Information processing of mechanically stressed epithelia

About

The skin defines the largest organ in mammals and is the first line protection against chemical, biological and mechanical stresses. This ability is based in particular on the multilayer structure of the epidermis as the outer layer of the skin. Each layer of this epithelium performs specific functions, with only the basal epidermal layer establishing cell-matrix contacts to the basement membrane and being responsible to generate new epithelial cells. Suprabasal layers are characterized by the exclusive establishment of various cell-cell contacts, which ensure increasing cell contact from layer to layer in a well-orchestrated fashion. This ultimately goes along with distinct mechanical properties and mechanoresponses to mechanical stresses for each layer of the epidermis. We develop two- and three-dimensional epidermal artificial tissues to mimic natural conditions. These tissues are used for detailed analyses of intracellular and intercellular communication in response to strain. We focus on cytoskeletal and adhesive adaptations and underlying signal cascade characterization. State of the art techniques from various scientific fields are combined with in-house developed stretching devices to ultimately help understanding tissue homeostasis and to tune epidermal tissue development for medical applications.

Research Topics

The skin protects us our entire life from all harmful influences from the environment. At the same time, it serves as most effective diffusion barrier. It can only fulfil this function because of its precisely orchestrated multilayers structure that must be able to adapt to new stimuli at any time. We help to understand how this impressive organ responds to mechanical stimuli.

Contact

Dr. Bernd Hoffmann

IBI-2

Building 02.4W / Room 337

+49 2461/61-6734

E-Mail
Information processing of mechanically stressed epithelia
Artificial multilayered epidermal equivalents, analyzed in different heights (z-layers) from basal to apical.

Selected publications


1. Püllen, R., Konrad, J., Merkel, R. and B. Hoffmann (2021) Skin under Strain: From Epithelial Model Tissues to Adult Epithelia. Cells. 10:1834.


2. Noethel, B., Ramms, L., Dreissen, G., Hoffmann, M., Springer, R., Rübsam, M., Ziegler, W.H., Niessen, C.M., Merkel, R. and B. Hoffmann (2018) Transition of responsive mechanosensitive elements from focal adhesions to adherens junctions on epithelial differentiation. Mol Biol Cell. 29:2317-2325.


3. Moch, M., Windoffer, R., Schwarz, N., Pohl, R., Omenzetter, A., Schnakenberg, U., Herb, F., Chaisaowong, K., Merhof, D., Ramms, L., Fabris, G., Hoffmann, B., Merkel, R. and R.E. Leube (2016) Effects of Plectin Depletion on Keratin Network Dynamics and Organization. PLoS One 11:e0149106.

Last Modified: 14.11.2024