Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hilal Ahmad Mir, Roshia Ali, Zahoor Ahmad Wani, Firdous Ahmad Khanday
Summary: This study demonstrates the important role of vitamin C in breast cancer by binding with p66Shc to induce its phosphorylation, activate Rac1, increase ROS production, and promote apoptosis. This finding suggests that the p66Shc/Rac1 pathway could be a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dannah R. Miller, Matthew A. Ingersoll, Yu -Wei Chou, Elizabeth A. Kosmacek, Rebecca E. Oberley-Deegan, Ming-Fong Lin
Summary: This study investigates the role of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling pathway in the progression of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CR PCa). The elevated levels of HO-1 and p66Shc proteins in AI PCa cells suggest their involvement in the development of the CR phenotype. Knockdown or inhibition of HO-1 or p66Shc leads to reduced tumorigenicity and the corresponding protein levels. Knockdown of HO-1 alone increases ROS levels, nucleotide and protein oxidation, and induces cell death. These findings suggest that HO-1 and p66Shc can be potential targets for treating CR PCa.
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Yu-Fu Wu, Samuel Lapp, Svyatoslav Dvoretskiy, Gabriela Garcia, Michael Kim, Amanda Tannehill, Laureen Daniels, Marni D. Boppart
Summary: In this study, pericytes with neural/glial antigen 2 (NG2) or melanoma cell adhesion molecule (CD146) expression were compared for their ability to recover skeletal muscle post-disuse in recipient mice. CD146(+) pericytes showed higher capacity than NG2(+) pericytes in recovering Type Ila fiber quantity, capillary content, and collagen turnover after immobilization.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Jing Li, Wei-Tien Chang, Gina Qin, Kimberly R. Wojcik, Chang-Qing Li, Chin-Wang Hsu, Mei Han, Xiangdong Zhu, Terry L. Vanden Hoek, Zuo-Hui Shao
Summary: Baicalein preconditioning protects cardiomyocytes by generating pro-oxidants, activating survival signaling Akt/eNOS/NO, and improving metabolic recovery after I/R injury.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Zhidan Qi, Shuai Han, Shen Wang, Xinyi Gu, Jin Deng, Chen Huang, Xiaofeng Yin
Summary: This study used a combination of retrograde tracing and 3DISCO clearing techniques to reveal the spatial distribution of different motor neuron pools targeting specific superficial muscles in the spinal cords of mice. The findings provide important insights into the neural loop and muscular motor coordination.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Linda Heskamp, Alexis R. Miller, Matthew G. Birkbeck, Julie Hall, Ian S. Schofield, Andrew M. Blamire, Roger G. Whittaker
Summary: This study used MRI to assess the in-vivo cross-sectional and 3D morphology of human motor units in hand, forearm, and lower leg muscles. The results showed no significant differences in the size and morphology of motor units among these muscles, and the 3D imaging revealed a more complex structure of human motor units than previously thought.
CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pathology
Zachary M. Howard, Jeovanna Lowe, Anton J. Blatnik, Deztani Roberts, Arthur H. M. Burghes, Shyam S. Bansal, Jill A. Rafael-Fortney
Summary: The study found that mdx and Het mice have increased levels of chemokines and cytokines, with Het mice showing higher levels. Additionally, Het quadriceps contain more neutrophils and infiltrating monocytes, and have higher fibrotic and inflammatory gene expression levels in myeloid cells. These differences may affect the regenerative potential of dystrophic diaphragms and represent an improved model for testing anti-inflammatory therapies for DMD.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Diego Caicedo, Clara Alvarez, Sihara Perez-Romero, Jesus Devesa
Summary: This study investigated gene expression and plasma biomarkers in chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). The findings suggest that TNF-alpha and NOX4 play a crucial role in the development and complications of lower limb ischemia, hsCRP may have a negative influence on angiogenesis, and NLR and TNF-alpha are suitable markers of mortality in CLTI.
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Zoe S. Terwilliger, Terence E. Ryan, Emma J. Goldberg, Cameron A. Schmidt, Dean J. Yamaguchi, Reema Karnekar, Patricia Brophy, Thomas D. Green, Tonya N. Zeczycki, Feilim Mac Gabhann, Brian H. Annex, Joseph M. McClung
Summary: CLI is the most severe manifestation of PAD with higher prevalence in Black patients. Differences in bioenergetic paradigm and alterations in specific pathways were observed in the limb muscles of Black individuals with CLI.
Article
Cell Biology
James F. Markworth, Lemuel A. Brown, Eunice Lim, Jesus A. Castor-Macias, Jacqueline Larouche, Peter C. D. Macpherson, Carol Davis, Carlos A. Aguilar, Krishna Rao Maddipati, Susan V. Brooks
Summary: Aging impairs the local biosynthesis of specialized pro-resolving mediators in muscle, leading to increased inflammation, inhibited myofiber regeneration, and delayed recovery of muscle function. Immunoresolvents may be promising therapeutics for muscular injuries and associated pain in the elderly, as they improve muscle function recovery without inhibiting tissue regeneration like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adam C. Jordan, Christopher G. R. Perry, Arthur J. Cheng
Summary: Accumulating evidence suggests that supplemental antioxidants may suppress adaptations to endurance-type exercise by reducing reactive oxygen and nitrogen species formation in skeletal muscle. Despite the association between sustained oxidative stress and chronic diseases, athletes tend to have elevated levels of endogenous antioxidants to maintain redox homeostasis.
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ronit Aviram, Inbar Kima, Yisrael Parmet, Haim Bassan, Thierry Willigenburg, Raziel Riemer, Simona Bar-Haim
Summary: This study evaluated muscle haemodynamics and oxygen metabolism in adults with cerebral palsy (CP) at rest and during exercise. The results showed that participants with CP had lower muscle blood flow at rest and low load, but increased blood flow at high load. Compared to typically developing individuals, participants with CP had higher muscle saturation, suggesting inefficient oxygen utilization.
DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE AND CHILD NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Cristi L. Galindo, Van Thuan Nguyen, Braxton Hill, Ethan Easterday, John H. Cleator, Douglas B. Sawyer
Summary: This study investigates the effects of Neuregulin, a growth factor, on intercostal muscle gene expression after myocardial infarction. The results show significant changes in gene expression in pigs treated with Neuregulin, suggesting its potential role in regulating muscle function and providing a new approach for treating muscle dysfunction and repair in heart disease.
Article
Biology
Katherine Aby, Ryan Antony, Yifan Li
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its precursor in skeletal muscle injury. The results showed that the precursor of BDNF, proBDNF, is significantly upregulated in skeletal muscle after ischemia reperfusion injury, and its absence leads to a blunted inflammatory response. These findings suggest that proBDNF is essential for the inflammatory response following skeletal muscle injury.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Hasan Abbas, Lindsey A. Olivere, Michael E. Padgett, Cameron A. Schmidt, Brian F. Gilmore, Timothy J. McCord, Kevin W. Southerland, Joseph M. McClung, Christopher D. Kontos
Summary: Skeletal muscle injury in peripheral artery disease (PAD) is not only attributed to vascular insufficiency, but also to muscle cell responses. Genetic ablation of Pax7(+) muscle progenitor cells (MPCs) in a hindlimb ischemia model led to inhibited muscle regeneration. Adipogenesis and fibrosis were observed in the ischemic limb, and inhibition of fibro/adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) decreased adipose but increased fibrosis. Patients with critical limb threatening ischemia also showed increased adipose and decreased satellite cells in more ischemic regions. These findings suggest that muscle regeneration could be a potential therapeutic target in PAD.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Francesco Canonico, Maila Chirivi, Fabio Maiullari, Marika Milan, Roberto Rizzi, Alessandra Arcudi, Mattia Galli, Marika Pane, Aoife Gowran, Giulio Pompilio, Eugenio Mercuri, Filippo Crea, Claudia Bearzi, Domenico D'Amario
Summary: Alterations in the DMD gene cause dystrophinopathies such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Cardiomyopathy related to DMD mutations is now the leading cause of death in these patients. Utilizing genetic engineering techniques on induced pluripotent stem cells, along with 3D bioprinting, can help develop physiologically relevant human cell models for studying dystrophin-linked cardiomyopathy. Connecting multiple microphysiological systems composed of different tissues could lead to a more accurate body-on-chip disease modeling approach, providing insights into inter-organ responses and potential therapies.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ersilia Fornetti, Stefano Testa, Francesca De Paolis, Claudia Fuoco, Sergio Bernardini, Victorio Pozo Devoto, Gorazd Bernard Stokin, Sara Maria Giannitelli, Alberto Rainer, Anne Bigot, Carmine Zoccali, Jacopo Baldi, Doriana Sandona, Roberto Rizzi, Claudia Bearzi, Giancarlo Forte, Stefano Cannata, Cesare Gargioli
Summary: This article introduces an approach to construct an in vitro neuromuscular junction (NMJ) using a microfluidic chip, aiming to establish a reliable and predictive human model to investigate synapse detriment in α-sarcoglycanopathy.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Carmina Pau, Angelo Zinellu, Elisabetta Zinellu, Gianfranco Pintus, Ciriaco Carru, Alessandro G. Fois, Arduino A. Mangoni, Pietro Pirina
Summary: A systematic review and meta-analysis found significantly lower serum concentrations of PON-1 in OSA patients, indicating impaired antioxidant defence system possibly related to intermittent hypoxia.
Review
Cell Biology
Roberta Giordo, Zena Wehbe, Anna Maria Posadino, Gian Luca Erre, Ali H. Eid, Arduino A. Mangoni, Gianfranco Pintus
Summary: There have been significant advances in the study of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and their role in various diseases, particularly those associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. Natural compounds, such as resveratrol, can target ncRNAs and potentially affect disease progression. Resveratrol, known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, has been shown to directly target different ncRNAs, suggesting its potential therapeutic applications.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Roberta Giordo, Annalisa Cossu, Maria Cristina Porcu, Roberto Cappuccinelli, Grazia Biosa, Javad Sharifi-Rad, Luca Pretti, Gheyath K. Nasrallah, Gianfranco Pintus, Anna Maria Posadino
Summary: Green chemistry is a tool for producing valuable chemicals from biomass. The chemical composition and biological effects of a supercritical carbon dioxide extract from Pistacia lentiscus L. leaves were investigated. The extract contains terpenes and exhibits antioxidant and vasculoprotective properties.
NATURAL PRODUCT RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Heba Almaghrbi, Roberta Giordo, Gianfranco Pintus, Hatem Zayed
Summary: Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are RNA molecules that have tissue-specific expression and lack protein-coding potential. Aberrant expression of ncRNAs is critical in disease onset and development, making them promising biomarkers for prognosis and diagnosis. Compared to standard biomarkers, ncRNAs, such as miRNAs and lncRNAs, provide better sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing acute myocardial infarction (AMI), leading to earlier treatment and better prognosis for patients. This review summarizes and discusses the potential clinical use of circulating ncRNAs as MI biomarkers, highlighting their specificity and sensitivity, limitations, and possible solutions.
CLINICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Iman Ramli, Anna Maria Posadino, Sakina Zerizer, Ylenia Spissu, Antonio Barberis, Hanane Djeghim, Emanuela Azara, Chawki Bensouici, Zahia Kabouche, Khellaf Rebbas, Guy D'hallewin, Leonardo Antonio Sechi, Gianfranco Pintus
Summary: The weed plant Ambrosia maritima L., traditionally used in North African folk medicine, has been found to have potential as a natural alternative for Crohn's disease treatment. Its phenolic extract showed antioxidant activity and cytoprotective effect on human endothelial cells stressed with H2O2.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Iman Ramli, Anna Maria Posadino, Roberta Giordo, Grazia Fenu, Manal Fardoun, Rabah Iratni, Ali H. Eid, Hatem Zayed, Gianfranco Pintus
Summary: Adverse pregnancy outcomes have significant health risks for pregnant women and their offspring. Maternal dietary intake of polyphenolic antioxidants, such as resveratrol, is linked to a reduced risk of maternal obesity and cardio-metabolic disorders, positively affecting both the fetus and offspring.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Hasan Slika, Hadi Mansour, Suzanne A. Nasser, Abdullah Shaito, Firas Kobeissy, Alexander N. Orekhov, Gianfranco Pintus, Ali H. Eid
Summary: In 1957, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) was identified as the first secondary messenger, and the cAMP-protein kinase A (PKA) pathway was discovered as the first signaling cascade. Recently, a new cAMP effector called exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac) has emerged as a critical mediator of cAMP's actions, playing a role in various diseases and offering potential as a therapeutic target. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of Epac's structure, distribution, compartmentalization, and signaling mechanisms, discussing the development of specific Epac modulators for future pharmacotherapeutics.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Farida Tripodi, Zoraide Motta, Giulia Murtas, Valentina Rabattoni, Simona Nonnis, Francesca Grassi Scalvini, Anna Maria Rinaldi, Roberto Rizzi, Claudia Bearzi, Beatrice Badone, Silvia Sacchi, Gabriella Tedeschi, Elisa Maffioli, Paola Coccetti, Loredano Pollegioni
Summary: Astrocytes play important roles in brain development and functions, including regulation of brain energy metabolism, ionic homeostasis, and synaptic transmission. Dysfunctions in metabolism of l-serine and d-serine are associated with neurological and psychiatric disorders. In this study, the differentiation process of human mature astrocytes from neural stem cells was investigated, revealing changes in proteomic and metabolomic profiles. The results show that differentiated astrocytes resemble mature rather than reactive ones, and reveal increased axogenesis and pyrimidine metabolism, as well as changes in the folate cycle and sphingolipid metabolism. These findings provide insights into astrocyte differentiation and offer a valuable model for studying serine metabolism alterations in brain diseases.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alaa Ahmed Abbas, Hadil Adnan Abdulkader, Roberta Giordo, Hossam M. Ashour, Gian Luca Erre, Gianfranco Pintus, Hatem Zayed
Summary: Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a type of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), are highly stable and widely present molecules with tissue-specific expression. Evidence has shown that aberrant expression of circRNAs can play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Notably, circRNAs, as essential immune system gene modulators, are strongly associated with the occurrence and progression of autoimmune disorders. This review presents and discusses the roles, implications, and theragnostic potentials of circRNAs in common rheumatic diseases, aiming to provide new insights for the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Dario Di Silvestre, Francesca Brambilla, Francesca Lavatelli, Maila Chirivi, Diana Canetti, Claudia Bearzi, Roberto Rizzi, Johan Bijzet, Bouke P. C. Hazenberg, Vittorio Bellotti, Julian D. Gillmore, Pierluigi Mauri
Summary: AL amyloidosis is caused by the misfolding of immunoglobulin light chains, leading to tissue and organ dysfunction. Proteome changes in the abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue of AL amyloidosis patients revealed that ECM/cytoskeleton, oxidative stress, and proteostasis are the leading processes. Proteins such as GPX1, tubulins, and the TRiC complex were identified as biologically and topologically relevant.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Roberta Giordo, Anna Maria Posadino, Arduino Aleksander Mangoni, Gianfranco Pintus
Summary: An intricate interplay between genetic and environmental factors contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its complications. Metformin, a derivative of biguanide, exerts pleiotropic effects through multiple epigenetic modifications, which are reported in various organs, tissues, and cellular compartments. This review discusses the emerging evidence regarding metformin-mediated epigenetic modifications, their significance, potential applications, and future research directions.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Samar Shurbaji, Faleh Al Tamimi, Mahmoud M. Al Ghwairi, Dayana El Chaar, Salma Younes, Amin F. Majdalawieh, GianFranco Pintus, Nader Al-Dewik, Gheyath K. Nasrallah
Summary: In this study, the performance of a new fluorescence-based point-of-care test (POCT) called FinecareTM for quantitative measurement of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) was evaluated. The results showed that FinecareTM exhibited high sensitivity, specificity, agreement, and a strong correlation when using serum or venepuncture whole-blood samples. However, the performance indicators slightly decreased when using fingerstick whole-blood samples. The findings suggest that FinecareTM is a reliable and accurate POCT for TSH screening and quantitative measurement.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Abdullah Shaito, Karl Aramouni, Roland Assaf, Astrid Parenti, Alexander Orekhov, Ahmed El Yazbi, Gianfranco Pintus, Ali H. Eid
Summary: Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of global mortality, and oxidative stress plays a crucial role in its pathogenesis. Studies have shown that reactive oxygen species can lead to endothelial dysfunction, contributing to the development of cardiovascular diseases. This review aims to explore the mechanisms underlying oxidative stress-induced endothelial dysfunction in cardiovascular disease, with a focus on the impact of ROS on NO bioavailability, ROS-induced inflammation, and ROS-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.
FRONTIERS IN BIOSCIENCE-LANDMARK
(2022)