Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Huai-Song Wang, Xingya Xia, Yingming Wang, Weiping Lyu, Mangmang Sang, Congcong Gu, Wenyuan Liu, Feng Zheng
Summary: This study developed an aptamer probe based on aggregation-induced emission (AIE) to monitor EMT biomarkers on cell membrane and evaluate the efficacy of anti-EMT drugs.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Amirhesam Babajani, Asma Manzari-Tavakoli, Elham Jamshidi, Roghayeh Tarasi, Hassan Niknejad
Summary: The study investigates the appropriate condition of priming human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) with paclitaxel for cancer treatment. The results suggest that paclitaxel-loaded hAECs have anti-neoplastic effects and induce apoptosis in breast and cervical cancer cells.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Dongmei Li, Limei Chen, Xiaofang Zhang, Yanhua Wang, Chuansheng Huang, Jianglong Li, Feilong He, Wenxing He
Summary: miR-125a-5p reverses EMT and restores drug sensitivity in breast cancer cells by negatively regulating TAFAZZIN. The study demonstrated that miR-125a-5p inhibits EMT, decreases proliferation, and increases apoptosis of breast cancer cells. Furthermore, miR-125a-5p expression is negatively correlated with TAFAZZIN mRNA expression in breast cancer tissues.
MOLECULAR MEDICINE REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Jihye Seo, Jain Ha, Eunjeong Kang, Sayeon Cho
Summary: The complex orchestration of gene expression during the transition of epithelial cells into mesenchymal cells is crucial in cancer development and metastasis. EMT-TFs, as primary regulators of this process, play key roles in metastasis and have been implicated in cancer therapy resistance. This review focuses on three main EMT-TFs - Snail, Twist1, and ZEB1 - and their relationship to drug resistance, as well as possible future approaches targeting EMT-TFs.
ARCHIVES OF PHARMACAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhen-Ling Liu, Huan-Huan Chen, Li-Li Zheng, Li-Ping Sun, Lei Shi
Summary: Angiogenesis is a complex process regulated by various molecules and plays a crucial role in tumor growth and metastasis. Targeted therapeutic research based on these molecules has led to the emergence of promising anti-angiogenic strategies in cancer therapy.
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION AND TARGETED THERAPY
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Po-Chang Shih, Kuo-Ching Mei
Summary: Chemoresistance resulting from cancer stem cells (CSCs) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) leads to inconsistent chemotherapeutic efficacy. The presence of CSCs and EMT allows cancer cells to switch between differentiated and stem-like states, known as cellular plasticity. Phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT3) is increasingly recognized as a major factor in CSCs and EMT, with preclinical studies showing reversal of chemoresistance through STAT3 pathway inhibition. This review focuses on mechanisms involving STAT3 and its target genes in regulating EMT, and also discusses the status of clinical trials using STAT3 pathway inhibitors.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Alejandro Ordaz-Ramos, Olivia Tellez-Jimenez, Karla Vazquez-Santillan
Summary: Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are a specific subpopulation of cells capable of self-renewal and differentiation into diverse tumor cells. The involvement of cancer stem cells in treatment resistance and cancer recurrence is well established. Specific signaling pathways, such as Wnt/beta-catenin, NF-kappa B, Notch, Hedgehog, TGF-beta, and Hippo, play crucial roles in regulating the self-renewal ability of cancer stem cells. Targeting these signaling pathways holds promise as a therapeutic strategy for combating breast cancer aggressiveness. This review discusses the main signaling pathways involved in maintaining the self-renewal ability of BCSCs and highlights current strategies to disrupt stemness-related signaling molecules.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Carina Proenca, Marisa Freitas, Daniela Ribeiro, Ana T. Rufino, Eduarda Fernandes, Jose Miguel P. Ferreira de Oliveira
Summary: Metastasis is a key characteristic of cancer, involving the spread of cancer cells to distant organs through the proinflammatory environment. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process associated with the manifestation of migratory and invasive features during metastasis. Transcription factors (TFs) such as SNAI and ZEB play important roles in EMT, regulated by specific microRNAs (miRNAs) like miR-34 and miR-200. Flavonoids, bioactive compounds found in plants, have been found to modulate the activity of SNAI/ZEB TFs and their regulatory miRNAs, attenuating mesenchymal features and promoting epithelial features, thus inhibiting and reversing EMT. This modulation is also accompanied by the attenuation of signaling pathways involved in various cellular processes.
MEDICINAL RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fu Peng, Huali Fan, Sui Li, Cheng Peng, Xiaoqi Pan
Summary: MicroRNAs have been utilized as negative regulators in cancer treatment by down-regulating their targets, especially in the EMT process. Natural plant compounds can modulate deregulated microRNAs to inhibit EMT, which could potentially lead to the inhibition of cancer development. This review article highlights the significance of microRNAs in EMT as oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, providing evidence for target therapy in cancer treatment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Sheema Hashem, Tayyiba Akbar Ali, Sabah Akhtar, Sabah Nisar, Geetanjali Sageena, Shahid Ali, Sharefa Al-Mannai, Lubna Therachiyil, Rashid Mir, Imadeldin Elfaki, Mohammad Muzaffar Mir, Farrukh Jamal, Tariq Masoodi, Shahab Uddin, Mayank Singh, Mohammad Haris, Muzafar Macha, Ajaz A. Bhat
Summary: Cancer is a major cause of death and a burden to healthcare system. Natural products, with their accessibility, applicability, and reduced cytotoxicity, have been an important source of anticancer drugs. They play a major role in cancer treatment by modulating cancer microenvironment and different signaling pathways, mainly cell death pathways and embryonic developmental pathways.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Naiade Calanca, Sara Martoreli Silveira Binato, Sabrina Daniela da Silva, Helena Paula Brentani, Luiz Ubirajara Sennes, Clovis Antonio Lopes Pinto, Maria Aparecida Custodio Domingues, Carlos Eduardo Fonseca-Alves, Claudia Aparecida Rainho, Silvia Regina Rogatto
Summary: Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) is a rare benign tumor affecting male adolescents, and this study investigated the role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and WNT signaling pathways in JNA. The findings suggest the involvement of these pathways in JNA, providing promising druggable targets for treatment.
Review
Cell Biology
Crescenzo Massaro, Elham Safadeh, Giulia Sgueglia, Hendrik G. Stunnenberg, Lucia Altucci, Carmela Dell'Aversana
Summary: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the third leading cause of cancer death globally, with patients often developing drug resistance and disease recurrence. Key studies have identified the crucial role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in cancer progression and drug resistance, suggesting their potential as future therapeutic targets for overcoming resistance in CRC treatment.
Article
Oncology
Kakeru Hisakane, Masahiro Seike, Teppei Sugano, Akiko Yoshikawa, Kuniko Matsuda, Natsuki Takano, Satoshi Takahashi, Rintaro Noro, Akihiko Gemma
Summary: Exosomal miR-210-3p plays a crucial role in resistance to osimertinib in EGFR-mutant NSCLC, by promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and inducing drug resistance. Further studies are needed to explore the potential of targeting miR-210-3p as a therapeutic strategy for overcoming osimertinib resistance in NSCLC.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chiara Mazziotta, Carmen Lanzillotti, Maria Rosa Iaquinta, Francesca Taraballi, Elena Torreggiani, John Charles Rotondo, Lucia Oton-Gonzalez, Elisa Mazzoni, Francesca Frontini, Ilaria Bononi, Monica De Mattei, Mauro Tognon, Fernanda Martini
Summary: MSCs are important source for bone regeneration and play a crucial role in osteogenic differentiation. MiRNAs regulate gene expression in osteogenic differentiation of MSCs and are involved in controlling important signaling pathways such as TGF-beta/BMP and Wnt/beta-catenin.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dexin Shen, Hongwei Peng, Caixia Xia, Zhao Deng, Xi Tong, Gang Wang, Kaiyu Qian
Summary: This study summarizes the detailed mechanisms and modes of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) participating in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process of prostate cancer (PCa) by regulating multiple signaling pathways.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hussin A. Rothan, Jamunaa Ambikabothy, Thamil Selvee Ramasamy, Nurshamimi Nor Rashid, Rohana Yusof
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE RESEARCH AND THERAPEUTICS
(2019)
Review
Water Resources
Chiat Yin Ng, Farahnaz Amini
Summary: Different occupational exposures to toxicants may lead to varying changes in telomere length, with factors such as individual characteristics, lifestyle, dose, and exposure duration potentially modulating the effects. Oxidative stress, telomerase expression, systemic inflammation, and other factors may contribute to the impact on telomere length.
EXPOSURE AND HEALTH
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Magdelyn Mei-Theng Wong, Hui-Yin Chan, Norazlin Abdul Aziz, Thamil Selvee Ramasamy, Jan-Jin Bong, Ewe Seng Ch'ng, Subasri Armon, Suat-Cheng Peh, Sin-Yeang Teow
Summary: Liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Autophagy plays a crucial role in the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma, as well as in the self-renewal and differentiation of liver cancer stem cells.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chiat Yin Ng, Farahnaz Amini, Normina Ahmad Bustami, Eugenie Sin Sing Tan, Pui Yee Tan, Soma Roy Mitra
Summary: The study found that DNA damage among obese women correlated with serum 25(OH)D and hair chromium.
MOLECULAR & CELLULAR TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Thamil Selvee Ramasamy, Yong Mei Yee, Ilyas M. Khan
Summary: Osteoarthritis is a common degenerative joint disease associated with aging, where damage to articular chondrocytes plays a key role. Understanding the complexity of cellular aging is crucial for developing new therapies targeting the specific causes of age-related functional decline in OA.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Ain Zubaidah Ayob, Thamil Selvee Ramasamy
Summary: Tumour hypoxia and nutrient deprivation stress can promote the development of cancer cell stem-like characteristics, while exacerbating tumour aggressiveness and resistance. HepG2 tumoursphere culture under prolonged hypoxic and serum-free conditions revealed significant changes in morphology and proliferative capacity.
IN VITRO CELLULAR & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY-ANIMAL
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Anjali Yadav, Tzu-Chieh Huang, Szu-Han Chen, Thamil Selvee Ramasamy, Yuan-Yu Hsueh, Shau-Ping Lin, Fu- Lu, Ya-Hsin Liu, Chia-Ching Wu
Summary: Inhibiting prolonged inflammation through HDAC inhibitor PBA treatment can suppress the expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in SCs, favoring axonal regrowth and remyelination to create a conducive microenvironment for peripheral nerve regeneration.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sakunie Sawai, Pooi-Fong Wong, Thamil Selvee Ramasamy
Summary: Hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment plays a crucial role in therapeutic resistance by regulating ECM stiffness, pH gradients, and chemical balance, impacting various cancer hallmarks. HIFs, particularly HIF-1α, influence the TME changes by modulating cancer-associated signaling pathways and cellular processes. HRMs have emerged as potential regulators for miRNA-based targeted therapy in advanced solid tumors, suggesting the possibility of combined HIF and miRNA targeting for enhanced cancer therapy.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anjali Yadav, Thamil Selvee Ramasamy, Sheng-Che Lin, Szu-Han Chen, Jean Lu, Ya-Hsin Liu, Fu- Lu, Yuan-Yu Hsueh, Shau-Ping Lin, Chia-Ching Wu
Summary: The failure of peripheral nerve regeneration may be attributed to the lack of a permissive environment for nerve repair. The use of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or its derivative platelet-rich growth factors (PRGF) has been shown to improve peripheral nerve regeneration by modulating macrophage polarization. In this study, PRGF was found to reduce inflammation and promote the shift of macrophages from a pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype to an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. This led to improved nerve regeneration in a rat sciatic nerve transection model. The findings suggest that autologous PRGF has the potential to regulate inflammatory microenvironments and promote nerve repair.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Pooi-Fong Wong, Murugan Dharmani, Thamil Selvee Ramasamy
Summary: This review discusses the role of senotherapeutics in MSC senescence, rejuvenation, and transplantation, with examples of some tested compounds in vitro. Senotherapeutics target cellular senescence through senolytic and senomorphic functions to induce apoptosis and suppress chronic inflammation caused by the senescence-associated secreted phenotype (SASP). They could delay aging-associated degeneration and be used to eliminate senescent MSCs during in vitro expansion or bioprocessing for transplantation. The prospects, challenges, and the way forward in clinical applications of senotherapeutics in cell-based therapeutics are also discussed.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Seyedeh Noushin Zahedi, Seyed Hossein Hejazi, Maryam Boshtam, Farahnaz Amini, Hossein Fazeli, Mandieh Sarmadi, Mahsa Rahimi, Hossein Khanahmad
Summary: The study indicates a potential therapeutic role for human recombinant CRP (hrCRP) in improving cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania major in mice models. Treatment with hrCRP reduced lesion area and parasite burden, leading to the conversion of lesions to scars.
ACTA PARASITOLOGICA
(2021)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Tian Er Poh, Vivien Kai Ying See, Roya Amini, Farahnaz Amini
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Sau Har Lee, Tamika Reed-Newman, Shrikant Anant, Thamil Selvee Ramasamy
STEM CELL REVIEWS AND REPORTS
(2020)
Correction
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Shuh-Wen Aung, Noor Hayaty Abu Kasim, Shamsul Azlin Ahmad Shamsuddin, Thamil Selvee Ramasamy
STEM CELL REVIEWS AND REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Shuh-Wen Aung, Noor Hayaty Abu Kasim, Shamsul Azlin Ahmad Shamsuddin, Thamil Selvee Ramasamy
STEM CELL REVIEWS AND REPORTS
(2020)