Sahel Abyar^1,2, Shahrzad Shoraka², Seyed Masoud Hosseini², Mohammad Reza Zali³, Seyed Reza Mohebbi^3,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.2, pp. 221-251, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.059787 - 28 February 2025

Abstract Oncogenic viruses include both DNA and RNA viruses which contribute to cancer development by disrupting cellular regulation and interfering in the immune responses. These viruses do not directly cause cancer but instead integrate their genetic material into the host genome thus, affecting cell cycle and tumor suppression. This deregulation also leads to impaired immune function and promotes tumor progression by disrupting the removal of infected cells. Generally, innate immunity consists of two important members, including mitochondria and cell deaths, which impact each other as well. Due to the close correlation between viruses, cell death pathways… More >

HUAFANG HUANG^1,2,#, GUILIN WANG^3,#, DONGYUN ZENG^4,5, LUZ ANGELA TORRES-DE LA ROCHE², RUI ZHUO^1,2, RUDY LEON DE WILDE², WANWAN WANG⁶, ULF D. KAHLERT^7,*, WENJIE SHI^7,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.3, pp. 631-640, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2024.054642 - 28 February 2025

Abstract Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) significantly enhances clinical outcomes in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC); however, chemoresistance frequently results in treatment failure. Consequently, understanding the mechanisms underlying resistance and accurately predicting this phenomenon are crucial for improving treatment efficacy. Methods: Ultrasound images from 62 patients, taken before and after neoadjuvant therapy, were collected. Mitochondrial-related genes were extracted from a public database. Ultrasound features associated with NAC resistance were identified and correlated with significant mitochondrial-related genes. Subsequently, a prognostic model was developed and evaluated using the GSE58812 dataset. We also assessed this model alongside clinical factors… More >

KSENIA S. STAFEEVA¹, NATALIA A. SAMOYLOVA¹, OLGA A. KARANDEEVA¹, VERONIKA V. NESTEROVA¹, KIRILL A. STARODUBTSEV¹, EVGENY V. MIKHAILOV², ILYA O. KRUTOV², EVGENY S. POPOV³, NATALIA S. RODIONOVA⁴, ANASTASIA V. KOKINA^1,5, ARTEM P. GUREEV^1,5,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.1, pp. 7-20, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.058339 - 24 January 2025

Abstract Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the level of methotrexate (MTX) toxicity in the intestines of mice and to evaluate the protective effect of probiotics composed of Streptococcus, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus species on intestinal cells during MTX treatment. Methods: Mice were divided into three groups: control, MTX group (received MTX injections), and MTX + probiotics group (received MTX injections along with a diet containing probiotics). Morphological and histological changes, the level of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage, the level of lipid peroxidation products, and gene expression in the mice’s small intestine were assessed. Results: We… More > Graphic Abstract

JINGWEI JIANG^1,2, BO JIA³, CHUAN WANG³, CHEN FANG¹, YUGUI LI¹, GUOXING LING¹, BAOSHI ZHENG^1,*, CHENG LUO^1,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.1, pp. 61-78, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.056981 - 24 January 2025

Abstract The role and regulatory mechanisms of macrophage polarization in cardiac transplantation have gained significant attention. Macrophages can polarize into either the M1 (pro-inflammatory) or M2 (anti-inflammatory) phenotype in response to environmental cues. M1 macrophages facilitate transplant rejection by releasing inflammatory mediators and activating T cells, whereas M2 macrophages support graft survival by secreting anti-inflammatory factors and promoting tissue repair. Mitochondrial quality control regulation plays a crucial role in macrophage polarization, which may influence graft survival and immune responses. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of mitochondrial quality control-regulated macrophage polarization in cardiac More >

EDMUND CHEUNG SO^1,2,#, LOUIS W. C. CHOW^3,#, CHIN-MIN CHUANG⁴, CING YU CHEN^5,6, CHENG-HSUN WU⁷, LIAN-RU SHIAO⁸, TING-TSZ OU⁹, KAR-LOK WONG¹⁰, YUK-MAN LEUNG^8,*, YI-PING HUANG^8,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.2, pp. 397-406, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2024.052743 - 16 January 2025

Abstract Objectives: Mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uniporter (MCU) provides a Ca²⁺ influx pathway from the cytosol into the mitochondrial matrix and a moderate mitochondrial Ca²⁺ rise stimulates ATP production and cell growth. MCU is highly expressed in various cancer cells including breast cancer cells, thereby increasing the capacity of mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uptake, ATP production, and cancer cell proliferation. The objective of this study was to examine MCU inhibition as an anti-cancer mechanism. Methods: The effects of MCU-i4, a newly developed MCU inhibitor, on cell viability, apoptosis, cytosolic Ca²⁺, mitochondrial Ca²⁺ and potential, glycolytic rate, generation of ATP, and reactive oxygen species,… More >

MIKHAIL V. DUBININ^1,*, IRINA B. MIKHEEVA², ANASTASIA E. STEPANOVA¹, NATALIA V. MIKINA¹, DANIIL V. SUSHENTSOV¹, VYACHESLAV A. SHARAPOV¹, ALENA A. CHEREPANOVA¹, VALENTIN V. LOSKUTOV¹, KONSTANTIN N. BELOSLUDTSEV^1,2

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.12, pp. 1815-1825, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.058068 - 30 December 2024

Abstract Objectives: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is characterized by the development of cardiac pathology secondarily expressed in mitochondrial dysfunction. DMD treatment includes support for mitochondrial function. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effects of the lipophilic cation MKT-077, capable of modulating mitochondrial activity, on the structure and function of cardiac mitochondria in mdx and wild-type mice, as well as the state of this organ. Methods: Animals were divided into 4 groups: wild type (WT), WT + 5 mg/kg MKT-077, mdx, mdx + 5 mg/kg MKT-077. MKT-077 was administered intraperitoneally daily for 28 days. Finally, we… More >

TINGTING LIU^#, XIANGRUI KONG^#, JIANSHE WEI^*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.12, pp. 1735-1749, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.056272 - 30 December 2024

Abstract Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia. In recent times, an elevated risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD) development among individuals with T2DM has become evident. However, the molecular mechanisms that underpin the interplay between T2DM and the pathogenesis of PD remain to be elucidated. Nevertheless, recent epidemiological studies have underscored several shared molecular pathways that are crucial for normal cellular function and are also associated with the progression and etiology of both T2DM and PD. This review encapsulates some of the shared pathophysiological mechanisms, including genetic risk factors, More >

KAITIAN ZHANG^1,#, MINGZHU LI^2,#,*, JIANPING ZHANG³, JINFENG LI², KUNLANG LI², HUANQIAN LU², JINYAN LV²

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.10, pp. 1489-1501, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.053930 - 02 October 2024

Abstract Objective: Studies have demonstrated that administering statins promptly following myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) can confer cardioprotective benefits. This study investigates whether Lovastatin can modulate the Yes-associated protein/Transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (YAP/TAZ) signaling pathway to mitigate cardiomyocyte injury caused by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). Methods: The in vitro MI/R model was established by H/R in rat myocardial H9c2 cells, and the cells were pretreated with varying doses of Lovastatin before reoxygenation. The extent of cellular injury was evaluated by measuring the myocardial enzyme content and cell viability. The levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory factors were quantified by enzyme-linked… More > Graphic Abstract

VINíCIUS AUGUSTO SIMãO¹, LUIZ GUSTAVO DE ALMEIDA CHUFFA¹, LEóN FERDER², FELIPE INSERRA², WALTER MANUCHA^3,4,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.10, pp. 1429-1442, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.053478 - 02 October 2024

Abstract The interplay between mitochondria, epigenetics, and the microbiota is intricately linked to both health and disease. Within our cells, a complex molecular dance occurs, where these components intertwine in a mesmerizing ballet that plays a decisive role in our health. Mitochondria, beyond being energy powerhouses, modulate nuclear gene expression through messengers like reactive oxidative stress (ROS) and calcium. Epigenetics, acting as the molecular conductor, regulates the expression of both nuclear and mitochondrial genes through modifications like DNA methylation. The intestinal microbiota itself produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that influence mitochondrial activity. SCFA-induced epigenetic modifications, like… More >

Chaoying Wang¹, Lihui Ma², Yingzan Xie², Bo Ding³, Jingsi Huang⁴, Qian Wang^4,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.8, pp. 1981-1993, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.050099 - 30 August 2024

Abstract Myricaria laxiflora, which grows along the Yangtze River in China, holds ornamental, ecological, and medicinal value. However, its wild population is threatened and currently designated protected as a national priority. The present research was the first to sequence and assemble M. laxiflora’s mitochondrial genome and examine its structural characteristics and phylogenetic relationships with other sequenced Caryophyllales species. The mitochondrial double-stranded closed-ring genome of M. laxiflora was found to be 389,949 bp in length, containing numerous repetitive sequences and RNA editing sites, with 34 protein encoding, 21 tRNA, and 3 rRNA genes. Although there are 22 fragments in the More >