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Topic Review
The HSC Niche in β-thalassemia and SCD
Hemoglobinopathies are inherited disorders affecting hemoglobin (Hb) production, estimated to be the most common monogenic diseases worldwide. In the last decade, research on pathophysiology and therapeutic solutions for β-thalassemia (BThal) and sickle cell disease (SCD) has been mostly focused on the primary erythroid defect, thus neglecting the study of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. The quality and engraftment of HSCs depend on the BM microenvironment, influencing the outcome of HSC transplantation (HSCT) both in allogeneic and in autologous gene therapy settings. In BThal and SCD, the consequences of severe anemia alter erythropoiesis and cause chronic stress in different organs, including the BM. 
  • 976
  • 07 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Protein Quality Control Systems in SARS-CoV-2 Infection
SARS-CoV-2’s structure and mechanism of infection have been well characterized. The virus comprises a lipid envelope studded with spike (S) proteins. These spikes facilitate viral entry into host cells by binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors on the cell surface. Following attachment, the virus enters the cell by endocytosis. Its genetic material consists of a single-stranded RNA molecule, which encodes structural proteins, non-structural proteins (NSP), and accessory proteins. Once inside, the viral RNA is translated into proteins, including those for replication and the formation of new virus particles.
  • 976
  • 24 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Acid and Alkali Taste Sensation
Living organisms rely on pH levels for a multitude of crucial biological processes, such as the digestion of food and the facilitation of enzymatic reactions. Among these organisms, animals, including insects, possess specialized taste organs that enable them to discern between acidic and alkaline substances present in their food sources.
  • 975
  • 15 Nov 2023
Topic Review
The Potential of Probiotics
Probiotics, by definition, are live microorganisms, and should remain viable when they reach the intended site of action, which is typically the cecum and/or the colon.
  • 974
  • 24 Nov 2021
Topic Review
CFTR Lifecycle Map
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is one of the most common genetic diseases prevalent among the Caucasian population and is caused by mutations of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. To date, several hundred disease-causing mutations are known, resulting in a vast range of geno- and phenotypes, which makes the development of therapeutics especially challenging. To support the development of novel therapeutics, systems biological disease maps can be used. Disease maps represent existing knowledge on disease mechanisms in a computationally readable and comprehensive manner so they can then be used by clinicians and experimental scientists as well as computational scientists for different purposes, such as structuring high-throughput data, identifying disease biomarkers, developing better diagnostics and also identifying potential drug targets and drug repositioning. The CFTR Lifecycle Map in particular details the biogenesis of CFTR in cells to support ongoing drug discovery endeavours in CF research.
  • 974
  • 22 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Disabled-2 Structure and Function
Disabled-2 (DAB2), a key adaptor protein in clathrin mediated endocytosis, is implicated in the regulation of key signalling pathways involved in homeostasis, cell positioning and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT).
  • 973
  • 12 Jan 2023
Topic Review
γδ T Cells in ARDs
Autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs), affecting ~1–1.5% of all humans, are associated with considerable life long morbidity and early mortality. Early studies in the 1990s showed numerical changes of the recently discovered γδ T cells in the peripheral blood and in affected tissues of patients with a variety of ARDs, kindling interest in their role in the immuno-pathogenesis of these chronic inflammatory conditions. Indeed, later studies applied rapid developments in the understanding of γδ T cell biology, including antigens recognized by γδ T cells, their developmental programs, states of activation, and cytokine production profiles, to analyze their contribution to the pathological immune response in these disorders.
  • 972
  • 14 May 2021
Topic Review
Regulation of Mitophagy
Mitophagy, the selective removal of dysfunctional mitochondria by autophagy, is critical for regulating mitochondrial quality control in many physiological processes, including cell development and differentiation. On the other hand, both impaired and excessive mitophagy are involved in the pathogenesis of different ageing-associated diseases such as neurodegeneration, cancer, myocardial injury, liver disease, sarcopenia and diabetes. The best-characterized mitophagy pathway is the PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1)/Parkin-dependent pathway. However, other Parkin-independent pathways are also reported to mediate the tethering of mitochondria to the autophagy apparatuses, directly activating mitophagy (mitophagy receptors and other E3 ligases). In addition, the existence of molecular mechanisms other than PINK1-mediated phosphorylation for Parkin activation was proposed. The adenosine50-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is emerging as a key player in mitochondrial metabolism and mitophagy.
  • 972
  • 19 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Relevance of Aquaporins for Gamete Function and Cryopreservation
Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of transmembrane channels that allow the transport of water and small solutes across cell membranes. Different members of this family have been identified in gametes. In sperm, they are relevant to osmoadaptation after entering the female reproductive tract, which is crucial for sperm motility activation and capacitation and, thus, for their fertilizing ability. In addition, they are relevant during the cryopreservation process, since some members of this family are also permeable to glycerol, one of the most frequently used cryoprotective agents in livestock. Regarding oocytes, AQPs are very important in their maturation but also during cryopreservation. 
  • 972
  • 29 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Pathophysiology of Nitrergic Enteric Neurons
Nitrergic enteric neurons are key players of the descending inhibitory reflex of intestinal peristalsis, therefore loss or damage of these neurons can contribute to developing gastrointestinal motility disturbances suffered by patients worldwide. There is accumulating evidence that the vulnerability of nitrergic enteric neurons to neuropathy is strictly region-specific and that the two main enteric plexuses display different nitrergic neuronal damage. Alterations both in the proportion of the nitrergic subpopulation and in the total number of enteric neurons suggest that modification of the neurochemical character or neuronal death occurs in the investigated gut segments. 
  • 971
  • 23 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Inorganic Polyphosphate
Inorganic polyphosphate (polyP), a simple anionic polymer consisting of even hundreds of orthophosphate units, is a universal molecule present in both simple and complex organisms. PolyP controls homeostatic processes in animals, such as blood coagulation, tissue regeneration, and energy metabolism. Furthermore, this polymer is a potent regulator of inflammation and influences host immune response in bacterial and viral infections. Disturbed polyP systems have been related to several pathological conditions, including neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disorders, and cancer, but researchers lack a full understanding of polyP biogenesis and mechanistic insights into the pathways through which polyP may act.
  • 971
  • 28 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Stemness and Apoptosis
Stemness and apoptosis may highlight the dichotomy between regeneration and demise in the complex pathway proceeding from ontogenesis to the end of life. In the last few years, the concept has emerged that the same microRNAs (miRNAs) can be concurrently implicated in both apoptosis-related mechanisms and cell differentiation. Whether the differentiation process gives rise to the architecture of brain areas, any long-lasting perturbation of miRNA expression can be related to the occurrence of neurodevelopmental/neuropathological conditions. Moreover, as a consequence of neural stem cell (NSC) transformation to cancer stem cells (CSCs), the fine modulation of distinct miRNAs becomes necessary. This event implies controlling the expression of pro/anti-apoptotic target genes, which is crucial for the management of neural/neural crest-derived CSCs in brain tumors, neuroblastoma, and melanoma.
  • 970
  • 20 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Vav1 Promotes B-Cell Lymphoma Development
Vav1 is normally and exclusively expressed in the hematopoietic system where it functions as a specific GDP/GTP nucleotide exchange factor (GEF), firmly regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation. Mutations and overexpression of Vav1 in hematopoietic malignancies, and in human cancers of various histologic origins, are well documented. The research results suggest that overexpressing Vav1 in epithelial tissues induced chronic inflammatory reactions eventually leading to B-cell lymphomas development. The development of the lymphomas was accompanied by an increase in ERK phosphorylation, elevation of CSF- in the epithelial tissue, and an increase in CSF1-R expression in the lymphomas. These findings provide a novel mechanism by which Vav1 contributes to tumor propagation.
  • 970
  • 25 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Arsenic-Induced Carcinogenesis
Arsenic is a chemical element that is toxic, and long-term exposure to it causes cancers such as lung, skin, liver, and bladder cancers. Over 150 million people around the world are affected by arsenic exposure.
  • 970
  • 21 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Schlafens in Cancer Cell Biology
Schlafens (SLFN) are a family of genes widely expressed in mammals, including humans and rodents. These intriguing proteins play different roles in regulating cell proliferation, cell differentiation, immune cell growth and maturation, and inhibiting viral replication. The emerging evidence is implicating Schlafens in cancer biology and chemosensitivity. Although Schlafens share common domains and a high degree of homology, different Schlafens act differently. In particular, they show specific and occasionally opposing effects in some cancer types. 
  • 970
  • 16 Sep 2021
Topic Review
JNK1 and Brain Development
c-Jun NH2-terminal Kinases (JNKs), also known as Stress-Activated Protein Kinases, are a group of stimuli-response enzyme members of the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) family. Proper neuronal development is essential to the correct functioning of brain networks and connections. Due to its biological relevance, brain development is a controlled process that includes multiple regulatory pathways and mechanisms.
  • 969
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Gene Expression Induced by Radiation
According to the Health Physics Society, radiation is defined as energy that travels from a source through space as waves or particles and it can penetrate different materials. The electromagnetic spectrum consists of different wavelengths and frequencies, in which non-ionizing (low frequency) and ionizing (high frequency) radiation are found. Gene expression will be changed due to radiation.
  • 969
  • 19 May 2022
Topic Review
Cell Senescence
The ageing of an organism is based on the mechanisms that mediate the ageing of its cells, that is, cell senescence. Senescence is a programmed mechanism that protects cells, predominantly against DNA damage. 
  • 968
  • 14 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Post-transcriptional RNA Modifications
Post-transcriptional RNA modifications (also called “Epitranscriptomics”) can be detected in RNA while using various methods and approaches exploiting the chemical and physico-chemical properties of these non-canonical RNA nucleotides. 
  • 967
  • 31 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Cholestatic Liver Disease
Cholestatic liver diseases including primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are associated with active hepatic fibrogenesis, which can ultimately lead to the development of cirrhosis.
  • 967
  • 30 Jun 2021
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