International audienceThe transverse tubule system in mammalian striated muscle is highly organized and contributes to optimal and homogeneous contraction. Diverse pathologies such as heart failure and atrial fibrillation include disorganization of t-tubules and contractile dysfunction. Few tools are available for the quantification of the organization of the t-tubule system. We developed a plugin for the ImageJ/Fiji image analysis platform developed by the National Institutes of Health. This plugin (TTorg) analyzes raw confocal microscopy images. Analysis options include the whole image, specific regions of the image (cropping), and z-axis analysis of the same image. Batch analysis of a series of images with identical criteria is also one of the options. There is no need to either reorientate any specimen to the horizontal or to do a thresholding of the image to perform analysis. TTorg includes a synthetic "myocyte-like" image generator to test the plugin's efficiency in the user's own experimental conditions. This plugin was validated on synthetic images for different simulated cell characteristics and acquisition parameters. TTorg was able to detect significant differences between the organization of the t-tubule systems in experimental data of mouse ventricular myocytes isolated from wild-type and dystrophin-deficient mice. TTorg is freely distributed, and its source code is available. It provides a reliable, easy-to-use, automatic, and unbiased measurement of t-tubule organization in a wide variety of experimental conditions

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive skin cancer frequently caused by the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). It is still under discussion, in which cells viral integration and MCC development occurs. Recently, we demonstrated that a virus-positive MCC derived from a trichoblastoma, an epithelial neoplasia bearing Merkel cell (MC) differentiation potential. Accordingly, we hypothesized that MC progenitors may represent an origin of MCPyV-positive MCC. To sustain this hypothesis, phenotypic comparison of trichoblastomas and physiologic human MC progenitors was conducted revealing GLI family zinc finger 1 (GLI1), Keratin 17 (KRT 17), and SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) expressions in both subsets. Furthermore, GLI1 expression in keratinocytes induced transcription of the MC marker SOX2 supporting a role of GLI1 in human MC differentiation. To assess a possible contribution of the MCPyV T antigens (TA) to the development of an MC-like phenotype, human keratinocytes were transduced with TA. While this led only to induction of KRT8, an early MC marker, combined GLI1 and TA expression gave rise to a more advanced MC phenotype with SOX2, KRT8, and KRT20 expression. Finally, we demonstrated MCPyV-large T antigens’ capacity to inhibit the degradation of the MC master regulator Atonal bHLH transcription factor 1 (ATOH1). In conclusion, our report suggests that MCPyV TA contribute to the acquisition of an MC-like phenotype in epithelial cells.

Pasqualin C, Gannier F, Yu A, Malécot CO, Bredeloux P, Maupoil V. SarcOptiM for ImageJ: high-frequency online sarcomere length computing on stimulated cardiomyocytes. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 311: C277-C283, 2016. First published June 22, 2016; doi:10.1152/ajpcell.00094.2016.-Accurate measurement of cardiomyocyte contraction is a critical issue for scientists working on cardiac physiology and physiopathology of diseases implying contraction impairment. Cardiomyocytes contraction can be quantified by measuring sarcomere length, but few tools are available for this, and none is freely distributed. We developed a plug-in (SarcOptiM) for the ImageJ/Fiji image analysis platform developed by the National Institutes of Health. SarcOptiM computes sarcomere length via fast Fourier transform analysis of video frames captured or displayed in ImageJ and thus is not tied to a dedicated video camera. It can work in real time or offline, the latter overcoming rotating motion or displacement-related artifacts. SarcOptiM includes a simulator and video generator of cardiomyocyte contraction. Acquisition parameters, such as pixel size and camera frame rate, were tested with both experimental recordings of rat ventricular cardiomyocytes and synthetic videos. It is freely distributed, and its source code is available. It works under Windows, Mac, or Linux operating systems. The camera speed is the limiting factor, since the algorithm can compute online sarcomere shortening at frame rates Ͼ10 kHz. In conclusion, SarcOptiM is a free and validated user-friendly tool for studying cardiomyocyte contraction in all species, including human. cardiomyocyte contractility; sarcomere dynamic; video analysis; ImageJ plug-in; fast Fourier transform ISOLATED CARDIOMYOCYTE (CM) contractions can be recorded and measured with two main methods: cell shortening and sarcomere shortening. The latter is probably the most common and reliable technique used to characterize isolated CM contractile performance, because it does not depend on cell shape and size (4). Sarcomere shortening technique has applications in different research fields, including cardiovascular physiology, pathophysiology such as heart failure, pharmacology, and toxicology (2, 3, 6 -8, 11).Under transmission light microscopy, striated muscle cell sarcomeres show a transverse pattern due to the alternation of light (isotropic; I) and dark (anisotropic; A) bands, corresponding to the very regular organization of thin filaments of actin associated with regulatory proteins, such as tropomyosin and troponin (I band) and thick filaments of myosin (A band). These bands have a profile that can be assimilated to a sinusoidal curve. The frequency of this sinusoid, which represents the distance between the dark bands of the myosin filaments and, therefore, the sarcomere length (SL), can be extracted from Fourier spectrum analysis of the CM image.

The composition of periprostatic adipose tissue (PPAT) has been shown to play a role in prostate cancer (PCa) progression. We recently reported an inverse association between PCa aggressiveness and elevated PPAT linoleic acid (LA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) content. In the present study, we identified a new signaling pathway with a positive feedback loop between the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) transcription factor Zeb1 and the Ca2+-activated K+ channel SK3, which leads to an amplification of Ca2+ entry and cellular migration. Using in vitro experiments and ex vivo cultures of human PCa slices, we demonstrated that LA and EPA exert anticancer effects, by modulating Ca2+ entry, which was involved in Zeb1 regulation and cancer cellular migration. This functional approach using human prostate tumors highlights the clinical relevance of our observations, and may allow us to consider the possibility of targeting cancer spread by altering the lipid microenvironment.

Mechanisms underlying ectopic activity in the pulmonary vein (PV) which triggers paroxysmal atrial fibrillation are unknown. Although several studies have suggested that calcium signalling might be involved in these arrhythmias, little is known about calcium cycling in PV cardiomyocytes (CM). We found that individual PV CM showed a wide range of transverse tubular incidence and organization, going from their virtual absence, as described in atrial CM, to well transversally organised tubular systems, like in ventricular CM. These different types of CM were found in groups scattered throughout the tissue. The variability of the tubular system was associated with cell to cell heterogeneity of calcium channel (Cav1.2) localisation and, thereby, of Cav1.2-Ryanodine receptor coupling. This was responsible for multiple forms of PV CM calcium transient. Spontaneous calcium sparks and waves were not only more abundant in PV CM than in LA CM but also associated with a higher depolarising current. In conclusion, compared with either the atrium or the ventricle, PV myocardium presents marked structural and functional heterogeneity.

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Vascular aging is characterized by increase in arterial stiffness and remodeling of the arterial wall with a loss of elastic properties. Silicon is an essential trace element highly present in arteries. It is involved in the constitution and stabilization of elastin fibers. The nutritional supply and bioavailability of silicon are often inadequate. Spirulina (Sp), micro algae have recognized nutritional properties and are able to incorporate minerals in a bioavailable form. We evaluated the effects of nutritional supplementation with silicon-enriched spirulina (SpSi) on arterial system structure and function in hypertension. Experiments were performed on hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats supplemented with SpSi or Sp over a period of three months. Arterial pressure, vascular function and morphometric parameters of thoracic aorta were analyzed. SpSi supplementation lowered arterial pressure in SHR and minimized morphometric alterations induced by hypertension. Aortic wall thickness and elastic fibers fragmentation were partially reversed. Collagen and elastin levels were increased in association with extracellular matrix degradation decrease. Vascular reactivity was improved with better contractile and vasorelaxant responses to various agonists. No changes were observed in SHR supplemented with Sp. The beneficial effects of SpSi supplementation evidenced here, may be attributable to Si enrichment and offer interesting opportunities to prevent cardiovascular risks.

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