Chang Wang^1,2,#, Zhi Zhang^1,#, Wei Sun¹, Quan Quan³, Wenshuang Hou³, Chenghao Jin^1,3,4,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.3, pp. 465-482, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.062155 - 31 March 2025

Abstract Objectives: Epibrassinolide (EBR) is a steroid hormone with anti-tumor properties. Nevertheless, its potential to inhibit gastric cancer (GC) cells remains unknown. The aim of this research was to examine the effects of EBR on GC cells and to investigate the specific mechanism of EBR. Methods: A cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was utilized to determine cell survival rates. The investigation of apoptosis, cell cycle progression, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels was performed using flow cytometry. To detect cell migration, a wound-healing assay was performed on AGS cells. Furthermore, western blotting assay was utilized to determine… More >

Hongjuan Guo¹, Dan Liu^1,2, Ruyu Yan^1,2, Tianjing Zhang³, Kecheng Zhou^1,2,*, Minxia Liu^1,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.3, pp. 483-502, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.062143 - 31 March 2025

Abstract Objectives: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents a formidable malignancy characterized by its marked metastatic potential and intrinsic resistance to therapeutic interventions. The identification of potential biomarkers delineating the progression and metastatic cascade of NSCLC assumes paramount importance in fostering advancements toward enhanced patient outcomes and prognostic stratification. Methods: The expression level of the actin-related protein 2/3 complex; subunit 1A (ARPC1A) in NSCLC was evaluated using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) databases; along with the LinkedOmics database for co-expression genes. Further verification of ARPC1A expression in normal lung cells… More >

HUNG-WEI LIN¹, PEI YU LEE¹, YU-SHIUAN CHANG¹, MAU-SUN CHANG^1,2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.2, pp. 493-503, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2024.053791 - 16 January 2025

Abstract Background: Rho GTPases are essential regulators for cellular movement and intracellular membrane trafficking. Their enzymatic activities fluctuate between active GTP-bound and inactive GDP-bound states regulated by GTPase activating proteins (GAPs) and guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). Arhgap39/Vilse/Porf-2 is a newly identified GAP. The role of Arhgap39 in migration and invasion has not been addressed thoroughly. Methods: The Arhgap39 gene was knocked out by Crispr-Cas9 gene editing in mouse Hepa1-6 and Hepa-1c1c7 cells to analyze the impact of Arhgap39 depletion on migration and invasion. Results: Loss of Arhgap39 noticeably increased the migration and invasive potential. Purified Arhgap39… More >

JINXIA CHEN^1,2,3,#, SULI DAI^1,2,#, GENG ZHANG^4,5, SISI WEI^1,2, XUETAO ZHAO³, YANG ZHENG^1,2, YAOJIE WANG^1,2, XIAOHAN WANG^1,2, YUNJIANG LIU^4,5,*, LIANMEI ZHAO^1,2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.32, No.11, pp. 1791-1802, 2024, DOI:10.32604/or.2024.049348 - 16 October 2024

Abstract Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous, recurring cancer characterized by a high rate of metastasis, poor prognosis, and lack of efficient therapies. KBU2046, a small molecule inhibitor, can inhibit cell motility in malignant tumors, including breast cancer. However, the specific targets and the corresponding mechanism of its function remain unclear. Methods: In this study, we employed (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H tetrazolium) (MTS) assay and transwell assay to investigate the impact of KBU2046 on the proliferation and migration of TNBC cells in vitro. RNA-Seq was used to explore the targets of KBU2046 that inhibit the motility of TNBC.… More > Graphic Abstract

YAN-NAN LI^1,#, YUN-HONG XIU^2,#, YAN-JUN TANG³, JING-LONG CAO¹, WEN-SHUANG HOU¹, AN-QI WANG¹, TIAN-ZHU LI^4,*, CHENG-HAO JIN^1,3,5,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.7, pp. 1055-1069, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.050515 - 03 July 2024

Abstract Objectives: Sciadopitysin (SP) is a flavonoid in Ginkgo biloba that exhibits various pharmacological activities. This study aimed to investigate its antitumor effects and the underlying molecular mechanism of SP in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Methods: Network pharmacology was used for target prediction analysis. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to test the cell viability. Flow cytometry was used to test the cell cycle distribution, apoptosis status, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Transwell and wound-healing assay was used to test the migration effect of SP on HepG2 cells. Western Blot assay was used to… More > Graphic Abstract

WEN GE^1,2,#, YA LI^1,2,#, YUTING RUAN^1,2, NINGXIA WU^1,2, PEI MA^3,4, TONGPENG XU^3,4, YONGQIAN SHU^3,4, YINGWEI WANG^1,2, WEN QIU^1,2, CHENHUI ZHAO^3,4,*

Oncology Research, Vol.32, No.4, pp. 625-641, 2024, DOI:10.32604/or.2023.031053 - 20 March 2024

Abstract The cancer cell metastasis is a major death reason for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although researchers have disclosed that interleukin 17 (IL-17) can increase matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) induction causing NSCLC cell metastasis, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In the study, we found that IL-17 receptor A (IL-17RA), p300, p-STAT3, Ack-STAT3, and MMP19 were up-regulated both in NSCLC tissues and NSCLC cells stimulated with IL-17. p300, STAT3 and MMP19 overexpression or knockdown could raise or reduce IL-17-induced p-STAT3, Ack-STAT3 and MMP19 level as well as the cell migration and invasion. Mechanism investigation revealed… More > Graphic Abstract

JINNI MA^#, MEILIN ZHOU^#, XIN XU, XINYAO GAO, HAIXIA WANG, JINHUA SHEN, LU XUE^*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.2, pp. 239-252, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.045076 - 23 February 2024

Abstract Background: Placenta specific 8 (PLAC8) is a candidate oncogene involved in the development and progression of solid tumors. However, the status of PLAC8 in lung cancer (LC), especially non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still not lucid. Methods: Tissue microarray analysis (TMA) was performed to detect the expression patterns of PLAC8 in LC tissues and cell lines. Then a series of cellular experiments were performed fto assess cell proliferation, cell cycle profiles, and cell motility to explore the role of PLAC8 in NSCLC-derived cell lines: H1299 and A549. Results: TMA results showed that PLAC8 played complex More >

JINGLONG CAO^1,#, SHUMEI LI^2,#, TONG ZHANG^1,#, JIAN LIU¹, WENSHUANG HOU¹, ANQI WANG¹, CHANG WANG^3,4,*, CHENGHAO JIN^1,3,5,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.2, pp. 313-325, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.043474 - 23 February 2024

Abstract Background: Valtrate (Val) was extracted from the Valeriana jatamansi Jones plant, had good antitumor activity. However, its precise molecular mechanism in cancer cells was still unclear. This study investigated the effect of Val on gastric cancer (GC) cells and its potential molecular mechanism. Methods: Cell viability was examined by CCK-8 assay. Cell cycle, apoptosis, and Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level were analyzed by flow cytometry. The migration effect of Val on AGS cells was analyzed by transwell and wound-healing assay. The expression levels of proteins were analyzed by western blot. Results: The cell viability assay results demonstrated… More > Graphic Abstract

QI XIA¹, XING CHEN², QINGHUA MA³, XIANXIU WEN^2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.2, pp. 217-228, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.027414 - 23 February 2024

Abstract Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in women. Immune features play an important role in improving the prognosis prediction of BC. However, while previous immune signatures consisted mainly of immune genes, immune cell-based signatures have been rarely reported. Methods: In this study, we report that a novel immune cell signature is effective in improving prognostic prediction by combining M2 macrophages. We identified 17 differentially infiltrating immune cells between cancer and normal groups. Prognostic features of the four immune cells identified by LASSO COX analysis showed… More >

JINSONG WU^1,2, ZHENG ZHI¹, WENZHONG XU¹, DIANCGENG LI¹, QIUBO LI¹, YAN HAN¹, JIANMING HE^1,3,*, XI LIANG^1,*

BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.12, pp. 2671-2680, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.043494 - 27 December 2023

Abstract Introduction: Collective cancer cell migration (CCCM) and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) play key roles in metastasis. This study reports that the colorectal carcinoma cell line LIM1863 is useful for the study of CCCM and EMT. Methods: Hematoxylin and eosin staining, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and western blot analysis were performed. Results: LIM1863 automatically grew as spheroids in suspension and had important typical epithelial properties, including several layers of cells arranged around a central lumen, apical-basal polarity, and types of cell-cell junctions. Treatment with a combination of both TGF beta 1 and TNF alpha induced definite and… More >