6 research outputs found
Lower oxytocin plasma levels in borderline patients with unresolved attachment trauma
Interpersonal problems and affective dysregulation are core characteristics of
borderline personality disorder (BPD). BPD patients predominantly show
unresolved attachment representations. The oxytocin (OT) system is associated
with human social attachment and affiliative behavior, and OT dysregulation
may be related to distinct attachment characteristics. Here, we investigated
whether attachment representations are related to peripheral OT levels in BPD
patients. Twenty-one female BPD patients and 20 age-, gender-, and education-
matched healthy controls (HCs) were assessed with clinical scales and measures
of interpersonal and attachment-related characteristics, including the Adult
Attachment Projective Picture System (AAP). Plasma OT concentrations were
measured prior to and during social exclusion in a virtual ball tossing game
(Cyberball). The majority of BPD patients (63.2%) but no HCs showed unresolved
(disorganized) attachment representations. In this subgroup of patients,
baseline OT plasma levels were significantly lower than in BPD patients with
organized attachment representations. This pilot study extends previous
findings of altered OT regulation in BPD as a putative key mechanism
underlying interpersonal dysregulation. Our results provide first evidence
that altered OT plasma levels are related to disorganized attachment
representations in BPD patients
Multiplexing molecular tension sensors reveals piconewton force gradient across talin-1
Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based tension sensor modules (TSMs) are available for investigating how distinct proteins bear mechanical forces in cells. Yet, forces in the single piconewton (pN) regime remain difficult to resolve, and tools for multiplexed tension sensing are lacking. Here, we report the generation and calibration of a genetically encoded, FRET-based biosensor called FL-TSM, which is characterized by a near-digital force response and increased sensitivity at 3–5 pN. In addition, we present a method allowing the simultaneous evaluation of coexpressed tension sensor constructs using two-color fluorescence lifetime microscopy. Finally, we introduce a procedure to calculate the fraction of mechanically engaged molecules within cells. Application of these techniques to new talin biosensors reveals an intramolecular tension gradient across talin-1 that is established upon integrin-mediated cell adhesion. The tension gradient is actomyosin- and vinculin-dependent and sensitive to the rigidity of the extracellular environment