Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) present unique, highly specialised endothelial cells in the body. Unlike the structure and function of typical, vascular endothelial cells, LSECs are comprised of fenestrations, display high endocytic capacity and play a prominent role in maintaining overall liver homeostasis. LSEC dysfunction has been regarded as a key event in multiple liver disorders; however, its role and diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic significance in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is still neglected. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the importance of LSECs in NAFLD. Attention is focused on the LSECs-mediated NO-dependent mechanisms in NAFLD development. We briefly describe the unique, highly specialised phenotype of LSECs and consequences of LSEC dysfunction on function of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and hepatocytes. The potential efficacy of liver selective NO donors against liver steatosis and novel treatment approaches to modulate LSECs-driven liver pathology including NAFLD are also highlighted.

Degradation of the glycocalyx and stiffening of endothelium are important pathophysiological components of endothelial dysfunction. However, to our knowledge, these events have not been investigated in tandem in experimental diabetes. Here, the mechanical properties of the glycocalyx and endothelium in ex vivo mouse aorta were determined simultaneously in indentation experiments with an atomic force microscope (AFM) for diabetic db/db and control db/+ mice at ages of 11–19 weeks. To analyze highly heterogeneous aorta samples, we developed a tailored classification procedure of indentation data based on a bi-layer brush model supplemented with Hertz model for quantification of nanomechanics of endothelial regions with and without the glycocalyx surface. In db/db mice, marked endothelial stiffening and reduced glycocalyx coverage were present already in 11-week-old mice and persisted in older animals. In contrast, reduction of the effective glycocalyx length was progressive and was most pronounced in 19-week-old db/db mice. The reduction of the glycocalyx length correlated with an increasing level of glycated haemoglobin and decreased endothelial NO production. In conclusion, AFM nanoindentation analysis revealed that stiffening of endothelial cells and diminished glycocalyx coverage occurred in early diabetes and were followed by the reduction of the glycocalyx length that correlated with diabetes progression.

It was recently reported in the murine model of metastatic breast cancer (4T1) that tumor progression and development of metastasis is associated with systemic endothelial dysfunction characterized by impaired nitric oxide (NO) production. Using Raman 3D confocal imaging with the analysis of the individual layers of the vascular wall combined with AFM endothelial surface imaging, we demonstrated that metastasis-induced systemic endothelial dysfunction resulted in distinct chemical changes in the endothelium of the aorta. These changes, manifested as a significant increase in the protein content (18 %) and a slight decrease in the lipid content (4 %), were limited to the endothelium and did not occur in the deeper layers of the vascular wall. The altered lipid to protein ratio in the endothelium, although more pronounced in the fixed vascular wall, was also observed in the freshly isolated unfixed vascular wall samples in the aqueous environment (12 and 7 % change of protein and lipid content, respectively). Our results support the finding that the metastasis induces systemic endothelial dysfunction that may contribute to cancer progression.Graphical AbstractSchematic illustration of methodology of sample preparation and measurementElectronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00216-016-9436-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Routine protocols of phototoxicity tests are based on cultured mouse fibroblasts, mainly because these cells are robust and easy to culture in vitro. However, in a real-life situation, phototoxic reactions take place primarily in the epidermis, comprised of keratinocytes -cells which differ substantially from fibroblasts with regard to structure and function. Therefore, keratinocyte cultures seem more appropriate for the phototoxicity testing of xenobiotics, such as cosmetic ingredients or drugs. Aim: To design and implement a test protocol for in vitro assessment of phototoxic properties of xenobiotics in normal human keratinocytes. Material and methods: As a starting point, we applied the EU-approved protocol for testing phototoxicity in mouse fibroblast cultures (3T3 Neutral Red Uptake Phototoxicity Assay, DB-ALM No. 78). The protocol was modified and adjusted in a series of experiments to the specific demands of cultured normal human keratinocytes. After obtaining a stable growth of keratinocytes in microcultures, the cells were exposed for 1 hour to model agents with phototoxic properties known from clinical observations: chlorpromazine, 8-methoxypsoralen, chloroquine, promethazine, etofenamate, ketoprofen, doxycycline, lymecycline, and isotretinoin in a series of concentrations of 0, 1, 3, 11, 33, and 100 μg/ml. Subsequently, the cultures were exposed to the cumulative dose of 5 J/cm 2 of artificial sunlight using the EU-recommended solar simulator. The survival of keratinocytes was assessed by their uptake of neutral red (NR) dye. Results: Using the proposed test protocol, we were able to achieve stable growth of normal adult human keratinocytes in vitro. In the absence of phototoxic agents, no effects of light on cell viability were noticeable up to the dose of 10 J/cm 2 . The proposed system was capable of demonstrating phototoxicity of model phototoxic xenobiotics selected for the tests, which was in line with the clinical experience regarding phototoxic effects of these agents in humans. Conclusions: We have developed an in vitro protocol for assessment of the phototoxic potential of xenobiotics in normal human keratinocytes. Its functionality and reliability has been confirmed by tests results with known phototoxic agents. Although more difficult to culture than mouse fibroblasts, and therefore neglected in routine phototoxicity testing, human keratinocytes seem more appropriate for predicting in vitro phototoxic effects of xenobiotics in human skin, as phototoxic processes predominantly involve the epidermis which consists of keratinocytes.Keywords: phototoxicity testing, xenobiotics, in vitro tests, keratinocyte cultures, human keratinocytes StreszczenieProtokoły stosowanych rutynowo testów fototoksyczności wykorzystują hodowle mysich fibroblastów ponieważ komórki te są mało wymagające i łatwo dają się hodować in vitro. Jednak w rzeczywistości reakcje fototoksyczne w głównej mierze obejmują naskórek, który zbudowany jest z keratynocytów -komórek znacznie różniących się od fibroblastów pod w...

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