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JUN-FENG ZHAO^1,†, YI-RAN JIANG^2,†, TIAN-LIN GUO¹, YONG-QING JIAO^1,*, XUN WANG^1,*
BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.7, pp. 1011-1022, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.050120
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Exploring the Cellular Mechanisms of Neurodegenerative Diseases)
Abstract Neurodegenerative diseases constitute a broad category of diseases caused by the degeneration of the neurons. They are mainly manifested by the gradual loss of neuron structure and function and eventually can cause death or loss of neurons. As the global population ages rapidly, increased people are being diagnosed with neurodegenerative diseases. It has been established that the onset of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is closely linked with increasing age and its major pathological features include amyloid-beta plaques (Aβ), Tau hyperphosphorylation, Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), neuronal death as well as synaptic loss. The involvement of microglia is crucial… More >

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REVIEW

DAN GUO¹, XI XIA^2,*, JIAN YANG^1,*
BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.7, pp. 1023-1036, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.051095
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Perspectives on Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine)
Abstract Liver regeneration and the development of effective therapies for liver failure remain formidable challenges in modern medicine. In recent years, the utilization of 3D cell-based strategies has emerged as a promising approach for addressing these urgent clinical requirements. This review provides a thorough analysis of the application of 3D cell-based approaches to liver regeneration and their potential impact on patients with end-stage liver failure. Here, we discuss various 3D culture models that incorporate hepatocytes and stem cells to restore liver function and ameliorate the consequences of liver failure. Furthermore, we explored the challenges in transitioning More >

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ARTICLE

RUOYU CHEN¹, YIMAN WU¹, FENG WANG¹, JUNTAO ZHOU¹, HUAZHANG ZHUANG¹, WEI LI^2,*
BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.7, pp. 1037-1046, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.051074
Abstract Background: Oleanolic acid (OA), a pentacyclic triterpenoid exhibiting specific anti-cancer properties and highly effective antioxidant activity, was isolated from traditional Chinese medicinal herbs. Conversely, the OA that impacts colon cancer (CC) cells and its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Methods: The cytotoxic effect of OA alone or OA-5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) combination on normal and CC cells was analyzed by methyl thiazolyl diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT). Then, the impact of OA on CC cell lines (LoVo and HT-29) proliferation and stemness were measured using colon formation and tumorsphere formation assays. Octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (Oct4), Prominin-1 (CD133), Nanog,… More >

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ARTICLE

YU-YAN LAN^1,#, TSUN-CHIH CHENG^2,#, YI-PING LEE³, CHIA-YIH WANG^3,*, BU-MIIN HUANG^3,4,*
BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.7, pp. 1047-1054, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.050701
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Navigating the Interplay of Cancer, Autophagy, ER Stress, Cell Cycle and Apoptosis: Mechanisms, Therapies, and Future Directions)
Abstract Background: Paclitaxel is a compound derived from Pacific yew bark that induces various cancer cell apoptosis. However, whether it also has anticancer activities in KOSC3 cells, an oral cancer cell line, is unclear. Methods: 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, flow cytometry, and western blotting assays were carried out to assess cell viability, subG1 phase of the cell cycle, and apoptosis-related protein expression, respectively. Results: Our findings indicate that paclitaxel could inhibit cell viability and increase the expression of apoptotic markers, including plasma membrane blebbing and the cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase in KOSC3 cells. Also, the treatment with paclitaxel More >

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YAN-NAN LI^1,#, YUN-HONG XIU^2,#, YAN-JUN TANG³, JING-LONG CAO¹, WEN-SHUANG HOU¹, AN-QI WANG¹, TIAN-ZHU LI^4,*, CHENG-HAO JIN^1,3,5,*
BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.7, pp. 1055-1069, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.050515
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Navigating the Interplay of Cancer, Autophagy, ER Stress, Cell Cycle and Apoptosis: Mechanisms, Therapies, and Future Directions)
Abstract Objectives: Sciadopitysin (SP) is a flavonoid in Ginkgo biloba that exhibits various pharmacological activities. This study aimed to investigate its antitumor effects and the underlying molecular mechanism of SP in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Methods: Network pharmacology was used for target prediction analysis. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to test the cell viability. Flow cytometry was used to test the cell cycle distribution, apoptosis status, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Transwell and wound-healing assay was used to test the migration effect of SP on HepG2 cells. Western Blot assay was used to… More >

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XULONG SUN^1,#, WENTAO DING^2,#, CHAO JIANG³, ZHIAN FANG^4,*
BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.7, pp. 1071-1079, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.050519
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: New Perspectives on Inflammatory Cancer Transformation)
Abstract Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a prevalent malignancy, poses significant challenges with high tumor heterogeneity and poor prognosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a pivotal role in hepatocarcinogenesis. Although abnormalities in microRNA-557 (miR-557) expression have been implicated in various cancer types, its role in HCC remains unclear. Therefore, there is a need to explore the function of microRNA-557 in HCC. Methods: Candidate miRNAs were identified through screening in GSE108724 and GSE20077. Real-time PCR was employed to analyze the expression level of miR-557 in hepatoma cell lines and tissues. Cell viability and migration assays were applied to assess the… More >

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LAN ZHOU^1,#, QI ZHANG^2,#, BO TIAN^1,*, FENG YANG^1,*
BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.7, pp. 1081-1093, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.049878
Abstract Background: Glioblastoma, a notably malignant tumor within the central nervous system, is distinguished by its aggressive behavior. Silvestrol, a robust inhibitor of the RNA helicase eukaryotic initiation factor 4A (eIF4A), has shown significant potential as an anticancer compound. Yet, the impact of silvestrol on glioblastoma, especially its molecular mechanisms, has not been fully elucidated. Methods: This investigation employed a variety of in vitro assays, such as cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), clonogenic, 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EDU), wound healing, and flow cytometry, to evaluate cell cycle progression, apoptosis, cell viability, and migration. Western blot analysis was also performed to study… More >

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ARTICLE

JIAOE SHENG¹, ZUMIN YI², SANSHAN HE¹, QINGCHAO WU¹, XIA HUANG¹, GUOQING YAN¹, YUFANG DAI^1,*, LINCHONG SU^1,*
BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.7, pp. 1095-1104, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.028421
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Bioinformatics Study of Diseases)
Abstract Introduction: Cholic acid (CA) is a natural steroid useful in treating chronic bronchitis and cholecystitis. On the other hand, its potential impact on osteoarthritis (OA) is unknown. Objective: Using an in vitro and in vivo osteoarthritis model, we sought to assess the chondroprotective properties of CA. Methods: We employed the Cell Counting Kit-8 to measure the impact of CA on chondrocyte activity to assess the toxicity of the cells. Multiple molecular biology experimental techniques were used to investigate potential signaling pathways that CA may use to prevent inflammation and give chondrocytes protection. Furthermore, how CA affects the OA… More >

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CHUNLING LIANG^1,#, JING CHEN^2,#, XIAOJIE CHEN¹, WEI YAN³, JIE YU^4,*
BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.7, pp. 1105-1113, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.050509
Abstract Background: A differential gene, triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM1), was identified in blood sequencing datasets from myocardial infarction patients and healthy controls. Myocardial fibrosis following myocardial infarction significantly contributes to cardiac dysfunction. Objectives: This study aimed to unveil the intrinsic regulatory mechanism of TREM1 in myocardial fibrosis. Methods: Mimicking pathology by angiotensin II (Ang II) treatment of human cardiac fibroblasts (HCFs), the impacts of TREM1 knockdown on its proliferation, migration, and secretion of the pro-fibrotic matrix were identified. Using the Human Transcription Factor Database (HumanTFDB) website, lysine-specific demethylase 5B (KDM5B) was found to… More >

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SIYUAN LIU, YUAN ZHAO, YU YU, DOU YE, QIAN WANG, ZHAOYAN WANG, ZUO LUAN^*
BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.7, pp. 1115-1126, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.050493
Abstract Introduction: Transplantation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) is a promising therapy for type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, whether the infused MSCs affect the endoplasmic reticulum stress or subsequent unfolded protein response in β cells remains unclear. Methods: To investigate this, we induced early-onset T1D in non-obese diabetic mice using streptozotocin. Subsequently, T1D mice were randomly assigned to receive either MSCs or phosphate-buffered saline. We observed the in vivo homing of MSCs and assessed their effectiveness by analyzing blood glucose levels, body weight, histopathology, pancreatic protein expression, and serum levels of cytokines, proinsulin, and C-peptide. Results: Infused MSCs… More >

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