Open Access

REVIEW

Irina Shalaginova^*, Boris Bakulevskiy
BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.9, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.080400 - 26 August 2026
Abstract This review discusses the dual role of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in the brain, where they can act as both physiological regulators of gene expression and contributors to neuronal dysfunction under pathological conditions. In post-mitotic neurons, which rely mainly on non-homologous end joining, the balance between DSB formation and repair appears to be especially important. Recent studies show that transient activity-induced DSBs, particularly at regulatory regions of immediate early genes (IEGs), support chromatin remodeling and transcriptional activation. In contrast, persistent DSBs associated with chronic stress, hyperexcitability, ageing, or neurodegenerative disorders are linked to impaired repair, More >

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690

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REVIEW

Kimiya Ganjooi, Sophia Strukel, Emma Eddy, Ryan Au, Vikrant Rai^*
BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.9, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.077955 - 26 August 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Novel Targeted Therapy in Oncology)
Abstract Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is defined by the absence of estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 expression and exhibits significant molecular heterogeneity and aggressive clinical behavior. The main treatment remains traditional chemotherapy, despite the modest duration of its effects, which has intensified the search for novel, non-chemotherapeutic drugs. Over the past few years, various molecularly targeted and immune-based treatments targeting TNBC’s diverse oncogenic drivers have been uncovered. In immunotherapy, checkpoint blockade and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells show growing promise, enabling selective tumor targeting with reduced off-target toxicity. Multi-omics investigations integrating genomic,… More >

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303

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MINI REVIEW

Amitabha Ray^1,*, Thomas F. Moore²
BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.9, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.076530 - 26 August 2026
Abstract Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-related critical illness, i.e., severe form of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is associated with a hyperinflammatory state. In COVID-19 disease, several components of the body, including the complement system, different cells such as endothelial cells, platelets, monocytes, and neutrophils, and various pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α, can contribute to a state of coagulopathy, and ultimately, all these factors cause extensive tissue damage. This pathological process may contribute to increased aggressiveness in cancer cells or to the reawakening of dormant cancer cells. Studies have documented More >

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440

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MINI REVIEW

Eui-Hwan Choi^*
BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.9, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.079386 - 26 August 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Autophagy and Oxidative Stress in Cancer: Molecular Crossroads and Cell Fate Decisions)
Abstract Peroxiredoxin 5 (PRX5) is an atypical 2-Cys peroxiredoxin distributed across mitochondria, peroxisomes, cytosol, and nucleus. Unlike other PRX isoforms, PRX5 acts not only as a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger but also as a redox-dependent regulator of oncogenic signaling. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) maintain low intracellular ROS to preserve self-renewal and drug resistance, and PRX5 has emerged as a key mediator of this redox control. This review examines the. PRX5-ROS-Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) axis in CSC biology. We present mechanistic evidence demonstrating that PRX5-mediated redox balance protects STAT3 from oxidative inactivation More >

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306

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REVIEW

Lichun Zhong^1,#, Dijia Wu^2,#, Sirui Zhang², Wenjing Liu², Faping Wang^3,*, Fengming Luo^3,*
BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.9, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.078898 - 26 August 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Autophagy and Oxidative Stress in Cancer: Molecular Crossroads and Cell Fate Decisions)
Abstract Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an age-associated, progressive fibrotic interstitial lung disease with limited disease-modifying therapies and poor long-term outcomes. Increasing evidence indicates that senescence of alveolar type II epithelial (AT2) cells is not merely a bystander phenomenon but a central driver of epithelial dysfunction, failed alveolar regeneration, and fibrotic remodeling. In this narrative review, we summarize recent mechanistic, single-cell, epigenetic, and translational studies that have reshaped the epithelial-centered model of IPF. We first outline normal AT2 biology and the regenerative AT2-to-AT1 trajectory, and then discuss how telomere dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial injury, DNA More >

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420

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REVIEW

Jia-Feng Chang^1,2, Ting-Yu Yeh³, I-Ta Lee^4,*, Yue-Wen Chen^5,6,*
BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.9, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.080855 - 26 August 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Unraveling Periodontal Disease: Molecular and Cellular Perspectives)
Abstract Cardio-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome and periodontal diseases are bi-directionally linked pathologies driven by systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic dysregulation. Identifying pleiotropic therapeutic agents targeting this axis is a major clinical priority. This review evaluates the bio-cellular role of propolis, a natural resinous hive product, in mitigating CKM syndrome and periodontal disease. Propolis exerts robust protective effects by modulating key intracellular signaling pathways. Specifically, it upregulates nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-dependent antioxidant defenses, which subsequently interferes with redox-sensitive inflammatory triggers. Concurrently, it antagonizes pro-inflammatory signaling, including nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), More >

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626

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REVIEW

Leonardo Acuña¹, Mariam Ahumada Sabagh², Víctor David Osorio Castillo^1,2, Caverly Gooden³, María Luisa Veisaga⁴, Juan Liuzzi^5,6, Manuel A. Barbieri^2,3,5,6,7,*
BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.9, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.079670 - 26 August 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Bioactive Natural Components as Regulators of Cellular Pathways and Disease Progression)
Abstract Costunolide, a sesquiterpene lactone from Saussurea lappa Clarke, exhibits broad pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. This review examines its emerging potential as a host-directed antiviral compound. Costunolide modulates conserved host signaling pathways frequently exploited during viral infection, including nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades. Inhibition of NF-κB may suppress viral transcription in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection, while NLRP3 blockade may limit inflammasome-driven viral reactivation in Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection and attenuate hyperinflammation in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) More >

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371

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ARTICLE

Kristina Pilipović^1,*, Lucia Fabijančić², Iva Kristić¹, Lara Saftić Martinović³
BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.9, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.079918 - 26 August 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Cellular Mechanisms in Neurodegeneration, Injury, and Regeneration)
Abstract Objectives: Neuroinflammation, largely mediated by microglial activation, plays a central role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we aimed to evaluate olive leaf extracts (OLEs) from three Croatian cultivars (Buža, Oblica, and Leccino) in the context of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced activation of BV-2 microglia. Methods: Extracts were prepared by aqueous maceration and ethanol extraction under conditions compatible with downstream cell-culture use. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined for both extract types, alongside targeted liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) quantification of major phenolic compounds. Based on compositional analysis, ethanolic extracts were selected for further evaluation,… More >

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751

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290

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ARTICLE

Akash S. Mali¹, Debanjan Das², Denise Greco¹, Petr Telensky¹, Jiri Novotny^1,*
BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.9, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.080886 - 26 August 2026
Abstract Background: Opioids can modulate mitochondrial redox homeostasis and autophagy and are implicated in the regulation of key physiological and pathological processes, including aging, cellular metabolism, and tumorigenesis. The study aimed to investigate how opioid receptor agonists influence lipopolysaccharide-induced senescence in microglia. Methods: C8-B4 microglial cells were either left untreated or pretreated with different opioid agonists and subsequently exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Colorimetric assays, fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and Western blotting were used to assess cellular senescence, autophagy-associated changes, reactive oxygen species, and calcium levels, as well as the expression of selected marker proteins and signaling molecules. Results:… More >

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254

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ARTICLE

Liangliang Liu, Linjun Wang, Xin Song, Zhen Liu^*
BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.9, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.080414 - 26 August 2026
Abstract Background: Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury represents a severe pathological process in cardiovascular diseases. This study aims to elucidate the mechanism of the yeast ovarian tumor (OTU) domain-containing protein 1 (YOD1) in cardiomyocyte injury. Methods: A hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) model was established using human AC16 cells to simulate I/R injury in vitro. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blotting were used to detect gene and protein expression. Cellular functions were evaluated using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), flow cytometry, and biochemical kits. Protein interaction was validated through co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), ubiquitination assays, and… More >

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871

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351

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ARTICLE

Wentao Su^1,#, Aishan Gulijiakela^1,#, Jihao Xiong¹, San Zhang¹, Ke Ma^2,*
BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.9, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.081235 - 26 August 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Bioactive Natural Components as Regulators of Cellular Pathways and Disease Progression)
Abstract Objective: Mitochondrial dysfunction and ferroptosis contribute critically to acute lung injury (ALI), yet therapies targeting this pathway remain limited. This study investigates whether Salviadione, a rare alkaloid, protects against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced epithelial damage by modulating the mitochondrial ferroptosis pathway. Methods: Network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations identified potential targets. An in vitro model of lung epithelial injury was established using BEAS-2B cells exposed to LPS. Cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, lipid peroxidation, Fe²⁺ accumulation, glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) expression, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), mitochondrial reactive oxygen species… More >

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876

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357

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ARTICLE

Qianqian Peng, Fengjian He, Shumin Pan, Yinghua Ou^*
BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.9, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.081188 - 26 August 2026
Abstract Background: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a liver disease characterized by inflammation and fibrosis. Oridonin (Ori) exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties, but its role in NASH remains unclear. The study aimed to investigate whether Ori alleviates NASH injury by regulating pyroptosis through the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) axis. Methods: An in vitro NASH model was established in HepG2 cells using free fatty acids (FFA), and an in vivo model was induced in mice using a methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet. Biochemical assays, staining, flow cytometry, Western blot, and immunofluorescence assessed lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, inflammation, pyroptosis,… More >

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