments have both the ability to form extensive vascular networks and function as a source of adipocytes. These phenomena were exploited as vascularized adipose tissue was generated by first allowing for a period of angiogenesis before the adipogenic induction. This strategy has the ability to provide a means of both improving soft tissue reconstruction while also serving as a model to better understand adipose tissue expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca M Acosta
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas.,UTSA-UTHSCSA Joint Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Katerina Stojkova
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Eric M Brey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Christopher R Rathbone
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
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20
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Acosta FM, Jia UTA, Stojkova K, Pacelli S, Brey EM, Rathbone C. Divergent effects of myogenic differentiation and diabetes on the capacity for muscle precursor cell adipogenic differentiation in a fibrin matrix. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 526:21-28. [PMID: 32192775 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The development of ectopic adipose tissue in skeletal muscle is associated with several skeletal muscle and metabolic pathologies, including Type II Diabetes Mellitus. The adipogenic differentiation of muscle precursor cells (MPCs) has been postulated to occur in skeletal muscle in vivo in a three-dimensional (3-D) configuration; therefore, it is appropriate to investigate this phenomenon using 3-D matrices in vitro. The capacity for MPC adipogenic differentiation in a 3-D environment was investigated in fibrin hydrogels by treating MPCs derived from healthy or diabetic animals with adipogenic induction medias that differed in their ability to increase lipid accumulation and activate the expression of genes associated with adipogenic differentiation (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG), adiponectin (ADIPOQ), and fatty acid synthase (FAS)). The capacity for adipogenic differentiation was diminished, but not prevented, if myogenic differentiation preceded MPC exposure to adipogenic induction conditions. Conversely, adipogenic differentiation was greater in hydrogels containing MPCs from diabetic rats as compared to those derived from lean rats, as evidenced by an increase in lipid accumulation and adipogenic gene expression. Collectively, the data herein support a role for the MPCs in adipogenesis in a 3-D environment and that they may contribute to the ectopic accumulation of adipose tissue. The observation that the potential for adipogenic differentiation is maintained even after a period of myogenic differentiation alludes to the possibility that adipogenesis may occur during different phases of muscle development. Finally, the increase in adipogenic differentiation in hydrogels containing MPCs derived from diabetic animals provides strong evidence that a pathological environment in vivo increases their capacity for adipogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca M Acosta
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA; UTSA-UTHSCSA Joint Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - U-Ter Aonda Jia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA; UTSA-UTHSCSA Joint Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Katerina Stojkova
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA
| | - Settimio Pacelli
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA
| | - Eric M Brey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA
| | - Christopher Rathbone
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA.
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Blancas AA, Balaoing LR, Acosta FM, Grande-Allen KJ. Identifying Behavioral Phenotypes and Heterogeneity in Heart Valve Surface Endothelium. Cells Tissues Organs 2016; 201:268-76. [PMID: 27144771 DOI: 10.1159/000444446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Heart valvular endothelial cells (VECs) are distinct from vascular endothelial cells (ECs), but have an uncertain context within the spectrum of known endothelial phenotypes, including lymphatic ECs (LECs). Profiling the phenotypes of the heart valve surface VECs would facilitate identification of a proper seeding population for tissue-engineered valves, as well as elucidate mechanisms of valvular disease. Porcine VECs and porcine aortic ECs (AECs) were isolated from pig hearts and characterized to assess known EC and LEC markers. A transwell migration assay determined their propensity to migrate toward vascular endothelial growth factor, an angiogenic stimulus, over 24 h. Compared to AECs, Flt-1 was expressed on almost double the percentage of VECs, measured as 74 versus 38%. The expression of angiogenic EC markers CXCR4 and DLL4 was >90% on AECs, whereas VECs showed only 35% CXCR4+ and 47% DLL4+. AECs demonstrated greater migration (71.5 ± 11.0 cells per image field) than the VECs with 30.0 ± 15.3 cells per image field (p = 0.032). In total, 30% of VECs were positive for LYVE1+/Prox1+, while these markers were absent in AECs. In conclusion, the population of cells on the surface of heart valves is heterogeneous, consisting largely of nonangiogenic VECs and a subset of LECs. Previous studies have indicated the presence of LECs within the interior of the valves; however, this is the first study to demonstrate their presence on the surface. Identification of this unique endothelial mixture is a step forward in the development of engineered valve replacements as a uniform EC seeding population may not be the best option to maximize transplant success.
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Beck EC, Barragan M, Tadros MH, Kiyotake EA, Acosta FM, Kieweg SL, Detamore MS. Chondroinductive Hydrogel Pastes Composed of Naturally Derived Devitalized Cartilage. Ann Biomed Eng 2016; 44:1863-80. [PMID: 26744243 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-015-1547-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 12/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogel precursors are liquid solutions that are prone to leaking from the defect site once implanted in vivo. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to create a hydrogel precursor that exhibited a yield stress. Additionally, devitalized cartilage extracellular matrix (DVC) was mixed with DVC that had been solubilized and methacrylated (MeSDVC) to create hydrogels that were chondroinductive. Precursors composed of 10% MeSDVC or 10% MeSDVC with 10% DVC were first evaluated rheologically, where non-Newtonian behavior was observed in all hydrogel precursors. Rat bone marrow stem cells (rBMSCs) were mixed in the precursor solutions, and the solutions were then crosslinked and cultured in vitro for 6 weeks with and without exposure to human transforming growth factor β3 (TGF-β3). The compressive modulus, gene expression, biochemical content, swelling, and histology of the gels were analyzed. The DVC-containing gels consistently outperformed the MeSDVC-only group in chondrogenic gene expression, especially at 6 weeks, where the relative collagen II expression of the DVC-containing groups with and without TGF-β3 exposure was 40- and 78-fold higher, respectively, than that of MeSDVC alone. Future work will test for chondrogenesis in vivo and overall, these two cartilage-derived components are promising materials for cartilage tissue engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily C Beck
- Department of Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, MO, 66160, USA
| | - Marilyn Barragan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA
| | - Madeleine H Tadros
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
| | - Emi A Kiyotake
- Bioengineering Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA
| | - Francisca M Acosta
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Kansas, 4163 Learned Hall, 1530 W. 15th Street, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA
| | - Sarah L Kieweg
- Bioengineering Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA
| | - Michael S Detamore
- Bioengineering Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA.
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Kansas, 4163 Learned Hall, 1530 W. 15th Street, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA.
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Acosta FM, Moreno O, Pérez AM, Muñoz M, Colmenero M, Peñas L. Differences between acute coronary syndrome with st elevation according to be ischemic or non-ischemic cause in a cardiological ICU. Intensive Care Med Exp 2015. [PMCID: PMC4796098 DOI: 10.1186/2197-425x-3-s1-a544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Moreno O, Acosta FM, Muñoz M, Perez AM, Poyatos ME, Colmenero M. Refusal to ICU admission based on futility. Intensive Care Med Exp 2015. [PMCID: PMC4797010 DOI: 10.1186/2197-425x-3-s1-a474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
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Moreno O, Yuste E, Poyatos ME, Muñoz M, Acosta FM, Perez AM. Multiresistant bacteria in icu: in the right path. Intensive Care Med Exp 2015. [PMCID: PMC4798515 DOI: 10.1186/2197-425x-3-s1-a122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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