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Integrated single-cell and spatial transcriptomic analyses reveal malignant epithelial glycolytic heterogeneity and spatial niche remodeling during colorectal cancer progression.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) progression is shaped by metabolic reprogramming and complex interactions within the tumor microenvironment. However, the cellular heterogeneity, spatial organization, and clinical relevance of glycolytic activity in CRC remain incompletely understood. In this study, we integrated single-cell RNA sequencing, bulk transcriptomics, and spatial transcriptomics data to systematically characterize glycolytic heterogeneity in CRC. Glycolytic activity was quantified using five independent scoring methods, consistently showing that epithelial cells exhibited the highest glycolytic activity across the two single-cell cohorts. Stratification of CopyKAT-verified aneuploid malignant epithelial cells into high-glycolysis (HG) and low-glycolysis (LG) subgroups by glycolysis scores revealed that HG cells exhibited higher stemness scores and chromosomal copy number variations. Cell-cell communication analysis revealed that, compared with LG cells, HG cells exhibited increased interaction frequency and strength with immune and stromal populations, indicating enhanced malignant epithelial-microenvironment crosstalk. Spatial transcriptomics analyses further revealed that glycolytic activity varied across normal colorectal tissue, primary CRC, and colorectal liver metastases, accompanied by progressive remodeling of epithelial-associated spatial niches and MIF-mediated intercellular communication. Bulk transcriptomic analysis identified a glycolysis-related prognostic signature with robust predictive performance, which served as an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in CRC cohorts. Collectively, these findings indicate that glycolytic heterogeneity is a key feature of CRC malignant epithelial cells and is closely associated with tumor progression, microenvironmental remodeling, and clinical outcomes.

Humans

Methylation patterns associated with TTV load in geriatric hospitalized patients: an exploratory functional analysis.

Torque Teno Virus (TTV) is a widespread commensal virus within the human virome, characterized by a high prevalence in human population and an unclear pathogenic role. Over the past three decades, TTV has garnered increasing attention due to its ability to establish lifelong chronic viremia, which intriguingly fluctuates among individuals in relation to immune competence status, with a typical peak after an organ transplantation, followed by a plateau and a slow decrease. The regulatory mechanisms underlying TTV infection remain elusive, and factors influencing its interactions with the immune system have yet to be identified. To explore this complex interplay, we analyzed DNA methylation patterns associated with TTV load in older adult hospitalized patients (mean age: 83.15 ± 7.49) from the PROMOTERA cohort. In this study, we present for the first time the identification of differentially methylated probes (DMPs) correlated to TTV load in our cohort. The statistically significant DMPs were located in genes involved in immune regulation and lipid metabolism. To further characterize these findings, we performed an exploratory enrichment analysis by applying several p-value thresholds, which yielded multiple gene lists derived from the sets of significant probes. Genes associated with this epigenetic signature were found to enrich functional pathways related to immune activation, leukocyte differentiation, and cytokine production, while additional significantly enriched gene sets were involved in cell-cell adhesion and cell migration processes. Since our analysis followed an exploratory approach, these results should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating and warrant further investigation.

Humans

Two-dimensional electrophoresis of surface glycoproteins of normal BHK cells and ricin resistant mutants.

The surface glycoproteins of baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells were iodinated by lactoperoxidase and submitted to a two-dimensional electrophoresis procedure involving isoelectric focusing in the first dimension and SDS gel electrophoresis in the second dimension. After autoradiography a complex but reproducible pattern was obtained. The technique was then applied to the study of three ricin-resistant mutant clones with reduced rates of cell-cell and/or cell-substratum adhesion. Abnormal patterns were observed in all three mutant clones indicating different mechanisms of ricin resistance and identifying glycoproteins which may be involved in cellular interactions.

Cell Adhesion

Analysis of Dictyostelium discoideum plasma membrane fluidity by electron spin resonance.

Dictyostelium discoideum grown axenically in media containing polyunsaturated fatty acids exhibited normal growth rates but impaired differentiation (Weeks, G. (1976) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 450, 21--32). Since cell-cell contact is vital for differentiation but unnecessary for growth we have examined the isolated plasma membranes of these cells. The lipids of the plasma membranes of cells grown in the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids contain considerable quantities of these acids, but the total phospholipid and sterol contents of the plasma membrane are close to normal. Electron spin resonance studies using 5-doxyl-stearic acid as the spin probe reveal two things. Firstly, there are no detectable characteristic transition temperatures in the plasma membranes of D. discoideum. Secondly, the plasma membranes of cell grown in the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids have essentially the same fluidity as that of the control cells. The possible significance of this result to impaired cell-cell interaction is discussed.

Cell Membrane

Time-dependent utilization of platelet arachidonic acid by the neutrophil in formation of 5-lipoxygenase products in platelet-neutrophil co-incubations.

The biosynthesis of leukotrienes is known to occur through a series of complex processes which, in part, can be influenced by cell-cell interactions. Several studies have suggested that arachidonic acid availability is a major limiting step for leukotriene biosynthesis and that its transfer between cells can represent a significant source of this precursor. Accordingly, effect of time and source of arachidonic acid on transcellular leukotriene synthesis was studied in mixed platelet/neutrophil populations challenged with the calcium ionophore A23187. A time-dependent contribution of platelet-derived as well as neutrophil-derived arachidonate was found in the selective formation of neutrophil 5-lipoxygenase metabolites. Utilization of platelet or neutrophil arachidonate was followed by incorporation of radiolabeled arachidonic acid into platelet or neutrophil phospholipids prior to stimulation. Specific activity of liberated arachidonic acid along with numerous 5-lipoxygenase products (including LTB4, 20-hydroxy-LTB4, 5-HETE and LTC4) was determined in order to follow mass and radiolabel. A large amount of platelet-derived arachidonic acid was released in the first 1.5 min, whereas 10 min platelet-derived arachidonate was much lower in amount but significantly higher in specific activity, suggesting different precursor pools. The platelet-derived arachidonate was heavily utilized by the neutrophils at the early time points for formation of 5-HETE and delta 6-trans-LTB4 isomers, but appeared to contribute only marginally to the constitutive metabolism of neutrophil arachidonate into LTB4. Results from these experiments suggest different pools of 5-lipoxygenase in the neutrophil and indicate a time and source dependent modulation of arachidonate metabolism in mixed cell interactions.

Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase

Immortalization of germ cells and somatic testicular cells using the SV40 large T antigen.

We report the immortalization, using the SV40 large T antigen, of all the cell types contributing to a developing seminiferous tubule in the mouse testis. Sixteen peritubular, 22 Leydig, 8 Sertoli, and 1 germ cell line have been established and cultured successfully for 90 generations in a period of 2.5 years. Immortalized peritubular cells were identified by their spindle-like appearance, their high expression of alkaline phosphatase, and their expression of the intermediary filament desmin. They also produce high amounts of collagen. Immortalized Leydig cells are easily identifiable by the accumulation of lipid droplets in their cytoplasm and the production of the enzyme 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Some Leydig cell lines also express LH receptors. The immortalized Sertoli cells are able to adopt their typical in vivo columnar appearance when cultured at high density. They exhibit a typical indented nucleus and cytoplasmic phagosomes. Some Sertoli cell lines also express FSH receptors. A germ cell line (GC-1spg) was established that corresponds to a stage between spermatogonia type B and primary spermatocyte, based on its characteristics in phase contrast and electron microscopy. This cell line expresses the testicular cytochrome ct and lactate dehydrogenase-C4 isozyme. These four immortalized cell types, when plated together, are able to reaggregate and form structures resembling two-dimensional spermatogenic tubules in vitro. When only the immortalized somatic cells are cocultured, the peritubular and Sertoli cells form cord-like structures in the presence of Leydig cells. Fresh pachytene spermatocytes cocultured with the immortalized somatic cells integrate within the cords and are able to survive for at least 7 days. The ability to perform coculture experiments with immortalized testicular cell lines represents an important advancement in our ability to study the nature of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions during spermatogenesis and testis morphogenesis.

Animals

Permeability of bovine brain microvessel endothelial cells in vitro: barrier tightening by a factor released from astroglioma cells.

It has been shown both in vivo and in culture that astrocytes communicate with brain microvessel endothelial cells (BMECs) to induce many of the blood-brain barrier characteristics attributed to these unique cells. However, the results using cultured cells are conflicting as to whether this communication is dependent upon cell-cell contact. In this study we used primary cultures of bovine BMECs grown as monolayers on polycarbonate filters to study the formation of the barrier in vitro and examine its modulation by rat C6 glioma cells. Effects were examined by treating postconfluent BMEC monolayers with medium conditioned continually by C6 cells from the basolateral side to mimic the in vivo orientation. Cell monolayer integrity was assessed using electrical resistance and by measuring diffusion of uncharged molecules. BMEC monolayers form a functionally polarized and leaky barrier, with maximal resistance of 160 omega . cm2 and significant flux of molecules of molecular weight less than 350 Da. Treatment with rat or human astroglioma cells rather than pericytoma cells or transformed fibroblasts results in a concentration-dependent 200-440% increase in electrical resistance and a coincident 50% decrease in permeability to sucrose and dextran (70 kDa). The decrease in passive diffusion is most likely due to a change in tight junctions and not to transcellular vesicular traffic. The findings support that astroglioma cells release one or more signals that are required for cultured BMECs to express a "differentiated" phenotype associated with a tighter barrier, increased gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity, and decreased pinocytic activity. The relative ease and quickness of this culture system makes it amenable to studies on cell-cell interaction and regulation of barrier maintenance.

Animals

Expression of SPARC is correlated with altered morphologies in transfected F9 embryonal carcinoma cells.

SPARC (secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine) is a Ca(2+)-binding glycoprotein that has recently been identified as a member of a group of proteins that exert antispreading effects on various cultured cells. In addition, SPARC is induced during the later stages of F9 stem cell differentiation to parietal endoderm (PE). When treated with retinoic acid and dibutyryl cAMP, F9 cells differentiate into PE and SPARC mRNA is increased approximately 20-fold. To determine whether the chronic overexpression or inhibition of expression of SPARC would affect the morphology, attachment, or differentiation of F9 cells, we transfected undifferentiated F9 cells with cDNA encoding SPARC or anti-sense SPARC and cloned lines that expressed either elevated or reduced levels of SPARC protein. The transfected F9 cells displayed altered morphologies in culture: cells of four overexpressing lines appeared clumped and rounded, whereas those of three underexpressing lines were spread and flat, in comparison to controls. Moreover, the morphological differences persisted during differentiation of the lines to PE. The altered morphology was not due to an increased expression of collagenases and did not affect the ability of the cells to attach and adhere to tissue culture plastic. The altered phenotype of the transfected F9 cells appeared to be directly related to the level of extracellular SPARC. Since overexpression of SPARC induced rounding and aggregation of F9 cells in culture, we propose that SPARC facilitates modulation of cell-cell or cell-substrate interactions in vivo.

Animals

Reconstitution of the photoreceptor-pigment epithelium interface: L-glutamate stimulation of adhesive interactions and rod disc shedding after recombination of dissociated Xenopus laevis eyecups.

In order to investigate adhesive interactions between photoreceptor and pigment epithelial cells, we have mechanically separated neural retinas from Xenopus laevis eyecups and then recombined the tissues in vitro. When tissue pairs are incubated in a defined medium, cell-cell contact is achieved within 3 hr. However, the average proportion of reassembled eyecups in which photoreceptor outer segments interdigitate with epithelial microvilli is limited. Furthermore, rod disc shedding does not take place in these cultures, even following a dark to light transition. When recombined tissues are placed in medium supplemented with 12 mM L-glutamate, retinal reattachment is enhanced and there is a four-fold increase in epithelial phagosome content. The positive effect of excitatory amino acid exposure on shedding, however, is restricted to regions where visual and epithelial cells interdigitate. These results indicate that re-establishment of cell contact may be necessary for shedding of apical disc membranes prior to their engulfment by the epithelium. While reattachment is not affected by pre-incubation of separated tissues in normal medium, rod photoreceptors fail to undergo membrane turnover in response to L-glutamate if a delay of 1 hr or more is interposed between isolation of the retina and its recombination with the pigment epithelium. This is probably due to a decline in retinal function in culture, since a similar preincubation of the pigment epithelium prior to reassembly with a freshly isolated retina does not inhibit the shedding response.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Enhanced antibody responses to antigens presented on autologous erythrocytes.

On a dose basis, antigen coupled to autologous red blood cells is 1,000--10,000-fold more efficient at inducing an antibody response than the soluble form. More than one antigen can be coupled simultaneously to the same red blood cells. Under these circumstances, prior immunization with one antigen enhances the antibody response to the other antigen, provided both antigens are coupled to the same red cell. Thus, the technique of coupling antigens to red blood cells is a means of producing high-titred antisera without the use of adjuvant and also represents a useful procedure for preparing composite antigens for probing cell-cell interaction in the immune response.

Animals

In vitro studies of mouse embryos bearing mutations at the T locus: tw5 and t12 .

Lethal mutations in the T region of chromosome 17 in the mouse cause death at specific stages of embryonic development. It is widely believed that death of homozygous mutant embryos occurs as a result of aberrant cell-cell interaction followed by disorganization and death of specific cell types within the embryo. In vitro culture of blastocysts homozygous for one of these mutations, tw5, has revealed that this mutation is lethal for all cells of the mutant embryo. In addition, measurements of beta-glucuronidase activity indicate that the lethal period of the tw5 mutation is the same in vitro as it is in vivo. Similar biochemical studies with t12 mutant embryos demonstrate that cessation of macromolecular synthesis occurs rather abruptly at the morula stage, the time at which those mutant embryos die in vivo. These results lead us to propose that all cells within the conceptus are directly and profoundly affected by early acting t mutations, and that failure of some cell types to organize properly is not an adequate explanation of the death of these mutants.

Animals

Effects of protease treatment on growth, morphology, adhesion, and cell surface proteins of secondary chick embryo fibroblasts.

Several proteolytic enzymes have been studied with regard to their ability to induce DNA synthesis and cell proliferation in resting chick embryo fibroblasts. Of the enzymes examined, thrombin, bromelin, and trypsin exhibit potent mitogenic activity, elastase has significant but less marked activity, whereas thermolysin, papain, and alpha-protease are inactive. The enzymes were also tested for their ability to induce morphological change or to remove two iodinatable proteins of 250,000 and 205,000 daltons. Although the larger protein is removed by some but not all of the proteases examined, every protease tested removed the smaller cell surface proteins; however, loss of the smaller protein does correlate with the reduction of both cytoplasmic spreading and cell-cell interactions observed after protease treatment. A secondary, later event of migration of cells into clumps is observed in those instances when protease treatment did not result in a loss of the 250k protein. Arole for each of these proteins in the processes of cellular adhesion is discussed.

Bromelains

Teratocarcinoma stem cells have a cell surface carbohydrate-binding component implicated in cell-cell adhesion.

Teratocarcinoma stem cells maintained in the undifferentiated state express a carbohydrate-binding component that recognizes oligomannosyl residues. This cell surface molecule is detected by a rosetta assay in which the stem cells form rosettes with glutaraldehyde-fixed trypsinized rabbit erythrocytes. Addition of simple sugars to the assay mixture has little effect, but rosette formation is inhibited by a series of mannose-rich glycoproteins (yeast invertase, yeast mannans and horseradish peroxidase). Periodate oxidation eliminates the inhibitory activity of invertase whereas pronase digestion has little effect, indicating that carbohydrate moieties are essential for inhibition. Invertase and its glycopeptide derivatives also inhibit the reaggregation of dispersed stem cells and promote the dissociation of preformed aggregates. These results suggest that intercellular adhesion of teratocarcinoma stem cels may be the consequence of the interaction of a lectin-like component detected in the rosette assay with a complementary oligosaccharide receptor on adjacent cells.

Animals