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The mechanisms of cell-cell communications are now under intense study by proteomic approaches. Proteomics has unraveled changes in protein profiling as the result of cell interactions mediated by ligand/receptor, hormones, soluble factors, and the content of extracellular vesicles. Besides being a brief overview of the main and profitable methodologies now available (evaluating theory behind the methods, their usefulness, and pitfalls), this review focuses on-from a proteome perspective-some signaling pathways and post-translational modifications (PTMs), which are essential for understanding ischemic lesions and their recovery in two vital organs in mammals, the heart, and the kidney. Knowledge of misdirection of the proteome during tissue recovery, such as represented by the convergence between fibrosis and cancer, emerges as an important tool in prognosis. Proteomics of cell-cell interaction is also especially useful for understanding how stem cells interact in injured tissues, anticipating clues for rational therapeutic interventions. In the effervescent field of induced pluripotency and cell reprogramming, proteomic studies have shown what proteins from specialized cells contribute to the recovery of infarcted tissues. Overall, we conclude that proteomics is at the forefront in helping us to understand the mechanisms that underpin prevalent pathological processes.

Mannheimer EG, Quintanilha LF, Carvalho AB, Paredes BD, Carvalho FG, Takyia CM, Resende CMC, Rezende GFM, Campos de Carvalho AC, Schanaider A, Goldenberg RCS. Bone marrow cells obtained from cirrhotic rats do not improve function or reduce fibrosis in a chronic liver disease model. Clin Transplant 2011: 25: 54–60. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of bone marrow cells (BMCs) obtained from cirrhotic donors in a model of chronic liver disease. Methods: Chronic liver injury was induced in female Wistar rats by the association of an alcoholic diet with intraperitoneal injections of carbon tetrachloride. BMCs obtained from cirrhotic donors or placebo were injected through the portal vein. Blood analysis of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and albumin levels, ultrasound assessment including the measurement of the portal vein diameter (PVD) and liver echogenicity, histologic evaluation with hematoxylin and eosin and Sirius red staining, and quantification of collagen deposition were performed. Results: ALT and albumin blood levels showed no significant differences between the experimental groups two months after injection. Additionally, no significant variation in PVD and liver echogenicity was found. Histological analysis also showed no significant variation in collagen deposition two months after placebo or BMC injection. Conclusion: This study suggests that, even though BMC therapy using cells from healthy donors has previously shown to be effective, this is not the case when BMCs are obtained from cirrhotic animals. This result has major clinical implications when considering the use of autologous BMCs from patients with chronic liver diseases.