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Chien WC, Tsai TF. The Pressurized Skin: A Review on the Pathological Effect of Mechanical Pressure on the Skin from the Cellular Perspective. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15207. [PMID: 37894888 PMCID: PMC10607711 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Since human skin is the primary interface responding to external mechanical stimuli, extrinsic forces can disrupt its balanced microenvironment and lead to cutaneous lesions. We performed this review to delve into the pathological effects of mechanical pressure on skin from the cellular perspective. Fibroblasts of different subsets act as heterogeneous responders to mechanical load and express diverse functionalities. Keratinocytes relay mechanical signals through mechanosensitive receptors and the ensuing neurochemical cascades to work collaboratively with other cells and molecules in response to pressure. Mast cells release cytokines and neuropeptides, promoting inflammation and facilitating interaction with sensory neurons, while melanocytes can be regulated by pressure through cellular and molecular crosstalk. Adipocytes and stem cells sense pressure to fine-tune their regulations of mechanical homeostasis and cell differentiation. Applying mechanical pressure to the skin can induce various changes in its microenvironment that potentially lead to pathological alterations, such as ischemia, chronic inflammation, proliferation, regeneration, degeneration, necrosis, and impaired differentiation. The heterogeneity of each cellular lineage and subset from different individuals with various underlying skin conditions must be taken into consideration when discussing the pathological effects of pressure on the skin. Thus, elucidating the mechanotransduction and mechanoresponsive pathways from the cellular viewpoint is crucial in diagnosing and managing relevant dermatological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Chen Chien
- Department of Medical Education, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7, Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Tsen-Fang Tsai
- Department of Dermatology, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 7, Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei 100, Taiwan
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2
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The pigmentation phenotype of melanocytes affects their response to nitric oxide in vitro. Postepy Dermatol Alergol 2023; 40:150-158. [PMID: 36909911 PMCID: PMC9993194 DOI: 10.5114/ada.2022.120130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction It has been shown that nitric oxide (NO) can modulate the immune properties of epidermal melanocytes, and that overexpression of NO in the skin may contribute to inflammation-related pigmentary disorders. Little is known about whether constitutive cell pigmentation affects the sensitivity of melanocytes to NO. Aim To compare the effect of NO on melanin synthesis and the expression of key melanogenesis-related genes in normal human melanocytes of various degrees of constitutive pigmentation. Material and methods Human epidermal melanocytes derived from lightly and darkly pigmented skin (HEMn-LP and HEMn-DP, respectively) were cultured with or without a NO donor (SPER/NO). Then the total melanin content, the pheomelanin content, the activity and concentration of tyrosinase, and the expressions of TYR and DCT were assessed. Results NO released from SPER/NO did not alter the total amount of melanin produced by cultured cells but increased the proportion of pheomelanin, especially in HEMn-DP. Transcriptional activity of the melanogenesis-related genes, in particular DCT, was downregulated in HEMn-DP and upregulated in HEMn-LP cultured with SPER/NO. Conclusions NO can promote pheomelanogenesis in human epidermal melanocytes, and the cell response in this respect is associated with the pigmentation phenotype. During exposure to NO, melanocytes from dark skin produce much more pheomelanin than lightly pigmented cells. NO-induced overproduction of pheomelanin in the skin could be one of the factors responsible for the greater propensity to develop severe inflammatory dermatoses in dark-skinned individuals, or even melanoma de novo formation based on local chronic inflammation.
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de Assis LVM, Lacerda JT, Moraes MN, Domínguez-Amorocho OA, Kinker GS, Mendes D, Silva MM, Menck CFM, Câmara NOS, Castrucci AMDL. Melanopsin (Opn4) is an oncogene in cutaneous melanoma. Commun Biol 2022; 5:461. [PMID: 35562405 PMCID: PMC9106662 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03425-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The search for new therapeutical targets for cutaneous melanoma and other cancers is an ongoing task. We expanded this knowledge by evaluating whether opsins, light- and thermo-sensing proteins, could display tumor-modulatory effects on melanoma cancer. Using different experimental approaches, we show that melanoma cell proliferation is slower in the absence of Opn4, compared to Opn4WT due to an impaired cell cycle progression and reduced melanocyte inducing transcription factor (Mitf) expression. In vivo tumor progression of Opn4KO cells is remarkably reduced due to slower proliferation, and higher immune system response in Opn4KO tumors. Using pharmacological assays, we demonstrate that guanylyl cyclase activity is impaired in Opn4KO cells. Evaluation of Tumor Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database confirms our experimental data as reduced MITF and OPN4 expression in human melanoma correlates with slower cell cycle progression and presence of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Proteomic analyses of tumor bulk show that the reduced growth of Opn4KO tumors is associated with reduced Mitf signaling, higher translation of G2/M proteins, and impaired guanylyl cyclase activity. Conversely, in Opn4WT tumors increased small GTPase and an immune-suppressive TME are found. Such evidence points to OPN4 as an oncogene in melanoma, which could be pharmacologically targeted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Vinícius Monteiro de Assis
- Laboratory of Comparative Physiology of Pigmentation, Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Institute of Neurobiology, Center for Brain, Behavior, and Metabolism, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
| | - José Thalles Lacerda
- Laboratory of Comparative Physiology of Pigmentation, Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Nathália Moraes
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Gabriela Sarti Kinker
- Laboratory of Translational Immuno-Oncology A. C. Camargo Cancer Center - International Research Center, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Davi Mendes
- DNA Repair Lab, Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Matheus Molina Silva
- DNA Repair Lab, Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos Frederico Martins Menck
- DNA Repair Lab, Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Niels Olsen Saraiva Câmara
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunobiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria de Lauro Castrucci
- Laboratory of Comparative Physiology of Pigmentation, Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
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Salvetti A, Degl'Innocenti A, Gambino G, van Loon JJ, Ippolito C, Ghelardoni S, Ghigo E, Leoncino L, Prato M, Rossi L, Ciofani G. Artificially altered gravity elicits cell homeostasis imbalance in planarian worms, and cerium oxide nanoparticles counteract this effect. J Biomed Mater Res A 2021; 109:2322-2333. [PMID: 33960131 PMCID: PMC8518838 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.37215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Gravity alterations elicit complex and mostly detrimental effects on biological systems. Among these, a prominent role is occupied by oxidative stress, with consequences for tissue homeostasis and development. Studies in altered gravity are relevant for both Earth and space biomedicine, but their implementation using whole organisms is often troublesome. Here we utilize planarians, simple worm model for stem cell and regeneration biology, to characterize the pathogenic mechanisms brought by artificial gravity alterations. In particular, we provide a comprehensive evaluation of molecular responses in intact and regenerating specimens, and demonstrate a protective action from the space-apt for nanotechnological antioxidant cerium oxide nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Salvetti
- Università di Pisa, Department of Clinical and Experimental MedicineBiology and Genetics unitPisaItaly
| | - Andrea Degl'Innocenti
- Istituto Italiano di TecnologiaCenter for Materials Interfaces, Smart Bio‐InterfacesPisaItaly
| | - Gaetana Gambino
- Università di Pisa, Department of Clinical and Experimental MedicineBiology and Genetics unitPisaItaly
| | - Jack J.W.A. van Loon
- Dutch Experiment Support Center (DESC), Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Oral PathologyAmsterdam UMC location VU University Medical Center & Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA)AmsterdamThe Netherlands
- TEC‐MMG LIS labEuropean Space Agency (ESA), European Space Research and Technology Center (ESTEC)NoordwijkThe Netherlands
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Biology and Genetics UnitUniversità di PisaPisaItaly
| | - Sandra Ghelardoni
- Department of Pathology, Biochemistry UnitUniversità di PisaPisaItaly
| | - Eric Ghigo
- Institut Hospitalo‐Universitaire Méditerranée InfectionMarseilleFrance
- Techno JouvenceMarseilleFrance
| | - Luca Leoncino
- Istituto Italiano di TecnologiaElectron Microscopy FacilityGenoaItaly
| | - Mirko Prato
- Istituto Italiano di TecnologiaMaterials Characterization FacilityGenoaItaly
| | - Leonardo Rossi
- Università di Pisa, Department of Clinical and Experimental MedicineBiology and Genetics unitPisaItaly
| | - Gianni Ciofani
- Istituto Italiano di TecnologiaCenter for Materials Interfaces, Smart Bio‐InterfacesPisaItaly
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Gamboa MP, Ghalambor CK, Scott Sillett T, Morrison SA, Chris Funk W. Adaptive divergence in bill morphology and other thermoregulatory traits is facilitated by restricted gene flow in song sparrows on the California Channel Islands. Mol Ecol 2021; 31:603-619. [PMID: 34704295 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Disentangling the effects of neutral and adaptive processes in maintaining phenotypic variation across environmental gradients is challenging in natural populations. Song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) on the California Channel Islands occupy a pronounced east-west climate gradient within a small spatial scale, providing a unique opportunity to examine the interaction of genetic isolation (reduced gene flow) and the environment (selection) in driving variation. We used reduced representation genomic libraries to infer the role of neutral processes (drift and restricted gene flow) and divergent selection in driving variation in thermoregulatory traits with an emphasis on the mechanisms that maintain bill divergence among islands. Analyses of 22,029 neutral SNPs confirm distinct population structure by island with restricted gene flow and relatively large effective population sizes, suggesting bill differences are probably not a product of genetic drift. Instead, we found strong support for local adaptation using 3294 SNPs in differentiation-based and environmental association analyses coupled with genome-wide association tests. Specifically, we identified several putatively adaptive and candidate loci in or near genes involved in bill development pathways (e.g., BMP, CaM, Wnt), confirming the highly complex and polygenic architecture underlying bill morphology. Furthermore, we found divergence in genes associated with other thermoregulatory traits (i.e., feather structure, plumage colour, and physiology). Collectively, these results suggest strong divergent selection across an island archipelago results in genomic changes in a suite of traits associated with climate adaptation over small spatial scales. Future research should move beyond studying univariate traits to better understand multidimensional responses to complex environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maybellene P Gamboa
- Department of Organismal Biology and Ecology, Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
| | - Cameron K Ghalambor
- Department of Biology, Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.,Department of Biology, Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics (CBD), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - T Scott Sillett
- Migratory Bird Center, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | | | - W Chris Funk
- Department of Biology, Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
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Microgravity and Cell Adherence. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21062214. [PMID: 32210077 PMCID: PMC7139536 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21062214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
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