Topic Review
Thymic Epithelial Cells
The thymus is a primary lymphoid organ derived from the endoderm of the 3rd pharyngeal pouch implicated in the maturation of thymocytes and, therefore, key for establishing the immune surveillance. This organ does not contain self-renewing lymphoid precursor cells and therefore, is colonized by lymphoid precursors coming either from the fetal liver through mesenchyme or from the adult bone marrow via the blood vessels [1]. Within the thymus, the developing thymocytes move throughout a 3D thymic epithelial (TE) network, interacting with the thymic epithelial cells (TECs) of two histologically different compartments: the cortex and the medulla [2].
  • 1.2K
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Gallic Acid Activates KDM2A
KDM2A is a member of one group of α-ketoglutarate-dependent oxygenases. KDM2A in the rDNA promoter is activated by nutrient starvation, to reduce rRNA transcription and cell proliferation. While gallic acid functions as an antioxidant, gallic acid autoxidation also produces significant levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Gallic acid activates KDM2A to reduce rRNA transcription and cell proliferation in breast cancer MCF-7 cells but not in non-tumorous MCS10A cells. The activation of KDM2A by gallic acid depends on ROS production and AMPK activation.
  • 682
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Extracellular Vesicles Mediated Regulation
Small noncoding RNAs (sRNA) appear to play a key role in extracellular vesicle (EV)-mediated information transfer. Within the vesicular envelope, RNAs are well protected from degradation and can be shuttled between individuals from one and the same species and beyond. Various communication routes have been discovered such as mother-infant-interaction via breast milk, diverse host-pathogen-relations, and dietary uptake of food derived EVs, proving that EV-mediated inter-kingdom regulation is more than a random event.
  • 1.5K
  • 23 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Human iPSCs into Cardiomyocytes
Reprogramming of adult somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has revolutionized the complex scientific field of disease modeling and personalized therapy. Cardiac differentiation of human iPSCs into cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) has been used in a wide range of healthy and disease models by deriving CMs from different somatic cells. Unfortunately, hiPSC-CMs have to be improved because existing protocols are not completely able to obtain mature CMs recapitulating physiological properties of human adult cardiac cells. Therefore, improvements and advances able to standardize differentiation conditions are needed. Lately, evidences of an epigenetic memory retained by the somatic cells used for deriving hiPSC-CMs has led to evaluation of different somatic sources in order to obtain more mature hiPSC-derived CMs.
  • 1.1K
  • 23 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Cerebral Asymmetry
Human functions and traits are linked to cerebral networks serving different emotional and cognitive control systems, some of which rely on hemispheric specialization and integration to promote adaptive goal-directed behavior. Among the neural systems discussed in this context are those underlying pro- and antisocial behaviors. The diverse functions and traits governing our social behavior have been associated with lateralized neural activity. However, as with other complex behaviors, specific hemispheric roles are difficult to elucidate. This is due largely to environmental and contextual influences, which interact with neural substrates in the development and expression of pro and antisocial functions. This paper will discuss the reciprocal ties between environmental factors and hemispheric functioning in the context of antisocial behavior. The paper will attempt to familiarize readers with the prominent literature and primary questions to encourage further research and in-depth discussion in this field.
  • 1.2K
  • 22 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Notch Signaling
Roles of Notch signaling in human development and cancer are reviewed herein. The four Notch paralogs along with the five Notch ligands are described. Their structures, mode of activation, and functions are briefly summarized based on published works.
  • 977
  • 21 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Secretome
The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) for the treatment of cutaneous wounds is currently of enormous interest. However, the broad translation of cell therapies into clinical use is hampered by their efficacy, safety, manufacturing and cost. MSCs release a broad repertoire of trophic factors and immunomodulatory cytokines, referred to as the MSC secretome, that has considerable potential for the treatment of cutaneous wounds as a cell-free therapy. In this review, we outline the current status of MSCs as a treatment for cutaneous wounds and introduce the potential of the MSC secretome as a cell-free alternative for wound repair. We discuss the challenges and provide insights and perspectives for the future development of the MSC secretome as well as identify its potential clinical translation into a therapeutic treatment.
  • 712
  • 21 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Cripto in scientific literature
Cripto is a small glycosylphosphatidylinisitol (GPI)-anchored and secreted oncofetal protein that plays important roles in regulating normal physiological processes, including stem cell differentiation, embryonal development, and tissue growth and remodeling, as well as pathological processes such as tumor initiation and progression. Cripto functions as a co-receptor for TGF-β ligands such as Nodal, GDF1, and GDF3. Soluble and secreted forms of Cripto also exhibit growth factor-like activity and activate SRC/MAPK/PI3K/AKT pathways. Glucose-Regulated Protein 78 kDa (GRP78) binds Cripto at the cell surface and has been shown to be required for Cripto signaling via both TGF-β and SRC/MAPK/PI3K/AKT pathways.
  • 508
  • 19 Oct 2020
Topic Review
GPCR, ER Stress, and EMT
Endoplasmic reticular stress (ERS) is a dynamics adaptive mechanism that is triggered upon perturbations in ER homeostasis. Hence unfolded protein response (UPR) is activated by ERS as a distress signal. UPR is involved in cancer progression by aiding cells to adapt harsh environments and evading cell death. We have made a significant discovery in the area of ERS and cell death in colonic epithelial cells where have previously unraveled the relationship between ERS and anti- apoptotic protein Survivin in colon cancer cells. We established a time point for an aggressive ERS environment with the help of ERS dynamics thereby creating a perfect environment for testing drugs. However, the role of ERS in cancer is still perplexing. G-protein coupled receptors (GCPR) are another large family of cell surface receptors that respond to a variety of external signals. GPCRs are said to have an active association with ERS in order to trigger some key processes like epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) which is a prime step in metastasis. However, there are some essential candidates that play a role in hindering cancer progression through numerous pathways. We therefore wish to provide the readers with an exhaustive views and insights of ER stress biology.
  • 1.0K
  • 12 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Regulation of Estrogen Receptor Stability
       Estrogen receptor (ER) signalling promotes proliferation in breast cancer (BCa). Endocrine therapies (ET) target this signaling by preventing the production of its ligand estrogen, or by blocking its interaction with the ER. The ER is regulated by a range of posttranslational modifications (PTMs) including ubiquitylation, SUMOylation, phosphorylation, palmitoylation, acetylation, methylation and glycosylation. These PTMs control ER activity, stability as well as its interactions with other proteins. For example, kinases play significant roles in mediating crosstalk between the ER and the PI3K-AKT-mTOR and MAPK pathways, which are implicated in ET resistance. Another major control of ER activity is through the regulation of its half-life, largely by ubiquitin which initiates degradation through the ubiquitin proteasome system. As such, PTMs play a central role in the regulation of ER activity and stability.
  • 1.2K
  • 08 Oct 2020
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