Author: Sek Shir Cheong

Our recent article ‘The Planar Polarity Component VANGL2 Is a Key Regulator of Mechanosignaling’ published in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology has been selected to be featured in the collection “Editor’s Pick 2021: Highlights in Cell Adhesion and Migration”.

https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/30228/editors-pick-2021-highlights-in-cell-adhesion-and-migration#articles

This article highlights a previously unknown function of the core planar cell polarity (PCP) protein, VANGL2, in control of mechanosignalling and we propose this underlies the key role of the PCP pathway in tissue morphogenesis and repair.

We employed a combination of live imaging of ex vivo 3D precision-cut lung slices, in vitro 2D cell culture and functional assays to show that disrupted epithelial cell migration in Vangl2^Lp (Looptail) mutant mice was caused by underlying aberrant cell mechanics. Our findings were further consolidated by the use of sophisticated elastic micropillar arrays that demonstrated abnormal cellular traction force in epithelial cells from Looptail mutant mice (collaboration with Dr Armando del Río Hernández, ICL Department of Bioengineering).

Click the link below for more details about this study:

VANGL2 (Van Gogh-like 2): In Control of Mechanosignalling

The full article can be found here :

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2020.577201/full

After 4 years in the lab, Róisín is off to begin a new role training to be a Clinical Trials manager at Medpace. Róisín came to the lab as a Master’s student and was subsequently awarded a PhD to study the role of retinoic acid in lung repair. After completing her PhD in early 2021, Róisín stayed on for a year as a post-doc. During her time in the lab Róisín worked to establish a novel model of lung injury and repair (Kim-Mongey et al. 2021 Biomaterials) which she then used to investigate the role of retinoic acid. In addition, Róisín has shown an important role for dietary vitamin A intake on lung function through large-scale population studies (collaboration with Dr Cosetta Minelli).

We wish Róisín every success in her new role!

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Walking through my local shopping centre the other week, I was surprised to see this new store that has just opened (see picture). It’s clear that ‘Regenerative Medicine’ is something the public responds favourably to. As a lab that conducts research aimed at identifying novel regenerative medicine treatments for lung disease, our hope is that funding agencies will be equally responsive to supporting research in this important area.

The ERS has published a new monograph focused on lung stem cells.

A variety of experts in the field discuss how stem cells can be generated or stimulated from endogenous lung tissue. The book also contains several chapters on modelling lung and stem cell functions including a chapter on our own favourite model- precision-cut lung slices.

https://www.ersbookshop.com/lung-stem-cells-in-development-health-and-disease-669-p.asp

31^st March 2021 – Massive congratulations to Róisín on a very successful PhD!

Róisín defended her thesis entitled ‘Investigating the role of vitamin A and retinoic acid signalling in lung homeostasis and repair’ and passed her viva without corrections! This coincided with the UK lockdown restriction easing and we were able to share a toast in a socially distanced manner on the beautiful Queen’s lawn.

“The conference was a great opportunity to interact with experts in the field and to learn about exciting new developments at the cutting edge of lung regenerative science.” – Róisín

“In March 2021 I won a bursary to attend the 19^th European Respiratory Society Lung Science conference and present my work on ‘Investigating the role of vitamin A intake and retinoic acid signalling in lung homeostasis and repair- a multidisciplinary approach’. The presentation summarised key findings from my PhD: using dietary intake and genetic data from the large UK Biobank population to study the association between vitamin A intake, retinoic acid pathway genes and adult lung function in addition to lab-based work using our novel Acid Injury and Repair (AIR) model to study and manipulate RA signalling following lung injury. The presentations involved an online poster as well as 3 minute oral presentation followed by a stimulating discussion session. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and was honoured to win the best poster award for my session.

As a recipient of a bursary award, I was also able to take part in the mentorship programme during which I received invaluable advice on my career progression from leaders in the field.

The organisers did an exceptional job putting together the conference programme despite the challenges of an online format. There were many exciting talks from leaders across the field of lung repair and regeneration. Topics covered cellular differentiation and interaction in the alveolar niche, exciting novel scaffolds to replicate and repair the lung and new in vitro and ex vivo models for the study of lung disease and repair to name a few. The conference was a great opportunity to interact with experts in the field and to learn about exciting new developments at the cutting edge of lung regenerative science.”

– Róisín