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Structure and Function of Intermediate Filaments in Health and Disease

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 6542

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Via Provinciale Lecce-Monteroni n.165, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Interests: membrane traffic; Rab proteins; endocytosis; endosomes; lysosomes; cytoskeleton; extracellular vesicles; neurodegenerative diseases; molecular basis of cancer

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Via Provinciale Lecce-Monteroni n.165, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Interests: molecular basis of neurodegenerative diseases; intermediate filaments; vimentin; peripherin; vesicular traffic; autophagy; endocytosis; lysosomes

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Via Provinciale Lecce-Monteroni n.165, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Interests: mitochondria; mitochondria dynamics; mitochondria biogenesis; mitochondria-derived extracellular vesicles; autophagy; molecular basis of cancer chemoresistance

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The cellular cytoskeleton is a complex network of filaments whose main functions comprise providing cell shape and mechanical resistance to deformation, as well as enabling cell migration. However, the cytoskeleton also influences many other cellular processes and is important for every aspect of the life of the cell.

In particular, intermediate filaments are fundamental for the structure of tissues, as they are important for cell–cell and cell–matrix adhesion, but also for proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, autophagy, organelle positioning, trafficking and functions, signaling, and even determination of cell fate. Similar to other cytoskeleton components, intermediate filaments constitute a finely regulated dynamic network. However, in many cases, the exact molecular mechanisms underlying these regulations are not yet completely clear. Importantly, alterations of intermediate filaments are present in several human diseases such as, for instance, cancer, immune diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, and digestive diseases. Additionally, the presence of intermediate filaments in body fluids such as plasma or cerebrospinal fluid has been correlated to several diseases including neurodegenerative diseases and even COVID.

In this Special Issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences we invite contributions, in the form of original research articles or reviews, dealing with all the different aspects related to intermediate filament biology. We particularly welcome articles with mechanistic insights and articles investigating the intermediate filament role in cells at the molecular level, as well as articles dealing with alterations in the intermediate filament structure and function in human diseases.

Topic of interest include, but are not limited to:

  • Structure and characteristics of intermediate filament proteins;
  • Gene expression and epigenetic studies;
  • Post-translational modifications of intermediate filament proteins;
  • Role of intermediate filaments in regulating cellular processes;
  • Alterations of intermediate filaments in human diseases.

Prof. Cecilia Bucci
Dr. Roberta Romano
Dr. Flora Guerra
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • intermediate filaments
  • vimentin
  • peripherin
  • lamins
  • keratins
  • neurofilaments
  • mechanics
  • migration
  • signaling
  • autophagy
  • organelle positioning
  • organelle function
  • inflammation
  • neurodegenerative diseases
  • cancer
  • gene expression
  • epigenetics
  • post-translational modifications

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Review

21 pages, 1784 KiB  
Review
From Cell Architecture to Mitochondrial Signaling: Role of Intermediate Filaments in Health, Aging, and Disease
by Emanuele Marzetti, Rosa Di Lorenzo, Riccardo Calvani, Vito Pesce, Francesco Landi, Hélio José Coelho-Júnior and Anna Picca
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(3), 1100; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26031100 - 27 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1477
Abstract
The coordination of cytoskeletal proteins shapes cell architectures and functions. Age-related changes in cellular mechanical properties have been linked to decreased cellular and tissue dysfunction. Studies have also found a relationship between mitochondrial function and the cytoskeleton. Cytoskeleton inhibitors impact mitochondrial quality and [...] Read more.
The coordination of cytoskeletal proteins shapes cell architectures and functions. Age-related changes in cellular mechanical properties have been linked to decreased cellular and tissue dysfunction. Studies have also found a relationship between mitochondrial function and the cytoskeleton. Cytoskeleton inhibitors impact mitochondrial quality and function, including motility and morphology, membrane potential, and respiration. The regulatory properties of the cytoskeleton on mitochondrial functions are involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases. Disassembly of the axon’s cytoskeleton and the release of neurofilament fragments have been documented during neurodegeneration. However, these changes can also be related to mitochondrial impairments, spanning from reduced mitochondrial quality to altered bioenergetics. Herein, we discuss recent research highlighting some of the pathophysiological roles of cytoskeleton disassembly in aging, neurodegeneration, and neuromuscular diseases, with a focus on studies that explored the relationship between intermediate filaments and mitochondrial signaling as relevant contributors to cellular health and disease. Full article
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16 pages, 1159 KiB  
Review
Role of the Intermediate Filament Protein Peripherin in Health and Disease
by Roberta Romano, Victoria Stefania Del Fiore and Cecilia Bucci
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(23), 15416; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232315416 - 6 Dec 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4003
Abstract
Intermediate filaments are the most heterogeneous class among cytoskeletal elements. While some of them have been well-characterized, little is known about peripherin. Peripherin is a class III intermediate filament protein with a specific expression in the peripheral nervous system. Epigenetic modifications are involved [...] Read more.
Intermediate filaments are the most heterogeneous class among cytoskeletal elements. While some of them have been well-characterized, little is known about peripherin. Peripherin is a class III intermediate filament protein with a specific expression in the peripheral nervous system. Epigenetic modifications are involved in this cell-type-specific expression. Peripherin has important roles in neurite outgrowth and stability, axonal transport, and axonal myelination. Moreover, peripherin interacts with proteins involved in vesicular trafficking, signal transduction, DNA/RNA processing, protein folding, and mitochondrial metabolism, suggesting a role in all these processes. This review collects information regarding peripherin gene regulation, post-translational modifications, and functions and its involvement in the onset of a number of diseases. Full article
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