Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Koichi Sugimoto, Tetsuro Yokokawa, Tomofumi Misaka, Takashi Kaneshiro, Shinya Yamada, Akiomi Yoshihisa, Kazuhiko Nakazato, Yasuchika Takeishi
Summary: The study demonstrated that ET-1 increases ACVRL-1 expression in human PAECs through the Gi/RhoA/Rho kinase pathway with the involvement of Sp-1.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ravi Kumar, Hitesh Soni, Jeremiah M. Afolabi, Praghalathan Kanthakumar, Pratheesh D. Mankuzhy, Samson A. Iwhiwhu, Adebowale Adebiyi
Summary: Mechanical stretch-induced generation of reactive oxygen species stimulates the production of vasoactive endothelin in neonatal pig renal epithelial cells. Endothelin activates TRPC3 channels in renal microvascular smooth muscle, leading to persistent vasoconstriction and reduction in renal blood flow. These mechanisms may explain the development of renal insufficiency in acute reversible renal tubular cell stretch and obstruction.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ravi Kumar, Hitesh Soni, Jeremiah M. Afolabi, Praghalathan Kanthakumar, Pratheesh D. Mankuzhy, Samson A. Iwhiwhu, Adebowale Adebiyi
Summary: This study demonstrates that mechanical stretch-induced oxyradical generation stimulates endothelin production in neonatal pig renal epithelial cells, leading to persistent vasoconstriction and reduction in renal blood flow, which may underlie early acute kidney injury.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Li Chen, Yikai Lu, Mengmeng Zhao, Junfang Xu, Yan Wang, Qinghua Xu, Yajuan Cao, Haipeng Liu
Summary: This study reveals a non-canonical function of ECE1 in regulating AKT activation and cell proliferation, providing the basis for the development of a novel strategy for cancer intervention, including LUAD, by targeting the ECE1-AKT signaling pathway. ECE1 interacts with the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of protein kinase B (AKT) to promote AKT activation, leading to increased proliferation of lung cancer cells and tumor development.
JOURNAL OF GENE MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rahul S. Patil, Anita Kovacs-Kasa, Boris A. Gorshkov, David J. R. Fulton, Yunchao Su, Robert K. Batori, Alexander D. Verin
Summary: Vascular barrier dysfunction, characterized by increased permeability and inflammation of endothelial cells, plays a crucial role in acute lung injury, ARDS, sepsis, and COVID-19. Ser/Thr protein phosphatases (PPases), including PP1 and PP2A, are important regulators of endothelial barrier integrity and cytoskeletal remodeling. Understanding the role of PPases in EC barrier regulation can provide insights into the development of therapeutic strategies for these lung diseases.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shuang Liu, Qiuxin Zhang, Hongjian He, Meihui Yi, Weiyi Tan, Jiaqi Guo, Bing Xu
Summary: In this study, intranuclear nanoribbons formed by dephosphorylation of phosphorylated peptides catalyzed by alkaline phosphatase were demonstrated to selectively kill osteosarcoma cells. These peptides rapidly kill the cancer cells by interacting with histone proteins, while being nontoxic to normal cells.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Emilie De Hert, An Bracke, Isabel Pintelon, Eline Janssens, Anne-Marie Lambeir, Pieter Van der Veken, Ingrid De Meester
Summary: This study investigates the C-terminal cleavage of (pyr)-apelin-13 in human endothelial cells, with PRCP responsible for this cleavage in human umbilical vein endothelial cells while ACE2 also contributes to it in aortic endothelial cells. Inflammatory stimulation induces PRCP secretion into the extracellular environment of endothelial cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Robert MacLachlan, Patrick Gavin Kehoe, J. Scott Miners
Summary: The activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme-1 (ACE-1) is induced in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD), independently from the normal physiological changes in ACE-1 protein during aging.
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES A-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yaozong Chen, Lulu Sun, Irfan Ullah, Guillaume Beaudoin-Bussieres, Sai Priya Anand, Andrew P. Hederman, William D. Tolbert, Rebekah Sherburn, Dung N. Nguyen, Lorie Marchitto, Shilei Ding, Di Wu, Yuhong Luo, Suneetha Gottumukkala, Sean Moran, Priti Kumar, Grzegorz Piszczek, Walther Mothes, Margaret E. Ackerman, Andres Finzi, Pradeep D. Uchil, Frank J. Gonzalez, Marzena Pazgier
Summary: Researchers developed a bivalent ACE2-Fc with enhanced recognition of SARS-CoV-2 and improved antibody effector functions. In mouse models, this ACE2-Fc delayed death and effectively treated lethal SARS-CoV-2 infection through neutralization and effector functions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ming Liu, Bingtai Lu, Yue Li, Shuofeng Yuan, Zhen Zhuang, Guangyu Li, Dong Wang, Liuheyi Ma, Jianheng Zhu, Jinglu Zhao, Chris Chung-Sing Chan, Vincent Kwok-Man Poon, Kenn Ka-Heng Chik, Zhiyao Zhao, Huifang Xian, Jingxian Zhao, Jincun Zhao, Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan, Yuxia Zhang
Summary: This study identifies novel pathways for viral entry and therapeutic targets for controlling emerging strains of SARS-CoV-2 infection. It suggests that restoring ACE2 surface expression and suppressing infection can be achieved through specific interventions.
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION AND TARGETED THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Koon-Chu Yaiw, Abdul-Aleem Mohammad, Chato Taher, Huanhuan Leah Cui, Helena Costa, Ourania N. Kostopoulou, Masany Jung, Alice Assinger, Vanessa Wilhelmi, Jiangning Yang, Klas Straat, Afsar Rahbar, John Pernow, Cecilia Soderberg-Naucler
Summary: The study found that HCMV infection significantly decreased ET-1 expression, promoted accumulation of ET-1 precursor protein in infected endothelial cells, and inhibited ET-1 maturation. Treatment with Ganciclovir did not prevent the suppressive effects of the virus on ET-1 expression. The IE2-p86 protein was identified to predominantly modulate ET-1 expression.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Thomas L. Williams, Gregory Strachan, Robyn G. C. Macrae, Rhoda E. Kuc, Duuamene Nyimanu, Anna L. Paterson, Sanjay Sinha, Janet J. Maguire, Anthony P. Davenport
Summary: ACE2 is a membrane protein that regulates the cardiovascular system and acts as a receptor for human coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2. A newly discovered short ACE2 isoform, deltaACE2, may affect individual susceptibility to viral infection and likelihood of developing Long COVID. Research shows that deltaACE2 is more expressed in the lung and liver compared to full-length ACE2.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dong Eun Kim, Jinho Lee, Jong Wook Park, Hyunsu Kang, Yu Ri Nam, Taeg Kyu Kwon, Ki-Suk Kim, Shin Kim
Summary: Previous studies have shown the inhibitory effect of BMI-1026 on cyclin-dependent kinase 1 in vitro, but the molecular mechanisms behind its anticancer effects have been unclear. This study found that BMI-1026 induces apoptosis in human renal carcinoma Caki cells through downregulation of Bcl-2, XIAP, Mcl-1 (L), and c-FLIP (L). In addition, blockade of the PI3K/Akt pathway enhanced BMI-1026-induced apoptosis in Caki cells. Electrophysiological safety of BMI-1026 was also confirmed. These findings suggest that BMI-1026 is a promising multitarget anticancer agent worthy of further investigation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Physiology
Kai Su, Jianguo Wang, Yang Lv, Ming Tian, You-Yang Zhao, Richard D. Minshall, Guochang Hu
Summary: Mechanical ventilation can lead to lung injury, but this study suggests that YAP expression in endothelial cells can reduce inflammation and edema formation, playing a protective role in ventilator-induced lung injury.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LUNG CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Katharina Koechl, Tobias Schopper, Vedat Durmaz, Lena Parigger, Amit Singh, Andreas Krassnigg, Marco Cespugli, Wei Wu, Xiaoli Yang, Yanchong Zhang, Welson Wen-Shang Wang, Crystal Selluski, Tiehan Zhao, Xin Zhang, Caihong Bai, Leon Lin, Yuxiang Hu, Zhiwei Xie, Zaihui Zhang, Jun Yan, Kurt Zatloukal, Karl Gruber, Georg Steinkellner, Christian C. Gruber
Summary: Treatment of COVID-19 using soluble ACE2 shows promise, but it requires optimization for emerging viral variants. This study utilized molecular dynamics simulations and a convolutional neural network to assess the binding affinity of multiple spike RBD/hACE2 variants. The high-affinity candidates hACE2-Fc K31W and multi-mutation variants were validated in vitro and their binding affinities with Omicron BA.3, Omicron BA.4/BA.5, and Omicron BA.2.75 RBDs were evaluated in silico. The candidates produced in Nicotiana benthamiana showed significantly reduced IC50 compared to those produced in CHO cells and wild-type hACE2-Fc.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lyubomyr Lytvynchuk, Annabelle Ebbert, Hana Studenovska, Richard Nagymihaly, Natasha Josifovska, David Rais, Stepan Popelka, Lucie Tichotova, Yaroslav Nemesh, Jana Cizkova, Jana Juhasova, Stefan Juhas, Pavla Jendelova, Janka Franekova, Igor Kozak, Slaven Erceg, Zbynek Stranak, Brigitte Mueller, Zdenka Ellederova, Jan Motlik, Knut Stieger, Taras Ardan, Goran Petrovski
Summary: The subretinal implantation of hRPE cells on nanofibrous membranes in minipigs was successfully achieved, and the implanted cells showed gradual attenuation over an eight-week observation period. The implantation area exhibited glial reaction and a neuroinflammatory response.
Article
Ophthalmology
Hanna Haave, Beata Eva Petrovski, Michal Zajac, Xhevat Lumi, Wassiliki Melekidou, Lyubomyr Lytvynchuk, Andrii Ruban, Ljubo Znaor, Jerzy Nawrocki, Zofia Anna Nawrocka, Goran Petrovski
Summary: The study analyzed the outcomes of lamellar macular hole (LMH) surgery using internal limiting membrane peeling and found that pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) provided a high success rate and functional improvement for treating LMH, regardless of its type. The study also showed that combined phaco-vitrectomy treatment was effective for LMH patients with cataract. These findings emphasize the importance of PPV in the management of LMH.
CLINICAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Filippo Confalonieri, Ingar Stene-Johansen, Xhevat Lumi, Goran Petrovski
Summary: This study describes the outcomes of early pars plana vitrectomy, subretinal r-tPA, and gas tamponade in patients with subretinal macular hemorrhage caused by neovascular age-related macular degeneration. The patients experienced a favorable functional recovery. The study concludes that early treatment may lead to a good functional prognosis.
CASE REPORTS IN OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gerard Boix-Lemonche, Richard M. Nagymihaly, Essi M. Niemi, Natasha Josifovska, Stian Johansen, Morten C. Moe, Hanne Scholz, Goran Petrovski
Summary: Injury of the cornea is a complex biological process that can be facilitated by mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and tissue equivalents. This study presents a new tissue-engineering strategy for corneal stroma regeneration using cellularized 3D bioprinted hydrogel constructs implanted into cultured porcine corneas. The experiment successfully combines laboratory-based methods with patient-care practice to produce a cell-laden tissue equivalent for corneal implantation.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natasha Josifovska, Sofija Andjelic, Lyubomyr Lytvynchuk, Xhevat Lumi, Tanja Ducic, Goran Petrovski
Summary: Synchrotron radiation-based Fourier Transform Infrared (SR-FTIR) microspectroscopy is a technique used for non-destructive and chemically sensitive detection of biomolecular changes in cells. This study investigated the effects of autophagy and oxidative stress on human primary retinal pigment epithelium (hRPEs), using SR-FTIR microspectroscopy to analyze the changes in nucleic acids, proteins, carbonyl groups, and lipids. The results can be used to study drug discovery targeting autophagy and oxidative stress in age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Santosh Gupta, Lyubomyr Lytvynchuk, Taras Ardan, Hana Studenovska, Georgina Faura, Lars Eide, Ljubo Znaor, Slaven Erceg, Knut Stieger, Jan Motlik, Kapil Bharti, Goran Petrovski
Summary: The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) plays a crucial role in maintaining the normal physiology of the eye, and damage to the RPE can lead to degenerative eye diseases. Currently, stem cell-derived RPE transplantation is being explored for treating early stages of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This article focuses on developmental studies and stem cell-based research to understand the biology and derive functional RPEs.
Review
Biology
Ambroz Pusnik, Goran Petrovski, Xhevat Lumi
Summary: Dysphotopsias, divided into positive and negative types, are common visual disturbances that happen after cataract surgery. Positive dysphotopsias include glare, light streaks, starbursts, light arcs, rings, haloes, or flashes of light. Negative dysphotopsias appear as an arc-shaped shadow or line in the visual field. While positive dysphotopsias occur in a higher percentage of patients, persistent symptoms are rare. Negative dysphotopsias have a lower incidence rate, but more cases experience symptoms that persist beyond one year postoperatively.
Letter
Ophthalmology
Andrii Ruban, Beata Eva Petrovski, Goran Petrovski, Lyubomyr M. Lytvynchuk
CLINICAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Filippo Confalonieri, Natasha Josifovska, Gerard Boix-Lemonche, Ingar Stene-Johansen, Ragnheidur Bragadottir, Xhevat Lumi, Goran Petrovski
Summary: Vitreous substitutes are essential tools in vitreoretinal surgery, serving the crucial functions of displacing fluid and ensuring retina adhesion. Surgeons now have a wide range of substitutes to choose from, making it challenging to determine the ideal tamponade for optimal outcomes. This article provides an overview of the physical and chemical properties of vitreous substitutes, their clinical applications, and surgical techniques. The future developments in vitreous substitutes are extensively discussed, with a focus on desired outcomes and biomaterials technology.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
John Kim Hiller, Elise Mork Sandas, Helge Rootwelt, Anja Osteby Vassli, Tor Paaske Utheim, Morten Carstens Moe, Katja Benedikte Presto Elgstoen, Goran Petrovski
Summary: This study explored the diffusion capacities between the anterior and vitreous chambers in a novel ex vivo pig eye model using stable isotope-labeled acylcarnitines and mass spectrometry analysis. The results showed a distinct diffusion pattern of molecules with different molecular size and hydrophobicity within and between the two chambers. This model can be valuable for optimizing therapeutic molecule choices and designs for intravitreal, intracameral, and topical treatments in the future.
JOURNAL OF OCULAR PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Vidas Raudonis, Arturas Kairys, Rasa Verkauskiene, Jelizaveta Sokolovska, Goran Petrovski, Vilma Jurate Balciuniene, Vallo Volke
Summary: This study presents a novel method for automatically detecting microaneurysms in color fundus images. The proposed method consists of three main steps: image breakdown into smaller patches, inference to segmentation models, and reconstruction of the predicted segmentation map. The proposed segmentation method utilizes an ensemble of three different deep networks, including U-Net, ResNet34-UNet, and UNet++. The performance evaluation is based on Dice score and IoU values, and the ensemble-based model achieves higher scores compared to other network architectures. The proposed ensemble-based model demonstrates high potential for the practical application of early-stage diabetic retinopathy detection in color fundus images.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Xhevat Lumi, Filippo Confalonieri, Metka Ravnik-Glavac, Katja Goricar, Tanja Blagus, Vita Dolzan, Goran Petrovski, Marko Hawlina, Damjan Glavac
Summary: This study examined the relationship between specific genetic variations and the risk of developing proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) after surgery. The study analyzed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes related to inflammation and oxidative stress, which are associated with PVR pathways, in 192 patients with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) who underwent 3-port pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). The study found that certain SNPs, SOD2 rs4880 and IL1B rs1071676, were significantly associated with PVR risk. Carriers of the IL1B rs1071676 GG allele appeared to have better postoperative visual acuity among patients without PVR. These findings suggest that genetic variations may play a role in the development of PVR after surgery.
Article
Cell Biology
Jovana Bisevac, Morten Carstens Moe, Liv Drolsum, Olav Kristianslund, Goran Petrovski, Agate Noer
Summary: The study aimed to investigate if a new technique of human amniotic membrane (HAM) preparation, which mimics the crypts in the limbus, enhances the number of progenitor cells cultured ex vivo. The results demonstrated that the crypt-like HAMs expressed higher levels of progenitor markers p63 alpha, SOX9, and proliferation marker Ki-67 compared to flat HAMs, but no difference was found for the quiescence marker CEBPD. This novel HAM preparation method increased the number of progenitor cells expanded in the crypt-like HAM compared to cultures on the conventional flat HAM.
Review
Biology
Filippo Confalonieri, Vanessa Ferraro, Alessandra Di Maria, Alessandro Gaeta, Jose Luis Vallejo-Garcia, Paolo Vinciguerra, Xhevat Lumi, Goran Petrovski
Summary: A systematic review was conducted on the use of antiplatelets and/or anticoagulants in vitreoretinal surgery. The findings suggest that the benefits of using these medications seem to outweigh the disadvantages, which are mainly related to postoperative hemorrhagic complications.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Filippo Confalonieri, Gianmaria Barone, Vanessa Ferraro, Giacomo Ambrosini, Alessandro Gaeta, Beata Eva Petrovski, Xhevat Lumi, Goran Petrovski, Alessandra Di Maria
Summary: This study conducted a systematic review on the timing of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in vitreous hemorrhage (VH) and concluded that early PPV may be a reasonable approach in selected cases.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kun He, Mengyi Xie, Weifeng Hong, Yonghe Li, Yaolin Yin, Xiaojin Gao, Yi He, Yu Chen, Chuan You, Jingdong Li
Summary: Centromere protein L (CENPL) is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is associated with poor patient prognosis. Upregulation of CENPL promotes tumor proliferation and glycolysis in HCC cells by activating the MEK1/2-ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY & CELL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yingzi Wang, Haozhong Huang, Huimin Weng, Chunsen Jia, Bin Liao, Yang Long, Fengxu Yu, Yongmei Nie
Summary: Talin protein plays a crucial role in transmitting mechanical forces by connecting the extracellular matrix to the cytoskeleton. It converts mechanical signals into biochemical signals and serves as diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic indicators in diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY & CELL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hema Saranya Ilamathi, Marc Germain
Summary: Mitochondria are the central metabolic hubs in cells, relying on proteins encoded by nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) for their function. The maintenance and distribution of mtDNA are crucial for proper mitochondrial function and are associated with mitochondrial diseases. mtDNA is organized into nucleoids that dynamically move and interact with each other. The replication and distribution of mtDNA nucleoids are regulated by the complex interplay of mitochondrial dynamics, ER-mitochondria contact sites, and cytoskeletal networks.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY & CELL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
K. K. Sruthi, Sirisha Natani, Ramesh Ummanni
Summary: The overexpression of TPD52 is associated with the emergence of neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC). TPD52 activates the NF-kappa B - STAT3 axis to induce neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) of prostate cancer cells. Therapeutic targeting of TPD52 is important for the treatment of prostate cancer.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY & CELL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cui Li, Feifan Xiang, Yuqi Gong, Yi Fu, Ge Chen, Zhi Wang, Zhong Li, Daiqing Wei
Summary: Our study demonstrates the significant role of tumor-derived microparticles (T-MPs) in osteosarcoma metastasis and immune response. T-MPs promote macrophage polarization and stimulate migration and chemoresistance of osteosarcoma cells, thereby affecting the progression of osteosarcoma.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY & CELL BIOLOGY
(2024)