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Topic Review
Non-Coding RNAs
The mammalian transcriptome is highly complex and includes a large number of small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Here, the biogenesis pathways of the three classes of sncRNAs, namely short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs) and PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are discussed. These ncRNAs have been extensively studied and are involved in pathways leading to specific gene silencing and the protection of genomes against virus and transposons, for example. Also, lncRNAs have emerged as pivotal molecules for the transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression which is supported by their tissue-specific expression patterns, subcellular distribution, and developmental regulation.
  • 1.1K
  • 18 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Dietary Modulation of Bacteriophages
The role and function of bacteriophages (phages) has been underestimated so far. Natural compounds such as essential oils and tea have been used successfully in naturopathy and folk medicine for hundreds of years. Current research is unveiling the molecular role of their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. The current interdisciplinary review summarizes current knowledge on dietary compounds as to their capacity to modulate the activity of phages, thus potentially contributing to (the modulation of) several gastrointestinal diseases, such as (chronic) inflammation, and even cancer.
  • 1.1K
  • 27 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium spp.
Microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs) perform critical cellular tasks by nucleating, stabilizing, and anchoring microtubule’s minus ends. These capacities impact tremendously a wide array of cellular functions ranging from ascribing cell shape to orchestrating cell division and generating motile structures, among others. The phylum Apicomplexa comprises over 6000 single-celled obligate intracellular parasitic species.
  • 1.1K
  • 16 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Autophagy in Chronic Heart Failure
Autophagy is a conserved cell quality control system, and increasing evidence suggests that it plays an important role in numerous and different biological processes, such as starvation, aging, inflammation, and organ remodeling, by maintaining cellular homeostasis.
  • 1.1K
  • 14 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Microglia Heterogeneity and Function
Microglia are the resident immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS) that have distinct ontogeny and transcriptomic signatures than other tissue macrophages. Microglia play a pivotal role in the CNS homeostasis and diseases. Microglia express a battery of receptors for environmental cues and rapidly react to the changes in their microenvironment. This plasticity is attributed to the ability of microglia to adapt a context-specific phenotype. 
  • 1.1K
  • 27 Apr 2021
Topic Review
FGF Signaling in Vertebrate Embryos
Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) comprise a large family of growth factors, regulating diverse biological processes including cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Each FGF binds to a set of FGF receptors to initiate certain intracellular signaling molecules. Accumulated evidence suggests that in early development and adult state of vertebrates, FGFs also play exclusive and context dependent roles.
  • 1.1K
  • 08 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Bile Acids in Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease
Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a spectrum of diseases, the onset and progression of which are due to chronic alcohol use. ALD ranges, by increasing severity, from hepatic steatosis to alcoholic hepatitis (AH) and alcohol-associated cirrhosis (AC), and in some cases, can lead to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). ALD continues to be a significant health burden and is now the main cause of liver transplantations in the United States. ALD leads to biological, microbial, physical, metabolic, and inflammatory changes in patients that vary depending on disease severity. ALD deaths have been increasing in recent years and are projected to continue to increase. Current treatment centers focus on abstinence and symptom management, with little in the way of resolving disease progression. Due to the metabolic disruption and gut dysbiosis in ALD, bile acid (BA) signaling and metabolism are also notably affected and play a prominent role in disease progression in ALD, as well as other liver disease states, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
  • 1.1K
  • 11 May 2022
Topic Review
Endothelial Cell Membrane Damage and Repair
Endothelial cells are the crucial inner lining of blood vessels, which are pivotal in vascular homeostasis and integrity. However, these cells are perpetually subjected to a myriad of mechanical, chemical, and biological stresses that can compromise their plasma membranes. A sophisticated repair system involving key molecules, such as calcium, annexins, dysferlin, and MG53, is essential for maintaining endothelial viability. These components orchestrate complex mechanisms, including exocytosis and endocytosis, to repair membrane disruptions.
  • 1.1K
  • 24 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Intercellular Mitochondrial Transfer
Mitochondria are complex intracellular organelles traditionally identified as the powerhouses of eukaryotic cells due to their central role in bioenergetic metabolism. The intercellular transport of mitochondria, defined as horizontal mitochondrial transfer, can occur in mammalian cells both in vitro and in vivo, and in physiological and pathological conditions. Mitochondrial transfer can provide an exogenous mitochondrial source, replenishing dysfunctional mitochondria, thereby improving mitochondrial faults or, as in in the case of tumor cells, changing their functional skills and response to chemotherapy.
  • 1.1K
  • 17 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) in Cancer
Enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) are non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) transcribed in enhancer regions. They play an important role in transcriptional regulation, mainly during cellular differentiation. eRNAs are tightly tissue- and cell-type specific and are induced by specific stimuli, activating promoters of target genes in turn. eRNAs usually have a very short half-life but in some cases, once activated, they can be stably expressed and acquire additional functions. Due to their critical role, eRNAs are often dysregulated in cancer and growing number of interactions with chromatin modifiers, transcription factors, and splicing machinery have been described.
  • 1.1K
  • 19 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Lipid Metabolism Disorders and COPD
Exacerbations largely determine the character of the progression and prognosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Exacerbations are connected with changes in the microbiological landscape in the bronchi due to a violation of their immune homeostasis. Many metabolic and immune processes involved in COPD progression are associated with bacterial colonization of the bronchi. 
  • 1.1K
  • 26 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Structure and Function of Peroxiredoxin IV
Peroxiredoxin IV (Prx4) is a 2-Cysteine peroxidase with ubiquitous expression in human tissues. Prx4 scavenges hydrogen peroxide and participates in oxidative protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum. In addition, Prx4 is secreted outside the cell. Prx4 is upregulated in several cancers and is a potential therapeutic target. Here, the resarchers have summarized the structure and function of Prx4. Oxidative stress is known to activate pro-inflammatory pathways. Chronic inflammation is a risk factor for cancer development. Hence, redox enzymes such as Prx4 are important players in the crosstalk between inflammation and cancer. Understanding molecular mechanisms of regulation of Prx4 expression and associated signaling pathways in normal physiological and disease conditions should reveal new therapeutic strategies. Although Prx4 is a promising therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases and cancer, further research needs to be conducted to bridge the gap to clinical application. 
  • 1.1K
  • 17 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Cell Mechanics in Embryoid Bodies
Embryoid bodies (EBs) resemble self-organizing aggregates of pluripotent stem cells that recapitulate some aspects of early embryogenesis. Within few days, the cells undergo a transition from rather homogeneous epithelial-like pluripotent stem cell colonies into a three-dimensional organization of various cell types with multifaceted cell–cell interactions and lumen formation—a process associated with repetitive epithelial-mesenchymal transitions. In the last few years, culture methods have further evolved to better control EB size, growth, cellular composition, and organization—e.g., by the addition of morphogens or different extracellular matrix molecules. There is a growing perception that the mechanical properties, cell mechanics, and cell signaling during EB development are also influenced by physical cues to better guide lineage specification; substrate elasticity and topography are relevant, as well as shear stress and mechanical strain. Epithelial structures outside and inside EBs support the integrity of the cell aggregates and counteract mechanical stress. Furthermore, hydrogels can be used to better control the organization and lineage-specific differentiation of EBs. In this review, we summarize how EB formation is accompanied by a variety of biomechanical parameters that need to be considered for the directed and reproducible self-organization of early cell fate decisions.
  • 1.1K
  • 08 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Doublecortin
Doublecortin (DCX) is a microtubule associated protein, essential for correct central nervous system development and lamination in the mammalian cortex. It has been demonstrated to be expressed in developing but not in mature neurons. The teleost visual system is an ideal model to study mechanisms of adult neurogenesis due to its continuous life-long growth. Immunohistochemical, in silico, and western blot analysis to detect the DCX protein in the visual system of teleost fish are described here.
  • 1.1K
  • 23 Feb 2022
Topic Review
B Cells in Neuroinflammation
In recent years, the role of B cells in neurological disorders has substantially expanded our perspectives on mechanisms of neuroinflammation. The success of B cell-depleting therapies in patients with CNS diseases such as neuromyelitis optica and multiple sclerosis has highlighted the importance of neuroimmune crosstalk in inflammatory processes. While B cells are essential for the adaptive immune system and antibody production, they are also major contributors of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine responses in a number of inflammatory diseases. B cells can contribute to neurological diseases through peripheral immune mechanisms, including production of cytokines and antibodies, or through CNS mechanisms following compartmentalization. Emerging evidence suggests that aberrant pro- or anti-inflammatory B cell populations contribute to neurological processes, including glial activation, which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases.
  • 1.1K
  • 30 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Myostatin/Activin-A Signaling and Functions
Myostatin and activin-A are two of thirty-three members of the TGF-β family.
  • 1.1K
  • 31 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Sarcopenia and Approaches
Sarcopenia, an age-related decline in skeletal muscle mass and function, dramatically affects the quality of life. Although there is a consensus that sarcopenia is a multifactorial syndrome, the etiology and underlying mechanisms are not yet delineated. Moreover, research about nutritional interventions to prevent the development of sarcopenia is mainly focused on the amount and quality of protein intake. The impact of several nutrition strategies that consider timing of food intake, anti-inflammatory nutrients, metabolic control, and the role of mitochondrial function on the progression of sarcopenia is not fully understood. This narrative review summarizes the metabolic background of this phenomenon and proposes an integral nutritional approach (including dietary supplements such as creatine monohydrate) to target potential molecular pathways that may affect reduce or ameliorate the adverse effects of sarcopenia. Lastly, miRNAs, in particular those produced by skeletal muscle (MyomiR), might represent a valid tool to evaluate sarcopenia progression as a potential rapid and early biomarker for diagnosis and characterization. 
  • 1.1K
  • 24 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Wnt Signaling Triggers Macropinocytosis
Membrane trafficking, including endocytosis and exocytosis, is very important in the interaction between cells and their environment. Endocytosis mediates the degradation of receptors, hence downregulating signaling pathways. The Wnt pathway is essential for cellular functions, such as cell fate determination, cell migration, cell polarity, neural patterning and organogenesis during embryonic development, including axis formation. Macropinocytosis is the large nonselective uptake of molecules such as nutrients and other macromolecules in the cellular environment.
  • 1.1K
  • 24 May 2022
Topic Review
Megakaryocytes in Brief
Megakaryocytes are large bone marrow cells responsible for producing platelets crucial for blood clotting. They undergo endomitosis, becoming polyploid to generate thousands of platelets. Beyond thrombopoiesis, they regulate hematopoietic niches and immune responses. Dysregulation can lead to disorders like thrombocytopenia, myeloproliferative neoplasms, and acute megakaryoblastic leukemia.
  • 1.1K
  • 26 Aug 2024
Topic Review
Intestinal Cell Plasticity
Under constant barrage from chemical, pathogenic, and mechanical stresses, the intestinal epithelium is homeostatically replenished by a pool of Lgr5⁺ intestinal stem cells (ISCs), residing at the bottom of submucosal invaginations termed crypts. Decorated with the RSPO-receptor LGR5, which potentiates canonical Wnt/β-catenin signalling, these actively cycling cells can both self-renew and give rise to short-lived transit-amplifying cells. In turn, transit-amplifying cells undergo successive rounds of cell division and differentiation to generate the full gamut of terminally differentiated intestinal cell types tasked with performing pleiotropic absorptive, secretory, immune, and barrier functions. The self-renewal capabilities and multipotency of Lgr5⁺ ISCs are tightly controlled by instructive cues emanating from epithelial and stromal components of the ISC niche in the vicinity of the lower crypt.  The intestinal epithelium displays a remarkable ability to regenerate following demise of homeostatic Lgr5⁺ ISCs post injury. Plasticity—the ability of lineage-restricted cells to regain self-renewal capacity and multi-lineage differentiation potential in response to environmental cues—is pervasive among multiple intestinal cell populations. Reserve stem-like cells, lineage-committed progenitors, and/or fully differentiated cell types can all contribute to regeneration and repair through dedifferentiation and reversion to an Lgr5⁺ stem-like state. In line with the pervasive plasticity of the intestinal epithelium, accumulating evidence supports both “bottom-up” and “top-down” histogenesis of colorectal tumours whereby the cells-of-origin comprise either ISCs at the crypt base or differentiated cells at the crypt apex, respectively. 
  • 1.1K
  • 30 Mar 2021
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