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Topic Review
Extracellular Traps in Disease/Protection
The first formal description of the microbicidal activity of extracellular traps (ETs) containing DNA occurred in neutrophils in 2004. Since then, ETs have been identified in different populations of cells involved in both innate and adaptive immune responses. Much of the knowledge has been obtained from in vitro or ex vivo studies; however, in vivo evaluations in experimental models and human biological materials have corroborated some of the results obtained. Two types of ETs have been described—suicidal and vital ETs, with or without the death of the producer cell. The studies showed that the same cell type may have more than one ETs formation mechanism and that different cells may have similar ETs formation mechanisms. ETs can act by controlling or promoting the mechanisms involved in the development and evolution of various infectious and non-infectious diseases, such as autoimmune, cardiovascular, thrombotic, and neoplastic diseases, among others.
  • 833
  • 09 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Potential Therapeutic Targets on SARS-CoV-2
Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is caused by an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus, referred to as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which belongs to the realm Riboviria, order Nidovirales, family Coronaviridae, genus Betacoronavirus and the species Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus. This viral disease is characterized by a myriad of varying symptoms, such as pyrexia, cough, hemoptysis, dyspnoea, diarrhea, muscle soreness, dysosmia, lymphopenia and dysgeusia amongst others. The virus mainly infects humans, various other mammals, avian species and some other companion livestock. SARS-CoV-2 cellular entry is primarily accomplished by molecular interaction between the virus’s spike (S) protein and the host cell surface receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), although other host cell-associated receptors/factors, such as neuropilin 1 (NRP-1) and neuropilin 2 (NRP-2), C-type lectin receptors (CLRs), as well as proteases such as TMPRSS2 (transmembrane serine protease 2) and furin, might also play a crucial role in infection, tropism, pathogenesis and clinical outcome.
  • 832
  • 15 Oct 2021
Topic Review
CCCTC-Binding Factor for Chromatin Regulation
Chromatin, a macromolecular complex of DNA, RNA, and proteins, provides a framework for the packaging of genetic material within the cell nucleus. Its organization plays a crucial role in gene expression and is regulated by a diverse array of protein complexes in response to a dynamic code of histone posttranslational modifications and DNA modifications. Architectural proteins are essential epigenetic regulators that play a critical role in organizing chromatin and controlling gene expression. CTCF (CCCTC-binding factor) is a key architectural protein responsible for maintaining the intricate 3D structure of chromatin. Because of its multivalent properties and plasticity to bind various sequences, CTCF is similar to a Swiss knife for genome organization.
  • 832
  • 25 May 2023
Topic Review
Nanoparticles in Pediatric Brain Tumors' Cancer Stem Cells
Primary malignant brain tumors are the most common solid neoplasm in childhood. Despite recent advances, many children affected by aggressive or metastatic brain tumors still present poor prognosis, therefore the development of more effective therapies is urgent. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been discovered and isolated in both pediatric and adult patients with brain tumors (e.g., medulloblastoma, gliomas and ependymoma). CSCs are a small clonal population of cancer cells responsible for brain tumor initiation, maintenance and progression, displaying resistance to conventional anticancer therapies. CSCs are characterized by a specific repertoire of surface markers and intracellular specific pathways. These unique features of CSCs biology offer the opportunity to build therapeutic approaches to specifically target these cells in the complex tumor bulk.
  • 831
  • 15 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Ferroptosis in Brief
Ferroptosis is a newly discovered, iron-dependent form of programmed cell death characterized by the lethal accumulation of lipid peroxides within cell membranes. This process, distinct from apoptosis or necrosis, is driven by disruptions in cellular iron homeostasis and subsequent oxidative damage. Ferroptosis plays a pivotal role in various physiological processes and diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and ischemic injuries. Understanding the mechanisms and regulation of ferroptosis holds promise for the development of novel therapeutic strategies, making it a burgeoning field of research in cell biology and medicine with potential applications across a wide range of health-related challenges.
  • 831
  • 18 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Inflammaging
Rapid growth of the geriatric population has been made possible with advancements in pharmaceutical and health sciences. Hence, age-associated diseases are becoming more common. Aging encompasses deterioration of the immune system, known as immunosenescence. Dysregulation of the immune cell production, differentiation, and functioning lead to a chronic subclinical inflammatory state termed inflammaging. The hallmarks of the aging immune system are decreased naïve cells, increased memory cells, and increased serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation is a promising solution to halt immunosenescence as the cells have excellent immunomodulatory functions and low immunogenicity.
  • 830
  • 08 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Arabidopsis HY2 NaCl Signaling during Seed Germination
PΦB is an open-chain tetrapyrrole chromophore, a critical synthetase for phytochromes to function as a light receptor to regulate plant growth and development. Arabidopsis HY2 encodes a key synthase of PΦB, which is a ferredoxin-dependent biliverdin reductase that catalyzes the reduction in the A-ring 2,3,31,32-diene system to produce an ethylidene group for assembly with apophytochromes.
  • 830
  • 03 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Pulmonary Fibrosis
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is the end-stage consequence of various interstitial lung diseases (ILD). It is a chronic progressive disease with an average survival of 3–5 years after diagnosis. The pathological features of PF are the abnormal activation and proliferation of myofibroblasts and the extraordinary deposition of the extracellular matrix (ECM). 
  • 830
  • 30 May 2023
Topic Review
Exosomes in Bone Sarcomas
Bone sarcomas are rare cancers which often present with metastatic disease and are still associated with poor survival rates. Studies in the last decade have identified that exosomes, a type of extracellular vesicle released by cells, play an important role in tumour progression and dissemination. Through the transfer of their cargo (RNAs, proteins, and lipids) across cells, they are involved in cellular cross-talk and can induce changes in cellular behaviour. Exosomes have been shown to be important in metastasis organotropism, induction of angiogenesis and vascular permeability, the education of cells towards a pro-metastatic phenotype or the interaction between stromal and tumour cells. Due to the importance exosomes have in disease progression and the high incidence of metastasis in bone sarcomas, recent studies have evaluated the implications of these extracellular vesicles in bone sarcomas.
  • 829
  • 17 May 2021
Topic Review
Detection of Sepsis in Platelets
The incidence of sepsis varies depending on the hospital studied, being higher in those dealing with more clinically severe patients, such as cancer hospitals.
  • 829
  • 09 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Kinase Inhibition in Hematologic Neoplasms
Protein kinases (PK) are signaling regulators involved in various cellular functions including metabolism, cell cycle regulation, survival, and differentiation. Tumor dependence of continuous proliferative signals mediated through protein kinases overexpression instigated increased strategies of kinase inhibition in the oncologic practice over the last couple decades.
  • 829
  • 14 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Colon Cancer Stem Cells
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subpopulation of cells within tumors with properties, such as self-renewal, differentiation, and tumorigenicity. CSCs have been proposed as a plausible therapeutic target as they are responsible for tumor recurrence, metastasis, and conventional therapy resistance. Selectively targeting CSCs is a promising strategy to eliminate the propagation of tumor cells and impair overall tumor development.
  • 828
  • 09 May 2023
Topic Review
IL-6 Cytokines and EMP
Epithelial–mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) plays critical physiological roles during embryonic development, postnatal growth and epithelial homeostasis, but it is also involved in a number of pathological conditions, including wound repair, fibrosis, inflammation and cancer. EMP has been intimately linked with most, if not all, of the steps during cancer development and progression (e.g., migration, invasion, immune escape, drug resistance and metastatic dissemination). Cytokines from the interleukin 6 (IL-6) family play fundamental roles in mediating tumour-promoting inflammation within the tumour microenvironment. In general, IL-6 cytokines activate EMP processes, fostering the acquisition of mesenchymal features in cancer cells. Here, we will summarise all the relevant literature related to all members of the IL-6 family and EMP.
  • 827
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Nanoparticles to Treat Macrophages
Nanoparticles are nanomaterials with three external nanoscale dimensions and an average size ranging from 1 to 1000 nm. Nanoparticles have gained notoriety in technological advances due to their tunable physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. However, the administration of functionalized nanoparticles to living beings is still challenging due to the rapid detection and blood and tissue clearance by the mononuclear phagocytic system. The major exponent of this system is the macrophage. Regardless the nanomaterial composition, macrophages can detect and incorporate foreign bodies by phagocytosis. Therefore, the simplest explanation is that any injected nanoparticle will be probably taken up by macrophages. This explains, in part, the natural accumulation of most nanoparticles in the spleen, lymph nodes, and liver (the main organs of the mononuclear phagocytic system). For this reason, recent investigations are devoted to design nanoparticles for specific macrophage targeting in diseased tissues. The aim of this review is to describe current strategies for the design of nanoparticles to target macrophages and to modulate their immunological function involved in different diseases with special emphasis on chronic inflammation, tissue regeneration, and cancer. 
  • 826
  • 02 Sep 2021
Topic Review
PTP61F Mediates Cell Competition
Tissue homeostasis via the elimination of aberrant cells is fundamental for organism survival. Cell competition is a key homeostatic mechanism, contributing to the recognition and elimination of aberrant cells, preventing their malignant progression and the development of tumors. 
  • 824
  • 02 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Receptor–Receptor Interactions and Glial Cell
The discovery that receptors from all families can establish allosteric receptor–receptor interactions and variably associate to form receptor complexes operating as integrative input units endowed with a high functional and structural plasticity has expanded our understanding of intercellular communication. Regarding the nervous system, most research in the field has focused on neuronal populations and has led to the identification of many receptor complexes representing an important mechanism to fine-tune synaptic efficiency. Receptor–receptor interactions, however, also modulate glia–neuron and glia–glia intercellular communication, with significant consequences on synaptic activity and brain network plasticity.
  • 823
  • 18 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Mitochondria in Health and Disease
Mitochondrial alterations have been implicated in a wide range of diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders, metabolic disorders, and cancer. 
  • 823
  • 29 May 2023
Topic Review
Metabolic Alterations in Parkinson’s Disease
The PD model flies based on DJ-1β inactivation  exhibited protein metabolism alterations, a shift from the tricarboxylic acid cycle to glycolytic pathway to obtain ATP, together with an increase in the expression of some urea cycle enzymes. Thus, these metabolic changes could contribute to PD pathogenesis and might constitute possible therapeutic targets and/or biomarkers for this disease.
  • 822
  • 27 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Enzyme-mediated Conjugation in Molecular Imaging
Molecular imaging is one of the most fast-developing areas of research. It aims to visualize, characterize, and quantify, in a non-invasive way, processes on molecular or cellular levels in living systems, giving clinicians important information both in the diagnosis and for monitoring the treatment of diseases. Enzymes are powerful tools that efficiently allow the conjugation of proteins under physiological conditions, thus preserving their native structure and activity. Chemoselectivity and site-specificity are also important characteristics of the enzyme-mediated protein conjugation, that allow derivatization of only one type of functional group and to modify a biomolecule at a single defined position (or, in some cases, in a small number of defined positions), respectively. Since nuclear molecular imaging can benefit greatly from the production of homogenous derivatives, enzymatic-based methodologies can be used for the production of site-specific labeled immunoconjugates. 
  • 821
  • 14 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Targeting Akt in Treating Head and Neck Cancer
When Akt, a signalling protein, is activated by different growth factors such as epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor α/β, vascular endothelial growth factor and nerve growth factor, head and neck cancer cell spreading is stimulated. Tumour microenvironment plays an important role in cancer spreading by synthesising and secreting growth factors and suggests that targeting growth-factor-activated Akt in combination therapy could be a valuable therapeutic approach in treating head and neck cancer patients. 
  • 821
  • 31 May 2022
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