Yimin Liu^1,#, Bin Liu^2,3,4,#, Huabin Gao¹, Jinlong Wang⁵, Jingya Duan¹, Xiaolan Huang¹, Yuexi Liu¹, Ying Huang¹, Wenjing Liao¹, Ruonan Li^1,*, Hua Linghu^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.069007 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Objectives: High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), the most common subtype of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), exhibits a mesenchymal phenotype characterized by fibrotic stroma and poor prognosis. Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), a key diagnostic biomarker for ovarian cancer, is involved in fibrotic processes in several non-malignant diseases. Given the clinical significance of stromal fibrosis in HGSOC and the potential link between HE4 and fibrosis, this study aimed to investigate the role of HE4 in the formation of stromal fibrosis in HGSOC. Methods: A total of 126 patients with gynecological conditions were included and divided into… More > Graphic Abstract

Sae Hee Cheon¹, Sung-Whan Kim^2,3,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.9, pp. 1697-1710, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.068743 - 25 September 2025

Abstract Objectives: Despite the considerable regenerative capacity exhibited by adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs), their genetic and molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Methods: In this study, we analyzed the global gene expression profile of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) using microarray analysis and compared it with stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells. Results: Microarray analysis revealed that ASCs express elevated levels of genes related to the extracellular matrix (ECM; extracellular matrix) and collagen, which are critical components of tissue remodeling and wound healing. Additionally, genes associated with cell growth, differentiation, motility, and plasticity were highly expressed. When compared… More >

RENATA DA SILVA CARNEIRO¹, MATEUS HENRIQUE DE ALMEIDA DA COSTA¹, JOSé ZILTON LIMA VERDE SANTOS¹, VALDILéIA TEIXEIRA UCHôA², LUCIANO DA SILVA LOPES³, ANDERSON NOGUEIRA MENDES^1,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.1, pp. 109-125, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.058405 - 24 January 2025

Abstract Neurodegenerative diseases are a major public health challenge, mainly affecting the elderly population and compromising their cognitive, sensory, and motor functions. Currently, available therapies focus on alleviating symptoms and slowing the progression of these conditions, but they do not yet offer a definitive cure. In this scenario, terpenes emerge as promising natural alternatives due to their neuroprotective properties. These compounds can reduce the formation of protein aggregates, neutralize free radicals, and inhibit pro-inflammatory enzymes, which are crucial factors in the development of neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, terpenes also play an important role in the… More >

MINGYUE HUANG^1,#, JUNFEI DAI^1,#, XIANLIANG ZHONG², JIN WANG², JIANZHONG XU², BO DU^2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.6, pp. 889-896, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.050097 - 10 June 2024

Abstract Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a disease characterized by capsuled blood products that progressively occupy the intracranial space, causing intracranial hypertension and compression in the brain. CSDH frequently occurs in all demographics, especially in the elderly, but the pathogenesis of CSDH remains unclear. In this review, we discuss the origin, development, and current treatment strategies of CSDH. For the first time, we analyzed the cellular and molecular compositions of hematoma membranes with a focus on neomembrane formation, a complex early-stage interactive event in hematoma pathogenesis. We hypothesize that in patients with CSDH, dural border cells… More >

ALEKSANDRA GORNOSTAEVA, LUDMILA BURAVKOVA, MARGARITA LOBANOVA, ELENA ANDREEVA^*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.5, pp. 677-692, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.048873 - 06 May 2024

Abstract The structural and associated molecules of the extracellular matrix (ECM) complex is an important component of the local milieu of cells, both for maintaining their functions and homeostasis. It is a dynamic structure that is finely tuned to changes in the microenvironment. One of these factors is hypoxia, which can arise in tissues due to physiological or pathological effects. As a result of the hypoxic effect, the properties of the ECM are significantly modified, stiffness increases, the balance between degradation and synthesis of structural proteins shifts, and the deposition of biologically active mediators’ changes. Hypoxia-inducible… 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 >

NOUR HIJAZI, DON C. ROCKEY^*, ZENGDUN SHI^*

BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.9, pp. 2003-2007, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.020171 - 18 May 2022

Abstract Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the primary effector cells in liver fibrosis. In the normal liver, HSCs serve as the primary vitamin A storage cells in the body and retain a “quiescent” phenotype. However, after liver injury, they transdifferentiate to an “activated” myofibroblast-like phenotype, which is associated with dramatic upregulation of smooth muscle specific actin and extracellular matrix proteins. The result is a fibrotic, stiff, and dysfunctional liver. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern HSC function is essential for the development of anti-fibrotic medications. The actin cytoskeleton has emerged as a key component of More >

OK-HYEON KIM^1,2,#, EUN RAN KIM^3,#, JUN HYUNG PARK², HYUN JUNG LEE^1,2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.6, pp. 1439-1443, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.018921 - 07 February 2022

Abstract Exogenously delivered mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are therapeutically beneficial owing to their paracrine effect; they secrete various cytokines, nucleic acids, and proteins. Multiple bioengineering techniques can help MSC cultures to release secretomes by providing stem cell niche-like conditions (both structurally and functionally). Various scaffolds mimic the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) using both natural and synthetic polymers, providing favorable environments for MSC proliferation and differentiation. Depending on material properties, either topographically or elastically structured scaffolds can be fabricated. Three-dimensional scaffolds have tunable substrate rigidities and structures, aiding MSC cultivation. Decellularized ECM-derived hydrogels are similar to the More >

PETRA KRAUS^1,*, ANKITA SAMANTA¹, SINA LUFKIN², THOMAS LUFKIN¹

BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.4, pp. 893-898, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.018432 - 15 December 2021

Abstract Pain and lifestyle changes are common consequences of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) and affect a large part of the aging population. The stemness of cells is exploited in the field of regenerative medicine as key to treat degenerative diseases. Transplanted cells however often face delivery and survival challenges, especially in tissues with a naturally harsh microniche environment such as the intervertebral disc. Recent interest in the secretome of stem cells, especially cargo protected from microniche-related decay as frequently present in degenerating tissues, provides new means of rejuvenating ailing cells and tissues. Exosomes, a type of More >

FREDERICK H. SILVER

BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.2, pp. 297-299, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.017406 - 20 October 2021

Abstract Gravity plays a central role in vertebrate development and evolution. Mechanotransduction involves the tensile tethering of veins and arteries, connections between the epidermis and dermis in skin, tensile stress concentrations that occur at tissue interfaces, cell-cell interactions, cell-collagen fiber stress transfer in extracellular matrix and fluid shear flow. While attention in the past has been directed at understanding the myriad of biochemical players associated with mechanotransduction pathways, less attention has been focused on determining the tensile mechanical behavior of tissues in vivo. Fibroblasts sit on the surface of collagen fibers in living skin and exert a More >