Alessio L. Ravani¹, Michael I. Bukrinsky², Anastasia V. Poznyak^3,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.074266 - 23 March 2026

Abstract Atherosclerosis (AS) remains a major contributor to cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality worldwide. Its development involves dysregulated lipid handling, persistent vascular inflammation, and endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction, influenced by genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Increasing evidence highlights a pivotal role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress as a molecular link between lipid dysregulation and inflammatory signaling in AS pathogenesis. ER stress is triggered by modified LDL, oxidized lipids, hyperhomocysteinemia, oxidative stress (OS), and disrupted calcium (Ca²⁺) homeostasis, leading to activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR). Core UPR mediators—inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1), protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK),… More >

Huan Zhou¹, Jiami Jiang², Yuqing Zou¹, Jiahui Zhang^1,*, Zhiwei Yu^3,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.073989 - 23 March 2026

Abstract Obesity-related asthma is a distinct clinical phenotype, characterized by severe respiratory symptoms, reduced responsiveness to conventional glucocorticoid therapy, and a significantly increase in disease burden. With the rising global prevalence of obesity, the number of individuals affected by obesity-related asthma is steadily growing, presenting a pressing public health issue. The pathogenesis of obesity-related asthma is multifactorial, involving a complex interplay of metabolic and immune pathways. Key mechanisms include dysregulated T-cell differentiation, pro-inflammatory macrophage polarization, oxidative stress, and altered cytokines and adipokines secretion, all contributing to airway inflammation and remodeling. Additionally, metabolic factors, such as adiposity… More >

Jingfei Shi^#, Yi Ding^#, Hui Lu^*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.073956 - 23 March 2026

Abstract Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha (sIL-2Rα) has been implicated in MS pathogenesis, but its mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigates how sIL-2Rα exacerbates MS by modulating microglial activation and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model. Methods: Female C57BL/6J mice were induced with EAE and treated with sIL-2Rα. Clinical symptoms, histopathology, and molecular changes were analyzed. Microglial activation was assessed via immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and RNA sequencing. In vitro, ADCC-mediated oligodendrocyte injury was evaluated using More >

Chung-Che Tsai^1,#, Chih-Hung Lin^2,#, Katherine Lin^3,4, Jia Hong Hubert Chen^4,5, Ying Jie Celia Chen^4,5, Ilyssa Ting-Ying Chang^3,4, Hsu-Hung Chang⁶, Jin-Yin Chang⁷, Tin-Yi Chu⁸, Po-Chih Hsu^4,8,*, Chan-Yen Kuo^8,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.073698 - 23 March 2026

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, most commonly driven by chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The HBV X protein (HBx) plays a central role in hepatocarcinogenesis by regulating transcription, signal transduction, epigenetic modification, and interactions with noncoding RNAs. This review summarizes current advances in HBx-mediated signaling pathways and mutation-specific functions, highlighting its potential as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target, and providing insights for future strategies in HCC treatment and HBV eradication. Activation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), cAMP response element binding protein/activating transcription factor More > Graphic Abstract

Kawaljit Kaur^*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.073340 - 23 March 2026

Abstract Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a pediatric brainstem tumor with a very poor prognosis, characterized by immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) that limits immune infiltration, including a significant reduction in circulating natural killer (NK) cells. This drop in NK cell levels and activity may promote tumor growth and immune evasion, making NK cells a promising target for immunotherapy. NK cells can attack and eliminate DIPG tumor cells, including glioma stem cells, while counteracting certain immune evasion strategies. Although the DIPG microenvironment and blood-brain barrier present challenges, NK cell-based therapies have shown encouraging tumor control and… More >

Congwei You^1,#, Anwen Yin^2,#, Jia Xia³, Le Zhang^4,*, Xiaolei Wang^1,*, Yutong Hou^4,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.072971 - 23 March 2026

Abstract Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) have shown a marked global increase in prevalence, placing a substantial burden on public health and healthcare systems worldwide. Epidemiological data demonstrate a significant overlap between these two conditions, with further evidence from research identifying common pathophysiological features, such as lipid metabolism dysregulation, disrupted energy balance, and chronic systemic inflammation. Mitochondria are central to the pathophysiology of both diseases. In addition to their role in energy production, mitochondria are involved in numerous critical cellular processes, including biosynthesis, lipid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, signal transduction, and More >

Joongbum Moon¹, Ji Hyeon Ahn², Moo-Ho Won^3,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.072635 - 23 March 2026

Abstract Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury induces region-specific neuronal vulnerability within the hippocampus, with the cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) subfield particularly prone to delayed neuronal death. While intrinsic neuronal factors have been implicated, emerging evidence highlights the decisive contribution of astrocyte endfeet (AEF)—specialized perivascular structures that regulate ion and water homeostasis, glutamate clearance, and blood–brain barrier (BBB) stability. This review synthesizes structural and molecular alterations of AEF across the CA1–CA3 subfields following I/R and their correlation with neuronal fate. In CA1, AEF undergo early-onset swelling and detachment from the vascular basal lamina due to dysfunction of critical proteins… More >

Kai Tang¹, Shengxing Lu¹, Cuie He², Ruozeng Rong^1,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.072154 - 23 March 2026

Abstract Objectives: Prostate cancer (PCa) is a highly prevalent male malignancy with limited efficacy in advanced stages. Dysregulated modulation of necroptosis was reported to be tightly correlated with PCa initiation and progression. Herein, we aimed to identify necroptosis-associated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and delineate their functional roles in PCa through an integrated approach combining bioinformatic analyses and in vitro experimental validation. Methods: RNA sequencing data and corresponding clinical information of PCa were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Differentially expressed necroptosis-related genes (NRGs) and lncRNAs were screened, and necroptosis activity was assessed by single-sample gene set… More >

Chang-Eui Hong^1,2,3, Su-Yun Lyu^1,2,3,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.075574 - 14 February 2026

Abstract Objective: Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) contribute to chemoresistance in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), yet strategies to reprogram TAMs while enhancing chemotherapy efficacy remain limited. This study investigated whether Viscum album L. var. coloratum agglutinin (VCA) could sensitize TNBC cells to doxorubicin (DOX) and modulate TAM-mediated chemoresistance in three-dimensional (3D) co-culture models. Methods: MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells were co-cultured with RAW264.7 macrophages in collagen-embedded 3D spheroids. Spheroid viability was assessed using an ATP-based luminescent assay. Cytokine secretion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers were measured using ELISA and Western blotting. Drug synergy was evaluated using combination index (CI) calculations. Results: VCA-DOX More >

Lihua Wang¹, Zhimin Zhang^1,*, Tao Wang^2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.074782 - 14 February 2026

Abstract Objectives: The discovery of novel molecular targets to enhance the osteogenesis of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (H-BMSCs) represents a promising strategy for preventing and treating osteoporosis. Thus, the primary objective of this study is to elucidate the mechanisms by which long non-coding RNA FOXD2-AS1 (lncRNA FOXD2-AS1) regulates early osteogenic differentiation in H-BMSCs, thereby identifying potential therapeutic targets. Methods: Lentivirus-mediated vectors were constructed to either overexpress or silence FOXD2-AS1 in H-BMSCs. The effects of FOXD2-AS1 on osteogenesis were subsequently assessed by analyzing osteogenic marker expression and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining. To clarify the role… More >