Although spermatozoa are formed during spermatogenesis in the testis, testicular spermatozoa are immature and cannot swim or fertilize. These critical spermatozoal functions are acquired in the epididymis where a spec...Although spermatozoa are formed during spermatogenesis in the testis, testicular spermatozoa are immature and cannot swim or fertilize. These critical spermatozoal functions are acquired in the epididymis where a specific luminal environment is created by the blood-epididymal barrier; proteins secreted by epididymal principal cells bind to maturing spermatozoa and regulate the maturational process of the spermatozoa. In the epididymis, epithelial cell-cell interactions are mediated by adhering junctions, necessary for cell adhesion, and by tight junctions, which form the blood-epididymal barrier. The regulation of these cellular junctions is thought to represent a key determinant in the process of sperm maturation within the epididymis. Tight junctions between adjacent principal cells permit the formation of a specific microenvironment in the lumen of the epididymis that is essential for sperm maturation. Although we have made significant progress in understanding epididymal function and the blood-epididymal barrier, using animal models, there is limited information on the human epididymis. If we are to understand the normal and pathological conditions attributable to human epididymal function, we must clearly establish the physiological, cellular and molecular regulation of the human epididymis, develop tools to characterize these functions and develop clinical strategies that will use epididymal functions to improve treatment of infertility. (Asian J Androl 2007 July; 9: 463- 475)展开更多
All tissues in the body are subjected externally to gravity and internally by collagenfibril and cellular retractive forces that create stress and energy equilibrium required for homeostasis.Mechanotransduction involve...All tissues in the body are subjected externally to gravity and internally by collagenfibril and cellular retractive forces that create stress and energy equilibrium required for homeostasis.Mechanotransduction involves mechanical work(force through a distance)and energy storage as kinetic and potential energy.This leads to changes in cell mitosis or apoptosis and the synthesis or loss of tissue components.It involves the application of energy directly to cells through integrin-mediated processes,cell-cell connections,stretching of the cell cytoplasm,and activation of the cell nucleus via yes-associated protein(YAP)and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-motif(TAZ).These processes involve numerous complexes,intermediate molecules,and multiple pathways.Several pathways have been identified from research studies on vertebrate cell culture and from studies in invertebrates.These pathways involve mechanosensors and other molecules that activate the pathways.This review discusses the mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)family,Hippo,Hedgehog,and Wingless-related integration site(WNT)/βcatenin signaling pathways.The mediators covered includeβcatenin,ion channels,growth factors,hormone receptors,members of the Ras superfamily,and components of the linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton(LINC)complex.However,the interrelationship among the different pathways remains to be clarified.Integrin-mediated mechanotransduction involves direct tensile loading and energy applied to the cell membrane via collagenfibril stretching.This energy is transferred between cells by stretching the cell-cell connections involving cadherins and the WNT/βcatenin pathway.These alterations induce changes in intracellular events in the cytoskeleton and nuclear skeleton caused by the release of YAP and TAZ.These coactivators then penetrate through the nuclear pores and influence nuclear cell function.Alteration in the balance of forces and energy applied to cells and tissues is hypothesized to shift the cell-extracellular matrix mechanical equilibrium by modifying mechanotransduction.The shift in equilibrium can lead to either tissue synthesis,genetic modifications,or promotefibrotic diseases,including epithelial cell-derived cancers,depending on the local metabolic conditions.展开更多
This article navigates the relationship between biomaterials and osteogenic cell adhesion,highlighting the importance of mimicking the physiological response for bone tissue regeneration.Within this spirit is an initi...This article navigates the relationship between biomaterials and osteogenic cell adhesion,highlighting the importance of mimicking the physiological response for bone tissue regeneration.Within this spirit is an initial description of the interaction between osteoblasts and osteoprogenitor cells with the extracellular matrix,explaining the leading role of integrins and cadherins in cell adhesion,and the intracellular signaling pathways elicited.Additionally,there is a focus on the strategies of advanced biomaterials that foster osteogenesis by replicating the native environment,taking advantage of these known specific signaling pathways.Thefinal remarks lay on the need for careful consideration of in-vitro and in-vivo complexities in biomaterial development.展开更多
Helicoverpa zea is a major target pest of pyramided transgenic crops expressing Cry1,Cry2 and/or Vip3Aa proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt)in the United States.Laboratory-selected Cry1Ac/Cry2Ab cross resistance a...Helicoverpa zea is a major target pest of pyramided transgenic crops expressing Cry1,Cry2 and/or Vip3Aa proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt)in the United States.Laboratory-selected Cry1Ac/Cry2Ab cross resistance and fieldevolved practical dual resistance of H.zea to these two toxins have been widely reported.Whether the widespread Cry1Ac/Cy2Ab dual resistance of H.zea has resulted from the selection of one shared or two independent resistance mechanisms by pyramided Bt crops remains unclear.Cadherin is a well-confirmed receptor of Cry1Ac and a suggested receptor of Cry2Ab in at least three Lepidopteran species.To test whether cadherin may serve as one shared mechanism for the cross and dual resistance of H.zea to Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab,we cloned H.zea cadherin(HzCadherin)cDNA and studied its functional roles in the mode of action of Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab by gain-and lossof-function analyses.Heterologous expression of HzCadherin in H.zea midgut,H.zea fat body and Sf9 cells made all three of these cell lines more susceptible to activated Cry1Ac but not activated Cry2Ab,whereas silencing HzCadherin of H.zea midgut and fat body cells significantly reduced the susceptibility to Cry1Ac but not Cry2Ab.Likewise,suppressing HzCadherin with siRNA made H.zea larvae resistant to Cry1Ac.These results clearly demonstrate that HzCadherin is not a receptor for Cry2Ab,and thus it is unlikely to serve as one shared mechanism for the cross and dual resistance of H.zea to Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab.展开更多
Objective: The main purpose was to investigate expression of CDH11 in pancreatic tissues and analyze its relations with clinical characteristics of patients with pancreatic cancer (PC). Methods: Expression of CDH11 in...Objective: The main purpose was to investigate expression of CDH11 in pancreatic tissues and analyze its relations with clinical characteristics of patients with pancreatic cancer (PC). Methods: Expression of CDH11 in cancerous tissues and cancer adjacent tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry staining, and their associations with clinical characteristics were analyzed. The text mining methods were used to assist the study of the effect of CDH11 on prognosis. Results: A total of 79 patients with PC were enrolled in the study, including 51 (64.6%) men and 28 (35.4%) women with a median age of 62 (41 - 84). The CDH11 expression in cancerous tissues was higher than that in adjacent tissues and the expression of CDH11 in both tissues was positively correlated (P 0.999;stage II vs III & IV, P = 0.308). A higher level of CDH11 expression correlated with worse overall survival (OS) time (P = 0.015). Conclusion: CDH11 may be involved in the development of early PC and lead to poor prognosis and could be a new target molecule for early diagnosis and treatment of PC.展开更多
文摘Although spermatozoa are formed during spermatogenesis in the testis, testicular spermatozoa are immature and cannot swim or fertilize. These critical spermatozoal functions are acquired in the epididymis where a specific luminal environment is created by the blood-epididymal barrier; proteins secreted by epididymal principal cells bind to maturing spermatozoa and regulate the maturational process of the spermatozoa. In the epididymis, epithelial cell-cell interactions are mediated by adhering junctions, necessary for cell adhesion, and by tight junctions, which form the blood-epididymal barrier. The regulation of these cellular junctions is thought to represent a key determinant in the process of sperm maturation within the epididymis. Tight junctions between adjacent principal cells permit the formation of a specific microenvironment in the lumen of the epididymis that is essential for sperm maturation. Although we have made significant progress in understanding epididymal function and the blood-epididymal barrier, using animal models, there is limited information on the human epididymis. If we are to understand the normal and pathological conditions attributable to human epididymal function, we must clearly establish the physiological, cellular and molecular regulation of the human epididymis, develop tools to characterize these functions and develop clinical strategies that will use epididymal functions to improve treatment of infertility. (Asian J Androl 2007 July; 9: 463- 475)
文摘All tissues in the body are subjected externally to gravity and internally by collagenfibril and cellular retractive forces that create stress and energy equilibrium required for homeostasis.Mechanotransduction involves mechanical work(force through a distance)and energy storage as kinetic and potential energy.This leads to changes in cell mitosis or apoptosis and the synthesis or loss of tissue components.It involves the application of energy directly to cells through integrin-mediated processes,cell-cell connections,stretching of the cell cytoplasm,and activation of the cell nucleus via yes-associated protein(YAP)and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-motif(TAZ).These processes involve numerous complexes,intermediate molecules,and multiple pathways.Several pathways have been identified from research studies on vertebrate cell culture and from studies in invertebrates.These pathways involve mechanosensors and other molecules that activate the pathways.This review discusses the mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)family,Hippo,Hedgehog,and Wingless-related integration site(WNT)/βcatenin signaling pathways.The mediators covered includeβcatenin,ion channels,growth factors,hormone receptors,members of the Ras superfamily,and components of the linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton(LINC)complex.However,the interrelationship among the different pathways remains to be clarified.Integrin-mediated mechanotransduction involves direct tensile loading and energy applied to the cell membrane via collagenfibril stretching.This energy is transferred between cells by stretching the cell-cell connections involving cadherins and the WNT/βcatenin pathway.These alterations induce changes in intracellular events in the cytoskeleton and nuclear skeleton caused by the release of YAP and TAZ.These coactivators then penetrate through the nuclear pores and influence nuclear cell function.Alteration in the balance of forces and energy applied to cells and tissues is hypothesized to shift the cell-extracellular matrix mechanical equilibrium by modifying mechanotransduction.The shift in equilibrium can lead to either tissue synthesis,genetic modifications,or promotefibrotic diseases,including epithelial cell-derived cancers,depending on the local metabolic conditions.
文摘This article navigates the relationship between biomaterials and osteogenic cell adhesion,highlighting the importance of mimicking the physiological response for bone tissue regeneration.Within this spirit is an initial description of the interaction between osteoblasts and osteoprogenitor cells with the extracellular matrix,explaining the leading role of integrins and cadherins in cell adhesion,and the intracellular signaling pathways elicited.Additionally,there is a focus on the strategies of advanced biomaterials that foster osteogenesis by replicating the native environment,taking advantage of these known specific signaling pathways.Thefinal remarks lay on the need for careful consideration of in-vitro and in-vivo complexities in biomaterial development.
基金funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (Hatch Grant ARZT-1360890-H31-164 and multi-state grant ARZ-T1370680-R31-172 (NC246))the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)–Henan Joint Major Grant (U2004206)+2 种基金the State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology Open Fund, Zhengzhou University, China (CB2020A06)the Henan Agriculture Research System, China (HARS22-09-G3)the earmarked fund for China Agriculture Research System (CARS-27)
文摘Helicoverpa zea is a major target pest of pyramided transgenic crops expressing Cry1,Cry2 and/or Vip3Aa proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt)in the United States.Laboratory-selected Cry1Ac/Cry2Ab cross resistance and fieldevolved practical dual resistance of H.zea to these two toxins have been widely reported.Whether the widespread Cry1Ac/Cy2Ab dual resistance of H.zea has resulted from the selection of one shared or two independent resistance mechanisms by pyramided Bt crops remains unclear.Cadherin is a well-confirmed receptor of Cry1Ac and a suggested receptor of Cry2Ab in at least three Lepidopteran species.To test whether cadherin may serve as one shared mechanism for the cross and dual resistance of H.zea to Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab,we cloned H.zea cadherin(HzCadherin)cDNA and studied its functional roles in the mode of action of Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab by gain-and lossof-function analyses.Heterologous expression of HzCadherin in H.zea midgut,H.zea fat body and Sf9 cells made all three of these cell lines more susceptible to activated Cry1Ac but not activated Cry2Ab,whereas silencing HzCadherin of H.zea midgut and fat body cells significantly reduced the susceptibility to Cry1Ac but not Cry2Ab.Likewise,suppressing HzCadherin with siRNA made H.zea larvae resistant to Cry1Ac.These results clearly demonstrate that HzCadherin is not a receptor for Cry2Ab,and thus it is unlikely to serve as one shared mechanism for the cross and dual resistance of H.zea to Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab.
文摘Objective: The main purpose was to investigate expression of CDH11 in pancreatic tissues and analyze its relations with clinical characteristics of patients with pancreatic cancer (PC). Methods: Expression of CDH11 in cancerous tissues and cancer adjacent tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry staining, and their associations with clinical characteristics were analyzed. The text mining methods were used to assist the study of the effect of CDH11 on prognosis. Results: A total of 79 patients with PC were enrolled in the study, including 51 (64.6%) men and 28 (35.4%) women with a median age of 62 (41 - 84). The CDH11 expression in cancerous tissues was higher than that in adjacent tissues and the expression of CDH11 in both tissues was positively correlated (P 0.999;stage II vs III & IV, P = 0.308). A higher level of CDH11 expression correlated with worse overall survival (OS) time (P = 0.015). Conclusion: CDH11 may be involved in the development of early PC and lead to poor prognosis and could be a new target molecule for early diagnosis and treatment of PC.