Biology subjects

Kongsomros, S.

Publications and source records attributed to Kongsomros, S..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Stage-specific extracellular vesicle cargo from Schwann cells orchestrates peripheral nerve regeneration

Schwann cells (SCs) play a critical role in peripheral nerve regeneration, undergoing dynamic phenotype transitioning from myelinating to repair stages following injury. While SC-derived extracellular vesicles (SC-EVs) have emerged as key mediators of intercellular communication during nerve repair, their stage-specific molecular cargo and functional roles remained incomplete understood. Here, we delineate protein, microRNA and lncRNA landscapes of SC-EVs across distinct differentiation stages, including immature, myelinating, and repair phenotypes, using an in vitro model of primary rat SCs. We show that myelinating SC-EVs are enriched with reprogramming factor SOX2 and neurotrophin receptor p75NTR, while repair SC-EVs carry distinct microRNAs predicted to modulate genes involved in myelin ensheathment, neuronal differentiation and neurogenesis. Moreover, repair SC-EVs contain long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that may regulate miRNA activity. These findings reveal a novel mechanism by which SC-EVs orchestrate neuronal regeneration through stage-specific molecular cargo, and establishes a foundational model for investigating SC plasticity in peripheral nerve repair.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Label-free monitoring of therapy response in 3D spheroids using lab-on-a-chip impedance spectroscopy

The high incidence and mortality of cancer continue to drive research and development of effective therapies. Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC) platforms have emerged as powerful alternatives to traditional biological evaluation methods, offering reduced complexity, lower costs, and improved throughput. In parallel, the integration of non-invasive and non-destructive sensing techniques have expanded opportunities for real-time and label-free analysis. Electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), which exploits the intrinsic dielectric properties of cells, has shown promise for the quantitative evaluation of 3D cellular structures. In this study, we demonstrate the application of LOC-based EIS to assess the bioeffects of radiotherapy on 3D head and neck cancer spheroids. Our results establish EIS as a viable tool for real-time monitoring of treatment-induced changes in 3D tumor models, supporting its potential in preclinical cancer research and therapeutic screening.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2025

IFIT3 RNA-binding activity promotes influenza A virus infection and translation efficiency

Host cells produce a vast network of antiviral factors in response to viral infection. The interferon-induced proteins with tetratricopeptide repeats (IFITs) are important effectors of a broad-spectrum antiviral response. In contrast to their canonical roles, we previously identified IFIT2 and IFIT3 as pro-viral host factors during influenza A virus (IAV) infection. During IAV infection, IFIT2 binds and enhances translation of AU-rich cellular mRNAs, including many IFN-simulated gene products, establishing a model for its broad antiviral activity. But, IFIT2 also bound viral mRNAs and enhanced their translation resulting in increased viral replication. The ability of IFIT3 to bind RNA and whether this is important for its function was not known. Here we validate direct interactions between IFIT3 and RNA using electromobility shift assays (EMSAs). RNA-binding site identification (RBS-ID) experiments then identified an RNA-binding surface composed of residues conserved in IFIT3 orthologs and IFIT2 paralogs. Mutation of the RNA-binding site reduced the ability IFIT3 to promote IAV gene expression and translation efficiency when compared to wild type IFIT3. The functional units of IFIT2 and IFIT3 are homo- and heterodimers, however the RNA-binding surfaces are located near the dimerization interface. Using co-immunoprecipitation, we showed that mutations to these sites do not affect dimerization. Together, these data establish the link between IFIT3 RNA-binding and its ability to modulate translation of host and viral mRNAs during IAV infection. ImportanceInfluenza A viruses (IAV) cause considerable morbidity and mortality through sporadic pandemics as well as annual epidemics. Zoonotic IAV strains pose an additional risk of spillover into a naive human population where prior immunity can have minimal effect. In this case, the first line of defense in the host is the innate immune response. Interferon stimulated genes (ISGs) produce a suite of proteins that are front-line effectors of innate immune responses. While ISGs are typically considered antiviral, new work has revealed an emerging trend where viruses co-opt ISGs for pro-viral function. Here, we determine how the ISG IFIT3 is used by IAV as a pro-viral factor, advancing our understanding of IFIT3 function generally as well as specifically in the context of IAV infection.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2025

Matrix stiffness modulated release of spheroid-derived extracellular vesicles and discovery of Piezo1 cargo

Augmented extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness is a mechanical hallmark of cancer. Mechanotransduction studies have extensively probed the mechanisms by which ECM stiffness regulates intracellular communication. However, the influence of stiffness on intercellular communication aiding tumor progression in three-dimensional microenvironments remains unknown. Small extracellular vesicles (EVs) are communicators of altered biophysical cues to distant sites through EV-ECM interactions and EV-mediated recipient cell-ECM interactions. Here we demonstrate stiffness-mediated modulation of small EVs secretion and cargo from three-dimensional oral squamous cell carcinoma spheroids. Using a spheroid culture platform with varying matrix stiffness properties, we show that small EVs carry parental biomolecular cargo, including mechanosensitive Piezo1 ion channel and adhesion molecule CD44. We comprehensively validate the presence of both markers in our EV populations using proteomic and genetic analysis. Transcriptomic analysis of microRNA and long non-coding RNA cargo of small EVs released from soft and stiff ECM spheroids revealed enrichment of tumorigenic and metastatic profiles in EVs from stiff ECM cultures compared to that of soft ones. Gene set enrichment analysis of a comparative dataset obtained by overlaying spheroid mRNA and EV miRNA profiles identified key oncogenic pathways involved in cell-EV crosstalk in the spheroid model.

cancer biology↗