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Topic Review
Retinoic Acid and Lung Development
Retinoic acid (RA) is a key molecular player in embryogenesis and adult tissue homeostasis. In embryo development, RA plays a crucial role in the formation of different organ systems, namely, the respiratory system. During lung development, there is a spatiotemporal regulation of RA levels that assures the formation of a fully functional organ. RA signaling influences lung specification, branching morphogenesis, and alveolarization by regulating the expression of particular target genes. Moreover, cooperation with other developmental pathways is essential to shape lung organogenesis.
  • 912
  • 23 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Astroglial sncRNA Relevance on Early Neurodegeneration Stages
Astrocyte dysfunction with consequential neuronal microenvironment dysregulation (astrocytopathy) has been involved in processes of early neurodegenerative disease. Small non-coding RNA (sncRNA) vary in different detrimental conditions of Central Nervous System (CNS), and sustained changes in sncRNA astrocyte expression profile can be the consequence of these conditions. sncRNA signatures derived from astrocytes, could therefore be a key to reveal early neurodegenerative disease, helping to unravel the astrocyte role in neurodegenerative disease. Current biomarkers for neurodegenerative disease, face strong challenges such as high variability, negative cost-effectiveness, low availability, or invasiveness. For example, cerebrospinal fluid evaluation (CSF tests) is a highly invasive, expensive, risky procedure, often used in the diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease. The alternative to CSF tests, which is neuroimaging requires especial equipment, long operating time and it is highly expensive making their widespread use prohibitive. Still, misdiagnosis could occur after the use of these powerful tools. Therefore, new methods are needed to assess neurodegeneration, and extracellular vesicles from astrocytes (ADEV) represent and interesting target of research. ADEV cross blood brain-barrier (BBB) carrying sncRNA from astrocytes and cell-specific membrane surface proteins, which can be used to allow ADEV separation from vesicles of other sources and other contaminants. This approach could be useful for the analysis of a less invasive, simpler, peripheral sample of blood origin. sncRNA dysregulated in conditions associated with increased risk of neurodegenerative disease and their possible effects on target cells is shown.
  • 911
  • 05 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Delivery of Nitric Oxide in the Cardiovascular System
Nitric oxide (NO) is a key molecule in cardiovascular homeostasis and its abnormal delivery is highly associated with the occurrence and development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The assessment and manipulation of NO delivery is crucial to the diagnosis and therapy of CVD, such as endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerotic progression, pulmonary hypertension, and cardiovascular manifestations of coronavirus (COVID-19). 
  • 910
  • 18 Nov 2021
Topic Review
MERCs in Glioblastoma
Glioblastoma (GB), also known as glioblastoma multiforme, is the most aggressive type of astrocytoma. GB derives both from glial and glioma stem cells and affects glia and astrocytes. Gliomas are heterogeneous neoplasms, classified into grade I to IV according to their malignancy and the presence of specific histological/molecular hallmarks. The higher grade of glioma is known as glioblastoma (GB). Although progress has been made in surgical and radiation treatments, its clinical outcome is still unfavorable. The invasive properties of GB cells and glioma aggressiveness are linked to the reshaping of the cytoskeleton. Recent works suggest that the different susceptibility of GB cells to antitumor immune response is also associated with the extent and function of mitochondria–ER contact sites (MERCs). 
  • 910
  • 29 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Applications of Acyl-Homoserine Lactone-Dependent Quorum Sensing
Several clinically and industrially relevant microorganisms employ acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL)-dependent quorum sensing (QS) to communicate and control phenotypic variations. The AHL-QS biomolecule is now being used to develop biosensor assays, anti-virulent compounds, and even anti-cancer therapeutics. QS applications have thrived in agriculture, aquaculture, energy, bioremediation, and health research.
  • 910
  • 21 Nov 2022
Topic Review
NDUFS8 in Diseases
NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase core subunit S8 (NDUFS8) is an essential core subunit and component of the iron-sulfur (FeS) fragment of mitochondrial complex I directly involved in the electron transfer process and energy metabolism. Pathogenic variants of the NDUFS8 are relevant to infantile-onset and severe diseases, including Leigh syndrome, cancer, and diabetes mellitus. With over 1000 nuclear genes potentially causing a mitochondrial disorder, the diagnostic approach requires targeted molecular analysis, guided by a combination of clinical and biochemical features.
  • 910
  • 27 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Interaction between Cocoa and Witches’ Broom Disease
Invaluable methods and resources have been explored to understand the molecular biology of M. perniciosa and fungi-host interactions, it is still important to determine how the biotrophic phase is maintained in M. perniciosa, and at the molecular level, to ascertain how their hosts contribute to the end of this phase of WBD. Comprehending the transition from biotrophic to necrotrophic phase is crucial for control of the disease, as well as for the development of resistant hosts.
  • 910
  • 12 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Effect of Stilbenes on Various Types of Inflammation
Stilbenes are polyphenolic allelochemicals synthesized by plants, especially grapes, peanuts, rhubarb, berries, etc., to defend themselves under stressful conditions. They are exploited in medicine for their antioxidant, anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is the immune system’s response to invading bacteria, toxic chemicals or even nutrient-deprived conditions. It is characterized by the release of cytokines which can wreak havoc on healthy tissues, worsening the disease condition.
  • 910
  • 15 May 2023
Topic Review
Strategies to Target Myofibroblasts for Scarless Skin Healing
Myofibroblasts have drawn much attention among scientific research communities from multiple disciplines and specialisations. As further research uncovers the characterisations of myofibroblast formation, function, and regulation, the realisation of novel interventional routes for myofibroblasts within pathologies has emerged. The research community is approaching the means to finally target these cells, to prevent fibrosis, accelerate scarless wound healing, and attenuate associated disease-processes in clinical settings.
  • 910
  • 11 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Xmrk and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor
Xmrk is a gene product closely related to the human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is associated with a wide variety of pathological conditions, including cancer. Comparative analyses of Xmrk and EGFR signal transduction in melanoma have shown that both utilize signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) signaling to regulate apoptosis and cell proliferation, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) to modulate apoptosis, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) to control migration, and the Ras/Raf/MEK/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway to regulate cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation. Further, Xmrk and EGFR may also modulate similar chemokine, extracellular matrix, oxidative stress, and microRNA signaling pathways in melanoma. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), Xmrk and EGFR signaling utilize STAT5 to regulate cell proliferation, and Xmrk may signal through PI3K and FasR to modulate apoptosis. At the same time, both activate the Ras/Raf/MEK/MAPK pathway to regulate cell proliferation and E-cadherin signaling.
  • 910
  • 28 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Structural/Functional Partners of MAMs
The alteration of the physical association between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria, also referred as mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs), impacts various cellular housekeeping functions such as phospholipids-, glucose-, cholesterol-, and fatty-acid-metabolism, as well as calcium signaling, which are all altered in Alzheimer's disease (AD).
  • 909
  • 06 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Superoxide Dismutases
Several enzymes exist that can convert or degrade reactive oxygen species (ROS); among them are the superoxide dismutases (SODs). SODs are responsible for converting superoxide anions to hydrogen peroxide by dismutation, therefore participating in the ROS detoxification. Here a short overview on the role of SODs in development and pathogenicity of fungi like Podospora anserina and Aspergillus spp. is given. 
  • 909
  • 06 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Inorganic Nanoparticle-Loaded Exosomes
Exosomes are intrinsic cell-derived membrane vesicles in the size range of 40–100 nm, serving as great biomimetic nanocarriers for biomedical applications. These nanocarriers are known to bypass biological barriers, such as the blood–brain barrier, with great potential in treating brain diseases. Exosomes are also shown to be closely associated with cancer metastasis, making them great candidates for tumor targeting. However, the clinical translation of exosomes are facing certain critical challenges, such as reproducible production and in vivo tracking of their localization, distribution, and ultimate fate. Recently, inorganic nanoparticle-loaded exosomes have been shown great benefits in addressing these issues.
  • 908
  • 10 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Atopic Dermatitis-Associated Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata (AA) is regarded as a tissue-specific and cell-mediated autoimmune disorder. Regarding the cytokine balance, AA has been considered a type 1 inflammatory disease. On the other hand, AA often complicates atopic dermatitis (AD) and AD is regarded as type 2 inflammatory disease. However, the immunological aspects of AA in relation to AD are still poorly understood. Therefore, we aim to clarify the immunological properties of AD-associated AA. In this study, we performed comparative analysis of the expression of intracytoplasmic cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-13), chemokine receptors (CXCR3 and CCR4) in peripheral blood which were taken from healthy controls, non-atopic AA patients, AA patients with extrinsic AD, and AA patients with intrinsic AD by flowcytometric analysis. We also compared the scalp skin samples taken from AA patients with extrinsic AD before and after treatment with dupilumab. In non-atopic AA patients, the ratios of CD4+IFN-γ+ cells to CD4+IL-4+ cells and CD4+IFN-γ+ cells to CD4+IL-13+ cells were higher than those in AA patients with extrinsic AD. Meanwhile, the ratio of CD8+IFN-γ+ cells to CD8+IL-13+ cells was significantly higher in the non-atopic AA than in the healthy controls. In AA patients with extrinsic AD, the skin AA lesion showed dense infiltration of not only CXCR3+ cells but also CCR4+ cells around hair bulb before dupilumab treatment. However, after the treatment, the number of CXCR3+ cells had no remarkable change while the number of CCR4+ cells significantly decreased. These results indicate that the immunological condition of AA may be different between atopic and non-atopic patients and between extrinsic and intrinsic AD patients. Our study provides an important notion that type 2 immunity may participate in the development of AA in extrinsic AD patients. It may be considered that the immunological state of non-atopic AA is different from that of atopic AA.
  • 907
  • 10 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Links between Epigenetics, COVID-19 Infection, and Vitamin D
The highly transmittable and infectious COVID-19 remains a major threat worldwide, with the elderly and comorbid individuals being the most vulnerable. While vaccines are currently available, therapeutic drugs will help ease the viral outbreak and prevent serious health outcomes. Epigenetic modifications regulate gene expression through changes in chromatin structure and have been linked to viral pathophysiology. Since epigenetic modifications contribute to the life cycle of the virus and host immune responses to infection, epigenetic drugs are promising treatment targets to ameliorate COVID-19. Deficiency of the multifunctional secosteroid hormone vitamin D is a global health threat. Vitamin D and its receptor function to regulate genes involved in immunity, apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation, and inflammation. Amassed evidence also indicates the biological relations of vitamin D with reduced disease risk, while its receptor can be modulated by epigenetic mechanisms. The immunomodulatory effects of vitamin D suggest a role for vitamin D as a COVID-19 therapeutic agent.
  • 907
  • 23 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Angiogenesis, Coagulopathy and Endothelial Dysfunction in ANFH
Avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) is a painful disorder characterized by the cessation of blood supply to the femoral head, leading to its death and subsequent joint collapse. Influenced by several risk factors, including corticosteroid use, excessive alcohol intake, hypercholesterolemia, smoking and some inflammatory disorders, along with cancer, its clinical consequences are thrombus formation due to underlying inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, which collaborates with coagulopathy and impaired angiogenesis. Nonetheless, angiogenesis resolves the obstructed free flow of the blood by providing alternative routes. Clinical manifestations of early stage of ANFH mimic cysts or lesions in subchondral bone, vasculitis and transient osteoporosis of the hip, rendering it difficult to diagnose, complex to understand and complicated to cure. 
  • 907
  • 10 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Bacterial-Artificial-Chromosome-Based Genome Editing in Herpesvirus
Herpesviruses are major pathogens that infect humans and animals. Manipulating the large genome is critical for exploring the function of specific genes and studying the pathogenesis of herpesviruses and developing novel anti-viral vaccines and therapeutics. Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) technology significantly advanced the capacity of herpesviruses researchers to manipulate the virus genomes.
  • 907
  • 20 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Oxidative Stress in Retinal Dystrophies
Retinal cell survival requires an equilibrium between oxygen, reactive oxygen species, and antioxidant molecules that counteract oxidative stress damage. Oxidative stress alters cell homeostasis and elicits a protective cell response, which is most relevant in photoreceptors and retinal ganglion cells, neurons with a high metabolic rate that are continuously subject to light/oxidative stress insults. Any alteration on the retinal cell mechanisms to respond to oxidative stress injuries results in cell damage and apoptosis. Therefore, antioxidants agents, modulators of gene expression and inducers of cytoprotective signaling pathways may be used as potential therapies to ameliorate phenotypic symptoms in multifactorial and rare retinal dystrophies associated to oxidative stress injuries.
  • 906
  • 22 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Vitamin D in Toxins and Aging-Related Compounds Neutralisation
Vitamin D is a micronutrient that is metabolised into a multifunctional secosteroid compound, calcitriol [1,25(OH)2D], essential for the health and survival of humans. Both 25 dihydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)2D: calcifediol] and its hormonal form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D: calcitriol] are essential for human physiological functions, including damping down inflammation and the excessive intracellular oxidative stresses. The interaction of 1,25(OH)2D with its intracellular (calcitriol)receptors modulates vitamin D–dependent gene transcription and activation of vitamin D-responsive elements, which triggers multiple second messenger systems. Vitamin D controls systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial respiratory function. Molecular and cellular actions of calcitriol slow down oxidative stress and inflammation, cell and tissue damage, and the aging process, especially when the circulating 25(OH)D concentration is maintained above 50 ng/mL. Whereas, Vitamin D deficiency impairs mitochondrial functions and enhances oxidative stress and systemic inflammation, increases infection-related complications, premature deaths, and accelerates the aging process.  
  • 906
  • 20 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Matrix Metalloproteinases in Cancer Development
Matrikines (MKs) can be a rich source of functional nutrition components and additional therapy, thereby contributing to human health care and reducing the risk of developing serious diseases, including cancer. Functionally active MKs as products of enzymatic transformation by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are used for various biomedical purposes. Due to the absence of toxic side effects, low species specificity, relatively small size, and presence of various targets at the cell membranes, MKs often exhibit antitumor properties and, therefore, are promising agents for antitumor combination therapy. 
  • 906
  • 16 Jun 2023
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