Mutamba Ropafadzo Peace¹, Thobeka Madide^1,2, Ntethelelo Sibiya^1,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.11, pp. 2069-2091, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.068017 - 24 November 2025

Abstract The pathogenesis of insulin resistance is influenced by environmental factors, genetic predispositions, and several medications. Various drugs used to manage multiple ailments have been shown to induce insulin resistance, which could lead to Type II Diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Central to drug-induced insulin resistance is mitochondrial dysfunction. Amongst disturbed pathways in drug-induced mitochondrial toxicity is mitophagy, a process that removes dysfunctional mitochondria through the lysosomal pathways to maintain mitochondrial quality. A balance must always be maintained between mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy, as any alterations may contribute to the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus.… More >

Russel J. Reiter^1,*, Ramaswamy Sharma^2,*, Walter Manucha³, Walter Balduini⁴, Doris Loh⁵, Demetrios A. Spandidos⁶, Alejandro Romero⁷, Vasiliki E. Georgakopoulou⁸, Wei Zhu⁹

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.11, pp. 2033-2067, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.067661 - 24 November 2025

Abstract The development of cancer cell resistance to conventional treatments continues to be a major obstacle in the successful treatment of tumors of many types. The discovery of a highly efficient direct and indirect free radical scavenger, melatonin, in the mitochondrial matrix may be a factor in determining both the occurrence of cancer cell drug insensitivity as well as radioresistance. This relates to two of the known hallmarks of cancer, i.e., exaggerated free radical generation in the mitochondria and the development of Warburg type metabolism (glycolysis). The hypothesis elaborated in this report assumes that the high… More >

Anastasia Vylegzhanina^1,2, Irina Shalaginova^2,*, Dana Korolevich¹, Dmitry Katserov¹, Alexandra Semenova¹, Maria Sidorova¹, Sergey Eresko³, Marat Airapetov³, Marina Pavlova², Anna Levina², Natalia Dyuzhikova²

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.10, pp. 2007-2031, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.071198 - 22 October 2025

Abstract Objectives: Chronic stress can trigger neuroinflammation and gut microbiota alterations, contributing to post-stress disorders. Individual differences in stress responses, shaped by genetic and physiological factors, require better characterization. We aimed to investigate the long-term effects of chronic stress in rats selectively bred for high and low nervous system excitability. Methods: Adult male rats from two strains selectively bred for high (HT) and low (LT) excitability thresholds of the nervous system underwent a 15-day chronic emotional-pain stress protocol. Behavioral assessments (elevated plus maze), cytokine levels (TNF, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10) in the hippocampus and amygdala measured by… More >

Yun Zhou^1,2, Shixiong Liu^1,2, Ya Zheng^1,3,4, Yuping Wang^1,3,4,*, Yongning Zhou^1,3,4,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.10, pp. 1967-1983, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.069869 - 22 October 2025

Abstract Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is a prevalent cause of death. 3,9-Di-O-methylnissolin (DOM) is a flavonoid isolated from Astragalus membranaceus. It has anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects, but its effect and mechanism of action on GC are not very clear. Methods: The appropriate concentration was selected after observing the effects of varying concentrations of DOM on the viability of GC cells, which was examined through the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The receptor-interacting protein kinase 2 (RIPK2) overexpression plasmid was transfected into GC cells, which were then treated with DOM. Cell cycle and proliferation, RIPK2 levels, and inflammatory… More > Graphic Abstract

Hong Wu, Yang Liu^*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.10, pp. 1985-2006, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.069527 - 22 October 2025

Abstract Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a serious gastrointestinal disorder. Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), a bioactive alkaloid extracted from Ligusticum chuanxiong, exhibits various pharmacological effects, but its protective mechanisms against AP remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of TMP in AP. Methods: The study utilized Cerulein (CER) to model pancreatitis across experimental systems. Cellular responses were characterized through functional assays (CCK-8 viability, EdU proliferation, Transwell migration, flow cytometric apoptosis, Fluo-3/AM calcium imaging) and inflammatory profiling (ELISA for trypsin, CRP, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6). Autophagy was monitored via mRFP-GFP-LC3 flux and LysoTracker staining, with… More > Graphic Abstract

Mingxuan Lei¹, Jiayin Xu², Xiaoying Hu², Lin Feng³, Baoping Luo^4,5,6,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.10, pp. 1947-1965, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.068926 - 22 October 2025

Abstract Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) typically begins inconspicuously and progresses swiftly, leading to most patients being diagnosed at an advanced stage. Accordingly, a pressing priority is to clarify the development mechanisms of HCC and devise efficient intervention and treatment protocols. Methods: An upstream miRNA of solute carrier transporter family 1 member 5 (SLC1A5) was predicted to be miR-122-5p by various databases, and a dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was used to verify the SLC1A5- and miR-122-5p-targeting relationship. SLC1A5 and miR-122-5p expression in HCC cells was quantitatively assessed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT–PCR). Western blotting… More >

Kayce Blumenstock^1,2, Vandana Zaman^2,3, Camille Green³, Narendra L. Banik^1,2,3, Azizul Haque^1,2,3,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.10, pp. 1859-1871, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.068773 - 22 October 2025

Abstract Fc Receptor-Like 1 (FCRL1), a member of the FCRL family, contains two immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAMs) in its cytoplasmic domain and plays a critical role in B-cell biology. Its expression begins in pre-B-cells, dynamically shifts during B-cell development, and contributes to the regulation of human B-cell activation. Notably, FCRL1 is overexpressed in subsets of naive and memory B-cells, as well as in malignant B-cells, including those in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), an aggressive and often treatment-resistant hematological malignancy. Among FCRL family members, FCRL1 stands out as a promising immunotherapeutic target due to its More >

Nuria Malena Tebez¹, María Cecilia Terrile^1,*, María Elisa Picco¹, María José Iglesias^2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.10, pp. 1913-1928, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.067833 - 22 October 2025

Abstract In plants, the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) plays a central role in hormonal regulation, including the action of the phytohormone auxin, which orchestrates numerous aspects of growth and development. Auxin modulates redox metabolism and promotes the accumulation of nitric oxide (NO) in various tissues and physiological contexts. NO functions as a redox signaling molecule, exerting its effects in part through the reversible oxidation of cysteine residues via a post-translational modification known as S-nitrosylation. Recent findings highlight a dynamic interplay between S-nitrosylation and the ubiquitination machinery, shaping critical aspects of auxin-mediated plant responses. In this review, we More >

Sotirios Charalampos Diamantoudis^1,#,*, Androulla N. Miliotou^2,#, Eleftheria Galatou², Stergiani Telliou³, Konstantinos Sideris⁴, Nikolaos Grigoriadis¹, Ioannis S. Vizirianakis^1,2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.10, pp. 1799-1858, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.067216 - 22 October 2025

Abstract Hematological cancer stem cells (HCSCs) is a subpopulation of cells within hematological cancers that, through their characteristics, enhance malignancy and render their therapy more challenging. By uncovering the underlying mechanisms behind characteristic properties such as self-renewal, immune evasion, and conventional therapy resistance, as well as the major differences between other cancers and physiological cells, new and alternative targets can be assessed for use in existing and novel immunotherapeutic interventions. Through the evaluation of the existing literature, one can realize that there have already been several studies addressing the use of stem cell transplantation (SCT), monoclonal More > Graphic Abstract

Sophia Strukel¹, Vikrant Rai^1,2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.10, pp. 1887-1911, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.067207 - 22 October 2025

Abstract Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a serious complication of diabetes mellitus and are associated with high morbidity, risk of amputation, and increased mortality. Although DFUs typically remain a chronic, non-healing wound, a small portion of DFUs may undergo malignant transformation. The subsequent malignancies are skin cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), basal cell carcinoma, or melanoma. Understanding the pathophysiology of DFUs and the molecular and clinical determinants that contribute to their potential malignant transformation if crucial for clinical management. Chronic inflammation, dysregulation of cytokine signaling, faulty immune surveillance, and impaired wound healing all play… More >