Cell Cycle Regulation by Integrin-Mediated Adhesion

The potential role of differentially expressed tRNA-derived fragments in high glucose-induced podocytes

The prevalence of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is increasing annually. Damage to and loss of podocytes occur early in DKD. tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs), originating from tRNA precursors or mature tRNAs, are associated with various illnesses. In this study, tRFs were identified, and their roles in podocyte injury induced by high-glucose (HG) treatment were explored. High-throughput sequencing of podocytes treated with HG was performed to identify differentially expressed tRFs. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed. The expression levels of nephrin, podocin, and desmin were measured in podocytes after overexpression of tRF-1:24-Glu-CTC-1-M2 (tRF-1:24) and concomitant HG treatment. A total of 647 tRFs were identified, and 89 differentially expressed tRFs (|log2FC| ≥ 0.585; p ≤ .05) were identified in the HG group, of which 53 tRFs were downregulated and 36 tRFs were upregulated. The 10 tRFs with the highest differential expression were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and these results were consistent with the sequencing results. GO analysis revealed that the biological process, cellular component, and molecular function terms in which the tRFs were the most enriched were cellular processes, cellular anatomical entities, and binding. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that tRFs may be involved in signaling pathways related to growth hormones, phospholipase D, the regulation of stem cell pluripotency, and T-/B-cell receptors. Overexpression of tRF-1:24, one of the most differentially expressed tRFs, attenuated podocyte injury induced by HG. Thus, tRFs might be potential biomarkers for podocyte injury in DKD.

HTR2B as a novel biomarker of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with lung squamous cell carcinoma

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is often associated with lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), which has the same etiology (smoking, inflammation, oxidative stress, microenvironmental changes, and genetics). Smoking, inflammation, and airway remodeling are the most important and classical mechanisms of COPD comorbidity in LUSC patients. Cancer can occur during repeated airway damage and repair (airway remodeling). Changes in the inflammatory and immune microenvironments, which can cause malignant transformation of some cells, are currently being revealed in both LUSC and COPD patients. We obtained the GSE76925 dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Screening for possible COPD biomarkers was performed using the LASSO regression model and a random forest classifier. The compositional patterns of the immune cell fraction in COPD patients were determined using CIBERSORT. HTR2B expression was analyzed using validation datasets (GSE47460, GSE106986, and GSE1650). HTR2B expression in COPD cell models was determined via real-time quantitative PCR. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker expression levels were determined after knocking down or overexpressing HTR2B. HTR2B function and mechanism in LUSC were analyzed with the Kaplan‒Meier plotter database. HTR2B expression was inhibited to detect changes in LUSC cell proliferation. A total of 1082 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the GSE76925 dataset (371 genes were significantly upregulated, and 711 genes were significantly downregulated). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis indicated that the DEGs were mainly enriched in the p53 signaling and β-alanine metabolism pathways. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis indicated that the DEGs were largely related to transcription initiation from the RNA polymerase I promoter and to the regulation of mononuclear cell proliferation. The LASSO regression model and random forest classifier results revealed that HTR2B, DPYS, FRY, and CD19 were key COPD genes. Immune cell infiltration analysis indicated that these genes were closely associated with immune cells. Analysis of the validation sets suggested that HTR2B was upregulated in COPD patients. HTR2B was significantly upregulated in COPD cell models, and its upregulation was associated with increased EMT marker expression. Compared with that in bronchial epithelial cells, HTR2B expression was upregulated in LUSC cells, and inhibiting HTR2B expression led to the inhibition of LUSC cell proliferation. In conclusions, HTR2B might be a new biomarker and therapeutic target in COPD patients with LUSC.

Co-delivery of artemisinin and metformin via PEGylated niosomal nanoparticles: potential anti-cancer effect in treatment of lung cancer cells

PURPOSE

Despite the advances in treatment, lung cancer is a global concern and necessitates the development of new treatments. Biguanides like metformin (MET) and artemisinin (ART) have recently been discovered to have anti-cancer properties. As a consequence, in the current study, the anti-cancer effect of MET and ART co-encapsulated in niosomal nanoparticles on lung cancer cells was examined to establish an innovative therapy technique.

METHODS

Niosomal nanoparticles (Nio-NPs) were synthesized by thin-film hydration method, and their physicochemical properties were assessed by FTIR. The morphology of Nio-NPs was evaluated with FE-SEM and AFM. The MTT assay was applied to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of free MET, free ART, their encapsulated form with Nio-NPs, as well as their combination, on A549 cells. Apoptosis assay was utilized to detect the biological processes involved with programmed cell death. The arrest of cell cycle in response to drugs was assessed using a cell cycle assay. Following a 48-h drug treatment, the expression level of hTERT, Cyclin D1, BAX, BCL-2, Caspase 3, and 7 genes were assessed using the qRT-PCR method.

RESULTS

Both MET and ART reduced the survival rate of lung cancer cells in the dose-dependent manner. The IC50 values of pure ART and MET were 195.2 μM and 14.6 mM, respectively while in nano formulated form their IC50 values decreased to 56.7 μM and 78.3 μM, respectively. The combination of MET and ART synergistically decreased the proliferation of lung cancer cells, compared to the single treatments. Importantly, the combination of MET and ART had a higher anti-proliferative impact against A549 lung cancer cells, with lower IC50 values. According to the result of Real-time PCR, hTERT, Cyclin D1, BAX, BCL-2, Caspase 3, and Caspase 7 genes expression were considerably altered in treated with combination of nano formulated MET and ART compared to single therapies.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study showed that the combination of MET and ART encapsulated in Nio-NPs could be useful for the treatment of lung cancer and can increase the efficiency of lung cancer treatment.

Integrating integrins with the hallmarks of cancer

Epithelial cells adhere to a specialized extracellular matrix called the basement membrane which allows them to polarize and form epithelial tissues. The extracellular matrix provides essential physical scaffolding and biochemical and biophysical cues required for tissue morphogenesis, differentiation, function, and homeostasis. Epithelial cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix (i.e., basement membrane) plays a critical role in organizing epithelial tissues, separating the epithelial cells from the stroma. Epithelial cell detachment from the basement membrane classically results in death, though detachment or invasion through the basement membrane represents a critical step in carcinogenesis. Epithelial cells bind to the extracellular matrix via specialized matrix receptors, including integrins. Integrins are transmembrane receptors that form a mechanical linkage between the extracellular matrix and the intracellular cytoskeleton and are required for anchorage-dependent cellular functions such as proliferation, migration, and invasion. The role of integrins in the development, growth, and dissemination of multiple types of carcinomas has been investigated by numerous methodologies, which has led to great complexity. To organize this vast array of information, we have utilized the "Hallmarks of Cancer" from Hanahan and Weinberg as a convenient framework to discuss the role of integrins in the pathogenesis of cancers. This review explores this biology and how its complexity has impacted the development of integrin-targeted anti-cancer therapeutics.

Balancing Bioresponsive Biofilm Eradication and Guided Tissue Repair via Pro-Efferocytosis and Bidirectional Pyroptosis Regulation during Implant Surgery

There is an increasingly growing demand to balance tissue repair guidance and opportunistic infection (OI) inhibition in clinical implant surgery. Herein, we developed a nanoadjuvant for all-stage tissue repair guidance and biofilm-responsive OI eradication via in situ incorporating Cobaltiprotoporphyrin (CoPP) into Prussian blue (PB) to prepare PB-CoPP nanozymes (PCZs). Released CoPP possesses a pro-efferocytosis effect for eliminating apoptotic and progressing necrotic cells in tissue trauma, thus preventing secondary inflammation. Once OIs occur, PCZs with switchable nanocatalytic capacity can achieve bidirectional pyroptosis regulation. Once reaching the acidic biofilm microenvironment, PCZs possess peroxidase (POD)-like activity that can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) to eradicate bacterial biofilms, especially when synergized with the photothermal effect. Furthermore, generated ROS can promote macrophage pyroptosis to secrete inflammatory cytokines and antimicrobial proteins for biofilm eradication in vivo. After eradicating the biofilm, PCZs possess catalase (CAT)-like activity in a neutral environment, which can scavenge ROS and inhibit macrophage pyroptosis, thereby improving the inflammatory microenvironment. Briefly, PCZs as nanoadjuvants feature the capability of all-stage tissue repair guidance and biofilm-responsive OI inhibition that can be routinely performed in all implant surgeries, providing a wide range of application prospects and commercial translational value.

Effect of cell adhesiveness of Cell Dome shell on enclosed HeLa cells

The Cell Dome is a dome-shaped structure (diameter: 1 mm, height: 270 μm) with cells enclosed within a cavity, covered by a hemispherical hydrogel shell, and immobilized on a glass plate. Given that the cells within Cell Dome are in contact with the inner walls of the hydrogel shell, the properties of the shell are anticipated to influence cell behavior. To date, the impact of the hydrogel shell properties on the enclosed cells has not been investigated. In this study, we explored the effects of the cell adhesiveness of hydrogel shell on the behavior of enclosed cancer cells. Hydrogel shells with varying degrees of cell adhesiveness were fabricated using aqueous solutions containing either an alginate derivative with phenolic hydroxyl moieties exclusively or a mixture of alginate and gelatin derivatives with phenolic hydroxyl moieties. Hydrogel formation was mediated by horseradish peroxidase. We used the HeLa human cervical cancer cell line, which expresses fucci2, a cell cycle marker, to observe cell behavior. Cells cultured in hydrogel shells with cell adhesiveness proliferated along the inner wall of the hydrogel shell. Conversely, cells in hydrogel shells without cell adhesiveness grew uniformly at the bottom of the cavities. Furthermore, cells in non-adhesive hydrogel shells had a higher percentage of cells in the G1/G0 phase compared to those in adhesive shells and exhibited increased resistance to mitomycin hydrochloride when the cavities became filled with cells. These results highlight the need to consider the cell adhesiveness of the hydrogel shell when selecting materials for constructing Cell Dome.

Effects of Nanomaterials on Synthesis and Degradation of the Extracellular Matrix

Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling is accompanied by the continuous synthesis and degradation of the ECM components. This dynamic process plays an important role in guiding cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, and differentiation, as well as in tissue development, body repair, and maintenance of homeostasis. Nanomaterials, due to their photoelectric and catalytic properties and special structure, have garnered much attention in biomedical fields for use in processes such as tissue engineering and disease treatment. Nanomaterials can reshape the cell microenvironment by changing the synthesis and degradation of ECM-related proteins, thereby indirectly changing the behavior of the surrounding cells. This review focuses on the regulatory role of nanomaterials in the process of cell synthesis of different ECM-related proteins and extracellular protease. We discuss influencing factors and possible related mechanisms of nanomaterials in ECM remodeling, which may provide different insights into the design and development of nanomaterials for the treatment of ECM disorder-related diseases.

Tension-induced adhesion mode switching: the interplay between focal adhesions and clathrin-containing adhesion complexes

Integrin-based adhesion complexes are crucial in various cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, and motility. While the dynamics of canonical focal adhesion complexes (FAs) have been extensively studied, the regulation and physiological implications of the recently identified clathrin-containing adhesion complexes (CCACs) are still not well understood. In this study, we investigated the spatiotemporal mechanoregulations of FAs and CCACs in a breast cancer model. Employing single-molecule force spectroscopy coupled with live-cell fluorescence microscopy, we discovered that FAs and CCACs are mutually exclusive and inversely regulated complexes. This regulation is orchestrated through the modulation of plasma membrane tension, in combination with distinct modes of actomyosin contractility that can either synergize with or counteract this modulation. Our findings indicate that increased membrane tension promotes the association of CCACs at integrin αVβ5 adhesion sites, leading to decreased cancer cell proliferation, spreading, and migration. Conversely, lower membrane tension promotes the formation of FAs, which correlates with the softer membranes observed in cancer cells, thus potentially facilitating cancer progression. Our research provides novel insights into the biomechanical regulation of CCACs and FAs, revealing their critical and contrasting roles in modulating cancer cell progression.

Cell cycle control by cell-matrix interactions

Cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM) is required for normal cell cycle progression and accurate cell division. However, how cell adhesion to the wide range of ECM proteins found in human tissues influences the cell cycle is not fully understood. The composition and physical properties of the ECM can have profound effects on cell proliferation but can also promote cell cycle exit and quiescence. Furthermore, during tumor development and progression, changes in the ECM can drive both cancer cell proliferation and dormancy. Cell-matrix adhesion is primarily sensed via integrin-associated adhesion complexes, which in turn are regulated by the cell cycle machinery. In particular, cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) has been shown to play a crucial role in regulating adhesion complexes during interphase and entry into mitosis. These reciprocal links between cell cycle progression and cell-matrix interactions are now being identified.

Carfilzomib relieves pancreatitis-initiated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma by inhibiting high-temperature requirement protein A1

Pancreatitis is a crucial risk factor for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and our previous study had proved high-temperature requirement protein A1 (HTRA1) exacerbates pancreatitis insult; however, the function and mechanism of HTRA1 in pancreatitis-initiated PDAC is still unclear. In the present paper, we clarified the expression of HTRA1 in PDAC using bioinformatics and immunohistochemistry of tissue chip, and found that HTRA1 is significantly upregulated in PDAC. Moreover, the proliferation, migration, invasion and adhesion of PANC-1 and SW1990 cells were promoted by overexpression of HTRA1, but inhibited by knockdown of HTRA1. Meanwhile, we found that HTRA1 arrested PANC-1 and SW1990 cells at G2/M phase. Mechanistically, HTRA1 interacted with CDK1 protein, and CDK1 inhibitor reversed the malignant phenotype of PANC-1 and pancreatitis-initiated PDAC activated by HTRA1 overexpression. Finally, we discovered a small molecule drug that can inhibit HTRA1, carfilzomib, which has been proven to inhibit the biological functions of tumor cells in vitro and intercept the progression of pancreatitis-initiated PDAC in vivo. In conclusion, the activation of HTRA1-CDK1 pathway promotes the malignant phenotype of tumor cells by blocking the cell cycle at the G2/M phase, thereby accelerating pancreatitis-initiated PDAC. Carfilzomib is an innovative candidate drug that can inhibit pancreatitis-initiated PDAC through targeted inhibition of HTRA1.

Cytoplasmic Polyadenylation Element Binding Protein 1 and Atherosclerosis: Prospective Target and New Insights

The ribonucleic acid (RNA)-binding protein Cytoplasmic Polyadenylation Element Binding Protein 1 (CPEB1), a key member of the CPEB family, is essential in controlling gene expression involved in both healthy physiological and pathological processes. CPEB1 can bind to the 3'- untranslated regions (UTR) of substrate messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and regulate its translation. There is increasing evidence that CPEB1 is closely related to the pathological basis of atherosclerosis. According to recent investigations, many pathological processes, including inflammation, lipid metabolism, endothelial dysfunction, angiogenesis, oxidative stress, cellular senescence, apoptosis, and insulin resistance, are regulated by CPEB1. This review considers the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic heart disease in relation to the evolution of the physiological function of CPEB1, recent research breakthroughs, and the potential participation of CPEB1 in atherosclerosis.

The interplay between cell wall integrity and cell cycle progression in plants

Plant cell walls are dynamic structures that play crucial roles in growth, development, and stress responses. Despite our growing understanding of cell wall biology, the connections between cell wall integrity (CWI) and cell cycle progression in plants remain poorly understood. This review aims to explore the intricate relationship between CWI and cell cycle progression in plants, drawing insights from studies in yeast and mammals. We provide an overview of the plant cell cycle, highlight the role of endoreplication in cell wall composition, and discuss recent findings on the molecular mechanisms linking CWI perception to cell wall biosynthesis and gene expression regulation. Furthermore, we address future perspectives and unanswered questions in the field, such as the identification of specific CWI sensing mechanisms and the role of CWI maintenance in the growth-defense trade-off. Elucidating these connections could have significant implications for crop improvement and sustainable agriculture.

Inhibitory Effect of β-Sitosterol on the Ang II-Induced Proliferation of A7r5 Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells

Objective

To explore the effects of β-sitosterol on VSMC proliferation.

Materials and Methods

A7r5 cells were pretreated with 2 µM angiotensin II (Ang II) for 24 hr to establish an excessive VSMC proliferation model, followed by treatment with β-sitosterol for 24 hr. Cells were divided into five groups: control, Ang II, and Ang II + β-sitosterol (2, 4, 8 µM). CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, and Ad-mCherry-GFP-LC3B assay analyzed cell proliferation, cell cycle, cell apoptosis, and autophagic flux. Additionally, the expression of proteins was detected by the western blotting.

Results

β-Sitosterol effectively inhibited Ang II-induced A7r5 cell proliferation (IC50 : 6.841 µM at 24 hr). It achieved this by arresting cell cycle progression, promoting apoptosis, inhibiting autophagy, and suppressing the contractile-synthetic phenotypic switch. Mechanistically, β-sitosterol downregulated PCNA, Cyclin D1, and Bcl-2, while upregulating pro-caspase 3, cleaved-caspase 3, and Bax to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Additionally, it suppressed the contractile-synthetic phenotypic transformation by downregulating OPN and upregulating α-SMA. The Ad-mCherry-GFP-LC3B Assay and western blotting revealed β-sitosterol's autophagy inhibitory effects by downregulating LC3, ULK1, and Beclin-1 while upregulating P62 expression. Discussion and Conclusion. This study found for the first time that β-sitosterol could inhibit the proliferation of A7r5 cells induced by Ang II. β-Sitosterol treatment may be recommended as a therapeutic strategy to prevent the cardiovascular diseases.

RNA 5-Methylcytosine regulators are associated with cell adhesion and predict prognosis of endometrial cancer

Background

RNA methylation is a significant form of post-transcriptional modification that has been implicated in various diseases, including cancers. One prominent type of RNA methylation is 5-Methylcytosine (m5C), which primarily regulates RNA stability, transcription, and translation. However, the role of m5C-related gene regulation in cell adhesion within uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) remains unexplored. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the association between RNA m5C methylation and UCEC and develop a prognostic predictive model to forecast survival outcomes in UCEC patients.

Methods

The RNA datasets were acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. The dataset was used to explore the interaction relationships of m5C regulators in UCEC. Unsupervised clustering analysis identified clusters with distinct m5C modification patterns. Different clusters underwent Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment level analysis to investigate the effects of pathways related to m5C methylation, which were further validated through in vitro cellular experiments. A prognostic predictive model was developed using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and multivariate regression analysis.

Results

Two clusters with distinct m5C modification patterns were identified using unsupervised cluster analysis. Furthermore, the prognosis of cluster 2 was found to be worse. Enrichment analysis showed alterations in cell adhesion-related pathways in both clusters, as well as differences between the clusters. Through this analysis, we identified 25 genes with significant prognostic value. Finally, a prognostic predictive model comprising NSUN2 and YBX1 was constructed.

Conclusions

In conclusion, diverse m5C modification patterns display distinct cell adhesion properties in UCEC, which are correlated with prognosis and offer significant potential as prognostic markers for UCEC assessment. We developed a prognostic predictive model to accurately predict the prognosis of UCEC.

Prolactin inhibitor changes testosterone production, testicular morphology, and related genes expression in cashmere goats

Prolactin has multifaceted roles in lactation, growth, metabolism, osmoregulation, behavior, and the reproduction of animals. This study aimed to investigate the involvement of prolactin in testicular function in cashmere goats. Twenty cashmere goats were randomly assigned to either the control group (CON) or the bromocriptine treatment group (BCR, bromocriptine, prolactin inhibitor). Blood and testis samples collected for analysis after 30 days of treatment. The results indicated that, compared with the CON group, BCR significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the serum concentrations of prolactin, and significantly increased (p < 0.05) the levels of testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) on day 30. The serum level of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) was not affected (p > 0.05) by the treatment. The mean seminiferous tubule diameter and spermatogenic epithelium thickness were increased (p < 0.05) in the BCR group. Subsequently, we performed RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis to identify the key genes and pathways associated with the regulation of spermatogenesis or testosterone secretion function. A total of 142 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified (91 were upregulated, 51 were downregulated). Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) revealed that the DEGs were mainly involved in the extracellular matrix (ECM), hippo, and steroid hormone biosynthesis, which are related to testicular function. The expression of the genes SULT2B1, CYP3A24, and CYP3A74 in the steroid hormone biosynthesis pathway significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the BCR group, which was validated by qRT-PCR. These results provide a basis for understanding the mechanisms underlying the regulation of testicular function by prolactin in cashmere goats.

Multi-omics analysis of MRPL-13 as a tumor-promoting marker from pan-cancer to lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

As a member of the mitochondrial ribosomal protein family, mitochondrial ribosomal protein L13 (MRPL13) is responsible for synthesizing mitochondrial proteins in cells. Several studies have indicated that MRPL13 is associated with the proliferation cycle, migration ability, apoptosis and autophagy of cancer cells. However, a thorough examination of MRPL13 across cancers remains uncertain. Therefore, we tried to clarify the relationship between MRPL13 and pan-cancer, and verified it in lung adenocarcinoma by various methods. Finally, our research is expected to reveal new targets for pan-cancer treatment and improve the prognosis of cancer patients.

METHODS

Using bioinformatics tools, we quantified the differential expression of MRPL13 between cancer tissues and corresponding or noncorresponding normal tissues across cancers. We also analyzed the relationships between MRPL13 expression levels and several factors, including diagnosis, prognosis, mutation, functional signaling pathways, immune infiltration, RNA modification, and the relationship with cuproptosis-related genes. Furthermore, we studied the relationship between the expression level of MRPL13 across cancers and the change in cancer functional status through single-cell data. In addition, quantitative experiments (PCR and Western blot) proved that the expression of MRPL13 was significantly different between LUAD and control samples. Finally, the effect of knocking out MRPL13 on cancer cells was compared by gene silencing experiments. In summary, we used a combination of bioinformatics and experimental applications to study the potential roles of MRPL13 in cancer.

RESULTS

After conducting a multidimensional analysis, we found that the application of MRPL13 multigroup analysis can effectively improve the diagnostic efficiency of various cancers and predict the prognosis of cancer. Moreover, MRPL13 in pan-cancer is related to the cancer immune infiltration pattern, methylation level and cuproptosis-related genes. Furthermore, single-cell data analysis showed that the modules of metastasis, EMT, cell cycle, DNA repair, invasion, DNA damage and proliferation were positively correlated with the expression of MRPL13 in LUAD (Lung adenocarcinoma), while the modules of hypoxia and inflammation were negatively correlated. Moreover, through quantitative experiments, we observed higher expression of MRPL13 in cancer tissues at the RNA or protein level. Knockdown of MRPL13 in LUAD led to decreased cancer cell survival, delayed tumor division and migration, reduced invasion, and increased cancer cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates the potential of using MRPL13 as a molecular biomarker for diagnosing and suggesting the prognosis of certain malignant tumors. Furthermore, our research shows that MRPL13 may be an effective therapeutic target for lung adenocarcinoma.

New Gene Markers of Exosomal Regulation Are Involved in Porcine Granulosa Cell Adhesion, Migration, and Proliferation

Exosomal regulation is intimately involved in key cellular processes, such as migration, proliferation, and adhesion. By participating in the regulation of basic mechanisms, extracellular vesicles are important in intercellular signaling and the functioning of the mammalian reproductive system. The complexity of intercellular interactions in the ovarian follicle is also based on multilevel intercellular signaling, including the mechanisms involving cadherins, integrins, and the extracellular matrix. The processes in the ovary leading to the formation of a fertilization-ready oocyte are extremely complex at the molecular level and depend on the oocyte's ongoing relationship with granulosa cells. An analysis of gene expression from material obtained from a primary in vitro culture of porcine granulosa cells was employed using microarray technology. Genes with the highest expression (LIPG, HSD3B1, CLIP4, LOX, ANKRD1, FMOD, SHAS2, TAGLN, ITGA8, MXRA5, and NEXN) and the lowest expression levels (DAPL1, HSD17B1, SNX31, FST, NEBL, CXCL10, RGS2, MAL2, IHH, and TRIB2) were selected for further analysis. The gene expression results obtained from the microarrays were validated using quantitative RT-qPCR. Exosomes may play important roles regarding intercellular signaling between granulosa cells. Therefore, exosomes may have significant applications in regenerative medicine, targeted therapy, and assisted reproduction technologies.

DNA repair pathways in breast cancer: from mechanisms to clinical applications

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer (BC) is a complex disease with various subtypes and genetic alterations that impact DNA repair pathways. Understanding these pathways is essential for developing effective treatments and improving patient outcomes.

AREA COVERED

This study investigates the significance of DNA repair pathways in breast cancer, specifically focusing on various pathways such as nucleotide excision repair, base excision repair, mismatch repair, homologous recombination repair, non-homologous end joining, fanconi anemia pathway, translesion synthesis, direct repair, and DNA damage tolerance. The study also examines the role of these pathways in breast cancer resistance and explores their potential as targets for cancer treatment.

CONCLUSION

Recent advances in targeted therapies have shown promise in exploiting DNA repair pathways for BC treatment. However, much research is needed to improve the efficacy of these therapies and identify new targets. Additionally, personalized treatments that target specific DNA repair pathways based on tumor subtype or genetic profile are being developed. Advances in genomics and imaging technologies can potentially improve patient stratification and identify biomarkers of treatment response. However, many challenges remain, including toxicity, resistance, and the need for more personalized treatments. Continued research and development in this field could significantly improve BC treatment.

Osteopontin as a Biomarker in Chronic Kidney Disease

Osteopontin (OPN) is a ubiquitously expressed protein with a wide range of physiological functions, including roles in bone mineralization, immune regulation, and wound healing. OPN has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several forms of chronic kidney disease (CKD) where it promotes inflammation and fibrosis and regulates calcium and phosphate metabolism. OPN expression is increased in the kidneys, blood, and urine of patients with CKD, particularly in those with diabetic kidney disease and glomerulonephritis. The full-length OPN protein is cleaved by various proteases, including thrombin, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, MMP-7, cathepsin-D, and plasmin, producing N-terminal OPN (ntOPN), which may have more detrimental effects in CKD. Studies suggest that OPN may serve as a biomarker in CKD, and while more research is needed to fully evaluate and validate OPN and ntOPN as CKD biomarkers, the available evidence suggests that they are promising candidates for further investigation. Targeting OPN may be a potential treatment strategy. Several studies show that inhibition of OPN expression or activity can attenuate kidney injury and improve kidney function. In addition to its effects on kidney function, OPN has been linked to cardiovascular disease, which is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with CKD.

Cellular rejuvenation: molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic interventions for diseases

The ageing process is a systemic decline from cellular dysfunction to organ degeneration, with more predisposition to deteriorated disorders. Rejuvenation refers to giving aged cells or organisms more youthful characteristics through various techniques, such as cellular reprogramming and epigenetic regulation. The great leaps in cellular rejuvenation prove that ageing is not a one-way street, and many rejuvenative interventions have emerged to delay and even reverse the ageing process. Defining the mechanism by which roadblocks and signaling inputs influence complex ageing programs is essential for understanding and developing rejuvenative strategies. Here, we discuss the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that counteract cell rejuvenation, and the targeted cells and core mechanisms involved in this process. Then, we critically summarize the latest advances in state-of-art strategies of cellular rejuvenation. Various rejuvenation methods also provide insights for treating specific ageing-related diseases, including cellular reprogramming, the removal of senescence cells (SCs) and suppression of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), metabolic manipulation, stem cells-associated therapy, dietary restriction, immune rejuvenation and heterochronic transplantation, etc. The potential applications of rejuvenation therapy also extend to cancer treatment. Finally, we analyze in detail the therapeutic opportunities and challenges of rejuvenation technology. Deciphering rejuvenation interventions will provide further insights into anti-ageing and ageing-related disease treatment in clinical settings.

Regulation of Kinase Signaling Pathways by α6β4-Integrins and Plectin in Prostate Cancer

Hemidesmosomes (HDs) are adhesive structures that ensure stable anchorage of cells to the basement membrane. They are formed by α6β4-integrin heterodimers and linked to intermediate filaments via plectin. It has been reported that one of the most common events during the pathogenesis of prostate cancer (PCa) is the loss of HD organization. While the expression levels of β4-integrins are strongly reduced, the expression levels of α6-integrins and plectin are maintained or even elevated, and seem to promote tumorigenic properties of PCa cells, such as proliferation, invasion, metastasis, apoptosis- and drug-resistance. In this review, we discuss the potential mechanisms of how HD components might contribute to various cellular signaling pathways to promote prostate carcinogenesis. Moreover, we summarize the current knowledge on the involvement of α6β4-integrins and plectin in PCa initiation and progression.

Contribution of integrin adhesion to cytokinetic abscission and genomic integrity

Recent research shows that integrin-mediated adhesion contributes to the regulation of cell division at two key steps: the formation of the mitotic spindle at the mitotic entry and the final cytokinetic abscission at the mitotic exit. Failure in either of these processes will have a direct impact on the other in each round of the cell cycle and on the genomic integrity. This review aims to present how integrin signals are involved at these cell cycle stages under normal conditions and some safety mechanisms that may counteract the generation of aneuploid cells in cases of defective integrin signals.