Hang Zhang^1,#, Meng-Yuan Chu^1,#, Guohui Lv¹, You-Jie Li¹, Xuhang Liu², Fei Jiao^1,*, Yun-Fei Yan^1,*

BIOCELL, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.068322

Abstract Objectives: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, with limited understanding of lncRNA-driven mechanisms in tumor progression. This study aimed to identify differentially expressed lncRNAs in NSCLC tissues and elucidate the functional role of the significantly upregulated RP3-340N1.2 in promoting malignancy. Methods: RNA sequencing was used to screen dysregulated lncRNAs. RP3-340N1.2 was functionally characterized via gain/loss-of-function assays in NSCLC cells, assessing proliferation, migration, and macrophage polarization. Mechanisms of interleukin 6 (IL-6) regulation were explored using cytokine profiling, Actinomycin D assays, and RNA Immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays to study RP3-340N1.2 interactions with… More >

Przemysław Piwowarczyk¹, Justyna Woś¹, Agata Szymańska¹, Sylwia Chocholska², Waldemar Tomczak², Jacek Roliński¹, Agnieszka Bojarska-Junak^1,*

BIOCELL, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.074128

Abstract Objectives: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by progressive immune dysregulation. Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells support immune surveillance, but the clinical relevance of their regulatory subsets remains unclear. FoxP3⁺ regulatory iNKT cells (iNKTreg) and E4BP4⁺IL-10⁺ (iNKT10) cells may reflect immunoregulatory changes associated with disease progression. The study aimed to quantify circulating iNKTreg and iNKT10 subsets and monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSCs) in treatment-naïve CLL patients and evaluate their associations with disease characteristics and time to first treatment (TTFT). Methods: Peripheral blood samples from 60 untreated CLL patients and 20 healthy donors were analyzed by… More >

Jianfeng Wang^#, Zhongqing Hu^#, Jiandong Guo, Xin Jin, Lei Cai, Jian Li, Jinxi Zhang^*, DONGAN HE^*

BIOCELL, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.072227

Abstract Objectives: Therapeutic strategies for enhancing bone regeneration and combating osteoporosis remain a significant unmet medical need. This study aims to elucidate Lithospermic acid (LA)’s regulatory effects on osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, investigating its viability as a bone-healing agent. Methods: This study employed various cellular and molecular biology experiments to assess the effects of LA on the viability, proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, differentiation, mineralization, and migration of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. Immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses were conducted to detect the expression of proteins related to the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, investigating the regulatory mechanisms by which LA promotes… More > Graphic Abstract

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 >