Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Chengyuan Liang, Guaiping Qiao, Yuzhi Liu, Lei Tian, Nan Hui, Juan Li, Yuling Ma, Han Li, Qianqian Zhao, Wenqiang Cao, Hong Liu, Xiaodong Ren
Summary: All-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) is effective in preventing cancer and treating skin diseases and acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) by regulating differentiation-related gene transcription and autophagy through inhibiting mTOR. A total of 68 ATRA analogues show promising antitumour therapeutic potential for further development and research.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mohamed R. Abdelaal, Sameh H. Soror, Mohamed R. Elnagar, Hesham Haffez
Summary: The study found that synthetic retinoids, particularly EC19, exhibited potent antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects on cancer cell lines such as HepG2, Caco-2, and MCF-7. These compounds significantly affected cell cycle progression and gene expression, with a notable impact on inducing apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and inhibition of metastasis.
Article
Oncology
Glenn J. Hanna, Anne ONeill, Jennifer M. Cutler, Michelle Flynn, Tushara Vijaykumar, John R. Clark, Lori J. Wirth, Jochen H. Lorch, Jong C. Park, Jeffrey K. Mito, Jens G. Lohr, Jeffrey Kaufman, Nicole Spardy Burr, Leonard Zon, Robert Haddad
Summary: While the trial did not meet its prespecified response endpoint, ATRA showed low toxicity and potential for stabilizing disease growth in a significant proportion of R/M ACC patients. Patients with prior VEGFR therapy had a higher rate of stable disease on ATRA. Low MYB protein expression correlated with longer stability on ATRA treatment.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hyeyoun Kim, See-Hyoung Park, Sae Woong Oh, Kitae Kwon, Se Jung Park, Eunbi Yu, Seyoung Yang, Jung Yoen Park, Seoyoung Choi, Seoyoun Yang, Su Bin Han, Minkyung Song, Jae Youl Cho, Jongsung Lee
Summary: Olfactory receptor OR7A17 plays a role in the ATRA-induced suppression of human keratinocyte proliferation, regulated through retinoic acid receptor signaling. Overexpression of OR7A17 can reverse the ATRA-induced attenuation of Ca2+ entry.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Aimee M. Soileau, Cally N. Quick, Cambri E. Moeller, Jessica C. Schaumburg, Sita S. Withers
Summary: Significant progress has been made in cancer treatment over the past 20 years due to a better understanding of the immune response to tumors. This study examines the potential role of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in modulating cancer immunity in dogs. The results suggest that ATRA can decrease the production of pro-cancer substances by macrophages and inhibit the activity of critical anti-cancer immune cells in dogs. Further research is needed to determine the direct link between ATRA treatment and immune cell response in dogs.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jichao Li, Zeng Zhang, Xiaohan Huang
Summary: The study developed Tripterine and all-trans retinoic acid loaded lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles for enhanced antiarthritic efficacy in arthritis conditions. The nanoparticles exhibited strong inhibitory effects on inflammatory markers and showed significant improvement in reducing inflammation compared to individual drugs. The co-delivery of drugs in nanoparticulate form could abolish the adverse effects of free drugs, indicating a promising therapeutic strategy for arthritis treatment.
ARTIFICIAL CELLS NANOMEDICINE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Song Wang, Jingtao Liu, Hao Wu, Anna Jiang, Kun Zhao, Kun Yan, Wei Wu, Haibo Han, Yanhua Zhang, Wei Yang
Summary: The study revealed that ATRA improved the efficacy of RFA treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting tumor-initiating cells (TICs). This finding suggests the potential of ATRA as an alternative drug in developing better therapeutic strategies for use in combination with RFA.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF CANCER RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
William S. Blaner, Igor O. Shmarakov, Maret G. Traber
Summary: This review focuses on the mechanisms of action of vitamin A and vitamin E in the body, suggesting that vitamin A acts as an indirect antioxidant by transcriptionally regulating genes involved in antioxidant responses, while vitamin E functions as a direct antioxidant and helps prevent the increase of peroxidized lipids that affect metabolic pathways and gene expression profiles. The review also discusses the lack of compelling evidence for a direct transcriptional mechanism of vitamin E similar to that of vitamin A.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF NUTRITION, VOL 41, 2021
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Z. -Y. Wang, J. -Q. Mi, J. -M. Li
Summary: Following the Confucian thought of transformation over eradication, encouraging results have been published by authors from Israel, Spain, and America. After three years of testing during the 1980s, Thioproline showed negative results while American researcher Flynn used cis form of retinoic acid with limited effects. In China, the use of all-transretinoic acid (ATRA) proved to be much more effective in transforming promyelocytes into granulocytes, leading to a significant cure for promyelocytic leukemia, especially when combined with arsenic trioxide (ATO) instead of chemotherapy.
BULLETIN DE L ACADEMIE NATIONALE DE MEDECINE
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Federica Brugnoli, Silvia Grassilli, Vincenzo Cardinale, Guido Carpino, Eugenio Gaudio, Domenico Alvaro, Silvano Capitani, Valeria Bertagnolo
Summary: All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) promotes the development and function of insulin-producing cells through the up-regulation of Vav1 protein. Vav1 is crucial for the differentiation of tumor cells induced by retinoids and may serve as a marker for new strategies aimed at restoring functional beta cells.
STEM CELL REVIEWS AND REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Y. Tan, Y. -W Cheng, K. -K Wang, S. -J Chen, J. -Q Mi, Z. Chen
Summary: Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) has been transformed into a curable disease in more than 90% of cases, thanks to a combination treatment of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic. These two drugs target different components of the PML-RARa oncoprotein and have multi-dimensional synergistic actions. Recent research has also revealed a synergistic mechanism at the epigenetic level.
BULLETIN DE L ACADEMIE NATIONALE DE MEDECINE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Lei Zhao, Hongyi Yang, Ruikun Li, Ye Tao, Xiao-Feng Guo, Edward A. Anderson, Andrew Whiting, Na Wu
Summary: This study presents a new method for synthesizing sulfonamide-based ynamides and arylynamines in water using a quaternary ammonium salt as a surfactant, which is environmentally friendly and robust.
JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Charles W. E. Tomlinson, Katy A. S. Cornish, Andrew Whiting, Ehmke Pohl
Summary: This article presents crystal structures of cellular retinoic acid-binding proteins CRABPI and CRABPII in complex with fatty acids and synthetic retinoids, shedding light on how these compounds influence retinoid signaling pathways. These co-crystal structures demonstrate canonical binding behavior and suggest potential therapeutic implications in serious diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders.
ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D-STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qi Zhang, Shouxin Liu, Xia Tian, Yidong Liu, Shiming Fan, Baibiao Huang, Andrew Whiting
Summary: A green and sustainable chlorination of aliphatic C-H bonds was reported in this study, utilizing visible light and nano-Cu@CuCl as co-catalysts without the need for a strong oxidant. The method was successfully applied to different alkylarene and cyclic hydrocarbons, showcasing excellent performance in the chlorination process.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yihao Du, Ozlem Sari, Safiye S. Erdem, Andrew Whiting
Summary: The B,N-bifunctional catalyst homoboroproline has been successfully applied to catalytic asymmetric nitroalkene-Michael addition reactions with beta-nitrostyrene analogues, showing broad substrate tolerance, high conversions, and moderate to good asymmetric induction. The catalyst's efficiency is attributed to enamine formation of the secondary amine and intramolecular Lewis-acid chelation of the nitro function, leading to efficient and enantioselective catalysis through a proposed large 10-membered ring transition state, as supported by theoretical calculations.
HELVETICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tommaso Vannocci, Luca Quaroni, Antonio de Riso, Giulia Milordini, Magda Wolna, Gianfelice Cinque, Annalisa Pastore
Summary: In this study, infrared microscopy was used to monitor the metabolic turnover of individual mammalian cells in real time, revealing major biochemical differences between adherent cells and suspended cells. Spectroscopic variations and spectral oscillations in the infrared domain were observed when using synchrotron infrared radiation, suggesting a potential application as a reporter of cellular conditions. These findings establish IR microscopy as a valuable label-free method for studying real-time metabolism in cells with distinct morphological states.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ivalina B. Minova, Michael Buhl, Santhosh K. Matam, C. Richard A. Catlow, Mark D. Frogley, Gianfelice Cinque, Paul A. Wright, Russell F. Howe
Summary: Synchrotron FTIR microspectroscopy coupled with mass spectrometric analysis was used to investigate the initial stages of the methanol to olefins (MTO) reaction. Surface methoxy groups were found to be key in the formation of olefinic hydrocarbon pool through insertion of carbene-like species.
CATALYSIS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Hany M. Elsheikha, Alaa T. Al-Sandaqchi, Mohammad S. R. Harun, Francesca Winterton, Ali Altharawi, Nashwa A. Elsaied, Carl W. Stevenson, William MacNaughtan, John G. M. Mina, Paul W. Denny, Gianfelice Cinque, Ka Lung Andrew Chan
Summary: This study used FTIR microspectroscopy and synchrotron-based FTIR microspectroscopy to analyze the chemical changes associated with T. gondii infection of hBMECs. The results showed that both methods were able to reveal the chemical alterations in the infected cells. Furthermore, RNA sequencing analysis revealed significant changes in host cell genes and pathways in response to T. gondii infection.
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Ioannis Lekkas, Mark D. Frogley, Timon Achtnich, Gianfelice Cinque
Summary: We present an in-vacuum mechanical chopper integrated into a magnetic levitating motor for modulating high-speed optical beams. The compact chopper rotor allows for rapid tuning of the modulation frequency, while providing high optical throughput. The modulation performances were evaluated and found to have low jitter and high modulation frequencies. This chopper has been successfully applied in improving spectroscopy results in infrared nanospectroscopy.
REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Michele Tricarico, Cyril Besnard, Gianfelice Cinque, Alexander M. Korsunsky, Jin-Chong Tan
Summary: Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have great potential for a wide range of applications, but their low mechanical stability has hindered the development of practical devices. The synthesis of MOFs in a monolithic morphology offers a solution to this problem. In this study, the mechanical behavior of MOF monoliths (specifically ZIF-8 and MIL-68) was investigated using nanoindentation, micropillar compression, and Raman microspectroscopy.
COMMUNICATIONS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Bowen Xie, Wanjiku Njoroge, Lewis M. Dowling, Josep Sule-Suso, Gianfelice Cinque, Ying Yang
Summary: Cardiovascular diseases are still a major cause of death and illness worldwide. Atherosclerosis, caused by the build-up of fatty plaques in the arteries, is the most common form of cardiovascular disease. Foam cells, formed when monocytes infiltrate the sub-endothelial space and differentiate into macrophages, play a central role in plaque formation. This study used a foam cell model to investigate the lipid efflux process initiated by statins in a dose and time dependent manner. The results showed that statins can effectively reduce lipid content in foam cells, offering a potential therapeutic approach for atherosclerosis.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Alexandre S. Dumon, Henry S. Rzepa, Carla Alamillo-Ferrer, Jordi Bures, Richard Procter, Tom D. Sheppard, Andrew Whiting
Summary: This study evaluates the accuracy of predicting F-19 NMR chemical shifts using density-functional-theory (DFT) based procedures and identifies the best combination of methods and basis sets. The results can be used as a tool to characterize reaction intermediates and products, and aid in determining mechanistic pathways.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Philip A. Ash, Sophie E. T. Kendall-Price, Rhiannon M. Evans, Stephen B. Carr, Amelia R. Brasnett, Simone Morra, Jack S. Rowbotham, Ricardo Hidalgo, Adam J. Healy, Gianfelice Cinque, Mark D. Frogley, Fraser A. Armstrong, Kylie A. Vincent
Summary: Controlled formation of catalytically-relevant states within crystals of complex metalloenzymes is a significant challenge, but electrochemical control over single crystals can stabilize specific states for further study and extend mechanistic understanding of proton transfer.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Diego D. Perera-Solis, Vladimir L. Zholobenko, Andrew Whiting, Hugh Christopher Greenwell
Summary: This study investigated the ketonic decarboxylation of dodecanoic acid using MgO as a catalyst, showing that the ketone yield increases with reaction temperature. It was found that temperature is the main factor controlling the reaction yield, rather than surface area or particle size.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lydia Briggs, Ruth Newby, Xue Han, Christopher G. Morris, Mathew Savage, Cristina Perez Krap, Timothy L. Easun, Mark D. Frogley, Gianfelice Cinque, Claire A. Murray, Chiu C. Tang, Junliang Sun, Sihai Yang, Martin Schroder
Summary: This study reported the adsorption of C2H2, CO2 and SO2 in a new, ultra-stable Cr(iii)-based MOF, and investigated the effects of changing metal center on gas uptake by synthesizing a mixed metal MFM-300(Al0.67Cr0.33). In situ synchrotron techniques were used to reveal distinct binding environments and binding domains for these gases in the frameworks, confirming the materials' capability for gas separation. The incorporation of Al(iii) and Cr(iii) within the same framework allows tuning of the host-guest and guest-guest interactions in these functional porous materials.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2021)
Meeting Abstract
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Paul Chazot, Andrew Whiting, Olivia Escudier
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)