Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Niloofar Sekhavati, Elmira Noori, Mitra Abbasifard, Alexandra E. E. Butler, Amirhossein Sahebkar
Summary: Statins reduce serum cholesterol and isoprenoids by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis. Exosomes, extracellular vesicles released by all cells, play a role in cell-to-cell communication by transferring proteins, metabolites, and nucleic acids. Many studies have shown the effects of statins on exosomes, including their production, release, content, uptake, and function.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Ze-Lin Hu, Yang-Qi Yuan, Zhen Tong, Mei-Qing Liao, Shun-Ling Yuan, Ye Jian, Jia-Lun Yang, Wen-Feng Liu
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system. Imbalances in cholesterol homeostasis have been found in the brains of AD patients. Cholesterol deposition occurs in AD brains even without entry through the blood-brain barrier. Cholesterol metabolism in the brain is associated with various pathological conditions.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michela Codini, Mercedes Garcia-Gil, Elisabetta Albi
Summary: Lipid rafts are critical cell membrane platforms enriched in sphingolipids and cholesterol, playing roles in various cellular processes, including cancer. Recent findings on cholesterol, sphingolipids, and lipid rafts in cellular and nuclear membranes provide insights into using lipid rafts as biomolecular targets for developing innovative therapeutic strategies in cancer.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Borja Guerra, Carlota Recio, Haidee Aranda-Tavio, Miguel Guerra-Rodriguez, Jose M. Garcia-Castellano, Leandro Fernandez-Perez
Summary: Cancer cells exhibit metabolic reprogramming for energy and signaling, with lipid metabolism playing a key role in cancer progression and drug resistance. Targeting the mevalonate (MVA) biosynthetic pathway may offer a potential strategy to improve therapeutic window in cancer treatment.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Bin Du, Mei Zheng, Huizhen Ma, Jingshu Huang, Qingqing Jiao, Yimeng Bai, Mengmeng Zhao, Jie Zhou
Summary: This study established a new nanosystem to reverse multidrug resistance by using cascade catalytic consumption of cholesterol. By encapsulating CD44 targeting chondroitin sulfate gel shell, drugs can be accurately and efficiently delivered to the tumor site, improving the effect of reversing drug resistance.
JOURNAL OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Vittoria Carmela Danese, Jessica Pepe, Federica Ferrone, Luciano Colangelo, Viviana De Martino, Luciano Nieddu, Giancarlo Ferrazza, Enrico Panzini, Roberto Pascone, Frank Blocki, Salvatore Minisola, Cristiana Cipriani
Summary: The study investigates the relationship between bone, glucose, and lipid metabolism. Hypovitaminosis D leads to worsening lipid profiles through PTH, while higher PTH levels are associated with elevated glucose and LDL-C levels.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Faustino Mollinedo
Summary: IL-6 plays a major role in inflammation, and its signaling is linked to cholesterol-rich raft platforms. The involvement of these platforms in the IL-6 signaling pathway may lead to the development of novel strategies for treating inflammatory and malignant diseases.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xi Zhao, Xinyu Lian, Jianlan Xie, Guoquan Liu
Summary: Tumor cells can use accumulated cholesterol to inhibit lipid peroxidation (LPO) and ferroptosis, providing a new strategy for tumor treatment.
Article
Plant Sciences
Shuo Zhang, Ya-Ning Shi, Jia Gu, Peng He, Qi-Di Ai, Xu-Dong Zhou, Wei Wang, Li Qin
Summary: This study investigates the mechanism of DMY against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), revealing that it inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells by reducing cholesterol to disrupt lipid rafts.
PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Antti Peltomaa, Kirsi Talala, Kimmo Taari, Teuvo L. J. Tammela, Anssi Auvinen, Teemu J. Murtola
Summary: The study found that there is an inverse association between the use of statins and cancer mortality in men with decreased cholesterol levels. This suggests that the observed reduced cancer mortality associated with statin use is related to cholesterol level. This is the first study to evaluate the separate effects of cholesterol level and statin use on cancer mortality.
Article
Cell Biology
Yu Zhang, Jun Zhou, Ling Hua, Pan Li, Jiaqi Wu, Shenglan Shang, Fei Deng, Jing Luo, Mengling Liao, Nuoyan Wang, Xichun Pan, Yue Yuan, Yue Zheng, Yonglin Lu, Yasi Huang, Jiang Zheng, Xin Liu, Xiaoli Li, Hong Zhou
Summary: It is unclear whether membrane vitamin D receptor (mVDR) exists on the macrophage membrane or whether mVDR is associated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) tolerance. Herein, we report that interfering with caveolae and caveolae-dependent lipid rafts inhibited the formation of LPS tolerance. VDR was detected as co-localized with membrane molecular markers. VDR was detected on the cell membrane and its level was higher in LPS-tolerant cells than that in only LPS treatment cells.
CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Sylvain Paquet, Jeanne Sassenou, Virginie Ringa, Sebastien Czernichow, Marie Zins, Anna Ozguler, Laurent Rigal
Summary: Studies have found that control of cardiovascular risk factors, particularly LDL-C, is worse among women with type 2 diabetes than men. This study compared statin treatment and LDL-C levels between men and women with type 2 diabetes, taking into account their cardiovascular risk level. The results showed that women with very high cardiovascular risk received less frequent statin delivery than men, but women receiving equivalent statin treatment had significantly higher LDL-C levels than men.
NUTRITION METABOLISM AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Shuiliang Yu, Lei Wang, Danian Che, Mei Zhang, Ming Li, Mikihiko Naito, Wei Xin, Lan Zhou
Summary: This study identified CRABP-II as a novel regulator of cholesterol metabolism and suggested that it plays a role in overcoming drug resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). High expression of CRABP-II was associated with poor prognosis and increased stability of SREBP-1c mRNA, leading to cholesterol accumulation in lipid rafts and resistance to therapy. Treatment with the small compound SNIPER-11 effectively induced CRABP-II protein degradation, apoptosis, and suppressed tumor growth, particularly when combined with gemcitabine.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Monica Verdoia, Filippo Viglione, Annalisa Boggio, Daniele Stefani, Nicolo Panarotto, Aurelio Malabaila, Roberta Rolla, Pier Luigi Solda, Alessandro Stecco, Alessandro Carriero, Giuseppe De Luca
Summary: This study aimed to assess the impact of vitamin D on cholesterol levels among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). The results showed that lower levels of vitamin D were independently associated with a more atherogenic lipid profile.
NUTRITION METABOLISM AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Hiroshi Tachibana, Kodai Minoura, Tomohiro Omachi, Kohjiro Nagao, Takafumi Ichikawa, Yasuhisa Kimura, Nozomu Kono, Yuta Shimanaka, Hiroyuki Arai, Kazumitsu Ueda, Noriyuki Kioka
Summary: This study reveals that the lipid composition of the plasma membrane at FAs is locally distinct, with an enrichment of cholesterol and phosphatidylcholine with saturated fatty acid chains.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adele Chimento, Arianna De Luca, Paola Avena, Francesca De Amicis, Ivan Casaburi, Rosa Sirianni, Vincenzo Pezzi
Summary: Estrogen stimulates cancer cell growth and inhibits apoptosis through estrogen receptor-mediated mechanisms, but can also induce apoptosis by activating different estrogen receptor isoforms. The exact mechanism of estrogen-induced tumor regression is still not fully understood, and the expression levels and cellular localization of different estrogen receptor splice variants can affect the outcome of estrogen-dependent tumors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Elena Ricci, Mariarosa Fava, Pietro Rizza, Michele Pellegrino, Daniela Bonofiglio, Ivan Casaburi, Marilena Lanzino, Cinzia Giordano, Rosalinda Bruno, Rosa Sirianni, Ines Barone, Diego Sisci, Catia Morelli
Summary: The transcription factor FoxO3a can overcome tamoxifen resistance by up-regulating the expression of integrin alpha 5, which is a membrane protein controlling cell adhesion. The FoxO3a and integrin alpha 5 expression is significantly correlated in estrogen receptor alpha-positive tumors, and the protective effects of FoxO3a are lost in cells with reduced levels of integrin alpha 5.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Umile Gianfranco Spizzirri, Paolino Caputo, Cesare Oliviero Rossi, Pasquale Crupi, Marilena Muraglia, Vittoria Rago, Rocco Malivindi, Maria Lisa Clodoveo, Donatella Restuccia, Francesca Aiello
Summary: Olive mill wastewater was used to synthesize an antioxidant macromolecule, which can be used as a functional ingredient in the preparation of functional puddings. The wastewater showed strong antioxidant properties and was successfully used to synthesize a polymeric conjugate with good toxicity characteristics and antioxidant performance. In comparison with non-functional counterparts, the wastewater exhibited better consistency and antioxidant features in the functional food.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Manuela Curcio, Matteo Brindisi, Giuseppe Cirillo, Luca Frattaruolo, Antonella Leggio, Vittoria Rago, Fiore Pasquale Nicoletta, Anna Rita Cappello, Francesca Iemma
Summary: In this study, actively-targeted and dual stimuli-responsive lipid-polymer nanoparticles were used to deliver doxorubicin hydrochloride in triple negative breast cancer cell lines. The nanoparticles were efficiently internalized in cancer cells and modulated drug release based on the surrounding pH and redox potential. In vitro experiments demonstrated the safety and efficacy of the nanoparticles in enhancing the cytotoxic effect of the anticancer drug.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Sabrina Bossio, Anna Perri, Rocco Malivindi, Francesca Giordano, Vittoria Rago, Maria Mirabelli, Alessandro Salatino, Antonio Brunetti, Emanuela Alessandra Greco, Antonio Aversa
Summary: Recent studies have shown that oleuropein (OLE) found in olive leaf extract can inhibit tumor cell proliferation and reduce the invasiveness of cancer cells. It achieves this by modulating cell-cycle regulators, promoting apoptosis, and inhibiting cell migration and motility. However, further research is needed to understand the specific mechanisms involved, especially in seminoma cells.
Article
Oncology
Paola Avena, Ivan Casaburi, Lucia Zavaglia, Marta C. Nocito, Davide La Padula, Vittoria Rago, Jing Dong, Peter Thomas, Chieko Mineo, Rosa Sirianni, Philip W. Shaul
Summary: High cholesterol levels have been linked to breast cancer, particularly estrogen receptor negative breast cancer. This study reveals that a metabolite of cholesterol called 27-hydroxycholesterol promotes the growth of estrogen receptor negative breast cancer. The researchers also identified a new mechanism of action for 27-hydroxycholesterol. These findings may help explain the connection between high cholesterol and estrogen receptor negative breast cancer, and could lead to the development of new treatments for this type of breast cancer.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vittoria Rago, Silvia Di Agostino
Summary: It is known that antioxidants protect cells from damage caused by oxidative stress and related diseases. Although there are conflicting results from recent large-scale randomized clinical trials, some antioxidants still show promise for prostate cancer prevention. This review summarizes the common antioxidants that have shown benefits in preclinical and clinical studies, focusing on the advances made so far in prostate cancer chemoprevention using antioxidants as potential future therapies.
Article
Oncology
Marta Claudia Nocito, Paola Avena, Lucia Zavaglia, Arianna De Luca, Adele Chimento, Tarig Hamad, Davide La Padula, Davide Stancati, Constanze Hantel, Rosa Sirianni, Ivan Casaburi, Vincenzo Pezzi
Summary: Extensive research suggests that curcumin interferes with multiple cell signaling pathways involved in cancer development and progression. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of curcumin on adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), showing that curcumin reduced growth, migration and activated apoptosis in ACC cell lines through metabolic rewiring towards glutamine metabolism. Moreover, the effectiveness of curcumin against ACC growth and progression was improved by concomitant use of inhibitors for glutamine metabolism.
Article
Cell Biology
Carmine Rocca, Anna De Bartolo, Rita Guzzi, Maria Caterina Crocco, Vittoria Rago, Naomi Romeo, Ida Perrotta, Ernestina Marianna De Francesco, Maria Grazia Muoio, Maria Concetta Granieri, Teresa Pasqua, Rosa Mazza, Loubna Boukhzar, Benjamin Lefranc, Jerome Leprince, Maria Eugenia Gallo Cantafio, Teresa Soda, Nicola Amodio, Youssef Anouar, Tommaso Angelone
Summary: Cardiac lipotoxicity is a major factor in cardiovascular complications during obesity. A small peptide (PSELT), derived from SELENOT, has been found to protect cardiomyocytes against lipotoxicity. PSELT counteracts cell death, oxidative stress, and lipid accumulation induced by palmitate, and it regulates mitochondrial function and ER network.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Jasper Okoro Godwin Elechi, Rosa Sirianni, Francesca Luisa Conforti, Erika Cione, Michele Pellegrino
Summary: Food is essential for our health and has been passed down through generations. The gut microbiota undergoes changes due to the food system, which can affect human health. The gut microbiome has gained attention for its effects on nutrition and disease. This review explains how changes in the food system impact the gut microbiota and contribute to obesity, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Sustainable food system transformation strategies are discussed to improve microbiota composition and reverse non-communicable diseases.
Review
Biology
Vittoria Rago, Anna Perri
Summary: Many studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 can affect the male reproductive system, particularly the testes and male fertility. Autoptic studies have revealed morphological alterations in the testes, including congestion, thrombosis, reduction of various cells, immune cell infiltration, and atrophic tubules. Men with severe infection also exhibit sperm parameter alterations and abnormalities in the hypothalamic-pituitary-testis axis, indicating a potential risk of male infertility. However, the presence of the virus in the testis and semen is still unclear. Multicentric and longitudinal studies are needed to fully understand the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on male reproduction.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesca Aiello, Rocco Malivindi, Marisa Francesca Motta, Pasquale Crupi, Rosa Nicoletti, Cinzia Benincasa, Maria Lisa Clodoveo, Vittoria Rago, Umile Gianfranco Spizzirri, Donatella Restuccia
Summary: Natural antioxidants extracted from waste derived from olive oil production have potential wound-healing properties, and can be used to produce biomedical conjugates for wound treatment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vittoria Rago, Anna Perri, Silvia Di Agostino
Summary: One of the major goals in cancer research is to develop new anticancer therapies. Preclinical in vitro models, such as patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models and cultured organoids derived from patients (PDO), have become indispensable tools for understanding cancer progression, drug resistance, and metastasis. This article reviews studies from the past 10 years on the use of PDX models and PDOs in studying prostate cancer, which is characterized by genomic instability and resistance to conventional therapies. The limitations and new challenges in using these models for drug testing and developing molecular therapies are also discussed.