bioRxiv Science⌕ Search

Biology subjects

Cohen-Solal, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Cohen-Solal, M..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

The Proposed Bone Post-Arterial Type R Capillaries Resolve into Venous and Fatty Acid-Handling Endothelial Cells

Endothelial specialization is increasingly recognized as a fundamental regulator of tissue homeostasis, yet the cellular diversity of the skeletal vasculature remains incompletely resolved. Here, we integrate large-scale single-cell transcriptomics, cross-tissue comparisons, and imaging to comprehensively define endothelial heterogeneity across the skeleton. Our analyses demonstrate that the proposed post- arterial "type R" endothelial population is not a distinct endothelial subtype but instead comprises canonical venous endothelial cells and fatty acid-handling endothelial state. RNA velocity supports a venous continuum, while the proposed type R markers FMO2, and AQP7 lack both endothelial and skeletal specificity. The fatty acid-handling endothelial state, characterized by Lpl and Cd36 is conserved across multiple skeletal sites and non-skeletal tissues, indicating a general endothelial metabolic programme. Within bone, this endothelial state expands following high-fat diet and is suppressed during injury. Together, these findings redefine skeletal endothelial heterogeneity and establish the proposed type R population as part of a venous continuum.

cell biology↗

Rapid immunostaining and high-resolution three-dimensional light-sheet microscopy of intact calcified tissues

High-resolution 3D imaging is an important strategy for visualizing and analysing complex skeletal tissue architecture and the bone marrow microenvironment. However, multicolor immunolabeling and imaging of intact skeletal tissues are technologically challenging. The current immunolabeling and clearing methods for intact skeletal elements are very limited, time-consuming and generate low-resolution data or depend on the use of reporter mice. Here, we describe a protocol for efficient clearing and immunolabeling of intact calcified tissues that enables superfast, single-cell resolution, and quantitative 3D light-sheet imaging of intact skeletal elements and teeth. A key aspect of our protocol is the addition of a collagenase digestion step after fixation and decalcification. This step enhances antibody penetration, resulting in deep, comprehensive staining throughout immunostained bones and other calcified tissues. The protocol includes soft tissue removal, fixation, decalcification, bone dehydration, and bleaching, followed by antigen retrieval and permeabilization before the collagenase digestion step. This procedure is performed to prepare the samples for the tissue clearing process that improves bone tissue transparency prior to light-sheet imaging. The entire protocol, from bone collection to image analysis and quantification, takes about 4 days to complete, thus offering significant improvements over previous methods. This protocol is broadly applicable to the visualization of bone microstructure, bone marrow analysis, vascular and neural network mapping, and the study of signaling molecules in bone development and growth. The protocol requires experience with standard tissue processing and immunostaining techniques, and prior experience in tissue clearing and light-sheet imaging is beneficial but not essential. Key pointsO_LIA protocol for efficient clearing and immunolabeling of intact calcified tissues that enables superfast, high-resolution, and quantitative 3D imaging of various intact bones and teeth. C_LIO_LIThe entire protocol takes only 4 days to complete the comprehensive staining and perfect transparency throughout the intact bones, offering significant improvements over previous methods. C_LI Key referencesBiswas, L. et al. Cell 186, 382-397.e24 (2023): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2022.12.031

cell biology↗

Degeneration and Impaired Resilience of Skull Bone and Hematopoietic Bone Marrow

Bone marrow health is central to transplantations, blood formation, and cancer progression. However, the bone marrow niche deteriorates with age, impairing haematopoietic stem cell function. Contrary to a recent report1 suggesting skull marrow resists ageing, our multi-laboratory investigation reveals the opposite: the skull marrow is among the vulnerable sites of age-related decline. Ageing skull niches consistently show loss of mesenchymal and osteoprogenitors, suppression of angiogenic and lymphatic programs, adipocyte accumulation, vascular senescence, DNA replication stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, and heightened inflammation. Proteomic profiling further highlights this vulnerability, demonstrating that vertebral niches--unlike the skull--are relatively spared from these ageing hallmarks. Together, these convergent datasets overturn the notion of skull-specific resilience and instead establish the skull marrow as a fragile, degenerating environment. These findings redefine marrow ageing and highlight the skull as a critical, clinically relevant target for sustaining blood and immune health and reducing vulnerability to haematological disease.

cell biology↗