Histology and histopathology Vol.17, nº 4 (2002)
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- PublicationOpen AccessEffects of phthalate esters on actin cytoskeleton of Py1a rat osteoblasts(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2002) Marchetti, L.; Sabbieti, M.G.; Menghi, M.; Materazzi, S.; Hurley, M.M.; Menghi, GiovannaWe evaluated, by confocal laser scanning microscopy, the actin cytoskeleton of immortalized rat Py1a osteoblasts treated with phthalate esters (butyl benzyl phthalate, BBP and dibutyl phthalate, DBP), endocrine disruptors with estrogenic activity. We observed some peculiar modifications of actin cytoskeleton and cells changing from a spindle shape to a rounded form. In particular, F-actin formed thick bundles around the cell membrane but only a weak labeling was observed in rounded cells. Also influence on apoptosis and short-term effects on FGF-2 were studied. It was found that BBP and DBP exert their action in a similar way, act in a transient manner and do not induce apoptosis.
- PublicationOpen AccessMortalin: a potential candidate for biotechnology and biomedicine(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2002) Wadhwa, R.; Taira, K.; Kaul, S.C.Mortalin is a novel member of the hsp70 family of proteins that exhibits a different staining pattern in normal and immortal cells. It was also cloned as glucose regulated protein, GRP75 and peptidebinding protein, PBP74. It has been assigned multiple functions ranging from stress response, intracellular trafficking, antigen processing, control of cell proliferation, differentiation and tumorigenesis. The present article compiles and reviews information on multiple sites and functions of mortalin. In view of its upregulation in many tumors and transcriptional inactivation function of p53, its potential use in biotechnology and biomedicine is discussed
- PublicationOpen AccessRegulation of smooth muscle cell accumulation in diabetes-accelerated atherosclerosis(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2002) Askari, B.; Renard, C.B.; Bornfeldt, K.E.Diabetes leads to accelerated formation/ progression of lesions of atherosclerosis. Cardiovascular disease thus develops earlier in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes compared to people without diabetes, and cardiovascular (macrovascular) disease is the major cause of death in adults with diabetes. The molecular and cellular mechanisms leading to diabetes-accelerated atherosclerosis are not well understood. The arterial smooth muscle cell (SMC), one of the three or four principal cell types in atherosclerosis, has been extensively studied over the years. Proliferation and accumulation of SMCs are believed to play important roles in the progression of macrophage-rich lesions to fibroatheromas. Further progression of these atheromas into complicated vulnerable lesions that are likely to cause the acute clinical symptoms of atherosclerosis (myocardial infarction and stroke) may involve cell death and loss of SMCs from the fibrous cap of the lesion. Recent animal studies have shown that diabetes causes a marked increase in SMC accumulation and proliferation in atheromas. Hyperglycemia, advanced glycation end-products, insulin and lipid abnormalities associated with the diabetic environment have been suggested to increase SMC accumulation. Indeed, it is becoming increasingly clear that macrovascular disease associated with diabetes is a multifactorial disease. We review the factors and mechanisms that may regulate SMC proliferation and accumulation in different stages of lesion progression in diabetes. We propose that lipid abnormalities associated with diabetes can act in combination with growth factors present in the diabetic environment to increase SMC accumulation and accelerate lesion progression.
- PublicationOpen AccessCD26: An expanding role in immune regulation and cancer(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2002) Dang, N.H.; Morimoto, C.In this review, we highlight major aspects of the biology of CD26, a dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV)-containing surface glycoprotein with multiple functions. In particular, we discuss findings demonstrating that CD26/DPPIV has an essential role in immune regulation as a T cell activation molecule and a regulator of chemokine function. We also review recent studies that identify key cellular molecules that physically associate with CD26 and the potential consequences of their interaction, including those with clinically-related implications. Furthermore, we present work suggesting a role for CD26 in the pathogenesis and behavior of selected human cancers, both solid tumors and hematological malignancies. We present recent studies that investigate the potential role of CD26 as a molecular target for novel treatment modalities for T cell lymphoid malignancies and possibly other hematological malignancies, with work involving the use of anti-CD26 monoclonal antibody, CD26-transfected cells as well as soluble CD26 molecules.
- PublicationOpen AccessDesmosomes and disease: an update(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2002) Chidgey, M.A.J.Desmosomes play a critical role in the maintenance of normal tissue architecture. Skin blistering can occur when desmosomal adhesion is compromised by antibodies in autoimmune diseases such as pemphigus. Inherited mutations in genes encoding desmosomal constituents can adversely affect the skin, and result in heart abnormalities. Desmosomes may have a tumour suppressor function: expression of desmosomal components is reduced in some human cancers, and desmosomal cadherins have the capacity to suppress the invasiveness of cells in culture. Transgenic animal research has provided important insights into the role of these junctions in normal epithelial morphogenesis and disease.