Qianqian Peng, Fengjian He, Shumin Pan, Yinghua Ou^*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.9, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.081188 - 26 August 2026

Abstract Background: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a liver disease characterized by inflammation and fibrosis. Oridonin (Ori) exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties, but its role in NASH remains unclear. The study aimed to investigate whether Ori alleviates NASH injury by regulating pyroptosis through the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) axis. Methods: An in vitro NASH model was established in HepG2 cells using free fatty acids (FFA), and an in vivo model was induced in mice using a methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet. Biochemical assays, staining, flow cytometry, Western blot, and immunofluorescence assessed lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, inflammation, pyroptosis,… More > Graphic Abstract

Weina Xu¹, Yi Xia¹, Qing Shen¹, Ling Ai¹, Yingye Lu^2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.6, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.076001 - 09 June 2026

Abstract Background: Dysfunction of decidual macrophages (dMφ) mediated by high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is related to unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA), but its upstream regulatory mechanism remains unclear. The research explores whether miR-216a-5p regulates the toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-κB/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3) signaling axis by targeting HMGB1, thereby affecting the M1 polarization and pyroptosis of dMφ in URSA. Methods: The URSA mouse model was established, and primary dMφ was isolated and cultured. HMGB1 and miR-216a-5p were overexpressed or knocked down. Their expressions were examined. Their targeting relationship was verified through a bioinformatics… More > Graphic Abstract

Abdullah Alattar¹, Reem Alshaman¹, Fawaz E. Alanazi¹, Yusuf S. Althobaiti², Ghareb M. Soliman³, Waleed Salman Khubrni¹, Howaida S. Ali⁴, Fawad Ali Shah^5,6,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.074865 - 23 March 2026

Abstract Objectives: Permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) can lead to hippocampal damage through multiple linked pathways such as reactive oxidative stress (ROS), neuroinflammation mediated by NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), and glutamate excitotoxicity involving N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunits 2a and 2b (NR2a/NR2b) and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR/GluR1). The hippocampus, which is essential for memory and cognition, is at a substantial risk of ischemic degeneration. The aim of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective potential of melatonin in regulating these… More > Graphic Abstract

Xuekun Shao^1,#, Cheng Wang^2,#,*, Mengru Zhang², Yi Wang², Zhuoya Qiu¹, Wen Cai¹, Ruiliang Zhu³, Ping Wang^2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.11, pp. 2181-2194, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.070859 - 24 November 2025

Abstract Objectives: PI3K plays a pivotal role in the inflammatory response by modulating the production and release of inflammatory factors. Pik3cb is one of the subunits of PI3K, and its specific role in myocardium inflammation remains unelucidated. This study aimed to investigate the role of Pik3cb in the inflammatory response and to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Methods: An inflammation model was established using H9c2 cells treated with LPS and ATP, and Pik3cb expression was evaluated in this model system. Subsequently, an overexpression model was constructed by transfecting cells with a Pik3cb overexpression plasmid, after which the… More > Graphic Abstract

Kuo-Yang Huang¹, Sheng-Chien Lin^2,3, Chun-Hung Su^4,5,6, Sheng-Wen Wu^4,7, Ching-Chi Tseng^8,9, Wei-Chin Hung¹⁰, Shih-Pin Chen^4,5, Yu-Hsiang Kuan^2,3,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.2, pp. 315-334, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.061073 - 28 February 2025

Abstract ABSTRACT: Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is the major therapeutic dilemma associated with significant inflammation and severe pulmonary dysfunction. Liriodendrin is a bioactive compound extract from traditional Chinese medicine, historically utilized for modulating inflammatory responses and alleviating symptoms in multiple disease models. Methods: At present, BALB/c mice were used to explore the effects of liriodendrin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ARDS. Before LPS was administered, the mice were treated with either liriodendrin or dexamethasone. Leukocyte infiltration, lung edema, and alveolar-capillary barrier integrity were evaluated in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and pulmonary parenchyma. The expression of adhesion… More >

MIN LIU^1,*, XIA LI², JUN LIU¹, YU LIU¹

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.10, pp. 1475-1487, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.053227 - 02 October 2024

Abstract Background: Alveolar macrophage pyroptosis exacerbates inflammatory lung diseases, and tanshinone IIA is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, understanding how tanshinone IIA affects alveolar macrophage pyroptosis is essential. Methods: NR8383 cells were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). We assessed cell viability, pyroptosis, and the expression of triggering receptors expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), p-β-catenin, β-catenin, and pyroptosis-related factors. We also examined the interaction between tanshinone IIA and TREM2. Results: Co-stimulation with LPS and ATP significantly reduced NR8383 cell viability, increased pyroptosis, and upregulated pyroptosis-associated factors. Treatment with tanshinone IIA mitigated these effects.… More >

YU TANG¹, WENXIAO HU^2,*, YAJUN PENG¹, XIANGDONG LING²

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.10, pp. 1503-1516, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.052692 - 02 October 2024

Abstract Background: Podocyte injury is crucial in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) progression, and the mechanism remains unclear. The previous studies indicated Diosgenin played a key role in inhibiting podocyte injury progression. However, more research is needed to explore Diosgenin in inhibiting-molecular mechanisms in the process of podocyte injury. Methods: The content of Diosgenin in HeShenwan was detected by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) method. The podocyte injury model was constructed by high glucose (HG)-induced mpc5 cells. The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was utilized to evaluate the activity of mpc5 cells. Pyroptosis in mpc5 cells was… More > Graphic Abstract

QIN LIU^1,#, CHUNYAN NIU^2,#,*, QIANG ZHANG³, SHIQIN SUN⁴, YUE CHEN², YONGQIANG SHI²

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.5, pp. 759-769, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.048551 - 06 May 2024

Abstract Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global health concern with the acid sphingomyelinase (ASM)/ceramide (CE) pathway and the NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome identified as pivotal players in lipid disorders and inflammation. This study explores the interaction mechanism between the ASM/CE pathway and NLRP3 in NAFLD cell models, aiming to understand the impact of amitriptyline (Ami), an ASM inhibitor, on lipid deposition and hepatocyte injury by regulating the ASM/CE-NLRP3 pathway. Methods: HepG2 and HL-7702 cells were exposed to free fatty acids (FFAs) to establish the NAFLD model. The cells… More >

WEI ZHENG¹, CHENG LIU^2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.2, pp. 293-301, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.044211 - 23 February 2024

Abstract Objective: Intracranial aneurysm (IA) represents a devastating disease with high rates of disability and mortality, which is initiated by dysfunction of endothelial cells (ECs). Evidence suggests the dysregulation of the E3 ubiquitin ligase family during EC injury. In this work, the role of an E3 ubiquitin ligase, casitas B lymphoma-B (CBL-B), was explored in human brain microvascular EC (HBMEC) function through the NLRP3 pathway. Methods: In vitro IA model was induced by treating HBMECs with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). The levels of CBL-B and pyroptosis-related proteins NLRP3, ASC, cleaved caspase-1, and GSDME-N were determined by real-time-quantitative… More >

JINJIN FU^1,#, XIAOYUE FENG^2,#, JUAN WEI², XIANG GENG¹, YU GONG¹, FENGDONG LI¹, SHAOHUA ZHUANG¹, JIN HUANG¹, FANGYU WANG^2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.12, pp. 2627-2639, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.042586 - 27 December 2023

Abstract Background: This study aimed to elucidate the potential mechanisms through which bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) may be effective in alleviating experimental colitis induced by treatment with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene-sulfonate acid (TNBS), specifically through autophagy modulation. Methods: BM-MSCs were collected from BALB/c mice for subsequent experiments. The study employed cell counting kits (CCK-8) to investigate the impact of the MSC-conditioned medium (M medium) on the proliferation of RAW264.7 macrophages. The GFP-mRFP-LC3 adenovirus was transfected into RAW264.7 to detect autophagic flux. The gene expression of cytokines was assessed through quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Western blot… More >