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Cell Fusion in the Living Matter
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Cell Fusion in the Living Matter

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Biochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 January 2023) | Viewed by 7892

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Thomas Dittmar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Chair of Immunology, Witten/Herdecke University, 58448 Witten, Germany
Interests: cell fusion; breast cancer; stem cells; macrophages; inflammation; metastasis; drug resistance
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Even though the fusion of, e.g., vesicles, enveloped viruses/ host cells, and even whole cells appears simple, like the merging of two soap bubbles, it is well known that the fusion of bilayered phospholipid membranes is a highly complex, energy-dependent, tightly regulated, and still not yet fully resolved process.

The aim of this Special Issue is to bring more light into the dark of the complexity of vesicle, virus, and cell–cell fusion, and we welcome research papers and reviews on the following topics:

  1. Similarities and differences in vesicle, virus/host, and cell–cell fusion;
  2. Macrophage fusion/osteoclastogenesis;
  3. Trophoblast fusion/placentation;
  4. Sperm–oocyte fusion/fertilization;
  5. Myoblast fusion/myogenesis;
  6. Virus–host cell fusion.

Prof. Dr. Thomas Dittmar
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • cell–cell fusion
  • fusogens
  • fertilization
  • placentation
  • myogenesis
  • osteoclastogenesis
  • wound healing
  • cancer
  • viruses

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 2108 KiB  
Article
In Vitro Selection and Characterization of HIV-1 Variants with Increased Resistance to LP-40, Enfuvirtide-Based Lipopeptide Inhibitor
by Yue Hu, Wenjiang Yu, Xiuzhu Geng, Yuanmei Zhu, Huihui Chong and Yuxian He
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(12), 6638; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23126638 - 14 Jun 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1699
Abstract
In our previous work, we replaced the TRM (tryptophan-rich motif) of T20 (Enfuvirtide) with fatty acid (C16) to obtain the novel lipopeptide LP-40, and LP-40 displayed enhanced antiviral activity. In this study, we investigated whether the C16 modification could enhance the high-resistance barrier [...] Read more.
In our previous work, we replaced the TRM (tryptophan-rich motif) of T20 (Enfuvirtide) with fatty acid (C16) to obtain the novel lipopeptide LP-40, and LP-40 displayed enhanced antiviral activity. In this study, we investigated whether the C16 modification could enhance the high-resistance barrier of the inhibitor LP-40. To address this question, we performed an in vitro simultaneous screening of HIV-1NL4-3 resistance to T20 and LP-40. The mechanism of drug resistance for HIV-1 Env was further studied using the expression and processing of the Env glycoprotein, the effect of the Env mutation on the entry and fusion ability of the virus, and an analysis of changes to the gp41 core structure. The results indicate that the LP-40 activity is enhanced and that it has a high resistance barrier. In a detailed analysis of the resistance sites, we found that mutations in L33S conferred a stronger resistance, except for the well-recognized mutations in amino acids 36–45 of gp41 NHR, which reduced the inhibitory activity of the CHR-derived peptides. The compensatory mutation of eight amino acids in the CHR region (NDQEEDYN) plays an important role in drug resistance. LP-40 and T20 have similar resistance mutation sites, and we speculate that the same resistance profile may arise if LP-40 is used in a clinical setting. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cell Fusion in the Living Matter)
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Review

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20 pages, 2625 KiB  
Review
Extracellular Events Involved in Cancer Cell–Cell Fusion
by Thomas Dittmar and Ralf Hass
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(24), 16071; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232416071 - 16 Dec 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3123
Abstract
Fusion among different cell populations represents a rare process that is mediated by both intrinsic and extracellular events. Cellular hybrid formation is relayed by orchestrating tightly regulated signaling pathways that can involve both normal and neoplastic cells. Certain important cell merger processes are [...] Read more.
Fusion among different cell populations represents a rare process that is mediated by both intrinsic and extracellular events. Cellular hybrid formation is relayed by orchestrating tightly regulated signaling pathways that can involve both normal and neoplastic cells. Certain important cell merger processes are often required during distinct organismal and tissue development, including placenta and skeletal muscle. In a neoplastic environment, however, cancer cell fusion can generate new cancer hybrid cells. Following survival during a subsequent post-hybrid selection process (PHSP), the new cancer hybrid cells express different tumorigenic properties. These can include elevated proliferative capacity, increased metastatic potential, resistance to certain therapeutic compounds, and formation of cancer stem-like cells, all of which characterize significantly enhanced tumor plasticity. However, many parts within this multi-step cascade are still poorly understood. Aside from intrinsic factors, cell fusion is particularly affected by extracellular conditions, including an inflammatory microenvironment, viruses, pH and ionic stress, hypoxia, and exosome signaling. Accordingly, the present review article will primarily highlight the influence of extracellular events that contribute to cell fusion in normal and tumorigenic tissues. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cell Fusion in the Living Matter)
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12 pages, 652 KiB  
Review
Comparison of Cell Fusions Induced by Influenza Virus and SARS-CoV-2
by Chuyuan Zhang, Xinjie Meng and Hanjun Zhao
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(13), 7365; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23137365 - 1 Jul 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2447
Abstract
Virus–cell fusion is the key step for viral infection in host cells. Studies on virus binding and fusion with host cells are important for understanding the virus–host interaction and viral pathogenesis for the discovery of antiviral drugs. In this review, we focus on [...] Read more.
Virus–cell fusion is the key step for viral infection in host cells. Studies on virus binding and fusion with host cells are important for understanding the virus–host interaction and viral pathogenesis for the discovery of antiviral drugs. In this review, we focus on the virus–cell fusions induced by the two major pandemic viruses, including the influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2. We further compare the cell fusions induced by the influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2, especially the pH-dependent fusion of the influenza virus and the fusion of SARS-CoV-2 in the type-II transmembrane serine protease 2 negative (TMPRSS2-) cells with syncytia formation. Finally, we present the development of drugs used against SARA-CoV-2 and the influenza virus through the discovery of anti-fusion drugs and the prevention of pandemic respiratory viruses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cell Fusion in the Living Matter)
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