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Grant report - Christina Sveen (NAS Lab Exchange grantee)

Evaluating the expression of fibroblast activation protein in cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts for selective targeting of fibroblast autophagy

Host: Prof. Ingrid De Meester (University of Antwerp, Belgium) 

Duration of visit: 2 weeks (February 4th to February 16th, 2024)

It has been reported that the growth of cancer cells may be affected non-cell autonomously by autophagic processes in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) in the tumor microenvironment. The aim of the project related to this lab exchange is to selectively target autophagy in CAFs with novel drug conjugates of autophagy modulators attached to a CAF-specific binding moiety, which exploits the fact that CAFs frequently express high levels of fibroblast activating protein (FAP) on their cell surface. Before moving forward with this project we needed to assess the expression of FAP in our cancer cell lines and CAFs. During my lab exchange at the University of Antwerp, I learned how to detect FAP by performing western blotting, utilizing both fluorescent and chemiluminescent detection methods, and by confocal microscopy. During my stay, I got well acquainted with the methods, and already obtained promising results, indicating that the CAFs express substantial amounts of FAP compared to negligible expression in the cancer cells. This could allow selective targeting of CAFs over cancer cells based on FAP expression.

In addition to the interesting and successful results, the valuable learning experiences I obtained during my visit in De Meesters lab will allow me to establish appropriate assays to investigate FAP expression in our lab in Oslo. My time in Antwerp has been very educational, and I have had 2 great weeks thanks to all members in the De Meester lab. A special warm thanks to Yentl Van Rymenant for her so kind and always pleasant training and help before and during the whole stay. I would also like to say thank you to NAS for giving me this opportunity.

Grant report - Anastasia Knyazeva (NAS Conference grantee)

EMBO workshop “Cell polarity and membrane dynamics”

21st-25th May 2023, Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Girona, Spain 

My name is Anastasia Knyazeva and I am a 4th year PhD student in Yaowen Wu lab, Umeå University, Sweden. I was participating in EMBO workshop “Cell polarity and membrane dynamics” which was held on 21-25 May 2023 in Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Girona, Spain. During my PhD project I am investigating novel non-canonical LC3 lipidation process, which is associated with recycling endosomes. Workshop was organized by an amazing team of researchers, and topics of presentations, keynote lectures were very diverse – from cell polarity and migration mechanisms in various model organisms and cell lines to membrane trafficking pathways accessed by cell biology and structural methods. Several presentation and posters were focused on canonical autophagy and mitophagy processes. For example, Sascha Martens from University of Vienna presented some outstanding findings in understanding of Atg2 protein machinery and novel pathways and players during the tuning of mitophagy. Overall, this conference gave me an opportunity to gain more knowledge about complex interconnection of different membrane trafficking processes in cells, and also how this knowledge can be applied to understand single-cell physiology, cell-cell communication and organs development.

I was selected to present a poster entitled “Dissecting ESCRT-III function in endosomal recycling by a chemical genetic approach”. During poster session I was lucky to have fruitful discussion with researchers from different fields, and that gave me opportunity to have novel views on my current research. It was pleasant to find another group at the conference, which is investigating the same IST1 protein, but in yeast model, and we independently found similar phenotypes in different models upon IST1 functions inhibition.

I appreciate Nordic Autophagy Society for providing me with the financial support for attending that fascinating EMBO workshop. This event became truly one of the most significant moments during my work as a PhD student.

Summer course for Master and PhD students, Aarhus University, DK

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Catch the opportunity to be a part of the new AU Summer School focusing on

“Autophagy in Neurodegeneration, Neuroinflammation, and Immunity: Unraveling Molecular Mechanisms to Disease.”

Esteemed researchers in the autophagy field have graciously committed to providing both in-person and remote teaching, along with insightful research lectures. Embrace the unique chance to learn from these experts, gaining unparalleled knowledge that will undoubtedly enhance your studies and propel your career forward. Secure your spot as a student by registering using the link below, but act fast—seats are limited!

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Grant report - Makoto Shimozawa (NAS Conference grantee)

10th International Symposium on Autophagy

23rd – 27th October 2022 Sapporo, Japan

International Symposium on Autophagy (ISA) is one of the most prestigious international meetings in the autophagy research field, which was firstly organized by Nobel Prize laureate, Dr. Yoshinori Ohsumi. In ISA, worldwide top autophagy researchers present the latest research about basic molecular mechanism of autophagy as well as the role of autophagy in diseases.

ISA had seven sessions focusing on three different main topics: mechanism of autophagy, selective autophagy, and physiology & diseases. One of the key topics in the mechanism session was about the autophagy-related gene 9 (Atg9). Several researchers revealed the detailed function of Atg9 – Atg2 complex on autophagosome formation. Especially, Dr. Tooze analyzed molecular details of the Atg9 – Atg2 complex by using a structure modeling approach and revealed functional importance of this complex on lipid transfer to autophagosomes. The physiology & diseases sessions were the most exciting for me because I am working on the role of autophagy in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Dr. Cuervo showed their groundbreaking research about chaperone mediated autophagy (CMA). They established a neuronal-specific CMA deficient mouse model which showed impaired motor coordination and accumulation of tau aggregation, suggesting the importance of functional CMA to prevent age-related diseases including AD. I presented my research titled “Autophagy impairment liked with synaptic dysfunction in hippocampus of App knock-in Alzheimer mouse models” in the poster session. We revealed that autophagy deficiency is linked to synaptic disfunction in App knock-in mouse models by using RNA-sequencing, immunofluorescence staining, electron microscopy, and SV2A-PET.

The ISA is one of the best conferences which I have attended. It had a good atmosphere to discuss about autophagic research with legendary researchers as well as young researchers. I look forward the 11th ISA at Melbourne, Australia.

I would like to thank the NAS for supporting my attendance at the 10th ISA at Sapporo. Thanks to your support, I had a valuable experience and got new ideas and possible collaborations from presentations and discussions.

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