Open Access
REVIEW
DIEGO MASONE1,2,*
BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.1, pp. 1-14, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.024146
Abstract The inflexible concept of membrane curvature as an independent property of lipid structures is today obsolete. Lipid bilayers behave as many-body entities with emergent properties that depend on their interactions with the environment. In particular, proteins exert crucial actions on lipid molecules that ultimately condition the collective properties of the membranes. In this review, the potential of enhanced molecular dynamics to address cell-biology problems is discussed. The cases of membrane deformation, membrane fusion, and the fusion pore are analyzed from the perspective of the dimensionality reduction by collective variables. Coupled lipid-protein interactions as fundamental determinants of large membrane remodeling events… More >
Open Access
REVIEW
IVANA PAJIC-LIJAKOVIC*, MILAN MILIVOJEVIC
BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.1, pp. 15-25, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.023469
(This article belongs to this Special Issue: Tissue Engineering, Cellular Therapy and Biotechnologies in Plastic Surgery)
Abstract A key feature that distinguishes cancer cells from all other cells is their capability to spread throughout the body. Although how cancer cells collectively migrate by following molecular rules which influence the state of cell-cell adhesion contacts has been comprehensively formulated, the impact of physical interactions on cell spreading remains less understood. Cumulative effects of physical interactions exist as the interplay between various physical parameters such as (1) tissue surface tension, (2) viscoelasticity caused by collective cell migration, and (3) solid stress accumulated in the cell aggregate core region. This review aims to point out the role of these physical… More >
Open Access
REVIEW
TIANXING LIU1, HONGYAN DIAO2,*
BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.1, pp. 27-32, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.023568
Abstract Non-coding RNAs are speculated to exert important regulatory functions at the level of gene expression,
oncogenesis, and many other pathologies. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a leading cause of hepatocellular
carcinoma (HCC), and some studies have shown that the expression of non-coding RNAs has an assignable effect on
the development of HBV-induced HCC. In this context, the functions and molecular mechanisms of the HBVinduced non-coding RNA expression in the development of hepatoma have attracted increasing attention. This review
covers the progress in the exploration of the relationship between HBV-induced hepatoma and non-coding RNA
expression, cataloging the recent reports about… More >
Open Access
REVIEW
QING YIN1, CAIHONG LIU1, WENYING JIANG1, HAIHUI GONG1, CHUNYUN LI1,2,3,*, ZUPING HE1,2,3,*
BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.1, pp. 33-39, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.023567
Abstract Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) is a downstream effector of the Hippo signaling pathway, and it is involved in tumorigenesis, tissue repair, growth, and development. In this review, the biological roles and the mechanisms of YAP1 in mediating stem cell fate decisions are discussed, including cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. In general, YAP1 promotes the proliferation and differentiation of stem cells, including embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. It inhibits apoptosis by binding to the transcription factors, e.g., transcriptional enhanced associate domain (TEAD), Smad, runt-related transcription factor 1/2, p73, p63, and Erb84, to maintain tissue homeostasis. The translocalization of YAP1… More >
Open Access
REVIEW
YINGHUI GAO, DENGTAI WEN*, SHIJIE WANG, JINGFENG WANG
BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.1, pp. 41-49, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.022689
Abstract Presenilin (Psn) protein is associated with organismal aging. Mutations in the Psn gene may lead to Alzheimer’s
disease (AD), dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and many age-dependent degenerative diseases. These diseases seriously
affect the quality of life and longevity of the population and place a huge burden on health care and economic systems
around the world. Humans have two types of Psn, presenilin-1 (PSEN1) and presenilin-2 (PSEN2). Mutations in the
genes encoding PSEN1, PSEN2, and amyloid precursor protein (APP) have been identified as the major genetic
causes of AD. Psn is a complex gene strongly influenced by genetic and environmental factors. The… More >
Open Access
REVIEW
MONALISA MISHRA1,2,*, PUNYATOYA PANDA1, BEDANTA KUMAR BARIK1, AMRITA MONDAL1, MRUTUNJAYA PANDA1
BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.1, pp. 51-69, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.023392
(This article belongs to this Special Issue: Cellular and Molecular Toxicology in Reproductive and Developmental Biology)
Abstract Exposure to some toxic compounds causes structural and behavioral anomalies associated with the neurons in
the later stage of life. Those toxic compounds are termed as a neurotoxicant, which can be a physical factor, a toxin, an
infection, radiation, or maybe a drug. The incongruities caused due to a neurotoxicant further depend on the toxicity of
the compound. More importantly, the neurotoxicity of the compound is associated with the concentration and the time
point of exposure. The neurodevelopmental defect appears depending on the toxicity of the compound. A
neurodevelopmental defect may be associated with a delay in developmental time, defective… More >
Open Access
REVIEW
SUKUMARAN ANIL1,2,*, RAMYA RAMADOSS3, NEBU G. THOMAS4, JASMIN M. GEORGE4, VISHNUPRIYA K. SWEETY4
BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.1, pp. 71-80, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.024334
(This article belongs to this Special Issue: Cell-Based Regenerative Therapies)
Abstract Exfoliated deciduous or an extracted healthy adult tooth can be used to harvest, process, and cryogenically preserve dental pulp stem cells. Future stem cell-based regenerative medicine methods could benefit significantly from these mesenchymal stem cells. Teeth serve as a substantial source of mesenchymal stem cells, otherwise disposed of as medical waste. Care should be taken to store this treasure trove of stem cells. Collective responsibility of patients, dentists, and physicians is necessary to ensure that this valuable resource is not wasted and that every possible dental pulp stem cell is available for use in the future. The dental pulp stem… More >
Open Access
REVIEW
FARIHA NUSRAT1, MOHAMMAD TARIQUR RAHMAN2, MUHAMMAD MANJURUL KARIM3,*
BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.1, pp. 81-89, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.024635
Abstract Bacterial endotoxins are a major concern in periodontal health and diseases owing to their structure and biological activity. With up-to-date knowledge of endotoxins and the recent findings about the influence of endotoxins in dental health, their probable mode of pathogenesis, and standard detection methods, this review analyzes the potential efficacy and benefits of probiotics in combination with conventional and contemporary treatment measures. In the oral cavity, Gram-negative bacteria are documented to predominate in the pulpal lesions with radiolucent areas and in the root canal with pulp necrosis, where they pose an absolute threat by promoting a series of inflammatory reactions.… More >
Open Access
REVIEW
XIN MENG*, XUE LI, LIANRONG YANG, RUI YIN, LEHUI QI, QI GUO
BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.1, pp. 91-107, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.024310
(This article belongs to this Special Issue: Bioinformatics Study of Diseases)
Abstract In recent years, microbial metabolomics, a new field that has attracted wide attention, provides a map of metabolic pathways and clarifies the interaction mechanism between microorganisms and hosts. Many microorganisms are found in the human intestine, oral cavity, vagina, etc. Probiotics could maintain the good health of the host, while pathogens and an imbalance of bacterial flora lead to a series of diseases of the body and mind. Metabolomics is a science for qualitative and quantitative analysis of all metabolites in an organism or biological system, which could provide key information to understand the related metabolic pathways and associated changes.… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
LIPING GONG1, MING JIA2,*
BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.1, pp. 109-123, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.024620
(This article belongs to this Special Issue: Bioinformatics Study of Diseases)
Abstract ATP binding cassette subfamily C member 8 (ABCC8) encodes a protein regulating the ATP-sensitive
potassium channel. Whether the level of ABCC8 mRNA in lower grade glioma (LGG) correlates with immune cell
infiltration and patient outcomes has not been evaluated until now. Comparisons of ABCC8 expression between
different tumors and normal tissues were evaluated by exploring publicly available datasets. The association between
ABCC8 and tumor immune cell infiltration, diverse gene mutation characteristics, tumor mutation burden (TMB),
and survival in LGG was also investigated in several independent datasets. Pathway enrichment analysis was
conducted to search for ABCC8-associated signaling pathways. Through an online… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
ZHUO YANG#, WEN QIN#, DI CHEN, JUNSHENG HUO, JINGBO WANG, LIYUAN WANG, QIN ZHUO, JIYONG YIN*
BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.1, pp. 125-131, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.022937
(This article belongs to this Special Issue: Cellular Biomechanics in Health and Diseases)
Abstract Emodin is an effective component of rhubarb with positive pharmacological effects on human health. However, it is
also toxic to different cells or tissues to varying degrees. The effects of emodin on glomerular endothelial cells (GECs) remain to
be tested, and the documented works were always performed in vitro and hardly reflect the real physiological situation. To
study the effects of emodin on GECs in a biomimetic environment, we utilized a microfluidic chip to assess the
physiological reaction of human renal glomerular endothelial cells to various concentrations of emodin in this work. The
results showed that emodin caused cytotoxicity, impaired… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
NINGYU LI1,2,#, XIAOFANG CHEN2,#,§, SUXIA GENG2, PEILONG LAI2, LISI HUANG2, MINMING LI2, XIN HUANG2, CHENGXIN DENG2, YULIAN WANG2, JIANYU WENG2, XIN DU1,2,*
BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.1, pp. 133-141, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.022021
(This article belongs to this Special Issue: Decoding Gene (including circRNA, lincRNA miRNA and mRNA) Expression)
Abstract The pathogenesis of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) may be related to the abnormal expression of microRNAs
(miRNAs), which could influence the differentiation capacity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) towards adipogenic and
osteogenic lineages. In this study, exosomes from bone marrow plasma were successfully extracted and identified.
Assessment of miR-103-3p expression in exosomes isolated from BM in 34 MDS patients and 10 controls revealed its
0.52-fold downregulation in patients with MDS compared with controls (NOR) and was downregulated 0.55-fold in
MDS-MSCs compared with NOR-MSCs. Transfection of MDS-MSCs with the miR-103-3p mimic improved osteogenic
differentiation and decreased adipogenic differentiation in vitro, while inhibition… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
CHAO WANG1,2, JUNWEI WANG1, FANQIAN SONG1,2, HANRUO LIU3, LIYAO SUN1,2, XI WEI1,2, TAO ZHENG1, HUA QIAN2, XIAOGUANG LI2, WEIHUA ZHANG4, XIANLING TANG1,*, PING LIU1,*
BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.1, pp. 143-154, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.023585
(This article belongs to this Special Issue: Identification of Genetic and Epigenetic Markers for Complex Diseases via Integrating Multistage Biological Data)
Abstract Objective: Age-relate cataract (ARC) is a disease of the eyes with no effective drugs to prevent or treat patients.
The aim of the present study is to determine whether histone H3, αA-crystallin (CRYAA), β-galactosidase (GLB1), and
p53 are involved in the pathogenesis of ARC. Methods: A total of 99 anterior lens capsules (ALCs) of patients with ARC
of various nuclear grades, ultraviolet models of ALCs, and two human lens epithelial cell lines (FHL-124 and SRA01/04)
were used, and the expression of histone H3, CRYAA, GLB1, and p53 were detected by immunoblotting and reverse
transcription and real time-quantitative polymerase chain reaction.… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
CHEN WANG, CHAOFAN HE, YUANYUAN GAO, KAIXIAN WANG, MENG LIANG*
BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.1, pp. 155-164, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.024657
Abstract Heat stress is an important influence on the male reproductive organs. Therefore, the effects of heat stress on genes or pathways related to the reproductive system of male mice were experimentally explored in this paper to further determine the effects of heat stimulation on mammals. Herein, models of heat-exposed mouse testicular tissue and heat-excited cells were successfully established. Many scorched vesicles were found after heat excitation of testis supporting cells, testicular mesenchymal (TM4) cells. Western blot, in situ terminal deoxynucleotide transferase dUTP Nick end labeling (TUNEL) and transmission electron microscopy showed that membrane rupture, mitochondrial damage and autophagic vesicles occurred… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
YUEHUA SHI1,#, QIUYING YAN2,#, QIN LI3, WEI QIAN1, DONGYAN QIAO1, DONGDONG SUN2, HONG YU1,*
BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.1, pp. 165-173, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.023043
(This article belongs to this Special Issue: Reproductive Health and Embryonic Development)
Abstract The placenta plays an important role in nutrient transport to maintain the growth and development of the
embryo. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), the most common complication during pregnancy, highly affects
placental function in late gestation. Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), a complex and heterogeneous group of
compounds engaged by the receptor for AGEs (RAGE), are closely associated with diabetes-related complications. In
this study, AGEs induced a decrease in the expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins in BeWo cells and increased the
paracellular permeability of trophoblast cells by regulating RAGE/NF-κB. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats injected with
100 mg/kg AGEs-rat serum albumin (RSA) via… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
BINFEN HOU1, LI ZHAO1, T IANHAO ZHAO1, MINGMING YANG1, WANWAN ZHU1, XIAODONG CHEN2, XIQUAN KE1, ZHENZENG MA1, LIN GU1, MENG WANG1, MIN DENG1,*
BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.1, pp. 175-186, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.021359
Abstract Aim: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignant tumors. Chrysophanol has been reported to
possess antitumor effects on a variety of cancers; however, its role in GC remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate
the effects of chrysophanol on the proliferation, pyroptosis, migration, and invasion of GC cells. Methods: Human GC
cell lines MKN 28 and AGS cells were treated with different concentrations of chrysophanol, then cell proliferation,
migration, invasion and pyroptosis were determined by CCK-8, colony-forming assay, wound healing assay, Transwell
assay, and flow cytometry. Cell migration and invasion were reassessed in these transfected cells following… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
WANTONG LIU1,#, DANYANG CHEN1,#, JINGYAO SU1,#, RUILIN ZHENG1,#, RAN KONG1, BING ZHU1, HAO DONG2,*, YINGHUA LI1,*
BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.1, pp. 187-194, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.023030
Abstract Liver cancer is the seventh most common malignant tumor in the world and is the second highest cause of death
due to cancer. Quercetin, a flavonoid with low toxicity, widely exists in various fruits and vegetables. It has the potential to be
a therapeutic agent against various cancers. This study aimed to demonstrate the anti-tumor effect of quercetin on HepG2
cells. Quercetin suppressed the HepG2 cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner in cell viability assay. Induction of cell
apoptosis was confirmed by apoptotic cells population (sub-G1 peak) detected by flow cytometer. A decrease in
mitochondrial membrane potential and caspase-3 activation… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
TIANZHU LI1,#, YU ZHANG2,#, TONG ZHANG2,#, YANNAN LI2, HUI XUE2, JINGLONG CAO2, WENSHUANG HOU2, YINGHUA LUO3,*, CHENGHAO JIN2,4,*,
BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.1, pp. 195-204, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.025593
(This article belongs to this Special Issue: Herbal Active Ingredients: Potential for the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer)
Abstract Schisandrin B (Sch B) is a monomer with anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects, which are isolated from the
plant Schisandra chinensis (Turcz) Baillon. We investigated the anti-gastric cancer (GC) effects of Sch B and its
underlying molecular mechanisms. The Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was used to determine the effects of Sch B on the
viability of GC and normal cell lines. Hoechst/propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry were used to assess the
apoptosis induction of Sch B. Western blotting was used to evaluate the effects of Sch B on downstream apoptotic
proteins. The DCFH-DA fluorescent probe was used to assess the… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
MINGZHAO LI1, QIAN ZHANG2, WENBIN HUANG1, SHIYING ZHANG1, NAN JIANG2, XIAOSHUAI HUANG3,*, FENG CHEN2,*
BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.1, pp. 205-214, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.022572
(This article belongs to this Special Issue: Recent Advancement in Cancer Molecular Signaling)
Abstract Cancer progression involves the sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway, in which the receptor PTCH1 actives the
downstream pathways. Dysfunction of PTCH1 can lead to nevoid basal cell carcinoma Syndrome (NBCCs) including
neoplastic disease and congenital disorder. To evaluate the relationship between PTCH1 and cancer, we applied the
CRISPR/Cas9 system to knock out PTCH1 in oral nontumorous epithelial cells (GMSM-K). Then we screened six
PTCH1 variants associated with cleft lip/palate (CL/P), one of the congenital disorders in NBCCs, and generated
PTCH1 variant and wild-type recombinant PTCH1−/− GMSM-K cell lines. Transcriptome sequencing was conducted
in these cell lines. The results revealed that differentially… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
JINXIAN LIU1, JINGFANG FENG2, CHANG ZHANG2, YONGJUAN REN2, WEIHUA SU2, GUANGHENG WU1, XIANYU FU1, NING HUANG3, YOUXIONG QUE2, HUI LING3,*, JUN LUO2,*
BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.1, pp. 215-225, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.022477
(This article belongs to this Special Issue: Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plant Stress Tolerance)
Abstract Calmodulin (CaM) proteins play a key role in signal transduction under various stresses. In the present study,
the effects of a sugarcane ScCaM gene (NCBI accession number: GQ246454) on drought and salt stress tolerance in
transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana and Escherichia coli cells were evaluated. The results demonstrated a significant
negative role of ScCaM in the drought and salt stress tolerance of transgenic lines of A. thaliana, as indicated by the
phenotypes. In addition, the expression of AtP5CS and AtRD29A, two genes tightly related to stress resistance, was
significantly lower in the overexpression lines than in the wild type. The growth… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
KHANDAKAR ABU MD MOSTAFIZAR RAHMAN1,2, ABDUL SHUKOR JURAIMI2,*, MD. REZWAN MOLLA3, MUHAMMAD ASYRAF MD HATTA4, ZULKEFLY BIN SULAIMAN5, SHAMIMA SULTANA6, AHMED GABER7, BENUKAR BISWAS8, AKBAR HOSSAIN9,*
BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.1, pp. 227-237, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.025135
Abstract Every breeding program that aims to create new and improved cultivars with desired traits mostly relies on
information related to genetic diversity. Therefore, molecular characterization of germplasms is important to obtain target
cultivars with desirable traits. Sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] is widely considered the world’s most important crop,
with great diversity in morphological and phenotypic traits. The genetic diversity of 20 sweet potato germplasms originating
from Bangladesh, CIP, Philippines, Taiwan, and Malaysia were compared, which was accomplished by genetic diversity
analysis by exploring 20 microsatellite DNA markers for germplasm characterization and utilization. This information was
effective in differentiating… More >