Cell-ECM Interaction Regulates Inflammatory Signaling through Tension-Mediated Control of IL-1 Receptor
Year: 2022
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Cells in the human body experience and integrate a wide variety of environmental cues. Recent interests in tissue stiffness has shown that mechanical properties of tissue drive key biological processes and facilitate disease development. In order to probe their mechanical microenvironment, cells employ many molecular sensors including focal adhesions and the actin cytoskeleton. In this thesis, I show that attachment to the extracellular matrix through focal adhesions upregulates interleukin-1 receptors on the plasma membrane. Such regulation is mediated by increased cytoskeletal tension that controls the local membrane distribution of the receptor. In addition, cells cultured in stiff 3D matrices and those mechanically coupled to neighboring cells display higher amounts of interleukin-1 receptors on the cell surface, suggesting that mechanical properties of the microenvironment can regulate inflammatory pathways at the receptor level. Together, my data reveal the key role of tissue mechanics in regulation of inflammatory signaling and tissue fibrosis.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Yang, Shuying
Institution: University of Toronto
Language: English
Subfield: Cell Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7132995990