Topic Review
3D Cell Culture in Brief
Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture represents a paradigm shift in cellular research. Unlike traditional two-dimensional (2D) cultures, it offers a more physiologically relevant environment for studying cells and tissues. In 3D culture, cells grow within complex three-dimensional structures that mimic the architecture of living organs and tissues. This approach allows researchers to explore cell behavior, disease mechanisms, and drug responses with greater accuracy. Methods like hydrogels, spheroids, and bioprinting enable the creation of 3D models that faithfully replicate in vivo conditions. These models find applications in diverse fields, including cancer research, neuroscience, infectious diseases, drug development, and tissue engineering. By improving disease modeling, drug screening, and tissue regeneration, 3D cell culture is driving advancements in biomedical research and offering new avenues for understanding and treating diseases. While challenges remain, ongoing innovations in 3D culture techniques are poised to reshape the landscape of cellular research.
  • 261
  • 11 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Paraoxonases in Neurological Disorders
Paraoxonase enzymes serve as an important physiological redox system that participates in the protection against cellular injury caused by oxidative stress. The PON enzyme family consists of three members (PON-1, PON-2, and PON-3) that share a similar structure and location as a cluster on human chromosome 7. These enzymes exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties with well-described roles in preventing cardiovascular disease. Perturbations in PON enzyme levels and their activity have also been linked with the development and progression of many neurological disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.
  • 260
  • 27 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Primary Stressors in Osteoarthritis Pathogenesis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by the degradation of joint cartilage tissue, chronic local inflammation, and bone remodeling, which result in joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and restricted motion. Aging phenotypes are considered a manifestation of accumulated cellular damage and defective repair. This is particularly apparent in the primary cell type of the articular joint, the articular chondrocytes. Articular chondrocytes are constantly facing the challenge of stressors, including mechanical overloading, oxidation, DNA damage, proteostatic stress, and metabolic imbalance.
  • 259
  • 04 May 2023
Topic Review
Molecular Triggers of Retinal Regeneration in Amphibians
Understanding the mechanisms triggering the initiation of retinal regeneration in amphibians may advance the quest for prevention and treatment options for degenerating human retina diseases. Natural retinal regeneration in amphibians requires two cell sources, namely retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and ciliary marginal zone. The disruption of RPE interaction with photoreceptors through surgery or injury triggers local and systemic responses for retinal protection. In mammals, disease-induced damage to the retina results in the shutdown of the function, cellular or oxidative stress, pronounced immune response, cell death and retinal degeneration. In contrast to retinal pathology in mammals, regenerative responses in amphibians have taxon-specific features ensuring efficient regeneration. These include rapid hemostasis, the recruitment of cells and factors of endogenous defense systems, activities of the immature immune system, high cell viability, and the efficiency of the extracellular matrix, cytoskeleton, and cell surface remodeling. These reactions are controlled by specific signaling pathways, transcription factors, and the epigenome, which are insufficiently studied. 
  • 259
  • 16 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Astrocytes as Glutamate Producers and Targets in ALS
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons (MNs) in the motor cortex, brainstem, and spinal cord. ALS involves different cell types, such as neurons, astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes. Since all these cells express the same mutated genes in patients, ALS can arise from a combination of damaged MNs and their glial partners rather than only from the neuronal lineage. Many studies highlighted the solid non-neuronal signature in ALS and suggested astrocytes and microglia as critical players in disease progression rather than disease onset. Conversely, data support an alteration of oligodendrocyte function at the disease pre-symptomatic and early symptomatic stages.
  • 259
  • 01 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Metabolism of Cancer Stem Cells
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a rare cancer cell population, responsible for the facilitation, progression, and resistance of tumors to therapeutic interventions. This subset of cancer cells with stemness and tumorigenic properties is organized in niches within the tumor microenvironment (TME) and presents altered regulation in a variety of metabolic pathways, including glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), as well as lipid, amino acid, and iron metabolism. 
  • 257
  • 28 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Choroidal Mast Cells and Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remains a leading cause of vision loss in elderly patients. Its etiology and progression are, however, deeply intertwined with various cellular and molecular interactions within the retina and choroid. Choroidal mast cells are strategically located in close proximity to the choroidal vasculature, enabling their active involvement in modulation of angioinflammatory processes.
  • 257
  • 09 Jan 2024
Topic Review
MicroRNAs and Drug Resistance in NSCLC
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the world. The development of drug resistance represents a major challenge for the clinical management of patients. In the last years, microRNAs have emerged as critical modulators of anticancer therapy response.
  • 254
  • 15 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Repeat Expansion Diseases
Repeat expansion diseases are a group of neuromuscular and neurodegenerative disorders characterized by expansions of several successive repeated DNA sequences. More than 50 repeat expansion diseases have been described. These disorders involve diverse pathogenic mechanisms, including loss-of-function mechanisms, toxicity associated with repeat RNA, or repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) products, resulting in impairments of cellular processes and damaged organelles. Mitochondria, double membrane organelles, play a crucial role in cell energy production, metabolic processes, calcium regulation, redox balance, and apoptosis regulation.
  • 254
  • 29 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) are biologically active substances secreted by MSCs into the extracellular matrix that play an immunomodulatory role in skin damage repair.
  • 253
  • 03 Aug 2023
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