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Topic Review
CD147/Basigin in Malignant Tumors and T-Cell-Mediated Immunological Disorders
CD147/Basigin, a transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily, is a multifunctional molecule with various binding partners. CD147 binds to monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) and supports their expression on plasma membranes. MTC-1 and MCT-4 export the lactic acid that is converted from pyruvate in glycolysis to maintain the intracellular pH level and a stable metabolic state. Under physiological conditions, cellular energy production is induced by mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Glycolysis usually occurs under anaerobic conditions, whereas cancer cells depend on glycolysis under aerobic conditions. T cells also require glycolysis for differentiation, proliferation, and activation. Human malignant melanoma cells expressed higher levels of MCT-1 and MCT-4, co-localized with CD147 on the plasma membrane, and showed an increased glycolysis rate compared to normal human melanocytes. CD147 silencing by siRNA abrogated MCT-1 and MCT-4 membrane expression and disrupted glycolysis, inhibiting cancer cell activity. Furthermore, CD147 is involved in psoriasis. MCT-1 was absent on CD4+ T cells in CD147-deficient mice. The naïve CD4+ T cells from CD147-deficient mice exhibited a low capacity to differentiate into Th17 cells. Imiquimod-induced skin inflammation was significantly milder in the CD147-deficient mice than in the wild-type mice. Overall, CD147/Basigin is involved in the development of malignant tumors and T-cell-mediated immunological disorders via glycolysis regulation.
  • 800
  • 26 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Inflammation Enhances the Efficacy of CFTR Modulator Therapy
The cystic fibrosis lung is inflamed and therefore the impact of inflammation on CFTR rescue should be considered. There is now evidence that airway inflammation enhances CFTR rescue. The development of CFTR modulators, such as correctors that augment F508del CFTR transfer to the apical membrane, and potentiators that increase CFTR channel activity, permitted successful treatment of the basic defect in cystic fibrosis. The first FDA-approved CFTR modulator was the potentiator ivacaftor (VX-770), which improves the function of the gating mutant G551D CFTR. While the potentiator VX-770 or the CFTR corrector lumacaftor (VX-809) alone did not significantly improve lung function in F508del CF patients, combining VX-809 with VX-770 (in the drug Orkambi) or combining the newer corrector tezacaftor (VX-661) with VX-770 (in the drug Symdeko) resulted in modest lung function improvements in clinical trials in patients homozygous for F508del CFTR. Notably, F508del rescue resulting from these combination therapies or the clinically effective novel triple therapy (in the drug Trikafta) were enhanced by airway epithelial inflammation in vitro. Thus, the airway inflammatory milieu improves the efficacy of CFTR modulators.
  • 797
  • 01 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Gas6/TAM Axis Involvement in COVID-19 Patients
Gas6 (growth arrest-specific gene 6) is a widely expressed vitamin K-dependent protein that is involved in many biological processes such as homeostatic regulation, inflammation and repair/fibrotic processes. It is known that it is the main ligand of TAMs, a tyrosine kinase receptor family of three members, namely MerTK, Tyro-3 and Axl, for which it displays the highest affinity. Gas6/TAM axis activation is known to be involved in modulating inflammatory responses as well as fibrotic evolution in many different pathological conditions. The Axl is a SARS-CoV-2 infection driver, the use of existing Axl inhibitors is beneficial for COVID-19 management. 
  • 795
  • 12 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Lipids and Lipoproteins in Pregnancy
Inflammation and oxidative stress are essential components in a myriad of pathogenic entities that lead to metabolic and chronic diseases. Moreover, inflammation in its different phases is necessary for the initiation and maintenance of a healthy pregnancy. Therefore, an equilibrium between a necessary/pathologic level of inflammation and oxidative stress during pregnancy is needed to avoid disease development. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are important for a healthy pregnancy and a good neonatal outcome. Their role in fetal development during challenging situations is vital for maintaining the equilibrium. 
  • 795
  • 08 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Biochemical Monitoring of Aortic Aneurysm Disease
Aortic aneurysm (AA) disease is intractable. There are many different subtypes which may or may not include a genetic component. The pathology is different based on aneurysm location. Environmental factors, co-morbidities, and sex all differentially affect aneurysm formation and progression. Despite advancements in the understanding of the complex pathobiology of AAs, no efficient method for monitoring exists, and it is becoming clear that no single diagnostic approach will begin to address the many disparate pathological consequences.
  • 793
  • 07 Feb 2024
Topic Review
RNA Therapeutics
Synthetic RNA products are a low-cost solution based on a novel method of using nucleosides to act as an innate medicine factory with unlimited therapeutic possibilities. In addition to the common perception of vaccines preventing infections, the newer applications of RNA therapies include preventing autoimmune disorders, such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and Down syndrome; now, we can deliver monoclonal antibodies, hormones, cytokines, and other complex proteins, reducing the manufacturing hurdles associated with these products. The approved nucleic acid (DNA/RNA) therapeutics treat diseases by targeting their genetic blueprints in vivo, unlike targeting proteins, which is a conventional transient approach.
  • 791
  • 17 May 2023
Topic Review
Rodent Models of Obesity
The World Health Organization defines obesity as an “abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat that poses a risk to health”. Preclinical research in animal models has been instrumental in elucidating these mechanisms, and translation into clinical practice has provided promising therapeutic options, including epigenetic approaches, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery.
  • 789
  • 14 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Therapeutic Targeting of Tumor Collagen
The tumor stroma, which comprises stromal cells and non-cellular elements, is a critical component of the tumor microenvironment (TME). The dynamic interactions between the tumor cells and the stroma may promote tumor progression and metastasis and dictate resistance to established cancer therapies. Therefore, novel antitumor approaches should combine anticancer and anti-stroma strategies targeting dysregulated tumor extracellular matrix (ECM). ECM remodeling is a hallmark of solid tumors, leading to extensive biochemical and biomechanical changes, affecting cell signaling and tumor tissue three-dimensional architecture. Increased deposition of fibrillar collagen is the most distinctive alteration of the tumor ECM. Consequently, several anticancer therapeutic strategies have been developed to reduce excessive tumor collagen deposition.
  • 787
  • 17 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Therapeutic Potential of Orally Administered Rubiscolin-6
Rubiscolins are naturally occurring opioid peptides derived from the enzymatic digestion of the ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase protein in spinach leaves. They are classified into two subtypes based on amino acid sequence, namely rubiscolin-5 and rubiscolin-6. In vitro studies have determined rubiscolins as G protein-biased delta-opioid receptor agonists, and in vivo studies have demonstrated that they exert several beneficial effects via the central nervous system. The most unique and attractive advantage of rubiscolin-6 over other oligopeptides is its oral availability. Therefore, it can be considered a promising candidate for the development of a novel and safe drug.
  • 785
  • 25 Jun 2023
Topic Review
3D Printing in Complex Medical Procedures
Medicine is a rapidly-evolving discipline, with progress picking up pace with each passing decade. This constant evolution results in the introduction of new tools and methods, which in turn occasionally leads to paradigm shifts across the affected medical fields. The following review attempts to showcase how 3D printing has begun to reshape and improve processes across various medical specialties and where it has the potential to make a significant impact. 
  • 784
  • 18 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Exhaled Aldehydes as Biomarkers for Lung Diseases
Straight-chain aliphatic aldehydes were repeatedly detected in the breath of patients suffering from lung diseases using a variety of methods, such as mass spectrometry, ion mobility spectrometry, or electro-chemical sensors.
  • 784
  • 15 Sep 2022
Topic Review
A New Role of Acute Phase Proteins
The prevailing general view of acute-phase proteins (APPs) is that they are produced by the liver in response to the stress of the body as part of a systemic acute-phase response. A coordinated, local production of these proteins upon cell stress by the stressed cells has been demonstrated. The local, stress-induced APP production has been demonstrated in different tissues (kidney, breast cancer) and with different stressors (hypoxia, fibrosis and electromagnetic heat). Thus, this local acute-phase response (APR) seems to be a universal mechanism. APP production is an ancient defense mechanism observed in nematodes and fruit flies as well. Local APP production at the tissue level is also supported by sporadic literature data for single proteins.
  • 783
  • 01 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Pathological Mechanisms of Mitochondria in Brain Disease
Mitochondria play a vital role in maintaining cellular energy homeostasis, regulating apoptosis, and controlling redox signaling. Dysfunction of mitochondria has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various brain diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders, stroke, and psychiatric illnesses.
  • 783
  • 24 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Escherichia coli-Based Therapeutic Protein Expression
Therapeutic proteins treat many acute and chronic diseases that were, until recently, considered untreatable. However, their high development cost keeps them out of reach of most patients around the world. One possible way to make manufacturing cheaper is to use newer technologies, such as Escherichia coli to make larger molecules, like full-length antibodies, that are normally only made in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells, switch to continuous manufacturing, and change the process to cell-free synthesis. The advantages of using E. coli include a shorter production cycle, little risk of viral contamination, cell host stability, and a highly reproducible post-translational modification.
  • 782
  • 08 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Passive Immunization Strategies in Animal Models
Alpha-synucleinopathies are progressive neurodegenerative diseases that are characterized by pathological misfolding and accumulation of the protein alpha-synuclein (αsyn) in neurons, axons or glial cells in the brain, but also in other organs. The abnormal accumulation and propagation of pathogenic αsyn across the autonomic connectome is associated with progressive loss of neurons in the brain and peripheral organs, resulting in motor and non-motor symptoms. To date, no cure is available for synucleinopathies, and therapy is limited to symptomatic treatment of motor and non-motor symptoms upon diagnosis. Recent advances using passive immunization that target different αsyn structures show great potential to block disease progression in rodent studies of synucleinopathies. However, passive immunotherapy in clinical trials has been proven safe but less effective than in preclinical conditions. 
  • 780
  • 21 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Polymer-Based Nanosystem Strategies in Antifungal Drug Delivery
Nanosystems-based antifungal agents have emerged as an effective strategy to address issues related to drug resistance, drug release, and toxicity. Among the diverse materials employed for antifungal drug delivery, polymers, including polysaccharides, proteins, and polyesters, have gained significant attention due to their versatility. Considering the complex nature of fungal infections and their varying sites, it is crucial for researchers to carefully select appropriate polymers based on specific scenarios when designing antifungal agent delivery nanosystems. 
  • 779
  • 06 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Immune Control of Avian Influenza Virus Infection
The avian influenza A virus (AIV) is naturally prevalent in aquatic birds, infecting different avian species and transmitting from birds to humans. Both AIVs, the H5N1 and H7N9 viruses, have the potential to infect humans, causing an acute influenza disease syndrome in humans, and are a possible pandemic threat. AIV H5N1 is highly pathogenic, whereas AIV H7N9 has comparatively low pathogenicity.
  • 775
  • 18 Apr 2023
Topic Review
LncRNA PVT1
LncRNA PVT1 (plasmacytoma variant translocation 1) has become a staple of the lncRNA profile in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). 
  • 773
  • 19 May 2021
Topic Review
Platelet Role in Disease
Platelets, traditionally known for their roles in hemostasis and coagulation, are the most prevalent blood component after erythrocytes (150,000–400,000 platelets/μL in healthy humans). However, only 10,000 platelets/μL are needed for vessel wall repair and wound healing. Increased knowledge of the platelet’s role in hemostasis has led to many advances in understanding that they are crucial mediators in many other physiological processes, such as innate and adaptive immunity. Due to their multiple functions, platelet dysfunction is involved not only in thrombosis, mediating myocardial infarction, stroke, and venous thromboembolism, but also in several other disorders, such as tumors, autoimmune diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. On the other hand, thanks to their multiple functions, nowadays platelets are therapeutic targets in different pathologies, in addition to atherothrombotic diseases; they can be used as an innovative drug delivery system, and their derivatives, such as platelet lysates and platelet extracellular vesicles (pEVs), can be useful in regenerative medicine and many other fields. The protean role of platelets, from the name of Proteus, a Greek mythological divinity who could take on different shapes or aspects, is precisely the focus of this entry.
  • 772
  • 10 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Multifunctional Magnetic Nanostructures for Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy
The new era of nanomedicine offers significant opportunities for cancer diagnostics and treatment. Magnetic nanoplatforms could be highly effective tools for cancer diagnosis and treatment in the future. Due to their tunable morphologies and superior properties, multifunctional magnetic nanomaterials and their hybrid nanostructures can be designed as specific carriers of drugs, imaging agents, and magnetic theranostics. Multifunctional magnetic nanostructures are promising theranostic agents due to their ability to diagnose and combine therapies. This research provides a comprehensive overview of the development of advanced multifunctional magnetic nanostructures combining magnetic and optical properties, providing photoresponsive magnetic platforms for promising medical applications. Moreover, researchers discuss various innovative developments using multifunctional magnetic nanostructures, including drug delivery, cancer treatment, tumor-specific ligands that deliver chemotherapeutics or hormonal agents, magnetic resonance imaging, and tissue engineering. Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to optimize material properties in cancer diagnosis and treatment, based on predicted interactions with drugs, cell membranes, vasculature, biological fluid, and the immune system to enhance the effectiveness of therapeutic agents. Furthermore, this research provides an overview of AI approaches used to assess the practical utility of multifunctional magnetic nanostructures for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Finally, the current knowledge and perspectives on hybrid magnetic systems as cancer treatment tools with AI models.
  • 771
  • 23 Mar 2023
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