Zhuyuan Ren, Yong Chen, Jiaqiao Wu, Qiang Li, Qiang Fu^*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.10, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.085300 - 22 September 2026

Abstract Background: Volatile anesthetics such as sevoflurane are ubiquitous in perioperative care, yet their unintended consequences on pulmonary microvascular integrity and the upstream intracellular signaling pathways remain incompletely defined. This study elucidates the precise transcriptional mechanisms linking sevoflurane exposure to pulmonary endothelial hyperpermeability. Methods: Transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and macromolecular permeability were dynamically quantified in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cell (HPMEC) monolayers following sevoflurane exposure. Global transcriptomic profiling (RNA-seq) was employed to identify core regulatory nodes, which were functionally validated via targeted siRNA silencing in vitro and subsequently corroborated in a murine model of clinical sevoflurane inhalation. Results: Sevoflurane… More >

Andrzej Grzybowski^1,2,*, Aušrinė Bajoriūnaitė³, Reda Žemaitienė³

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.10, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.083756 - 22 September 2026

Abstract Oxidative stress results from an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant defense mechanisms and contributes to cellular damage and the pathogenesis of various diseases. This review summarizes recent advances in the molecular and biochemical mechanisms associated with oxidative stress in ocular diseases, including dry eye disease, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, and cataract. A literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar databases to identify relevant studies published up to 31 December 2025. Current evidence suggests that oxidative stress plays an important role in inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cellular More >

Lu Yang^1,#, Man Tian^2,#, Jinyue Zhu^1,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.10, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.082951 - 22 September 2026

Abstract Background: Macrophage-derived eicosanoids are involved in airway inflammation associated with asthma, but the mechanisms regulating their production remain incompletely understood. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of isorhynchophylline (IRN) on eicosanoid production and inflammatory activation in LPS/IFN-γ-stimulated THP-1-derived macrophages and to further investigate whether these effects are mediated through the miR-200a/FOXC1/NF-κB axis. Methods: THP-1 cells were differentiated into M0 (PMA) and polarized into M1 (LPS+IFN-γ) phenotypes. IRN (5–20 μM) was applied. Eicosanoids (PGE₂, LTB₄) were measured via ELISA; COX-2, 5-LOX, mPGES-1, FOXC1, p-IκBα/IκBα, and p-p65/p65 were measured via Western blotting; and miR-200a and target genes were… More >

Alper Fatih Ardic¹, Nurittin Ardic^2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.10, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.082812 - 22 September 2026

Abstract Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are increasingly recognized as significant contributors to neurovascular damage following ischemic brain injuries. This review examines how NETs link intravascular thrombosis to downstream neuroinflammation via a pathway-centric framework. We synthesize recent preclinical and clinical evidence showing that NET-derived histones, extracellular DNA, and granular enzymes activate convergent inflammatory pathways, including the high mobility group box 1–Toll-like receptor 4 axis, nuclear factor kappa B, Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and transcription activator 3, NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 inflammasome, and cyclic GMP–AMP synthase–interferon gene signaling. These mechanisms contribute to disruption of the blood-brain barrier, More >

Bianca Voicu Balasea¹, Alexandra Popa^2,*, Florentina Rus², Radu Radulescu², Melis Izet¹, Alexandra Ripszky^1,2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.10, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.082448 - 22 September 2026

Abstract Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is an aggressive malignancy often diagnosed at advanced stages and associated with poor prognosis. This review aims to summarize the role of Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) signaling in OSCC progression, with particular emphasis on its involvement in the regulation of autophagy, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. KRAS contributes to tumor progression despite the low frequency of activating mutations, primarily through increased KRAS expression associated with activation of downstream signaling pathways, including phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mechanistic target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) and rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase More >

Pin-Si Yin^1,#, Chang-Chin Wu^1,2,#, Shih-Yuan Chiu¹, Karina Erda Saninggar³, Ardianti Maartrina Dewi³, Kai-Chiang Yang^1,3,4,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.10, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.081934 - 22 September 2026

Abstract Objective: Periodontal diseases can cause pro-inflammatory cytokine overproduction, particularly tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and this inflammatory microenvironment is a critical driver of oral cancer progression. MicroRNA-146a-5p is a key regulator of inflammation, linked to both periodontal disease and carcinogenesis. The objective of this study was to illustrate the regulatory function of miR-146a-5p in gingival squamous cell carcinoma OECM-1 cells under conditions that mimic those of periodontal disease. Methods: OECM-1 cells were stimulated with 25 ng/mL TNF-α for 48 h, and subsequently transfected with 50 nM miR-146a-5p mimic or inhibitor for an additional 48 h. The inflammatory… More >

Zhikai Wang¹, Xing Wang², Lun Dong¹, Wei Wang¹, Xiaoping Gao^1,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.10, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.081668 - 22 September 2026

Abstract Objectives: Middle ear cholesteatoma (MEC) is a destructive and locally invasive disease that leads to erosion of bone structure and serious complications. This study aimed to investigate the role of GDF11 in promoting the differentiation of macrophages into osteoclasts in vitro and elucidate the bone erosion mechanism in MEC. Methods: The MEC dataset GSE116142 was subjected to bioinformatics analysis. The Growth Differentiation Factor 11 (GDF11) and Transforming Growth Factor Beta Receptor 1 (TGFBR1) expression levels in MEC were evaluated using immunohistochemical analysis. RAW264.7 cells were induced with different concentrations of recombinant GDF11 (rGDF11) with or without the… More >

Davide Nilo^1,*, Giovanni di Lorenzo¹, Marco La Montagna¹, Riccardo Nevola², Aldo Marrone¹, Ferdinando Carlo Sasso¹, Alfredo Caturano³

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.10, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.081324 - 22 September 2026

Abstract Metabolically–dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide and is increasingly recognized as a systemic disorder at the intersection of metabolic dysregulation, inflammation, and carcinogenesis. Progression from simple steatosis to metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH), fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) reflects the interplay between metabolic overload, oxidative stress, immune activation, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. In this review, we propose the Redox–Microbiota–Inflammatory Axis as an integrative framework linking metabolic stress to fibrogenesis and hepatocarcinogenesis. Nutrient excess and insulin resistance promote mitochondrial dysfunction and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, which activate redox-sensitive inflammatory More >

Yuqing Kang^#, Jiangbo Zheng^#, Chunyan Mou^#, Ranxu Lv, Xing Xue^*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.10, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.081318 - 22 September 2026

Abstract Objectives: Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) within the hypoxic tumor microenvironment critically drive colorectal cancer (CRC) progression, yet their specific regulatory mechanisms on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis via microRNAs remain understood. This study aims to assess the impact of hypoxia-induced TAMs on CRC cells through the microRNA-320 (miR-320)/SRY-box transcription factor 4 (SOX4) axis, focusing on ER homeostasis and malignant behaviors. Methods: Human CRC cell lines HCT116 and SW480 were co-cultured with hypoxia-induced macrophages. Cells were treated with miR-320 mimics and inhibitors to evaluate proliferation and apoptosis using Cell-counting kit-8 (CCK8) assays and flow cytometry. Western blotting was performed… More >

Michele Manganelli^*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.10, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.081268 - 22 September 2026

Abstract Telomere homeostasis is intrinsically integrated into the cellular metabolic network through a complex mito-nuclear communication system. Telomeric chromatin acts as a sensitive sensor of mitochondrial flux, where the stability of telomeres depends on mitochondrial-derived metabolites essential for epigenetic remodeling. Three primary axes govern this control: (1) Acetyl-CoA-mediated histone acetylation necessary for human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (hTERT) expression; (2) the competitive balance between α-ketoglutarate/succinate, modulating Jumonji-C (JmjC)-demethylases and Ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes; (3) the mitochondrial NAD⁺/NADH ratio, governing sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) fidelity. The bidirectional non-coding RNA shuttling, TERC-53 fragment, acts as a retrograde signal of mitochondrial distress. More >