Harnessing region-specific neurovascular signaling to promote germinal matrix vessel maturation and hemorrhage prevention

αvβ8 integrin adhesion and signaling pathways in development, physiology and disease

Cells must interpret a complex milieu of extracellular cues to modulate intracellular signaling events linked to proliferation, differentiation, migration and other cellular processes. Integrins are heterodimeric transmembrane proteins that link the extracellular matrix (ECM) to the cytoskeleton and control intracellular signaling events. A great deal is known about the structural and functional properties for most integrins; however, the adhesion and signaling pathways controlled by αvβ8 integrin, which was discovered nearly 30 years ago, have only recently been characterized. αvβ8 integrin is a receptor for ECM-bound forms of latent transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) proteins and promotes the activation of TGFβ signaling pathways. Studies of the brain, lung and immune system reveal that the αvβ8 integrin-TGFβ axis mediates cell-cell contact and communication within complex multicellular structures. Perturbing components of this axis results in aberrant cell-cell adhesion and signaling leading to the initiation of various pathologies, including neurodegeneration, fibrosis and cancer. As discussed in this Review, understanding the functions for αvβ8 integrin, its ECM ligands and intracellular effector proteins is not only an important topic in cell biology, but may lead to new therapeutic strategies to treat human pathologies related to integrin dysfunction.

Deletion of Peroxiredoxin II Inhibits the Growth of Mouse Primary Mesenchymal Stem Cells Through Induction of the G0/G1 Cell-cycle Arrest and Activation of AKT/GSK3β/β-Catenin Signaling

BACKGROUND/AIM

Dermal mesenchymal stem cells (DMSCs) are pluripotent stem cells found in the skin which maintain the thickness of the dermal layer and participate in skin wound healing.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The MTT assay was performed to detect cell proliferation and cell-cycle progression and cell-surface markers were assessed by flow cytometry. The levels of proteins in related signaling pathways were detected by western blotting assay and the translocation of β-catenin into the nucleus were detected by immunofluorescence. Red oil O staining was performed to examine the differentiational ability of DMSCs.

RESULTS

Knockout of PRDX2 inhibited DMSC cell growth, and cell-cycle arrest at G₀/G₁ phase; p16, p21 and cyclin D1 expression levels in Prdx2 knockout DMSCs were significantly increased. Furthermore, AKT phosphorylation were significantly increased in Prdx2 knockout DMSCs, GSK3β activity were inhibited, result in β-Catenin accumulated in the nucleus.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, these results demonstrated that PRDX2 plays a pivotal role in regulating the proliferation of DMSCs, and this is closely related to the AKT/glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta/β-catenin signaling pathway.