Macrophage plasticity is more than black and white
Many rules in biology exist, and even more exceptions to these rules. For years, immunologists have tried to classify macrophages into two subtypes, classically activated M1, and alternatively activated M2 macrophages. However, with the growing number of activated macrophage subtypes needing description, established nomenclature falls short. Researchers are seeking an alternative to the traditional black-and-white principle….
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Adipocytes: key players in metabolic homeostasis
Adipocytes do more than simply store fat. They also play a role in metabolic diseases. Through better understanding of how adipose cells function and interact, researchers can develop new, targeted therapies for treating adipositas and diabetes.
Our bodies and the bodies of all living organisms work like batteries: we get energy from food,…
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Macrophages Subtypes: Polarization, Activation and Plasticity
Macrophages are multitasking cells at the first line of defense against pathogens invasion. But they can also play a major role in destroying tissues and developing cancer, autoimmune disorder or allergies….
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Histocompatibility: Piecing together the immunotherapy puzzle
What do puzzles and immunity have in common? The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system of cell-surface proteins help to regulate the immune system. Yet particular antigens can make a crucial difference. Patients with certain HLA types are more likely to have autoimmune diseases, contract infectious disease or develop cancer. Now, through better understanding of HLA function,…
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Rocket science: The mystery of how macrophages adapt in space
In recent decades, many in vitro studies with living human cells have broadened our knowledge about the cellular and molecular effects of microgravity. Cells of the immune system are particularly sensitive to it and represent an ideal model for understanding how space flight could affect cell function. Prof. Ullrich and his team have greatly contributed to explaining how cells behave in space….
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Macrophages: The high-flyers of biomedical research
One cell type can fight disease, help form blood vessels, regulate cell stability— and more. Macrophages are true masters of multitasking. In our body they are the first line of defense against invading bacteria, fungi and viruses. But they are not only a key element of our immune defense; they can also play a role in destroying tissue,…
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Top tips for incorporating organoids into your research: expert interview
Our expert, Dr. Elfie Rödel, shares her top tips for incorporating organoids into your research in an interview with RegMedNet….
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Cells in action: Differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells into neurons
In this video we can see the differentiation of PromoCell umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells into neurons. Excitingly, to our knowledge this is one of the first high-resolution, long-term, live cell time-lapses showing this process. These cells were grown for 13 days in PromoCell complete mesenchymal stem cell neurogenic differentiation medium prior to capture of this film….
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Cells in Action: Human Primary Keratinocytes at the stratum granulosum
Keratinocytes at the stratum granulosum contain two characteristic structures that are visible in this high resolution footage by Nanolive – the lamellar bodies and keratohyalin granules. While keratohyalin granules contain proteins involved in the aggregation of keratin filaments and in the formation of the cell envelope, lamellar bodies contain lipids and fuse with the plasma membrane in order to secrete the content into the extracellular space….
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Cells in Action: Double mitosis of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs)
Images of cells undergoing mitosis are mind-blowing, and non more beautiful than those of our Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) captured by Nanolive’s 3D Cell Explorer.
On the right hand side, the cell seems to enter mitosis but the chromatids don’t complete segregation and the cell returns to interphase without dividing….
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Cells in Action: membrane protrusions in HUVECs (Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells)
During angiogenesis, cell-matrix interactions are crucial. The cell matrix structures are involved in migration, invasion and survival of cells throughout the angiogenic process. In this video we can see filopodia and lamellipodia in great detail, thanks to Nanolive imaging’s ability to view membrane deformations. These structures are essential for migration, cell-cell interactions,…
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Tumor microenvironment
The role of CSCs and the TME Cellular interactions in the tumor microenvironment (TME) significantly influence cancer progression and drug response. The efficacy of immunotherapies has triggered increased interest in the tumor immune microenvironment. Therefore, robust experimental systems are needed to enable researchers to model patient-specific interactions between tumor cells and immune cells….
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