We have used the H-7w subclone of a Chinese hamster ovary cell line (K1) to investigate the role of cell surface architecture (specifically microvilli, blebs, and sheets) in determining the relative agglutinability of a cell line with Con A. Our evidence clearly demonstrates that no specific, immediately recognizable surface architecture is associated with the agglutinable or non-agglutinable p...

Mesenchymal precursors (MPs) present some advantageous features, such as differentiation and migration, which make them promising candidates for cell therapy. A better understanding of MP migration characteristics would aid the development of cell delivery protocols. Traditionally, cell migration is thought to occur only through the formation of lamellipodia. More recently, contractility-driven...

Mechanosensitive ion channels are force-transducing enzymes that couple mechanical stimuli to ion flux. Understanding the gating mechanism of mechanosensitive channels is challenging because the stimulus seen by the channel reflects forces shared between the membrane, cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix. Here we examine whether the mechanosensitive channel PIEZO1 is activated by force-transmi...

The tegumental surface of the adult intestinal fluke, Haplorchis taichui, after in vitro incubation in Tyrode's solution containing 25, 50, 75 and 100% of aqueous extract of Artocarpus takoocha for 1, 6, 12 and 24 hours, was monitored by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The effect on worm motility was studied in contemporizing period. The adult worms stopped their motility immediately after ...

Though the primary action of the cationic antibiotic polymyxin B is against the membrane of susceptible bacteria, severe morphological changes are detected in the cytoplasm. Using fluorescence microscopy and a mono-N-dansyl-polymyxin B derivative, we could demonstrate aggregations of the antibiotic with cellular material, possibly nucleic acids and/or ribosomes. These aggregations were only pro...

Although spontaneous pneumothoraces have been recognized and treated for almost 180 yrs, new aspects have emerged concerning pathogenesis, diagnostic procedures and treatment modalities. In spite of the fact that blebs and bullae are frequently found in patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax, they seldom seem to be the actual cause of the pneumothorax. Inflammatory changes in the distal...

Living cells sense absolute temperature and temporal changes in temperature using biological thermosensors such as ion channels. Here, we reveal, to our knowledge, a novel mechanism of sensing spatial temperature gradients within single cells. Spherical mitotic cells form directional membrane extensions (polar blebs) under sharp temperature gradients (≥∼0.065°C μm(-1); 1.3°C temperature differe...

Cellular blebbing is a unique form of dynamic protrusion emanating from the plasma membrane which can be either apoptotic or nonapoptotic in nature. Blebs have been observed in a wide variety of cell types and in response to multiple mechanical and chemical stimuli. They have been linked to various physiological and pathological processes including tumor motility and invasion, as well as to var...

Port wine stains (PWS) are congenital capillary malformations consisting of ectasia of capillaries and venules. At birth,lesions are flat and relatively uniform in color, but evolve with age to become raised, thickened, irregularly surfaced, and deeply colored. Therefore, it is considered optimal to begin treatment of patients at an early age. Conventional treatment modalities, such as electroc...