A supramolecular look at microenvironmental regulation of limbal epithelial stem cells and the differentiation of their progeny / Uma visão supramolecular sobre a regulação microambiental de células tronco epiteliais limbais e a diferenciação de sua progênie

ABSTRACT Various approaches have been taken to improve our knowledge of the microenvironmental regulation of limbal epithelial stem cells. Researchers have extensively investigated the roles of growth factors, survival factors, cytokines, enzymes, and permeable molecules secreted by the limbal cells. However, recent evidence suggests that stem cell fate (i.e., self-renewal or differentiation) can also be influenced by biophysical and mechanical cues related to the supramolecular organization and the liquid crystalline (mesophase) nature of the stromal extracellular matrix. These cues can be sensed by stem cells and transduced into intracellular biochemical and functional responses, a process known as mechanotransduction. The objective of this review is to offer perspectives on the supramolecular microenvironmental regulation of limbal epithelial stem cells and the differentiation of their progeny.

RESUMO Muitas abordagens têm sido utilizadas para ampliar entendimentos sobre a regulação microambiental das células tronco epiteliais limbais. Neste contexto, pesquisadores têm exaustivamente investigado a participação de fatores de crescimento, fatores de sobrevida, citocinas, enzimas e moléculas permeáveis secretadas pelas células limbais. Entretanto, evidências recentes sugerem que o destino (ie. autorrenovação ou recrutamento para a via de diferenciação) das células tronco também sofre influência de estímulos biofísicos ou mecânicos relacionados à organização supramolecular e à natureza liquido-cristalina (mesofases) da matriz extracelular estromal. Esses estímulos podem ser percebidos e traduzidos pelas células tronco em sinais bioquímicos que geram respostas funcionais, através de um processo designado de mecanotransdução. Objetiva-se, com a presente revisão, oferecer ao leitor perspectivas supramoleculares sobre a regulação microambiental das células tronco epiteliais limbais e a diferenciação de sua progênie.

Study on Nogo-B participating in transforming growth factor-β1/Smad2 signaling pathway in mice models of hepatic fibrosis / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To study the relationship between Nogo-B and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad2 signaling pathway in mice models of hepatic fibrosis.Methods Twenty four healthy male ICR mice were divided into two groups,with 6 in the control group and 18 in the model group.Mice in the model group were further divided into three subgroups according to different time points:subgroups of 4,8 and 12 weeks,with 6 mice in each subgroup.Hepatic fibrosis of mice was induced by subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4).The histopathologic changes of the liver were observed by optical microscope using hematoxylin-eosin and Masson trichrome stainings of the liver tissues.Expressions of Nogo-B,Smad2 and TGF-β1 mRNA and proteins in liver were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR),Western blot and immunohistochemistry assays,respectively.Means among groups were compared by univariate analysis of variance.Results The hepatic fibrosis models were successfully induced by CCl4 injection.The expressions of two subtypes of Nogo-B,Nogo-B1 and Nogo-B2 mRNA in normal livers were 0.140±0.050 and 0.104±0.023,but both significantly increased in the livers of mice in the 12 week model subgroup (1.054±0.040 and 0.500±0.057,F=431.41 and 135.46,respectively; both P＜0.01).The Nogo-B protein was mainly expressed in nonparenchymal cells of the liver,and was hardly expressed in hepatocytes.Linear correlation analysis showed that the expressions of Nogo-B mRNA and proteins were positively correlated with Smad2 and TGF-β1 mRNA and proteins (all P＜0.01),which were considered to participate in the signaling pathway of hepatic fibrosis.Conclusion Nogo-B might play a role in the development and progression of hepatic fibrosis by participating in TGF-β1/Smad2 signaling pathway.

Como a célula óssea reconhece o estímulo mecânico? / How do bone cells sense mechanical loading?

Sob a influência da gravidade, o tecido ósseo sofre maior ou menor deformação de acordo com a intensidade das atividades da vida diária. Sabe-se que as atividades que resultam em impacto são as que mais estimulam a osteogênese e assim reduzem a perda de massa óssea. Conhecer como as células ósseas reconhecem a deformação mecânica imposta ao osso e iniciam uma série de reações bioquímicas em cadeia é de fundamental importância para o desenvolvimento de práticas terapêuticas e preventivas na atividade ortopédica. Ainda há um longo caminho para o entendimento de todo esse processo, mas o conhecimento atual progrediu bastante e há pesquisas com finalidade terapêutica. O sinal mecânico para ser transformado em biológico (mecanotransdução) deve ser amplificado no nível celular pela estrutura histológica do tecido ósseo, gerando tensões em proteínas da membrana celular (integrinas) e alterando a estrutura espacial dessas proteínas. Essa alteração ativa ligações entre elas e o citoesqueleto, originando as adesões focais, locais onde proteínas citoplasmáticas são recrutadas para facilitar as reações bioquímicas. A quinase de adesão focal (FAK) é a principal delas, sendo autoativada após sofrer alteração estrutural pelas integrinas. A FAK ativada incita reações em cascata, resultando na ativação da ERK-1/2 e da Akt, proteínas que, junto com a FAK, regulam a produção da massa óssea. Acredita-se que o osteócito seja a célula óssea responsável por reconhecer o estímulo mecânico e transmiti-lo aos osteoblastos e osteoclastos. Canais iônicos e gap junctions são cogitados como meios de comunicação intercelular para a transmissão bioquímica do estímulo mecânico. Esses eventos ocorrem continuamente no tecido ósseo e regulam a remodelação óssea.

Influenced by gravidity, bone tissue experiences stronger or lighter deformation according to the strength of the activities of daily life. Activities resulting in impact are particularly known to stimulate osteogenesis, thus reducing bone mass loss. Knowing how bone cells recognize the mechanical deformation imposed to the bone and trigger a series of biochemical chain reactions is of crucial importance for the development of therapeutic and preventive practices in orthopaedic activity. There is still a long way to run until we can understand the whole process, but current knowledge has shown a strong progression, with researches being conducted focused on therapies. For a mechanical sign to be transformed into a biological one (mechanotransduction), it must be amplified at cell level by the histological structure of bone tissue, producing tensions in cell membrane proteins (integrins) and changing their spatial structure. Such change activates bindings between these and the cytoskeleton, producing focal adhesions, where cytoplasmatic proteins are recruited to enable easier biochemical reactions. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is the most important one being self-activated when its structure is changed by integrins. Activated FAK triggers a cascade of reactions, resulting in the activation of ERK-1/2 and Akt, which are proteins that, together with FAK, regulate the production of bone mass. Osteocytes are believed to be the mechanosensor cells of the bone and to transmit the mechanical deformation to osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Ionic channels and gap junctions are considered as intercellular communication means for biochemical transmission of a mechanical stimulus. These events occur continuously on bone tissue and regulate bone remodeling.