Ouabain Induces Transcript Changes and Activation of RhoA/ROCK Signaling in Cultured Epithelial Cells (MDCK).

Ouabain, an organic compound with the ability to strengthen the contraction of the heart muscle, was originally derived from plants. It has been observed that certain mammalian species, including humans, naturally produce ouabain, leading to its classification as a new type of hormone. When ouabain binds to Na/K-ATPase, it elicits various physiological effects, although these effects are not well characterized.

Ouabain-Induced Changes in the Expression of Voltage-Gated Potassium Channels in Epithelial Cells Depend on Cell-Cell Contacts.

Ouabain is a cardiac glycoside, initially isolated from plants, and currently thought to be a hormone since some mammals synthesize it endogenously. It has been shown that in epithelial cells, it induces changes in properties and components related to apical-basolateral polarity and cell-cell contacts. In this work, we used a whole-cell patch clamp to test whether ouabain affects the properties of the voltage-gated potassium currents (Ik) of epithelial cells (MDCK).

Prostaglandin E2 Enhances Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication in Clonal Epithelial Cells.

Prostaglandins are a group of lipids that produce diverse physiological and pathological effects. Among them, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) stands out for the wide variety of functions in which it participates. To date, there is little information about the influence of PGE2 on gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) in any type of tissue, including epithelia.

CBD Reverts the Mesenchymal Invasive Phenotype of Breast Cancer Cells Induced by the Inflammatory Cytokine IL-1β.

Cannabidiol (CBD) has been used to treat a variety of cancers and inflammatory conditions with controversial results. In previous work, we have shown that breast cancer MCF-7 cells, selected by their response to inflammatory IL-1β cytokine, acquire a malignant phenotype (6D cells) through an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We evaluated CBD as a potential inhibitor of this transition and inducer of reversion to a non-invasive phenotype.

Influence of Endogenous Cardiac Glycosides, Digoxin, and Marinobufagenin in the Physiology of Epithelial Cells.

Cardiac glycosides are a group of compounds widely known for their action in cardiac tissue, some of which have been found to be endogenously produced (ECG). We have previously studied the effect of ouabain, an endogenous cardiac glycoside, on the physiology of epithelial cells, and we have shown that in concentrations in the nanomolar range, it affects key properties of epithelial cells, such as tight junction, apical basolateral polarization, gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC), and adherent junctions. In this work, we study the influence of digoxin and marinobufagenin, two other endogenously expressed cardiac glycosides, on GJIC as well as the degree of transepithelial tightness due to tight junction integrity (TJ).

Ouabain Modulates the Adherens Junction in Renal Epithelial Cells.

Background/aims: Ouabain, a well-known plant-derived toxin, is also a hormone found in mammals at nanomolar levels that binds to a site located in the a-subunit of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase. Our main goal was to understand the physiological roles of ouabain. Previously, we found that ouabain increases the degree of tight junction sealing, GAP junction-mediated communication and ciliogenesis.

Training for Workers and Safety Representatives on Manufactured Nanomaterials.

Although nanotechnologies are increasingly present in numerous sectors of the economy, training resources available to workers exposed to them are still rare. In the European Union (EU), some initiatives exist that inform workers about exposure and risks, but they lack two key dimensions: the involvement of workers themselves in designing and implementing training materials and the key role played by safety representatives in improving occupational health and safety in EU member states. Making workers actors of their own training, rather than recipients of it, and empowering them, so that they can collectively question unsafe situations and ask for changes in their working conditions, is how training can positively impact their health and safety.

The expression of endogenous voltage-gated potassium channels in HEK293 cells is affected by culture conditions.

HEK293 cells are widely used as a host for expression of heterologous proteins; yet, little care has been taken to characterize their endogenous membrane components, including ion channels. In this work, we aimed to describe the biophysical and pharmacological properties of endogenous, voltage-dependent potassium currents (IKv). We also examined how its expression depends on culture conditions.

Cucumis sativus Aqueous Fraction Inhibits Angiotensin II-Induced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress In Vitro.

Inflammation and oxidative stress play major roles in endothelial dysfunction, and are key factors in the progression of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the effect of three subfractions (SFs) from the aqueous fraction to reduce inflammatory factors and oxidative stress induced by angiotensin II (Ang II) in human microvascular endothelial cells-1 (HMEC-1) cells. The cells were cultured with different concentrations of Ang II and 0.

Ouabain Modulates the Distribution of Connexin 43 in Epithelial Cells.

Background/aims: The fact that ouabain has been identified as an endogenous substance, led us to inquire its physiological role in epithelial cells. Based on previous observations, we hypothesized that it influences processes related to cell contacts. Previously we have shown that nanomolar concentrations of ouabain up-regulate tight junctions, accelerate ciliogenesis, and increase gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC).

Teslaphoresis of Carbon Nanotubes.

This paper introduces Teslaphoresis, the directed motion and self-assembly of matter by a Tesla coil, and studies this electrokinetic phenomenon using single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Conventional directed self-assembly of matter using electric fields has been restricted to small scale structures, but with Teslaphoresis, we exceed this limitation by using the Tesla coil's antenna to create a gradient high-voltage force field that projects into free space. CNTs placed within the Teslaphoretic (TEP) field polarize and self-assemble into wires that span from the nanoscale to the macroscale, the longest thus far being 15 cm.

Ouabain increases gap junctional communication in epithelial cells.

Background/aims: The finding that endogenous ouabain acts as a hormone prompted efforts to elucidate its physiological function. In previous studies, we have shown that 10 nM ouabain (i.e.

Ouabain induces endocytosis and degradation of tight junction proteins through ERK1/2-dependent pathways.

In addition to being a very well-known ion pump, Na(+), K(+)-ATPase is a cell-cell adhesion molecule and the receptor of digitalis, which transduces regulatory signals for cell adhesion, growth, apoptosis, motility and differentiation. Prolonged ouabain (OUA) blockage of activity of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase leads to cell detachment from one another and from substrates. Here, we investigated the cellular mechanisms involved in tight junction (TJ) disassembly upon exposure to toxic levels of OUA (≥300 nM) in epithelial renal canine cells (MDCK).

Ouabain modulates ciliogenesis in epithelial cells.

The exchange of substances between higher organisms and the environment occurs across transporting epithelia whose basic features are tight junctions (TJs) that seal the intercellular space, and polarity, which enables cells to transport substances vectorially. In a previous study, we demonstrated that 10 nM ouabain modulates TJs, and we now show that it controls polarity as well. We gauge polarity through the development of a cilium at the apical domain of Madin-Darby canine kidney cells (MDCK, epithelial dog kidney).

Actin cytoskeleton participation in the onset of IL-1beta induction of an invasive mesenchymal-like phenotype in epithelial MCF-7 cells.

Background: Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1beta) and other inflammatory cytokines are reported to induce phenotypic changes in epithelial breast cancer tumor cells related to increased invasiveness. Mechanisms involved in the process are not well understood.

Methods: The noninvasive breast cancer epithelial cell line MCF-7 was used to investigate the IL-1beta-induced phenotype.

Ouabain modulates epithelial cell tight junction.

Epithelial cells treated with high concentrations of ouabain (e.g., 1 microM) retrieve molecules involved in cell contacts from the plasma membrane and detach from one another and their substrates.

IL8 release, tight junction and cytoskeleton dynamic reorganization conducive to permeability increase are induced by dengue virus infection of microvascular endothelial monolayers.

Permeability alterations of microvascular endothelia may be a factor in the plasma leakage produced by dengue virus infection. Confluent monolayers of the human dermal microvascular endothelial cell line HMEC-1 were utilized as an experimental model to study the cellular responses induced by the virus. Infected monolayers showed increased permeability for [(3)H]mannitol, but no changes were observed for 4-70 kDa dextrans at 48 h post-infection (p.

Melatonin induced cyclic modulation of vectorial water transport in kidney-derived MDCK cells.

Background: Melatonin, newly synthesized by the pineal gland, is rapidly released to general circulation reaching a nanomolar concentration. Cyclic production of melatonin synchronizes body rhythms with the photoperiod. Moreover, changes in urine production and osmolarity have been observed in the kidney during the night.

2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM), a potent inhibitor of actin-myosin interaction, induces ion and fluid transport in MDCK monolayers.

Membrane-cytoskeleton interactions have been shown to be crucial to modulate polarity, cell shape and the paracellular pathway in epithelial MDCK cell monolayers. In particular, actin organization and myosin-dependent contractility play an important role in the regulation of these functions. Participation of myosin in vectorial transport, expressed as formation of domes, was investigated in confluent monolayers of high transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) plated on non-permeable supports.