Aiyu Ma^1,2,#, Xu Wang^1,2,#, Lu Lu¹, Shuaijie Wang³, Qiuyu Zhao¹, Xuemei Zhang³, Yiping Sun¹, Xuan Meng¹, Yan Zhang¹, Yuzhong Yang¹, Jinhua Zheng^1,2, Xiang Zheng^1,2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.10, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.084662 - 14 September 2026

Abstract Objectives: YTH N6-Methyladenosine RNA Binding Protein F2 (YTHDF2) had been implicated in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) progression. Increasing evidence indicated that numerous circular RNAs (circRNAs) were involved in regulating tumor progression. However, how the regulation of circRNAs by YTHDF2 contributes to NPC progression remains to be uncovered. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the role and mechanism of YTHDF2-mediated circRNA regulation in NPC migration and invasion. Methods: YTHDF2 expression in NPC was assessed using GEO datasets and immunohistochemistry. Functional experiments were performed in HNE1 and 5-8F cells, with migration/invasion evaluated by wound healing and transwell assays,… More >

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

Liangliang Liu, Linjun Wang, Xin Song, Zhen Liu^*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.9, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.080414 - 26 August 2026

Abstract Background: Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury represents a severe pathological process in cardiovascular diseases. This study aims to elucidate the mechanism of the yeast ovarian tumor (OTU) domain-containing protein 1 (YOD1) in cardiomyocyte injury. Methods: A hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) model was established using human AC16 cells to simulate I/R injury in vitro. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blotting were used to detect gene and protein expression. Cellular functions were evaluated using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), flow cytometry, and biochemical kits. Protein interaction was validated through co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), ubiquitination assays, and… More >

Leonardo Acuña¹, Mariam Ahumada Sabagh², Víctor David Osorio Castillo^1,2, Caverly Gooden³, María Luisa Veisaga⁴, Juan Liuzzi^5,6, Manuel A. Barbieri^2,3,5,6,7,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.9, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.079670 - 26 August 2026

Abstract Costunolide, a sesquiterpene lactone from Saussurea lappa Clarke, exhibits broad pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. This review examines its emerging potential as a host-directed antiviral compound. Costunolide modulates conserved host signaling pathways frequently exploited during viral infection, including nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades. Inhibition of NF-κB may suppress viral transcription in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection, while NLRP3 blockade may limit inflammasome-driven viral reactivation in Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection and attenuate hyperinflammation in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) More >

Liang Chen¹, Yitong Yuchi², Qian Zhu^3,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.9, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.084411 - 13 August 2026

Abstract Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm (IPMN) is a major precancerous lesion of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Accurate risk stratification of IPMN is key to preventing and controlling pancreatic cancer. At present, clinicians mainly grade IPMN following the Kyoto consensus guidelines, together with imaging examinations and traditional serum biomarkers like CA19-9 and CEA. This review unveils the latest research progress of non-invasive blood biomarkers for the grading of IPMN, including the diagnostic performance, molecular mechanisms, and current clinical translation of several types of markers. ApoAII has already been applied in clinical practice, and miRNA combinations, circulating cell-free DNA… More >

Xueping Zhu^1,2,3,#, Misi He^1,2,3,#, Ling Wang^1,2,3,#, Rui Su⁴, Lin Zhong^1,2,3, Ting Guo^1,2,3,4, Haixia Wang^1,2,3,*, Dongling Zou^1,2,3,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.9, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.083902 - 13 August 2026

Abstract Nucleocytoplasmic transport (NCT) regulates the spatial distribution of proteins and RNA between the nucleus and cytoplasm. NCT dysregulation can mislocalize tumor suppressors, DNA-repair factors, transcription factors, and drug targets in cancer. In this review, we conceptualize NCT-dependent protein mislocalization as a spatial regulatory framework for anticancer drug resistance, rather than as a catalogue of transport components. We systematically discuss how nuclear pore complex (NPC) remodeling, transport-receptor imbalance, post-translational modification (PTM)-regulated cargo routing, signaling-NCT crosstalk, nuclear localization signal/nuclear export signal (NLS/NES) alterations, and tumor microenvironmental pressures jointly drive aberrant nucleocytoplasmic distribution. These processes can further regulate… More >

Shi Xu¹, Jingjing Sun¹, Jiayi Ji¹, Junhao Huang¹, Yiyong Zhu², Haidong Ding¹, Ming Ding^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.086430 - 30 July 2026

Abstract Heavy metal-associated isoprenylated plant proteins (HIPPs) are a class of vascular plant specific metallochaperones, characterized by the presence of one or two N-terminal heavy metal-associated (HMA) domains and a C-terminal isoprenylation motif (CaaX). The HMA domain contains a conserved CysXXCys motif that is responsible for binding transition metals such as Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Pb²⁺. The CaaX motif modulates post-translational prenylation that anchors HIPPs to membranes and facilitates protein-protein interactions. This review systematically summarizes the structural features and multifaceted functions of HIPPs in plants. Beyond their well known function in heavy metal detoxification, HIPPs are more recently More >

Bin Lian^1,2,#, Na You^2,3,#, Jingyu Wang⁴, Cong Wang⁴, Yunjie Wen², Jiandong Wang^5,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.081166 - 27 July 2026

Abstract Background: Rho GTPase-activating protein 40 (ARHGAP40), downregulated in various tumors, including basal cell carcinoma, has an unclear role in colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to elucidate the function and clinical significance of ARHGAP40 in CRC. Methods: ARHGAP40 expression in CRC tissues was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and analyzed in relation to clinicopathological features and patient survival. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments were performed in CRC cell lines to assess cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion. RNA sequencing, co-immunoprecipitation, Ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA) activation assays, and rescue experiments were conducted to explore the underlying mechanism. Results:… More >

Lea Barbarić¹, Marina Oskomić¹, Anđela Horvat², Katja Ester², Nikolina Stojanović³, Ana Tomašić Paić¹, Mihaela Matovina^1,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.080282 - 27 July 2026

Abstract Objectives: Dipeptidyl peptidase 3 (DPP3) is a zinc metallopeptidase involved in peptide turnover and possibly in blood pressure and pain regulation. It also modulates oxidative stress response via the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1–nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (KEAP1–NRF2) pathway. Although frequently upregulated in cancer, its role in carcinogenesis remains unclear. This study examined the effects of DPP3 knockdown (KD) and overexpression on migration, proliferation, and KEAP1–NRF2 pathway regulation in HeLa cells. Methods: We assessed the effects of DPP3-KD and overexpression on HeLa cell migration using a wound healing assay, and on NRF2 activity by measuring… More >

Katerina Basharova^1,2,#,*, Anastasia Bezrukova^1,2,#, Alena Kopytova^1,2, Anna Lavrinova^1,2, Galina Baydakova³, Irina Miliukhina^1,4, Ekaterina Zakharova^1,3, Anton Emelyanov^1,2, Sofya Pchelina^1,2, Tatiana Usenko^1,2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.079585 - 27 July 2026

Abstract Objectives: Synucleinopathies—Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and multiple system atrophy (MSA)—involve alpha-synuclein aggregation and lysosomal dysfunction. We conducted a longitudinal study of lysosomal hydrolase activities and lysosphingolipid levels in blood and PBMC-derived macrophages from patients, and assessed the effects of LRRK2 inhibition (MLi-2). Methods: Blood and PBMC-derived macrophages were collected from patients with idiopathic PD (iPD), DLB, MSA, and controls. Enzyme activities (GCase, ASMase, GLA, GALC) and lysosphingolipids (HexSph, LysoGb3, LysoSM) were measured. Autophagy markers (p62, LC3B-II) and cathepsin D (CTSD) were analyzed by western blot. Effects of MLi-2 were evaluated in macrophages. Results:… More >