11 research outputs found
Differentiation-Dependent Glycosylation of Cells in Squamous Cell Epithelia Detected by a Mammalian Lectin
Human Galectins Induce Conversion of Dermal Fibroblasts into Myofibroblasts and Production of Extracellular Matrix: Potential Application in Tissue Engineering and Wound Repair
Members of the galectin family of endogenous lectins are potent adhesion/growth-regulatory effectors. Their multi-functionality opens possibilities for their use in bioapplications. We studied whether human galectins induce the conversion of human dermal fibroblasts into myofibroblasts (MFBs) and the production of a bioactive extracellular matrix scaffold is suitable for cell culture. Testing a panel of galectins of all three subgroups, including natural and engineered variants, we detected activity for the proto-type galectin-1 and galectin-7, the chimera-type galectin-3 and the tandem-repeat-type galectin-4. The activity of galectin-1 required the integrity of the carbohydrate recognition domain. It was independent of the presence of TGF-beta 1, but it yielded an additive effect. The resulting MFBs, relevant, for example, for tumor progression, generated a matrix scaffold rich in fibronectin and galectin-1 that supported keratinocyte culture without feeder cells. Of note, keratinocytes cultured on this substratum presented a stem-like cell phenotype with small size and keratin-19 expression. In vivo in rats, galectin-1 had a positive effect on skin wound closure 21 days after surgery. In conclusion, we describe the differential potential of certain human galectins to induce the conversion of dermal fibroblasts into MFBs and the generation of a bioactive cell culture substratum. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Base
Interleukin-6: a molecule with complex biological impact in cancer
Interleukin-6 is a multifaceted cytokine,
usually reported as a pro-inflammatory molecule.
However, certain anti-inflammatory activities were also
attributed to IL-6. The levels of IL-6 in serum as well as
in other biological fluids are elevated in an agedependent manner. Notably, it is consistently reported
also as a key feature of the senescence-associated
secretory phenotype. In the elderly, this cytokine
participates in the initiation of catabolism resulting in,
e.g. sarcopenia. It can cross the blood-brain barrier, and
so it is in causal association with, e.g. depression,
bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and anorexia. In the
cancer patient, IL-6 is produced by cancer and stromal
cells and actively participates in their crosstalk. IL-6
supports tumour growth and metastasising in terminal
patients, and it significantly engages in cancer cachexia
(including anorexia) and depression associated with
malignancy. The pharmacological treatment impairing
IL-6 signalling represents a potential mechanism of antitumour therapy targeting cancer growth, metastatic
spread, metabolic deterioration and terminal cachexia in
patients
Ecology of melanoma cell
Melanoma represents a cancer with
increasing incidence worldwide and limited curability of
advanced stages of the disease. Similarly to other types
of tumors, the microenvironment is an important factor
that participates in the control of melanoma biological
properties. This review summarizes data regarding the
role of the microenvironment, namely fibroblasts,
keratinocytes and infiltrating immune cells, on
melanoma growth and spreading. The role of embryonic
microenvironment on melanoma cell biological
properties is also discussed. The potential of therapeutic
targeting of the melanoma microenvironment is
demonstrated
Cancer Microenvironment: What Can We Learn from the Stem Cell Niche
Epidermal stem cells (ESCs) are crucial for maintenance and self- renewal of skin epithelium and also for regular hair cycling. Their role in wound healing is also indispensable. ESCs reside in a defined outer root sheath portion of hair follicle—also known as the bulge region. ECS are also found between basal cells of the interfollicular epidermis or mucous membranes. The non-epithelial elements such as mesenchymal stem cell-like elements of dermis or surrounding adipose tissue can also contribute to this niche formation. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) participate in formation of common epithelial malignant diseases such as basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma. In this review article, we focus on the role of cancer microenvironment with emphasis on the effect of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). This model reflects various biological aspects of interaction between cancer cell and CAFs with multiple parallels to interaction of normal epidermal stem cells and their niche. The complexity of intercellular interactions within tumor stroma is depicted on example of malignant melanoma, where keratinocytes also contribute the microenvironmental landscape during early phase of tumor progression. Interactions seen in normal bulge region can therefore be an important source of information for proper understanding to melanoma. The therapeutic consequences of targeting of microenvironment in anticancer therapy and for improved wound healing are included to article
Emerging role of tissue lectins as microenvironmental effectors in tumors and wounds
Detailed comparative analysis of at first sight
not related process cascades is a means toward this aim:
to trace common effector mechanisms and hereby
eventually inspire innovative routes for therapeutic
management. Following this concept, promotion of
tumor progression by stroma, especially cancerassociated fibroblasts and smooth muscle actin-positive
myofibroblasts, and beneficial activity of respective cells
in wound healing have helped to delineate the
involvement of endogenous lectins of the family of
galectins. In addition to initiating conversion of
fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, galectin-1 instructs the
cells to produce a structurally complex extracellular
matrix. This bioscaffold is useful for keratinocyte
culture, also apparently operative in ameliorating wound
healing. These functional aspects encourage to study in
detail how lectin-(glycan) counterreceptor display is
orchestrated. Such insights are assumed to have potential
to contribute to rationally manipulate stem/precursor
cells as resource in regenerative medicine
Adhesion/growth-regulatory tissue lectin galectin-1 in relation to angiogenesis/lymphocyte infiltration and prognostic relevance of stromal up-regulation in laryngeal carcinomas
SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe