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Dudka, W.

Publications and source records attributed to Dudka, W..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Polarization gratings aided common-path Hilbert holotomography for high-throughput lipid droplets content assay

In this contribution we present a novel polarization gratings aided common-path Hilbert holotomography (CP-HHT) for high-throughput 3D refractive index imaging. Addressing limitations in current holotomography methods, we leverage the extended space-bandwidth product (SBP) through robust phase demodulation using Hilbert spiral transform. Thanks to the application of polarization diffraction gratings our system enables fully tailored holographic settings such as fringe density and shear, thus allowing flexible hologram demodulation, while maintaining simplicity and robustness. The performance is tested on a 3D-printed (using two-photon polymerization) brain phantom and fixed HeLa cells supplemented with cholesterol and oleic acids. Reconstruction analysis using the brain phantom indicates that the Hilbert method provides comparable results and resolution to the Fourier transform method in a significantly expanded measurement throughput. Our CP-HHT approach demonstrates the unique (not possible by fluorescence) high-throughput (especially when compared to cryogenic electron microscopy) capability to differentiate between cholesterol esters vs. triacylglycerol (TAG) rich lipid droplets (LDs), thus has potential for label-free biological research at sub-cellular level. The quantitative analysis of LDs refractive index emphasizes the methods sensitivity in distinguishing between LDs with different neutral lipid content, offering new insights into LD heterogeneity, thus reinforcing the versatility and applicability of our CP-HHT system in broader bioimaging applications.

bioengineering↗

Targeting Integrated Stress Response by ISRIB combined with imatinib attenuates STAT5 signaling and eradicates therapy-resistant Chronic Myeloid Leukemia cells

Integrated Stress Response (ISR) facilitates cellular adaptation to variable environmental conditions by reprogramming cellular response. Activation of ISR was reported in neurological disorders and solid tumours, but its function in hematological malignancies remains largely unknown. Previously we showed that ISR is activated in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) CD34+ cells, and its activity correlates with disease progression and imatinib resistance. Here we demonstrate that inhibition of ISR by small molecule ISRIB, but not by PERK inhibitor GSK2656157, restores sensitivity to imatinib and eliminates CM Blast Crisis (BC) D34+ resistant cells. We found that in Patient Derived Xenograft (PDX) mouse model bearing CD34+ imatinib/dasatinib-resistant CML blasts with PTPN11 gain-of-function mutation, combination of imatinib and ISRIB decreases leukemia engraftment. Furthermore, genes related to SGK3, RAS/RAF/MAPK, JAK2 and IFN{gamma} pathways were downregulated upon combined treatment. Remarkably, we confirmed that ISRIB and imatinib combination decreases STAT5 phosphorylation and inhibits expression of STAT5-target genes responsible for proliferation, viability and stress response. Thus, our data point to a substantial effect of imatinib and ISRIB combination, that results in transcriptomic deregulation and eradication of imatinib-resistant cells. Our findings suggest such drug combination might improve therapeutic outcome of TKI-resistant leukemia patients exhibiting constitutive STAT5 activation.

cancer biology↗

Tunneling nanotubes contribute to the stroma-mediated imatinib resistance of leukemic cells

Intercellular communication within the bone marrow niche significantly influences leukemogenesis and the sensitivity of leukemic cells to therapy. Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are a novel mode of intercellular cross-talk. They are long, thin membranous protrusions that enable the direct transfer of various cargo between cells. Here we show that TNTs are formed between leukemic and bone marrow stromal cells. Fluorescence confocal microscopy with 3D reconstructions, correlative light-electron microscopy and electron tomography provided evidence that TNTs transfer cellular vesicles between cells. The quantitative analysis demonstrated that the stromal cells stimulate TNT-mediated vesicle transfer towards leukemic cells. Transfer of vesicular cargo from stromal cells correlated with increased resistance to anti-leukemic treatment. Moreover, specific sets of proteins with a potential role in survival and the drug response were transferred within these vesicles. Altogether, we found that TNTs are involved in the leukemia-stroma cross-talk and the stroma-mediated cytoprotection of leukemic cells. Our findings implicate TNT connections as a possible target for therapeutic interventions within the leukemia microenvironment to attenuate stroma-conferred protection.

cancer biology↗