Impaired metal perception and regulation of associated human foliate papillae tongue transcriptome in long-COVID-19.

Chemosensory impairment is an outstanding symptom of SARS-CoV-2 infections. We hypothesized that measured sensory impairments are accompanied by transcriptomic changes in the foliate papillae area of the tongue. Hospital personnel with known SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) status completed questionnaires on sensory perception (n = 158). A subcohort of n = 141 participated in forced choice taste tests, and n = 43 participants consented to donate tongue swabs of the foliate papillae area for whole transcriptome analysis. The study included four groups of participants differing in IgG levels (≥ 10 AU/mL = IgG+; < 10 AU/mL = IgG-) and self-reported sensory impairment (SSI±). IgG+ subjects not detecting metallic taste had higher IgG+ levels than IgG+ participants detecting iron gluconate (p = 0.03). Smell perception was the most impaired biological process in the transcriptome data from IgG+/SSI+ participants subjected to gene ontology enrichment. IgG+/SSI+ subjects demonstrated lower expression levels of 166 olfactory receptors (OR) and 9 taste associated receptors (TAS) of which OR1A2, OR2J2, OR1A1, OR5K1 and OR1G1, as well as TAS2R7 are linked to metallic perception. The question raised by this study is whether odorant receptors on the tongue (i) might play a role in metal sensation, and (ii) are potential targets for virus-initiated sensory impairments, which needs to be investigated in future functional studies.

Comparative Analysis of Various Spider Silks in Regard to Nerve Regeneration: Material Properties and Schwann Cell Response.

Peripheral nerve reconstruction through the employment of nerve guidance conduits with Trichonephila dragline silk as a luminal filling has emerged as an outstanding preclinical alternative to avoid nerve autografts. Yet, it remains unknown whether the outcome is similar for silk fibers harvested from other spider species. This study compares the regenerative potential of dragline silk from two orb-weaving spiders, Trichonephila inaurata and Nuctenea umbratica, as well as the silk of the jumping spider Phidippus regius. Proliferation, migration, and transcriptomic state of Schwann cells seeded on these silks are investigated. In addition, fiber morphology, primary protein structure, and mechanical properties are studied. The results demonstrate that the increased velocity of Schwann cells on Phidippus regius fibers can be primarily attributed to the interplay between the silk's primary protein structure and its mechanical properties. Furthermore, the capacity of silk fibers to trigger cells toward a gene expression profile of a myelinating Schwann cell phenotype is shown. The findings for the first time allow an in-depth comparison of the specific cellular response to various native spider silks and a correlation with the fibers' material properties. This knowledge is essential to open up possibilities for targeted manufacturing of synthetic nervous tissue replacement.

Insights into the material properties of dragline spider silk affecting Schwann cell migration.

Dragline silk of Trichonephila spiders has attracted attention in various applications. One of the most fascinating uses of dragline silk is in nerve regeneration as a luminal filling for nerve guidance conduits. In fact, conduits filled with spider silk can measure up to autologous nerve transplantation, but the reasons behind the success of silk fibers are not yet understood. In this study dragline fibers of Trichonephila edulis were sterilized with ethanol, UV radiation, and autoclaving and the resulting material properties were characterized with regard to the silk's suitability for nerve regeneration. Rat Schwann cells (rSCs) were seeded on these silks in vitro and their migration and proliferation were investigated as an indication for the fiber's ability to support the growth of nerves. It was found that rSCs migrate faster on ethanol treated fibers. To elucidate the reasons behind this behavior, the fiber's morphology, surface chemistry, secondary protein structure, crystallinity, and mechanical properties were studied. The results demonstrate that the synergy of dragline silk's stiffness and its composition has a crucial effect on the migration of rSCs. These findings pave the way towards understanding the response of SCs to silk fibers as well as the targeted production of synthetic alternatives for regenerative medicine applications.

Systematic Comparison of Commercial Hydrogels Revealed That a Synergy of Laminin and Strain-Stiffening Promotes Directed Migration of Neural Cells.

Hydrogels have shown potential in replacing damaged nerve tissue, but the ideal hydrogel is yet to be found. In this study, various commercially available hydrogels were compared. Schwann cells, fibroblasts, and dorsal root ganglia neurons were seeded on the hydrogels, and their morphology, viability, proliferation, and migration were examined. Additionally, detailed analyses of the gels' rheological properties and topography were conducted. Our results demonstrate vast differences on cell elongation and directed migration on the hydrogels. Laminin was identified as the driver behind cell elongation and in combination with a porous, fibrous, and strain-stiffening matrix structure responsible for oriented cell motility. This study improves our understanding of cell-matrix interactions and thereby facilitates tailored fabrication of hydrogels in the future.

Silk-in-Silk Nerve Guidance Conduits Enhance Regeneration in a Rat Sciatic Nerve Injury Model.

Advanced nerve guidance conduits can provide an off-the-shelf alternative to autografts for the rehabilitation of segmental peripheral nerve injuries. In this study, the excellent processing ability of silk fibroin and the outstanding cell adhesion quality of spider dragline silk are combined to generate a silk-in-silk conduit for nerve repair. Fibroin-based silk conduits (SC) are characterized, and Schwann cells are seeded on the conduits and spider silk. Rat sciatic nerve (10 mm) defects are treated with an autograft (A), an empty SC, or a SC filled with longitudinally aligned spider silk fibers (SSC) for 14 weeks. Functional recovery, axonal re-growth, and re-myelination are assessed. The material characterizations determine a porous nature of the conduit. Schwann cells accept the conduit and spider silk as growth substrate. The in vivo results show a significantly faster functional regeneration of the A and SSC group compared to the SC group. In line with the functional results, the histomorphometrical analysis determines a comparable axon density of the A and SSC groups, which is significantly higher than the SC group. These findings demonstrate that the here introduced silk-in-silk nerve conduit achieves a similar regenerative performance as autografts largely due to the favorable guiding properties of spider dragline silk.

The properties of native Trichonephila dragline silk and its biomedical applications.

Spider silk has fascinated mankind for millennia, but it is only in recent decades that scientific research has begun to unravel all its characteristics and applications. The uniqueness of spider silk resides in its versatility, in which a combination of high strength and extensibility results in extraordinary toughness, superior to almost all natural and man-made fibers. Dragline silk consists of proteins with highly repetitive amino acid sequences, which have been correlated with specific secondary structures responsible for its physical properties. The native fiber also shows high cytocompatibility coupled with low immunogenicity, making it a promising natural biomaterial for numerous biomedical applications. Recently, novel technologies have enabled new insights into the material and biomedical properties of silk. Due to the increasing interest in spider silk, as well as the desire to produce synthetic alternatives, we present an update on the current knowledge of silk fibers produced by the spider genus Trichonephila.

How miRNAs Regulate Schwann Cells during Peripheral Nerve Regeneration-A Systemic Review.

A growing body of studies indicate that small noncoding RNAs, especially microRNAs (miRNA), play a crucial role in response to peripheral nerve injuries. During Wallerian degeneration and regeneration processes, they orchestrate several pathways, in particular the MAPK, AKT, and EGR2 (KROX20) pathways. Certain miRNAs show specific expression profiles upon a nerve lesion correlating with the subsequent nerve regeneration stages such as dedifferentiation and with migration of Schwann cells, uptake of debris, neurite outgrowth and finally remyelination of regenerated axons. This review highlights (a) the specific expression profiles of miRNAs upon a nerve lesion and (b) how miRNAs regulate nerve regeneration by acting on distinct pathways and linked proteins. Shedding light on the role of miRNAs associated with peripheral nerve regeneration will help researchers to better understand the molecular mechanisms and deliver targets for precision medicine.