Project description:we fabricate a bioinspired hemostatic dressing (AKOC) with robust interfacial integration of kaolin and cotton through a potentially scalable self-assembly strategy for efficient and safe hemostasis.
Project description:To identify the cuticular proteins in developing wing scales of Bombyx mori, we performed LC-MS/MS analysis of dissoliving developing wing scales from Bombyx mori
Project description:To identify the cuticular proteins in developing wing scales of Bombyx mori, we performed LC-MS/MS analysis of dissoliving developing wing scales from Bombyx mori
Project description:To identify the cuticular proteins in developing wing scales of Bombyx mori, we performed LC-MS/MS analysis of dissoliving developing wing scales from Bombyx mori
Project description:Birds and other reptiles possess a diversity of feather and scale-like skin appendages. Feathers are commonly assumed to have originated from ancestral scales in theropod dinosaurs. However, most birds also have scaled feet, indicating birds evolved the capacity to grow both ancestral and derived morphologies. This suggests a more complex evolutionary history than a simple linear transition between feathers and scales. We set out to investigate the evolution of feathers via the comparison of transcriptomes assembled from diverse skin appendages in chicken, emu, and alligator. Our data reveal that feathers and the overlapping ‘scutate’ scales of birds share more similar gene expression to each other, and to two types of alligator scales, than they do to the tuberculate ‘reticulate’ scales on bird footpads. Accordingly, we propose a history of skin appendage diversification, in which feathers and bird scutate scales arose from ancestral archosaur body scales, whereas reticulate scales arose earlier in tetrapod evolution. We also show that many “feather-specific genes” are also expressed in alligator scales. In-situ hybridization results in feather buds suggest that these genes represent ancestral scale genes that acquired novel roles in feather morphogenesis and were repressed in bird scales. Our findings suggest that the differential reuse, in feathers, and suppression, in bird scales, of genes ancestrally expressed in archosaur scales has been a key factor in the origin of feathers – and may represent an important mechanism for the origin of evolutionary novelties.
Project description:Bulk RNA-sequencing experiments were performed to analyze the transcriptomic effects of such integrations into two newly established genomic safe harbor sites. Jurkat and HEK293T cells were edited to integrate CMV-mRuby expressing cassette into Rogi2 genomic safe harbor site using Cas9 RNP
Project description:Epidermal keratinocytes form cornified skin appendages such as scutate scales on the legs of birds. Here, we investigated the molecular pathways of keratinocyte differentiation in chicken scutate scales by single cell transcriptomics. We identified two distinct populations of differentiated keratinocytes. The first type of differentiated keratinocytes is characterized by mRNAs encoding scale-type corneous beta-proteins (CBPs), also known as beta-keratins and cysteine-rich keratins, indicating that these cells form hard scales. The second type of differentiated keratinocytes contains mRNAs encoding keratinocyte-type CBPs and cysteine-poor keratins, indicating that these cells form the soft interscale epidermis. Immunostaining with a newly raised antibody confirmed that keratin 9-like cysteine-rich 2 (KRT9LC2) or Hard Acid Sauropsid-specific 2 (HAS2) keratin, which is a marker of the first type of keratinocytes, is expressed in the suprabasal epidermal layers of scutate scales but not in interscale epidermis. Furthermore, mRNA of CTNN1B, previously implicated in scale placode formation, was enriched in differentiated scale keratinocytes, whereas genes involved in lipid metabolism, such as ELOVL4 and FADS1 were enriched in keratinocytes of the interscale epidermis. In conclusion, this study defines the gene expression programs that build the scutate scales and interscale epidermis of birds.
Project description:Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) is a prominent regulator of blood coagulation and an intriguing constituent of trophoblast cells situated at the maternal-fetal interface. The actions of TFPI extend beyond controlling hemostasis and directly affect trophoblast cell development. TFPI facilitates the differentiation of rat and human trophoblast stem cells into the invasive trophoblast/extravillous cell lineage and promotes intrauterine trophoblast invasion and trophoblast-guided uterine spiral artery remodeling at the maternal-fetal interface. Thus, TFPI is a conserved regulator of a fundamental event determining the efficacy of the hemochorial placenta.
Project description:The plasma multimeric glycoprotein von Willebrand factor (VWF) plays a critical role in primary hemostasis by tethering platelets to exposed collagen at sites of vascular injury. Recent studies have identified additional biological roles for VWF, and in particular suggest that VWF may play an important role in regulating inflammatory responses. Critically however, the molecular mechanisms through which VWF exerts its immuno-modulatory effects remains poorly understood. In this study, we report for the first time that VWF binding to macrophages triggers direct downstream MAPkinase signaling leading to NF-kB activation and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. In keeping with these observations, VWF binding also promotes macrophage M1 polarization and shifts macrophage metabolism towards glycolysis in a p38 dependent manner. Cumulatively, our findings define an entirely new biological role for VWF in modulating macrophage function, and thereby establish a novel link between primary hemostasis and innate immunity.