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Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is nowadays a worldwide epidemic and has become a major challenge for health systems around the world. It is a multifactorial disorder, characterized by a chronic state of hyperglycemia caused by defects in the production as well as in the peripheral action of insulin. This minireview highlights the experimental and clinical evidence that supports the novel idea that intercellular junctions (IJs)-mediated cell-cell contacts play a role in the pathogenesis of T2D. It focuses on IJs repercussion for endocrine pancreas, intestinal barrier, and kidney dysfunctions that contribute to the onset and evolution of this metabolic disorder.

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Cells interact with their microenvironment by constantly sensing mechanical and chemical cues converting them into biochemical signals. These processes allow cells to respond and adapt to changes in their environment, and are crucial for most cellular functions. Understanding the mechanism underlying this complex interplay at the cell-matrix interface is of fundamental value to decipher key biochemical and mechanical factors regulating cell fate. The combination of material science and surface chemistry aided in the creation of controllable environments to study cell mechanosensing and mechanotransduction. Biologically inspired materials tailored with specific bioactive molecules, desired physical properties and tunable topography have emerged as suitable tools to study cell behavior. Among these materials, synthetic cell interfaces with built-in sensing capabilities are highly advantageous to measure biophysical and biochemical interaction between cells and their environment. In this review, we discuss the design of micro and nanostructured biomaterials engineered not only to mimic the structure, properties, and function of the cellular microenvironment, but also to obtain quantitative information on how cells sense and probe specific adhesive cues from the extracellular domain. This type of responsive biointerfaces provides a readout of mechanics, biochemistry, and electrical activity in real time allowing observation of cellular processes with molecular specificity. Specifically designed sensors based on advanced optical and electrochemical readout are discussed. We further provide an insight into the emerging role of multifunctional micro and nanosensors to control and monitor cell functions by means of material design.

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Inflammation contributes to the genesis and progression of chronic diseases, such as cancer and neurodegeneration. Upregulation of integrins in astrocytes during inflammation induces neurite retraction by binding to the neuronal protein Thy-1, also known as CD90. Additionally, Thy-1 alters astrocyte contractility and movement by binding to the mechano-sensors αVß3 integrin and Syndecan-4. However, the contribution of Syndecan-4 to neurite shortening following Thy-1-αVß3 integrin interaction remains unknown. To further characterize the contribution of Syndecan-4 in Thy-1-dependent neurite outgrowth inhibition and neurite retraction, cell-based assays under pro-inflammatory conditions were performed. In addition, using Optical Tweezers, we studied single-molecule binding properties between these proteins, and their mechanical responses. Syndecan-4 increased the lifetime of Thy-1-αVß3 integrin binding by interacting directly with Thy-1 and forming a ternary complex (Thy-1-αVß3 integrin + Syndecan-4). Under in vitro-generated pro-inflammatory conditions, Syndecan-4 accelerated the effect of integrin-engaged Thy-1 by forming this ternary complex, leading to faster neurite retraction and the inhibition of neurite outgrowth. Thus, Syndecan-4 controls neurite cytoskeleton contractility by modulating αVß3 integrin mechano-receptor function. These results suggest that mechano-transduction, cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions are likely critical events in inflammation-related disease development.

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Cervical cancer is a common and fatal malignancy of the female reproductive system. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary causal agent for cervical cancer, but HPV infection alone is insufficient to cause the disease. Actually, most HPV infections are sub-clinical and cleared spontaneously by the host immune system; very few persist and eventually develop into cervical cancer. Therefore, other host or environmental alterations could also contribute to the malignant phenotype. One of the candidate co-factors is the ß-catenin protein, a pivotal component of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. ß-Catenin mainly implicates two major cellular activities: cell-cell adhesion and signal transduction. Recent studies have indicated that an imbalance in the structural and signaling properties of ß-catenin leads to various cancers, such as cervical cancer. In this review, we will systematically summarize the role of ß-catenin in cervical cancer and provide new insights into therapeutic strategies.

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Cervical cancer is a common and fatal malignancy of the female reproductive system. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary causal agent for cervical cancer, but HPV infection alone is insufficient to cause the disease. Actually, most HPV infections are sub-clinical and cleared spontaneously by the host immune system; very few persist and eventually develop into cervical cancer. Therefore, other host or environmental alterations could also contribute to the malignant phenotype. One of the candidate co-factors is the ß-catenin protein, a pivotal component of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. ß-Catenin mainly implicates two major cellular activities: cell-cell adhesion and signal transduction. Recent studies have indicated that an imbalance in the structural and signaling properties of ß-catenin leads to various cancers, such as cervical cancer. In this review, we will systematically summarize the role of ß-catenin in cervical cancer and provide new insights into therapeutic strategies.

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Aim: Colon cancer (CC) is the second cause of cancer death worldwide. The use of nanoparticles for drug delivery has been increasing in cancer clinical trials over recent years. Materials & methods: We evaluated cytotoxicity of citrate-capped gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and the role they play on cell-cell adhesion. We also used GNP for delivery of cetuximab into different CC cell lines. Results: CC cells with well-formed tight junctions impair GNP uptake. Noncytotoxic concentration of GNP increases paracellular permeability in Caco-2 cells in a reversible way, concomitantly to tight junctions proteins CLDN1 and ZO-1 redistribution. GNP functionalized with cetuximab increases death of invasive HCT-116 CC cells. Conclusion: GNP can be used for drug delivery and can improve efficiency of CC therapy.

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Colorectal cancer (CRC) is frequently a lethal disease because of metastasis. Actin cytoskeletal rearrangement is an essential step in cell migration during activation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program, which is associated with metastatic properties of cancer cells. Cofilin-1 protein modulates actin dynamics by promoting actin treadmilling, thereby driving membrane protrusion and cell migration and invasion. However, the role of cofilin-1 during EMT in CRC is unknown. Here, we show that cofilin-1 and p-cofilin-1 have distinct subcellular distribution in EMT cells, as determined by super-resolution microscopy images, indicating distinct roles in different areas of cells. Silenced cofilin-1 cells treated with TGF-ß (siCofilin-1/TGF-ß) evaded p-LIMK2-p-cofilin-1 status, leading to recovery of E-cadherin and claudin-3 at the cell-cell contact and their respective protein levels, actin reorganization, and decreased mesenchymal protein level. Furthermore, siCofilin-1/TGF-ß cells exhibited decreased migration and invasion rates as well as MMP-2 and -9 activity and augmented focal adhesion size. The expression of an inactive phospho-cofilin-1 mimetic (S3E) reduced E-cadherin and claudin-3 in cell-cell contacts, reduced their protein levels, and increased vimentin protein. Based on our findings, we suggest that cofilin-1 is crucial to switching from epithelial to mesenchymal-like morphology and cell migration and invasion by regulating actin cytoskeleton organization through activation of RhoA-LIMK2-cofilin-1 signaling, impacting the cell-cell adhesion organization of colon cancer cells in EMT.

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Um dos primeiros eventos associados à progressão do câncer colorretal (CCR) é a perda dos contatos célula-célula, seguido da aquisição de um fenótipo indiferenciado e aumento na motilidade celular. Estes eventos estão associados com um processo conhecido como transição epitélio-mesenquimal (TEM), na qual as células adquirem capacidade para invadir tecidos vizinhos. A biogênese deste tipo de câncer envolve uma série de fatores predisponentes dentre os quais está o processo infamatório, onde a prostaglandina E2 (PGE2) e o fator transformador β de crescimento (TGFβ) cumprem importante função. Vários estudos têm mostrado que a PGE2 induz proliferação, migração e invasão celular. Já o TGFβ, apesar de ter uma função dual como promotor ou supressor da tumorigênese, é conhecido também por promover TEM em diferentes tipos de câncer. No entanto, a associação entre as vias de sinalização celular ativada por estes agentes na indução da perda da adesão célula-célula e da TEM em CCR não é conhecida. No presente estudo, usando linhagens celulares de CCR, analisamos a associação entre a PGE2 e o TGFβ sobre as alterações no fenótipo celular e eventos relacionados com a TEM. Na primeira etapa do estudo, usando células Caco-2, mostramos que o tratamento com PGE2 promoveu alterações na localização e função de proteínas do complexo juncional apical (CJA) concomitantemente com a perda da funcionalidade da barreira paracelular. Mostramos também que a via de sinalização responsável nesse evento foi a PKC através de um mecanismo envolvendo os receptores prostanóides EP1 e EP2 e a proteína claudina-1 na modulação do CJA. Na segunda etapa do estudo, analisamos eventos relacionados com a TEM usando linhagens celulares de CCR que diferem no fenótipo e no grau de invasão mediante tratamentos com PGE2 e TGFβ...

The lost of cell-cell adhesion followed by increased motility and acquisition of an undifferentiated phenotype are initial events associated with colorectal cancer (CCR) progression. These events are associated with a process known as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (TEM) in which cells acquire the ability to invade neighboring tissues. The biogenesis of this type of cancer predisposes a series of conditions for which the inflammatory process, known as an important inductor of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and tumor growth factor β (TGFβ), plays an important function. Various studies have shown that PGE2 is able to induce proliferation, migration and invasion. TGFβ plays a dual function either as promoter or tumor suppressor and is also a TEM inductor in different types of cancer. However, a crosslink between the cell signaling pathways activated by these agents in relation to lost of cell-cell adhesion and TEM development in CCR is unknown. In the present study, using CCR cell lines, we analyze the association between PGE2 and TGFβ...

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