Topic Review
Core PCP Proteins in Coordinating Cilia Orientation
As exemplified by the unidirectionally beating cilia of multi-ciliated cells, various epithelial cells polarize not only along the apical-basal axis (inside–outside axis) of epithelial tissues, but also on the plane of epithelial tissues. The latter cell polarity, which is perpendicular to the apical–basal axis, is referred to as planar cell polarity (PCP). Pioneering research using the wings of Drosophila melanogaster identified a group of proteins, core PCP proteins, that orchestrate the establishment of PCP.
  • 542
  • 21 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Targeting Epigenetic Mechanisms in Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma (MM) is an exceptionally complicated and heterogeneous disease that is caused by the abnormal proliferation of malignant monoclonal plasma cells initiated in the bone marrow. In disease progression, a multistep process including differentiation, proliferation, and invasion is involved.
  • 429
  • 21 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Purinergic Signaling in Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death. Activated immune cells have the potential to eliminate tumor cells, but cancers gain the ability to suppress immune cell functions and escape immune attack. The researchers explored one mechanism that cancers use to evade immune cells in colorectal cancer. This mechanism alters levels of molecules known as purines. Purines are key players in cellular energetics and many cellular processes and can also lead to immune suppression in cancer.
  • 461
  • 21 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Melatonin as a Neurotrophic Factor
Melatonin, N-acetyl-5-hydroxytryptamine, is a hormone that synchronizes the internal environment with the photoperiod. It is synthesized in the pineal gland and greatly depends on the endogenous circadian clock located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and the retina’s exposure to different light intensities. Among its most studied functions are the regulation of the waking-sleep rhythm and body temperature. Furthermore, melatonin has pleiotropic actions, which affect, for instance, the modulation of the immune and the cardiovascular systems, as well as the neuroprotection achieved by scavenging free radicals.
  • 1.3K
  • 19 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Possible Role of Kiss1/GPR54 System in Skeletal Muscle
The skeletal muscle is the storage organ for muscle glycogen and the most prominent motor organ of an organism. Consequently, the relationship between the skeletal muscle and energy metabolism cannot be ignored during physical activities, especially during exercise. The Kiss1/GPR54 system is a multifunctional genetic system with an essential role in regulating energy balance and metabolic homeostasis. Expression of Kiss1 and GPR54 mRNAs can be detected in skeletal muscle of some mammals. However, the Kiss1/GPR54 system in skeletal muscles has not been thoroughly studied. Researchers have proposed the speculation on the possible role of the kiss1 /GPRS4 system in skeletal muscle in association with exercise performance.
  • 615
  • 18 Nov 2022
Topic Review
CD133
Prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs), possessing self-renewal properties and resistance to anticancer treatment, are possibly the leading cause of distant metastasis and treatment failure in prostate cancer (PC). CD133 is one of the most well-known and valuable cell surface markers of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in many cancers, including PC. CSCs refer to a small subset of cancer cells, theoretically, this can be even a single cancer cell, which can differentiate into a heterogeneous and hierarchy of cancer cells. Sharing a number of characteristics with normal somatic stem cells, CSCs are capable of self-renewing, asymmetric division, generation of heterogeneous lineage, differentiation into various cancer cells which make up the tumor bulk, manifesting more aggressive phenotypes and exhibiting resistance to anticancer treatment. The existence of CSCs was first reported in acute myeloid leukemia in 1997 and later in a broad spectrum of common solid tumors, including PC.
  • 506
  • 18 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Cellular Senescence in Metabolic-Associated Kidney Disease
Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a complex of interrelated risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes, is characterized by central obesity (increased waist circumference), hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia (high triglyceride blood levels and low high-density lipoprotein blood levels), and increased blood pressure. As an important metabolic organ, the kidney has a close relationship with metabolic syndrome. MetS usually aggravates kidney damage and causes or aggravates kidney pathologies, typically manifested as microalbuminuria and renal insufficiency. For example, severe obesity can lead to glomerular hypertrophy and glomerular sclerosis, leading to proteinuria. This is called obesity-related nephropathy, which was first discovered in 1974 by Weisinger. Diabetic capillary complications can lead to pathological changes to the kidney, thickening of the glomerular capillary basement membrane, and widening of the mesangium. Clinical manifestations can change from proteinuria to uremia. Similarly, hypertension-related nephropathy is a serious complication of hypertension, which is characterized by arteriosclerotic kidneys. Clinical manifestations include nocturia increasing, albuminuria, and finally, uremia. For hyperlipidemia, although there is no hyperlipidemia-related nephropathy, a large number of studies have shown that lipids have an effect on the proliferation and signal transduction of glomerular cells, and accelerate glomerulosclerosis through inflammatory reaction. These metabolic diseases often exist at the same time, and can promote each other; furthermore, they share a common pathophysiological basis: insulin resistance. It is widely believed that there exists a significant relationship between hyperglycemia, hypertension, and hyperlipemia.
  • 392
  • 18 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Therapeutic Potential of Apoptotic MSCs or MSC-Derived ApoBDs
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown promising therapeutic effects both in preclinical studies (in animal models of a wide range of diseases) and in clinical trials. However, the efficacy of MSC-based therapy is not always predictable. Moreover, despite the large number of studies, the mechanisms underlying the regenerative potential of MSCs are not fully elucidated. It has been reliably established that transplanted MSCs can undergo rapid apoptosis and clearance from the recipient’s body, still exhibiting therapeutic effects, especially those associated with their immunosuppressive/immunomodulating properties. The mechanisms underlying these effects can be mediated by the efferocytosis of apoptotic MSCs by host phagocytic cells.
  • 396
  • 18 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Rieske Iron-Sulfur Protein in COPD and Pulmonary Hypertension
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is currently the third leading cause of death worldwide. The development of pulmonary hypertension (PH) accounts for the high mortality rate in COPD patients. Recent studies from the researchers' laboratory and others have highlighted the important role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling in the development of COPD and associated PH. ROS are primarily generated in mitochondrial complex III in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Rieske iron-sulfur protein (RISP), a catalytic subunit of mitochondrial complex III, is the major player in the generation of ROS. RISP plays a critical role in pulmonary vasoconstriction, remodeling, and hypertension.
  • 466
  • 17 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Gain of Function Mutant p53 in Cancer
The tumor suppressor p53, encoded by the TP53 gene and known as “the guardian of the genome”, performs a variety of functions in cancer prevention.
  • 809
  • 17 Nov 2022
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