Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Derek B. B. McMahon, Jennifer F. F. Jolivert, Li Eon Kuek, Nithin D. D. Adappa, James N. N. Palmer, Robert J. J. Lee
Summary: T1Rs detect changes in glucose levels and initiate an immune response to combat microbial growth. However, chronic inflammation leads to epithelial remodeling and alters T1R function. Basal epithelial cells were used as a model to study T1R3 function and it was found that T1R1/3 detect amino acids and enhance Ca2+ signaling. Treatment with amino acids reduced apoptosis signaling in the presence of bitter compounds.
Article
Immunology
Junwei Zhao, Tianci Jiang, Pengfei Li, Lingling Dai, Guang Shi, Xiaogang Jing, Shuhui Gao, Liuqun Jia, Shujun Wu, Yu Wang, Youmei Peng, Zhe Cheng
Summary: The study showed that TF promotes airway pathological features by enhancing the EMT of bronchial epithelial cells in asthma, while downregulation of TF reduces airway hyperresponsiveness, eosinophil inflammation, and EMT process. TF downregulation also inhibits migration and invasion, and decreases fibronectin 1 and TGF-β1 expression while increasing E-cadherin expression in stimulated 16HBE cells.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fengfan Liu, Xiang Cheng, Shuang Wu, Bei Hu, Chen Yang, Shufen Deng, Qiwen Shi
Summary: This study investigated the role of apoptosis and ferroptosis in nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiONPs)-induced acute lung injury (ALI). The findings showed that NiONPs exposure led to apoptosis and ferroptosis in lung tissues and elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, neutrophils, and proteins in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Further experiments revealed that NiONPs exposure upregulated the expression of activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) in murine lung tissues and human lung epithelial cells, and cells lacking ATF3 exhibited lower levels of apoptosis and ferroptosis when exposed to NiONPs. These results suggest that ATF3 may serve as a potential therapeutic target and biomarker for NiONPs-associated ALI.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Derek B. McMahon, Jennifer F. Jolivert, Li Eon Kuek, Nithin D. Adappa, James N. Palmer, Robert J. Lee
Summary: Human airway taste receptors (sweet, umami, and bitter) play a crucial role in monitoring pathogenic growth. Bitter taste receptors (T2Rs) can detect bacteria or bitter compounds, leading to nitric oxide (NO) production and pathogen elimination. Sweet and umami receptors repress bitter taste receptor signaling. We propose that lactisole, a sweet/umami antagonist, can alleviate bitter taste receptor repression and enhance NO production in airway basal epithelial cells. Our study shows that lactisole activates cAMP generation and increases cytosolic Ca2+ response, ultimately leading to NO production.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jae-Min Shin, Joo-Hoo Park, Hyun-Woo Yang, Jee Won Moon, Heung-Man Lee, Il-Ho Park
Summary: miR-29b and HSP47 play important roles in regulating TGF-beta 1-induced EMT and migration. miR-29b inhibits EMT-related markers expression by modulating HSP47 expression, while HSP47 knockout suppresses TGF-beta 1-induced EMT.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elizabeth F. Maughan, Robert E. Hynds, Adam Pennycuick, Ersilia Nigro, Kate H. C. Gowers, Celine Denais, Sandra Gomez-Lopez, Kyren A. Lazarus, Jessica C. Orr, David R. Pearce, Sarah E. Clarke, Dani Do Hyang Lee, Maximillian N. J. Woodall, Tereza Masonou, Katie-Marie Case, Vitor H. Teixeira, Benjamin E. Hartley, Richard J. Hewitt, Chadwan Al Yaghchi, Gurpreet S. Sandhu, Martin A. Birchall, Christopher O'Callaghan, Claire M. Smith, Paolo De Coppi, Colin R. Butler, Sam M. Janes
Summary: This study found cell-intrinsic differences between airway epithelial cells from children and adults in both homeostatic and proliferative states, with pediatric cells showing higher colony formation ability and outcompeting adult cells in cell culture.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiali Yuan, Yiqun Mo, Yue Zhang, Yuanbao Zhang, Qunwei Zhang
Summary: With the rapid development of nanotechnology, the potential adverse health effects of nanoparticles have become global concerns. This study investigated the effects of nickel nanoparticles (Nano-Ni) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (Nano-TiO2) on autophagy and apoptosis levels in human bronchial epithelial cells. The results showed dysregulation of autophagy and apoptosis-associated proteins in cells exposed to Nano-Ni, while Nano-TiO2 had no significant effects. Nano-Ni exposure led to nuclear accumulation of HIF-1a and decreased phosphorylation of mTOR, and inhibition of HIF-1a abolished Nano-Ni-induced decreased phosphorylation of mTOR. Moreover, Nano-Ni-induced autophagy played a protective role against Nano-Ni-induced apoptosis.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Yuan-Yang Tan, Hui-Qin Zhou, Yu-Jing Lin, Liu-Tong Yi, Zhuang-Gui Chen, Qing-Dong Cao, Yan-Rong Guo, Zhao-Ni Wang, Shou-Deng Chen, Yang Li, De-Yun Wang, Yong-Kang Qiao, Yan Yan
Summary: This study suggests that FGF2 is a potential inflammatory modulator in asthma, which is induced by house dust mites and acts through the FGFR/MAPK/NF-kappa B pathway in airway epithelial cells. The findings show that FGF2 expression is upregulated in asthmatic patients and is associated with inflammatory cell infiltration. Experimental results demonstrate that FGF2 can exacerbate airway inflammatory cell infiltration and exert its effects through the FGFR/MAPK/NF-kappa B pathway.
MILITARY MEDICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Haojie Wu, Xiaohan Li, Chen Zhou, Qihong Yu, Shiyao Ge, Zihui Pan, Yangjing Zhao, Sheng Xia, Xiaoming Zhou, Xia Liu, Hui Wang, Qixiang Shao
Summary: In inflammatory conditions such as chemotherapy and microbial infections, mature dendritic cells (mDCs) can migrate into the thymus and inhibit the proliferation of thymic epithelial cells (TECs) by activating the Jagged1/Notch3 signaling pathway, leading to acute atrophy of the thymus. This process can be reversed by a gamma-secretase inhibitor, suggesting that thymus degeneration can be induced by mass migration or constant homing of mDCs.
CELL DEATH DISCOVERY
(2021)
Review
Respiratory System
Bo Xiao, Liangxian Li, Dong Yao, Biwen Mo
Summary: Asthma is a complex and heterogeneous airway disease treated with hormones and biologics. Noncoding RNAs, especially microRNAs, have been found to be associated with pathological changes to airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) in asthmatic patients. This review highlights recent research into ncRNAs and their role in ASMC pathologies, providing potential insights for future diagnostic and treatment strategies.
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY REVIEW
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elissa M. Hult, Stephen J. Gurczynski, David N. O'Dwyer, Rachel L. Zemans, Andrew Rasky, Yizhuo Wang, Susan Murray, Howard C. Crawford, Bethany B. Moore
Summary: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and lethal lung disease without known cure. Chronic inflammation and the involvement of HB-EGF have been observed in IPF. This study demonstrates that there is increased expression of HB-EGF in IPF patients and mice with pulmonary fibrosis, and HB-EGF plays a critical role in regulating fibrosis progression.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Takahisa Kawaguchi, Kazuhiro Hasegawa, Itaru Yasuda, Hirokazu Muraoka, Hiroyuki Umino, Hirobumi Tokuyama, Akinori Hashiguchi, Shu Wakino, Hiroshi Itoh
Summary: The study found that diabetes significantly affects PECs, including hypertrophy, increased vacuoles, and cell apoptosis. These changes in PECs were observed in diabetic mice and patients, suggesting a role for PECs in diabetic nephropathy.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kenta Nishitani, Koji Hayakawa, Satoshi Tanaka
Summary: The role of EGF signaling in mouse trophoblast differentiation was investigated using mouse trophoblast stem cells (mTSCs) in an in vitro culture system. EGF stimulation at the early stage of differentiation repressed mTSC differentiation into spongiotrophoblast cells (SpT) through the EGF-Egfr-MAPK/ERK-Mash2 axis. Inhibition of the MAPK/ERK pathway alleviated the EGF-mediated repression of SpT differentiation. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying trophoblast cell fate decisions.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhen-Ning Zhang, Hai Liu, Mi-Mi Liu, Dan-Lei Yang, Jue Bi, Qian-Qian Chen, Wei Chen, Ping Xiang
Summary: Nickel can induce ocular surface inflammation and have adverse effects on the cornea, mainly by inducing HCEC apoptosis through oxidative damage, thereby increasing the risk of dry eye.
Article
Cell Biology
Frida Berlin, Sofia Mogren, Camilla Ly, Sangeetha Ramu, Morten Hvidtfeldt, Lena Uller, Celeste Porsbjerg, Cecilia K. Andersson
Summary: Bronchial and alveolar remodeling and impaired epithelial function are common in chronic respiratory diseases. This study found that tryptase released by mast cells enhanced the growth of bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells and shortened cell division intervals. Tryptase also increased the expression of anti-apoptotic protein BIRC3 and growth factor release. These findings suggest that intraepithelial and alveolar release of tryptase by mast cells may contribute to the disturbance of bronchial and alveolar homeostasis.
Article
Plant Sciences
Velia D'Agata, Agata Grazia D'Amico, Grazia Maugeri, Claudio Bucolo, Settimio Rossi, Salvatore Giunta
Summary: This study found that carnosol can protect retinal vascular endothelium from the damage caused by high glucose by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. This suggests that carnosol may be a valuable drug for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy.
JOURNAL OF ASIAN NATURAL PRODUCTS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Agata Grazia D'Amico, Grazia Maugeri, Benedetta Magri, Salvatore Giunta, Salvatore Saccone, Concetta Federico, Elisabetta Pricoco, Giuseppe Broggi, Rosario Caltabiano, Giuseppe Musumeci, Dora Reglodi, Velia D'Agata
Summary: This study found that ADNP is highly expressed in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), especially in hypoxic areas overexpressing HIF-1 alpha. Through experiments, it was discovered that ADNP can modulate the hypoxic-angiogenic pathway in GBM cells by reducing VEGF secretion and decreasing cell migration.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Claudio Bucolo, Grazia Maugeri, Salvatore Giunta, Velia D'Agata, Filippo Drago, Giovanni Luca Romano
Summary: This study evaluated the pharmacological profile of ocular formulations based on cross-linked sodium hyaluronate, taurine, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. The results showed that formulations containing these components accelerated corneal wound healing and nerve regeneration, and also counteracted oxidative stress. Therefore, the new ophthalmic gel RenerviX could be an effective treatment option in ophthalmology.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Grazia Maugeri, Agata Grazia D'Amico, Benedetta Magri, Salvatore Giunta, Giuseppe Musumeci, Salvatore Saccone, Concetta Federico, Davide Scollo, Antonio Longo, Teresio Avitabile, Velia D'Agata
Summary: The corneal epithelium acts as a protective barrier against external insults and its disruption can lead to visual impairment. In this study, we investigated the role of NAP in counteracting the inflammatory response triggered by UV-B radiation, which can disrupt the corneal epithelial barrier. The results showed that NAP treatment can prevent UV-B-induced inflammation and maintain corneal epithelial barrier integrity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luca Petrigna, Bruno Trovato, Federico Roggio, Alessandro Castorina, Giuseppe Musumeci
Summary: Physiological aging has negative effects on the human body, including the joints. Osteoarthritis and cartilage degeneration can cause pain and disability. This review focuses on identifying and discussing articular cartilage biomarkers related to physical or sports activities, aiming to propose a standard procedure for assessment. The identified biomarkers include cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, matrix metalloproteinases, interleukins, and carboxy-terminal telopeptide. This scoping review provides valuable insights into the direction of research and offers a tool for investigating cartilage biomarkers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Margo I. Jansen, Alessandro Castorina
Summary: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) whose cause is not fully understood. By merging publicly available datasets, alterations in gene expression profiles and regulatory pathways linked with MS can be identified. In this study, microarray gene expression profiles were merged to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with MS. DEGs were found to be related to myelin-related pathways and protein metabolism pathways. Validation studies confirmed disease subtype-specific differences in gene expression, revealing a complex scenario of white matter pathology in MS.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Hanna E. Stevens, Soraya Scuderi, Sarah C. Collica, Simone Tomasi, Tamas L. Horvath, Flora M. Vaccarino
Summary: This study investigates the impact of FGFR2 in glial cells on brain behavioral functioning in mice. By comparing the loss of FGFR2 in both neurons and astroglial cells or only in astroglial cells, it was found that early postnatal loss of FGFR2 in astroglia leads to broad behavioral dysregulation. The results suggest that this early loss of FGFR2 affects astrocyte-neuron membrane contact and increases glial glutamine synthetase expression.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Giovanna Morello, Valentina La Cognata, Maria Guarnaccia, Velia D'Agata, Sebastiano Cavallaro
Summary: Transcriptional regulation is crucial in biological processes and can be deciphered through reverse-engineering programs. In this review, genomics is discussed as a tool to understand the complex and coordinated transcriptional programs controlling neuronal apoptosis and survival. Decrypting the neuronal fate code may provide insights for therapeutic approaches targeting downstream targets and regulatory networks in neurodegeneration and cancer.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valentina Sturiale, Francesca Bruno, Desiree Brancato, Agata Grazia D'Amico, Grazia Maugeri, Velia D'Agata, Salvatore Saccone, Concetta Federico
Summary: A characteristic hallmark of Alzheimer's disease is the accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau protein, which can trigger re-entry into the cell cycle in differentiated neurons and lead to neurodegeneration. Neuroblastoma cell lines prove to be a useful in vitro cellular model for studying the neuroprotective effects of natural molecules.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jayden Lee, Sarah Thomas Broome, Margo Iris Jansen, Mawj Mandwie, Grant J. Logan, Rubina Marzagalli, Giuseppe Musumeci, Alessandro Castorina
Summary: In this study, using a mouse model of SLE, the researchers found that SLE may cause endothelial dysfunction and activation in the brain, as well as an upregulation of neuroprotective/immune-modulatory neuropeptides. These findings suggest that SLE may lead to changes in the CNS microvasculature which cannot be counteracted effectively by endogenous neuropeptides PACAP and VIP.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valentina La Cognata, Agata Grazia D'Amico, Grazia Maugeri, Giovanna Morello, Maria Guarnaccia, Benedetta Magri, Eleonora Aronica, Daniel L. Alkon, Velia D'Agata, Sebastiano Cavallaro
Summary: This study found a significant decrease in PKC epsilon expression in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and the activation of PKC epsilon by Bryostatin-1 produced long-term survival in degenerating cells. These results suggest that PKC epsilon may play an important role in the pathophysiology of ALS and its pharmacological modulation could be a potential neuroprotective strategy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valeria Consoli, Ilaria Buro, Maria Gulisano, Angela Castellano, Agata Grazia D'Amico, Velia D'Agata, Luca Vanella, Valeria Sorrenti
Summary: This study focused on evaluating the anti-angiogenic effects and chemopreventive action of pomegranate extract in cellular models of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). The extract was able to significantly reduce cell proliferation and migration rates, as well as decrease the release of inflammatory cytokines and pro-angiogenic factors. These findings suggest that inhibition of angiogenesis could be an alternative therapeutic option for preventing the transformation of BPH into malignant prostate cancer.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Minduli Withana, Alessandro Castorina
Summary: This article discusses the role of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in alleviating endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in multiple sclerosis (MS), emphasizing the importance of this potential interaction in identifying new therapeutic targets for MS and other demyelinating disorders.
Article
Toxicology
Kathryn Page, Walter Westerink, Kristie Sullivan, Thomas McDonald, Clive Roper
Summary: This study developed a new method to assess the skin irritation of antimicrobial cleaning products. The method utilized a more human-like model and demonstrated its effectiveness through comparison with in vivo rabbit skin irritation data.
TOXICOLOGY IN VITRO
(2024)
Article
Toxicology
Arupam Patra, Thirukumaran Kandasamy, Siddhartha Sankar Ghosh, Gurvinder Kaur Saini
Summary: This study successfully produced recombinant anisoplin and demonstrated its significant anti-cancer effect and ability to induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells. The activation of related signaling pathways may be the key to cell death.
TOXICOLOGY IN VITRO
(2024)
Article
Toxicology
Thomas Haller, Alexander Jesacher, Alberto Hidalgo, Christina Schmidt
Summary: This study used live cell imaging to observe the accumulation of amiodarone in primary rat alveolar type II cells, and found that it specifically accumulates in lamellar bodies. The uptake is rapid, while storage is persistent. The main mechanisms for intracellular bioaccumulation of amiodarone are proposed to be passive diffusion, ion-trapping, and lipophilic interactions.
TOXICOLOGY IN VITRO
(2024)
Article
Toxicology
Filiz Bakar-Ates, Erva Ozkan
Summary: This study investigated the ferroptotic effect of CuB in breast cancer cells and evaluated its combination with erastin, a ferroptosis inducer. The results showed that the combination treatment significantly activated the ferroptotic pathways and altered the expression of iron-related proteins in breast cancer cells.
TOXICOLOGY IN VITRO
(2024)
Article
Toxicology
Rachel Z. Bennie, Ian C. Shaw
Summary: Estrogen mimics are synthetic and naturally occurring compounds that can interact with estrogen receptors in animals. In vitro transactivation reporter gene assay and in silico molecular modelling can be used to predict the mimicry of these compounds, reducing reliance on animal studies.
TOXICOLOGY IN VITRO
(2024)
Article
Toxicology
Sevda Isik, Semra Cicek
Summary: This study found that high doses of riboflavin can cause cytotoxicity in rainbow trout gonad cells and affect the transcriptional expressions of antioxidant enzymes and growth and reproductive genes, potentially leading to DNA damage and cell death.
TOXICOLOGY IN VITRO
(2024)
Article
Toxicology
Ying Wang, Jie Wu, Mengqi Wan, Dou Yang, Fasheng Liu, Kehao Li, Manxin Hu, Yuanyuan Tang, Huiqiang Lu, Shouhua Zhang, Yuanzhen Xiong
Summary: m-Cresol is commonly used as an intermediate for pesticides and other industrial applications. This study investigated the hepatotoxicity of m-cresol using zebrafish larvae and explored its molecular mechanisms. The results suggest that m-cresol may induce liver damage in zebrafish larvae through oxidative stress and cell apoptosis pathways.
TOXICOLOGY IN VITRO
(2024)
Article
Toxicology
Vincent J. Manna, Shannon Dwyer, Vanessa Pizutelli, Salvatore J. Caradonna
Summary: The widespread use of electronic cigarettes and the emergence of a new illness have raised concerns about the effects of e-cigarette vapor on respiratory tissues. Researchers have developed a simple device to mimic the response of human airway tissue after long-term exposure to e-cigarette vapor, and have identified differences in the effects of different vapor compositions on airway tissue.
TOXICOLOGY IN VITRO
(2024)