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Topic Review
Biography
Topic Review
Myofibroblasts
Myofibroblasts are contractile, α-smooth muscle actin-positive cells with multiple roles in pathophysiological processes. Myofibroblasts mediate wound contractions, but their persistent presence in tissues is central to driving fibrosis, making them attractive cell targets for the development of therapeutic treatments. However, due to shared cellular markers with several other phenotypes, the specific targeting of myofibroblasts has long presented a scientific and clinical challenge.
372
11 Aug 2023
Topic Review
mTORC1 Pathway and Autophagy in Platinum-Based Chemotherapeutics Resistance
Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum I) is a platinum-based drug, the mainstay of anticancer treatment for numerous solid tumors. Drug resistance is a serious problem in the treatment with platinum-based drugs. Resistance to cisplatin depends on both the inner adaptive mechanisms of cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment, where hypoxic conditions increase the tolerance of cancer cells to the drug. Among intercellular adaptive factors, the most important are: (1) a reduced drug accumulation due to either a decreased influx or an increased efflux; (2) an increase in DNA repair and changes in DNA damage response (DDR); (3) an alteration of apoptosis; (4) changes in signaling pathways, notably the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway.
275
11 Aug 2023
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.
166
11 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Basic Differences between Cell Cycle and Endocycle
The standard cell cycle is divided into two periods: (1) the interphase, with the phases G1, S, and G2 and (2) cell division, either mitosis or meiosis. Initially, each new cell is in the G1 (Gap 1) phase. Then, the content of genetic material in the cell nucleus amounts to 2C, i.e., it reaches the basic value in vegetative cells.
606
10 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Exocytosis Mechanisms/Pathways of Nanoparticles
Both biomedical applications and safety assessments of manufactured nanomaterials require a thorough understanding of the interaction between nanomaterials and cells, including how nanomaterials enter cells, transport within cells, and leave cells. Compared to the extensively studied uptake and trafficking of nanoparticles (NPs) in cells, less attention has been paid to the exocytosis of NPs. Yet exocytosis is an indispensable process of regulating the content of NPs in cells, which in turn influences, even decides, the toxicity of NPs to cells. A comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms and influencing factors of the exocytosis of NPs is not only essential for the safety assessment of NPs but also helpful for guiding the design of safe and highly effective NP-based materials for various purposes.
320
10 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Pericyte Loss in Diseases
Pericytes are specialized cells located in close proximity to endothelial cells within the microvasculature. They play a crucial role in regulating blood flow, stabilizing vessel walls, and maintaining the integrity of the blood–brain barrier. The loss of pericytes has been associated with the development and progression of various diseases, such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, sepsis, stroke, and traumatic brain injury.
208
10 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Mitochondrial Volume Regulation and Swelling Mechanisms in Cardiomyocytes
Mitochondrion, known as the “powerhouse” of the cell, regulates ion homeostasis, redox state, cell proliferation and differentiation, and lipid synthesis. The inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) controls mitochondrial metabolism and function. It possesses high levels of proteins that account for ~70% of the membrane mass and are involved in the electron transport chain, oxidative phosphorylation, energy transfer, and ion transport, among others. The mitochondrial matrix volume plays a crucial role in IMM remodeling. Several ion transport mechanisms, particularly K+ and Ca2+, regulate matrix volume. Small increases in matrix volume through IMM alterations can activate mitochondrial respiration, whereas excessive swelling can impair the IMM topology and initiates mitochondria-mediated cell death. The opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pores, the well-characterized phenomenon with unknown molecular identity, in low- and high-conductance modes are involved in physiological and pathological increases of matrix volume.
468
10 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Advantage of Enteric Glial Cells' Plasticity and Multipotency
The enteric nervous system (ENS), known as the intrinsic nervous system of the gastrointestinal tract, is composed of a diverse array of neuronal and glial cell subtypes. Fascinating questions surrounding the generation of cellular diversity in the ENS have captivated ENS biologists for a considerable time, particularly with recent advancements in cell type-specific transcriptomics at both population and single-cell levels. However, the current focus of research in this field is predominantly restricted to the study of enteric neuron subtypes, while the investigation of enteric glia subtypes significantly lags behind. Despite this, enteric glial cells (EGCs) are increasingly recognized as equally important regulators of numerous bowel functions. Moreover, a subset of postnatal EGCs exhibits remarkable plasticity and multipotency, distinguishing them as critical entities in the context of advancing regenerative medicine.
286
10 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Glutathione/Glutaredoxin in Cellular Redox Homeostasis and Signaling
The tripeptide glutathione (GSH) is the most abundant non-enzymatic antioxidant/nucleophilic molecule in cells. In addition to various metabolic reactions involving GSH and its oxidized counterpart GSSG, oxidative post-translational modification (PTM) of proteins has been a focal point of keen interest in the redox field over the last few decades. In particular, the S-glutathionylation of proteins (protein-SSG formation), i.e., mixed disulfides between GSH and protein thiols, has been studied extensively. This reversible PTM can act as a regulatory switch to interconvert inactive and active forms of proteins, thereby mediating cell signaling and redox homeostasis. The unique architecture of the GSH molecule enhances its relative abundance in cells and contributes to the glutathionyl specificity of the primary catalytic activity of the glutaredoxin enzymes, which play central roles in redox homeostasis and signaling, and in iron metabolism in eukaryotes and prokaryotes under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. The class-1 glutaredoxins are characterized as cytosolic GSH-dependent oxidoreductases that catalyze reversible protein S-glutathionylation specifically, thereby contributing to the regulation of redox signal transduction and/or the protection of protein thiols from irreversible oxidation.
262
08 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Environmental Determinants of Ferroptosis in Cancer
Many metastasizing cancer cells are vulnerable to a particular type of cell death known as ferroptosis, which is an iron-dependent form of cell death caused by accumulative oxidative stress. Interestingly, many intracellular and extracellular factors can influence ferroptosis and, therefore, dictate the efficiency and route of tumor metastasis.
221
08 Aug 2023
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