Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Steven B. Machek, Emilia E. Zawieja, Jeffery L. Heileson, Dillon R. Harris, Dylan T. Wilburn, Emma A. Fletcher, Jason M. Cholewa, Artur Szwengiel, Agata Chmurzynska, Darryn S. Willoughby
Summary: This study aimed to determine the appropriate washout period for betaine supplementation. The results showed that serum betaine concentration significantly increased after 14 days of supplementation and was not significantly different from baseline after 4 days of washout. However, visual data assessment suggests that a more conservative 7-day washout period may be sufficient to restore both serum and skeletal muscle betaine levels.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Li-Ting Wang, Marie-Eve Proulx, Anne D. Kim, Virginie Lelarge, Luke McCaffrey
Summary: Proteomics-based screening identified proteins associated with lumen formation, including PARD3B, RALB, and HRNR. Functional analyses revealed their roles as regulators of lumen formation. Additionally, PTPN14 was identified as a component required for maintaining apical-basal polarity.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Salma Jalal, Sumitava Dastidar, Francesco Saverio Tedesco
Summary: Researchers have made significant progress in creating advanced in vitro models of human skeletal muscle tissue using tissue engineering approaches to mimic the physical and biochemical components of native muscle tissue. Future directions include utilizing three-dimensional cultures such as organoids and biofabrication to develop platforms that are physiologically and clinically relevant for disease modeling and therapy development.
CURRENT OPINION IN CELL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Carlos J. Ramirez-Flores, Andres M. Tibabuzo Perdomo, Gina M. Gallego-Lopez, Laura J. Knoll
Summary: Parasites belonging to the Apicomplexa phylum are highly successful pathogens that can infect a wide range of hosts, evade the immune system, and cause acute and chronic illnesses. The use of three-dimensional (3D) systems has revolutionized the study of these parasites, allowing researchers to explore previously uncharted life stages and mimic host-pathogen interactions.
MICROBIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Junsuke Uwada, Shoichiro Mukai, Naoki Terada, Hitomi Nakazawa, Mohammad Sayful Islam, Takahiro Nagai, Masato Fujii, Koji Yamasaki, Takanobu Taniguchi, Toshiyuki Kamoto, Takashi Yazawa
Summary: In 3D-cultured prostate cancer cells, probenecid demonstrated pleiotropic effects such as chemosensitization, growth suppression, inhibition of spheroid compaction, and suppression of anchorage-independent growth. Elucidating the detailed mechanism underlying these probenecid actions could result in the identification of novel therapeutic targets toward the advanced prostate cancer.
Article
Polymer Science
Clara F. Lopez-Leon, Jordi Soriano, Ramon Planet
Summary: Three-dimensional neuronal cultures are valuable models for studying brain complexity in vitro. The use of PEGylated fibrin hydrogel as a scaffold for mouse primary neuronal cultures was investigated in this study. The rheological characterization showed that the mechanical properties of the hydrogels were modified by the presence of neurons, potentially affecting both the stability of the material and the functional traits of the developing neuronal network.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Louise Hull, Bronwyn G. A. Stuckey, Kimberly Hartman, Nadene Zack, David R. Friend
Summary: The objective of this study is to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of DARE-HRT1, a 28-day intravaginal ring that continuously releases E2 and P4, in the treatment of vasomotor symptoms and genitourinary syndrome of menopause. The results showed that the 80/4 IVR and 160/8 IVR had similar plasma levels of E2 as approved drug products for the treatment of VMS and genitourinary symptoms of menopause.
MENOPAUSE-THE JOURNAL OF THE NORTH AMERICAN MENOPAUSE SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Abhijith Kuttanamkuzhi, Libi Anandi, Vaishali Chakravarty, Mayurika Lahiri
Summary: Various models, such as cell lines and rodent models, have been developed for cancer research, providing valuable insights into carcinogenesis. The establishment of a 3D culture system of breast epithelial and cancerous cells allows for the study of molecular signaling events and cellular characteristics during breast carcinogenesis. This system is used to investigate the transformation induced by a phospholipid mediator, Platelet Activating Factor (PAF), and may contribute to understanding the genetic and epigenetic perturbations induced by various small molecules in the tumor microenvironment.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ornella Urzi, Roberta Gasparro, Elisa Costanzo, Angela De Luca, Gianluca Giavaresi, Simona Fontana, Riccardo Alessandro
Summary: Although the traditional bidimensional in vitro cell system has been widely used in research, it does not fully reflect the complexity of in vivo systems. Three-dimensional (3D) models have emerged as a bridge between in vitro and in vivo models, allowing for cell differentiation and complexity without using animals. This review discusses the most common methods to establish 3D cell culture and their promising applications in studying organ physiology, diseases, cancer, drug screening, and regenerative medicine.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Yongcun Qu, Jia Zhang, Shanshan Guo, Liwen Zhang, Jingjing Qian, Xili Zhu, Enkui Duan, Ying Zhang
Summary: The study reveals an increase in epithelial density and angiogenesis at the 3D level of the uterine endometrium after ovarian stimulation, with separate regulatory effects of P4 and E2 on uterine endometrium.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Vladimir Zmrhal, Andrea Svoradova, Andrej Batik, Petr Slama
Summary: Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture is gaining attention for its ability to mimic tissue environments and provide realistic results. However, there is little focus on using 3D cell cultures in avian cell biology. This review aims to summarize knowledge about avian hematopoietic cells, HSC niches, avian immunosuppressive diseases, and isolation of HSC, with a focus on using 3D cell cultures to study disease pathogenesis.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tess M. Calcagno, Chongxu Zhang, Runxia Tian, Babak Ebrahimi, Mehdi Mirsaeidi
Summary: The article introduces a new method for creating a sarcoidosis model in vitro by inserting granulomas into the air-lung interface of a lung-on-chip biochip, mimicking the formation of granulomas. Using ELISA testing to detect differences in cytokine responses, statistically significant differences were found in the expression of IL-1ss, IL-6, GM-CSF, and INF-γ between the two groups.
Article
Oncology
Yarely M. Salinas-Vera, Jesus Valdes, Alfredo Hidalgo-Miranda, Mireya Cisneros-Villanueva, Laurence A. Marchat, Stephanie Nunez-Olvera, Rosalio Ramos-Payan, Carlos Perez-Plasencia, Lourdes A. Arriaga-Pizano, Jessica L. Prieto-Chavez, Cesar Lopez-Camarillo
Summary: This study compared the miRNA expression profiles of breast cancer cells grown in 2D and 3D conditions, revealing that 3D cultures better resemble the miRNA transcriptional programs operating in tumors. This has implications for understanding cancer biology and identifying new biomarkers and targets for personalized therapies.
Article
Neurosciences
Claudia Consales, Alessio Butera, Caterina Merla, Emanuela Pasquali, Vanni Lopresto, Rosanna Pinto, Maria Pierdomenico, Mariateresa Mancuso, Carmela Marino, Barbara Benassi
Summary: The study characterized the response of SH-SY5Y cells to ELF-MF, showing that proliferation and apoptosis were not affected in both 2D and 3D cultures, but intracellular glutathione content and SOD1 expression were impaired in 3D cultures. ELF-MF combined with differentiation agents promoted neuroblastoma differentiation into a dopaminergic phenotype exclusively in 3D cultures, indicating the superiority of 3D culture as an experimental model for studying SH-SY5Y response to ELF-MF.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Wenying Zhao, Dingcheng Sun, Shuhua Yue
Summary: 3D cell cultures recapitulate tissue-specific diversity and better mimic in vivo conditions. Non-linear optical microscopy using near infrared light excitation achieves larger imaging depth and molecular selectivity in a label-free manner, offering great promise for 3D cell culture research.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hunter B. Rogers, Luhan T. Zhou, Atsuko Kusuhara, Emily Zaniker, Saman Shafaie, Benjamin C. Owen, Francesca E. Duncan, Teresa K. Woodruff
Summary: Researchers engineered the first female reproductive tract on a chip (EVATAR) for sex-based ex vivo research, and explored the use of 3D printing technologies to create 3DP microphysiologic platforms. They found potential toxicity in certain 3D-printed resins towards oocytes, underscoring the importance of rigorous evaluation and designation of biocompatible materials for biomedical applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dipu Karunakaran, Solange M. Simpson, Jonathan T. Su, Ewa Bryndza-Tfaily, Thomas J. Hope, Ronald Veazey, Georgina Dobek, Jiang Qiu, David Watrous, Samuel Sung, Jorge E. Chacon, Patrick F. Kiser
Summary: The study introduces a long-acting antiretroviral implant designed to release cabotegravir for several months, aiming to protect high-risk individuals from HIV infection. In vivo experiments in rhesus macaques demonstrated that the implant could steadily release cabotegravir and quickly reduce plasma levels to undetectable levels after removal. The findings suggest that this implant has potential for HIV prevention in high-risk populations.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2021)
Article
Virology
Joao I. Mamede, Joseph Griffin, Stephanie Gambut, Thomas J. Hope
Summary: In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the development of tools and techniques for studying the molecular mechanisms of the HIV replication cycle using fluorescence microscopy. Fusion of tags and fluorophores to viral proteins has allowed researchers to track individual virus particles during infection, but the inclusion of such fusion motifs often disrupts viral infectivity.
Article
Immunology
Robert J. Schieffer, Ewa Bryndza Tfaily, Richard D'Aquila, George J. Greene, Alex Carballo-Dieguez, Rebecca Giguere, Christine Tagliaferri Rael, Patrick F. Kiser, Thomas J. Hope
Summary: Long-acting delivery modalities of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, such as subdermal implants, are being developed and were generally well-received by both physicians and men who have sex with men (MSM). Critical attributes for adoption included infection risk, protection duration, and side effect advantages, though concerns about side effects, safety, cost, and the implantation procedure were also noted.
AIDS RESEARCH AND HUMAN RETROVIRUSES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lamiaa El-Shennawy, Andrew D. Hoffmann, Nurmaa Khund Dashzeveg, Kathleen M. McAndrews, Paul J. Mehl, Daphne Cornish, Zihao Yu, Valerie L. Tokars, Vlad Nicolaescu, Anastasia Tomatsidou, Chengsheng Mao, Christopher J. Felicelli, Chia-Feng Tsai, Carolina Ostiguin, Yuzhi Jia, Lin Li, Kevin Furlong, Jan Wysocki, Xin Luo, Carolina F. Ruivo, Daniel Batlle, Thomas J. Hope, Yang Shen, Young Kwang Chae, Hui Zhang, Valerie S. LeBleu, Tujin Shi, Suchitra Swaminathan, Yuan Luo, Dominique Missiakas, Glenn C. Randall, Alexis R. Demonbreun, Michael G. Ison, Raghu Kalluri, Deyu Fang, Huiping Liu
Summary: El-Shennawy et al. found that circulating extracellular vesicles (evACE2) are associated with COVID-19 severity and have a higher efficacy in inhibiting the infection of SARS-CoV-2 variants compared to soluble ACE2. This study is important for the development of therapeutic approaches against current and future coronavirus infections.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Mary Towner, J. Julie Kim, Melissa A. Simon, Daniela Matei, Dario Roque
Summary: This review explores the survival rate disparities between black and white women in ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancers, and proposes a theoretical framework to explain how racial differences in experience of preventive strategies, implementation of screening efforts, early detection of symptomatic disease, and appropriate treatment contribute to these disparities.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GYNECOLOGICAL CANCER
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Aaron C. Sue, Sarah M. Wignall, Teresa K. Woodruff, Thomas O'Halloran
Summary: This study investigates the role of zinc transporters in reproductive systems using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a model. Phenotypic analysis of mutants reveals that two zinc transporters, ZIPT-2.4 and ZIPT-15, play an important role in reproductive output and gonad development. These findings suggest a complex zinc trafficking network that is crucial for reproductive success.
JOURNAL OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTION AND GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sunnie M. Yoh, Joao Mamede, Derrick Lau, Narae Ahn, Maria T. Sanchez-Aparicio, Joshua Temple, Andrew Tuckwell, Nina Fuchs, Gianguido C. Cianci, Laura Riva, Heather Curry, Xin Yin, Stephanie Gambut, Lacy M. Simons, Judd F. Hultquist, Renate Koenig, Yong Xiong, Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, Till Bocking, Thomas J. Hope, Sumit K. Chanda
Summary: This study reveals a two-factor authentication strategy by the innate surveillance machinery to selectively respond to low concentration of HIV-1 DNA, using the decoration of PQBP1 on the viral capsid and the recruitment of cGAS.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yang Yang, Tanya Y. Tian, Teresa K. Woodruff, Benjamin F. Jones, Brian Uzzi
Summary: The changing demographics in science have raised questions about research team diversity and outcomes. This study examines mixed-gender research teams in the medical sciences, analyzing 6.6 million papers published since 2000. The findings show that mixed-gender teams are underrepresented but their publications are more novel and impactful compared to same-gender teams. The study also finds that the gender balance on a team correlates with better performance measures. These patterns hold across medical subfields and persist even after controlling for various factors.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Sadia Samer, Yanique Thomas, Mariluz Arainga, Crystal Carter, Lisa M. Shirreff, Muhammad S. Arif, Juan M. Avita, Ines Frank, Michael D. McRaven, Christopher T. Thuruthiyil, Veli B. Heybeli, Meegan R. Anderson, Benjamin Owen, Arsen Gaisin, Deepanwita Bose, Lacy M. Simons, Judd F. Hultquist, James Arthos, Claudia Cicala, Irini Sereti, Philip J. Santangelo, Ramon Lorenzo-Redondo, Thomas J. Hope, Francois J. Villinger, Elena Martinelli
Summary: This study found that blocking TGF-beta signaling can promote HIV-1 latency reversal and enhance anti-SIV immune response, which was verified through experiments.
Article
Cell Biology
Michelle K. Ash, Pavan P. Bhimalli, Byoung-Kyu Cho, Basil Baby Mattamana, Stephanie Gambut, Imad Tarhoni, Cristina L. Fhied, Anjelica F. Reyes, Samantha J. Welninski, Jaison Arivalagan, Fernanda Negrao, Renu Goel, Todd L. Beck, Thomas J. Hope, Beverly E. Sha, Young Ah Goo, Lena Al-Harthi, Joao I. Mamede, Jeffrey A. Borgia, Neil L. Kelleher, Jeffrey R. Schneider
Summary: This study investigated the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination on the immune response by measuring changes in IgG glycosylation. The results showed that hospitalized COVID-19 patients had elevated levels of inflammatory glycans, while mild patients had increased levels of anti-inflammatory glycans. Vaccinated individuals with low RBD antibody levels and low neutralization showed similar IgG glycan traits as hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Hideyuki Iwahata, So-Youn Kim, Yuriko Iwahata, Nao Suzuki, Teresa K. Woodruff
Summary: Cancer therapy can cause ovarian insufficiency, and current methods for fertility preservation in female cancer patients are limited. This study investigates the potential protective effects of triiodothyronine (T3) on apoptosis induced by cisplatin and X-ray in mouse ovaries, as well as in breast cancer cells. The findings suggest that T3 is not effective as a fertoprotective agent and its candidacy for fertility preservation should be reconsidered.
JOURNAL OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTION AND GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Virology
Aparajitha Vaidyanathan, Harry E. Taylor, Thomas J. Hope, Richard T. D'Aquila, Elizabeth T. Bartom, Judd F. Hultquist, Marcus E. Peter
Summary: HIV infection leads to depletion of CD4(+) T cells, but some cells can survive and become part of the latent reservoir. Understanding the mechanisms of HIV-mediated cell death could potentially help clear the latent reservoir.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
LaTonya Williams, Xiaoying S. Shen, Sheetal Sawant, Siriwat C. Akapirat, Lindsay Dahora, Matthew Zirui Tay, Sherry Stanfield-Oakley, Saintedym Wills, Derrick Goodman, DeAnna Tenney, Rachel L. Spreng, Lu Zhang, Nicole L. Yates, David C. Montefiori, Michael A. Eller, David Easterhoff, Thomas J. Hope, Supachai Rerks-Ngarm, Punnee Pittisuttithum, Sorachai Nitayaphan, Jean-Louis Excler, Jerome H. Kim, Nelson L. Michael, Merlin L. Robb, Robert J. O'Connell, Nicos Karasavvas, Sandhya Vasan, Guido Ferrari, Georgia D. Tomaras
Summary: The RV305 HIV-1 clinical trial evaluated the immunological impact of booster immunogens in RV144 recipients after 6-8 years. The study showed that the ALVAC vaccine component directly improved the breadth, function, and durability of vaccine-elicited antibodies. However, the impact of different immunogens on HIV-1 epitope specificity, antibody subclasses, and Fc effector functions is still unknown.
Article
Developmental Biology
Elnur Babayev, Min Xu, Lonnie D. Shea, Teresa K. Woodruff, Francesca E. Duncan
Summary: This study investigates the impact of enzymatic digestion on follicle function and compares follicle collection methods. The results show that mechanical isolation promotes follicle growth and function better, and preserves theca-interstitial cell layer on the outer edge of the follicle. Additionally, the study finds that in the absence of theca-interstitial cells, granulosa cells have the potential to differentiate into androgen-producing cells.
MOLECULAR HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2022)