Hyaluronan-Induced CD44-iASPP Interaction Affects Fibroblast Migration and Survival.

In the present study, we show that the inhibitor of the apoptosis-stimulating protein of p53 (iASPP) physically interacts with the hyaluronan receptor CD44 in normal and transformed cells. We noticed that the CD44 standard isoform (CD44s), but not the variant isoform (CD44v), bound to iASPP via the ankyrin-binding domain in CD44s. The formation of iASPP-CD44s complexes was promoted by hyaluronan stimulation in fibroblasts but not in epithelial cells. The cellular level of p53 affected the amount of the iASPP-CD44 complex. iASPP was required for hyaluronan-induced CD44-dependent migration and adhesion of fibroblasts. Of note, CD44 altered the sub-cellular localization of the iASPP-p53 complex; thus, ablation of CD44 promoted translocation of iASPP from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, resulting in increased formation of a cytoplasmic iASPP-p53 complex in fibroblasts. Overexpression of iASPP decreased, but CD44 increased the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Knock-down of CD44s, in the presence of p53, led to increased cell growth and cell density of fibroblasts by suppression of p27 and p53. Our observations suggest that the balance of iASPP-CD44 and iASPP-p53 complexes affect the survival and migration of fibroblasts.

The peculiarities of Adaptation of First-Year Students to the University during COVID-19 Pandemic in Russia / Las peculiaridades de la adaptación de los estudiantes de primer año a la universidad durante la pandemia COVID-19 en Rusia

The speed and efficiency of student adaptation largely determines the success of the educational process. This is especially true for universityfreshmen, as the older adolescent organism, with its specific neurophysiological characteristics, is very sensitive to changes in the environment. Thesituation with SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) pandemic has added to the problem of adaptation. The present study aims to examine the influence ofthe COVID-19 pandemic on the first-year students’ adaptation to university studies in Russia. The study involves 692 freshmen with an average ageof 18.7, majority of women (80.6%), from three Russian universities: Kazan National Research Technological University, Kazan Federal University andKazan Aviation University. The results show that during the COVID-19 period statistically significant changes occurred in almost all the adaptationcomponents: physiological adaptation (p < .0001), socio-psychological adaptation (p < .05), academic adaptation (p < .05). There was a decreasein the level of physiological adaptation, while socio-psychological adaptation and academic adaptation increased. Comparison by gender duringthe COVID-19 period shows differences between adaptation processes of men and women. Comparison of foreign students with Russian citizensduring the COVID-19 period demonstrates that foreign students stand out in socio-cultural adaptation (4.94 - foreigners, 4.64 - citizens of Russia, p< .05), physiological adaptation (5.36 - foreigners, 4.36 - citizens of Russia, p < .00001) and academic adaptation (5.28 - foreigners, 4.99 - citizensof Russia, p < .05). (AU)

La velocidad y eficiencia de la adaptación de los estudiantes determina en gran medida el éxito del proceso educativo. Esto es especialmente cierto para losestudiantes de primer año de universidad, ya que el organismo de los adolescentes mayores, con sus características neurofisiológicas específicas,es muy sensible a los cambios en el entorno. A las habituales dificultades de adaptación se ha sumado la problemática generada por la pandemiadel virus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). El presente estudio tiene como objetivo examinar la influencia de la pandemia COVID-19 en la adaptación delos estudiantes de primer año a los estudios universitarios en Rusia. El estudio involucra a 692 estudiantes de primer año con una edad promediode 18,7 años, la mayoría mujeres (80,6%), de tres universidades rusas: Universidad Tecnológica de Investigación Nacional de Kazán, UniversidadFederal de Kazán y Universidad de Aviación de Kazán. Los resultados demuestran que durante el período COVID-19 ocurrieron cambios estadísticamente significativos en casi todos los componentes de la adaptación: adaptación fisiológica (p <.0001), adaptación socio-psicológica (p <.05),adaptación académica (p <.05). La comparación por género durante el período COVID-19 muestra diferencias entre los procesos de adaptación dehombres y mujeres. La comparación de estudiantes extranjeros con ciudadanos rusos durante el período COVID-19 demuestra que los estudiantesextranjeros destacan en adaptación sociocultural (4.94 - extranjeros, 4.64 - ciudadanos de Rusia, p <.05), adaptación fisiológica (5.36 - extranjeros,4.36 - ciudadanos de Rusia, p <.00001) y adaptación académica (5,28 - extranjeros, 4,99 - ciudadanos de Rusia, p <.05). (AU)

A novel pooled milk test strategy for the herd level diagnosis of Dictyocaulus viviparus.

Current diagnostic methods for detecting the presence or absence of Dictyocaulus viviparus in dairy herds, are insensitive when based on detection of antibody levels in bulk tank milk (BTM). Here we present a novel technique to confirm the presence of the parasite based on a pooled-milk sample from 10 randomly selected first - lactation heifers (FLH). This study was run in two parts. First, a longitudinal study was performed to look at infection dynamics in milk samples across the grazing season using a prototype ELISA developed by Svanova (Boehringer-Ingelheim, Uppsala). We identified that mean ODR values in milk samples from FLH was significantly higher than that for older cows (0.13 versus 0.07 respectively, p < 0.001) suggesting that samples from the FLH cohort should be pooled to produce the test. Second, the pooled - milk test was evaluated on a cross-sectional survey of UK dairy herds (n = 25 grazing and n = 25 zero-grazing herds) to evaluate test performance under field conditions. The optical density ratio (ODR) cut-off value for our pooled-milk test using 10 FLH milk samples was optimal at a value of 0.16. Pooling 10 FLH samples created a sensitivity and specificity of 66.7% and 95.5% respectively. In comparison, whole-herd BTM samples had a maximum sensitivity of 37.5% and specificity of 63.6% at an ODR cut-off of 0.18. The area under the curve according to receiver-operative-characteristic (ROC) analysis was high for the 10-heifer test (0.87) but poor for the whole herd BTM testing (0.45). This study provides a more sensitive diagnostic test strategy for the screening of D.viviparus in dairy herds. Testing herds at the end of a grazing season would facilitate the planning of effective control measures, such as the use of the lungworm vaccination or strategic deworming, for the following grazing season. This may prove to be a useful test strategy for the diagnosis of a variety of parasitic diseases of livestock.

A novel pooled milk test strategy for the herd level diagnosis of Dictyocaulus viviparus.

Current diagnostic methods for detecting the presence or absence of Dictyocaulus viviparus in dairy herds, are insensitive when based on detection of antibody levels in bulk tank milk (BTM). Here we present a novel technique to confirm the presence of the parasite based on a pooled-milk sample from 10 randomly selected first - lactation heifers (FLH). This study was run in two parts. First, a longitudinal study was performed to look at infection dynamics in milk samples across the grazing season using a prototype ELISA developed by Svanova (Boehringer-Ingelheim, Uppsala). We identified that mean ODR values in milk samples from FLH was significantly higher than that for older cows (0.13 versus 0.07 respectively, p < 0.001) suggesting that samples from the FLH cohort should be pooled to produce the test. Second, the pooled - milk test was evaluated on a cross-sectional survey of UK dairy herds (n = 25 grazing and n = 25 zero-grazing herds) to evaluate test performance under field conditions. The optical density ratio (ODR) cut-off value for our pooled-milk test using 10 FLH milk samples was optimal at a value of 0.16. Pooling 10 FLH samples created a sensitivity and specificity of 66.7% and 95.5% respectively. In comparison, whole-herd BTM samples had a maximum sensitivity of 37.5% and specificity of 63.6% at an ODR cut-off of 0.18. The area under the curve according to receiver-operative-characteristic (ROC) analysis was high for the 10-heifer test (0.87) but poor for the whole herd BTM testing (0.45). This study provides a more sensitive diagnostic test strategy for the screening of D.viviparus in dairy herds. Testing herds at the end of a grazing season would facilitate the planning of effective control measures, such as the use of the lungworm vaccination or strategic deworming, for the following grazing season. This may prove to be a useful test strategy for the diagnosis of a variety of parasitic diseases of livestock.

HAS2 and CD44 in breast tumorigenesis.

Metastatic spread of breast cancer cells, facilitated by the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, is responsible for the majority of breast cancer mortality. Increased levels of hyaluronan due to deregulation of hyaluronan-synthesizing enzymes, like HAS2, and expression of CD44, the key receptor for hyaluronan, are correlated to poor outcome of patients with basal-like breast cancer. TGFß induces HAS2 and CD44, both of which are required in the course of efficient TGFß-induced EMT processes by mammary epithelial cells. Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor-stroma interactions in breast cancer including the regulation of HAS2 and CD44 expression may contribute to the development of better strategies to treat breast cancer patients.

Deregulation of hyaluronan synthesis, degradation and binding promotes breast cancer.

Clinical and experimental data indicate that hyaluronan accumulates in breast cancer compared with normal breast epithelium, which correlates to poor prognosis. In this review, we discuss the expression of genes encoding enzymes that synthesize or degrade hyaluronan, i.e. hyaluronan synthases and hyaluronidases or bind hyaluronan, i.e. CD44 and receptor for hyaluronan-mediated motility (RHAMM, also designated as HMMR or CD168), in relation to breast cancer progression. Hyaluronan and hyaluronan receptors have multi-faceted roles in signalling events in breast cancer. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying these signalling pathways is highly warranted and may lead to improvement of cancer treatment.

IQGAP1 regulates hyaluronan-mediated fibroblast motility and proliferation.

IQGAP1, an essential scaffolding protein, forms a complex with the hyaluronan receptor CD44. In this study, we have examined the importance of IQGAP1 for hyaluronan-mediated fibroblast migration and proliferation. Hyaluronan induced formation of F-actin fibers and focal adhesions, which was dependent on IQGAP1. IQGAP1 was required for hyaluronan- but not for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced cell migration, and was required for both hyaluronan- and PDGF-BB-mediated fibroblast proliferation, but not for proliferation induced by 10% fetal bovine serum. Depletion of IQGAP1 suppressed hyaluronan-induced activation of Rac1 and enhanced the activation of RhoA. Taken together, these findings indicate important roles for IQGAP1 in hyaluronan-stimulated migration and proliferation of fibroblasts.

Proteomic identification of CD44 interacting proteins.

CD44 is a cell surface receptor for hyaluronan which affects cell adhesion and migration, and has been implicated in chronic inflammation and in tumorigenesis. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying its multiple functions, we used a peptide-based pull-down assay to identify proteins that interact with CD44. Nonphosphorylated or phosphorylated peptides from the intracellular CD44 C-terminus, were immobilized and used as baits. Interacting proteins were subjected to SDS-gel electrophoresis and were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Several interaction partners were identified, including proteins involved in cytoskeletal reorganization, transcription, endocytosis, and intracellular transport. An endogenous complex between CD44 and one of the interacting proteins, the actin binding protein IQGAP1, was demonstrated in several normal and transformed cell types.

Composition of airway surface liquid determined by X-ray microanalysis.

The composition of the airway surface liquid, a thin layer of fluid covering the airway wall, has been debated. Two new techniques to determine the ionic composition of the airway surface liquid are presented. In the first technique, pieces of the airway were shock-frozen and analyzed by X-ray microanalysis in the frozen state in the scanning electron microscope. In the second technique, the airway surface liquid was collected with the help of dextran beads that were allowed to absorb the fluid. The beads were collected in silicon oil, cleaned, dried, and analyzed. Airway surface liquid from pig airways was isotonic to lightly hypertonic, whereas airway surface liquid from mouse and rat airways was hypotonic. The ionic composition of airway surface liquid from rodent airways could be changed by pharmacological stimulation of fluid transport. Transgenic mice with cystic fibrosis (CF) had significantly higher Na and C1 concentrations in the airway surface liquid than normal mice. Nasal fluid was also collected from humans. In CF patients, CF heterozygotes, and rhinitis patients, the levels of Na and C1 in the nasal fluid were significantly higher than in healthy controls. In CF patients K levels were also significantly higher than in healthy controls. The ionic concentrations in fluid collected from patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) were not different from normal. Females with CF had significantly higher concentrations of Na, Cl and K in their nasal fluid compared to male patients. The dextran bead technique was also used to determine the ionic composition of the apical fluid in cultures of respiratory epithelial cells from healthy controls and CF patients. In the healthy controls, the fluid was hypotonic. In the CF cell cultures, the apical fluid had a higher Na and Cl concentration than in the controls.

X-ray microanalysis of apical fluid in cystic fibrosis airway epithelial cell lines.

The ionic composition of the fluid lining the airways (airway surface liquid, ASL) in healthy subjects and patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) has been a matter of controversy. It has been attempted to resolve conflicting theories by using cell cultures, but published results show a wide variety of values for the ionic concentrations in the apical fluid in these cultures. To investigate CFTR-mediated HCO(3)(-) conductance and the role of HCO(3)(-) in regulating ASL pH we determined the pH of the fluid covering the apical surface of airway epithelial cells. A normal (16HBE14o (-)) and a CF (CFBE41o (-)) bronchial epithelial cell line were grown on membrane inserts in both a liquid-liquid interface culture system for 7 days, and in an air-liquid interface culture system for one month. The elemental composition of the fluid covering the apical surface was determined by X-ray microanalysis of frozen-hydrated specimens, or by X-ray microanalysis of Sephadex beads that had been equilibrated with the apical fluid. Analysis showed that the apical fluid had a Na(+) and Cl(-) concentration of about 80-100 mM and thus was slightly hypotonic. The ionic concentrations were somewhat higher in air-liquid interface than in liquid-liquid interface cultures. The apical fluid in CF cells had significantly higher concentrations of Na and Cl than that in control cultures. In control cultures, the concentrations of Na and Cl in the apical fluid increased if glibenclamide, an inhibitor of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) was added to the apical medium. Exposing the cells to the metabolic inhibitor NaCN also resulted in a significant increase of the Na and Cl concentrations in the apical fluid. The results agree with the notion that these cell cultures are mainly absorptive cells, and that ion absorption by the CF cells is reduced compared to that in normal cells. The pH measurements of the fluid covering the apical part of cell cultures support the notion that bicarbonate ions may be transported by CFTR, and that this can be inhibited by specific CFTR inhibitors.

Ionic composition of rat airway surface liquid determined by X-ray microanalysis.

The thin layer of liquid that lines the conducting airway epithelium, the airway surface liquid (ASL), is important for mucociliary clearance. Altered ionic composition and/ or volume of the ASL play a major role in the pathology of airway diseases such as cystic fibrosis. Since the ASL is a thin layer, it has been difficult to exactly determine its composition. The present paper describes two techniques that have been developed and used to study ASL composition: X-ray microanalysis of frozen hydrated rat trachea, and an ion-exchange (dextran) bead method, where dextran beads were placed on the airway epithelium to equilibrate with the ASL; the beads were then collected under silicone oil, dried and analyzed by X-ray microanalysis. The results from both frozen-hydrated specimens and from the dextran beads showed that ASL from rat trachea is hypotonic. Concentrations of Na, P, S, and K were higher in the frozen-hydrated ASL, in which mainly the mucus layer is analyzed, compared with the dextran bead method, in which mainly the periciliary liquid is sampled. Also the composition of rat nasal fluid was investigated by the dextran bead method. This fluid was somewhat hypertonic because of a high K concentration. The ionic composition of the nasal and tracheal fluid can be manipulated by cholinergic or alpha- or beta-adrenergic stimulation. Collecting ASL with dextran beads did not disturb the integrity of the airway epithelium. The ionic composition of the collected beads remained stable for several days during storage in silicone oil. It is concluded that X-ray microanalysis is a suitable method to determine the ionic composition of ASL.

Elemental composition of airway surface liquid in the pig determined by x-ray microanalysis.

The ionic composition of the airway surface liquid (ASL) is of importance in cystic fibrosis and exercise-induced asthma. However, literature data on the composition of the ASL vary markedly. The aim of the study was to determine the composition of the ASL, using two different methods involving minimal manipulation. In one method, the composition of the ASL was measured by X-ray microanalysis of frozen-hydrated samples. In the second method, small dextran beads were equilibrated with the ASL in a moisture chamber, isolated, dried, and analyzed. Plasma or serum from the same pigs was also analyzed. Both methods showed that the Na and Cl concentrations in the ASL are close to the concentrations of these ions in plasma. X-ray microanalysis of frozen-hydrated ASL showed significantly higher K, P, and S because here the upper layer (containing cell debris and secreted mucus) is sampled, whereas the bead method samples the watery component of the ASL. Ultrastructural analysis of the epithelium at various osmotic values showed evident damage at concentrations of 50 mM or less. These data support the notion that the physiologically important watery component of the pig ASL has an ionic composition close to that of plasma.

X-ray microanalysis of airway surface liquid in the mouse.

The ionic composition of airway surface liquid (ASL) has been debated, and, in particular for the mouse, a wide range of values has been published. Two techniques were developed to measure the elemental composition of the ASL. X-ray microanalysis of ASL was carried out at low temperature on trachea removed from isoflurane-anesthetized animals and shock-frozen. In the second technique, dextran beads were placed on top of the epithelium of the trachea removed from pentobarbital-anesthetized animals, left to equilibrate with the ASL, dried, and subjected to X-ray microanalysis. Both techniques showed that mouse tracheal ASL has significantly lower concentrations of Na and Cl (approximately 60-80 mM) than serum. Differences between the two techniques were due to different sampling of mucus. CFTR(-/-) mice had significantly higher concentrations of Na and Cl in their ASL than age-matched controls. Pilocarpine or isoproterenol stimulation significantly reduced the ion concentrations in tracheal ASL. ASL was also collected with the dextran bead method from the nasal cavity in situ in pentobarbital-anesthetized animals. In control animals, the elemental composition of nasal fluid was similar to that of tracheal ASL. Pilocarpine stimulation caused a significant increase in Na, Cl, and K; stimulation with isoproterenol or phenylephrine caused a significant increase only in K. It is concluded that mouse ASL under unstimulated conditions is hypotonic, which may be related to the relative paucity of submucosal glands in the mouse trachea.

Measurements of airway surface liquid height and mucus transport by fluorescence microscopy, and of ion composition by X-ray microanalysis.

The respiratory tract is lined by a thin layer of fluid, the airway surface liquid (ASL), which plays a critical role in lung defense. The paper describes methods to determine the height of the ASL and corresponding mucus transport rates using fluorescent probes, and methods to determine the ionic composition of the ASL by X-ray microanalysis.

Collection and X-ray microanalysis of airway surface liquid in the mouse using ion exchange beads.

The airway surface liquid (ASL) is a thin layer of liquid covering the airway epithelium. The ionic composition of the ASL is assumed to be important for airway function and may be altered in diseases such as cystic fibrosis and exercise-induced asthma. A method for collection of ASL is presented in which the fluid is collected using small dextran ion-exchange beads. The beads are equilibrated with the ASL in a humidity chamber, collected under silicon oil, dried and analyzed by X-ray microanalysis. Analysis of standard beads prepared by exposure to different salt solutions shows that linear calibration lines can be obtained, but that beads absorb different elements to a different extent. The results show that the ASL in mice is hypotonic, and that the mucus component of the ASL has an elemental composition that is different from that of the periciliary fluid.

Preservation of pancreas tissue during cold storage assessed by X-ray microanalysis.

Clinical transplantation requires cold storage of tissue for several hours. We have examined the elemental content in exocrine and endocrine cells in mouse pancreas after cold storage by X-ray microanalysis, and in parallel carried out morphological studies. Tissue was stored at 4 degrees C for 4-12 h in Normal Krebs-Ringer's (high Na+/K+ ratio), Modified Krebs-Ringer's (low Na+/K+ ratio), Euro-Collins, University of Wisconsin (UW) solution, and seven modified version of UW solution. Incubation in Normal Krebs-Ringer's solution caused significantly increased Na and decreased K concentrations in contrast to incubation in other solutions. The cellular concentration of Na and Cl followed the concentration in the storage solution. Changes in the endocrine cells were similar to, but less pronounced than those in exocrine cells. Calcium was retained best in UW and some variants of UW, and least in Euro-Collins. This may indicate differences in preservation of secretory granules. Also, morphological studies showed that endocrine cells were less affected than exocrine cells. In conclusion, the only factor determining the intracellular concentration of diffusible ions after cold tissue storage is the ionic composition of the extracellular medium. X-ray microanalysis provides an objective method to assess whether the intracellular ionic composition of tissue is maintained during storage.

Preservation of mouse liver tissue during cold storage in experimental solutions assessed by x-ray microanalysis.

The increasing use of organs for transplantation necessitates the development of optimal preservation techniques. The goal of this study was to investigate changes in elemental content in mouse liver cells during cold storage by x-ray microanalysis in parallel with morphologic studies. Tissue was stored at 4 degrees C for 4 to 12 hours in normal Krebs-Ringer solution (high sodium/potassium ratio), modified Krebs-Ringer solution (low Na(+)/K(+) ratio), Euro-Collins solution, University of Wisconsin (UW) solution, or seven modified versions of the UW solution. Incubation of liver in normal Krebs-Ringer solution caused a significant increase in sodium and decrease in potassium concentrations in contrast to incubation in other solutions. The concentration of sodium, potassium, and chlorine in the cells closely followed the concentration in the storage solution, indicating that the intracellular concentration of these ions during storage is entirely dependent on diffusion processes. The calcium concentration was independent of the storage solution used. Studies by light and transmission electron microscopy showed good preservation of hepatocytes after storage for 8 and 12 hours in UW solution and its variants, modified Krebs-Ringer solution and Euro-Collins solution, but showed moderate damage to mitochondria and swelling of the endoplasmic reticulum in normal Krebs-Ringer solution. In addition, damage to the sinusoidal endothelial cells was observed after 4 hours in normal Krebs-Ringer solution and after 8 to 12 hours in the other solutions. In conclusion, the only factor determining the intracellular concentration of diffusible ions after cold tissue storage is the ionic composition of the extracellular medium. X-ray microanalysis provides an objective method for assessing whether the intracellular ionic composition of tissue is maintained during storage.

Changes in intracellular sodium, potassium, and calcium concentrations in transplanted mouse pancreatic islets.

BACKGROUND: Our previous studies have suggested a chronically low oxygen tension in transplanted pancreatic islets. The present study tested the hypothesis that this may be coupled to changes in intracellular concentrations of crucial ions within the transplanted islet cells and, thus, their function. METHODS: X-ray microanalysis was used for studies of native islet cells and islet grafts residing for 1 day or 1 month in nondiabetic or diabetic recipients. RESULTS: Markedly increased sodium concentrations and decreased potassium concentrations were recorded in all transplanted islet cells, irrespective of whether the grafts had been implanted into nondiabetic or diabetic recipients or whether they were investigated 1 day or 1 month after transplantation. The calcium concentration in 1-day-old islet grafts was similar to that in native islet cells, but it decreased markedly between 1 day and 1 month after transplantation. Again this was seen in both nondiabetic and diabetic recipients. CONCLUSIONS: Most probably, the disturbances in graft sodium and potassium concentrations reflect ATP depletion and inhibition of the Na/K-ATPase in the plasma membrane as a result of impeded oxygen supply. The decreased calcium concentrations developing over time in the transplanted islet cells might be potentially detrimental, because calcium plays a fundamental role in the control of a variety of cellular functions, including insulin secretion, in beta cells.