Biology subjects

Richter, H.

Publications and source records attributed to Richter, H..

8 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Unified function of FACT in mammalian chromatin replication and transcription, dissolving and restoring nucleosomes to counteract genome aggregation

Nucleosomes with their associated modifications underlie genome organisation and regulation. Replication and transcription require nucleosome disassembly to access the DNA template. How this is orchestrated without jeopardizing chromatin function remains unknown. Here, we reveal a general, global requirement of the histone chaperone FACT in mammalian replication, transcription and chromatin maintenance. Upon acute FACT depletion, replisome and RNA polymerase progression is halted genome-wide and chromatin structure in their wake collapses with reduced nucleosome occupancy, irregular spacing and intermediate assemblies. Chromatin states deteriorate as modified histones are lost due to a lack of histone recycling. Chromatin fiber disorder further manifests in the 3D genome, triggering active genes to coalesce in aberrant microcompartments. This establishes a unifying mechanistic basis for mammalian chromatin replication and transcription, with FACT mediating nucleosome disruption and re-assembly and thereby guarding against spurious chromatin aggregation. Nucleosome organization can therefore dynamically regulate genome architecture.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Integrated Histology and Molecular Profiling of Postmortem Human Auditory and Vestibular Organs via a Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)-Based Workflow

Hearing and balance disorders are the most prevalent sensory impairments, affecting hundreds of millions worldwide, yet their underlying cellular and molecular pathologies remain poorly understood. This knowledge gap stems from the inaccessibility of the ears sensory organs--embedded within the temporal bone (TB), the hardest bone in the body--which cannot be biopsied in living patients without causing irreversible damage. Conventional histopathology workflows rely on postmortem en bloc extraction of TBs, followed by lengthy decalcification, celloidin embedding, and manual serial sectioning of these large specimens--a process that takes one to two years, is labor- and cost-intensive, and lacks compatibility with most modern protein, DNA, and RNA assays. Here, we present a rapid, reversible polymethyl methacrylate (rPMMA) workflow that enables advanced molecular histopathology studies on formalin-fixed, calcified TBs. Our protocol uses low-temperature (-40 {degrees}C to +4 {degrees}C) resin embedding, precision near-serial sectioning (10-50 {micro}m) via femtosecond laser microtomy or precision diamond wire sawing, and subsequent deacrylation to fully restore tissue accessibility for high-fidelity histomorphology, multiplexed immunofluorescence, whole-genome sequencing, and in situ mRNA detection (RNAscope) assays. Compared to the gold-standard celloidin workflow, our method reduces processing time and costs by approximately 90% while integrating equivalent histomorphology with advanced molecular assays, providing a new benchmark for multidimensional studies in human hearing and balance pathologies.

pathology↗

bioRxiv2024

Sequential Transcriptional Programs of Tissue Residency Drive Human Uterine NK Cell Development

Uterine natural killer cells are critical for pregnancy success, but the origin and development of these cells in humans remain unclear. Here we use various single cell approaches to identify the transcriptional programs governing uterine NK cell development in humans. These analyses suggest a developmental continuum which begins with seeding of the endometrium with blood immature CD56bright precursors, evolves through CD56bright endometrial founder NK cells, and ends with tissue resident decidual NK cells during pregnancy which possess non-cytotoxic functions. Our work identifies a role for sequential programs of tissue residency in the differentiation of these cells, as differentiating endometrial tissue resident NK (trNK) cells acquire early and late transcriptional programs of residency which coincide with acquisition of unique non-cytotoxic effector programs. Notably, we identified early residency programs in human endometrial trNKs by expression of NR4A2, AP-1 transcription factors, and other immediate early response genes that were shared with CD8 tissue resident memory T cells in mice, suggesting conservation of transcriptional programs of early tissue residency programs across species and cell types. Late residency programs were guided by TGF{beta}, which promoted expression of various integrins and trNK subset diversification within the non-pregnant endometrium. Altogether, these data identify the molecular foundations for endometrial trNK heterogeneity and suggest that the uterine NK diversity observed during pregnancy is established before embryo implantation and intimately tied to residency programming.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2023

Inadequate structural constraint on Fab approach rather than paratope elicitation limits HIV-1 MPER vaccine utility

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) against HIV-1 target conserved epitopes, thereby inhibiting viral entry. Yet surprisingly, those recognizing linear epitopes in the HIV-1 gp41 membrane proximal external region (MPER) are elicited neither by peptide nor protein scaffold vaccines. Here, we observe that while Abs generated by MPER/liposome vaccines may exhibit human bnAb-like paratopes, B-cell programming without constraints imposed by the gp160 ectodomain selects Abs unable to access the MPER within its native "crawlspace". During natural infection, the flexible hinge of IgG3 partially mitigates steric occlusion of less pliable IgG1 subclass Abs with identical MPER specificity, until affinity maturation refines entry mechanisms. The IgG3 subclass maintains B-cell competitiveness, exploiting bivalent ligation resulting from greater intramolecular Fab arm length, offsetting weak antibody affinity. These findings suggest future immunization strategies.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2023

Indoline CD4-mimetic Compounds Mediate Potent and Broad HIV-1 Inhibition and Sensitization to Antibody-dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity

Binding to the host cell receptors, CD4 and CCR5/CXCR4, triggers large-scale conformational changes in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimer [(gp120/gp41)3] that promote virus entry into the cell. CD4-mimetic compounds (CD4mcs) comprise small organic molecules that bind in the highly conserved CD4-binding site of gp120 and prematurely induce inactivating Env conformational changes, including shedding of gp120 from the Env trimer. By inducing more "open," antibody-susceptible Env conformations, CD4mcs also sensitize HIV-1 virions to neutralization by antibodies and infected cells to antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Here, we report the design, synthesis and evaluation of novel CD4mcs based on an indoline scaffold. Compared with our current lead indane scaffold CD4mc, BNM-III-170, several indoline CD4mcs exhibit increased potency and breadth against HIV-1 variants from different geographic clades. Viruses that were selected for resistance to the lead indane CD4mc, BNM-III-170, are susceptible to inhibition by the indoline CD4mcs. The indoline CD4mcs also potently sensitize HIV-1-infected cells to ADCC mediated by plasma from HIV-1-infected individuals. Crystal structures indicate that the indoline CD4mcs gain potency compared to the indane CD4mcs through more favorable {pi}-{pi} overlap from the indoline pose and by making favorable contacts with the vestibule of the CD4-binding pocket on gp120. The rational design of indoline CD4mcs thus holds promise for further improvements in antiviral activity, potentially contributing to efforts to treat and prevent HIV-1 infection.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2022

BEHAVIOURAL VOLUNTARY AND SOCIAL BIOASSAYS ENABLING IDENTIFICATION OF COMPLEX AND SEX DEPENDENT PAIN- (-RELATED) PHENOTYPES IN RATS WITH BONE CANCER

Cancer-induced bone pain (CIBP) is a common and devastating symptom with limited treatment options in patients, significantly affecting their quality of life. To uncover the mechanisms underlying CIBP, using rodent models is the most common approach; however, the translation of results to the clinic may be hindered because the assessment of pain-related behavior is often based exclusively on reflexive-based methods, which are only partially indicative relevant pain in patients. In order to improve the accuracy and strength of the preclinical experimental model of CIBP in rodents, we used a battery of multimodal behavioral tests that were also aimed at identifying rodent-specific behavioral components by using a homecage monitoring assay (HCM). Rats of all sexes received an injection with either heat-deactivated (sham-group) or potent mammary gland carcinoma Walker 256 cells into the tibia. By integrating multimodal datasets, we assessed pain-related behavioral trajectories of CIBP-phenotype, including evoked and non-evoked based assays and HCM. Using principal component analysis (PCA), we discovered sex-specific differences in establishing the CIBP-phenotype, which occurred earlier (and different) in males. In addition, HCM phenotyping revealed the occurrence of sensory-affective states manifested by mechanical hypersensitivity in sham when housed with a tumor-bearing cagemate (CIBP) of the same sex. This multimodal battery allows an in-depth characterization of the CIBP-phenotype under social aspects in rats. The detailed, sex-specific, and rat-specific social phenotyping of CIBP enabled by PCA provides the basis for mechanism-driven studies to ensure robustness and generalisability of results and provide information for targeted drug development in the future.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2022

A potent and selective inhibitor for the modulation of MAGL activity in the neurovasculature

Chronic inflammation and blood-brain barrier dysfunction are key pathological hallmarks of neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimers disease and Parkinsons disease. Major drivers of these pathologies include pro-inflammatory stimuli such as prostaglandins, which are produced in the central nervous system by the oxidation of arachidonic acid in a reaction catalyzed by the cyclooxygenases COX1 and COX2. Monoacylglycerol lipase hydrolyzes the endocannabinoid signaling lipid 2-arachidonyl glycerol, enhancing local pools of arachidonic acid in the brain and leading to cyclooxygenase-mediated prostaglandin production and neuroinflammation. Monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitors were recently shown to act as effective anti-inflammatory modulators, increasing 2-arachidonyl glycerol levels while reducing levels of arachidonic acid and prostaglandins, including PGE2 and PGD2. In this study, we characterized a novel, highly selective, potent and reversible monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor (MAGLi 432) in a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide-induced blood-brain barrier permeability and in both human and mouse cells of the neurovascular unit: brain microvascular endothelial cells, pericytes and astrocytes. We confirmed the expression of monoacylglycerol lipase in specific neurovascular unit cells in vitro, with pericytes showing the highest expression level and activity. However, MAGLi 432 did not ameliorate lipopolysaccharide-induced blood-brain barrier permeability in vivo or reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the brain. Our data confirm monoacylglycerol lipase expression in mouse and human cells of the neurovascular unit and provide the basis for further cell-specific analysis of MAGLi 432 in the context of blood-brain barrier dysfunction caused by inflammatory insults.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2022

Blood oxygenation-level dependent cerebrovascular reactivity imaging as strategy to monitor CSF-hemoglobin toxicity

PurposeCell-free hemoglobin in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF-Hb) may be one of the main drivers of secondary brain injury after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Haptoglobin scavenging of CSF-Hb has been shown to mitigate cerebrovascular disruption. Using digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and blood oxygenation-level dependent cerebrovascular reactivity imaging (BOLD-CVR) the aim was to assess the acute toxic effect of CSF-Hb on cerebral blood flow and autoregulation, as well as to test the protective effects of haptoglobin. MethodsDSA imaging was performed in eight anesthetized and ventilated sheep (mean weight: 80.4 kg) at baseline, 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes after infusion of hemoglobin (Hb) or co-infusion with haptoglobin (Hb:Haptoglobin) into the left lateral ventricle. Additionally, 10 ventilated sheep (mean weight: 79.8 kg) underwent BOLD-CVR imaging to assess the cerebrovascular reserve capacity. ResultsDSA imaging did not show a difference in mean transit time or cerebral blood flow. Wholebrain BOLD-CVR compared to baseline decreased more in the Hb group after 15 minutes (Hb vs Hb:Haptoglobin: -0.03 {+/-}0.01 vs -0.01 {+/-}0.02) and remained diminished compared to Hb:Haptoglobin group after 30 minutes (Hb vs Hb:Haptoglobin: -0.03 {+/-}0.01 vs 0.0 {+/-}0.01), 45 minutes (Hb vs Hb:Haptoglobin: -0.03 {+/-}0.01 vs 0.01 {+/-}0.02) and 60 minutes (Hb vs Hb:Haptoglobin: -0.03 {+/-}0.02 vs 0.01 {+/-}0.01). ConclusionIt is demonstrated that CSF-Hb toxicity leads to rapid cerebrovascular reactivity impairment, which is blunted by haptoglobin co-infusion. BOLD-CVR may therefore be further evaluated as a monitoring strategy for CSF-Hb toxicity after aSAH.

neuroscience↗