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Gege Liu^#, Houfang Zhang^#, Yunhui Peng^*
BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.4, pp. 519-538, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.061470 - 30 April 2025
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Genetic Biomarkers of Cancer: Insights into Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms)
Abstract Nucleosomes play a vital role in chromatin organization and gene regulation, acting as key hubs that interact with various chromatin-associated factors through diverse binding mechanisms. Recent research has highlighted the prevalence of mutations in linker histones across different types of cancer, emphasizing their critical involvement in cancer progression. These cancer-associated mutations in linker histones have been shown to disrupt nucleosome stacking and the formation of higher-order chromatin structures, which in turn significantly affect epigenetic regulatory processes. In this review, we provide a comprehensive analysis of how cancer-associated linker histone mutations alter their physicochemical properties, influencing More >

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Ayda Baghery Saghchy Khorasani¹, Mahda Delshad², Mohammad-Javad Sanaei^2,3, Atieh Pourbagheri-Sigaroodi², Ali Pirsalehi⁴, Davood Bashash^2,*
BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.4, pp. 539-562, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.059970 - 30 April 2025
Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver tumor and the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally. The phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is critically involved in HCC pathogenesis, stimulating uncontrolled cell proliferation, survival, and tumor progression. The overactivation of this pathway is strongly linked to poor prognosis, making it a crucial target for therapeutic intervention. The oncogenic roles of PI3K/AKT/mTOR components in HCC have been highlighted, noting that class I PI3K deregulation, phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) upregulation, and mTOR overexpression could be associated… More >

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Giuseppe Carota¹, Lucia Di Pietro^2,3, Vincenzo Cardaci⁴, Anna Privitera^1,2, Francesco Bellia¹, Valentina Di Pietro⁵, Giuseppe Lazzarino¹, Barbara Tavazzi⁶, Angela Maria Amorini¹, Giacomo Lazzarino⁶, Giuseppe Caruso^6,7,*
BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.4, pp. 563-578, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.062176 - 30 April 2025
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Macrophages and Microglia Dysfunction in Systemic and Neurodegenerative Diseases: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets)
Abstract Carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) is a naturally occurring endogenous peptide widely distributed in excitable tissues, such as the heart and brain. Over the years, several beneficial effects of carnosine have been discussed well in scientific literature. In particular, this dipeptide is well-known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aggregation activities. It is of great interest in the context of numerous systemic and neurodegenerative diseases, besides performing important “side activities” such as metal chelation and pH-buffering. Despite a plethora of preclinical and clinical data supporting carnosine’s therapeutic potential, researchers are still searching for new pharmacological targets that better highlight More >

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294

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Qing Wang, Luyao Cai, Shouyi Tang, Dan Pan, Zhen Wang, Qianming Chen, Yu Zhou^*, Yingqiang Shen^*
BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.4, pp. 579-605, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.060045 - 30 April 2025
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Stem Cells Therapy in Health and Disease)
Abstract Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) are cancer cells with self-renewal and tumorigenesis abilities. CSCs in tumor tissues are the leading cause of tumor progression, recurrence, and drug resistance. CSCs have distinct metabolic features that contribute to maintaining their self-renewal and stemness. Phospholipids are essential components of cell membranes and play fundamental roles in cellular activities. CSCs have abnormal phospholipid metabolism, which affects their self-renewal, differentiation, invasion, and drug resistance. Compared with non-CSCs, the phospholipid metabolism of CSCs mainly focused on significantly increased fatty acid (FAs) and phospholipids synthesis, phospholipid unsaturation, and lipolysis-fatty acid oxidation (FAO). In More >

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Darya Ivashkevich, Arina Ponomarenko^*, Igor Manzhulo, Inessa Dyuizen
BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.4, pp. 607-627, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.061606 - 30 April 2025
Abstract The high prevalence of obesity and associated nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the population determines the increased interest in identifying molecular targets for regulating the processes underlying these pathologies. The search for new endogenous bioregulators of lipid metabolism and their inclusion in therapeutic regimens for the treatment of patients is becoming a potentially promising direction in science and medicine. Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) is an endogenous lipid mediator capable of exerting multiple hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects mediated by agonism with receptors of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) family (PPAR-α and PPAR-γ). This review focuses on More >

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María Belén Rocco, Clara Requena D’Alessio, Valeria Giselle Sánchez, Horacio Eduardo Romeo, María Laura Barreiro Arcos^*
BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.4, pp. 629-646, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.062525 - 30 April 2025
Abstract Introduction: Hyperthyroidism is known to affect various physiological systems, including the immune system. Thyroid hormones (THs) play a crucial role in regulating immune function, and alterations in THs levels can lead to immune dysregulation. Objective: Currently, we aimed to elucidate the effects of hyperthyroidism on immune function in BALB/c mice, with a focus on anatomical and histological changes in lymphoid organs, the immune response to mitogenic stimulation, mitochondrial dynamics, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Methods: Hyperthyroidism was induced in BALB/c mice by administering thyroxine (T4; 14 mg/L) in their drinking water for 30 days. Thyroid… More >

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Jung-Il Chae^1,#, Ji-Hye Seo^1,#, Goo Yoon², Young-Joo Jeon^3,*, Woo-Keun Kim^4,*
BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.4, pp. 647-663, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.062137 - 30 April 2025
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Molecular Mechanisms of Natural Compounds in Cell Signaling and Cancer Therapy)
Abstract Background: Picropodophllotoxin (PPT), a principal component of Podophyllum hexandrum root, demonstrates various beneficial biological activities in multiple cancer types, including antitumor and antiproliferative properties. Despite its known effects, the specific mechanisms by which PPT induces apoptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells lack full clarification. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the role of PPT in inducing apoptosis in OSCC cells by targeting signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and to investigate the underlying molecular pathways. Methods: Human OSCC cell lines (HN22 and HSC4) were treated with PPT. Cell viability, colony formation, and apoptotic… More >

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Jin Liu^1,2, Xiu Zhang¹, Xiao Hu², Gaofeng Yuan², Kai Chen^1,*
BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.4, pp. 665-680, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.063296 - 30 April 2025
Abstract Objective: This study examines the significance and functions of CLDN9 in gastric cancer (GC), intending to identify novel targets for diagnosis and treatment. Methods: CLDN9 expression in GC tissues and cell lines was investigated in TCGA data, with analysis with Western blotting, qRT-PCR, and immunohistochemical analyses. Correlations between clinicopathological characteristics, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were assessed with Cox regression. The effect of CLDN9 knockdown/overexpression on tumorigenic functions (proliferation, migration, and invasion) was assessed using CCK-8, colony formation, and Transwell assays. Tumor-bearing assays were performed to verify the impact of CLDN9 knockdown on… More >

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41

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Jae Hyeong Kim¹, Yuna Youn¹, Jin-Hyeok Hwang^1,2,*
BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.4, pp. 681-700, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.062144 - 30 April 2025
Abstract Objectives: SLFN11 (Schlafen-11) enhances sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents (DDAs) and DNA damage response (DDR) inhibitors in various cancer types. However, its function in pancreatic cancer (PC) remains largely unknown. This research aims to investigate the expression patterns of SLFN11 and other SLFN family members in PC and their correlation with drug sensitivity. Methods: SLFN11 expression and genetic alterations were analyzed using publicly available datasets (TCGA and GTEx). Functional studies, including cell cycle, apoptosis assays, and proliferation assays, were performed in SLFN11-knockdown and SLFN11-knockout (KO) PC cells. The relationship between SLFN11 expression and drug responsiveness was assessed via the CellMiner… More >

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Yahui Wu^1,2, Tiansheng Dai¹, Jingwen Qin^1,2, Jian Guo^1,2, Jitao Fan^1,2, Jun Mei^1,2, Xiaoli Li^1,2, Fang Liu^1,2,*
BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.4, pp. 701-720, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.061289 - 30 April 2025
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Subcellular Organelles and Cellular Molecules: Localization, Detection, Prediction, and Diseases)
Abstract Background: Dendritic cells (DCs) play a pivotal role in antigen presentation and regulating adaptive immune responses in asthma pathophysiology. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Methods: Bioinformatics analysis of the GSE27011 dataset identified differentially expressed genes associated with pediatric asthma. An ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma mouse model and an Rfx5 knockdown model were established. RFX5 expression was assessed in DCs from patients with asthma and asthmatic mouse lung tissues using qRT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. The regulatory effects of regulatory factor X5 (RFX5) on histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2), class II major histocompatibility complex transactivator… More >

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