Regulation of mammalian cells by spatial and temporal gradients of H+ and Ca2+ ions -
Implications for the construction of biofunctional hybrid structures for biophysical cancer treatment
Kraus, M. and Wolf, B.
AG Medizinische Physik und Elektronenmikroskopie, Institut für Immunbiologie,
Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
Intracellular free calcium ions and protons are important regulators of cytoplasmic and nuclear target proteins. In contrast to many other second messengers, Ca2+ and H+ cannot be metabolized. So cells developed numerous control mechanisms for binding, storing, and transport of these ions. Most interesting, temporal and spatial pattern of these ions display a wide variety depending on the cell type and the kind of cellular stimulation. Prominent examples are agonist-induced oscillatory Ca2+ waves and changes of pH during the cell cycle. But also in the cellular microenvironment, ionic gradients appear to be important regulators of cell-cell and cell-host interactions. Acidic conditions in the microenvironment of tumors, for example, have been shown to be promoters of the microevolution of malignant cells, inhibitors of the immune response, and co-factors for tumor cell invasion. This suggests that the efficiency of immunotherapies and classical methods for cancer treatment might be improved if a physico-chemical microenvironment would be restored which reflects that one found in normal tissue. The talk outlines how models and computer simulations of cellular signaling can support the construction of biofunctional hybrid structures. These hybrids represent miniaturized analytical systems which are qualified by means of the cellular signal processing network to identify biomolecules and biophysical signals in a specific and quantitative manner. They are also suited for the investigation of cellular reaction pattern in response to defined environmental stimuli. The systems analytical approach gives an idea how the biological component of a cellular biosensor works and facilitates the directed design of new families of silicon-based feedback bioactuators. After a brief review of the main construction lines of cell-silicon hybrids, sensor-supported perfusion chambers, and bioactuators, their potential for biophysical cancer treatment is discussed.
| LOCATION |
DATE |
TIME |
| Lecture Hall II |
Tuesday, April 7 |
05:20 pm |