Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Barbara Kosmowska, Jadwiga Wardas
Summary: Current pharmacotherapy for ET is often inadequate, with deep brain stimulation being the most effective but also associated with undesirable side effects and reserved for advanced disease patients who are unresponsive to drugs. Therefore, it is crucial to explore new treatment strategies for ET.
Review
Immunology
Lucile Plumet, Nour Ahmad-Mansour, Catherine Dunyach-Remy, Karima Kissa, Albert Sotto, Jean-Philippe Lavigne, Denis Costechareyre, Virginie Molle
Summary: Staphylococcus aureus is a virulent human pathogen with antibiotic resistance, making it a major public health threat. Bacteriophage therapy, a non-antibiotic strategy, shows potential in treating S. aureus infections.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dawid Polak, Marcin Talar, Nina Wolska, Dagmara W. Wojkowska, Kamil Karolczak, Karol Kramkowski, Tomasz A. Bonda, Cezary Watala, Tomasz Przygodzki
Summary: The A(2A) agonist HE-NECA in low doses in combination with inhibitors of P2Y(12) improved anti-thrombotic properties and was effective with chronic administration. Additionally, HE-NECA has hypotensive effects but does not significantly affect blood-brain barrier permeability.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Muhammad Faraz Raghib, Evanthia Bernitsas, Masaru Tanaka
Summary: This systematic review examines the effect of antimicrobials on multiple sclerosis (MS). While animal models have shown promising results, studies in humans have been limited, with only some antibiotics and antiparasitic drugs showing improvement. Further large, multicenter, well-designed studies are needed to evaluate the effect of antimicrobials in MS.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Alejandro Sanchez-Melgar, Pedro Jose Izquierdo-Ramirez, Veronica Palomera-Avalos, Merce Pallas, Jose Luis Albasanz, Mairena Martin
Summary: High-fat diet may affect the adenosinergic system, but resveratrol does not effectively counteract its effects, with different impacts in different strains of mice. Additionally, the levels of free-cholesterol in the plasma membrane remain unchanged.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Jie Zhang, Hongming Chen
Summary: This paper proposes a novel molecular deep generative model that adopts a recurrent neural network architecture and ligand-protein interaction fingerprint as constraints for generating compounds with similar binding modes.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL INFORMATION AND MODELING
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Baptiste Maille, Nathalie Lalevee, Marion Marlinge, Juliette Vahdat, Giovanna Mottola, Clara Degioanni, Lucille De Maria, Victor Klein, Franck Thuny, Frederic Franceschi, Jean-Claude Deharo, Regis Guieu, Julien Fromonot
Summary: This narrative review discusses the potential role of the adenosinergic system in the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation (AF). It provides insights into adenosinergic system signaling and its interactions with AF. Activation of adenosine receptors can affect the occurrence and maintenance of AF, and the adenosinergic system is also associated with the modulation of the autonomic nervous system and AF risk factors.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Zhengyue Zhang, Xiao Yang, Xiankun Cao, An Qin, Jie Zhao
Summary: Bone defects are common in the field of orthopaedics, and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) have shown promise for bone regeneration. This article summarizes the current applications of ASCs in bone repair, especially in combination with physical and biological methods. ASCs have been found to contribute to bone repair, enhance bone matrix formation when attached to scaffolds or combined with bioactive molecules. The efficiency of ASC-committed differentiation has been evaluated in cell experiments, animal models, and clinical trials.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Srdjan M. M. Vlajkovic, Peter R. R. Thorne
Summary: The mammalian cochlea, as the sensory organ for hearing, is regulated by ATP release and adenosine signaling, triggering various physiological responses and playing important roles in cochlear development, homeostasis, and sensory transduction. Understanding these mechanisms may provide therapeutic strategies for cochlear rescue and prevention of hearing loss.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Evangelia Eirini Tsermpini, Sara Redensek, Vita Dolzan
Summary: This article reviews the impact of genetic variations on the occurrence of tardive dyskinesia (TD) in experimental animal models and clinical studies. Eight genes have been identified from preclinical findings that have also reached statistical significance in at least one clinical study. However, the results of clinical studies are often conflicting and not conclusive enough to support their implementation in clinical practice.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Teng Zhang, Li Yu-Jing, Tao Ma
Summary: This paper discusses the role of adenosine in the pathogenesis of sepsis and the regulatory activities of adenosine receptors. Animal models have shown that adenosine may be a potential target for treating sepsis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniela Madeira, Joana Domingues, Catia R. Lopes, Paula M. Canas, Rodrigo A. Cunha, Paula Agostinho
Summary: Increasing evidence suggests that dysfunction of astrocytes, a type of glial cell, plays a role in the development of Alzheimer's disease. This dysfunction is characterized by altered astrocytic morphology and increased activity of astrocytic hemichannels, which are composed mainly of connexin 43 (Cx43). The activity of these hemichannels is found to be modulated by adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR), and blocking A2AR can prevent the dysregulation of astrocytic hemichannels induced by amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques. Overall, our findings indicate that the dysfunction of astrocytic hemichannel activity is an early event in Alzheimer's disease and can be controlled by targeting A2AR.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Edward Beamer, Manvitha Kuchukulla, Detlev Boison, Tobias Engel
Summary: Despite progress in understanding the pathogenesis of hyperexcitable networks and lowered seizure thresholds, treating epilepsy remains challenging. Many patients are resistant to current medications, which only provide symptomatic relief. Efforts are focused on finding new treatments with novel mechanisms of action to modify disease progression. Purines like ATP and adenosine play key roles in the epileptogenic process, with potential as targets for therapeutic strategies.
PROGRESS IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Claire Guiol, Sarah El Harake, Julien Fromonot, Mohamed Chefrour, Marguerite Gastaldi, Yassine Alibouch, Maxime Doublier, Pierre Deharo, Gabrielle Sarlon, Marion Marlinge, Nathalie Lalevee, Regis Guieu, Francois Silhol
Summary: Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is a non-inflammatory vascular disease characterized by systemic hypertension in young people. This study found that patients with FMD had higher levels of adenosine in their blood and an over-production of A(2B) receptors, suggesting potential diagnostic implications.
Review
Cell Biology
Michele Zanoni, Anna Pegoraro, Elena Adinolfi, Elena De Marchi
Summary: Resistance to therapy remains a critical obstacle in cancer treatment. Purinergic signaling plays a pivotal role in the regulation of cancer cell metabolism, inflammation, and development. Targeting purinergic signaling may have translational applications in combination with conventional anticancer interventions.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Stefano Palazzolo, Isabella Caligiuri, Andrea Augusto Sfriso, Matteo Mauceri, Rossella Rotondo, Davide Campagnol, Vincenzo Canzonieri, Flavio Rizzolio
Summary: This study compares the effects of long-chain and short-chain PFAS on mouse liver organoids, revealing the impact of these compounds on organoid morphology and enzyme activity. Long-chain PFAS exhibit higher toxicity, while short-chain PFAS only have a limited effect on organoid morphology. The study also shows that organoid testing could serve as a fast and reproducible platform for assessing the toxicity of pollutants.
Review
Oncology
Reyes Benot-Dominguez, Annamaria Cimini, Daniela Barone, Antonio Giordano, Francesca Pentimalli
Summary: This review provides an overview of the potential use of plant-based foods, nutraceuticals, and derived micronutrients as anticancer agents, with a focus on their mechanism of action as cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors. It also discusses the importance of CDKs as a target in breast and ovarian cancer treatment, as well as ongoing research on the management of obesity-related cancers through nutritional strategies and phytochemicals.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Salvatore Galati, Stefano Sainas, Marta Giorgis, Donatella Boschi, Marco L. Lolli, Gabriella Ortore, Giulio Poli, Tiziano Tuccinardi
Summary: In this study, a novel hDHODH inhibitor with promising inhibitory activity was identified through virtual screening. This compound, structurally different from known ligands, serves as a valuable starting point for future drug optimization studies.
Review
Cell Biology
Pierluigi Scalia, Stephen J. Williams, Yoko Fujita-Yamaguchi, Antonio Giordano
Summary: The IGFs are important growth factors that play a key role in cell growth and cell cycle progression through their cellular receptors. Understanding the intracellular signaling mechanisms of IGFs is crucial for cancer research. This study provides a comprehensive summary of the current understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of IGFs in cancer and suggests new perspectives for further research.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Ilenia Severi, Silvia Abbatelli, Jessica Perugini, Eleonora Di Mercurio, Martina Senzacqua, Antonio Giordano
Summary: This study is the first comprehensive morphological investigation into the distribution and physiological role of BChE in the mouse gastrointestinal tract. BChE-positive cells were found in various digestive organs, such as the stomach, liver, and intestine, and were closely linked to ghrelin production.
JOURNAL OF ANATOMY
(2023)
Article
Dermatology
Francesco De Logu, Roberto Maglie, Mustafa Titiz, Giulio Poli, Lorenzo Landini, Matilde Marini, Daniel Souza Monteiro de Araujo, Gaetano De Siena, Marco Montini, Daniela Almeida Cabrini, Michel Fleith Otuki, Priscila Lucia Pawloski, Emiliano Antiga, Tiziano Tuccinardi, Joao Batista Calixto, Pierangelo Geppetti, Romina Nassini, Eunice Andre
Summary: The study reveals that the genetic deletion or pharmacological antagonism of TRPV4 can attenuate itch in a mouse model of psoriasis. Human psoriatic lesions express multiple microRNAs, including miR-203b-3p, which can induce itch in mice through the activation of 5-HTR2B and TRPV4. Computer simulation shows that the core sequence of miR-203b-3p (GUUAAGAA) targets the extracellular side of 5-HTR2B.
JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giovanni Ciccarelli, Stefano Conte, Giovanni Cimmino, Patrizia Maiorano, Andrea Morrione, Antonio Giordano
Summary: Atherosclerosis is a complex disease involving metabolic processes and inflammation. Despite improved therapies, a significant residual risk remains due to unmet therapeutic targets. Endothelial dysfunction and lipid infiltration are primary causes of atherosclerotic plaque progression. Mitochondrial dysfunction can affect arterial wall cells, leading to oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and intracellular lipid deposition. Evaluating mitochondrial defects through the detection and characterization of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is crucial, and mitochondria-targeting therapies show promise in treating atherosclerosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giulio Poli, Gian Carlo Demontis, Andrea Sodi, Alessandro Saba, Stanislao Rizzo, Marco Macchia, Tiziano Tuccinardi
Summary: A combined strategy of molecular dynamics simulations and bioinformatics was used to evaluate the pathogenicity of hRPE65 missense mutations. The results may support the reclassification of VUS and assist clinicians in determining the eligibility for gene therapy of patients with such variants.
JOURNAL OF ENZYME INHIBITION AND MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sedigheh Cheraghali, Ghasem Dini, Isabella Caligiuri, Michele Back, Flavio Rizzolio
Summary: In this study, hierarchical MnZn ferrite nanoparticles were synthesized and their surface characteristics were improved by PEGylation. In vitro MRI studies confirmed the ability of the synthesized nanoparticles as a contrast agent. Results were compared with normal structured MnZn ferrite nanoparticles.
Review
Oncology
Elisa Ventura, Giacomo Ducci, Reyes Benot Dominguez, Valentina Ruggiero, Antonino Belfiore, Elena Sacco, Marco Vanoni, Renato V. V. Iozzo, Antonio Giordano, Andrea Morrione
Summary: Progranulin plays an important pro-tumorigenic role in various solid tumors and has diagnostic and prognostic values in multiple tumor types. The molecular mechanisms underlying progranulin's function in cancer are not fully understood, but recent evidence suggests a strong context-dependency of progranulin signaling. This review focuses on summarizing the current evidence supporting the pro-oncogenic role of progranulin and its molecular mechanisms of action in cancer.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Tanja Jesenko, Simona Kranjc Brezar, Maja Cemazar, Alice Biasin, Domenico Tierno, Bruna Scaggiante, Mario Grassi, Chiara Grassi, Barbara Dapas, Nhung Hai Truong, Michela Abrami, Fabrizio Zanconati, Deborah Bonazza, Flavio Rizzolio, Salvatore Parisi, Giorgia Pastorin, Gabriele Grassi
Summary: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major global health challenge, ranking third in cancer deaths worldwide. Despite recent therapeutic advances, prognosis remains poor, necessitating the development of novel strategies. This study focuses on targeting molecules with aberrant expression confined to tumor cells, particularly non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) such as miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs. These ncRNAs play a significant role in regulating various aspects of HCC, including proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and metastasis. The review provides the latest state-of-the-art approaches, highlighting key trends and opportunities for advanced and efficacious HCC treatments.
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Giovanna Liguori, Anna Costagliola, Renato Lombardi, Orlando Paciello, Antonio Giordano
Summary: Animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) are planned activities carried out in multidisciplinary teams with educational, therapeutic, and recreational purposes. These interventions offer many advantages to subjects but may expose them to zoonotic-pathogen transmission. Therefore, ensuring positive animal welfare and implementing preventive measures are crucial for the safety of patients.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Miriana Di Stefano, Salvatore Galati, Lisa Piazza, Carlotta Granchi, Simone Mancini, Filippo Fratini, Marco Macchia, Giulio Poli, Tiziano Tuccinardi
Summary: The application of artificial intelligence and machine learning methods is increasingly popular in computational toxicology and drug design. VenomPred 2.0 is the new and improved version of a free web tool for toxicological predictions, offering a powerful platform for multifaceted and human-interpretable in silico toxicity profiling of chemicals.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL INFORMATION AND MODELING
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alfredo Caturano, Margherita D'Angelo, Andrea Mormone, Vincenzo Russo, Maria Pina Mollica, Teresa Salvatore, Raffaele Galiero, Luca Rinaldi, Erica Vetrano, Raffaele Marfella, Marcellino Monda, Antonio Giordano, Ferdinando Carlo Sasso
Summary: Oxidative stress plays a critical role in the development and progression of diabetes and its associated complications. The imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the body's antioxidant defense mechanisms leads to cellular damage and dysfunction. By understanding and addressing oxidative stress, it may be possible to alleviate the burden of diabetes and improve patient outcomes.
CURRENT ISSUES IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Kanwal Asif, Muhammad Adeel, Md. Mahbubur Rahman, Isabella Caligiuri, Tiziana Perin, Maja Cemazar, Vincenzo Canzonieri, Flavio Rizzolio
Summary: ChemoDynamic Therapy (CDT) utilizes Fenton/Fenton-like reactions to generate oxidative stress for cancer treatment. However, the limited catalyst ions and ROS scavenging activity of GPX4 restrict its application. Therefore, an efficient strategy to regulate the Fenton reaction (using dual metal cations) and inhibit GPX4 activity is highly desired.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2023)
