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Topic Review
Biography
Topic Review
The Extracellular Matrix in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is rich in dense fibrotic stroma that are composed of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. A disruption of the balance between ECM synthesis and secretion and the altered expression of matrix remodeling enzymes lead to abnormal ECM dynamics in PDAC. This pathological ECM promotes cancer growth, survival, invasion, and alters the behavior of fibroblasts and immune cells leading to metastasis formation and chemotherapy resistance, which contribute to the high lethality of PDAC. Additionally, recent evidence highlights that ECM, as a major structural component of the tumor microenvironment, is a highly dynamic structure in which ECM proteins establish a physical and biochemical niche for cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs are characterized by self-renewal, tumor initiation, and resistance to chemotherapeutics.
364
02 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Genetics of Aging Plasticity
Biological aging is characterized by irreversible cell cycle blockade, a decreased capacity for tissue regeneration, and an increased risk of age-related diseases and mortality. A variety of genetic and epigenetic factors regulate aging, including the abnormal expression of aging-related genes, increased DNA methylation levels, altered histone modifications, and unbalanced protein translation homeostasis. The epitranscriptome is also closely associated with aging. Aging is regulated by both genetic and epigenetic factors, with significant variability, heterogeneity, and plasticity. Understanding the complex genetic mechanisms of aging will aid the identification of aging-related markers, which may in turn aid the development of effective interventions against this process.
364
04 May 2023
Topic Review
Ultrastructural Features of the Blood-Brain Barrier
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a dynamic barrier separating neurocytes and brain tissues from blood that is extremely sealed and strictly regulated by transporters such as aquaporin-4 (AQP-4), glucose transporter (GLUT), and specialized tight junctional complexes (TJCs) including tight junctions (TJs), adherens junctions (AJs), and Zonulae occludens (ZOs). With specifically selective transcellular and paracellular permeability, the BBB maintains a homeostatic microenvironment to protect the central nervous system (CNS).
363
27 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Disabled-2 Structure and Function
Disabled-2 (DAB2), a key adaptor protein in clathrin mediated endocytosis, is implicated in the regulation of key signalling pathways involved in homeostasis, cell positioning and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT).
363
12 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Detection of Hypoxia in Cancer Models
The rapid proliferation of cancer cells combined with deficient vessels cause regions of nutrient and O2 deprivation in solid tumors. Some cancer cells can adapt to these extreme hypoxic conditions and persist to promote cancer progression. Intratumoral hypoxia has been consistently associated with a worse patient prognosis. In vitro, 3D models of spheroids or organoids can recapitulate spontaneous O2 gradients in solid tumors. Likewise, in vivo murine models of cancer reproduce the physiological levels of hypoxia that have been measured in human tumors. Given the potential clinical importance of hypoxia in cancer progression, there is an increasing need to design methods to measure O2 concentrations. O2 levels can be directly measured with needle-type probes, both optical and electrochemical. Alternatively, indirect, noninvasive approaches have been optimized, and include immunolabeling endogenous or exogenous markers. Fluorescent, phosphorescent, and luminescent reporters have also been employed experimentally to provide dynamic measurements of O2 in live cells or tumors. In medical imaging, modalities such as MRI and PET are often the method of choice.
359
01 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Types of Senescent Cells in Cardiovascular Diseases
Senescent cell accumulation has been observed in age-associated diseases including cardiovascular diseases. Senescent cells lack proliferative capacity and secrete senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors that may cause or worsen many cardiovascular diseases. Therapies targeting senescent cells, especially senolytic drugs that selectively induce senescent cell removal, have been shown to delay, prevent, alleviate, or treat multiple age-associated diseases in preclinical models.
359
12 May 2023
Topic Review
T Cells in Cancer
T cells play a key role in tumour surveillance, both identifying and eliminating transformed cells.
356
06 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Extracellular Vesicles and the Breast Cancer Microenvironment
Extracellular vesicles are an important mediator of BC-TME signalling. EVs are non-replicative, lipid bilayer-delimited particles that are naturally released from cells. They have been identified in virtually every physiological fluid and are released by nearly all cell types. EV cargo consists of a number of bioactive molecules, including nucleic acids, lipids and membrane-bound and cytosolic proteins. The uptake of EVs is able to influence cell behaviour and as such, EVs are known to be important signalling particles, as well as diagnostic, predictive and prognostic biomarkers in diseases. Although EVs can be categorised in a number of ways (e.g., based on size, cargo and biological role), they are most often classified based on their biogenesis, with exosomes and microvesicles being the most commonly discussed EV subtypes. Many other subtypes of EVs have been identified, including apoptotic bodies and oncosomes, however, knowledge of their specific roles in cell–cell communication is limited. Due to the lack of consensus on biomarkers for specific subtypes of EVs, this review will use the collective term EV where the biogenesis pathway has not been demonstrated directly, in accordance with the guidelines set by the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles.
356
20 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Potential Causal Contributions to Post-Traumatic Syndrome
In vitro models of traumatic brain injury (TBI) help to elucidate the pathological mechanisms responsible for cell dysfunction and death. Mitochondrial Ca2+ overload and a drop in ΔΨm may cause delayed neuronal death and thus play a key role in the development of the post-traumatic syndrome. Preventing prolonged ΔΨm depolarization may be a promising therapeutic approach to improve neuronal survival after traumatic brain injury.
356
06 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Furin in Type 2 Diabetes
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are chemical or enzymatic alterations that occur on proteins after they are synthesized from their corresponding genes. They are essential for protein function and are involved in various biological processes, including protein folding, localization, stability, activity, and interaction with other proteins. Proprotein convertases (PCs) are irreversible post-translational modifiers that have been extensively studied and are considered as key targets for novel therapeutics. They cleave proteins at specific sites causing conformational changes affecting their functions. Furin is considered as a PC model in regulating growth factors and is involved in regulating many pro-proteins.
356
12 Oct 2023
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