Actin Accumulation Research Articles

Kindlin-2 directly binds actin and regulates integrin outside-in signaling.

Reduced levels of kindlin-2 (K2) in endothelial cells derived from K2(+/-)mice or C2C12 myoblastoid cells treated with K2 siRNA showed disorganization of their actin cytoskeleton and decreased spreading. These marked changes led us to examine direct binding between K2 and actin. Purified K2 interacts with F-actin in cosedimentation and surface plasmon resonance analyses and induces actin aggregation. We further find that the F0 domain of K2 binds actin. A mutation, LK(47)/AA, within a predicted actin binding site (ABS) of F0 diminishes its interaction with actin by approximately fivefold. Wild-type K2 and K2 bearing the LK(47)/AA mutation were equivalent in their ability to coactivate integrin αIIbβ3 in a CHO cell system when coexpressed with talin. However, K2-LK(47)/AA exhibited a diminished ability to support cell spreading and actin organization compared with wild-type K2. The presence of an ABS in F0 of K2 that influences outside-in signaling across integrins establishes a new foundation for considering how kindlins might regulate cellular responses.

Effect of the Fructus Ligustri Lucidi extract and its monomers quercetin and oleanolic acid on the adhesion and migration of melanocytes and intracellular actin.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of the Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (FLL) extract and its monomers quercetin and oleanolic acid on the adhesion and migration of human epidermal melanocytes (MCs) and intracellular actin. The human epidermal MCs were cultured and identified. The cells were treated with different concentrations of FLL extract, quercetin and oleanolic acid. The adhesion and migration abilities of the cells were determined by the fibronectin-coated culture experiment and Transwell assay, respectively. The structure and distribution of intracellular actin were observed by confocal laser microscopy, with semi-quantitative analysis. Results showed that compared with the control group, 0.0375-0.3 mg/ml of the FLL extract and 40 µM quercetin significantly improved the adhesion rate of MCs (P<0.05). The numbers of MCs permeating the microporous membrane in the 0.15 mg/ml FLL extract and 12 µM oleanolic acid groups were 43.7 and 30.3, respectively, significantly higher compared to the control group (P<0.01). In the control group, the intracellular actin was less, and the stress fiber structure was not clear. In the 0.15 mg/ml FLL extract, 12 µM oleanolic acid and 40 µM quercetin groups, there were numerous bunched stress fibers, indicating the aggregation of filamentous fibrous actin. The mean optical densities of actin expression in the 0.15 mg/ml FLL extract, 12 µM oleanolic acid and 40 µM quercetin groups were significantly higher compared to the control group (P<0.05). The FLL extract has a significant stimulatory effect on the adhesion and migration of human epidermal MCs. The mechanism may be associated with the promotion of intracellular actin cytoskeleton aggregation.

Genetic relatedness and virulence properties of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains of serotype O119:H6 expressing localized adherence or localized and aggregative adherence-like patterns on HeLa cells

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) induce attaching and effacing (A/E) lesions in enterocytes and produce the bundle-forming pilus (BFP) contributing to the localized adherence (LA) pattern formation on HeLa cells. Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) produce aggregative adherence (AA) on HeLa cells and form prominent biofilms. The ability to produce LA or AA is an important hallmark to classify fecal E. coli isolates as EPEC or EAEC, respectively. E. coli strains of serotype O119:H6 exhibit an LA+ phenotype and have been considered as comprising a clonal group of EPEC strains. However, we have recently identified O119:H6 EPEC strains that produce LA and an AA-like pattern concurrently (LA/AA-like+). In this study, we evaluated the relatedness of three LA/AA-like+ and three LA+ O119:H6 strains by comparing their virulence and genotypic properties. We first found that the LA/AA-like+ strains induced actin accumulation in HeLa cells (indicative of A/E lesions formation) and formed biofilms on abiotic surfaces more efficiently than the LA+ strains. MLST analysis showed that the six strains all belong to the ST28 complex. All strains carried multiple plasmids, but as plasmid profiles were highly variable, this cannot be used to differentiate LA/AA-like+ and LA+ strains. We further obtained their draft genome sequences and the complete sequences of four plasmids harbored by one LA/AA-like+ strain. Analysis of these sequences and comparison with 37 fully sequenced E. coli genomes revealed that both O119:H6 groups belong to the E. coli phylogroup B2 and are very closely related with only 58–67 SNPs found between LA/AA-like+ and LA+ strains. Search of the draft sequences of the six strains for adhesion-related genes known in EAEC and other E. coli pathotypes detected no genes specifically present in LA/AA-like+ strains. Unexpectedly however, we found that a large plasmid distinct from pEAF is responsible for the AA-like phenotype of the LA/AA-like+ strains. Although we have not identified any plasmid genes specifically present in all LA/AA-like+ strains and absent in the LA+ strains, these results suggest the presence of an unknown mechanism to promote the AA-like pattern production and biofilm formation by the LA/AA-like+ strains. Because their ability to produce A/E lesions and biofilm concomitantly could exacerbate the clinical condition of the patient and lead to persistent diarrhea, the mechanism underlying the enhanced biofilm formation by the LA/AA-like+ O119:H6 strains and their spread and involvement in severe diarrheal diseases should be more intensively investigated.

Nuclear F-actin enhances the transcriptional activity of β-catenin by increasing its nuclear localization and binding to chromatin.

Actin plays multiple roles both in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus. Cytoplasmic actin, in addition to its structural role in the cytoskeleton, also contributes to the subcellular localization of transcription factors by interacting with them or their partners. The transcriptional cofactor β-catenin, which acts as an intracellular transducer of canonical Wnt signaling, indirectly associates with the cytoplasmic filamentous actin (F-actin). Recently, it has been observed that F-actin is transiently formed within the nucleus in response to serum stimulation and integrin signaling, and also during gene reprogramming. Despite these earlier observations, information about the function of nuclear F-actin is poorly defined. Here, by facilitating the accumulation of nuclear actin artificially, we demonstrate that polymerizing nuclear actin enhanced the nuclear accumulation and transcriptional function of β-catenin. Our results also show that the nuclear F-actin colocalizes with β-catenin and enhances the binding of β-catenin to the downstream target genes of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, including the genes for the cell cycle regulators c-myc and cyclin D, and the OCT4 gene. Nuclear F-actin itself also associated with these genes. Since Wnt/β-catenin signaling has important roles in cell differentiation and pluripotency, our observations suggest that nuclear F-actin formed during these biological processes is involved in regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

A Shearing-Stretching Device That Can Apply Physiological Fluid Shear Stress and Cyclic Stretch Concurrently to Endothelial Cells.

Endothelial cell (EC) morphology and functions can be highly impacted by the mechanical stresses that the cells experience in vivo. In most areas in the vasculature, ECs are continuously exposed to unsteady blood flow-induced shear stress and vasodilation-contraction-induced tensile stress/strain simultaneously. Investigations on how ECs respond to combined shear stress and tensile strain will help us to better understand how an altered mechanical environment affects EC mechanotransduction, dysfunction, and associated cardiovascular disease development. In the present study, a programmable shearing and stretching device that can apply dynamic fluid shear stress and cyclic tensile strain simultaneously to cultured ECs was developed. Flow and stress/strain conditions in the device were simulated using a fluid structure interaction (FSI) model. To characterize the performance of this device and the effect of combined shear stress-tensile strain on EC morphology, human coronary artery ECs (HCAECs) were exposed to concurrent shear stress and cyclic tensile strain in the device. Changes in EC morphology were evaluated through cell elongation, cell alignment, and cell junctional actin accumulation. Results obtained from the numerical simulation indicated that in the "in-plane" area of the device, both fluid shear stress and biaxial tensile strain were uniform. Results obtained from the in vitro experiments demonstrated that shear stress, alone or combined with cyclic tensile strain, induced significant cell elongation. While biaxial tensile strain alone did not induce any appreciable change in EC elongation. Fluid shear stress and cyclic tensile strain had different effects on EC actin filament alignment and accumulation. By combining various fluid shear stress and cyclic tensile strain conditions, this device can provide a physiologically relevant mechanical environment to study EC responses to physiological and pathological mechanical stimulation.

Actin Aggregations Mark the Sites of Neurite Initiation.

A salient feature of neurons is their intrinsic ability to grow and extend neurites, even in the absence of external cues. Compared to the later stages of neuronal development, such as neuronal polarization and dendrite morphogenesis, the early steps of neuritogenesis remain relatively unexplored. Here we showed that redistribution of cortical actin into large aggregates preceded neuritogenesis and determined the site of neurite initiation. Enhancing actin polymerization by jasplakinolide treatment effectively blocked actin redistribution and neurite initiation, while treatment with the actin depolymerizing agents latrunculin A or cytochalasin D accelerated neurite formation. Together, these results demonstrate a critical role of actin dynamics and reorganization in neurite initiation. Further experiments showed that microtubule dynamics and protein synthesis are not required for neurite initiation, but are required for later neurite stabilization. The redistribution of actin during early neuronal development was also observed in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus in vivo.

Actomyosin contraction, aggregation and traveling waves in a treadmilling actin array

We use perturbation theory to derive a continuum model for the dynamic actomyosin bundle/ring in the regime of very strong crosslinking. Actin treadmilling is essential for contraction. Linear stability analysis and numerical solutions of the model equations reveal that when the actin treadmilling is very slow, actin and myosin aggregate into equidistantly spaced peaks. When treadmilling is significant, actin filament of one polarity are distributed evenly, while filaments of the opposite polarity develop a shock wave moving with the treadmilling velocity. Myosin aggregates into a sharp peak surfing the crest of the actin wave. Any actomyosin aggregation diminishes contractile stress. The easiest way to maintain higher contraction is to upregulate the actomyosin turnover which destabilizes nontrivial patterns and stabilizes the homogeneous actomyosin distributions. We discuss the model’s implications for the experiment.

Primary murine neurons as in vitro model for studying neuroinfections caused by human adenoviruses.

Adenoviral infections of the central nervous system are rare, but they are characteristic for their high mortality rate. People with impaired immunity and children are particularly vulnerable. A few reports of neuroinfections caused by adenoviruses are found in literature. In this study the tropism of the human adenoviruses type 4, 5, 7 to primary cultures of murine neurons and the influence of infection on the neuron morphology and actin cytoskeleton was examined. The A549 non-small-cell lung cancer cell line was used as a reference line. Viral effects upon the cell culture were evaluated by direct immunofluorescence. The levels of adenovirus replication in the above-mentioned cell cultures were determined by real-time PCR. In the current study we demonstrated for the first time that human adenovirus (HAdV) type 4, 5 and 7 exhibits tropism for neurons cultured in vitro followed by the extensive replication of all serotypes in the primary culture of murine neurons. Immunofluorescent labelling and confocal microscopy revealed the changes in cell morphology, destruction of actin cytoskeleton and cell lysis as the final stage of infection. According to the obtained results we can assume that productive cycle of HAdV in the studied cell cultures occurred. We also observed accumulation of nuclear actin within nuclei of infected cells which may indicate that it plays role in adenovirus infection and replication in neurons and A549 cells.

KIF17 regulates RhoA-dependent actin remodeling at epithelial cell-cell adhesions.

The kinesin KIF17 localizes at microtubule plus-ends where it contributes to regulation of microtubule stabilization and epithelial polarization. We now show that KIF17 localizes at cell-cell adhesions and that KIF17 depletion inhibits accumulation of actin at the apical pole of cells grown in 3D organotypic cultures and alters the distribution of actin and E-cadherin in cells cultured in 2D on solid supports. Overexpression of full-length KIF17 constructs or truncation mutants containing the N-terminal motor domain resulted in accumulation of newly incorporated GFP-actin into junctional actin foci, cleared E-cadherin from cytoplasmic vesicles and stabilized cell-cell adhesions to challenge with calcium depletion. Expression of these KIF17 constructs also increased cellular levels of active RhoA, whereas active RhoA was diminished in KIF17-depleted cells. Inhibition of RhoA or its effector ROCK, or expression of LIMK1 kinase-dead or activated cofilin(S3A) inhibited KIF17-induced junctional actin accumulation. Interestingly, KIF17 activity toward actin depends on the motor domain but is independent of microtubule binding. Together, these data show that KIF17 can modify RhoA-GTPase signaling to influence junctional actin and the stability of the apical junctional complex of epithelial cells.

Morphological Modifications in Myofibrils by Suppressing Tropomyosin 4α in Chicken Cardiac Myocytes.

Tropomyosin (TPM) localizes along F-actin and, together with troponin T (TnT) and other components, controls calcium-sensitive muscle contraction. The role of the TPM isoform (TPM4α) that is expressed in embryonic and adult cardiac muscle cells in chicken is poorly understood. To analyze the function of TPM4α in myofibrils, the effects of TPM4α-suppression were examined in embryonic cardiomyocytes by small interference RNA transfection. Localization of myofibril proteins such as TPM, actin, TnT, α-actinin, myosin and connectin was examined by immunofluorescence microscopy on day 5 when almost complete TPM4α-suppression occurred in culture. A unique large structure was detected, consisting of an actin aggregate bulging from the actin bundle, and many curved filaments projecting from the aggregate. TPM, TnT and actin were detected on the large structure, but myosin, connectin, α-actinin and obvious myofibril striations were undetectable. It is possible that TPM4α-suppressed actin filaments are sorted and excluded at the place of the large structure. This suggests that TPM4α-suppression significantly affects actin filament, and that TPM4α plays an important role in constructing and maintaining sarcomeres and myofibrils in cardiac muscle.

Increased Cellular NAD+ Level through NQO1 Enzymatic Action Has Protective Effects on Bleomycin-Induced Lung Fibrosis in Mice.

BackgroundIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a common interstitial lung disease; it is a chronic, progressive, and fatal lung disease of unknown etiology. Over the last two decades, knowledge about the underlying mechanisms of pulmonary fibrosis has improved markedly and facilitated the identification of potential targets for novel therapies. However, despite the large number of antifibrotic drugs being described in experimental pre-clinical studies, the translation of these findings into clinical practices has not been accomplished yet. NADH:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) is a homodimeric enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of NADH to NAD+ by various quinones and thereby elevates the intracellular NAD+ levels. In this study, we examined the effect of increase in cellular NAD+ levels on bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in mice.MethodsC57BL/6 mice were treated with intratracheal instillation of bleomycin. The mice were orally administered with β-lapachone from 3 days before exposure to bleomycin to 1-3 weeks after exposure to bleomycin. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for analyzing the infiltration of immune cells. In vitro, A549 cells were treated with transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and β-lapachone to analyze the extracellular matrix (ECM) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).Resultsβ-Lapachone strongly attenuated bleomycin-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis, characterized by histological staining, infiltrated immune cells in BALF, inflammatory cytokines, fibrotic score, and TGF-β1, α-smooth muscle actin accumulation. In addition, β-lapachone showed a protective role in TGF-β1–induced ECM expression and EMT in A549 cells.ConclusionOur results suggest that β-lapachone can protect against bleomycin-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis in mice and TGF-β1–induced EMT in vitro, by elevating the NAD+/NADH ratio through NQO1 activation.

Cucurbitacin I elicits the formation of actin/phospho-myosin II co-aggregates by stimulation of the RhoA/ROCK pathway and inhibition of LIM-kinase

Cucurbitacins are cytotoxic triterpenoid sterols isolated from plants. One of their earliest cellular effect is the aggregation of actin associated with blockage of cell migration and division that eventually lead to apoptosis. We unravel here that cucurbitacin I actually induces the co-aggregation of actin with phospho-myosin II. This co-aggregation most probably results from the stimulation of the Rho/ROCK pathway and the direct inhibition of the LIMKinase. We further provide data that suggest that the formation of these co-aggregates is independent of a putative pro-oxidant status of cucurbitacin I. The results help to understand the impact of cucurbitacins on signal transduction and actin dynamics and open novel perspectives to use it as drug candidates for cancer research.

Increased TGF-β: a drawback of tracheal occlusion in human and experimental congenital diaphragmatic hernia?

Survivors of severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) present significant respiratory morbidity despite lung growth induced by fetal tracheal occlusion (TO). We hypothesized that the underlying mechanisms would involve changes in lung extracellular matrix and dysregulated transforming growth factor (TGF)-β pathway, a key player in lung development and repair. Pulmonary expression of TGF-β signaling components, downstream effectors, and extracellular matrix targets were evaluated in CDH neonates who died between birth and the first few weeks of life after prenatal conservative management or TO, and in rabbit pups that were prenatally randomized for surgical CDH and TO vs. sham operation. Before tissue harvesting, lung tissue mechanics in rabbits was measured using the constant-phase model during the first 30 min of life. Human CDH and control fetal lungs were also collected from midterm onwards. Human and experimental CDH did not affect TGF-β/Smad2/3 expression and activity. In human and rabbit CDH lungs, TO upregulated TGF-β transcripts. Analysis of downstream pathways indicated increased Rho-associated kinases to the detriment of Smad2/3 activation. After TO, subtle accumulation of collagen and α-smooth muscle actin within alveolar walls was detected in rabbit pups and human CDH lungs with short-term mechanical ventilation. Despite TO-induced lung growth, mediocre lung tissue mechanics in the rabbit model was associated with increased transcription of extracellular matrix components. These results suggest that prenatal TO increases TGF-β/Rho kinase pathway, myofibroblast differentiation, and matrix deposition in neonatal rabbit and human CDH lungs. Whether this might influence postnatal development of sustainably ventilated lungs remains to be determined.

Lifeact and Utr230 induce distinct actin assemblies in cell nuclei

Nuclear actin assembly in somatic cells has been an enigma for a long time. Recently, with the advancement of novel F-actin probes, researchers have started to uncover this mystery. In this study, we investigated the actin dynamics in somatic cell nuclei using two probes: Lifeact and Utr230. Surprisingly, we observed that both Lifeact and Utr230 significantly interfered with actin dynamics in cell nuclei. Moreover, these two probes induced distinct patterns of nuclear actin assembly. While Lifeact induced filamentous actin assembly in cell nuclei, Utr230 led to various patterns of actin aggregates, including fibers, small puncta, and large patches. Moreover, the interference of actin dynamics by Lifeact was limited to nuclear actin, while Utr230 induced actin aggregation in both the nucleus and cytoplasm. Using time-lapse microscopy, we found that Lifeact-induced actin fibers remained steady over hours of observation, indicating a deficiency of nuclear F-actin reorganization. These results suggest that Lifeact and Utr230 both interfere with nuclear actin dynamics but with distinct mechanisms. This is an important finding for research on nuclear actin assembly and highlights the potential value of these two probes for exploring the native mechanisms underlying nuclear actin dynamics, which appear to be altered in the presence of these probes.

Synaptopodin couples epithelial contractility to α-actinin-4-dependent junction maturation.

The epithelial junction experiences mechanical force exerted by endogenous actomyosin activities and from interactions with neighboring cells. We hypothesize that tension generated at cell-cell adhesive contacts contributes to the maturation and assembly of the junctional complex. To test our hypothesis, we used a hydraulic apparatus that can apply mechanical force to intercellular junction in a confluent monolayer of cells. We found that mechanical force induces α-actinin-4 and actin accumulation at the cell junction in a time- and tension-dependent manner during junction development. Intercellular tension also induces α-actinin-4-dependent recruitment of vinculin to the cell junction. In addition, we have identified a tension-sensitive upstream regulator of α-actinin-4 as synaptopodin. Synaptopodin forms a complex containing α-actinin-4 and β-catenin and interacts with myosin II, indicating that it can physically link adhesion molecules to the cellular contractile apparatus. Synaptopodin depletion prevents junctional accumulation of α-actinin-4, vinculin, and actin. Knockdown of synaptopodin and α-actinin-4 decreases the strength of cell-cell adhesion, reduces the monolayer permeability barrier, and compromises cellular contractility. Our findings underscore the complexity of junction development and implicate a control process via tension-induced sequential incorporation of junctional components.

Recurrent viral infections associated with a homozygous CORO1A mutation that disrupts oligomerization and cytoskeletal association

Coronin-1A (CORO1A) is a regulator of actin dynamics important for T-cell homeostasis. CORO1A deficiency causes T(-)B(+) natural killer-positive severe combined immunodeficiency or T-cell lymphopenia with severe viral infections. However, because all known human mutations in CORO1A abrogate protein expression, the role of the protein's functional domains in host immunity is unknown. We sought to identify the cause of the primary immunodeficiency in 2 young adult siblings with a history of disseminated varicella, cutaneous warts, and CD4(+) T-cell lymphopenia. We performed immunologic, genetic, and biochemical studies in the patients, family members, and healthy control subjects. Both patients had CD4(+) T-cell lymphopenia and decreased lymphocyte proliferation to mitogens. IgG, IgM, IgA, and specific antibody responses were normal. Whole-genome sequencing identified a homozygous frameshift mutation in CORO1A disrupting the last 2 C-terminal domains by replacing 61 amino acids with a novel 91-amino-acid sequence. The CORO1A(S401fs) mutant was expressed in the patients' lymphocytes at a level comparable with that of wild-type CORO1A in normal lymphocytes but did not oligomerize and had impaired cytoskeletal association. CORO1A(S401fs) was associated with increased filamentous actin accumulation in Tcells, severely defective thymic output, and impaired T-cell survival but normal calcium flux and cytotoxicity, demonstrating the importance of CORO1A oligomerization and subcellular localization in T-cell homeostasis. We describe a truncating mutation in CORO1A that permits protein expression and survival into young adulthood. Our studies demonstrate the importance of intact CORO1AC-terminal domains in thymic egress and T-cell survival, as well as in defense against viral pathogens.

PI(3,5)P2 controls endosomal branched actin dynamics by regulating cortactin–actin interactions

Branched actin critically contributes to membrane trafficking by regulating membrane curvature, dynamics, fission, and transport. However, how actin dynamics are controlled at membranes is poorly understood. Here, we identify the branched actin regulator cortactin as a direct binding partner of phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate (PI(3,5)P2) and demonstrate that their interaction promotes turnover of late endosomal actin. In vitro biochemical studies indicated that cortactin binds PI(3,5)P2 via its actin filament-binding region. Furthermore, PI(3,5)P2 competed with actin filaments for binding to cortactin, thereby antagonizing cortactin activity. These findings suggest that PI(3,5)P2 formation on endosomes may remove cortactin from endosome-associated branched actin. Indeed, inhibition of PI(3,5)P2 production led to cortactin accumulation and actin stabilization on Rab7(+) endosomes. Conversely, inhibition of Arp2/3 complex activity greatly reduced cortactin localization to late endosomes. Knockdown of cortactin reversed PI(3,5)P2-inhibitor-induced actin accumulation and stabilization on endosomes. These data suggest a model in which PI(3,5)P2 binding removes cortactin from late endosomal branched actin networks and thereby promotes net actin turnover.

OP2 - HSP90 impairment through oxidative cleavage leads to oxidized proteins accumulation

Oxidative stress (OS), has been associated to a variety of phenomena as cancer progression, neurodegeneration, obesity and ageing itself. At the molecular level, OS leads to protein carbonylation, a non-enzymatic irreversible event and common feature of aged cells. Carbonylated proteins are dysfunctional and can accumulate in the form of insoluble protein aggregates that alter cellular functioning. To cope with carbonylated proteins, cells employ the proteasome, the main non-lysosomal structure for carbonylated proteins turnover. However, if the degrading rate is inferior to carbonylated proteins formation rate, protein aggregates form. In a previous study, in oxidative stress challenged cells we could verify that cytoplasmatic actin becomes heavily carbonylated and forms oxidized actin aggregates, which lead to proliferation impairment and proteasome activity diminishment, similar to senescence like states. Because under these oxidative conditions there is a proteostasis disturbance, such as oxidized proteins (especially actin) accumulation and proteasome activity impairment, Hsp90 involvement was studied. Hsp90, a molecular chaperone, assists oxidized proteins degradation and also protects the 20S proteasome from oxidative inactivation. We reasoned that the mechanism by which protein aggregates form, is mainly due to Hsp90 lesser functionality, which we attribute to cleavage. In our study, we verified cleaved Hsp90 in protein aggregates and that its fragmentation occurred before actin insolubilization. Adding to this, when Hsp90 cleavage was prevented employing a drug, no protein aggregates were found. Furthermore, preliminary results show that under stress, cells overexpressing cleaved Hsp90 exhibited an increase, comparing to non-transfected or full Hsp90 overexpressing cells, in carbonylated proteins levels content. We are convinced, that Hsp90 cleavage is an important event for oxidized protein accumulation and proteasome inactivation. However, further studies should follow to confirm our hypothesis.

Sodium restriction potentiates the renoprotective effects of combined vitamin D receptor activation and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition in established proteinuric nephropathy.

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockade provides renoprotective effects in chronic kidney disease (CKD); yet progressive renal function loss remains common. Dietary sodium restriction potentiates the renoprotective effects of RAAS blockade. Vitamin D receptor activator (VDRA) treatment reduces proteinuria, inflammation and fibrosis, but whether these effects depend on sodium intake has not been studied. We hypothesized that the renoprotective effects of VDRA treatment, with or without RAAS blockade, are modulated by sodium intake. Six weeks after the induction of adriamycin nephrosis in Wistar rats, i.e. with established proteinuria, animals were treated with the VDRA paricalcitol, lisinopril, the combination, or vehicle; each treatment was given during either a high- (2% NaCl) or a low-sodium (0.05% NaCl) diet for 6 weeks. We assessed proteinuria, blood pressure, renal macrophage accumulation and renal expression of the pre-fibrotic marker alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) at the end of the treatment. Both paricalcitol and lisinopril individually, as well as in combination, reduced proteinuria and glomerular and interstitial inflammation during a low-sodium diet, but not during a high-sodium diet. All interventions also reduced focal glomerulosclerosis and interstitial expression of α-SMA during the low-sodium diet, while similar trends were observed during the high-sodium diet. The renoprotective effects of paricalcitol were not accompanied by blood pressure reduction. As proteinuria was already abolished by lisinopril during the low-sodium diet, the addition of paricalcitol had no further effect on proteinuria or downstream inflammatory or pre-fibrotic changes. The renoprotective effects of the VDRA paricalcitol are blood pressure independent but do depend on dietary sodium status. The combination of RAAS blockade, dietary sodium restriction and VDRA may be a promising intervention to further retard renal function loss in CKD.

Polarized E-cadherin endocytosis directs actomyosin remodeling during embryonic wound repair.

Embryonic epithelia have a remarkable ability to rapidly repair wounds. A supracellular actomyosin cable around the wound coordinates cellular movements and promotes wound closure. Actomyosin cable formation is accompanied by junctional rearrangements at the wound margin. We used in vivo time-lapse quantitative microscopy to show that clathrin, dynamin, and the ADP-ribosylation factor 6, three components of the endocytic machinery, accumulate around wounds in Drosophila melanogaster embryos in a process that requires calcium signaling and actomyosin contractility. Blocking endocytosis with pharmacological or genetic approaches disrupted wound repair. The defect in wound closure was accompanied by impaired removal of E-cadherin from the wound edge and defective actomyosin cable assembly. E-cadherin overexpression also resulted in reduced actin accumulation around wounds and slower wound closure. Reducing E-cadherin levels in embryos in which endocytosis was blocked rescued actin localization to the wound margin. Our results demonstrate a central role for endocytosis in wound healing and indicate that polarized E-cadherin endocytosis is necessary for actomyosin remodeling during embryonic wound repair.