Journal Staff

Cells move along surfaces both as single cells and multi-cellular units. Recent research points toward pivotal roles for water flux through aquaporins (AQPs) in single cell migration. Their expression is known to facilitate this process by promoting rapid shape changes. However, little is known about the impact on migrating epithelial sheets during wound healing and epithelial renewal. Here, we investigate and compare the effects of AQP9 on single cell and epithelial sheet migration. To achieve this, MDCK-1 cells stably expressing AQP9 were subjected to migration assessment. We found that AQP9 facilitated cell locomotion at both the single and multi-cellular level. Furthermore, we identified major differences in the monolayer integrity and cell size upon expression of AQP9 during epithelial sheet migration, indicating a rapid volume-regulatory mechanism. We suggest a novel mechanism for epithelial wound healing based on AQP-induced swelling and expansion of the monolayer.Funding Agencies|Swedish Research Council for Medicine and Health|2007-34832009-66492010-3045|</p

Stakeholders' perspectives on the operationalisation of the ecosystem service concept : Results from 27 case studies

The ecosystem service (ES) concept is becoming mainstream in policy and planning, but operational influence on practice is seldom reported. Here, we report the practitioners' perspectives on the practical implementation of the ES concept in 27 case studies. A standardised anonymous survey (n = 246), was used, focusing on the science-practice interaction process, perceived impact and expected use of the case study assessments. Operationalisation of the concept was shown to achieve a gradual change in practices: 13% of the case studies reported a change in action (e.g. management or policy change), and a further 40% anticipated that a change would result from the work. To a large extent the impact was attributed to a well conducted science-practice interaction process (>70%). The main reported advantages of the concept included: increased concept awareness and communication; enhanced participation and collaboration; production of comprehensive science-based knowledge; and production of spatially referenced knowledge for input to planning (91% indicated they had acquired new knowledge). The limitations were mostly case-specific and centred on methodology, data, and challenges with result implementation. The survey highlighted the crucial role of communication, participation and collaboration across different stakeholders, to implement the ES concept and enhance the democratisation of nature and landscape planning. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier B.V.Peer reviewe

Bacteria-Host Crosstalk : Sensing of the Quorum in the Context of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections

Cell-to-cell signaling via small molecules is an essential process to coordinate behavior in single species within a community, and also across kingdoms. In this review, we discuss the quorum sensing (QS) systems used by the opportunistic pathogen &lt;i&gt;Pseudomonas aeruginosa&lt;/i&gt; to sense bacterial population density and fitness, and regulate virulence, biofilm development, metabolite acquisition, and mammalian host defense. We also focus on the role of &lt;i&gt;N&lt;/i&gt;-acylhomoserine lactone-dependent QS signaling in the modulation of innate immune responses connected together via calcium signaling, homeostasis, mitochondrial and cytoskeletal dynamics, and governing transcriptional and proteomic responses of host cells. A future perspective emphasizes the need for multidisciplinary efforts to bring current knowledge of QS into a more detailed understanding of the communication between bacteria and host, as well as into strategies to prevent and treat &lt;i&gt;P. aeruginosa&lt;/i&gt; infections and reduce the rate of antibiotic resistance.Funding agencies: Swedish Research Council; European Science Foundation (TraPPs Euromembrane project); Euro-BioImaging Proof-of Concept Studies; Faculty of Health Sciences, Linkoping University; Magnus Bergvalls Foundation</p

Pseudomonas aeruginosa lasI/rhlI quorum sensing genes promote phagocytosis and aquaporin 9 redistribution to the leading and trailing regions in macrophages

Pseudomonas aeruginosa controls production of its multiple virulence factors and biofilm development via the quorum sensing (QS) system. QS signals also interact with and affect the behavior of eukaryotic cells. Host water homeostasis and aquaporins (AQP) are essential during pathological conditions since they interfere with the cell cytoskeleton and signaling, and hereby affect cell morphology and functions. We investigated the contribution of F? aeruginosa QS genes lasl/rhIl to phagocytosis, cell morphology, AQP9 expression, and distribution in human macrophages, using immunoblotting, confocal, and nanoscale imaging. Wild type F? aeruginosa with a functional QS system was a more attractive prey for macrophages than the lasl/rhIl mutant lacking the production of QS molecules, 30-C-12-HSL, and C-4 -HSL, and associated virulence factors. The F? aeruginosa infections resulted in elevated AQP9 expression and relocalization to the leading and trailing regions in macrophages, increased cell area and length; bacteria with a functional QS system lasl/rhIl achieved stronger responses. We present evidence for a new role of water fluxes via AQP9 during bacteria macrophage interaction and for the QS system as an important stimulus in this process. These novel events in the interplay between F? aeruginosa and macrophages may influence on the outcome of infection, inflammation, and development of disease.Funding Agencies|Swedish Research Council [2010-3045]; European Science foundation (TraPPs Euromembrane project); Euro-BioImaging Proof-of Concept Studies; Magnus Bergvalls Foundation; Faculty of Health Sciences, Linkoping University</p

Pseudomonas aeruginosa N-3-oxo-dodecanoyl-homoserine Lactone Elicits Changes in Cell Volume, Morphology, and AQP9 Characteristics in Macrophages

Quorum sensing (QS) communication allows Pseudomonas aeruginosa to collectively control its population density and the production of biofilms and virulence factors. QS signal molecules, like N-3-oxo-dodecanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (30-C-12-HSL), can also affect the behavior of host cells, e.g., by modulating the chemotaxis, migration, and phagocytosis of human leukocytes. Moreover, host water homeostasis and water channels aquaporins (AQP) are critical for cell morphology and functions as AQP interact indirectly with the cell cytoskeleton and signaling cascades. Here, we investigated how P aeruginosa 30-C-12-HSL affects cell morphology, area, volume and AQP9 expression and distribution in human primary macrophages, using quantitative PCR, immunoblotting, two- and three-dimensional live imaging, confocal and nanoscale imaging. Thus, 30-C-12-HSL enhanced cell volume and area and induced cell shape and protrusion fluctuations in macrophages, processes tentatively driven by fluxes of water across cell membrane through AQP9, the predominant AQP in macrophages. Moreover, 30-C-12-HSL upregulated the expression of AQP9 at both the protein and mRNA levels. This was accompanied with enhanced whole cell AQP9 fluorescent intensity and redistribution of AQP9 to the leading and trailing regions, in parallel with increased cell area in the macrophages. Finally, nanoscopy imaging provided details on AQP9 dynamics and architecture within the lamellipodial area of 30-C-12-HSL-stimulated cells. We suggest that these novel events in the interaction between P aeruginosa and macrophage may have an impact on the effectiveness of innate immune cells to fight bacteria, and thereby resolve the early stages of infections and inflammations.Funding Agencies|Swedish Research Council [2010-3045]; European Science foundation (TraPPs Euromembrane project); Magnus Bergvall Foundation; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linkoping University</p

Pseudomonas aeruginosa N-3-oxo-dodecanoyl-homoserine Lactone Elicits Changes in Cell Volume, Morphology, and AQP9 Characteristics in Macrophages

Quorum sensing (QS) communication allows Pseudomonas aeruginosa to collectively control its population density and the production of biofilms and virulence factors. QS signal molecules, like N-3-oxo-dodecanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (30-C-12-HSL), can also affect the behavior of host cells, e.g., by modulating the chemotaxis, migration, and phagocytosis of human leukocytes. Moreover, host water homeostasis and water channels aquaporins (AQP) are critical for cell morphology and functions as AQP interact indirectly with the cell cytoskeleton and signaling cascades. Here, we investigated how P aeruginosa 30-C-12-HSL affects cell morphology, area, volume and AQP9 expression and distribution in human primary macrophages, using quantitative PCR, immunoblotting, two- and three-dimensional live imaging, confocal and nanoscale imaging. Thus, 30-C-12-HSL enhanced cell volume and area and induced cell shape and protrusion fluctuations in macrophages, processes tentatively driven by fluxes of water across cell membrane through AQP9, the predominant AQP in macrophages. Moreover, 30-C-12-HSL upregulated the expression of AQP9 at both the protein and mRNA levels. This was accompanied with enhanced whole cell AQP9 fluorescent intensity and redistribution of AQP9 to the leading and trailing regions, in parallel with increased cell area in the macrophages. Finally, nanoscopy imaging provided details on AQP9 dynamics and architecture within the lamellipodial area of 30-C-12-HSL-stimulated cells. We suggest that these novel events in the interaction between P aeruginosa and macrophage may have an impact on the effectiveness of innate immune cells to fight bacteria, and thereby resolve the early stages of infections and inflammations.Funding Agencies|Swedish Research Council [2010-3045]; European Science foundation (TraPPs Euromembrane project); Magnus Bergvall Foundation; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linkoping University</p

Rotavirus Infection Increases Intestinal Motility but Not Permeability at the Onset of Diarrhea

The disease mechanisms associated with onset and secondary effects of rotavirus (RV) diarrhea remain to be determined and may not be identical. In this study, we investigated whether onset of RV diarrhea is associated with increased intestinal permeability and/or motility. To study the transit time, fluorescent fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran was given to RV-infected adult and infant mice. Intestinal motility was also studied with an opioid receptor agonist (loperamide) and a muscarinic receptor antagonist (atropine). To investigate whether RV increases permeability at the onset of diarrhea, fluorescent 4- and 10-kDa dextran doses were given to infected and noninfected mice, and fluorescence intensity was measured subsequently in serum. RV increased transit time in infant mice. Increased motility was detected at 24 h postinfection (h p.i.) and persisted up to 72 h p.i in pups. Both loperamide and atropine decreased intestinal motility and attenuated diarrhea. Analysis of passage of fluorescent dextran from the intestine into serum indicated unaffected intestinal permeability at the onset of diarrhea (24 to 48 h p.i.). We show that RV-induced diarrhea is associated with increased intestinal motility via an activation of the myenteric nerve plexus, which in turn stimulates muscarinic receptors on intestinal smooth muscles