麻豆淫院

Similar to a small cut that heals itself after a short time, individual cells in our body suffer "wounds" in their protective layer, the cell membrane, every day and have to repair them again.

Researchers at the University of M眉nster have now identified the processes that enable the precise closure of such membrane injuries. Their findings were recently in the journal Advanced Science.

For their experiments, the team led by Prof. Volker Gerke from the Institute of Medical Biochemistry studied endothelial cells, which line the blood vessels. "We know that endothelial cells frequently experience membrane damage caused by changes in normal blood flow, and these cells must repair the damage to prevent cell death. To examine this process in detail, we used a laser to create controlled defects in the cells and observed their repair in real-time under the microscope," explains Dr. Nikita Raj, the study's first author.

In an earlier study, the researchers demonstrated that "early endosomes," which primarily function to transport substances into the cell, fuse with the cell membrane during wound closure to seal the damaged area. However, this fusion by itself is insufficient to complete repair, as the added material creates an uneven, scar-like surface on the membrane.

"At the site where early endosomes seal the wound, the membrane becomes loose, leading to a decrease in membrane tension. We were able to show for the first time that this change in tension serves as a signal, triggering the reuptake of excess membrane material into the cell," explains Prof. Volker Gerke. This reuptake restores the normal membrane tension which is necessary for maintaining cellular function.

These repair mechanisms are not limited to endothelial cells but are relevant to a wide range of cell types and have potential significant clinical implications. "Impaired plasma membrane repair plays a crucial role in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, muscle degradation, and aging," says Dr. Raj.

Looking ahead, she adds, "Our fundamental insights into cellular repair processes are essential for understanding various diseases. In future studies, we aim to investigate how these mechanisms are disrupted in specific disease conditions, such as atherosclerosis."