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Biology subjects

Hulin, P.

Publications and source records attributed to Hulin, P..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Label-free imaging of large samples: 3D rendering and morphological analysis within histological workflows using serial block face imaging

Serial block face imaging (SFBI) is a method used to generate 3-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of a sample via serial image acquisition. Several SBFI approaches have been proposed for large samples, differing in the ability to generate contrast as well as in the nature of the detected signal. We propose a new system that detects the endogenous autofluorescence signal of paraffin-embedded samples. The sample preparation is simplified compared to other approaches, and adapted to be integrated into a routine histological preparation. More specifically, it was designed to limit reagent toxicity and to be compatible with downstream histological processing. We show the usefulness of the technique with a wide range of tissues based on the intrinsic autofluorescence signal. Optimization of quality section recovery offers the possibility to develop correlative approaches and multimodal analysis between the 3D dataset with the 2-dimensional (2D) sections. In addition, contrast and resolution of block-face images allow us to successfully perform post processing analysis and morphology quantifications. Overall, our methodology offers a simple, cost effective and rapid approach to obtain quantitative data on a large sample with no specific staining.

bioengineering↗

Short OGA is targeted to the mitochondria and regulates mitochondrial reactive oxygen species level

O-GlcNAcylation is a reversible post-translational modification involved the regulation of cytosolic, nuclear and mitochondrial proteins. Only two enzymes, OGT and OGA, control attachment and removal of O-GlcNAc on proteins, respectively. Whereas a variant OGT (mOGT) has been proposed as the main isoform that O-GlcNAcylates proteins in mitochondria, identification of a mitochondrial OGA has not been performed yet. Two splice variants of OGA (short and long isoforms) have been described previously. In this work, using cell fractionation experiments, we show that short-OGA is preferentially recovered in mitochondria-enriched fractions from HEK-293T cells as well as mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Moreover, fluorescent microscopy imaging confirmed that GFP-tagged short-OGA is addressed to mitochondria. In addition, using a BRET-based mitochondrial O-GlcNAcylation biosensor, we show that co-transfection of short-OGA markedly reduced O-GlcNAcylation of the biosensor, whereas long-OGA had no significant effect. Finally, using genetically encoded or chemical fluorescent mitochondrial probes, we showed that short-OGA overexpression increases mitochondrial ROS levels, whereas long-OGA had no significant effect. Together, our work reveals that the short-OGA isoform is targeted to the mitochondria where it regulates ROS homoeostasis.

cell biology↗

Non-permissive human conventional CD1c+ dendritic cells enable trans-infection of human primary renal tubular epithelial cells and protect BK polyomavirus from neutralization

The BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) is a ubiquitous human virus that persists in the renourinary epithelium. Immunosuppression can lead to BKPyV reactivation in the first year post-transplantation in kidney (KTR) and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. In KTR, persistent DNAemia has been correlated to the occurrence of polyomavirus-associated nephropathy (PVAN) that can lead to graft loss if not properly controlled. Based on recent observations that conventional dendritic cells (cDC) specifically infiltrate PVAN lesions, we hypothesized that those cells could play a role in BKPyV infection. We first demonstrated that monocyte-derived DC (MDDC), an in vitro model for mDC, captured BKPyV particles through an unconventional GRAF-1 endocytic pathway. Neither BKPyV particles nor BKPyV-infected cells were shown to activate MDDC. Endocytosed virions were efficiently transmitted to permissive cells and shown to be protected from the antibody-mediated neutralization. Finally, we demonstrated that freshly isolated CD1c+ mDC from the blood and kidney parenchyma behaved similarly to MDDC thus extending our results to cells of clinical relevance. This study sheds light on a potential unprecedented CD1c+ mDC involvement in the BKPyV infection as a promoter of viral spreading.

microbiology↗

Spatio-temporal analysis of human preimplantation development reveals dynamics of epiblast and trophectoderm

Recent technological advances such as single-cell RNAseq1-3 and CRISPR-CAS9-mediated knock-out4 have allowed an unprecedented access into processes orchestrating human preimplantation development5. However, the sequence of events which occur during human preimplantation development are still unknown. In particular, timing of first human lineage specification, the process by which the morula cells acquire a specific fate, remains elusive. Here, we present a human preimplantation development model based on transcriptomic pseudotime modelling of scRNAseq biologically validated by spatial information and precise time-lapse staging. In contrast to mouse, we show that trophectoderm (TE) / inner cell mass (ICM) lineage specification in human is only detectable at the transcriptomic level at the blastocyst stage, just prior to expansion. We validated the expression profile of novel markers enabling precise staging of human preimplantation embryos, such as IFI16 which highlights establishment of epiblast (EPI) and NR2F2 which appears at the transition from specified to mature TE. Strikingly, mature TE cells arise from the polar side, just after specification, supporting a model of polar TE cells driving TE maturation. Altogether, our study unravels the first lineage specification event in the human embryo and provides a browsable resource for mapping spatio-temporal events underlying human lineage specification.

cell biology↗

Pannexin-1 Channels govern the Generation of Necroptotic small Extracellular Vesicles

The activation of mixed lineage kinase-like (MLKL) by receptor-interacting protein kinase-3 (RIPK3) controls the execution of necroptosis, a regulated form of necrosis that occurs in apoptosis-deficient conditions. Active oligomerized MLKL triggers the exposure of phosphatidylserine residues on the cell surface and disrupts the plasma membrane integrity by forming lytic pores. MLKL also governs the biogenesis and shedding of proinflammatory small extracellular vesicles (EVs) during the early steps of necroptosis, however the molecular basis is unknown. Here, we find that MLKL oligomers activate plasma membrane Pannexin-1 (PANX1) channels, concomitantly to the loss of phosphatidylserine asymmetry. This plasma membrane "leakiness" requires the Rab GTPase Rab27 isoforms, which usher the small EVs to their release. Conversely, PANX1 knockdown disorganized the small EVs machinery and precludes vesicles extrusion. These data identify a novel signaling nexus between MLKL, Rab27, and PANX1, and propose ways to interfere with small EV generation.

cell biology↗