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Topic Review
Two Faces of Vitamin C: AA vs. DHA
Historically, vitamin C has been associated with many regulatory processes that involve specific signaling pathways. Among the most studied signaling pathways are those involved in the regulation of aging, differentiation, neurotransmission, proliferation, and cell death processes in cancer. This wide variety of regulatory effects is due to the fact that vitamin C has a dual mechanism of action. The reduced form of vitamin C (ascorbic acid, AA) is an essential micronutrient of small size; it is soluble in water and has two dissociable protons with pKa values of 4.2 and 11.8. At physiological pH, its reduced form predominates as the monovalent ascorbate anion (AA); when it loses the second proton, it is oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid (DHA).
  • 585
  • 14 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Use of Exosomes for Clinic Aims
There has been a rapid growth in the knowledge of cell-secreted extracellular vesicle functions. They are membrane enclosed and loaded with proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and other biomolecules. After being released into the extracellular environment, some of these vesicles are delivered to recipient cells; consequently, the target cell may undergo physiological or pathological changes. Thus, extracellular vesicles as biological nano-carriers, have a pivotal role in facilitating long-distance intercellular communication. Understanding the mechanisms that mediate this communication process is important not only for basic science but also in medicine. Indeed, extracellular vesicles are currently seen with immense interest in nanomedicine and precision medicine for their potential use in diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic applications.
  • 384
  • 14 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Personalized Cancer Therapy on Molecular Basis
Personalized cancer therapy is a treatment strategy that takes into account the molecular profile of patients in order to stratify them into groups that are more likely to benefit from different therapeutic approaches. Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. One of the main hallmarks in cancer is the functional deregulation of crucial molecular pathways via driver genetic events that lead to abnormal gene expression, giving cells a selective growth advantage. Driver events are defined as mutations, fusions and copy number alterations that are causally implicated in oncogenesis. Molecular analysis on tissues that have originated from a wide range of anatomical areas has shown that mutations in different members of several pathways are implicated in different cancer types.
  • 544
  • 13 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Cyclin-Dependent Inhibitors in Diet-Induced Obesity and Cancer
Overweight and obesity constitute the most impactful lifestyle-dependent risk factors for cancer and have been tightly linked to a higher number of tumor-related deaths nowadays. The excessive accumulation of energy can lead to an imbalance in the level of essential cellular biomolecules that may result in inflammation and cell-cycle dysregulation. Nutritional strategies and phytochemicals are gaining interest in the management of obesity-related cancers, with several ongoing and completed clinical studies that support their effectiveness. At the same time, cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are becoming an important target in breast and ovarian cancer treatment, with various FDA-approved CDK4/6 inhibitors that have recently received more attention for their potential role in diet-induced obesity (DIO).
  • 674
  • 10 Jun 2022
Topic Review
CIDE Proteins in Human Health
Cell death-Inducing DNA Fragmentation Factor Alpha (DFFA)-like Effector (CIDE) proteins have emerged as lipid droplet-associated proteins that regulate fat metabolism. There are three members in the CIDE protein family—CIDEA, CIDEB, and CIDEC (also known as fat-specific protein 27 (FSP27)). CIDEA and FSP27 are primarily expressed in adipose tissue, while CIDEB is expressed in the liver. Originally, based upon their homology with DNA fragmentation factors, these proteins were identified as apoptotic proteins. However, recent studies have changed the perception of these proteins, redefining them as regulators of lipid droplet dynamics and fat metabolism, which contribute to a healthy metabolic phenotype in humans. Despite various studies in humans and gene-targeting studies in mice, the physiological roles of CIDE proteins remains elusive.
  • 553
  • 07 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Galectin-16 Gene in Human Cells and Tissues
Galectins are soluble β-galactoside binding proteins, which are involved in regulation of multiple cellular processes including cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and immune responses. Sixteen galectin genes have been identified in animals, 12 of which are expressed in humans. Out of all galectins, galectin-16 is poorly characterized yet and current knowledge suggest that this is a tissue-specific gene with functions and expression limited to placenta and brain among others.
  • 351
  • 06 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Cancer-Associated Adipocytes in Cancer Progression
The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a key role in promoting and sustaining cancer growth. Adipose tissue (AT), due to its anatomical distribution, is a prevalent component of TME, and contributes to cancer development and progression. Cancer-associated adipocytes (CAAs), reprogrammed by cancer stem cells (CSCs), drive cancer progression by releasing metabolites and inflammatory adipokines. Several mediators released by cancer-associated adipocytes are considered promising therapeutic targets for anticancer therapy.
  • 447
  • 06 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Extracellular Vesicles
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a major component of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and play an important role in tumor progression. MSCs remodel the extracellular matrix, participate in the epithelial–mesenchymal transition, promote the spread of metastases, and inhibit antitumor immune responses in the TME; however, there are also data pertaining to the antitumor effects of MSCs. MSCs activate the cell death mechanism by modulating the expression of proteins involved in the regulation of the cell cycle, angiogenesis receptors, and proapoptotic proteins. One of the main ways in which MSCs and TME interact is through the production of extracellular vesicles (EVs) by cells.
  • 438
  • 01 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Lactadherin in Cancer Development and Progression
Lactadherin is a secreted glycoprotein associated with the milk fat globule membrane, which is highly present in the blood and in the mammary tissue of lactating women. Several biological functions have been associated with this protein, mainly attributable to its immunomodulatory role promoting phagocyte-mediated clearance of apoptotic cells. It has been shown that lactadherin also plays important roles in cell adhesion, promotion of angiogenesis, and tissue regeneration. On the other hand, this protein has been used as a marker of breast cancer and tumor progression. Recently, high levels of lactadherin has been associated with poor prognosis and decreased survival, not only in breast cancer, but also in melanoma, ovarian, colorectal, and other types of cancer. Although the mechanisms responsible for the tumor-promoting effects attributed to lactadherin have not been fully elucidated, a growing body of literature indicates that lactadherin could be a promising therapeutic target and/or biomarker for breast and other tumors. Moreover, recent studies have shown its presence in extracellular vesicles derived from cancer cell lines and cancer patients, which was associated with cancer aggressiveness and worse prognosis. 
  • 504
  • 31 May 2022
Topic Review
Role of Neurotrophin Signaling in CNS Homeostasis
Neurotrophins (NTs), also known as neurotrophic factors, are proteins involved in many important functions in the central nervous system (CNS), such as survival, synaptic plasticity, apoptosis, differentiation, and growth. The current knowledge of NTs includes the nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin 3 (NT-3), NT-4, NT-5, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). These NTs are commonly known to be synthesized by CNS cells. However, other cell types, including immune system cells, can produce NTs and express their receptors on the cell surface. These proteins also play a vital role in regulating immune functions, promoting the survival of different immune cells such as monocytes and lymphocytes and influencing cytokine expression. NTs significantly contribute to healthy CNS development and maintenance. Furthermore, most mechanisms mediated by NTs signaling have essential physiological effects which perdure through most animal lifecycles. In consequence, alterations in neurotrophic signaling can have substantial ramifications, especially during embryonic development.
  • 401
  • 31 May 2022
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