Arousal of cancer-associated stroma: overexpression of palladin activates fibroblasts to promote tumor invasion.

PubMed

Brentnall, Teresa A; Lai, Lisa A; Coleman, Joshua; Bronner, Mary P; Pan, Sheng; Chen, Ru

2012-01-01

Cancer-associated fibroblasts, comprised of activated fibroblasts or myofibroblasts, are found in the stroma surrounding solid tumors. These myofibroblasts promote invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. Mechanisms regulating the activation of the fibroblasts and the initiation of invasive tumorigenesis are of great interest. Upregulation of the cytoskeletal protein, palladin, has been detected in the stromal myofibroblasts surrounding many solid cancers and in expression screens for genes involved in invasion. Using a pancreatic cancer model, we investigated the functional consequence of overexpression of exogenous palladin in normal fibroblasts in vitro and its effect on the early stages of tumor invasion. Palladin expression in stromal fibroblasts occurs very early in tumorigenesis. In vivo, concordant expression of palladin and the myofibroblast marker, alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), occurs early at the dysplastic stages in peri-tumoral stroma and progressively increases in pancreatic tumorigenesis. In vitro introduction of exogenous 90 kD palladin into normal human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) induces activation of stromal fibroblasts into myofibroblasts as marked by induction of α-SMA and vimentin, and through the physical change of cell morphology. Moreover, palladin expression in the fibroblasts enhances cellular migration, invasion through the extracellular matrix, and creation of tunnels through which cancer cells can follow. The fibroblast invasion and creation of tunnels results from the development of invadopodia-like cellular protrusions which express invadopodia proteins and proteolytic enzymes. Palladin expression in fibroblasts is triggered by the co-culture of normal fibroblasts with k-ras-expressing epithelial cells. Overall, palladin expression can impart myofibroblast properties, in turn promoting the invasive potential of these peri-tumoral cells with invadopodia-driven degradation of extracellular matrix. Palladin expression in fibroblasts can be triggered by k-ras expression in adjacent epithelial cells. This data supports a model whereby palladin-activated fibroblasts facilitate stromal-dependent metastasis and outgrowth of tumorigenic epithelium.

Fibroblast-mediated in vivo and in vitro growth promotion of tumorigenic rat thyroid carcinoma cells but not normal Fisher rat thyroid follicular cells.

PubMed

Saitoh, Ohki; Mitsutake, Norisato; Nakayama, Toshiyuki; Nagayama, Yuji

2009-07-01

It is known that genetic abnormalities in oncogenes and/or tumor suppressor genes promote carcinogenesis. Numerous recent articles, however, have demonstrated that epithelial-stromal interaction also plays a critical role for initiation and progression of carcinoma cells. Furthermore, ionizing radiation induces alterations in the tissue microenvironments that promote carcinogenesis. There is little or no information on epithelial-stromal interaction in thyroid carcinoma cells. The objective of this study was to determine if epithelial-stromal interaction influenced the growth of thyroid carcinoma cells in vivo and in vitro and to determine if radiation had added or interacting effects. Normal Fisher rat thyroid follicular cells (FRTL5 cells) and tumorigenic rat thyroid carcinoma cells (FRTL-Tc cells) derived from FRTL5 cells were employed. The cells were injected into thyroids or subcutaneously into left flanks of rats alone or in combination with skin-derived fibroblasts. In groups of rats, fibroblasts were irradiated with 0.1 or 4 Gy x-ray 3 days before inoculation. In vitro growth of FRTL-Tc and FRTL-5 cells were evaluated using the fibroblast-conditioned medium and in a co-culture system with fibroblasts. The in vivo experiments demonstrated that FRTL-Tc cells injected intrathyroidally grew faster than those injected subcutaneously, and that admixed fibroblasts enhanced growth of subcutaneous FRTL-Tc tumors, indicating that the intrathyroidal milieu, particularly in the presence of fibroblasts, confer growth-promoting advantage to thyroid carcinoma cells. This in vivo growth-promoting effect of fibroblasts on FRTL-Tc cells was duplicated in the in vitro experiments using the fibroblast-conditioned medium. Thus, our data demonstrate that this effect is mediated by soluble factor(s), is reversible, and is comparable to that of 10% fetal bovine serum. However, normal FRTL5 cells did not respond to the fibroblast-conditioned medium. Furthermore, high- and low-dose irradiation enhanced and suppressed, respectively, the in vivo fibroblast-mediated growth promotion. This effect was, however, not observed in the in vitro experiment with conditioned medium or even that allowing cell-cell contact. The intrathyroidal stromal microenvironments, particularly fibroblasts, appear to enhance the growth of thyroid carcinomas through soluble factor(s), which is modulated differently by high- and low-dose irradiation. To our knowledge this is the first study to show epithelial-stromal interaction in thyroid carcinoma.

Estimation of low-dose radiation-responsive proteins in the absence of genomic instability in normal human fibroblast cells.

PubMed

Yim, Ji-Hye; Yun, Jung Mi; Kim, Ji Young; Nam, Seon Young; Kim, Cha Soon

2017-11-01

Low-dose radiation has various biological effects such as adaptive responses, low-dose hypersensitivity, as well as beneficial effects. However, little is known about the particular proteins involved in these effects. Here, we sought to identify low-dose radiation-responsive phosphoproteins in normal fibroblast cells. We assessed genomic instability and proliferation of fibroblast cells after γ-irradiation by γ-H2AX foci and micronucleus formation analyses and BrdU incorporation assay, respectively. We screened fibroblast cells 8 h after low-dose (0.05 Gy) γ-irradiation using Phospho Explorer Antibody Microarray and validated two differentially expressed phosphoproteins using Western blotting. Cell proliferation proceeded normally in the absence of genomic instability after low-dose γ-irradiation. Phospho antibody microarray analysis and Western blotting revealed increased expression of two phosphoproteins, phospho-NFκB (Ser536) and phospho-P70S6K (Ser418), 8 h after low-dose radiation. Our findings suggest that low-dose radiation of normal fibroblast cells activates the expression of phospho-NFκB (Ser536) and phospho-P70S6K (Ser418) in the absence of genomic instability. Therefore, these proteins may be involved in DNA damage repair processes.

Human brain metastatic stroma attracts breast cancer cells via chemokines CXCL16 and CXCL12.

PubMed

Chung, Brile; Esmaeili, Ali A; Gopalakrishna-Pillai, Sailesh; Murad, John P; Andersen, Emily S; Kumar Reddy, Naveen; Srinivasan, Gayathri; Armstrong, Brian; Chu, Caleb; Kim, Young; Tong, Tommy; Waisman, James; Yim, John H; Badie, Behnam; Lee, Peter P

2017-01-01

The tumor microenvironment is composed of heterogeneous populations of cells, including cancer, immune, and stromal cells. Progression of tumor growth and initiation of metastasis is critically dependent on the reciprocal interactions between cancer cells and stroma. Through RNA-Seq and protein analyses, we found that cancer-associated fibroblasts derived from human breast cancer brain metastasis express significantly higher levels of chemokines CXCL12 and CXCL16 than fibroblasts from primary breast tumors or normal breast. To further understand the interplay between cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts from each site, we developed three-dimensional organoids composed of patient-derived primary or brain metastasis cancer cells with matching cancer-associated fibroblasts. Three-dimensional CAF aggregates generated from brain metastasis promote migration of cancer cells more effectively than cancer-associated fibroblast aggregates derived from primary tumor or normal breast stromal cells. Treatment with a CXCR4 antagonist and/or CXCL16 neutralizing antibody, alone or in combination, significantly inhibited migration of cancer cells to brain metastatic cancer-associated fibroblast aggregates. These results demonstrate that human brain metastasis cancer-associated fibroblasts potently attract breast cancer cells via chemokines CXCL12 and CXCL16, and blocking CXCR6-CXCL16/CXCR4-CXCL12 receptor-ligand interactions may be an effective therapy for preventing breast cancer brain metastasis.

Fibroblast growth factor 8 is expressed at higher levels in lactating human breast and in breast cancer.

PubMed

Zammit, C; Coope, R; Gomm, J J; Shousha, S; Johnston, C L; Coombes, R C

2002-04-08

Fibroblast growth factor 8 can transform NIH3T3 cells and its expression has been found to be associated with breast and prostate cancer. Following our finding that fibroblast growth factor 8 mRNA expression is increased in breast cancer, we have undertaken an immunohistochemistry study of fibroblast growth factor 8 expression in a series of human breast tissues and other normal tissues. Our findings confirm increased expression of fibroblast growth factor 8 in malignant breast tissue but also show significant fibroblast growth factor 8 expression in non-malignant breast epithelial cells. No significant difference in fibroblast growth factor 8 expression was found between different grades of ductal carcinoma, lobular carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in-situ or cancer of different oestrogen receptor, progesterone receptor or nodal status. The highest levels of fibroblast growth factor 8 expression were found in lactating breast tissues and fibroblast growth factor 8 was also detected in human milk. A survey of other normal tissues showed that fibroblast growth factor 8 is expressed in the proliferative cells of the dermis and epithelial cells in colon, ovary fallopian tube and uterus. Fibroblast growth factor 8 appears to be expressed in several organs in man and appears to have an importance in lactation.

Establishment of proliferative tetraploid cells from telomerase-immortalized normal human fibroblasts.

PubMed

Ohshima, Susumu; Seyama, Atsushi

2016-06-01

Aneuploidy is observed in the majority of human cancers and is considered to be causally related to carcinogenesis. Although malignant aneuploid cells are suggested to develop from polyploid cells formed in precancerous lesions, the mechanisms of this process remain elusive. This is partly because no experimental model is available where nontransformed polyploid human cells propagate in vitro. We previously showed that proliferative tetraploid cells can be established from normal human fibroblasts by treatment with the spindle poison demecolcine (DC). However, the limited lifespan of these cells hampered detailed analysis of a link between chromosomal instability and the oncogenic transformation of polyploid cells. Here, we report the establishment of proliferative tetraploid cells from the telomerase-immortalized normal human fibroblast cell line TIG-1. Treatment of immortalized diploid cells with DC for 4 days resulted in proliferation of cells with tetraploid DNA content and near-tetraploid/tetraploid chromosome counts. Established tetraploid cells had functional TP53 despite growing at almost the same rate as diploid cells. The frequency of clonal and sporadic chromosome aberrations in tetraploid cells was higher than in diploid cells and in one experiment, gradually increased with repeated subculture. This study suggests that tetraploid cells established from telomerase-immortalized normal human fibroblasts can be a valuable model for studying chromosomal instability and the oncogenic potential of polyploid cells. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

[Regulation of airway stem cell proliferation in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis].

PubMed

Yang, S X; Wu, Q; Sun, X; Li, X; Li, K; Xu, L; Li, Y; Zhang, Q Y; Zhang, Y C; Chen, H Y

2016-09-01

To investigate the effect of fibroblasts on regulating airway stem cell proliferation in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Lung cell suspension was prepared from β-actin-GFP mice. Airway stem cells were obtained by fluorescence activated cell sorting and co-cultured with lung fibroblasts. The fibroblasts were treated with TGF-β inhibitor SB43142. The expression of growth factors FGF1/2 and the effect of FGF1/2 on stem cell proliferation were observed. The cloning efficiency of airway stem cells, when co-cultured with normal lung fibroblast cells for 8 days, was (3.5±1.1)%, while the cloning efficiency was reduced to (0.04±0.04)% when co-cultured with lung fibroblasts from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients. The difference between the 2 groups was statistically significant(P=0.002 5). TGF-β receptor inhibitor SB431542 increased lung fibroblast growth factors FGF1/2 expression.FGF1 mRNA expression was increased to the experimental group 0.005 5 from 0.000 2 in the control group.FGF2 mRNA expression of the amount raised to the experimental group 0.000 15 from 0.000 8 in the control group.FGF1/2 promoted the growth of airway stem cells. After FGF1/2 was co-cultured with normal lung fibroblast cells for 8 days, the cloning efficiency of airway stem cells was (0.3±0.1)%. During the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, fibroblast secreted FGF1/2 regulate airway stem cell proliferation.

Establishment of ultra long-lived cell lines by transfection of TERT into normal human fibroblast TIG-1 and their characterization.

PubMed

Kamada, Mizuna; Kumazaki, Tsutomu; Matsuo, Taira; Mitsui, Youji; Takahashi, Tomoko

2012-06-01

To establish useful human normal cell lines, TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase) cDNA was transfected into normal female lung fibroblast, TIG-1. After long-term-sub-cultivation of 74 individual clones selected for resistance to G418, we obtained 55 cultures with normal range of life span [75 PDL (population doubling level)], 16 cultures with extended life span (75-140 PDL). In addition, 3 immortal cell strains and unexpectedly, one ultra long-lived cell line (ULT-1) with life span of 166 PDL were established. IMT-1, one of the immortal cell strains was confirmed to maintain long telomere length, high telomerase activity and an extremely low level of p16INK4A. They also showed moderate p53 and p21CIP1 expression, keeping vigorous growth rate even at 450 PDL. High level of fibronectin and collagen 1α expression confirmed IMT-1 as normal fibroblasts, although one X chromosome had been lost. ULT-1, however, kept a near normal karyotypes and had shortening of telomere length, high expression of p16INK4A, moderate levels of senescence associated-β-galactosidase positive cells and decreased growth rate only after 150 PDs (population doublings), and finally reached senescence at 166 PDL with morphology of normal senescent fibroblasts. As resources of standard normal human cell, abundant vials of early and middle passages of ULT-1 have been stocked. The use of the cell line is discussed, focusing on isograft of artificial skin and screening of anti-aging or safe chemical agents.

High-LET Radiation Induced Chromosome Aberrations in Normal and Ataxia Telangiectasia Fibroblast Cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawata, Tetsuya; George, Ms Kerry; Cucinotta, Francis A.; Shigematsu, Naoyuki; Ito, Hisao; Furusawa, Yoshiya; Uno, Takashi

We investigated the effects of heavy ions beams on chromosomal aberrations in normal and AT cells. Normal and AT fibroblast cells arrested at G0/G1 phase were irradiated with 2 Gy of X-rays, 490 MeV/u Silicon (LET 55 keV/micron), 500 MeV/u Iron (LET 185 keV/micron) and 200 MeV/u Iron (LET 440 keV/micron) particles, and then cells were allowed to repair for 24 hours at 37 degrees before subculture. Calyculin-A induced PCC method was employed to collect G2/M chromosomes and whole DNA probes 1 and 3 were used to analyze chromosomal aberrations such as color-junctions, deletions, simple exchanges (incomplete and reciprocal exchanges) and complex-type exchanges. The percentages of aberrant cells were higher when normal and AT cells were exposed to heavy ions compared to X-rays, and had a tendency to increase with increasing LET up to 185 keV/micron and then decreased at 440 keV/micron. When the frequency of color-junctions per cell was compared after X-ray exposure, AT cells had around three times higher frequency of color-junctions (mis-rejoining) than normal cells. However, at 185 keV/micron there was no difference in the frequency of color-junctions between two cell lines. It was also found that the frequency of simple exchanges per cell was almost constant in AT cells regardless LET levels, but it was LET dependent for normal cells. Interestingly, the frequency of simple exchanges was higher for normal fibroblast cells when it was compared at 185 keV/micron, but AT cells had more complex-type exchanges at the same LET levels. Heavy ions are more efficient in inducing chromosome aberrations in normal and AT cells compared to X-rays, and the aberration types between normal and AT fibroblast appeared different probably due to difference in the ATM gene function.

Deficiency of gamma-ray excision repair in skin fibroblasts from patients with Fanconi's anemia.

PubMed Central

Remsen, J F; Cerutti, P A

1976-01-01

The capacity of preparations of skin fibroblasts from normal individuals and patients with Fanconi's anemia to excise gamma-ray products of the 5,6-dihydroxydihydrothymine type from exogenous DNA was investigated. The excision capacity of whole-cell homogenates of fibroblasts from two of four patients with Fanconi's anemia was substantially below normal. This repair deficiency was further pronounced in nuclear preparations from cells of the same two patients. PMID:1065896

Effect of mitomycin C on keloid fibroblasts: an in vitro study.

PubMed

Simman, Richard; Alani, Hashim; Williams, Frances

2003-01-01

Keloids are the result of aberrant wound healing of human skin after dermal injury. Therapeutic options include excision followed by radiation therapy, steroid injection, and compression with silicone sheets among others. Local invasion and recurrence after excision has provoked interest in treating keloids as neoplasms. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of mitomycin C (MMC) on keloid fibroblasts. Keloid fibroblasts obtained from five different patients were exposed to MMC. A control group of normal and keloid cells was treated with phosphate buffered saline only. Contrast microscopy showed a decrease of fibroblast density during the 3 weeks after exposure for normal and keloid fibroblasts relative to untreated fibroblasts. This was confirmed by total cell counts ( = 0.1) and measurement of DNA synthesis. By the third week, there was a recovery in DNA synthesis and increased cell count for some of the treated fibroblasts. We concluded that at an appropriate concentration, MMC shows proliferation of keloid fibroblasts in vitro for a period of 3 weeks. This agent may be considered in clinical trials after surgical excision of keloids.

Studies of UMP synthase in orotic aciduria fibroblasts

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Perry, M.E.; Jones, M.E.

UMP synthase catalyzes the final two reactions of de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis in mammals. UMP synthase activities are low in fibroblasts from a patient with hereditary orotic aciduria, but increase 80-100 fold to normal levels when the cells are incubated in the presence of 6-azauridine (6-azaU). Normal fibroblasts exhibit at most a two-fold increase in UMP synthase activities in response to 6-azaU. The increase in mutant cell enzyme activity is accompanied by increased UMP synthase protein in immunoprecipitates from (/sup 3//sub 5/S)-methionine-labeled cell extracts. This 6-azaU-dependent protein is precipitated by several monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal antibody raised against pure humanmore » UMP synthase. UMP synthase from normal and mutant fibroblasts comigrate on SDS gels and are stable for at least 2 1/2 hrs at 37/sup 0/C in the presence of a substrate, OMP. However, in the absence of substrate, at 57/sup 0/C, they have different inactivation patterns. Stability of the enzyme derived from normal cells > that of the enzyme from mutant cells cultured with 6-azaU > that of the enzyme from mutant cells. Southern blots of DNA from normal and mutant cells show identical restriction patterns with five enzymes. These results are consistent with the theory that the low level of UMP synthase in mutant cells reflects an increased susceptibility to proteolytic degradation which can be blocked by administration of 6-azaU to the cells in culture.« less

Comparative human cellular radiosensitivity: I. The effect of SV40 transformation and immortalisation on the gamma-irradiation survival of skin derived fibroblasts from normal individuals and from ataxia-telangiectasia patients and heterozygotes.

PubMed

Arlett, C F; Green, M H; Priestley, A; Harcourt, S A; Mayne, L V

1988-12-01

We have compared cell killing following 60Co gamma irradiation in 22 primary human fibroblast strains, nine SV40-immortalized human fibroblast lines and seven SV40-transformed pre-crisis human fibroblast cultures. We have examined material from normal individuals, from ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) patients and from A-T heterozygotes. We have confirmed the greater sensitivity of A-T derived cells to gamma radiation. The distinction between A-T and normal cells is maintained in cells immortalized by SV40 virus but the immortal cells are more gamma radiation resistant than the corresponding primary fibroblasts. Cells transformed by plasmids (pSV3gpt and pSV3neo) expressing SV40 T-antigen, both pre- and post-crisis, show this increased resistance, indicating that it is expression of SV40 T-antigen, rather than immortalization per se which is responsible for the change. We use D0, obtained from a straight line fit, and D, estimated from a multitarget curve, as parameters to compare radiosensitivity. We suggest that both have their advantages; D0 is perhaps more reproducible, but D is more realistic when comparing shouldered and non-shouldered data.

Xeroderma pigmentosum cells contain low levels of photoreactivating enzyme.

PubMed Central

Sutherland, B M; Rice, M; Wagner, E K

1975-01-01

Fibroblasts from patients with xeroderma pigmentosum contain low levels of photoreactivating enzyme in comparison to normal cells. Levels vary from 0 (line 1199) to 50 (line 1259) percent of normal. The depressed enzyme levels are not an artifact of low growth rate, age of cell donor, cell culture conditions, assay conditions, the presence of inhibitors, or mycoplasma contamination. We show that human fibroblasts can monomerize pyrimidine dimers in vivo. PMID:1054487

Multistep carcinogenesis of normal human fibroblasts. Human fibroblasts immortalized by repeated treatment with Co-60 gamma rays were transformed into tumorigenic cells with Ha-ras oncogenes.

PubMed

Namba, M; Nishitani, K; Fukushima, F; Kimoto, T

1988-01-01

Two normal mortal human fibroblast cell strains were transformed into immortal cell lines, SUSM-1 and KMST-6, by treatment with 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO) and Co-60 gamma rays, respectively. These immortalized cell lines showed morphological changes of cells and remarkable chromosome aberrations, but neither of them grew in soft agar or formed tumors in nude mice. The immortal cell line, KMST-6, was then converted into neoplastic cells by treatment with Harvey murine sarcoma virus (Ha-MSV) or the c-Ha-ras oncogene derived from a human lung carcinoma. These neoplastically transformed cells acquired anchorage-independent growth potential and developed tumors when transplanted into nude mice. All the tumors grew progressively without regression until the animals died of tumors. In addition, the tumors were transplantable into other nude mice. Normal human fibroblasts, on the other hand, were not transformed into either immortal or tumorigenic cells by treatment with Ha-MSV or c-Ha-ras alone. Our present data indicate that (1) the chemical carcinogen, 4NQO, or gamma rays worked as an initiator of carcinogenesis in normal human cells, giving rise to immortality, and (2) the ras gene played a role in the progression of the immortally transformed cells to more malignant cells showing anchorage-independent growth and tumorigenicity. In other words, the immortalization process of human cells seems to be a pivotal or rate-limiting step in the carcinogenesis of human cells.

Evidence against involvement of the acid lysosomal sphingomyelinase in the tumor-necrosis-factor- and interleukin-1-induced sphingomyelin cycle and cell proliferation in human fibroblasts.

PubMed Central

Andrieu, N; Salvayre, R; Levade, T

1994-01-01

The hydrolysis of sphingomyelin (SPM) has been reported to mediate a number of responses to extracellular agents, including cytokines. The so-called SPM cycle may result from the activation of different types of sphingomyelinases (SPMases). We investigated the hypothetical contribution of acid lysosomal SPMase in the SPM signal-transduction pathway. We examined the ability of human skin fibroblasts with a genetic deficiency of acid lysosomal SPMase activity to respond to tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) or interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta). We report that both cytokines promoted SPM hydrolysis in fibroblasts derived from patients with Niemann-Pick disease or I-cell disease, similar to that observed in normal cells. Treatment of normal fibroblasts with cationic amphiphilic drugs resulted in inhibition of acid SPMase activity, but had no effect on cytokine-induced SPM turnover. In addition, TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation in Niemann-Pick fibroblasts, as in normal cells. Thus our results argue against a role for acid endolysosomal SPMase in mediating the cytokine-induced SPM signalling cascade. Images Figure 2 PMID:7980390

Effects of mitomycin-C on normal dermal fibroblasts.

PubMed

Chen, Theodore; Kunnavatana, Shaun S; Koch, R James

2006-04-01

To evaluate the effects of mitomycin-C on the growth and autocrine growth factor production of human dermal fibroblasts from the face. In vitro study using normal adult dermal fibroblast cell lines in a serum-free model. Cell cultures were exposed to 4 mg/mL, 0.4 mg/mL, 0.04 mg/mL, 0.004 mg/mL, and 0.0004 mg/mL concentrations of mitomycin-C solution. Cell counts were performed, and the cell-free supernatants were collected at 0, 1, 3, and 5 days after the initial exposure. Population doubling times were calculated and supernatants were quantitatively assayed for basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1. Continuous exposure to mitomycin-C caused fibroblast cell death by day 7 at all tested concentrations. A 4 minute exposure to mitomycin-C at 4 mg/mL caused rapid fibroblast cell death. A 4-minute exposure to mitomycin-C at either 0.4 mg/mL or 0.04 mg/mL resulted in decreased fibroblast proliferation. A 4 minute exposure to mitomycin-C at 0.4 mg/mL resulted in a marked increase in the production of both bFGF and TGF-beta1. A clinically ideal concentration of mitomycin-C would slow fibroblast proliferation yet not cause cell death to allow for a wound healing response. Mitomycin-C 0.4 mg/mL for 4 minutes satisfies the above criteria in vitro.

Prostate cancer cells specifically reorganize epithelial cell-fibroblast communication through proteoglycan and junction pathways.

PubMed

Suhovskih, Anastasia V; Kashuba, Vladimir I; Klein, George; Grigorieva, Elvira V

2017-01-02

Microenvironment and stromal fibroblasts are able to inhibit tumor cell proliferation both through secreted signaling molecules and direct cell-cell interactions but molecular mechanisms of these effects remain unclear. In this study, we investigated a role of cell-cell contact-related molecules (protein ECM components, proteoglycans (PGs) and junction-related molecules) in intercellular communications between the human TERT immortalized fibroblasts (BjTERT fibroblasts) and normal (PNT2) or cancer (LNCaP, PC3, DU145) prostate epithelial cells. It was shown that BjTERT-PNT2 cell coculture resulted in significant decrease of both BjTERT and PNT2 proliferation rates and reorganization of transcriptional activity of cell-cell contact-related genes in both cell types. Immunocytochemical staining revealed redistribution of DCN and LUM in PNT2 cells and significant increase of SDC1 at the intercellular contact zones between BjTERT and PNT2 cells, suggesting active involvement of the PGs in cell-cell contacts and contact inhibition of cell proliferation. Unlike to PNT2 cells, PC3 cells did not respond to BjTERT in terms of PGs expression, moderately increased transcriptional activity of junctions-related genes (especially tight junction) and failed to establish PC3-BjTERT contacts. At the same time, PC3 cells significantly down-regulated junctions-related genes (especially focal adhesions and adherens junctions) in BjTERT fibroblasts resulting in visible preference for homotypic PC3-PC3 over heterotypic PC3-BjTERT contacts and autonomous growth of PC3 clones. Taken together, the results demonstrate that an instructing role of fibroblasts to normal prostate epithelial cells is revoked by cancer cells through deregulation of proteoglycans and junction molecules expression and overall disorganization of fibroblast-cancer cell communication.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pellett, O.L.; Smith, M.L.; Greene, A.A.

Cystinosis is an autosomal recessive disease in which three clinical forms are recognized: infantile nephropathic, with renal tubular damage by 1 year of age and progressive glomerular insufficiency; intermediate, with tubular and glomerular insufficiency beginning at a later age; benign, with no kidney damage. Skin fibroblasts cultured from patients with all types of cystinosis show increased intralysosomal free (nonprotein) cystine; however, fibroblasts from heterozygotes have normal free-cystine values. To determine whether genetic complementation occurs between the different forms, somatic cell hybrids were constructed between cells from a patient with infantile nephropathic cystinosis and cells from patients with other types ofmore » cystinosis. If complementation occurred, the hybrids would be expected to have normal cystine levels. To construct hybrid cells, a universal parent cell type (TG1-neo), which was hypoxanthine/aminopterin/thymidine (HAT) sensitive and G418 resistant was constructed from an infantile nephropathic cystinosis fibroblast strain. Polyethylene glycol fusion of TG1-neo with other cells that are not HAT sensitive or G418 resistant allowed for selection of hybrid cells in a medium containing HAT and the aminoglycoside G418. As indicated by elevated cystine levels, complementation did not occur between TG1-neo and two different benign cystinosis strains, an intermediate cystinosis strain, or another nephropathic cystinosis cell strain. When a normal fibroblast strain was fused with TG1-neo, all 15 hybrid clones studied contained normal amounts of intracellular free cystine.« less

Modulation of Human Valve Interstitial Cell Phenotype and Function Using a Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 Formulation

PubMed Central

Latif, Najma; Quillon, Alfred; Sarathchandra, Padmini; McCormack, Ann; Lozanoski, Alec; Yacoub, Magdi H.; Chester, Adrian H.

2015-01-01

Valve interstitial cells (VICs) are fibroblastic in nature however in culture it is widely accepted that they differentiate into a myofibroblastic phenotype. This study assessed a fibroblast culture media formulation for its ability to maintain the phenotype and function of VICs as in the intact healthy valve. Normal human VICs were cultured separately in standard DMEM and in fibroblast media consisting of FGF2 (10ng/ml), insulin (50ng/ml) and 2% FCS for at least a week. Cell morphology, aspect ratio, size, levels and distribution of protein expression, proliferation, cell cycle, contraction and migration were assessed. Some VICs and some valve endothelial cells expressed FGF2 in valve tissue and this expression was increased in calcified valves. VICs in DMEM exhibited large, spread cells whereas VICs in fibroblast media were smaller, elongated and spindly. Aspect ratio and size were both significantly higher in DMEM (p<0.01). The level of expression of α-SMA was significantly reduced in fibroblast media at day 2 after isolation (p<0.01) and the expression of α-SMA, SM22 and EDA-fibronectin was significantly reduced in fibroblast media at days 7 and 12 post-isolation (p<0.01). Expression of cytoskeletal proteins, bone marker proteins and extracellular matrix proteins was reduced in fibroblast media. Proliferation of VICs in fibroblast media was significantly reduced at weeks 1 (p<0.05) and 2 (p<0.01). Collagen gel contraction was significantly reduced in fibroblast media (p<0.05). VICs were found to have significantly fewer and smaller focal adhesions in fibroblast media (p<0.01) with significantly fewer supermature focal adhesions in fibroblast media (p<0.001). Ultrastructurally, VICs in fibroblast media resembled native VICs from intact valves. VICs in fibroblast media demonstrated a slower migratory ability after wounding at 72 hours (p<0.01). Treatment of human VICs with this fibroblast media formulation has the ability to maintain and to dedifferentiate the VICs back to a fibroblastic phenotype with phenotypic and functional characteristics ascribed to cells in the intact valve. This methodology is fundamental in the study of normal valve biology, pathology and in the field of tissue engineering. PMID:26042674

Stromal Fibroblasts from the Interface Zone of Triple Negative Breast Carcinomas Induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and its Inhibition by Emodin

PubMed Central

Wang, Hao-Yu; Hung, Chao-Ming; Lin, Ying-Chao; Ho, Chi-Tang; Way, Tzong-Der

2017-01-01

“Triple negative breast cancer” (TNBC) is associated with a higher rate and earlier time of recurrence and worse prognosis after recurrence. In this study, we aimed to examine the crosstalk between fibroblasts and TNBC cells. The fibroblasts were isolated from TNBC patients’ tissue in tumor burden zones, distal normal zones and interface zones. The fibroblasts were indicated as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), normal zone fibroblasts (NFs) and interface zone fibroblasts (INFs). Our study found that INFs grew significantly faster than NFs and CAFs in vitro. The epithelial BT20 cells cultured with the conditioned medium of INFs (INFs-CM) and CAFs (CAFs-CM) showed more spindle-like shape and cell scattering than cultured with the conditioned medium of NFs (NFs-CM). These results indicated that factors secreted by INFs-CM or CAFs-CM could induce the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype in BT20 cells. Using an in vitro co-culture model, INFs or CAFs induced EMT and promoted cancer cell migration in BT20 cells. Interestingly, we found that emodin inhibited INFs-CM or CAFs-CM-induced EMT programming and phenotype in BT20 cells. Previous studies reported that CAFs and INFs-secreted TGF-β promoted human breast cancer cell proliferation, here; our results indicated that TGF-β initiated EMT in BT20 cells. Pretreatment with emodin significantly suppressed the TGF-β-induced EMT and cell migration in BT20 cells. These results suggest that emodin may be used as a novel agent for the treatment of TNBC. PMID:28060811

Curcumin targets fibroblast–tumor cell interactions in oral squamous cell carcinoma

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dudás, József, E-mail: jozsef.dudas@i-med.ac.at; Fullár, Alexandra, E-mail: fullarsz@gmail.com; 1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Üllői út 26, 1085 Budapest

Co-culture of periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLs) and SCC-25 oral squamous carcinoma cells (OSCC) results in conversion of PDLs into carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and induces epithelial-to mesenchymal transition (EMT) of OSCC tumor cells. We hypothesized that Curcumin targets this dynamic mutual interaction between CAFs and tumor cells. Normal and 2 μM Curcumin-treated co-culture were performed for 4 days, followed by analysis of tumor cell invasivity, mRNA/protein expression of EMT-markers and mediators, activity measure of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), and western blot analysis of signal transduction in tumor cells and fibroblasts. In Curcumin-treated co-culture, in tumor cells, the levels of nuclear factormore » κB (NFκBα) and early response kinase (ERK)—decreased, in fibroblasts, integrin αv protein synthesis decreased compared to corresponding cells in normal co-culture. The signal modulatory changes induced by Curcumin caused decreased release of EMT-mediators in CAFs and reversal of EMT in tumor cells, which was associated with decreased invasion. These data confirm the palliative potential of Curcumin in clinical application. - Graphical abstract: Co-culture of periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLs) and SCC-25 oral squamous carcinoma cells (OSCC) results in conversion of PDLs into carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and induces epithelial-to mesenchymal transition (EMT) of tumor cells. Curcumin targets this dynamic mutual interaction between CAFs and tumor cells by inhibiting the production of EMT mediators in CAFs and by modification of intracellular signaling in tumor cells. This causes less invasivity and reversal of EMT in tumor cells. Highlights: ► Curcumin targets tumor–fibroblast interaction in head and neck cancer. ► Curcumin suppresses mediators of epithelial–mesenchymal transition. ► Curcumin decreases the invasivity of tumor cells.« less

Rabbit collagenase. Immunological identity of the enzymes released from cells and tissues in normal and pathological conditions.

PubMed Central

Werb, Z; Reynolds, J J

1975-01-01

1. The immunological cross-reactivity between rabbit collagenases from a variety of normal and pathological sources was examined. The specific antibody raised against collagenase secreted from normal rabbit synovial fibroblasts gave reactions of complete identity with collagenases secreted from fibroblasts derived from rabbit skin, and from synovium from experimentally arthritic rabbits. 2. The rabbit fibroblast collagenase was immunologically identical with collagenases obtained from the organ culture medium of normal rabbit skin, synovium, ear fibrocartilage and subchondral bone. 3. Collagenases from the culture media of normal rabbit synovium and from hyperplastic synovium of rabbits made experimentally arthritic were identical. 4. The collagenase secreted from rabbit fibroblasts gave a reaction completely identical with that of a collagenase extracted directly from a rabbit carcinoma. 5. IgG (immunoglobulin G) from a specific antiserum to rabbit fibroblast collagenase was a potent inhibitor of the collagenases obtained from the culture media of the various rabbit cells and tissues. 6. Collagenases from human synovium and from mouse macrophages and bone were neither precipitated nor inhibited by antibodies to rabbit collagenase. 7. No immunoreactive material was found in lysates of rabbit polymorphonuclear leucocyte granules with the specific antisera to rabbit fibroblast collagenase. No evidence for inactive forms of rabbit collagenase in lysates of the rabbit synovial fibroblasts could be found, either by double immunodiffusion against the specific collagenase, or by displacement of active enzyme from inhibition by the IgG. Images PLATE 1 PMID:56176

Skin fibroblasts from individuals hemizygous for the familial adenopolyposis susceptibility gene show delayed crisis in vitro

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, S.; Kazim, D.; Kraveka, J.

Normal human fibroblast cells have not been reported to escape crisis--that is they die after about 24 doublings in culture. The authors have been studying the growth properties of skin fibroblast cells from persons in families with familial adenopolyposis of the colon (FAP). An individual hemizygous at the FAP locus will develop hyperplasia of the colonic epithelium followed by colonic polyps, both at an early age. Polyps themselves still retain a single functional FAP allele. A mutation or deletion in this allele in a polyp is hypothesized to lead to further loss of growth control; thus, a tumor is formed.more » They found that the in vitro life-span of skin fibroblast cells from FAP individuals and from some asymptomatic children were markedly extended when compared with normal individuals.« less

Fibroblast spheroids as a model to study sustained fibroblast quiescence and their crosstalk with tumor cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Salmenperä, Pertteli, E-mail: pertteli.salmenpera@helsinki.fi; Karhemo, Piia-Riitta; Räsänen, Kati

Stromal fibroblasts have an important role in regulating tumor progression. Normal and quiescent fibroblasts have been shown to restrict and control cancer cell growth, while cancer-associated, i. e. activated fibroblasts have been shown to enhance proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells. In this study we describe generation of quiescent fibroblasts in multicellular spheroids and their effects on squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) growth in soft-agarose and xenograft models. Quiescent phenotype of fibroblasts was determined by global down-regulation of expression of genes related to cell cycle and increased expression of p27. Interestingly, microarray analysis showed that fibroblast quiescence was associated with similarmore » secretory phenotype as seen in senescence and they expressed senescence-associated-β-galactosidase. Quiescent fibroblasts spheroids also restricted the growth of RT3 SCC cells both in soft-agarose and xenograft models unlike proliferating fibroblasts. Restricted tumor growth was associated with marginally increased tumor cell senescence and cellular differentiation, showed with senescence-associated-β-galactosidase and cytokeratin 7 staining. Our results show that the fibroblasts spheroids can be used as a model to study cellular quiescence and their effects on cancer cell progression. - Highlights: • Fibroblasts acquire a sustained quiescence when grown as multicellular spheroids. • This quiescence is associated with drastic change in gene expression. • Fibroblasts spheroids secrete various inflammation-linked cytokines and chemokines. • Fibroblasts spheroids reduced growth of RT3 SCC cells in xenograft model.« less

Evidence of two distinct functionally specialized fibroblast lineages in breast stroma.

PubMed

Morsing, Mikkel; Klitgaard, Marie Christine; Jafari, Abbas; Villadsen, René; Kassem, Moustapha; Petersen, Ole William; Rønnov-Jessen, Lone

2016-11-03

The terminal duct lobular unit (TDLU) is the most dynamic structure in the human breast and the putative site of origin of human breast cancer. Although stromal cells contribute to a specialized microenvironment in many organs, this component remains largely understudied in the human breast. We here demonstrate the impact on epithelium of two lineages of breast stromal fibroblasts, one of which accumulates in the TDLU while the other resides outside the TDLU in the interlobular stroma. The two lineages are prospectively isolated by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) based on different expression levels of CD105 and CD26. The characteristics of the two fibroblast lineages are assessed by immunocytochemical staining and gene expression analysis. The differentiation capacity of the two fibroblast populations is determined by exposure to specific differentiating conditions followed by analysis of adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation. To test whether the two fibroblast lineages are functionally imprinted by their site of origin, single cell sorted CD271 low /MUC1 high normal breast luminal epithelial cells are plated on fibroblast feeders for the observation of morphological development. Epithelial structure formation and polarization is shown by immunofluorescence and digitalized quantification of immunoperoxidase-stained cultures. Lobular fibroblasts are CD105 high /CD26 low while interlobular fibroblasts are CD105 low /CD26 high . Once isolated the two lineages remain phenotypically stable and functionally distinct in culture. Lobular fibroblasts have properties in common with bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells and they specifically convey growth and branching morphogenesis of epithelial progenitors. Two distinct functionally specialized fibroblast lineages exist in the normal human breast, of which the lobular fibroblasts have properties in common with mesenchymal stem cells and support epithelial growth and morphogenesis. We propose that lobular fibroblasts constitute a specialized microenvironment for human breast luminal epithelial progenitors, i.e. the putative precursors of breast cancer.

v-myb transformation of Xeroderma pigmentosum human fibroblasts: Overexpression of the c-Ha-ras oncogene in the transformed cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Michelin, S.; Varlet, I.; Sarasin, A.

1991-10-01

Human Xeroderma pigmentosum normal' fibroblasts AS16 (XP4 VI) were transformed after transfection with a recombinant v-myb clone. In this clone (pKXA 3457) derived from avian myeloblastosis virus (AMV), the expression of the oncogene sequences is driven by the AMV U-5 LTR promoter. The transformed cells (ASKXA), which have integrated a rearranged v-myb oncogene, grow in agar, are not tumorigenic in nude mice, and express a 45-kDa v-myb protein. The HMW DNA of these cells transform chicken embryo fibroblasts. The c-Ha-ras oncogene is overexpressed in the ASKXA cells but not in the parental normal' AS16 cells and a revertant clone (ASKXAmore » Cl 1.1 G). The results lead to the conclusion that the XP fibroblasts are phenotypically transformed by the presence of the transfected v-myb oncogene, which is able to induce an overexpression of the c-Ha-ras gene.« less

Efficient retrovirus-mediated transfer and expression of a human adenosine deaminase gene in diploid skin fibroblasts from an adenosine deaminase-deficient human

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Palmer, T.D.; Hock, R.A.; Osborne, W.R.A.

1987-02-01

Skin fibroblasts might be considered suitable recipients for therapeutic genes to cure several human genetic diseases; however, these cells are resistant to gene transfer by most methods. The authors studied the ability of retroviral vectors to transfer genes into normal human diploid skin fibroblasts. Retroviruses carrying genes for neomycin or hygromycin B resistance conferred drug resistance to greater than 50% of the human fibroblasts after a single exposure to virus-containing medium. This represents at least a 500-fold increase in efficiency over other methods. Transfer was achieved in the absence of helper virus by using amphotropic retrovirus-packaging cells. A retrovirus vectormore » containing a human adenosine deaminase (ADA) cDNA was constructed and used to infect ADA/sup -/ fibroblasts from a patient with ADA deficiency. The infected cells produced 12-fold more ADA enzyme than fibroblasts from normal individuals and were able to rapidly metabolize exogenous deoxyadenosine and adenosine, metabolites that accumulate in plasma in ADA-deficient patients and are responsible for the severe combined immunodeficiency in these patients. These experiments indicate the potential of retrovirus-mediated gene transfer into human fibroblasts for gene therapy.« less

The synthetic purine reversine selectively induces cell death of cancer cells.

PubMed

Piccoli, Marco; Palazzolo, Giacomo; Conforti, Erika; Lamorte, Giuseppe; Papini, Nadia; Creo, Pasquale; Fania, Chiara; Scaringi, Raffaella; Bergante, Sonia; Tringali, Cristina; Roncoroni, Leda; Mazzoleni, Stefania; Doneda, Luisa; Galli, Rossella; Venerando, Bruno; Tettamanti, Guido; Gelfi, Cecilia; Anastasia, Luigi

2012-10-01

The synthetic purine reversine has been shown to possess a dual activity as it promotes the de-differentiation of adult cells, including fibroblasts, into stem-cell-like progenitors, but it also induces cell growth arrest and ultimately cell death of cancer cells, suggesting its possible application as an anti-cancer agent. Aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism underneath reversine selectivity in inducing cell death of cancer cells by a comparative analysis of its effects on several tumor cells and normal dermal fibroblasts. We found that reversine is lethal for all cancer cells studied as it induces cell endoreplication, a process that malignant cells cannot effectively oppose due to aberrations in cell cycle checkpoints. On the other hand, normal cells, like dermal fibroblasts, can control reversine activity by blocking the cell cycle, entering a reversible quiescent state. However, they can be induced to become sensitive to the molecule when key cell cycle proteins, e.g., p53, are silenced. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Question of bone marrow stromal fibroblast traffic

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Maloney, M.A.; Lamela, R.A.; Patt, H.M.

Bone marrow stromal fibroblasts (CFU-F) normally do not exchange bone marrow sites in vivo. Restitution of the CFU-F after radiation damage is primarily recovery by the local fibroblasts from potentially lethal damage. Migration of stromal fibroblasts from shielded sites to an irradiated site makes a minimal contribution, if any, to CFU-F recovery. Determination of the relative contribution of donor stromal cells in bone marrow transplants by karyotyping the proliferating bone marrow stromal cells in vitro may not reflect the relative distribution of fibroblasts in the marrow. If there is residual damage to the host stromal fibroblasts from treatment before transplantation,more » these cells may not be able to proliferate in vitro. Therefore, an occasional transplanted fibroblast may contribute most of the metaphase figures scored for karyotype.« less

Different dose rate-dependent responses of human melanoma cells and fibroblasts to low dose fast neutrons.

PubMed

Dionet, Claude; Müller-Barthélémy, Melanie; Marceau, Geoffroy; Denis, Jean-Marc; Averbeck, Dietrich; Gueulette, John; Sapin, Vincent; Pereira, Bruno; Tchirkov, Andrei; Chautard, Emmanuel; Verrelle, Pierre

2016-09-01

To analyze the dose rate influence in hyper-radiosensitivity (HRS) of human melanoma cells to very low doses of fast neutrons and to compare to the behaviour of normal human skin fibroblasts. We explored different neutron dose rates as well as possible implication of DNA double-strand breaks (DSB), apoptosis, and energy-provider adenosine-triphosphate (ATP) levels during HRS. HRS in melanoma cells appears only at a very low dose rate (VLDR), while a high dose rate (HDR) induces an initial cell-radioresistance (ICRR). HRS does not seem to be due either to DSB or to apoptosis. Both phenomena (HRS and ICRR) appear to be related to ATP availability for triggering cell repair. Fibroblast survival after neutron irradiation is also dose rate-dependent but without HRS. Melanoma cells or fibroblasts exert their own survival behaviour at very low doses of neutrons, suggesting that in some cases there is a differential between cancer and normal cells radiation responses. Only the survival of fibroblasts at HDR fits the linear no-threshold model. This new insight into human cell responses to very low doses of neutrons, concerns natural radiations, surroundings of accelerators, proton-therapy devices, flights at high altitude. Furthermore, ATP inhibitors could increase HRS during high-linear energy transfer (high-LET) irradiation.

Profibrotic Phenotype of Conjunctival Fibroblasts from Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid

PubMed Central

Saw, Valerie P.J.; Schmidt, Enno; Offiah, Ifeoma; Galatowicz, Grazyna; Zillikens, Detlef; Dart, John K.G.; Calder, Virginia L.; Daniels, Julie T.

2011-01-01

Ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid is an immunobullous disease in which excessive conjunctival fibrosis causes blindness, and the pathogenesis of scarring is incompletely understood. To establish whether profibrotic fibroblasts with an altered phenotype exist in ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid, we compared the functional characteristics of pemphigoid conjunctival fibroblasts to normal conjunctival fibroblasts with respect to cell division; migration; collagen contraction; matrix metalloproteinase, secretion of collagen and chemokines; and myofibroblast differentiation. We found that pemphigoid fibroblasts showed increased cell division (P = 0.01), increased migration in serum-free medium (72 ± 18 migrated cells versus 33 ± 11, P = 0.04), increased collagen contraction in the presence of 10 ng/ml tumor necrosis factor-α, increased collagen type I secretion (P = 0.03), increased secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (P = 0.03), and increased secretion of eotaxin in response to interleukin-13 (P = 0.04). Differences between pemphigoid and normal conjunctival fibroblasts with respect to collagen contraction and MMP secretion in the presence of interleukin-13 were also observed. Together, these findings indicate that pemphigoid conjunctival fibroblasts have a profibrotic phenotype that is maintained in vitro. No differences between pemphigoid fibroblasts obtained from acutely inflamed versus clinically uninflamed conjunctiva were observed. Developing effective antifibrotic therapies will require understanding of the mechanisms that both induce and maintain the profibrotic phenotype. PMID:21224056

Validation of in vitro assays in three-dimensional human dermal constructs.

PubMed

Idrees, Ayesha; Chiono, Valeria; Ciardelli, Gianluca; Shah, Siegfried; Viebahn, Richard; Zhang, Xiang; Salber, Jochen

2018-05-01

Three-dimensional cell culture systems are urgently needed for cytocompatibility testing of biomaterials. This work aimed at the development of three-dimensional in vitro dermal skin models and their optimization for cytocompatibility evaluation. Initially "murine in vitro dermal construct" based on L929 cells was generated, leading to the development of "human in vitro dermal construct" consisting of normal human dermal fibroblasts in rat tail tendon collagen type I. To assess the viability of the cells, different assays CellTiter-Blue ® , RealTime-Glo ™ MT, and CellTiter-Glo ® (Promega) were evaluated to optimize the best-suited assay to the respective cell type and three-dimensional system. Z-stack imaging (Live/Dead and Phalloidin/DAPI-Promokine) was performed to visualize normal human dermal fibroblasts inside matrix revealing filopodia-like morphology and a uniform distribution of normal human dermal fibroblasts in matrix. CellTiter-Glo was found to be the optimal cell viability assay among those analyzed. CellTiter-Blue reagent affected the cell morphology of normal human dermal fibroblasts (unlike L929), suggesting an interference with cell biological activity, resulting in less reliable viability data. On the other hand, RealTime-Glo provided a linear signal only with a very low cell density, which made this assay unsuitable for this system. CellTiter-Glo adapted to three-dimensional dermal construct by optimizing the "shaking time" to enhance the reagent penetration and maximum adenosine triphosphate release, indicating 2.4 times higher viability value by shaking for 60 min than for 5 min. In addition, viability results showed that cells were viable inside the matrix. This model would be further advanced with more layers of skin to make a full thickness model.

Unchanged thymidine triphosphate pools and thymidine metabolism in two lines of thymidine kinase 2-mutated fibroblasts.

PubMed

Frangini, Miriam; Rampazzo, Chiara; Franzolin, Elisa; Lara, Mari-Carmen; Vilà, Maya R; Martí, Ramon; Bianchi, Vera

2009-02-01

Mitochondrial thymidine kinase (TK2) catalyzes the phosphorylation of thymidine in mitochondria. Its function becomes essential for dTTP synthesis in noncycling cells, where cytosolic dTTP synthesis via R1/R2 ribonucleotide reductase and thymidine kinase 1 is turned down. Mutations in the nuclear gene for TK2 cause a fatal mtDNA depletion syndrome. Only selected cell types are affected, suggesting that the other cells compensate for the TK2 deficiency by adapting the enzyme network that regulates dTTP synthesis outside S-phase. Here we looked for such metabolic adaptation in quiescent cultures of fibroblasts from two TK2-deficient patients with a slow-progressing syndrome. In cell extracts, we measured the activities of TK2, deoxycytidine kinase, thymidine phosphorylase, deoxynucleotidases and the amounts of the three ribonucleotide reductase subunits. Patient cells contained 40% or 5% TK2 activity and unchanged activities of the other enzymes. However, their mitochondrial and cytosolic dTTP pools were unchanged, and also the overall composition of the dNTP pools was normal. TK2-dependent phosphorylation of [(3)H]thymidine in intact cells and the turnover of the dTTP pool showed that even the fibroblasts with 5% residual TK2 activity synthesized dTTP at an almost normal rate. Normal fibroblasts apparently contain more TK2 than needed to maintain dTTP during quiescence, which would explain why TK2-mutated fibroblasts do not manifest mtDNA depletion despite their reduced TK2 activity.

Effects of hypoxia on the expression of inflammatory markers IL-6 and TNF-a in human normal peritoneal and adhesion fibroblasts.

PubMed

Ambler, Dana R; Fletcher, Nicole M; Diamond, Michael P; Saed, Ghassan M

2012-12-01

Inflammation is known to be involved in the postoperative adhesion development. Interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α are cytokines that stimulate the acute-phase reaction, which leads to a systemic reaction including inflammation, fever, and activation of the complement and clotting cascades. The goal of this study was to examine the expression of these inflammatory markers, under normal and hypoxic conditions, in normal and adhesion fibroblasts. Primary cultures of fibroblasts were established from normal peritoneum and adhesion tissues from the same patient(s) and cultured under 20% O(2) or hypoxic 2% O(2) conditions for 24 hours. Cells were harvested and total RNA was isolated. Complimentary DNA was generated by reverse transcription and subjected to real-time RT-PCR using specific primers for IL-6 and TNF-α. Both normal peritoneal and adhesion fibroblasts expressed IL-6 and TNF-α. Adhesion fibroblasts exhibited significantly higher levels of IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA as compared to normal peritoneal fibroblasts (p < 0.05). Both IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA levels were upregulated in response to hypoxia in both normal peritoneal and adhesion fibroblasts. The increase in IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA levels of normal fibroblasts reached the levels observed in adhesion fibroblasts. Our results suggest that hypoxia promotes the development of the adhesion phenotype by the induction of inflammatory markers, which may contribute to the development of postoperative adhesions. The inhibition of inflammation may be a potential therapeutic approach in the prevention and/or reduction of postoperative adhesion development.

Tumor cells induce the cancer associated fibroblast phenotype via caveolin-1 degradation: implications for breast cancer and DCIS therapy with autophagy inhibitors.

PubMed

Martinez-Outschoorn, Ubaldo E; Pavlides, Stephanos; Whitaker-Menezes, Diana; Daumer, Kristin M; Milliman, Janet N; Chiavarina, Barbara; Migneco, Gemma; Witkiewicz, Agnieszka K; Martinez-Cantarin, Maria P; Flomenberg, Neal; Howell, Anthony; Pestell, Richard G; Lisanti, Michael P; Sotgia, Federica

2010-06-15

Loss of stromal caveolin 1 (Cav-1) is a novel biomarker for cancer-associated fibroblasts that predicts poor clinical outcome in breast cancer and DCIS patients. We hypothesized that epithelial cancer cells may have the ability to drive Cav-1 downregulation in adjacent normal fibroblasts, thereby promoting the cancer associated fibroblast phenotype. To test this hypothesis directly, here we developed a novel co-culture model employing (i) human breast cancer cells (MCF7), and (ii) immortalized fibroblasts (hTERT-BJ1), which are grown under defined experimental conditions. Importantly, we show that co-culture of immortalized human fibroblasts with MCF7 breast cancer cells leads to Cav-1 downregulation in fibroblasts. These results were also validated using primary cultures of normal human mammary fibroblasts co-cultured with MCF7 cells. In this system, we show that Cav-1 downregulation is mediated by autophagic/lysosomal degradation, as pre-treatment with lysosome-specific inhibitors rescues Cav-1 expression. Functionally, we demonstrate that fibroblasts co-cultured with MCF7 breast cancer cells acquire a cancer associated fibroblast phenotype, characterized by Cav-1 downregulation, increased expression of myofibroblast markers and extracellular matrix proteins, and constitutive activation of TGFβ/Smad2 signaling. siRNA-mediated Cav-1 downregulation mimics several key changes that occur in co-cultured fibroblasts, clearly indicating that a loss of Cav-1 is a critical initiating factor, driving stromal fibroblast activation during tumorigenesis. As such, this co-culture system can now be used as an experimental model for generating "synthetic" cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs). More specifically, these "synthetic" CAFs could be used for drug screening to identify novel therapeutics that selectively target the Cav-1-negative tumor micro-environment. Our findings also suggest that chloroquine, or other autophagy/lysosome inhibitors, may be useful as anti-cancer agents, to therapeutically restore the expression of stromal Cav-1 in cancer associated fibroblasts. We discuss this possibility, in light of the launch of a new clinical trial that uses chloroquine to treat DCIS patients: PINC (Preventing Invasive Breast Neoplasia with Cholorquine) [See http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01023477].

Rapid diagnosis of sensitivity to ultraviolet light in fibroblasts from dermatologic disorders, with particular reference to xeroderma pigmentosum

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cleaver, J.E.; Thomas, G.H.

1988-04-01

A rapid and simple method for determining the sensitivity of human fibroblasts to ultraviolet light is described. As an alternative to the colony formation assay, this method can be used for the rapid diagnosis of ultraviolet light sensitivity in fibroblasts from photosensitive disorders. The method is based on growth of small numbers of cells in 1-cm wells of culture trays for 4 or more days after irradiation and determination of cell survival by the incorporation of (/sup 3/H)hypoxanthine. D37 values (the dose at which 37% of the control level of incorporation remains) obtained from this procedure showed the same relativemore » sensitivity of normal and xeroderma pigmentosum fibroblasts as was obtained by colony formation. Untransformed and SV40-transformed fibroblasts, which have different growth rates and different responses to high cell densities, gave different D37 values by this assay in culture trays as compared with colony formation. Comparison of relative sensitivities to irradiation should therefore be made only between cell types with similar growth characteristics. The similar sensitivity of normal and xeroderma pigmentosum cells to mitomycin C was also determined by this culture tray method. By increasing cell density at the beginning of the experiments, a greater capacity of group C compared with group D fibroblasts for recovery from potentially lethal damage was also detected.« less

Reduced superoxide dismutase activity in xeroderma pigmentosum fibroblasts

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nishigori, C.; Miyachi, Y.; Imamura, S.

1989-10-01

This study was performed in order to assess the possible protective effect of superoxide dismutase (SOD) on ultraviolet (UV) damage in xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) fibroblasts. SOD activity in fibroblasts originating from seven xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) patients was significantly lower than that in normal cells (p less than 0.005). Average SOD activity in XP cells belonging to complementation group A was 3.68 +/- 0.54 (n = 7) and that in normal human cells was 5.79 +/- 1.59 (n = 6). Addition of SOD before and during UV irradiation (UVB and UVC) to the cells caused no change in the amount ofmore » unscheduled DNA synthesis and UV survival. A possible involvement of reduced SOD in XP and a possible protective effect by SOD on UV damage is discussed.« less

Kallikrein-related peptidase 4 induces cancer-associated fibroblast features in prostate-derived stromal cells.

PubMed

Kryza, Thomas; Silva, Lakmali M; Bock, Nathalie; Fuhrman-Luck, Ruth A; Stephens, Carson R; Gao, Jin; Samaratunga, Hema; Lawrence, Mitchell G; Hooper, John D; Dong, Ying; Risbridger, Gail P; Clements, Judith A

2017-10-01

The reciprocal communication between cancer cells and their microenvironment is critical in cancer progression. Although involvement of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) in cancer progression is long established, the molecular mechanisms leading to differentiation of CAFs from normal fibroblasts are poorly understood. Here, we report that kallikrein-related peptidase-4 (KLK4) promotes CAF differentiation. KLK4 is highly expressed in prostate epithelial cells of premalignant (prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia) and malignant lesions compared to normal prostate epithelia, especially at the peristromal interface. KLK4 induced CAF-like features in the prostate-derived WPMY1 normal stromal cell line, including increased expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin, ESR1 and SFRP1. KLK4 activated protease-activated receptor-1 in WPMY1 cells increasing expression of several factors (FGF1, TAGLN, LOX, IL8, VEGFA) involved in prostate cancer progression. In addition, KLK4 induced WPMY1 cell proliferation and secretome changes, which in turn stimulated HUVEC cell proliferation that could be blocked by a VEGFA antibody. Importantly, the genes dysregulated by KLK4 treatment of WPMY1 cells were also differentially expressed between patient-derived CAFs compared to matched nonmalignant fibroblasts and were further increased by KLK4 treatment. Taken together, we propose that epithelial-derived KLK4 promotes tumour progression by actively promoting CAF differentiation in the prostate stromal microenvironment. © 2017 The Authors. Published by FEBS Press and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Comparison of primary human fibroblasts and keratinocytes with immortalized cell lines regarding their sensitivity to sodium dodecyl sulfate in a neutral red uptake cytotoxicity assay.

PubMed

Olschläger, Veronika; Schrader, Andreas; Hockertz, Stefan

2009-01-01

Cell lines present a valuable tool for in vitro assessment of skin damage caused by application of cosmeticals or pharmaceuticals. They form a reproducible test system under controllable test conditions and, in many cases, can be used as alternatives to animal testing in order to assess the compatibility of drugs or cosmetics and human skin. Yet, it can not necessarily be assumed that the behavior of cultured cells, when treated with different substances, is exactly consistent with the behavior of cells being part of a live organism. Becoming immortal, cells exhibit changes in genotype and/or phenotype, possibly resulting in modified reactions to external influences. Therefore, to obtain results close to in vivo studies, it seems apparent to use primary cells for testing that have not yet undergone any modifications. To compare the properties of primary fibroblasts (Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts, NHDF) and primary keratinocytes (Normal Human Epidermal Keratinocytes, NHEK) with those of immortal cell lines (3T3 (ACC 173) Swiss albino mouse fibroblasts and HaCaT (human, adult, low calcium, high temperature, human adult skin keratinocytes) cells), their sensitivities in cytotoxicity assays have been assessed. While both fibroblast cell cultures showed similar sensitivities towards sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), primary keratinocytes died at SDS concentrations about three times lower than the immortal HaCaT cells.

AGEs trigger autophagy in diabetic skin tissues and fibroblasts.

PubMed

Sun, Kan; Wang, Wei; Wang, Chuan; Lao, Guojuan; Liu, Dan; Mai, Lifang; Yan, Li; Yang, Chuan; Ren, Meng

2016-03-11

Accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) contributes to the development of diabetic ulcers. Recent evidence indicates that AGEs administration enhanced autophagy in many cell types. As a positive trigger of autophagy, the effect of AGEs on autophagy in skin tissues and fibroblasts remains unknown. Skin tissues were isolated from Spreqne-Dawley rats and immunohistochemical staining was performed to analyze the location of LC3 and FOXO1 in skin tissues. Then primary cultured foreskin fibroblast cells with treated with AGEs and the effect of AGEs on autophagy was investigated. Protein level expressions of LC3, Beclin-1 and FOXO1 in fibroblasts were analyzed by Western blotting. Autophagic flux is detected with autophagy inhibitor chloroquine and mRFP-GFP-LC3 tandem construct. Compared with skin from normal rats, immunohistochemical staining shows a predominant LC3 localization in fibroblasts cytoplasm in diabetic rats. Elevated expression of FOXO1 also existed in diabetic rats dermis fibroblasts when compared with normal rats in immunohistochemical analysis. In human skin fibroblasts cells, AGEs administration stimulated the autophagy related LC3-II/LC3-I and Beclin-1 expressions and increased autophagy flux. In mRFP-GFP-LC3 puncta formation assays, both autolysosome and autophagosome were increased in human fibroblasts after treatment with AGEs. Fibroblasts exposed to AGEs also have increased FOXO1 expression compared with control group. AGEs could induce autophagy at least in part via regulating the FOXO1 activity in diabetic skin tissues and fibroblasts. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

SDF-1 in Mammary Fibroblasts of Bovine with Mastitis Induces EMT and Inflammatory Response of Epithelial Cells.

PubMed

He, Guiliang; Ma, Mengru; Yang, Wei; Wang, Hao; Zhang, Yong; Gao, Ming-Qing

2017-01-01

Fibroblasts constitute the majority of the stromal cells within bovine mammary gland, yet the functional contributions of these cells to mastitis and fibrosis and the mechanism are poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that inflammation-associated fibroblasts (INFs) extracted from bovine mammary glands with clinical mastitis had different expression pattern regarding to several extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, chemokines and cytokines compared to normal fibroblasts (NFs) from dairy cows during lactation. The INFs induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and inflammatory responses of mammary epithelial cells in a vitro co-culture model. These functional contributions of INFs to normal epithelial cells were mediated through their ability to secrete stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1). SDF-1 was highly secreted/expressed by INFs, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -treated NFs, lipoteichoic acid (LTA) -treated NFs, as well as mastitic tissue compared to their counterparts. Exogenous SDF-1 promoted EMT on epithelial cells through activating NF-κB pathway, induced inflammation response and inhibited proliferation of epithelial cells. In addition, SDF-1 was able to induce mastitis and slight fibrosis of mouse mammary gland, which was attenuated by a specific inhibitor of the receptor of SDF-1. Our findings indicate that stromal fibroblasts within mammary glands with mastitis contribute to EMT and inflammatory responses of epithelial cells through the secretion of SDF-1, which could result in the inflammation spread and fibrosis within mammary gland.

Nucleotide excision repair modulates the cytotoxic and mutagenic effects of N-n-butyl-N-nitrosourea in cultured mammalian cells as well as in mouse splenocytes in vivo.

PubMed

Bol, S A; van Steeg, H; van Oostrom, C T; Tates, A D; Vrieling, H; de Groot, A J; Mullenders, L H; van Zeeland, A A; Jansen, J G

1999-05-01

The butylating agent N-n-butyl-N-nitrosourea (BNU) was employed to study the role of nucleotide excision repair (NER) in protecting mammalian cells against the genotoxic effects of monofunctional alkylating agents. The direct acting agent BNU was found to be mutagenic in normal and XPA mouse splenocytes after a single i.p. treatment in vivo. After 25 and 35 mg/kg BNU, but not after 75 mg/ kg, 2- to 3-fold more hprt mutants were detected in splenocytes from XPA mice than from normal mice. Using O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT)-deficient hamster cells, it was found that NER-deficient CHO UV5 cells carrying a mutation in the ERCC-2 gene were 40% more mutable towards lesions induced by BNU when compared with parental NER-proficient CHO AA8 cells. UV5 cells were 1.4-fold more sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of BNU compared with AA8 cells. To investigate whether this increased sensitivity of NER-deficient cells is modulated by AGT activity, cell survival studies were performed in human and mouse primary fibroblasts as well. BNU was 2.7-fold more toxic for mouse XPA fibroblasts compared with normal mouse fibroblasts. Comparable results were found for human fibroblasts. Taken together these data indicate that the role of NER in protecting rodent cells against the mutagenic and cytotoxic effects of the alkylating agent BNU depends on AGT.

[Energy corrective and antioxidative actions of cytoflavin during postischemic period of human dermal fibroblasts in vitro].

PubMed

Tiuriaeva, I I; Kuranova, M L; Gonchar, I V; Rozanov, Iu M

2012-01-01

The influence of metabolic drug Cytoflavin (CF) with antihypoxic and antioxidative properties on human dermal fibroblasts in a model of ischemia-reoxygenation in vitro was studied. It was revealed that the restoration of ATP synthesis in fibroblasts in the postischemic period was considerably accelerated (in 2.1 times) by the addition of CF to the culture medium. The drug had a cell protective effect of reducing cell mortality during the reoxygenation after ischemia by 2-2.7 times. CF effectively reduced the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in fibroblasts after H2O2 treatment which allowed maintaining their survival at the level of control cells. Pretreatment of the cells with CF for one day ensured the maintenance of normal levels of ROS during the investigated time period in the fibroblasts subjected to H2O2 treatment, and reduced H2O2-induced cell death by almost a third compared to control cells. The introduction of CF in culture medium after ischemia showed no influence on Hsp70 synthesis, but led to decrease in GRP78 synthesis, raised after ischemia, to the control level, indicating a resolve of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and functional normalization of ER.

Tumor-produced, active Interleukin-1 {beta} regulates gene expression in carcinoma-associated fibroblasts

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dudas, Jozsef, E-mail: Jozsef.Dudas@i-med.ac.at; Fullar, Alexandra, E-mail: fullarsz@gmail.com; 1st Institute of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Ulloei ut 26, H-1085 Budapest

2011-09-10

Recently we described a co-culture model of periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts and SCC-25 lingual squamous carcinoma cells, which resulted in conversion of normal fibroblasts into carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of SCC-25 cells. We have found a constitutive high interleukin-1{beta} (IL1-{beta}) expression in SCC-25 cells in normal and in co-cultured conditions. In our hypothesis a constitutive IL1-{beta} expression in SCC-25 regulates gene expression in fibroblasts during co-culture. Co-cultures were performed between PDL fibroblasts and SCC-25 cells with and without dexamethasone (DEX) treatment; IL1-{beta} processing was investigated in SCC-25 cells, tumor cells and PDL fibroblasts were treated withmore » IL1-{beta}. IL1-{beta} signaling was investigated by western blot and immunocytochemistry. IL1-{beta}-regulated genes were analyzed by real-time qPCR. SCC-25 cells produced 16 kD active IL1-{beta}, its receptor was upregulated in PDL fibroblasts during co-culture, which induced phosphorylation of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase-1 (IRAK-1), and nuclear translocalization of NF{kappa}B{alpha}. Several genes, including interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1) interleukin-6 (IL-6) and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (COX-2) were induced in CAFs during co-culture. The most enhanced induction was found for IL-6 and COX-2. Treatment of PDL fibroblasts with IL1-{beta} reproduced a time- and dose-dependent upregulation of IL1-receptor, IL-6 and COX-2. A further proof was achieved by DEX inhibition for IL1-{beta}-stimulated IL-6 and COX-2 gene expression. Constitutive expression of IL1-{beta} in the tumor cells leads to IL1-{beta}-stimulated gene expression changes in tumor-associated fibroblasts, which are involved in tumor progression. -- Graphical abstract: SCC-25 cells produce active, processed IL1-{beta}. PDL fibroblasts possess receptor for IL1-{beta}, and its expression is increased 4.56-times in the presence of SCC-25 tumor cells. IL1-{beta} receptor expression in fibroblasts, especially in CAFs represents a major option in coordination of fibroblast and tumor behavior. A key event in IL1-{beta} signaling, the phosphorylation of IRAK1, occurred in co-cultured fibroblasts, which has lead to nuclear translocation of NF{kappa}B{alpha}, and finally to induction of several genes, including BDNF, IRF1, IL-6 and COX-2. The most enhanced induction was found for IL-6 and COX-2.« less

Response of dupuytren fibroblasts to different oxygen environments.

PubMed

Türker, Tolga; Murphy, Erin; Kaufman, Christina L; Kutz, Joseph E; Meister, Edward A; Hoying, James B

2013-12-01

It is thought that local ischemia and oxygen radicals are responsible for fibroblast-to-myofibroblast cell transformation and proliferation. We hypothesized that hypoxia could differentially activate the contractility of fibroblasts from normal human palmar fascia and from fibroblasts-myofibroblasts of Dupuytren cords. Normal palmar fascia from 5 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and Dupuytren cords from 5 patients were harvested. Cells were cultured from all tissue samples, and collagen lattices were prepared containing these cells. Oxygen treatment subgroups were created and incubated under hypoxic (1% O(2), 5% CO(2), and 94% N(2)), normoxic (21% O(2), 5% CO(2), and 74% N(2)), and hyperoxic (100% oxygen using 2.4 atm pressure twice a day for 7 d) conditions. After 7 days, each subgroup was photographed, and lattices were released from dishes. Postrelease photographs were taken immediately, 5 minutes after release, and after 1 hour. Areas of the lattices at each time point were calculated using MetaMorph software. Actin staining and live/dead cell analysis was performed. Linear repeated measures analysis of variance was used for data analysis given that contraction levels were measured over 3 distinct time points. We found a statistically significant difference between normal samples and Dupuytren samples in mean contraction levels over time. There was no statistically significant difference between tissue groups over the 3 time periods based on the oxygen treatment received. Our results showed a greater degree of contractility in Dupuytren disease cells than normal fibroblasts. However, the contraction in either group was not affected by oxygen level. Future in vivo research is needed to better understand the nature of pathophysiology of Dupuytren disease. Copyright © 2013 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Extracorporeal shock waves enhance normal fibroblast proliferation in vitro and activate mRNA expression for TGF-beta1 and for collagen types I and III.

PubMed

Berta, Laura; Fazzari, Annamaria; Ficco, Anna Maria; Enrica, Patrizia Maurici; Catalano, Maria Graziella; Frairia, Roberto

2009-10-01

Extracorporeal shock waves (ESWs) are used to good effect in the treatment of soft tissue injuries, but the underlying mechanisms are still unknown. We therefore determined the effects of ESWs on normal fibroblasts in vitro, in order to assess treatment-induced cell response. A normal human fibroblast cell line (NHDF-12519) was treated with ESWs generated by a piezoelectric device (Piezoson 100; Richard Wolfe) using different protocols of impulses (300, 1,000, or 2,000 shots) and energy (0.11 or 0.22 mJ/mm(2)). Untreated controls and treated cells were cultivated for 12 days following a single shock-wave treatment. Viability, growth rate, and expression of mRNA for TGFbeta-1 and collagen types I and III were evaluated at days 3, 6, 9, and 12. 1 hour after shock-wave treatment, cell viability showed a decrease related mainly to impulse numbers applied. Fibroblasts treated with energy of 0.22 mJ/mm(2) subsequently showed an increase in proliferation from day 6 to day 9 that was higher than in untreated controls, without interference with the normal cell kinetic profile. mRNA expression was also higher in treated fibroblasts than in untreated controls for TGFbeta-1 on day 6 and day 9, for collagen type I on day 6, and for collagen type III on day 9. These in vitro data confirm that the main factors involved in the repair process of connective tissues are activated by ESWs. The study gives the rationale for, and may provide schedules for, ESW treatment of tendonopathies.

Properties of murine embryonic stem cells maintained on human foreskin fibroblasts without LIF.

PubMed

Meng, G L; Zur Nieden, N I; Liu, S Y; Cormier, J T; Kallos, M S; Rancourt, D E

2008-04-01

In embryonic stem (ES) cells, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF)/STAT3, wnt and nodal/activin signaling are mainly active to control pluripotency during expansion. To maintain pluripotency, ES cells are typically cultured on feeder cells of varying origins. Murine ES cells are commonly cultured on murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), which senesce early and must be frequently prepared. This process is laborious and leads to batch variation presenting a challenge for high-throughput ES cell expansion. Although some cell lines can be sustained by exogenous LIF, this method is costly. We present here a novel and inexpensive culture method for expanding murine ES cells on human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) feeders. After 20 passages on HFFs without LIF, ES cell lines showed normal expression levels of pluripotency markers, maintained a normal karyotype and retained the ability to contribute to the germline. As HFFs do not senesce for at least 62 passages, they present a vast supply of feeders. Copyright 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

9-AAA inhibits growth and induces apoptosis in human melanoma A375 and rat prostate adenocarcinoma AT-2 and Mat-LyLu cell lines but does not affect the growth and viability of normal fibroblasts.

PubMed

Korohoda, Włodzimierz; Hapek, Anna; Pietrzak, Monika; Ryszawy, Damian; Madeja, Zbigniew

2016-11-01

The present study found that, similarly to 5-fluorouracil, low concentrations (1-10 µM) of 9-aminoacridine (9-AAA) inhibited the growth of the two rat prostate cancer AT-2 and Mat-LyLu cell lines and the human melanoma A375 cell line. However, at the same concentrations, 9-AAA had no effect on the growth and apoptosis of normal human skin fibroblasts (HSFs). The differences between the cellular responses of the AT-2 and Mat-LyLu cell lines, which differ in malignancy, were found to be relatively small compared with the differences between normal HSFs and the cancer cell lines. Visible effects on the cell growth and survival of tumor cell lines were observed after 24-48 h of treatment with 9-AAA, and increased over time. The inhibition of cancer cell growth was found to be due to the gradually increasing number of cells dying by apoptosis, which was observed using two methods, direct counting and FlowSight analysis. Simultaneously, cell motile activity decreased to the same degree in cancer and normal cells within the first 8 h of incubation in the presence of 9-AAA. The results presented in the current study suggest that short-lasting tests for potential anticancer substances can be insufficient; which may result in cell type-dependent differences in the responses of cells to tested compounds that act with a delay being overlooked. The observed differences in responses between normal human fibroblasts and cancer cells to 9-AAA show the requirement for additional studies to be performed simultaneously on differently reacting cancer and normal cells, to determine the molecular mechanisms responsible for these differences.

Carbon Nanotubes Preserve Normal Phenotypes Under Cancer-Promoting Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wailes, Elizabeth; Levi-Polyachenko, Nicole

2015-03-01

Tumor-associated fibroblasts and cancer cells have long been known to create a feedback loop that further stimulates the cancer. While this has been explored from a molecular biology standpoint, little is known about the physical relationship of the cell types even though both sets of cells are known to be mechanosensitive. Indeed, for both fibroblasts and cancer, mechanical signals can make the difference between a normal or pathological cell. To evaluate this relationship and test if it can be manipulated to favor normal cells, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and confocal microscopy was performed on fibroblast and breast cancer cell co-cultures with a collagen gel matrix to simulate the extracellular matrix. Pathological behavior was encouraged through the addition of transforming growth factor beta (TGF- β) . In a separate group, this behavior was discouraged through the doping of the collagen gel with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT). Significant differences were observed both in the elastic moduli of each cell type and the cancer cells' propensity to migrate through the gel as a model for metastasis. These results shed new light on how cancer progresses and promote the further investigation of nano-mechanical solutions to cancer.

Senescence of immortal human fibroblasts by the introduction of normal human chromosome 6

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sandhu, A.K.; Hubbard, K.; Kaur, G.P.

1994-06-07

In these studies the authors show that introduction of a normal human chromosome 6 or 6q can suppress the immortal phenotype of simian virus 40-transformed human fibroblasts (SV/HF). Normal human fibroblasts have a limited life span in culture. Immortal clones of SV/HF displayed nonrandom rearrangements in chromosome 6. Single human chromosomes present in mouse/human monochromosomal hybrids were introduced into SV/HF via microcell fusion and maintained by selection for a dominant selectable marker gpt, previously integrated into the human chromosome. Clones of SV/HF cells bearing chromosome 6 displayed limited potential for cell division and morphological characteristics of senescent cells. The lossmore » of chromosome 6 from the suppressed clones correlated with the reappearance of immortal clones. Introduced chromosome 6 in the senescing cells was distinguished from those of parental cells by analysis for DNA sequences specific for the donor chromosome. The results further show that suppression of immortal phenotype in SV/HF is specific to chromosome 6. Introduction of individual human chromosomes 2, 8, or 19 did not impart cellular senescence in SV/HF. In addition, introduction of chromosome 6 into human glioblastoma cells did not lead to senescence. Based upon these results the authors propose that at least one of the genes (SEN6) for cellular senescence in human fibroblasts is present on the long arm of chromosome 6.« less

Sensitivity of cultured skin fibroblasts from patients with neurofibromatosis to DNA-damaging agents

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Woods, W.G.; McKenzie, B.; Letourneau, M.A.

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is an autosomal dominant disorder associated with various constitutional abnormalities as well as a striking predisposition for malignant and nonmalignant neoplasms, both in cells originating in and not originating in the neural crest. We have examined the sensitivity of cultured skin fibroblasts from patients with neurofibromatosis to several types of DNA damage. Fibroblasts in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium were plated at 10(2) to 2 X 10(4) cells per 75 cm2 tissue culture plates, and exposed to various doses of gamma radiation (leads to DNA scission), actinomycin D, or mitomycin C. Cells were reincubated for 15 to 40 daysmore » until surviving colonies exhibited greater than 30-50 cells. Plates were then stained with 1% methylene blue and the colonies counted, with surviving fraction determined relative to plating efficiency. Nine skin fibroblast cell strains from normal individuals were studied as controls. One neurofibromatosis (NF) cell strain, SB23, exhibited normal sensitivity to all three DNA-damaging agents studied in early (7-8) and middle (12-13) in vitro passage. Strain GM0622, on the other hand, exhibited normal sensitivity to the three DNA-damaging agents studied at early passage, but showed a significant decrease in survival after exposure to both gamma radiation (D0 = 106 rad) and actinomycin D (D0 = 0.024 mcg/ml) with increasing passage. Strain GM1639 exhibited decreased survival after actinomycin D exposure at early passage (D0 = 0.017 mcg/ml), with normal survival after exposure to gamma radiation and mitomycin C at the same passage.« less

Regulation of fibroblast Fas expression by soluble and mechanical pro-fibrotic stimuli.

PubMed

Dodi, Amos E; Ajayi, Iyabode O; Chang, Christine; Beard, Meghan; Ashley, Shanna L; Huang, Steven K; Thannickal, Victor J; Tschumperlin, Daniel J; Sisson, Thomas H; Horowitz, Jeffrey C

2018-05-10

Fibroblast apoptosis is a critical component of normal repair and the acquisition of an apoptosis-resistant phenotype contributes to the pathogenesis of fibrotic repair. Fibroblasts from fibrotic lungs of humans and mice demonstrate resistance to apoptosis induced by Fas-ligand and prior studies have shown that susceptibility to apoptosis is enhanced when Fas (CD95) expression is increased in these cells. Moreover, prior work shows that Fas expression in fibrotic lung fibroblasts is reduced by epigenetic silencing of the Fas promoter. However, the mechanisms by which microenvironmental stimuli such as TGF-β1 and substrate stiffness affect fibroblast Fas expression are not well understood. Primary normal human lung fibroblasts (IMR-90) were cultured on tissue culture plastic or on polyacrylamide hydrogels with Young's moduli to recapitulate the compliance of normal (400 Pa) or fibrotic (6400 Pa) lung tissue and treated with or without TGF-β1 (10 ng/mL) in the presence or absence of protein kinase inhibitors and/or inflammatory cytokines. Expression of Fas was assessed by quantitative real time RT-PCR, ELISA and Western blotting. Soluble Fas (sFas) was measured in conditioned media by ELISA. Apoptosis was assessed using the Cell Death Detection Kit and by Western blotting for cleaved PARP. Fas expression and susceptibility to apoptosis was diminished in fibroblasts cultured on 6400 Pa substrates compared to 400 Pa substrates. TGF-β1 reduced Fas mRNA and protein in a time- and dose-dependent manner dependent on focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Surprisingly, TGF-β1 did not significantly alter cell-surface Fas expression, but did stimulate secretion of sFas. Finally, enhanced Fas expression and increased susceptibility to apoptosis was induced by combined treatment with TNF-α/IFN-γ and was not inhibited by TGF-β1. Soluble and matrix-mediated pro-fibrotic stimuli promote fibroblast resistance to apoptosis by decreasing Fas transcription while stimulating soluble Fas secretion. These findings suggest that distinct mechanisms regulating Fas expression in fibroblasts may serve different functions in the complex temporal and spatial evolution of normal and fibrotic wound-repair responses.

Wound Healing Activity of Extracts and Formulations of Aloe vera, Henna, Adiantum capillus-veneris, and Myrrh on Mouse Dermal Fibroblast Cells.

PubMed

Negahdari, Samira; Galehdari, Hamid; Kesmati, Mahnaz; Rezaie, Anahita; Shariati, Gholamreza

2017-01-01

Among the most important factors in wound healing pathways are transforming growth factor beta1 and vascular endothelial growth factor. Fibroblasts are the main cell in all phases wound closure. In this study, the extracts of plant materials such as Adiantum capillus-veneris , Commiphora molmol , Aloe vera , and henna and one mixture of them were used to treatment of normal mouse skin fibroblasts. Cytotoxic effects of each extract and their mixture were assessed on mouse skin fibroblasts cells using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. We performed migration assays to assess migration properties of mouse skin fibroblasts cells in response to the extracts. Changes in the gene expression of the Tgf β1 and Vegf-A genes were monitored by real-time polymerase chain reaction. A. capillus-veneris , C. molmol and henna extract improved the expression of Tgfβ1 gene. All used extracts upregulated the expression of Vegf-A gene and promoted the migration of mouse fibroblast cells in vitro . The present study demonstrated that the mentioned herbal extracts might be effective in wound healing, through the improvement in the migration of fibroblast cells and regulating the gene expression of Tgfβ1 and Vegf-A genes in fibroblast cells treated with extracts.

Stimulation of Skin and Wound Fibroblast Migration by Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Normal Donors and Chronic Wound Patients

PubMed Central

Rodriguez-Menocal, Luis; Salgado, Marcela; Ford, Dwayne

2012-01-01

Chronic wounds continue to be a major cause of morbidity for patients and an economic burden on the health care system. Novel therapeutic approaches to improved wound healing will need, however, to address cellular changes induced by a number of systemic comorbidities seen in chronic wound patients, such as diabetes, chronic renal failure, and arterial or venous insufficiency. These effects likely include impaired inflammatory cell migration, reduced growth factor production, and poor tissue remodeling. The multifunctional properties of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), including their ability to differentiate into various cell types and capacity to secrete factors important in accelerating healing of cutaneous wounds, have made MSCs a promising agent for tissue repair and regeneration. In this study we have used an in vitro scratch assay procedure incorporating labeled MSCs and fibroblasts derived from normal donors and chronic wound patients in order to characterize the induction of mobilization when these cells are mixed. A modified Boyden chamber assay was also used to examine the effect of soluble factors on fibroblast migration. These studies suggest that MSCs play a role in skin wound closure by affecting dermal fibroblast migration in a dose-dependent manner. Deficiencies were noted, however, in chronic wound patient fibroblasts and MSCs as compared with those derived from normal donors. These findings provide a foundation to develop therapies targeted specifically to the use of bone marrow-derived MSCs in wound healing and may provide insight into why some wounds do not heal. PMID:23197781

Stimulation of skin and wound fibroblast migration by mesenchymal stem cells derived from normal donors and chronic wound patients.

PubMed

Rodriguez-Menocal, Luis; Salgado, Marcela; Ford, Dwayne; Van Badiavas, Evangelos

2012-03-01

Chronic wounds continue to be a major cause of morbidity for patients and an economic burden on the health care system. Novel therapeutic approaches to improved wound healing will need, however, to address cellular changes induced by a number of systemic comorbidities seen in chronic wound patients, such as diabetes, chronic renal failure, and arterial or venous insufficiency. These effects likely include impaired inflammatory cell migration, reduced growth factor production, and poor tissue remodeling. The multifunctional properties of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), including their ability to differentiate into various cell types and capacity to secrete factors important in accelerating healing of cutaneous wounds, have made MSCs a promising agent for tissue repair and regeneration. In this study we have used an in vitro scratch assay procedure incorporating labeled MSCs and fibroblasts derived from normal donors and chronic wound patients in order to characterize the induction of mobilization when these cells are mixed. A modified Boyden chamber assay was also used to examine the effect of soluble factors on fibroblast migration. These studies suggest that MSCs play a role in skin wound closure by affecting dermal fibroblast migration in a dose-dependent manner. Deficiencies were noted, however, in chronic wound patient fibroblasts and MSCs as compared with those derived from normal donors. These findings provide a foundation to develop therapies targeted specifically to the use of bone marrow-derived MSCs in wound healing and may provide insight into why some wounds do not heal.

Different patterns of nuclear and mitochondrial penetration by the G3 PAMAM dendrimer and its biotin–pyridoxal bioconjugate BC-PAMAM in normal and cancer cells in vitro

PubMed Central

Uram, Łukasz; Szuster, Magdalena; Filipowicz, Aleksandra; Gargasz, Krzysztof; Wołowiec, Stanisław; Wałajtys-Rode, Elżbieta

2015-01-01

The intracellular localization and colocalization of a fluorescently labeled G3 amine-terminated cationic polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer and its biotin–pyridoxal (BC-PAMAM) bioconjugate were investigated in a concentration-dependent manner in normal human fibroblast (BJ) and squamous epithelial carcinoma (SCC-15) cell lines. After 24 hours treatment, both cell lines revealed different patterns of intracellular dendrimer accumulation depending on their cytotoxic effects. Cancer cells exhibited much higher (20-fold) tolerance for native PAMAM treatment than fibroblasts, whereas BC-PAMAM was significantly toxic only for fibroblasts at 50 µM concentration. Fibroblasts accumulated the native and bioconjugated dendrimers in a concentration-dependent manner at nontoxic range of concentration, with significantly lower bioconjugate loading. After reaching the cytotoxicity level, fluorescein isothiocyanate-PAMAM accumulation remains at high, comparable level. In cancer cells, native PAMAM loading at higher, but not cytotoxic concentrations, was kept at constant level with a sharp increase at toxic concentration. Mander’s coefficient calculated for fibroblasts and cancer cells confirmed more efficient native PAMAM penetration as compared to BC-PAMAM. Significant differences in nuclear dendrimer penetration were observed for both cell lines. In cancer cells, PAMAM signals amounted to ~25%–35% of the total nuclei area at all investigated concentrations, with lower level (15%–25%) observed for BC-PAMAM. In fibroblasts, the dendrimer nuclear signal amounted to 15% at nontoxic and up to 70% at toxic concentrations, whereas BC-PAMAM remained at a lower concentration-dependent level (0.3%–20%). Mitochondrial localization of PAMAM and BC-PAMAM revealed similar patterns in both cell lines, depending on the extracellular dendrimer concentration, and presented significantly lower signals from BC-PAMAM, which correlated well with the cytotoxicity. PMID:26379435

Let-7b inhibits cancer-promoting effects of breast cancer-associated fibroblasts through IL-8 repression

PubMed Central

Al-Harbi, Bothina; Hendrayani, Siti-Fauziah; Silva, Gabriela; Aboussekhra, Abdelilah

2018-01-01

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are major players in the development and spread of breast carcinomas through non-cell-autonomous signaling. These paracrine effects are under the control of several genes and microRNAs. We present here clear evidence that let-7b, a tumor suppressor microRNA, plays key roles in the persistent activation of breast stromal fibroblasts and their functional interplay with cancer cells. We have first shown that let-7b is down-regulated in CAFs as compared to their corresponding normal adjacent fibroblasts, and transient specific let-7b inhibition permanently activated breast fibroblasts through induction of the IL-6-related positive feedback loop. More importantly, let-7b-deficient cells promoted the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition process in breast cancer cells in an IL-8-dependent manner, and also enhanced orthotopic tumor growth in vivo. On the other hand, overexpression of let-7b by mimic permanently suppressed breast myofibroblasts through blocking the positive feedback loop, which inhibited their paracrine pro-carcinogenic effects. Furthermore, we have shown that let-7b negatively controls IL-8, which showed higher expression in the majority of CAF cells as compared to their adjacent normal counterparts, indicating that IL-8 plays a major role in the carcinoma/stroma cross-talk. These findings support targeting active stromal fibroblasts through restoration of let-7b/IL-8 expression as a therapeutic option for breast carcinomas. PMID:29707149

TβRIII Expression in Human Breast Cancer Stroma and the Role of Soluble TβRIII in Breast Cancer Associated Fibroblasts.

PubMed

Jovanović, Bojana; Pickup, Michael W; Chytil, Anna; Gorska, Agnieszka E; Johnson, Kimberly C; Moses, Harold L; Owens, Philip

2016-11-04

The TGF-β pathway plays a major role in tumor progression through regulation of epithelial and stromal cell signaling. Dysfunction of the pathway can lead to carcinoma progression and metastasis. To gain insight into the stromal role of the TGF-β pathway in breast cancer, we performed laser capture microdissection (LCM) from breast cancer patients and reduction mammoplasty patients. Microdissected tumor stroma and normal breast stroma were examined for gene expression. Expression of the TGF-β type III receptor ( TGFBR3 ) was greatly decreased in the tumor stroma compared to control healthy breast tissue. These results demonstrated a 44-fold decrease in TGFBR3 mRNA in tumor stroma in comparison to control tissue. We investigated publicly available databases, and have identified that TGFBR3 mRNA levels are decreased in tumor stroma. We next investigated fibroblast cell lines derived from cancerous and normal breast tissue and found that in addition to mRNA levels, TβRIII protein levels were significantly reduced. Having previously identified that cancer-associated fibroblasts secrete greater levels of tumor promoting cytokines, we investigated the consequences of soluble-TβRIII (sTβRIII) on fibroblasts. Fibroblast conditioned medium was analyzed for 102 human secreted cytokines and distinct changes in response to sTβRIII were observed. Next, we used the fibroblast-conditioned medium to stimulate human monocyte cell line THP-1. These results indicate a distinct transcriptional response depending on sTβRIII treatment and whether it was derived from normal or cancerous breast tissue. We conclude that the effect of TβRIII has distinct roles not only in cancer-associated fibroblasts but that sTβRIII has distinct paracrine functions in the tumor microenvironment.

Colorectal cancer cell-derived exosomes containing miR-10b regulate fibroblast cells via the PI3K/Akt pathway.

PubMed

Dai, Guangyao; Yao, Xiaoguang; Zhang, Yubin; Gu, Jianbin; Geng, Yunfeng; Xue, Fei; Zhang, Jingcheng

2018-04-01

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) contribute to the proliferation of colorectal cancer(CRC) cells. However, the mechanism by which CAFs develop in the tumor microenvironment remains unknown. Exosomes may be involved in activating CAFs. Using a miRNA expression profiling array, we determined the miRNA expression profile of secretory exosomes in CRC cells and then identified potential miRNAs with significant differential expression compared to normal cells via enrichment analysis. Predicted targets of candidate miRNAs were then assessed via bioinformatics analysis. Realtime qPCR, western blot, and cell cycle analyses were performed to evaluate the role of candidate exosomal miRNAs. Luciferase reporter assays were applied to confirm whether candidate exosomal miRNAs control target pathway expression. A CRC xenograft mouse model was constructed to evaluate tumor growth in vivo. Exosomes from CRC cells contained significantly higher levels of miR-10b than did exosomes from normal colorectal epithelial cells. Moreover, exosomes containing miR-10b were transferred to fibroblasts. Bioinformatics analysis identified PIK3CA, as a potential target of miR-10b. Luciferase reporter assays confirmed that miR-10b directly inhibited PIK3CA expression. Co-culturing fibroblasts with exosomes containing miR-10b significantly suppressed PIK3CA expression and decreased PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway activity. Finally, exosomes containing miR-10b reduced fibroblast proliferation but promoted expression of TGF-β and SM α-actin, suggesting that exosomal miR-10b may activate fibroblasts to become CAFs that express myofibroblast markers. These activated fibroblasts were able to promote CRC growth in vitro and in vivo. CRC-derived exosomes actively promote disease progression by modulating surrounding stromal cells, which subsequently acquire features of CAFs. Copyright © 2018 Société Française du Cancer. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Rapamycin Inhibits Human Laryngotracheal Stenosis–derived Fibroblast Proliferation, Metabolism, and Function in Vitro

PubMed Central

Namba, Daryan R.; Ma, Garret; Samad, Idris; Ding, Dacheng; Pandian, Vinciya; Powell, Jonathan D.; Horton, Maureen R.; Hillel, Alexander T.

2015-01-01

Objective To determine if rapamycin inhibits the growth, function, and metabolism of human laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS)–derived fibroblasts. Study Design Controlled in vitro study. Setting Tertiary care hospital in a research university. Subjects and Methods Fibroblasts isolated from biopsies of 5 patients with laryngotracheal stenosis were cultured. Cell proliferation, histology, gene expression, and cellular metabolism of LTS-derived fibroblasts were assessed in 4 conditions: (1) fibroblast growth medium, (2) fibroblast growth medium with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), (3) fibroblast growth medium with 10−10 M (low-dose) rapamycin dissolved in DMSO, and (4) fibroblast growth medium with 10−9 M (high-dose) rapamycin dissolved in DMSO. Results The LTS fibroblast count and DNA concentration were reduced after treatment with high-dose rapamycin compared to DMSO (P = .0007) and normal (P = .0007) controls. Collagen I expression decreased after treatment with high-dose rapamycin versus control (P = .0051) and DMSO (P = .0093) controls. Maximal respiration decreased to 68.6 pMoles of oxygen/min/10 mg/protein from 96.9 for DMSO (P = .0002) and 97.0 for normal (P = .0022) controls. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production decreased to 66.8 pMoles from 88.1 for DMSO (P = .0006) and 83.3 for normal (P = .0003) controls. Basal respiration decreased to 78.6 pMoles from 108 for DMSO (P = .0002) and 101 for normal (P = .0014) controls. Conclusions Rapamycin demonstrated an anti-fibroblast effect by significantly reducing the proliferation, metabolism, and collagen deposition of human LTS fibroblast in vitro. Rapamycin significantly decreased oxidative phosphorylation of LTS fibroblasts, suggesting at a potential mechanism for the reduced proliferation and differentiation. Furthermore, rapamycin’s anti-fibroblast effects indicate a promising adjuvant therapy for the treatment of laryngotracheal stenosis. PMID:25754184

Morphologic differentiation of colon carcinoma cell lines HT-29 and HT-29KM in rotating-wall vessels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goodwin, T. J.; Jessup, J. M.; Wolf, D. A.

1992-01-01

A new low shear stress microcarrier culture system has been developed at NASA's Johnson Space Center that permits three-dimensional tissue culture. Two established human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines, HT-29, an undifferentiated, and HT-29KM, a stable, moderately differentiated subline of HT-29, were grown in new tissue culture bioreactors called Rotating-Wall Vessels (RWVs). RWVs are used in conjunction with multicellular cocultivation to develop a unique in vitro tissue modeling system. Cells were cultivated on Cytodex-3 microcarrier beads, with and without mixed normal human colonic fibroblasts, which served as the mesenchymal layer. Culture of the tumor lines in the absence of fibroblasts produced spheroidlike growth and minimal differentiation. In contrast, when tumor lines were co-cultivated with normal colonic fibroblasts, initial growth was confined to the fibroblast population until the microcarriers were covered. The tumor cells then commenced proliferation at an accelerated rate, organizing themselves into three-dimensional tissue masses that achieved 1.0- to 1.5-cm diameters. The masses displayed glandular structures, apical and internal glandular microvilli, tight intercellular junctions, desmosomes, cellular polarity, sinusoid development, internalized mucin, and structural organization akin to normal colon crypt development. Differentiated samples were subjected to transmission and scanning electron microscopy and histologic analysis, revealing embryoniclike mesenchymal cells lining the areas around the growth matrices. Necrosis was minimal throughout the tissue masses. These data suggest that the RWV affords a new model for investigation and isolation of growth, regulatory, and structural processes within neoplastic and normal tissue.

Chemical Carcinogen-Induced Changes in tRNA Metabolism in Human Cells.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-11-01

the resolution and quantitation of modified ucleosides in the urine of cancer patients would not be particularly useful for the cell culture studies...Comparison of nucleic acid catabolism by normal human fibroblasts and fibroblasts transformed with methylazoxymethyl alcohol ( MAMA ),an activated...catabolite in long-term, pulse-chase experiments. However, the kinetics of catabolism differed, in that only the MAMA -transformed cells had generated

A novel two-step procedure to expand Sca-1+ cells clonally

PubMed Central

Tang, Yao Liang; Shen, Leping; Qian, Keping; Phillips, M. Ian

2007-01-01

Resident cardiac stem cells (CSCs) are characterized by their capacity to self-renew in culture, and are multi-potent for forming normal cell types in hearts. CSCs were originally isolated directly from enzymatically digested hearts using stem cell markers. However, long exposure to enzymatic digestion can affect the integrity of stem cell markers on the cell surface, and also compromise stem cell function. Alternatively resident CSCs can migrate from tissue explant and form cardiospheres in culture. However, fibroblast contamination can easily occur during CSC culture. To avoid these problems, we developed a two-step procedure by growing the cells before selecting the Sca1+ cells and culturing in cardiac fibroblast conditioned medium, they avoid fibroblast overgrowth. PMID:17577582

Effect of hyperthermia on the repair of sublethal radiation damage in normal and membrane fatty acid substituted fibroblasts

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wolters, H.; Kelholt, D.; Konings, A.W.

1987-02-01

The interaction of heat and X irradiation was studied in normal and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) substituted mouse fibroblast LM cells. As a result of the substitution the membranes of the PUFA cells were more fluid than the membranes of the normal cells. Three different heat doses were applied (60 min 42 degrees C, 20 min 43 degrees C, and 10 min 44 degrees C) in combination with single or split doses of X rays. Heat radiosensitization was the largest for the 60 min 42 degrees C treatment. Heat radiosensitization and the heat-induced inhibition of the rate of sublethal damagemore » repair were the same for the normal and the PUFA cells. It is concluded from the experiments reported that the processes of hyperthermic inhibition of SLD repair and hyperthermic radiosensitization are independent of membrane fluidity and membrane fatty acid composition.« less

Pericellular Versican Regulates the Fibroblast-Myofibroblast Transition

PubMed Central

Hattori, Noriko; Carrino, David A.; Lauer, Mark E.; Vasanji, Amit; Wylie, James D.; Nelson, Courtney M.; Apte, Suneel S.

2011-01-01

The cell and its glycosaminoglycan-rich pericellular matrix (PCM) comprise a functional unit. Because modification of PCM influences cell behavior, we investigated molecular mechanisms that regulate PCM volume and composition. In fibroblasts and other cells, aggregates of hyaluronan and versican are found in the PCM. Dermal fibroblasts from Adamts5−/− mice, which lack a versican-degrading protease, ADAMTS5, had reduced versican proteolysis, increased PCM, altered cell shape, enhanced α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) expression and increased contractility within three-dimensional collagen gels. The myofibroblast-like phenotype was associated with activation of TGFβ signaling. We tested the hypothesis that fibroblast-myofibroblast transition in Adamts5−/− cells resulted from versican accumulation in PCM. First, we noted that versican overexpression in human dermal fibroblasts led to increased SMA expression, enhanced contractility, and increased Smad2 phosphorylation. In contrast, dermal fibroblasts from Vcan haploinsufficient (Vcanhdf/+) mice had reduced contractility relative to wild type fibroblasts. Using a genetic approach to directly test if myofibroblast transition in Adamts5−/− cells resulted from increased PCM versican content, we generated Adamts5−/−;Vcanhdf/+ mice and isolated their dermal fibroblasts for comparison with dermal fibroblasts from Adamts5−/− mice. In Adamts5−/− fibroblasts, Vcan haploinsufficiency or exogenous ADAMTS5 restored normal fibroblast contractility. These findings demonstrate that altering PCM versican content through proteolytic activity of ADAMTS5 profoundly influenced the dermal fibroblast phenotype and may regulate a phenotypic continuum between the fibroblast and its alter ego, the myofibroblast. We propose that a physiological function of ADAMTS5 in dermal fibroblasts is to maintain optimal versican content and PCM volume by continually trimming versican in hyaluronan-versican aggregates. PMID:21828051

Establishment of human induced pluripotent stem cell lines from normal fibroblast TIG-1.

PubMed

Kumazaki, Tsutomu; Kurata, Sayaka; Matsuo, Taira; Mitsui, Youji; Takahashi, Tomoko

2011-06-01

Normal human cells have a replicative life span and therefore senesce. Usually, normal human cell strains are differentiated cells and reach a terminally differentiated state after a number of cell divisions. At present, definitive differences are not known between replicative senescence and terminal differentiation. TIG-1 is a human fibroblast strain established from fetal lung and has been used extensively in studies of cellular senescence, and numerous data were accumulated at the molecular level. Recently, a method for generating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) was developed. Using the method, we introduced four reprogramming genes to TIG-1 fibroblasts and succeeded in isolating colonies that had embryonic stem cell (ESC)-like morphologies. They showed alkaline phosphatase activity and expressed ESC markers, as shown by immunostaining of OCT4, SOX2, SSEA4, and TRA-1-81 as well as reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for OCT4 and NANOG transcripts. Thus, we succeeded in establishing iPSC clones from TIG-1. The iPSC clones could differentiate to cells originated from all three germ-cell layers, as shown by RT-PCR, for messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of α-fetoprotein (endoderm), MSX1 (mesoderm) and microtubule-associated protein 2 (ectoderm), and by immunostaining for α-fetoprotein (endoderm), α-smooth muscle actin (mesoderm), and β-III-tubulin (ectoderm). The iPSCs formed teratoma containing the structures developed from all three germ-cell layers in severe combined immune-deficiency mice. Thus, by comparing the aging process of parental TIG-1 cells and the differentiation process of iPSC-derived fibrocytes to fibroblasts, we can reveal the exact differences in processes between senescence and terminal differentiation.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Słonina, Dorota, E-mail: z5slonin@cyfronet.pl; Biesaga, Beata; Janecka, Anna

Purpose: In our previous study, using the micronucleus assay, a low-dose hyper-radiosensitivity (HRS)-like phenomenon was observed for normal fibroblasts of 2 of the 40 cancer patients investigated. In this article we report, for the first time, the survival response of primary fibroblasts from 25 of these patients to low-dose irradiation and answer the question regarding the effect of G2-phase enrichment on HRS elicitation. Methods and Materials: The clonogenic survival of asynchronous as well as G2-phase enriched fibroblast populations was measured. Separation of G2-phase cells and precise cell counting was performed using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter. Sorted and plated cells weremore » irradiated with single doses (0.1-4 Gy) of 6-MV x-rays. For each patient, at least 4 independent experiments were performed, and the induced-repair model was fitted over the whole data set to confirm the presence of HRS effect. Results: The HRS response was demonstrated for the asynchronous and G2-phase enriched cell populations of 4 patients. For the rest of patients, HRS was not defined in either of the 2 fibroblast populations. Thus, G2-phase enrichment had no effect on HRS elicitation. Conclusions: The fact that low-dose hyper-radiosensitivity is not a common effect in normal human fibroblasts implies that HRS may be of little consequence in late-responding connective tissues with regard to radiation fibrosis.« less

Cardiac Fibroblast: The Renaissance Cell

PubMed Central

Souders, Colby A.; Bowers, Stephanie L.K.; Baudino, Troy A.

2012-01-01

The permanent cellular constituents of the heart include cardiac fibroblasts, myocytes, endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. Previous studies have demonstrated that there are undulating changes in cardiac cell populations during embryonic development, through neonatal development and into the adult. Transient cell populations include lymphocytes, mast cells and macrophages, which can interact with these permanent cell types to affect cardiac function. It has also been observed that there are marked differences in the makeup of the cardiac cell populations depending on the species, which may be important when examining myocardial remodeling. Current dogma states that the fibroblast makes up the largest cell population of the heart; however, this appears to vary for different species, especially mice. Cardiac fibroblasts play a critical role in maintaining normal cardiac function, as well as in cardiac remodeling during pathological conditions such as myocardial infarct and hypertension. These cells have numerous functions, including synthesis and deposition of extracellular matrix, cell-cell communication with myocytes, cell-cell signaling with other fibroblasts, as well as with endothelial cells. These contacts affect the electrophysiological properties, secretion of growth factors and cytokines, as well as potentiating blood vessel formation. While a plethora of information is known about several of these processes, relatively little is understood about fibroblasts and their role in angiogenesis during development or cardiac remodeling. In this review we provide insight into the various properties of cardiac fibroblasts that helps illustrate their importance in maintaining proper cardiac function, as well as their critical role in the remodeling heart. PMID:19959782

Outgrowth of fibroblast cells from goat skin explants in three different culture media and the establishment of cell lines.

PubMed

Singh, Mahipal; Sharma, Anil K

2011-02-01

Three different commercially available media, known to support human and porcine-specific fibroblast cultures, were tested for their growth potential on goat skin explants. Although outgrowth of fibroblasts was observed in all media tested, irrespective of breed, porcine-specific media exhibited higher rate of growth. Using this media, three fibroblast cell lines (GSF289, GSF737, and GSF2010) from ear skin explants of normal healthy dairy goats of Kiko and Saanen breed were successfully established in culture. Liquid nitrogen stocks of these frozen cells had a viability rate of 96.2% in in vitro cultures. These cells were morphologically indistinguishable from the cell stocks prior to freezing. Analysis of the growth of a fifth passage culture revealed an 'S' shaped growth curve with a population doubling time of 25 h. The cell lines were found negative for microbial, fungal, and mycoplasma contaminations. These goat skin fibroblast lines and the simple method of their isolation and freezing with high rate of viability will provide additional tools to study molecular mechanisms that regulate fibroblast function and for genetic manipulation of small ruminants.

Differential regulation of cell functions by CSD peptide subdomains

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background In fibrotic lung diseases, expression of caveolin-1 is decreased in fibroblasts and monocytes. The effects of this deficiency are reversed by treating cells or animals with the caveolin-1 scaffolding domain peptide (CSD, amino acids 82–101 of caveolin-1) which compensates for the lack of caveolin-1. Here we compare the function of CSD subdomains (Cav-A, Cav-B, Cav-C, Cav-AB, and Cav-BC) and mutated versions of CSD (F92A and T90A/T91A/F92A). Methods Migration toward the chemokine CXCL12 and the associated expression of F-actin, CXCR4, and pSmad 2/3 were studied in monocytes from healthy donors and SSc patients. Fibrocyte differentiation was studied using PBMC from healthy donors and SSc patients. Collagen I secretion and signaling were studied in fibroblasts derived from the lung tissue of healthy subjects and SSc patients. Results Cav-BC and CSD at concentrations as low as 0.01 μM inhibited the hypermigration of SSc monocytes and TGFβ-activated Normal monocytes and the differentiation into fibrocytes of SSc and Normal monocytes. While CSD also inhibited the migration of poorly migrating Normal monocytes, Cav-A (and other subdomains to a lesser extent) promoted the migration of Normal monocytes while inhibiting the hypermigration of TGFβ-activated Normal monocytes. The effects of versions of CSD on migration may be mediated in part via their effects on CXCR4, F-actin, and pSmad 2/3 expression. Cav-BC was as effective as CSD in inhibiting fibroblast collagen I and ASMA expression and MEK/ERK signaling. Cav-C and Cav-AB also inhibited collagen I expression, but in many cases did not affect ASMA or MEK/ERK. Cav-A increased collagen I expression in scleroderma lung fibroblasts. Full effects on fibroblasts of versions of CSD required 5 μM peptide. Conclusions Cav-BC retains most of the anti-fibrotic functions of CSD; Cav-A exhibits certain pro-fibrotic functions. Results obtained with subdomains and mutated versions of CSD further suggest that the critical functional residues in CSD depend on the cell type and readout being studied. Monocytes may be more sensitive to versions of CSD than fibroblasts and endothelial cells because the baseline level of caveolin-1 in monocytes is much lower than in these other cell types. PMID:24011378

Differential regulation of cell functions by CSD peptide subdomains.

PubMed

Reese, Charles; Dyer, Shanice; Perry, Beth; Bonner, Michael; Oates, James; Hofbauer, Ann; Sessa, William; Bernatchez, Pascal; Visconti, Richard P; Zhang, Jing; Hatfield, Corey M; Silver, Richard M; Hoffman, Stanley; Tourkina, Elena

2013-09-08

In fibrotic lung diseases, expression of caveolin-1 is decreased in fibroblasts and monocytes. The effects of this deficiency are reversed by treating cells or animals with the caveolin-1 scaffolding domain peptide (CSD, amino acids 82-101 of caveolin-1) which compensates for the lack of caveolin-1. Here we compare the function of CSD subdomains (Cav-A, Cav-B, Cav-C, Cav-AB, and Cav-BC) and mutated versions of CSD (F92A and T90A/T91A/F92A). Migration toward the chemokine CXCL12 and the associated expression of F-actin, CXCR4, and pSmad 2/3 were studied in monocytes from healthy donors and SSc patients. Fibrocyte differentiation was studied using PBMC from healthy donors and SSc patients. Collagen I secretion and signaling were studied in fibroblasts derived from the lung tissue of healthy subjects and SSc patients. Cav-BC and CSD at concentrations as low as 0.01 μM inhibited the hypermigration of SSc monocytes and TGFβ-activated Normal monocytes and the differentiation into fibrocytes of SSc and Normal monocytes. While CSD also inhibited the migration of poorly migrating Normal monocytes, Cav-A (and other subdomains to a lesser extent) promoted the migration of Normal monocytes while inhibiting the hypermigration of TGFβ-activated Normal monocytes. The effects of versions of CSD on migration may be mediated in part via their effects on CXCR4, F-actin, and pSmad 2/3 expression. Cav-BC was as effective as CSD in inhibiting fibroblast collagen I and ASMA expression and MEK/ERK signaling. Cav-C and Cav-AB also inhibited collagen I expression, but in many cases did not affect ASMA or MEK/ERK. Cav-A increased collagen I expression in scleroderma lung fibroblasts. Full effects on fibroblasts of versions of CSD required 5 μM peptide. Cav-BC retains most of the anti-fibrotic functions of CSD; Cav-A exhibits certain pro-fibrotic functions. Results obtained with subdomains and mutated versions of CSD further suggest that the critical functional residues in CSD depend on the cell type and readout being studied. Monocytes may be more sensitive to versions of CSD than fibroblasts and endothelial cells because the baseline level of caveolin-1 in monocytes is much lower than in these other cell types.

Oncogenes induce the cancer-associated fibroblast phenotype

PubMed Central

Lisanti, Michael P; Martinez-Outschoorn, Ubaldo E; Sotgia, Federica

2013-01-01

Metabolic coupling, between mitochondria in cancer cells and catabolism in stromal fibroblasts, promotes tumor growth, recurrence, metastasis, and predicts anticancer drug resistance. Catabolic fibroblasts donate the necessary fuels (such as L-lactate, ketones, glutamine, other amino acids, and fatty acids) to anabolic cancer cells, to metabolize via their TCA cycle and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). This provides a simple mechanism by which metabolic energy and biomass are transferred from the host microenvironment to cancer cells. Recently, we showed that catabolic metabolism and “glycolytic reprogramming” in the tumor microenvironment are orchestrated by oncogene activation and inflammation, which originates in epithelial cancer cells. Oncogenes drive the onset of the cancer-associated fibroblast phenotype in adjacent normal fibroblasts via paracrine oxidative stress. This oncogene-induced transition to malignancy is “mirrored” by a loss of caveolin-1 (Cav-1) and an increase in MCT4 in adjacent stromal fibroblasts, functionally reflecting catabolic metabolism in the tumor microenvironment. Virtually identical findings were obtained using BRCA1-deficient breast and ovarian cancer cells. Thus, oncogene activation (RAS, NFkB, TGF-β) and/or tumor suppressor loss (BRCA1) have similar functional effects on adjacent stromal fibroblasts, initiating “metabolic symbiosis” and the cancer-associated fibroblast phenotype. New therapeutic strategies that metabolically uncouple oxidative cancer cells from their glycolytic stroma or modulate oxidative stress could be used to target this lethal subtype of cancers. Targeting “fibroblast addiction” in primary and metastatic tumor cells may expose a critical Achilles’ heel, leading to disease regression in both sporadic and familial cancers. PMID:23860382

Cartilage proteoglycans inhibit fibronectin-mediated adhesion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rich, A. M.; Pearlstein, E.; Weissmann, G.; Hoffstein, S. T.

1981-09-01

Normal tissues and organs show, on histological examination, a pattern of cellular and acellular zones that is characteristic and unique for each organ or tissue. This pattern is maintained in health but is sometimes destroyed by disease. For example, in mobile joints, the articular surfaces consist of relatively acellular hyaline cartilage, and the joint space is enclosed by a capsule of loose connective tissue with a lining of fibroblasts and macrophages. In the normal joint these cells are confined to the synovial lining and the articular surface remains acellular. In in vitro culture, macrophages and their precursor monocytes are very adhesive, and fibroblasts can migrate and overgrow surfaces such as collagen or plastic used for tissue culture. The fibroblasts adhere to collagen by means of fibronectin, which they synthesize and secrete1. Because the collagen of cartilage is capable of binding serum fibronectin2 and fibronectin is present in cartilage during its development3, these cells should, in theory, slowly migrate from the synovial lining to the articular surface. It is their absence from the articular cartilage in normal circumstances, and then presence in such pathological states as rheumatoid arthritis, that is striking. We therefore set out to determine whether a component of cartilage could prevent fibroblast adherence in a defined adhesion assay. As normal cartilage is composed of 50% proteoglycans and 50% collagen by dry weight4, we tested the possibility that the proteoglycans in cartilage inhibit fibroblast adhesion to collagen. We present here evidence that fibroblast spreading and adhesion to collagenous substrates is inhibited by cartilage proteoglycans.

An altered redox balance and increased genetic instability characterize primary fibroblasts derived from xeroderma pigmentosum group A patients.

PubMed

Parlanti, Eleonora; Pietraforte, Donatella; Iorio, Egidio; Visentin, Sergio; De Nuccio, Chiara; Zijno, Andrea; D'Errico, Mariarosaria; Simonelli, Valeria; Sanchez, Massimo; Fattibene, Paola; Falchi, Mario; Dogliotti, Eugenia

2015-12-01

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP)-A patients are characterized by increased solar skin carcinogenesis and present also neurodegeneration. XPA deficiency is associated with defective nucleotide excision repair (NER) and increased basal levels of oxidatively induced DNA damage. In this study we search for the origin of increased levels of oxidatively generated DNA lesions in XP-A cell genome and then address the question of whether increased oxidative stress might drive genetic instability. We show that XP-A human primary fibroblasts present increased levels and different types of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) as compared to normal fibroblasts, with O₂₋• and H₂O₂ being the major reactive species. Moreover, XP-A cells are characterized by decreased reduced glutathione (GSH)/oxidized glutathione (GSSG) ratios as compared to normal fibroblasts. The significant increase of ROS levels and the alteration of the glutathione redox state following silencing of XPA confirmed the causal relationship between a functional XPA and the control of redox balance. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) analysis of the metabolic profile revealed a more glycolytic metabolism and higher ATP levels in XP-A than in normal primary fibroblasts. This perturbation of bioenergetics is associated with different morphology and response of mitochondria to targeted toxicants. In line with cancer susceptibility, XP-A primary fibroblasts showed increased spontaneous micronuclei (MN) frequency, a hallmark of cancer risk. The increased MN frequency was not affected by inhibition of ROS to normal levels by N-acetyl-L-cysteine. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of continuous wave and fractionated diode laser on human fibroblast cancer and dermal normal cells by zinc phthalocyanine in photodynamic therapy: A comparative study.

PubMed

Navaeipour, Farzaneh; Afsharan, Hadi; Tajalli, Habib; Mollabashi, Mahmood; Ranjbari, Farideh; Montaseri, Azadeh; Rashidi, Mohammad-Reza

2016-08-01

In this experimental study, cancer and normal cells behavior during an in vitro photodynamic therapy (PDT) under exposure of continuous wave (CW) and fractionated mode of laser with different irradiation power and time intervals was compared and investigated. At the first, human fibroblast cancer cell line (SW 872) and human dermal normal (HFFF2) cell line were incubated with different concentrations of zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc), as a PDT drug. The cells, then, were irradiated with a 675nm diode laser and the cell viability was evaluated using MTT assay. Under optimized conditions, the viability of the cancer cells was eventually reduced to 3.23% and 13.17%, and that of normal cells was decreased to 20.83% and 36.23% using CW and fractionated diode lasers, respectively. In general, the ratio of ZnPc LD50 values for the normal cells to the cancer cells with CW laser was much higher than that of the fractionated laser. Subsequently, cancer cells in comparison with normal ones were found to be more sensitive toward the photodynamic damage induced by ZnPc. In addition, treatment with CW laser was found to be more effective against the cancer cells with a lower toxicity to the normal cells compared with the fractionated diode laser. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Culture, characteristics and chromosome complement of Siberian tiger fibroblasts for nuclear transfer.

PubMed

Song, Jimei; Hua, Song; Song, Kai; Zhang, Yong

2007-01-01

Tiger (Panthera tigris Linnaeus, 1758) is a characteristic species of Asia, which is in severe danger. Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) is the largest one of the five existent tiger subspecies. It is extremely endangered. One new way for tiger protection and rescue is to study interspecies cloning. But there is few research data about Siberian tiger. In this study, we cultured Siberian tiger fibroblasts in vitro, analyzed their biological characteristics, chromosomes, and cell cycles, to provide not only nuclear donors with good morphology, normal biological characteristics, and chromosome quantity for tiger interspecies cloning, but also reliable data for further studying Siberian tiger. The results indicated that Siberian tiger ear fibroblasts can be successfully obtained by tissue culture either with or without overnight cold digestion, the cultured cells were typical fibroblasts with normal morphology, growth curve, and chromosome quantity; G0/G1 percentage increased and S percentage decreased with the confluence of cells. G0/G1 and S stage rate was significantly different between 40-50% and 80-90%, 95-100% confluence; there is no distinct difference between 80-90% and 95-100% confluence. The cells at the same density (80-90% confluence) were treated with or without 0.5% serum starving, GO/G1 rate of the former was higher than the latter, but the difference was not significant. GO/G1 proportion of 95-100% confluence was slightly higher than serum starving (80-90% confluence), but no significant difference. Therefore, the Siberian tiger fibroblasts we cultured in vitro can be used as donor cells, and the donor cells do not need to be treated with normal serum starvation during nuclear transfer; if we will just consider the rate of the G0/G1 stage cells, serum starvation can be replaced by confluence inhibition when cultured cells were more than 80-90% confluence.

Mechanical phenotype of cancer cells: cell softening and loss of stiffness sensing.

PubMed

Lin, Hsi-Hui; Lin, Hsiu-Kuan; Lin, I-Hsuan; Chiou, Yu-Wei; Chen, Horn-Wei; Liu, Ching-Yi; Harn, Hans I-Chen; Chiu, Wen-Tai; Wang, Yang-Kao; Shen, Meng-Ru; Tang, Ming-Jer

2015-08-28

The stiffness sensing ability is required to respond to the stiffness of the matrix. Here we determined whether normal cells and cancer cells display distinct mechanical phenotypes. Cancer cells were softer than their normal counterparts, regardless of the type of cancer (breast, bladder, cervix, pancreas, or Ha-RasV12-transformed cells). When cultured on matrices of varying stiffness, low stiffness decreased proliferation in normal cells, while cancer cells and transformed cells lost this response. Thus, cancer cells undergo a change in their mechanical phenotype that includes cell softening and loss of stiffness sensing. Caveolin-1, which is suppressed in many tumor cells and in oncogene-transformed cells, regulates the mechanical phenotype. Caveolin-1-upregulated RhoA activity and Y397FAK phosphorylation directed actin cap formation, which was positively correlated with cell elasticity and stiffness sensing in fibroblasts. Ha-RasV12-induced transformation and changes in the mechanical phenotypes were reversed by re-expression of caveolin-1 and mimicked by the suppression of caveolin-1 in normal fibroblasts. This is the first study to describe this novel role for caveolin-1, linking mechanical phenotype to cell transformation. Furthermore, mechanical characteristics may serve as biomarkers for cell transformation.

Chemical composition and biological activity of Abies alba and A. koreana seed and cone essential oils and characterization of their seed hydrolates.

PubMed

Wajs-Bonikowska, Anna; Sienkiewicz, Monika; Stobiecka, Agnieszka; Maciąg, Agnieszka; Szoka, Łukasz; Karna, Ewa

2015-03-01

The chemical composition, including the enantiomeric excess of the main terpenes, the antimicrobial and antiradical activities, as well as the cytotoxicity of Abies alba and A. koreana seed and cone essential oils were investigated. Additionally, their seed hydrolates were characterized. In the examined oils and hydrolates, a total of 174 compounds were identified, which comprised 95.6-99.9% of the volatiles. The essential oils were mainly composed of monoterpene hydrocarbons, whereas the composition of the hydrolates, differing from the seed oils of the corresponding fir species, consisted mainly of oxygenated derivatives of sesquiterpenes. The seed and cone essential oils of both firs exhibited DPPH-radical-scavenging properties and low antibacterial activity against the bacterial strains tested. Moreover, they evoked only low cytotoxicity towards normal fibroblasts and the two cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MBA-231. At concentrations up to 50 μg/ml, all essential oils were safe in relation to normal fibroblasts. Although they induced cytotoxicity towards the cancer cells at concentrations slightly lower than those required for the inhibition of fibroblast proliferation, their influence on cancer cells was weak, with IC50 values similar to those observed towards normal fibroblasts. Copyright © 2015 Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta AG, Zürich.

Abscisic acid ameliorates the systemic sclerosis fibroblast phenotype in vitro

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bruzzone, Santina, E-mail: santina.bruzzone@unige.it; Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 9, 16132 Genova; Advanced Biotechnology Center, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer ABA is an endogenous hormone in humans, regulating different cell responses. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer ABA reverts some of the functions altered in SSc fibroblasts to a normal phenotype. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer UV-B irradiation increases ABA content in SSc cultures. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer SSc fibroblasts could benefit from exposure to ABA and/or to UV-B. -- Abstract: The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) has been recently identified as an endogenous hormone in humans, regulating different cell functions, including inflammatory processes, insulin release and glucose uptake. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic inflammatory disease resulting in fibrosis of skin and internal organs. In this study, we investigated themore » effect of exogenous ABA on fibroblasts obtained from healthy subjects and from SSc patients. Migration of control fibroblasts induced by ABA was comparable to that induced by transforming growth factor-{beta} (TGF-{beta}). Conversely, migration toward ABA, but not toward TGF-{beta}, was impaired in SSc fibroblasts. In addition, ABA increased cell proliferation in fibroblasts from SSc patients, but not from healthy subjects. Most importantly, presence of ABA significantly decreased collagen deposition by SSc fibroblasts, at the same time increasing matrix metalloproteinase-1 activity and decreasing the expression level of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1). Thus, exogenously added ABA appeared to revert some of the functions altered in SSc fibroblasts to a normal phenotype. Interestingly, ABA levels in plasma from SSc patients were found to be significantly lower than in healthy subjects. UV-B irradiation induced an almost 3-fold increase in ABA content in SSc cultures. Altogether, these results suggest that the fibrotic skin lesions in SSc patients could benefit from exposure to high(er) ABA levels.« less

Signaling pathway activation drift during aging: Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome fibroblasts are comparable to normal middle-age and old-age cells.

PubMed

Aliper, Alexander M; Csoka, Antonei Benjamin; Buzdin, Anton; Jetka, Tomasz; Roumiantsev, Sergey; Moskalev, Alexy; Zhavoronkov, Alex

2015-01-01

For the past several decades, research in understanding the molecular basis of human aging has progressed significantly with the analysis of premature aging syndromes. Progerin, an altered form of lamin A, has been identified as the cause of premature aging in Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS), and may be a contributing causative factor in normal aging. However, the question of whether HGPS actually recapitulates the normal aging process at the cellular and organismal level, or simply mimics the aging phenotype is widely debated. In the present study we analyzed publicly available microarray datasets for fibroblasts undergoing cellular aging in culture, as well as fibroblasts derived from young, middle-age, and old-age individuals, and patients with HGPS. Using GeroScope pathway analysis and drug discovery platform we analyzed the activation states of 65 major cellular signaling pathways. Our analysis reveals that signaling pathway activation states in cells derived from chronologically young patients with HGPS strongly resemble cells taken from normal middle-aged and old individuals. This clearly indicates that HGPS may truly represent accelerated aging, rather than being just a simulacrum. Our data also points to potential pathways that could be targeted to develop drugs and drug combinations for both HGPS and normal aging.

Increased fibroblast density in actinic cheilitis: association with tryptase-positive mast cells, actinic elastosis and epithelial p53 and COX-2 expression.

PubMed

Rojas, Isolde G; Boza, Yadira V; Spencer, Maria Loreto; Flores, Maritza; Martínez, Alejandra

2012-01-01

Actinic cheilitis (AC) is characterized by epithelial and connective tissue alterations caused by ultraviolet sunlight overexposure known as photodamage. Fibroblasts have been linked to photodamage and tumor progression during skin carcinogenesis; however, their role in early lip carcinogenesis remains unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the density of fibroblasts in AC and normal lip (NL) samples and determine their association with markers of lip photodamage. Fibroblasts, mast cells, p53, COX-2, and elastin were detected in NL (n = 20) and AC (n = 28) biopsies using immunohistochemistry/histochemistry. Mast cell and fibroblast density and epithelial p53 and COX-2 expression scores were then obtained. Elastosis was scored 1-4 according to elastin fiber density and tortuosity. Fibroblasts, mast cells, p53, COX-2, and elastosis were increased in AC as compared to NL (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed an association between fibroblast and mast cell density at the papillary and reticular areas of AC and NL (P < 0.05). Papillary fibroblast density was also associated with epithelial p53 and COX-2 expression (P < 0.05). Increased fibroblast density, both papillary and reticular, was found in the high elastosis group (scores 3-4) as compared to the low elastosis group (scores 1-2) (P < 0.01). Increased reticular mast cell density was detected only in the high elastosis group (P < 0.01). Fibroblasts are increased in AC, and they are associated with mast cell density, epithelial p53 and COX-2 expression, and actinic elastosis. Therefore, fibroblasts may contribute to lip photodamage and could be considered useful markers of early lip carcinogenesis. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Cadherin-23 Mediates Heterotypic Cell-Cell Adhesion between Breast Cancer Epithelial Cells and Fibroblasts

PubMed Central

Apostolopoulou, Maria; Ligon, Lee

2012-01-01

In the early stages of breast cancer metastasis, epithelial cells penetrate the basement membrane and invade the surrounding stroma, where they encounter fibroblasts. Paracrine signaling between fibroblasts and epithelial tumor cells contributes to the metastatic cascade, but little is known about the role of adhesive contacts between these two cell types in metastasis. Here we show that MCF-7 breast cancer epithelial cells and normal breast fibroblasts form heterotypic adhesions when grown together in co-culture, as evidenced by adhesion assays. PCR and immunoblotting show that both cell types express multiple members of the cadherin superfamily, including the atypical cadherin, cadherin-23, when grown in isolation and in co-culture. Immunocytochemistry experiments show that cadherin-23 localizes to homotypic adhesions between MCF-7 cells and also to heterotypic adhesions between the epithelial cells and fibroblasts, and antibody inhibition and RNAi experiments show that cadherin-23 plays a role in mediating these adhesive interactions. Finally, we show that cadherin-23 is upregulated in breast cancer tissue samples, and we hypothesize that heterotypic adhesions mediated by this atypical cadherin may play a role in the early stages of metastasis. PMID:22413011

Gene Expression Profile Analysis as a Prognostic Indicator of Normal Tissue Response to Simulated Space Radiations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Story, Michael; Stivers, David N.

2004-01-01

This project was funded as a pilot project to determine the feasibility of using gene expression profiles to characterize the response of human cells to exposure to particulate radiations such as those encountered in the spaceflight environment. We proposed to use microarray technology to examine the gene expression patterns of a bank of well-characterized human fibroblast cell cultures. These fibroblast cultures were derived from breast or head and neck cancer patients who exhibited normal, minimal, or severe normal tissue reactions following low LET radiation exposure via radiotherapy. Furthermore, determination of SF2 values from fibroblasts cultured from these individuals were predictive of risk for severe late reactions. We hypothesized that by determining the expression of thousands of genes we could identify gene expression patterns that reflect how normal tissues respond to high Z and energy (HZE) particles, that is, that there are molecular signatures for HZE exposures. We also hypothesized that individuals who are intrinsically radiosensitive may elicit a unique response. Because this was funded as a pilot project we focused our initial studies on logistics and appropriate experimental design, and then to test our hypothesis that there is a unique molecular response to specific particles, in this case C and Fe, for primary human skin fibroblasts.

Chromosome Aberrations in Normal and Ataxia-Telangiectasia Cells Exposed to Heavy Ions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kawata, T.; Ito, H.; Liu, C.; Shigematsu, N.; George, K.; Cucinotta, F. A.

2007-01-01

Although cells derived from Ataxia Telangiectasia (AT) patients are known to exhibit abnormal responses to ionizing radiations, its underlying mechanism still remains unclear. Previously, the authors reported that at the same gamma-irradiation dose AT cells show higher frequencies of misrepair and deletions compared to normal human fibroblast cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of heavy ions beams on chromosomal aberrations in normal and AT cells. Normal and AT fibroblast cells arrested at G0/G1 phase were irradiated with 2 Gy of X-rays, 490 MeV/u Silicon (LET 55 keV/m), 500 MeV/u Iron (LET 185 keV/m) and 200 MeV/u Iron (LET 440 keV/m) particles, and then cells were allowed to repair for 24 hours at 37 degrees before subculture. Calyculin-A induced PCC method was employed to collect G2/M chromosomes and whole DNA probes 1 and 3 were used to analyze chromosomal aberrations such as color-junctions, deletions, simple exchanges (incomplete and reciprocal exanges) and complex-type exchanges. The percentages of aberrant cells were higher when normal and AT cells were exposed to heavy ions compared to X-rays, and had a tendency to increase with increasing LET up to 185 keV/m and then decreased at 440 keV/m. When the frequency of color-junctions per cell was compared after X-ray exposure, AT cells had around three times higher frequency of color-junctions (mis-rejoining) than normal cells. However, at 185 keV/m there was no difference in the frequency of color-junctions between two cell lines. It was also found that the frequency of simple exchanges per cell was almost constant in AT cells regardless LET levels, but it was LET dependent for normal cells. Interestingly, the frequency of simple exchanges was higher for AT cells when it was compared at 185 keV/m but AT cells had more complex-type exchanges at the same LET levels. Heavy ions are more efficient in inducing chromosome aberrations in normal and AT cells compared to X-rays, and the aberration types between normal and AT fibroblast appeared different probably due to difference in the ATM gene function.

Galectin-1 mediates TGF-β-induced transformation from normal fibroblasts into carcinoma-associated fibroblasts and promotes tumor progression in gastric cancer

PubMed Central

Zheng, Lingyan; Xu, Cong; Guan, Zhonghai; Su, Xingyun; Xu, Zhenzhen; Cao, Jiang; Teng, Lisong

2016-01-01

Rcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a major constituent of the tumor microenvironment. Cancer cells can induce the transformation from normal fibroblasts (NFs) into CAFs, reciprocally, CAFs promote tumor invasion and proliferation. TGF-β has been the mostly accepted factor to fuel NFs transformation into CAFs. Galectin-1 (Gal1) is highly upregulated in CAFs of multiple human cancers, and overexpression of Gal1 in CAFs promotes tumor progression. The effect of Gal1 on TGF-β-induced CAFs activation has not yet been established in gastric cancer (GC). In this study, we show that Gal1 expression in stroma is positively related to TGF-β in epithelial cells by retrospective analysis of GC patient samples. Meanwhile, conditioned media (CMs) from gastric cancer cells induce expression of both Gal1 and the CAFs marker alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in NFs via TGF-β secretion. Knockdown of Gal1 prevents TGF-β-induced the conversion of NFs to CAFs. CMs from fibroblasts overexpressing Gal1 inhibits cancer cells apoptosis, promotes migration and invasion in vitro. Thus, Gal1 is significantly involved in the development of tumor-promoting microenvironment by enhancing TGF-β signaling in a positive feedback loop. Targeting Gal1 in tumor stroma should be considered as a potential therapeutic target for GC. PMID:27186290

Immortalization of normal human fibroblasts by treatment with 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide.

PubMed

Bai, L; Mihara, K; Kondo, Y; Honma, M; Namba, M

1993-02-01

Normal human fibroblasts (the OUMS-24 strain), derived from a 6-week-old human embryo, were transformed (into the OUMS-24F line) and immortalized by repeated treatments (59 times) with 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO). Treatment began during primary culture and ended at the 51st population doubling level (PDL). At the 57th PDL (146 days after the last treatment), morphologically altered, epithelial-type cells appeared, began to grow and became immortal (now past the 100th PDL). However, the control fibroblasts, which were not treated with 4NQO, senesced at the 62nd PDL. The finding that extensive, repeated treatments with 4NQO are required for the immortalization of normal human cells, indicates that multiple mutational events are involved in the immortalization of human cells in general. In other words, immortalization itself seems to be a multi-step process. Karyotypic analysis showed that many cells were hypodiploid before immortalization, but that afterwards chromosomes were distributed broadly in the diploid to tetraploid regions. The immortalized cells showed amplification and enhanced expression of c-myc. Two-dimensional electrophoretic analysis showed that the number of disappearing cellular proteins was greater than the number of the newly appearing ones after the cells became immortalized. Since the immortalized cells showed neither anchorage-independent growth nor tumorigenicity, they are useful for studying factors that can contribute to multi-step carcinogenesis in human cells. In addition, genetically matched normal (OUMS-24) and immortalized (OUMS-24F) cells will be useful for analyzing the genes related to cellular mortality and immortalization.

Differential methylation of tissue- and cancer-specific CpG island shores distinguishes human induced pluripotent stem cells, embryonic stem cells and fibroblasts

PubMed Central

Doi, Akiko; Park, In-Hyun; Wen, Bo; Murakami, Peter; Aryee, Martin J; Irizarry, Rafael; Herb, Brian; Ladd-Acosta, Christine; Rho, Junsung; Loewer, Sabine; Miller, Justine; Schlaeger, Thorsten; Daley, George Q; Feinberg, Andrew P

2010-01-01

Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are derived by epigenetic reprogramming, but their DNA methylation patterns have not yet been analyzed on a genome-wide scale. Here, we find substantial hypermethylation and hypomethylation of cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) island shores in nine human iPS cell lines as compared to their parental fibroblasts. The differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in the reprogrammed cells (denoted R-DMRs) were significantly enriched in tissue-specific (T-DMRs; 2.6-fold, P < 10−4) and cancer-specific DMRs (C-DMRs; 3.6-fold, P < 10−4). Notably, even though the iPS cells are derived from fibroblasts, their R-DMRs can distinguish between normal brain, liver and spleen cells and between colon cancer and normal colon cells. Thus, many DMRs are broadly involved in tissue differentiation, epigenetic reprogramming and cancer. We observed colocalization of hypomethylated R-DMRs with hypermethylated C-DMRs and bivalent chromatin marks, and colocalization of hypermethylated R-DMRs with hypomethylated C-DMRs and the absence of bivalent marks, suggesting two mechanisms for epigenetic reprogramming in iPS cells and cancer. PMID:19881528

A Study of Parameters Affecting Fibroblast Morphology in Response to an Applied Mechanical Force

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grymes, Rosalind A.; Sawyer, Christine

1994-01-01

A precisely controlled stretch/relaxation regimen (20% elongation at 6.6 cycles/min) was applied to normal human fetal, neonatal and aged dermal fibroblasts cultured on flexible membranes. Culture conditions included poly (NH2) or collagen type I coated substrate membranes; control cultures were grown on the same pliable material in the absence of applied stretch. Direct observation and immunofluorescence analyses revealed a progressive change in cell body orientation limited to the stretched dermal fibroblast cultures. Monolayers gradually (over 4 days) acquired a symmetric, radial distribution equivalent to the biaxial array of the applied force. At high seeding density, alignment was inhibited in the fetal cell cultures. This cell strain required collagen type I coating for optimal attachment to the flexible membrane, preferring growth in three-dimensional cell 'balls' on the poly(NH2) coated substrate. Neonatal cells also required the collagen type I coating, but both neonatal and aged dermal fibroblasts aligned efficiently at all seeding densities examined. The randomly oriented neonatal cells on the unstretched control membranes spontaneously detached at confluence, as a single cell sheet. Their aligned counterparts did not detach until the applied stretch stimulus was removed. Low concentrations of cytochalasin D (62.5 ng/ml) disrupted the stretch-related alignment response. Rhodamine phalloidin staining visualized fewer actin stress fibers in stretched, aligned cells than in controls. Both intercellular interactions and cytoskeletal integrity mediate the response to mechanical strain. Normal rabbit corneal stroma fibroblasts (NRC) were also analyzed, and failed to orient under these conditions. This cell type may require a different regimen, or a longer time period, to demonstrate alignment behavior. Supported by NASA Space Biology RTOP 199-40-22 and the NASA-ARC Director's Discretionary Fund.

Mitomycin C induces apoptosis in cultured corneal fibroblasts derived from type II granular corneal dystrophy corneas.

PubMed

Kim, Tae-im; Choi, Seung-il; Lee, Hyung Keun; Cho, Young Jae; Kim, Eung Kweon

2008-06-30

The present study investigated the effect of mitomycin C (MMC) on cell viability, apoptosis, and transforming growth factor beta-induced protein (TGFBIp) expression in cultured normal corneal fibroblasts and heterozygote or homozygote granular corneal dystrophy type II (GCD II) corneal fibroblasts. Keratocytes were obtained from normal cornea or from heterozygote or homozygote GCD II patients after lamellar or penetrating keratoplasty. To measure cell viability, corneal fibroblasts were incubated with 0.02% MMC for 3 h, 6 h, and 24 h or with 0%, 0.01%, 0.02%, and 0.04% MMC for 24 h and then tested using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and 3-[4,5-demethylthiazol-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide] (MTT) assays. To measure apoptosis, cells were analyzed by FACS analysis and annexin V staining. Bcl-xL, Bax, and TGFBI mRNA expression was measured using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays. Cellular and media levels of TGFBIp protein were measured by immunoblotting. MTT and LDH assays showed that MMC reduced cell viability in all three cell types in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner (p<0.05). FACS analysis and annexin V staining showed that MMC caused apoptosis with GCD II homozygote cells being most affected. RT-PCR analysis showed that MMC decreased Bcl-xL mRNA expression and increased Bax mRNA expression in all cell types. RT-PCR and immunoblotting analysis showed that MMC reduced TGFBI mRNA levels and cellular and media TGFBIp protein levels in all cell types. MMC induced apoptosis, and the effects of MMC were greatest in GCD II homozygote cells. MMC also reduced the production of TGFBIp in all three types of corneal fibroblasts. These findings may explain the additional therapeutic effect of MMC in GCD II patients.

Higher miRNA Tolerance in Immortal Li-Fraumeni Fibroblasts with Abrogated Interferon Signaling Pathway

PubMed Central

Li, Qunfang; Tainsky, Michael A.

2013-01-01

The IFN pathway is abrogated in fibroblasts from Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) patients during spontaneous cellular immortalization, a necessary step in carcinogenesis. Microarray profiling of differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNA) revealed that most miRNAs were upregulated in IFN pathway–defective MDAH087-10 fibroblasts compared with MDAH087-N cells with relatively normal IFN signaling. Overexpression of Dicer, a critical enzyme in miRNA biogenesis, promoted cell growth and colony formation in MDAH087-10 cells. However, double-stranded miRNA produced by Dicer enhanced the expression of IFN-stimulated genes in MDAH087-N cells resulting in significant cell death and reduced cell growth. Furthermore, manipulation of the IFN pathway in immortal LFS fibroblasts through transcription factor IRF7 reversed their response to Dicer overexpression due to changed IFN pathway activity. Dicer overexpressing MDAH087-N cells contained lower levels of miRNA than vector control, and conversely much higher miRNA expression was detected in Dicertransfected MDAH087-10 cells. Therefore, cells with a defective IFN pathway have a higher miRNA tolerance than cells with normal IFN pathway. This work indicates for the first time that the IFN pathway as mediated through the transcription factor IRF7 must be disrupted to permit miRNA upregulation to occur in early carcinogenesis. The IFN pathway appears to provide a checkpoint for miRNA level tolerance and its abrogation leads to cellular immortalization. PMID:21199806

Higher miRNA tolerance in immortal Li-Fraumeni fibroblasts with abrogated interferon signaling pathway.

PubMed

Li, Qunfang; Tainsky, Michael A

2011-01-01

The IFN pathway is abrogated in fibroblasts from Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) patients during spontaneous cellular immortalization, a necessary step in carcinogenesis. Microarray profiling of differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNA) revealed that most miRNAs were upregulated in IFN pathway-defective MDAH087-10 fibroblasts compared with MDAH087-N cells with relatively normal IFN signaling. Overexpression of Dicer, a critical enzyme in miRNA biogenesis, promoted cell growth and colony formation in MDAH087-10 cells. However, double-stranded miRNA produced by Dicer enhanced the expression of IFN-stimulated genes in MDAH087-N cells resulting in significant cell death and reduced cell growth. Furthermore, manipulation of the IFN pathway in immortal LFS fibroblasts through transcription factor IRF7 reversed their response to Dicer overexpression due to changed IFN pathway activity. Dicer overexpressing MDAH087-N cells contained lower levels of miRNA than vector control, and conversely much higher miRNA expression was detected in Dicer-transfected MDAH087-10 cells. Therefore, cells with a defective IFN pathway have a higher miRNA tolerance than cells with normal IFN pathway. This work indicates for the first time that the IFN pathway as mediated through the transcription factor IRF7 must be disrupted to permit miRNA upregulation to occur in early carcinogenesis. The IFN pathway appears to provide a checkpoint for miRNA level tolerance and its abrogation leads to cellular immortalization. © 2011 AACR.

Stimulatory effects of histamine on migration of nasal fibroblasts.

PubMed

Hong, Sung-Moon; Park, Il-Ho; Um, Ji-Young; Shin, Jae-Min; Lee, Heung-Man

2015-10-01

Fibroblast migration is crucial for normal wound repair after sinonasal surgery. Histamine is known to be involved in wound healing by its effects on cell proliferation and migration. This study aimed to determine whether histamine affects the migration of nasal fibroblasts and to investigate the mechanism of action of histamine on nasal fibroblasts. Primary cultures of nasal fibroblasts were established from inferior turbinate samples. Fibroblast migration was evaluated with scratch assays. Cells were treated with histamine and/or histamine receptor-selective antagonists. U-73122 and pertussis toxin, which are selective inhibitors of the lower signaling pathway of H1R and H4R, were used to confirm the modulation of nasal fibroblast migration by histamine. Fibroblast cytoskeletal structures were visualized with immunocytochemistry. Histamine significantly stimulated the migration of nasal fibroblasts. Antagonists selective for HR1 and HR4 significantly reduced nasal fibroblast migration. In immunocytochemical staining, histamine treatment increased membrane ruffling and pyrilamine, diphenhydramine, fexofenadine, and JNJ7777120 decreased histamine-induced membrane ruffling. U-73122 and pertussis toxin also decreased histamine-induced migration of fibroblasts. Histamine maintains its stimulatory effects on fibroblast migration in the presence of mitomycin C, which blocks proliferation of cells. We showed that histamine stimulates fibroblast migration in nasal fibroblasts. This effect appeared to be mediated by HR1 and HR4. However, because fibroblast migration also can be involved in scaring and fibrosis, more research is necessary to determine the effects of antihistamine on wound healing after sinus surgery. © 2015 ARS-AAOA, LLC.

Substance P induced preprotachykinin-a mRNA, neutral endopeptidase mRNA and substance P in cultured normal fibroblasts.

PubMed

Bae, Sang-Jae; Matsunaga, Yoshitaka; Takenaka, Motoi; Tanaka, Yoichi; Hamazaki, Yoichiro; Shimizu, Kazuhiro; Katayama, Ichiro

2002-04-01

In certain skin diseases, stress can modulate the induction and/or progression of cutaneous manifestations. However, little is known about the circuit in neuroendocrine and in the immune systems of the skin. To address this question, we have analyzed the regulatory mechanisms of autocrine induction of substance P (SP) by cultured normal human fibroblasts that compose the major population of the skin and might augment stress-induced skin inflammatory responses. In nonstimulated conditions, normal fibroblasts express a moderate amount of preprotachykinin-A (PPT-A), a precursor of SP mRNA, and exogenous SP significantly upregulated PPT-A mRNA expression. Maximum response of SP peptide and SP mRNA in fibroblasts was observed 1-3 h after stimulation with SP. In contrast, the expression of neutral endopeptidase (NEP), a cell surface peptide with hydrolyzing activity of SP, was increased in fibroblasts stimulated with SP after 24 h. The administration of NEP inhibitor (phosphoramidon) to the fibroblasts induced higher SP production. In addition, the neurokinin (NK) receptor antagonists (spantide, FK224 and FK888) and protein synthesis inhibitor (cycloheximide) inhibited SP production by 30-40% of control response. In immunostaining study, specific cytoplasmic staining of SP was observed in fibroblasts stimulated with SP. Finally, we confirmed that the nucleotide sequence of the PPT-A expressed in fibroblasts perfectly corresponded to the gene bank human PPT-A cDNA. This is the first report that SP mRNA, NEP mRNA and SP peptide can be induced by normal human skin fibroblasts in response to exogenous SP, and that fibroblast-derived SP might play an important role in the induction and acceleration of certain cutaneous diseases. Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel

Wound healing properties of ethyl acetate fraction of Moringa oleifera in normal human dermal fibroblasts.

PubMed

Gothai, Sivapragasam; Arulselvan, Palanisamy; Tan, Woan Sean; Fakurazi, Sharida

2016-01-01

Wounds are the outcome of injuries to the skin that interrupt the soft tissue. Healing of a wound is a complex and long-drawn-out process of tissue repair and remodeling in response to injury. A large number of plants are used by folklore traditions for the treatment of cuts, wounds and burns. Moringa oleifera (MO) is an herb used as a traditional folk medicine for the treatment of various skin wounds and associated diseases. The underlying mechanisms of wound healing activity of ethyl acetate fraction of MO leaves extract are completely unknown. In the current study, ethyl acetate fraction of MO leaves was investigated for its efficacy on cell viability, proliferation and migration (wound closure rate) in human normal dermal fibroblast cells. Results revealed that lower concentration (12.5 µg/ml, 25 µg/ml, and 50 µg/ml) of ethyl acetate fraction of MO leaves showed remarkable proliferative and migratory effect on normal human dermal fibroblasts. This study suggested that ethyl acetate fraction of MO leaves might be a potential therapeutic agent for skin wound healing by promoting fibroblast proliferation and migration through increasing the wound closure rate corroborating its traditional use.

Low levels of the AhR in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-derived lung cells increases COX-2 protein by altering mRNA stability

PubMed Central

Zago, Michela; Sheridan, Jared A.; Traboulsi, Hussein; Hecht, Emelia; Zhang, Yelu; Guerrina, Necola; Matthews, Jason; Nair, Parameswaran; Eidelman, David H.; Hamid, Qutayba

2017-01-01

Heightened inflammation, including expression of COX-2, is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that is reduced in COPD-derived lung fibroblasts. The AhR also suppresses COX-2 in response to cigarette smoke, the main risk factor for COPD, by destabilizing the Cox-2 transcript by mechanisms that may involve the regulation of microRNA (miRNA). Whether reduced AhR expression is responsible for heightened COX-2 in COPD is not known. Here, we investigated the expression of COX-2 as well as the expression of miR-146a, a miRNA known to regulate COX-2 levels, in primary lung fibroblasts derived from non-smokers (Normal) and smokers (At Risk) with and without COPD. To confirm the involvement of the AhR, AhR knock-down via siRNA in Normal lung fibroblasts and MLE-12 cells was employed as were A549-AhRko cells. Basal expression of COX-2 protein was higher in COPD lung fibroblasts compared to Normal or Smoker fibroblasts but there was no difference in Cox-2 mRNA. Knockdown of AhR in lung structural cells increased COX-2 protein by stabilizing the Cox-2 transcript. There was less induction of miR-146a in COPD-derived lung fibroblasts but this was not due to the AhR. Instead, we found that RelB, an NF-κB protein, was required for transcriptional induction of both Cox-2 and miR-146a. Therefore, we conclude that the AhR controls COX-2 protein via mRNA stability by a mechanism independent of miR-146a. Low levels of the AhR may therefore contribute to the heightened inflammation common in COPD patients. PMID:28749959

Low levels of the AhR in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-derived lung cells increases COX-2 protein by altering mRNA stability.

PubMed

Zago, Michela; Sheridan, Jared A; Traboulsi, Hussein; Hecht, Emelia; Zhang, Yelu; Guerrina, Necola; Matthews, Jason; Nair, Parameswaran; Eidelman, David H; Hamid, Qutayba; Baglole, Carolyn J

2017-01-01

Heightened inflammation, including expression of COX-2, is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that is reduced in COPD-derived lung fibroblasts. The AhR also suppresses COX-2 in response to cigarette smoke, the main risk factor for COPD, by destabilizing the Cox-2 transcript by mechanisms that may involve the regulation of microRNA (miRNA). Whether reduced AhR expression is responsible for heightened COX-2 in COPD is not known. Here, we investigated the expression of COX-2 as well as the expression of miR-146a, a miRNA known to regulate COX-2 levels, in primary lung fibroblasts derived from non-smokers (Normal) and smokers (At Risk) with and without COPD. To confirm the involvement of the AhR, AhR knock-down via siRNA in Normal lung fibroblasts and MLE-12 cells was employed as were A549-AhRko cells. Basal expression of COX-2 protein was higher in COPD lung fibroblasts compared to Normal or Smoker fibroblasts but there was no difference in Cox-2 mRNA. Knockdown of AhR in lung structural cells increased COX-2 protein by stabilizing the Cox-2 transcript. There was less induction of miR-146a in COPD-derived lung fibroblasts but this was not due to the AhR. Instead, we found that RelB, an NF-κB protein, was required for transcriptional induction of both Cox-2 and miR-146a. Therefore, we conclude that the AhR controls COX-2 protein via mRNA stability by a mechanism independent of miR-146a. Low levels of the AhR may therefore contribute to the heightened inflammation common in COPD patients.

MnTnBuOE-2-PyP protects normal colorectal fibroblasts from radiation damage and simultaneously enhances radio/chemotherapeutic killing of colorectal cancer cells

PubMed Central

Kosmacek, Elizabeth A.; Chatterjee, Arpita; Tong, Qiang; Lin, Chi; Oberley, Rebecca E.

2016-01-01

Manganese porphyrins have been shown to be potent radioprotectors in a variety of cancer models. However, the mechanism as to how these porphyrins protect normal tissues from radiation damage still remains largely unknown. In the current study, we determine the effects of the manganese porphyrin, MnTnBuOE-2-PyP, on primary colorectal fibroblasts exposed to irradiation. We found that 2 Gy of radiation enhances the fibroblasts' ability to contract a collagen matrix, increases cell size and promotes cellular senesence. Treating fibroblasts with MnTnBuOE-2-PyP significantly inhibited radiation-induced collagen contraction, preserved cell morphology and also inhibited cellular senescence. We further showed that MnTnBuOE-2-PyP enhanced the overall viability of the fibroblasts following exposure to radiation but did not protect colorectal cancer cell viability. Specifically, MnTnBuOE-2-PyP in combination with irradiation, caused a significant decrease in tumor clonogenicity. Since locally advanced rectal cancers are treated with chemoradiation therapy followed by surgery and non-metastatic anal cancers are treated with chemoradiation therapy, we also investigated the effects of MnTnBuOE-2-PyP in combination with radiation, 5-fluorouracil with and without Mitomycin C. We found that MnTnBuOE-2-PyP in combination with Mitomycin C or 5-fluorouracil further enhances those compounds' ability to suppress tumor cell growth. When MnTnBuOE-2-PyP was combined with the two chemotherapeutics and radiation, we observed the greatest reduction in tumor cell growth. Therefore, these studies indicate that MnTnBuOE-2-PyP could be used as a potent radioprotector for normal tissue, while at the same time enhancing radiation and chemotherapy treatment for rectal and anal cancers. PMID:27119354

MnTnBuOE-2-PyP protects normal colorectal fibroblasts from radiation damage and simultaneously enhances radio/chemotherapeutic killing of colorectal cancer cells.

PubMed

Kosmacek, Elizabeth A; Chatterjee, Arpita; Tong, Qiang; Lin, Chi; Oberley-Deegan, Rebecca E

2016-06-07

Manganese porphyrins have been shown to be potent radioprotectors in a variety of cancer models. However, the mechanism as to how these porphyrins protect normal tissues from radiation damage still remains largely unknown. In the current study, we determine the effects of the manganese porphyrin, MnTnBuOE-2-PyP, on primary colorectal fibroblasts exposed to irradiation. We found that 2 Gy of radiation enhances the fibroblasts' ability to contract a collagen matrix, increases cell size and promotes cellular senesence. Treating fibroblasts with MnTnBuOE-2-PyP significantly inhibited radiation-induced collagen contraction, preserved cell morphology and also inhibited cellular senescence. We further showed that MnTnBuOE-2-PyP enhanced the overall viability of the fibroblasts following exposure to radiation but did not protect colorectal cancer cell viability. Specifically, MnTnBuOE-2-PyP in combination with irradiation, caused a significant decrease in tumor clonogenicity. Since locally advanced rectal cancers are treated with chemoradiation therapy followed by surgery and non-metastatic anal cancers are treated with chemoradiation therapy, we also investigated the effects of MnTnBuOE-2-PyP in combination with radiation, 5-fluorouracil with and without Mitomycin C. We found that MnTnBuOE-2-PyP in combination with Mitomycin C or 5-fluorouracil further enhances those compounds' ability to suppress tumor cell growth. When MnTnBuOE-2-PyP was combined with the two chemotherapeutics and radiation, we observed the greatest reduction in tumor cell growth. Therefore, these studies indicate that MnTnBuOE-2-PyP could be used as a potent radioprotector for normal tissue, while at the same time enhancing radiation and chemotherapy treatment for rectal and anal cancers.

Pathways of sphingomyelin metabolism in cultured fibroblasts from normal and sphingomyelin lipidosis subjects.

PubMed

Spence, M W; Clarke, J T; Cook, H W

1983-07-25

The metabolism of endogenous sphingomyelin labeled with 32P or [methyl-3H]choline and of exogenous [choline-methyl-3H], [32P]-, or [N-acyl-1-14C]sphingomyelin was studied in normal and Niemann-Pick Type A (NP-A) cultured fibroblasts. Despite a greater than 96% decrease in lysosomal sphingomyelinase activity in the NP-A cells, they were able to degrade endogenously produced [32P]- or [methyl-3H]sphingomyelin at normal or near normal rates. Exogenous [methyl-3H]-, [methyl-3H, 32P]-, and [methyl-3H, N-acyl-1-14C] sphingomyelin was taken up intact by normal and NP-A cells, with NP-A cells accumulating 4-8 times more lipid. By 20 h, 50% of the control cell-associated 3H and 32P was recovered in lecithin, and the ratio of activities (3H/32P) indicated most of the phosphorylcholine derived from sphingomyelin had been transferred intact. By comparison in NP-A cells, after a 40-h incubation only 20% of the labeled phosphorylcholine derived from sphingomyelin was recovered in lecithin. With both cell lines, 20 to 50 times more sphingomyelin was hydrolyzed than was taken up by the cells; the reaction products in the medium were ceramide and a mixture of water-soluble compounds such as phosphorylcholine and choline. These results indicate that there are at least two metabolic pathways for sphingomyelin modification in cultured fibroblasts in addition to degradation by the lysosomal acid sphingomyelinase. One route is hydrolysis by a cellular sphingomyelinase. The second is the hydrolysis and/or transfer of phosphorylcholine from sphingomyelin and results in the synthesis of lecithin.

GROWTH REGULATION IN RSV INFECTED CHECKEN EMBRYO FIBROBLASTS: THE ROLE OF THE src GENE

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Parry, G.; Bartholomew, J.C.; Bissell, M.J.

1980-03-01

The relationship between growth regulation and cell transformation has been studied in many cultured cell lines transformed by a range of oncogenic agents. The main conclusion derived from these investigations is that the nature of the growth regulatory lesion in transformed cells is a function of the agent used to induce transformation. For example, when 3T3 fibroblasts are rendered stationary by serum deprivation, normal cells accumulate in G{sub 1} but SV40 transformed cells are arrested at all stages of the cell cycle. In contrast, 3T3 cells transformed with Rous sarcoma virus B77, accumulate in G{sub 1} upon serum deprivation. Thismore » is also true when mouse sarcoma virus (MSV) is used as the transforming agent. MSV-transformed cells accumulate in G{sub 1}, just as do normal cells. In this letter we report a detailed study of the mechanisms leading to loss of growth control in chicken embryo fibroblasts transformed by Rous sarcoma virus (RSV). We have been particularly concerned with the role of the src gene in the process, and have used RSV mutants temperature sensitive (ts) for transformation to investigate the nature of the growth regulatory lesion. Two principal findings have emerged: (a) the stationary phase of the cell cycle (G{sub 1}) in chick embryo fibroblasts has two distinct compartments, (for simplicity referred to as G{sub 1} and G{sub 0} states), (b) when rendered stationary at 41.5{sup o} by serum deprivation, normal cells enter a G{sub 0}-like state, but cells infected with the ts-mutant occupy a G{sub 1} state, even though a known src gene product, a kinase, should be inactive at this temperature. The possibility is discussed that viral factors other than the active src protein kinase influence growth control.« less

Proliferating fibroblasts and HeLa cells co-cultured in vitro reciprocally influence growth patterns, protein expression, chromatin features and cell survival.

PubMed

Delinasios, John G; Angeli, Flora; Koumakis, George; Kumar, Shant; Kang, Wen-Hui; Sica, Gigliola; Iacopino, Fortunata; Lama, Gina; Lamprecht, Sergio; Sigal-Batikoff, Ina; Tsangaris, George T; Farfarelos, Christos D; Farfarelos, Maria C; Vairaktaris, Eleftherios; Vassiliou, Stavros; Delinasios, George J

2015-04-01

to identify biological interactions between proliferating fibroblasts and HeLa cells in vitro. Fibroblasts were isolated from both normal and tumour human tissues. Coverslip co-cultures of HeLa and fibroblasts in various ratios with medium replacement every 48 h were studied using fixed cell staining with dyes such as Giemsa and silver staining, with immunochemistry for Ki-67 and E-cadherin, with dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) enzyme reaction, as well as live cell staining for non-specific esterases and lipids. Other techniques included carmine cell labeling, autoradiography and apoptosis assessment. Under conditions of feeding and cell: cell ratios allowing parallel growth of human fibroblasts and HeLa cells, co-cultured for up to 20 days, a series of phenomena occur consecutively: profound affinity between the two cell types and exchange of small molecules; encircling of the HeLa colonies by the fibroblasts and enhanced growth of both cell types at their contact areas; expression of carbonic anhydrase in both cell types and high expression of non-specific esterases and cytoplasmic argyrophilia in the surrounding fibroblasts; intense production and secretion of lipid droplets by the surrounding fibroblasts; development of a complex net of argyrophilic projections of the fibroblasts; E-cadherin expression in the HeLa cells; from the 10th day onwards, an increasing detachment of batches of HeLa cells at the peripheries of colonies and appearance of areas with many multi-nucleated and apoptotic HeLa cells, and small HeLa fragments; from the 17th day, appearance of fibroblasts blocked at the G2-M phase. Co-cultures at approximately 17-20 days display a cell-cell fight with foci of (a) sparse growth of both cell types, (b) overgrowth of the fibroblasts and (c) regrowth of HeLa in small colonies. These results indicate that during their interaction with HeLa cells in vitro, proliferating fibroblasts can be activated against HeLa. This type of activation is not observed if fibroblast proliferation is blocked by contact inhibition of growth at confluency, or by omitting replacement of the nutrient medium. The present observations show that: (a) interaction between proliferating fibroblasts and HeLa cells in vitro drastically influences each other's protein expression, growth pattern, chromatin features and survival; (b) these functions depend on the fibroblast/HeLa ratio, cell topology (cell-cell contact and the architectural pattern developed during co-culture) and frequent medium change, as prerequisites for fibroblast proliferation; (c) this co-culture model is useful in the study of the complex processes within the tumour microenvironment, as well as the in vitro reproduction and display of several phenomena conventionally seen in tumour cytological sections, such as desmoplasia, apoptosis, nuclear abnormalities; and (d) overgrown fibroblasts adhering to the boundaries of HeLa colonies produce and secrete lipid droplets. Copyright© 2015 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.

APC+/− alters colonic fibroblast proteome in FAP

PubMed Central

Dixon, Maketa P.; Blagoi, Elena L.; Nicolas, Emmanuelle; Seeholzer, Steven H.; Cheng, David; He, Yin A.; Coudry, Renata A.; Howard, Sharon D.; Riddle, Dawn M.; Cooper, Harry S.; Boman, Bruce M.; Conrad, Peggy; Crowell, James A.; Bellacosa, Alfonso; Knudson, Alfred; Yeung, Anthony T.; Kopelovich, Levy

2011-01-01

Here we compared the proteomes of primary fibroblast cultures derived from morphologically normal colonic mucosa of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) patients with those obtained from unaffected controls. The expression signature of about 19% of total fibroblast proteins separates FAP mutation carriers from unaffected controls (P < 0.01). More than 4,000 protein spots were quantified by 2D PAGE analysis, identifying 368 non-redundant proteins and 400 of their isoforms. Specifically, all three classes of cytoskeletal filaments and their regulatory proteins were altered as were oxidative stress response proteins. Given that FAP fibroblasts showed heightened sensitivity to transformation by KiMSV and SV40 including elevated levels of the p53 protein, events controlled in large measure by the Ras suppressor protein-1 (RSU-1) and oncogenic DJ-1, here we show decreased RSU1 and augmented DJ-1 expression in both fibroblasts and crypt-derived epithelial cells from morphologically normal colonic mucosa of FAP gene-carriers. The results indicate that heterozygosity for a mutant APC tumor suppressor gene alters the proteomes of both colon-derived normal fibroblasts in a gene-specific manner, consistent with a “one-hit” effect. PMID:21411865

The potentiation by caffeine of X-ray damage to cultured human skin fibroblasts from normal subjects and ataxia-telangiectasia patients

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Furcinitti, P.S.

1983-07-01

Caffeine was found to potentiate X-ray-induced killing of human diploid fibroblasts from a normal subject and an ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) patient when it was present at 2 mM concentration for 30 to 66 hr postirradiation. The dose-modifying factor for caffeine-treated normal cells had an average value of 1.26 +/- 0.13 which did not vary significantly with treatment time or X-ray dose. The dose-modifying factor for caffeine-treated AT cells was 1.12 +/- 0.12 at 30 hr, rose to 1.66 +/- 0.17 at 41 hr, and decreased to 1.31 +/- 0.13 at 66 hr. Thus no clear difference was observed between these twomore » cell strains' susceptibility to postirradiation caffeine treatment.« less

Potentiation by caffeine of x-ray damage to cultured human skin fibroblasts from normal subjects and ataxia-telangiectasia patients

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Furcinitti, P.S.

1983-07-01

Caffeine was found to potentiate x-ray-induced killing of human diploid fibroblasts from a normal subject and an ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) patient when it was present at 2 mM concentration for 30 to 66 h postirradiation. The dose-modifying factor for caffeine-treated normal cells had an average value of 1.26 +- 0.13 which did not vary significantly with treatment time or x-ray dose. The dose-modifying factor for caffeine-treated AT cells was 1.12 +- 0.12 at 30 h, rose to 1.66 +- 0.17 at 41 h, and decreased to 1.31 +- 0.13 at 66 h. Thus no clear difference was observed between these twomore » cell strains' susceptibility to postirradiation caffeine treatment.« less

Peptide promotes overcoming of the division limit in human somatic cell.

PubMed

Khavinson, V Kh; Bondarev, I E; Butyugov, A A; Smirnova, T D

2004-05-01

We previously showed that treatment of normal human diploid cells with Epithalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) induced expression of telomerase catalytic subunit, its enzymatic activity, and elongation of telomeres. Here we studied the effect of this peptide on proliferative potential of human fetal fibroblasts. Primary pulmonary fibroblasts derived from a 24-week fetus lost the proliferative potential at the 34th passage. The mean size of telomeres in these cells was appreciably lower than during early passages (passage 10). Addition of Epithalon to aging cells in culture induced elongation of telomeres to the size comparable to their length during early passages. Peptide-treated cells with elongated telomeres made 10 extra divisions (44 passages) in comparison with the control and continued dividing. Hence, Epithalon prolonged the vital cycle of normal human cells due to overcoming the Heyflick limit.

Novel signatures of cancer-associated fibroblasts.

PubMed

Bozóky, Benedek; Savchenko, Andrii; Csermely, Péter; Korcsmáros, Tamás; Dúl, Zoltán; Pontén, Fredrik; Székely, László; Klein, George

2013-07-15

Increasing evidence indicates the importance of the tumor microenvironment, in particular cancer-associated fibroblasts, in cancer development and progression. In our study, we developed a novel, visually based method to identify new immunohistochemical signatures of these fibroblasts. The method employed a protein list based on 759 protein products of genes identified by RNA profiling from our previous study, comparing fibroblasts with differential growth-modulating effect on human cancers cells, and their first neighbors in the human protein interactome. These 2,654 proteins were analyzed in the Human Protein Atlas online database by comparing their immunohistochemical expression patterns in normal versus tumor-associated fibroblasts. Twelve new proteins differentially expressed in cancer-associated fibroblasts were identified (DLG1, BHLHE40, ROCK2, RAB31, AZI2, PKM2, ARHGAP31, ARHGAP26, ITCH, EGLN1, RNF19A and PLOD2), four of them can be connected to the Rho kinase signaling pathway. They were further analyzed in several additional tumor stromata and revealed that the majority showed congruence among the different tumors. Many of them were also positive in normal myofibroblast-like cells. The new signatures can be useful in immunohistochemical analysis of different tumor stromata and may also give us an insight into the pathways activated in them in their true in vivo context. The method itself could be used for other similar analysis to identify proteins expressed in other cell types in tumors and their surrounding microenvironment. Copyright © 2013 UICC.

Matrix Stiffness Corresponding to Strictured Bowel Induces a Fibrogenic Response in Human Colonic Fibroblasts

PubMed Central

Johnson, Laura A.; Rodansky, Eva S.; Sauder, Kay L.; Horowitz, Jeffrey C.; Mih, Justin D.; Tschumperlin, Daniel J.; Higgins, Peter D.

2013-01-01

Background Crohn’s disease is characterized by repeated cycles of inflammation and mucosal healing which ultimately progress to intestinal fibrosis. This inexorable progression towards fibrosis suggests that fibrosis becomes inflammation-independent and auto-propagative. We hypothesized that matrix stiffness regulates this auto-propagation of intestinal fibrosis. Methods The stiffness of fresh ex vivo samples from normal human small intestine, Crohn’s disease strictures, and the unaffected margin were measured with a microelastometer. Normal human colonic fibroblasts were cultured on physiologically normal or pathologically stiff matrices corresponding to the physiological stiffness of normal or fibrotic bowel. Cellular response was assayed for changes in cell morphology, α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) staining, and gene expression. Results Microelastometer measurements revealed a significant increase in colonic tissue stiffness between normal human colon and Crohn’s strictures as well as between the stricture and adjacent tissue margin. In Ccd-18co cells grown on stiff matrices corresponding to Crohn’s strictures, cellular proliferation increased. Pathologic stiffness induced a marked change in cell morphology and increased αSMA protein expression. Growth on a stiff matrix induced fibrogenic gene expression, decreased matrix metalloproteinase and pro-inflammatory gene expression, and was associated with nuclear localization of the transcriptional cofactor MRTF-A. Conclusions Matrix stiffness, representative of the pathological stiffness of Crohn’s strictures, activates human colonic fibroblasts to a fibrogenic phenotype. Matrix stiffness affects multiple pathways suggesting the mechanical properties of the cellular environment are critical to fibroblast function and may contribute to autopropagation of intestinal fibrosis in the absence of inflammation, thereby contributing to the intractable intestinal fibrosis characteristic of Crohn’s disease. PMID:23502354

Proinflammatory Effects of Diesel Exhaust Nanoparticles on Scleroderma Skin Cells

PubMed Central

Mastrofrancesco, A.; Alfè, M.; Rosato, E.; Gargiulo, V.; Beatrice, C.; Di Blasio, G.; Zhang, B.; Su, D. S.; Picardo, M.; Fiorito, S.

2014-01-01

Autoimmune diseases are complex disorders of unknown etiology thought to result from interactions between genetic and environmental factors. We aimed to verify whether environmental pollution from diesel engine exhaust nanoparticulate (DEP) of actually operating vehicles could play a role in the development of a rare immune-mediated disease, systemic sclerosis (SSc), in which the pathogenetic role of environment has been highlighted. The effects of carbon-based nanoparticulate collected at the exhaust of newer (Euro 5) and older (Euro 4) diesel engines on SSc skin keratinocytes and fibroblasts were evaluated in vitro by assessing the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α) and fibroblast chemical mediators (metalloproteases 2, 3, 7, 9, and 12; collagen types I and III; VEGF). DEP was shown to stimulate cytokine gene expression at a higher extent in SSc keratinocytes versus normal cells. Moreover, the mRNA gene expression of all MMPs, collagen types, and VEGF genes was significantly higher in untreated SSc fibroblasts versus controls. Euro 5 particle exposure increased the mRNA expression of MMP-2, -7, and -9 in SSc fibroblasts in a dose dependent manner and only at the highest concentration in normal cells. We suggest that environmental DEP could trigger the development of SSc acting on genetically hyperreactive cell systems. PMID:24982919

Chromatid repulsion associated with Roberts/SC phocomelia syndrome is reduced in malignant cells and not expressed in interspecies somatic-cell hybrids.

PubMed Central

Krassikoff, N E; Cowan, J M; Parry, D M; Francke, U

1986-01-01

Different cell types from a female patient with Roberts/SC phocomelia syndrome were evaluated quantitatively for the presence of repulsion of heterochromatin and satellite regions of mitotic chromosomes. Whereas EBV-transformed lymphoblasts from an established cell line revealed these phenomena at frequencies equal to those in PHA-stimulated lymphocytes and cultured skin fibroblasts, aneuploid cells from a metastatic melanoma displayed them at 50% lower frequency. Cocultivation of the patient's fibroblasts with either an immortal Chinese hamster cell line or with a human male fibroblast strain carrying a t(4;6)(p14;q21) translocation showed that the phenomenon was not corrected or induced by a diffusible factor or by cell-to-cell contact. In each experiment, only the patient's metaphase spreads revealed chromatid repulsion. In fusion hybrids between the patient's fibroblasts and an established Chinese hamster cell line, the human chromosomes behaved perfectly normally, suggesting that the gene product which is missing or mutant in Roberts/SC phocomelia syndrome is supplied by the Chinese hamster genome. Images Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 3 PMID:3788975

Cytotoxicity of four denture adhesives on human gingival fibroblast cells.

PubMed

Lee, Yoon; Ahn, Jin-Soo; Yi, Young-Ah; Chung, Shin-Hye; Yoo, Yeon-Jee; Ju, Sung-Won; Hwang, Ji-Yun; Seo, Deog-Gyu

2015-02-01

The purpose of this study was to compare the cytotoxicity of four denture adhesives on human gingival fibroblast cells. Immortalized human gingival fibroblasts were cultured with one of four different denture adhesives, Polident, Protefix, Staydent or Denfix-A, which was placed in insert dishes (10% w/v concentration) for 48 h. The MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay and flow cytometric apoptosis assay were used to evaluate cell viability and apoptosis rates. The fibroblasts were also examined under a scanning electron microscope. The MTT assay showed that all denture adhesives resulted in a significantly lower cell viability compared to the control cells propagated in normal culture medium (p < 0.05), with Staydent demonstrating the lowest cell viability. According to the flow cytometric apoptosis assay, Staydent and Protefix showed significantly higher apoptosis rates than the control group (p < 0.05), whereas Polident and Denfix-A did not demonstrate any significant differences (p > 0.05). Staydent showed the highest apoptosis rate. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the cells of the Staydent group underwent cytoplasmic membrane shrinkage, with cell free areas containing residual fragments of the membrane of dead cells. The four denture adhesives evaluated in this study imparted cytotoxic effects on human gingival fibroblast cells. Staydent showed the highest toxicity.

Usp16 contributes to somatic stem cell defects in Down syndrome

PubMed Central

Adorno, Maddalena; Sikandar, Shaheen; Mitra, Siddhartha S.; Kuo, Angera; Di Robilant, Benedetta Nicolis; Haro-Acosta, Veronica; Ouadah, Youcef; Quarta, Marco; Rodriguez, Jacqueline; Qian, Dalong; Reddy, Vadiyala M.; Cheshier, Samuel; Garner, Craig C.; Clarke, Michael F.

2013-01-01

SUMMARY Down syndrome (DS) results from full or partial trisomy of chromosome 21. However, the consequences of the underlying gene-dosage imbalance on adult tissues remain poorly understood. Here we show that in Ts65Dn mice, trisomic for 132 genes homologous to HSA21, triplication of Usp16 reduces self-renewal of hematopoietic stem cells and expansion of mammary epithelial cells, neural progenitors, and fibroblasts. Moreover, Usp16 is associated with decreased ubiquitination of Cdkn2a and accelerated senescence in Ts65Dn fibroblasts. Usp16 can remove ubiquitin from H2AK119, a critical mark for the maintenance of multiple somatic tissues. Downregulation of Usp16, either by mutation of a single normal USP16 allele or by shRNAs, largely rescues all these defects. Furthermore, in human tissues overexpression of USP16 reduces the expansion of normal fibroblasts and post-natal neural progenitors while downregulation of USP16 partially rescues the proliferation defects of DS fibroblasts. Taken together, these results suggest that USP16 plays an important role in antagonizing the self-renewal and/or senescence pathways in Down syndrome and could serve as an attractive target to ameliorate some of the associated pathologies. PMID:24025767

Antimicrobial peptide KSL-W promotes gingival fibroblast healing properties in vitro.

PubMed

Park, Hyun-Jin; Salem, Mabrouka; Semlali, Abdelhabib; Leung, Kai P; Rouabhia, Mahmoud

2017-07-01

We investigated the effect of synthetic antimicrobial decapeptide KSL-W (KKVVFWVKFK) on normal human gingival fibroblast growth, migration, collagen gel contraction, and α-smooth muscle actin protein expression. Results show that in addition to promoting fibroblast adhesion by increasing F-actin production, peptide KSL-W promoted cell growth by increasing the S and G2/M cell cycle phases, and enhanced the secretion of metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and MMP-2 by upregulating MMP inhibitors, such as tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2 in fibroblasts. An in vitro wound healing assay confirmed that peptide KSL-W promoted fibroblast migration and contraction of a collagen gel matrix. We also demonstrated a high expression of α-smooth muscle actin by gingival fibroblasts being exposed to KSL-W. This work shows that peptide KSL-W enhances gingival fibroblast growth, migration, and metalloproteinase secretion, and the expression of α-smooth muscle actin, thus promoting wound healing. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Production of colony-stimulating factor in human dental pulp fibroblasts.

PubMed

Sawa, Y; Horie, Y; Yamaoka, Y; Ebata, N; Kim, T; Yoshida, S

2003-02-01

Class II major histocompatilibity complex (MHC)-expressing cells are usually distributed in dental pulp, and it was postulated that the colony-stimulating factor (CSF) derived from dental pulp fibroblasts contributes to the migration of class II MHC-expressing cells into pulp tissue. This study aimed to investigate the CSF production of human dental pulp fibroblasts. In pulp tissue sections, granulocyte (G)-CSF was detected from normal teeth, while G-CSF, macrophage (M)-CSF, and granulocyte-macrophage (GM)-CSF were detected from teeth with dentinal caries. In cultured dental pulp fibroblasts, G-CSF was detected by immunostaining, immunoprecipitation, and ELISA, and mRNAs of G-CSF, M-CSF, and GM-CSF were detected by RT-PCR. The dental pulp fibroblasts cultured with TNF-alpha were found to increase the G-CSF expression and to produce M-CSF and GM-CSF. These findings suggest that dental pulp fibroblasts usually produce G-CSF. In the presence of TNF-alpha, dental pulp fibroblast express M-CSF and GM-CSF.

Esterification of all-trans-retinol in normal human epithelial cell strains and carcinoma lines from oral cavity, skin and breast: reduced expression of lecithin:retinol acyltransferase in carcinoma lines.

PubMed

Guo, X; Ruiz, A; Rando, R R; Bok, D; Gudas, L J

2000-11-01

When exogenous [(3)H]retinol (vitamin A) was added to culture medium, normal human epithelial cells from the oral cavity, skin, lung and breast took up and esterified essentially all of the [(3)H]retinol within a few hours. As shown by [(3)H]retinol pulse-chase experiments, normal epithelial cells then slowly hydrolyzed the [(3)H]retinyl esters to [(3)H]retinol, some of which was then oxidized to [(3)H]retinoic acid (RA) over a period of several days. In contrast, cultured normal human fibroblasts and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) did not esterify significant amounts of [(3)H]retinol; this lack of [(3)H]retinol esterification was correlated with a lack of expression of lecithin:retinol acyltransferase (LRAT) transcripts in normal fibroblast and HUVEC strains. These results indicate that normal, differentiated cell types differ in their ability to esterify retinol. Human carcinoma cells (neoplastically transformed epithelial cells) of the oral cavity, skin and breast did not esterify much [(3)H]retinol and showed greatly reduced LRAT expression. Transcripts of the neutral, bile salt-independent retinyl ester hydrolase and the bile salt-dependent retinyl ester hydrolase were undetectable in all of the normal cell types, including the epithelial cells. These experiments suggest that retinoid-deficiency in the tumor cells could develop because of the lack of retinyl esters, a storage form of retinol.

Identification of different subsets of lung cells using Raman microspectroscopy and whole cell nucleus isolation.

PubMed

Pijanka, Jacek K; Stone, Nicholas; Rutter, Abigail V; Forsyth, Nicholas; Sockalingum, Ganesh D; Yang, Ying; Sulé-Suso, Josep

2013-09-07

Raman spectroscopy has been widely used to study its possible clinical application in cancer diagnosis. However, in order to make it into clinical practice, it is important that this technique is able not only to identify cancer cells from their normal counterparts, but also from the array of cells present in human tissues. To this purpose, we used Raman spectroscopy to assess whether this technique was able to differentiate not only between lung cancer cells and lung epithelial cells but also from lung fibroblasts. Furthermore, we studied whether the differences were due to cell lineage (epithelial versus fibroblast) or to different proliferative characteristics of cells, and where in the cell compartment these differences might reside. To answer these questions we studied cell cytoplasm, cell nucleus and isolated whole cell nuclei. Our data suggests that Raman spectroscopy can differentiate between lung cancer, lung epithelial cells and lung fibroblasts. More important, it can also differentiate between 2 cells from the same lineage (fibroblast) but with one of them rendered immortal and with an increased proliferative activity. Finally, it seems that the main spectral differences reside in the cell nucleus and that the study of isolated nuclei strengthens the differences between cells.

Withaferin A Induces Cell Death Selectively in Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer Cells but Not in Normal Fibroblast Cells

PubMed Central

Nishikawa, Yukihiro; Okuzaki, Daisuke; Fukushima, Kohshiro; Mukai, Satomi; Ohno, Shouichi; Ozaki, Yuki; Yabuta, Norikazu; Nojima, Hiroshi

2015-01-01

Withaferin A (WA), a major bioactive component of the Indian herb Withania somnifera, induces cell death (apoptosis/necrosis) in multiple types of tumor cells, but the molecular mechanism underlying this cytotoxicity remains elusive. We report here that 2 μM WA induced cell death selectively in androgen-insensitive PC-3 and DU-145 prostate adenocarcinoma cells, whereas its toxicity was less severe in androgen-sensitive LNCaP prostate adenocarcinoma cells and normal human fibroblasts (TIG-1 and KD). WA also killed PC-3 cells in spheroid-forming medium. DNA microarray analysis revealed that WA significantly increased mRNA levels of c-Fos and 11 heat-shock proteins (HSPs) in PC-3 and DU-145, but not in LNCaP and TIG-1. Western analysis revealed increased expression of c-Fos and reduced expression of the anti-apoptotic protein c-FLIP(L). Expression of HSPs such as HSPA6 and Hsp70 was conspicuously elevated; however, because siRNA-mediated depletion of HSF-1, an HSP-inducing transcription factor, reduced PC-3 cell viability, it is likely that these heat-shock genes were involved in protecting against cell death. Moreover, WA induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in PC-3 and DU-145, but not in normal fibroblasts. Immunocytochemistry and immuno-electron microscopy revealed that WA disrupted the vimentin cytoskeleton, possibly inducing the ROS generation, c-Fos expression and c-FLIP(L) suppression. These observations suggest that multiple events followed by disruption of the vimentin cytoskeleton play pivotal roles in WA-mediated cell death. PMID:26230090

Genetics Home Reference: Jackson-Weiss syndrome

MedlinePlus

... People with Jackson-Weiss syndrome usually have normal intelligence and a normal life span. Related Information What ... called fibroblast growth factor receptor 2. Among its multiple functions, this protein signals immature cells to become ...

Hypersensitivity of skin fibroblasts from basal cell nevus syndrome patients to killing by ultraviolet B but not by ultraviolet C radiation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Applegate, L.A.; Goldberg, L.H.; Ley, R.D.

Basal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder in which the afflicted individuals are extremely susceptible to sunlight-induced skin cancers, particularly basal cell carcinomas. However, the cellular and molecular basis for BCNS is unknown. To ascertain whether there is any relationship between genetic predisposition to skin cancer and increased sensitivity of somatic cells from BCNS patients to killing by UV radiation, we exposed skin fibroblasts established from unexposed skin biopsies of several BCNS and age- and sex-matched normal individuals to either UV-B (280-320 nm) or UV-C (254 nm) radiation and determined their survival. The results indicated thatmore » skin fibroblasts from BCNS patients were hypersensitive to killing by UV-B but not UV-C radiation as compared to skin fibroblasts from normal individuals. DNA repair studies indicated that the increased sensitivity of BCNS skin fibroblasts to killing by UV-B radiation was not due to a defect in the excision repair of pyrimidine dimers. These results indicate that there is an association between hypersensitivity of somatic cells to killing by UV-B radiation and the genetic predisposition to skin cancer in BCNS patients. In addition, these results suggest that DNA lesions (and repair processes) other than the pyrimidine dimer are also involved in the pathogenesis of sunlight-induced skin cancers in BCNS patients. More important, the UV-B sensitivity assay described here may be used as a diagnostic tool to identify presymptomatic individuals with BCNS.« less

Induced pluripotent stem cell models of Zellweger spectrum disorder show impaired peroxisome assembly and cell type-specific lipid abnormalities.

PubMed

Wang, Xiao-Ming; Yik, Wing Yan; Zhang, Peilin; Lu, Wange; Huang, Ning; Kim, Bo Ram; Shibata, Darryl; Zitting, Madison; Chow, Robert H; Moser, Ann B; Steinberg, Steven J; Hacia, Joseph G

2015-08-29

Zellweger spectrum disorder (PBD-ZSD) is a disease continuum caused by mutations in a subset of PEX genes required for normal peroxisome assembly and function. They highlight the importance of peroxisomes in the development and functions of the central nervous system, liver, and other organs. To date, the underlying bases for the cell-type specificity of disease are not fully elucidated. Primary skin fibroblasts from seven PBD-ZSD patients with biallelic PEX1, PEX10, PEX12, or PEX26 mutations and three healthy donors were transduced with retroviral vectors expressing Yamanaka reprogramming factors. Candidate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were subject to global gene expression, DNA methylation, copy number variation, genotyping, in vitro differentiation and teratoma formation assays. Confirmed iPSCs were differentiated into neural progenitor cells (NPCs), neurons, oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs), and hepatocyte-like cell cultures with peroxisome assembly evaluated by microscopy. Saturated very long chain fatty acid (sVLCFA) and plasmalogen levels were determined in primary fibroblasts and their derivatives. iPSCs were derived from seven PBD-ZSD patient-derived fibroblasts with mild to severe peroxisome assembly defects. Although patient and control skin fibroblasts had similar gene expression profiles, genes related to mitochondrial functions and organelle cross-talk were differentially expressed among corresponding iPSCs. Mitochondrial DNA levels were consistent among patient and control fibroblasts, but varied among all iPSCs. Relative to matching controls, sVLCFA levels were elevated in patient-derived fibroblasts, reduced in patient-derived iPSCs, and not significantly different in patient-derived NPCs. All cell types derived from donors with biallelic null mutations in a PEX gene showed plasmalogen deficiencies. Reporter gene assays compatible with high content screening (HCS) indicated patient-derived OPC and hepatocyte-like cell cultures had impaired peroxisome assembly. Normal peroxisome activity levels are not required for cellular reprogramming of skin fibroblasts. Patient iPSC gene expression profiles were consistent with hypotheses highlighting the role of altered mitochondrial activities and organelle cross-talk in PBD-ZSD pathogenesis. sVLCFA abnormalities dramatically differed among patient cell types, similar to observations made in iPSC models of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy. We propose that iPSCs could assist investigations into the cell type-specificity of peroxisomal activities, toxicology studies, and in HCS for targeted therapies for peroxisome-related disorders.

Oncogenes and inflammation rewire host energy metabolism in the tumor microenvironment: RAS and NFκB target stromal MCT4.

PubMed

Martinez-Outschoorn, Ubaldo E; Curry, Joseph M; Ko, Ying-Hui; Lin, Zhao; Tuluc, Madalina; Cognetti, David; Birbe, Ruth C; Pribitkin, Edmund; Bombonati, Alessandro; Pestell, Richard G; Howell, Anthony; Sotgia, Federica; Lisanti, Michael P

2013-08-15

Here, we developed a model system to evaluate the metabolic effects of oncogene(s) on the host microenvironment. A matched set of "normal" and oncogenically transformed epithelial cell lines were co-cultured with human fibroblasts, to determine the "bystander" effects of oncogenes on stromal cells. ROS production and glucose uptake were measured by FACS analysis. In addition, expression of a panel of metabolic protein biomarkers (Caveolin-1, MCT1, and MCT4) was analyzed in parallel. Interestingly, oncogene activation in cancer cells was sufficient to induce the metabolic reprogramming of cancer-associated fibroblasts toward glycolysis, via oxidative stress. Evidence for "metabolic symbiosis" between oxidative cancer cells and glycolytic fibroblasts was provided by MCT1/4 immunostaining. As such, oncogenes drive the establishment of a stromal-epithelial "lactate-shuttle", to fuel the anabolic growth of cancer cells. Similar results were obtained with two divergent oncogenes (RAS and NFκB), indicating that ROS production and inflammation metabolically converge on the tumor stroma, driving glycolysis and upregulation of MCT4. These findings make stromal MCT4 an attractive target for new drug discovery, as MCT4 is a shared endpoint for the metabolic effects of many oncogenic stimuli. Thus, diverse oncogenes stimulate a common metabolic response in the tumor stroma. Conversely, we also show that fibroblasts protect cancer cells against oncogenic stress and senescence by reducing ROS production in tumor cells. Ras-transformed cells were also able to metabolically reprogram normal adjacent epithelia, indicating that cancer cells can use either fibroblasts or epithelial cells as "partners" for metabolic symbiosis. The antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) selectively halted mitochondrial biogenesis in Ras-transformed cells, but not in normal epithelia. NAC also blocked stromal induction of MCT4, indicating that NAC effectively functions as an "MCT4 inhibitor". Taken together, our data provide new strategies for achieving more effective anticancer therapy. We conclude that oncogenes enable cancer cells to behave as selfish "metabolic parasites", like foreign organisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses). Thus, we should consider treating cancer like an infectious disease, with new classes of metabolically targeted "antibiotics" to selectively starve cancer cells. Our results provide new support for the "seed and soil" hypothesis, which was first proposed in 1889 by the English surgeon, Stephen Paget.

A gene involved in control of human cellular senescence on human chromosome 1q

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hensler, P.J.; Pereira-Smith, O.M.; Annab, L.A.

1994-04-01

Normal cells in culture exhibit limited division potential and have been used as a model for cellular senescence. In contrast, tumor-derived or carcinogen- or virus-transformed cells are capable of indefinite division. Fusion of normal human diploid fibroblasts with immortal human cells yielded hybrids having limited life spans, indicating that cellular senescence was dominant. Fusions of various immortal human cell lines with each other led to the identification of four complementation groups for indefinite division. The purpose of this study was to determine whether human chromosome 1 could complement the recessive immortal defect of human cell lines assigned to one ofmore » the four complementation groups. Using microcell fusion, the authors introduced a single normal human chromosome 1 into immortal human cell lines representing the complementation groups and determined that it caused loss of proliferative potential of an osteosarcoma-derived cell line (TE85), a cytomegalovirus-transformed lung fibroblast cell line (CMV-Mj-HEL-1), and a Ki-ras[sup +]-transformed derivative of TE85 (143B TK[sup [minus

Live fate-mapping of joint-associated fibroblasts visualizes expansion of cell contributions during zebrafish fin regeneration.

PubMed

Tornini, Valerie A; Thompson, John D; Allen, Raymond L; Poss, Kenneth D

2017-08-15

The blastema is a mass of progenitor cells responsible for regeneration of amputated salamander limbs and fish fins. Previous studies have indicated that resident cell sources producing the blastema contribute lineage-restricted progeny to regenerating tissue. However, these studies have labeled general cell types rather than granular cell subpopulations, and they do not explain the developmental transitions that must occur for distal structures to arise from cells with proximal identities in the appendage stump. Here, we find that regulatory sequences of tph1b , which encodes an enzyme that synthesizes serotonin, mark a subpopulation of fibroblast-like cells restricted to the joints of uninjured adult zebrafish fins. Amputation stimulates serotonin production in regenerating fin fibroblasts, yet targeted tph1b mutations abrogating this response do not disrupt fin regeneration. In uninjured animals, tph1b -expressing cells contribute fibroblast progeny that remain restricted to joints throughout life. By contrast, upon amputation, tph1b + joint cells give rise to fibroblasts that distribute across the entire lengths of regenerating fin rays. Our experiments visualize and quantify how incorporation into an appendage blastema broadens the progeny contributions of a cellular subpopulation that normally has proximodistal restrictions. © 2017. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

The myofibroblast, multiple origins for major roles in normal and pathological tissue repair

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Myofibroblasts differentiate, invade and repair injured tissues by secreting and organizing the extracellular matrix and by developing contractile forces. When tissues are damaged, tissue homeostasis must be re-established, and repair mechanisms have to rapidly provide harmonious mechanical tissue organization, a process essentially supported by (myo)fibroblasts. Under physiological conditions, the secretory and contractile activities of myofibroblasts are terminated when the repair is complete (scar formation) but the functionality of the tissue is only rarely perfectly restored. At the end of the normal repair process, myofibroblasts disappear by apoptosis but in pathological situations, myofibroblasts likely remain leading to excessive scarring. Myofibroblasts originate from different precursor cells, the major contribution being from local recruitment of connective tissue fibroblasts. However, local mesenchymal stem cells, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and cells derived from an epithelial-mesenchymal transition process, may represent alternative sources of myofibroblasts when local fibroblasts are not able to satisfy the requirement for these cells during repair. These diverse cell types probably contribute to the appearance of myofibroblast subpopulations which show specific biological properties and which are important to understand in order to develop new therapeutic strategies for treatment of fibrotic and scarring diseases. PMID:23259712

TNF-{alpha} similarly induces IL-6 and MCP-1 in fibroblasts from colorectal liver metastases and normal liver fibroblasts

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mueller, Lars, E-mail: lars.mueller@uksh-kiel.de; Seggern, Lena von; Schumacher, Jennifer

2010-07-02

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) represent the predominant cell type of the neoplastic stroma of solid tumors, yet their biology and functional specificity for cancer pathogenesis remain unclear. We show here that primary CAFs from colorectal liver metastases express several inflammatory, tumor-enhancing factors, including interleukin (IL)-6 and monocyte-chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1. Both molecules were intensely induced by TNF-{alpha} on the transcript and protein level, whereas PDGF-BB, TGF-{beta}1 and EGF showed no significant effects. To verify their potential specialization for metastasis progression, CAFs were compared to fibroblasts from non-tumor liver tissue. Interestingly, these liver fibroblasts (LFs) displayed similar functions. Further analyses revealed a comparablemore » up-regulation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) by TNF-{alpha}, and of alpha-smooth muscle actin, by TGF-{beta}1. Moreover, the proliferation of both cell types was induced by PDGF-BB, and CAFs and LFs displayed an equivalent migration towards HT29 colon cancer cells in Boyden chamber assays. In conclusion, colorectal liver metastasis may be supported by CAFs and resident fibroblastic cells competent to generate a prometastatic microenvironment through inflammatory activation of IL-6 and MCP-1.« less

Down-Regulation of Myeloid Cell Leukemia 1 by Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Sensitizes Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovial Fibroblasts to Tumor Necrosis Factor α–Induced Apoptosis

PubMed Central

Ahmed, Salahuddin; Silverman, Matthew D.; Marotte, Hubert; Kwan, Kevin; Matuszczak, Natalie; Koch, Alisa E.

2010-01-01

Objective Overexpression of the antiapoptotic protein myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl-1) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial fibroblasts is a major cause of their resistance to tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)–induced apoptosis. This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in down-regulating Mcl-1 expression and its mechanism of RA synovial fibroblast sensitization to TNFα-induced apoptosis. Methods EGCG effects on cultured RA synovial fibroblast cell morphology, proliferation, and viability over 72 hours were determined by microscopy and a fluorescent cell enumeration assay. Caspase 3 activity was determined by a colorimetric assay. Western blotting was used to evaluate the apoptosis mediators poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), Mcl-1, Bcl-2, Akt, and nuclear translocation of NF-κB. Results In RA synovial fibroblasts, EGCG (5–50 μM) inhibited constitutive and TNFα-induced Mcl-1 protein expression in a concentration- and time-dependent manner (P < 0.05). Importantly, EGCG specifically abrogated Mcl-1 expression in RA synovial fibroblasts and affected Mcl-1 expression to a lesser extent in osteoarthritis and normal synovial fibroblasts or endothelial cells. Inhibition of Mcl-1 by EGCG triggered caspase 3 activity in RA synovial fibroblasts, which was mediated via down-regulation of the TNFα-induced Akt and NF-κB pathways. Caspase 3 activation by EGCG also suppressed RA synovial fibroblast growth, and this effect was mimicked by Akt and NF-κB inhibitors. Interestingly, Mcl-1 degradation by EGCG sensitized RA synovial fibroblasts to TNFα-induced PARP cleavage and apoptotic cell death. Conclusion Our findings indicate that EGCG itself induces apoptosis and further sensitizes RA synovial fibroblasts to TNFα-induced apoptosis by specifically blocking Mcl-1 expression and, hence, may be of promising adjunct therapeutic value in regulating the invasive growth of synovial fibroblasts in RA. PMID:19404960

Chronic exposure of interleukin-13 suppress the induction of matrix metalloproteinase-1 by tumour necrosis factor α in normal and scleroderma dermal fibroblasts through protein kinase B/Akt.

PubMed

Brown Lobbins, M L; Shivakumar, B R; Postlethwaite, A E; Hasty, K A

2018-01-01

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells taken from patients with scleroderma express increased levels of interleukin (IL)-13. Moreover, the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) from involved scleroderma skin fibroblasts is refractory to stimulation by tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α. To elucidate the mechanism(s) involved, we examined the effect of IL-13 on TNF-α-induced MMP-1 expression in normal and scleroderma human dermal fibroblast lines and studied the involvement of serine/threonine kinase B/protein kinase B (Akt) in this response. Dermal fibroblast lines were stimulated with TNF-α in the presence of varying concentrations of IL-13. Total Akt and pAkt were quantitated using Western blot analyses. Fibroblasts were treated with or without Akt inhibitor VIII in the presence of IL-13 followed by TNF-α stimulation. MMP-1 expression was analysed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance (anova) or Student's t-test. Upon TNF-α stimulation, normal dermal fibroblasts secrete more MMP-1 than systemic sclerosis (SSc) fibroblasts. This increase in MMP-1 is lost when fibroblasts are co-incubated with IL-13 and TNF-α. IL-13 induced a significant increase in levels of pAkt in dermal fibroblasts, while Akt inhibitor VIII reversed the suppressive effects of IL-13 on the response of cultured fibroblasts to TNF-α, increasing their expression of MMP-1. We show that IL-13 suppresses MMP-1 in TNF-α-stimulated normal and scleroderma dermal fibroblast. Akt inhibitor VIII is able to reverse the suppressive effect of IL-13 on MMP-1 expression and protein synthesis. Our data suggest that IL-13 regulates MMP-1 expression in response to TNF-α through an Akt-mediated pathway and may play a role in fibrotic diseases such as scleroderma. © 2017 British Society for Immunology.

Evaluation of human embryonic stem cells and their differentiated fibroblastic progenies as cellular models for in vitro genotoxicity screening.

PubMed

Vinoth, Kumar Jayaseelan; Manikandan, Jayapal; Sethu, Swaminathan; Balakrishnan, Lakshmidevi; Heng, Alexis; Lu, Kai; Hande, Manoor Prakash; Cao, Tong

2014-08-20

This study evaluated human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and their differentiated fibroblastic progenies as cellular models for genotoxicity screening. The DNA damage response of hESCs and their differentiated fibroblastic progenies were compared to a fibroblastic cell line (HEPM, CRL1486) and primary cultures of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), upon exposure to Mitomycin C, gamma irradiation and H2O2. It was demonstrated that hESC-derived fibroblastic progenies (H1F) displayed significantly higher chromosomal aberrations, micronuclei formation and double strand break (DSB) formation, as compared to undifferentiated hESC upon exposure to genotoxic stress. Nevertheless, H1F cell types displayed comparable sensitivities to genotoxic challenge as HEPM and PBL, both of which are representative of somatic cell types commonly used for genotoxicity screening. Subsequently, transcriptomic and pathways analysis identified differential expression of critical genes involved in cell death and DNA damage response upon exposure to gamma irradiation. The results thus demonstrate that hESC-derived fibroblastic progenies are as sensitive as commonly-used somatic cell types for genotoxicity screening. Moreover, hESCs have additional advantages, such as their genetic normality compared to immortalized cell lines, as well as their amenability to scale-up for producing large, standardized quantities of cells for genotoxicity screening on an industrial scale, something which can never be achieved with primary cell cultures. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V.

A Role for Fibroblasts in Mediating the Effects of Tobacco-Induced Epithelial Cell Growth and Invasion

PubMed Central

Coppe, Jean-Philippe; Boysen, Megan; Ho Sun, Chung; Wong, Brian J.F.; Kang, Mo K.; Park, No-Hee; Desprez, Pierre-Yves; Campisi, Judith; Krtolica, Ana

2009-01-01

Cigarette smoke and smokeless tobacco extracts contain multiple carcinogenic compounds, but little is known about the mechanisms by which tumors develop and progress upon chronic exposure to carcinogens such as those present in tobacco products. Here, we examine the effects of smokeless tobacco extracts on human oral fibroblasts. We show that smokeless tobacco extracts elevated the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen, oxidative DNA damage, and DNA double-strand breaks in a dose-dependent manner. Extended exposure to extracts induced fibroblasts to undergo a senescence-like growth arrest, with striking accompanying changes in the secretory phenotype. Using cocultures of smokeless tobacco extracts–exposed fibroblasts and immortalized but nontumorigenic keratinocytes, we further show that factors secreted by extracts-modified fibroblasts increase the proliferation and invasiveness of partially transformed epithelial cells, but not their normal counterparts. In addition, smokeless tobacco extracts–exposed fibroblasts caused partially transformed keratinocytes to lose the expression of E-cadherin and ZO-1, as well as involucrin, changes that are indicative of compromised epithelial function and commonly associated with malignant progression. Together, our results suggest that fibroblasts may contribute to tumorigenesis indirectly by increasing epithelial cell aggressiveness. Thus, tobacco may not only initiate mutagenic changes in epithelial cells but also promote the growth and invasion of mutant cells by creating a procarcinogenic stromal environment. PMID:18644973

Apoptosis-Inducing-Factor-Dependent Mitochondrial Function Is Required for T Cell but Not B Cell Function.

PubMed

Milasta, Sandra; Dillon, Christopher P; Sturm, Oliver E; Verbist, Katherine C; Brewer, Taylor L; Quarato, Giovanni; Brown, Scott A; Frase, Sharon; Janke, Laura J; Perry, S Scott; Thomas, Paul G; Green, Douglas R

2016-01-19

The role of apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) in promoting cell death versus survival remains controversial. We report that the loss of AIF in fibroblasts led to mitochondrial electron transport chain defects and loss of proliferation that could be restored by ectopic expression of the yeast NADH dehydrogenase Ndi1. Aif-deficiency in T cells led to decreased peripheral T cell numbers and defective homeostatic proliferation, but thymic T cell development was unaffected. In contrast, Aif-deficient B cells developed and functioned normally. The difference in the dependency of T cells versus B cells on AIF for function and survival correlated with their metabolic requirements. Ectopic Ndi1 expression rescued homeostatic proliferation of Aif-deficient T cells. Despite its reported roles in cell death, fibroblasts, thymocytes and B cells lacking AIF underwent normal death. These studies suggest that the primary role of AIF relates to complex I function, with differential effects on T and B cells. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

L1 Antibodies Block Lymph Node Fibroblastic Reticular Matrix Remodeling In Vivo

PubMed Central

Di Sciullo, Gino; Donahue, Tim; Schachner, Melitta; Bogen, Steven A.

1998-01-01

L1 is an immunoglobulin superfamily adhesion molecule highly expressed on neurons and involved in cell motility, neurite outgrowth, axon fasciculation, myelination, and synaptic plasticity. L1 is also expressed by nonneural cells, but its function outside of the nervous system has not been studied extensively. We find that administration of an L1 monoclonal antibody in vivo disrupts the normal remodeling of lymph node reticular matrix during an immune response. Ultrastructural examination reveals that reticular fibroblasts in mice treated with L1 monoclonal antibodies fail to spread and envelop collagen fibers with their cellular processes. The induced defect in the remodeling of the fibroblastic reticular system results in the loss of normal nodal architecture, collapsed cortical sinusoids, and macrophage accumulation in malformed sinuses. Surprisingly, such profound architectural abnormalities have no detectable effects on the primary immune response to protein antigens. PMID:9625755

Distinct function of estrogen receptor α in smooth muscle and fibroblast cells in prostate development.

PubMed

Vitkus, Spencer; Yeh, Chiuan-Ren; Lin, Hsiu-Hsia; Hsu, Iawen; Yu, Jiangzhou; Chen, Ming; Yeh, Shuyuan

2013-01-01

Estrogen signaling, through estrogen receptor (ER)α, has been shown to cause hypertrophy in the prostate. Our recent report has shown that epithelial ERα knockout (KO) will not affect the normal prostate development or homeostasis. However, it remains unclear whether ERα in different types of stromal cells has distinct roles in prostate development. This study proposed to elucidate how KO of ERα in the stromal smooth muscle or fibroblast cells may interrupt cross talk between prostate stromal and epithelial cells. Smooth muscle ERαKO (smERαKO) mice showed decreased glandular infolding with the proximal area exhibiting a significant decrease. Fibroblast ERαKO mouse prostates did not exhibit this phenotype but showed a decrease in the number of ductal tips. Additionally, the amount of collagen observed in the basement membrane was reduced in smERαKO prostates. Interestingly, these phenotypes were found to be mutually exclusive among smERαKO or fibroblast ERαKO mice. Compound KO of ERα in both fibroblast and smooth muscle showed combined phenotypes from each of the single KO. Further mechanistic studies showed that IGF-I and epidermal growth factor were down-regulated in prostate smooth muscle PS-1 cells lacking ERα. Together, our results indicate the distinct functions of fibroblast vs. smERα in prostate development.

Excessive Cellular Proliferation Negatively Impacts Reprogramming Efficiency of Human Fibroblasts

PubMed Central

Gupta, Manoj K.; Teo, Adrian Kee Keong; Rao, Tata Nageswara; Bhatt, Shweta; Kleinridders, Andre; Shirakawa, Jun; Takatani, Tomozumi; Hu, Jiang; De Jesus, Dario F.; Windmueller, Rebecca; Wagers, Amy J.

2015-01-01

The impact of somatic cell proliferation rate on induction of pluripotent stem cells remains controversial. Herein, we report that rapid proliferation of human somatic fibroblasts is detrimental to reprogramming efficiency when reprogrammed using a lentiviral vector expressing OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and cMYC in insulin-rich defined medium. Human fibroblasts grown in this medium showed higher proliferation, enhanced expression of insulin signaling and cell cycle genes, and a switch from glycolytic to oxidative phosphorylation metabolism, but they displayed poor reprogramming efficiency compared with cells grown in normal medium. Thus, in contrast to previous studies, our work reveals an inverse correlation between the proliferation rate of somatic cells and reprogramming efficiency, and also suggests that upregulation of proteins in the growth factor signaling pathway limits the ability to induce pluripotency in human somatic fibroblasts. Significance The efficiency with which human cells can be reprogrammed is of interest to stem cell biology. In this study, human fibroblasts cultured in media containing different concentrations of growth factors such as insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 exhibited variable abilities to proliferate, with consequences on pluripotency. This occurred in part because of changes in the expression of proteins involved in the growth factor signaling pathway, glycolysis, and oxidative phosphorylation. These findings have implications for efficient reprogramming of human cells. PMID:26253715

Wound healing properties of ethyl acetate fraction of Moringa oleifera in normal human dermal fibroblasts

PubMed Central

Gothai, Sivapragasam; Arulselvan, Palanisamy; Tan, Woan Sean; Fakurazi, Sharida

2016-01-01

Background/Aim: Wounds are the outcome of injuries to the skin that interrupt the soft tissue. Healing of a wound is a complex and long-drawn-out process of tissue repair and remodeling in response to injury. A large number of plants are used by folklore traditions for the treatment of cuts, wounds and burns. Moringa oleifera (MO) is an herb used as a traditional folk medicine for the treatment of various skin wounds and associated diseases. The underlying mechanisms of wound healing activity of ethyl acetate fraction of MO leaves extract are completely unknown. Materials and Methods: In the current study, ethyl acetate fraction of MO leaves was investigated for its efficacy on cell viability, proliferation and migration (wound closure rate) in human normal dermal fibroblast cells. Results: Results revealed that lower concentration (12.5 µg/ml, 25 µg/ml, and 50 µg/ml) of ethyl acetate fraction of MO leaves showed remarkable proliferative and migratory effect on normal human dermal fibroblasts. Conclusion: This study suggested that ethyl acetate fraction of MO leaves might be a potential therapeutic agent for skin wound healing by promoting fibroblast proliferation and migration through increasing the wound closure rate corroborating its traditional use. PMID:27069722

FANCD2 monoubiquitination and activation by hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] exposure

PubMed Central

Vilcheck, Susan K.; Ceryak, Susan; O’Brien, Travis J.; Patierno, Steven R.

2007-01-01

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by congenital abnormalities, progressive bone marrow failure, and cancer susceptibility. FA cells are hypersensitive to DNA crosslinking agents. FA is a genetically heterogeneous disease with at least 11 complementation groups. The eight cloned FA proteins interact in a common pathway with established DNA-damage-response proteins, including BRCA1 and ATM. Six FA proteins (A, C, E, F, G, and L) regulate the monoubiquitination of FANCD2 after DNA damage by crosslinking agents, which targets FANCD2 to BRCA1 nuclear foci containing BRCA2 (FANCD1) and RAD51. Some forms of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] are implicated as respiratory carcinogens and induce several types of DNA lesions, including DNA interstrand crosslinks. We have shown that FA-A fibroblasts are hypersensitive to both Cr(VI)-induced apoptosis and clonogenic lethality. Here we show that Cr(VI) treatment induced monoubiquitination of FANCD2 in normal human fibroblasts, providing the first molecular evidence of Cr(VI)-induced activation of the FA pathway. FA-A fibroblasts demonstrated no FANCD2 monoubiquitination, in keeping with the requirement of FA-A for this modification. We also found that Cr(VI) treatment induced significantly more S-phase-dependent DNA double strand breaks (DSBs), as measured by γ-H2AX expression, in FA-A fibroblasts compared to normal cells. However, and notably, DSBs were repaired equally in both normal and FA-A fibroblasts during recovery from Cr(VI) treatment. While previous research on FA has defined the genetic causes of this disease, it is critical in terms of individual risk assessment to address how cells from FA patients respond to genotoxic insult. PMID:16893675

Breast fibroblasts in both cancer and normal tissues induce phenotypic transformation of breast cancer stem cells: a preliminary study

PubMed Central

Xi, Chunfang; Liu, Mingwei; Sun, Haichen; Liu, Shuang; Song, Lei

2018-01-01

Background Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are associated with the invasion of breast cancer. In recent years, studies have demonstrated different phenotypes among BCSCs. Furthermore, BCSCs of diverse phenotypes are present at different tumour sites and different histological stages. Fibroblasts are involved in the phenotypic transformation of BCSCs. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) participate in the induction of epithelial–mesenchymal transition, thereby promoting the acquisition of stem cell characteristics, but little is known about the role of normal fibroblasts (NFs) in the phenotypic transformation of BCSCs or about the effect of CAFs and NFs on BCSC phenotypes. Methods A total of six pairs of primary CAFs and NFs were isolated from surgical samples of breast cancer patients and subjected to morphological, immunohistochemical, cell invasion and proteomics analyses. After establishing a cell culture system with conditioned medium from CAFs and NFs, we used the mammosphere formation assay to explore the effect of CAFs and NFs on the self-renewal ability of BCSCs. The effect of CAFs and NFs on the phenotypic differentiation of BCSCs was further analysed by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. Results The isolated CAFs and NFs did not show significant differences in cell morphology or alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression, but cell invasion and proteomics analyses demonstrated heterogeneity among these fibroblasts. Both CAFs and NFs could promote the generation of BCSCs, but CAFs displayed a greater ability than NFs in promoting mammosphere formation. Conditioned medium from CAFs increased the proportion of aldehyde dehydrogenase-1 positive (ALDH1+) BCSCs, but conditioned medium from NFs was more likely to promote the generation of CD44+CD24− BCSCs from MCF-7 cells. Discussion This study validated the heterogeneity among CAFs and NFs and expanded on the conclusion that fibroblasts promote the generation of cancer stem cells. Our results particularly emphasized the effect of NFs on the phenotypic transformation of BCSCs. In addition, this study further highlighted the roles of CAFs and NFs in the induction of different phenotypes in BCSCs. PMID:29780673

Breast fibroblasts in both cancer and normal tissues induce phenotypic transformation of breast cancer stem cells: a preliminary study.

PubMed

Wang, Bixiao; Xi, Chunfang; Liu, Mingwei; Sun, Haichen; Liu, Shuang; Song, Lei; Kang, Hua

2018-01-01

Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are associated with the invasion of breast cancer. In recent years, studies have demonstrated different phenotypes among BCSCs. Furthermore, BCSCs of diverse phenotypes are present at different tumour sites and different histological stages. Fibroblasts are involved in the phenotypic transformation of BCSCs. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) participate in the induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, thereby promoting the acquisition of stem cell characteristics, but little is known about the role of normal fibroblasts (NFs) in the phenotypic transformation of BCSCs or about the effect of CAFs and NFs on BCSC phenotypes. A total of six pairs of primary CAFs and NFs were isolated from surgical samples of breast cancer patients and subjected to morphological, immunohistochemical, cell invasion and proteomics analyses. After establishing a cell culture system with conditioned medium from CAFs and NFs, we used the mammosphere formation assay to explore the effect of CAFs and NFs on the self-renewal ability of BCSCs. The effect of CAFs and NFs on the phenotypic differentiation of BCSCs was further analysed by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. The isolated CAFs and NFs did not show significant differences in cell morphology or alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression, but cell invasion and proteomics analyses demonstrated heterogeneity among these fibroblasts. Both CAFs and NFs could promote the generation of BCSCs, but CAFs displayed a greater ability than NFs in promoting mammosphere formation. Conditioned medium from CAFs increased the proportion of aldehyde dehydrogenase-1 positive (ALDH1 + ) BCSCs, but conditioned medium from NFs was more likely to promote the generation of CD44 + CD24 - BCSCs from MCF-7 cells. This study validated the heterogeneity among CAFs and NFs and expanded on the conclusion that fibroblasts promote the generation of cancer stem cells. Our results particularly emphasized the effect of NFs on the phenotypic transformation of BCSCs. In addition, this study further highlighted the roles of CAFs and NFs in the induction of different phenotypes in BCSCs.

Micro-Raman spectroscopy study of ALVAC virus infected chicken embryo cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Misra, Anupam K.; Kamemoto, Lori E.; Hu, Ningjie; Dykes, Ava C.; Yu, Qigui; Zinin, Pavel V.; Sharma, Shiv K.

2011-05-01

Micro- Raman spectroscopic investigation of ALVAC virus and of normal chicken embryo fibroblast cells and the cells infected with ALVAC virus labeled with green fluorescence protein (GFP) were performed with a 785 nm laser. Good quality Micro-Raman spectra of the Alvac II virus were obtained. These spectra show that the ALVAC II virus contains buried tyrosine residues and the coat protein of the virus has α-helical structure. A comparison of Raman spectra of normal and virus infected chicken embryo fibroblast cells revealed that the virus infected cells show additional bands at 535, 928, and 1091 cm-1, respectively, corresponding to δ(C-O-C) glycosidic ring, protein α-helix, and DNA (O-P-O) modes. In addition, the tyrosine resonance double (833 and 855 cm-1) shows reversal in the intensity of the higher-frequency band as compared to the normal cells that can be used to identify the infected cells. In the C-H stretching region, the infected cells show bands with higher intensity as compared to that of the corresponding bands in the normal cells. We also found that the presence of GFP does not affect the Raman spectra of samples when using a 785 nm micro-Raman system because the green fluorescence wavelength of GFP is well below the Stokes-Raman shifted spectral region.

GROWTH REGULATION IN ROUS SARCOMA VIRUS INFECTED CHICKEN EMBRYO FIBROBLASTS: THE ROLE OF THE src GENE

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Parry, G.; Bartholomew, J.A.; Blssell, M.J.

1980-07-01

We report here a study of the mechanisms leading to loss of growth control in chicken embryo fibroblasts transformed by Rous sarcoma virus (RSV). We have been particularly concerned with the role of the src gene in this process, and have used RSV mutants temperature sensitive (ts) for transformation to investigate the nature of the growth regulatory lesion. The two principal findings were (1) the stationary phase of the cell cycle (G{sub 1}) in chick embryo fibroblasts seems to have two distinct regulatory compartments (using the terminology of Brooks et al. we refer to these as 'Q' and 'A' states).more » When rendered stationary at 41.5 C by serum deprivation, normal cells enter a Q state, but cells infected with the ts-mutant occupy an A state. (2) Whereas normal cells can occupy either state depending on culture conditions, the ts-infected cells, at 41.5 C, do not seem to enter Q even though a known src gene product, a kinase, is reported to be inactive at this temperature. We discuss the possibility that viral factors other than the active src protein kinase influence growth control in infected cultures.« less

Modulation of hepatocyte growth factor secretion in human female reproductive tract stromal fibroblasts by poly (I:C) and estradiol.

PubMed

Coleman, Kimberly D; Ghosh, Mimi; Crist, Sarah G; Wright, Jacqueline A; Rossoll, Richard M; Wira, Charles R; Fahey, John V

2012-01-01

Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) secretion facilitates epithelial cell growth and development in the female reproductive tract (FRT) and may contribute to pathological conditions such as cancer and endometriosis. We hypothesized that estradiol and poly (I:C), a synthetic RNA mimic, may have a regulatory effect on HGF secretion by stromal fibroblasts from FRT tissues. Following hysterectomies, normal tissue from the uterus, endocervix, and ectocervix were dispersed into stromal cell fractions by enzymatic digestion and differential filtering. Stromal fibroblasts were cultured and treated with estradiol and/or poly (I:C), and conditioned media were analyzed for HGF via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Treating uterine fibroblasts with estradiol or poly (I:C) significantly increased HGF secretion. When uterine fibroblasts were co-treated with estradiol and poly (I:C), the effect on HGF secretion was additive. In contrast, stromal fibroblasts from endo- and ecto-cervix were unresponsive to estradiol, but were stimulated to secrete HGF by poly (I:C). HGF secretion is uniquely regulated in the uterus, but not in ecto- and endo-cervix, by estradiol. Moreover, potential viral pathogens further induce HGF. These findings have potential applications in understanding both hormonal regulation of normal tissue as well as the role of HGF in tumorogenesis, endometriosis, and human immunodeficiency virus infection. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Fibroblast migration and proliferation during in vitro wound healing. A quantitative comparison between various growth factors and a low molecular weight blood dialysate used in the clinic to normalize impaired wound healing.

PubMed

Schreier, T; Degen, E; Baschong, W

1993-01-01

During the formation of granulation tissue in a dermal wound, platelets, monocytes and other cellular blood constituents release various peptide growth factors to stimulate fibroblasts to migrate into the wound site and proliferate, in order to reconstitute the various connective tissue components. The effect on fibroblast migration and proliferation of these growth factors, and of Solcoseryl (HD), a deproteinized fraction of calf blood used to normalize wound granulation and scar tissue formation, was quantified in vitro. The presence of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and hemodialysate (HD) increased the number of cells in the denuded area, i.e., in the "wound space" of an artificially ruptured monolayer of LM-fibroblasts (mouse lung fibroblasts). When cell proliferation was blocked with Mitomycin C, in the first 24 h all factors, i.e., bFGF, PDGF, TGF-beta and HD, promoted cell migration, whereas after 48 h it became obvious that each factor stimulated both migration and proliferation, each in a characteristic way. The effects were significant and more distinct after 48 h, following the order: PDGF (46%) approximately bFGF (87%) > HD (45%) approximately TGF-beta (40%) > control (62%). The relative contributions of migration after inhibiting proliferation are given in brackets. The modulatory activity of HD was localized in its hydrophilic fraction. It was destroyed by acid hydrolysis. Furthermore, this activity could be blocked by protamine sulfate, an inhibitor blocking peptide growth factor receptor binding.

Neuregulin-1β induces proliferation, survival and paracrine signaling in normal human cardiac ventricular fibroblasts.

PubMed

Kirabo, Annet; Ryzhov, Sergey; Gupte, Manisha; Sengsayadeth, Seng; Gumina, Richard J; Sawyer, Douglas B; Galindo, Cristi L

2017-04-01

Neuregulin-1β (NRG-1β) is critical for cardiac development and repair, and recombinant forms are currently being assessed as possible therapeutics for systolic heart failure. We previously demonstrated that recombinant NRG-1β reduces cardiac fibrosis in an animal model of cardiac remodeling and heart failure, suggesting that there may be direct effects on cardiac fibroblasts. Here we show that NRG-1β receptors (ErbB2, ErbB3, and ErbB4) are expressed in normal human cardiac ventricular (NHCV) fibroblast cell lines. Treatment of NHCV fibroblasts with recombinant NRG-1β induced activation of the AKT pathway, which was phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-dependent. Moreover, the NRG-1β-induced PI3K/AKT signaling in these cells required phosphorylation of both ErbB2 and ErbB3 receptors at tyrosine (Tyr)1248 and Tyr1289 respectively. RNASeq analysis of NRG-1β-treated cardiac fibroblasts obtained from three different individuals revealed a global gene expression signature consistent with cell growth and survival. We confirmed enhanced cellular proliferation and viability in NHCV fibroblasts in response to NRG-1β, which was abrogated by PI3K, ErbB2, and ErbB3 inhibitors. NRG-1β also induced production and secretion of cytokines (interleukin-1α and interferon-γ) and pro-reparative factors (angiopoietin-2, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and crypto-1), suggesting a role in cardiac repair through the activation of paracrine signaling. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Role of CD248 as a potential severity marker in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

PubMed

Bartis, Domokos; Crowley, Louise E; D'Souza, Vijay K; Borthwick, Lee; Fisher, Andrew J; Croft, Adam P; Pongrácz, Judit E; Thompson, Richard; Langman, Gerald; Buckley, Christopher D; Thickett, David R

2016-04-14

CD248 or Endosialin is a transmembrane molecule expressed in stromal cells binding to extracellular matrix (ECM) components. It has been previously implicated in kidney fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis as well as in tumour-stromal interactions. This study investigates the role of CD248 in the pathogenesis of fibrotic diseases in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). CD248 quantitative immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed on lung samples from 22 IPF patients and its expression was assayed in cultured pulmonary fibroblasts and epithelial cells. Effects of CD248 silencing was evaluated on fibroblast proliferation and myofibroblast differentiation. IHC revealed strong CD248 expression in mesenchymal cells of normal lung structures such as pleura and adventitia but not in epithelium. Fibrotic areas showed markedly stronger staining than unaffected lung tissue. The extent of CD248 staining showed a significant negative correlation to lung function parameters FEV1, FVC, TLC, and TLCO (r2 > 0 · 35, p < 0 · 01). CD248 protein levels were significantly greater in IPF-derived lung fibroblasts vs normal lung fibroblasts (p < 0 · 01) and CD248 silencing significantly reduced the proliferation of lung fibroblasts, but did not affected myofibroblast differentiation. We conclude that CD248 overexpression is possibly involved in the pathogenesis of IPF and it has potential as a disease severity marker. Given that CD248 ligands are collagen type I, IV and fibronectin, we hypothesise that CD248 signalling represents a novel matrix-fibroblast interaction that may be a potential therapeutic target in IPF.

PD-1 ligand expression by human colonic myofibroblasts/fibroblasts regulates CD4+ T-cell activity.

PubMed

Pinchuk, Irina V; Saada, Jamal I; Beswick, Ellen J; Boya, Gushyalatha; Qiu, Sumin M; Mifflin, Randy C; Raju, Gottumukkala S; Reyes, Victor E; Powell, Don W

2008-10-01

A prominent role for inhibitory molecules PD-L1 and PD-L2 in peripheral tolerance has been proposed. However, the phenotype and function of PD-L-expressing cells in human gut remains unclear. Recent studies suggest that colonic myofibroblasts (CMFs) and fibroblasts are important in the switch from acute inflammation to adaptive immunity. In the normal human colon, CMFs represent a distinct population of major histocompatibility complex class II(+) cells involved in the regulation of mucosal CD4(+) T-cell responses. PD-L1 and PD-L2 expression on human CMFs was determined using Western blot, fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis and confocal microscopy. Lymphoproliferation assays and cytokine enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to evaluate the role of B7 costimulators expressed by CMFs with regard to the regulation of preactivated T-helper cell responses. We demonstrate here the expression of PD-L1/2 molecules by normal human CMF and fibroblasts in situ and in culture. Both molecules support suppressive functions of CMFs in the regulation of activated CD4(+) T-helper cell proliferative responses; blocking this interaction reverses the suppressive effect of CMFs on T-cell proliferation and leads to increased production of the major T-cell growth factor, interleukin (IL)-2. PD-L1/2-mediated CMF suppressive functions are mainly due to the inhibition of IL-2 production, because supplementation of the coculture media with exogenous IL-2 led to partial recovery of activated T-cell proliferation. Our data suggest that stromal myofibroblasts and fibroblasts may limit T-helper cell proliferative activity in the gut and, thus, might play a prominent role in mucosal intestinal tolerance.

Altered expression of CD63 and exosomes in scleroderma dermal fibroblasts.

PubMed

Nakamura, Kayo; Jinnin, Masatoshi; Harada, Miho; Kudo, Hideo; Nakayama, Wakana; Inoue, Kuniko; Ogata, Aki; Kajihara, Ikko; Fukushima, Satoshi; Ihn, Hironobu

2016-10-01

Exosomes are small vesicles shed from various cells. They contain proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, and are regarded as a tool of cell-cell communication. To reveal the putative role of exosomes in systemic sclerosis (SSc), and to elucidate the effect of exosomes on wound healing. The expression of common markers for exosomes (CD63, CD9, and CD81) and type I collagen were examined with real-time PCR, immunohistochemical analysis, ELISA, immunoblotting, and flow cytometry. The effect of serum-derived exosomes on wound healing was tested on full-thickness wounds in the mid-dorsal skin of BALB/c mice. The expression levels of CD63 as well as CD9 and CD81 tended to be increased in SSc dermal fibroblasts compared to normal fibroblasts. Increased exosomes in a cultured media of SSc fibroblasts stimulated the expression levels of type I collagen in normal fibroblasts. As the mechanism, collagen-related microRNA levels in SSc fibroblast-derived exosomes were dysregulated, indicating that both the amount and the content of exosomes were altered in SSc. On the other hand, SSc sera showed significantly decreased exosome levels compared to normal sera. The frequencies of vascular involvements, including skin ulcers or pitting scars, were significantly increased in patients with decreased serum exosome levels. The healing of mice wounds was accelerated by treatment with serum-derived exosomes. Vascular abnormalities in SSc may account for the decreased serum exosome levels by the disturbed transfer of exosomes from the skin tissue to the blood stream. Our study suggests the possibility that SSc patients with vascular involvements have decreased serum exosome levels, which causes the delay of wound healing due to down-regulation of collagen, resulting in higher susceptibility to pitting scars and/or ulcers. Exosome research will lead to a detailed understanding of SSc pathogenesis and new therapeutic approaches. Copyright © 2016 Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

IL-11 facilitates a novel connection between RA joint fibroblasts and endothelial cells.

PubMed

Elshabrawy, Hatem A; Volin, Michael V; Essani, Abdul B; Chen, Zhenlong; McInnes, Iain B; Van Raemdonck, Katrien; Palasiewicz, Karol; Arami, Shiva; Gonzalez, Mark; Ashour, Hossam M; Kim, Seung-Jae; Zhou, Guofei; Fox, David A; Shahrara, Shiva

2018-05-01

IL-11 has been detected in inflamed joints; however, its role in the pathogenesis of arthritis is not yet clear. Studies were conducted to characterize the expression and functional significance of IL-11 and IL-11Rα in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). IL-11 levels were elevated in RA synovial fluid (SF) compared to osteoarthritis (OA) SF and plasma from RA, OA and normal individuals (NLs). Morphologic studies established that IL-11 was detected in lining fibroblasts and macrophages in addition to sublining endothelial cells and macrophages at higher levels in RA compared to NL synovial tissues. Since IL-11Rα was exclusively expressed in RA fibroblasts and endothelial cells, macrophages were not involved in IL-11 effector function. Ligation of IL-11 to IL-11Rα strongly provoked fibroblast infiltration into RA joint, while cell proliferation was unaffected by this process. Secretion of IL-8 and VEGF from IL-11 activated RA fibroblasts was responsible for the indirect effect of IL-11 on endothelial cell transmigration and tube formation. Moreover, IL-11 blockade impaired RA SF capacity to elicit endothelial cell transmigration and tube formation. We conclude that IL-11 binding to endothelial IL-11Rα can directly induce RA angiogenesis. In addition, secretion of proangiogenic factors from migrating fibroblasts potentiated by IL-11 can indirectly contribute to RA neovascularization.

Mitomycin C induces apoptosis in cultured corneal fibroblasts derived from type II granular corneal dystrophy corneas

PubMed Central

Choi, Seung-il; Lee, Hyung Keun; Cho, Young Jae

2008-01-01

Purpose The present study investigated the effect of mitomycin C (MMC) on cell viability, apoptosis, and transforming growth factor beta-induced protein (TGFBIp) expression in cultured normal corneal fibroblasts and heterozygote or homozygote granular corneal dystrophy type II (GCD II) corneal fibroblasts. Methods Keratocytes were obtained from normal cornea or from heterozygote or homozygote GCD II patients after lamellar or penetrating keratoplasty. To measure cell viability, corneal fibroblasts were incubated with 0.02% MMC for 3 h, 6 h, and 24 h or with 0%, 0.01%, 0.02%, and 0.04% MMC for 24 h and then tested using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and 3-[4,5-demethylthiazol-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide] (MTT) assays. To measure apoptosis, cells were analyzed by FACS analysis and annexin V staining. Bcl-xL, Bax, and TGFBI mRNA expression was measured using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) assays. Cellular and media levels of TGFBIp protein were measured by immunoblotting. Results MTT and LDH assays showed that MMC reduced cell viability in all three cell types in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner (p<0.05). FACS analysis and annexin V staining showed that MMC caused apoptosis with GCD II homozygote cells being most affected. RT–PCR analysis showed that MMC decreased Bcl-xL mRNA expression and increased Bax mRNA expression in all cell types. RT–PCR and immunoblotting analysis showed that MMC reduced TGFBI mRNA levels and cellular and media TGFBIp protein levels in all cell types. Conclusions MMC induced apoptosis, and the effects of MMC were greatest in GCD II homozygote cells. MMC also reduced the production of TGFBIp in all three types of corneal fibroblasts. These findings may explain the additional therapeutic effect of MMC in GCD II patients. PMID:18615204

Stromagenesis: the changing face of fibroblastic microenvironments during tumor progression.

PubMed

Beacham, Dorothy A; Cukierman, Edna

2005-10-01

During tumorigenesis, reciprocal changes in stromal fibroblasts and tumor cells induce changes to the neoplastic microenvironmental landscape. In stromagenesis, both the complex network of bi-directional stromal fibroblastic signaling pathways and the stromal extracellular matrix are modified. The presence of a 'primed' stroma during the early, reversible stage of tumorigenesis is optimal for stromal-directed therapeutic intervention. Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems have been developed that mimic the in vivo microenvironment. These systems provide unique experimental tools to identify early alterations in stromagenesis that are supportive of tumor progression with the ultimate goal of blocking neoplastic permissiveness and restoring normal phenotypes.

Improved throughput traction microscopy reveals pivotal role for matrix stiffness in fibroblast contractility and TGF-β responsiveness

PubMed Central

Marinković, Aleksandar; Mih, Justin D.; Park, Jin-Ah; Liu, Fei

2012-01-01

Lung fibroblast functions such as matrix remodeling and activation of latent transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) are associated with expression of the myofibroblast phenotype and are directly linked to fibroblast capacity to generate force and deform the extracellular matrix. However, the study of fibroblast force-generating capacities through methods such as traction force microscopy is hindered by low throughput and time-consuming procedures. In this study, we improved at the detail level methods for higher-throughput traction measurements on polyacrylamide hydrogels using gel-surface-bound fluorescent beads to permit autofocusing and automated displacement mapping, and transduction of fibroblasts with a fluorescent label to streamline cell boundary identification. Together these advances substantially improve the throughput of traction microscopy and allow us to efficiently compute the forces exerted by lung fibroblasts on substrates spanning the stiffness range present in normal and fibrotic lung tissue. Our results reveal that lung fibroblasts dramatically alter the forces they transmit to the extracellular matrix as its stiffness changes, with very low forces generated on matrices as compliant as normal lung tissue. Moreover, exogenous TGF-β1 selectively accentuates tractions on stiff matrices, mimicking fibrotic lung, but not on physiological stiffness matrices, despite equivalent changes in Smad2/3 activation. Taken together, these results demonstrate a pivotal role for matrix mechanical properties in regulating baseline and TGF-β1-stimulated contraction of lung fibroblasts and suggest that stiff fibrotic lung tissue may promote myofibroblast activation through contractility-driven events, whereas normal lung tissue compliance may protect against such feedback amplification of fibroblast activation. PMID:22659883

Comparison of human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) growth rate in culture media supplemented with or without basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF).

PubMed

Abdian, Narges; Ghasemi-Dehkordi, Payam; Hashemzadeh-Chaleshtori, Morteza; Ganji-Arjenaki, Mahbobe; Doosti, Abbas; Amiri, Beheshteh

2015-12-01

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF or FGF-2) is a member of the FGF family secreted by different kinds of cells like HDFs and it is an important nutritional factor for cell growth and differentiation. The HDFs release bFGF in culture media at very low. The present study aims to investigate the HDFs growth rate in culture media supplemented either with or without bFGF. In brief, HDFs were isolated from human foreskin sample and were cultured in vitro in media containing bFGF and lack of this factor. The cells growth rate was calculated by trypan blue. The karyotyping was performed using G-banding to investigate the chromosomal abnormality of HDFs in both groups. Total RNA of each groups were extracted and cDNA samples were synthesized then, real-time Q-PCR was used to measure the expression level of p27kip1 and cyclin D1 genes normalized to internal control gene (GAPDH). The karyotype analysis showed that HDFs cultured in media or without bFGF had normal karyotype (46 chromosomes, XY) and chromosomal abnormalities were not observed. The cell growth rates in both groups were normal with proliferated exponentially but the slope of growth curve in HDFs cultured in media containing bFGF was increased. Karyotyp test showed that bFGF does not affect on cytogenetic stability of cells. The survey of p27kip1 and cyclin D1 genes by real-time Q-PCR showed that the expression level of these genes were up-regulated when adding bFGF in culture media (p < 0.05). The findings of the present study demonstrate that appropriate supplementation of culture media with growth factor like bFGF could enhance the proliferation and differentiation capacity of cells and improve cells growth rate. Similarly, fibroblast growth factors did not induce any chromosomal abnormality in cells. Furthermore, in HDFs cultured in bFGF supplemented media, the p27kip1 and cyclin D1 genes were up-regulated and suggesting an important role for bFGF in cell-cycle regulation and progression and fibroblast division stimulation. It also suggests that the effects of bFGF on different cell types with/or without production of bFGF or other regulation factors be investigated in future.

No significant level of inheritable interchromosomal aberrations in the progeny of bystander primary human fibroblasts after alpha particle irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Burong; Zhu, Jiayun; Zhou, Hongning; Hei, Tom K.

2013-02-01

A major concern for bystander effects is the probability that normal healthy cells adjacent to the irradiated cells become genomically unstable and undergo further carcinogenesis after therapeutic irradiation or space mission where astronauts are exposed to low dose of heavy ions. Genomic instability is a hallmark of cancer cells. In the present study, two irradiation protocols were performed in order to ensure pure populations of bystander cells and the genomic instability in their progeny were investigated. After irradiation, chromosomal aberrations of cells were analyzed at designated time points using G2 phase premature chromosome condensation (G2-PCC) coupled with Giemsa staining and with multiplex fluorescent in situ hybridization (mFISH). Our Giemsa staining assay demonstrated that elevated yields of chromatid breaks were induced in the progeny of pure bystander primary fibroblasts up to 20 days after irradiation. mFISH assay showed no significant level of inheritable interchromosomal aberrations were induced in the progeny of the bystander cell groups, while the fractions of gross aberrations (chromatid breaks or chromosomal breaks) significantly increased in some bystander cell groups. These results suggest that genomic instability occurred in the progeny of the irradiation associated bystander normal fibroblasts exclude the inheritable interchromosomal aberration.

Increase in gap junctional intercellular communication by high molecular weight hyaluronic acid associated with fibroblast growth factor 2 and keratinocyte growth factor production in normal human dermal fibroblasts.

PubMed

Park, Jeong Ung; Tsuchiya, Toshie

2002-07-01

The effects of different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid (HA), a major component of extracellular matrix, on gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) in normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF cells) were investigated. NHDF cells were cultured for 4 days with different molecular weights of HA and then the extent of GJIC was assessed by the scrape-loading dye transfer method, using Lucifer yellow. The area of dye transfer was greater in the dishes coated with HA than in those to which HA was added. Thus, NHDF cells cultured on surfaces coated with high molecular weight (HMW) HA (MW, 800 kDa) showed greatly enhanced GJIC. Furthermore, another aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different molecular weights of HA on the production of FGF-2 and KGF, because both are important cytokines produced by NHDF cells. When FGF-2 and KGF cultured levels of cell extracts and media were determined by ELISA, both levels were significantly enhanced when cells were grown on plates coated with HMW HA. This finding indicated that the function of gap junction channels in NHDF cells grown on plates coated with HMW HA may promote the biosynthesis of growth factors such as FGF-2 and KGF.

No significant level of inheritable interchromosomal aberrations in the progeny of bystander primary human fibroblast after alpha particle irradiation.

PubMed

Hu, Burong; Zhu, Jiayun; Zhou, Hongning; Hei, Tom K

2013-02-01

A major concern for bystander effects is the probability that normal healthy cells adjacent to the irradiated cells become genomically unstable and undergo further carcinogenesis after therapeutic irradiation or space mission where astronauts are exposed to low dose of heavy ions. Genomic instability is a hallmark of cancer cells. In the present study, two irradiation protocols were performed in order to ensure pure populations of bystander cells and the genomic instability in their progeny were investigated. After irradiation, chromosomal aberrations of cells were analyzed at designated time points using G 2 phase premature chromosome condensation (G 2 -PCC) coupled with Giemsa staining and with multiplex fluorescent in situ hybridization (mFISH). Our Giemsa staining assay demonstrated that elevated yields of chromatid breaks were induced in the progeny of pure bystander primary fibroblasts up to 20 days after irradiation. MFISH assay showed no significant level of inheritable interchromosomal aberrations were induced in the progeny of the bystander cell groups, while the fractions of gross aberrations (chromatid breaks or chromosomal breaks) significantly increased in some bystander cell groups. These results suggest that genomic instability occurred in the progeny of the irradiation associated bystander normal fibroblasts exclude the inheritable interchromosomal aberration.

Identification of Primary Transcriptional Regulation of Cell Cycle-Regulated Genes upon DNA Damage

PubMed Central

Zhou, Tong; Chou, Jeff; Mullen, Thomas E.; Elkon, Rani; Zhou, Yingchun; Simpson, Dennis A.; Bushel, Pierre R.; Paules, Richard S.; Lobenhofer, Edward K.; Hurban, Patrick; Kaufmann, William K.

2007-01-01

The changes in global gene expression in response to DNA damage may derive from either direct induction or repression by transcriptional regulation or indirectly by synchronization of cells to specific cell cycle phases, such as G1 or G2. We developed a model that successfully estimated the expression levels of >400 cell cycle-regulated genes in normal human fibroblasts based on the proportions of cells in each phase of the cell cycle. By isolating effects on the gene expression associated with the cell cycle phase redistribution after genotoxin treatment, the direct transcriptional target genes were distinguished from genes for which expression changed secondary to cell synchronization. Application of this model to ionizing radiation (IR)-treated normal human fibroblasts identified 150 of 406 cycle-regulated genes as putative direct transcriptional targets of IR-induced DNA damage. Changes in expression of these genes after IR treatment derived from both direct transcriptional regulation and cell cycle synchronization. PMID:17404513

Quantitative Analysis Reveals that Actin and Src-Family Kinases Regulate Nuclear YAP1 and Its Export.

PubMed

Ege, Nil; Dowbaj, Anna M; Jiang, Ming; Howell, Michael; Hooper, Steven; Foster, Charles; Jenkins, Robert P; Sahai, Erik

2018-06-08

The transcriptional regulator YAP1 is critical for the pathological activation of fibroblasts. In normal fibroblasts, YAP1 is located in the cytoplasm, while in activated cancer-associated fibroblasts, it is nuclear and promotes the expression of genes required for pro-tumorigenic functions. Here, we investigate the dynamics of YAP1 shuttling in normal and activated fibroblasts, using EYFP-YAP1, quantitative photobleaching methods, and mathematical modeling. Imaging of migrating fibroblasts reveals the tight temporal coupling of cell shape change and altered YAP1 localization. Both 14-3-3 and TEAD binding modulate YAP1 shuttling, but neither affects nuclear import. Instead, we find that YAP1 nuclear accumulation in activated fibroblasts results from Src and actomyosin-dependent suppression of phosphorylated YAP1 export. Finally, we show that nuclear-constrained YAP1, upon XPO1 depletion, remains sensitive to blockade of actomyosin function. Together, these data place nuclear export at the center of YAP1 regulation and indicate that the cytoskeleton can regulate YAP1 within the nucleus. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A miR-335/COX-2/PTEN axis regulates the secretory phenotype of senescent cancer-associated fibroblasts

PubMed Central

Kabir, Tasnuva D.; Leigh, Ross J.; Tasena, Hataitip; Mellone, Massimiliano; Coletta, Ricardo D.; Parkinson, Eric K.; Prime, Stephen S.; Thomas, Gareth J.; Paterson, Ian C.; Zhou, Donghui; McCall, John; Speight, Paul M.; Lambert, Daniel W.

2016-01-01

Senescent cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) develop a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) that is believed to contribute to cancer progression. The mechanisms underlying SASP development are, however, poorly understood. Here we examined the functional role of microRNA in the development of the SASP in normal fibroblasts and CAF. We identified a microRNA, miR-335, up-regulated in the senescent normal fibroblasts and CAF and able to modulate the secretion of SASP factors and induce cancer cell motility in co-cultures, at least in part by suppressing the expression of phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN). Additionally, elevated levels of cyclo-oxygenase 2 (PTGS2; COX-2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) secretion were observed in senescent fibroblasts, and inhibition of COX-2 by celecoxib reduced the expression of miR-335, restored PTEN expression and decreased the pro-tumourigenic effects of the SASP. Collectively these data demonstrate the existence of a novel miRNA/PTEN-regulated pathway modulating the inflammasome in senescent fibroblasts. PMID:27385366

Telomere attrition and genomic instability in xeroderma pigmentosum type-b deficient fibroblasts under oxidative stress

PubMed Central

Ting, Aloysius Poh Leong; Low, Grace Kah Mun; Gopalakrishnan, Kalpana; Hande, M Prakash

2010-01-01

Abstract Xeroderma pigmentosum B (XPB/ERCC3/p89) is an ATP-dependent 3′→5′ directed DNA helicase involved in basal RNA transcription and the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway. While the role of NER in alleviating oxidative DNA damage has been acknowledged it remains poorly understood. To study the involvement of XPB in repair of oxidative DNA damage, we utilized primary fibroblasts from a patient suffering from XP with Cockayne syndrome and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to induce oxidative stress. Mutant cells retained higher viability and cell cycle dysfunction after H2O2 exposure. Cytokinesis blocked micronucleus assay revealed increased genome instability induced by H2O2. Single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay showed that the missense mutation caused a reduced repair capacity for oxidative DNA damage. Mutant fibroblasts also displayed decreased population doubling rate, increased telomere attrition rate and early emergence of senescent characteristics under chronic low dose exposure to H2O2. Fibroblasts from a heterozygous individual displayed intermediate traits in some assays and normal traits in others, indicating possible copy number dependence. The results show that a deficiency in functional XPB paradoxically renders cells more sensitive to the genotoxic effects of oxidative stress while reducing the cytotoxic effects. These findings have implications in the mechanisms of DNA repair, mutagenesis and carcinogenesis and ageing in normal physiological systems. PMID:19840190

Processing of alkylcobalamins in mammalian cells: a role for the MMACHC (cblC) gene product

PubMed Central

Hannibal, Luciana; Kim, Jihoe; Brasch, Nicola E.; Wang, Sihe; Rosenblatt, David S.; Banerjee, Ruma; Jacobsen, Donald W.

2009-01-01

The MMACHC gene product of the cblC complementation group, referred to as the cblC protein, catalyzes the in vitro and in vivo decyanation of cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12). We hypothesized that the cblC protein would also catalyze the dealkylation of newly internalized methylcobalamin (MeCbl) and 5′-deoxyadenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl), the naturally occurring alkylcobalamins that are present in the diet. The hypothesis was tested in cultured endothelial cells using [57Co]-AdoCbl and MeCbl analogs consisting of [57Co]-labeled straight-chain alkylcobalamins ranging from C2 (ethylcobalamin) to C6 (hexylcobalamin). [57Co]-AdoCbl was converted to [57Co]-MeCbl by cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells, suggesting that a dealkylation process likely involving the cblC protein removed the 5′-deoxyadenosyl alkyl group. Surprisingly, all of the straight-chain alkylcobalamins served as substrates for the biosynthesis of both AdoCbl and MeCbl. Dealkylation was then assessed in normal skin fibroblasts and fibroblasts derived from 3 patients with mutations in the MMACHC gene. While normal skin fibroblasts readily converted [57Co]-propylcobalamin to [57Co]-AdoCbl and [57Co]-MeCbl, there was little or no conversion in cblC mutant fibroblasts. These studies suggest that the CblC protein is responsible for early processing of both CNCbl (decyanation) and alkylcobalamins (dealkylation) in mammalian cells. PMID:19447654

Processing of alkylcobalamins in mammalian cells: A role for the MMACHC (cblC) gene product.

PubMed

Hannibal, Luciana; Kim, Jihoe; Brasch, Nicola E; Wang, Sihe; Rosenblatt, David S; Banerjee, Ruma; Jacobsen, Donald W

2009-08-01

The MMACHC gene product of the cblC complementation group, referred to as the cblC protein, catalyzes the in vitro and in vivo decyanation of cyanocobalamin (vitamin B(12)). We hypothesized that the cblC protein would also catalyze the dealkylation of newly internalized methylcobalamin (MeCbl) and 5'-deoxyadenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl), the naturally occurring alkylcobalamins that are present in the diet. The hypothesis was tested in cultured endothelial cells using [(57)Co]-AdoCbl and MeCbl analogs consisting of [(57)Co]-labeled straight-chain alkylcobalamins ranging from C2 (ethylcobalamin) to C6 (hexylcobalamin). [(57)Co]-AdoCbl was converted to [(57)Co]-MeCbl by cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells, suggesting that a dealkylation process likely involving the cblC protein removed the 5'-deoxyadenosyl alkyl group. Surprisingly, all of the straight-chain alkylcobalamins served as substrates for the biosynthesis of both AdoCbl and MeCbl. Dealkylation was then assessed in normal skin fibroblasts and fibroblasts derived from three patients with mutations in the MMACHC gene. While normal skin fibroblasts readily converted [(57)Co]-propylcobalamin to [(57)Co]-AdoCbl and [(57)Co]-MeCbl, there was little or no conversion in cblC mutant fibroblasts. These studies suggest that the CblC protein is responsible for early processing of both CNCbl (decyanation) and alkylcobalamins (dealkylation) in mammalian cells.

CHEK2 represses breast stromal fibroblasts and their paracrine tumor-promoting effects through suppressing SDF-1 and IL-6.

PubMed

Al-Rakan, Maha A; Hendrayani, Siti-Faujiah; Aboussekhra, Abdelilah

2016-08-02

Active fibroblasts, the predominant and the most active cells of breast cancer stroma, are responsible for tumor growth and spread. However, the molecular mediators and pathways responsible for stromal fibroblast activation, and their paracrine pro-carcinogenic effects are still not well defined. The CHEK2 tumor suppressor gene codes for a protein kinase, which plays important roles in the cellular response to various genotoxic stresses. Immunoblotting, quantitative RT-PCR and Immunofluorescence were used to assess the expression of CHEK2 in different primary breast fibroblasts and in tissues. The effect of CHEK2 on the expression and secretion of SDF-1 and IL-6 was evaluated by immunoblotting and ELISA. The WST-1 colorimetric assay was used to assess cell proliferation, while the BD BioCoat Matrigel invasion chambers were utilized to determine the effects of CHEK2 on the migratory and the invasiveness capacities of breast stromal fibroblasts as well as breast cancer cells. We have shown that CHEK2 is down-regulated in most cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) as compared to their corresponding tumor counterpart fibroblasts (TCFs) at both the mRNA and protein levels. Interestingly, CHEK2 down-regulation using specific siRNA increased the expression/secretion of both cancer-promoting cytokines SDF-1 and IL-6, and transdifferentiated stromal fibroblasts to myofibroblasts. These cells were able to enhance the proliferation of non-cancerous epithelial cells, and also boosted the migration/invasion abilities of breast cancer cells in a paracrine manner. The later effect was SDF-1/IL-6-dependent. Importantly, ectopic expression of CHEK2 in active CAFs converted these cells to a normal state, with lower migration/invasion capacities and reduced paracrine pro-carcinogenic effects. These results indicate that CHEK2 possesses non-cell-autonomous tumor suppressor functions, and present the Chk2 protein as an important mediator in the functional interplay between breast carcinomas and their stromal fibroblasts.

Altered prostate epithelial development in mice lacking the androgen receptor in stromal fibroblasts.

PubMed

Yu, Shengqiang; Yeh, Chiuan-Ren; Niu, Yuanjie; Chang, Hong-Chiang; Tsai, Yu-Chieh; Moses, Harold L; Shyr, Chih-Rong; Chang, Chawnshang; Yeh, Shuyuan

2012-03-01

Androgens and the androgen receptor (AR) play important roles in the development of male urogenital organs. We previously found that mice with total AR knockout (ARKO) and epithelial ARKO failed to develop normal prostate with loss of differentiation. We have recently knocked out AR gene in smooth muscle cells and found the reduced luminal infolding and IGF-1 production in the mouse prostate. However, AR roles of stromal fibroblasts in prostate development remain unclear. To further probe the stromal fibroblast AR roles in prostate development, we generated tissue-selective knockout mice with the AR gene deleted in stromal fibroblasts (FSP-ARKO). We also used primary culture stromal cells to confirm the in vivo data and investigate mechanisms related to prostate development. The results showed cellular alterations in the FSP-ARKO mouse prostate with decreased epithelial proliferation, increased apoptosis, and decreased collagen composition. Further mechanistic studies demonstrated that FSP-ARKO mice have defects in the expression of prostate stromal growth factors. To further confirm these in vivo findings, we prepared primary cultured mouse prostate stromal cells and found knocking down the stromal AR could result in growth retardation of prostate stromal cells and co-cultured prostate epithelial cells, as well as decrease of some stromal growth factors. Our FSP-ARKO mice not only provide the first in vivo evidence in Cre-loxP knockout system for the requirement of stromal fibroblast AR to maintain the normal development of the prostate, but may also suggest the selective knockdown of stromal AR might become a potential therapeutic approach to battle prostate hyperplasia and cancer. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Mitochondrial vulnerability and increased susceptibility to nutrient-induced cytotoxicity in fibroblasts from leigh syndrome French canadian patients.

PubMed

Burelle, Yan; Bemeur, Chantal; Rivard, Marie-Eve; Thompson Legault, Julie; Boucher, Gabrielle; Morin, Charles; Coderre, Lise; Des Rosiers, Christine

2015-01-01

Mutations in LRPPRC are responsible for the French Canadian variant of Leigh Syndrome (LSFC), a severe disorder characterized biochemically by a tissue-specific deficiency of cytochrome c oxidase (COX) and clinically by the occurrence of severe and deadly acidotic crises. Factors that precipitate these crises remain unclear. To better understand the physiopathology and identify potential treatments, we performed a comprehensive analysis of mitochondrial function in LSFC and control fibroblasts. Furthermore, we have used this cell-based model to screen for conditions that promote premature cell death in LSFC cells and test the protective effect of ten interventions targeting well-defined aspects of mitochondrial function. We show that, despite maintaining normal ATP levels, LSFC fibroblasts present several mitochondrial functional abnormalities under normal baseline conditions, which likely impair their capacity to respond to stress. This includes mitochondrial network fragmentation, impaired oxidative phosphorylation capacity, lower membrane potential, increased sensitivity to Ca2+-induced permeability transition, but no changes in reactive oxygen species production. We also show that LSFC fibroblasts display enhanced susceptibility to cell death when exposed to palmitate, an effect that is potentiated by high lactate, while high glucose or acidosis alone or in combination were neutral. Furthermore, we demonstrate that compounds that are known to promote flux through the electron transport chain independent of phosphorylation (methylene blue, dinitrophenol), or modulate fatty acid (L-carnitine) or Krebs cycle metabolism (propionate) are protective, while antioxidants (idebenone, N-acetyl cysteine, resveratrol) exacerbate palmitate plus lactate-induced cell death. Collectively, beyond highlighting multiple alterations in mitochondrial function and increased susceptibility to nutrient-induced cytotoxicity in LSFC fibroblasts, these results raise questions about the nature of the diets, particularly excess fat intake, as well as on the use of antioxidants in patients with LSFC and, possibly, other COX defects.

BAG3 protects bovine papillomavirus type 1-transformed equine fibroblasts against pro-death signals.

PubMed

Cotugno, Roberta; Gallotta, Dario; d'Avenia, Morena; Corteggio, Annunziata; Altamura, Gennaro; Roperto, Franco; Belisario, Maria Antonietta; Borzacchiello, Giuseppe

2013-07-22

In human cancer cells, BAG3 protein is known to sustain cell survival. Here, for the first time, we demonstrate the expression of BAG3 protein both in equine sarcoids in vivo and in EqS04b cells, a sarcoid-derived fully transformed cell line harbouring bovine papilloma virus (BPV)-1 genome. Evidence of a possible involvement of BAG3 in equine sarcoid carcinogenesis was obtained by immunohistochemistry analysis of tumour samples. We found that most tumour samples stained positive for BAG3, even though to a different grade, while normal dermal fibroblasts from healthy horses displayed very weak staining pattern for BAG3 expression. By siRNA technology, we demonstrate in EqS04b the role of BAG3 in counteracting basal as well as chemical-triggered pro-death signals. BAG3 down-modulation was indeed shown to promote cell death and cell cycle arrest in G0/G1. In addition, we found that BAG3 silencing sensitized EqS04b cells to phenethylisothiocyanate (PEITC), a promising cancer chemopreventive/chemotherapeutic agent present in edible cruciferous vegetables. Notably, such a pro-survival role of BAG3 was less marked in E. Derm cells, an equine BPV-negative fibroblast cell line taken as a normal counterpart. Altogether our findings might suggest a mutual cooperation between BAG3 and viral oncoproteins to sustain cell survival.

BAG3 protects Bovine Papillomavirus type 1-transformed equine fibroblasts against pro-death signals

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

In human cancer cells, BAG3 protein is known to sustain cell survival. Here, for the first time, we demonstrate the expression of BAG3 protein both in equine sarcoids in vivo and in EqS04b cells, a sarcoid-derived fully transformed cell line harbouring bovine papilloma virus (BPV)-1 genome. Evidence of a possible involvement of BAG3 in equine sarcoid carcinogenesis was obtained by immunohistochemistry analysis of tumour samples. We found that most tumour samples stained positive for BAG3, even though to a different grade, while normal dermal fibroblasts from healthy horses displayed very weak staining pattern for BAG3 expression. By siRNA technology, we demonstrate in EqS04b the role of BAG3 in counteracting basal as well as chemical-triggered pro-death signals. BAG3 down-modulation was indeed shown to promote cell death and cell cycle arrest in G0/G1. In addition, we found that BAG3 silencing sensitized EqS04b cells to phenethylisothiocyanate (PEITC), a promising cancer chemopreventive/chemotherapeutic agent present in edible cruciferous vegetables. Notably, such a pro-survival role of BAG3 was less marked in E. Derm cells, an equine BPV-negative fibroblast cell line taken as a normal counterpart. Altogether our findings might suggest a mutual cooperation between BAG3 and viral oncoproteins to sustain cell survival. PMID:23876161

Zoledronic acid impairs stromal reactivity by inhibiting M2-macrophages polarization and prostate cancer-associated fibroblasts.

PubMed

Comito, Giuseppina; Pons Segura, Coral; Taddei, Maria Letizia; Lanciotti, Michele; Serni, Sergio; Morandi, Andrea; Chiarugi, Paola; Giannoni, Elisa

2017-01-03

Zoledronic acid (ZA) is a biphosphonate used for osteoporosis treatment and also proved to be effective to reduce the pain induced by bone metastases when used as adjuvant therapy in solid cancers. However, it has been recently proposed that ZA could have direct anti-tumour effects, although the molecular mechanism is unknown. We herein unravel a novel anti-tumour activity of ZA in prostate cancer (PCa), by targeting the pro-tumorigenic properties of both stromal and immune cells. Particularly, we demonstrate that ZA impairs PCa-induced M2-macrophages polarization, reducing their pro-invasive effect on tumour cells and their pro-angiogenic features. Crucially, ZA administration reverts cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) activation by targeting the mevalonate pathway and RhoA geranyl-geranylation, thereby impairing smooth muscle actin-α fibers organization, a prerequisite of fibroblast activation. Moreover, ZA prevents the M2 macrophages-mediated activation of normal fibroblast, highlighting the broad efficacy of this drug on tumour microenvironment. These results are confirmed in a metastatic xenograft PCa mouse model in which ZA-induced stromal normalization impairs cancer-stromal cells crosstalk, resulting in a significant reduction of primary tumour growth and metastases. Overall these findings reinforce the efficacy of ZA as a potential therapeutic approach to reduce cancer aggressiveness, by abrogating the supportive role of tumour microenvironment.

γ-H2AX formation in response to interstrand crosslinks requires XPF in human cells

PubMed Central

Mogi, Seiki; Oh, Dennis H.

2009-01-01

To further define the molecular mechanisms involved in processing interstrand crosslinks, we monitored the formation of phosphorylated histone H2AX (γ-H2AX), which is generated in chromatin near double strand break sites, following DNA damage in normal and repair-deficient human cells. Following treatment with a psoralen derivative and ultraviolet A radiation doses that produce significant numbers of crosslinks, γ-H2AX levels in nucleotide excision repair-deficient XP-A fibroblasts (XP12RO-SV) increased to levels that were twice those observed in normal control GM637 fibroblasts. A partial XPA revertant cell line (XP129) that is proficient in crosslink removal, exhibited reduced γ-H2AX levels that were intermediate between those of GM637 and XP-A cells. XP-F fibroblasts (XP2YO-SV and XP3YO) that are also repair-deficient exhibited γ-H2AX levels below even control fibroblasts following treatment with psoralen and ultraviolet A radiation. Similarly, another crosslinking agent, mitomycin C, did not induce γ-H2AX in XP-F cells, although it did induce equivalent levels of γ-H2AX in XPA and control GM637 cells. Ectopic expression of XPF in XP-F fibroblasts restored γ-H2AX induction following treatment with crosslinking agents. Angelicin, a furocoumarin which forms only monoadducts and not crosslinks following ultraviolet A radiation, as well as ultraviolet C radiation, resulted only in weak induction of γ-H2AX in all cells, suggesting that the double strand breaks observed with psoralen and ultraviolet A treatment result preferentially following crosslink formation. These results indicate that XPF is required to form γ-H2AX and likely double strand breaks in response to interstrand crosslinks in human cells. Furthermore, XPA may be important to allow psoralen interstrand crosslinks to be processed without forming a double strand break intermediate. PMID:16678501

Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase Inducer (EMMPRIN) promotes lung fibroblast proliferation, survival and differentiation to myofibroblasts.

PubMed

Hasaneen, Nadia A; Cao, Jian; Pulkoski-Gross, Ashleigh; Zucker, Stanley; Foda, Hussein D

2016-02-17

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressively fatal disease. Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase Inducer (EMMPRIN) is a glycosylated transmembrane protein that induces the expression of some matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) in neighboring stromal cells through direct epithelial-stromal interactions. EMMPRIN is highly expressed in type II alveolar epithelial cells at the edges of the fibrotic areas in IPF lung sections. However, the exact role of EMMPRIN in IPF is unknown. To determine if EMMPRIN contributes to lung fibroblast proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, and differentiation to myofibroblasts, normal Human lung fibroblasts (NHLF) transiently transfected with either EMMPRIN/GFP or GFP were treated with TGF- β1 from 0 to 10 ng/ml for 48 h and examined for cell proliferation (thymidine incorporation), apoptosis (FACS analysis and Cell Death Detection ELISA assay), cell migration (Modified Boyden chamber) and differentiation to myofibroblasts using Western blot for α-smooth actin of cell lysates. The effect of EMMPRIN inhibition on NHLF proliferation, apoptosis, migration and differentiation to myofibroblasts after TGF- β1 treatment was examined using EMMPRIN blocking antibody. We examined the mechanism by which EMMPRIN induces its effects on fibroblasts by studying the β-catenin/canonical Wnt signaling pathway using Wnt luciferase reporter assays and Western blot for total and phosphorylated β-catenin. Human lung fibroblasts overexpressing EMMPRIN had a significant increase in cell proliferation and migration compared to control fibroblasts. Furthermore, EMMPRIN promoted lung fibroblasts resistance to apoptosis. Lung fibroblasts overexpressing EMMPRIN showed a significantly increased expression of α- smooth muscle actin, a marker of differentiation to myofibroblasts compared to control cells. TGF-β1 increased the expression of EMMPRIN in lung fibroblasts in a dose-dependent manner. Attenuation of EMMPRIN expression with the use of an EMMPRIN blocking antibody markedly inhibited TGF-β1 induced proliferation, migration, and differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts. EMMPRIN overexpression in lung fibroblasts was found to induce an increase in TOPFLASH luciferase reporter activity when compared with control fibroblasts. These findings indicate that TGF-β1 induces the release of EMMPRIN that activates β-catenin/canonical Wnt signaling pathway. EMMPRIN overexpression induces an anti-apoptotic and pro-fibrotic phenotype in lung fibroblasts that may contribute to the persistent fibro-proliferative state seen in IPF.

FLAX OIL FROM TRANSGENIC LINUM USITATISSIMUM SELECTIVELY INHIBITS IN VITRO PROLIFERATION OF HUMAN CANCER CELL LINES.

PubMed

Gebarowski, Tomasz; Gebczak, Katarzyna; Wiatrak, Benita; Kulma, Anna; Pelc, Katarzyna; Czuj, Tadeusz; Szopa, Jan; Gasiorowski, Kazimierz

2017-03-01

Emulsions made of oils from transgenic flaxseeds significantly decreased in vitro proliferation of six tested human cancer cell lines in 48-h cultures, as assessed with the standard sulforhodamine assay. However, the emulsions also increased proliferation rate of normal human dermal fibroblasts and, to a lower extend, of keratinocytes. Both inhibition of in vitro proliferation of human cancer cell lines and stimulation of proliferation of normal dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes were especially strong with the emulsion type B and with emulsion type M. Oils from seeds of transgenic flax type B and M should be considered as valuable adjunct to standard cytostatic therapy of human cancers and also could be applied to improve the treatment of skin lesions in wound healing.

Inhibitory effects of trehalose on fibroblast proliferation and implications for ocular surgery.

PubMed

Takeuchi, Kimio; Nakazawa, Mitsuru; Ebina, Yuichi; Sato, Kota; Metoki, Tomomi; Miyagawa, Yasuhiro; Ito, Tadashi

2010-11-01

Trehalose is a disaccharide which plays an important role in preserving cells from completely dehydrated circumstances. In this study, we investigated effects of trehalose on proliferative activity of fibroblasts and epithelial cells both in vitro and in vivo. As in vitro assessment, normal human dermal fibroblasts and normal human epidermal keratinocytes were cultured in media containing various concentrations of trehalose. Growth activities of cells were evaluated with MTT assay and diff-quick™ staining. Expressions of vimentin and α smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) changed by trehalose were semiquantitatively measured by Western blot. As an in vivo study, 5% or 10% trehalose was topically instilled onto rabbit eyes after simple conjunctival incision or trabeculectomy. Condition of the surgical wound was evaluated by morphologically and immunohistochemically using isolectin B4 and antibodies specific for vimentin and α-SMA. Intraocular pressures (IOPs) after trabeculectomy were compared between eyes treated with trehalose and 0.04% mitomycin C (MMC). Results obtained by in vitro experiments showed that growth activities of cultured fibroblasts and keratinocytes were inhibited by trehalose in a dose-dependent manner. Fibroblasts were strongly inhibited by trehalose concentrations ≧ 5% of trehalose, whereas keratinocytes were less inhibited compared to fibroblasts. Expressions of vimentin and α-SMA were reduced by trehalose. With in vivo experiments, postoperative application of trehalose resulted in less firm adhesion between conjunctiva and sclera compared to controls. Immunohistochemical studies showed reduced staining of isolectin B4, vimentin and α-SMA in conjunctival wounds treated by topical trehalose. Also, after trabeculectomy, IOP remained in a low range during instillation of topical trehalose solution. We concluded that trehalose has inhibitory effects on proliferation of fibroblasts and vascular tissues, partially due to inhibition of transformation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts in wound tissues. The present results imply that trehalose can be a potential agent for preventing postoperative fibrous scar formation after ocular surgery such as glaucoma filtration surgery. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

THE ROLE OF THREE CYTOPLASMIC FIBERS IN BHK-21 CELL MOTILITY

PubMed Central

Goldman, Robert D.

1971-01-01

Microtubule breakdown in the presence of 5 or 40 µg/ml of colchicine is observed in BHK-21/C13 fibroblast-like cells. Several morphological and physiological effects are noted in the absence of microtubules: (a) the cells transform from fibroblast-like to epithelial-like cells; (b) the normal pattern of intracellular birefringence changes and a juxtanuclear cap of birefringent filaments is formed; (c) time-lapse cinematography demonstrates that cell locomotion is inhibited in colchicine-treated cells, even though membrane ruffling persists. The results are discussed in terms of the specific roles of microtubules in cultured cell motility and possible functional relationships of the three types of cytoplasmic fibers seen in BHK-21 cells. PMID:4942774

Expression of WNT5A in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Its Control by TGF-β and WNT7B in Human Lung Fibroblasts.

PubMed

Newman, Donna R; Sills, W Shane; Hanrahan, Katherine; Ziegler, Amanda; Tidd, Kathleen McGinnis; Cook, Elizabeth; Sannes, Philip L

2016-02-01

The wingless (Wnt) family of signaling ligands contributes significantly to lung development and is highly expressed in patients with usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP). We sought to define the cellular distribution of Wnt5A in the lung tissue of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and the signaling ligands that control its expression in human lung fibroblasts and IPF myofibroblasts. Tissue sections from 40 patients diagnosed with IPF or UIP were probed for the immunolocalization of Wnt5A. Further, isolated lung fibroblasts from normal or IPF human lungs, adenovirally transduced for the overexpression or silencing of Wnt7B or treated with TGF-β1 or its inhibitor, were analyzed for Wnt5A protein expression. Wnt5A was expressed in IPF lungs by airway and alveolar epithelium, smooth muscle cells, endothelium, and myofibroblasts of fibroblastic foci and throughout the interstitium. Forced overexpression of Wnt7B with or without TGF-β1 treatment significantly increased Wnt5A protein expression in normal human smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts but not in IPF myofibroblasts where Wnt5A was already highly expressed. The results demonstrate a wide distribution of Wnt5A expression in cells of the IPF lung and reveal that it is significantly increased by Wnt7B and TGF-β1, which, in combination, could represent key signaling pathways that modulate the pathogenesis of IPF. © 2016 The Histochemical Society.

Three-Dimensional In Vitro Skin and Skin Cancer Models Based on Human Fibroblast-Derived Matrix.

PubMed

Berning, Manuel; Prätzel-Wunder, Silke; Bickenbach, Jackie R; Boukamp, Petra

2015-09-01

Three-dimensional in vitro skin and skin cancer models help to dissect epidermal-dermal and tumor-stroma interactions. In the model presented here, normal human dermal fibroblasts isolated from adult skin self-assembled into dermal equivalents with their specific fibroblast-derived matrix (fdmDE) over 4 weeks. The fdmDE represented a complex human extracellular matrix that was stabilized by its own heterogeneous collagen fiber meshwork, largely resembling a human dermal in vivo architecture. Complemented with normal human epidermal keratinocytes, the skin equivalent (fdmSE) thereof favored the establishment of a well-stratified and differentiated epidermis and importantly allowed epidermal regeneration in vitro for at least 24 weeks. Moreover, the fdmDE could be used to study the features of cutaneous skin cancer. Complementing fdmDE with HaCaT cells in different stages of malignancy or tumor-derived cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cell lines, the resulting skin cancer equivalents (fdmSCEs) recapitulated the respective degree of tumorigenicity. In addition, the fdmSCE invasion phenotypes correlated with their individual degree of tissue organization, disturbance in basement membrane organization, and presence of matrix metalloproteinases. Together, fdmDE-based models are well suited for long-term regeneration of normal human epidermis and, as they recapitulate tumor-specific growth, differentiation, and invasion profiles of cutaneous skin cancer cells, also provide an excellent human in vitro skin cancer model.

c-Met–mediated endothelial plasticity drives aberrant vascularization and chemoresistance in glioblastoma

PubMed Central

Huang, Menggui; Liu, Tianrun; Ma, Peihong; Mitteer, R. Alan; Zhang, Zhenting; Kim, Hyun Jun; Yeo, Eujin; Zhang, Duo; Cai, Peiqiang; Li, Chunsheng; Zhang, Lin; Zhao, Botao; Roccograndi, Laura; O’Rourke, Donald M.; Dahmane, Nadia; Gong, Yanqing; Koumenis, Constantinos

2016-01-01

Aberrant vascularization is a hallmark of cancer progression and treatment resistance. Here, we have shown that endothelial cell (EC) plasticity drives aberrant vascularization and chemoresistance in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). By utilizing human patient specimens, as well as allograft and genetic murine GBM models, we revealed that a robust endothelial plasticity in GBM allows acquisition of fibroblast transformation (also known as endothelial mesenchymal transition [Endo-MT]), which is characterized by EC expression of fibroblast markers, and determined that a prominent population of GBM-associated fibroblast-like cells have EC origin. Tumor ECs acquired the mesenchymal gene signature without the loss of EC functions, leading to enhanced cell proliferation and migration, as well as vessel permeability. Furthermore, we identified a c-Met/ETS-1/matrix metalloproteinase–14 (MMP-14) axis that controls VE-cadherin degradation, Endo-MT, and vascular abnormality. Pharmacological c-Met inhibition induced vessel normalization in patient tumor–derived ECs. Finally, EC-specific KO of Met inhibited vascular transformation, normalized blood vessels, and reduced intratumoral hypoxia, culminating in suppressed tumor growth and prolonged survival in GBM-bearing mice after temozolomide treatment. Together, these findings illustrate a mechanism that controls aberrant tumor vascularization and suggest that targeting Endo-MT may offer selective and efficient strategies for antivascular and vessel normalization therapies in GBM, and possibly other malignant tumors. PMID:27043280

Telomerase-mediated life-span extension of human primary fibroblasts by human artificial chromosome (HAC) vector

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shitara, Shingo; Kakeda, Minoru; Nagata, Keiko

2008-05-09

Telomerase-mediated life-span extension enables the expansion of normal cells without malignant transformation, and thus has been thought to be useful in cell therapies. Currently, integrating vectors including the retrovirus are used for human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT)-mediated expansion of normal cells; however, the use of these vectors potentially causes unexpected insertional mutagenesis and/or activation of oncogenes. Here, we established normal human fibroblast (hPF) clones retaining non-integrating human artificial chromosome (HAC) vectors harboring the hTERT expression cassette. In hTERT-HAC/hPF clones, we observed the telomerase activity and the suppression of senescent-associated SA-{beta}-galactosidase activity. Furthermore, the hTERT-HAC/hPF clones continued growing beyond 120 daysmore » after cloning, whereas the hPF clones retaining the silent hTERT-HAC senesced within 70 days. Thus, hTERT-HAC-mediated episomal expression of hTERT allows the extension of the life-span of human primary cells, implying that gene delivery by non-integrating HAC vectors can be used to control cellular proliferative capacity of primary cultured cells.« less

A Novel DDB2-ATM Feedback Loop Regulates Human Cytomegalovirus Replication

PubMed Central

E, Xiaofei; Savidis, George; Chin, Christopher R.; Wang, Shixia; Lu, Shan; Brass, Abraham L.

2014-01-01

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) genome replication requires host DNA damage responses (DDRs) and raises the possibility that DNA repair pathways may influence viral replication. We report here that a nucleotide excision repair (NER)-associated-factor is required for efficient HCMV DNA replication. Mutations in genes encoding NER factors are associated with xeroderma pigmentosum (XP). One of the XP complementation groups, XPE, involves mutation in ddb2, which encodes DNA damage binding protein 2 (DDB2). Infectious progeny virus production was reduced by >2 logs in XPE fibroblasts compared to levels in normal fibroblasts. The levels of immediate early (IE) (IE2), early (E) (pp65), and early/late (E/L) (gB55) proteins were decreased in XPE cells. These replication defects were rescued by infection with a retrovirus expressing DDB2 cDNA. Similar patterns of reduced viral gene expression and progeny virus production were also observed in normal fibroblasts that were depleted for DDB2 by RNA interference (RNAi). Mature replication compartments (RCs) were nearly absent in XPE cells, and there were 1.5- to 2.0-log reductions in viral DNA loads in infected XPE cells relative to those in normal fibroblasts. The expression of viral genes (UL122, UL44, UL54, UL55, and UL84) affected by DDB2 status was also sensitive to a viral DNA replication inhibitor, phosphonoacetic acid (PAA), suggesting that DDB2 affects gene expression upstream of or events associated with the initiation of DNA replication. Finally, a novel, infection-associated feedback loop between DDB2 and ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) was observed in infected cells. Together, these results demonstrate that DDB2 and a DDB2-ATM feedback loop influence HCMV replication. PMID:24335308

Notch3 protein expression in skin fibroblasts from CADASIL patients.

PubMed

Qualtieri, Antonio; Ungaro, Carmine; Bagalà, Angelo; Bianchi, Silvia; Pantoni, Leonardo; Moccia, Marcello; Mazzei, Rosalucia

2018-07-15

CADASIL is an inherited cerebrovascular disease caused by mutations in the NOTCH3 gene. Notch signaling is involved in a broad spectrum of function, from the cell proliferation to apoptosis. Thus far, because the molecular mechanism underlying the pathological alterations remains unclear and taking into account that fibroblasts contribute to the integrity of the vasculature, our aims was to establish whether fibroblasts, in subjects carrying different NOTCH3 mutations, show abnormalities in the protein expression. We performed the investigation on skin fibroblasts in culture obtained from three CADASIL patients and normal subjects. The patients were genetically characterized, and carried a p.R61W, a p.C174T, and p.R103X, mutation respectively. Notch3 expression was first evaluated on fibroblasts by immunofluorescence analysis, then western blot on cellular extract was utilized to validate the immunofluorescence results. The Notch3 immunoreactivity was clearly detected along the cellular body and in the cellular nuclei of the control fibroblasts. We observed a marked, statistically significant, reduction of the fluorescence immunoreactivity in the fibroblasts from patient with the classical C174T cysteine mutation and a less pronounced reduction in the other two subject's samples with respect to the normal controls. These data were confirmed by the immunoblot analysis. Our results show that the investigated three NOTCH3 mutations are associated with a reduction of the levels of Notch3 expression in vitro. Because the smooth muscle cells appear to be predominantly involved in this cerebrovascular disease, our result, despite the limitation of the sample size examinated, clearly suggest that also fibroblasts, directly involved in making the vascular basal lamina and in maintaining the vascular integrity, may play an important role in the mechanism responsible for the disease. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Transduction of Oct6 or Oct9 gene concomitant with Myc family gene induced osteoblast-like phenotypic conversion in normal human fibroblasts

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mizoshiri, N.; Department of Orthopaedics, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto; Kishida, T.

Introduction: Osteoblasts play essential roles in bone formation and regeneration, while they have low proliferation potential. Recently we established a procedure to directly convert human fibroblasts into osteoblasts (dOBs). Transduction of Runx2 (R), Osterix (X), Oct3/4 (O) and L-myc (L) genes followed by culturing under osteogenic conditions induced normal human fibroblasts to express osteoblast-specific genes and produce calcified bone matrix both in vitro and in vivo Intriguingly, a combination of only two factors, Oct3/4 and L-myc, significantly induced osteoblast-like phenotype in fibroblasts, but the mechanisms underlying the direct conversion remains to be unveiled. Materials and Methods: We examined which Oct family genesmore » and Myc family genes are capable of inducing osteoblast-like phenotypic conversion. Results: As result Oct3/4, Oct6 and Oct9, among other Oct family members, had the capability, while N-myc was the most effective Myc family gene. The Oct9 plus N-myc was the best combination to induce direct conversion of human fibroblasts into osteoblast-like cells. Discussion: The present findings may greatly contribute to the elucidation of the roles of the Oct and Myc proteins in osteoblast direct reprogramming. The results may also lead to establishment of novel regenerative therapy for various bone resorption diseases. - Highlights: • Introducing L-myc in a combination with either Oct3/4, Oct6 or Oct9 enables the conversion of fibroblasts to osteoblasts. • A combination of L-myc with Oct3/4 or Oct9 can induce the cells to a phenotype closer to normal osteoblasts. • N-myc was considered the most appropriate Myc family gene for induction of osteoblast-like phenotype in fibroblasts. • The combination of Oct9 plus N-myc has the strongest capability of inducing osteoblast-like phenotype.« less

Classical late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis fibroblasts are deficient in lysosomal tripeptidyl peptidase I.

PubMed

Vines, D J; Warburton, M J

1999-01-25

Tripeptidyl peptidase I (TPP-I) is a lysosomal enzyme that cleaves tripeptides from the N-terminus of polypeptides. A comparison of TPP-I amino acid sequences with sequences derived from an EST database suggested that TPP-I is identical to a pepstatin-insensitive carboxyl proteinase of unknown specificity which is mutated in classical late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (LINCL), a lysosomal storage disease. Both TPP-I and the carboxyl proteinase have an M(r) of about 46 kDa and are, or are predicted to be, resistant to inhibitors of the four major classes of proteinases. Fibroblasts from LINCL patients have less than 5% of the normal TPP-I activity. The activities of other lysosomal enzymes, including proteinases, are in the normal range. LINCL fibroblasts are also defective at degrading short polypeptides and this defect can be induced in normal fibroblasts by treatment with a specific inhibitor or TPP-I. These results suggest that the cell damage, especially neuronal, observed in LINCL results from the defective degradation and consequent lysosomal storage of small peptides.

Ultrastructural study of the primary olfactory pathway in Macaca fascicularis.

PubMed

Herrera, Loren P; Casas, Carlos E; Bates, Margaret L; Guest, James D

2005-08-08

Olfactory ensheathing glial cells (OEGs) interact with a wide repertoire of cell types and support extension of olfactory axons (OAs) within the olfactory pathway. OEGs are thought to exclude OAs from contact with all other cells between the olfactory epithelium and the glomerulus of the olfactory bulb. These properties have lead to testing to determine whether OEGs support axonal growth following transplantation. The cellular interactions of transplanted OEGs will probably resemble those that occur within the normal pathway where interactions between OEGs and fibroblasts are prominent. No previous primate studies have focused on these interactions, knowledge of which is important if clinical application is envisioned. We describe the detailed intercellular interactions of OAs with supporting cells throughout the olfactory epithelium, the lamina propria, the fila olfactoria, and the olfactory nerve layer by using transmission electron microscopy in adult Macaca fascicularis. Patterns of OEG ensheathment and variations of the endo- and perineurium formed by olfactory nerve fibroblasts are described. OAs mainly interacted with horizontal basal cells, OEGs, and astrocytes. At both transitional ends of the pathway seamless intercellular interactions were observed, and fibroblast processes were absent. Perineurial cells produced surface basal lamina; however, endoneurial, epineurial, and meningeal fibroblasts did not. Perineurial cells contained intermediate filaments and were distinct from other fibroblasts and meningeal cells. OAs had direct contacts with astrocytes near the glia limitans. The properties of OEGs differed depending on whether astrocytic or fibroblastic processes were present. This indicates the importance of the cellular milieu in the structure and function of OEGs in primates.

Cytotoxic effects of cuphiin D1 on the growth of human cervical carcinoma and normal cells.

PubMed

Wang, Ching-Chiung; Chen, Lih-Geeng; Yang, Ling-Ling

2002-01-01

Cuphiin D1 (CD1), macrocyclic hydrolyzable tannin isolated from Cuphea hyssopifolia, has been shown to exert an antitumor effect both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, CD1 significantly inhibited the growth of the human cervical carcinoma, i.e. HeLa, cells and showed less cytotoxicity to normal primary-cultured cervical fibroblasts. In this study, we explored the cytotoxic mechanism of CD1 on HeLa cells. The cytotoxic effects of CD1 showed dose-dependency at 3.15-100 micrograms/ml on HeLa for 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours and with an IC50 value at 14.2 micrograms/ml for 48 hours. However, the IC50 value of CD1 in primary-cultured normal cervical fibroblasts was 74.5 micrograms/ml. Therefore, the selectivity shown by CD1 is ascribed to differences in growth speeds between normal and tumor cells. HeLa cells treated with 50 micrograms/ml CD1 for 24 hours exhibited chromatin condensation, indicating the occurrence of apoptosis. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated the presence of apoptotic cells with low DNA content among HeLa cells. CD1 also caused DNA fragmentation and inhibited Bcl-2, pro-caspase 3, and inactived PARP expression in HeLa cells. These results suggest that the inhibition of Bcl-2 expression in HeLa cells might account for the mechanism of CD1-induced apoptosis.

Lysine hydroxylation of collagen in a fibroblast cell culture system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Uzawa, Katsuhiro; Yeowell, Heather N.; Yamamoto, Kazushi; Mochida, Yoshiyuki; Tanzawa, Hideki; Yamauchi, Mitsuo

2003-01-01

The lysine (Lys) hydroxylation pattern of type I collagen produced by human fibroblasts in culture was analyzed and compared. Fibroblasts were cultured from normal human skin (NSF), keloid (KDF), fetal skin (FDF), and skin tissues of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type VIA and VIB patients (EDS-VIA and -VIB). The type I collagen alpha chains with or without non-helical telopeptides were purified from the insoluble matrix and analyzed. In comparison with NSFs, KDF and FDF showed significantly higher Lys hydroxylation, particularly in the telopeptide domains of both alpha chains. Both EDS-VIA and -VIB showed markedly lower Lys hydroxylation in the helical domains of both alpha chains whereas that in the telopeptides was comparable with those of NSFs. A similar profile was observed in the tissue sample of the EDS-VIB patient. These results demonstrate that the Lys hydroxylation pattern is domain-specific within the collagen molecule and that this method is useful to characterize the cell phenotypes in normal/pathological connective tissues.

Porcine Knock-in Fibroblasts Expressing hDAF on α-1,3-Galactosyltransferase (GGTA1) Gene Locus.

PubMed

Kim, Ji Woo; Kim, Hye-Min; Lee, Sang Mi; Kang, Man-Jong

2012-10-01

The Galactose-α1,3-galactose (α1,3Gal) epitope is responsible for hyperacute rejection in pig-to-human xenotransplantation. Human decay-accelerating factor (hDAF) is a cell surface regulatory protein that serves as a complement inhibitor to protect self cells from complement attack. The generation of α1,3-galactosyltransferase (GGTA1) knock-out pigs expressing DAF is a necessary step for their use as organ donors for humans. In this study, we established GGTA1 knock-out cell lines expressing DAF from pig ear fibroblasts for somatic cell nuclear transfer. hDAF expression was detected in hDAF knock-in heterozygous cells, but not in normal pig cells. Expression of the GGTA1 gene was lower in the knock-in heterozygous cell line compared to the normal pig cell. Knock-in heterozygous cells afforded more effective protection against cytotoxicity with human serum than with GGTA1 knock-out heterozygous and control cells. These cell lines may be used in the production of GGTA1 knock-out and DAF expression pigs for xenotransplantation.

Curcumin inhibits TGF-β1-induced connective tissue growth factor expression through the interruption of Smad2 signaling in human gingival fibroblasts.

PubMed

Chen, Jung-Tsu; Wang, Chen-Ying; Chen, Min-Huey

2018-01-13

Many fibrotic processes are associated with an increased level of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). TGF-β1 can increase synthesis of matrix proteins and enhance secretion of protease inhibitors, resulting in matrix accumulation. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a downstream profibrotic effector of TGF-β1 and is associated with the fibrosis in several human organs. Curcumin has been applied to reduce matrix accumulation in fibrotic diseases. This study was aimed to evaluate whether curcumin could suppress TGF-β1-induced CTGF expression and its related signaling pathway involving in this inhibitory action in primary human gingival fibroblasts. The differences in CTGF expression among three types of gingival overgrowth and normal gingival tissues were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Gingival fibroblast viability in cultured media with different concentrations of curcumin was studied by MTT assay. The effect of curcumin on TGF-β1-induced CTGF expression in primary human gingival fibroblasts was examined by immunoblotting. Moreover, the proteins involved in TGF-β1 signaling pathways including TGF-β1 receptors and Smad2 were also analyzed by immunoblotting. CTGF was highly expressed in fibroblasts, epithelial cells and some of endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and inflammatory cells in phenytoin-induced gingival overgrowth tissues rather than in those of hereditary and inflammatory gingival overgrowth tissues. Moreover, CTGF expression in the epithelial and connective tissue layers was higher in phenytoin-induced gingival overgrowth tissues than in normal gingival tissues. Curcumin was nontoxic and could reduce TGF-β1-induced CTGF expression by attenuating the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Smad2. Curcumin can suppress TGF-β1-induced CTGF expression through the interruption of Smad2 signaling. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts regulate keratinocyte cell-cell adhesion via TGF-β-dependent pathways in genotype-specific oral cancer.

PubMed

Cirillo, N; Hassona, Y; Celentano, A; Lim, K P; Manchella, S; Parkinson, E K; Prime, S S

2017-01-01

The interrelationship between malignant epithelium and the underlying stroma is of fundamental importance in tumour development and progression. In the present study, we used cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) derived from genetically unstable oral squamous cell carcinomas (GU-OSCC), tumours that are characterized by the loss of genes such as TP53 and p16 INK4A and with extensive loss of heterozygosity, together with CAFs from their more genetically stable (GS) counterparts that have wild-type TP53 and p16 INK4A and minimal loss of heterozygosity (GS-OSCC). Using a systems biology approach to interpret the genome-wide transcriptional profile of the CAFs, we show that transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family members not only had biological relevance in silico but also distinguished GU-OSCC-derived CAFs from GS-OSCC CAFs and fibroblasts from normal oral mucosa. In view of the close association between TGF-β family members, we examined the expression of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 in the different fibroblast subtypes and showed increased levels of active TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 in CAFs from GU-OSCC. CAFs from GU-OSCC, but not GS-OSCC or normal fibroblasts, induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and down-regulated a broad spectrum of cell adhesion molecules resulting in epithelial dis-cohesion and invasion of target keratinocytes in vitro in a TGF-β-dependent manner. The results demonstrate that the TGF-β family of cytokines secreted by CAFs derived from genotype-specific oral cancer (GU-OSCC) promote, at least in part, the malignant phenotype by weakening intercellular epithelial adhesion. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Development and spindle formation in rat somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos in vitro using porcine recipient oocytes.

PubMed

Sugawara, Atsushi; Sugimura, Satoshi; Hoshino, Yumi; Sato, Eimei

2009-08-01

Cloning that uses somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) technology with gene targeting could be a potential alternative approach to obtain valuable rat models. In the present study, we determined the developmental competence of rat SCNT embryos constructed using murine and porcine oocytes at metaphase II (MII). Further, we assessed the effects of certain factors, such as: (i) the donor cell type (fetal fibroblasts or cumulus cells); and (ii) premature chromosome condensation (PCC) with normal spindle formation, on the developmental competence of rat interspecies SCNT (iSCNT) embryos. iSCNT embryos that had been constructed using porcine oocytes developed to the blastocyst stage, while those embryos made using murine MII oocytes did not. Rat iSCNT embryos constructed with green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing fetal fibroblasts injected into porcine oocytes showed considerable PCC with a normal bipolar spindle formation. The total cell number of iSCNT blastocyst derived from GFP-expressing fetal fibroblasts was higher than the number derived from cumulus cells. In addition, these embryos expressed GFP at the blastocyst stage. This paper is the first report to show that rat SCNT embryos constructed using porcine MII oocytes have the potential to develop to the blastocyst stage in vitro. Thus the iSCNT technique, when performed using porcine MII oocytes, could provide a new bioassay system for the evaluatation of the developmental competence of rat somatic cells.

Generation of induced pluripotent stem cells as a potential source of hematopoietic stem cells for transplant in PNH patients.

PubMed

Phondeechareon, Tanapol; Wattanapanitch, Methichit; U-Pratya, Yaowalak; Damkham, Chanapa; Klincumhom, Nuttha; Lorthongpanich, Chanchao; Kheolamai, Pakpoom; Laowtammathron, Chuti; Issaragrisil, Surapol

2016-10-01

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is an acquired hemolytic anemia caused by lack of CD55 and CD59 on blood cell membrane leading to increased sensitivity of blood cells to complement. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only curative therapy for PNH, however, lack of HLA-matched donors and post-transplant complications are major concerns. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from patients are an attractive source for generating autologous HSCs to avoid adverse effects resulting from allogeneic HSCT. The disease involves only HSCs and their progeny; therefore, other tissues are not affected by the mutation and may be used to produce disease-free autologous HSCs. This study aimed to derive PNH patient-specific iPSCs from human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), characterize and differentiate to hematopoietic cells using a feeder-free protocol. Analysis of CD55 and CD59 expression was performed before and after reprogramming, and hematopoietic differentiation. Patients' dermal fibroblasts expressed CD55 and CD59 at normal levels and the normal expression remained after reprogramming. The iPSCs derived from PNH patients had typical pluripotent properties and differentiation capacities with normal karyotype. After hematopoietic differentiation, the differentiated cells expressed early hematopoietic markers (CD34 and CD43) with normal CD59 expression. The iPSCs derived from HDFs of PNH patients have normal levels of CD55 and CD59 expression and hold promise as a potential source of HSCs for autologous transplantation to cure PNH patients.

Cellular characteristics of primary and immortal canine embryonic fibroblast cells.

PubMed

You, Seungkwon; Moon, Jai-Hee; Kim, Tae-Kyung; Kim, Sung-Chan; Kim, Jai-Woo; Yoon, Du-Hak; Kwak, Sungwook; Hong, Ki-Chang; Choi, Yun-Jaie; Kim, Hyunggee

2004-08-31

Using normal canine embryonic fibroblasts (CaEF) that were shown to be senescent at passages 7th-9th, we established two spontaneously immortalized CaEF cell lines (designated CGFR-Ca-1 and -2) from normal senescent CaEF cells, and an immortal CaEF cell line by exogenous introduction of a catalytic telomerase subunit (designated CGFR-Ca-3). Immortal CGFR- Ca-1, -2 and -3 cell lines grew faster than primary CaEF counterpart in the presence of either 0.1% or 10% FBS. Cell cycle analysis demonstrated that all three immortal CaEF cell lines contained a significantly high proportion of S-phase cells compared to primary CaEF cells. CGFR-Ca-1 and -3 cell lines showed a loss of p53 mRNA and protein expression leading to inactivation of p53 regulatory function, while the CGFR-Ca-2 cell line was found to have the inactive mutant p53. Unlike the CGFR-Ca-3 cell line that down-regulated p16INK4a mRNA due to its promoter methylation but had an intact p16INK4a regulatory function, CGFR-Ca-1 and -2 cell lines expressed p16INK4a mRNA but had a functionally inactive p16INK4a regulatory pathway as judged by the lack of obvious differences in cell growth and phenotype when reconstituted with wild-type p16INK4a. All CGFR-Ca-1, -2 and -3 cell lines were shown to be untransformed but immortal as determined by anchorage-dependent assay, while these cell lines were fully transformed when overexpressed oncogenic H-rasG12V. Taken together, similar to the nature of murine embryo fibroblasts, the present study suggests that normal primary CaEF cells have relatively short in vitro lifespans and should be spontaneously immortalized at high frequency.

Local fibroblast proliferation but not influx is responsible for synovial hyperplasia in a murine model of rheumatoid arthritis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Matsuo, Yusuke; Mizoguchi, Fumitaka; Saito, Tetsuya

Synovial fibroblasts play crucial roles in inflammation and joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). How they accumulate in the RA joints remains unclear. This study was conducted to discern whether cellular influx from the outside of the joints and local proliferation are responsible for synovial fibroblast accumulation in an animal model of RA. We found that synovial fibroblasts were identified as GFP+ cells using collagen type I alpha 2 (Col1a2)-GFP transgenic reporter mice. Then, bone marrow transplantation and parabiosis techniques were utilized to study the cellular influx. Irradiated wild-type mice were transplanted with bone marrow from Col1a2-GFP mice. Col1a2-GFP andmore » wild-type mice were conjoined for parabiosis. The transplanted mice and the parabionts were subjected to collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA). We found no GFP+ cells in the hyperplastic synovial tissues from the transplanted mice with CAIA and from the wild-type parabionts with CAIA. Furthermore, normal and CAIA synovial tissues from Col1a2-GFP mice and from fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator (Fucci) transgenic mice, in which cells in S/G{sub 2}/M phases of the cell cycle express Azami-Green, were studied for Ki67, a cellular proliferation marker, and vimentin, a fibroblast marker, expression. The percentages of Ki67+/GFP+ and Azami-Green+/vimentin+ cells in the CAIA synovial tissues were higher than those in the untreated synovial tissues (34% vs. 0.40% and 19% vs. 0.26%, respectively). These findings indicate that local fibroblast proliferation but not cellular influx is responsible for the synovial hyperplasia in CAIA. Suppression of proliferation of the local synovial fibroblasts should be a promising treatment for RA. - Highlights: • We studied how synovial fibroblasts accumulate in joints in a murine model of RA. • Bone marrow-derived cells did not accumulate in arthritic joints. • Synovial fibroblasts did not accumulate in arthritic joints via circulation. • Local proliferation was responsible for the synovial fibroblast accumulation.« less

Expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1 and -2) and their inhibitors (TIMP-1, -2 and -3) in oral lichen planus, dysplasia, squamous cell carcinoma and lymph node metastasis.

PubMed Central

Sutinen, M.; Kainulainen, T.; Hurskainen, T.; Vesterlund, E.; Alexander, J. P.; Overall, C. M.; Sorsa, T.; Salo, T.

1998-01-01

Although matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are among the potential key mediators of cancer invasion, their involvement in premalignant lesions and conditions is not clarified. Therefore, we studied, using in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry and zymography the expression and distribution of MMP-1 and -2, and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs -1, -2 and -3) in oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and lymph node metastases as well as in oral lichen planus, epithelial dysplasias and normal buccal mucosa. In oral SCC and lymph node metastasis, MMP-1 mRNA was detected in fibroblastic cells of tumoral stroma. In two out of ten carcinomas studied, the peripheral cells of neoplastic islands were also positive. MMP-2 mRNA expression was noted in fibroblasts surrounding the carcinoma cells, and no signal in carcinoma cells was detected. A clear TIMP-3 mRNA expression was seen in stromal cells surrounding the neoplastic islands in all SCCs and lymph node metastases studied. TIMP-1 mRNA was detected in some stromal cells surrounding the neoplastic islands, whereas the mRNA expression for TIMP-2 was negligible. On the other hand, expression of MMPs and TIMPs was consistently low in oral epithelial dysplasias, lichen planus and normal mucosa. In certain epithelial dysplasias and lichen planus, MMP-1 and -2 mRNA expressions were detected in few fibroblasts under the basement membrane zone, but normal mucosa was completely negative. In SCC and lymph node metastasis, a detectable immunostaining for MMP-1 in stromal cells and in some carcinoma cells was observed. MMP-2 immunoreactivity was detected in the peripheral cell layer in neoplastic islands and in some fibroblast-like cells of tumoral stroma. Immunostaining for TIMP-3 was detected in stromal cells surrounding the neoplastic islands. A weak positive staining for TIMP-1 was located in tumoral stroma, whereas the immunostaining for TIMP-2 was negative. Using zymography, elevated levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were observed in carcinoma samples in comparison with lichen planus or normal oral mucosa. Our results indicate that the studied MMPs and TIMPs are clearly up-regulated during invasion in oral SCC. However, there was also a clear, although weak, up-regulation of the expression of the MMPs but not TIMPs in some of the lichen planus and dysplastic lesions. Images Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 PMID:9649139

Serum from calorie-restricted animals delays senescence and extends the lifespan of normal human fibroblasts in vitro.

PubMed

de Cabo, Rafael; Liu, Lijuan; Ali, Ahmed; Price, Nathan; Zhang, Jing; Wang, Mingyi; Lakatta, Edward; Irusta, Pablo M

2015-03-01

The cumulative effects of cellular senescence and cell loss over time in various tissues and organs are considered major contributing factors to the ageing process. In various organisms, caloric restriction (CR) slows ageing and increases lifespan, at least in part, by activating nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent protein deacetylases of the sirtuin family. Here, we use an in vitro model of CR to study the effects of this dietary regime on replicative senescence, cellular lifespan and modulation of the SIRT1 signaling pathway in normal human diploid fibroblasts. We found that serum from calorie-restricted animals was able to delay senescence and significantly increase replicative lifespan in these cells, when compared to serum from ad libitum fed animals. These effects correlated with CR-mediated increases in SIRT1 and decreases in p53 expression levels. In addition, we show that manipulation of SIRT1 levels by either over-expression or siRNA-mediated knockdown resulted in delayed and accelerated cellular senescence, respectively. Our results demonstrate that CR can delay senescence and increase replicative lifespan of normal human diploid fibroblasts in vitro and suggest that SIRT1 plays an important role in these processes.

Serum from calorie-restricted animals delays senescence and extends the lifespan of normal human fibroblasts in vitro

PubMed Central

Ali, Ahmed; Price, Nathan; Zhang, Jing; Wang, Mingyi; Lakatta, Edward; Irusta, Pablo M.

2015-01-01

The cumulative effects of cellular senescence and cell loss over time in various tissues and organs are considered major contributing factors to the ageing process. In various organisms, caloric restriction (CR) slows ageing and increases lifespan, at least in part, by activating nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent protein deacetylases of the sirtuin family. Here, we use an in vitro model of CR to study the effects of this dietary regime on replicative senescence, cellular lifespan and modulation of the SIRT1 signaling pathway in normal human diploid fibroblasts. We found that serum from calorie-restricted animals was able to delay senescence and significantly increase replicative lifespan in these cells, when compared to serum from ad libitum fed animals. These effects correlated with CR-mediated increases in SIRT1 and decreases in p53 expression levels. In addition, we show that manipulation of SIRT1 levels by either over-expression or siRNA-mediated knockdown resulted in delayed and accelerated cellular senescence, respectively. Our results demonstrate that CR can delay senescence and increase replicative lifespan of normal human diploid fibroblasts in vitro and suggest that SIRT1 plays an important role in these processes. (185 words). PMID:25855056

Evaluation of genistein ability to modulate CTGF mRNA/protein expression, genes expression of TGFβ isoforms and expression of selected genes regulating cell cycle in keloid fibroblasts in vitro.

PubMed

Jurzak, Magdalena; Adamczyk, Katarzyna; Antończak, Paweł; Garncarczyk, Agnieszka; Kuśmierz, Dariusz; Latocha, Małgorzata

2014-01-01

Keloids are characterized by overgrowth of connective tissue in the skin that arises as a consequence of abnormal wound healing. Normal wound healing is regulated by a complex set of interactions within a network of profibrotic and antifibrotic cytokines that regulate new extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis and remodeling. These proteins include transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) isoforms and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). TGFβ1 stimulates fibroblasts to synthesize and contract ECM and acts as a central mediator of profibrotic response. CTGF is induced by TGFβ1 and is considered a downstream mediator of TGFβ1action in fibroblasts. CTGF plays a crucial role in keloid pathogenesis by promoting prolonged collagen synthesis and deposition and as a consequence sustained fibrotic response. During keloids formation, besides imbalanced ECM synthesis and degradation, fibroblast proliferation and it's resistance to apoptosis is observed. Key genes that may play a role in keloid formation and growth involve: suppressor gene p53.,cyclin-depend- ent kinase inhibitor CDKN1A (p21) and BCL2 family genes: antiapoptotic BCL-2 and proapoptotic BAX. Genistein (4',5,7-trihydroxyisoflavone) exhibits multidirectional biological action. The concentration of genistein is relatively high in soybean. Genistein has been shown as effective antioxidant and chemopreventive agent. Genistein can bind to estrogen receptors (ERs) and modulate estrogen action due to its structure similarity to human estrogens. Genistein also inhibits transcription factors NFκB. Akt and AP-l signaling pathways, that are important for cytokines expression and cell proliferation, differentiation, survival and apoptosis. The aim of the study was to investigate genistein as a potential inhibitor of CTGF and TGFβ1, β2 and β3 isoforms expression and a potential regulator of p53. CDKN1A(p21), BAX and BCL-2 expression in normal fibroblasts and fibroblasts derived from keloids cultured in vitro. Real time RT-QPCR was used to estimate transcription level of selected genes in normal and keloid fibroblasts treated with genistein. Secreted/cell-associated CTGF protein was evaluated in cell growth's medium by ELISA. Total protein quantification was evaluated by fluorimetric assay in cells llsates (Quant-iT TM Protein Assay Kit). It was found that TGFβ1, β2 and β3 genes expression are decreased by genistein. Genistein suppresses the expression of CTGF mRNA and CTGF protein in a concentration dependent manner, p53 and p21 genes expression are modulated by genistein in concentration dependent manner. The agent also modulates BAX/BCL-2 ratio in examined cells in vitro.

Transgene-free human induced pluripotent stem cell line (HS5-SV.hiPS) generated from cesarean scar-derived fibroblasts.

PubMed

Rungsiwiwut, Ruttachuk; Pavarajarn, Wipawee; Numchaisrika, Pranee; Virutamasen, Pramuan; Pruksananonda, Kamthorn

2016-01-01

Transgene-free human HS5-SV.hiPS line was generated from human cesarean scar-derived fibroblasts using temperature-sensitive Sendai virus vectors carrying Oct4, Sox2, cMyc and Klf4 exogenous transcriptional factors. The viral constructs were eliminated from HS5-SV.hiPS line through heat treatment. Transgene-free HS5-SV.hiPS cells expressed pluripotent associated transcription factors Oct4, Nanog, Sox2, Rex1 and surface markers SSEA-4, TRA-1-60 and OCT4. HS5-SV.hiPS cells formed embryoid bodies and differentiated into three embryonic germ layers in vivo. HS5-SV.hiPS cells maintained their normal karyotype (46, XX) after culture for extended period. HS5-SV.hiPS displayed the similar pattern of DNA fingerprinting to the parenteral scar-derived fibroblasts. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of ozone exposure on human epithelial adenocarcinoma and normal fibroblasts cells.

PubMed

Poma, Anna; Colafarina, Sabrina; Aruffo, Eleonora; Zarivi, Osvaldo; Bonfigli, Antonella; Di Bucchianico, Sebastiano; Di Carlo, Piero

2017-01-01

Previous studies show variable ozone cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in cell cultures, laboratory animals and humans directly exposed to tropospheric ozone. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate and compare the cyto and genotoxic effects of ozone using adenocarcinoma human alveolar basal epithelial cells A549 and normal human fibroblasts Hs27. A cell culture chamber with controlled atmosphere (a simulation reactor) was built to inject a flow of 120 ppb of ozone, which is two times the threshold value for the protection of human health, fixed by the EU legislation. Cell proliferation was evaluated by a luminescent cell viability assay while we assessed the genotoxic potential of ozone by the induction of micronuclei as well as evaluating DNA strand breaks by the induction of micronuclei evaluated by means of the cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay as well as evaluating DNA strand breaks by Alkaline Comet Assay (CA) or Comet Assay. A549 cells viability decreases significantly at 24 hours treatment with 120 ppb of O3 while at 48 hours and 72 hours O3 treated cells viability doesn't differ in respect to the control. However a significative decrease of A549 viability is shown at 72 hours vs. 48 hours in both treated and not-treated cells. The viability trend in the Hs27 cells did not show any significant changes in treated samples compared to the control in all conditions. The two genotoxicity biomarkers, the micronucleus and the comet tests, showed in both the cell types exposed to ozone, a significant increase in the number of micronuclei and in the tail DNA % in respect to the control even if at different times/cell type. Moreover, we found that O3 provokes genotoxic effects more evident in A549 cancer cells than in normal fibroblasts Hs27 ones. We applied a cell growth simulation model referred to ozone treated or not cell lines to confirm that the ozone exposure causes a slackening in the cells replication.

Tissue-specific methylation differences and cognitive function in fragile X premutation females

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Allingham-Hawkins, D.J.; Babul, R.; Chitayat, D.

1996-08-09

Tissue-specific variation in (CGG){sub n} repeat size and methylation status of the FMR1 gene was investigated in 17 female premutation carriers. Minor variation in premutation repeat size among leukocyte, lymphoblast, and fibroblast tissues was noted in some subjects. One subject exhibited a premutation size allele of (CGG){sub 64} in leukocyte and fibroblast tissues by polymerase chain reaction analysis but a normal-size allele of (CGG){sub 46} in lymphoblast cells, suggesting low-level mosaicism in blood and clonality of the lymphoblast cell line. Six subjects exhibited differences in methylation pattern between leukocytes and lymphoblasts but not between leukocytes and fibroblasts, whereas 2 subjectsmore » showed large differences in methylation pattern between leukocytes and fibroblasts. Cognitive function was studied in 14 subjects using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised. Mean Verbal and Performance IQs were well within the average range as was the mean Full Scale IQ; nevertheless, a trend toward lower Performance IQ compared with Verbal IQ was observed. No significant correlation was apparent between Full Scale IQ and (CGG){sub n} repeat size; however, a significant positive correlation was observed between Full Scale IQ and the proportion of the active X carrying the normal FMR1 allele in fibroblasts but not in leukocytes or lymphoblasts. 24 refs., 1 fig., 2 tabs.« less

Enhanced malignant transformation is accompanied by increased survival recovery after ionizing radiation in Chinese hamster embryo fibroblasts

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Boothman, D.A.

Transformed Chinese hamster embryo fibroblasts (CHEF), which gradually increase in tumor-forming ability in nude mice, were isolated from normal diploid CHEF/18 cells. Transformed CHEF cells (i.e., T30-4 > 21-2M3 > 21-2 > normal CHEF/18) showed gradual increases in potentially lethal damage (PLD) survival recovery. {beta}-Lapachone and camptothecin, modulators of topoisomerase I (Topo I) activity, not only prevented survival recovery in normal as well as in tumor cells, but enhanced unscheduled DNA synthesis. These seemingly conflicting results are due to the fact that Topo I activity can be modulated by inhibitors to convert single-stranded DNA lesions into double-stranded breaks. Increases inmore » unscheduled DNA synthesis may result from a continual supply of free ends, on which DNA repair processes may act. Altering Topo I activity with modulators appears to increase X-ray lethality via a DNA lesion modification suicide pathway. Cells down-regulate Topo I immediately after ionizing radiation to prevent Topo I-mediated lesion modification and to enhance survival recovery. 16 refs., 3 figs., 1 tab.« less

Restoring functional neurofibromin by protein transduction.

PubMed

Mellert, K; Lechner, S; Lüdeke, M; Lamla, M; Möller, P; Kemkemer, R; Scheffzek, K; Kaufmann, D

2018-04-18

In Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) germ line loss of function mutations result in reduction of cellular neurofibromin content (NF1+/-, NF1 haploinsufficiency). The Ras-GAP neurofibromin is a very large cytoplasmic protein (2818 AA, 319 kDa) involved in the RAS-MAPK pathway. Aside from regulation of proliferation, it is involved in mechanosensoric of cells. We investigated neurofibromin replacement in cultured human fibroblasts showing reduced amount of neurofibromin. Full length neurofibromin was produced recombinantly in insect cells and purified. Protein transduction into cultured fibroblasts was performed employing cell penetrating peptides along with photochemical internalization. This combination of transduction strategies ensures the intracellular uptake and the translocation to the cytoplasm of neurofibromin. The transduced neurofibromin is functional, indicated by functional rescue of reduced mechanosensoric blindness and reduced RasGAP activity in cultured fibroblasts of NF1 patients or normal fibroblasts treated by NF1 siRNA. Our study shows that recombinant neurofibromin is able to revert cellular effects of NF1 haploinsuffiency in vitro, indicating a use of protein transduction into cells as a potential treatment strategy for the monogenic disease NF1.

Zoledronic acid impairs stromal reactivity by inhibiting M2-macrophages polarization and prostate cancer-associated fibroblasts

PubMed Central

Comito, Giuseppina; Segura, Coral Pons; Taddei, Maria Letizia; Lanciotti, Michele; Serni, Sergio; Morandi, Andrea; Chiarugi, Paola; Giannoni, Elisa

2017-01-01

Zoledronic acid (ZA) is a biphosphonate used for osteoporosis treatment and also proved to be effective to reduce the pain induced by bone metastases when used as adjuvant therapy in solid cancers. However, it has been recently proposed that ZA could have direct anti-tumour effects, although the molecular mechanism is unknown. We herein unravel a novel anti-tumour activity of ZA in prostate cancer (PCa), by targeting the pro-tumorigenic properties of both stromal and immune cells. Particularly, we demonstrate that ZA impairs PCa-induced M2-macrophages polarization, reducing their pro-invasive effect on tumour cells and their pro-angiogenic features. Crucially, ZA administration reverts cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) activation by targeting the mevalonate pathway and RhoA geranyl-geranylation, thereby impairing smooth muscle actin-α fibers organization, a prerequisite of fibroblast activation. Moreover, ZA prevents the M2 macrophages-mediated activation of normal fibroblast, highlighting the broad efficacy of this drug on tumour microenvironment. These results are confirmed in a metastatic xenograft PCa mouse model in which ZA-induced stromal normalization impairs cancer-stromal cells crosstalk, resulting in a significant reduction of primary tumour growth and metastases. Overall these findings reinforce the efficacy of ZA as a potential therapeutic approach to reduce cancer aggressiveness, by abrogating the supportive role of tumour microenvironment. PMID:27223431

Cancer-associated fibroblasts promote directional cancer cell migration by aligning fibronectin.

PubMed

Erdogan, Begum; Ao, Mingfang; White, Lauren M; Means, Anna L; Brewer, Bryson M; Yang, Lijie; Washington, M Kay; Shi, Chanjuan; Franco, Omar E; Weaver, Alissa M; Hayward, Simon W; Li, Deyu; Webb, Donna J

2017-11-06

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are major components of the carcinoma microenvironment that promote tumor progression. However, the mechanisms by which CAFs regulate cancer cell migration are poorly understood. In this study, we show that fibronectin (Fn) assembled by CAFs mediates CAF-cancer cell association and directional migration. Compared with normal fibroblasts, CAFs produce an Fn-rich extracellular matrix with anisotropic fiber orientation, which guides the cancer cells to migrate directionally. CAFs align the Fn matrix by increasing nonmuscle myosin II- and platelet-derived growth factor receptor α-mediated contractility and traction forces, which are transduced to Fn through α5β1 integrin. We further show that prostate cancer cells use αv integrin to migrate efficiently and directionally on CAF-derived matrices. We demonstrate that aligned Fn is a prominent feature of invasion sites in human prostatic and pancreatic carcinoma samples. Collectively, we present a new mechanism by which CAFs organize the Fn matrix and promote directional cancer cell migration. © 2017 Erdogan et al.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts promote directional cancer cell migration by aligning fibronectin

PubMed Central

Ao, Mingfang; White, Lauren M.; Means, Anna L.; Yang, Lijie; Washington, M. Kay; Franco, Omar E.; Li, Deyu; Webb, Donna J.

2017-01-01

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are major components of the carcinoma microenvironment that promote tumor progression. However, the mechanisms by which CAFs regulate cancer cell migration are poorly understood. In this study, we show that fibronectin (Fn) assembled by CAFs mediates CAF–cancer cell association and directional migration. Compared with normal fibroblasts, CAFs produce an Fn-rich extracellular matrix with anisotropic fiber orientation, which guides the cancer cells to migrate directionally. CAFs align the Fn matrix by increasing nonmuscle myosin II- and platelet-derived growth factor receptor α–mediated contractility and traction forces, which are transduced to Fn through α5β1 integrin. We further show that prostate cancer cells use αv integrin to migrate efficiently and directionally on CAF-derived matrices. We demonstrate that aligned Fn is a prominent feature of invasion sites in human prostatic and pancreatic carcinoma samples. Collectively, we present a new mechanism by which CAFs organize the Fn matrix and promote directional cancer cell migration. PMID:29021221

Feeder & basic fibroblast growth factor-free culture of human embryonic stem cells: Role of conditioned medium from immortalized human feeders.

PubMed

Teotia, Pooja; Sharma, Shilpa; Airan, Balram; Mohanty, Sujata

2016-12-01

Human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines are commonly maintained on inactivated feeder cells, in the medium supplemented with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). However, limited availability of feeder cells in culture, and the high cost of growth factors limit their use in scalable expansion of hESC cultures for clinical application. Here, we describe an efficient and cost-effective feeder and bFGF-free culture of hESCs using conditioned medium (CM) from immortalized feeder cells. KIND-1 hESC cell line was cultured in CM, collected from primary mouse embryonic fibroblast, human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) and immortalized HFF (I-HFF). Pluripotency of KIND-1 hESC cell line was confirmed by expression of genes, proteins and cell surface markers. In culture, these cells retained normal morphology, expressed all cell surface markers, could differentiate to embryoid bodies upon culture in vitro. Furthermore, I-HFF feeder cells without supplementation of bFGF released ample amount of endogenous bFGF to maintain stemness of hESC cells. The study results described the use of CM from immortalized feeder cells as a consistent source and an efficient, inexpensive feeder-free culture system for the maintenance of hESCs. Moreover, it was possible to maintain hESCs without exogenous supplementation of bFGF. Thus, the study could be extended to scalable expansion of hESC cultures for therapeutic purposes.

Mitochondrial damage and cytoskeleton reorganization in human dermal fibroblasts exposed to artificial visible light similar to screen-emitted light.

PubMed

Rascalou, Adeline; Lamartine, Jérôme; Poydenot, Pauline; Demarne, Frédéric; Bechetoille, Nicolas

2018-05-05

Artificial visible light is everywhere in modern life. Social communication confronts us with screens of all kinds, and their use is on the rise. We are therefore increasingly exposed to artificial visible light, the effects of which on skin are poorly known. The purpose of this study was to model the artificial visible light emitted by electronic devices and assess its effect on normal human fibroblasts. The spectral irradiance emitted by electronic devices was optically measured and equipment was developed to accurately reproduce such artificial visible light. Effects on normal human fibroblasts were analyzed on human genome microarray-based gene expression analysis. At cellular level, visualization and image analysis were performed on the mitochondrial network and F-actin cytoskeleton. Cell proliferation, ATP release and type I procollagen secretion were also measured. We developed a device consisting of 36 LEDs simultaneously emitting blue, green and red light at distinct wavelengths (450 nm, 525 nm and 625 nm) with narrow spectra and equivalent radiant power for the three colors. A dose of 99 J/cm 2 artificial visible light was selected so as not to induce cell mortality following exposure. Microarray analysis revealed 2984 light-modulated transcripts. Functional annotation of light-responsive genes revealed several enriched functions including, amongst others, the "mitochondria" and "integrin signaling" categories. Selected results were confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR, analyzing 24 genes representing these two categories. Analysis of micro-patterned culture plates showed marked fragmentation of the mitochondrial network and disorganization of the F-actin cytoskeleton following exposure. Functionally, there was considerable impairment of cell growth and spread, ATP release and type I procollagen secretion in exposed fibroblasts. Artificial visible light induces drastic molecular and cellular changes in normal human fibroblasts. This may impede normal cellular functions and contribute to premature skin aging. The present results extend our knowledge of the effects of the low-energy wavelengths that are increasingly used to treat skin disorders. Copyright © 2018 Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

miR-146b-5p mediates p16-dependent repression of IL-6 and suppresses paracrine procarcinogenic effects of breast stromal fibroblasts.

PubMed

Al-Ansari, Mysoon M; Aboussekhra, Abdelilah

2015-10-06

Increasing evidence support the critical roles of active stromal fibroblasts in breast cancer development and spread. However, the mediators and the mechanisms of regulation are still not well defined. We have shown here that the tumor suppressor p16(INK4A) protein inhibits the pro-carcinogenic effects of breast stromal fibroblasts through repressing the expression/secretion of IL-6. Indeed, p16(INK4A) suppresses IL-6 at the mRNA and protein levels. This effect is mediated trough miR-146b-5p, which inhibits IL-6 expression through a specific sequence at the IL-6 3'UTR. In addition, we present clear evidence that miR-146b-5p inhibition is sufficient to transactivate breast stromal fibroblasts, which promote epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition in breast cancer cells in a paracrine manner. By contrast, ectopic expression of miR-146b-5p in active fibroblasts abrogated their pro-carcinogenic effects. The physiological importance of miR-146b-5p inhibition was revealed by showing that the levels of pre-miR-146b-5p as well as its mature form are reduced in cancer-associated fibroblasts as compared with their normal adjacent counterparts from cancer-free tissues isolated from the same patients. Interestingly, treatment of active breast stromal fibroblasts with curcumin increased the level of the p16(INK4A) coding CDKN2A mRNA and miR-146b-5p and suppressed IL-6, which confirms the repressive effect of these two tumor suppressor molecules on IL-6, and shows the possible "normalization" of cancer-related active fibroblasts. These results show that miR-146b-5p has non-cell-autonomous tumor suppressor function through inhibition of IL-6, suggesting that targeting this microRNA in breast stromal fibroblasts could be of great therapeutic value.

Stromal-Epithelial Metabolic Coupling in Cancer: Integrating Autophagy and Metabolism in the Tumor Microenvironment*

PubMed Central

Martinez-Outschoorn, Ubaldo E.; Pavlides, Stephanos; Howell, Anthony; Pestell, Richard G.; Tanowitz, Herbert B.; Sotgia, Federica; Lisanti, Michael P.

2011-01-01

Cancer cells don’t exist as pure homogeneous populations in vivo. Instead they are embedded in “cancer cell nests” that are surrounded by stromal cells, especially cancer associated fibroblasts. Thus, it is not unreasonable to suspect that stromal fibroblasts could influence the metabolism of adjacent cancer cells, and visa versa. In accordance with this idea, we have recently proposed that the Warburg effect in cancer cells may be due to culturing cancer cells by themselves, out of their normal stromal context or tumor microenvironment. In fact, when cancer cells are co-cultured with fibroblasts, then cancer cells increase their mitochondrial mass, while fibroblasts lose their mitochondria. An in depth analysis of this phenomenon reveals that aggressive cancer cells are “parasites” that use oxidative stress as a “weapon” to extract nutrients from surrounding stromal cells. Oxidative stress in fibroblasts induces the autophagic destruction of mitochondria, by mitophagy. Then, stromal cells are forced to undergo aerobic glycolysis, and produce energy-rich nutrients (such as lactate and ketones) to “feed” cancer cells. This mechanism would allow cancer cells to seed anywhere, without blood vessels as a food source, as they could simply induce oxidative stress wherever they go, explaining how cancer cells survive during metastasis. We suggest that stromal catabolism, via autophagy and mitophagy, fuels the anabolic growth of tumor cells, promoting tumor progression and metastasis. We have previously termed this new paradigm “The Autophagic Tumor Stroma Model of Cancer Metabolism”, or the “Reverse Warburg Effect”. We also discuss how glutamine addiction (glutaminolysis) in cancer cells fits well with this new model, by promoting oxidative mitochondrial metabolism in aggressive cancer cells. PMID:21300172

Tubule-Derived Wnts Are Required for Fibroblast Activation and Kidney Fibrosis.

PubMed

Zhou, Dong; Fu, Haiyan; Zhang, Lu; Zhang, Ke; Min, Yali; Xiao, Liangxiang; Lin, Lin; Bastacky, Sheldon I; Liu, Youhua

2017-08-01

Cell-cell communication via Wnt ligands is necessary in regulating embryonic development and has been implicated in CKD. Because Wnt ligands are ubiquitously expressed, the exact cellular source of the Wnts involved in CKD remains undefined. To address this issue, we generated two conditional knockout mouse lines in which Wntless (Wls), a dedicated cargo receptor that is obligatory for Wnt secretion, was selectively ablated in tubular epithelial cells or interstitial fibroblasts. Blockade of Wnt secretion by genetic deletion of Wls in renal tubules markedly inhibited myofibroblast activation and reduced renal fibrosis after unilateral ureteral obstruction. This effect associated with decreased activation of β -catenin and downstream gene expression and preserved tubular epithelial integrity. In contrast, fibroblast-specific deletion of Wls exhibited little effect on the severity of renal fibrosis after obstructive or ischemia-reperfusion injury. In vitro , incubation of normal rat kidney fibroblasts with tubule-derived Wnts promoted fibroblast proliferation and activation. Furthermore, compared with kidney specimens from patients without CKD, biopsy specimens from patients with CKD also displayed increased expression of multiple Wnt proteins, predominantly in renal tubular epithelium. These results illustrate that tubule-derived Wnts have an essential role in promoting fibroblast activation and kidney fibrosis via epithelial-mesenchymal communication. Copyright © 2017 by the American Society of Nephrology.

Rapamycin reduces fibroblast proliferation without causing quiescence and induces STAT5A/B-mediated cytokine production

PubMed Central

Gillespie, Zoe E; MacKay, Kimberly; Sander, Michelle; Trost, Brett; Dawicki, Wojciech; Wickramarathna, Aruna; Gordon, John; Eramian, Mark; Kill, Ian R; Bridger, Joanna M; Kusalik, Anthony; Mitchell, Jennifer A; Eskiw, Christopher H

2015-01-01

Rapamycin is a well-known inhibitor of the Target of Rapamycin (TOR) signaling cascade; however, the impact of this drug on global genome function and organization in normal primary cells is poorly understood. To explore this impact, we treated primary human foreskin fibroblasts with rapamycin and observed a decrease in cell proliferation without causing cell death. Upon rapamycin treatment chromosomes 18 and 10 were repositioned to a location similar to that of fibroblasts induced into quiescence by serum reduction. Although similar changes in positioning occurred, comparative transcriptome analyses demonstrated significant divergence in gene expression patterns between rapamycin-treated and quiescence-induced fibroblasts. Rapamycin treatment induced the upregulation of cytokine genes, including those from the Interleukin (IL)-6 signaling network, such as IL-8 and the Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF), while quiescent fibroblasts demonstrated up-regulation of genes involved in the complement and coagulation cascade. In addition, genes significantly up-regulated by rapamycin treatment demonstrated increased promoter occupancy of the transcription factor Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 5A/B (STAT5A/B). In summary, we demonstrated that the treatment of fibroblasts with rapamycin decreased proliferation, caused chromosome territory repositioning and induced STAT5A/B-mediated changes in gene expression enriched for cytokines. PMID:26652669

The effect of valinomycin in fibroblasts from patients with fatty acid oxidation disorders

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ndukwe Erlingsson, Uzochi Chimdinma; Iacobazzi, Francesco; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, Policlinico, I-70124 Bari

Highlights: •Valinomycin can cause mitochondrial stress and stimulate fatty acid oxidation. •Cells with VLCAD deficiency fail to increase fatty acid oxidation in response to valinomycin. •Response to valinomycin can help in the diagnosis of VLCAD deficiency. -- Abstract: Disorders of the carnitine cycle and of the beta oxidation spiral impair the ability to obtain energy from fats at time of fasting and stress. This can result in hypoketotic hypoglycemia, cardiomyopathy, cardiac arrhythmia and other chronic medical problems. The in vitro study of fibroblasts from patients with these conditions is impaired by their limited oxidative capacity. Here we evaluate the capacitymore » of valinomycin, a potassium ionophore that increases mitochondrial respiration, to increase the oxidation of fatty acids in cells from patients with inherited fatty acid oxidation defects. The addition of valinomycin to fibroblasts decreased the accumulation of the lipophilic cation tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP{sup +}) at low concentrations due to the dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential. At higher doses, valinomycin increased TPP{sup +} accumulation due to the increased potassium permeability of the plasma membrane and subsequent cellular hyperpolarization. The incubation of normal fibroblasts with valinomycin increased [{sup 14}C]-palmitate oxidation (measured as [{sup 14}C]O{sub 2} release) in a dose-dependent manner. By contrast, valinomycin failed to increase palmitate oxidation in fibroblasts from patients with very long chain acyl CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD) deficiency. This was not observed in fibroblasts from patients heterozygous for this condition. These results indicate that valinomycin can increase fatty acid oxidation in normal fibroblasts and could be useful to differentiate heterozygotes from patients affected with VLCAD deficiency.« less

Carcinoma associated fibroblasts (CAFs) promote breast cancer motility by suppressing mammalian Diaphanous-related formin-2 (mDia2).

PubMed

Dvorak, Kaitlyn M; Pettee, Krista M; Rubinic-Minotti, Kaitlin; Su, Robin; Nestor-Kalinoski, Andrea; Eisenmann, Kathryn M

2018-01-01

The tumor microenvironment (TME) promotes tumor cell invasion and metastasis. An important step in the shift to a pro-cancerous microenvironment is the transformation of normal stromal fibroblasts to carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). CAFs are present in a majority of solid tumors and can directly promote tumor cell motility via cytokine, chemokine and growth factor secretion into the TME. The exact effects that the TME has upon cytoskeletal regulation in motile tumor cells remain enigmatic. The conserved formin family of cytoskeleton regulating proteins plays an essential role in the assembly and/or bundling of unbranched actin filaments. Mammalian Diaphanous-related formin 2 (mDia2/DIAPH3/Drf3/Dia) assembles a dynamic F-actin cytoskeleton that underlies tumor cell migration and invasion. We therefore sought to understand whether CAF-derived chemokines impact breast tumor cell motility through modification of the formin-assembled F-actin cytoskeleton. In MDA-MB-231 cells, conditioned media (CM) from WS19T CAFs, a human breast tumor-adjacent CAF line, significantly and robustly increased wound closure and invasion relative to normal human mammary fibroblast (HMF)-CM. WS19T-CM also promoted proteasome-mediated mDia2 degradation in MDA-MB-231 cells relative to control HMF-CM and WS21T CAF-CM, a breast CAF cell line that failed to promote robust MDA-MB-231 migration. Cytokine array analysis of CM identified up-regulated secreted factors in WS19T relative to control WS21T CM. We identified CXCL12 as a CM factor influencing loss of mDia2 protein while increasing MDA-MB-231 cell migration. Our data suggest a mechanism whereby CAFs promote tumor cell migration and invasion through CXCL12 secretion to regulate the mDia2-directed cytoskeleton in breast tumor cells.

Depletion of stromal cells expressing fibroblast activation protein-α from skeletal muscle and bone marrow results in cachexia and anemia

PubMed Central

Roberts, Edward W.; Deonarine, Andrew; Jones, James O.; Denton, Alice E.; Feig, Christine; Lyons, Scott K.; Espeli, Marion; Kraman, Matthew; McKenna, Brendan; Wells, Richard J.B.; Zhao, Qi; Caballero, Otavia L.; Larder, Rachel; Coll, Anthony P.; O’Rahilly, Stephen; Brindle, Kevin M.; Teichmann, Sarah A.; Tuveson, David A.

2013-01-01

Fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP) identifies stromal cells of mesenchymal origin in human cancers and chronic inflammatory lesions. In mouse models of cancer, they have been shown to be immune suppressive, but studies of their occurrence and function in normal tissues have been limited. With a transgenic mouse line permitting the bioluminescent imaging of FAP+ cells, we find that they reside in most tissues of the adult mouse. FAP+ cells from three sites, skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and pancreas, have highly similar transcriptomes, suggesting a shared lineage. FAP+ cells of skeletal muscle are the major local source of follistatin, and in bone marrow they express Cxcl12 and KitL. Experimental ablation of these cells causes loss of muscle mass and a reduction of B-lymphopoiesis and erythropoiesis, revealing their essential functions in maintaining normal muscle mass and hematopoiesis, respectively. Remarkably, these cells are altered at these sites in transplantable and spontaneous mouse models of cancer-induced cachexia and anemia. Thus, the FAP+ stromal cell may have roles in two adverse consequences of cancer: their acquisition by tumors may cause failure of immunosurveillance, and their alteration in normal tissues contributes to the paraneoplastic syndromes of cachexia and anemia. PMID:23712428

Soluble Factors Released by Endogenous Viable Cells Enhance the Antioxidant and Chemoattractive Activities of Cryopreserved Amniotic Membrane

PubMed Central

Duan-Arnold, Yi; Gyurdieva, Alexandra; Johnson, Amy; Jacobstein, Douglas A.; Danilkovitch, Alla

2015-01-01

Objective: Regulation of oxidative stress and recruitment of key cell types are activities of human amniotic membrane (hAM) that contribute to its benefits for wound treatment. Progress in tissue preservation has led to commercialization of hAM. The majority of hAM products are devitalized with various degrees of matrix alteration. Data show the importance of hAM matrix preservation, but little is known about the advantages of retaining viable endogenous cells. In this study, we compared the antioxidant and chemoattractive properties of viable intact cryopreserved hAM (int-hAM) and devitalized cryopreserved hAM (dev-hAM) to determine the benefits of cell preservation. Approach: We evaluated the ability of int-hAM and dev-hAM to protect fibroblasts from oxidant-induced cell damage, to suppress oxidants, and to recruit fibroblasts and keratinocytes in vitro. Results: Both the int-hAM–derived conditioned medium (CM) and the int-hAM tissue rescued significantly more fibroblasts from oxidant-induced damage than dev-hAM (844% and 93% more, respectively). The int-hAM CM showed a 202% greater antioxidant capacity than dev-hAM. The int-hAM CM enhanced the recruitment of fibroblasts and normal and diseased keratinocytes to a greater extent than dev-hAM (1,555%, 315%, and 151% greater, respectively). Innovation and Conclusion: Int-hAM, in which all native components are preserved, including endogenous viable cells, demonstrated a significantly greater antioxidant and fibroblast and keratinocyte chemoattractive potential compared to dev-hAM, in which viable cells are destroyed. The release of soluble factors that protect fibroblasts from oxidative injury by hAM containing viable cells is a mechanism of hAM antioxidant activity, which is a novel finding of this study. PMID:26029483

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Alahuhta, Ilkka; Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu; Aikio, Mari

The turnover of extracellular matrix liberates various cryptic molecules with novel biological activities. Endostatin is an endogenous angiogenesis inhibitor that is derived from the non-collagenous domain of collagen XVIII. Although there are a large number of studies on its anti-tumor effects, the molecular mechanisms are not yet completely understood, and the reasons why endostatin has not been successful in clinical trials are unclear. Research has mostly focused on its anti-angiogenic effect in tumors. Here, we aimed to elucidate how endostatin affects the behavior of aggressive tongue HSC-3 carcinoma cells that were transfected to overproduce endostatin. Endostatin inhibited the invasion ofmore » HSC-3 cells in a 3D collagen–fibroblast model. However, it had no effect on invasion in a human myoma organotypic model, which lacks vital fibroblasts. Recombinant endostatin was able to reduce the Transwell migration of normal fibroblasts, but had no effect on carcinoma associated fibroblasts. Surprisingly, endostatin increased the proliferation and decreased the apoptosis of cancer cells in organotypic models. Also subcutaneous tumors overproducing endostatin grew bigger, but showed less local invasion in nude mice xenografts. We conclude that endostatin affects directly to HSC-3 cells increasing their proliferation, but its net effect on cancer invasion seem to depend on the cellular composition and interactions of tumor microenvironment. - Highlights: • Endostatin affects not only angiogenesis, but also carcinoma cells and fibroblasts. • Endostatin increased carcinoma cell proliferation, but decreased 3D invasion. • The invasion inhibitory effect was sensitive to the microenvironment composition. • Fibroblasts may be a factor regulating the fluctuating roles of endostatin.« less

The residual repair capacity of xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group C fibroblasts is highly specific for transcriptionally active DNA.

PubMed Central

Venema, J; van Hoffen, A; Natarajan, A T; van Zeeland, A A; Mullenders, L H

1990-01-01

We have measured removal of pyrimidine dimers in defined DNA sequences in confluent and actively growing normal human and xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group C (XP-C) fibroblasts exposed to 10 J/m2 UV-irradiation. In normal fibroblasts 45% and 90% of the dimers are removed from the transcriptionally active adenosine deaminase (ADA) gene within 4 and 24 hours after irradiation respectively. Equal repair efficiencies are found in fragments located entirely within the transcription unit or partly in the 3' flanking region of the ADA gene. The rate and extent of dimer removal from the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene is very similar to that of the ADA gene. Repair of the transcriptionally inactive 754 locus is less efficient: 18% and 52% of the dimers are removed within 4 and 24 hours respectively. In spite of the limited overall repair capacity, confluent XP-C fibroblasts efficiently remove dimers from the ADA and DHFR genes: about 90% and 50% within 24 hours respectively. The 3' end of the ADA gene is repaired as efficiently as in normal human fibroblasts, but less efficient repair occurs in DNA fragments located in the DHFR gene and at the 5' end of the ADA gene. Repair of the inactive 754 locus does not exceed the very slow rate of dimer removal from the genome overall. Confluent and actively growing XP-C cells show similar efficiencies of repair of the ADA, DHFR and 754 genes. Our findings suggest the existence of two independently operating pathways directed towards repair of pyrimidine dimers in either active or inactive chromatin. XP-C cells have lost the capacity to repair inactive chromatin, but are still able to repair active chromatin. Images PMID:2308842

ATF6α regulates morphological changes associated with senescence in human fibroblasts

PubMed Central

Martin, Nathalie; Saas, Laure; Cormenier, Johanna; Malaquin, Nicolas; Huot, Ludovic; Slomianny, Christian; Bouali, Fatima; Vercamer, Chantal; Hot, David; Pourtier, Albin; Chevet, Eric; Abbadie, Corinne; Pluquet, Olivier

2016-01-01

Cellular senescence is known as an anti-tumor barrier and is characterized by a number of determinants including cell cycle arrest, senescence associated β-galactosidase activity and secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators. Senescent cells are also subjected to enlargement, cytoskeleton-mediated shape changes and organelle alterations. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for these last changes remain still uncharacterized. Herein, we have identified the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) as a player controlling some morphological aspects of the senescent phenotype. We show that senescent fibroblasts exhibit ER expansion and mild UPR activation, but conserve an ER stress adaptive capacity similar to that of exponentially growing cells. By genetically invalidating the three UPR sensors in senescent fibroblasts, we demonstrated that ATF6α signaling dictates senescence-associated cell shape modifications. We also show that ER expansion and increased secretion of the pro-inflammatory mediator IL6 were partly reversed by silencing ATF6α in senescent cells. Moreover, ATF6α drives the increase of senescence associated-β-galactosidase activity. Collectively, these findings unveil a novel and central role for ATF6α in the establishment of morphological features of senescence in normal human primary fibroblasts. PMID:27563820

ATF6α regulates morphological changes associated with senescence in human fibroblasts.

PubMed

Druelle, Clémentine; Drullion, Claire; Deslé, Julie; Martin, Nathalie; Saas, Laure; Cormenier, Johanna; Malaquin, Nicolas; Huot, Ludovic; Slomianny, Christian; Bouali, Fatima; Vercamer, Chantal; Hot, David; Pourtier, Albin; Chevet, Eric; Abbadie, Corinne; Pluquet, Olivier

2016-10-18

Cellular senescence is known as an anti-tumor barrier and is characterized by a number of determinants including cell cycle arrest, senescence associated β-galactosidase activity and secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators. Senescent cells are also subjected to enlargement, cytoskeleton-mediated shape changes and organelle alterations. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for these last changes remain still uncharacterized. Herein, we have identified the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) as a player controlling some morphological aspects of the senescent phenotype. We show that senescent fibroblasts exhibit ER expansion and mild UPR activation, but conserve an ER stress adaptive capacity similar to that of exponentially growing cells. By genetically invalidating the three UPR sensors in senescent fibroblasts, we demonstrated that ATF6α signaling dictates senescence-associated cell shape modifications. We also show that ER expansion and increased secretion of the pro-inflammatory mediator IL6 were partly reversed by silencing ATF6α in senescent cells. Moreover, ATF6α drives the increase of senescence associated-β-galactosidase activity. Collectively, these findings unveil a novel and central role for ATF6α in the establishment of morphological features of senescence in normal human primary fibroblasts.

MELATONIN ENHANCES JUNCTIONAL TRANSFER IN NORMAL C3H/1OT1/2 CELLS

EPA Science Inventory

There is strong evidence that pineal melatonin is involved in controlling neoplastic processes. e have reported that physiological, but not pharmacological or subphysiological, concentrations of melatonin enhance intercellular communication in normal C3H/1OT1/2 fibroblasts. ap ju...

Targeting Inhibition of Fibroblast Activation Protein-α and Prolyl Oligopeptidase Activities on Cells Common to Metastatic Tumor Microenvironments1

PubMed Central

Christiansen, Victoria J; Jackson, Kenneth W; Lee, Kyung N; Downs, Tamyra D; McKee, Patrick A

2013-01-01

Fibroblast activation protein (FAP), a membrane prolyl-specific proteinase with both dipeptidase and endopeptidase activities, is overexpressed by reactive stromal fibroblasts during epithelial-derived cancer growth. FAP digests extracellular matrix as tissue is remodeled during cancer expansion and may also promote an immunotolerant tumor microenvironment. Recent studies suggest that nonspecific FAP inhibitors suppress human cancer xenografts in mouse models. Prolyl oligopeptidase (POP), another prolyl-specific serine proteinase, is also elevated in many cancers and may have a regulatory role in angiogenesis promotion. FAP and POP cell-associated activities may be targets for diagnosis and treatment of various cancers, but their accessibilities to highly effective specific inhibitors have not been shown for cells important to cancer growth. Despite their frequent simultaneous expression in many cancers and their overlapping activities toward commonly used substrates, precise, separate measurement of FAP or POP activity has largely been ignored. To distinguish each of the two activities, we synthesized highly specific substrates and inhibitors for FAP or POP based on amino acid sequences surrounding the scissile bonds of their respective putative substrates. We found varying amounts of FAP and POP protein and activities on activated fibroblasts, mesenchymal cells, normal breast cells, and one breast cancer cell line, with some cells exhibiting more POP than FAP activity. Replicating endothelial cells (ECs) expressed POP but not FAP until tubulogenesis began. Targeting FAP-positive cells, especially mesenchymal stem cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts for inactivation or destruction, and inhibiting POP-producing EC may abrogate stromal invasion and angiogenesis simultaneously and thereby diminish cancer growth. PMID:23555181

Site-Specific Differentiation of Fibroblasts in Normal and Scleroderma Skin

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-06-01

SITE-SPECIFIC DIFFERENTIATION OF FIBROBLASTS IN NORMAL AND SCLERODERMA SKIN PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Howard Y. Chang, M.D., Ph.D...2010 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Site-Specific Differentiation of Fibroblasts in Normal and 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER Scleroderma Skin 5b. GRANT NUMBER...activated fibroblasts from SSc. 15. SUBJECT TERMS Scleroderma , fibroblasts, gene expression 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: U 17. LIMITATION OF

Rejoining of isochromatid breaks induced by heavy ions in G2-phase normal human fibroblasts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kawata, T.; Durante, M.; Furusawa, Y.; George, K.; Ito, H.; Wu, H.; Cucinotta, F. A.

2001-01-01

We reported previously that exposure of normal human fibroblasts in G2 phase of the cell cycle to high-LET radiation produces a much higher frequency of isochromatid breaks than exposure to gamma rays. We concluded that an increase in the production of isochromatid breaks is a signature of initial high-LET radiation-induced G2-phase damage. In this paper, we report the repair kinetics of isochromatid breaks induced by high-LET radiation in normal G2-phase human fibroblasts. Exponentially growing human fibroblasts (AG1522) were irradiated with gamma rays or energetic carbon (290 MeV/nucleon), silicon (490 MeV/nucleon), or iron (200 MeV/nucleon) ions. Prematurely condensed chromosomes were induced by calyculin A after different postirradiation incubation times ranging from 0 to 600 min. Chromosomes were stained with Giemsa, and aberrations were scored in cells at G2 phase. G2-phase fragments, the result of the induction of isochromatid breaks, decreased quickly with incubation time. The curve for the kinetics of the rejoining of chromatid-type breaks showed a slight upward curvature with time after exposure to 440 keV/microm iron particles, probably due to isochromatid-isochromatid break rejoining. The formation of chromatid exchanges after exposure to high-LET radiation therefore appears to be underestimated, because isochromatid-isochromatid exchanges cannot be detected. Increased induction of isochromatid breaks and rejoining of isochromatid breaks affect the overall kinetics of chromatid-type break rejoining after exposure to high-LET radiation.

Putting tumours in context

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bissell, Mina J.; Radisky, Derek

2001-10-01

The interactions between cancer cells and their micro- and macroenvironment create a context that promotes tumor growth and protects it from immune attack. The functional association of cancer cells with their surrounding tissues forms a new 'organ' that changes as malignancy progresses. Investigation of this process might provide new insights into the mechanisms of tumorigenesis and could also lead to new therapeutic targets. Under normal conditions, ORGANS are made up of TISSUES that exchange information with other cell types via cell-cell contact, cytokines and the EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX (ECM). The ECM, which is produced by collaboration between STROMAL fibroblasts and EPITHELIALmore » cells, provides structural scaffolding for cells, as well as contextual information. The endothelial vasculature provides nutrients and oxygen, and cells of the immune system combat pathogens and remove apoptotic cells. Epithelial cells associate into intact, polarized sheets. These tissues communicate through a complex network of interactions: physically, through direct contact or through the intervening ECM, and biochemically, through both soluble and insoluble signalling molecules. In combination, these interactions provide the information that is necessary to maintain cellular differentiation and to create complex tissue structures. Occasionally, the intercellular signals that define the normal context become disrupted. Alterations in epithelial tissues can lead to movement of epithelial sheets and proliferation - for example, after activation of mesenchymal fibroblasts due to wounding.Normally, these conditions are temporary and reversible, but when inflammation is sustained, an escalating feedback loop ensues.Under persistent inflammatory conditions, continual upregulation of enzymes such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) by stromal fibroblasts can disrupt the ECM, and invading immune cells can overproduce factors that promote abnormal proliferation. As this process progresses, the normal organization of the organ is replaced by a functional disorder. If there are pre-existing epithelial cells within this changing context that possess tumorigenic potential, they can start to proliferate. Alternatively, the abnormal interactions might lead to genomic instability within the epithelial cells and the acquisition of tumorigenic potential. The proliferating cancer cells can then interact with their microenvironment and enhance the abnormal interactions. At this point, the tumor has become its own organ, with a distinct context that now defines all its cellular responses. Here, we will examine how the mechanisms that contribute to the normal context also act to suppress developing tumors, how disruption of this context initiates and supports the process of tumorigenicity, and how some cells with a tumorigenic genotype can become phenotypically normal if the context is appropriately manipulated.« less

Epidermal regulation of dermal fibroblast activity.

PubMed

Garner, W L

1998-07-01

Although the association between delayed burn wound healing and subsequent hypertrophic scar formation is well-established, the mechanism for this relationship is unknown. Unhealed burn wounds lack an epidermis, suggesting a possible regulatory role for the epidermis in controlling dermal fibroblast matrix synthesis. Therefore, we examined the effect of epidermal cells and media conditioned by epidermal cells on fibroblast collagen synthesis and replication. Purified fibroblast and keratinocyte cell strains were developed from discarded normal adult human skin. Conditioned media were created by incubation of cytokine-free and serum-free medium with either confluent fibroblast or keratinocyte cultures for 18 hours (n = 3). Nearly confluent fibroblast cultures were exposed for 48 hours to graded concentrations of either unconditioned medium (control), conditioned medium, or varying numbers of keratinocytes. Replication was quantified by the incorporation of 3H-thymidine. Collagen synthesis was measured by the incorporation of 3H-proline into collagenase-sensitive protein. Data were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and linear regression. Keratinocyte conditioned medium induced a significant increase in replication (n = 3) (p = 0.004) and a decrease in collagen synthesis (n = 6) (p < 0.001). In contrast, neither fibroblast conditioned medium nor control medium had an effect on fibroblast replication or collagen synthesis. Co-culture of fibroblast with a graded number of keratinocytes similarly decreased collagen synthesis (n = 6) (p < 0.001). Dermal fibroblast collagen synthesis appears to be regulated by a soluble keratinocyte product. This result suggests a mechanism for the clinical observation that unhealed burn wounds, which lack the epidermis, demonstrate excess collagen production and scar. Clinical strategies to decrease hypertrophic scar should include an attempt at early wound closure with skin grafting or the application of cultured epithelial autografts.

Plasminogen activator: analysis of enzyme induction by ultraviolet irradiation mapping

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Miskin, R.; Reich, E.; Dixon, K.

1981-10-01

Ultraviolet irradiation mapping techniques have previously been used to study the organization of eucaryotic gene classes and transcription units. We used the same method to probe some regulatory phenomena observed in the induction of plasminogen activator (PA) biosynthesis: PA synthesis in chicken embryo fibroblasts is induced by tumor-promoting phorbol esters and by retinoic acid; furthermore, PA induction by phorbol esters is synergistic with transformation, being 10- to 20-fold greater in virus-transformed cells than in normal cells. We found that the ultraviolet irradiation inactivation cross sections for PA induction by phorbol esters and by retinoate differed significantly, suggesting that these agentsmore » induce PA biosynthesis by different mechanisms. On the other hand, the ultraviolet irradiation sensitivity of phorbol ester induction in normal chicken embryo fibroblasts was the same as in transformed cells, indicating that the synergism of transformation and phorbol esters is probably not due to different pathways of PA induction.« less

Fertile offspring from sterile sex chromosome trisomic mice§

PubMed Central

Hirota, Takayuki; Ohta, Hiroshi; Powell, Benjamin E.; Mahadevaiah, Shantha K.; Ojarikre, Obah A.; Saitou, Mitinori; Turner, James M. A.

2017-01-01

Having the correct number of chromosomes is vital for normal development and health. Sex chromosome trisomy (SCT) affects 0.1% of the human population and is associated with infertility. We show that during reprogramming to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), fibroblasts from sterile trisomic XXY and XYY mice lose the extra sex chromosome, by a phenomenon we term trisomy-biased chromosome loss (TCL). Resulting euploid XY iPSCs can be differentiated into the male germ cell lineage and functional sperm that can be used in intracytoplasmic sperm injection to produce chromosomally normal, fertile offspring. Sex chromosome loss is comparatively infrequent during mouse XX and XY iPSC generation. TCL also applies to other chromosomes, generating euploid iPSCs from cells of a Down syndrome mouse model. It can also create euploid iPSCs from human trisomic patient fibroblasts. The findings have relevance to overcoming infertility and other trisomic phenotypes. PMID:28818972

Mitochondrial Vulnerability and Increased Susceptibility to Nutrient-Induced Cytotoxicity in Fibroblasts from Leigh Syndrome French Canadian Patients

PubMed Central

Burelle, Yan; Thompson Legault, Julie; Boucher, Gabrielle; Morin, Charles; Coderre, Lise; Des Rosiers, Christine

2015-01-01

Mutations in LRPPRC are responsible for the French Canadian variant of Leigh Syndrome (LSFC), a severe disorder characterized biochemically by a tissue-specific deficiency of cytochrome c oxidase (COX) and clinically by the occurrence of severe and deadly acidotic crises. Factors that precipitate these crises remain unclear. To better understand the physiopathology and identify potential treatments, we performed a comprehensive analysis of mitochondrial function in LSFC and control fibroblasts. Furthermore, we have used this cell-based model to screen for conditions that promote premature cell death in LSFC cells and test the protective effect of ten interventions targeting well-defined aspects of mitochondrial function. We show that, despite maintaining normal ATP levels, LSFC fibroblasts present several mitochondrial functional abnormalities under normal baseline conditions, which likely impair their capacity to respond to stress. This includes mitochondrial network fragmentation, impaired oxidative phosphorylation capacity, lower membrane potential, increased sensitivity to Ca2+-induced permeability transition, but no changes in reactive oxygen species production. We also show that LSFC fibroblasts display enhanced susceptibility to cell death when exposed to palmitate, an effect that is potentiated by high lactate, while high glucose or acidosis alone or in combination were neutral. Furthermore, we demonstrate that compounds that are known to promote flux through the electron transport chain independent of phosphorylation (methylene blue, dinitrophenol), or modulate fatty acid (L-carnitine) or Krebs cycle metabolism (propionate) are protective, while antioxidants (idebenone, N-acetyl cysteine, resveratrol) exacerbate palmitate plus lactate-induced cell death. Collectively, beyond highlighting multiple alterations in mitochondrial function and increased susceptibility to nutrient-induced cytotoxicity in LSFC fibroblasts, these results raise questions about the nature of the diets, particularly excess fat intake, as well as on the use of antioxidants in patients with LSFC and, possibly, other COX defects. PMID:25835550

Analysis of plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase expression in control and SV40-transformed human fibroblasts.

PubMed

Reisner, P D; Brandt, P C; Vanaman, T C

1997-01-01

It has been long known that neoplastic transformation is accompanied by a lowered requirement for extracellular Ca2+ for growth. The studies presented here demonstrate that human fibroblastic cell lines produce the two commonly found 'housekeeping' isoforms of the plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase (PMCA), PMCA1b and 4b, and at the expression of both is demonstrably lower in cell lines neoplastically transformed by SV40 than in the corresponding parental cell lines. Western blot analyses of lysates from control (GM00037) and SV40-transformed (GM00637) skin fibroblasts revealed a 138 kDa PMCA whose level was significantly lower in the SV40-transformed cells relative to either total cellular protein or alpha-tubulin. Similar analyses of plasma membrane preparations from control WI-38) and SV40-transformed (WI-38VA13) lung fibroblasts revealed 3-4-fold lower levels of PMCA in the SV40-transformed cells. Competitive ELISAs performed on detergent solubilized plasma membrane preparations indicated at least 3-4-fold lower levels of PMCA in the SV40-transformed cell lines compared to controls. Reverse transcriptase coupled-PCR analyses showed that PMCA1b and PMCA4b were the only isoforms expressed in all four cell lines. The PMCA4b mRNA level detected by Northern analysis also was substantially lower in SV40 transformed skin fibroblasts than in non-transformed fibroblasts. Quantitative RT-PCR analyses showed levels of PMCA1b and 4b mRNAs to be 5 and 10-fold lower, respectively, in GM00637 than in GM00037 when the levels of PCR products were normalized to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH) mRNA. These results demonstrate that the expression of these distinct PMCA genes is substantially lower in SV40 transformed human skin and lung fibroblasts and may be coordinately regulated in these cells.

The relationship between in vitro cellular aging and in vivo human age.

PubMed Central

Schneider, E L; Mitsui, Y

1976-01-01

Differences between early and late passage cell cultures on the organelle and macromolecular levels have been attributed to cellular "aging". However, concern has been expressed over whether changes in diploid cell populations after serial passage in vitro accurately reflect human cellular aging in vivo. Studies were therefore undertaken to determine if significant differences would be observed in the in vitro lifespans of skin fibroblast cultures from old and young normal, non-hospitalized volunteers and to examine if parameters that change with in vitro "aging" are altered as a function of age in vivo. Statistically signigificant (P less than 0.05) decreases were found in the rate of fibroblast migration, onset of cell culture senescence, in vitro lifespan, cell population replication rate, and cell number at confluency of fibroblast cultures derived from the old donor group when compared to parallel cultures from young donors. No significant differences were observed in modal cell volumes and cellular macromolecular contents. The differences observed in cell cultures from old and young donors were quantitatively and qualitatively distinct from those cellular alterations observed in early and late passage WI-38 cells (in vitro "aging"). Therefore, although early and late passage cultures of human diploid cells may provide an important cell system for examining loss of replicative potential, fibroblast cultures derived from old and young human donors may be a more appropriate model system for studying human cellular aging. PMID:1068470

Oncogenes and inflammation rewire host energy metabolism in the tumor microenvironment

PubMed Central

Martinez-Outschoorn, Ubaldo E; Curry, Joseph M; Ko, Ying-Hui; Lin, Zhao; Tuluc, Madalina; Cognetti, David; Birbe, Ruth C; Pribitkin, Edmund; Bombonati, Alessandro; Pestell, Richard G; Howell, Anthony; Sotgia, Federica; Lisanti, Michael P

2013-01-01

Here, we developed a model system to evaluate the metabolic effects of oncogene(s) on the host microenvironment. A matched set of “normal” and oncogenically transformed epithelial cell lines were co-cultured with human fibroblasts, to determine the “bystander” effects of oncogenes on stromal cells. ROS production and glucose uptake were measured by FACS analysis. In addition, expression of a panel of metabolic protein biomarkers (Caveolin-1, MCT1, and MCT4) was analyzed in parallel. Interestingly, oncogene activation in cancer cells was sufficient to induce the metabolic reprogramming of cancer-associated fibroblasts toward glycolysis, via oxidative stress. Evidence for “metabolic symbiosis” between oxidative cancer cells and glycolytic fibroblasts was provided by MCT1/4 immunostaining. As such, oncogenes drive the establishment of a stromal-epithelial “lactate-shuttle”, to fuel the anabolic growth of cancer cells. Similar results were obtained with two divergent oncogenes (RAS and NFκB), indicating that ROS production and inflammation metabolically converge on the tumor stroma, driving glycolysis and upregulation of MCT4. These findings make stromal MCT4 an attractive target for new drug discovery, as MCT4 is a shared endpoint for the metabolic effects of many oncogenic stimuli. Thus, diverse oncogenes stimulate a common metabolic response in the tumor stroma. Conversely, we also show that fibroblasts protect cancer cells against oncogenic stress and senescence by reducing ROS production in tumor cells. Ras-transformed cells were also able to metabolically reprogram normal adjacent epithelia, indicating that cancer cells can use either fibroblasts or epithelial cells as “partners” for metabolic symbiosis. The antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) selectively halted mitochondrial biogenesis in Ras-transformed cells, but not in normal epithelia. NAC also blocked stromal induction of MCT4, indicating that NAC effectively functions as an “MCT4 inhibitor”. Taken together, our data provide new strategies for achieving more effective anticancer therapy. We conclude that oncogenes enable cancer cells to behave as selfish “metabolic parasites”, like foreign organisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses). Thus, we should consider treating cancer like an infectious disease, with new classes of metabolically targeted “antibiotics” to selectively starve cancer cells. Our results provide new support for the “seed and soil” hypothesis, which was first proposed in 1889 by the English surgeon, Stephen Paget. PMID:23860378

Response of Fibroblasts MRC-5 to Flufenamic Acid-Grafted MCM-41 Nanoparticles.

PubMed

Lara, Giovanna Gomes; Cipreste, Marcelo Fernandes; Andrade, Gracielle Ferreira; Silva, Wellington Marcos da; Sousa, Edésia Martins Barros de

2018-01-09

Recently, flufenamic acid (FFA) was discovered among fenamates as a free radical scavenger and gap junction blocker; however, its effects have only been studied in cancer cells. Normal cells in the surroundings of a tumor also respond to radiation, although they are not hit by it directly. This phenomenon is known as the bystander effect, where response molecules pass from tumor cells to normal ones, through communication channels called gap junctions. The use of the enhanced permeability and retention effect, through which drug-loaded nanoparticles smaller than 200 nm may accumulate around a tumor, can prevent the local side effect upon controlled release of the drug. The present work, aimed at functionalizing MCM-41 (Mobil Composition of Matter No. 41) silica nanoparticles with FFA and determining its biocompatibility with human fibroblasts MRC-5 (Medical Research Council cell strain 5). MCM-41, was synthesized and characterized structurally and chemically, with multiple techniques. The biocompatibility assay was performed by Live/Dead technique, with calcein and propidium-iodide. MRC-5 cells were treated with FFA-grafted MCM-41 for 48 h, and 98% of cells remained viable, without signs of necrosis or morphological changes. The results show the feasibility of MCM-41 functionalization with FFA, and its potential protection of normal cells, in comparison to the role of FFA in cancerous ones.

Regulation of DNA repair in serum-stimulated xeroderma pigmentosum cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gupta, P.K.; Sirover, M.A.

1984-10-01

The regulation of DNA repair during serum stimulation of quiescent cells was examined in normal human cells, in fibroblasts from three xeroderma pigmentosum complementation groups (A, C, and D), in xeroderma pigmentosum variant cells, and in ataxia telangiectasia cells. The regulation of nucleotide excision repair was examined by exposing cells to ultraviolet irradiation at discrete intervals after cell stimulation. Similarly, base excision repair was quantitated after exposure to methylmethane sulfonate. WI-38 normal human diploid fibroblasts, xeroderma pigmentosum variant cells, as well as ataxia telangiectasia cells enhanced their capacity for both nucleotide excision repair and for base excision repair prior tomore » their enhancement of DNA synthesis. Further, in each cell strain, the base excision repair enzyme uracil DNA glycosylase was increased prior to the induction of DNA polymerase using the identical cells to quantitate each activity. In contrast, each of the three xeroderma complementation groups that were examined failed to increase their capacity for nucleotide excision repair above basal levels at any interval examined. This result was observed using either unscheduled DNA synthesis in the presence of 10 mM hydroxyurea or using repair replication in the absence of hydroxyurea to quantitate DNA repair. However, each of the three complementation groups normally regulated the enhancement of base excision repair after methylmethane sulfonate exposure and each induced the uracil DNA glycosylase prior to DNA synthesis. 62 references, 3 figures, 2 tables.« less

Niemann-Pick disease, Type C: evidence for the deficiency of an activating factor stimulating sphingomyelin and glucocerebroside degradation.

PubMed

Christomanou, H

1980-10-01

1) Qualitative lipid analyses by thin-layer chromatography of 4 Niemann-Pick type C spleens confirmed sphingomyelin accumulation together with increase in the amount of glucocerebroside. 2) In the presence of crude sodium taurocholate as detergent, sphingomyelin degradation rates of normal and Niemann-Pick type C-cultured fibroblasts were fairly close under standard conditions at pH 5.0. In the absence of sodium taurocholate, sphingomyelinase activity was optimal at pH 4.0. Sphingomyelinase activities of fibroblasts from two patients with Niemann-Pick disease type C measured without detergent, were about 30% of that of controls. 3) Extracts from Gaucher spleen heated to 90 degrees C and devoid of sphingomyelinase activity stimulated at the optimal pH of 4.0 sphingomyelin degradation by cultured normal fibroblasts (2--4-fold, Niemann-Pick type C fibroblasts (5--9-fold), whereas similarly treated extracts from Niemann-Pick type C spleen showed no stimulation of sphingomyelin catabolism. Heated extracts from normal human spleen exhibited a smaller stimulation than that shown by Gaucher spleen. This stimulating effect could not be observed in fibroblasts from patients suffering from Niemann-Pick type B (sphingomyelinase defect). 4) Heat-treated extracts of Gaucher spleen were fractionated by ion exchange chromatography, isoelectric focusing and gel filtration. The active fractions obtained by these procedures stimulated sphingomyelin as well as glucocerebroside degradation and were absent from the corresponding Niemann-Pick type C preparations. Enriched activator preparations of Gaucher spleen stimulated sphingomyelinase activity of Niemann-Pick type C fibroblasts 25--38-fold and that of normal cells 3-fold. 5) The activating factor had an isoelectric point of 4.0 and an apparent molecular weight, as estimated by gel filtration, of 25000. Treatment with pronase E abolished its activity.

The novel ependymin related gene UCC1 is highly expressed in colorectal tumor cells.

PubMed

Nimmrich, I; Erdmann, S; Melchers, U; Chtarbova, S; Finke, U; Hentsch, S; Hoffmann, I; Oertel, M; Hoffmann, W; Müller, O

2001-04-10

Normal cells differ from malignant tumor cells in the transcription levels of many different genes. Two colorectal tumor cell lines were compared with a normal colorectal cell line by differential display reverse transcription PCR to screen for tumor cell specific differentially transcribed genes. By this strategy the upregulation of a novel gene was detected designated as 'upregulated in colorectal cancer gene-1' (UCC1). The UCC1 gene transcript level is increased in cultured tumor cells and in two out of three analyzed colorectal tumor tissue specimens compared to normal cultured cells and to corresponding normal tissue samples. Remarkably, the UCC1 protein shows significant sequence similarity to the highly divergent piscine glycoproteins termed ependymins which are synthesized by leptomeningeal fibroblasts and secreted into the cerebrospinal fluid.

Blocking CD147 induces cell death in cancer cells through impairment of glycolytic energy metabolism

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Baba, Miyako; Inoue, Masahiro; Itoh, Kazuyuki

2008-09-12

CD147 is a multifunctional transmembrane protein and promotes cancer progression. We found that the anti-human CD147 mouse monoclonal antibody MEM-M6/1 strongly induces necrosis-like cell death in LoVo, HT-29, WiDr, and SW620 colon cancer cells and A2058 melanoma cells, but not in WI-38 and TIG-113 normal fibroblasts. Silencing or overexpression of CD147 in LoVo cells enhanced or decreased the MEM-M6/1 induced cell death, respectively. CD147 is known to form complex with proton-linked monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs), which is critical for lactate transport and intracellular pH (pHi) homeostasis. In LoVo cells, CD147 and MCT-1 co-localized on the cell surface, and MEM-M6/1 inhibited themore » association of these molecules. MEM-M6/1 inhibited lactate uptake, lactate release, and reduced pHi. Further, the induction of acidification was parallel to the decrease of the glycolytic flux and intracellular ATP levels. These effects were not found in the normal fibroblasts. As cancer cells depend on glycolysis for their energy production, CD147 inhibition might induce cell death specific to cancer cells.« less

Increased CCT-eta expression is a marker of latent and active disease and a modulator of fibroblast contractility in Dupuytren's contracture.

PubMed

Satish, Latha; O'Gorman, David B; Johnson, Sandra; Raykha, Christina; Gan, Bing Siang; Wang, James H-C; Kathju, Sandeep

2013-07-01

Dupuytren's contracture (DC) is a fibroproliferative disorder of unknown etiology characterized by a scar-like contracture that develops in the palm and/or digits. We have previously reported that the eta subunit of the chaperonin containing T-complex polypeptide (CCT-eta) is increased in fibrotic wound healing, and is essential for the accumulation of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in fibroblasts. The purpose of this study was to determine if CCT-eta is similarly implicated in the aberrant fibrosis seen in DC and to investigate the role of CCT-eta in the behavior of myo/fibroblasts in DC. Fibroblasts were obtained from DC-affected palmar fascia, from adjacent phenotypically normal palmar fascia in the same DC patients (PF), and from non-DC palmar fascial tissues in patients undergoing carpal tunnel (CT) release. Inherent contractility in these three populations was examined using fibroblast-populated collagen lattices (FPCLs) and by cell traction force microscopy. Expression of CCT-eta and α-SMA protein was determined by Western blot. The effect of CCT-eta inhibition on the contractility of DC cells was determined by deploying an siRNA versus CCT-eta. DC cells were significantly more contractile than both matching palmar fascial (PF) cells and CT cells in both assays, with PF cells demonstrating an intermediate contractility in the FPCL assay. Whereas α-SMA protein was significantly increased only in DC cells compared to PF and CT cells, CCT-eta protein was significantly increased in both PF and DC cells compared to CT cells. siRNA-mediated depletion of CCT-eta inhibited the accumulation of both CCT-eta and α-SMA protein in DC cells, and also significantly decreased the contractility of treated DC cells. These observations suggest that increased expression of CCT-eta appears to be a marker for latent and active disease in these patients and to be essential for the increased contractility exhibited by these fibroblasts.

Fibroblast activation protein is dispensable in the anti-influenza immune response in mice

PubMed Central

Chowdhury, Sumaiya; Polak, Natasa

2017-01-01

Fibroblast activation protein alpha (FAP) is a unique dual peptidase of the S9B serine protease family, being capable of both dipeptidyl peptidase and endopeptidase activities. FAP is expressed at low level in healthy adult organs including the pancreas, cervix, uterus, submaxillary gland and the skin, and highly upregulated in embryogenesis, chronic inflammation and tissue remodelling. It is also expressed by cancer-associated stromal fibroblasts in more than 90% of epithelial tumours. FAP has enzymatic and non-enzymatic functions in the growth, immunosuppression, invasion and cell signalling of tumour cells. FAP deficient mice are fertile and viable with no gross abnormality, but little data exist on the role of FAP in the immune system. FAP is upregulated in association with microbial stimulation and chronic inflammation, but its function in infection remains unknown. We showed that major populations of immune cells including CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, B cells, dendritic cells and neutrophils are generated and maintained normally in FAP knockout mice. Upon intranasal challenge with influenza virus, FAP mRNA was increased in the lungs and lung-draining lymph nodes. Nonetheless, FAP deficient mice showed similar pathologic kinetics to wildtype controls, and were capable of supporting normal anti-influenza T and B cell responses. There was no evidence of compensatory upregulation of other DPP4 family members in influenza-infected FAP-deficient mice. FAP appears to be dispensable in anti-influenza adaptive immunity. PMID:28158223

Mosaic variegated aneuploidy associated with a dysmorphic syndrome and mental handicap

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mehta, L.; Babu, A.; Willner, J.

1994-09-01

A 41-year-old woman was evaluated for dysmorphic features and mental handicap. Prior karyotyping had revealed 7% mosaicism for trisomy 18 in skin fibroblasts with normal blood chromosomes. Clinical features consisted of short stature, mild mental retardation, sensorineural deafness and the following dysmorphic features: short, broad neck, low posterior hairline, small palpebral fissures with iris coloboma on the right, epicanthic folds, small mouth, high palate and prominent mandible, short metacarpals and digits, particularly the fifth, with bilateral simian creases. Medical problems included non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, hypertension, oligomenorrhea and recent onset of diabetic neuropathy and retinal exudates. Head size and brainmore » MRI were within normal limits. Peripheral blood chromosomes revealed: 46,XX (45 cells), 46,XX,t(7;16)(q21;q21) in 1 cell, 45,X (1 cell), 48,XXXX (1 cell), 47,XX,+mar (1 cell), 48,XX,+mar,+mar (1 cell). Skin fibroblasts revealed the following karyotypes: 46,XX (25 cells), 45,X (14 cells), 47,XX,+2 (10 cells) and 47,X,+2,+7 (1 cell). Previously reported cases of mosaic variegated aneuploidy include microcephaly as a prominent feature. Chromosomes involved in the abnormality are variable. Clinical presentations in such patients are not consistent and do not appear to correlate with specific chromosome defects. This patient represents an interesting example of probable mitotic instability disrupting normal developmental processes.« less

Na and K Dependence of the Na/K Pump in Cystic Fibrosis Fibroblasts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reznik, Vivian M.; Schneider, Jerry A.; Mendoza, Stanley A.

1981-11-01

The Na and K dependence of the Na/K pump was measured in skin fibroblasts from patients with cystic fibrosis and age/sex-matched controls. Under basal conditions, there was no difference between control and cystic fibrosis cells in protein per cell, intracellular Na and K content, or Na/K pump activity (measured as ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake). There was no difference in the Na dependence of the Na/K pump between cystic fibrosis cells and control cells. In cells from patients with cystic fibrosis, the Na/K pump had a significantly lower affinity for K (Km = 1.6 mM) when compared to normals (Km = 0.9 mM). This difference was demonstrated by using two independent experimental designs.

Cell-Matrix Interactions in Breast Carcinoma Invasion.

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-01-01

concentrated in hemidesmosomes, adhesive junctions which connect the basement membrane to the intracellular keratin cytoskeleton. In virtually all...fibronectin receptor contribute to the adhesive abnormalities of transformed fibroblasts by overexpressing this integrin in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells...normal breast epithelium , the integrins expressed in breast carcinoma cells are diffusely distributed over the cell surface (Zutter et al., 1990

Cell cycle perturbations and genotoxic effects in human primary fibroblasts induced by low-energy protons and X/gamma-rays.

PubMed

Antoccia, Antonio; Sgura, Antonella; Berardinelli, Francesco; Cavinato, Maria; Cherubini, Roberto; Gerardi, Silvia; Tanzarella, Caterina

2009-09-01

The effect of graded doses of high-linear energy transfer (LET) low-energy protons to induce cycle perturbations and genotoxic damage was investigated in normal human fibroblasts. Furthermore, such effects were compared with those produced by low-LET radiations. HFFF2, human primary fibroblasts were exposed to either protons (LET = 28.5 keV/microm) or X/gamma-rays, and endpoints related to cell cycle kinetics and DNA damage analysed. Following both type of irradiations, unsynchronized cells suffered an inhibition to entry into S-phase for doses of 1-4 Gy and remained arrested in the G(1)-phase for several days. The levels of induction of regulator proteins, such as TP53 and CDKN1A showed a clear LET-dependence. DSB induction and repair as measured by scoring for gamma-H2AX foci indicated that protons, with respect to X-rays, yielded a lower number of DSBs per Gy, which showed a slower kinetics of disappearance. Such result was in agreement with the extent of MN induction in binucleated cells after X-irradiation. No significant differences between the two types of radiations were observed with the clonogenic assay, resulting anyway the slope of gamma-ray curve higher than that the proton one. In conclusion, in normal human primary fibroblasts cell cycle arrest at the G(1)/S transition can be triggered shortly after irradiation and maintained for several hours post-irradiation of both protons and X-rays. DNA damage produced by protons appears less amenable to be repaired and could be transformed in cytogenetic damage in the form of MN.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts in a human HEp-2 established laryngeal xenografted tumor are not derived from cancer cells through epithelial-mesenchymal transition, phenotypically activated but karyotypically normal.

PubMed

Wang, Mei; Wu, Chun-Ping; Pan, Jun-Yan; Zheng, Wen-Wei; Cao, Xiao-Juan; Fan, Guo-Kang

2015-01-01

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a crucial role in cancer progression and even initiation. However, the origins of CAFs in various cancer types remain controversial, and one of the important hypothesized origins is through epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) from cancer cells. In this study, we investigated whether the HEp-2 laryngeal cancer cells are able to generate CAFs via EMT during tumor formation, which is now still unknown. The laryngeal xenografted tumor model was established by inoculating the HEp-2 laryngeal cancer cell line in nude mice. Primary cultured CAFs from the tumor nodules and matched normal fibroblasts (NFs) from the adjacent connective tissues were subcultured, purified, and verified by immunofluorescence. Migration, invasion, and proliferation potentials were compared between the CAFs and NFs. A co-culture of CAFs with HEp-2 cells and a co-injection of CAFs with HEp-2 cells in nude mice were performed to examine the cancer-promoting potential of CAFs to further verify their identity. Karyotypic analyses of the CAFs, NFs, and HEp-2 cells were conducted. A co-culture of NFs with HEp-2 cells was also performed to examine the expression of activated markers of CAFs. A pathological examination confirmed that the laryngeal xenografted tumor model was successfully established, containing abundant CAFs. Immunocytochemical staining verified the purities and identities of the CAFs and NFs. Although the CAFs manifested higher migration, invasion, proliferation, and cancer-promoting capacities compared with the NFs, an analysis of chromosomes revealed that both the CAFs and NFs showed typical normal mouse karyotypes. In addition, the NFs co-cultured with HEp-2 cells did not show induced expressions of activated markers of CAFs. Our findings reveal that the CAFs in the HEp-2 established laryngeal xenografted tumor are not of laryngeal cancer origin but of mouse origin, indicating that the HEp-2 laryngeal cancer cells cannot generate their own CAFs via EMT in this model.

The polypeptide in Chlamys farreri can protect human dermal fibroblasts from ultraviolet B damage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yujiang; Zhan, Songmei; Cao, Pengli; Liu, Ning; Chen, Xuehong; Wang, Yuejun; Wang, Chunbo

2005-09-01

To investigate the effect of polypeptide from Chlamys farreri (PCF) on NHDF in vitro, we modeled oxidative damage on normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB). In this study, 3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were tested to measure cell viability. Enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), catalase (CAT) and xanthine oxidase (XOD) were determined biochemically. Total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC) and anti-superoxide anion capacity (A-SAC) were also determined. Ultrastructure of fibroblasts was observed under transmission electron microscope. The results showed that: UVB (1.176×10-4 J/cm2) suppressed the growth of fibroblasts and the introduction of PCF (0.25% 1%) before UVB reduced the suppression in a concentration-dependent manner. PCF could enhance the activities of SOD, GSH-PX and T-AOC as well as A-SAC. Also PCF could inhibit XOD activity, while it did not affect CAT activity. Ultrastructure of fibroblasts were damaged after UVB irradiation, concentration-dependent PCF reduced the destructive effect of UVB on cells. These results indicated that PCF can protect human dermal fibroblasts from being harmed by UVB irradiation via its antioxidant proerty.

Triptonide inhibits the pathological functions of gastric cancer-associated fibroblasts.

PubMed

Wang, Zhenfei; Ma, Daguang; Wang, Changshan; Zhu, Zhe; Yang, Yongyan; Zeng, Fenfang; Yuan, Jianlong; Liu, Xia; Gao, Yue; Chen, Yongxia; Jia, Yongfeng

2017-12-01

Direct attacks on tumour cells with chemotherapeutic drugs have the drawbacks of accelerating tumour metastasis and inducing tumour stem cell phenotypes. Inhibition of tumour-associated fibroblasts, which provide nourishment and support to tumour cells, is a novel and promising anti-tumour strategy. However, effective drugs against tumour-associated fibroblasts are currently lacking. In the present study, we explored the possibility of inhibiting the pathological functions of tumour-associated fibroblasts with triptonide. Paired gastric normal fibroblasts (GNFs) and gastric cancer-associated fibroblasts (GCAFs) were obtained from resected tissues. GCAFs showed higher capacities to induce colony formation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells than GNFs. Triptonide treatment strongly inhibited the colony formation-, migration-, and invasion-promoting capacities of GCAFs. The expression of microRNA-301a was higher and that of microRNA-149 was lower in GCAFs than in GNFs. Triptonide treatment significantly down-regulated microRNA-301a expression and up-regulated microRNA-149 expression in GCAFs. Re-establishment of microRNA expression balance increased the production and secretion of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2, a tumour suppressive factor, and suppressed the production and secretion of IL-6, an oncogenic factor, in GCAFs. Moreover, triptonide treatment abolished the ability of GCAFs to induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition in gastric cancer cells. These results indicate that triptonide inhibits the malignancy-promoting capacity of GCAFs by correcting abnormalities in microRNA expression. Thus, triptonide is a promisingly therapeutic agent for gastric cancer treatment, and traditional herbs may be a valuable source for developing new drugs that can regulate the tumour microenvironment. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

In vitro biology of fibropapilloma-associated turtle herpesvirus and host cells in Hawaiian green turtles (Chelonia mydas)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Work, Thierry M.; Dagenais, Julie; Balazs, George H.; Schumacher, Joanne; Lewis, Teresa D.; Leong, Jo-Ann C.; Casey, Rufina N.; Casey, James W.

2009-01-01

Fibropapillomatosis (FP) of green turtles has a global distribution and causes debilitating tumours of the skin and internal organs in several species of marine turtles. FP is associated with a presently non-cultivable alphaherpesvirus Chelonid fibropapilloma-associated herpesvirus (CFPHV). Our aims were to employ quantitative PCR targeted to pol DNA of CFPHV to determine (i) if DNA sequesters by tumour size and/or cell type, (ii) whether subculturing of cells is a viable strategy for isolating CFPHV and (iii) whether CFPHV can be induced to a lytic growth cycle in vitro using chemical modulators of replication (CMRs), temperature variation or co-cultivation. Additional objectives included determining whether non-tumour and tumour cells behave differently in vitro and confirming the phenotype of cultured cells using cell-type-specific antigens. CFPHV pol DNA was preferentially concentrated in dermal fibroblasts of skin tumours and the amount of viral DNA per cell was independent of tumour size. Copy number of CFPHV pol DNA per cell rapidly decreased with cell doubling of tumour-derived fibroblasts in culture. Attempts to induce viral replication in known CFPHV-DNA-positive cells using temperature or CMR failed. No significant differences were seen in in vitro morphology or growth characteristics of fibroblasts from tumour cells and paired normal skin, nor from CFPHV pol-DNA-positive intestinal tumour cells. Tumour cells were confirmed as fibroblasts or keratinocytes by positive staining with anti-vimentin and anti-pancytokeratin antibodies, respectively. CFPHV continues to be refractory to in vitro cultivation.

Identification of a Cell-of-Origin for Fibroblasts Comprising the Fibrotic Reticulum in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

PubMed Central

Xia, Hong; Bodempudi, Vidya; Benyumov, Alexey; Hergert, Polla; Tank, Damien; Herrera, Jeremy; Braziunas, Jeff; Larsson, Ola; Parker, Matthew; Rossi, Daniel; Smith, Karen; Peterson, Mark; Limper, Andrew; Jessurun, Jose; Connett, John; Ingbar, David; Phan, Sem; Bitterman, Peter B.; Henke, Craig A.

2015-01-01

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive disease of the middle aged and elderly with a prevalence of one million persons worldwide. The fibrosis spreads from affected alveoli into contiguous alveoli, creating a reticular network that leads to death by asphyxiation. Lung fibroblasts from patients with IPF have phenotypic hallmarks, distinguishing them from their normal counterparts: pathologically activated Akt signaling axis, increased collagen and α-smooth muscle actin expression, distinct gene expression profile, and ability to form fibrotic lesions in model organisms. Despite the centrality of these fibroblasts in disease pathogenesis, their origin remains uncertain. Here, we report the identification of cells in the lungs of patients with IPF with the properties of mesenchymal progenitors. In contrast to progenitors isolated from nonfibrotic lungs, IPF mesenchymal progenitor cells produce daughter cells manifesting the full spectrum of IPF hallmarks, including the ability to form fibrotic lesions in zebrafish embryos and mouse lungs, and a transcriptional profile reflecting these properties. Morphological analysis of IPF lung tissue revealed that mesenchymal progenitor cells and cells with the characteristics of their progeny comprised the fibrotic reticulum. These data establish that the lungs of patients with IPF contain pathological mesenchymal progenitor cells that are cells of origin for fibrosis-mediating fibroblasts. These fibrogenic mesenchymal progenitors and their progeny represent an unexplored target for novel therapies to interdict fibrosis. PMID:24631025

Diversity of Interstitial Lung Fibroblasts Is Regulated by Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor α Kinase Activity.

PubMed

Green, Jenna; Endale, Mehari; Auer, Herbert; Perl, Anne-Karina T

2016-04-01

Epithelial-mesenchymal cell interactions and factors that control normal lung development are key players in lung injury, repair, and fibrosis. A number of studies have investigated the roles and sources of epithelial progenitors during lung regeneration; such information, however, is limited in lung fibroblasts. Thus, understanding the origin, phenotype, and roles of fibroblast progenitors in lung development, repair, and regeneration helps address these limitations. Using a combination of platelet-derived growth factor receptor α-green fluorescent protein (PDGFRα-GFP) reporter mice, microarray, real-time polymerase chain reaction, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence, we characterized two distinct interstitial resident fibroblasts, myo- and matrix fibroblasts, and identified a role for PDGFRα kinase activity in regulating their activation during lung regeneration. Transcriptional profiling of the two populations revealed a myo- and matrix fibroblast gene signature. Differences in proliferation, smooth muscle actin induction, and lipid content in the two subpopulations of PDGFRα-expressing fibroblasts during alveolar regeneration were observed. Although CD140α(+)CD29(+) cells behaved as myofibroblasts, CD140α(+)CD34(+) appeared as matrix and/or lipofibroblasts. Gain or loss of PDGFRα kinase activity using the inhibitor nilotinib and a dominant-active PDGFRα-D842V mutation revealed that PDGFRα was important for matrix fibroblast differentiation. We demonstrated that PDGFRα signaling promotes alveolar septation by regulating fibroblast activation and matrix fibroblast differentiation, whereas myofibroblast differentiation was largely PDGFRα independent. These studies provide evidence for the phenotypic and functional diversity as well as the extent of specificity of interstitial resident fibroblasts differentiation during regeneration after partial pneumonectomy.

Diversity of Interstitial Lung Fibroblasts Is Regulated by Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor α Kinase Activity

PubMed Central

Green, Jenna; Endale, Mehari; Auer, Herbert

2016-01-01

Epithelial–mesenchymal cell interactions and factors that control normal lung development are key players in lung injury, repair, and fibrosis. A number of studies have investigated the roles and sources of epithelial progenitors during lung regeneration; such information, however, is limited in lung fibroblasts. Thus, understanding the origin, phenotype, and roles of fibroblast progenitors in lung development, repair, and regeneration helps address these limitations. Using a combination of platelet-derived growth factor receptor α–green fluorescent protein (PDGFRα-GFP) reporter mice, microarray, real-time polymerase chain reaction, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence, we characterized two distinct interstitial resident fibroblasts, myo- and matrix fibroblasts, and identified a role for PDGFRα kinase activity in regulating their activation during lung regeneration. Transcriptional profiling of the two populations revealed a myo- and matrix fibroblast gene signature. Differences in proliferation, smooth muscle actin induction, and lipid content in the two subpopulations of PDGFRα-expressing fibroblasts during alveolar regeneration were observed. Although CD140α+CD29+ cells behaved as myofibroblasts, CD140α+CD34+ appeared as matrix and/or lipofibroblasts. Gain or loss of PDGFRα kinase activity using the inhibitor nilotinib and a dominant-active PDGFRα-D842V mutation revealed that PDGFRα was important for matrix fibroblast differentiation. We demonstrated that PDGFRα signaling promotes alveolar septation by regulating fibroblast activation and matrix fibroblast differentiation, whereas myofibroblast differentiation was largely PDGFRα independent. These studies provide evidence for the phenotypic and functional diversity as well as the extent of specificity of interstitial resident fibroblasts differentiation during regeneration after partial pneumonectomy. PMID:26414960

Genetics Home Reference: Crouzon syndrome

MedlinePlus

... People with Crouzon syndrome are usually of normal intelligence. Related Information What does it mean if a ... called fibroblast growth factor receptor 2. Among its multiple functions, this protein signals immature cells to become ...

Liver myofibroblasts of murine origins express mesothelin: Identification of novel rat mesothelin splice variants*

PubMed Central

G. Lavoie, Elise; Dranoff, Jonathan A.

2017-01-01

Liver myofibroblasts are specialized effector cells that drive hepatic fibrosis, a hallmark process of chronic liver diseases, leading to progressive scar formation and organ failure. Liver myofibroblasts are increasingly recognized as heterogeneous with regards to their origin, phenotype, and functions. For instance, liver myofibroblasts express cell markers that are universally represented such as, ItgαV and Pdgfrβ, or restricted to a given subpopulation such as, Lrat exclusively expressed in hepatic stellate cells, and Gpm6a in mesothelial cells. To study liver myofibroblasts in vitro, we have previously generated and characterized a SV40-immortalized polyclonal rat activated portal fibroblast cell line called RGF-N2 expressing multiple mesothelin mRNA transcripts. Mesothelin, a cell-surface molecule expressed in normal mesothelial cells and overexpressed in several cancers such as, mesothelioma and cholangiocarcinoma, was recently identified as a key regulator of portal myofibroblast proliferation, and fibrosis progression in the setting of chronic cholestatic liver disease. Here, we identify novel mesothelin splice variants expressed in rat activated portal fibroblasts. RGF-N2 portal fibroblast cDNA was used as template for insertion of hemagglutinin tag consensus sequence into the complete open reading frame of rat mesothelin variant coding sequences by extension PCR. Purified amplicons were subsequently cloned into an expression vector for in vitro translation and transfection in monkey COS7 fibroblasts, before characterization of fusion proteins by immunoblot and immunofluorescence. We show that rat activated portal fibroblasts, hepatic stellate cells, and cholangiocarcinoma cells express wild-type mesothelin and additional splice variants, while mouse activated hepatic stellate cells appear to only express wild-type mesothelin. Notably, rat mesothelin splice variants differ from the wild-type isoform by their protein properties and cellular distribution in transfected COS7 fibroblasts. We conclude that mesothelin is a marker of activated murine liver myofibroblasts. Mesothelin gene expression and regulation may be critical in liver myofibroblasts functions and fibrosis progression. PMID:28898276

A unique epigenetic signature is associated with active DNA replication loci in human embryonic stem cells.

PubMed

Li, Bing; Su, Trent; Ferrari, Roberto; Li, Jing-Yu; Kurdistani, Siavash K

2014-02-01

The cellular epigenetic landscape changes as pluripotent stem cells differentiate to somatic cells or when differentiated cells transform to a cancerous state. These epigenetic changes are commonly correlated with differences in gene expression. Whether active DNA replication is also associated with distinct chromatin environments in these developmentally and phenotypically diverse cell types has not been known. Here, we used BrdU-seq to map active DNA replication loci in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), normal primary fibroblasts and a cancer cell line, and correlated these maps to the epigenome. In all cell lines, the majority of BrdU peaks were enriched in euchromatin and at DNA repetitive elements, especially at microsatellite repeats, and coincided with previously determined replication origins. The most prominent BrdU peaks were shared between all cells but a sizable fraction of the peaks were specific to each cell type and associated with cell type-specific genes. Surprisingly, the BrdU peaks that were common to all cell lines were associated with H3K18ac, H3K56ac, and H4K20me1 histone marks only in hESCs but not in normal fibroblasts or cancer cells. Depletion of the histone acetyltransferases for H3K18 and H3K56 dramatically decreased the number and intensity of BrdU peaks in hESCs. Our data reveal a unique epigenetic signature that distinguishes active replication loci in hESCs from normal somatic or malignant cells.

Limbal Fibroblasts Maintain Normal Phenotype in 3D RAFT Tissue Equivalents Suggesting Potential for Safe Clinical Use in Treatment of Ocular Surface Failure.

PubMed

Massie, Isobel; Dale, Sarah B; Daniels, Julie T

2015-06-01

Limbal epithelial stem cell deficiency can cause blindness, but transplantation of these cells on a carrier such as human amniotic membrane can restore vision. Unfortunately, clinical graft manufacture using amnion can be inconsistent. Therefore, we have developed an alternative substrate, Real Architecture for 3D Tissue (RAFT), which supports human limbal epithelial cells (hLE) expansion. Epithelial organization is improved when human limbal fibroblasts (hLF) are incorporated into RAFT tissue equivalent (TE). However, hLF have the potential to transdifferentiate into a pro-scarring cell type, which would be incompatible with therapeutic transplantation. The aim of this work was to assess the scarring phenotype of hLF in RAFT TEs in hLE+ and hLE- RAFT TEs and in nonairlifted and airlifted RAFT TEs. Diseased fibroblasts (dFib) isolated from the fibrotic conjunctivae of ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (Oc-MMP) patients were used as a pro-scarring positive control against which hLF were compared using surrogate scarring parameters: matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, de novo collagen synthesis, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression, and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) secretion. Normal hLF and dFib maintained different phenotypes in RAFT TE. MMP-2 and -9 activity, de novo collagen synthesis, and α-SMA expression were all increased in dFib cf. normal hLF RAFT TEs, although TGF-β1 secretion did not differ between normal hLF and dFib RAFT TEs. Normal hLF do not progress toward a scarring-like phenotype during culture in RAFT TEs and, therefore, may be safe to include in therapeutic RAFT TE, where they can support hLE, although in vivo work is required to confirm this. dFib RAFT TEs (used in this study as a positive control) may be useful toward the development of an ex vivo disease model of Oc-MMP.

Limbal Fibroblasts Maintain Normal Phenotype in 3D RAFT Tissue Equivalents Suggesting Potential for Safe Clinical Use in Treatment of Ocular Surface Failure

PubMed Central

Dale, Sarah B.; Daniels, Julie T.

2015-01-01

Limbal epithelial stem cell deficiency can cause blindness, but transplantation of these cells on a carrier such as human amniotic membrane can restore vision. Unfortunately, clinical graft manufacture using amnion can be inconsistent. Therefore, we have developed an alternative substrate, Real Architecture for 3D Tissue (RAFT), which supports human limbal epithelial cells (hLE) expansion. Epithelial organization is improved when human limbal fibroblasts (hLF) are incorporated into RAFT tissue equivalent (TE). However, hLF have the potential to transdifferentiate into a pro-scarring cell type, which would be incompatible with therapeutic transplantation. The aim of this work was to assess the scarring phenotype of hLF in RAFT TEs in hLE+ and hLE− RAFT TEs and in nonairlifted and airlifted RAFT TEs. Diseased fibroblasts (dFib) isolated from the fibrotic conjunctivae of ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (Oc-MMP) patients were used as a pro-scarring positive control against which hLF were compared using surrogate scarring parameters: matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, de novo collagen synthesis, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression, and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) secretion. Normal hLF and dFib maintained different phenotypes in RAFT TE. MMP-2 and -9 activity, de novo collagen synthesis, and α-SMA expression were all increased in dFib cf. normal hLF RAFT TEs, although TGF-β1 secretion did not differ between normal hLF and dFib RAFT TEs. Normal hLF do not progress toward a scarring-like phenotype during culture in RAFT TEs and, therefore, may be safe to include in therapeutic RAFT TE, where they can support hLE, although in vivo work is required to confirm this. dFib RAFT TEs (used in this study as a positive control) may be useful toward the development of an ex vivo disease model of Oc-MMP. PMID:25380529

Serum Factors from Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum Patients Alter Elastic Fiber Formation In Vitro

PubMed Central

Le Saux, Olivier; Bunda, Severa; VanWart, Christopher M.; Douet, Vanessa; Got, Laurence; Martin, Ludovic; Hinek, Aleksander

2017-01-01

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a heritable disorder mainly characterized by calcified elastic fibers in cutaneous, ocular, and vascular tissues. PXE is caused by mutations in ABCC6, a gene encoding an ABC transporter predominantly expressed in liver and kidneys. The functional relationship between ABCC6 and elastic fiber calcification is unknown. We speculated that ABCC6 deficiency in PXE patients induces a persistent imbalance in circulating metabolite(s), which may impair the synthetic abilities of normal elastoblasts or specifically alter elastic fiber assembly. Therefore, we compared the deposition of elastic fiber proteins in cultures of fibroblasts derived from PXE and unaffected individuals. PXE fibroblasts cultured with normal human serum expressed and deposited increased amounts of proteins, but structurally normal elastic fibers. Interestingly, normal and PXE fibroblasts as well as normal smooth muscle cells deposited abnormal aggregates of elastic fibers when maintained in the presence of serum from PXE patients. The expression of tropoelastin and other elastic fiber-associated genes was not significantly modulated by the presence of PXE serum. These results indicated that certain metabolites present in PXE sera interfered with the normal assembly of elastic fibers in vitro and suggested that PXE is a primary metabolic disorder with secondary connective tissue manifestations. PMID:16543900

An ankyrin-like protein with transmembrane domains is specifically lost after oncogenic transformation of human fibroblasts.

PubMed

Jaquemar, D; Schenker, T; Trueb, B

1999-03-12

We have identified a novel transformation-sensitive mRNA, which is present in cultured fibroblasts but is lacking in SV40 transformed cells as well as in many mesenchymal tumor cell lines. The corresponding gene is located on human chromosome 8 in band 8q13. The open reading frame of the mRNA encodes a protein of 1119 amino acids forming two distinct domains. The N-terminal domain consists of 18 repeats that are related to the cytoskeletal protein ankyrin. The C-terminal domain contains six putative transmembrane segments that resemble many ion channels. This overall structure is reminiscent of TRP-like proteins that function as store-operated calcium channels. The novel protein with an Mr of 130 kDa is expressed at a very low level in human fibroblasts and at a moderate level in liposarcoma cells. Overexpression in eukaryotic cells appears to interfere with normal growth, suggesting that it might play a direct or indirect role in signal transduction and growth control.

Prox1 and fibroblast growth factor receptors form a novel regulatory loop controlling lens fiber differentiation and gene expression

PubMed Central

Audette, Dylan S.; Anand, Deepti; So, Tammy; Rubenstein, Troy B.; Lachke, Salil A.; Lovicu, Frank J.; Duncan, Melinda K.

2016-01-01

Lens epithelial cells differentiate into lens fibers (LFs) in response to a fibroblast growth factor (FGF) gradient. This cell fate decision requires the transcription factor Prox1, which has been hypothesized to promote cell cycle exit in differentiating LF cells. However, we find that conditional deletion of Prox1 from mouse lenses results in a failure in LF differentiation despite maintenance of normal cell cycle exit. Instead, RNA-seq demonstrated that Prox1 functions as a global regulator of LF cell gene expression. Intriguingly, Prox1 also controls the expression of fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) and can bind to their promoters, correlating with decreased downstream signaling through MAPK and AKT in Prox1 mutant lenses. Further, culturing rat lens explants in FGF increased their expression of Prox1, and this was attenuated by the addition of inhibitors of MAPK. Together, these results describe a novel feedback loop required for lens differentiation and morphogenesis, whereby Prox1 and FGFR signaling interact to mediate LF differentiation in response to FGF. PMID:26657765

Prox1 and fibroblast growth factor receptors form a novel regulatory loop controlling lens fiber differentiation and gene expression.

PubMed

Audette, Dylan S; Anand, Deepti; So, Tammy; Rubenstein, Troy B; Lachke, Salil A; Lovicu, Frank J; Duncan, Melinda K

2016-01-15

Lens epithelial cells differentiate into lens fibers (LFs) in response to a fibroblast growth factor (FGF) gradient. This cell fate decision requires the transcription factor Prox1, which has been hypothesized to promote cell cycle exit in differentiating LF cells. However, we find that conditional deletion of Prox1 from mouse lenses results in a failure in LF differentiation despite maintenance of normal cell cycle exit. Instead, RNA-seq demonstrated that Prox1 functions as a global regulator of LF cell gene expression. Intriguingly, Prox1 also controls the expression of fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) and can bind to their promoters, correlating with decreased downstream signaling through MAPK and AKT in Prox1 mutant lenses. Further, culturing rat lens explants in FGF increased their expression of Prox1, and this was attenuated by the addition of inhibitors of MAPK. Together, these results describe a novel feedback loop required for lens differentiation and morphogenesis, whereby Prox1 and FGFR signaling interact to mediate LF differentiation in response to FGF. © 2016. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

Pig cloning by microinjection of fetal fibroblast nuclei.

PubMed

Onishi, A; Iwamoto, M; Akita, T; Mikawa, S; Takeda, K; Awata, T; Hanada, H; Perry, A C

2000-08-18

Pig cloning will have a marked impact on the optimization of meat production and xenotransplantation. To clone pigs from differentiated cells, we microinjected the nuclei of porcine (Sus scrofa) fetal fibroblasts into enucleated oocytes, and development was induced by electroactivation. The transfer of 110 cloned embryos to four surrogate mothers produced an apparently normal female piglet. The clonal provenance of the piglet was indicated by her coat color and confirmed by DNA microsatellite analysis.

Synergistic cytotoxic action of vitamin C and vitamin K3.

PubMed

Zhang, W; Negoro, T; Satoh, K; Jiang, Y; Hashimoto, K; Kikuchi, H; Nishikawa, H; Miyata, T; Yamamoto, Y; Nakano, K; Yasumoto, E; Nakayachi, T; Mineno, K; Satoh, T; Sakagami, H

2001-01-01

We investigated the combination effect of sodium ascorbate (vitamin C) and menadione (vitamin K3) on the viability of various cultured cells. Human oral squamous cell carcinoma (HSC-2, HSC-3) and human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells were more sensitive to these vitamins as compared to normal cells (human gingival fibroblast HGF, human periodontal ligament fibroblast HPLF, human pulp cell HPC). The combination of vitamin C and vitamin K3 produced synergistic cytotoxicity against all these 6 cell lines. Treatment with vitamin C or vitamin K3, or their combination, induced internucleosomal DNA fragmentation only in HL-60 cells, but not in the oral tumor cell lines (HSC-2, HSC-3, HSG). ESR spectroscopy showed that vitamins C and K3 produce radicals under alkaline conditions and that the combination of these two vitamins synergistically enhanced their respective radical intensities.

Hypoxia induces pulmonary fibroblast proliferation through NFAT signaling.

PubMed

Senavirathna, Lakmini Kumari; Huang, Chaoqun; Yang, Xiaoyun; Munteanu, Maria Cristina; Sathiaseelan, Roshini; Xu, Dao; Henke, Craig A; Liu, Lin

2018-02-09

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive and typically fatal lung disease with a very low survival rate. Excess accumulation of fibroblasts, myofibroblasts and extracellular matrix creates hypoxic conditions within the lungs, causing asphyxiation. Hypoxia is, therefore, one of the prominent features of IPF. However, there have been few studies concerning the effects of hypoxia on pulmonary fibroblasts. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of hypoxia-induced lung fibroblast proliferation. Hypoxia increased the proliferation of normal human pulmonary fibroblasts and IPF fibroblasts after exposure for 3-6 days. Cell cycle analysis demonstrated that hypoxia promoted the G1/S phase transition. Hypoxia downregulated cyclin D1 and A2 levels, while it upregulated cyclin E1 protein levels. However, hypoxia had no effect on the protein expression levels of cyclin-dependent kinase 2, 4, and 6. Chemical inhibition of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-2 reduced hypoxia-induced fibroblast proliferation. Moreover, silencing of Nuclear Factor Activated T cell (NFAT) c2 attenuated the hypoxia-mediated fibroblasts proliferation. Hypoxia also induced the nuclear translocation of NFATc2, as determined by immunofluorescence staining. NFAT reporter assays showed that hypoxia-induced NFAT signaling activation is dependent on HIF-2, but not HIF-1. Furthermore, the inhibition or silencing of HIF-2, but not HIF-1, reduced the hypoxia-mediated NFATc2 nuclear translocation. Our studies suggest that hypoxia induces the proliferation of human pulmonary fibroblasts through NFAT signaling and HIF-2.

Impaired wound healing in mice deficient in a matricellular protein SPARC (osteonectin, BM-40)

PubMed Central

Basu, Amitabha; Kligman, Lorraine H; Samulewicz, Stefan J; Howe, Chin C

2001-01-01

Background SPARC is a matricellular protein involved in cell-matrix interactions. From expression patterns at the wound site and in vitro studies, SPARC has been implicated in the control of wound healing. Here we examined the function of SPARC in cutaneous wound healing using SPARC-null mice and dermal fibroblasts derived from them. Results In large (25 mm) wounds, SPARC-null mice showed a significant delay in healing as compared to wild-type mice (31 days versus 24 days). Granulation tissue formation and extracellular matrix protein production were delayed in small 6 mm SPARC-null wounds initially but were resolved by day 6. In in vitro wound-healing assays, while wild-type primary dermal fibroblasts showed essentially complete wound closure at 11 hours, wound closure of SPARC-null cells was incomplete even at 31 hours. Addition of purified SPARC restored the normal time course of wound closure. Treatment of SPARC-null cells with mitomycin C to analyze cell migration without cell proliferation showed that wound repair remained incomplete after 31 hours. Cell proliferation as measured by 3H-thymidine incorporation and collagen gel contraction by SPARC-null cells were not compromised. Conclusions A significant delay in healing large excisional wounds and setback in granulation tissue formation and extracellular matrix protein production in small wounds establish that SPARC is required for granulation tissue formation during normal repair of skin wounds in mice. A defect in wound closure in vitro indicates that SPARC regulates cell migration. We conclude that SPARC plays a role in wound repair by promoting fibroblast migration and thus granulation tissue formation. PMID:11532190

Autophagy in human skin fibroblasts: Comparison between young and aged cells and evaluation of its cellular rhythm and response to Ultraviolet A radiation.

PubMed

Pernodet, Nadine; Dong, Kelly; Pelle, Edward

2016-01-01

Autophagic mechanisms play critical roles in cell maintenance. Damaged organelles that are not removed by autophagosomes, which act by engulfing and degrading these cellular components, have been linked to various pathologies. Recently, the progression of aging has also been correlated to a compromised autophagic response. Here, we report for the first time a significant reduction in autophagic levels in synchronized aged normal human skin fibroblasts as compared to young fibroblasts. We measured a 77.9% reduction in autophagy as determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for LC3B expression, a microtubule-associated protein correlated to late stage autophagosome formation. In addition, we visualized these same changes by immunocytofluorescence with antibodies directed against LC3B. By harvesting synchronized, as well as unsynchronized cells over time, we were also able to measure for the first time a nighttime peak in autophagy that was present in young but absent in aged fibroblasts. Finally, since human skin is constantly subjected to environmentally induced oxidative stress from sunlight, we exposed fibroblasts to 10 J/cm2 ultraviolet A and found, in good agreement with current literature, not only that irradiation could partially reactivate autophagy in the aged cells, but also that this increase was phase shifted earlier from its endogenous temporal pattern because of its loss of synchronization with circadian rhythm.

A large shRNA library approach identifies lncRNA Ntep as an essential regulator of cell proliferation

PubMed Central

Beermann, Julia; Kirste, Dominique; Iwanov, Katharina; Lu, Dongchao; Kleemiß, Felix; Kumarswamy, Regalla; Schimmel, Katharina; Bär, Christian; Thum, Thomas

2018-01-01

The mammalian cell cycle is a complex and tightly controlled event. Myriads of different control mechanisms are involved in its regulation. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) have emerged as important regulators of many cellular processes including cellular proliferation. However, a more global and unbiased approach to identify lncRNAs with importance for cell proliferation is missing. Here, we present a lentiviral shRNA library-based approach for functional lncRNA profiling. We validated our library approach in NIH3T3 (3T3) fibroblasts by identifying lncRNAs critically involved in cell proliferation. Using stringent selection criteria we identified lncRNA NR_015491.1 out of 3842 different RNA targets represented in our library. We termed this transcript Ntep (non-coding transcript essential for proliferation), as a bona fide lncRNA essential for cell cycle progression. Inhibition of Ntep in 3T3 and primary fibroblasts prevented normal cell growth and expression of key fibroblast markers. Mechanistically, we discovered that Ntep is important to activate P53 concomitant with increased apoptosis and cell cycle blockade in late G2/M. Our findings suggest Ntep to serve as an important regulator of fibroblast proliferation and function. In summary, our study demonstrates the applicability of an innovative shRNA library approach to identify long non-coding RNA functions in a massive parallel approach. PMID:29099486

Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells Modulate Chemokine Expression and Hyaluronan Synthesis in Fibroblasts.

PubMed

Kretschmer, Inga; Freudenberger, Till; Twarock, Sören; Yamaguchi, Yu; Grandoch, Maria; Fischer, Jens W

2016-02-19

The aim of this study was to characterize the interaction of KYSE-410, an esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell line, and fibroblasts with respect to the extracellular matrix component hyaluronan (HA) and chemokine expression. KYSE-410 cells induced the mRNA expression of HA synthase 2 (Has2) in normal skin fibroblasts (SF) only in direct co-cultures. Parallel to Has2 mRNA, Has2 antisense RNA (Has2os2) was up-regulated in co-cultures. Knockdown of LEF1, a downstream target of Wnt signaling, abrogated Has2 and Has2os2 induction. After knockdown of Has2 in SF, significantly less α-smooth muscle actin expression was detected in co-cultures. Moreover, it was investigated whether the phenotype of KYSE-410 was affected in co-culture with SF and whether Has2 knockdown in SF had an impact on KYSE-410 cells in co-culture. However, no effects on epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers, proliferation, and migration were detected. In addition to Has2 mRNA, the chemokine CCL5 was up-regulated and CCL11 was down-regulated in SF in co-culture. Furthermore, co-cultures of KYSE-410 cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) were investigated. Similar to SF, Has2 and Ccl5 were up-regulated and Ccl11 was down-regulated in CAF in co-culture. Importantly and in contrast to SF, inhibiting HA synthesis by 4-methylumbelliferone abrogated the effect of co-culture on Ccl5 in CAF. Moreover, HA was found to promote adhesion of CD4(+) but not CD8(+) cells to xenogaft tumor tissues. In conclusion, direct co-culture of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and fibroblasts induced stromal HA synthesis via Wnt/LEF1 and altered the chemokine profile of stromal fibroblasts, which in turn may affect the tumor immune response. © 2016 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells Modulate Chemokine Expression and Hyaluronan Synthesis in Fibroblasts*

PubMed Central

Kretschmer, Inga; Freudenberger, Till; Twarock, Sören; Yamaguchi, Yu; Grandoch, Maria; Fischer, Jens W.

2016-01-01

The aim of this study was to characterize the interaction of KYSE-410, an esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell line, and fibroblasts with respect to the extracellular matrix component hyaluronan (HA) and chemokine expression. KYSE-410 cells induced the mRNA expression of HA synthase 2 (Has2) in normal skin fibroblasts (SF) only in direct co-cultures. Parallel to Has2 mRNA, Has2 antisense RNA (Has2os2) was up-regulated in co-cultures. Knockdown of LEF1, a downstream target of Wnt signaling, abrogated Has2 and Has2os2 induction. After knockdown of Has2 in SF, significantly less α-smooth muscle actin expression was detected in co-cultures. Moreover, it was investigated whether the phenotype of KYSE-410 was affected in co-culture with SF and whether Has2 knockdown in SF had an impact on KYSE-410 cells in co-culture. However, no effects on epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers, proliferation, and migration were detected. In addition to Has2 mRNA, the chemokine CCL5 was up-regulated and CCL11 was down-regulated in SF in co-culture. Furthermore, co-cultures of KYSE-410 cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) were investigated. Similar to SF, Has2 and Ccl5 were up-regulated and Ccl11 was down-regulated in CAF in co-culture. Importantly and in contrast to SF, inhibiting HA synthesis by 4-methylumbelliferone abrogated the effect of co-culture on Ccl5 in CAF. Moreover, HA was found to promote adhesion of CD4+ but not CD8+ cells to xenogaft tumor tissues. In conclusion, direct co-culture of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and fibroblasts induced stromal HA synthesis via Wnt/LEF1 and altered the chemokine profile of stromal fibroblasts, which in turn may affect the tumor immune response. PMID:26699196

Mitotic Defects Lead to Pervasive Aneuploidy and Accompany Loss of RB1 Activity in Mouse LmnaDhe Dermal Fibroblasts

PubMed Central

Pratt, C. Herbert; Curtain, Michelle; Donahue, Leah Rae; Shopland, Lindsay S.

2011-01-01

Background Lamin A (LMNA) is a component of the nuclear lamina and is mutated in several human diseases, including Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD; OMIM ID# 181350) and the premature aging syndrome Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS; OMIM ID# 176670). Cells from progeria patients exhibit cell cycle defects in both interphase and mitosis. Mouse models with loss of LMNA function have reduced Retinoblastoma protein (RB1) activity, leading to aberrant cell cycle control in interphase, but how mitosis is affected by LMNA is not well understood. Results We examined the cell cycle and structural phenotypes of cells from mice with the Lmna allele, Disheveled hair and ears (LmnaDhe). We found that dermal fibroblasts from heterozygous LmnaDhe (LmnaDhe/+) mice exhibit many phenotypes of human laminopathy cells. These include severe perturbations to the nuclear shape and lamina, increased DNA damage, and slow growth rates due to mitotic delay. Interestingly, LmnaDhe/+ fibroblasts also had reduced levels of hypophosphorylated RB1 and the non-SMC condensin II-subunit D3 (NCAP-D3), a mitosis specific centromere condensin subunit that depends on RB1 activity. Mitotic check point control by mitotic arrest deficient-like 1 (MAD2L1) also was perturbed in LmnaDhe /+ cells. LmnaDhe /+ fibroblasts were consistently aneuploid and had higher levels of micronuclei and anaphase bridges than normal fibroblasts, consistent with chromosome segregation defects. Conclusions These data indicate that RB1 may be a key regulator of cellular phenotype in laminopathy-related cells, and suggest that the effects of LMNA on RB1 include both interphase and mitotic cell cycle control. PMID:21464947

Effects of ozone exposure on human epithelial adenocarcinoma and normal fibroblasts cells

PubMed Central

Colafarina, Sabrina; Aruffo, Eleonora; Zarivi, Osvaldo; Bonfigli, Antonella; Di Bucchianico, Sebastiano; Di Carlo, Piero

2017-01-01

Previous studies show variable ozone cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in cell cultures, laboratory animals and humans directly exposed to tropospheric ozone. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate and compare the cyto and genotoxic effects of ozone using adenocarcinoma human alveolar basal epithelial cells A549 and normal human fibroblasts Hs27. A cell culture chamber with controlled atmosphere (a simulation reactor) was built to inject a flow of 120 ppb of ozone, which is two times the threshold value for the protection of human health, fixed by the EU legislation. Cell proliferation was evaluated by a luminescent cell viability assay while we assessed the genotoxic potential of ozone by the induction of micronuclei as well as evaluating DNA strand breaks by the induction of micronuclei evaluated by means of the cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay as well as evaluating DNA strand breaks by Alkaline Comet Assay (CA) or Comet Assay. A549 cells viability decreases significantly at 24 hours treatment with 120 ppb of O3 while at 48 hours and 72 hours O3 treated cells viability doesn’t differ in respect to the control. However a significative decrease of A549 viability is shown at 72 hours vs. 48 hours in both treated and not-treated cells. The viability trend in the Hs27 cells did not show any significant changes in treated samples compared to the control in all conditions. The two genotoxicity biomarkers, the micronucleus and the comet tests, showed in both the cell types exposed to ozone, a significant increase in the number of micronuclei and in the tail DNA % in respect to the control even if at different times/cell type. Moreover, we found that O3 provokes genotoxic effects more evident in A549 cancer cells than in normal fibroblasts Hs27 ones. We applied a cell growth simulation model referred to ozone treated or not cell lines to confirm that the ozone exposure causes a slackening in the cells replication. PMID:28886142

Quantitative Structure-Cytotoxicity Relationship of Oleoylamides.

PubMed

Sakagami, Hiroshi; Uesawa, Yoshihiro; Ishihara, Mariko; Kagaya, Hajime; Kanamoto, Taisei; Terakubo, Shigemi; Nakashima, Hideki; Takao, Koichi; Sugita, Yoshiaki

2015-10-01

Eighteen oleoylamides were subjected to quantitative structure-activity relationship analysis based on their cytotoxicity, tumor selectivity and anti-HIV activity, in order to assess their biological activities. Cytotoxicity against four human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell lines and five human oral normal cells (gingival fibroblast, periodontal ligament fibroblast, pulp cell, oral keratinocyte, primary gingival epithelial cells) was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. Tumor-selectivity (TS) was evaluated by the ratio of the mean 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) against normal human oral cells to that against OSCC cell lines. Potency-selectivity expression (PSE) was determined by the ratio of TS to CC50 against OSCC. Anti-HIV activity was evaluated by the ratio of CC50 to the concentration leading to 50% cytoprotection from HIV infection (EC50). Physicochemical, structural and quantum-chemical parameters were calculated based on the conformations optimized by the LowModeMD method. Among 18 derivatives, compounds 8: with a catechol group) and 18: with a (2-pyridyl)amino group) had the highest TS. On the other hand, doxorubicin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were more highly cytotoxic to normal epithelial cells, displaying unexpectedly lower TS and PSE values. None of the compounds had anti-HIV activity. Among 330 chemical descriptors, 75, 73 and 19 descriptors significantly correlated to the cytotoxicity to normal and tumor cells, and TS, respectively. Multivariate statistics with chemical descriptors for molecular polarization and hydrophobicity may be useful for the evaluation of cytotoxicity and TS of oleoylamides. Copyright© 2015 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.

Lin28-let7 Modulates Radiosensitivity of Human Cancer Cells With Activation of K-Ras

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Oh, Jee-Sun.; Kim, Jae-Jin; Byun, Ju-Yeon

2010-01-15

Purpose: To evaluate the potential of targeting Lin28-let7 microRNA regulatory network for overcoming the radioresistance of cancer cells having activated K-Ras signaling. Methods and Materials: A549 lung carcinoma cells and ASPC1 pancreatic cancer cells possessing K-RAS mutation were transfected with pre-let7a microRNA or Lin28 siRNA, respectively. Clonogenic assay, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and Western analysis were performed. The effects of Lin28 on SQ20B cells having wild-type K-RAS, and a normal fibroblast were also assessed. Results: The overexpression of let-7a decreased expression of K-Ras and radiosensitized A549 cells. Inhibition of Lin28, a repressor of let-7, attenuated K-Ras expression andmore » radiosensitized A549 and ASPC1 cells. Neither SQ20B cells expressing wild-type K-RAS nor HDF, the normal human fibroblasts, were radiosensitized by this approach. Conclusions: The Lin28-let7 regulatory network may be a potentially useful therapeutic target for overcoming the radioresistance of human cancers having activated K-Ras signaling.« less

Possible involvement of loss of imprinting in immortalization of human fibroblasts.

PubMed

Okamura, Kotaro; Ohno, Maki; Tsutsui, Takeki

2011-04-01

Disruption of the normal pattern of parental origin-specific gene expression is referred to as loss of imprinting (LOI), which is common in various cancers. To investigate a possible role of LOI in the early stage of human cell transformation, we studied LOI in 18 human fibroblast cell lines immortalized spontaneously, by viral oncogenes, by chemical or physical carcinogens, or by infection with a retrovirus vector encoding the human telomerase catalytic subunit, hTERT cDNA. LOI was observed in all the 18 immortal cell lines. The gene most commonly exhibiting LOI was NDN which displayed LOI in 15 of the 18 cell lines (83%). The other genes exhibiting LOI at high frequencies were PEG3 (50%), MAGE-L2 (61%) and ZNF 127 (50%). Expression of NDN that was lost in the immortal cell lines was restored by treatment with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. The ratio of histone H3 lysine 9 methylation to histone H3 lysine 4 methylation of the chromatin containing the NDN promoter in the immortal WI-38VA13 cells was greater than that in the parental cells, suggesting chromatin structure-mediated regulation of NDN expression. We previously demonstrated that inactivation of the p16INK4a/pRb pathway is necessary for immortalization of human cells. Human fibroblasts in the pre-crisis phase and cells with an extended lifespan that eventually senesce, both of which have the normal p16INK4a/pRb pathway, did not show LOI at any imprinted gene examined. Although it is not clear if LOI plays a causal role in immortalization of human cells or is merely coincidental, these findings indicate a possible involvement of LOI in immortalization of human cells or a common mechanism involved in both processes.

Low-intensity laser irradiation at 660 nm stimulates cytochrome c oxidase in stressed fibroblast cells.

PubMed

Houreld, Nicolette N; Masha, Roland T; Abrahamse, Heidi

2012-07-01

Low-intensity laser irradiation (LILI) has been used to modulate a variety of biological processes, including diabetic wound healing. The mechanism of action is thought to exist primarily with the mitochondria. This study aimed to determine the effect of irradiation on normal, diabetic, and ischemic mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) complexes. Normal, diabetic and ischemic human skin fibroblast mitochondria were irradiated in vitro at a wavelength of 660 nm and a fluence of either 5 or 15 J/cm(2). Non-irradiated mitochondria served as controls. Enzyme activities of mitochondrial complexes I, II, III, and IV were determined immediately post-irradiation. Normal, diabetic, and ischemic cells were irradiated and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and active mitochondria were determined by luminescence and fluorescent microscopy, respectively. Irradiated diabetic mitochondria at a fluence of 15 J/cm(2) showed a significant decrease in complex III activity (P < 0.05). Normal (P < 0.01) and diabetic (P < 0.05) mitochondria irradiated at either 5 or 15 J/cm(2) showed a significant increase in complex IV activity. ATP results showed a significant increase in irradiated normal cells (5 J/cm(2); P < 0.05) and diabetic cells (15 J/cm(2); P < 0.01). There was a higher accumulation of active mitochondria in irradiated cells than non-irradiated cells. Irradiation at 660 nm has the ability to influence mitochondrial enzyme activity, in particular cytochrome c oxidase. This leads to increased mitochondrial activity and ATP synthesis. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The influence of genistein on free radicals in normal dermal fibroblasts and keloid fibroblasts examined by EPR spectroscopy.

PubMed

Jurzak, Magdalena; Ramos, Paweł; Pilawa, Barbara

2017-01-01

Normal and keloid fibroblasts were examined using X-band (9.3 GHz) electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The effect of genistein on the concentration of free radicals in both normal dermal and keloid fibroblasts after ultraviolet irradiation was investigated. The highest concentration of free radicals was seen in keloid fibroblasts, with normal fibroblasts containing a lower concentration. The concentration of free radicals in both normal and keloid fibroblasts was altered in a concentration-dependent manner by the presence of genistein. The change in intra-cellular free radical concentration after the ultraviolet irradiation of both normal and keloid fibroblasts is also discussed. The antioxidant properties of genistein, using its 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical-scavenging activity as a model, were tested, and the effect of ultraviolet irradiation on its interaction with free radicals was examined. The electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of DPPH showed quenching by genistein. The interaction of genistein with DPPH free radicals in the absence of ultraviolet irradiation was shown to be slow, but this interaction was much faster under ultraviolet irradiation. Ultraviolet irradiation enhanced the free radical-scavenging activity of genistein.

[A new method of in vitro chemosensitivity test using multicellular spheroids of cholangiocarcinoma cell line cocultured with fibroblasts].

PubMed

Kubota, S; Takezawa, T; Mori, Y; Takakuwa, T

1992-09-01

We applied the multicellular spheroids which consist of cholangiocarcinoma cell line (MEC) and human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) to in vitro chemosensitivity test. Five-day multicellular spheroids were incubated with 1.5 micrograms/ml of mitomycin C (MMC) for 24 hrs. Then, cell kinetics of MEC and HDF in a spheroid was determined by flow cytometric analysis. Twenty four hrs after treatment with MMC, both MEC and HDF were accumulated on S phase. Seven-day after treatment, DNA histogram in MEC returned to normal, but that of HDF was disappeared. These results showed that the multicellular assay could be more like on in vivo like chemosensitivity test.

Lentivirus-meditated frataxin gene delivery reverses genome instability in Friedreich ataxia patient and mouse model fibroblasts.

PubMed

Khonsari, H; Schneider, M; Al-Mahdawi, S; Chianea, Y G; Themis, M; Parris, C; Pook, M A; Themis, M

2016-12-01

Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by deficiency of frataxin protein, with the primary sites of pathology being the large sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglia and the cerebellum. FRDA is also often accompanied by severe cardiomyopathy and diabetes mellitus. Frataxin is important in mitochondrial iron-sulfur cluster (ISC) biogenesis and low-frataxin expression is due to a GAA repeat expansion in intron 1 of the FXN gene. FRDA cells are genomically unstable, with increased levels of reactive oxygen species and sensitivity to oxidative stress. Here we report the identification of elevated levels of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) in FRDA patient and YG8sR FRDA mouse model fibroblasts compared to normal fibroblasts. Using lentivirus FXN gene delivery to FRDA patient and YG8sR cells, we obtained long-term overexpression of FXN mRNA and frataxin protein levels with reduced DSB levels towards normal. Furthermore, γ-irradiation of FRDA patient and YG8sR cells revealed impaired DSB repair that was recovered on FXN gene transfer. This suggests that frataxin may be involved in DSB repair, either directly by an unknown mechanism, or indirectly via ISC biogenesis for DNA repair enzymes, which may be essential for the prevention of neurodegeneration.

In vitro biological evaluation of beta-TCP/HDPE--A novel orthopedic composite: a survey using human osteoblast and fibroblast bone cells.

PubMed

Homaeigohar, S Sh; Shokrgozar, M A; Khavandi, A; Sadi, A Yari

2008-02-01

Beta-tricalcium phosphate reinforced high density polyethylene (beta-TCP/HDPE) was prepared to simulate bone composition and to study its capacity to act as bone tissue. This material was produced by replacing the mineral component and collagen soft tissue of the bone with beta-TCP and HDPE, respectively. The biocompatibility of the composite samples with different volume fractions of TCP (20, 30 and 40 vol %) was examined in vitro using two osteoblast cell lines G-292 and Saos-2, and also a type of fibroblast cell isolated from bone tissue, namely human bone fibroblast (HBF) by proliferation, and cell adhesion assays. Cell-material interaction with the surface of the composite samples was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of beta-TCP/HDPE on the behavior of osteoblast and fibroblast cells was compared with those of composite and negative control samples; polyethylene (PE) and tissue culture polystyrene (TPS), respectively. In general, the results showed that the composite samples containing beta-TCP as reinforcement supported a higher rate of proliferation by various bone cells after 3, 7, and 14 days of incubation compared to the composite control sample. Furthermore, more osteoblast cells were attached to the surface of the composite samples when compared to the composite control samples after the above incubation periods (p < 0.05), while in the case of HBF an equal or even higher number of cells adhered to PE was observed. The number of adhered osteoblast cells was almost equal and in some days even higher than the number of adhered cells on negative control sample, while in the case of fibroblast this difference was significantly higher than TPS (p < 0.05). Adhered cells presented a normal morphology by SEM and many of the cells were observed to be undergoing cell division. These findings indicate that beta-TCP/HDPE composites are biocompatible, nontoxic, and act to stimulate proliferation and adhesion of the cells, whether osteoblast or fibroblast. (c) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008.

Establishment and characterization of a new fish cell line from head kidney of half-smooth tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis).

PubMed

Zheng, Yuan; Wang, Na; Xie, Ming-Shu; Sha, Zhen-Xia; Chen, Song-Lin

2012-12-01

A new cell line (TSHKC) derived from half-smooth tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis) head kidney was developed. The cell line was subcultured for 40 passages over a period of 360 days. The cell line was optimally maintained in minimum essential medium supplemented with HEPES, antibiotics, fetal bovine serum, 2-Mercaptoethanol (2-Me), sodium pyruvate and basic fibroblast growth factor. The suitable growth temperature for TSHKC cells was 24 °C, and microscopically, TSHKC cells were composed of fibroblast-like cells. Chromosome analysis revealed that the TSHKC cell line had a normal diploid karyotype with 2n = 42, contained the heterogametic W chromosome. The TSHKC cell line was found to be susceptible to lymphocystis disease virus. The fluorescent signals were observed in TSHKC when the cells were transfected with green fluorescent protein and red fluorescent protein reporter plasmids.

Effects of cranberry components on human aggressive periodontitis gingival fibroblasts.

PubMed

Tipton, D A; Babu, J P; Dabbous, M Kh

2013-08-01

Aggressive periodontitis (AgP) causes rapid periodontal breakdown involving AgP gingival fibroblast production of cytokines [i.e. interleukin (IL)-6, a bone metabolism regulator], and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3. Lipopolysaccharide upregulates fibroblast IL-6 and MMP-3, via transcription factors (i.e. NF-κB). Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) inhibits lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophage and normal gingival fibroblast activities, but little is known of its effects on AgP fibroblasts. Objectives of this study are to use AgP fibroblasts, to determine cytotoxicity of cranberry components or periodontopathogen (Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis) lipopolysaccharide ± cranberry components, and effects of cranberry components on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated NF-κB activation and IL-6 and MMP-3 production. AgP fibroblasts were incubated ≤ 6 d with high molecular weight non-dialyzable material (NDM) (derived from cranberry juice (1-500 μg/mL) or lipopolysaccharide (1 μg/mL) ± NDM. Membrane damage and viability were assessed by enzyme activity released into cell supernatants and activity of a mitochondrial enzyme, respectively. Secreted IL-6 and MMP-3 were measured by ELISA. NF-κB p65 was measured via binding to an oligonucleotide containing the NF-κB consensus site. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance and Scheffe's F procedure for post hoc comparisons. Short-term exposure to NDM, or lipopolysaccharide ± NDM caused no membrane damage. NDM (≤ 100 μg/mL) or lipopolysaccharide ± NDM had no effect on viability ≤ 7 d exposure. NDM (50 μg/mL) inhibited lipopolysaccharide-stimulated p65 (P ≤ 0.003) and constitutive or lipopolysaccharide-stimulated MMP-3 (P ≤ 0.02). NDM increased AgP fibroblast constitutive or lipopolysaccharide-stimulated IL-6 (P ≤ 0.0001), but inhibited normal human gingival fibroblast IL-6 (P ≤ 0.01). Lack of toxicity of low NDM concentrations, and its inhibition of NF-κB and MMP-3, suggest that cranberry components may regulate AgP fibroblast inflammatory responses. Distinct effects of NDM on AgP and gingival fibroblast production of IL-6 (which can have both positive and negative effects on bone metabolism) may reflect phenotypic differences in IL-6 regulation in the two cell types. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Overexpression of c-jun, junB, or junD affects cell growth differently.

PubMed

Castellazzi, M; Spyrou, G; La Vista, N; Dangy, J P; Piu, F; Yaniv, M; Brun, G

1991-10-15

The coding sequences of murine c-jun, junB, or junD, which code for proteins with practically identical dimerization and DNA binding properties, were introduced into a nondefective retroviral vector, and the phenotype of primary avian fibroblasts chronically infected with each of these viruses was studied. Cells expressing c-jun grew in low-serum medium and developed into colonies in agar, two properties characteristic of in vitro transformation. Cells expressing junB grew in agar, with a reduced efficiency as compared to c-jun, but did not grow in low-serum medium. Finally, no effect of junD expression on cell growth was observed. These different phenotypes suggest that these three closely related transcription factors play distinct roles during normal cell growth. Analysis of c-jun deletion mutants and of c-jun/junB and c-jun/junD chimeric genes showed that the N-terminal portion (amino acids 2-168) of the c-Jun protein that is involved in transcriptional activation is required for efficient transformation. On the contrary, cells expressing a truncated mouse c-Jun lacking this N-terminal domain grew slower than normal embryo fibroblasts. The reduced growth rate may be related to the finding that expression of the intact or the truncated mouse c-jun repressed the endogenous avian c-Jun homologue, suggesting that functional c-Jun product is required for normal cell growth.

Overexpression of c-jun, junB, or junD affects cell growth differently.

PubMed Central

Castellazzi, M; Spyrou, G; La Vista, N; Dangy, J P; Piu, F; Yaniv, M; Brun, G

1991-01-01

The coding sequences of murine c-jun, junB, or junD, which code for proteins with practically identical dimerization and DNA binding properties, were introduced into a nondefective retroviral vector, and the phenotype of primary avian fibroblasts chronically infected with each of these viruses was studied. Cells expressing c-jun grew in low-serum medium and developed into colonies in agar, two properties characteristic of in vitro transformation. Cells expressing junB grew in agar, with a reduced efficiency as compared to c-jun, but did not grow in low-serum medium. Finally, no effect of junD expression on cell growth was observed. These different phenotypes suggest that these three closely related transcription factors play distinct roles during normal cell growth. Analysis of c-jun deletion mutants and of c-jun/junB and c-jun/junD chimeric genes showed that the N-terminal portion (amino acids 2-168) of the c-Jun protein that is involved in transcriptional activation is required for efficient transformation. On the contrary, cells expressing a truncated mouse c-Jun lacking this N-terminal domain grew slower than normal embryo fibroblasts. The reduced growth rate may be related to the finding that expression of the intact or the truncated mouse c-jun repressed the endogenous avian c-Jun homologue, suggesting that functional c-Jun product is required for normal cell growth. Images PMID:1924349

Response of Fibroblasts MRC-5 to Flufenamic Acid-Grafted MCM-41 Nanoparticles

PubMed Central

Lara, Giovanna Gomes; Andrade, Gracielle Ferreira; da Silva, Wellington Marcos

2018-01-01

Recently, flufenamic acid (FFA) was discovered among fenamates as a free radical scavenger and gap junction blocker; however, its effects have only been studied in cancer cells. Normal cells in the surroundings of a tumor also respond to radiation, although they are not hit by it directly. This phenomenon is known as the bystander effect, where response molecules pass from tumor cells to normal ones, through communication channels called gap junctions. The use of the enhanced permeability and retention effect, through which drug-loaded nanoparticles smaller than 200 nm may accumulate around a tumor, can prevent the local side effect upon controlled release of the drug. The present work, aimed at functionalizing MCM-41 (Mobil Composition of Matter No. 41) silica nanoparticles with FFA and determining its biocompatibility with human fibroblasts MRC-5 (Medical Research Council cell strain 5). MCM-41, was synthesized and characterized structurally and chemically, with multiple techniques. The biocompatibility assay was performed by Live/Dead technique, with calcein and propidium–iodide. MRC-5 cells were treated with FFA-grafted MCM-41 for 48 h, and 98% of cells remained viable, without signs of necrosis or morphological changes. The results show the feasibility of MCM-41 functionalization with FFA, and its potential protection of normal cells, in comparison to the role of FFA in cancerous ones. PMID:29315235

Six cloned calves produced from adult fibroblast cells after long-term culture

PubMed Central

Kubota, Chikara; Yamakuchi, Hiroshi; Todoroki, Junichi; Mizoshita, Kazunori; Tabara, Norio; Barber, Michele; Yang, Xiangzhong

2000-01-01

Cloning whole animals with somatic cells as parents offers the possibility of targeted genetic manipulations in vitro such as “gene knock-out” by homologous recombination. However, such manipulation requires prolonged culture of nuclear donor cells. Previous successes in cloning have been limited to the use of cells collected either fresh or after short-term culture. Therefore, demonstration of genetic totipotency of cells after prolonged culture is pivotal to combining site-specific genetic manipulations and cloning. Here we report birth of six clones of an aged (17-year-old) Japanese Black Beef bull using ear skin fibroblast cells as nuclear donor cells after up to 3 months of in vitro culture (10–15 passages). We observed higher developmental rates for embryos derived from later passages (10 and 15) as compared with those embryos from an early passage (passage 5). The four surviving clones are now 10–12 months of age and appear normal, similar to their naturally reproduced peers. These data show that fibroblasts of aged animals remain competent for cloning, and prolonged culture does not affect the cloning competence of adult somatic donor cells. PMID:10655472

3D in vitro co-culture models based on normal cells and tumor spheroids formed by cyclic RGD-peptide induced cell self-assembly.

PubMed

Akasov, Roman; Gileva, Anastasia; Zaytseva-Zotova, Daria; Burov, Sergey; Chevalot, Isabelle; Guedon, Emmanuel; Markvicheva, Elena

2017-01-01

To design novel 3D in vitro co-culture models based on the RGD-peptide-induced cell self-assembly technique. Multicellular spheroids from M-3 murine melanoma cells and L-929 murine fibroblasts were obtained directly from monolayer culture by addition of culture medium containing cyclic RGD-peptide. To reach reproducible architecture of co-culture spheroids, two novel 3D in vitro models with well pronounced core-shell structure from tumor spheroids and single mouse fibroblasts were developed based on this approach. The first was a combination of a RGD-peptide platform with the liquid overlay technique with further co-cultivation for 1-2 days. The second allowed co-culture spheroids to generate within polyelectrolyte microcapsules by cultivation for 2 weeks. M-3 cells (a core) and L-929 fibroblasts (a shell) were easily distinguished by confocal microscopy due to cell staining with DiO and DiI dyes, respectively. The 3D co-culture spheroids are proposed as a tool in tumor biology to study cell-cell interactions as well as for testing novel anticancer drugs and drug delivery vehicles.

CXCL1 induces senescence of cancer-associated fibroblasts via autocrine loops in oral squamous cell carcinoma

PubMed Central

Kim, Eun Kyoung; Moon, Sook; Kim, Do Kyeong; Zhang, Xianglan

2018-01-01

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have emerged as one of the main factors related to cancer progression, however, the conversion mechanism of normal fibroblasts (NOFs) to CAFs has not been well elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the underlying mechanism of CAF transformation from NOFs in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study found that NOFs exposed to OSCC cells transformed to senescent cells. The cytokine antibody array showed the highest secretion levels of IL-6 and CXCL1 in NOFs co-cultured with OSCC cells. Despite that both IL-6 and CXCL1 induced the senescent phenotype of CAFs, CXCL1 secretion showed a cancer-specific response to transform NOFs into CAFs in OSCC, whereas IL-6 secretion was eventuated by common co-culture condition. Further, CXCL1 was released from NOFs co-cultured with OSCC cells, however, CXCL1 was undetectable in mono-cultured NOFs or co-cultured OSCC cells with NOFs. Taken together, this study demonstrates that CXCL1 can transform NOFs into senescent CAFs via an autocrine mechanism. These data might contribute to further understanding of CAFs and to development of a potential therapeutic approach targeting cancer cells-CAFs interactions. PMID:29360827

Distinct Transcriptional Changes and Epithelial-stromal Interactions are Altered in Early Stage Colon Cancer Development

PubMed Central

Mo, Allen; Jackson, Stephen; Varma, Kamini; Carpino, Alan; Giardina, Charles; Devers, Thomas J.; Rosenberg, Daniel W.

2016-01-01

While the progression of mutated colonic cells is dependent upon interactions between the initiated epithelium and surrounding stroma, the nature of these interactions is poorly understood. Here the development of an ultra-sensitive laser-capture microdissection (LCM)/RNA-seq approach for studying the epithelial and stromal compartments of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) is described. ACF are the earliest identifiable pre-neoplastic lesion found within the human colon and are detected using high-definition endoscopy with contrast dye-spray. The current analysis focused on the epithelium of ACF with somatic mutations to either KRAS, BRAF, or APC, with expression patterns compared to normal mucosa from each patient. By comparing gene expression patterns between groups, an increase in a number of pro-inflammatory NF-κB target genes were identified that were specific to ACF epithelium, including TIMP1, RELA and RELB. Distinct transcriptional changes associated with each somatic mutation were observed and a subset display a BRAFV600E-mediated senescence-associated transcriptome characterized by increased expression of CDKN2A. Finally, LCM-captured ACF-associated stroma was found to be transcriptionally distinct from normal stroma, with an up-regulation of genes related to immune cell infiltration and fibroblast activation. Immunofluorescence confirmed increased CD3+ T cells within the stromal microenvironment of ACF and an abundance of activated fibroblasts. Collectively, these results provide new insight into the cellular interplay that occurs at the earliest stages of colonic neoplasia, highlighting the important role of NF-kB, activated stromal fibroblasts and lymphocyte infiltration. Implications Fibroblasts and immune cells in the stromal microenvironment play an important role during the earliest stages of colon carcinogenesis. PMID:27353028

Interleukin-1 or tumor necrosis factor-alpha augmented the cytotoxic effect of mycobacteria on human fibroblasts: application to evaluation of pathogenesis of clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. avium complex.

PubMed

Takii, T; Abe, C; Tamura, A; Ramayah, S; Belisle, J T; Brennan, P J; Onozaki, K

2001-03-01

Mycobacteria-induced in vitro events reflecting human tuberculosis can contribute to the evaluation of the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). In this study, we propose such an in vitro method based on live mycobacteria-induced cytotoxicity to human cell lines. When human lung-derived normal fibroblast cell line MRC-5 was infected with various strains of mycobacteria (M. tuberculosis H(37)Rv and H(37) Ra, Mycobacterium avium 427S and 2151SmO, and Mycobacterium bovis BCG Pasteur and Tokyo), the fibroblasts were killed by mycobacteria according to the degree of virulence. Other human originated macrophage (U-937, THP-1), myeloid (HL-60), and epithelial carcinoma (A549) cell lines exhibited a similar cytotoxic response to virulent mycobacteria. MRC-5 was most susceptible to virulent mycobacteria among various human cell lines examined. The cytotoxicity was enhanced by the proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-alpha), which in the absence of mycobacteria stimulate the growth of normal human fibroblasts. This in vitro evaluation system was applied to clinical isolates of drug-sensitive MTB (DS-MTB), drug-resistant MTB (DR-MTB) including multidrug-resistant (MDR-MTB), and M. avium complex (MAC). MTB strains (n = 24) exhibited strong cytotoxic activity, but MAC strains (n = 5) had only weak activity. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in cytotoxicity between DS-MTB (n = 11) and DR-MTB (n = 13). Collectively, these results suggest that this new in vitro system is useful for evaluating the pathogenesis of mycobacteria and that there was no difference in the pathogenesis between drug-susceptible and drug-resistant clinical isolates.

Autophagic Vacuolation Induced by Excess ROS Generation in HABP1/p32/gC1qR Overexpressing Fibroblasts and Its Reversal by Polymeric Hyaluronan

PubMed Central

Saha, Paramita; Chowdhury, Anindya Roy; Dutta, Shubhra; Chatterjee, Soumya; Ghosh, Ilora; Datta, Kasturi

2013-01-01

The ubiquitous hyaladherin, hyaluronan-binding protein 1 (HABP1/p32/gC1qR) upon stable overexpression in normal fibroblasts (F-HABP07) has been reported to induce mitochondrial dysfunction, growth retardation and apoptosis after 72 h of growth. HABP1 has been observed to accumulate in the mitochondria resulting in generation of excess Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), mitochondrial Ca++ efflux and drop in mitochondrial membrane potential. In the present study, autophagic vacuolation was detected with monodansylcadaverin (MDC) staining from 36 h to 60 h of culture period along with elevated level of ROS in F-HABP07 cells. Increased expression of autophagic markers like MAP-LC3-II, Beclin 1 and autophagic modulator, DRAM confirmed the occurrence of the phenomenon. Reduced vacuole formation was observed upon treatment with 3-MA, a known PI3 kinase inhibitor, only at 32 h and was ineffective if treated later, as high ROS level was already attained. Treatment of F111 and F-HABP07 cells with bafilomycin A1 further indicated an increase in autophagosome formation along with autophagic degradation in HABP1 overexpressed fibroblasts. Comparison between normal fibroblast (F111) and F-HABP07 cells indicate reduced level of polymeric HA, its depolymerization and perturbed HA-HABP1 interaction in F-HABP07. Interestingly, supplementation of polymeric HA, an endogenous ROS scavenger, in the culture medium prompted reduction in number of vacuoles in F-HABP07 along with drop in ROS level, implying that excess ROS generation triggers initiation of autophagic vacuole formation prior to apoptosis due to overexpression of HABP1. Thus, the phenomenon of autophagy takes place prior to apoptosis induction in the HABP1 overexpressing cell line, F-HABP07. PMID:24205125

Reciprocal changes in gene expression profiles of cocultured breast epithelial cells and primary fibroblasts.

PubMed

Rozenchan, Patricia Bortman; Carraro, Dirce Maria; Brentani, Helena; de Carvalho Mota, Louise Danielle; Bastos, Elen Pereira; e Ferreira, Elisa Napolitano; Torres, Cesar H; Katayama, Maria Lúcia Hirata; Roela, Rosimeire Aparecida; Lyra, Eduardo C; Soares, Fernando Augusto; Folgueira, Maria Aparecida Azevedo Koike; Góes, João Carlos Guedes Sampaio; Brentani, Maria Mitzi

2009-12-15

The importance of epithelial-stroma interaction in normal breast development and tumor progression has been recognized. To identify genes that were regulated by these reciprocal interactions, we cocultured a nonmalignant (MCF10A) and a breast cancer derived (MDA-MB231) basal cell lines, with fibroblasts isolated from breast benign-disease adjacent tissues (NAF) or with carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAF), in a transwell system. Gene expression profiles of each coculture pair were compared with the correspondent monocultures, using a customized microarray. Contrariwise to large alterations in epithelial cells genomic profiles, fibroblasts were less affected. In MDA-MB231 highly represented genes downregulated by CAF derived factors coded for proteins important for the specificity of vectorial transport between ER and golgi, possibly affecting cell polarity whereas the response of MCF10A comprised an induction of genes coding for stress responsive proteins, representing a prosurvival effect. While NAF downregulated genes encoding proteins associated to glycolipid and fatty acid biosynthesis in MDA-MB231, potentially affecting membrane biogenesis, in MCF10A, genes critical for growth control and adhesion were altered. NAFs responded to coculture with MDA-MB231 by a decrease in the expression of genes induced by TGFbeta1 and associated to motility. However, there was little change in NAFs gene expression profile influenced by MCF10A. CAFs responded to the presence of both epithelial cells inducing genes implicated in cell proliferation. Our data indicate that interactions between breast fibroblasts and basal epithelial cells resulted in alterations in the genomic profiles of both cell types which may help to clarify some aspects of this heterotypic signaling. Copyright (c) 2009 UICC.

Exosome-mediated delivery of miR-9 induces cancer-associated fibroblast-like properties in human breast fibroblasts

PubMed Central

Baroni, S; Romero-Cordoba, S; Plantamura, I; Dugo, M; D'Ippolito, E; Cataldo, A; Cosentino, G; Angeloni, V; Rossini, A; Daidone, M G; Iorio, M V

2016-01-01

It is established that the interaction between microenvironment and cancer cells has a critical role in tumor development, given the dependence of neoplastic cells on stromal support. However, how this communication promotes the activation of normal (NFs) into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) is still not well understood. Most microRNA (miRNA) studies focused on tumor cell, but there is increasing evidence of their involvement in reprogramming NFs into CAFs. Here we show that miR-9, upregulated in various breast cancer cell lines and identified as pro-metastatic miRNA, affects the properties of human breast fibroblasts, enhancing the switch to CAF phenotype, thus contributing to tumor growth. Expressed at higher levels in primary triple-negative breast CAFs versus NFs isolated from patients, miR-9 improves indeed migration and invasion capabilities when transfected in immortalized NFs; viceversa, these properties are strongly impaired in CAFs upon miR-9 inhibition. We also demonstrate that tumor-secreted miR-9 can be transferred via exosomes to recipient NFs and this uptake results in enhanced cell motility. Moreover, we observed that this miRNA is also secreted by fibroblasts and in turn able to alter tumor cell behavior, by modulating its direct target E-cadherin, and NFs themselves. Consistently with the biological effects observed, gene expression profiles of NFs upon transient transfection with miR-9 show the modulation of genes mainly involved in cell motility and extracellular matrix remodeling pathways. Finally, we were able to confirm the capability of NFs transiently transfected with miR-9 to promote in vivo tumor growth. Taken together, these data provide new insights into the role of miR-9 as an important player in the cross-talk between cancer cells and stroma. PMID:27468688

Exosome-mediated delivery of miR-9 induces cancer-associated fibroblast-like properties in human breast fibroblasts.

PubMed

Baroni, S; Romero-Cordoba, S; Plantamura, I; Dugo, M; D'Ippolito, E; Cataldo, A; Cosentino, G; Angeloni, V; Rossini, A; Daidone, M G; Iorio, M V

2016-07-28

It is established that the interaction between microenvironment and cancer cells has a critical role in tumor development, given the dependence of neoplastic cells on stromal support. However, how this communication promotes the activation of normal (NFs) into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) is still not well understood. Most microRNA (miRNA) studies focused on tumor cell, but there is increasing evidence of their involvement in reprogramming NFs into CAFs. Here we show that miR-9, upregulated in various breast cancer cell lines and identified as pro-metastatic miRNA, affects the properties of human breast fibroblasts, enhancing the switch to CAF phenotype, thus contributing to tumor growth. Expressed at higher levels in primary triple-negative breast CAFs versus NFs isolated from patients, miR-9 improves indeed migration and invasion capabilities when transfected in immortalized NFs; viceversa, these properties are strongly impaired in CAFs upon miR-9 inhibition. We also demonstrate that tumor-secreted miR-9 can be transferred via exosomes to recipient NFs and this uptake results in enhanced cell motility. Moreover, we observed that this miRNA is also secreted by fibroblasts and in turn able to alter tumor cell behavior, by modulating its direct target E-cadherin, and NFs themselves. Consistently with the biological effects observed, gene expression profiles of NFs upon transient transfection with miR-9 show the modulation of genes mainly involved in cell motility and extracellular matrix remodeling pathways. Finally, we were able to confirm the capability of NFs transiently transfected with miR-9 to promote in vivo tumor growth. Taken together, these data provide new insights into the role of miR-9 as an important player in the cross-talk between cancer cells and stroma.

Nonmuscle myosin IIA and IIB differentially contribute to intrinsic and directed migration of human embryonic lung fibroblasts.

PubMed

Kuragano, Masahiro; Murakami, Yota; Takahashi, Masayuki

2018-03-25

Nonmuscle myosin II (NMII) plays an essential role in directional cell migration. In this study, we investigated the roles of NMII isoforms (NMIIA and NMIIB) in the migration of human embryonic lung fibroblasts, which exhibit directionally persistent migration in an intrinsic manner. NMIIA-knockdown (KD) cells migrated unsteadily, but their direction of migration was approximately maintained. By contrast, NMIIB-KD cells occasionally reversed their direction of migration. Lamellipodium-like protrusions formed in the posterior region of NMIIB-KD cells prior to reversal of the migration direction. Moreover, NMIIB KD led to elongation of the posterior region in migrating cells, probably due to the lack of load-bearing stress fibers in this area. These results suggest that NMIIA plays a role in steering migration by maintaining stable protrusions in the anterior region, whereas NMIIB plays a role in maintenance of front-rear polarity by preventing aberrant protrusion formation in the posterior region. These distinct functions of NMIIA and NMIIB might promote intrinsic and directed migration of normal human fibroblasts. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Inhibition of collagen production in scleroderma fibroblast cultures by a connective tissue glycoprotein extracted from normal dermis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Maquart, F.X.; Bellon, G.; Cornillet-Stoupy, J.

1985-08-01

It was shown in a previous paper that a connective tissue glycoprotein (CTGP) extracted from normal rabbit dermis was able to inhibit total protein and collagen syntheses by normal dermis fibroblast cultures. In the present study, the effects of CTGP on scleroderma fibroblasts were investigated. (/sup 14/C)Proline incorporation into total proteins of the supernatant was not significantly different from that found in controls. By contrast, the amount of collagen, expressed as percentage of total secreted protein, was far higher in scleroderma cultures than in normal ones (14.4% +/- 6.0% vs 4.6% +/- 0.9%). Addition of CTGP to the medium inducedmore » a concentration-dependent inhibition of (/sup 14/C)proline incorporation into proteins from both control and scleroderma cells. In control cultures, no significant decrease of the percentage of collagen was observed, but over 60 micrograms/ml, both cytotoxic effects and inhibition of protein synthesis occurred. In scleroderma cultures, the inhibition was twice as effective on collagen as on noncollagen protein synthesis. The inhibition of collagen secretion was not related either to changes in collagen hydroxylation or to the intracellular catabolism of newly synthesized procollagen.« less

Microinjection of human cell extracts corrects xeroderma pigmentosum defect.

PubMed Central

de Jonge, A J; Vermeulen, W; Klein, B; Hoeijmakers, J H

1983-01-01

Cultured fibroblasts of patients with the DNA repair syndrome xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) were injected with crude cell extracts from various human cells. Injected fibroblasts were then assayed for unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) to see whether the injected extract could complement their deficiency in the removal of u.v.-induced thymidine dimers from their DNA. Microinjection of extracts from repair-proficient cells (such as HeLa, placenta) and from cells belonging to XP complementation group C resulted in a temporary correction of the DNA repair defect in XP-A cells but not in cells from complementation groups C, D or F. Extracts prepared from XP-A cells were unable to correct the XP-A repair defect. The UDS of phenotypically corrected XP-A cells is u.v.-specific and can reach the level of normal cells. The XP-A correcting factor was found to be sensitive to the action of proteinase K, suggesting that it is a protein. It is present in normal cells in high amounts, it is stable on storage and can still be detected in the injected cells 8 h after injection. The microinjection assay described in this paper provides a useful tool for the purification of the XP-A (and possibly other) factor(s) involved in DNA repair. Images Fig. 1. PMID:6357782

Immortalisation of a human diploid fibroblast cell strain: a DT-diaphorase paradox.

PubMed Central

Kuehl, B. L.; Brezden, C. B.; Traver, R. D.; Siegel, D.; Ross, D.; Renzing, J.; Rauth, A. M.

1996-01-01

Transfection of a normal human diploid fibroblast cell strain, GM38, with a simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen containing plasmid, yielded an immortal cell line, G38-8X, which had a similar sensitivity as the parental cell strain to the quinone-containing chemotherapeutic agent mitomycin C (MMC), under both aerobic and hypoxic exposure conditions. The activity level of DT-diaphorase was similar in both the parental GM38 and G38-8X cells. Although DT-diaphorase could be detected by Western blot analysis, using two mouse anti-human monoclonal antibodies, in GM38 cells, it was not detected in the G38-8X cells. G38-8X cells have a slightly increased P450R activity (2-fold), and have elevated P-glycoprotein levels compared with the parental GM38 cell strain. The immortal G38-8X cell line is 2-fold more resistant to ionising radiation than the parental GM38 cell strain (D10 approximately 5 Gy). Although these SV40 large T antigen immortalised human diploid fibroblasts behaved similarly to their parental cell strain in terms of MMC sensitivity and DT-diaphorase activity, careful characterisation revealed that these cells had enhanced P-glycoprotein activity and had a decreased sensitivity to ionising radiation. Images Figure 3 PMID:8763839

High-Mobility Group Box 1 Mediates Fibroblast Activity via RAGE-MAPK and NF-κB Signaling in Keloid Scar Formation.

PubMed

Kim, Jihee; Park, Jong-Chul; Lee, Mi Hee; Yang, Chae Eun; Lee, Ju Hee; Lee, Won Jai

2017-12-28

Emerging studies have revealed the involvement of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in systemic fibrotic diseases, yet its role in the cutaneous scarring process has not yet been investigated. We hypothesized that HMGB1 may promote fibroblast activity to cause abnormal cutaneous scarring. In vitro wound healing assay with normal and keloid fibroblasts demonstrated that HMGB1 administration promoted the migration of both fibroblasts with increased speed and a greater traveling distance. Treatment of the HMGB1 inhibitor glycyrrhizic acid (GA) showed an opposing effect on both activities. To analyze the downstream mechanism, the protein levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, protein kinase B (AKT), and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) were measured by western blot analysis. HMGB1 increased the expression levels of ERK1/2, AKT, and NF-κB compared to the control, which was suppressed by GA. HMGB1 promoted both normal and keloid fibroblasts migration to a degree equivalent to that achieved with TGF-β. We concluded that HMGB1 activates fibroblasts via the receptor for advanced glycation end product (RAGE)-mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and NF-κB interaction signaling pathways. Further knowledge of the relationship of HMGB1 with skin fibrosis may lead to a promising clinical approach to manage abnormal scarring.

Role of fibroblast-derived factors in the pathogenesis of melasma.

PubMed

Byun, J W; Park, I S; Choi, G S; Shin, J

2016-08-01

The hyperactive melanocytes present in melasma skin are confined to the epidermis, but epidermal ablation to treat melasma pigmentation may lead to disease recurrence and aggravation. Melanocyte function is regulated by interactions between melanocytes and neighbouring cells such as keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Because melasma skin usually shows dermal changes after exposure to sunlight, we hypothesized that sun-damaged fibroblasts might play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of melasma. In this study, the melanogenic role of primary cultured fibroblasts from human melasma skin was investigated. We explored whether primary cultured fibroblasts from melasma tissue have a melanogenic function on cultured human epidermal melanocytes and artificial skin. The cytokine profile derived from fibroblasts and their effect on the pigmented epidermal equivalents were investigated. Fibroblasts from the melasma lesion and perilesional skin increased melanogenesis in cultured human epidermal melanocytes and in artificial skin. Fibroblasts from the melasma lesion and perilesional skin secreted more nerve growth factor (NGF)-β than those in normal buttock skin, and also increased melanogenesis and the expression level of NGF-β in cultured human epidermal melanocytes and artificial skin. These results suggest that fibroblasts may play a role in melanogenesis and the pathogenesis of melasma. © 2016 British Association of Dermatologists.

Endosomal accumulation of Toll-like receptor 4 causes constitutive secretion of cytokines and activation of signal transducers and activators of transcription in Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) fibroblasts: a potential basis for glial cell activation in the NPC brain.

PubMed

Suzuki, Michitaka; Sugimoto, Yuko; Ohsaki, Yuki; Ueno, Makoto; Kato, Shinsuke; Kitamura, Yukisato; Hosokawa, Hiroshi; Davies, Joanna P; Ioannou, Yiannis A; Vanier, Marie T; Ohno, Kousaku; Ninomiya, Haruaki

2007-02-21

Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) is an inherited lipid storage disorder caused by mutations in NPC1 or NPC2 genes. Loss of function of either protein results in the endosomal accumulation of cholesterol and other lipids, progressive neurodegeneration, and robust glial cell activation. Here, we report that cultured human NPC fibroblasts secrete interferon-beta, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-8, and contain increased levels of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs). These cells also contained increased levels of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) that accumulated in cholesterol-enriched endosomes/lysosomes, and small interfering RNA knockdown of this receptor reduced cytokine secretion. In the NPC1-/- mouse brain, glial cells expressed TLR4 and IL-6, whereas both glial and neuronal cells expressed STATs. Genetic deletion of TLR4 in NPC1-/- mice reduced IL-6 secretion by cultured fibroblasts but failed to alter STAT levels or glial cell activation in the brain. In contrast, genetic deletion of IL-6 normalized STAT levels and suppressed glial cell activation. These findings indicate that constitutive cytokine secretion leads to activation of STATs in NPC fibroblasts and that this secretion is partly caused by an endosomal accumulation of TLR4. These results also suggest that similar signaling events may underlie glial cell activation in the NPC1-/- mouse brain.

N-acetyl-L-cysteine increases MnSOD activity and enhances the recruitment of quiescent human fibroblasts to the proliferation cycle during wound healing.

PubMed

Mao, Gaowei; Goswami, Monali; Kalen, Amanda L; Goswami, Prabhat C; Sarsour, Ehab H

2016-01-01

The rebuilding of the connective tissue during wound healing requires the recruitment of fibroblasts to the wound area as well as reentry of quiescent fibroblasts to the proliferative cycle. Whether this process can be modulated by a small molecular weight thiol antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) was tested in normal human skin fibroblasts (NHFs) using a uni-directional wound healing assay. NAC treated cells demonstrated a decreased migration rate but increased number of proliferating cells recruited into the wound area post wounding. Fifteen day quiescent control and NAC treated NHFs were re-plated at a lower density and cell numbers counted at different days post-plating. Interestingly, NAC treated cells exhibited increased cellular proliferation indicated by both decreased cell population doubling time and increased S phase cells. NAC treated cells demonstrated decreased steady state levels of reactive oxygen species as well as increased protein and activity levels of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). NAC treatment failed to induce proliferation in quiescent cells lacking MnSOD expression. These results demonstrate that NAC enhanced the recruitment of quiescent NHFs into proliferation cycle during wound healing. Our results also suggest that the wound healing properties of NAC might be due to its ability to induce and enhance MnSOD expression and activity. Altogether, these findings suggest NAC might be potentially developed as a dietary intervention to improve tissue injury in animals and humans.

Analysis of Chromosomal Aberrations after Low and High Dose Rate Gamma Irradiation in ATM or NBS Suppressed Human Fibroblast Cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hada, M.; Huff, J. L.; Patel, Z.; Pluth, J. M.; George, K. A.; Cucinotta, F. A.

2009-01-01

A detailed understanding of the biological effects of heavy nuclei is needed for space radiation protection and for cancer therapy. High-LET radiation produces more complex DNA lesions that may be non-repairable or that may require additional processing steps compared to endogenous DSBs, increasing the possibility of misrepair. Interplay between radiation sensitivity, dose, and radiation quality has not been studied extensively. Previously we studied chromosome aberrations induced by low- and high- LET radiation in several cell lines deficient in ATM (ataxia telangactasia mutated; product of the gene that is mutated in ataxia telangiectasia patients) or NBS (nibrin; product of the gene mutated in the Nijmegen breakage syndrome), and gliomablastoma cells that are proficient or lacking in DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) activity. We found that the yields of both simple and complex chromosomal aberrations were significantly increased in the DSB repair defective cells compared to normal cells. The increased aberrations observed for the ATM and NBS defective lines was due to a significantly larger quadratic dose-response term compared to normal fibroblasts for both simple and complex aberrations, while the linear dose-response term was significantly higher in NBS cells only for simple exchanges. These results point to the importance of the functions of ATM and NBS in chromatin modifications that function to facilitate correct DSB repair and minimize aberration formation. To further understand the sensitivity differences that were observed in ATM and NBS deficient cells, in this study, chromosomal aberration analysis was performed in normal lung fibroblast cells treated with KU-55933, a specific ATM kinase inhibitor, or Mirin, an MRN complex inhibitor involved in activation of ATM. We are also testing siRNA knockdown of these proteins. Normal and ATM or NBS suppressed cells were irradiated with gamma-rays and chromosomes were collected with a premature chromosome condensation (PCC) technique at the first mitosis post-irradiation. Chromosomes were analyzed using a multicolor fluorescence in-situ hybridization (mFISH) chromosome painting method. Preliminary analysis showed that chromosomal exchanges were increased in the cells treated with the specific ATM inhibitor. Possible cytogenetic signatures of acute and low dose-rate gamma irradiation in ATM or Nibrin deficient and suppressed cells will be discussed.

Evaluation of tissue engineered models of the oral mucosa to investigate oral candidiasis.

PubMed

Yadev, Nishant P; Murdoch, Craig; Saville, Stephen P; Thornhill, Martin H

2011-06-01

Candida albicans is a commensal organism that can be isolated from the majority of healthy individuals. However, in certain susceptible individuals C. albicans can become pathogenic leading to the mucocutaneous infection; oral candidiasis. Murine models and in vitro monolayer cultures have generated some data on the likely virulence and host factors that contribute to oral candidiasis but these models have limitations. Recently, tissue engineered oral mucosal models have been developed to mimic the normal oral mucosa but little information is available on their true representation. In this study, we assessed the histological features of three different tissue engineered oral mucosal models compared to the normal oral mucosa and analysed both cell damage and cytokine release following infection with C. albicans. Models comprised of normal oral keratinocytes and a fibroblast-containing matrix displayed more similar immunohistological and proliferation characteristics to normal mucosa, compared to models composed of an oral carcinoma cell line. Although all models were invaded and damaged by C. albicans in a similar manner, the cytokine response was much more pronounced in models containing normal keratinocytes. These data suggest that models based on normal keratinocytes atop a fibroblast-containing connective tissue will significantly aid in dissecting the molecular pathogenesis of oral candidiasis. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Inhibition of interleukin-17-stimulated interleukin-6 and -8 production by cranberry components in human gingival fibroblasts and epithelial cells.

PubMed

Tipton, D A; Cho, S; Zacharia, N; Dabbous, M K

2013-10-01

Gingival epithelial cells and fibroblasts participate in periodontal inflammation and destruction, producing interleukin (IL)-6, a regulator of osteoclastic bone resorption, and the neutrophil chemoattractant IL-8. IL-17, a product of T-helper 17 cells, may play a role in periodontitis by stimulating cytokine production by gingival cells. The cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is rich in polyphenols, particularly proanthocyanidins, which have antioxidant and other beneficial properties. Cranberry components inhibit pro-inflammatory activities of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human macrophages, gingival fibroblasts, and epithelial cells, but little is known of its effects on IL-17-stimulated cytokine production. The objectives were to determine the effects of IL-17 ± cranberry components on IL-6 and IL-8 production by human gingival epithelial cells and fibroblasts. Cranberry high molecular weight non-dialyzable material (NDM), which is rich in proanthocyanidins, was derived from cranberry juice. Human gingival epithelial cells and normal human gingival fibroblasts were incubated with NDM (5-50 μg/mL), IL-17 (0.5-100 ng/mL), or NDM + IL-17 in serum-free medium for 6 d. IL-6 and IL-8 in culture supernatants were measured by ELISA. Membrane damage and viability were assessed by lactate dehydrogenase activity released into cell supernatants and activity of a mitochondrial enzyme, respectively. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Scheffe's F procedure for post hoc comparisons. In both cell lines, IL-17 (≥ ~5-10 ng/mL) significantly stimulated production of IL-6 (p < 0.005) and IL-8 (p < 0.03). Non-toxic levels of NDM inhibited constitutive IL-6 and IL-8 production by epithelial cells (p ≤ 0.01) and fibroblasts (p ≤ 0.03) as well as IL-17-stimulated cytokine production by epithelial cells [IL-6 (maximum ~80% inhibition; p ≤ 0.0001); IL-8 (maximum ~70% inhibition; p ≤ 0.03)] and fibroblasts [IL-6 (maximum ~90% inhibition; p ≤ 0.0001); IL-8 (maximum ~80% inhibition; p ≤ 0.008)]. Cranberry NDM inhibition of constitutive and IL-17-stimulated IL-6 and IL-8 production by gingival fibroblasts and epithelial cells suggests that cranberry components could be useful as a host modulatory therapeutic agent to prevent or treat periodontitis. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Glucose starvation impairs DNA repair in tumour cells selectively by blocking histone acetylation.

PubMed

Ampferl, Rena; Rodemann, Hans Peter; Mayer, Claus; Höfling, Tobias Tim Alexander; Dittmann, Klaus

2018-03-01

Tumour cells are characterized by aerobic glycolysis and thus have high glucose consumption. Because repairing radiation-induced DNA damage is an energy-demanding process, we hypothesized that glucose starvation combined with radiotherapy could be an effective strategy to selectively target tumour cells. We glucose-starved tumour cells (A549, FaDu) in vitro and analysed their radiation-induced cell responses compared to normal fibroblasts (HSF7). Irradiation depleted intracellular ATP levels preferentially in cancer cells. Consequently, glucose starvation impaired DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair and radiosensitized confluent tumour cells but not normal fibroblasts. In proliferating tumour cells glucose starvation resulted in a reduction of proliferation, but failed to radiosensitize cells. Glucose supply was indispensable during the late DSB repair in confluent tumour cells starting approximately 13 h after irradiation, and glucose starvation inhibited radiation-induced histone acetylation, which is essential for chromatin relaxation. Sirtinol - an inhibitor of histone deacetylases - reverted the effects of glucose depletion on histone acetylation and DNA DSB repair in tumour cells. Furthermore, a glucose concentration of 2.8 mmol/L was sufficient to impair DSB repair in tumour cells and reduced their clonogenic survival under a fractionated irradiation regimen. In resting tumour cells, glucose starvation combined with irradiation resulted in the impairment of late DSB repair and the reduction of clonogenic survival, which was associated with disrupted radiation-induced histone acetylation. However, in normal cells, DNA repair and radiosensitivity were not affected by glucose depletion. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Active Sonic Hedgehog Signaling between Androgen Independent Human Prostate Cancer Cells and Normal/Benign but Not Cancer-Associated Prostate Stromal Cells

PubMed Central

Shigemura, Katsumi; Huang, Wen-Chin; Li, Xiangyan; Zhau, Haiyen E.; Zhu, Guodong; Gotoh, Akinobu; Fujisawa, Masato; Xie, Jingwu; Marshall, Fray F.; Chung, Leland W. K.

2012-01-01

BACKGROUND Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling plays a pivotal role in stromal-epithelial interaction during normal development but its role in tumor-stromal interaction during carcinogenic progression is less well defined. Since hormone refractory prostate cancer with bone metastasis is difficult to treat, it is crucial to investigate how androgen independent (AI) human prostate cancer cells communicate with their associated stroma. METHODS Shh and its target transcription factor, Gli1 mRNA, were assessed by RT-PCR and/or quantitative RT-PCR in co-cultured cell recombinants comprised of AI C4-2 either with NPF (prostate fibroblasts from normal/benign prostate gland) or CPF cancer-associated stromal fibroblasts) under Shh/cyclopamine (a hedgehog signaling inhibitor) treatment. Human bone marrow stromal (HS27A) cells were used as controls. In vivo investigation was performed by checking serum PSA and immunohistochemical staining for the apoptosis-associated M30 gene in mice bearing chimeric C4-2/NPF tumors. RESULTS CONCLUSIONS Based on co-culture and chimeric tumor models, active Shh-mediated signaling was demonstrated between AI prostate cancer and NPF in a paracrine- and tumor progression-dependent manner. Our study suggests that drugs like cyclopamine that interfere with Shh signaling could be beneficial in preventing AI progression in prostate cancer cells. PMID:21520153

Characterization of Cholesterol Homeostasis in Telomerase-immortalized Tangier Disease Fibroblasts Reveals Marked Phenotype Variability*

PubMed Central

Kannenberg, Frank; Gorzelniak, Kerstin; Jäger, Kathrin; Fobker, Manfred; Rust, Stephan; Repa, Joyce; Roth, Mike; Björkhem, Ingemar; Walter, Michael

2013-01-01

We compared the consequences of an ABCA1 mutation that produced an apparent lack of atherosclerosis (Tangier family 1, N935S) with an ABCA1 mutation with functional ABCA1 knockout that was associated with severe atherosclerosis (Tangier family 2, Leu548:Leu575-End), using primary and telomerase-immortalized fibroblasts. Telomerase-immortalized Tangier fibroblasts of family 1 (TT1) showed 30% residual cholesterol efflux capacity in response to apolipoprotein A-I, whereas telomerase-immortalized Tangier fibroblasts of family 2 (TT2) showed only 20%. However, there were a number of secondary differences that were often stronger and may help to explain the more rapid development of atherosclerosis in family 2. First, the total cellular cholesterol content increase was 2–3-fold and 3–5-fold in TT1 and TT2 cells, respectively. The corresponding increase in esterified cholesterol concentration was 10- and 40-fold, respectively. Second, 24-, 25-, and 27-hydroxycholesterol concentrations were moderately increased in TT1 cells, but were increased as much as 200-fold in TT2 cells. Third, cholesterol biosynthesis was moderately decreased in TT1 cells, but was markedly decreased in TT2 cells. Fourth, potentially atheroprotective LXR-dependent SREBP1c signaling was normal in TT1, but was rather suppressed in TT2 cells. Cultivated primary Tangier fibroblasts were characterized by premature aging in culture and were associated with less obvious biochemical differences. In summary, these results may help to understand the differential atherosclerotic susceptibility in Tangier disease and further demonstrate the usefulness of telomerase-immortalized cells in studying this cellular phenotype. The data support the contention that side chain-oxidized oxysterols are strong suppressors of cholesterol biosynthesis under specific pathological conditions in humans. PMID:24196952

Characterization of cholesterol homeostasis in telomerase-immortalized Tangier disease fibroblasts reveals marked phenotype variability.

PubMed

Kannenberg, Frank; Gorzelniak, Kerstin; Jäger, Kathrin; Fobker, Manfred; Rust, Stephan; Repa, Joyce; Roth, Mike; Björkhem, Ingemar; Walter, Michael

2013-12-27

We compared the consequences of an ABCA1 mutation that produced an apparent lack of atherosclerosis (Tangier family 1, N935S) with an ABCA1 mutation with functional ABCA1 knockout that was associated with severe atherosclerosis (Tangier family 2, Leu(548):Leu(575)-End), using primary and telomerase-immortalized fibroblasts. Telomerase-immortalized Tangier fibroblasts of family 1 (TT1) showed 30% residual cholesterol efflux capacity in response to apolipoprotein A-I, whereas telomerase-immortalized Tangier fibroblasts of family 2 (TT2) showed only 20%. However, there were a number of secondary differences that were often stronger and may help to explain the more rapid development of atherosclerosis in family 2. First, the total cellular cholesterol content increase was 2-3-fold and 3-5-fold in TT1 and TT2 cells, respectively. The corresponding increase in esterified cholesterol concentration was 10- and 40-fold, respectively. Second, 24-, 25-, and 27-hydroxycholesterol concentrations were moderately increased in TT1 cells, but were increased as much as 200-fold in TT2 cells. Third, cholesterol biosynthesis was moderately decreased in TT1 cells, but was markedly decreased in TT2 cells. Fourth, potentially atheroprotective LXR-dependent SREBP1c signaling was normal in TT1, but was rather suppressed in TT2 cells. Cultivated primary Tangier fibroblasts were characterized by premature aging in culture and were associated with less obvious biochemical differences. In summary, these results may help to understand the differential atherosclerotic susceptibility in Tangier disease and further demonstrate the usefulness of telomerase-immortalized cells in studying this cellular phenotype. The data support the contention that side chain-oxidized oxysterols are strong suppressors of cholesterol biosynthesis under specific pathological conditions in humans.

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide affects human gingival fibroblast cytoskeletal organization.

PubMed

Gutiérrez-Venegas, Gloria; Contreras-Marmolejo, Luis Arturo; Román-Alvárez, Patricia; Barajas-Torres, Carolina

2008-04-01

The cytoskeleton is a dynamic structure that plays a key role in maintaining cell morphology and function. This study investigates the effect of bacterial wall lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a strong inflammatory agent, on the dynamics and organization of actin, tubulin, vimentin, and vinculin proteins in human gingival fibroblasts (HGF). A time-dependent study showed a noticeable change in actin architecture after 1.5 h of incubation with LPS (1 microg/ml) with the formation of orthogonal fibers and further accumulation of actin filament at the cell periphery by 24 h. When 0.01-10 microg/ml of LPS was added to human gingival fibroblast cultures, cells acquired a round, flat shape and gradually developed cytoplasmic ruffling. Lipopolysaccharides extracted from Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans periodontopathogenic bacteria promoted alterations in F-actin stress fibres of human gingival cells. Normally, human gingival cells have F-actin fibres that are organized in linear distribution throughout the cells, extending along the cell's length. LPS-treated cells exhibited changes in cytoskeletal protein organization, and F-actin was reorganized by the formation of bundles underneath and parallel to the cell membrane. We also found the reorganization of the vimentin network into vimentin bundling after 1.5 h of treatment. HGF cells exhibited diffuse and granular gamma-tubulin stain. There was no change in LPS-treated HGF. However, vinculin plaques distributed in the cell body diminished after LPS treatment. We conclude that the dynamic and structured organization of cytoskeletal filaments and actin assembly in human gingival fibroblasts is altered by LPS treatment and is accompanied by a decrease in F-actin pools.

Induction of chromatin damage and distribution of isochromatid breaks in human fibroblast cells exposed to heavy ions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kawata, Tetsuya; Ito, Hisao; Motoori, Ken; Ueda, Takuya; Shigematsu, Naoyuki; Furusawa, Yoshiya; Durante, Marco; George, Kerry; Wu, Honglu; Cucinotta, Francis A.

2002-01-01

The frequency of chromatid breaks and the distribution of isochromatid breaks were measured in G2-phase normal human fibroblasts prematurely condensed a short time after exposure to low- or high-LET radiations. The average number of isochromatid breaks from a single particle traversal increased with increasing LET values, while the average number of chromatid-type breaks appeared to reach a plateau. The distribution of isochromatid breaks after high-LET iron particles exposure was overdispersed compared to gamma-rays, indicating that a single iron particle traversal through a cell nucleus can produce multiple isochromatid breaks.

Induction of chromatin damage and distribution of isochromatid breaks in human fibroblast cells exposed to heavy ions.

PubMed

Kawata, Tetsuya; Ito, Hisao; Motoori, Ken; Ueda, Takuya; Shigematsu, Naoyuki; Furusawa, Yoshiya; Durante, Marco; George, Kerry; Wu, Honglu; Cucinotta, Francis A

2002-12-01

The frequency of chromatid breaks and the distribution of isochromatid breaks were measured in G2-phase normal human fibroblasts prematurely condensed a short time after exposure to low- or high-LET radiations. The average number of isochromatid breaks from a single particle traversal increased with increasing LET values, while the average number of chromatid-type breaks appeared to reach a plateau. The distribution of isochromatid breaks after high-LET iron particles exposure was overdispersed compared to gamma-rays, indicating that a single iron particle traversal through a cell nucleus can produce multiple isochromatid breaks.

Preparation of individual human diploid fibroblasts and study of ion transport.

PubMed

Abraham, E H; Breslow, J L; Epstein, J; Chang-Sing, P; Lechene, C

1985-01-01

A method for analyzing individual mammalian cells with electron probe microanalysis has been developed using human diploid fibroblasts. Cells were grown on the same support that is used for experimental manipulations and analysis. Steady-state cation and anion concentrations and kinetic processes during experimental perturbations could be measured on populations of less than 1,000 cells. Human diploid fibroblasts in normal tissue culture medium had the following intracellular concentrations (in mM): K, 168; Na, 25.0; Cl, 51.2; P, 84.1; S, 16.5; Ca, 6.04; and Mg, 10.0. The ratios of K to Na were equivalent when measured in the nuclear or cytoplasmic area of the cells. Serum in the incubation medium was found to increase the cellular effective permeability to Na by a factor of 2.5, while leaving the effective permeability to K unchanged. When returned to control medium after 7 h of incubation in K-free medium, the cells recovered normal K/Na in less than 1 h. In some experiments the coupling ratio of the ouabain-inhibitable cellular transport of Na to K was 3:2 and the ratio of Cl to K was 1:2. The sum of intracellular content (Na + K) (an estimate of cellular volume) did not change when the cells were placed in K-free medium and increased by less than 30% after ouabain treatment. After 5-7 h of ouabain treatment or of incubation in K-free medium, long after the intracellular K had been replaced by Na, the cellular chloride content had not changed significantly.

In vitro blood and fibroblast responses to BisGMA-TEGDMA/bioactive glass composite implants.

PubMed

Abdulmajeed, Aous A; Kokkari, Anne K; Käpylä, Jarmo; Massera, Jonathan; Hupa, Leena; Vallittu, Pekka K; Närhi, Timo O

2014-01-01

This in vitro study was designed to evaluate both blood and human gingival fibroblast responses to bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate-triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (BisGMA-TEGDMA)/bioactive glass (BAG) composite, aimed to be used as composite implant abutment surface modifier. Three different types of substrates were investigated: (a) plain polymer (BisGMA 50 wt%-TEGDMA 50 wt%), (b) BAG-composite (50 wt% polymer + 50 wt% fraction of BAG-particles, <50 μm), and (c) plain BAG plates (100 wt% BAG). The blood response, including the blood-clotting ability and platelet adhesion morphology were evaluated. Human gingival fibroblasts were plated and cultured on the experimental substrates for up to 10 days, then the cell proliferation rate was assessed using AlamarBlue assay™. The BAG-composite and plain BAG substrates had a shorter clotting time than plain polymer substrates. Platelet activation and aggregation were most extensive, qualitatively, on BAG-composite. Analysis of the normalized cell proliferation rate on the different surfaces showed some variations throughout the experiment, however, by day 10 the BAG-composite substrate showed the highest (P < 0.001) cell proliferation rate. In conclusion, the presence of exposed BAG-particles enhances fibroblast and blood responses on composite surfaces in vitro.

Macrophages and fibroblasts during inflammation and tissue repair in models of organ regeneration

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Abstract This review provides a concise summary of the changing phenotypes of macrophages and fibroblastic cells during the local inflammatory response, the onset of tissue repair, and the resolution of inflammation which follow injury to an organ. Both cell populations respond directly to damage and present coordinated sequences of activation states which determine the reparative outcome, ranging from true regeneration of the organ to fibrosis and variable functional deficits. Recent work with mammalian models of organ regeneration, including regeneration of full‐thickness skin, hair follicles, ear punch tissues, and digit tips, is summarized and the roles of local immune cells in these systems are discussed. New investigations of the early phase of amphibian limb and tail regeneration, including the effects of pro‐inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory agents, are then briefly discussed, focusing on the transition from the normally covert inflammatory response to the initiation of the regeneration blastema by migrating fibroblasts and the expression of genes for limb patterning. PMID:28616244

The application of the fibroblast activation protein α-targeted immunotherapy strategy

PubMed Central

Du, Jun; Zhang, Kun-Shui; Zhang, Qiu-Gui; Wang, Xiao-Wei; Liu, Zhi-Gang; Liu, Shuang-Quan; Xie, Wan-Ying; Liu, Hui-Fang; Liu, Jing-Shi; Wu, Bai-Ping

2016-01-01

Cancer immunotherapy has primarily been focused on attacking tumor cells. However, given the close interaction between tumor cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME), CAF-targeted strategies could also contribute to an integrated cancer immunotherapy. Fibroblast activation protein α (FAP α) is not detectible in normal tissues, but is overexpressed by CAFs and is the predominant component of the stroma in most types of cancer. FAP α has both dipeptidyl peptidase and endopeptidase activities, cleaving substrates at a post-proline bond. When all FAP α-expressing cells (stromal and cancerous) are destroyed, tumors rapidly die. Furthermore, a FAP α antibody, FAP α vaccine, and modified vaccine all inhibit tumor growth and prolong survival in mouse models, suggesting FAP α is an adaptive tumor-associated antigen. This review highlights the role of FAP α in tumor development, explores the relationship between FAP α and immune suppression in the TME, and discusses FAP α as a potential immunotherapeutic target. PMID:26985769

Abnormal intermediate filament organization alters mitochondrial motility in giant axonal neuropathy fibroblasts

PubMed Central

Lowery, Jason; Jain, Nikhil; Kuczmarski, Edward R.; Mahammad, Saleemulla; Goldman, Anne; Gelfand, Vladimir I.; Opal, Puneet; Goldman, Robert D.

2016-01-01

Giant axonal neuropathy (GAN) is a rare disease caused by mutations in the GAN gene, which encodes gigaxonin, an E3 ligase adapter that targets intermediate filament (IF) proteins for degradation in numerous cell types, including neurons and fibroblasts. The cellular hallmark of GAN pathology is the formation of large aggregates and bundles of IFs. In this study, we show that both the distribution and motility of mitochondria are altered in GAN fibroblasts and this is attributable to their association with vimentin IF aggregates and bundles. Transient expression of wild-type gigaxonin in GAN fibroblasts reduces the number of IF aggregates and bundles, restoring mitochondrial motility. Conversely, silencing the expression of gigaxonin in control fibroblasts leads to changes in IF organization similar to that of GAN patient fibroblasts and a coincident loss of mitochondrial motility. The inhibition of mitochondrial motility in GAN fibroblasts is not due to a global inhibition of organelle translocation, as lysosome motility is normal. Our findings demonstrate that it is the pathological changes in IF organization that cause the loss of mitochondrial motility. PMID:26700320

Primary fibroblasts from BRCA1 heterozygotes display an abnormal G1/S cell cycle checkpoint following UVA irradiation but show normal levels of micronuclei following oxidative stress or mitomycin C treatment.

PubMed

Shorrocks, Julie; Tobi, Simon E; Latham, Harry; Peacock, John H; Eeles, Ros; Eccles, Diana; McMillan, Trevor J

2004-02-01

There is evidence to suggest that the breast cancer predisposing gene, BRCA1, is involved in cell cycle control and the response to damage but mouse brca1+/- heterozygotes have no distinctive phenotype. Here the response to the three forms of cellular stress was examined in primary human fibroblasts from individuals with a +/+ or +/- genotype for BRCA1. Fibroblasts from individuals carrying mutations in the BRCA1 gene were compared with those from those wild-type for BRCA1 in their response to long wavelength uv (UVA), hydrogen peroxide, and mitomycin C (MMC). Cell cycle progression and micronucleus formation (MN) were used as end points. After UVA treatment there was no difference between +/- and +/+ cells in the initial fall in DNA synthetic activity (G(1) arrest) but the reentry into S-phase was restored at a faster rate in the BRCA1+/- cells after UVA exposure. Thus, for three normal (+/+) cell lines irradiated in monolayer, S-phase values averaged 15 +/- 3.7% 14 h post-UVA (1 x 10(5) J/m(2)), as compared with 35.7 +/- 1.9 (range) for two BRCA1(+/-) strains. Because a defective G(1)/S checkpoint in BRCA1 heterozygotes could lead to a greater proportion of S-phase cells with unrepaired DNA damage (strand breaks) and a resultant increase in chromosomal instability, the frequency of micronuclei induced by UVA was examined. Three normal (+/+) and three mutant (+/-) strains (two of which were used in the cell cycle experiments) produced mean micronuclei frequencies of 0.077 +/- 0.016 and 0.094 +/- 0.04/binucleate cell respectively (not statistically significant), 48 h after UVA exposure. No differences were found between BRCA1+/+ and +/- cells in MN formation after treatment with MMC or hydrogen peroxide. Our data suggest a defective G(1)/S checkpoint in cells from BRCA1 heterozygotes in response to UVA although this is not reflected in genomic instability as measured by micronuclei induction after oxidative stress or MMC treatment.

Epithelial-Stromal Interaction 1 (EPSTI1) Substitutes for Peritumoral Fibroblasts in the Tumor Microenvironment

PubMed Central

de Neergaard, Michala; Kim, Jiyoung; Villadsen, René; Fridriksdottir, Agla J.; Rank, Fritz; Timmermans-Wielenga, Vera; Langerød, Anita; Børresen-Dale, Anne-Lise; Petersen, Ole W.; Rønnov-Jessen, Lone

2010-01-01

Tumor cells can activate stroma, yet the implication of this activation in terms of reciprocal induction of gene expression in tumor cells is poorly understood. Epithelial Stromal Interaction 1 (EPSTI1) is an interferon response gene originally isolated from heterotypic recombinant cultures of human breast cancer cells and activated breast myofibroblasts. Here we describe the first immunolocalization of EPSTI1 in normal and cancerous breast tissue, and we provide evidence for a role of this molecule in the regulation of tumor cell properties and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In general, no EPSTI1 staining was observed in normal breast epithelial cells from reduction mammoplasties (n = 25). However, in carcinomas, staining was positive in 22 of 40 biopsies and inversely correlated with the level of differentiation. To address the function of EPSTI1, we expressed EPSTI1 ectopically in one cell line and silenced endogenous EPSTI1 by RNA interference in another. Irrespective of the experimental approach, EPSTI1 expression led to an increase in tumorsphere formation—a property associated with breast stem/progenitor cells. Most remarkably, we show that EPSTI1, by conveying spread of tumor cells, can replace peritumoral activated fibroblasts in a tumor environment assay. These observations implicate EPSTI1 as a hitherto unappreciated regulator of tumor cell properties. PMID:20133812

Dose-dependent effect of mitomycin C on human vocal fold fibroblasts

PubMed Central

Li, Nicole Y. K.; Chen, Fei; Dikkers, Frederik G.; Thibeault, Susan L.

2014-01-01

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vitro cytotoxicity and antifibrotic effects of mitomycin C on normal and scarred human vocal fold fibroblasts. Methods Fibroblasts were subjected to mitomycin C treatment at 0.2, 0.5, or 1 mg/mL, or serum control. Cytotoxicity, immunocytochemistry, and Western blot for collagen I/III were performed at days 0, 1, 3, and 5. Results Significant decreases in live cells were measured for mitomycin C-treated cells on days 3 and 5 for all doses. Extracellular staining of collagen I/III was observed in mitomycin C-treated cells across all doses and times. Extracellular staining suggests apoptosis with necrosis, compromising the integrity of cell membranes and release of cytosolic proteins into the extracellular environment. Western blot indicates inhibition of collagen at all doses except 0.2 mg/mL at day 1. Conclusion A total of 0.2 mg/mL mitomycin C may provide initial and transient stimulation of collagen for necessary repair to damaged tissue without the long-term risk of fibrosis. PMID:23765508

Dose-dependent effect of mitomycin C on human vocal fold fibroblasts.

PubMed

Li, Nicole Y K; Chen, Fei; Dikkers, Frederik G; Thibeault, Susan L

2014-03-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vitro cytotoxicity and antifibrotic effects of mitomycin C on normal and scarred human vocal fold fibroblasts. Fibroblasts were subjected to mitomycin C treatment at 0.2, 0.5, or 1 mg/mL, or serum control. Cytotoxicity, immunocytochemistry, and Western blot for collagen I/III were performed at days 0, 1, 3, and 5. Significant decreases in live cells were measured for mitomycin C-treated cells on days 3 and 5 for all doses. Extracellular staining of collagen I/III was observed in mitomycin C-treated cells across all doses and times. Extracellular staining suggests apoptosis with necrosis, compromising the integrity of cell membranes and release of cytosolic proteins into the extracellular environment. Western blot indicates inhibition of collagen at all doses except 0.2 mg/mL at day 1. A total of 0.2 mg/mL mitomycin C may provide initial and transient stimulation of collagen for necessary repair to damaged tissue without the long-term risk of fibrosis. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., A Wiley Company.

Efficient establishment of primary fibroblast cultures from the hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata).

PubMed

Fukuda, Tomokazu; Kurita, Jun; Saito, Tomomi; Yuasa, Kei; Kurita, Masanobu; Donai, Kenichiro; Nitto, Hiroshi; Soichi, Makoto; Nishimori, Katsuhiko; Uchida, Takafumi; Isogai, Emiko; Onuma, Manabu; Sone, Hideko; Oseko, Norihisa; Inoue-Murayama, Miho

2012-12-01

The hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is a critically endangered species at a risk of extinction. Preservation of the genomic and cellular information of endangered animals is important for future genetic and biological studies. Here, we report the efficient establishment of primary fibroblast cultures from skin tissue of the hawksbill sea turtle. We succeeded in establishing 19 primary cultures from 20 hawksbill sea turtle individuals (a success rate of 95%). These cells exhibited a fibroblast-like morphology and grew optimally at a temperature of 26°C, but experienced a loss of viability when cultured at 37°C. Chromosomal analysis using the primary cells derived here revealed that hawksbill sea turtles have a 2n = 56 karyotype. Furthermore, we showed that our primary cell cultures are free of several fish-related viruses, and this finding is important for preservation purposes. To our knowledge, this report is the first to describe primary cell cultures established from normal tissues of the hawksbill sea turtle. The results will contribute to the preservation of biodiversity, especially for the sea turtles that are critically endangered owing to human activities.

Increased IMP dehydrogenase gene expression in solid tumor tissues and tumor cell lines

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Collart, F.R.; Chubb, C.B.; Mirkin, B.L.

1992-07-10

IMP dehydrogenase, a regulatory enzyme of guanine nucleotide biosynthesis, may play a role in cell proliferation and malignancy. To assess this possibility, we examined IMP dehydrogenase expression in a series of human solid tumor tissues and tumor cell lines in comparison with their normal counterparts. Increased IMP dehydrogenase gene expression was observed in brain tumors relative to normal brain tissue and in sarcoma cells relative to normal fibroblasts. Similarly, in several B- and T-lymphoid leukemia cell lines, elevated levels of IMP dehydrogenase mRNA and cellular enzyme were observed in comparison with the levels in peripheral blood lymphocytes. These results aremore » consistent with an association between increased IMP dehydrogenase expression and either enhanced cell proliferation or malignant transformation.« less

Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in a Human HEp-2 Established Laryngeal Xenografted Tumor Are Not Derived from Cancer Cells through Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition, Phenotypically Activated but Karyotypically Normal

PubMed Central

Wang, Mei; Wu, Chun-Ping; Pan, Jun-Yan; Zheng, Wen-Wei; Cao, Xiao-Juan; Fan, Guo-Kang

2015-01-01

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a crucial role in cancer progression and even initiation. However, the origins of CAFs in various cancer types remain controversial, and one of the important hypothesized origins is through epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) from cancer cells. In this study, we investigated whether the HEp-2 laryngeal cancer cells are able to generate CAFs via EMT during tumor formation, which is now still unknown. The laryngeal xenografted tumor model was established by inoculating the HEp-2 laryngeal cancer cell line in nude mice. Primary cultured CAFs from the tumor nodules and matched normal fibroblasts (NFs) from the adjacent connective tissues were subcultured, purified, and verified by immunofluorescence. Migration, invasion, and proliferation potentials were compared between the CAFs and NFs. A co-culture of CAFs with HEp-2 cells and a co-injection of CAFs with HEp-2 cells in nude mice were performed to examine the cancer-promoting potential of CAFs to further verify their identity. Karyotypic analyses of the CAFs, NFs, and HEp-2 cells were conducted. A co-culture of NFs with HEp-2 cells was also performed to examine the expression of activated markers of CAFs. A pathological examination confirmed that the laryngeal xenografted tumor model was successfully established, containing abundant CAFs. Immunocytochemical staining verified the purities and identities of the CAFs and NFs. Although the CAFs manifested higher migration, invasion, proliferation, and cancer-promoting capacities compared with the NFs, an analysis of chromosomes revealed that both the CAFs and NFs showed typical normal mouse karyotypes. In addition, the NFs co-cultured with HEp-2 cells did not show induced expressions of activated markers of CAFs. Our findings reveal that the CAFs in the HEp-2 established laryngeal xenografted tumor are not of laryngeal cancer origin but of mouse origin, indicating that the HEp-2 laryngeal cancer cells cannot generate their own CAFs via EMT in this model. PMID:25658113

The cell biology of aging.

PubMed

Hayflick, L

1985-02-01

It is only within the past ten years that biogerontology has become attractive to a sufficient number of biologists so that the field can be regarded as a seriously studied discipline. Cytogerontology, or the study of aging at the cellular level, had its genesis about 20 years ago when the dogma that maintained that cultured normal cells could replicate forever was overturned. Normal human and animal cells have a finite capacity to replicate and function whether they are cultured in vitro or transplanted as grafts in vivo. This phenomenon has been interpreted to be aging at the cellular level. Only abnormal somatic cells are capable of immortality. In recent years it has been found that the number of population doublings of which cultured normal cells are capable is inversely proportional to donor age. There is also good evidence that the number of population doublings of cultured normal fibroblasts is directly proportional to the maximum lifespan of ten species that have been studied. Cultures prepared from patients with accelerated aging syndromes (progeria and Werner's syndrome) undergo far fewer doublings than do those of age-matched controls. The normal human fibroblast cell strain WI-38 was established in 1962 from fetal lung, and several hundred ampules of these cells were frozen in liquid nitrogen at that time. These ampules have been reconstituted periodically and shown to be capable of replication. This represents the longest period of time that a normal human cell has ever been frozen. Normal human fetal cell strains such as WI-38 have the capacity to double only about 50 times. If cultures are frozen at various population doublings, the number of doublings remaining after reconstitution is equal to 50 minus the number of doublings that occurred prior to freezing. The memory of the cells has been found to be accurate after 23 years of preservation in liquid nitrogen. Normal human cells incur many physiologic decrements that herald the approach of their failure to divide. Many of these functional decrements are identical to decrements found in humans as they age. Thus it is likely that these decrements are also the precursors of age changes in vivo. The finite replicative capacity of normal cells is never seen to occur in vivo because aging and death of the individual occurs well before the doubling limit is reached.

DNA Repair Defects and Chromosomal Aberrations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hada, Megumi; George, K. A.; Huff, J. L.; Pluth, J. M.; Cucinotta, F. A.

2009-01-01

Yields of chromosome aberrations were assessed in cells deficient in DNA doublestrand break (DSB) repair, after exposure to acute or to low-dose-rate (0.018 Gy/hr) gamma rays or acute high LET iron nuclei. We studied several cell lines including fibroblasts deficient in ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated; product of the gene that is mutated in ataxia telangiectasia patients) or NBS (nibrin; product of the gene mutated in the Nijmegen breakage syndrome), and gliomablastoma cells that are proficient or lacking in DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) activity. Chromosomes were analyzed using the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) chromosome painting method in cells at the first division post irradiation, and chromosome aberrations were identified as either simple exchanges (translocations and dicentrics) or complex exchanges (involving >2 breaks in 2 or more chromosomes). Gamma irradiation induced greater yields of both simple and complex exchanges in the DSB repair-defective cells than in the normal cells. The quadratic dose-response terms for both simple and complex chromosome exchanges were significantly higher for the ATM- and NBS-deficient lines than for normal fibroblasts. However, in the NBS cells the linear dose-response term was significantly higher only for simple exchanges. The large increases in the quadratic dose-response terms in these repair-defective cell lines points the importance of the functions of ATM and NBS in chromatin modifications to facilitate correct DSB repair and minimize the formation of aberrations. The differences found between ATM- and NBS-deficient cells at low doses suggest that important questions should with regard to applying observations of radiation sensitivity at high dose to low-dose exposures. For aberrations induced by iron nuclei, regression models preferred purely linear dose responses for simple exchanges and quadratic dose responses for complex exchanges. Relative biological effectiveness (RBE) factors of all of the DNA repair-defective cell lines were smaller than those of normal cells, with the DNA-PK-deficient cells having RBEs near unity. To further investigate the sensitivity differences that were observed in ATM and NBS deficient cells, chromosomal aberrations were analyzed in normal lung fibroblast cells treated with KU-55933 (a specific ATM kinase inhibitor) or Mirin (an Mre11- Rad50-Nbs1 complex inhibitor involved in activation of ATM). We also performed siRNA knockdown of these proteins. Preliminary data indicate that chromosome exchanges increase in cells treated with the specific ATM inhibitor. Possible cytogenetic signatures of acute and low dose-rate gamma irradiation in ATM or nibrin deficient and suppressed cells will be discussed.

Psoralidin, a dual inhibitor of COX-2 and 5-LOX, regulates ionizing radiation (IR)-induced pulmonary inflammation.

PubMed

Yang, Hee Jung; Youn, HyeSook; Seong, Ki Moon; Yun, Young Ju; Kim, Wanyeon; Kim, Young Ha; Lee, Ji Young; Kim, Cha Soon; Jin, Young-Woo; Youn, BuHyun

2011-09-01

Radiotherapy is the most significant non-surgical cure for the elimination of tumor, however it is restricted by two major problems: radioresistance and normal tissue damage. Efficiency improvement on radiotherapy is demanded to achieve cancer treatment. We focused on radiation-induced normal cell damage, and are concerned about inflammation reported to act as a main limiting factor in the radiotherapy. Psoralidin, a coumestan derivative isolated from the seed of Psoralea corylifolia, has been studied for anti-cancer and anti-bacterial properties. However, little is known regarding its effects on IR-induced pulmonary inflammation. The aim of this study is to investigate mechanisms of IR-induced inflammation and to examine therapeutic mechanisms of psoralidin in human normal lung fibroblasts and mice. Here, we demonstrated that IR-induced ROS activated cyclooxygenases-2 (COX-2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) pathway in HFL-1 and MRC-5 cells. Psoralidin inhibited the IR-induced COX-2 expression and PGE(2) production through regulation of PI3K/Akt and NF-κB pathway. Also, psoralidin blocked IR-induced LTB(4) production, and it was due to direct interaction of psoralidin and 5-lipoxygenase activating protein (FLAP) in 5-LOX pathway. IR-induced fibroblast migration was notably attenuated in the presence of psoralidin. Moreover, in vivo results from mouse lung indicate that psoralidin suppresses IR-induced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, TGF-β, IL-6 and IL-1 α/β) and ICAM-1. Taken together, our findings reveal a regulatory mechanism of IR-induced pulmonary inflammation in human normal lung fibroblast and mice, and suggest that psoralidin may be useful as a potential lead compound for development of a better radiopreventive agent against radiation-induced normal tissue injury. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Identification of Keratinocyte Growth Factor as a Target of microRNA-155 in Lung Fibroblasts: Implication in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Interactions

PubMed Central

Chevalier, Benoit; Puisségur, Marie-Pierre; Lebrigand, Kevin; Robbe-Sermesant, Karine; Bertero, Thomas; Lino Cardenas, Christian L.; Courcot, Elisabeth; Rios, Géraldine; Fourre, Sandra; Lo-Guidice, Jean-Marc; Marcet, Brice; Cardinaud, Bruno; Barbry, Pascal; Mari, Bernard

2009-01-01

Background Epithelial-mesenchymal interactions are critical in regulating many aspects of vertebrate embryo development, and for the maintenance of homeostatic equilibrium in adult tissues. The interactions between epithelium and mesenchyme are believed to be mediated by paracrine signals such as cytokines and extracellular matrix components secreted from fibroblasts that affect adjacent epithelia. In this study, we sought to identify the repertoire of microRNAs (miRNAs) in normal lung human fibroblasts and their potential regulation by the cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β and TGF-β. Methodology/Principal Findings MiR-155 was significantly induced by inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β while it was down-regulated by TGF-β. Ectopic expression of miR-155 in human fibroblasts induced modulation of a large set of genes related to “cell to cell signalling”, “cell morphology” and “cellular movement”. This was consistent with an induction of caspase-3 activity and with an increase in cell migration in fibroblasts tranfected with miR-155. Using different miRNA bioinformatic target prediction tools, we found a specific enrichment for miR-155 predicted targets among the population of down-regulated transcripts. Among fibroblast-selective targets, one interesting hit was keratinocyte growth factor (KGF, FGF-7), a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family, which owns two potential binding sites for miR-155 in its 3′-UTR. Luciferase assays experimentally validated that miR-155 can efficiently target KGF 3′-UTR. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed that only one out of the 2 potential sites was truly functional. Functional in vitro assays experimentally validated that miR-155 can efficiently target KGF 3′-UTR. Furthermore, in vivo experiments using a mouse model of lung fibrosis showed that miR-155 expression level was correlated with the degree of lung fibrosis. Conclusions/Significance Our results strongly suggest a physiological function of miR-155 in lung fibroblasts. Altogether, this study implicates this miRNA in the regulation by mesenchymal cells of surrounding lung epithelium, making it a potential key player during tissue injury. PMID:19701459

Establishment and characterization of scleroderma fibroblast clonal cell lines by introduction of the hTERT gene

PubMed Central

Kapanadze, Bagrat; Morris, Erin; Smith, Edwin; Trojanowska, Maria

2010-01-01

Abstract Lack of an adequate experimental model has hindered the ability to fully understand scleroderma (SSc) pathogenesis. Current SSc research is based on the study of cultured fibroblasts from skin biopsies. In depth characterization of the SSc fibroblast phenotype is hindered by the limited lifespan and heterogeneity of these cells. The goal of this study was to isolate high collagen-producing fibroblasts from SSc biopsies and extend their lifespan with hTERT immortalization to enable characterization of their phenotype. Fibroblasts from two pairs of closely matched normal and SSc biopsies were infected with an hTERT lentivirus. Infected colonies were isolated, cultured into clonal cell lines and analysed with respect to profibrotic gene expression. The mRNA levels of nine profibrotic genes were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Protein levels were assessed by Western blot. The hTERT SSc clones were heterogeneous with regards to expression of the profibrotic genes measured. A subset of the SSc clones showed elevated expression levels of collagen I, connective tissue growth factor and thrombospondin 1 mRNA, while expression of other genes was not significantly changed. Elevated expression of collagen I protein and mRNA was correlative with elevated expression of connective tissue growth factor. Several hTERT clones expressed high levels of pSmad1, Smad1 and TGF-βRI indicative of altered TGF-β signalling. A portion of SSc clones expressed several profibrotic genes. This study demonstrates that select characteristics of the SSc phenotype are expressed in a subset of activated fibroblasts in culture. The clonal SSc cell lines may present a new and useful model to investigate the mechanisms involved in SSc fibrosis. PMID:19432820

Establishment and characterization of scleroderma fibroblast clonal cell lines by introduction of the hTERT gene.

PubMed

Kapanadze, Bagrat; Morris, Erin; Smith, Edwin; Trojanowska, Maria

2010-05-01

Lack of an adequate experimental model has hindered the ability to fully understand scleroderma (SSc) pathogenesis. Current SSc research is based on the study of cultured fibroblasts from skin biopsies. In depth characterization of the SSc fibroblast phenotype is hindered by the limited lifespan and heterogeneity of these cells. The goal of this study was to isolate high collagen-producing fibroblasts from SSc biopsies and extend their lifespan with hTERT immortalization to enable characterization of their phenotype. Fibroblasts from two pairs of closely matched normal and SSc biopsies were infected with an hTERT lentivirus. Infected colonies were isolated, cultured into clonal cell lines and analysed with respect to profibrotic gene expression. The mRNA levels of nine profibrotic genes were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Protein levels were assessed by Western blot. The hTERT SSc clones were heterogeneous with regards to expression of the profibrotic genes measured. A subset of the SSc clones showed elevated expression levels of collagen I, connective tissue growth factor and thrombospondin 1 mRNA, while expression of other genes was not significantly changed. Elevated expression of collagen I protein and mRNA was correlative with elevated expression of connective tissue growth factor. Several hTERT clones expressed high levels of pSmad1, Smad1 and TGF-betaRI indicative of altered TGF-beta signalling. A portion of SSc clones expressed several profibrotic genes. This study demonstrates that select characteristics of the SSc phenotype are expressed in a subset of activated fibroblasts in culture. The clonal SSc cell lines may present a new and useful model to investigate the mechanisms involved in SSc fibrosis.

Heterogeneity in c-jun gene expression in normal and malignant cells exposed to either ionizing radiation or hydrogen peroxide

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Collart, F.R.; Horio, M.; Huberman, E.

1995-05-01

We investigated the role of reactive oxygen intermediates and protein kinase C in the induction of expression of the c-jun gene in human ML-2 leukemic cells and normal human DET-551 fibroblasts by comparing the effects of exposure to either ionizing radiation or H{sub 2}O{sub 2} in the presence or absence of appropriate inhibitors. In these cell types, the radiation-and H{sub 2}O{sub 2}-mediated increase in c-jun mRNA levels could be prevented by pretreatment of the cells with N-acetylcysteine, and antioxidant, or H7, an inhibitor of protein kinase C and protein kinase A, but not by HA1004, a specific inhibitor of proteinmore » kinase A and G. These results suggest a role for protein kinase C and reactive oxygen intermediates in the induction of c-jun gene expression in both normal and tumor cells. We also investigated potential differences in c-jun gene expression induced by radiation or H{sub 2}O{sub 2} in normal and tumor cells by examining steady-state c-jun mRNA levels in a number of human fibroblast, leukemia, melanoma, sarcoma and carcinoma cell types. We observed heterogeneity in the steady-state level of c-jun mRNA in both the untreated normal and tumor cells and in such cells exposed to ionizing radiation or to H{sub 2}O{sub 2}. Exposure to radiation produced a varied response which ranged from little or no induction to an increase in the steady-state level of the c-jun mRNA of more than two orders of magnitude. Exposure to H{sub 2}O{sub 2} gave a pattern similar to that of ionizing radiation. The basis for the differential induction in response to these agents may be attributable to either cell lineage or genetic heterogeneity or a combination of these two parameters. 30 refs., 7 figs., 1 tab.« less

Endothelin and sex hormones modulate the fibronectin synthesis by cultured human skin scleroderma fibroblasts

PubMed Central

Soldano, S; Montagna, P; Villaggio, B; Parodi, A; Gianotti, G; Sulli, A; Seriolo, B; Secchi, M E; Cutolo, M

2009-01-01

Objective: To evaluate the influence of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and sex hormones on cell proliferation and extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis (ie, fibronectin, laminin) by cultured normal and scleroderma (SSc) human skin fibroblasts (FBs). Methods: Primary cultures of FBs were treated with ET-1 and sex hormones (17β-oestradiol or testosterone) for 24 h. Cell growth was analysed by methiltetrazolium salt test, ECM synthesis was evaluated by immunocytochemistry and western blot, both at 24 h. Results: In normal FBs, ET-1 and 17β-oestradiol, as well as their combination, increased cell growth (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.01 vs untreated cells (control), respectively) and fibronectin synthesis (p<0.05, p<0.05, p<0.01 vs control, respectively). By contrast, testosterone either alone or in combination with ET-1 did not influence cell proliferation, but decreased fibronectin synthesis (p<0.05, testosterone vs control). In SSc FBs, ET-1 and 17β-oestradiol alone or their combination induced an increased fibronectin synthesis (p<0.05, p<0.05, p<0.01 vs control, respectively). Unexpectedly, testosterone induced an increase of fibronectin synthesis (p<0.05 vs control). Conclusions: ET-1 and 17β-oestradiol seem to exert a profibrotic effect in normal and SSc culture FBs and might suggest their synergistic effect in the pathogenesis of the fibrotic process in SSc. PMID:18952637

Impact of fluoride and a static magnetic field on the gene expression that is associated with the antioxidant defense system of human fibroblasts.

PubMed

Kimsa-Dudek, Magdalena; Synowiec-Wojtarowicz, Agnieszka; Derewniuk, Małgorzata; Gawron, Stanisław; Paul-Samojedny, Monika; Kruszniewska-Rajs, Celina; Pawłowska-Góral, Katarzyna

2018-05-01

Fluoride cytotoxicity has been associated with apoptosis, oxidative stress, general changes in DNA and RNA and protein biosynthesis, whereas the results of studies on the effect of SMF on antioxidant activity of cells are contradictory. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate the simultaneous exposure of human cells to fluoride SMF that are generated by permanent magnets on the expression profile of the genes that are associated with the antioxidant defense system. Control fibroblasts and fibroblasts that had been treated with fluoride were subjected to the influence of SMF with a moderate induction. In order to achieve our aims, we applied modern molecular biology techniques such as the oligonucleotide microarray. Among the antioxidant defense genes, five (SOD1, PLK3, CLN8, XPA, HAO1), whose expression was significantly altered by the action of fluoride ions and the exposure to SMF were normalized their expression was identified. We showed that fluoride ions cause oxidative stress, whereas exposure to SMF with a moderate induction can suppress their effects by normalizing the expression of the genes that are altered by fluoride. Our research may explain the molecular mechanisms of the influence of fluoride and SMF that are generated by permanent magnets on cells. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Mechanical Tension Increases CCN2/CTGF Expression and Proliferation in Gingival Fibroblasts via a TGFβ-Dependent Mechanism

PubMed Central

Guo, Fen; Carter, David E.; Leask, Andrew

2011-01-01

Unlike skin, oral gingival do not scar in response to tissue injury. Fibroblasts, the cell type responsible for connective tissue repair and scarring, are exposed to mechanical tension during normal and pathological conditions including wound healing and fibrogenesis. Understanding how human gingival fibroblasts respond to mechanical tension is likely to yield valuable insights not only into gingival function but also into the molecular basis of scarless repair. CCN2/connective tissue growth factor is potently induced in fibroblasts during tissue repair and fibrogenesis. We subjected gingival fibroblasts to cyclical strain (up to 72 hours) using the Flexercell system and showed that CCN2 mRNA and protein was induced by strain. Strain caused the rapid activation of latent TGFβ, in a fashion that was reduced by blebbistatin and FAK/src inhibition, and the induction of endothelin (ET-1) mRNA and protein expression. Strain did not cause induction of α-smooth muscle actin or collagen type I mRNAs (proteins promoting scarring); but induced a cohort of pro-proliferative mRNAs and cell proliferation. Compared to dermal fibroblasts, gingival fibroblasts showed reduced ability to respond to TGFβ by inducing fibrogenic mRNAs; addition of ET-1 rescued this phenotype. Pharmacological inhibition of the TGFβ type I (ALK5) receptor, the endothelin A/B receptors and FAK/src significantly reduced the induction of CCN2 and pro-proliferative mRNAs and cell proliferation. Controlling TGFβ, ET-1 and FAK/src activity may be useful in controlling responses to mechanical strain in the gingiva and may be of value in controlling fibroproliferative conditions such as gingival hyperplasia; controlling ET-1 may be of benefit in controlling scarring in response to injury in the skin. PMID:21611193

Investigation of the phototoxic effect of ZnO nanorods on fibroblasts and melanoma human cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kishwar, S.; Siddique, M.; Israr-Qadir, M.; Nur, O.; Willander, M.; Öllinger, K.

2014-11-01

Photocytotoxic effects of as-grown and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods coated with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) have been studied on human cells, i.e. melanoma and foreskin fibroblast, under dark and ultraviolet light exposures. Zinc oxide nanorods have been grown on the very sharp tip (diameter = 700 nm) of borosilicate glass pipettes and then were coated by the photosensitizer for targeted investigations inside human cells. The coated glass pipette’s tip with photosensitizer has been inserted inside the cells with the help of a micro-manipulator and irradiated through ultraviolet light (UVA), which reduces the membrane potential of the mitochondria leading to cell death. Cell viability loss has been detected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay when exposed to the dissolved ZnO nanorods and the production of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been detected along with the enhanced cytotoxic effect under UVA irradiation. Additionally, the influence of the lipid soluble antioxidant vitamin E and water-soluble N-acetyl-cysteine toward the enhancement or reduction of the toxicity has been investigated. A comparative analysis of the toxic nature of ZnO nanorods has been drawn between normal human fibroblast and melanoma cells, which can be favorable for understanding the clinical setting for killing tumor cells.

A COL11A1-correlated pan-cancer gene signature of activated fibroblasts for the prioritization of therapeutic targets

PubMed Central

Jia, Dongyu; Liu, Zhenqiu; Deng, Nan; Tan, Tuan Zea; Huang, Ruby Yun-Ju; Taylor-Harding, Barbie; Cheon, Dong-Joo; Lawrenson, Kate; Wiedemeyer, Wolf R.; Walts, Ann E.; Karlan, Beth Y.; Orsulic, Sandra

2016-01-01

Although cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are viewed as a promising therapeutic target, the design of rational therapy has been hampered by two key obstacles. First, attempts to ablate CAFs have resulted in significant toxicity because currently used biomarkers cannot effectively distinguish activated CAFs from non-cancer associated fibroblasts and mesenchymal progenitor cells. Second, it is unclear whether CAFs in different organs have different molecular and functional properties that necessitate organ-specific therapeutic designs. Our analyses uncovered COL11A1 as a highly specific biomarker of activated CAFs. Using COL11A1 as a ‘seed’, we identified co-expressed genes in 13 types of primary carcinoma in The Cancer Genome Atlas. We demonstrated that a molecular signature of activated CAFs is conserved in epithelial cancers regardless of organ site and transforming events within cancer cells, suggesting that targeting fibroblast activation should be effective in multiple cancers. We prioritized several potential pan-cancer therapeutic targets that are likely to have high specificity for activated CAFs and minimal toxicity in normal tissues. PMID:27609069

Stretching Fibroblasts Remodels Fibronectin and Alters Cancer Cell Migration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ao, Mingfang; Brewer, Bryson M.; Yang, Lijie; Franco Coronel, Omar E.; Hayward, Simon W.; Webb, Donna J.; Li, Deyu

2015-02-01

Most investigations of cancer-stroma interactions have focused on biochemical signaling effects, with much less attention being paid to biophysical factors. In this study, we investigated the role of mechanical stimuli on human prostatic fibroblasts using a microfluidic platform that was adapted for our experiments and further developed for both repeatable performance among multiple assays and for compatibility with high-resolution confocal microscopy. Results show that mechanical stretching of normal tissue-associated fibroblasts (NAFs) alters the structure of secreted fibronectin. Specifically, unstretched NAFs deposit and assemble fibronectin in a random, mesh-like arrangement, while stretched NAFs produce matrix with a more organized, linearly aligned structure. Moreover, the stretched NAFs exhibited an enhanced capability for directing co-cultured cancer cell migration in a persistent manner. Furthermore, we show that stretching NAFs triggers complex biochemical signaling events through the observation of increased expression of platelet derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα). A comparison of these behaviors with those of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) indicates that the observed phenotypes of stretched NAFs are similar to those associated with CAFs, suggesting that mechanical stress is a critical factor in NAF activation and CAF genesis.

Immunocytology with microwave-fixed fibroblasts shows 1 alpha,25- dihydroxyvitamin D3-dependent rapid and estrogen-dependent slow reorganization of vitamin D receptors

PubMed Central

1990-01-01

Prior studies have given no evidence for regulation of vitamin D receptor (VDR) compartmentalization or subcellular organization. Microwave fixation (9-15 s) and an indirect immunodetection system of avidin-biotin enhancement and phycoerythrin fluorophore resulted in sufficient spatial and temporal resolution to allow analysis of these processes. We studied cultured fibroblasts from normals or from patients with four different types of hereditary defect compromising VDR function (mutant cells). Compartmentalization of VDRs in the absence of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol) was regulated by serum or estrogen. VDRs were mainly cytoplasmic in cells cultured without serum and phenol red, but VDRs were mainly intranuclear after addition of serum or an estrogen to cells for at least 18 h (slow regulation). Calcitriol initiated a rapid and multistep process (rapid regulation) of reorganization in a portion of VDRs: clumping within 15-45 s, alignment of clumps along fibrils within 30-45 s, perinuclear accumulation of clumps within 45-90 s, and intranuclear accumulation of clumps within 1-3 min. We found similar rapid effects of calcitriol on VDRs in various other types of cultured cells. These sequential VDR pattern changes showed calcitriol dose dependency and calcitriol analogue specificity characteristic for the VDR. In mutant fibroblasts VDR pattern changes after calcitriol were absent or severely disturbed at selected steps. Treatment of normal cells with wheat germ agglutinin, which blocks protein transport through nuclear pores, also blocked calcitriol-dependent translocation of VDRs. We conclude that immunocytology after microwave fixation provides evidence for regulation of VDR organization and localization. PMID:2177476

Noble Hybrid Nanostructures as Efficient Anti-Proliferative Platforms for Human Breast Cancer Cell.

PubMed

Tavangar, Amirhossein; Premnath, Priyatha; Tan, Bo; Venkatakrishnan, Krishnan

2016-04-27

Nanomaterials have proven to possess great potential in biomaterials research. Recently, they have suggested considerable promise in cancer diagnosis and therapy. Among others, silicon (Si) nanomaterials have been extensively employed for various biomedical applications; however, the utilization of Si for cancer therapy has been limited to nanoparticles, and its potential as anticancer substrates has not been fully explored. Noble nanoparticles have also received considerable attention owing to unique anticancer properties to improve the efficiency of biomaterials for numerous biological applications. Nevertheless, immobilization and control over delivery of the nanoparticles have been challenge. Here, we develop hybrid nanoplatforms to efficiently hamper breast cancer cell adhesion and proliferation. Platforms are synthesized by femtosecond laser processing of Si into multiphase nanostructures, followed by sputter-coating with gold (Au)/gold-palladium (Au-Pd) nanoparticles. The performance of the developed platforms was then examined by exploring the response of normal fibroblast and metastatic breast cancer cells. Our results from the quantitative and qualitative analyses show a dramatic decrease in the number of breast cancer cells on the hybrid platform compared to untreated substrates. Whereas, fibroblast cells form stable adhesion with stretched and elongated cytoskeleton and actin filaments. The hybrid platforms perform as dual-acting cytophobic/cytostatic stages where Si nanostructures depress breast cancer cell adhesion while immobilized Au/Au-Pd nanoparticles are gradually released to affect any surviving cell on the nanostructures. The nanoparticles are believed to be taken up by breast cancer cells via endocytosis, which subsequently alter the cell nucleus and may cause cell death. The findings suggest that the density of nanostructures and concentration of coated nanoparticles play critical roles on cytophobic/cytostatic properties of the platforms on human breast cancer cells while having no or even cytophilic effects on fibroblast cells. Because of the remarkable contrary responses of normal and cancer cells to the proposed platform, we envision that it will provide novel applications in cancer research.

Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 mediates antifibrotic effects in scleroderma fibroblasts.

PubMed

He, Ye; Tsou, Pei-Suen; Khanna, Dinesh; Sawalha, Amr H

2018-05-14

Emerging evidence supports a role for epigenetic regulation in the pathogenesis of scleroderma (SSc). We aimed to assess the role of methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2), a key epigenetic regulator, in fibroblast activation and fibrosis in SSc. Dermal fibroblasts were isolated from patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) and from healthy controls. MeCP2 expression was measured by qPCR and western blot. Myofibroblast differentiation was evaluated by gel contraction assay in vitro. Fibroblast proliferation was analysed by ki67 immunofluorescence staining. A wound healing assay in vitro was used to determine fibroblast migration rates. RNA-seq was performed with and without MeCP2 knockdown in dcSSc to identify MeCP2-regulated genes. The expression of MeCP2 and its targets were modulated by siRNA or plasmid. Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq) using anti-MeCP2 antibody was performed to assess MeCP2 binding sites within MeCP2-regulated genes. Elevated expression of MeCP2 was detected in dcSSc fibroblasts compared with normal fibroblasts. Overexpressing MeCP2 in normal fibroblasts suppressed myofibroblast differentiation, fibroblast proliferation and fibroblast migration. RNA-seq in MeCP2-deficient dcSSc fibroblasts identified MeCP2-regulated genes involved in fibrosis, including PLAU , NID2 and ADA . Plasminogen activator urokinase (PLAU) overexpression in dcSSc fibroblasts reduced myofibroblast differentiation and fibroblast migration, while nidogen-2 (NID2) knockdown promoted myofibroblast differentiation and fibroblast migration. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) depletion in dcSSc fibroblasts inhibited cell migration rates. Taken together, antifibrotic effects of MeCP2 were mediated, at least partly, through modulating PLAU, NID2 and ADA. ChIP-seq further showed that MeCP2 directly binds regulatory sequences in NID2 and PLAU gene loci. This study demonstrates a novel role for MeCP2 in skin fibrosis and identifies MeCP2-regulated genes associated with fibroblast migration, myofibroblast differentiation and extracellular matrix degradation, which can be potentially targeted for therapy in SSc. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Fibroblasts from patients with hereditary cutaneous malignant melanoma are abnormally sensitive to the mutagenic effect of simulated sunlight and 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Howell, J.N.; Greene, M.H.; Corner, R.C.

Because of a possible etiologic link between mutations and carcinogenesis, the authors compared fibroblasts derived from skin biopsies of several patients with hereditary cutaneous malignant melanoma and the dysplastic nevus syndrome for sensitivity to the mutagenic and/or cytotoxic effect of broad-spectrum simulated sunlight and of a UV mimetic carcinogen, 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO). The genetic marker was resistant to 6-thioguanine; loss of colony-forming ability was the assay for cytotoxicity. All five strains tested were more sensitive than normal to the killing effect of 4NQO (slopes of survival curves were 2- to 3-fold steeper), but only one strain was hypersensitive to killingmore » by Sun Lamp radiation. Two strains were tested for mutagenicity. The response of each to the mutagenic action of these agents corresponded to its response to cell killing. Both strains were hypermutable after exposure to 4NQO, but only one showed a higher than normal frequency of mutants induced by simulated sunlight. The finding that nonmalignant fibroblasts from patients with a hereditary variant of malignant fibroblasts from patients with a hereditary variant of malignant melanoma are abnormally susceptible to carcinogen-induced mutations suggests that hypersensitivity to mutagens contributes to risk of melanoma in patients. It also supports the somatic cell mutation hypothesis for the origin of cancer. 46 references, 3 figures.« less

Reprogramming of Normal Fibroblasts into Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts by miRNAs-Mediated CCL2/VEGFA Signaling

PubMed Central

Shen, Hua; Yu, Xiaobo; Yang, Fengming; Zhang, Zhihua; Shen, Jianxin; Sun, Jin; Choksi, Swati; Jitkaew, Siriporn; Shu, Yongqian

2016-01-01

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the most common constituent of the tumor stoma, are known to promote tumor initiation, progression and metastasis. However, the mechanism of how cancer cells transform normal fibroblasts (NFs) into CAFs is largely unknown. In this study, we determined the contribution of miRNAs in the transformation of NFs into CAFs. We found that miR-1 and miR-206 were down-regulated, whereas miR-31 was up-regulated in lung CAFs when compared with matched NFs. Importantly, modifying the expression of these three deregulated miRNAs induced a functional conversion of NFs into CAFs and vice versa. When the miRNA-reprogrammed NFs and CAFs were co-cultured with lung cancer cells (LCCs), a similar pattern of cytokine expression profiling were observed between two groups. Using a combination of cytokine expression profiling and miRNAs algorithms, we identified VEGFA/CCL2 and FOXO3a as direct targets of miR-1, miR-206 and miR-31, respectively. Importantly, systemic delivery of anti-VEGFA/CCL2 or pre-miR-1, pre-miR-206 and anti-miR-31 significantly inhibited tumor angiogenesis, TAMs accumulation, tumor growth and lung metastasis. Our results show that miRNAs-mediated FOXO3a/VEGF/CCL2 signaling plays a prominent role in LCCs-mediated NFs into CAFs, which may have clinical implications for providing novel biomarker(s) and potential therapeutic target(s) of lung cancer in the future. PMID:27541266

Early superoxide dismutase alterations during SV40-transformation of human fibroblasts.

PubMed

Bravard, A; Hoffschir, F; Sabatier, L; Ricoul, M; Pinton, A; Cassingena, R; Estrade, S; Luccioni, C; Dutrillaux, B

1992-11-11

The expression of superoxide dismutases (SOD) 1 and 2 was studied in 4 clones of human fibroblasts after their infection by simian virus 40 (SV40), in parallel with the alterations of chromosomes 21 and chromosome 6q arms, carrying the genes that encode for SOD1 and SOD2 respectively. For all clones, a similar scheme with 2 main phases was observed for both chromosome and SOD variations. The first phase, defined as the pre-crisis phase, was characterized by chromosomal instability, but maintenance of normal numbers of chromosome 6q arms and chromosomes 21. The level of SOD2 mRNA was high, while SOD2 activity and immunoreactive protein were low. SOD1 protein and activity were decreased. In the second phase, defined as the post-crisis phase, the accumulation of clonal chromosomal rearrangements led to the loss of 6q arms, while the number of chromosomes 21 remained normal. SOD2 mRNA level was decreased and SOD2 immunoreactive protein and activity remained low. SOD1 protein and activity increased with passages, reaching values similar to those of control cells at late passages. As in established SV40-transformed human fibroblast cell lines, good correlation was found between SOD2 activity and the relative number of 6q arms. These results allow us to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the decrease of SOD2, a possible tumor-suppressor gene, during the process of SV40-transformation of human fibroblasts.

A specific, nonproliferative role for E2F-5 in choroid plexus function revealed by gene targeting

PubMed Central

Lindeman, Geoffrey J.; Dagnino, Lina; Gaubatz, Stefan; Xu, Yuhui; Bronson, Roderick T.; Warren, Henry B.; Livingston, David M.

1998-01-01

Homozygous E2F-5 knockout embryos and mice have been generated. Although embryonic development appeared normal, newborn mice developed nonobstructive hydrocephalus, suggesting excessive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production. Although the CSF-producing choroid plexus displayed normal cellular organization, it contained abundant electron-lucent epithelial cells, consistent with excessive CSF secretory activity. Moreover, E2F-5 CNS expression in normal animals was largely confined to the choroid plexus. Cell cycle kinetics were not perturbed in homozygous knockout embryo fibroblasts. Thus, E2F-5 is not essential for cell proliferation. Rather, it affects the secretory behavior of a differentiated neural tissue. PMID:9553039

Theaflavin-3,3'-digallate, a component of black tea: an inducer of oxidative stress and apoptosis.

PubMed

Schuck, Alyssa G; Ausubel, Miriam B; Zuckerbraun, Harriet L; Babich, Harvey

2008-04-01

Treatment of human oral squamous carcinoma HSC-2 cells and normal GN46 fibroblasts with theaflavin-3,3'-digallate (TF-3), a polyphenol in black tea, showed a concentration and time dependent inhibition of growth, with the tumor cells more sensitive than the fibroblasts. In buffer and in cell culture medium, TF-3 generated reactive oxygen species, with lower levels detected in buffer amended with catalase and superoxide dismutase, indicating the generation of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide, respectively, and suggesting that TF-3 may be an inducer of oxidative stress. The toxicity of TF-3 was decreased in the presence of catalase, pyruvate, and divalent cobalt, all scavengers of reactive oxygen species, but was potentiated in the presence of diethyldithiocarbamate, an inhibitor of superoxide dismutase. The intracellular level of glutathione in HSC-2 cells was lessened after a 4-h exposure to 250 and 500 microM TF-3. However, for GN46 fibroblasts, a 4-h exposure to 250 microM TF-3 stimulated, but to 500 microM TF-3 lessened, intracellular glutathione. Treatment of the cells with the glutathione depleters, 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea, 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, and d,l-buthionine-[S,R]-sulfoximine potentiated the toxicity of TF-3. Induction of apoptotic cell death in HSC-2 cells treated with TF-3 was noted by apoptotic cell morphologies, by TUNEL staining, by PARP cleavage, and by elevated activity of caspase-3. Apoptosis was not noted in GN46 fibroblasts treated with TF-3.

N-acetyl-L-cysteine increases MnSOD activity and enhances the recruitment of quiescent human fibroblasts to the proliferation cycle during wound healing

PubMed Central

Mao, Gaowei; Goswami, Monali; Kalen, Amanda L.; Goswami, Prabhat C.; Sarsour, Ehab H.

2016-01-01

Background The rebuilding of the connective tissue during wound healing requires the recruitment of fibroblasts to the wound area as well as reentry of quiescent fibroblasts to the proliferative cycle. Whether this process can be modulated by a small molecular weight thiol antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) was tested in normal human skin fibroblasts (NHFs) in this study. Methods and Results By using a uni-directional wound healing assay, NAC treated cells demonstrated a decreased migration rate but increased number of proliferating cells recruited into the wound area post wounding. Fifteen day quiescent control and NAC treated NHFs were re-plated at a lower density and cell numbers counted at different days post-plating. Interestingly, NAC treated cells exhibited increased cellular proliferation indicated by both decreased cell population doubling time and increased S phase cells. NAC treated cells demonstrated decreased steady state levels of reactive oxygen species as well as increased protein and activity levels of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). NAC treatment failed to induce proliferation in quiescent cells lacking MnSOD expression. Conclusions These results demonstrate that NAC enhanced the recruitment of quiescent NHFs into proliferation cycle during wound healing. Our results also suggest that the wound healing properties of NAC might be due to its ability to induce and enhance MnSOD expression and activity. Altogether, these findings suggest NAC might be potentially developed as a dietary intervention to improve tissue injury in animals and humans. PMID:26671656

Bovine protoporphyria: documentation of autosomal recessive inheritance and comparison with the human disease through measurement of heme synthase activity.

PubMed Central

Bloomer, J R; Morton, K O; Reuter, R J; Ruth, G R

1982-01-01

Protoporphyria is an autosomal dominant disease in man in which protoporphyrin accumulated because of a defect in heme synthase (ferrochelatase) activity. A disease has been described in cattle that has the same manifestations as does the human disease. We measured heme synthase activity in sonicates of cultured skin fibroblasts and whole liver homogenates from animals with protoporphyria, their unaffected parents, and normal cattle in order to examine the mode of inheritance and compare it with human protoporphyria. The mean activity (+/- SEM) in fibroblasts from the three groups was 2.0 +/- 0.4, 47 +/- 12, and 149 +/- 10 pmol heme formed/mg protein per hr, respectively, consistent with autosomal recessive inheritance. Similarly, the levels of heme synthase activity in livers of the parents were intermediate to those of normal animals and of animals with protoporphyria. When compared with normal human fibroblasts and liver, the specific activity of heme synthase in normal bovine tissue was significantly higher. These studies indicate that manifestations of protoporphyria do not occur in cattle unless the animal is homozygous for the gene defect, whereas in humans, the heterozygous condition is sufficient. This is probably because the specific activity of heme synthase in cells of heterozygous animals is not reduced to a level that significantly alters heme metabolism. PMID:7072720

A simple combined floating and anchored collagen gel for enhancing mechanical strength of culture system.

PubMed

Harada, Ichiro; Kim, Sung-Gon; Cho, Chong Su; Kurosawa, Hisashi; Akaike, Toshihiro

2007-01-01

In this study, a simple combined method consisting of floating and anchored collagen gel in a ligament or tendon equivalent culture system was used to produce the oriented fibrils in fibroblast-populated collagen matrices (FPCMs) during the remodeling and contraction of the collagen gel. Orientation of the collagen fibrils along single axis occurred over the whole area of the floating section and most of the fibroblasts were elongated and aligned along the oriented collagen fibrils, whereas no significant orientation of fibrils was observed in normally contracted FPCMs by the floating method. Higher elasticity and enhanced mechanical strength were obtained using our simple method compared with normally contracted floating FPCMs. The Young's modulus and the breaking point of the FPCMs were dependent on the initial cell densities. This simple method will be applied as a convenient bioreactor to study cellular processes of the fibroblasts in the tissues with highly oriented fibrils such as ligaments or tendons. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

[Exposure of normal Tenon's capsule fibroblasts from pterygium to 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin C].

PubMed

Viveiros, Magda Massae Hata; Schellini, Silvana Artioli; Candeias, João; Padovani, Carlos Roberto

2007-01-01

To evaluate the fibroblast proliferation activity of normal Tenon's capsule from primary and recurrent patients with pterygium. A randomized prospective study was performed with 41 normal Tenon's capsule fragments from 21 primary and 20 recurrent patients with pterygium. The sample was collected from the inferior cul-de-sac. Proliferation rate from fibroblasts were evaluated after mitomycin C and 5-fluorouracil exposition. Data were submitted to statistical analysis. Of the 41 cultivated normal Tenon's capsules, only 1 from primary and 2 from recurrent pterygium patients proliferated. After antimitotic exposition, the proliferation rate was similar with both drugs. Mitomycin and 5-fluorouracil promote similar inhibition regarding proliferation of normal Tenon's fibroblast cultures.

Biological evaluation of partially stabilized zirconia added HA/HDPE composites with osteoblast and fibroblast cell lines.

PubMed

Yari Sadi, Amir; Shokrgozar, Mohammad Ali; Homaeigohar, Seyed Shahin; Khavandi, Alireza

2008-06-01

In the present study, the biocompatibility of partially stabilized zirconia (PSZ) added hydroxyapatite (HA)--high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites was evaluated by proliferation and cell attachment assays on two osteoblast cell lines (G-292, Saos-2) and a type of fibroblast cell isolated from bone tissue namely HBF in different time intervals. Cell-material interactions on the surface of the composites were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of composites on the behavior of osteoblast and fibroblast cells was compared with those of HDPE and Tissue Culture Poly Styrene (TPS) (as negative control) samples. Results showed that the composite samples supported a higher proliferation rate of osteoblast cells in the presence of composite samples as compared to the HDPE and TPS samples after 3, 7 and 14 days of incubation period. It was showed that an equal or in some cases an even higher proliferation rate of G-292 and Saos-2 osteoblast cells on composite samples in compare to negative controls in culture period (P < 0.05). The number of adhered cells on the composite samples was equal and in some cases higher than the number adhered on the HDPE and TPS samples after the above mentioned incubation periods (P < 0.05). Adhered cells presented a normal morphology by SEM and many of the cells were seen to be undergoing cell division.

Normal human mammary epithelial cells spontaneously escape senescence and acquire genomic changes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Romanov, S. R.; Kozakiewicz, B. K.; Holst, C. R.; Stampfer, M. R.; Haupt, L. M.; Tlsty, T. D.

2001-01-01

Senescence and genomic integrity are thought to be important barriers in the development of malignant lesions. Human fibroblasts undergo a limited number of cell divisions before entering an irreversible arrest, called senescence. Here we show that human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs) do not conform to this paradigm of senescence. In contrast to fibroblasts, HMECs exhibit an initial growth phase that is followed by a transient growth plateau (termed selection or M0; refs 3-5), from which proliferative cells emerge to undergo further population doublings (approximately 20-70), before entering a second growth plateau (previously termed senescence or M1; refs 4-6). We find that the first growth plateau exhibits characteristics of senescence but is not an insurmountable barrier to further growth. HMECs emerge from senescence, exhibit eroding telomeric sequences and ultimately enter telomere-based crisis to generate the types of chromosomal abnormalities seen in the earliest lesions of breast cancer. Growth past senescent barriers may be a pivotal event in the earliest steps of carcinogenesis, providing many genetic changes that predicate oncogenic evolution. The differences between epithelial cells and fibroblasts provide new insights into the mechanistic basis of neoplastic transformation.

Development and Characterisation of a Human Chronic Skin Wound Cell Line-Towards an Alternative for Animal Experimentation.

PubMed

Caley, Matthew; Wall, Ivan B; Peake, Matthew; Kipling, David; Giles, Peter; Thomas, David W; Stephens, Phil

2018-03-27

Background : Chronic skin wounds are a growing financial burden for healthcare providers, causing discomfort/immobility to patients. Whilst animal chronic wound models have been developed to allow for mechanistic studies and to develop/test potential therapies, such systems are not good representations of the human chronic wound state. As an alternative, human chronic wound fibroblasts (CWFs) have permitted an insight into the dysfunctional cellular mechanisms that are associated with these wounds. However, such cells strains have a limited replicative lifespan and therefore a limited reproducibility/usefulness. Objectives : To develop/characterise immortalised cell lines of CWF and patient-matched normal fibroblasts (NFs). Methods and Results : Immortalisation with human telomerase resulted in both CWF and NF proliferating well beyond their replicative senescence end-point (respective cell strains senesced as normal). Gene expression analysis demonstrated that, whilst proliferation-associated genes were up-regulated in the cell lines (as would be expected), the immortalisation process did not significantly affect the disease-specific genotype. Immortalised CWF (as compared to NF) also retained a distinct impairment in their wound repopulation potential (in line with CWF cell strains). Conclusions : These novel CWF cell lines are a credible animal alternative and could be a valuable research tool for understanding both the aetiology of chronic skin wounds and for therapeutic pre-screening.

LET and ion-species dependence for cell killing and mutation induction in normal human fibroblasts.

PubMed

Tsuruoka, Chizuru; Suzuki, Masao; Fujitaka, Kazunobu

2003-10-01

We have been studying LET and ion species dependence of RBE values in cell killing and mutation induction. Normal human skin fibroblasts were irradiated with heavy-ion beams such as carbon (290 Mev/u and 135 Mev/u), neon (230 Mev/u and 400 Mev/u), silicon (490 Mev/u) and iron (500 Mev/u) ion beams, generated by Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba (HIMAC) at National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS). Cell killing effect was detected as reproductive cell death using a colony formation assay. Mutation induction in hprt locus was detected to measure 6-thioguanine resistant colonies. The RBE-LET curves of cell killing and mutation induction were different each ion beam. So, we plotted RBE for cell killing and mutation induction as function of Z*2/beta2 instead of LET. RBE-Z*2/beta2 curves of cell killing indicated that the discrepancy of RBE-LET curves was reconciled each ion species. But RBE-Z*2/beta2 curves of mutation induction didn't corresponded between carbon- and silicon-ion beams. These results suggested that different biological endpoints may be suitable for different physical parameter, which represent the track structure of energy deposition of ion beams.

Functional characterization of cell hybrids generated by induced fusion of primary porcine mesenchymal stem cells with an immortal murine cell line.

PubMed

Islam, M Q; Ringe, J; Reichmann, E; Migotti, R; Sittinger, M; da S Meirelles, L; Nardi, N B; Magnusson, P; Islam, K

2006-10-01

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) integrate into various organs and contribute to the regeneration of diverse tissues. However, the mechanistic basis of the plasticity of MSC is not fully understood. The change of cell fate has been suggested to occur through cell fusion. We have generated hybrid cell lines by polyethylene-glycol-mediated cell fusion of primary porcine MSC with the immortal murine fibroblast cell line F7, a derivative of the GM05267 cell line. The hybrid cell lines display fibroblastic morphology and proliferate like immortal cells. They contain tetraploid to hexaploid porcine chromosomes accompanied by hypo-diploid murine chromosomes. Interestingly, many hybrid cell lines also express high levels of tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase, which is considered to be a marker of undifferentiated embryonic stem cells. All tested hybrid cell lines retain osteogenic differentiation, a few of them also retain adipogenic potential, but none retain chondrogenic differentiation. Conditioned media from hybrid cells enhance the proliferation of both early-passage and late-passage porcine MSC, indicating that the hybrid cells secrete diffusible growth stimulatory factors. Murine F7 cells thus have the unique property of generating immortal cell hybrids containing unusually high numbers of chromosomes derived from normal cells. These hybrid cells can be employed in various studies to improve our understanding of regenerative biology. This is the first report, to our knowledge, describing the generation of experimentally induced cell hybrids by using normal primary MSC.

Comparative studies of cytotoxic and apoptotic properties of different extracts and the essential oil of Lavandula angustifolia on malignant and normal cells.

PubMed

Tayarani-Najaran, Zahra; Amiri, Atefeh; Karimi, Gholamreza; Emami, Seyed Ahmad; Asili, Javad; Mousavi, Seyed Hadi

2014-01-01

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) is a bush-like shrub from Lamiaceae. The herb has been used in alternative medicine for several centuries. In this study, the cytotoxicity and the mechanisms of cell death induced by 3 different extracts of aerial parts and the essential oil of L. angustifolia were compared in normal and cancerous human cells. Malignant (HeLa and MCF-7 cell lines) and nonmalignant (human fibroblasts) cells were incubated with different concentrations of the plant extracts. Cell viability was quantified by MTS assay. Apoptotic cells were determined using propidium iodide staining of DNA fragmentation by flow cytometry (sub-G1 peak). The molecules as apoptotic signal translation, including Bax and cleaved PARP, were identified by Western blot. Ethanol and n-hexane extracts and essential oil exhibited significant cytotoxicity to malignant cells but marginal cytotoxicity to human fibroblasts in vitro and induced a sub-G1 peak in flow cytometry histogram of treated cells compared to the control. Western blot analysis demonstrated that EtOH and n-hexane extracts upregulated Bax expression, also it induced cleavage of PARP in HeLa cells compared to the control. In conclusion, L. angustifolia has cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in HeLa and MCF-7 cell lines, and apoptosis is proposed as the possible mechanism of action.

10-Shogaol, an Antioxidant from Zingiber officinale for Skin Cell Proliferation and Migration Enhancer

PubMed Central

Chen, Chung-Yi; Cheng, Kuo-Chen; Chang, Andy Y; Lin, Ying-Ting; Hseu, You-Cheng; Wang, Hui-Min

2012-01-01

In this work, one of Zingiber officinale components, 10-shogaol, was tested with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, metal chelating ability, and reducing power to show antioxidant activity. 10-Shogaol promoted human normal epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts cell growths. 10-Shogaol enhanced growth factor production in transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), platelet derived growth factor-αβ (PDGF-αβ) and vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) of both cells. In the in vitro wound healing assay for 12 or 24 h, with 10-shogaol, the fibroblasts and keratinocytes migrated more rapidly than the vehicle control group. Thus, this study substantiates the target compound, 10-shogaol, as an antioxidant for human skin cell growth and a migration enhancer with potential to be a novel wound repair agent. PMID:22408422

Connective tissue cells expressing fibro/adipogenic progenitor markers increase under chronic damage: relevance in fibroblast-myofibroblast differentiation and skeletal muscle fibrosis.

PubMed

Contreras, Osvaldo; Rebolledo, Daniela L; Oyarzún, Juan Esteban; Olguín, Hugo C; Brandan, Enrique

2016-06-01

Fibrosis occurs in skeletal muscle under various pathophysiological conditions such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a devastating disease characterized by fiber degeneration that results in progressive loss of muscle mass, weakness and increased extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation. Fibrosis is also observed after skeletal muscle denervation and repeated cycles of damage followed by regeneration. The ECM is synthesized largely by fibroblasts in the muscle connective tissue under normal conditions. Myofibroblasts, cells that express α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), play a role in many tissues affected by fibrosis. In skeletal muscle, fibro/adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) that express cell-surface platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α (PDGFR-α) and the transcription factor Tcf4 seem to be responsible for connective tissue synthesis and are good candidates for the origin of myofibroblasts. We show that cells positive for Tcf4 and PDGFR-α are expressed in skeletal muscle under normal conditions and are increased in various skeletal muscles of mdx mice, a murine model for DMD, wild type muscle after sciatic denervation and muscle subjected to chronic damage. These cells co-label with the myofibroblast marker α-SMA in dystrophic muscle but not in normal tissue. The Tcf4-positive cells lie near macrophages mainly concentrated in dystrophic necrotic-regenerating foci. The close proximity of Tcf4-positive cells to inflammatory cells and their previously described role in muscle regeneration might reflect an active interaction between these cell types and growth factors, possibly resulting in a muscular regenerative or fibrotic condition.

Tumor-induced Osteomalacia in a 3-Year-Old With Unresectable Central Giant Cell Lesions.

PubMed

Crossen, Stephanie S; Zambrano, Eduardo; Newman, Beverley; Bernstein, Jonathan A; Messner, Anna H; Bachrach, Laura K; Twist, Clare J

2017-01-01

Tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is a rare cause of hypophosphatemia involving overproduction of fibroblast growth factor 23. TIO has been described largely in adults with small mesenchymal tumors. We report a case of TIO in a child who presented with knee pain and radiographic findings concerning for rickets, and was found to have maxillomandibular giant cell lesions. The patient was treated with oral phosphorus and calcitriol, surgical debulking, and intralesional corticosteroids, which resulted in tumor regression and normalization of serum fibroblast growth factor 23 and phosphorus. This case illustrates the occurrence of this rare paraneoplastic syndrome in children and adds to our knowledge about clinical manifestations and pathologic findings associated with pediatric TIO.

[Ultrastructural observation of tendonization of artificial tendon 109HH in rabbit].

PubMed

Liu, L; Cao, Q; Xiao, H

1995-09-01

Ten New Zealand rabbits were divided into 5 groups at random. Calcaneal tendons were cut bilaterally, then atificial tendon 109HH was used to connect the two ends of the cut tendon. Ultrastructural changes of control group and experimental groups at 2, 6, 12, 28 weeks after section were observed. The results showed that fibroblast proliferated and a lot of ribosome and RER appeared in plasm during 2 approximately 6 weeks, indicating artificial tendon caused fibroblast proliferation. During this period, fibroblast over synthesized collagenous protein and the synthesis of collagenous fibers peaked. During 12-28 weeks, the number of fibroblasts and the synthesis of collagenous protein decreased. Finally, fibroblasts became inactive tendon cells. With the formation of new tendons, the artificial tendens were degradated and absorbed, and disappeared after 12 weeks. The new tendon fibers became thicker and had the correct direction through reconstruction. The structure and function of new tendons could be restored to be consistent with normal values.

Synchrotron based infrared imaging and spectroscopy via focal plane array on live fibroblasts in D2O enriched medium

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Quaroni, Luca; Zlateva, Theodora; Sarafimov, Blagoj

2014-03-26

We tested the viability of using synchrotron based infrared imaging to study biochemical processes inside living cells. As a model system, we studied fibroblast cells exposed to a medium highly enriched with D2O. We could show that the experimental technique allows us to reproduce at the cellular level measurements that are normally performed on purified biological molecules. We can obtain information about lipid conformation and distribution, kinetics of hydrogen/deuterium exchange, and the formation of concentration gradients of H and O isotopes in water that are associated with cell metabolism. The implementation of the full field technique in a sequential imagingmore » format gives a description of cellular biochemistry and biophysics that contains both spatial and temporal information.« less

Autonomous parvoviruses neither stimulate nor are inhibited by the type I interferon response in human normal or cancer cells.

PubMed

Paglino, Justin C; Andres, Wells; van den Pol, Anthony N

2014-05-01

Members of the genus Parvovirus are small, nonenveloped single-stranded DNA viruses that are nonpathogenic in humans but have potential utility as cancer therapeutics. Because the innate immune response to parvoviruses has received relatively little attention, we compared the response to parvoviruses to that of several other types of viruses in human cells. In normal human glia, fibroblasts, or melanocytes, vesicular stomatitis virus evoked robust beta interferon (IFN-β) responses. Cytomegalovirus, pseudorabies virus, and Sindbis virus all evoked a 2-log-unit or greater upregulation of IFN-β in glia; in contrast, LuIII and MVMp parvoviruses did not evoke a detectable IFN-β or interferon-stimulated gene (ISG; MX1, oligoadenylate synthetase [OAS], IFIT-1) response in the same cell types. The lack of response raised the question of whether parvoviral infection can be attenuated by IFN; interestingly, we found that IFN did not decrease parvovirus (MVMp, LuIII, and H-1) infectivity in normal human glia, fibroblasts, or melanocytes. The same was true in human cancers, including glioma, sarcoma, and melanoma. Similarly, IFN failed to attenuate transduction by the dependovirus vector adeno-associated virus type 2. Progeny production of parvoviruses was also unimpaired by IFN in both glioma and melanoma, whereas vesicular stomatitis virus replication was blocked. Sarcoma cells with upregulated IFN signaling that show high levels of resistance to other viruses showed strong infection by LuIII. Unlike many other oncolytic viruses, we found no evidence that impairment of innate immunity in cancer cells plays a role in the oncoselectivity of parvoviruses in human cells. Parvoviral resistance to the effects of IFN in cancer cells may constitute an advantage in the virotherapy of some tumors. Understanding the interactions between oncolytic viruses and the innate immune system will facilitate employing these viruses as therapeutic agents in cancer patients. The cancer-selective nature of some oncolytic viruses is based on the impaired innate immunity of many cancer cells. The parvoviruses H-1, LuIII, and MVM target cancer cells; however, their relationship with the innate immune system is relatively uncharacterized. Surprisingly, we found that these parvoviruses do not evoke an interferon response in normal human fibroblasts, glia, or melanocytes. Furthermore, unlike most other types of virus, we found that parvovirus infectivity is unaffected by interferon treatment of human normal or tumor cells. Finally, parvoviral replication was unimpaired by interferon in four human tumor types, including those with residual interferon functionality. We conclude that deficits in the interferon antiviral response of cancer cells do not contribute to parvoviral oncoselectivity in human cells. The interferon-resistant phenotype of parvoviruses may give them an advantage over interferon-sensitive oncolytic viruses in tumors showing residual interferon functionality.

Autonomous Parvoviruses neither Stimulate nor Are Inhibited by the Type I Interferon Response in Human Normal or Cancer Cells

PubMed Central

Paglino, Justin C.; Andres, Wells

2014-01-01

ABSTRACT Members of the genus Parvovirus are small, nonenveloped single-stranded DNA viruses that are nonpathogenic in humans but have potential utility as cancer therapeutics. Because the innate immune response to parvoviruses has received relatively little attention, we compared the response to parvoviruses to that of several other types of viruses in human cells. In normal human glia, fibroblasts, or melanocytes, vesicular stomatitis virus evoked robust beta interferon (IFN-β) responses. Cytomegalovirus, pseudorabies virus, and Sindbis virus all evoked a 2-log-unit or greater upregulation of IFN-β in glia; in contrast, LuIII and MVMp parvoviruses did not evoke a detectable IFN-β or interferon-stimulated gene (ISG; MX1, oligoadenylate synthetase [OAS], IFIT-1) response in the same cell types. The lack of response raised the question of whether parvoviral infection can be attenuated by IFN; interestingly, we found that IFN did not decrease parvovirus (MVMp, LuIII, and H-1) infectivity in normal human glia, fibroblasts, or melanocytes. The same was true in human cancers, including glioma, sarcoma, and melanoma. Similarly, IFN failed to attenuate transduction by the dependovirus vector adeno-associated virus type 2. Progeny production of parvoviruses was also unimpaired by IFN in both glioma and melanoma, whereas vesicular stomatitis virus replication was blocked. Sarcoma cells with upregulated IFN signaling that show high levels of resistance to other viruses showed strong infection by LuIII. Unlike many other oncolytic viruses, we found no evidence that impairment of innate immunity in cancer cells plays a role in the oncoselectivity of parvoviruses in human cells. Parvoviral resistance to the effects of IFN in cancer cells may constitute an advantage in the virotherapy of some tumors. IMPORTANCE Understanding the interactions between oncolytic viruses and the innate immune system will facilitate employing these viruses as therapeutic agents in cancer patients. The cancer-selective nature of some oncolytic viruses is based on the impaired innate immunity of many cancer cells. The parvoviruses H-1, LuIII, and MVM target cancer cells; however, their relationship with the innate immune system is relatively uncharacterized. Surprisingly, we found that these parvoviruses do not evoke an interferon response in normal human fibroblasts, glia, or melanocytes. Furthermore, unlike most other types of virus, we found that parvovirus infectivity is unaffected by interferon treatment of human normal or tumor cells. Finally, parvoviral replication was unimpaired by interferon in four human tumor types, including those with residual interferon functionality. We conclude that deficits in the interferon antiviral response of cancer cells do not contribute to parvoviral oncoselectivity in human cells. The interferon-resistant phenotype of parvoviruses may give them an advantage over interferon-sensitive oncolytic viruses in tumors showing residual interferon functionality. PMID:24554651

Establishment and characterization of a new marine fish cell line from ovary of barfin flounder ( Verasper moseri)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Xiaohui; Fan, Tingjun; Jiang, Guojian; Yang, Xiuxia

2015-12-01

A novel continuous ovary cell line from barfin flounder ( Verasper moseri) (BFO cell line) was established with its primitive application in transgenic expression demonstrated in this study. Primarily cultured cells grew well at 22°C in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium/F12 medium (DMEM/F12, 1:1; pH 7.2) supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS), carboxymethyl chitooligosaccharide, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). The primary BFO cells in fibroblastic morphology proliferated into a confluent monolayer about 2 weeks later, and were able to be subcultured. Impacts of medium and temperature on the growth of the cells were examined. The optimum growth was found in DMEM/F12 with 20% FBS and at 22°C. The BFO cells can be continuously subcultured to Passage 120 steadily with a population doubling time of 32.7 h at Passage 60. Chromosome analysis revealed that 72% of BFO cells at Passage 60 maintained the normal diploid chromosome number (46) with a normal karyotype of 2st+44t. The results of gene transformation indicated that green fluorescence protein (GFP) positively expressed in these cells after being transformed with pcDNA3.1-GFP. Therefore, a continuous and transformable BFO cell line was successfully established, which may serve as a useful tool for cytotechnological manipulation and transgenic modification of this fish.

Impairment of hypoxia-induced HIF-1α signaling in keratinocytes and fibroblasts by sulfur mustard is counteracted by a selective PHD-2 inhibitor.

PubMed

Deppe, Janina; Popp, Tanja; Egea, Virginia; Steinritz, Dirk; Schmidt, Annette; Thiermann, Horst; Weber, Christian; Ries, Christian

2016-05-01

Skin exposure to sulfur mustard (SM) provokes long-term complications in wound healing. Similar to chronic wounds, SM-induced skin lesions are associated with low levels of oxygen in the wound tissue. Normally, skin cells respond to hypoxia by stabilization of the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α). HIF-1α modulates expression of genes including VEGFA, BNIP3, and MMP2 that control processes such as angiogenesis, growth, and extracellular proteolysis essential for proper wound healing. The results of our studies revealed that exposure of primary normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) and primary normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) to SM significantly impaired hypoxia-induced HIF-1α stabilization and target gene expression in these cells. Addition of a selective inhibitor of the oxygen-sensitive prolyl hydroxylase domain-containing protein 2 (PHD-2), IOX2, fully recovered HIF-1α stability, nuclear translocation, and target gene expression in NHEK and NHDF. Moreover, functional studies using a scratch wound assay demonstrated that the application of IOX2 efficiently counteracted SM-mediated deficiencies in monolayer regeneration under hypoxic conditions in NHEK and NHDF. Our findings describe a pathomechanism by which SM negatively affects hypoxia-stimulated HIF-1α signaling in keratinocytes and fibroblasts and thus possibly contributes to delayed wound healing in SM-injured patients that could be treated with PHD-2 inhibitors.

Peroxidase enzymes regulate collagen extracellular matrix biosynthesis.

PubMed

DeNichilo, Mark O; Panagopoulos, Vasilios; Rayner, Timothy E; Borowicz, Romana A; Greenwood, John E; Evdokiou, Andreas

2015-05-01

Myeloperoxidase and eosinophil peroxidase are heme-containing enzymes often physically associated with fibrotic tissue and cancer in various organs, without any direct involvement in promoting fibroblast recruitment and extracellular matrix (ECM) biosynthesis at these sites. We report herein novel findings that show peroxidase enzymes possess a well-conserved profibrogenic capacity to stimulate the migration of fibroblastic cells and promote their ability to secrete collagenous proteins to generate a functional ECM both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistic studies conducted using cultured fibroblasts show that these cells are capable of rapidly binding and internalizing both myeloperoxidase and eosinophil peroxidase. Peroxidase enzymes stimulate collagen biosynthesis at a post-translational level in a prolyl 4-hydroxylase-dependent manner that does not require ascorbic acid. This response was blocked by the irreversible myeloperoxidase inhibitor 4-amino-benzoic acid hydrazide, indicating peroxidase catalytic activity is essential for collagen biosynthesis. These results suggest that peroxidase enzymes, such as myeloperoxidase and eosinophil peroxidase, may play a fundamental role in regulating the recruitment of fibroblast and the biosynthesis of collagen ECM at sites of normal tissue repair and fibrosis, with enormous implications for many disease states where infiltrating inflammatory cells deposit peroxidases. Copyright © 2015 American Society for Investigative Pathology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The cell biology of aging.

PubMed

Hayflick, L

1979-07-01

Cultured normal human and animal cells are predestinued to undergo irreversible functional decrements that mimick age changes in the whole organism. When normal human embryonic fibroblasts are cultured in vitro, 50 +/- 10 population doublings occur. This maximum potential is diminished in cells derived from older donors and appears to be inversely proportional to their age. The 50 population doubling limit can account for all cells produced during a lifetime. The limitation on doubling potential of cultured normal cells is also expressed in vivo when serial transplants are made. There may be a direct correlation between the mean maximum life spans of several species and the population doubling potential of their cultured cells. A plethora of functional decrements occur in cultured normal cells as they approach their maximum division capability. Many of these decrements are similar to those occurring in intact animals as they age. We have concluded that these functional decrements expressed in vitro, rather than cessation of cell division, are the essential contributors to age changes in intact animals. Thus, the study of events leading to functional losses in cultured normal cells may provide useful insights into the biology of aging.

Evaluation of the UVB-screening capacity and restorative effects exerted by farnesol gel on UVB-caused sunburn.

PubMed

Wu, Guan Xuan; Huang, Han Hsiang; Chang, Huoy Rou; Kuo, Shyh Ming

2018-04-01

Farnesol, a natural 15-carbon organic compound, has various microbiological and cellular activities. It has been found to exert apoptosis-inducing effects against carcinoma cells as well as antiallergic and anti-inflammatory effects in vivo. In the current study, a series of formulations composed of various concentrations of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) with the addition of hyaluronan (HA) and xanthan gum (XG) was designed to evaluate the UVB-screening and H 2 O 2 -eliminating effects of farnesol in normal fibroblasts. Farnesol at 0.005, 0.0075, and 0.01% exhibited significant capacity for H 2 O 2 scavenging; at 0.0025%, it showed insignificant effects. Under 120-min UVB exposure, screening with plural gel composed of 0.0025% farnesol, 0.5% HA, and 0.5% XG containing 1.5% or 2% HPMC retained normal fibroblast viability. After 60-min exposure to UVB, screening with plural gel composed of farnesol, HA, XG, and 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, or 2% HPMC decreased the ratio of the G1 phase and increased ratio of the S phase in comparison with the accumulated cell cycle of the normal fibroblasts without screening. The gel with 2% HPMC displayed the strongest cell cycle-reversal ability. In vivo histopathological results showed that the prepared plural gels with 0.5% or 2% HPMC and farnesol, HA, and XG had greater antiphotoaging and reparative effects against UVB-induced changes and damage in the skin. In conclusion, the current in vitro and in vivo results demonstrated that the prepared plural composed of 0.0025% farnesol, 0.5% HA, 0.5% XG, and 2% HPMC possessed the greatest UVB-screening capacity and the strongest restorative effects on UVB-induced sunburned skin. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The oculocerebrorenal syndrome gene product is a 105-kD protein localized to the Golgi complex.

PubMed Central

Olivos-Glander, I M; Jänne, P A; Nussbaum, R L

1995-01-01

The oculocerebrorenal syndrome of Lowe (OCRL) is a multisystem disorder affecting the lens, kidney, and CNS. The predicted amino acid sequence of the OCRL gene, OCRL-1, was used to develop antibodies against the OCRL-1 protein. Western blot analysis using affinity-purified serum against the amino terminus of the OCRL-1 gene product (ocrl-1) demonstrates a single protein of 105 kD in fibroblasts of a normal individual that is absent in fibroblasts of an OCRL patient who lacks OCRL-1 transcript. A single protein with the same electrophoretic mobility is found by western analysis in various human cultured cell lines, and approximately the same size protein is also found in all mouse tissues tested. Northern analysis of various human and mouse tissues demonstrate that OCRL-1 transcript is expressed in nearly all tissues examined. By immunofluorescence, the ocrl-1 antibody stains a juxtanuclear region in normal fibroblast cells, while no specific staining is evident in the OCRL patient who produces no transcript. Colocalization of the ocrl-1 protein to the Golgi complex was demonstrated using a known monoclonal antibody against a Golgi-specific coat protein, beta-COP (beta coatomer protein). Images Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 PMID:7573041

The fibroblast surface markers FAP, anti-fibroblast, and FSP are expressed by cells of epithelial origin and may be altered during epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.

PubMed

Kahounová, Zuzana; Kurfürstová, Daniela; Bouchal, Jan; Kharaishvili, Gvantsa; Navrátil, Jiří; Remšík, Ján; Šimečková, Šárka; Študent, Vladimír; Kozubík, Alois; Souček, Karel

2017-04-06

The identification of fibroblasts and cancer-associated fibroblasts from human cancer tissue using surface markers is difficult, especially because the markers used currently are usually not expressed solely by fibroblasts, and the identification of fibroblast-specific surface molecules is still under investigation. It was aimed to compare three commercially available antibodies in the detection of different surface epitopes of fibroblasts (anti-fibroblast, fibroblast activation protein α, and fibroblast surface protein). The specificity of their expression, employing fibroblast cell lines and tumor-derived fibroblasts from breast and prostate tissues was investigated. Both the established fibroblast cell line HFF-1 and ex vivo primary fibroblasts isolated from breast and prostate cancer tissues expressed the tested surface markers to different degrees. Surprisingly, those markers were expressed also by permanent cell lines of epithelial origin, both benign and cancer-derived (breast-cell lines MCF 10A, HMLE and prostate-cell lines BPH-1, DU 145, and PC-3). The expression of fibroblast activation protein α increased on the surface of previously described models of epithelial cells undergoing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in response to treatment with TGF-β1. To prove the co-expression of the fibroblast markers on cells of epithelial origin, we used freshly dissociated human prostate and breast cancer tissues. The results confirmed the co-expression of anti-fibroblast and fibroblast surface protein on CD31/CD45-negative/EpCAM-positive epithelial cells. In summary, our data support the findings that the tested fibroblast markers are not fibroblast specific and may be expressed also by cells of epithelial origin (e.g., cells undergoing EMT). Therefore, the expression of these markers should be interpreted with caution, and the combination of several epitopes for both positive (anti-fibroblast or fibroblast activation protein α) and negative (EpCAM) identification of fibroblasts from breast and prostate tumor tissues is advised. © 2017 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry. © 2017 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.

Very late antigen-5 facilitates stromal progenitor cell differentiation into myofibroblast.

PubMed

Sen, Namita; Weingarten, Mark; Peter, Yakov

2014-11-01

Fibrotic disease is associated with abrogated stromal cell proliferation and activity. The precise identity of the cells that drive fibrosis remains obscure, in part because of a lack of information on their lineage development. To investigate the role of an early stromal progenitor cell (SPC) on the fibrotic process, we selected for, and monitored the stages of, fibroblast development from a previously reported free-floating anchorage-independent cell (AIC) progenitor population. Our findings demonstrate that organotypic pulmonary, cardiac, and renal fibroblast commitment follows a two-step process of attachment and remodeling in culture. Cell differentiation was confirmed by the inability of SPCs to revert to the free-floating state and functional mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) differentiation into osteoblast, adipocyte, chondrocyte, and fibroblastic lineages. The myofibroblastic phenotype was reflected by actin stress-fiber formation, α-smooth muscle production, and a greater than threefold increase in proliferative activity compared with that of the progenitors. SPC-derived pulmonary myofibroblasts demonstrated a more than 300-fold increase in fibronectin-1 (Fn1), collagen, type 1, α1, integrin α-5 (Itga5), and integrin β-1 (Itgb1) transcript levels. Very late antigen-5 (ITGA5/ITGB1) protein cluster formations were also prevalent on the differentiated cells. Normalized SPC-derived myofibroblast expression patterns reflected those of primary cultured lung myofibroblasts. Intratracheal implantation of pulmonary AICs into recipient mouse lungs resulted in donor cell FN1 production and evidence of epithelial derivation. SPC derivation into stromal tissue in vitro and in vivo and the observation that MSC and fibroblast lineages share a common ancestor could potentially lead to personalized antifibrotic therapies. ©AlphaMed Press.

Neutrophil migration through preexisting holes in the basal laminae of alveolar capillaries and epithelium during streptococcal pneumonia.

PubMed

Walker, D C; Behzad, A R; Chu, F

1995-11-01

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not there are preexisting holes in the endothelial and epithelial basal laminae of alveolar walls and to determine the path taken by neutrophils as they migrate from the capillaries to the airspace of the alveoli during inflammation. Using transmission electron microscopy and serial thin sections of normal rabbit and mouse lung, we have demonstrated the presence of slit-like holes in the capillary basal laminae and round holes in the basal laminae of type 2 pneumocytes. The slits in the capillary basal laminae were observed at the intersection of the thick and thin walls where endothelium, pericytes, and fibroblasts make close contact. The round holes in the type 2 cell basal laminae were observed at sites of close contact with fibroblasts. Neutrophils were observed to migrate through these slits and holes during streptococcal pneumonia in rabbit lungs. We conclude that during inflammation in the lung, migrating neutrophils displace pericytes and fibroblasts from the slits in the capillary basal lamina and then crawl through these slits into the alveolar interstitium. We postulate that neutrophils find their way to type 2 pneumocytes by following interstitial fibroblasts. We believe that neutrophils displace fibroblasts from their close contacts with the type 2 cells and then crawl through the holes in the basal lamina into the basal lateral space of the type 2 cells. From there, neutrophils migrate into the alveolar airspace.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 activates TGF-β and stimulates fibroblast contraction of collagen gels.

PubMed

Kobayashi, Tetsu; Kim, HuiJung; Liu, Xiangde; Sugiura, Hisatoshi; Kohyama, Tadashi; Fang, Qiuhong; Wen, Fu-Qiang; Abe, Shinji; Wang, Xingqi; Atkinson, Jeffrey J; Shipley, James M; Senior, Robert M; Rennard, Stephen I

2014-06-01

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is a matrix-degrading enzyme implicated in many biological processes, including inflammation. It is produced by many cells, including fibroblasts. When cultured in three-dimensional (3D) collagen gels, fibroblasts contract the surrounding matrix, a function that is thought to model the contraction that characterizes both normal wound repair and fibrosis. The current study was designed to evaluate the role of endogenously produced MMP-9 in fibroblast contraction of 3D collagen gels. Fibroblasts from mice lacking expression of MMP-9 and human lung fibroblasts (HFL-1) transfected with MMP-9 small-interfering RNA (siRNA) were used. Fibroblasts were cast into type I collagen gels and floated in culture medium with or without transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 for 5 days. Gel size was determined daily using an image analysis system. Gels made from MMP-9 siRNA-treated human fibroblasts contracted less than control fibroblasts, as did fibroblasts incubated with a nonspecific MMP inhibitor. Similarly, fibroblasts cultured from MMP-9-deficient mice contracted gels less than did fibroblasts from control mice. Transfection of the MMP-9-deficient murine fibroblasts with a vector expressing murine MMP-9 restored contractile activity to MMP-9-deficient fibroblasts. Inhibition of MMP-9 reduced active TGF-β1 and reduced several TGF-β1-driven responses, including activity of a Smad3 reporter gene and production of fibronectin. Because TGF-β1 also drives fibroblast gel contraction, this suggests the mechanism for MMP-9 regulation of contraction is through the generation of active TGF-β1. This study provides direct evidence that endogenously produced MMP-9 has a role in regulation of tissue contraction of 3D collagen gels mediated by fibroblasts. Copyright © 2014 the American Physiological Society.

Arsenic is Cytotoxic and Genotoxic to Primary Human Lung Cells

PubMed Central

Xie, Hong; Huang, ShouPing; Martin, Sarah; Wise, John P.

2014-01-01

Arsenic originates from both geochemical and numerous anthropogenic activities. Exposure of the general public to significant levels of arsenic is widespread. Arsenic is a well-documented human carcinogen. Long-term exposure to high levels of arsenic in drinking water have been linked to bladder, lung, kidney, liver, prostate, and skin cancer. Among them, lung cancer is of great public concern. However, little is known about how arsenic causes lung cancer and few studies have considered effects in normal human lung cells. The purpose of this study was to determine the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of arsenic in human primary bronchial fibroblast and epithelial cells. Our data show that arsenic induces a concentration-dependent decrease in cell survival after short (24 h) or long (120 h) exposures. Arsenic induces concentration-dependent but not time-dependent increases in chromosome damage in fibroblasts. No chromosome damage is induced after either 24 h or 120 h arsenic exposure in epithelial cells. Using neutral comet assay and gamma-H2A.X foci forming assay, we found that 24 h or 120 h exposure to arsenic induces increases in DNA double strand breaks in both cell lines. These data indicate that arsenic is cytotoxic and genotoxic to human lung primary cells but lung fibroblasts are more sensitive to arsenic than epithelial cells. Further research is needed to understand the specific mechanisms involved in arsenic-induced genotoxicity in human lung cells. PMID:24291234

Proteases induce secretion of collagenase and plasminogen activator by fibroblasts

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Werb, Z.; Aggeler, J.

1978-04-01

We have observed that treatment of rabbit synovial fibroblasts with proteolytic enzymes can induce secretion of collagenase (EC 3.4.24.7) and plasminogen activator (EC 3.4.21.-). Cells treated for 2 to 24 hr with plasmin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, pancreatic elastase, papain, bromelain, thermolysin, or ..cap alpha..-protease but not with thrombin or neuraminidase secreted detectable amounts of collagenase within 16 to 48 hr. Treatment of fibroblasts with trypsin also induced secretion of plasminogen activator. Proteases initiated secretion of collagenase (up to 20 units per 10/sup 6/ cells per 24 hr) only when treatment produced decreased cell adhesion. Collagenase production did not depend on continuedmore » presence of proteolytic activity or on subsequent cell adhesion, spreading, or proliferation. Routine subculturing with crude trypsin also induced collagenase secretion by cells. Secretion of collagenase was prevented and normal spreading was obtained if the trypsinized cells were placed into medium containing fetal calf serum. Soybean trypsin inhibitor, ..cap alpha../sub 1/-antitrypsin, bovine serum albumin, collagen, and fibronectin did not inhibit collagenase production. Although proteases that induced collagenase secretion also removed surface glycoprotein, the kinetics of induction of cell protease secretion were different from those for removal of fibronectin. Physiological inducers of secretion of collagenase and plasminogen activator by cells have not been identified. These results suggest that extracellular proteases in conjunction with plasma proteins may govern protease secretion by cells.« less

The effect of well-characterized, very low-dose x-ray radiation on fibroblasts

PubMed Central

Truong, Katelyn; Bradley, Suzanne; Baginski, Bryana; Wilson, Joseph R.; Medlin, Donald; Zheng, Leon; Wilson, R. Kevin; Rusin, Matthew; Takacs, Endre

2018-01-01

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of low-dose radiation on fibroblast cells irradiated by spectrally and dosimetrically well-characterized soft x-rays. To achieve this, a new cell culture x-ray irradiation system was designed. This system generates characteristic fluorescent x-rays to irradiate the cell culture with x-rays of well-defined energies and doses. 3T3 fibroblast cells were cultured in cups with Mylar® surfaces and were irradiated for one hour with characteristic iron (Fe) K x-ray radiation at a dose rate of approximately 550 μGy/hr. Cell proliferation, total protein analysis, flow cytometry, and cell staining were performed on fibroblast cells to determine the various effects caused by the radiation. Irradiated cells demonstrated increased proliferation and protein production compared to control samples. Flow cytometry revealed that a higher percentage of irradiated cells were in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle compared to control counterparts, which is consistent with other low-dose studies. Cell staining results suggest that irradiated cells maintained normal cell functions after radiation exposure, as there were no qualitative differences between the images of the control and irradiated samples. The result of this study suggest that low-dose soft x-ray radiation might cause an initial pause, followed by a significant increase, in proliferation. An initial “pause” in cell proliferation could be a protective mechanism of the cells to minimize DNA damage caused by radiation exposure. The new cell irradiation system developed here allows for unprecedented control over the properties of the x-rays given to the cell cultures. This will allow for further studies on various cell types with known spectral distribution and carefully measured doses of radiation, which may help to elucidate the mechanisms behind varied cell responses to low-dose x-rays reported in the literature. PMID:29300773

Recombinogenic Telomeres in Diploid Sorex granarius (Soricidae, Eulipotyphla) Fibroblast Cells

PubMed Central

Draskovic, I.; Minina, J. M.; Karamysheva, T. V.; Novo, C. L.; Liu, W.-Y.; Porreca, R. M.; Gibaud, A.; Zvereva, M. E.; Skvortsov, D. A.; Rubtsov, N. B.

2014-01-01

The telomere structure in the Iberian shrew Sorex granarius is characterized by unique, striking features, with short arms of acrocentric chromosomes carrying extremely long telomeres (up to 300 kb) with interspersed ribosomal DNA (rDNA) repeat blocks. In this work, we investigated the telomere physiology of S. granarius fibroblast cells and found that telomere repeats are transcribed on both strands and that there is no telomere-dependent senescence mechanism. Although telomerase activity is detectable throughout cell culture and appears to act on both short and long telomeres, we also discovered that signatures of a recombinogenic activity are omnipresent, including telomere-sister chromatid exchanges, formation of alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT)-associated PML-like bodies, production of telomere circles, and a high frequency of telomeres carrying marks of a DNA damage response. Our results suggest that recombination participates in the maintenance of the very long telomeres in normal S. granarius fibroblasts. We discuss the possible interplay between the interspersed telomere and rDNA repeats in the stabilization of the very long telomeres in this organism. PMID:24842907

Stromal fibroblasts are associated with collagen IV in scar tissues of alkali-burned and lacerated corneas.

PubMed

Ishizaki, M; Shimoda, M; Wakamatsu, K; Ogro, T; Yamanaka, N; Kao, C W; Kao, W W

1997-04-01

Corneal wound healing frequently leads to the formation of opaque scar tissue. We examined whether stromal fibroblastic cells of injured corneas express collagen IV and contributes to the formation of a basal lamina-like structure. Rabbits were anesthetized, and central corneal alkali burn (8 mm in diameter; 1 M NaOH, 1 min) or laceration (8 mm long) were produced. The injured corneas, which had healed for 1, 7, 21 and 45 days, were subjected to histological and immunohistochemical studies with goat anti-collagen IV antibodies, using light and electron microscopy, and in situ hybridization with an antisense digoxigenin-labeled riboprobe of collagen alpha 1(IV) mRNA. For comparison, twenty-day-old fetal corneas were subjected to immunohistochemical study and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM examinations revealed that the stromal collagenous matrix was organized in orthogonal lamellae during corneal development, whereas that of alkali-burned cornea, which had healed for 3 weeks, was disorganized. The stroma of twenty-day-old fetal cornea was not labeled by the anti-collagen IV antibodies. In contrast, one week after injury, specific collagen IV immunostaining was detected in the injured stroma. As the healing proceeded (21-45 days), the antibodies reacted with fibroblastic cells and the extracellular matrix of scar tissues located in the anterior portion of alkali-burned corneas, as well as the posterior portion of lacerated corneas. The middle portion of the stromal tissues was weakly labeled by the anti-collagen IV antibodies with the exception of the blood vessel wall. Immuno-electron microscopic study showed that collagen IV and fibronectin were closely associated with the fibroblastic cells. In situ hybridization demonstrated that epithelial and endothelial cells and fibroblastic cells in the wounded corneal stroma and retro-corneal membrane expressed alpha 1(IV) mRNA, whereas in normal corneas the expression of alpha 1(IV) mRNA was limited to epithelial and endothelial cells. The enhanced expression of collagen IV by the fibroblastic cells in the stroma of injured corneas is consistent with the notion that they may contribute to the formation of basal lamina-like structures in injured corneas.

A comparative study on efficiency of adult fibroblast, putative embryonic stem cell and lymphocyte as donor cells for production of handmade cloned embryos in goat and characterization of putative ntES cells obtained from these embryos.

PubMed

Dutta, Rahul; Malakar, Dhruba; Khate, Keviletsu; Sahu, Shailendra; Akshey, Yogesh; Mukesh, Manishi

2011-09-15

The main purpose of the experiment was to compare the efficiency of three cell types, namely adult fibroblast, putative embryonic stem (ES) cell, and lymphocyte, as donor cells for somatic cell nuclear transfer by handmade cloning in goats. The outcome clearly shows that putative embryonic stem cells, with a cleavage and blastocyst production rate of 74.69% ± 3.92 and 39.75% ± 3.86, respectively, performs better in comparison to adult fibroblast cell and lymphocyte. Between adult fibroblast cell and lymphocyte no statistically significant difference exists at P < 0.05. An overall cleavage and blastocyst formation rate of 67.41% ± 3.92 and 26.96% ± 3.86 was obtained using adult fibroblast donor cells. The study establishes beyond doubt the reprogrammability of lymphocyte by handmade cloning (HMC) protocol with a cleavage and blastocyst production rate of 56.47% ± 3.92 and 24.70% ± 3.86, respectively. PCR analysis of highly polymorphic 286 bp fragment of MHC II DRB genes of cloned embryos and three donor cells were performed to verify the cloned embryos. The amplified PCR products were subjected to SSCP to confirm their genetic identity. The karyotyping of the cloned embryos showed normal chromosomal status as expected in goat. Significantly, in the second stage of the experiment, the produced cloned embryos were successfully used to derive ntES-like cells. The rate of primary colony formation rate was 62.50% ± 4.62 for fibroblast donor cell derived embryos. The same was 60.60% ± 4.62 for putative ES donor cell derived embryos and 66.66% ± 4.62 for lymphocyte donor cell derived embryos, respectively. The putative ntES colonies were positively characterized for alkaline phosphatase, Oct-4, TRA-1-60, TRA-1-81, Sox-2, and Nanog by Immunocytochemistry and Reverse Transcription PCR. To further validate the stem ness, the produced putative ntES colonies were differentiated to embryoid bodies. Immunocytochemistry revealed that embryoid bodies expressed NESTIN specific for ectodermal lineage; GATA-4 for endodermal lineage and smooth muscle actin-I, and troponin-I specific for mesodermal lineage. The study has established an efficient protocol for putative ntES cell derivation from HMC embryos. It could be of substantial significance as patient specific ntES cells have proven therapeutic significance. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Impact of transforming growth factor-beta1 on atrioventricular node conduction modification by injected autologous fibroblasts in the canine heart.

PubMed

Bunch, T Jared; Mahapatra, Srijoy; Bruce, G Keith; Johnson, Susan B; Miller, Dylan V; Horne, Benjamin D; Wang, Xiao-Li; Lee, Hon-Chi; Caplice, Noel M; Packer, Douglas L

2006-05-30

Atrioventricular (AV) nodal ablation for management of atrial fibrillation (AF) is irreversible and requires permanent pacemaker implantation. We hypothesized that as an alternative, implantation of autologous fibroblasts in the perinodal region would focally modify AV nodal conduction and that this modulation would be enhanced by pretreatment with transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), a stimulant of fibroblasts. Skin biopsies were taken from 12 mongrel dogs, and derived fibroblasts were dissociated and grown in culture for 2 weeks. Multiple injections (0.25 mL) were made through an 8F NOGA catheter along the fast/slow AV nodal pathways as guided by an electroanatomic mapping system. Seven dogs received fibroblasts alone (1x10(6) cells/mL), 7 dogs received TGF-beta1 (5 microg), 4 dogs received fibroblasts and TGF-beta1 (1x10(6) cells/mL+5 microg), and 4 dogs received saline only. AV node function was assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks. Saline (80 mL) with assigned therapy (0.25 mL per injection) was injected into the peri-AV nodal region in each dog. At baseline, the AH interval (66+/-3 ms) and the average RR interval (331+/-17 ms) in pacing-induced AF were similar in each cohort. The increase in AH interval in normal sinus rhythm was longer after fibroblast (23+/-4 versus 5+/-5 ms; P=0.05) and fibroblast plus TGF-beta1 (50+/-5 versus 5+/-5 ms; P<0.001) injections than with saline alone, with similar findings during high right atrium and distal coronary sinus pacing. The AH interval was not significantly increased after TGF-beta1 injections. The AH interval was significantly longer after fibroblast plus TGF-beta1 injections than with either therapy (TGF-beta1 or fibroblasts) alone. The RR interval during AF was increased in dogs that received fibroblasts alone (110+/-36 versus -41+/-34 ms) and to a greater extent with the addition of TGF-beta1 (294+/-108 versus -41+/-34 ms). No AV block was seen in any cohort at 4 weeks. Labeled fibroblasts that expressed vimentin were identified in all dogs that received cell injections at 4 weeks. AV nodal modification can be achieved with injected fibroblasts without the creation of AV block. The effect on AV node conduction is substantially enhanced by pretreatment of fibroblasts with TGF-beta1. These data have therapeutic potential for the management of rapid ventricular rate during AF without pacemaker implantation.

Mena binds α5 integrin directly and modulates α5β1 function.

PubMed

Gupton, Stephanie L; Riquelme, Daisy; Hughes-Alford, Shannon K; Tadros, Jenny; Rudina, Shireen S; Hynes, Richard O; Lauffenburger, Douglas; Gertler, Frank B

2012-08-20

Mena is an Ena/VASP family actin regulator with roles in cell migration, chemotaxis, cell-cell adhesion, tumor cell invasion, and metastasis. Although enriched in focal adhesions, Mena has no established function within these structures. We find that Mena forms an adhesion-regulated complex with α5β1 integrin, a fibronectin receptor involved in cell adhesion, motility, fibronectin fibrillogenesis, signaling, and growth factor receptor trafficking. Mena bound directly to the carboxy-terminal portion of the α5 cytoplasmic tail via a 91-residue region containing 13 five-residue "LERER" repeats. In fibroblasts, the Mena-α5 complex was required for "outside-in" α5β1 functions, including normal phosphorylation of FAK and paxillin and formation of fibrillar adhesions. It also supported fibrillogenesis and cell spreading and controlled cell migration speed. Thus, fibroblasts require Mena for multiple α5β1-dependent processes involving bidirectional interactions between the extracellular matrix and cytoplasmic focal adhesion proteins.

Effect of the timing of first cleavage on in vitro developmental potential of nuclear-transferred bovine oocytes receiving cumulus and fibroblast cells.

PubMed

Amarnath, Dasari; Kato, Yoko; Tsunoda, Yukio

2007-06-01

The aim of the present study was to examine whether cumulus and fibroblast cell nuclear-transferred oocytes, which have high and low potential to develop into normal calves, respectively, are different in terms of in their patterns of timing of first cleavage and in their relationships between timing of first cleavage and in vitro developmental potential. The timing of first cleavage was similar in both types of nuclear-transferred and in vitro fertilized oocytes. More than 86% of the oocytes cleaved within 24 h after activation or in vitro fertilization; these oocytes contributed to more than 98% of the total number of blastocysts in all three groups. The potential of oocytes that cleaved at different intervals to develop into blastocysts differed among the groups. The developmental potential of the cumulus cell nuclear-transferred oocytes and in vitro fertilized oocytes decreased with the increase in time required for cleavage. Fibroblast cell nuclear-transferred oocytes that cleaved at 20 h, an intermediate cleaving time, had higher potential to develop into blastocysts. The results of the present study suggest that the type of donor nucleus used for nuclear transfer affects the timing of first cleavage.

Engineered three-dimensional microfluidic device for interrogating cell-cell interactions in the tumor microenvironment.

PubMed

Hockemeyer, K; Janetopoulos, C; Terekhov, A; Hofmeister, W; Vilgelm, A; Costa, Lino; Wikswo, J P; Richmond, A

2014-07-01

Stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment play a key role in the metastatic properties of a tumor. It is recognized that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and endothelial cells secrete factors capable of influencing tumor cell migration into the blood or lymphatic vessels. We developed a microfluidic device that can be used to image the interactions between stromal cells and tumor cell spheroids in a three dimensional (3D) microenvironment while enabling external control of interstitial flow at an interface, which supports endothelial cells. The apparatus couples a 200-μm channel with a semicircular well to mimic the interface of a blood vessel with the stroma, and the design allows for visualization of the interactions of interstitial flow, endothelial cells, leukocytes, and fibroblasts with the tumor cells. We observed that normal tissue-associated fibroblasts (NAFs) contribute to the "single file" pattern of migration of tumor cells from the spheroid in the 3D microenvironment. In contrast, CAFs induce a rapid dispersion of tumor cells out of the spheroid with migration into the 3D matrix. Moreover, treatment of tumor spheroid cultures with the chemokine CXCL12 mimics the effect of the CAFs, resulting in similar patterns of dispersal of the tumor cells from the spheroid. Conversely, addition of CXCL12 to co-cultures of NAFs with tumor spheroids did not mimic the effects observed with CAF co-cultures, suggesting that NAFs produce factors that stabilize the tumor spheroids to reduce their migration in response to CXCL12.

Role of the retinoblastoma protein in cell cycle arrest mediated by a novel cell surface proliferation inhibitor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Enebo, D. J.; Fattaey, H. K.; Moos, P. J.; Johnson, T. C.; Spooner, B. S. (Principal Investigator)

1994-01-01

A novel cell regulatory sialoglycopeptide (CeReS-18), purified from the cell surface of bovine cerebral cortex cells has been shown to be a potent and reversible inhibitor of proliferation of a wide array of fibroblasts as well as epithelial-like cells and nontransformed and transformed cells. To investigate the possible mechanisms by which CeReS-18 exerts its inhibitory action, the effect of the inhibitor on the posttranslational regulation of the retinoblastoma susceptibility gene product (RB), a tumor suppressor gene, has been examined. It is shown that CeReS-18 mediated cell cycle arrest of both human diploid fibroblasts (HSBP) and mouse fibroblasts (Swiss 3T3) results in the maintenance of the RB protein in the hypophosphorylated state, consistent with a late G1 arrest site. Although their normal nontransformed counterparts are sensitive to cell cycle arrest mediated by CeReS-18, cell lines lacking a functional RB protein, through either genetic mutation or DNA tumor virus oncoprotein interaction, are less sensitive. The refractory nature of these cells is shown to be independent of specific surface receptors for the inhibitor, and another tumor suppressor gene (p53) does not appear to be involved in the CeReS-18 inhibition of cell proliferation. The requirement for a functional RB protein product, in order for CeReS-18 to mediate cell cycle arrest, is discussed in light of regulatory events associated with density-dependent growth inhibition.

Up-Regulation and Profibrotic Role of Osteopontin in Human Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

PubMed Central

Pardo, Annie; Gibson, Kevin; Cisneros, José; Richards, Thomas J; Yang, Yinke; Becerril, Carina; Yousem, Samueal; Herrera, Iliana; Ruiz, Victor; Selman, Moisés; Kaminski, Naftali

2005-01-01

Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and lethal disorder characterized by fibroproliferation and excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix in the lung. Methods and Findings Using oligonucleotide arrays, we identified osteopontin as one of the genes that significantly distinguishes IPF from normal lungs. Osteopontin was localized to alveolar epithelial cells in IPF lungs and was also significantly elevated in bronchoalveolar lavage from IPF patients. To study the fibrosis-relevant effects of osteopontin we stimulated primary human lung fibroblasts and alveolar epithelial cells (A549) with recombinant osteopontin. Osteopontin induced a significant increase of migration and proliferation in both fibroblasts and epithelial cells. Epithelial growth was inhibited by the pentapeptide Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (GRGDS) and antibody to CD44, while fibroproliferation was inhibited by GRGDS and antibody to αvβ3 integrin. Fibroblast and epithelial cell migration were inhibited by GRGDS, anti-CD44, and anti-αvβ3. In fibroblasts, osteopontin up-regulated tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease-1 and type I collagen, and down-regulated matrix metalloprotease-1 (MMP-1) expression, while in A549 cells it caused up-regulation of MMP-7. In human IPF lungs, osteopontin colocalized with MMP-7 in alveolar epithelial cells, and application of weakest link statistical models to microarray data suggested a significant interaction between osteopontin and MMP-7. Conclusions Our results provide a potential mechanism by which osteopontin secreted from the alveolar epithelium may exert a profibrotic effect in IPF lungs and highlight osteopontin as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in this incurable disease. PMID:16128620

Induced pluripotent stem cells from goat fibroblasts.

PubMed

Song, Hui; Li, Hui; Huang, Mingrui; Xu, Dan; Gu, Chenghao; Wang, Ziyu; Dong, Fulu; Wang, Feng

2013-12-01

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are a powerful model for genetic engineering, studying developmental biology, and modeling disease. To date, ESCs have been established from the mouse (Evans and Kaufman, 1981, Nature 292:154-156), non-human primates (Thomson et al., , Proc Nat Acad Sci USA 92:7844-7848), humans (Thomson et al., 1998, Science 282:1145-1147), and rats (Buehr et al., , Cell 135:1287-1298); however, the derivation of ESCs from domesticated ungulates such as goats, sheep, cattle, and pigs have not been successful. Alternatively, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be generated by reprogramming somatic cells with several combinations of genes encoding transcription factors (OCT3/4, SOX2, KLF4, cMYC, LIN28, and NANOG). To date, iPSCs have been isolated from various species, but only limited information is available regarding goat iPSCs (Ren et al., 2011, Cell Res 21:849-853). The objectives of this study were to generate goat iPSCs from fetal goat primary ear fibroblasts using lentiviral transduction of four human transcription factors: OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and cMYC. The goat iPSCs were successfully generated by co-culture with mitomycin C-treated mouse embryonic fibroblasts using medium supplemented with knockout serum replacement and human basic fibroblast growth factor. The goat iPSCs colonies are flat, compact, and closely resemble human iPSCs. They have a normal karyotype; stain positive for alkaline phosphatase, OCT4, and NANOG; express endogenous pluripotency genes (OCT4, SOX2, cMYC, and NANOG); and can spontaneously differentiate into three germ layers in vitro and in vivo. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Hedgehog signaling is synergistically enhanced by nutritional deprivation and ligand stimulation in human fibroblasts of Gorlin syndrome.

PubMed

Mizuochi, Hiromi; Fujii, Katsunori; Shiohama, Tadashi; Uchikawa, Hideki; Shimojo, Naoki

2015-02-13

Hedgehog signaling is a pivotal developmental pathway that comprises hedgehog, PTCH1, SMO, and GLI proteins. Mutations in PTCH1 are responsible for Gorlin syndrome, which is characterized by developmental defects and tumorigenicity. Although the hedgehog pathway has been investigated extensively in Drosophila and mice, its functional roles have not yet been determined in human cells. In order to elucidate the mechanism by which transduction of the hedgehog signal is regulated in human tissues, we employed human fibroblasts derived from three Gorlin syndrome patients and normal controls. We investigated GLI1 transcription, downstream of hedgehog signaling, to assess native signal transduction, and then treated fibroblasts with a recombinant human hedgehog protein with or without serum deprivation. We also examined the transcriptional levels of hedgehog-related genes under these conditions. The expression of GLI1 mRNA was significantly higher in Gorlin syndrome-derived fibroblasts than in control cells. Hedgehog stimulation and nutritional deprivation synergistically enhanced GLI1 transcription levels, and this was blocked more efficiently by vismodegib, a SMO inhibitor, than by the natural compound, cyclopamine. Messenger RNA profiling revealed the increased expression of Wnt signaling and morphogenetic molecules in these fibroblasts. These results indicated that the hedgehog stimulation and nutritional deprivation synergistically activated the hedgehog signaling pathway in Gorlin syndrome fibroblasts, and this was associated with increments in the transcription levels of hedgehog-related genes such as those involved in Wnt signaling. These fibroblasts may become a significant tool for predicting the efficacies of hedgehog molecular-targeted therapies such as vismodegib. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Antiproliferative effect of methanolic extraction of tualang honey on human keloid fibroblasts

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Keloid is a type of scar which extends beyond the boundaries of the original wound. It can spread to the surrounding skin by invasion. The use of Tualang honey is a possible approach for keloid treatment. The objective of this study was to determine the antiproliferative effect of methanolic extraction of Tualang honey to primary human keloid fibroblasts and to identify the volatile compounds in methanol extraction of Tualang honey. Methods Crude Tualang honey was extracted with methanol and then dried using rota vapor to remove remaining methanol from honey. Normal and keloid fibroblasts were verified and treated with the extracted honey. Cell proliferation was tested with [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yi)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt] (MTS) assay. Extraction of Tualang honey using methanol was carried out and the extracted samples were analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The result was analysed using SPSS and tested with Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. Results Methanolic extraction of honey has positive anti proliferative effect on keloid fibroblasts in a dose-dependent manner. The presence of fatty acids such as palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and octadecanoic acid may contribute to the anti-proliferative effect in keloid fibroblasts. Conclusions The methanolic honey extraction has an antiproliferative effect on keloid fibroblasts and a range of volatile compounds has been identified from Tualang honey. The antiproliferative effect of keloid fibroblasts towards Tualang honey may involve cell signaling pathway. Identifying other volatile compounds from different organic solvents should be carried out in future. PMID:21943200

TGF-beta-induced early gene-1 overexpression promotes oxidative stress protection and actin cytoskeleton rearrangement in human skin fibroblasts.

PubMed

Leduc, Chloe; Sobilo, Lauren; Toumi, Hechmi; Mondon, Philippe; Lespessailles, Eric; Ossant, Fédéric; Kurfurst, Robin; Pichon, Chantal

2016-06-01

Transforming growth factor beta inducible early gene-1 (TIEG-1), a member of the Krüppel-like factor, was identified as a primary response gene for TGF-β. The role of TIEG-1 in skin repair has been mainly addressed in vivo on TIEG-1 null mice model and the mechanism remains unexplored. We investigated the modulation of TIEG-1 expression in normal human skin fibroblasts by either down-expressing or overexpressing the gene. We evaluated reactive oxygen species production and the cell viability of treated cells. The effect of TIEG-1 overexpression was monitored by wound healing assay and immunofluorescence staining of actin fibers organization and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Western blots were carried out to identify the level of expression or phosphorylation of key proteins such as cofilin, Rho GTPases, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK). TIEG-1 down-regulation had a deleterious effect on the cell viability. It was significantly reduced (65±5%) and exposure to ultraviolet further increased this effect (47±3%). By contrast, cells overexpressing TIEG-1 had a reduced reactive oxygen species production (75%) compared to control and mock-transfected cells. This overexpression also resulted in formation of actin stress fibers and increased α-SMA expression and an enhanced wound healing feature. RhoB GTPase was upregulated and phosphorylation of cofilin and p38 MAPK was observed. TIEG-1 overexpression in normal human skin fibroblasts results in improved resistance to oxidative stress, myofibroblast-like conversion that involved RhoB signaling pathway with cofilin and p38 MAPK proteins activation. This study enlightens the role of TIEG-1 role in skin biology. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Irradiated fibroblasts promote epithelial–mesenchymal transition and HDGF expression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bao, Ci-Hang; Wang, Xin-Tong; Ma, Wei

2015-03-06

Recent evidence suggested that nonirradiated cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) promoted aggressive phenotypes of cancer cells through epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) is a radiosensitive gene of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). This study aimed to investigate the effect of irradiated fibroblasts on EMT and HDGF expression of ESCC. Our study demonstrated that coculture with nonirradiated fibroblasts significantly increased the invasive ability of ESCC cells and the increased invasiveness was further accelerated when they were cocultured with irradiated fibroblasts. Scattering of ESCC cells was also accelerated by the supernatant from irradiated fibroblasts. Exposure of ESCC cells to supernatant from irradiatedmore » fibroblasts resulted in decreased E-cadherin, increased vimentin in vitro and β-catenin was demonstrated to localize to the nucleus in tumor cells with irradiated fibroblasts in vivo models. The expression of HDGF and β-catenin were increased in both fibroblasts and ESCC cells of irradiated group in vitro and in vivo models. Interestingly, the tumor cells adjoining the stromal fibroblasts displayed strong nuclear HDGF immunoreactivity, which suggested the occurrence of a paracrine effect of fibroblasts on HDGF expression. These data suggested that irradiated fibroblasts promoted invasion, growth, EMT and HDGF expression of ESCC. - Highlights: • Irradiated CAFs accelerated invasiveness and scattering of ESCC cell lines. • Irradiated CAFs promoted EMT of ESCC cells. • Irradiated fibroblasts induced nuclear β-catenin relocalization in ESCC cells. • Irradiated fibroblasts increased HDGF expression in vitro and in vivo.« less

Fibroblast surface-associated FGF-2 promotes contact-dependent colorectal cancer cell migration and invasion through FGFR-SRC signaling and integrin αvβ5-mediated adhesion

PubMed Central

Knuchel, Sarah; Anderle, Pascale; Werfelli, Patricia; Diamantis, Eva; Rüegg, Curzio

2015-01-01

Carcinoma-associated fibroblasts were reported to promote colorectal cancer (CRC) invasion by secreting motility factors and extracellular matrix processing enzymes. Less is known whether fibroblasts may induce CRC cancer cell motility by contact-dependent mechanisms. To address this question we characterized the interaction between fibroblasts and SW620 and HT29 colorectal cancer cells in 2D and 3D co-culture models in vitro. Here we show that fibroblasts induce contact-dependent cancer cell elongation, motility and invasiveness independently of deposited matrix or secreted factors. These effects depend on fibroblast cell surface-associated fibroblast growth factor (FGF) -2. Inhibition of FGF-2 or FGF receptors (FGFRs) signaling abolishes these effects. FGFRs activate SRC in cancer cells and inhibition or silencing of SRC in cancer cells, but not in fibroblasts, prevents fibroblasts-mediated effects. Using an RGD-based integrin antagonist and function-blocking antibodies we demonstrate that cancer cell adhesion to fibroblasts requires integrin αvβ5. Taken together, these results demonstrate that fibroblasts induce cell-contact-dependent colorectal cancer cell migration and invasion under 2D and 3D conditions in vitro through fibroblast cell surface-associated FGF-2, FGF receptor-mediated SRC activation and αvβ5 integrin-dependent cancer cell adhesion to fibroblasts. The FGF-2-FGFRs-SRC-αvβ5 integrin loop might be explored as candidate therapeutic target to block colorectal cancer invasion. PMID:25973543

Fibroblast surface-associated FGF-2 promotes contact-dependent colorectal cancer cell migration and invasion through FGFR-SRC signaling and integrin αvβ5-mediated adhesion.

PubMed

Knuchel, Sarah; Anderle, Pascale; Werfelli, Patricia; Diamantis, Eva; Rüegg, Curzio

2015-06-10

Carcinoma-associated fibroblasts were reported to promote colorectal cancer (CRC) invasion by secreting motility factors and extracellular matrix processing enzymes. Less is known whether fibroblasts may induce CRC cancer cell motility by contact-dependent mechanisms. To address this question we characterized the interaction between fibroblasts and SW620 and HT29 colorectal cancer cells in 2D and 3D co-culture models in vitro. Here we show that fibroblasts induce contact-dependent cancer cell elongation, motility and invasiveness independently of deposited matrix or secreted factors. These effects depend on fibroblast cell surface-associated fibroblast growth factor (FGF) -2. Inhibition of FGF-2 or FGF receptors (FGFRs) signaling abolishes these effects. FGFRs activate SRC in cancer cells and inhibition or silencing of SRC in cancer cells, but not in fibroblasts, prevents fibroblasts-mediated effects. Using an RGD-based integrin antagonist and function-blocking antibodies we demonstrate that cancer cell adhesion to fibroblasts requires integrin αvβ5. Taken together, these results demonstrate that fibroblasts induce cell-contact-dependent colorectal cancer cell migration and invasion under 2D and 3D conditions in vitro through fibroblast cell surface-associated FGF-2, FGF receptor-mediated SRC activation and αvβ5 integrin-dependent cancer cell adhesion to fibroblasts. The FGF-2-FGFRs-SRC-αvβ5 integrin loop might be explored as candidate therapeutic target to block colorectal cancer invasion.

NOTCH3 Is Induced in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and Promotes Angiogenesis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

PubMed

Kayamori, Kou; Katsube, Ken-Ichi; Sakamoto, Kei; Ohyama, Yoshio; Hirai, Hideaki; Yukimori, Akane; Ohata, Yae; Akashi, Takumi; Saitoh, Masao; Harada, Kiyoshi; Harada, Hiroyuki; Yamaguchi, Akira

2016-01-01

Recent studies have shown that Notch signaling is involved in many types of cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs). However, the role of Notch signaling in the tumor microenvironment is not yet fully understood. In this study, we investigated the roles of NOTCH3 signaling in cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in OSCCs. Immunohistochemical study of 93 human tongue OSCC cases indicated that about one third of OSCCs showed NOTCH3 expression in CAFs, and that this expression significantly correlated with tumor-size. In vitro study showed that OSCC cell lines, especially HO1-N-1 cells stimulated NOTCH3 expression in normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) through direct cell-to-cell contact. Immunohistochemical and morphometric analysis using human OSCC samples demonstrated that NOTCH3 expression in CAFs significantly correlated with micro-vessel density in cancer stroma. In vitro angiogenesis assays involving co-culture of NHDFs with HO1-N-1 and human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs), and NOTCH3 knockdown in NHDFs using siRNA, demonstrated that HO1-N-1 cells significantly promoted tube formation dependent on NOTCH3-expression in NHDFs. Moreover, NOTCH3 expression in CAFs was related to poor prognosis of the OSCC patients. This work provides a new insight into the role of Notch signaling in CAFs associated with tumor angiogenesis and the possibility of NOTCH3-targeted molecular therapy in OSCCs.

NOTCH3 Is Induced in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and Promotes Angiogenesis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

PubMed Central

Kayamori, Kou; Katsube, Ken-ichi; Sakamoto, Kei; Ohyama, Yoshio; Hirai, Hideaki; Yukimori, Akane; Ohata, Yae; Akashi, Takumi; Saitoh, Masao; Harada, Kiyoshi; Harada, Hiroyuki; Yamaguchi, Akira

2016-01-01

Recent studies have shown that Notch signaling is involved in many types of cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs). However, the role of Notch signaling in the tumor microenvironment is not yet fully understood. In this study, we investigated the roles of NOTCH3 signaling in cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in OSCCs. Immunohistochemical study of 93 human tongue OSCC cases indicated that about one third of OSCCs showed NOTCH3 expression in CAFs, and that this expression significantly correlated with tumor-size. In vitro study showed that OSCC cell lines, especially HO1-N-1 cells stimulated NOTCH3 expression in normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) through direct cell-to-cell contact. Immunohistochemical and morphometric analysis using human OSCC samples demonstrated that NOTCH3 expression in CAFs significantly correlated with micro-vessel density in cancer stroma. In vitro angiogenesis assays involving co-culture of NHDFs with HO1-N-1 and human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs), and NOTCH3 knockdown in NHDFs using siRNA, demonstrated that HO1-N-1 cells significantly promoted tube formation dependent on NOTCH3-expression in NHDFs. Moreover, NOTCH3 expression in CAFs was related to poor prognosis of the OSCC patients. This work provides a new insight into the role of Notch signaling in CAFs associated with tumor angiogenesis and the possibility of NOTCH3-targeted molecular therapy in OSCCs. PMID:27124156

Impaired Laparotomy Wound Healing in Obese Rats

PubMed Central

Xing, Liyu; Culbertson, Eric J.; Wen, Yuan; Robson, Martin C.

2015-01-01

Background Obesity increases the risk of laparotomy dehiscence and incisional hernia. The aim of this study was to measure the biological effect of obesity on laparotomy wound healing and the formation of incisional hernias. Methods Normal-weight Sprague–Dawley (SD) and obese Zucker rats were used in an established laparotomy wound healing and incisional ventral hernia model. Mechanical testing was performed on abdominal wall strips collected from laparotomy wounds. Hernia size was measured by digital imaging. Picrosirius staining for collagen isoforms was observed with polarized microscopy. Abdominal wall fibroblasts were cultured to measure collagen matrix remodeling and proliferation. Results Laparotomy wound healing was significantly impaired in obese rats. Mechanical strength was lower than in normal-weight rats. Yield load was reduced in the obese group at all time points. Picrosirius red staining showed increased immature type III collagen content and disorganized type I collagen fibers within laparotomy wounds of obese rats. Wound size was significantly larger in the obese group. Collagen matrix remodeling was impaired with fibroblasts from obese rats, but there was no difference in fibroblast proliferation between the obese and normal-weight groups. Conclusions We observed for the first time that laparotomy wound healing is impaired in obese rats. The recovery of laparotomy wound strength is delayed due to abnormal collagen maturation and remodeling, possibly due to a defect in fibroblast function. Strategies to improve outcomes for laparotomy wound healing in obese patients should include correcting the wound healing defect, possibly with growth factor or cell therapy. PMID:21347822

Changes in the gene expression of co-cultured human fibroblast cells and osteosarcoma cells: the role of microenvironment.

PubMed

Salvatore, Viviana; Focaroli, Stefano; Teti, Gabriella; Mazzotti, Antonio; Falconi, Mirella

2015-10-06

The progression of malignant tumors does not depend exclusively on the autonomous properties of cancer cells; it is also influenced by tumor stroma reactivity and is under strict microenvironmental control. By themselves, stromal cells are not malignant, and they maintain normal tissue structure and function. However, through intercellular interactions or by paracrine secretions from cancer cells, normal stromal cells acquire abnormal phenotypes that sustain cancer cell growth and tumor progression. In their dysfunctional state, fibroblast and immune cells produce chemokines and growth factors that stimulate cancer cell growth and invasion. In our previous work, we established an in vitro model based on a monolayer co-culture system of healthy human fibroblasts (HFs) and human osteosarcoma cells (the MG-63 cell line) that simulates the microenvironment of tumor cells and healthy cells. The coexistence between MG-63 cells and HFs allowed us to identify the YKL-40 protein as the main marker for verifying the influence of tumor cells grown in contact with healthy cells. In this study, we evaluated the interactions of HFs and MG-63 cells in a transwell co-culture system over 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h. We analyzed the contributions of these populations to the tumor microenvironment during cancer progression, as measured by multiple markers. We examined the effect of siRNA knockdown of YKL-40 by tracking the subsequent changes in gene expression within the co-culture. We validated the expression of several genes, focusing on those involved in cancer cell invasion, inflammatory responses, and angiogenesis: TNF alpha, IL-6, MMP-1, MMP-9, and VEGF. We compared the results to those from a transwell co-culture without the YKL-40 knockdown. In a pro-inflammatory environment promoted by TNF alpha and IL-6, siRNA knockdown of YKL-40 caused a down-regulation of VEGF and MMP-1 expression in HFs. These findings demonstrated that the tumor microenvironment has an influence on the gene expression of healthy surrounding tissues and on the process of tumorigenicity and it is emerging as attractive targets for therapeutic strategies.

The disruption of the epithelial mesenchymal trophic unit in COPD.

PubMed

Behzad, Ali R; McDonough, John E; Seyednejad, Nazgol; Hogg, James C; Walker, David C

2009-12-01

Progression of COPD is associated with a measurable increase in small airway wall thickness resulting from a repair and remodeling process that involves fibroblasts of the epithelial mesenchymal trophic unit (EMTU). The present study was designed to examine the organization of fibroblasts within the lamina propria of small airways with respect to their contacts with the epithelium and with each other in persons with COPD. Transmission electron microcopy (TEM) and three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of serial TEM sections were used to estimate the frequency and determine the nature of the contacts between the epithelium and fibroblasts within the EMTU in small airways from 5 controls (smokers with normal lung function), from 6 persons with mild (GOLD-1) and 5 with moderate (GOLD-2) COPD. In airways from control lungs fibroblasts make frequent contact with cytoplasmic extensions of epithelial cells through apertures in the epithelial basal lamina, but the frequency of these fibroblast-epithelial contacts is reduced in both mild and moderate COPD compared to controls (p < 0.01). The 3D reconstructions showed that the cytoplasmic extensions of lamina propria fibroblasts form a reticulum with fibroblast-fibroblast contacts in an airway from a control subject but this reticulum may be reorganized in airways of COPD patients. Development of COPD is associated with significant disruption of the EMTU due to a reduction of contacts between fibroblasts and the epithelium.

Reprogramming of fibroblasts from older women with pelvic floor disorders alters cellular behavior associated with donor age.

PubMed

Wen, Yan; Wani, Prachi; Zhou, Lu; Baer, Tom; Phadnis, Smruti Madan; Reijo Pera, Renee A; Chen, Bertha

2013-02-01

We aimed to derive induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from vaginal fibroblasts from older women with pelvic organ prolapse. We examined the effect of donor age on iPSCs and on the cells redifferentiated from these iPSCs. Vaginal fibroblasts were isolated from younger and older subjects for reprogramming. iPSCs were generated simultaneously using an excisable polycistronic lentiviral vector expressing Oct4, Klf4, Sox2, and cMyc. The pluripotent markers of iPSCs were confirmed by immunocytochemistry and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Spectral karyotyping was performed. The ability of the iPSCs to differentiate into three germ layers was confirmed by embryoid body and teratoma formation. Senescence marker (p21, p53, and Bax) expressions were determined by qRT-PCR and Western blot. The iPSCs were redifferentiated to fibroblasts and were evaluated with senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA) activity and mitotic index using time-lapse dark-field microscopy. iPSCs derived from both the younger and older subjects expressed pluripotency markers and showed normal karyotype and positive teratoma assays. There was no significant difference in expression of senescence and apoptosis markers (p21, p53, and Bax) in iPSCs derived from the younger subject compared with the older subject. Furthermore, fibroblasts redifferentiated from these iPSCs did not differ in SA activity or mitotic index. We report successful derivation of iPSCs from women with pelvic organ prolapse. Older age did not interfere with successful reprogramming. Donor age differences were not observed in these iPSCs using standard senescence markers, and donor age did not appear to affect cell mitotic activity in fibroblasts redifferentiated from iPSCs.

In vitro toxicity evaluation of silver soldering, electrical resistance, and laser welding of orthodontic wires.

PubMed

Sestini, Silvia; Notarantonio, Laura; Cerboni, Barbara; Alessandrini, Carlo; Fimiani, Michele; Nannelli, Pietro; Pelagalli, Antonio; Giorgetti, Roberto

2006-12-01

The long-term effects of orthodontic appliances in the oral environment and the subsequent leaching of metals are relatively unknown. A method for determining the effects of various types of soldering and welding, both of which in turn could lead to leaching of metal ions, on the growth of osteoblasts, fibroblasts, and oral keratinocytes in vitro, is proposed. The effects of cell behaviour of metal wires on osteoblast differentiation, expressed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity; on fibroblast proliferation, assayed by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulphophenil)-2H-tetrazolium-phenazine ethosulphate method; and on keratinocyte viability and migration on the wires, observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), were tested. Two types of commercially available wires normally used for orthodontic appliances, with a similar chemical composition (iron, carbon, silicon, chromium, molybdenum, phosphorus, sulphur, vanadium, and nitrogen) but differing in nickel and manganese content, were examined, as well as the joints obtained by electrical resistance welding, traditional soldering, and laser welding. Nickel and chromium, known as possible toxic metals, were also examined using pure nickel- and chromium-plated titanium wires. Segments of each wire, cut into different lengths, were added to each well in which the cells were grown to confluence. The high nickel and chromium content of orthodontic wires damaged both osteoblasts and fibroblasts, but did not affect keratinocytes. Chromium strongly affected fibroblast growth. The joint produced by electrical resistance welding was well tolerated by both osteoblasts and fibroblasts, whereas traditional soldering caused a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in both osteoblast ALP activity and fibroblast viability, and prevented the growth of keratinocytes in vitro. Laser welding was the only joining process well tolerated by all tested cells.

HEPARIN-BINDING EGF CLEAVAGE MEDIATES ZINC-INDUCED EGF RECEPTOR PHOSPHORYLATION

EPA Science Inventory

We have previously shown that exposure to zinc ions can activate epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) signaling in murine fibroblasts and A431 cells through a mechanism involving Src kinase. While studying the effects of zinc ions in normal human bronchial epithelial cel...

Modest increased sensitivity to radiation oncogenesis in ATM heterozygous versus wild-type mammalian cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smilenov, L. B.; Brenner, D. J.; Hall, E. J.

2001-01-01

Subpopulations that are genetically predisposed to radiation-induced cancer could have significant public health consequences. Individuals homozygous for null mutations at the ataxia telangiectasia gene are indeed highly radiosensitive, but their numbers are very small. Ataxia Telangiectasia heterozygotes (1-2% of the population) have been associated with somewhat increased radiosensitivity for some end points, but none directly related to carcinogenesis. Here, intralitter comparisons between wild-type mouse embryo fibroblasts and mouse embryo fibroblasts carrying ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) null mutation indicate that the heterozygous cells are more sensitive to radiation oncogenesis than their normal, litter-matched, counterparts. From these data we suggest that Ataxia Telangiectasia heterozygotes could indeed represent a societally-significant radiosensitive human subpopulation.

Careless talk costs lives: fibroblast growth factor receptor signalling and the consequences of pathway malfunction.

PubMed

Carter, Edward P; Fearon, Abbie E; Grose, Richard P

2015-04-01

Since its discovery 40 years ago, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor (FGFR) signalling has been found to regulate fundamental cellular behaviours in a wide range of cell types. FGFRs regulate development, homeostasis, and repair and are implicated in many disorders and diseases; and indeed, there is extensive potential for severe consequences, be they developmental, homeostatic, or oncogenic, should FGF-FGFR signalling go awry, so careful control of the pathway is critically important. In this review, we discuss the recent developments in the FGF field, highlighting how FGFR signalling works in normal cells, how it can go wrong, how frequently it is compromised, and how it is being targeted therapeutically. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Immortalization of normal human embryonic fibroblasts by introduction of either the human papillomavirus type 16 E6 or E7 gene alone.

PubMed

Yamamoto, Akito; Kumakura, Shin-ichi; Uchida, Minoru; Barrett, J Carl; Tsutsui, Takeki

2003-09-01

The ability of the human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) E6 or E7 gene to induce immortalization of normal human embryonic fibroblast WHE-7 cells was examined. WHE-7 cells at 9 population doublings (PD) were infected with retrovirus vectors encoding either HPV-16 E6 or E7 alone or both E6 and E7 (E6/E7). One of 4 isolated clones carrying E6 alone became immortal and is currently at >445 PD. Four of 4 isolated clones carrying E7 alone escaped from crisis and are currently at >330 PD. Three of 5 isolated clones carrying E6/E7 were also immortalized and are currently at >268 PD. The immortal clone carrying E6 only and 2 of the 3 immortal clones carrying E6/E7 expressed a high level of E6 protein, and all the immortal clones carrying E7 alone and the other immortal clone carrying E6/E7 expressed a high level of E7 protein when compared to their mortal or precrisis clones. The immortal clones expressing a high level of E6 or E7 protein were positive for telomerase activity or an alternative mechanism of telomere maintenance, respectively, known as ALT (alternative lengthening of telomeres). All the mortal or precrisis clones were negative for both phenotypes. All the immortal clones exhibited abrogation of G1 arrest after DNA damage by X-ray irradiation. The expression of INK4a protein (p16(INK4a)) was undetectable in the E6-infected mortal and immortal clones, whereas Rb protein (pRb) was hyperphosphorylated only in the immortal clone. The p16(INK4a) protein was overexpressed in all the E7-infected immortal clones and their clones in the pre-crisis period as well as all the E6/E7-infected mortal and immortal clones, but the pRb expression was downregulated in all of these clones. These results demonstrate for the first time to our knowledge that HPV-16 E6 or E7 alone can induce immortalization of normal human embryonic fibroblasts. Inactivation of p16(INK4a)/pRb pathways in combination with activation of a telomere maintenance mechanism is suggested to be necessary for immortalization of normal human embryonic fibroblasts by these viral oncogenes. The susceptibility of human cells to immortalization may be related to the state of differentiation of the cells. Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The fate of radiation induced giant-nucleated cells of human skin fibroblasts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Almahwasi, A. A.; Jeynes, J. C.; Bradley, D. A.; Regan, P. H.

2017-11-01

Radiation-induced giant-nucleated cells (GCs) have been observed to occur within survivors of irradiated cancerous and within healthy cells, both in vivo and in vitro. The expression of such morphological alterations is associated with genomic instability. This study was designed to investigate the fate of GCs induced in a normal human fibroblast cell line (AG1522) after exposure to 0.2, 1 or 2 Gy of X-ray or proton irradiation. The total of 79 individual AG1522 GCs present at 7, 14 or 21 days after each dose point were analysed from fluorescence microscopy images captured over approximately 120 h. The GCs were identified at the beginning of the observation period for each time point post-irradiation and the area of the cell nucleus was measured (μm2) using a cell-recognition MATLAB code. The results demonstrate that the majority of GCs had undergone a prolonged mitotic arrest, which might be an indication of the survival strategy. The live cell microscopy confirms that a giant-nucleated cell formed 14 days after exposure to 0.2 Gy of proton irradiation was divided into two asymmetrical normal-sized cells. These results suggest that a small fraction of GCs can proliferate and form progeny. Some of GCs had disappeared from the microscopy fields. The rate of their loss was decreased as the dose increased but there remains the potential for them to have progeny that could continue to proliferate, ultimately contributing to development of cancer risk. This important method to access delayed effects in normal tissues could act as a potential radioprotective assay for a dose-limiting parameter when applying radiotherapy. These results might have important implications in evaluating risk estimates for patients during radiation therapy treatment.

Induction of chromosome aberrations in human cells by charged particles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, H.; Durante, M.; George, K.; Yang, T. C.

1997-01-01

Chromosome aberrations induced by high-energy charged particles in normal human lymphocytes and human fibroblasts have been investigated. The charged particles included 250 MeV/nucleon protons, 290 MeV/nucleon carbon ions and 1 GeV/nucleon iron ions. The energies of the charged particles were higher than in most of the studies reported in the literature. Lymphocytes were stimulated to grow immediately after irradiation, while fibroblasts were incubated at 37 degrees C for 24 h for repair. Chromosomes were collected at the first mitosis after irradiation and chromosome aberrations were scored using the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique with a whole-chromosome 4 probe. Chromosome aberrations were classified as reciprocal exchanges, incomplete exchanges, deletions and complex exchanges. The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) for each type of aberration was calculated by dividing a dose of 4 Gy by the dose of the charged particles producing the same effect as 4 Gy of gamma rays. Results of this study showed that complex aberrations have the highest RBE for radiation of high linear energy transfer (LET) for human lymphocytes, but for fibroblasts, the greatest effect was for incomplete exchanges. For both lymphocytes and fibroblasts, iron ions induced a similar fraction of aberrant cells.

L'effet de p53 sur la radiosensibilité des cellules humaines normales et cancéreuses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Little, J. B.; Li, C. Y.; Nagasawa, H.; Huang, H.

1998-04-01

The radiosensitivity of normal human fibroblasts in p53 dependent and associated with the loss of cells from the cycling population as the result of an irreversible G1 arrest; cells lacking normal p53 function show no arrest and are more radioresistant. Under conditions in which the repair potentially lethal radiation damage is facilitated, the fraction of cells arrested in G1 is reduced and survival is enhanced. The response of human tumor cells differs significantly. The radiation-induced G1 arrest is minimal or absent in p53+ tumor cells, and loss of normal p53 function has no consistent effect on their radiosensitivity. These results suggest that p53 status may not be a useful predictive marker for the response of human solid tumors to radiation therapy. La radiosensibilité des fibroblastes diploïdes humains est liée à l'expression de p53, et à la perte de cellules en cycle résultant d'un arrêt irréversible en phase G1 ; dans les cellules n'ayant pas une fonction p53 normale, on ne constate aucun arrêt, et elles sont plus radio-résistantes. Dans des conditions favorables à la réparation de lésions potentiellement léthales dues à l'irradiation, la proportion de cellules bloquées en phase G1 baisse, et les chances de survie sont accrues. Bien différente est la réaction des cellules cancéreuses humaines. Le blocage par irradiation en phase G1 est minime ou inexistant dans les cellules cancéreuses p53^+, et la perte de la fonction normale p53 n'a pas d'effet constant sur leur radiosensibilité. Ces résultats laissent penser que l'expression de p53 n'est pas un indice fiable permettant de prévoir la réaction des tumeurs solides à la radiothérapie.

Mena binds α5 integrin directly and modulates α5β1 function

PubMed Central

Riquelme, Daisy; Hughes-Alford, Shannon K.; Tadros, Jenny; Rudina, Shireen S.; O.Hynes, Richard; Lauffenburger, Douglas

2012-01-01

Mena is an Ena/VASP family actin regulator with roles in cell migration, chemotaxis, cell–cell adhesion, tumor cell invasion, and metastasis. Although enriched in focal adhesions, Mena has no established function within these structures. We find that Mena forms an adhesion-regulated complex with α5β1 integrin, a fibronectin receptor involved in cell adhesion, motility, fibronectin fibrillogenesis, signaling, and growth factor receptor trafficking. Mena bound directly to the carboxy-terminal portion of the α5 cytoplasmic tail via a 91-residue region containing 13 five-residue “LERER” repeats. In fibroblasts, the Mena–α5 complex was required for “outside-in” α5β1 functions, including normal phosphorylation of FAK and paxillin and formation of fibrillar adhesions. It also supported fibrillogenesis and cell spreading and controlled cell migration speed. Thus, fibroblasts require Mena for multiple α5β1-dependent processes involving bidirectional interactions between the extracellular matrix and cytoplasmic focal adhesion proteins. PMID:22908313

Persea americana Mill. Seed: Fractionation, Characterization, and Effects on Human Keratinocytes and Fibroblasts

PubMed Central

Ramos-Jerz, Maria del R.; Villanueva, Socorro; Jerz, Gerold; Winterhalter, Peter; Deters, Alexandra M.

2013-01-01

Methanolic avocado (Persea americana Mill., Lauraceae) seed extracts were separated by preparative HSCCC. Partition and HSCCC fractions were principally characterized by LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis. Their in vitro influence was investigated on proliferation, differentiation, cell viability, and gene expression on HaCaT and normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) and normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF). The methanol-water partition (M) from avocado seeds and HSCCC fraction 3 (M.3) were mostly composed of chlorogenic acid and its isomers. Both reduced NHDF but enhanced HaCaT keratinocytes proliferation. HSCCC fraction M.2 composed of quinic acid among chlorogenic acid and its isomers inhibited proliferation and directly induced differentiation of keratinocytes as observed on gene and protein level. Furthermore, M.2 increased NHDF proliferation via upregulation of growth factor receptors. Salidrosides and ABA derivatives present in HSCCC fraction M.6 increased NHDF and keratinocyte proliferation that resulted in differentiation. The residual solvent fraction M.7 contained among low concentrations of ABA derivatives high amounts of proanthocyanidins B1 and B2 as well as an A-type trimer and stimulated proliferation of normal cells and inhibited the proliferation of immortalized HaCaT keratinocytes. PMID:24371457

Spontaneous cell sorting of fibroblasts and keratinocytes creates an organotypic human skin equivalent.

PubMed

Wang, C K; Nelson, C F; Brinkman, A M; Miller, A C; Hoeffler, W K

2000-04-01

We show that an inherent ability of two distinct cell types, keratinocytes and fibroblasts, can be relied upon to accurately reconstitute full-thickness human skin including the dermal-epidermal junction by a cell-sorting mechanism. A cell slurry containing both cell types added to silicone chambers implanted on the backs of severe combined immunodeficient mice sorts out to reconstitute a clearly defined dermis and stratified epidermis within 2 wk, forming a cell-sorted skin equivalent. Immunostaining of the cell-sorted skin equivalent with human cell markers showed patterns similar to those of normal full-thickness skin. We compared the cell-sorted skin equivalent model with a composite skin model also made on severe combined immunodeficient mice. The composite grafts were constructed from partially differentiated keratinocyte sheets placed on top of a dermal equivalent constructed of devitalized dermis. Electron microscopy revealed that both models formed ample numbers of normal appearing hemidesmosomes. The cell-sorted skin equivalent model, however, had greater numbers of keratin intermediate filaments within the basal keratinocytes that connected to hemidesmosomes, and on the dermal side both collagen filaments and anchoring fibril connections to the lamina densa were more numerous compared with the composite model. Our results may provide some insight into why, in clinical applications for treating burns and other wounds, composite grafts may exhibit surface instability and blistering for up to a year following grafting, and suggest the possible usefulness of the cell-sorted skin equivalent in future grafting applications.

Development and Characterisation of a Human Chronic Skin Wound Cell Line—Towards an Alternative for Animal Experimentation

PubMed Central

Wall, Ivan B.; Peake, Matthew; Kipling, David; Giles, Peter; Thomas, David W.

2018-01-01

Background: Chronic skin wounds are a growing financial burden for healthcare providers, causing discomfort/immobility to patients. Whilst animal chronic wound models have been developed to allow for mechanistic studies and to develop/test potential therapies, such systems are not good representations of the human chronic wound state. As an alternative, human chronic wound fibroblasts (CWFs) have permitted an insight into the dysfunctional cellular mechanisms that are associated with these wounds. However, such cells strains have a limited replicative lifespan and therefore a limited reproducibility/usefulness. Objectives: To develop/characterise immortalised cell lines of CWF and patient-matched normal fibroblasts (NFs). Methods and Results: Immortalisation with human telomerase resulted in both CWF and NF proliferating well beyond their replicative senescence end-point (respective cell strains senesced as normal). Gene expression analysis demonstrated that, whilst proliferation-associated genes were up-regulated in the cell lines (as would be expected), the immortalisation process did not significantly affect the disease-specific genotype. Immortalised CWF (as compared to NF) also retained a distinct impairment in their wound repopulation potential (in line with CWF cell strains). Conclusions: These novel CWF cell lines are a credible animal alternative and could be a valuable research tool for understanding both the aetiology of chronic skin wounds and for therapeutic pre-screening. PMID:29584680

Lateral Membrane Waves Constitute a Universal Dynamic Pattern of Motile Cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Döbereiner, Hans-Günther; Dubin-Thaler, Benjamin J.; Hofman, Jake M.; Xenias, Harry S.; Sims, Tasha N.; Giannone, Grégory; Dustin, Michael L.; Wiggins, Chris H.; Sheetz, Michael P.

2006-07-01

We have monitored active movements of the cell circumference on specifically coated substrates for a variety of cells including mouse embryonic fibroblasts and T cells, as well as wing disk cells from fruit flies. Despite having different functions and being from multiple phyla, these cell types share a common spatiotemporal pattern in their normal membrane velocity; we show that protrusion and retraction events are organized in lateral waves along the cell membrane. These wave patterns indicate both spatial and temporal long-range periodic correlations of the actomyosin gel.

Role for DNA methylation in the regulation of miR-200c and miR-141 expression in normal and cancer cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vrba, Lukas; Jensen, Taylor J.; Garbe, James C.

2009-12-23

BACKGROUND: The microRNA-200 family participates in the maintenance of an epithelial phenotype and loss of its expression can result in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Furthermore, the loss of expression of miR-200 family members is linked to an aggressive cancer phenotype. Regulation of the miR-200 family expression in normal and cancer cells is not fully understood. METHODOLOGY/ PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Epigenetic mechanisms participate in the control of miR-200c and miR-141 expression in both normal and cancer cells. A CpG island near the predicted mir-200c/mir-141 transcription start site shows a striking correlation between miR-200c and miR-141 expression and DNA methylation in bothmore » normal and cancer cells, as determined by MassARRAY technology. The CpG island is unmethylated in human miR-200/miR-141 expressing epithelial cells and in miR-200c/miR-141 positive tumor cells. The CpG island is heavily methylated in human miR-200c/miR-141 negative fibroblasts and miR-200c/miR-141 negative tumor cells. Mouse cells show a similar inverse correlation between DNA methylation and miR-200c expression. Enrichment of permissive histone modifications, H3 acetylation and H3K4 trimethylation, is seen in normal miR-200c/miR-141-positive epithelial cells, as determined by chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled to real-time PCR. In contrast, repressive H3K9 dimethylation marks are present in normal miR-200c/miR-141-negative fibroblasts and miR-200c/miR-141 negative cancer cells and the permissive histone modifications are absent. The epigenetic modifier drug, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, reactivates miR-200c/miR-141 expression showing that epigenetic mechanisms play a functional role in their transcriptional control. CONCLUSIONS/ SIGNIFICANCE: We report that DNA methylation plays a role in the normal cell type-specific expression of miR-200c and miR-141 and this role appears evolutionarily conserved, since similar results were obtained in mouse. Aberrant DNA methylation of the miR-200c/141 CpG island is closely linked to their inappropriate silencing in cancer cells. Since the miR-200c cluster plays a significant role in EMT, our results suggest an important role for DNA methylation in the control of phenotypic conversions in normal cells.« less

Effects of conditioned medium from LL-37 treated adipose stem cells on human fibroblast migration.

PubMed

Yang, Eun-Jung; Bang, Sa-Ik

2017-07-01

Adipose stem cell-conditioned medium may promote human dermal fibroblast (HDF) proliferation and migration by activating paracrine peptides during the re-epithelization phase of wound healing. Human antimicrobial peptide LL-37 is upregulated in the skin epithelium as part of the normal response to injury. The effects of conditioned medium (CM) from LL-37 treated adipose stem cells (ASCs) on cutaneous wound healing, including the mediation of fibroblast migration, remain to be elucidated, therefore the aim of the present study was to determine how ASCs would react to an LL-37-rich microenvironment and if CM from LL-37 treated ASCs may influence the migration of HDFs. The present study conducted migration assays with HDFs treated with CM from LL-37 treated ASCs. Expression of CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), which controls the recruitment of HDFs, was analyzed at the mRNA and protein levels. To further characterize the stimulatory effects of LL-37 on ASCs, the expression of stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α), a CXC chemokine, was investigated. CM from LL-37-treated ASCs induced migration of HDFs in a time- and dose-dependent manner, with a maximum difference in migration observed 24 h following stimulation with LL-37 at a concentration of 10 µg/ml. The HDF migration and the expression of CXCR4 in fibroblasts was markedly increased upon treatment with CM from LL-37-treated ASCs compared with CM from untreated ASCs. SDF-1α expression was markedly increased in CM from LL-37 treated ASCs. It was additionally observed that SDF-1α blockade significantly reduced HDF migration. These findings suggest the feasibility of CM from LL-37-treated ASCs as a potential therapeutic for human dermal fibroblast migration.

Senescent fibroblasts enhance early skin carcinogenic events via a paracrine MMP-PAR-1 axis.

PubMed

Malaquin, Nicolas; Vercamer, Chantal; Bouali, Fatima; Martien, Sébastien; Deruy, Emeric; Wernert, Nicolas; Chwastyniak, Maggy; Pinet, Florence; Abbadie, Corinne; Pourtier, Albin

2013-01-01

The incidence of carcinoma increases greatly with aging, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying this correlation are only partly known. It is established that senescent fibroblasts promote the malignant progression of already-transformed cells through secretion of inflammatory mediators. We investigated here whether the senescent fibroblast secretome might have an impact on the very first stages of carcinogenesis. We chose the cultured normal primary human epidermal keratinocyte model, because after these cells reach the senescence plateau, cells with transformed and tumorigenic properties systematically and spontaneously emerge from the plateau. In the presence of medium conditioned by autologous senescent dermal fibroblasts, a higher frequency of post-senescence emergence was observed and the post-senescence emergent cells showed enhanced migratory properties and a more marked epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Using pharmacological inhibitors, siRNAs, and blocking antibodies, we demonstrated that the MMP-1 and MMP-2 matrix metalloproteinases, known to participate in late stages of cancer invasion and metastasis, are responsible for this enhancement of early migratory capacity. We present evidence that MMPs act by activating the protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR-1), whose expression is specifically increased in post-senescence emergent keratinocytes. The physiopathological relevance of these results was tested by analyzing MMP activity and PAR-1 expression in skin sections. Both were higher in skin sections from aged subjects than in ones from young subjects. Altogether, our results suggest that during aging, the dermal and epidermal skin compartments might be activated coordinately for initiation of skin carcinoma, via a paracrine axis in which MMPs secreted by senescent fibroblasts promote very early epithelial-mesenchymal transition of keratinocytes undergoing transformation and oversynthesizing the MMP-activatable receptor PAR-1.

Quiescence does not affect p53 and stress response by irradiation in human lung fibroblasts

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dai, Jiawen; Itahana, Koji, E-mail: koji.itahana@duke-nus.edu.sg; Baskar, Rajamanickam, E-mail: r.baskar@nccs.com.sg

Cells in many organs exist in both proliferating and quiescent states. Proliferating cells are more radio-sensitive, DNA damage pathways including p53 pathway are activated to undergo either G{sub 1}/S or G{sub 2}/M arrest to avoid entering S and M phase with DNA damage. On the other hand, quiescent cells are already arrested in G{sub 0}, therefore there may be fundamental difference of irradiation response between proliferating and quiescent cells, and this difference may affect their radiosensitivity. To understand these differences, proliferating and quiescent human normal lung fibroblasts were exposed to 0.10–1 Gy of γ-radiation. The response of key proteins involvedmore » in the cell cycle, cell death, and metabolism as well as histone H2AX phosphorylation were examined. Interestingly, p53 and p53 phosphorylation (Ser-15), as well as the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21 and p27, were induced similarly in both proliferating and quiescent cells after irradiation. Furthermore, the p53 protein half-life, and expression of cyclin A, cyclin E, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Bax, or cytochrome c expression as well as histone H2AX phosphorylation were comparable after irradiation in both phases of cells. The effect of radioprotection by a glycogen synthase kinase 3β inhibitor on p53 pathway was also similar between proliferating and quiescent cells. Our results showed that quiescence does not affect irradiation response of key proteins involved in stress and DNA damage at least in normal fibroblasts, providing a better understanding of the radiation response in quiescent cells, which is crucial for tissue repair and regeneration. - Highlights: • p53 response by irradiation was similar between proliferating and quiescent cells. • Quiescent cells showed similar profiles of cell cycle proteins after irradiation. • Radioprotection of GSK-3β inhibitor caused similar effects between these cells. • Quiescence did not affect p53 response despite its known role in radio-resistance.« less

Cross-species functional analysis of cancer-associated fibroblasts identifies a critical role for CLCF1 and IL6 in non-small cell lung cancer in vivo

PubMed Central

Vicent, Silvestre; Sayles, Leanne C.; Vaka, Dedeepya; Khatri, Purvesh; Gevaert, Olivier; Chen, Ron; Zheng, Yanyan; Gillespie, Anna K.; Clarke, Nicole; Xu, Yue; Shrager, Joseph; Hoang, Chuong D.; Plevritis, Sylvia; Butte, Atul J.; Sweet-Cordero, E. Alejandro

2013-01-01

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have been reported to support tumor progression by a variety of mechanisms. However, their role in the progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains poorly defined. In addition, the extent to which specific proteins secreted by CAFs contribute directly to tumor growth is unclear. To study the role of CAFs in NSCLC, a cross-species functional characterization of mouse and human lung CAFs was performed. CAFs supported the growth of lung cancer cells in vivo by secretion of soluble factors that directly stimulate the growth of tumor cells. Gene expression analysis comparing normal mouse lung fibroblasts (NFs) and mouse lung CAFs identified multiple genes that correlate with the CAF phenotype. A gene signature of secreted genes upregulated in CAFs was an independent marker of poor survival in NSCLC patients. This secreted gene signature was upregulated in NFs after long-term exposure to tumor cells, demonstrating that NFs are “educated” by tumor cells to acquire a CAF-like phenotype. Functional studies identified important roles for CLCF1-CNTFR and IL6-IL6R signaling, in promoting growth of NSCLC cells. This study identifies novel soluble factors contributing to the CAF protumorigenic phenotype in NSCLC and suggests new avenues for the development of therapeutic strategies. PMID:22962265

A novel role of EMMPRIN/CD147 in transformation of quiescent fibroblasts to cancer-associated fibroblasts by breast cancer cells

PubMed Central

Xu, Jing; Lu, Yang; Qiu, Songbo; Chen, Zhi-Nan; Fan, Zhen

2013-01-01

We tested the novel hypothesis that EMMPRIN/CD147, a transmembrane glycoprotein overexpressed in breast cancer cells, has a previously unknown role in transforming fibroblasts to cancer-associated fibroblasts, and that cancer-associated fibroblasts in turn induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of breast cancer cells. Co-culture of fibroblasts with breast cancer cells or treatment of fibroblasts with breast cancer cell conditioned culture medium or recombinant EMMPRIN/CD147 induced expression of α-SMA in the fibroblasts in an EMMPRIN/CD147-dependent manner and promoted epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of breast cancer cells and enhanced cell migration potential. These findings support a novel role of EMMPRIN/CD147 in regulating the interaction between cancer and stroma. PMID:23474495

Abnormal Collagen Metabolism in Cultured Skin Fibroblasts from Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodemann, H. Peter; Bayreuther, Klaus

1984-08-01

Total collagen synthesis is decreased by about 29% (P < 0.01) in skin fibroblasts established in vitro from male patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) as compared with that in normal male skin fibroblasts in vitro. The reduction in collagen synthesis is associated with an approximately 2-fold increase in collagen degradation in DMD fibroblasts. Correlated to these alterations in the metabolism of collagen, DMD fibroblasts express a significantly higher hydroxyproline/proline ratio (DMD: 1.36-1.45; P < 0.01) than do normal fibroblasts (controls: 0.86-0.89). The increased hydroxylation of proline residues of collagen (composed of type I and type III) could be the cause for the enhanced degradation of collagen in DMD fibroblasts.

In Vitro Detection of Characteristic Differences in Radiation Sensitivity of Female Genital Cancers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

LUDOVICI, PETER P.; MILLER, NORMAN F.

1962-01-01

BS>By a standardized assay technic in which cell monolayers were irradiated at different dose levels (100 to 1200 r) on the 4th culture day and cell counts carried out 4 days later, the radiation sensitivities of 37 cell strains, derived from female patients with various genital cancers and from normal individuals, were assessed. These 37 cell strains had certain patterns of radiation sensitivity which, in general, appear to be consistent with the generally accepted radiosensitivity of the tumors from which the cell strains arose. Cell strains from squamous-cell carcinomas of the cervix as a group were at least twice asmore » sensitive as those from other squamous-cell carcinomas of the female genital tract. Cell strains derived from carcinomas of the ovary, vagina, and vulva were almost equally resistant to radiation. As expected, cell strains derived from benign tissues were the most highly resistant to radiation, normal fibroblastic strains being more resistant than normal epithelial strains. (H.H.D.)« less

The Protective Effect of Baicalin against UVB Irradiation Induced Photoaging: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study

PubMed Central

Yin, Zhi-qiang; Hu, Yan-yan; Xu, Yang; Wu, Di; Permatasari, Felicia; Luo, Dan; Zhou, Bing-rong

2014-01-01

Objective This study was aimed to evaluate the anti-photoaging effects of baicalin on Ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced photoaging in the dorsal skin of hairless mice and premature senescence in human dermal fibroblasts. Methods We established in vivo and in vitro photoaging models by repeated exposures to UVB irradiation. By HE staining, masson staining, immunohistostaing and real-time RT-PCR, we analyzed epidermal thickness, collagen expression and the mRNA and protein levels of type I collagen, type III collagen, interstitial collagenase (MMP-1 and MMP-3) in UVB exposed dorsal mice skin. The aging condition in human dermal fibroblasts was determined by senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining. Cell viability was determined using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). The G1 phase cell growth arrest was analyzed by flow cytometry. The senescence-related protein levels of p16INK-4a, p21WAF-1, and p53 and protein levels of phosphorylated histone H2AX were estimated by Western blotting. Results Topically application of baicalin treatment reduced UVB-induced epidermal thickening of mouse skin and also result in an increase in the production of collagen I and III, and a decrease in the expression of MMP-1 and MMP-3. Compared with the UVB-irradiated group, we found that the irradiated fibroblasts additionally treated with baicalin demonstrated a decrease in the expression of SA-β-gal, a increase in the cell viability, a decrease in the G1 phase cell proportion, a downregulation in the level of senescence-associated and γ-H2AX proteins. However, Baicalin had no difference in the normal fibroblasts without UVB irradiation and long-term Baicalin incubation of UVB-SIPS fibroblasts gave no effects on the cell proliferation. Conclusions Taken together, these results suggest that baicalin significantly antagonizes photoaging induced by UVB in vivo and in vitro, indicating the potential of baicalin application for anti-photoaging treatment. PMID:24949843

The protective effect of baicalin against UVB irradiation induced photoaging: an in vitro and in vivo study.

PubMed

Zhang, Jia-an; Yin, Zhi; Ma, Li-wen; Yin, Zhi-qiang; Hu, Yan-yan; Xu, Yang; Wu, Di; Permatasari, Felicia; Luo, Dan; Zhou, Bing-rong

2014-01-01

This study was aimed to evaluate the anti-photoaging effects of baicalin on Ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced photoaging in the dorsal skin of hairless mice and premature senescence in human dermal fibroblasts. We established in vivo and in vitro photoaging models by repeated exposures to UVB irradiation. By HE staining, masson staining, immunohistostaing and real-time RT-PCR, we analyzed epidermal thickness, collagen expression and the mRNA and protein levels of type I collagen, type III collagen, interstitial collagenase (MMP-1 and MMP-3) in UVB exposed dorsal mice skin. The aging condition in human dermal fibroblasts was determined by senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining. Cell viability was determined using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). The G1 phase cell growth arrest was analyzed by flow cytometry. The senescence-related protein levels of p16INK-4a, p21WAF-1, and p53 and protein levels of phosphorylated histone H2AX were estimated by Western blotting. Topically application of baicalin treatment reduced UVB-induced epidermal thickening of mouse skin and also result in an increase in the production of collagen I and III, and a decrease in the expression of MMP-1 and MMP-3. Compared with the UVB-irradiated group, we found that the irradiated fibroblasts additionally treated with baicalin demonstrated a decrease in the expression of SA-β-gal, a increase in the cell viability, a decrease in the G1 phase cell proportion, a downregulation in the level of senescence-associated and γ-H2AX proteins. However, Baicalin had no difference in the normal fibroblasts without UVB irradiation and long-term Baicalin incubation of UVB-SIPS fibroblasts gave no effects on the cell proliferation. Taken together, these results suggest that baicalin significantly antagonizes photoaging induced by UVB in vivo and in vitro, indicating the potential of baicalin application for anti-photoaging treatment.

A method for establishing human primary gastric epithelial cell culture from fresh surgical gastric tissues.

PubMed

Aziz, Faisal; Yang, Xuesong; Wen, Qingping; Yan, Qiu

2015-08-01

At present, biopsy specimens, cancer cell lines and tissues obtained by gastric surgery are used in the study and analysis of gastric cancer, including the molecular mechanisms and proteomics. However, fibroblasts and other tissue components may interfere with these techniques. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop a procedure for the isolation of viable human gastric epithelial cells from gastric surgical tissues. A method was developed to culture human gastric epithelial cells using fresh, surgically excised tissues and was evaluated using immunocytochemistry, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining and cell viability assays. Low cell growth was observed surrounding the gastric tissue on the seventh day of tissue explant culture. Cell growth subsequently increased, and at 12 days post-explant a high number of pure epithelial cells were detected. The gastric cancer cells exhibited rapid growth with a doubling time of 13-52 h, as compared to normal cells, which had a doubling time of 20-53 h. Immunocytochemical analyses of primary gastric cells revealed positive staining for cytokeratin 18 and 19, which indicated that the culture was comprised of pure epithelial cells and contained no fibroblasts. Furthermore, PAS staining demonstrated that the cultured gastric cells produced neutral mucin. Granulin and carbohydrate antigen 724 staining confirmed the purity of gastric cancer and normal cells in culture. This method of cell culture indicated that the gastric cells in primary culture consisted of mucin-secreting gastric epithelial cells, which may be useful for the study of gastric infection with Helicobacter pylori and gastric cancer.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fuchigami, Takao; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima 890-8544; Kibe, Toshiro

Highlights: • We studied the interaction between tumor cells and fibroblasts in ameloblastoma. • AM-3 ameloblastoma cells secreted significantly high IL-1α levels. • IL-1α derived from AM-3 cells promoted IL-6 and IL-8 secretion of fibroblasts. • IL-6 and IL-8 activated the cellular motility and proliferation of AM-3 cells. - Abstract: Ameloblastoma is an odontogenic benign tumor that occurs in the jawbone, which invades bone and reoccurs locally. This tumor is treated by wide surgical excision and causes various problems, including changes in facial countenance and mastication disorders. Ameloblastomas have abundant tumor stroma, including fibroblasts and immune cells. Although cell-to-cell interactionsmore » are considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases, intercellular communications in ameloblastoma have not been fully investigated. In this study, we examined interactions between tumor cells and stromal fibroblasts via soluble factors in ameloblastoma. We used a human ameloblastoma cell line (AM-3 ameloblastoma cells), human fibroblasts (HFF-2 fibroblasts), and primary-cultured fibroblasts from human ameloblastoma tissues, and analyzed the effect of ameloblastoma-associated cell-to-cell communications on gene expression, cytokine secretion, cellular motility and proliferation. AM-3 ameloblastoma cells secreted higher levels of interleukin (IL)-1α than HFF-2 fibroblasts. Treatment with conditioned medium from AM-3 ameloblastoma cells upregulated gene expression and secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 of HFF-2 fibroblasts and primary-cultured fibroblast cells from ameloblastoma tissues. The AM3-stimulated production of IL-6 and IL-8 in fibroblasts was neutralized by pretreatment of AM-3 cells with anti-IL-1α antibody and IL-1 receptor antagonist. Reciprocally, cellular motility of AM-3 ameloblastoma cells was stimulated by HFF-2 fibroblasts in IL-6 and IL-8 dependent manner. In conclusion, ameloblastoma cells and stromal fibroblasts behave interactively via these cytokines to create a microenvironment that leads to the extension of ameloblastomas.« less

A novel deficiency of mitochondrial ATPase of nuclear origin.

PubMed

Houstek, J; Klement, P; Floryk, D; Antonická, H; Hermanská, J; Kalous, M; Hansíková, H; Hout'ková, H; Chowdhury, S K; Rosipal, T; Kmoch, S; Stratilová, L; Zeman, J

1999-10-01

We report a new type of fatal mitochondrial disorder caused by selective deficiency of mitochondrial ATP synthase (ATPase). A hypotrophic newborn from a consanguineous marriage presented severe lactic acidosis, cardiomegaly and hepatomegaly and died from heart failure after 2 days. The activity of oligomycin-sensitive ATPase was only 31-34% of the control, both in muscle and heart, but the activities of cytochrome c oxidase, citrate synthase and pyruvate dehydrogenase were normal. Electrophoretic and western blot analysis revealed selective reduction of ATPase complex but normal levels of the respiratory chain complexes I, III and IV. The same selective deficiency of ATPase was found in cultured skin fibroblasts which showed similar decreases in ATPase content, ATPase hydrolytic activity and level of substrate-dependent ATP synthesis (20-25, 18 and 29-33% of the control, respectively). Pulse-chase labelling of patient fibroblasts revealed low incorporation of [(35)S]methionine into assembled ATPase complexes, but increased incorporation into immunoprecipitated ATPase subunit beta, which had a very short half-life. In contrast, no difference was found in the size and subunit composition of the assembled and newly produced ATPase complex. Transmitochondrial cybrids prepared from enucleated fibroblasts of the patient and rho degrees cells derived from 143B. TK(-)human osteosarcoma cells fully restored the ATPase activity, ATP synthesis and ATPase content, when compared with control cybrids. Likewise, the pattern of [(35)S]methionine labelling of ATPase was found to be normal in patient cybrids. We conclude that the generalized deficiency of mitochondrial ATPase described is of nuclear origin and is caused by altered biosynthesis of the enzyme.

A branching process model for the analysis of abortive colony size distributions in carbon ion-irradiated normal human fibroblasts.

PubMed

Sakashita, Tetsuya; Hamada, Nobuyuki; Kawaguchi, Isao; Hara, Takamitsu; Kobayashi, Yasuhiko; Saito, Kimiaki

2014-05-01

A single cell can form a colony, and ionizing irradiation has long been known to reduce such a cellular clonogenic potential. Analysis of abortive colonies unable to continue to grow should provide important information on the reproductive cell death (RCD) following irradiation. Our previous analysis with a branching process model showed that the RCD in normal human fibroblasts can persist over 16 generations following irradiation with low linear energy transfer (LET) γ-rays. Here we further set out to evaluate the RCD persistency in abortive colonies arising from normal human fibroblasts exposed to high-LET carbon ions (18.3 MeV/u, 108 keV/µm). We found that the abortive colony size distribution determined by biological experiments follows a linear relationship on the log-log plot, and that the Monte Carlo simulation using the RCD probability estimated from such a linear relationship well simulates the experimentally determined surviving fraction and the relative biological effectiveness (RBE). We identified the short-term phase and long-term phase for the persistent RCD following carbon-ion irradiation, which were similar to those previously identified following γ-irradiation. Taken together, our results suggest that subsequent secondary or tertiary colony formation would be invaluable for understanding the long-lasting RCD. All together, our framework for analysis with a branching process model and a colony formation assay is applicable to determination of cellular responses to low- and high-LET radiation, and suggests that the long-lasting RCD is a pivotal determinant of the surviving fraction and the RBE.

Effects of TiO2 nano glass ionomer cements against normal and cancer oral cells.

PubMed

Garcia-Contreras, Rene; Scougall-Vilchis, Rogelio J; Contreras-Bulnes, Rosalia; Kanda, Yumiko; Nakajima, Hiroshi; Sakagami, Hiroshi

2014-01-01

Incorporation of nanoparticles (NPs) into the glass ionomer cements (GICs) is known to improve their mechanical and antibacterial properties. The present study aimed to investigate the possible cytotoxicity and pro-inflammation effect of three different powdered GICs (base, core build and restorative) prepared with and without titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles. Each GIC was blended with TiO2 nanopowder, anatase phase, particle size <25 nm at 3% and 5% (w/w), and the GIC blocks of cements were prepared in a metal mold. The GICs/TiO2 nanoparticles cements were smashed up with a mortar and pestle to a fine powder, and then subjected to the sterilization by autoclaving. Human oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (HCS-2, HSC-3, HSC-4, Ca9-22) and human normal oral cells [gingival fibroblast (HGF), pulp (HPC) and periodontal ligament fibroblast (HPLF)] were incubated with different concentrations of GICs in the presence or absence of TiO2 nanoparticles, and the viable cell number was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide method. Prostaglandin E2 was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Changes in fine cell structure were assessed by transmission electron microscopy. Cancer cells exhibited moderate cytotoxicity after 48 h of incubation, regardless of the type of GIC and the presence or absence of TiO2 NPs. GICs induced much lower cytotoxicity against normal cells, but induced prostaglandin E2 production, in a synergistic wanner with interleukin-1β. The present study shows acceptable to moderate biocompatibility of GICs impregnated with TiO2 nanoparticles, as well as its pro-inflammatory effects at higher concentrations. Copyright © 2014 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.

Suppression of SRC Signaling Is Effective in Reducing Synergy between Glioblastoma and Stromal Cells.

PubMed

Calgani, Alessia; Vignaroli, Giulia; Zamperini, Claudio; Coniglio, Federica; Festuccia, Claudio; Di Cesare, Ernesto; Gravina, Giovanni Luca; Mattei, Claudia; Vitale, Flora; Schenone, Silvia; Botta, Maurizio; Angelucci, Adriano

2016-07-01

Glioblastoma cells efficiently interact with and infiltrate the surrounding normal tissue, rendering surgical resection and adjuvant chemo/radiotherapy ineffective. New therapeutic targets, able to interfere with glioblastoma's capacity to synergize with normal brain tissue, are currently under investigation. The compound Si306, a pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivative, selected for its favorable activity against SRC, was tested in vitro and in vivo on glioblastoma cell lines. In vivo, combination treatment with Si306 and radiotherapy was strongly active in reducing U-87 xenograft growth with respect to control and single treatments. The histology revealed a significant difference in the stromal compartment of tumoral tissue derived from control or radiotherapy-treated samples with respect to Si306-treated samples, showing in the latter a reduced presence of collagen and α-SMA-positive cells. This effect was paralleled in vitro by the capacity of Si306 to interfere with myofibroblastic differentiation of normal fibroblasts induced by U-87 cells. In the presence of Si306, TGF-β released by U-87 cells, mainly in hypoxia, was ineffective in upregulating α-SMA and β-PDGFR in fibroblasts. Si306 efficiently reached the brain and significantly prolonged the survival of mice orthotopically injected with U-87 cells. Drugs that target SRC could represent an effective therapeutic strategy in glioblastoma, able to block positive paracrine loop with stromal cells based on the β-PDGFR axis and the formation of a tumor-promoting microenvironment. This approach could be important in combination with conventional treatments in the effort to reduce tumor resistance to therapy. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(7); 1535-44. ©2016 AACR. ©2016 American Association for Cancer Research.

Effects of selexipag and its active metabolite in contrasting the profibrotic myofibroblast activity in cultured scleroderma skin fibroblasts.

PubMed

Cutolo, Maurizio; Ruaro, Barbara; Montagna, Paola; Brizzolara, Renata; Stratta, Emanuela; Trombetta, Amelia Chiara; Scabini, Stefano; Tavilla, Pier Paolo; Parodi, Aurora; Corallo, Claudio; Giordano, Nicola; Paolino, Sabrina; Pizzorni, Carmen; Sulli, Alberto; Smith, Vanessa; Soldano, Stefano

2018-05-02

Myofibroblasts contribute to fibrosis through the overproduction of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, primarily type I collagen (COL-1) and fibronectin (FN), a process which is mediated in systemic sclerosis (SSc) by the activation of fibrogenic intracellular signaling transduction molecules, including extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (Erk1/2) and protein kinase B (Akt). Selexipag is a prostacyclin receptor agonist synthesized for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. The study investigated the possibility for selexipag and its active metabolite (ACT-333679) to downregulate the profibrotic activity in primary cultures of SSc fibroblasts/myofibroblasts and the fibrogenic signaling molecules involved. Fibroblasts from skin biopsies obtained with Ethics Committee (EC) approval from patients with SSc, after giving signed informed consent, were cultured until the 3 rd culture passage and then either maintained in normal growth medium (untreated cells) or independently treated with different concentrations of selexipag (from 30 μM to 0.3 μM) or ACT-333679 (from 10 μM to 0.1 μM) for 48 h. Protein and gene expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibroblast specific protein-1 (S100A4), COL-1, and FN were investigated by western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR. Erk1/2 and Akt phosphorylation was investigated in untreated and ACT-333679-treated cells by western botting. Selexipag and ACT-333679 significantly reduced protein synthesis and gene expression of α-SMA, S100A4, and COL-1 in cultured SSc fibroblasts/myofibroblasts compared to untreated cells, whereas FN was significantly downregulated at the protein level. Interestingly, ACT-333679 significantly reduced the phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and Akt in cultured SSc fibroblasts/myofibroblasts. Selexipag and mainly its active metabolite ACT-333679 were found for the first time to potentially interfere with the profibrotic activity of cultured SSc fibroblasts/myofibroblasts at least in vitro, possibly through the downregulation of fibrogenic Erk1/2 and Akt signaling molecules.

Profiles of Global Gene Expression in Ionizing-Radiation–Damaged Human Diploid Fibroblasts Reveal Synchronization behind the G1 Checkpoint in a G0-like State of Quiescence

PubMed Central

Zhou, Tong; Chou, Jeff W.; Simpson, Dennis A.; Zhou, Yingchun; Mullen, Thomas E.; Medeiros, Margarida; Bushel, Pierre R.; Paules, Richard S.; Yang, Xuebin; Hurban, Patrick; Lobenhofer, Edward K.; Kaufmann, William K.

2006-01-01

Cell cycle arrest and stereotypic transcriptional responses to DNA damage induced by ionizing radiation (IR) were quantified in telomerase-expressing human diploid fibroblasts. Analysis of cytotoxicity demonstrated that 1.5 Gy IR inactivated colony formation by 40–45% in three fibroblast lines; this dose was used in all subsequent analyses. Fibroblasts exhibited > 90% arrest of progression from G2 to M at 2 hr post-IR and a similarly severe arrest of progression from G1 to S at 6 and 12 hr post-IR. Normal rates of DNA synthesis and mitosis 6 and 12 hr post-IR caused the S and M compartments to empty by > 70% at 24 hr. Global gene expression was analyzed in IR-treated cells. A microarray analysis algorithm, EPIG, identified nine IR-responsive patterns of gene expression that were common to the three fibroblast lines, including a dominant p53-dependent G1 checkpoint response. Many p53 target genes, such as CDKN1A, GADD45, BTG2, and PLK3, were significantly up-regulated at 2 hr post-IR. Many genes whose expression is regulated by E2F family transcription factors, including CDK2, CCNE1, CDC6, CDC2, MCM2, were significantly down-regulated at 24 hr post-IR. Numerous genes that participate in DNA metabolism were also markedly repressed in arrested fibroblasts apparently as a result of cell synchronization behind the G1 checkpoint. However, cluster and principal component analyses of gene expression revealed a profile 24 hr post-IR with similarity to that of G0 growth quiescence. The results reveal a highly stereotypic pattern of response to IR in human diploid fibroblasts that reflects primarily synchronization behind the G1 checkpoint but with prominent induction of additional markers of G0 quiescence such as GAS1. PMID:16581545

Calcium-Alginate Hydrogel-Encapsulated Fibroblasts Provide Sustained Release of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

PubMed Central

Hunt, Nicola C.; Shelton, Richard M.; Henderson, Deborah J.

2013-01-01

Vascularization of engineered or damaged tissues is essential to maintain cell viability and proper tissue function. Revascularization of the left ventricle (LV) of the heart after myocardial infarction is particularly important, since hypoxia can give rise to chronic heart failure due to inappropriate remodeling of the LV after death of cardiomyocytes (CMs). Fibroblasts can express vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which plays a major role in angiogenesis and also acts as a chemoattractant and survival factor for CMs and cardiac progenitors. In this in vitro model study, mouse NIH 3T3 fibroblasts encapsulated in 2% w/v Ca-alginate were shown to remain viable for 150 days. Semiquantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry demonstrated that over 21 days of encapsulation, fibroblasts continued to express VEGF, while enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that there was sustained release of VEGF from the Ca-alginate during this period. The scaffold degraded gradually over the 21 days, without reduction in volume. Cells released from the Ca-alginate at 7 and 21 days as a result of scaffold degradation were shown to retain viability, to adhere to fibronectin in a normal manner, and continue to express VEGF, demonstrating their potential to further contribute to maintenance of cardiac function after scaffold degradation. This model in vitro study therefore demonstrates that fibroblasts encapsulated in Ca-alginate provide sustained release of VEGF. PMID:23082964

Gap junction communications influence upon fibroblast synthesis of Type I collagen and fibronectin.

PubMed

Ehrlich, H Paul; Sun, Bonnie; Saggers, Gregory C; Kromath, Fatuma

2006-07-01

In rats polyvinyl alcohol sponge subcutaneous implants treated with gap junctional intercellular communications (GJIC) uncouplers showed reduced deposition of connective tissue. Do uncouplers inhibit the synthesis and deposition of a new connective tissue by fibroblasts? Confluent human dermal fibroblasts in serum-free medium received either endosulfan or oleamide, GJIC uncouplers. Collected media were subjected to Dot Blot analysis for native Type I collagen and fibronectin. Uncoupler-treated fibroblasts released less Type I collagen, while there was no change in fibronectin release. Collagen synthesis was restored to normal, when the uncouplers were removed, showing that these uncouplers were reversible and not toxic to cells. Northern blot analysis revealed procollagen alpha1 (I) mRNA was minimally affected by endosulfan. Oleamide-treated 17-day chick embryo calvaria explants were incubated with Type I collagen antibody, frozen, cryosectioned, and then subjected to rhodamine (Rh) tagged anti-mouse-IgG antibody, to detect newly deposited Type I collagen. Fluorescent antibody-collagen complexes were localized on the periphery of cells in control calvaria, but absent around cells in oleamide-treated calvaria. GJIC optimize collagen synthesis but not fibronectin synthesis. The lack of connective tissue deposited in granulation tissues treated with uncouplers appears related to the inhibition of collagen synthesis. These findings suggest that altering GJIC might control collagen deposition in scarring. 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The radiation response of human dermal fibroblasts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mitchell, Stephen Andrew

A clinically reliable predictive assay based on normal-tissue radiosensitivity may lead to improved tumour control through individualised dose prescriptions. In-vitro fibroblast radiosensitivity has been shown, in several studies, to correlate with late radiation morbidity. The aim of this study was to investigate some of the cellular mechanisms underlying the normal-tissue response. In this study, seventeen primary fibroblast strains were established by enzymatic disaggregation of skin biopsies obtained from patients. These comprised seven who experienced acute tissue reactions to radiotherapy, four patients with a normal response and six non-cancer volunteers. An AT cell line was included as a positive control for radiosensitivity. In-vitro radiosensitivity was measured using a clonogenic assay at both high (HDR: 1.6 Gymin-1) and low dose rate (LDR: 0.01 Gymin-1). The radiation parameter HDR SF2 was the most sensitive in discriminating the seven sensitive patients from the remaining ten normal patients (range 0.11-0.19 sensitive patients compared with 0.17-0.34 control patients: p<0.0001). Neither the use of an internal control or LDR radiation protocol increased this discrimination. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to measure the level of initial and residual double-strand breaks following irradiation. No correlation was found between HDR SF2 and initial DNA damage. However, a strong correlation was found between clonogenic survival and both residual DNA damage (measured over 10-70 Gy, allowing 4 h repair, correlation coefficient: 0.90, <0.0001) and the ratio of residual/initial DNA damage, with the sensitive cell lines generally showing a higher level of residual DNA damage. Cell-cycle delays were found in all 18 cell strains in response to 2 Gy irradiation, but were not found to discriminate between sensitive and normal patients. Associated studies found no mutations of the ATM gene in the five radiosensitive patients studied. However, a coding sequence alteration was found in the XRCC1 gene in one of the radiosensitive patients. These findings indicate that a DNA repair defect may be partly responsible for the extreme reactions to radiotherapy observed in a small percentage of patients and that with further modifications, an assay based on measurement of residual DNA damage may form the basis of a predictive test for radiosensitivity.

Endothelin-1 stimulates colon cancer adjacent fibroblasts.

PubMed

Knowles, Jonathan P; Shi-Wen, Xu; Haque, Samer-ul; Bhalla, Ashish; Dashwood, Michael R; Yang, Shiyu; Taylor, Irving; Winslet, Marc C; Abraham, David J; Loizidou, Marilena

2012-03-15

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is produced by and stimulates colorectal cancer cells. Fibroblasts produce tumour stroma required for cancer development. We investigated whether ET-1 stimulated processes involved in tumour stroma production by colonic fibroblasts. Primary human fibroblasts, isolated from normal tissues adjacent to colon cancers, were cultured with or without ET-1 and its antagonists. Cellular proliferation, migration and contraction were measured. Expression of enzymes involved in tumour stroma development and alterations in gene transcription were determined by Western blotting and genome microarrays. ET-1 stimulated proliferation, contraction and migration (p < 0.01 v control) and the expression of matrix degrading enzymes TIMP-1 and MMP-2, but not MMP-3. ET-1 upregulated genes for profibrotic growth factors and receptors, signalling molecules, actin modulators and extracellular matrix components. ET-1 stimulated colonic fibroblast cellular processes in vitro that are involved in developing tumour stroma. Upregulated genes were consistent with these processes. By acting as a strong stimulus for tumour stroma creation, ET-1 is proposed as a target for adjuvant cancer therapy. Copyright © 2011 UICC.

Recent advances in the cell biology of aging.

PubMed

Hayflick, L

1980-01-01

Cultured normal human and animal cells are predestined to undergo irreversible functional decrements that mimic age changes in the whole organism. When normal human embryonic fibroblasts are cultured in vitro, 50 +/- 10 population doublings occur. This maximum potential is diminished in cells derived from older donors and appears to be inversely proportional to their age. The 50 population doubling limit can account for all cells produced during a lifetime. The limitation on doubling potential of cultured normal cells is also expressed in vivo when serial transplants are made. There may be a direct correlation between the mean maximum life spans of several species and the population doubling potential of their cultured cells. A plethora of functional decrements occurs in cultured normal cells as they approach their maximum division capability. Many of these decrements are similar to those occurring in intact animals as they age. We have concluded that these functional decrements expressed in vitro, rather than cessation of cell division, are the essential contributors to age changes in intact animals. Thus, the study of events leading to functional losses in cultured normal cells may provide useful insights into the biology of aging.

SV40-transformed human fibroblasts: evidence for cellular aging in pre-crisis cells.

PubMed

Stein, G H

1985-10-01

Pre-crisis SV40-transformed human diploid fibroblast (HDF) cultures have a finite proliferative lifespan, but they do not enter a viable senescent state at end of lifespan. Little is known about either the mechanism for this finite lifespan in SV40-transformed HDF or its relationship to finite lifespan in normal HDF. Recently we proposed that in normal HDF the phenomena of finite lifespan and arrest in a viable senescent state depend on two separate processes: 1) an age-related decrease in the ability of the cells to recognize or respond to serum and/or other mitogens such that the cells become functionally mitogen-deprived at the end of lifespan; and 2) the ability of the cells to enter a viable, G1-arrested state whenever they experience mitogen deprivation. In this paper, data are presented that suggest that pre-crisis SV40-transformed HDF retain the first process described above, but lack the second process. It is shown that SV40-transformed HDF have a progressively decreasing ability to respond to serum as they age, but they continue to traverse the cell cycle at the end of lifespan. Concomitantly, the rate of cell death increases steadily toward the end of lifespan, thereby causing the total population to cease growing and ultimately to decline. Previous studies have shown that when SV40-transformed HDF are environmentally serum deprived, they likewise exhibit continued cell cycle traverse coupled with increased cell death. Thus, these results support the hypothesis that pre-crisis SV40-transformed HDF still undergo the same aging process as do normal HDF, but they end their lifespan in crisis rather than in the normal G1-arrested senescent state because they have lost their ability to enter a viable, G1-arrested state in response to mitogen deprivation.

Separation of cell survival, growth, migration, and mesenchymal transdifferentiation effects of fibroblast secretome on tumor cells of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

PubMed

Metzler, Veronika Maria; Pritz, Christian; Riml, Anna; Romani, Angela; Tuertscher, Raphaela; Steinbichler, Teresa; Dejaco, Daniel; Riechelmann, Herbert; Dudás, József

2017-11-01

Fibroblasts play a central role in tumor invasion, recurrence, and metastasis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of tumor cell self-produced factors and paracrine fibroblast-secreted factors in comparison to indirect co-culture on cancer cell survival, growth, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition using the cell lines SCC-25 and human gingival fibroblasts. Thereby, we particularly focused on the participation of the fibroblast-secreted transforming growth factor beta-1.Tumor cell self-produced factors were sufficient to ensure tumor cell survival and basic cell growth, but fibroblast-secreted paracrine factors significantly increased cell proliferation, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related phenotype changes in tumor cells. Transforming growth factor beta-1 generated individually migrating disseminating tumor cell groups or single cells separated from the tumor cell nest, which were characterized by reduced E-cadherin expression. At the same time, transforming growth factor beta-1 inhibited tumor cell proliferation under serum-starved conditions. Neutralizing transforming growth factor beta antibody reduced the cell migration support of fibroblast-conditioned medium. Transforming growth factor beta-1 as a single factor was sufficient for generation of disseminating tumor cells from epithelial tumor cell nests, while other fibroblast paracrine factors supported tumor nest outgrowth. Different fibroblast-released factors might support tumor cell proliferation and invasion, as two separate effects.

Expression and Function of Connexin 43 in Human Gingival Wound Healing and Fibroblasts

PubMed Central

Tarzemany, Rana; Jiang, Guoqiao; Larjava, Hannu; Häkkinen, Lari

2015-01-01

Connexins (C×s) are a family of transmembrane proteins that form hemichannels and gap junctions (GJs) on the cell membranes, and transfer small signaling molecules between the cytoplasm and extracellular space and between connecting cells, respectively. Among C×s, suppressing C×43 expression or function promotes skin wound closure and granulation tissue formation, and may alleviate scarring, but the mechanisms are not well understood. Oral mucosal gingiva is characterized by faster wound closure and scarless wound healing outcome as compared to skin wounds. Therefore, we hypothesized that C×43 function is down regulated during human gingival wound healing, which in fibroblasts promotes expression of genes conducive for fast and scarless wound healing. Cultured gingival fibroblasts expressed C×43 as their major connexin. Immunostaining of unwounded human gingiva showed that C×43 was abundantly present in the epithelium, and in connective tissue formed large C×43 plaques in fibroblasts. At the early stages of wound healing, C×43 was strongly down regulated in wound epithelial cells and fibroblasts, returning to the level of normal tissue by day 60 post-wounding. Blocking of C×43 function by C×43 mimetic peptide Gap27 suppressed GJ-mediated dye transfer, promoted migration, and caused significant changes in the expression of wound healing-associated genes in gingival fibroblasts. In particular, out of 54 genes analyzed, several MMPs and TGF-β1, involved in regulation of inflammation and extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover, and VEGF-A, involved in angiogenesis, were significantly upregulated while pro-fibrotic ECM molecules, including Collagen type I, and cell contractility-related molecules were significantly down regulated. These responses involved MAPK, GSK3α/β and TGF-β signaling pathways, and AP1 and SP1 transcription factors. Thus, suppressed function of C×43 in fibroblasts promotes their migration, and regulates expression of wound healing-associated genes via AP1, SP1, MAPK, GSK3α/β and TGF-β signaling pathways, and may promote fast and scarless wound healing in human gingiva. PMID:25584940

Dependence of Early and Late Chromosomal Aberrations on Radiation Quality and Cell Types

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lu, Tao; Zhang, Ye; Krieger, Stephanie; Yeshitla, Samrawit; Goss, Rosalin; Bowler, Deborah; Kadhim, Munira; Wilson, Bobby; Rohde, Larry; Wu, Honglu

2017-01-01

Exposure to radiation induces different types of DNA damage, increases mutation and chromosome aberration rates, and increases cellular transformation in vitro and in vivo. The susceptibility of cells to radiation depends on genetic background and growth condition of cells, as well as types of radiation. Mammalian cells of different tissue types and with different genetic background are known to have different survival rate and different mutation rate after cytogenetic insults. Genomic instability, induced by various genetic, metabolic, and environmental factors including radiation, is the driving force of tumorigenesis. Accurate measurements of the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) is important for estimating radiation-related risks. To further understand genomic instability induced by charged particles and their RBE, we exposed human lymphocytes ex vivo, human fibroblast AG1522, human mammary epithelial cells (CH184B5F5/M10), and bone marrow cells isolated from CBA/CaH(CBA) and C57BL/6 (C57) mice to high energy protons and Fe ions. Normal human fibroblasts AG1522 have apparently normal DNA damage response and repair mechanisms, while mammary epithelial cells (M10) are deficient in the repair of DNA DSBs. Mouse strain CBA is radio-sensitive while C57 is radio-resistant. Metaphase chromosomes at different cell divisions after radiation exposure were collected and chromosome aberrations were analyzed as RBE for different cell lines exposed to different radiations at various time points up to one month post irradiation.

Effect of brief exposure to mitomycin C on cultured human nasal mucosa fibroblasts.

PubMed

Hu, D; Sires, B S; Tong, D C; Royack, G A; Oda, D

2000-03-01

To observe the effect of mitomycin C (MMC) on cultured human nasal mucosa fibroblasts. Cultured human nasal mucosa fibroblasts were exposed to MMC (0.1-0.4 mg/ml) for 1 to 5 minutes. The viability of the fibroblasts was determined by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay; DNA fragmentation (apoptosis) by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL); apoptotic percentage by flow cytometry; and morphology by light microscopy. A portion of the fibroblasts survived the mitomycin treatment and showed evidence of regrowth within 2 to 3 days. These cells reached confluence in 5 to 7 days. The inhibition rates by MTT assay of 0.4 mg/ml MMC for 5-minute exposures was 31.3%. Dose-response effect was noted with the lower concentrations and shorter exposure times where the inhibition rates were lower (but not significantly so). DNA fragmentation was observed in fibroblasts 24 hours after MMC exposure (0.4 mg/ml) for 5 minutes compared with normal control. The apoptotic rate of fibroblasts treated by 0.4 mg/ml MMC was significantly higher than the control (p < 0.05). Short MMC exposure times have a variable cytotoxic effect and inhibit proliferation of cultured nasal mucosa fibroblasts. MMC also can induce apoptosis with a 5-minute exposure time. Therefore, it is possible that MMC has a complex effect in dacryocystorhinostomy.

Fibroblast growth factor receptor signaling is essential for lens fiber cell differentiation.

PubMed

Zhao, Haotian; Yang, Tianyu; Madakashira, Bhavani P; Thiels, Cornelius A; Bechtle, Chad A; Garcia, Claudia M; Zhang, Huiming; Yu, Kai; Ornitz, David M; Beebe, David C; Robinson, Michael L

2008-06-15

The vertebrate lens provides an excellent model to study the mechanisms that regulate terminal differentiation. Although fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are thought to be important for lens cell differentiation, it is unclear which FGF receptors mediate these processes during different stages of lens development. Deletion of three FGF receptors (Fgfr1-3) early in lens development demonstrated that expression of only a single allele of Fgfr2 or Fgfr3 was sufficient for grossly normal lens development, while mice possessing only a single Fgfr1 allele developed cataracts and microphthalmia. Profound defects were observed in lenses lacking all three Fgfrs. These included lack of fiber cell elongation, abnormal proliferation in prospective lens fiber cells, reduced expression of the cell cycle inhibitors p27(kip1) and p57(kip2), increased apoptosis and aberrant or reduced expression of Prox1, Pax6, c-Maf, E-cadherin and alpha-, beta- and gamma-crystallins. Therefore, while signaling by FGF receptors is essential for lens fiber differentiation, different FGF receptors function redundantly.

Tenascin-x deficiency mimics ehlers-danlos syndrome in mice through alteration of collagen deposition

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mao, J.R.; Taylor, G.; Dean, W.B.

2002-03-01

Tenascin-X is a large extracellular matrix protein of unknown function1-3. Tenascin-X deficiency in humans is associated with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome4,5, a generalized connective tissue disorder resulting from altered metabolism of the fibrillar collagens6. Because TNXB is the first Ehlers-Danlos syndrome gene that does not encode a fibrillar collagen or collagen-modifying enzyme7-14, we suggested that tenascin-X might regulate collagen synthesis or deposition15. To test this hypothesis, we inactivated Tnxb in mice. Tnxb-/- mice showed progressive skin hyperextensibility, similar to individuals with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Biomechanical testing confirmed increased deformability and reduced tensile strength of their skin. The skin of Tnxb-/- mice was histologicallymore » normal, but its collagen content was significantly reduced. At the ultrastructural level, collagen fibrils of Tnxb-/- mice were of normal size and shape, but the density of fibrils in their skin was reduced, commensurate with the reduction in collagen content. Studies of cultured dermal fibroblasts showed that although synthesis of collagen I by Tnxb-/- and wildtype cells was similar, Tnxb-/- fibroblasts failed to deposit collagen I into cell-associated matrix. This study confirms a causative role for TNXB in human Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and suggests that tenascin-X is an essential regulator of collagen deposition by dermal fibroblasts.« less

Effects of mechanical stretching on the morphology of extracellular polymers and the mRNA expression of collagens and small leucine-rich repeat proteoglycans in vaginal fibroblasts from women with pelvic organ prolapse.

PubMed

Wang, Sumei; Lü, Dongyuan; Zhang, Zhenyu; Jia, Xingyuan; Yang, Lei

2018-01-01

To determine the effect of mechanical stretching load and the efficacy of postmenopausal estrogen therapy (ET) on pelvic organ prolapse (POP), vaginal fibroblasts isolated from postmenopausal women with or without POP were subjected to 0.1-Hz uniaxial cyclic mechanical stretching (CS) with 10% elongation and 10-8 M 17-β-estradiol (E2) treatment. We investigated the morphological characteristics of extracellular polymers using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and monitored the mRNA expression of type I collagen (COL I) and type III collagen (COL III) as well as the small leucine-rich proteoglycan (SLRP) family members decorin (DCN), biglycan (BGN), fibromodulin (FMO), and lumican (LUM), using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Using SEM, certain viscoelastic polymers were found to be randomly distributed among fibroblasts, which for normal fibroblasts formed clusters of plum flower-like patterns under static-culture conditions and resembled stretched strips when stretched in culture, whereas polymers among POP fibroblasts resembled stretched strips under static-cultured conditions and presented broken networks when stretched in culture. RT-PCR revealed that COL I, DCN, BGN, FMO, and LUM mRNA expression was significantly higher in POP than in normal fibroblasts under static-culture condition. Following CS, COL I and BGN mRNA expression was significantly up-regulated in normal fibroblasts, and DCN and FMO mRNA expression was down-regulated in POP fibroblasts. Following concomitant CS and E2 treatment, significantly elevated COL I and DCN mRNA expression was observed in normal fibroblasts, and significantly elevated COL I and BGN mRNA expression was observed in POP fibroblasts. COL III mRNA expression was not significantly different between the POP and normal group, and CS did not significantly affect expression in either group, though COL III was down-regulated in normal fibroblasts concomitantly treated with E2 and CS. We conclude that the morphological distribution of extracellular polymers in POP fibroblasts exhibited higher sensitivity and lower tolerance to stretching loads than do normal fibroblasts. These mechanical properties were further reflected in the transcription of COL I. Defects in the compensatory function of BGN for DCN and LUM for FMO exist in POP fibroblasts, which further affect the structure and function of COL I in response to stretching load, ultimately resulting in abnormal reconstruction of pelvic supportive connective tissues and the occurrence of POP. ET can maintain stretching-induced elevations in COL I and DCN transcription in healthy women and improve stretching-induced COL I, DCN, BGN, and FMO transcriptional changes in POP women to prevent and improve POP. Only down-regulated COL III transcription was observed upon concomitant CS and E2 treatment in normal fibroblasts, which suggests that the tensile strength, not the elasticity, of the supportive connective tissues is damaged in POP and that the higher tensile strength induced by ET in healthy fibroblasts prevents POP. These findings confirm the role of higher sensitivity and lower tolerance to mechanical stretching in the pathogenesis of POP and further provide evidence supporting the use of ET to prevent and inhibit POP in postmenopausal women.

Effect of Fibroblast-Like Cells of Mesenchymal Origin of Cytotoxic Activity of Lymphocytes against NK-Sensitive Target Cells.

PubMed

Lupatov, A Yu; Kim, Ya S; Bystrykh, O A; Vakhrushev, I V; Pavlovich, S V; Yarygin, K N; Sukhikh, G T

2017-02-01

We studied immunosuppressive properties of skin fibroblasts and mesenchymal stromal cells against NK cells. In vitro experiments showed that mesenchymal stromal cells isolated from human umbilical cord and human skin fibroblasts can considerably attenuate cytotoxic activity of NK cells against Jurkat cells sensitive to NK-mediated lysis. NK cells cultured in lymphocyte population exhibited higher cytotoxic activity than isolated NK cells. Mesenchymal stromal cells or fibroblasts added 1:1 to lymphocyte culture almost completely suppressed NK cell cytotoxicity. This suggests that fibroblast-like cells can suppress not only isolated NK cells, but also NK cells in natural cell microenvironment.

Mesenchymal stem cells induce dermal fibroblast responses to injury

PubMed Central

Smith, Andria N.; Willis, Elise; Chan, Vincent T.; Muffley, Lara A.; Isik, F. Frank; Gibran, Nicole S.; Hocking, Anne M.

2009-01-01

Although bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells have been shown to promote repair when applied to cutaneous wounds, the mechanism for this response remains to be determined. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of paracrine signaling from mesenchymal stem cells on dermal fibroblast responses to injury including proliferation, migration and expression of genes important in wound repair. Dermal fibroblasts were co-cultured with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells grown in inserts, which allowed for paracrine interactions without direct cell contact. In this co-culture model, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells regulate dermal fibroblast proliferation, migration and gene expression. When co-cultured with mesenchymal stem cells, dermal fibroblasts show increased proliferation and accelerated migration in a scratch assay. A chemotaxis assay also demonstrated that dermal fibroblasts migrate towards bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. A PCR array was used to analyze the effect of mesenchymal stem cells on dermal fibroblast gene expression. In response to mesenchymal stem cells, dermal fibroblasts up-regulate integrin alpha 7 expression and down-regulate expression of ICAM1, VCAM1 and MMP11. These observations suggest that mesenchymal stem cells may provide an important early signal for dermal fibroblast responses to cutaneous injury. PMID:19666021

Inflammatory responses of stromal fibroblasts to inflammatory epithelial cells are involved in the pathogenesis of bovine mastitis.

PubMed

Zhang, Wenyao; Li, Xuezhong; Xu, Tong; Ma, Mengru; Zhang, Yong; Gao, Ming-Qing

2016-11-15

Hypernomic secretion of epithelial cytokines has several effects on stromal cells. The contributions of inflammatory epithelial cells to stromal fibroblasts in bovine mammary glands with mastitis remain poorly understood. Here, we established an inflammatory epithelial cell model of bovine mastitis with gram-negative lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and gram-positive lipoteichoic acid (LTA) bacterial cell wall components. We characterized immune responses of mammary stromal fibroblasts induced by inflammatory epithelial cells. Our results showed that inflammatory epithelial cells affected stromal fibroblast characteristics by increasing inflammatory mediator expression, elevating extracellular matrix protein deposition, decreasing proliferation capacity, and enhancing migration ability. The changes in stromal fibroblast proliferation and migration abilities were mediated by signal molecules, such as WNT signal pathway components. LPS- and LTA-induced inflammatory epithelial cells triggered different immune responses in stromal fibroblasts. Thus, in mastitis, bovine mammary gland stromal fibroblasts were affected by inflammatory epithelial cells and displayed inflammation-specific changes, suggesting that fibroblasts play crucial roles in bovine mastitis. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

GREM1 is expressed in the cancer-associated myofibroblasts of basal cell carcinomas.

PubMed

Kim, Hye Sung; Shin, Myung Soo; Cheon, Min Seok; Kim, Jae Wang; Lee, Cheol; Kim, Woo Ho; Kim, Young Sill; Jang, Bo Gun

2017-01-01

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play important roles in cancer progression through their complex interactions with cancer cells. The secreted bone morphogenetic protein antagonist, gremlin1 (GREM1) is expressed by the CAFs of basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), and promotes the growth of cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the expression of GREM1 mRNAs in various benign and malignant skin tumors, including various BCC subtypes. Analysis by RNA in situ hybridization (ISH) revealed that fibroblasts in the scar tissue expressed GREM1 and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), whereas resident fibroblasts in the dermis of the normal skin did not express GREM1. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed significantly higher GREM1 expression in skin cancers and pilomatricomas (PMCs) than in other benign skin tumors. Tissue microarrays analyzed by RNA ISH for GREM1 expression also demonstrated that 23% of BCCs, 42% of squamous cell carcinomas, 20% of melanomas, and 90% of PMCs were positive for GREM1 expression, whereas trichoepitheliomas, eccrine poromas, hidradenomas, and spiradenomas were negative for GREM1 expression. Most BCCs that were GREM1 expression positive were of desmoplastic or mixed subtypes, and GREM1 expression was localized to activated myofibroblasts at the tumoral-stromal interface. Interestingly, most PMCs harbored GREM1-expressing fibroblasts, probably because of the inflammatory responses caused by foreign body reactions to keratin. Additionally, in BCCs, stromal GREM1 expression had a strong correlation with CD10 expression. In conclusion, GREM1 is frequently expressed by myofibroblasts in scars or in the stroma of basal cell carcinomas, suggesting that GREM1 expression can be a marker for activated myofibroblasts in the cancer stroma or in scar tissue.

Highly efficient generation of GGTA1 biallelic knockout inbred mini-pigs with TALENs.

PubMed

Xin, Jige; Yang, Huaqiang; Fan, Nana; Zhao, Bentian; Ouyang, Zhen; Liu, Zhaoming; Zhao, Yu; Li, Xiaoping; Song, Jun; Yang, Yi; Zou, Qingjian; Yan, Quanmei; Zeng, Yangzhi; Lai, Liangxue

2013-01-01

Inbred mini-pigs are ideal organ donors for future human xenotransplantations because of their clear genetic background, high homozygosity, and high inbreeding endurance. In this study, we chose fibroblast cells from a highly inbred pig line called Banna mini-pig inbred line (BMI) as donor nuclei for nuclear transfer, combining with transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) and successfully generated α-1,3-galactosyltransferase (GGTA1) gene biallelic knockout (KO) pigs. To validate the efficiency of TALEN vectors, in vitro-transcribed TALEN mRNAs were microinjected into one-cell stage parthenogenetically activated porcine embryos. The efficiency of indel mutations at the GGTA1-targeting loci was as high as 73.1% (19/26) among the parthenogenetic blastocysts. TALENs were co-transfected into porcine fetal fibroblasts of BMI with a plasmid containing neomycin gene. The targeting efficiency reached 89.5% (187/209) among the survived cell clones after a 10 d selection. More remarkably 27.8% (58/209) of colonies were biallelic KO. Five fibroblast cell lines with biallelic KO were chosen as nuclear donors for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Three miniature piglets with biallelic mutations of the GGTA1 gene were achieved. Gal epitopes on the surface of cells from all the three biallelic KO piglets were completely absent. The fibroblasts from the GGTA1 null piglets were more resistant to lysis by pooled complement-preserved normal human serum than those from wild-type pigs. These results indicate that a combination of TALENs technology with SCNT can generate biallelic KO pigs directly with high efficiency. The GGTA1 null piglets with inbred features created in this study can provide a new organ source for xenotransplantation research.

Collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 is a new promigratory marker of arthritic pannus.

PubMed

Shekhani, Mohammed Talha; Forde, Toni S; Adilbayeva, Altynai; Ramez, Mohamed; Myngbay, Askhat; Bexeitov, Yergali; Lindner, Volkhard; Adarichev, Vyacheslav A

2016-07-19

The formation of destructive hypercellular pannus is critical to joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 (CTHRC1) protein expressed by activated stromal cells of diverse origin has previously been implicated in tissue remodeling and carcinogenesis. We recently discovered that the synovial Cthrc1 mRNA directly correlates with arthritis severity in mice. This study characterizes the role of CTHRC1 in arthritic pannus formation. Synovial joints of mice with collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA) and human RA-fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) were immunostained for CTHRC1, FLS and macrophage-specific markers. CTHRC1 levels in plasma from patients with RA were measured using sandwich ELISA. The migratory response of fibroblasts was studied with a transwell migration assay and time-lapse microscopy. Velocity and directness of cell migration was analyzed by recording the trajectories of cells treated with rhCTHRC1. Immunohistochemical analysis of normal and inflamed synovium revealed highly inducible expression of CTHRC1 in arthritis (10.9-fold). At the tissue level, CTHRC1-expressing cells occupied the same niche as large fibroblast-like cells positive for α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and cadherin 11 (CDH11). CTHRC1 was produced by activated FLS predominantly located at the synovial intimal lining and at the bone-pannus interface. Cultured RA-FLS expressed CDH11, α-SMA, and CTHRC1. Upon treatment with exogenous rhCTHRC1, embryonic fibroblasts and RA-FLS significantly increased migration velocity, directness, and cell length along the front-tail axis (1.4-fold, p < 0.01). CTHRC1 was established as a novel marker of activated synoviocytes in murine experimental arthritis and RA. The pro-migratory effect of CTHRC1 on synoviocytes is considered one of the mechanisms promoting hypercellularity of the arthritic pannus.

The Expression of AQP1 IS Modified in Lung of Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Addressing a Possible New Target.

PubMed

Galán-Cobo, Ana; Arellano-Orden, Elena; Sánchez Silva, Rocío; López-Campos, José Luis; Gutiérrez Rivera, César; Gómez Izquierdo, Lourdes; Suárez-Luna, Nela; Molina-Molina, María; Rodríguez Portal, José A; Echevarría, Miriam

2018-01-01

Activation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process (EMT) by which alveolar cells in human lung tissue undergo differentiation giving rise to a mesenchymal phenotype (fibroblast/miofibroblasts) has been well recognized as a key element in the origin of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Here we analyzed expression of AQP1 in lung biopsies of patients diagnosed with IPF, and compared it to biopsies derived from patients with diverse lung pneumonies, such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis, sarcoidosis or normal lungs. Immunostaining for AQP1 showed a clear increment of AQP1 localized in the alveolar epithelium in biopsies from IPF patients alone. Moreover, to examine the possible participation of AQP1 in the pathophysiology of IPF, we evaluated its role in the pro-fibrotic transformation induced by transforming growth factor (TGF-β) in vitro . Human alveolar epithelial cells (A549), and fibroblasts derived from an IPF patient (LL29), or fibroblasts from healthy normal lung tissue (MRC-5), were treated with TGF-β, and levels of expression of AQP1, as well as those of E-cadherin, vimentin, α-SMA and collagen were analyzed by RT-qPCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry. An increase of AQP1 mRNA and protein after TGF-β treatment (4-72h) was observed either in A549 or IPF fibroblast-LL29 but not in MRC-5 fibroblasts. A gradual reduction of E-cadherin, and increased expression of vimentin, with no changes in α-SMA levels were observed in A549. Whereas in LL29 and MRC-5, TGF-β1 elicited a large production of collagen and α-SMA that was significantly greater in IPF fibroblast-LL29. Changes observed are consistent with activation of EMT by TGF-β, but whether modifications in AQP1 expression are responsible or independent events occurring at the same time is still unknown. Our results suggest that AQP1 plays a role in the pro-fibrotic TGF-β action and contributes to the etiology and pathophysiology of IPF. Understanding AQP1's role will help us comprehend the fate of this disease.

The Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule-Derived Peptide FGL Facilitates Long-Term Plasticity in the Dentate Gyrus in Vivo

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dallerac, Glenn; Zerwas, Meike; Novikova, Tatiana; Callu, Delphine; Leblanc-Veyrac, Pascale; Bock, Elisabeth; Berezin, Vladimir; Rampon, Claire; Doyere, Valerie

2011-01-01

The neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) is known to play a role in developmental and structural processes but also in synaptic plasticity and memory of the adult animal. Recently, FGL, a NCAM mimetic peptide that binds to the Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 1 (FGFR-1), has been shown to have a beneficial impact on normal memory functioning, as…

Pseudogynecomastia due to neurofibromatosis--a light microscopic and ultrastructural study.

PubMed

Lipper, S; Willson, C F; Copeland, K C

1981-08-01

A six year old boy with bilateral breast enlargement was found to have a normal endocrine status. Resected tissue revealed the features of pseudogynecomastia due to a proliferation of fibrous tissue traversed by neuroid structures. Multinucleated giant cells were present within the fibrous tissue. Ultrastructural study revealed organized nerve elements in a collagenous stroma. The multinucleated giant cells appeared to be variants of the predominant stromal fibroblasts.

Synthesis and anticancer evaluation of 1,3,4-oxadiazoles, 1,3,4-thiadiazoles, 1,2,4-triazoles and Mannich bases.

PubMed

Megally Abdo, Nadia Youssef; Kamel, Mona Monir

2015-01-01

A series of 5-(pyridin-4-yl)-N-substituted-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-amines (3a-d), 5-(pyridin-4-yl)-N-substituted-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amines (4a-d) and 5-(pyridin-4-yl)-4-substituted-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones (5a-d) were obtained by the cyclization of hydrazinecarbothioamide derivatives 2a-d derived from isonicotinic acid hydrazide. Aminoalkylation of compounds 5a-d with formaldehyde and various secondary amines furnished the Mannich bases 6a-p. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were confirmed on the basis of their spectral data and elemental analyses. All the compounds were screened for their in vitro anticancer activity against six human cancer cell lines and normal fibroblast cells. Sixteen of the tested compounds exhibited significant cytotoxicity against most cell lines. Among these derivatives, the Mannich bases 6j, 6m and 6p were found to exhibit the most potent activity. The Mannich base 6m showed more potent cytotoxic activity against gastric cancer NUGC (IC50=0.021 µM) than the standard CHS 828 (IC50=0.025 µM). Normal fibroblast cells WI38 were affected to a much lesser extent (IC50>10 µM).

[Primary culture and characteristics of colorectal cancer-associated fibroblasts].

PubMed

Wen, Huan; Nie, Qianqian; Jiang, Zhinong; Deng, Hong

2015-10-01

To compare the biological characteristics of colorectal cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) with normal fibroblasts (NFs). CAFs and NFs were isolated from fresh specimens of colorectal cancer and their paired normal colon tissue and cultured by tissue explant method. Light microscopy, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), Western blot, immunofluorescence microscopy, electron microscopy and flow cytometry were used to identify isolated fibroblasts and to explore their characteristics of activation and growth. Primary colorectal CAFs and NFs were isolated and cultured successfully. NFs showed spindled morphology and were arranged in interlacing or spiral bundles. CAFs were polygonal or spindle, but were fatter than NFs. They were distributed randomly and arranged irregularly, and had obvious actin expression. CAFs and NFs both expressed fibronectin, but not E-cadherin, CD31 and caldesmon. qPCR showed that CAFs expressed more fibroblast activation protein (FAP) and less fibroblast specific protein 1 (FSP1) than that of NFs. There was no difference in the expression of α-SMA between NFs and CAFs by Western blot. α-SMA was bundled in parallel to the long axis of the cell by immunofluorescence. By electron microscopy, CAFs but not NFs showed dense myofilament that was arranged regularly. Flow cytometry showed that the percentage of S- and G2-phase in CAFs were significantly lower than that in NFs. mRNA expression of transforming growth factor β1, stromal derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF)-D in CAFs were lower while that for PDGFC was higher than that in NFs. That indicated the proliferation of CAFs was inhibited and the secretion of some cytokines was different when compared with NFs. CAFs show differences with NFs in morphology, characteristics of activation and secretion of some cytokines. The proliferation of CAFs is down regulated as compared with NFs.

Effects of different feeder layers on culture of bovine embryonic stem cell-like cells in vitro.

PubMed

Cong, Shan; Cao, Guifang; Liu, Dongjun

2014-12-01

To find a suitable feeder layer is important for successful culture conditions of bovine embryonic stem cell-like cells. In this study, expression of pluripotency-related genes OCT4, SOX2 and NANOG in bovine embryonic stem cell-like cells on mouse embryonic fibroblast feeder layers at 1-5 passages were monitored in order to identify the possible reason that bovine embryonic stem cell-like cells could not continue growth and passage. Here, we developed two novel feeder layers, mixed embryonic fibroblast feeder layers of mouse and bovine embryonic fibroblast at different ratios and sources including mouse fibroblast cell lines. The bovine embryonic stem cell-like cells generated in our study displayed typical stem cell morphology and expressed specific markers such as OCT4, stage-specific embryonic antigen 1 and 4, alkaline phosphatase, SOX2, and NANOG mRNA levels. When feeder layers and cell growth factors were removed, the bovine embryonic stem cell-like cells formed embryoid bodies in a suspension culture. Furthermore, we compared the expression of the pluripotent markers during bovine embryonic stem cell-like cell in culture on mixed embryonic fibroblast feeder layers, including mouse fibroblast cell lines feeder layers and mouse embryonic fibroblast feeder layers by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results suggested that mixed embryonic fibroblast and sources including mouse fibroblast cell lines feeder layers were more suitable for long-term culture and growth of bovine embryonic stem cell-like cells than mouse embryonic fibroblast feeder layers. The findings may provide useful experimental data for the establishment of an appropriate culture system for bovine embryonic stem cell lines.

Regeneration of hyaline articular cartilage with irradiated transforming growth factor beta1-producing fibroblasts.

PubMed

Song, Sun U; Hong, Young-Jin; Oh, In-Suk; Yi, Youngsuk; Choi, Kyoung Baek; Lee, Jung Woo; Park, Kwang-Won; Han, Jeoung-Uk; Suh, Jun-Kyu; Lee, Kwan Hee

2004-01-01

The regeneration of hyaline articular cartilage by cell-mediated gene therapy using transforming growth factor beta(1) (TGF-beta(1))-producing fibroblasts (NIH 3T3-TGF-beta(1)) has been reported previously. In this study, we investigated whether TGF-beta(1)-producing fibroblasts irradiated with a lethal dose of radiation are still capable of inducing the regeneration of hyaline articular cartilage. NIH 3T3TGF-beta(1) fibroblasts were exposed to doses of 20, 40, or 80 Gy, using a irradiator, and then injected into artificially made partial defects on the femoral condyle of rabbit knee joints. The rabbits were killed 3 or 6 weeks postinjection and hyaline articular cartilage regeneration was evaluated by histological and immunohistochemical staining (n = 5 per each group). Irradiated NIH 3T3-TGFbeta(1) fibroblasts started to die rapidly 3 days after irradiation; moreover, the kinetics of their viability were similar regardless of the radiation intensity. TGF-beta1 expression, measured by ELISA, showed that the TGF-beta(1) protein produced from the irradiated cells peaked 5 days after irradiation and thereafter declined rapidly. Complete filling of the defect with reparative tissue occurred in all the groups, although variations were observed in terms of the nature of the repair tissue. Histological and immunohistochemical staining of the repair tissue showed that the tissue newly formed by irradiated NIH 3T3-TGF-beta(1) fibroblasts after exposure to 20 Gy had hyaline cartilage-like characteristics, as was observed in the nonirradiated controls. On the other hand, the repair tissue formed by NIH 3T3-TGF-beta(1) fibroblasts irradiated with 40 or 80 Gy showed more fibrous cartilage-like tissue. These results suggest that TGF-beta(1)-producing fibroblasts irradiated up to a certain level of lethal dose (i.e., 20 Gy) are able to induce normal-appearing articular cartilage in vivo. Therefore, irradiated heterologous cell-mediated TGF-beta(1) gene therapy may be clinically useful and an efficient method of regenerating hyaline articular cartilage.

Generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) stably expressing CRISPR-based synergistic activation mediator (SAM).

PubMed

Xiong, Kai; Zhou, Yan; Hyttel, Poul; Bolund, Lars; Freude, Kristine Karla; Luo, Yonglun

2016-11-01

Human fibroblasts were engineered to express the CRISPR-based synergistic activation mediator (SAM) complex: dCas9-VP64 and MS2-P65-HSF1. Two induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) clones expressing SAM were established by transducing these fibroblasts with lentivirus expressing OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and C-MYC. We have validated that the reprogramming cassette is silenced in the SAM iPSC clones. Expression of pluripotency genes (OCT4, SOX2, LIN28A, NANOG, GDF3, SSEA4, and TRA-1-60), differentiation potential to all three germ layers, and normal karyotypes are validated. These SAM-iPSCs provide a novel, useful tool to investigate genetic regulation of stem cell proliferation and differentiation through CRISPR-mediated activation of endogenous genes. Copyright © 2016 Michael Boutros, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Essentially All Excess Fibroblast Cholesterol Moves from Plasma Membranes to Intracellular Compartments

PubMed Central

Lange, Yvonne; Ye, Jin; Steck, Theodore L.

2014-01-01

It has been shown that modestly increasing plasma membrane cholesterol beyond its physiological set point greatly increases the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial pools, thereby eliciting manifold feedback responses that return cell cholesterol to its resting state. The question arises whether this homeostatic mechanism reflects the targeting of cell surface cholesterol to specific intracellular sites or its general equilibration among the organelles. We now show that human fibroblast cholesterol can be increased as much as two-fold from 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin without changing the size of the cell surface pool. Rather, essentially all of the added cholesterol disperses rapidly among cytoplasmic membranes, increasing their overall cholesterol content by as much as five-fold. We conclude that the level of plasma membrane cholesterol is normally at capacity and that even small increments above this physiological set point redistribute essentially entirely to intracellular membranes, perhaps down their chemical activity gradients. PMID:25014655

Influence of Ionizing Radiation on Stromal-Epithelial Intercellular Communication in Esophageal Carcinogenesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Patel, Zarana S.; Kalabis, Jiri; Rustgi, Anil K.; Cucinotta, Francis A.; Huff, Janice L.

2010-01-01

Esophageal cancer is the 6th leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Its development is associated with a variety of risk factors including tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption, human papilloma virus infection, and certain dietary factors such as trace mineral and vitamin deficiencies. An association with ionizing radiation exposure is revealed by the high excess relative risk for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus observed in the survivors of the atomic bomb detonations in Japan. It is also seen as a secondary malignancy in patients who received radiotherapy for breast and thoracic cancers; additionally, patients with head/neck and oral squamous cell cancers are at increased risk for metachronous esophageal squamous cell cancers. This malignancy is rapidly fatal, mainly because it remains asymptomatic until late, advanced stages when the disease is rarely curable. The stromal microenvironment plays an essential role in the maintenance and modulation of normal epithelial cell growth and differentiation and cross talk between the epithelial and stromal compartments can influence many aspects of malignant progression, including tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion and recruitment of new blood vessels. To test the hypothesis that radiation exposure plays a role in esophageal carcinogenesis via non-targeted mechanisms involving stromal-epithelial cell communication, we are studying radiation effects on hTERT-immortalized human esophageal epithelial cells and genetic variants grown in co-culture with human esophageal stromal fibroblasts (Okawa et al., Genes & Dev. 2007. 21: 2788-2803). We examined how radiation treatment of stromal fibroblasts affected epithelial migration and invasion, behaviors associated with cancer promotion and progression. Chemotactic and haptotactic migration of epithelial cells stimulated by conditioned media from irradiated fibroblasts was measured using assays conducted in Transwell cell culture chambers. Our results using low LET radiation showed a dose-dependent increase in migration of epithelial cells when exposed to conditioned media from irradiated vs. non-irradiated fibroblasts. We also observed enhanced invasion through a basement membrane simulant. To identify chemotactic proteins secreted by irradiated stromal fibroblasts, we used antibody capture cytokine arrays and have identified several proteins as candidates. Increased secretion of these factors by irradiated fibroblasts was confirmed using ELISA. We are currently analyzing the contribution of these individual factors on epithelial migration and invasion, as well as their influence on cell survival and DNA repair. Studies using high-LET radiation will help determine radiation quality effects on these processes. These results should further our understanding of the mechanisms by which radiation impacts the tissue microenvironment and how it influences cancer development processes.

Physico-Mechanical Properties of HA/TCP Pellets and Their Three-Dimensional Biological Evaluation In Vitro.

PubMed

Kamalaldin, Nurulain 'Atikah; Jaafar, Mariatti; Zubairi, Saiful Irwan; Yahaya, Badrul Hisham

2018-01-04

The use of bioceramics, especially the combination of hydroxyapatite (HA) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), as a three-dimensional scaffold in bone engineering is essential because together these elements constitute 60% of the bone content. Different ratios of HA and β-TCP were previously tested for their ability to produce suitable bioceramic scaffolds, which must be able to withstand high mechanical load. In this study, two ratios of HA/TCP (20:80 and 70:30) were used to create pellets, which then were evaluated in vitro to identify any adverse effects of using the material in bone grafting. Diametral tensile strength (DTS) and density testing was conducted to assess the mechanical strength and porosity of the pellets. The pellets then were tested for their toxicity to normal human fibroblast cells. In the toxicity assay, cells were incubated with the pellets for 3 days. At the end of the experiment, cell morphological changes were assessed, and the absorbance was read using PrestoBlue Cell Viability Reagent™. An inversely proportional relationship between DTS and porosity percentage was detected. Fibroblasts showed normal cell morphology in both treatments, which suggests that the HA/TCP pellets were not toxic. In the osteoblast cell attachment assay, cells were able to attach to the surface of both ratios, but cells were also able to penetrate inside the scaffold of the 70:30 pellets. This finding suggests that the 70:30 ratio had better osteoconduction properties than the 20:80 ratio.

Barriers to horizontal cell transformation by extracellular vesicles containing oncogenic H-ras.

PubMed

Lee, Tae Hoon; Chennakrishnaiah, Shilpa; Meehan, Brian; Montermini, Laura; Garnier, Delphine; D'Asti, Esterina; Hou, Wenyang; Magnus, Nathalie; Gayden, Tenzin; Jabado, Nada; Eppert, Kolja; Majewska, Loydie; Rak, Janusz

2016-08-09

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) enable the exit of regulatory, mutant and oncogenic macromolecules (proteins, RNA and DNA) from their parental tumor cells and uptake of this material by unrelated cellular populations. Among the resulting biological effects of interest is the notion that cancer-derived EVs may mediate horizontal transformation of normal cells through transfer of mutant genes, including mutant ras. Here, we report that H-ras-mediated transformation of intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-18) results in the emission of exosome-like EVs containing genomic DNA, HRAS oncoprotein and transcript. However, EV-mediated horizontal transformation of non-transformed cells (epithelial, astrocytic, fibroblastic and endothelial) is transient, limited or absent due to barrier mechanisms that curtail the uptake, retention and function of oncogenic H-ras in recipient cells. Thus, epithelial cells and astrocytes are resistant to EV uptake, unless they undergo malignant transformation. In contrast, primary and immortalized fibroblasts are susceptible to the EV uptake, retention of H-ras DNA and phenotypic transformation, but these effects are transient and fail to produce a permanent tumorigenic conversion of these cells in vitro and in vivo, even after several months of observation. Increased exposure to EVs isolated from H-ras-transformed cancer cells, but not to those from their indolent counterparts, triggers demise of recipient fibroblasts. Uptake of H-ras-containing EVs stimulates but fails to transform primary endothelial cells. Thus, we suggest that intercellular transfer of oncogenes exerts regulatory rather than transforming influence on recipient cells, while cancer cells may often act as preferential EV recipients.

Barriers to horizontal cell transformation by extracellular vesicles containing oncogenic H-ras

PubMed Central

Lee, Tae Hoon; Chennakrishnaiah, Shilpa; Meehan, Brian; Montermini, Laura; Garnier, Delphine; D'Asti, Esterina; Hou, Wenyang; Magnus, Nathalie; Gayden, Tenzin; Jabado, Nada; Eppert, Kolja; Majewska, Loydie; Rak, Janusz

2016-01-01

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) enable the exit of regulatory, mutant and oncogenic macromolecules (proteins, RNA and DNA) from their parental tumor cells and uptake of this material by unrelated cellular populations. Among the resulting biological effects of interest is the notion that cancer-derived EVs may mediate horizontal transformation of normal cells through transfer of mutant genes, including mutant ras. Here, we report that H-ras-mediated transformation of intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-18) results in the emission of exosome-like EVs containing genomic DNA, HRAS oncoprotein and transcript. However, EV-mediated horizontal transformation of non-transformed cells (epithelial, astrocytic, fibroblastic and endothelial) is transient, limited or absent due to barrier mechanisms that curtail the uptake, retention and function of oncogenic H-ras in recipient cells. Thus, epithelial cells and astrocytes are resistant to EV uptake, unless they undergo malignant transformation. In contrast, primary and immortalized fibroblasts are susceptible to the EV uptake, retention of H-ras DNA and phenotypic transformation, but these effects are transient and fail to produce a permanent tumorigenic conversion of these cells in vitro and in vivo, even after several months of observation. Increased exposure to EVs isolated from H-ras-transformed cancer cells, but not to those from their indolent counterparts, triggers demise of recipient fibroblasts. Uptake of H-ras-containing EVs stimulates but fails to transform primary endothelial cells. Thus, we suggest that intercellular transfer of oncogenes exerts regulatory rather than transforming influence on recipient cells, while cancer cells may often act as preferential EV recipients. PMID:27437771

Mapping DNA adducts of mitomycin C and decarbamoyl mitomycin C in cell lines using liquid chromatography/electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

PubMed Central

Paz, Manuel M.; Ladwa, Sweta; Champeil, Elise; Liu, Yanfeng; Rockwell, Sara; Boamah, Ernest K.; Bargonetti, Jill; Callahan, John; Roach, John; Tomasz, Maria

2009-01-01

The antitumor antibiotic and cancer chemotherapeutic agent mitomycin C (MC) alkylates and cross-links DNA, forming six major MC-deoxyguanosine adducts of known structures in vitro and in vivo. Two of these adducts are derived from 2,7-diaminomitosene (2,7-DAM), a non-toxic reductive metabolite of MC formed in cells in situ. Several methods have been used for analysis of MC-DNA adducts in the past; however, a need exists for a safer, more comprehensive and direct assay of the six-adduct complex. Development of an assay, based on mass spectrometry is described. DNA from EMT6 mouse mammary tumor cells, Fanconi Anemia –A fibroblasts, normal human fibroblasts, and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells was isolated after MC or DMC treatment of the cells, digested to nucleosides and submitted to liquid chromatography electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry. Two fragments of each parent ion were monitored (“multiple reaction monitoring”; MRM). Identification and quantitative analysis was based on a standard mixture of six adducts, the preparation of which is described here in detail. The lower limit of detection of adducts is estimated as 0.25 picomol. Three initial applications of this method are reported: (i) differential kinetics of adduct repair in EMT6 cells; (ii) analysis of adducts in MC- or DMC-treated Fanconi Anemia cells; and (iii) comparison of the adducts generated by treatment of MCF-7 breast cancer cells with MC and DMC. Notable results are the following: repair removal of the DNA interstrand cross-link and of the two adducts of 2,7-DAM is relatively slow; both MC and DMC generate DNA interstrand cross-links in human fibroblasts, Fanconi Anemia-A fibroblasts and MCF-7 cells as well as EMT6 cells; DMC shows a stereochemical preference of linkage to the guanine-2-amino group opposite from that of MC. PMID:19053323

Mapping DNA adducts of mitomycin C and decarbamoyl mitomycin C in cell lines using liquid chromatography/ electrospray tandem mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Paz, Manuel M; Ladwa, Sweta; Champeil, Elise; Liu, Yanfeng; Rockwell, Sara; Boamah, Ernest K; Bargonetti, Jill; Callahan, John; Roach, John; Tomasz, Maria

2008-12-01

The antitumor antibiotic and cancer chemotherapeutic agent mitomycin C (MC) alkylates and crosslinks DNA, forming six major MC-deoxyguanosine adducts of known structures in vitro and in vivo. Two of these adducts are derived from 2,7-diaminomitosene (2,7-DAM), a nontoxic reductive metabolite of MC formed in cells in situ. Several methods have been used for the analysis of MC-DNA adducts in the past; however, a need exists for a safer, more comprehensive and direct assay of the six-adduct complex. Development of an assay, based on mass spectrometry, is described. DNA from EMT6 mouse mammary tumor cells, Fanconi Anemia-A fibroblasts, normal human fibroblasts, and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells was isolated after MC or 10-decarbamoyl mitomycin C (DMC) treatment of the cells, digested to nucleosides, and submitted to liquid chromatography electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry. Two fragments of each parent ion were monitored ("multiple reaction monitoring"). Identification and quantitative analysis were based on a standard mixture of six adducts, the preparation of which is described here in detail. The lower limit of detection of adducts is estimated as 0.25 pmol. Three initial applications of this method are reported as follows: (i) differential kinetics of adduct repair in EMT6 cells, (ii) analysis of adducts in MC- or DMC-treated Fanconi Anemia cells, and (iii) comparison of the adducts generated by treatment of MCF-7 breast cancer cells with MC and DMC. Notable results are the following: Repair removal of the DNA interstrand cross-link and of the two adducts of 2,7-DAM is relatively slow; both MC and DMC generate DNA interstrand cross-links in human fibroblasts, Fanconi Anemia-A fibroblasts, and MCF-7 cells as well as EMT6 cells; and DMC shows a stereochemical preference of linkage to the guanine-2-amino group opposite from that of MC.

Analysis of the common deletions in the mitochondrial DNA is a sensitive biomarker detecting direct and non-targeted cellular effects of low dose ionizing radiation.

PubMed

Schilling-Tóth, Boglárka; Sándor, Nikolett; Kis, Eniko; Kadhim, Munira; Sáfrány, Géza; Hegyesi, Hargita

2011-11-01

One of the key issues of current radiation research is the biological effect of low doses. Unfortunately, low dose science is hampered by the unavailability of easily performable, reliable and sensitive quantitative biomarkers suitable detecting low frequency alterations in irradiated cells. We applied a quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) based protocol detecting common deletions (CD) in the mitochondrial genome to assess direct and non-targeted effects of radiation in human fibroblasts. In directly irradiated (IR) cells CD increased with dose and was higher in radiosensitive cells. Investigating conditioned medium-mediated bystander effects we demonstrated that low and high (0.1 and 2Gy) doses induced similar levels of bystander responses and found individual differences in human fibroblasts. The bystander response was not related to the radiosensitivity of the cells. The importance of signal sending donor and signal receiving target cells was investigated by placing conditioned medium from a bystander response positive cell line (F11-hTERT) to bystander negative cells (S1-hTERT) and vice versa. The data indicated that signal sending cells are more important in the medium-mediated bystander effect than recipients. Finally, we followed long term effects in immortalized radiation sensitive (S1-hTERT) and normal (F11-hTERT) fibroblasts up to 63 days after IR. In F11-hTERT cells CD level was increased until 35 days after IR then reduced back to control level by day 49. In S1-hTERT cells the increased CD level was also normalized by day 42, however a second wave of increased CD incidence appeared by day 49 which was maintained up to day 63 after IR. This second CD wave might be the indication of radiation-induced instability in the mitochondrial genome of S1-hTERT cells. The data demonstrated that measuring CD in mtDNA by qRT-PCR is a reliable and sensitive biomarker to estimate radiation-induced direct and non-targeted effects. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of circadian phenotypes utilizing fibroblasts from patients with circadian rhythm sleep disorders.

PubMed

Hida, A; Ohsawa, Y; Kitamura, S; Nakazaki, K; Ayabe, N; Motomura, Y; Matsui, K; Kobayashi, M; Usui, A; Inoue, Y; Kusanagi, H; Kamei, Y; Mishima, K

2017-04-25

We evaluated the circadian phenotypes of patients with delayed sleep-wake phase disorder (DSWPD) and non-24-hour sleep-wake rhythm disorder (N24SWD), two different circadian rhythm sleep disorders (CRSDs) by measuring clock gene expression rhythms in fibroblast cells derived from individual patients. Bmal1-luciferase (Bmal1-luc) expression rhythms were measured in the primary fibroblast cells derived from skin biopsy samples of patients with DSWPD and N24SWD, as well as control subjects. The period length of the Bmal1-luc rhythm (in vitro period) was distributed normally and was 22.80±0.47 (mean±s.d.) h in control-derived fibroblasts. The in vitro periods in DSWPD-derived fibroblasts and N24SWD-derived fibroblasts were 22.67±0.67 h and 23.18±0.70 h, respectively. The N24SWD group showed a significantly longer in vitro period than did the control or DSWPD group. Furthermore, in vitro period was associated with response to chronotherapy in the N24SWD group. Longer in vitro periods were observed in the non-responders (mean±s.d.: 23.59±0.89 h) compared with the responders (mean±s.d.: 22.97±0.47 h) in the N24SWD group. Our results indicate that prolonged circadian periods contribute to the onset and poor treatment outcome of N24SWD. In vitro rhythm assays could be useful for predicting circadian phenotypes and clinical prognosis in patients with CRSDs.

Effects of laser immunotherapy on tumor microenvironment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Acquaviva, Joseph T.; Wood, Ethan W.; Hasanjee, Aamr; Chen, Wei R.; Vaughan, Melville B.

2014-02-01

The microenvironments of tumors are involved in a complex and reciprocal dialog with surrounding cancer cells. Any novel treatment must consider the impact of the therapy on the microenvironment. Recently, clinical trials with laser immunotherapy (LIT) have proven to effectively treat patients with late-stage, metastatic breast cancer and melanoma. LIT is the synergistic combination of phototherapy (laser irradiation) and immunological stimulation. One prominent cell type found in the tumor stroma is the fibroblast. Fibroblast cells can secrete different growth factors and extracellular matrix modifying molecules. Furthermore, fibroblast cells found in the tumor stroma often express alpha smooth muscle actin. These particular fibroblasts are coined cancer-associated fibroblast cells (CAFs). CAFs are known to facilitate the malignant progression of tumors. A collagen lattice assay with human fibroblast cells is used to elucidate the effects LIT has on the microenvironment of tumors. Changes in the contraction of the lattice, the differentiation of the fibroblast cells, as well as the proliferation of the fibroblast cells will be determined.

Evaluating the potential of poly(beta-amino ester) nanoparticles for reprogramming human fibroblasts to become induced pluripotent stem cells.

PubMed

Bhise, Nupura S; Wahlin, Karl J; Zack, Donald J; Green, Jordan J

2013-01-01

Gene delivery can potentially be used as a therapeutic for treating genetic diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, as well as an enabling technology for regenerative medicine. A central challenge in many gene delivery applications is having a safe and effective delivery method. We evaluated the use of a biodegradable poly(beta-amino ester) nanoparticle-based nonviral protocol and compared this with an electroporation-based approach to deliver episomal plasmids encoding reprogramming factors for generation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) from human fibroblasts. A polymer library was screened to identify the polymers most promising for gene delivery to human fibroblasts. Feeder-independent culturing protocols were developed for nanoparticle-based and electroporation-based reprogramming. The cells reprogrammed by both polymeric nanoparticle-based and electroporation-based nonviral methods were characterized by analysis of pluripotency markers and karyotypic stability. The hiPSC-like cells were further differentiated toward the neural lineage to test their potential for neurodegenerative retinal disease modeling. 1-(3-aminopropyl)-4-methylpiperazine end-terminated poly(1,4-butanediol diacry-late-co-4-amino-1-butanol) polymer (B4S4E7) self-assembled with plasmid DNA to form nanoparticles that were more effective than leading commercially available reagents, including Lipofectamine® 2000, FuGENE® HD, and 25 kDa branched polyethylenimine, for nonviral gene transfer. B4S4E7 nanoparticles showed effective gene delivery to IMR-90 human primary fibroblasts and to dermal fibroblasts derived from a patient with retinitis pigmentosa, and enabled coexpression of exogenously delivered genes, as is needed for reprogramming. The karyotypically normal hiPSC-like cells generated by conventional electroporation, but not by poly(beta-amino ester) reprogramming, could be differentiated toward the neuronal lineage, specifically pseudostratified optic cups. This study shows that certain nonviral reprogramming methods may not necessarily be safer than viral approaches and that maximizing exogenous gene expression of reprogramming factors is not sufficient to ensure successful reprogramming.

Clinical Investigation Program Annual Progress Report.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-09-30

027 78/114 In Vitro Effect of Minoxidil on Collagen Produc- tion by Normal and Scleroderma Fibroblasts (C) (PR...effect of minoxidil on collagen production Dy normal and scleroderma fibroblasts. Previously titled: The use of minoxidil in treating progressive...Svc: (tO) Assoc Investigators: (11) Key Words: scleroderma, minoxidil Thomas P. O’Barr PhD, DAC fibroblasts, collagen Ellen Swanson MS, DAC Don

The Fate of a Normal Human Cell Traversed by a Single Charged Particle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fournier, C.; Zahnreich, S.; Kraft, D.; Friedrich, T.; Voss, K.-O.; Durante, M.; Ritter, S.

2012-09-01

The long-term ``fate'' of normal human cells after single hits of charged particles is one of the oldest unsolved issues in radiation protection and cellular radiobiology. Using a high-precision heavy-ion microbeam we could target normal human fibroblasts with exactly one or five carbon ions and measured the early cytogenetic damage and the late behaviour using single-cell cloning. Around 70% of the first cycle cells presented visible aberrations in mFISH after a single ion traversal, and about 5% of the cells were still able to form colonies. In one third of selected high-proliferative colonies we observed clonal (radiation-induced) aberrations. Terminal differentiation and markers of senescence (PCNA, p16) in the descendants of cells traversed by one carbon ion occurred earlier than in controls, but no evidence of radiation-induced chromosomal instability was found. We conclude that cells surviving single-ion traversal, often carrying clonal chromosome aberrations, undergo accelerated senescence but maintain chromosomal stability.

The Fate of a Normal Human Cell Traversed by a Single Charged Particle

PubMed Central

Fournier, C.; Zahnreich, S.; Kraft, D.; Friedrich, T.; Voss, K.-O.; Durante, M.; Ritter, S.

2012-01-01

The long-term “fate” of normal human cells after single hits of charged particles is one of the oldest unsolved issues in radiation protection and cellular radiobiology. Using a high-precision heavy-ion microbeam we could target normal human fibroblasts with exactly one or five carbon ions and measured the early cytogenetic damage and the late behaviour using single-cell cloning. Around 70% of the first cycle cells presented visible aberrations in mFISH after a single ion traversal, and about 5% of the cells were still able to form colonies. In one third of selected high-proliferative colonies we observed clonal (radiation-induced) aberrations. Terminal differentiation and markers of senescence (PCNA, p16) in the descendants of cells traversed by one carbon ion occurred earlier than in controls, but no evidence of radiation-induced chromosomal instability was found. We conclude that cells surviving single-ion traversal, often carrying clonal chromosome aberrations, undergo accelerated senescence but maintain chromosomal stability. PMID:22966418

Absence of DNA damage after 60-Hz electromagnetic field exposure combined with ionizing radiation, hydrogen peroxide, or c-Myc overexpression.

PubMed

Jin, Yeung Bae; Choi, Seo-Hyun; Lee, Jae Seon; Kim, Jae-Kyung; Lee, Ju-Woon; Hong, Seung-Cheol; Myung, Sung Ho; Lee, Yun-Sil

2014-03-01

The principal objective of this study was to assess the DNA damage in a normal cell line system after exposure to 60 Hz of extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) and particularly in combination with various external factors, via comet assays. NIH3T3 mouse fibroblast cells, WI-38 human lung fibroblast cells, L132 human lung epithelial cells, and MCF10A human mammary gland epithelial cells were exposed for 4 or 16 h to a 60-Hz, 1 mT uniform magnetic field in the presence or absence of ionizing radiation (IR, 1 Gy), H(2)O(2) (50 μM), or c-Myc oncogenic activation. The results obtained showed no significant differences between the cells exposed to ELF-MF alone and the unexposed cells. Moreover, no synergistic or additive effects were observed after 4 or 16 h of pre-exposure to 1 mT ELF-MF or simultaneous exposure to ELF-MF combined with IR, H(2)O(2), or c-Myc activation.

Generation of Arbas Cashmere Goat Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Through Fibroblast Reprogramming.

PubMed

Tai, Dapeng; Liu, Pengxia; Gao, Jing; Jin, Muzi; Xu, Teng; Zuo, Yongchun; Liang, Hao; Liu, Dongjun

2015-08-01

Various factors affect the process of obtaining stable Arbas cashmere goat embryonic stem cells (ESCs), for example, the difficulty in isolating cells at the appropriate stage of embryonic development, the in vitro culture environment, and passage methods. With the emergence of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, it has become possible to use specific genes to induce somatic cell differentiation in PSCs. We transferred OCT4, SOX2, c-MYC, and KLF4 into Arbas cashmere goat fetal fibroblasts, then induced and cultured them using a drug-inducible system to obtain Arbas goat iPSCs that morphologically resembled mouse iPSCs. After identification, the obtained goat iPSCs expressed ESC markers, had a normal karyotype, could differentiate into embryoid bodies in vitro, and could differentiate into three germ layer cell types and form teratomas in vivo. We used microarray gene expression profile analysis to elucidate the reprogramming process. Our results provide the experimental basis for establishing cashmere goat iPSC lines and for future in-depth studies on molecular mechanism of cashmere goat somatic cell reprogramming.

Mesenchymal stem cells induce dermal fibroblast responses to injury

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Smith, Andria N., E-mail: snosmith@u.washington.edu; Willis, Elise, E-mail: elise.willis@gmail.com; Chan, Vincent T.

2010-01-01

Although bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells have been shown to promote repair when applied to cutaneous wounds, the mechanism for this response remains to be determined. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of paracrine signaling from mesenchymal stem cells on dermal fibroblast responses to injury including proliferation, migration and expression of genes important in wound repair. Dermal fibroblasts were co-cultured with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells grown in inserts, which allowed for paracrine interactions without direct cell contact. In this co-culture model, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells regulate dermal fibroblast proliferation, migration and gene expression. Whenmore » co-cultured with mesenchymal stem cells, dermal fibroblasts show increased proliferation and accelerated migration in a scratch assay. A chemotaxis assay also demonstrated that dermal fibroblasts migrate towards bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. A PCR array was used to analyze the effect of mesenchymal stem cells on dermal fibroblast gene expression. In response to mesenchymal stem cells, dermal fibroblasts up-regulate integrin alpha 7 expression and down-regulate expression of ICAM1, VCAM1 and MMP11. These observations suggest that mesenchymal stem cells may provide an important early signal for dermal fibroblast responses to cutaneous injury.« less

Influence of the interaction between nodal fibroblast and breast cancer cells on gene expression

PubMed Central

Santos, Rosângela Portilho Costa; Benvenuti, Ticiana Thomazine; Honda, Suzana Terumi; Del Valle, Paulo Roberto; Katayama, Maria Lucia Hirata; Brentani, Helena Paula; Carraro, Dirce Maria; Rozenchan, Patrícia Bortman; Brentani, Maria Mitzi; de Lyra, Eduardo Carneiro; Torres, César Henrique; Salzgeber, Marcia Batista; Kaiano, Jane Haruko Lima; Góes, João Carlos Sampaio

2010-01-01

Our aim was to evaluate the interaction between breast cancer cells and nodal fibroblasts, by means of their gene expression profile. Fibroblast primary cultures were established from negative and positive lymph nodes from breast cancer patients and a similar gene expression pattern was identified, following cell culture. Fibroblasts and breast cancer cells (MDA-MB231, MDA-MB435, and MCF7) were cultured alone or co-cultured separated by a porous membrane (which allows passage of soluble factors) for comparison. Each breast cancer lineage exerted a particular effect on fibroblasts viability and transcriptional profile. However, fibroblasts from positive and negative nodes had a parallel transcriptional behavior when co-cultured with a specific breast cancer cell line. The effects of nodal fibroblasts on breast cancer cells were also investigated. MDA MB-231 cells viability and migration were enhanced by the presence of fibroblasts and accordingly, MDA-MB435 and MCF7 cells viability followed a similar pattern. MDA-MB231 gene expression profile, as evaluated by cDNA microarray, was influenced by the fibroblasts presence, and HNMT, COMT, FN3K, and SOD2 were confirmed downregulated in MDA-MB231 co-cultured cells with fibroblasts from both negative and positive nodes, in a new series of RT-PCR assays. In summary, transcriptional changes induced in breast cancer cells by fibroblasts from positive as well as negative nodes are very much alike in a specific lineage. However, fibroblasts effects are distinct in each one of the breast cancer lineages, suggesting that the inter-relationships between stromal and malignant cells are dependent on the intrinsic subtype of the tumor. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13277-010-0108-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. PMID:20820980

Influence of the interaction between nodal fibroblast and breast cancer cells on gene expression.

PubMed

Santos, Rosângela Portilho Costa; Benvenuti, Ticiana Thomazine; Honda, Suzana Terumi; Del Valle, Paulo Roberto; Katayama, Maria Lucia Hirata; Brentani, Helena Paula; Carraro, Dirce Maria; Rozenchan, Patrícia Bortman; Brentani, Maria Mitzi; de Lyra, Eduardo Carneiro; Torres, César Henrique; Salzgeber, Marcia Batista; Kaiano, Jane Haruko Lima; Góes, João Carlos Sampaio; Folgueira, Maria Aparecida Azevedo Koike

2011-02-01

Our aim was to evaluate the interaction between breast cancer cells and nodal fibroblasts, by means of their gene expression profile. Fibroblast primary cultures were established from negative and positive lymph nodes from breast cancer patients and a similar gene expression pattern was identified, following cell culture. Fibroblasts and breast cancer cells (MDA-MB231, MDA-MB435, and MCF7) were cultured alone or co-cultured separated by a porous membrane (which allows passage of soluble factors) for comparison. Each breast cancer lineage exerted a particular effect on fibroblasts viability and transcriptional profile. However, fibroblasts from positive and negative nodes had a parallel transcriptional behavior when co-cultured with a specific breast cancer cell line. The effects of nodal fibroblasts on breast cancer cells were also investigated. MDA MB-231 cells viability and migration were enhanced by the presence of fibroblasts and accordingly, MDA-MB435 and MCF7 cells viability followed a similar pattern. MDA-MB231 gene expression profile, as evaluated by cDNA microarray, was influenced by the fibroblasts presence, and HNMT, COMT, FN3K, and SOD2 were confirmed downregulated in MDA-MB231 co-cultured cells with fibroblasts from both negative and positive nodes, in a new series of RT-PCR assays. In summary, transcriptional changes induced in breast cancer cells by fibroblasts from positive as well as negative nodes are very much alike in a specific lineage. However, fibroblasts effects are distinct in each one of the breast cancer lineages, suggesting that the inter-relationships between stromal and malignant cells are dependent on the intrinsic subtype of the tumor.

Wound-healing potential of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stromal cells in vitro--a pilot study.

PubMed

You, Hi-Jin; Namgoong, Sik; Han, Seung-Kyu; Jeong, Seong-Ho; Dhong, Eun-Sang; Kim, Woo-Kyung

2015-11-01

Our previous studies demonstrated that human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells have great potential for wound healing. However, it is difficult to clinically utilize cultured stem cells. Recently, human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hUCB-MSCs) have been commercialized for cartilage repair as a first cell therapy product that uses allogeneic stem cells. Should hUCB-MSCs have a superior effect on wound healing as compared with fibroblasts, which are the main cell source in current cell therapy products for wound healing, they may possibly replace fibroblasts. The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the wound-healing activity of hUCB-MSCs with that of fibroblasts. This study was particularly designed to compare the effect of hUCB-MSCs on diabetic wound healing with those of allogeneic and autologous fibroblasts. Healthy (n = 5) and diabetic (n = 5) fibroblasts were used as the representatives of allogeneic and autologous fibroblasts for diabetic patients in the control group. Human UCB-MSCs (n = 5) were used in the experimental group. Cell proliferation, collagen synthesis and growth factor (basic fibroblast growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor-β) production were compared among the three cell groups. Human UCB-MSCs produced significantly higher amounts of vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor when compared with both fibroblast groups. Human UCB-MSCs were superior to diabetic fibroblasts but not to healthy fibroblasts in collagen synthesis. There were no significant differences in cell proliferation and transforming growth factor-β production. Human UCB-MSCs may have greater capacity for diabetic wound healing than allogeneic or autologous fibroblasts, especially in angiogenesis. Copyright © 2015 International Society for Cellular Therapy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Differential response of normal human fibroblasts to bombesin versus thrombin.

PubMed

Hendey, B; Mamrack, M D

1988-09-01

Normal human diploid fibroblasts (WS-1 cells) were growth-arrested under serum-free conditions for 48 hr. The addition of fetal bovine serum (10% final concentration) to these cells stimulated [3H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA and phosphoinositide breakdown over nine-fold. Thrombin, at concentrations above 0.1 unit/ml (u/ml), was also effective at stimulating DNA synthesis and phosphoinositide breakdown as well as causing a rise in intracellular pH. In contrast, the peptide bombesin (concentrations ranging from 1 nM to 100 nM) stimulated phosphoinositide breakdown but did not enhance DNA synthesis or cause an increase in cytoplasmic pH. The time course of accumulation of inositol phosphates differed in response to these agents. The thrombin effect peaked rapidly and leveled off after 5 min while the bombesin effect showed a constant increase for 30 min. Serum showed an intermediate response. The different rates of inositol phosphate accumulation observed with the two growth factors is viewed as representing a difference in the mechanism of phosphoinositide turnover. The relationship between the difference in phosphoinositide turnover and the initiation of DNA synthesis is also discussed.

Uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation with 2,4-dinitrophenol promotes development of the adhesion phenotype.

PubMed

Shavell, Valerie I; Fletcher, Nicole M; Jiang, Zhong L; Saed, Ghassan M; Diamond, Michael P

2012-03-01

To determine the effect of uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation with 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) on adhesion phenotype development. Prospective experimental study. Academic medical center. Women undergoing laparotomy for pelvic pain from whom normal peritoneum and adhesions were excised to create primary cultures of normal peritoneal and adhesion fibroblasts. Treatment of normal peritoneal and adhesion fibroblasts isolated from the same patient(s) with or without 0.2 mM DNP for 24 hours. Evaluation of adhesion phenotype markers type I collagen, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α. In agreement with prior findings, adhesion fibroblasts exhibited significantly higher basal levels of type I collagen, VEGF, and HIF-1α compared with normal peritoneal fibroblasts. Treatment of normal peritoneal fibroblasts with DNP resulted in significant increases in type I collagen (10.2 ± 1.4 vs. 18.4 ± 1.9 fg/μg RNA) and VEGF (8.2 ± 1.1 vs. 13.7 ± 0.4 fg/μg RNA) over baseline. HIF-1α levels did not increase when normal peritoneal fibroblasts were treated with DNP. The adhesion phenotype, which is normally expressed in response to hypoxia, is reproduced in a normoxic environment by uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation with DNP, as evidenced by an increase in type I collagen and VEGF. Acquisition of the adhesion phenotype was via a mechanism distinct from up-regulation of HIF-1α. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that the adhesion phenotype represents a state of intracellular metabolic depletion. Copyright © 2012 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Flow cytometric characterization of the response of Fanconi's anemia cells to mitomycin C treatment.

PubMed

Kaiser, T N; Lojewski, A; Dougherty, C; Juergens, L; Sahar, E; Latt, S A

1982-03-01

DNA flow histogram analysis, using 33342 Hoechst as a stain, has been used to detect the effect of the potentially bifunctional alkylating agent, mitomycin C (MMC) on dermal fibroblasts from patients with Fanconi's anemia (FA), a hereditary human disease characterized by pancytopenia, hypersensitivity to DNA-crosslinking agents, congenital abnormalities and a predisposition for neoplasia. At 24 or 48 hr after a 2-hr exposure to 0.05 or 0.10 micrograms/ml MMC, (3)HdT incorporation was reduced to a greater extent in FA cells than in normal cells. Cells sorted from the last half of S phase showed a slightly greater inhibition of (3)HdT incorporation than did those sorted from the first half of S. Fanconi's anemia cells exhibited a marked accumulation in the G(2) + M peak of flow histograms following exposure to MMC. Twenty-four hr after treatment with .0.5 micrograms/ml MMC, the G(2) + M fraction of FA cells (eight lines) increased to more than 0.5 from a control value of approximately 0.02. Both normals (six lines) and heterozygotes (eight lines) showed, on the average, much less of a G(2) + M increment than did FA cells, even after exposure to 0.1 micrograms/ml MMC. Examination of cells sorted from the G(2) + M peak revealed that MMC-treated FA cells were blocked prior to mitosis. To determine whether the response of FA cells was specific for bifunctional alkylating agent, cells were also treated with ethylmethanesulfonate, a monofunctional agent. Twenty-four hours after exposure to 0.25 or 0.5 mg/ml ethylmethanesulfonate, FA and normal cells showed similar, small increases in the G(2) + M peak. The results suggest the utility of flow cytometry in the diagnostic evaluation of fibroblasts from patients suspected of having Fanconi's anemia.

Morphological study of tooth development in podoplanin-deficient mice.

PubMed

Takara, Kenyo; Maruo, Naoki; Oka, Kyoko; Kaji, Chiaki; Hatakeyama, Yuji; Sawa, Naruhiko; Kato, Yukinari; Yamashita, Junro; Kojima, Hiroshi; Sawa, Yoshihiko

2017-01-01

Podoplanin is a mucin-type highly O-glycosylated glycoprotein identified in several somatyic cells: podocytes, alveolar epithelial cells, lymphatic endothelial cells, lymph node stromal fibroblastic reticular cells, osteocytes, odontoblasts, mesothelial cells, glia cells, and others. It has been reported that podoplanin-RhoA interaction induces cytoskeleton relaxation and cell process stretching in fibroblastic cells and osteocytes, and that podoplanin plays a critical role in type I alveolar cell differentiation. It appears that podoplanin plays a number of different roles in contributing to cell functioning and growth by signaling. However, little is known about the functions of podoplanin in the somatic cells of the adult organism because an absence of podoplanin is lethal at birth by the respiratory failure. In this report, we investigated the tooth germ development in podoplanin-knockout mice, and the dentin formation in podoplanin-conditional knockout mice having neural crest-derived cells with deficiency in podoplanin by the Wnt1 promoter and enhancer-driven Cre recombinase: Wnt1-Cre;PdpnΔ/Δmice. In the Wnt1-Cre;PdpnΔ/Δmice, the tooth and alveolar bone showed no morphological abnormalities and grow normally, indicating that podoplanin is not critical in the development of the tooth and bone.

Metabolic cooperation between co-cultured lung cancer cells and lung fibroblasts.

PubMed

Koukourakis, Michael I; Kalamida, Dimitra; Mitrakas, Achilleas G; Liousia, Maria; Pouliliou, Stamatia; Sivridis, Efthimios; Giatromanolaki, Alexandra

2017-11-01

Cooperation of cancer cells with stromal cells, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), has been revealed as a mechanism sustaining cancer cell survival and growth. In the current study, we focus on the metabolic interactions of MRC5 lung fibroblasts with lung cancer cells (A549 and H1299) using co-culture experiments and studying changes of the metabolic protein expression profile and of their growth and migration abilities. Using western blotting, confocal microscopy and RT-PCR, we observed that in co-cultures MRC5 respond by upregulating pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and the monocarboxylate transporter MCT1. In contrast, cancer cells increase the expression of glucose transporters (GLUT1), LDH5, PDH kinase and the levels of phosphorylated/inactivated pPDH. H1299 cells growing in the same culture medium with fibroblasts exhibit a 'metastasis-like' phenomenon by forming nests within the fibroblast area. LDH5 and pPDH were drastically upregulated in these nests. The growth rate of both MRC5 and cancer cells increased in co-cultures. Suppression of LDHA or PDK1 in cancer cells abrogates the stimulatory signal from cancer cells to fibroblasts. Incubation of MRC5 fibroblasts with lactate resulted in an increase of LDHB and of PDH expression. Silencing of PDH gene in fibroblasts, or silencing of PDK1 or LDHA gene in tumor cells, impedes cancer cell's migration ability. Overall, a metabolic cooperation between lung cancer cells and fibroblasts has been confirmed in the context of direct Warburg effect, thus the fibroblasts reinforce aerobic metabolism to support the intensified anaerobic glycolytic pathways exploited by cancer cells.

Alveolar type II cell-fibroblast interactions, synthesis and secretion of surfactant and type I collagen.

PubMed

Griffin, M; Bhandari, R; Hamilton, G; Chan, Y C; Powell, J T

1993-06-01

During alveolar development and alveolar repair close contacts are established between fibroblasts and lung epithelial cells through gaps in the basement membrane. Using co-culture systems we have investigated whether these close contacts influence synthesis and secretion of the principal surfactant apoprotein (SP-A) by cultured rat lung alveolar type II cells and the synthesis and secretion of type I collagen by fibroblasts. The alveolar type II cells remained cuboidal and grew in colonies on fibroblast feeder layers and on Matrigel-coated cell culture inserts but were progressively more flattened on fixed fibroblast monolayers and plastic. Alveolar type II cells cultured on plastic released almost all their SP-A into the medium by 4 days. Alveolar type II cells cultured on viable fibroblasts or Matrigel-coated inserts above fibroblasts accumulated SP-A in the medium at a constant rate for the first 4 days, and probably recycle SP-A by endocytosis. The amount of mRNA for SP-A was very low after 4 days of culture of alveolar type II cells on plastic, Matrigel-coated inserts or fixed fibroblast monolayers: relatively, the amount of mRNA for SP-A was increased 4-fold after culture of alveolar type II cells on viable fibroblasts. Co-culture of alveolar type II cells with confluent human dermal fibroblasts stimulated by 2- to 3-fold the secretion of collagen type I into the culture medium, even after the fibroblasts' growth had been arrested with mitomycin C. Collagen secretion, by fibroblasts, also was stimulated 2-fold by conditioned medium from alveolar type II cells cultured on Matrigel. The amount of mRNA for type I collagen increased only modestly when fibroblasts were cultured in this conditioned medium. This stimulation of type I collagen secretion diminished as the conditioned medium was diluted out, but at high dilutions further stimulation occurred, indicating that a factor that inhibited collagen secretion also was being diluted out. The conditioned medium contained low levels of IGF-1 and the stimulation of type I collagen secretion was abolished when the conditioned medium was pre-incubated with antibodies to insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). There are important reciprocal interactions between alveolar type II cells and fibroblasts in co-culture. Direct contacts between alveolar type II cells and fibroblasts appear to have a trophic effect on cultured alveolar type II cells, increasing the levels of mRNA for SP-A. Rat lung alveolar type II cells appear to release a factor (possibly IGF-1) that stimulates type I collagen secretion by fibroblasts.

The pathomechanism of cytochrome c oxidase deficiency includes nuclear DNA damage.

PubMed

Douiev, Liza; Saada, Ann

2018-06-07

Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (COX, respiratory chain complex IV), contributes to ATP production via oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Clinical presentation of COX deficiency is heterogeneous ranging from mild to severe neuromuscular diseases. Anemia is among the symptoms and we have previously reported Fanconi anemia like features in COX4-1 deficiency, suggesting genomic instability and our preliminary results detected nuclear double stranded DNA breaks (DSB). We now quantified the DSB by phospho histone H2AX Ser139 staining of COX4-1 and COX6B1 deficient fibroblasts (225% and 215% of normal, respectively) and confirmed their occurrence by neutral comet assay. We further explored the mechanism of DNA damage by studying normal fibroblasts treated with micromolar concentrations of cyanide (KCN). Present results demonstrate elevated nuclear DSB in cells treated with 50 μM KCN for 24 h (170% of normal) in high-glucose medium conditions where ROS and ATP remain normal, although Glutathione content was partially decreased. In glucose-free and serum-free medium, where growth is hampered, DSB were not elevated. Additionally we demonstrate the benefit of nicotinamide riboside (NR) which ameliorated DSB in COX4-1, COX6B1 and KCN treated cells (130%, 154% and 87% of normal cells, respectively). Conversely a negative effect of a poly[ADP-ribose] polymerase (PARP) inhibitor was found. Although additional investigation is needed, our findings raise the possibility that the pathomechanism of COX deficiency and possibly also in other OXPHOS defects, include nuclear DNA damage resulting from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD + ) deficit combined with a replicative state, rather than oxidative stress and energy depletion. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor-α/Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1α Interplay Sustains Carbonic Anhydrase IX and Apoliprotein E Expression in Breast Cancer Stem Cells

PubMed Central

Papi, Alessio; Storci, Gianluca; Guarnieri, Tiziana; De Carolis, Sabrina; Bertoni, Sara; Avenia, Nicola; Sanguinetti, Alessandro; Sidoni, Angelo; Santini, Donatella; Ceccarelli, Claudio; Taffurelli, Mario; Orlandi, Marina; Bonafé, Massimiliano

2013-01-01

Aims Cancer stem cell biology is tightly connected to the regulation of the pro-inflammatory cytokine network. The concept of cancer stem cells “inflammatory addiction” leads to envisage the potential role of anti-inflammatory molecules as new anti-cancer targets. Here we report on the relationship between nuclear receptors activity and the modulation of the pro-inflammatory phenotype in breast cancer stem cells. Methods Breast cancer stem cells were expanded as mammospheres from normal and tumor human breast tissues and from tumorigenic (MCF7) and non tumorigenic (MCF10) human breast cell lines. Mammospheres were exposed to the supernatant of breast tumor and normal mammary gland tissue fibroblasts. Results In mammospheres exposed to the breast tumor fibroblasts supernatant, autocrine tumor necrosis factor-α signalling engenders the functional interplay between peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α and hypoxia inducible factor-1α (PPARα/HIF1α). The two proteins promote mammospheres formation and enhance each other expression via miRNA130b/miRNA17-5p-dependent mechanism which is antagonized by PPARγ. Further, the PPARα/HIF1α interplay regulates the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6, the hypoxia survival factor carbonic anhydrase IX and the plasma lipid carrier apolipoprotein E. Conclusion Our data demonstrate the importance of exploring the role of nuclear receptors (PPARα/PPARγ) in the regulation of pro-inflammatory pathways, with the aim to thwart breast cancer stem cells functioning. PMID:23372804

New quantitative approaches reveal the spatial preference of nuclear compartments in mammalian fibroblasts.

PubMed

Weston, David J; Russell, Richard A; Batty, Elizabeth; Jensen, Kirsten; Stephens, David A; Adams, Niall M; Freemont, Paul S

2015-03-06

The nuclei of higher eukaryotic cells display compartmentalization and certain nuclear compartments have been shown to follow a degree of spatial organization. To date, the study of nuclear organization has often involved simple quantitative procedures that struggle with both the irregularity of the nuclear boundary and the problem of handling replicate images. Such studies typically focus on inter-object distance, rather than spatial location within the nucleus. The concern of this paper is the spatial preference of nuclear compartments, for which we have developed statistical tools to quantitatively study and explore nuclear organization. These tools combine replicate images to generate 'aggregate maps' which represent the spatial preferences of nuclear compartments. We present two examples of different compartments in mammalian fibroblasts (WI-38 and MRC-5) that demonstrate new knowledge of spatial preference within the cell nucleus. Specifically, the spatial preference of RNA polymerase II is preserved across normal and immortalized cells, whereas PML nuclear bodies exhibit a change in spatial preference from avoiding the centre in normal cells to exhibiting a preference for the centre in immortalized cells. In addition, we show that SC35 splicing speckles are excluded from the nuclear boundary and localize throughout the nucleoplasm and in the interchromatin space in non-transformed WI-38 cells. This new methodology is thus able to reveal the effect of large-scale perturbation on spatial architecture and preferences that would not be obvious from single cell imaging.

Picolyl amides of betulinic acid as antitumor agents causing tumor cell apoptosis.

PubMed

Bildziukevich, Uladzimir; Rárová, Lucie; Šaman, David; Wimmer, Zdeněk

2018-02-10

A series of picolyl amides of betulinic acid (3a-3c and 6a-6c) was prepared and subjected to the cytotoxicity screening tests. Structure-activity relationships studies resulted in finding differences in biological activity in dependence on o-, m- and p-substitution of the pyridine ring in the target amides, when cytotoxicity data of 3a-3c and 6a-6c were obtained and compared. The amides 3b and 3a displayed cytotoxicity (given in the IC 50 values) in G-361 (0.5 ± 0.1 μM and 2.4 ± 0.0 μM, respectively), MCF7 (1.4 ± 0.1 μM and 2.2 ± 0.2 μM, respectively), HeLa (2.4 ± 0.4 μM and 2.3 ± 0.5 μM, respectively) and CEM (6.5 ± 1.5 μM and 6.9 ± 0.4 μM, respectively) tumor cell lines, and showed weak effect in the normal human fibroblasts (BJ). Selectivity against all tested cancer cells was determined and compared to normal cells with therapeutic index (TI) between 7 and 100 for compounds 3a and 3b. The therapeutic index (TI = 100) was calculated for human malignant melanoma cell line (G-361) versus normal human fibroblasts (BJ). The cytotoxicity of other target amides (3c and 6a-6c) revealed lower effects than 3a and 3b in the tested cancer cell lines. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

The interaction in vitro of Mycoplasma pulmonis with mouse peritoneal macrophages and L-cells.

PubMed

Jones, T C; Hirsch, J G

1971-02-01

Methods have been devised for establishing infection in vitro of mouse macrophages and fibroblasts with Mycoplasma pulmonis. The mycoplasmas attached to the cells and under appropriate cultural conditions grew into a lawn of microorganisms covering most of the cell surface. The mycoplasmas grew abundantly on fibroblasts cultured in minimal essential medium containing 20% fetal calf serum; supplementation of this medium with heart infusion broth was necessary to obtain similar growth on macrophages. The infection of these cells appeared to be essentially an extracellular process; only rarely were partially degraded mycoplasmas seen with phagocytic vacuoles. The addition to heavily infected macrophage cultures of low concentrations of anti-mycoplasma antibody stimulated rapid, massive phagocytosis of the surface microorganisms. In sharp contrast, the same antiserum had no discernable effect on the mycoplasma-fibroblast relationship. The antibody effect in the macrophage system was apparently a direct opsonic one rather than an indirect result of microbial killing, since the mycoplasmas in macrophage or fibroblast cultures incorporated labelled thymidine into DNA after the addition of antiserum to the medium. The phagocytic event and the subsequent fate of the mycoplasmas were studied in detail after the addition of antibody to the macrophage cultures. Phase-contrast cinemicrophotography revealed membrane ruffles surrounding the surface mycoplasmas and disappearance from view of the organisms; 10-30 min later translucent grapelike clusters were seen in large phagocytic vacuoles. On electronmicroscopic study the surface mycoplasmas were surrounded by pincers-like projections of the macrophage. Numerous mycoplasmas were seen in phagocytic vacuoles; in the early minutes after the addition of antibody the intracellular mycoplasmas appeared normal, but within 2 hr they appeared partially degraded with a central electron-lucent area and electron-opaque deposits at the microbial cell margin. 24 hr after the addition of antiserum, digestion of the mycoplasmas was nearly complete; the cells appeared normal except for large residual bodies composed of amorphous moderately dense material and increased lipid deposits. Degradation of mycoplasmas within macrophages was also studied using infected cultures in which the mycoplasmas, but not the macrophages, had incorporated tritiated thymidine into DNA. The appearance of large amounts of acid-soluble radiolabel after phagocytosis stimulated by antibody confirmed the degradation of the intracellular mycoplasmas.

Generation of human-induced pluripotent stem cells from burn patient-derived skin fibroblasts using a non-integrative method.

PubMed

Fu, Shangfeng; Ding, Jianwu; Liu, Dewu; Huang, Heping; Li, Min; Liu, Yang; Tu, Longxiang; Liu, Deming

2018-01-01

Patient specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been recognized as a possible source of cells for skin tissue engineering. They have the potential to greatly benefit patients with large areas of burned skin or skin defects. However, the integration virus-based reprogramming method is associated with a high risk of genetic mutation and mouse embryonic fibroblast feeder-cells may be a pollutant. In the present study, human skin fibroblasts (HSFs) were successfully harvested from patients with burns and patient-specific iPSCs were generated using a non-integration method with a feeder-free approach. The octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4), sex-determining region Y box 2 (SOX2) and NANOG transcription factors were delivered using Sendai virus vectors. iPSCs exhibited representative human embryonic stem cell-like morphology and proliferation characteristics. They also expressed pluripotent markers, including OCT4, NANOG, SOX2, TRA181, stage-specific embryonic antigen 4 and TRA-160, and exhibited a normal karyotype. Teratoma and embryoid body formation revealed that iPSCs were able to differentiate into cells of all three germ layers in vitro and in vivo. The results of the present study demonstrate that HSFs derived from patients with burns, may be reprogrammed into stem cells with pluripotency, which provides a basis for cell‑based skin tissue engineering in the future.

Empirical Modeling of Physiochemical Immune Response of Multilayer Zinc Oxide Nanomaterials under UV Exposure to Melanoma and Foreskin Fibroblasts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fakhar-E-Alam, Muhammad; Akram, M. Waseem; Iqbal, Seemab; Alimgeer, K. S.; Atif, M.; Sultana, K.; Willander, M.; Wang, Zhiming M.

2017-04-01

Carcinogenesis is a complex molecular process starting with genetic and epigenetic alterations, mutation stimulation, and DNA modification, which leads to proteomic adaptation ending with an uncontrolled proliferation mechanism. The current research focused on the empirical modelling of the physiological response of human melanoma cells (FM55P) and human foreskin fibroblasts cells (AG01518) to the multilayer zinc oxide (ZnO) nanomaterials under UV-A exposure. To validate this experimental scheme, multilayer ZnO nanomaterials were grown on a femtotip silver capillary and conjugated with protoporphyrin IX (PpIX). Furthermore, PpIX-conjugated ZnO nanomaterials grown on the probe were inserted into human melanoma (FM55P) and foreskin fibroblasts cells (AG01518) under UV-A light exposure. Interestingly, significant cell necrosis was observed because of a loss in mitochondrial membrane potential just after insertion of the femtotip tool. Intense reactive oxygen species (ROS) fluorescence was observed after exposure to the ZnO NWs conjugated with PpIX femtotip model under UV exposure. Results were verified by applying several experimental techniques, e.g., ROS detection, MTT assay, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The present work reports experimental modelling of cell necrosis in normal human skin as well as a cancerous tissue. These obtained results pave the way for a more rational strategy for biomedical and clinical applications.

Potential role of fibroblast growth factor in enhancement of fracture healing.

PubMed

Radomsky, M L; Thompson, A Y; Spiro, R C; Poser, J W

1998-10-01

Fibroblast growth factors are present in significant amounts in bone and several studies have suggested that they may be involved in normal fracture healing. It is well established that fibroblast growth factors have mitogenic and angiogenic activity on mesoderm and neuroectoderm derived cells. Of particular interest as a member of the fibroblast growth factor family, basic fibroblast growth factor stimulates mitogenesis, chemotaxis, differentiation, and angiogenesis. It also plays an important role in the development of vascular, nervous, and skeletal systems, promotes the maintenance and survival of certain tissues, and stimulates wound healing and tissue repair. Animal studies have shown that the direct injection of fibroblast growth factor into fresh fractures stimulates callus formation, which provides mechanical stability to the fracture, accelerates healing, and restores competence. The matrix used to present the fibroblast growth factor at the fracture site plays a critical role in the effectiveness of the treatment. The evaluation of injectable basic fibroblast growth factor in a sodium hyaluronate gel for its effectiveness in stimulating fracture healing is described. When applied directly into a freshly created fracture in the rabbit fibula, a single injection of the basic fibroblast growth factor and hyaluronan results in the stimulation of callus formation, increased bone formation, and earlier restoration of mechanical strength at the fracture site. The hyaluronan gel serves as a reservoir that sequesters the basic fibroblast growth factor at the injection site for the length of time necessary to create an environment conducive to fracture healing. It is concluded that basic fibroblast growth factor and sodium hyaluronate act synergistically to accelerate fracture healing and that the combination is suitable for clinical evaluation as a therapy in fracture treatment.