Topic Review
Two-Pore Channels and Ca2+ Homeostasis in Immune Cells
Two-pore channels (TPCs) are ligand-gated cation-selective ion channels that are preserved in plant and animal cells. In the latter, TPCs are located in membranes of acidic organelles, such as endosomes, lysosomes, and endolysosomes. Mast cells, along with basophil granulocytes, play an essential role in anaphylaxis and allergic reactions by releasing inflammatory mediators. Signaling in mast cells is mainly regulated via the release of Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum as well as from acidic compartments, such as endolysosomes. For the crosstalk of these organelles TPCs seem essential. Allergic reactions and anaphylaxis were previously shown to be associated with the endolysosomal two-pore channel TPC1. The release of histamine, controlled by intracellular Ca2+ signals, was increased upon genetic or pharmacologic TPC1 inhibition. Conversely, stimulation of TPC channel activity by one of its endogenous ligands, namely nicotinic adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) or phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate (PI(3,5)P2), were found to trigger the release of Ca2+ from the endolysosomes; thereby improving the effect of TPC1 on regulated mast cell degranulation. 
  • 368
  • 16 May 2022
Topic Review
Lycopene Metabolism, Bioavailability and Immunomodulatory Effects
Lycopene is a carotenoid found commonly in fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, pink grapefruit and watermelons with non-provitamin A activity. It is the compound responsible for the red coloration of the fruits. It shares the same molecular mass and chemical formula with beta-carotene, but lycopene is an open-polyene chain which lacks the β-ionone ring structure found in beta-carotene. 
  • 366
  • 13 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Natural Products in the Model Organism Caenorhabditis elegans
Natural products are small molecules naturally produced by multiple sources such as plants, animals, fungi, bacteria and archaea. They exert both beneficial and detrimental effects by modulating biological targets and pathways involved in oxidative stress and antioxidant response. Natural products’ oxidative or antioxidative properties are usually investigated in preclinical experimental models, including virtual computing simulations, cell and tissue cultures, rodent and nonhuman primate animal models, and human studies.
  • 365
  • 15 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Extracellular Vesicles-Loaded Microneedle Technology
Microneedles (MNs), renowned for their painless and minimally invasive qualities, exhibit significant potential for facilitating effective drug delivery, vaccination, and targeted sample extraction. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), serving as cargo for MNs, are naturally occurring nanovesicles secreted by cells and characterized by novel biomarkers, low immunogenicity, and cell-source-specific traits. MNs prove instrumental in extracting EVs from the sample fluid, thereby facilitating a promising diagnostic and prognostic tool. To harness the therapeutic potential of EVs in tissue repair, MNs with sustained delivery of EVs leverage micron-sized channels to enhance targeted site concentration, demonstrating efficacy in treating various diseases, such as Achillea tendinopathy, hair loss, spinal cord injury, and diabetic ulcers. EV-loaded MNs emerge as a promising platform for repair applications of skin, cardiac, tendon, hair, and spinal cord tissues.
  • 364
  • 18 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Hypoxic Tumor Environments in Photodynamic Therapy
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has become a promising method of cancer treatment due to its unique properties, such as noninvasiveness and low toxicity. The efficacy of PDT is significantly reduced by the hypoxia tumor environments, because PDT involves the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which requires the great consumption of oxygen. Moreover, the consumption of oxygen caused by PDT would further exacerbate the hypoxia condition, which leads to angiogenesis, invasion of tumors to other parts, and metastasis.
  • 364
  • 06 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Natural Peptides and Their Beneficial Effects on Skin
Peptides, functional nutrients with a size between those of large proteins and small amino acids, are easily absorbed by the human body. Therefore, they are seeing increasing use in clinical medicine and have revealed immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties which could make them effective in healing skin wounds.
  • 363
  • 17 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Bioplastic-Based Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery Systems
Plastics have changed human lives, finding a broad range of applications from packaging to medical devices. Biodegradable plastic materials have been introduced on the market. These polymers are biodegradable but also bioresorbable and, indeed, are fundamental tools for drug formulations, thanks to their transient ability to pass through biological barriers and concentrate in specific tissues.
  • 363
  • 01 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Antipsychotics Modulates Cytokines in FEP-patients
Cytokines have a major impact on the neurotransmitter networks that are involved in schizophrenia pathophysiology. First Episode Psychosis (FEP) patients exhibit abnormalities in cytokines levels prior to the start of treatment. Previous studies showed that antipsychotic treatment modulates cytokines levels.
  • 362
  • 09 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Battling Chemoresistance in Cancer
Chemoresistance remains a lethal challenge in the realm of cancer biology and clinics. Various determinants with their modes of action have been reported with clinical implications. However, many patients regrettably die due to chemoresistance-induced failure in treatment.
  • 362
  • 22 Sep 2021
Topic Review
TRPA1 Role in Inflammatory Disorders
The transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), a member of the TRP superfamily of channels, is primarily localized in a subpopulation of primary sensory neurons of the trigeminal, vagal, and dorsal root ganglia, where its activation mediates neurogenic inflammatory responses. The TRPA1 pathway could be a protective mechanism to detect and respond to harmful agents in various pathological conditions, including several inflammatory diseases.
  • 362
  • 09 May 2022
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