(Makino) Ling ex Kitam. Flower Extract Ameliorates Oxidative Stress-Induced Cellular Damage in HaCaT Keratinocytes by Regulating MAPK Signaling.

Oxidative stress plays a critical role in skin aging and in various dermatological disorders by promoting inflammation, apoptosis, and cellular dysfunction. Among reactive oxygen species (ROS), hydrogen peroxide (HO) readily penetrates cell membranes, triggering oxidative damage. This study investigated the protective effects of the (Makino) Ling ex Kitam.

Proteomic analysis reveals inhibition of mevalonate and glycolysis pathways in hepatocytes by 27-hydroxycholesterol.

27-Hydroxycholesterol (27OHC), an endogenous oxysterol, has been implicated in various physiological processes, including regulation of estrogen receptor activity and lipid metabolism. However, studies on how 27OHC affects the metabolic changes associated with lipogenesis inhibition in the liver remain limited. This study aimed to investigate the systemic effects of 27OHC on hepatocytes through a comparative proteomic analysis of the proteomes in the 27OHC-treated Mus musculus hepatocyte (AML12) cells.

Neolitsea sericea attenuates oxidative stress-induced cell death in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells via MAPK and NF-κB pathway Inhibition.

Background: Oxidative stress is a key contributor to the pathological mechanisms that underpin various neurodegenerative diseases. Hydrogen peroxide (HO) is a well-known inducer of oxidative stress, which produces highly reactive hydroxyl radicals, resulting in cellular injury. The identification of bioactive compounds with potential neuroprotective properties is crucial for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

27-Hydroxycholesterol Negatively Affects the Function of Bone Marrow Endothelial Cells in the Bone Marrow.

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) reside in specific microenvironments that facilitate their regulation through both internal mechanisms and external cues. Bone marrow endothelial cells (BMECs), which are found in one of these microenvironments, play a vital role in controlling the self-renewal and differentiation of HSCs during hematological stress. We previously showed that 27-hydroxycholesterol (27HC) administration of exogenous 27HC negatively affected the population of HSCs and progenitor cells by increasing the reactive oxygen species levels in the bone marrow.

Cereblon deficiency ameliorates carbon tetrachloride-induced acute hepatotoxicity in HepG2 cells by suppressing MAPK-mediated apoptosis.

The liver is vulnerable to various hepatotoxins, including carbon tetrachloride (CCl), which induces oxidative stress and apoptosis by producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Cereblon (CRBN), a multifunctional protein implicated in various cellular processes, functions in the pathogenesis of various diseases; however, its function in liver injury remains unknown. We established a CRBN-knockout (KO) HepG2 cell line and examined its effect on CCl-induced hepatocellular damage.

Oxoglaucine Suppresses Hepatic Fibrosis by Inhibiting TGFβ-Induced Smad2 Phosphorylation and ROS Generation.

Hepatic fibrosis is the first stage of liver disease, and can progress to a chronic status, such as cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Excessive production of extracellular matrix (ECM) components plays an important role in the development of fibrosis. Mechanistically, transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ)-induced phosphorylation of Smad is thought to be a key signaling pathway in the development of liver fibrosis.

Distinct effect of exercise modes on mood-related behavior in mice.

Exercise can afford several benefits to combat mood disorders in both rodents and humans. Engagement in various physical activities upregulates levels of neurotrophic factors in several brain regions and improves mental health. However, the type of exercise that regulates mood and the underlying mechanisms in the brain remain elusive.

Makino Inhibits Oxidative Stress-Induced Neuronal Damage in Human Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y Cells by Suppressing MAPK-Regulated Apoptosis.

Oxidative stress has been demonstrated to play a pivotal role in the pathological processes of many neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, we demonstrated that Makino extract (CBME) suppresses oxidative stress-induced neurotoxicity in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and elucidated the underlying molecular mechanism. Our observations revealed that CBME effectively protected neuronal cells against HO-induced cell death by preventing caspase-3 activation, Bax upregulation, Bcl-2 downregulation, activation of three mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and NF-κB phosphorylation, and iNOS induction.

Defects in aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase cause partial B and T cell immunodeficiency.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) are emerging as important regulators in various immune diseases; however, their roles in immune cells remain unclear. In this study, using alanyl-tRNA synthetase (AARS) mutant (sti) mice with neurodegenerative disorder, we investigated the effect of translational fidelity in immune cells. Dysfunctional AARS caused disorders in immune cell responses and cellularity.

Pathophysiological role of 27-hydroxycholesterol in human diseases.

Oxysterols are oxygenated cholesterol derivatives and important regulators of cholesterol metabolism, lipid homeostasis, the immune system, and membrane fluidity regulation. Although the detailed mechanism of action of oxysterols remains unclear, activation of some nuclear receptors, such as liver X receptor α (LXRα) and RAR-related orphan receptors, have been believed to be critical for the regulation of various physiological processes in multiple tissues. 27-Hydroxycholesterol (27-OHC) is an endogenous oxysterol, which has an intermediate function in cholesterol catabolism to bile acid synthesis.

Application of Proteomics in Cancer: Recent Trends and Approaches for Biomarkers Discovery.

Proteomics has become an important field in molecular sciences, as it provides valuable information on the identity, expression levels, and modification of proteins. For example, cancer proteomics unraveled key information in mechanistic studies on tumor growth and metastasis, which has contributed to the identification of clinically applicable biomarkers as well as therapeutic targets. Several cancer proteome databases have been established and are being shared worldwide.

The Effect of Hyperbaric Therapy on Brown Adipose Tissue in Rats.

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays an important role in thermogenic regulation, which contributes to alleviating diet-induced obesity through uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression. While cold exposure and physical exercise are known to increase BAT development and UCP1 expression, the contribution of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy to BAT maturation remains largely unknown. Here, we show that HBO treatment sufficiently increases BAT volumes and thermogenic protein levels in Sprague-Dawley rats.

TRIB2 Stimulates Cancer Stem-Like Properties through Activating the AKT-GSK3β-β-Catenin Signaling Axis.

Tribbles homolog 2 (TRIB2) is implicated in tumorigenesis and drug resistance in various types of cancers. However, the role of TRIB2 in the regulation of tumorigenesis and drug resistance of cancer stem cells (CSCs) is still elusive. In the present study, we showed increased expression of TRIB2 in spheroid-forming and aldehyde dehydrogenase-positive CSC populations of A2780 epithelial ovarian cancer cells.

Echinochrome A Treatment Alleviates Fibrosis and Inflammation in Bleomycin-Induced Scleroderma.

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease caused by the abnormal regulation of extracellular matrix synthesis and is activated by non-regulated inflammatory cells and cytokines. Echinochrome A (EchA), a natural pigment isolated from sea urchins, has been demonstrated to have antioxidant activities and beneficial effects in various disease models. The present study demonstrates for the first time that EchA treatment alleviates bleomycin-induced scleroderma by normalizing dermal thickness and suppressing collagen deposition in vivo.

Emodin induces collagen type I synthesis in Hs27 human dermal fibroblasts.

Fibrillar collagen and elastic fibers are the main components of the dermal extracellular matrix (ECM), which confers mechanical strength and resilience to the skin. In particular, type I collagen produced by fibroblasts is the most abundant collagen that determines the general strength of the ECM, thereby contributing to the prevesntion of the skin-aging process. Although the natural anthraquinone derivative emodin (1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methylanthraquinone) exerts numerous beneficial effects, including antiviral, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects in diverse cells, the effect of emodin on collagen expression or skin aging is not fully understood.

Therapeutic Applications of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Drug Metformin in Patients with Osteoarthritis.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and osteoarthritis (OA) are common chronic diseases that frequently co-exist. The link between OA and T2DM is attributed to common risk factors, including age and obesity. Several reports suggest that hyperglycemia and accumulated advanced glycosylation end-products might regulate cartilage homeostasis and contribute to the development and progression of OA.

CD166 promotes the cancer stem-like properties of primary epithelial ovarian cancer cells.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) or tumor-initiating cells are thought to play critical roles in tumorigenesis, metastasis, drug resistance, and tumor recurrence. For the diagnosis and targeted therapy of CSCs, the molecular identity of biomarkers or therapeutic targets for CSCs needs to be clarified. In this study, we identified CD166 as a novel marker expressed in the sphereforming CSC population of A2780 epithelial ovarian cancer cells and primary ovarian cancer cells.

Ex vivo expansion of regulatory T cell and T helper 2 cells using a hematosphere culture.

Regulatory T cells (T-reg) are important components of immune system required to understand the mechanistic details of cancer immunity and autoimmune diseases. However, reliable and efficient methods of regulatory T cell expansion have not been established yet. Here, we show that a human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMNC) derived blood-born hematosphere (BBHS) culture without cytokine treatment increased T-reg and T helper 2 cell (Th2) populations in the cell suspension.

Prognostic Role of Zinc Finger Homeobox 4 in Ovarian Serous Cystadenocarcinoma.

The zinc finger homeobox 4 (ZFHX4) protein is a crucial molecular regulator of tumor-initiating stem cell-like functions. This study aimed to determine the role of ZFHX4 in the progression of ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma (OSC). Differential gene expression among low-stage (stages I and II), high-stage (stages III and IV), low-grade (grades I and II), and high-grade (grades III and IV) OSC patients was identified using four independent cohorts from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO).

Prognostic role of the beta-2 adrenergic receptor in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

The beta-2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) regulates the proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, migration, and metastasis of cancer cells. However, its function in the progression of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is unknown. Here, we report that ADRB2 can be a novel prognostic factor for patients with ccRCC.

Secretomics to Discover Regulators in Diseases.

Secretory proteins play important roles in the cross-talk of individual functional units, including cells. Since secretory proteins are essential for signal transduction, they are closely related with disease development, including metabolic and neural diseases. In metabolic diseases, adipokines, myokines, and hepatokines are secreted from respective organs under specific environmental conditions, and play roles in glucose homeostasis, angiogenesis, and inflammation.

Basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor Twist1 is a novel regulator of anterior gradient protein 2 homolog (AGR2) in breast cancer.

Anterior gradient protein 2 homolog (AGR2) belongs to the disulfide isomerase family of endoplasmic reticulum proteins. Itis overexpressed in several types of solid tumors, including tumors of the prostate, lung, and pancreas. However, the role of AGR2 in breast cancer and the regulatory mechanisms underlying AGR2 protein expressionare not fullyunderstood.