Open Access

REVIEW

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.9, pp. 1285-1297, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.053746
Abstract Tazarotene-induced gene 1 (TIG1) is induced by a derivative of vitamin A and is known to regulate many important biological processes and control the development of cancer. TIG1 is widely expressed in various tissues; yet in many cancer tissues, it is not expressed because of the methylation of its promoter. Additionally, the expression of TIG1 in cancer cells inhibits their growth and invasion, suggesting that TIG1 acts as a tumor suppressor gene. However, in some cancers, poor prognosis is associated with TIG1 expression, indicating its protumor growth characteristics, especially in promoting the invasion of inflammatory breast cancer More >

View

683

Download

178

Open Access

ARTICLE

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.9, pp. 1299-1310, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.051756
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Navigating the Interplay of Cancer, Autophagy, ER Stress, Cell Cycle and Apoptosis: Mechanisms, Therapies, and Future Directions)
Abstract Background: Alpha/beta hydrolase domain-containing protein 17C (ABHD17C) is a depalmitoylation enzyme that removes the S-palmitoylation of targeted proteins. The hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells SNU449 and Hep3B use ABHD17C as an oncogene; however, the exact mechanism of this action is yet unknown. Methods: The expression of ABHD17C in liver cancer tissues was analyzed by bioinformatics, and the expression of ABHD17C in clinical liver cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues was detected. Then, the proliferative viability of HCC cells after overexpression or knockdown of ABHD17C was examined, and pyroptosis and apoptosis proteins were detected. Results: ABHD17C was overexpressed in More >

View

813

Download

176

Open Access

ARTICLE

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.9, pp. 1311-1322, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.052451
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: New Perspectives on Inflammatory Cancer Transformation)
Abstract Background: Colorectal cancer is a major global health concern, exacerbated by tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α) and its role in inflammation, with the effects of Mitotic Arrest Deficient 2 Like 2 (MAD2L2) in this context still unclear. Methods: The colorectal carcinoma cell lines HCT116 and SW620 were exposed to TNF-α for a period of 24 h to instigate an inflammatory response. Subsequent assessments were conducted to measure the expression of inflammatory cytokines, the activity within the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase/AKT Serine/Threonine Kinase pathway (PI3K/AKT) signaling cascades. Transcriptome sequencing and subsequent integrative analysis… More >

View

619

Download

159

Open Access

ARTICLE

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.9, pp. 1323-1330, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.051747
Abstract Background: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) stands as the most prevalent form of kidney cancer, accounting for a significant proportion of malignancies affecting the kidneys. ccRCC is well known as a type of tumour with immunogenicity. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) aim to enhance the anticancer immune response in ccRCC by blocking programmed cell death 1 ligand 1/programmed death 1 (PD-L1/PD-1) pathways. In a previous study, we showed that RING finger protein 26 (RNF26) degrades chromobox 7 (CBX7) to activate the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in ccRCC. Methods: We analyzed The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)… More >

Graphic Abstract

View

395

Download

117

Open Access

ARTICLE

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.9, pp. 1331-1341, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.052625
Abstract Objectives: This investigation aimed to elucidate the inhibitory impact of apatinib on the multidrug resistance of liver cancer both in vivo and in vitro. Methods: To establish a Hep3B/5-Fu resistant cell line, 5-Fu concentrations were gradually increased in the culture media. Hep3B/5-Fu cells drug resistance and its alleviation by apatinib were confirmed via flow cytometry and Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK8) test. Further, Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) siRNA was transfected into Hep3B/5-Fu cells to assess alterations in the expression of multidrug resistance (MDR)-related genes and proteins. Nude mice were injected with Hep3B/5-Fu cells to establish subcutaneous… More >

View

653

Download

168

Open Access

ARTICLE

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.9, pp. 1343-1353, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.051673
Abstract Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the influence of IFN-gamma (IFN-γ) in neuroblastoma (NB) cells and reveal its potential underlying molecular mechanism. Methods: The Cell Counting Kit-8, Transwell apparatus, and flow cytometry were employed to assess cellular viability, migratory capacity, invasive potential, and apoptotic rates, respectively. RNA-seq combined with bioinformatics analysis revealed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and their possible biological functions. Protein levels were determined by western blot analysis. Results: IFN-γ treatment resulted in diminished cell viability, mitigated migratory and invasive capabilities, and augmented apoptotic activity in the SK-N-BE (2) cell line, whereas it exhibited the… More >

View

369

Download

126

Open Access

ARTICLE

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.9, pp. 1355-1368, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.051383
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Cell Death and Inflammation in Signaling and Diseases)
Abstract Objective: Candida albicans is a common fungal pathogen that triggers complex host defense mechanisms, including coordinated innate and adaptive immune responses, to neutralize invading fungi effectively. Exploring the immune microenvironment has the potential to inform the development of therapeutic strategies for fungal infections. Methods: The study analyzed individual immune cell profiles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from Candida albicans-infected mice and healthy control mice using single-cell transcriptomics, fluorescence quantitative PCR, and Western blotting. We investigated intergroup differences in the dynamics of immune cell subpopulation infiltration, pathway enrichment, and differentiation during Candida albicans infection. Results: Our findings indicate that infiltration… More >

View

573

Download

159

Open Access

ARTICLE

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.9, pp. 1369-1377, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.049905
Abstract Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) is known worldwide for its important disabling features, including myocarditis and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. It is believed that microRNA (miRNA) has a role in the cellular processes of apoptosis and myocarditis, and miR-219a-5p has been found to suppress the inflammatory response. However, unknown is the precise mechanism by which miR-219a-5p contributes to MI. Methods: We measured the expression of miR-219a-5p and evaluated its effects on target proteins, inflammatory factors, and apoptosis in a mouse model of MI. Echocardiography was utilized to examine the MI clinical index, and triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining was More >

View

412

Download

123

Open Access

ARTICLE

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.9, pp. 1379-1388, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.052205
Abstract Objective: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a deleterious microangiopathy of diabetes, constituting a critical determinant of fatality in diabetic patients. This work is purposed to disclose the effects and modulatory mechanism of BTG anti-proliferation factor 2 (BTG2) during the pathological process of DN. Methods: BTG2 expression in kidney tissues of diabetic mice and high glucose (HG)-exposed human proximal tubular cell line HK-2 was assessed with Western blot and RT-qPCR. The diabetic mice model was constructed by streptozotocin injection and confirmed by the blood glucose level beyond 16.7 mmol/L. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and measurement of… More >

View

440

Download

119

Open Access

ARTICLE

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.9, pp. 1389-1400, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.049562
Abstract Background: Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a prevalent condition in orthopedics. While death-associated protein kinase 2 (DAPK2) is known to play roles in cellular apoptosis and autophagy, its specific contributions to the advancement of OPLL are not well understood. Methods: Ligament fibroblasts were harvested from patients diagnosed with OPLL. Techniques such as real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot analysis were employed to assess DAPK2 levels in both ligament tissues and cultured fibroblasts. The extent of osteogenic differentiation in these cells was evaluated using an alizarin red S (ARS) staining. Additionally,… More >

View

277

Download

93

Open Access

ARTICLE

BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.2, pp. 239-244, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.025357
Abstract An organism’s survival depends on its ability to adapt to stress. Mitochondria are the cellular integrators of environmental stressors that ultimately translate their responses at the organismal level, and are thus central to the process whereby organisms adapt to their respective environments. Mitochondria produce molecular energy via oxidative phosphorylation that then allows cells to biosynthetically respond and adapt to changes in their environment. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are by-products of oxidative phosphorylation that can be either beneficial or damaging, depending on the context; ROS are hence both the conveyors of environmental stress as well as More >

View

4592

Download

1185

Like

5

Open Access

ARTICLE

BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.1, pp. 87-95, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.016509
Abstract Available reports have confirmed a link between bacterial infection and the progression of different types of cancers, including colon, lungs, and prostate cancer. Here we report the Chlamydia pneumonia proteins targeting in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) using in-silico approaches and their possible role in lung cancer etiology. We predicted 48 proteins that target human ER, which may be associated with protein folding and protein-protein interactions during infection. The results showed C. pneumoniae proteins targeting human ER and their implications in lung cancer growth. These targeted proteins may be involved in competitive interactions between host and bacterial proteins, which may More >

View

4313

Download

1473

Open Access

ARTICLE

BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.3, pp. 759-767, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.016586
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Molecular and Cellular Diagnostic Models)
Abstract Despite the multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses accumulating evidence on the preventive effect of calcium supplementation for colorectal cancer, most of the associated adverse effects are not systematically analyzed. The aim of the study is evaluating adverse events associated with calcium supplementation for colorectal cancer prevention through a systematic meta-analysis. We searched Medline, PubMed Central, EMBASE (Excerpta Medica database), Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science published in English from database inception up to 31 July 2019. In the current systematic meta-analysis, we included human studies (including cohort studies, clinical trials,… More >

View

4301

Download

1294

Open Access

VIEWPOINT

BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.1, pp. 1-5, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2021.017300
Abstract Nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) are two molecules that share signaling properties in plant and animal cells. NO and H₂S originate two families of derived molecules designated reactive nitrogen and sulfur species (RNS and RSS, respectively). These molecules are responsible for certain protein regulatory processes through posttranslational modifications (PTMs), being the most remarkable S-nitrosation and persulfidation, which affect the thiol group of cysteine residues. NO and H₂S can also exert regulatory functions due to their interaction through the iron present in proteins that contain heme groups or iron-sulfur clusters, as reported mainly in animal cells. More >

View

3827

Download

1855

Like

1

Cited by

1

Open Access

REVIEW

BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.2, pp. 389-400, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2021.015899
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Stem Cells, Protein Therapeutics, and Regenerative Medicine)
Abstract Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a long-lasting condition that affects the liver, destroying its function. Liver injury can cause steatosis and inflammation, and further activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) often leads to the development of nonalcoholic liver fibrosis. The patient with NAFLD is at risk of developing advanced liver disease and complications, such as liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and portal hypertension. Although our understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of NAFLD has greatly improved in recent years, treatment remains limited. Analysis and characterization of protein posttranslational modifications (PTMs) could improve our More >

View

3612

Download

1976

Open Access

ARTICLE

BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.4, pp. 1053-1066, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2021.012901
Abstract Previous reports have suggested that Ang-(1-7) may have a protective effect in endothelial cells against high glucose (HG)-induced cell injury thanks to a modulatory mechanism in the NF-κB signaling pathway. In this study, we have examined whether NF-κB-IL-1β and Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathways contribute to the protection of Ang-(1-7) against hyperglycemia-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Our results indicate that time-varying exposures of HUVECs, from 1 h to 24 h, to high glucose concentrations result in an increased expression of phosphorylated (p)-p65 and HO-1 in a time-dependent manner. As… More >

View

3546

Download

1685

Open Access

ARTICLE

BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.2, pp. 505-510, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2021.015785
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Cellular Biomechanics in Health and Diseases)
Abstract The excessive energy of light, especially the invisible rays with lower wavelength, is basically absorbed by retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and usually causes DNA damage. The molecular mechanism behind DNA damage repair response to this frequent stress in RPE is not clearly understood. In this study, we determined that the Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway was activated in human RPE ARPE-19 cells after ultraviolet (UV) B and C treatment. Moreover, immunoprecipitation (IP) of FANCD2 indicated that denticleless E3 ubiquitin protein ligase homolog (DTL) closely interacted with FANCD2. Knockdown of DTL weakened the activity of the FA More >

View

3483

Download

1843

Open Access

ARTICLE

BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.1, pp. 127-136, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2021.015932
Abstract Sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor used for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, is limited by its low oral bioavailability. To overcome this drawback, we have developed novel camel milk casein-derived nanoparticles as a drug delivery system. Camel milk casein is not only biocompatible on oral administration but is actually a dietary protein of pharmaceutical relevance. Casein is used because of its amphiphilic nature, self-assembling property, ability to show sustained release, and capability of encapsulating both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. In this study, camel milk casein nanoparticles loaded with sorafenib were developed and characterized. Characterization of casein… More >

View

3456

Download

1645

Open Access

ARTICLE

BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.1, pp. 97-109, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2021.015608
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Computational Models in Non-Coding RNA and Human Disease)
Abstract Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common cancer worldwide. Although emerging evidence indicates that autophagy-related long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plays an important role in the progression of GC, the prognosis of GC based on autophagy is still deficient. The Cancer Genome of Atlas stomach adenocarcinoma (TCGA-STAD) dataset was downloaded and separated into a training set and a testing set randomly. Then, 24 autophagy-related lncRNAs were found strongly associated with the survival of the TCGA-STAD dataset. 11 lncRNAs were selected to build the risk score model through the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator… More >

View

3416

Download

2309

Open Access

ARTICLE

BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.3, pp. 721-735, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2021.015867
Abstract The peritoneum is the most common site of recurrence of gastric cancer (GC). Early occult peritoneal metastasis is difficult to detect by imaging examination. Stratifying the risk of peritoneal metastasis in patients with different Lauren subtypes is of great clinical value. We performed a univariate Cox regression to identify those genes with prognostic value of overall survival (OS) and peritoneal-specified disease-free survival (psDFS) from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The candidate genes were screened by the Subpopulation Treatment Effect Pattern Plot (STEPP) method. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was used to reduce the interference of… More >

View

3298

Download

1735

Open Access

ARTICLE

BIOCELL, Vol.45, No.6, pp. 1631-1649, 2021, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2021.014934
Abstract Soil contamination with toxic heavy metals [such as cadmium (Cd)] is becoming a serious global problem due to rapid development of social economy. Iron (Fe), being an important element, has been found effective in enhancing plant tolerance against biotic and abiotic stresses. The present study investigated the extent to which different levels of Ferrous sulphate (FeSO₄) modulated the Cd tolerance of rice (Oryza sativa L.), when maintained in artificially Cd spiked regimes. A pot experiment was conducted under controlled conditions for 146 days, by using natural soil, mixed with different levels of CdCl₂ [0 (no Cd), 0.5… More >

View

3357

Download

1222

Like

1

Cited by

7

Open Access

ARTICLE

BIOCELL, Vol.45, No.2, pp. 363-369, 2021, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2021.013907
Abstract Bacterial endophytes are beneficial to their hosts as they can fix nitrogen in the soil and make it available to the host. Endophytic bacteria also secrete plant growth-promoting hormones to support their host plants under normal as well as stress conditions. The current study aimed to isolate endophytic bacteria from different parts of Calotropis procera, i.e., roots, stem and leaves of Calotropis procera (Ait.) W.T. Aiton. Plants were collected from the Lundkhwar, district Mardan. A total of 12 bacterial strains, i.e., six from roots, three from the stem and three from the leaves were isolated. The strains… More >

View

2742

Download

1639

Like

1

Cited by

6

Open Access

ARTICLE

BIOCELL, Vol.45, No.2, pp. 395-415, 2021, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2021.012280
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: New Insights in Biology of Depression: New Molecules and Approaches)
Abstract Mast cells are the main effector cells in IgE-associated allergic disorders, and we have reported that mucosal mast cells (MMCs) play a more important role in the development of food allergy (FA). IgE with antigen or calcium ionophore stimulation can lead to the activation of MMCs via a calcium-dependent pathway. The purpose of the present study was to identify gene signatures with IgE/antigen (dinitrophenyl-bovine serum albumin, DNP-BSA) or calcium ionophore (A23187) on the activation of MMCs. Differentially expressed genes between the two types of samples were identified with microarray analysis. Gene ontology functional and pathway… More >

View

2927

Download

1802

Like

1

Cited by

6

Open Access

REVIEW

BIOCELL, Vol.45, No.1, pp. 1-16, 2021, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2021.013452
Abstract An increasing number of studies provide evidence for the existence of a microbiota-gut-brain axis and its potential involvement in the development of sporadic Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. The neuropathologic hallmark of Parkinson’s disease is the presence of brain intraneuronal aggregates of misfolded alpha-synuclein, known as Lewy bodies. Some gut microbiota products may trigger alpha-synuclein conformational changes in the neurons of the enteric nervous system, which can then spread to the brain in a prion-like fashion through the vagus nerve. Others may interfere with neuroinflammatory pathways and susceptibility to neurodegeneration. In this review, we More >

View

3097

Download

1525

Like

2

Cited by

4

Open Access

REVIEW

BIOCELL, Vol.45, No.4, pp. 863-884, 2021, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2021.013993
Abstract Inactivation of apoptosis is the prime phenomenon in cancer development and cancer treatments. Mutations in the apoptotic pathway not only exert resistance to apoptosis and provide a survival advantage to cancer cells but also confer resistance to cancer therapies. Escaping apoptosis is the “hallmark” of cancer cells. Cancer cells can withstand many apoptotic stimuli, such as DNA damage, unfavorable environments, and cytotoxic therapies. Substantial research has been carried out and is in good progress on the various mechanisms adopted by cancer cells to evade apoptosis. This article reviews the apoptosis escape mechanisms by cancer cells, More >

View

3631

Download

1605

Like

1

Cited by

4

Open Access

ARTICLE

BIOCELL, Vol.45, No.1, pp. 65-77, 2021, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2021.014154
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Biomonitoring of Toxic Effects Using OMICs Markers)
Abstract Harmful algal blooms (HABs) that are formed by cyanobacteria have become a serious issue worldwide in recent years. Cyanobacteria can release a type of secondary metabolites called cyanotoxins into aquatic systems which may indirectly or directly provide health risks to the environment and humans. Cyanotoxins provide some of the most powerful natural poisons including potent neurotoxins, hepatotoxins, cytotoxins, and endotoxins that may result in environmental health risks, and long-term morbidity and mortality to animals and humans. In this research, we used the chemcomputational tool Molinspiration for molecular property predictions, Pred-hERG 4.2 web software for cardiac… More >

View

2863

Download

1590

Like

1

Cited by

4

Open Access

ARTICLE

BIOCELL, Vol.45, No.4, pp. 1059-1067, 2021, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2021.015261
Abstract Nicotine and menthol, agonists of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) and transient receptor potential melastatin type 8 (TRPM8), serve important roles in the prevention of cell death-involved neurodegenerative diseases. However, the potential synergistic effects of nicotine and menthol on anti-apoptotic ability are still uncertain. In the present study, the potential synergistic effects of nicotine and menthol on cisplatin or amyloid β_1-42 induced cell model of the neurodegenerative diseases were explored by assessing cell viability, TNF-α expression, caspase-3 activation, and the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Statistical significance was tested using Student’s t-test… More >

View

2212

Download

1425

Like

1

Cited by

4

Open Access

REVIEW

BIOCELL, Vol.45, No.3, pp. 489-500, 2021, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2021.014439
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Cellular Biomechanics in Health and Diseases)
Abstract Although great achievements have been made in the past decades in medicine, cancer remains a worldwide public health issue. Surgery is usually accompanied by shortcomings such as residual lesions and poor treatment effects, and the successive appearance of other treatment methods, such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, has not changed the postoperative recurrence rate, toxicity, and side effects. However, the advent of photodynamic therapy has greatly improved this situation. Photodynamic therapy is an emerging tumor diagnosis and treatment technology with good application prospects, photodynamic therapy uses a specific wavelength of light to excite a photosensitizer to More >

View

3622

Download

1933

Like

1

Cited by

4

Open Access

REVIEW

BIOCELL, Vol.45, No.3, pp. 451-459, 2021, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2021.014289
Abstract Soybean agglutinin (SBA) is an important anti-nutritional factor in soybean. SBA can induce animal growth inhibition, cause pathological changes of intestinal tissue, and decrease in the immune system functioning. Recently, a great deal of research has been done on the effects of SBA on cell morphology, division, apoptosis, autophagy, as well as the correlated signal transduction pathway. This review mainly covers the chemical and biological characteristics of SBA, describes the multifaceted aspects of SBA anti-nutritional functions, and highlights the possible cellular and molecular mechanism of anti-nutritional effects of SBA. This review has important implications for More >

View

2543

Download

1511

Like

1

Cited by

4

Open Access

ARTICLE

BIOCELL, Vol.45, No.1, pp. 119-127, 2021, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2021.012011
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: New Insights in Biology of Depression: New Molecules and Approaches)
Abstract The need for the bacterial proteinase is rapidly growing, urging to catch a lowcost medium for the microbial fermentation, nanoparticles can play a vital role in this respect. The proteinase of Talaromyces purpureogenus was produced on the tubers of Helianthus tuberosus that also operated as solid support for the fermentation process. The interface amongst nitrogen sources (NH₄Cl and yeast extract) was investigated, applying the statistical modeling of central composite design under solid-state fermentation. The optimum medium for proteinase secretion was stimulated by 979.82 mg NH₄Cl and 437.68 mg yeast extract per 100 g substrate, yielding 108.15 U/g tubers.… More >

View

2446

Download

1441

Like

1

Cited by

3