Shading Trees Resources growing in Mandalay University Estate

The greening trees resources and its quantitative analysis were carried out in Mandalay University Estate, Mandalay Region. A total number of 489 tree individuals representing 57 species of 47 genera belonging to 21 families were recorded by establishing on 34 sample plots. The most dominant families were Fabaceae with 20 species in 236 individuals, Sapotaceae with 4 species in 33 individuals, and Combretaceae with 3 species in 32 individuals. The diversity index of greening trees was 4.8 and 0.94 by using the methods of Shannon-Wiener's index (H) and Simpson index (D). According to the Jackknife estimate for species richness, the species richness of trees in Mandalay University was 58.07. The importance value index (IVI) for tree species showed that Azadirachta indicaA. Juss., Samanea saman (Jacq.) Merr. Delonix regia (Bojer ex Hook.) Raf. and Acacia leucophloea (Roxb.) Willd. are important species for the University Estate. According to quantitative analysis, the majority of the high IVI value indicating its dominance due to environmental suitability and ability of the species. According to the results of higher distribution values were found in lower frequency class (Frequency classes A, B and C), the study area of Mandalay University Estate had a high degree of floristic heterogeneity. The distribution of the basal area across GBH interval classes revealed that the dominance of small stemmed individuals in the study area. Total picture of height class showed that, 55.2 % belong to 5-10 m, 16.4 % in 10-15 m, and 3.1% in 15-20 m. The density of trees is 359.56 stem ha-1 and basal area is 33.8 m2ha-1. Because of the study area is in dry zone, the overall population structure indicated that the study area represents mature stand

The Spike Glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 Binds to β1 Integrins Expressed on the Surface of Lung Epithelial Cells

The spike glycoprotein attached to the envelope of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) binds to and exploits angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as an entry receptor to infect pulmonary epithelial cells. A subset of integrins that recognize the arginyl–glycyl–aspartic acid (RGD) sequence in the cognate ligands has been predicted in silico to bind the spike glycoprotein and, thereby, to be exploited for viral infection. Here, we show experimental evidence that the β1 integrins predominantly expressed on human pulmonary epithelial cell lines and primary mouse alveolar epithelial cells bind to this spike protein. The cellular β1 integrins support adhesive interactions with the spike protein independently of ACE2, suggesting the possibility that the β1 integrins may function as an alternative receptor for SARS-CoV-2, which could be targeted for the prevention of viral infections

The Lectin-Like Domain of Thrombomodulin Inhibits β1 Integrin-Dependent Binding of Human Breast Cancer-Derived Cell Lines to Fibronectin

Thrombomodulin is a molecule with anti-coagulant and anti-inflammatory properties. Recently, thrombomodulin was reported to be able to bind extracellular matrix proteins, such as fibronectin and collagen; however, whether thrombomodulin regulates the binding of human breast cancer-derived cell lines to the extracellular matrix remains unknown. To investigate this, we created an extracellular domain of thrombomodulin, TMD123-Fc, or domain deletion TM-Fc proteins (TM domain 12-Fc, TM domain 23-Fc) and examined their bindings to fibronectin in vitro by ELISA. The lectin-like domain of thrombomodulin was found to be essential for the binding of the extracellular domain of thrombomodulin to fibronectin. Using a V-well cell adhesion assay or flow cytometry analysis with fluorescent beads, we found that both TMD123-Fc and TMD12-Fc inhibited the binding between β1 integrin of human breast cancer-derived cell lines and fibronectin. Furthermore, TMD123-Fc and TMD12-Fc inhibited the binding of activated integrins to fibronectin under shear stress in the presence of Ca2+ and Mg2+ but not under strong integrin-activation conditions in the presence of Mg2+ without Ca2+. This suggests that thrombomodulin Fc fusion protein administered exogenously at a relatively early stage of inflammation may be applied to the development of new therapies that inhibit the binding of β1 integrin of breast cancer cell lines to fibronectin

Stiff matrix induces exosome secretion to promote tumour growth.

Tissue fibrosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffening promote tumour progression. The mechanisms by which ECM regulates its contacting cells have been extensively studied. However, how stiffness influences intercellular communications in the microenvironment for tumour progression remains unknown. Here we report that stiff ECM stimulates the release of exosomes from cancer cells. We delineate a molecular pathway that links stiff ECM to activation of Akt, which in turn promotes GTP loading to Rab8 that drives exosome secretion. We further show that exosomes generated from cells grown on stiff ECM effectively promote tumour growth. Proteomic analysis revealed that the Notch signalling pathway is activated in cells treated with exosomes derived from tumour cells grown on stiff ECM, consistent with our gene expression analysis of liver tissues from patients. Our study reveals a molecular mechanism that regulates exosome secretion and provides insight into how mechanical properties of the ECM control the tumour microenvironment for tumour growth