Association between the Cx371019 C > T genetic variant and risk of breast cancer

Connexin37 Regulates Cell Cycle in the Vasculature

Control of vascular cell growth responses is critical for development and maintenance of a healthy vasculature. Connexins - the proteins comprising gap junction channels - are key regulators of cell growth in diseases such as cancer, but their involvement in controlling cell growth in the vasculature is less well appreciated. Connexin37 (Cx37) is one of four connexin isotypes expressed in the vessel wall. Its primary role in blood vessels relies on its unique ability to transduce flow-sensitive signals into changes in cell cycle status of endothelial (and perhaps, mural) cells. Here, we review available evidence for Cx37's role in the regulation of vascular growth, vessel organization, and vascular tone in healthy and diseased vasculature. We propose a novel mechanism whereby Cx37 accomplishes this with a phosphorylation-dependent transition between closed (growth-suppressive) and multiple open (growth-permissive) channel conformations that result from interactions of the C-terminus with cell-cycle regulators to limit or support cell cycle progression. Lastly, we discuss Cx37 and its downstream signaling as a novel potential target in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, and we address outstanding research questions that still challenge the development of such therapies.

Application of MXene in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer: A critical overview

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide. Prognosis and timely treatment can reduce the illness or improve it. The use of nanomaterials leads to timely diagnosis and effective treatment. MXenes are a 2D material with a unique composition of attributes, containing significant electrical conductance, high optical characteristics, mechanical consistency, and excellent optical properties. Current advances and insights show that MXene is far more promising in biotechnology applications than current nanobiotechnology systems. MXenes have various applications in biotechnology and biomedicine, such as drug delivery/loading, biosensor, cancer treatment, and bioimaging programs due to their high surface area, excellent biocompatibility, and physicochemical properties. Surface modifications MXenes are not only biocompatible but also have multifunctional properties, such as aiming ligands for preferential agglomeration at the tumor sites for photothermal treatment. Studies have shown that these nanostructures, detection, and breast cancer therapy are more acceptable than present nanosystems in in vivo and in vitro. This review article aims to investigate the structure of MXene, its various synthesis methods, its application to cancer diagnosis, cytotoxicity, biodegradability, and cancer treatment by the photothermal process (in-vivo and in-vitro).