Biology subjects

Mentkowski, K.

Publications and source records attributed to Mentkowski, K..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells mediate cellular inflammation in HFpEF

During the genesis of heart failure, the myocardium recruits an abundance of bone marrow-derived leukocytes, primarily monocytes, with various disease-promoting functions. Increased hematopoiesis fuels these unfavorable changes in cardiac leukocyte origin, number and phenotype. Here we examine hematopoietic niche cells, which regulate blood progenitor proliferation and systemic monocyte supply, in obese, hypertensive mice that develop heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Single cell transcriptomics revealed that in HFpEF, stromal bone marrow niche cells expand and respond strongly to IFN{gamma}. Deleting the IFN{gamma} receptor in stromal cells of Prrx1CreERT2;Ifngr1fl/fl mice reduced hematopoietic progenitor proliferation and systemic monocytes in both the steady state and HFpEF and also increased the canonical hematopoietic maintenance factor CXCL12, resulting in reduced fibrosis and improved diastolic function. CD8+ T cells in adipose tissue were a major source of IFN{gamma} in mice with HFpEF; their depletion restored CXCL12 expression and lowered monocyte numbers. ScRNA-seq in mice with ischemic heart disease uncovered a diverging marrow response. These data indicate that in HFpEF, adipose tissue, bone marrow and adaptive and innate immune cells conspire to expand harmful macrophage subsets in the heart.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2024

Therapeutic Spp1 silencing in TREM2+ cardiac macrophages suppresses atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) and the risk of its lethal complications are propelled by fibrosis, which induces electrical heterogeneity and gives rise to reentry circuits. Atrial TREM2+ macrophages secrete osteopontin (encoded by Spp1), a matricellular signaling protein that engenders fibrosis and AFib. Here we show that silencing Spp1 in TREM2+ cardiac macrophages with an antibody-siRNA conjugate reduces atrial fibrosis and suppresses AFib in mice, thus offering a new immunotherapy for the most common arrhythmia.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2020

Fast 3D printing of large-scale biocompatible hydrogel models

Large scale cell-laden hydrogel models hold great promise for tissue repair and organ transplantation, but their fabrication is faced with challenges in achieving clinically-relevant size and hierarchical structures. 3D bioprinting is an emerging technology, but its application in large, solid hydrogel fabrication has been limited by the slow printing speed that can affect the part quality and the biological activity of the encapsulated cells. Here we present a Fast hydrogeL prOjection stereolithogrAphy Technology (FLOAT) that allows the creation of a centimeter-sized, multiscale solid hydrogel model within minutes. Through precisely controlling the photopolymerization condition, we established low suction force-driven, high-velocity flow of the hydrogel prepolymer that supports the continuous replenishment of the prepolymer solution below the curing part and the nonstop part growth. We showed that this process is unique to the hydrogel prepolymer without externally supplemented oxygen. The rapid printing of centimeter-sized hydrogel models using FLOAT was shown to significantly reduce the part deformation and cellular injury caused by the prolonged exposure to the environmental stresses in layer-by-layer based printing methods. Media perfusion in the printed vessel network was shown to promote cell survival and metabolic function in the deep core of the large-sized hydrogel model over long term. The FLOAT is compatible with multiple photocurable hydrogel materials and the printed scaffold supports the endothelialization of prefabricated vascular channels. Together, these studies demonstrate a rapid 3D hydrogel printing method and highlight the potential of this method in the fabrication of large-sized engineered tissue models.

bioengineering↗