Biology subjects

Szafranska, K.

Publications and source records attributed to Szafranska, K..

9 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Long-term 2D monoculture of primary mouse LSEC preserves scavenging capacity and enables siRNA knockdown of Mrc1

Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) rapidly dedifferentiate in 2D-monoculture, losing their high endocytic activity and characteristic morphology, limiting their use in mechanistic studies. We established and validated culture conditions that preserve LSEC endocytic capacity for at least 10 days, enabling efficient in vitro siRNA-mediated gene silencing. Mouse LSEC were cultured in 5% oxygen, growth media partially exchanged daily and assessed for cell viability, endocytic capacity, morphology and ultrastructure. Despite typical culture-induced defenestration, the cells showed high viability and efficient endocytosis via scavenger-receptors. This allowed for siRNA-mediated mannose receptor knockdown exemplified by 96% and 76% reduction in Mrc1 mRNA and protein expression at 72h (validated by qPCR and Western blot), with functional assays confirming decreased mannose-receptor-mediated endocytosis. Extended maintenance of LSEC viability and functions, previously restricted to complex co-culture systems, provide a practical platform for investigating LSEC-specific molecular mechanisms and hepatic sinusoid physiology.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2026

Differential effects of fenofibrate and fenofibric acid on the regulation of liver endothelial permeability

Background and AimsFenofibrate is widely prescribed for hyperlipidaemia and has been associated with rare but severe cases of drug-induced liver injury (DILI), yet its effects on liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) remain to be investigated. LSECs maintain a highly permeable specialized sinusoidal barrier characterized by transcellular pores (fenestrations), regulating the bidirectional transfer of circulating compounds to and from the hepatocytes. As drug-induced alterations in fenestration architecture could influence xenobiotic access to hepatocytes, these changes may modulate pathways associated with DILI. Understanding the effects of fenofibrate on LSEC ultrastructure may therefore provide insights into previously underexplored endothelial contributions to hepatic drug responses. MethodsBoth fenofibrate and its active metabolite, fenofibric acid, were evaluated for their effects on LSEC ultrastructure, mechanical properties, and functional markers. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and were used to quantify fenestration architecture. AFM was additionally used to measure cellular mechanical properties, which were interpreted in the context of fluorescence-based quantification of cytoskeletal organization. Gene expression, viability, and cytotoxicity were assessed using PCR-based and biochemical assays. ResultsFenofibrate reduced fenestration number and porosity at both tested concentration (10, and 25 {micro}M). It also decreased the apparent Youngs modulus of LSECs, accompanied by changes in tubulin and actin architecture, without detectable cytotoxicity. In contrast, treatment with fenofibric acid did not result in significant structural or mechanical effects on LSECs, even at higher concentrations. ConclusionsTogether, these data identify LSECs as a drug-responsive hepatic cell type for fenofibrate, suggesting that LSECs could represent an underrecognized contributor to the complex, multifactorial processes underlying DILI. This work provides a framework for evaluating endothelial contributions to fenofibrate-associated liver effects in more complex models. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=105 SRC="FIGDIR/small/718907v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (51K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1f9ec6forg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@11174a1org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1000e2borg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@a23b00_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG Fenofibrate reduces LSEC fenestrations and metabolic activity at higher concentrations, while its metabolite, fenofibric acid, does not affect LSEC, regardless of its concentration. C_FIG

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2026

Sublethal stress from polypharmacy modulates scavenging function and fenestrations in mouse liver sinusoidal endothelial cells

Polypharmacy, the concurrent use of multiple medications, is increasingly prevalent in older people and is associated with adverse outcomes such as falls, frailty, functional and cognitive decline, and increased hospitalization and mortality. The liver, as the primary site of metabolism, is exposed to varying drug concentrations during first pass metabolism, hepatic clearance and perfusion, potentially causing alterations in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC). LSEC are specialized endothelial cells responsible for maintaining fenestrations - dynamic, transcellular pores that facilitate the exchange of substances between the blood and liver parenchyma. Disruption of fenestrations can compromise liver function, contributing to a variety of hepatic disorders. This study investigated the effects of four commonly prescribed drugs -- metoprolol, citalopram, oxybutynin and oxycodone -- on LSEC function. We examined their impact on LSEC viability, endocytosis, and fenestration morphology at both systemic steady-state and first-pass concentrations, separately and in a polypharmacy cocktail to model clinical exposure. All treatments induced sublethal metabolic changes, but effects on LSEC functions were drug- and concentration-dependent. Citalopram and oxybutynin caused dose-dependent defenestration, whereas metoprolol and oxycodone produced mild, non-dose-dependent effects. Endocytic activity was increased with oxybutynin, metoprolol, oxycodone, and the polypharmacy cocktail, while citalopram had no effect. The polypharmacy cocktail triggered synergistic defenestration at first-pass concentrations, but not at steady-state levels. These results highlight the concentration-dependent and combinatorial effects of polypharmacy on LSECs, emphasizing the need to consider endothelial responses in drug safety and pharmacokinetic assessments, particularly in patients exposed to multiple medications.

pharmacology and toxicology↗

bioRxiv2025

Offsetting ROS-mediated arrest of endothelial fenestration dynamics permits long-term optical super-resolution- and AFM-imaging

Advances in cell biology demand methods that resolve the structure and dynamics of subcellular organelles in living cells. Live-cell super-resolution fluorescence microscopy meets this need but is constrained by phototoxicity, which disturbs cellular function and biases interpretation. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), with their physiologically critical and highly dynamic fenestrations, represent a particularly challenging model system. We show that photoactivation-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) are the primary cause of fenestration arrest during fluorescence imaging. Using three-dimensional structured illumination microscopy (3D SR-SIM), we systematically evaluated fluorophores and ROS scavengers to optimize imaging conditions. A combination of BioTracker staining and CO2-independent medium supplemented with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) preserved fenestration dynamics without altering fenestration number or size. Complementary atomic force microscopy (AFM) confirmed ROS-dependent impairment of fenestration dynamics and revealed nanomechanical changes upon illumination. These findings establish the mechanism underlying imaging-induced artefacts in LSECs and provide a broadly applicable strategy to extend live-cell super-resolution microscopy.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Hydrogen peroxide damage to scavenging function and ultrastructure of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells is prevented by n-acetyl-cysteine but not GSH

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are prevalent in the liver during intoxication, infection, inflammation, and ageing. Changes in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are associated with various liver diseases. We investigated how oxidative stress induced by H2O2 affects isolated rat LSECs at different concentrations (0.5-1000{micro}M) and exposure times (10-120 min). Our findings show that H2O2 exposure affects several LSEC functions in a dose- and time-dependent manner: (1) cell viability, reducing potential, and scavenging function decreased as H2O2 concentration and exposure time increased; (2) intracellular ROS levels rose with higher H2O2 concentrations; (3) fenestrations exhibited a dynamic response, initially closing but partially reopening at H2O2 concentrations above 100{micro}M after about 1 h; (4) scavenging function was affected after just 10 min of exposure, with the impact being irreversible and primarily affecting degradation rather than receptor-mediated uptake; (5) the tubulin network was disrupted in high H2O2 concentration while the actin cytoskeleton appears to remain largely intact. Finally, we found that reducing agents and thiol donors such as N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) and Glutathione (GSH) could protect cells from ROS-induced damage but could not reverse existing damage. Pretreatment with NAC, but not GSH, reduced the negative effects of ROS exposure suggesting that LSEC does not store an excess amount of GSH but rather can readily produce it in the occurrence of oxidative stress conditions. The observed thresholds in dose and time-dependent changes as well as the treatments with NAC/GSH confirm the existence of ROS depleting system in LSEC. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=113 SRC="FIGDIR/small/609175v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (28K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1f25779org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@14cda58org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@92dea4org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@56e97c_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG HighlightsO_LIROS by H2O2 irreversibly depletes LSEC endocytic/scavenging function in vitro C_LIO_LIH2O2 exposure causes dynamic, dose-dependent defenestration of LSEC within 0.5 h C_LIO_LIPartial refenestration can occur after about 1h of exposure to H2O2 C_LIO_LINAC/GSH mitigate H2O2-induced ROS effects in LSEC C_LIO_LILSEC do not store excess GSH but produce GSH when exposed to oxidative stress C_LI

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Highly oxidized albumin is mainly cleared by mouse liver sinusoidal endothelial cells via the receptors stabilin-1 and -2

BackgroundOxidized albumin (oxHSA) is elevated in several pathological conditions, especially those involving the liver, such as decompensated cirrhosis, acute on chronic liver failure and liver mediated renal failure. Patient derived oxidized albumin was previously shown to be an inflammatory mediator in cultured endothelial cells and leukocytes. The removal from circulation of oxidized albumins is therefore essential for maintenance of homeostasis. Normal serum levels of oxidized albumin are low, implying it is constantly eliminated. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) are prominent scavenger cells in the body, specializing in the removal of macromolecules e.g. hyaluronan, denatured collagen, modified albumins, bacterial endotoxin (LPS) and oxidized lipoprotein. Given that oxidized albumin is mainly cleared by the liver, we hypothesize the LSEC are the site of uptake in the liver. Furthermore the stabilins -1 and -2 are the most prominent candidates for oxHSA uptake receptors, given their expression pattern and uptake of other ligands. MethodsIn vivo biodistribution, hepatocellular distribution and in vitro uptake studies on isolated liver cell populations or receptor expressing cell lines. ResultsIn vivo oxHSA was cleared rapidly (t1/2 <90seconds) by the liver (47% of uptake) and distributed to mainly the LSEC. In in vitro studies LSEC endocytosed oxHSA much more than other cell populations isolated from the liver. Furthermore, it was shown that the uptake was mediated by the stabilins, by inhibiting uptake in LSEC with other stabilin ligands and showing uptake in HEK cells overexpressing stabilin-1 or 2. oxHSA also inhibited the uptake of other stabilin ligands. ConclusionsLSEC and their stabilins are vital for the clearance of oxidized albumin, and therefore play a pivotal role in maintaining homeostasis.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2023

High-speed TIRF and 2D super-resolution structured illumination microscopy with large field of view based on fiber optic components

Super-resolved structured illumination microscopy (SR-SIM) is among the most flexible, fast, and least perturbing fluorescence microscopy techniques capable of surpassing the optical diffraction limit. Current custom-built instruments are easily able to deliver two-fold resolution enhancement at video-rate frame rates, but the cost of the instruments is still relatively high, and the physical size of the instruments based on the implementation of their optics is still rather large. Here, we present our latest results towards realizing a new generation of compact, cost-efficient, and high-speed SR-SIM instruments. Tight integration of the fiber-based structured illumination microscope capable of multi-color 2D- and TIRF-SIM imaging, allows us to demonstrate SR-SIM with a field of view of up to 150 x 150 m2 and imaging rates of up to 44 Hz while maintaining highest spatiotemporal resolution of less than 100 nm. We discuss the overall integration of optics, electronics, and software that allowed us to achieve this, and then present the fiberSIM imaging capabilities by visualizing the intracellular structure of rat liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, in particular by resolving the structure of their trans-cellular nanopores called fenestrations.

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2023

Effect of caffeine and other xanthines on liver sinusoidal endothelial cell ultrastructure

Xanthines such as caffeine and theobromine are among the most consumed psychoactive stimulants in the world, either as natural components of coffee, tea and chocolate, or as food additives. The present study assessed if xanthines affect liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC). Cultured primary rat LSEC were challenged with xanthines at concentrations typically obtained from normal consumption of xanthine-containing beverages, food or medicines; and at higher concentrations below the in vitro toxic limit. The fenestrated morphology of LSEC were examined with scanning electron and structured illumination microscopy. All xanthine challenges had no toxic effects on LSEC ultrastructure as judged by LSEC fenestration morphology, or function as determined by endocytosis studies. All xanthines in high concentrations (150 g/mL) increased fenestration frequency but at physiologically relevant concentrations, only theobromine (8 g/mL) showed an effect. LSEC porosity was influenced only by high caffeine doses which also shifted the fenestration distribution towards smaller pores. Moreover, a dose-dependent increase in fenestration number was observed after caffeine treatment. If these compounds induce similar changes in vivo, age-related reduction of LSEC porosity can be reversed by oral treatment with theobromine or with other xanthines using targeted delivery.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Dual-color single molecule localization microscopy on transparent polymer waveguide chips

Photonic waveguide chips offer near-field excitation of biological samples, which enables cost-effective, large field-of-view super-resolution microscopy without the need for high numerical aperture (NA) objective lenses. Single molecule localization based super-resolution microscopy that requires high illumination intensities is currently limited to solid state photonic waveguide chips composed of hard-coated, high NA planar waveguides deposited on opaque substrates. These platforms do not permit epi-detection of fluorescence through the substrate, which limits the use of photonic waveguide chips to the upright configuration. Additionally, the detection efficiency is reduced because the majority of the fluorescence emission is directed towards the high refractive index substrate. A low cost waveguide chip based on a polymer core material deposited on common #1.5 coverslips that is easy to produce was recently demonstrated. Here, a platform that is capable of performing single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) of biological samples using polymer-based photonic waveguide chips is presented, enabling super-solution microscopy in the inverted microscope configuration. Super-resolved imaging of two different structures of the cytoskeleton in primary liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) by two popular SMLM methods, dSTORM and DNA-PAINT, down to 23 nm is demonstrated.

biophysics↗