YIWEI HAO^1,#, YAODONG PING^2,#, YAN YANG³, CHENG QU³, YUAN CHEN¹, XUEYAN JIANG¹, RONG FU¹, HAILONG ZHAO^4,*, LEI YU^4,*

BIOCELL, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.074863

Abstract Myocardial ischemia, a core pathological process underlying diverse cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease, poses a severe threat to global human health by frequently leading to acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, and even sudden cardiac death. A comprehensive understanding of its intricate underlying pathogenic mechanisms is not only crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies but also essential for accelerating the translation of basic research findings into clinical practice. However, the complex regulatory networks that drive myocardial ischemia remain to be systematically clarified. These networks encompass the intricate interactions among multiple pathological processes, including energy… More >

Yung-Chieh Huang^1,2,3, Wen-Chien Cheng^4,5, Ya-Hsuan Chao⁶, Tzu-Ting Chen^7,*, Chi-Chen Lin^8,9,10,11,*

BIOCELL, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.072732

Abstract Protein arginine deiminases (PADs) are key enzymes in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), catalyzing the conversion of arginine to citrulline in a process called citrullination. This post-translational modification is crucial to RA pathogenesis as it creates neo-antigens that trigger the production of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs). These ACPAs are highly specific to RA and often appear before clinical symptoms, making them valuable biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis. Beyond ACPA production, PADs, particularly PAD4, play a vital role in forming neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). NETs contribute to inflammation and joint damage, further highlighting the importance… More > Graphic Abstract

Alessio L. Ravani¹, Michael I. Bukrinsky², Anastasia V. Poznyak^3,*

BIOCELL, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.074266

Abstract Atherosclerosis (AS) remains a major contributor to cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality worldwide. Its development involves dysregulated lipid handling, persistent vascular inflammation, and endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction, influenced by genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Increasing evidence highlights a pivotal role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress as a molecular link between lipid dysregulation and inflammatory signaling in AS pathogenesis. ER stress is triggered by modified LDL, oxidized lipids, hyperhomocysteinemia, oxidative stress (OS), and disrupted calcium (Ca²⁺) homeostasis, leading to activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR). Core UPR mediators—inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1), protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK),… More >

HUAN ZHOU¹, JIAMI JIANG², YUQING ZOU¹, JIAHUI ZHANG^1,*, ZHIWEI YU^3,*

BIOCELL, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.073989

Abstract Obesity-related asthma is a distinct clinical phenotype, characterized by severe respiratory symptoms, reduced responsiveness to conventional glucocorticoid therapy, and a significantly increase in disease burden. With the rising global prevalence of obesity, the number of individuals affected by obesity-related asthma is steadily growing, presenting a pressing public health issue. The pathogenesis of obesity-related asthma is multifactorial, involving a complex interplay of metabolic and immune pathways. Key mechanisms include dysregulated T-cell differentiation, pro-inflammatory macrophage polarization, oxidative stress, and altered cytokines and adipokines secretion, all contributing to airway inflammation and remodeling. Additionally, metabolic factors, such as adiposity… More >

Egor A. Turovsky^*, Elena G. Varlamova

BIOCELL, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.073728

Abstract Objectives: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is highly resistant to apoptosis. This study investigates the role of Selenoprotein M (SELENOM), a redox-regulating protein, in the response of human glioblastoma A-172 cells to staurosporine (STS) and hyperthermia. Methods: A stable SELENOM-knockdown (SELENOM-KD) cell line was created. We measured reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), cell death, and apoptotic gene expression. Results: SELENOM-KD increased basal ROS levels and induced mitochondrial dysfunction. It sensitized cells to STS-induced apoptosis, enhancing the upregulation of pro-apoptotic genes. Conversely, under hyperthermia (42°C), SELENOM-KD cells exhibited significant thermoresistance, with 52% survival vs. 99% death More >

SHAOFENG XIONG^1,2, WENKAI LV³, GUOSHENG CAO⁴, LONGSHENG FU¹, WEN LIU³, MENGFAN LEI², YANNI LV^1,5,*

BIOCELL, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.073401

Abstract Objective: Leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein 1 (Lrg1) could regulate diverse cells in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. Our study seeks to uncover Lrg1’s impact on endothelial cell heterogeneity via differentiation pathways and transcription factors. Method: The CSOmap model measured cell-to-brain-center distances using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data in middle cerebral artery occlusion reperfusion (MCAO/R). Monocle2 mapped endothelial differentiation paths. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) analyzed endothelial subcluster variations. Database searches revealed a zinc finger MIZ-type containing 1 protein-frizzled 3 (Zmiz1-Fzd3) promoter interaction. Endothelial cells were transfected with a Fzd3 promoter-luciferase plasmid. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting assessed… More >

Congwei You^1,#, Anwen Yin^2,#, Jia Xia³, Le Zhang^4,*, Xiaolei Wang^1,*, Yutong Hou^4,*

BIOCELL, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.072971

Abstract Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) have shown a marked global increase in prevalence, placing a substantial burden on public health and healthcare systems worldwide. Epidemiological data demonstrate a significant overlap between these two conditions, with further evidence from research identifying common pathophysiological features, such as lipid metabolism dysregulation, disrupted energy balance, and chronic systemic inflammation. Mitochondria are central to the pathophysiology of both diseases. In addition to their role in energy production, mitochondria are involved in numerous critical cellular processes, including biosynthesis, lipid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, signal transduction, and More >

Zhitao Yang^1,#, Huanyu Cheng^1,#, Xinli Liu¹, Jie Li¹, Xin Ming¹, Beibei Li¹, Luyao Zhang¹, Chunqing MA¹, Yi Jiao¹, Shenjia Wu¹, Ibrar Muhammad Khan², Guanghua Xiong¹, Hongcheng Wang^1,*, Yong Liu^1,*

BIOCELL, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.072736

Abstract Objectives: Postmenopausal osteoporosis is the most common form of osteoporosis in clinical practice, affecting millions of postmenopausal women worldwide. Postmenopausal osteoporosis demands safe and effective therapies. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of hederagenin (Hed) for treating osteoporosis and to elucidate its underlying mechanisms of action. Methods: The anti-osteoporotic potential of Hed was assessed by investigating its effects on ovariectomy (OVX)-induced bone loss in mice and on receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation in RAW264.7 cells. Network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking were employed to identify key targets, which were subsequently validated… More >

Chung-Che Tsai^1,#, Chih-Hung Lin^2,#, Katherine Lin^3,4, Jia Hong Hubert Chen^4,5, Ying Jie Celia Chen^4,5, Ilyssa Ting-Ying Chang^3,4, Hsu-Hung Chang⁶, Jin-Yin Chang⁷, Tin-Yi Chu⁸, Po-Chih Hsu^4,8,*, Chan-Yen Kuo^8,*

BIOCELL, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.073698

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, most commonly driven by chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The HBV X protein (HBx) plays a central role in hepatocarcinogenesis by regulating transcription, signal transduction, epigenetic modification, and interactions with noncoding RNAs. This review summarizes current advances in HBx-mediated signaling pathways and mutation-specific functions, highlighting its potential as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target, and providing insights for future strategies in HCC treatment and HBV eradication. Activation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), cAMP response element binding protein/activating transcription factor More > Graphic Abstract

KAWALJIT KAUR^*

BIOCELL, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.073340

Abstract Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a pediatric brainstem tumor with a very poor prognosis, characterized by immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) that limits immune infiltration, including a significant reduction in circulating natural killer (NK) cells. This drop in NK cell levels and activity may promote tumor growth and immune evasion, making NK cells a promising target for immunotherapy. NK cells can attack and eliminate DIPG tumor cells, including glioma stem cells, while counteracting certain immune evasion strategies. Although the DIPG microenvironment and blood-brain barrier present challenges, NK cell-based therapies have shown encouraging tumor control and… More >