XIAOSU SONG, FEN GAO, HONG LI, WEIWEI QIN, CHANJUAN CHAI, GUOJUAN SHI, HUIYU YANG^*

BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.4, pp. 849-858, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.026545 - 08 March 2023

Abstract Background: Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) undergo a conversion from a contractile phenotype to a proliferative synthetic phenotype, contributing to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Semaphorin 7A (SEMA7A) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane protein that plays an important role in vascular homeostasis by regulating endothelial cell behaviors. However, the expression and role of SEMA7A in VSMCs remain unclear.Methods: In this study, we screened for VSMC-regulating genes in publicly available datasets and analyzed the expression of SEMA7A in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (hCASMCs) treated with platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB). The effects of SEMA7A overexpression and knockdown… More >

YU ZHANG^1,2, XI’AN ZHOU^1,2, CHUNYAN ZHANG^1,2, DENGNI LAI⁵, DONGBO LIU^1,3,4, YANYANG WU^1,2,3,4,*

BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.4, pp. 859-868, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.026429 - 08 March 2023

Abstract Background: Hyperglycemia is a typical symptom of diabetes. High glucose induces apoptosis of islet β cells. While autophagy functions in cytoprotection and autophagic cell death. The interaction between autophagy and apoptosis is important in the modulation of the function of islet β cells. Vitamin B3 can induce autophagy and inhibit islet β apoptosis.Method: The mechanism of vitamin B3-mediated protective effect on the function of islet β cells was explored by the method of western blot, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry.Results: In the present study, high glucose stress increased the apoptosis rate, while vitamin B3 reduced the apoptosis rate.… More >

TINGTING SUN, XUE SUN, XIN WANG, RUI GUO, YUANHUA YU^*, LE GAO^*

BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.4, pp. 879-889, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.026229 - 08 March 2023

Abstract Background: Aldo-keto oxidoreductase (AKR) inhibitors could reverse the resistance of several cancer cells to cis-platin, but their role in resistance remains unclear.Methods: We verified the difference of AKR1Cs expression by Western blot, RNA sequencing and qRT-PCR. The differences of AKR1Cs expression were analyzed and inferred. Use Assay of NADH and NAD⁺ content to verify the inference. The Docking experience was used to verify the affinity between MPA, MCFLA, MLS and AKR1C3.Results: Our RNA-seq results showed de novo NAD biosynthesis-related genes and NAD(P)H-dependent oxidoreductases were significantly upregulated in cis-platin-resistant HepG2 hepatic cancer cells (HepG2-RC cells) compared with HepG2 cells.… More >

AAYUSHI RANDHAWA^1,2, SAYAN DEB DUTTA¹, KEYA GANGULY¹, TEJAL V. PATIL^1,2, RACHMI LUTHFIKASARI¹, KI-TAEK LIM^1,2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.4, pp. 789-808, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.026217 - 08 March 2023

Abstract Tissues are made up of cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) which surrounds them. These cells and tissues are actively adaptable to enduring significant stress that occurs in daily life. This astonishing mechanical stress develops due to the interaction between the live cells and the non-living ECM. Cells in the matrix microenvironment can sense the signals and forces produced and initiate a signaling cascade that plays a crucial role in the body’s normal functioning and influences various properties of the native cells, including growth, proliferation, and differentiation. However, the matrix’s characteristic features also impact the More >

JIA LIU^1,2,#, FAPING WANG^1,2,#, BO YUAN³, FENGMING LUO^1,2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.4, pp. 697-705, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.026148 - 08 March 2023

Abstract Runt-related transcription factor-1 (RUNX1), also known as the core-binding factor alpha 2 subunit, is closely related to human leukemia. The functions of RUNX1 in modulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival in multiple systems have been gradually discovered with the emergence of transgenic mice. RUNX1 is a powerful transcription factor implicated in diverse signaling pathways and cellular mechanisms that participate in lung development and pulmonary diseases. RUNX1 has recently been identified as a target regulator of fibrotic remodeling diseases, particularly in the kidney. However, the role of RUNX1 in pulmonary fibrosis is unclear. Pulmonary fibrosis is More >

YIFAN XU^1,#, DONGMEI CHENG^1,#, LEI HU¹, XIN DONG², LIYING LV², CHEN ZHANG², JIAN ZHOU^1,3,4,*

BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.4, pp. 825-836, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.026122 - 08 March 2023

Abstract The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is the main target of tooth regeneration regulation. Treatment of cells with AZD2858 stimulates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, yet the function of this pathway in tooth regeneration remains unclear. Here, we found that AZD2858 promotes the accumulation of β-catenin in the nuclei of stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAPs) and enhances cell proliferation. Single-cell sequencing was performed on SCAPs treated with AZD2858. Eight clusters were identified, namely SCAPs-CNTNAP2, SCAPs-DTL, SCAPs-MYH11, SCAPs-MKI67, SCAPs-CXCL8, SCAPs-TPM2, SCAPs-IFIT2 and SCAPs-NEK10. The pseudo-time trajectory analysis showed that AZD2858 enhanced the evolution of SCAPs from SCAPs-TMP2 More >

SUBHASH CHANDRA^1,2, SANTWANA PALAI³, EDINARDO FAGNER FERREIRA-MATIAS⁴, IVO CAVALCANTE PITA-NETO⁴, CíCERO LUCAS GOMES-RAMALHO⁴, EDLANE MARTINS DE ANDRADE⁴, RAY SILVA DE ALMEIDA⁵, MARCELLO IRITI^6,7,*, HENRIQUE DOUGLAS MELO-COUTINHO^5,*

BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.4, pp. 677-695, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.026081 - 08 March 2023

Abstract Indian medicinal plants are referred to as the “nectar of life” owing to their phytochemicals and bioactive complexes that are beneficial in treating diseases. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global health issue without any proper medication. The indigenous plants of India can be exploited to control the precise signs of SARS-CoV-2. The Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) has advised routine usage of medicinal plants for COVID-19. Medicinal plants like Zingiber officinalis, Azadirachta indica, Ocimum sanctum, Nigella sativa, Withania somnifera, Curcuma longa, Piper nigrum, Allium sativum, Tinospora cordifolia, etc. have More >

WEI SHI^1,2,3,#, JIANXIA LIN^1,2,3,#, RONG JIN^1,2,3, XIANJING XIE^1,2,3, YAN LIANG^1,2,3,*

BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.4, pp. 869-877, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.026037 - 08 March 2023

Abstract Background: LncRNA DLX6-AS1 has been uncovered to exert effects on various cancers. Nevertheless, the impacts of DLX6-AS1 on endometrial cancer (EC) development remained obscure. The study explored the influence of DLX6-AS1 on EC progression via the microRNA (miR)-374a-3p/zinc-finger protein (ZFX) axis.Methods: EC cell lines were collected and DLX6-AS1, miR-374a-3p, and ZFX levels in EC cell lines were detected. The EC cells were transfected with DLX6-AS1, miR-374a-3p, and ZFX constructs to examine the biological functions of EC cells. The xenograft model was established for detecting tumor growth. Rescue experiments were conducted to verify the interaction of DLX6-AS1, More > Graphic Abstract

KANWAL REHMAN¹, AMMARA AFZAAL², MUHAMMAD SAJID HAMID AKASH^2,*, MUHAMMAD IMRAN^3,4, MOHAMMED A. ASSIRI^3,4

BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.4, pp. 809-823, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.025850 - 08 March 2023

Abstract The cytokine channel’s mechanism for self-regulation involves the application of antagonistic cytokines that are synthesized to connect to the receptors and release soluble cytokine receptors. The very first receptor antagonist of cytokine that was naturally present was interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra). The IL-1Ra protein forms are disinfected from supernatants of cultured monocytes on stacked IgG. The family of IL-1 consists of IL-1α, IL-1β and IL-1Ra. Human monocytes regulate the production of IL-Ra. IL-Ra takes part in normal physiological functions by using specific antibodies, and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. IL-Ra is synthesized in the tissues More >

KAMILA CZUBAK-PROWIZOR^*, MARIA SWIATKOWSKA

BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.4, pp. 731-737, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.025677 - 08 March 2023

Abstract Junctional adhesion molecule-A (JAM-A), also known as the F11 receptor (F11R), is one of the tight junction components. JAM-A is a transmembrane glycoprotein that regulates many cellular processes, i.e., angiogenesis, leukocyte transendothelial migration, intercellular permeability, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and platelet activation. Of note, it is involved in the pathogenesis of various cancer types, including gynecological cancers. Only a few studies are available about this cancer type. Observed aberrant JAM-A expression in gynecological cancers correlates with poor patient prognosis. To the best of our knowledge, conflicting JAM-A roles in various cancer types suggest that its involvement is More >