Search results for "Epithelia"
showing 10 items of 806 documents
Characterization of MRNP34, a novel methionine-rich nacre protein from the pearl oysters
2012
9 pages; International audience; Nacre of the Pinctada pearl oyster shells is composed of 98% CaCO(3) and 2% organic matrix. The relationship between the organic matrix and the mechanism of nacre formation currently constitutes the main focus regarding the biomineralization process. In this study, we isolated a new nacre matrix protein in P. margaritifera and P. maxima, we called Pmarg- and Pmax-MRNP34 (methionine-rich nacre protein). MRNP34 is a secreted hydrophobic protein, which is remarkably rich in methionine, and which is specifically localised in mineralizing the epithelium cells of the mantle and in the nacre matrix. The structure of this protein is drastically different from those …
Biological films adhering to the oral soft tissues: Structure, composition, and potential impact on taste perception
2018
The role of free-flowing saliva in taste perception is increasingly recognized, but saliva is also present in the mouth as films intimately associated to soft or hard tissues. On mucosal surfaces, particularly on the tongue, the structure and composition of such films (including its microbial constitutive part) may play a particular role in the sense of taste due to their proximity with the taste anatomical structures. This review compiles the current knowledge on the structure of biological films adhering to oral mucosae and on their biochemical and microbiological composition, before presenting possible implications for taste perception. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The understanding of the ro…
Injury-activated glial cells promote wound healing of the adult skin in mice
2018
Cutaneous wound healing is a complex process that aims to re-establish the original structure of the skin and its functions. Among other disorders, peripheral neuropathies are known to severely impair wound healing capabilities of the skin, revealing the importance of skin innervation for proper repair. Here, we report that peripheral glia are crucially involved in this process. Using a mouse model of wound healing, combined with in vivo fate mapping, we show that injury activates peripheral glia by promoting de-differentiation, cell-cycle re-entry and dissemination of the cells into the wound bed. Moreover, injury-activated glia upregulate the expression of many secreted factors previously…
2,3-Dihydrobenzofuran privileged structures as new bioinspired lead compounds for the design of mPGES-1 inhibitors
2016
International audience; 2,3-Dihydrobenzofurans are proposed as privileged structures and used as chemical platform to design small compound libraries. By combining molecular docking calculations and experimental verification of biochemical interference, we selected some potential inhibitors of microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase (mPGES)-1. Starting from low affinity natural product 1, by our combined approach we identified the compounds 19 and 20 with biological activity in the low micromolar range. Our data suggest that the 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran derivatives might be suitable bioinspired lead compounds for development of new generation mPGES-1 inhibitors with increased affinity.
Role of MUC4 in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
2019
Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive and irreversible form of fibrotic intersticial lung disease, characterized by uncontrolled fibroblast proliferative processes and alveolar type II epithelial dysfunction. MUC4, a multi-domain transmembrane glycoprotein, is often overexpressed in epithelial cancers, with consequences for the biological properties, involved in cellular processes related to IPF. However, the role of MUC4 in IPF has not beet studied yet. Objective: To analyze the implication of MUC4 in IPF Methods: Lung tissue from 14 healthy and 14 IPF patients was obtained. MUC4 expression was analyzed by western blot, RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. T…
γδ cell-based immunotherapy for cancer.
2019
Introduction: Cancer immunotherapy relies on the development of an efficient and long-lasting anti-tumor response, generally mediated by cytotoxic T cells. gamma delta T cells possess distinctive features that justify their use in cancer immunotherapy. Areas covered: Here we will review our current knowledge on the functions of human gamma delta T cells that may be relevant in tumor immunity and the most recent advances in our understanding of how these functions are regulated in the tumor microenvironment. We will also discuss the major achievements and limitations of gamma delta T cell-based immunotherapy of cancer. Expert opinion: Several small-scale clinical trials have been conducted i…
Prox1 Is Required for Oligodendrocyte Cell Identity in Adult Neural Stem Cells of the Subventricular Zone
2016
Abstract Adult neural stem cells with the ability to generate neurons and glia cells are active throughout life in both the dentate gyrus (DG) and the subventricular zone (SVZ). Differentiation of adult neural stem cells is induced by cell fate determinants like the transcription factor Prox1. Evidence has been provided for a function of Prox1 as an inducer of neuronal differentiation within the DG. We now show that within the SVZ Prox1 induces differentiation into oligodendrocytes. Moreover, we find that loss of Prox1 expression in vivo reduces cell migration into the corpus callosum, where the few Prox1 deficient SVZ-derived remaining cells fail to differentiate into oligodendrocytes. Thu…
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition: a new target in anticancer drug discovery
2016
The conversion of cells with an epithelial phenotype into cells with a mesenchymal phenotype, referred to as epithelial-mesenchymal transition, is a critical process for embryonic development that also occurs in adult life, particularly during tumour progression. Tumour cells undergoing epithelial-mesenchymal transition acquire the capacity to disarm the body's antitumour defences, resist apoptosis and anticancer drugs, disseminate throughout the organism, and act as a reservoir that replenishes and expands the tumour cell population. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition is therefore becoming a target of prime interest for anticancer therapy. Here, we discuss the screening and classification o…
Notch-1 decreased expression contributes to leptin receptor downregulation in nasal epithelium from allergic turbinates
2019
Abstract BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis is characterized by a remodeling of nasal epithelium. Since the Notch and TGF-β signaling pathways are known to be involved in cell differentiation and remodeling processes and leptin adipokine has already been identified as a marker for homeostasis in human bronchial and nasal epithelial cells of asthmatics, roles played by these pathways have been investigated for chronic allergic rhinitis. METHODS: The leptin/leptin receptor expression has been investigated in a study with 40 biopsies from allergic (AR, n = 18) and non-allergic (C, n = 22) inferior turbinates, using immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence staining and RT-PCR. In addition, extracts …
M1 Macrophages Activate Notch Signalling in Epithelial Cells: Relevance in Crohn's Disease
2016
Background: The Notch signalling pathway plays an essential role in mucosal regeneration, which constitutes a key goal of Crohn's disease (CD) treatment. Macrophages coordinate tissue repair and several phenotypes have been reported which differ in the expression of surface proteins, cytokines and hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs). We analysed the role of HIFs in the expression of Notch ligands in macrophages and the relevance of this pathway in mucosal regeneration. Methods: Human monocytes and U937-derived macrophages were polarized towards the M1 and M2 phenotypes and the expression levels of HIF-1α, HIF-2α, Jagged 1 (Jag1) and delta-like 4 (Dll4) were evaluated. The effects of macrophage…