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Topic Review
Integral Membrane Proteins at the Tight Junctions
Tight junctions (TJ) are cell–cell adhesive structures that define the permeability of barrier-forming epithelia and endothelia. In contrast to this seemingly static function, TJs display a surprisingly high molecular complexity and unexpected dynamic regulation, which allows the TJs to maintain a barrier in the presence of physiological forces and in response to perturbations. Cell–cell adhesion receptors play key roles during the dynamic regulation of TJs. They connect individual cells within cellular sheets and link sites of cell–cell contacts to the underlying actin cytoskeleton.
  • 477
  • 11 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Patient-Derived Preclinical Prostate Cancer Models
To understand the molecular mechanisms of cancer progression, acquired drug resistance, and the metastatic process, the use of preclinical in vitro models that faithfully summarize the properties of the tumor in patients is still a necessity. The tumor is represented by a diverse group of cell clones, and to reproduce in vitro preclinical tumor models, monolayer cell cultures have been supplanted by patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models and cultured organoids derived from the patient (PDO). These models have proved indispensable for the study of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and its interaction with tumor cells. 
  • 476
  • 27 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Role of Midkine in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Midkine (MDK) is a multifunctional secreted protein that can act as a cytokine or growth factor regulating multiple signaling pathways and being implicated in fundamental cellular processes, such as survival, proliferation, and migration. Although its expression in normal adult tissues is barely detectable, MDK serum levels are found to be elevated in several types of cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). 
  • 475
  • 25 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Cytochalasins as Modulators of Stem Cell Differentiation
Regenerative medicine aims to identify new research strategies for the repair and restoration of tissues damaged by pathological or accidental events. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play a key role in regenerative medicine approaches due to their specific properties, such as the high rate of proliferation, the ability to differentiate into several cell lineages, the immunomodulatory potential, and their easy isolation with minimal ethical issues. One of the main goals of regenerative medicine is to modulate, both in vitro and in vivo, the differentiation potential of MSCs to improve their use in the repair of damaged tissues. Over the years, much evidence has been collected about the ability of cytochalasins, a large family of 60 metabolites isolated mainly from fungi, to modulate multiple properties of stem cells (SCs), such as proliferation, migration, and differentiation, by altering the organization of the cyto- and the nucleo-skeleton. The ability of two different cytochalasins, cytochalasins D and B, to influence specific SC differentiation programs modulated by several agents (chemical or physical) or intra- and extra-cellular factors, is discussed herein, with particular attention to human MSCs (hMSCs).
  • 471
  • 08 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Fascin-1 in Cancer Cell Metastasis
As metastasis is responsible for most cancer-related deaths, understanding the cellular and molecular events that lead to cancer cell migration and invasion will certainly provide insights into novel anti-metastatic therapeutic targets. Fascin-1 is an actin-bundling protein fundamental to all physiological or pathological processes that require cell migration. It is responsible for cross-linking actin microfilaments during the formation of actin-rich cellular structures at the leading edge of migrating cells such as filopodia, lamellipodia and invadopodia. While most epithelial tissues express low levels of Fascin-1, it is dramatically elevated in the majority of cancers and its expression has been associated with more aggressive disease and decreased overall survival. Hence, it has been proposed as a potential anti-cancer target.
  • 471
  • 21 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition in Acute Leukemias
Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a metabolic process that confers phenotypic flexibility to cells and the ability to adapt to new functions. This transition is critical during embryogenesis and is required for the differentiation of many tissues and organs. EMT can also be induced in advanced-stage cancers, leading to further malignant behavior and chemotherapy resistance, resulting in an unfavorable prognosis for patients.
  • 470
  • 20 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Potent Regulators of Cancer Stem Cell Signaling
Cancer stem cells were first identified in breast cancer; it was reported that breast tumors contained heterogeneous populations of cancer cells and that a small population with CD44-positive/high and CD24-negative/low surface expression was capable of generating tumors despite having no obvious morphologic features.
  • 468
  • 08 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Resistance to Immunotherapy in Oral Malignant Melanoma
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), including anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) and anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1) antibodies, have initiated a new era in the treatment of malignant melanoma.
  • 467
  • 14 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Autophagy in Metabolic Regulation of Cancer Stem Cells
The presence of a specific population of cells within the tumor mass, commonly known as cancer stem cells (CSCs), is thought to initiate tumor formation, maintenance, resistance, and recurrence. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in CSC proliferation, self-renewal, and dormancy may provide important clues for developing effective therapeutic strategies. Autophagy, a catabolic process, has long been recognized to regulate various physiological and pathological processes. In addition to regulating cancer cells, studies have identified a critical role for autophagy in regulating CSC functions. Autophagy is activated under various adverse conditions and promotes cellular maintenance, survival, and even cell death.
  • 463
  • 22 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Reactive Carbonyl Species and Protein Lipoxidation in Atherogenesis
Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial disease of medium and large arteries, characterized by the presence of lipid-rich plaques lining the intima over time. It is the main cause of cardiovascular diseases and death worldwide. Redox imbalance and lipid peroxidation could play key roles in atherosclerosis by promoting a bundle of responses, including endothelial activation, inflammation, and foam cell formation. The oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids generates various lipid oxidation products such as reactive carbonyl species (RCS), including 4-hydroxy alkenals, malondialdehyde, and acrolein. RCS covalently bind to nucleophilic groups of nucleic acids, phospholipids, and proteins, modifying their structure and activity and leading to their progressive dysfunction. Protein lipoxidation is the non-enzymatic post-translational modification of proteins by RCS. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and apolipoprotein B (apoB) modification by RCS play a major role in foam cell formation. Moreover, oxidized LDLs are a source of RCS, which form adducts on a huge number of proteins, depending on oxidative stress intensity, the nature of targets, and the availability of detoxifying systems. Many systems are affected by lipoxidation, including extracellular matrix components, membranes, cytoplasmic and cytoskeletal proteins, transcription factors, and other components.
  • 459
  • 01 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Conditioned Media from Radioresistant and Chemoresistant Cancer Cells
Chemoradiation therapy (CRT) is a commonly indicated treatment in the case of cancer. In combination with surgery or alone, it offers a relief of condition or even a cure for some patients. Resistance to chemo- or radiotherapy is the main obstacle to consistent treatment outcomes in oncology patients.
  • 456
  • 13 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) System in Corneal Epithelium
The corneal epithelium, comprising three layers of cells, represents the outermost portion of the eye and functions as a vital protective barrier while concurrently serving as a critical refractive structure. Maintaining its homeostasis involves a complex regenerative process facilitated by the functions of the lacrimal gland, tear film, and corneal nerves. Crucially, limbal epithelial stem cells located in the limbus (transitional zone between the cornea and the conjunctiva) are instrumental for the corneal epithelium integrity by replenishing and renewing cells. Re-epithelialization failure results in persistent defects, often associated with various ocular conditions including diabetic keratopathy. The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system is a sophisticated network of insulin and other proteins essential for numerous physiological processes.
  • 454
  • 04 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Satellite Non-Coding Transcription as a Response Mechanism
Organisms are often subjected to conditions that promote cellular stress. Cell responses to stress include the activation of pathways to defend against and recover from the stress, or the initiation of programmed cell death to eliminate the damaged cells. One of the processes that can be triggered under stress is the transcription and variation in the number of copies of satellite DNA sequences (satDNA), which are involved in response mechanisms. Satellite DNAs are highly repetitive tandem sequences, mainly located in the centromeric and pericentromeric regions of eukaryotic chromosomes, where they form the constitutive heterochromatin. Satellite non-coding RNAs (satncRNAs) are important regulators of cell processes, and their deregulation has been associated with disease.
  • 453
  • 01 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Mechanisms Governing Oligodendrocyte Viability in Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS), which is triggered by an autoimmune assault targeting oligodendrocytes and myelin. Recent research indicates that the demise of oligodendrocytes due to an autoimmune attack contributes significantly to the pathogenesis of MS and its animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).
  • 449
  • 17 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Mitochondria and Carcinogenesis
Mitochondria are commonly perceived as “cellular power plants”. In addition to energy conversion, mitochondria play many other roles in cell operations. They act in calcium signaling, stress response, and stem cell regulation and also serve as general cellular signaling hubs. They regulate aging and control cell death (apoptosis). Mitochondria play a crucial role as a mediator between the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the cell nucleus, and monitoring and controlling this relationship can be important for cancer prevention and treatment. Mitochondrial defects can include aberrated metabolism (the Warburg effect) or signaling dysfunction (reactive oxygen species or reactive oxygen species (ROS) production).
  • 444
  • 12 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Protein-Bound Uremic Toxins in Senescence and Kidney Fibrosis
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive condition of kidney dysfunction due to diverse causes of injury. In healthy kidneys, protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUTs) are cleared from the systemic circulation by proximal tubule cells through the concerted action of plasma membrane transporters that facilitate their urinary excretion, but the endogenous metabolites are hardly removed with kidney dysfunction and may contribute to CKD progression. Accumulating evidence suggests that senescence of kidney tubule cells influences kidney fibrosis, the common endpoint for CKD with an excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). Senescence is a special state of cells characterized by permanent cell cycle arrest and limitation of proliferation, which promotes fibrosis by releasing senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors. The accumulation of PBUTs in CKD causes oxidative stress and increases the production of inflammatory (SASP) factors that could trigger fibrosis. Studies gave some clues that PBUTs may also promote senescence in kidney tubular cells. 
  • 441
  • 25 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Oxidative Stress in Tumorigenesis and Progression
Oxidative stress refers to the imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the endogenous antioxidant defense system. Its involvement in cell senescence, apoptosis, and series diseases has been demonstrated. Advances in carcinogenic research have revealed oxidative stress as a pivotal pathophysiological pathway in tumorigenesis and to be involved in lung cancer, glioma, hepatocellular carcinoma, leukemia, and so on.
  • 441
  • 07 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Cardiovascular Diseases
Fibrosis is a common feature of cardiovascular diseases and targets multiple organs, such as the heart and vessels. Endothelial to mesenchymal transition is a complex, vital process that occurs during embryonic formation and plays a crucial role in cardiac development. It is also a fundamental process implicated in cardiac fibrosis and repair, but also in other organs. Indeed, in numerous cardiovascular diseases, the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition has been shown to be involved in the generation of fibroblasts that are able to produce extracellular matrix proteins such as type I collagen. This massive deposition results in tissue stiffening and organ dysfunction.
  • 432
  • 17 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Factors Required for the Biosynthesis of Glycosphingolipids
As integral components of the cell membrane, glycosphingolipids (GSLs) consist of a glycosidically bound carbohydrate moiety and a lipid moiety known as ceramide. 
  • 426
  • 11 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Adiponectin and Its Receptors Physiological Roles
Tthere has been a captivating focus of interest in elucidating the intricate crosstalk between adiponectin (APN), a versatile fat-associated adipokine and ocular pathologies. Unveiling the intricate relationship between adipocytokine APN and its receptors (AdipoRs) with aging eye disorders has emerged as a fascinating frontier in medical research. 
  • 426
  • 06 Dec 2023
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