Arpin deficiency increases actomyosin contractility and vascular permeability.

Arpin was discovered as an inhibitor of the Arp2/3 complex localized at the lamellipodial tip of fibroblasts, where it regulated migration steering. Recently, we showed that arpin stabilizes the epithelial barrier in an Arp2/3-dependent manner. However, the expression and functions of arpin in endothelial cells (EC) have not yet been described.

Erk1/2 is not required for endothelial barrier establishment despite its requirement for cAMP-dependent Rac1 activation in heart endothelium.

The contribution of Erk1/2 to endothelial barrier regulation is convoluted and differs depending on the vascular bed. We explored the effects of Erk1/2 inhibition on endothelial barrier maintenance and its relationship with cAMP-dependent barrier strengthening. Thus, myocardial endothelial cells (MyEnd) were isolated and protein expression, localization and activity of structural and signaling molecules involved in maintenance of endothelial function were investigated by Western blot, immunostainings and G-LISA, respectively.

Adhesion of pancreatic tumor cell clusters by desmosomal molecules enhances early liver metastases formation.

Desmosomes are intercellular adhesion complexes providing mechanical coupling and tissue integrity. Previously, a correlation of desmosomal molecule expression with invasion and metastasis formation in several tumor entities was described together with a relevance for circulating tumor cell cluster formation. Here, we investigated the contribution of the desmosomal core adhesion molecule desmoglein-2 (DSG2) to the initial steps of liver metastasis formation by pancreatic cancer cells using a novel ex vivo liver perfusion mouse model.

Development of Quality Indicators to Evaluate the Quality of Care for People with Differences of Sex Development.

Introduction: Achieving evidence-based, high-quality medical care is the overarching goal of healthcare quality management. Quality indicators (QIs) serve as proxies to show whether good quality is reached or not. This article describes the development of QI for the evaluation of healthcare quality in the area of differences of sex development (DSD).

IFN-γ stimulates Paneth cell secretion through necroptosis mTORC1 dependent.

Immune mediators affect multiple biological functions of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and, like Paneth and Paneth-like cells, play an important role in intestinal epithelial homeostasis. IFN-γ a prototypical proinflammatory cytokine disrupts intestinal epithelial homeostasis. However, the mechanism underlying the process remains unknown.