Yiwei Hao^1,#, Yaodong Ping^2,#, Yan Yang³, Cheng Qu³, Yuan Chen¹, Xueyan Jiang¹, Rong Fu¹, Hailong Zhao^4,*, Lei Yu^4,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.074863 - 21 April 2026

Abstract Myocardial ischemia, a core pathological process underlying diverse cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease, poses a severe threat to global human health by frequently leading to acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, and even sudden cardiac death. A comprehensive understanding of its intricate underlying pathogenic mechanisms is not only crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies but also essential for accelerating the translation of basic research findings into clinical practice. However, the complex regulatory networks that drive myocardial ischemia remain to be systematically clarified. These networks encompass the intricate interactions among multiple pathological processes, including energy… More >

Dalin Wang¹, Mingcai Zhang¹, Richard Hastings², Patrick George¹, Ryan Ranzau¹, Jinxi Wang^1,3,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.074572 - 21 April 2026

Abstract Objective: Although endplate (EP) injury may cause intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration and Modic changes (MCs) in the vertebral bone marrow (VBM), EP injury-induced synchronous cellular reactions and their crosstalk in the IVD and VBM remain unclear. This protocol-based study aimed to streamline and optimize the methods of tissue harvest and cell preparation for flow cytometry (FCM) analysis of T-cell and macrophage subpopulations in both VBM and IVD adjacent to the surgically induced EP microfracture in mice. Methods: EP injury or sham procedure was performed at the spinal levels L4-5 and L5-6 in male mice. Step-by-step… More >

Jiangtao Yu^*, Qingfeng Huo, Xinxin Duan

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.073331 - 21 April 2026

Abstract Objectives: The tumor microenvironment and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) are closely linked to the progression of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). However, the functional mechanisms of lysine-specific demethylase 6B (KDM6B) in carcinogenesis remain incompletely understood. This study aims to clarify whether KDM6B affects DTC progression and EMT through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of the rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) pathway, providing a potential target for clinical treatment of DTC. Methods: Tissue samples from DTC patients (n = 39) were collected, and KDM6B expression was determined through Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot. Cell counting kit-8 assay, 5-Ethynyl-2^′-deoxyuridine… More > Graphic Abstract

Michael I. Bukrinsky¹, Alessio L. Ravani², Anastasia V. Poznyak^3,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.072752 - 21 April 2026

Abstract Atherosclerosis (AS) is a key contributor to ischemic heart disease, resulting in significant cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite advancements in managing conventional risk factors, including the utilization of statins, recurrent adverse cardiovascular events remain prevalent, emphasizing the need for novel therapeutic strategies. This review explores the critical role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD) and highlights potential atheroprotective approaches targeting inflammatory pathways. We discuss the multifaceted interplay between immune responses and AS, detailing the contributions of myeloid cells, T lymphocytes, and various cytokines in plaque formation and instability. Recent More >

Yung-Chieh Huang^1,2,3, Wen-Chien Cheng^4,5, Ya-Hsuan Chao⁶, Tzu-Ting Chen^7,*, Chi-Chen Lin^8,9,10,11,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.072732 - 21 April 2026

Abstract Protein arginine deiminases (PADs) are key enzymes in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), catalyzing the conversion of arginine to citrulline in a process called citrullination. This post-translational modification is crucial to RA pathogenesis as it creates neo-antigens that trigger the production of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs). These ACPAs are highly specific to RA and often appear before clinical symptoms, making them valuable biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis. Beyond ACPA production, PADs, particularly PAD4, play a vital role in forming neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). NETs contribute to inflammation and joint damage, further highlighting the importance… More > Graphic Abstract

Anna PawłOwska-ŁAchut^*, Dorota Suszczyk, Iwona Wertel

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.072104 - 21 April 2026

Abstract Ovarian cancer (OC) remains the most lethal gynecological malignancy, and it is characterized by high heterogeneity, early metastatic dissemination, and frequent recurrence within 12–18 months after primary therapy. Despite progress in clinical management and drug development, the mortality rate remains high, and the biological drivers of OC aggressiveness are not fully understood. A major contributor to therapeutic resistance and disease progression is the ovarian tumor microenvironment (TME), which supports tumor growth and immune evasion. Its complexity poses significant challenges to the development of effective therapies. Current treatments, especially in advanced or recurrent stages, have limited… More >

Yuanhong Mao^#, Yunlan Yang^#, Kun Yang^§, Yongqiang Sun, Kun Yang^*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.075138 - 23 March 2026

Abstract Objective: Intestinal barrier disruption is a critical event in sepsis and ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury. Enteric glial cells (EGCs) maintain barrier integrity by secreting glial cell line–derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). This study aimed to determine whether Dexmedetomidine (Dex) protects the intestinal barrier via α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR) signaling in EGCs. Methods: An in vitro EGC-intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) co-culture system and a murine intestinal I/R model were established. EGCs were selectively ablated in vivo using benzalkonium chloride (BAC). Barrier integrity was evaluated by transmembrane electrical resistance (TEER) and plasma FITC-dextran permeability. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Western blotting… More >

Gerardo Ramírez-Mejía^1,#, Sofía Plata-Burgos^1,#, Raquel Cuevas-Díaz Duran², Adrian Ledesma-Beiza¹, Cynthia Sámano¹, Thalía Estefanía Sánchez-Correa³, Ernesto Soto-Reyes^1,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.075061 - 23 March 2026

Abstract Objectives: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain tumor characterized by extensive transcriptional and epigenetic dysregulation. Brother of the Regulator of Imprinted Sites (BORIS/CTCFL) has been implicated in oncogenic transcriptional programs in several cancers, but its role in GBM remains poorly defined. This study aimed to characterize BORIS-associated transcriptional programs in GBM and to assess their functional relevance using integrative computational and experimental approaches. Methods: Transcriptomic data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-GBM and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTex) brain cortex were analyzed following batch correction, differential expression analysis, and gene ontology enrichment. TCGA-GBM samples were… More >

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

Semin Lee^1,2,#, Minjun Kim^3,4,#, Seungmin Lee^2,5, Jiyun Yoo^1,5, Soo Seok Hwang^6,7, Seongchan Kim⁸, Seung Pil Yun^9,10, Dong Kyu Choi^11,12,*, Sangdun Choi^13,14,*, Hyuk-Kwon Kwon^1,2,5,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.074555 - 23 March 2026

Abstract Objective: Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent due to its ability to damage DNA in the treatment of cancer. However, its clinical application is often limited by adverse effects on normal tissues, especially the kidneys. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity is crucial for developing strategies to mitigate its side effects. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying cisplatin-induced DNA damage and apoptosis in human renal epithelial cells, with a focus on key signaling pathways and mediators that drive nephrotoxicity. Methods: To explore these mechanisms, human proximal tubule epithelial… More >