ZHEN WANG¹, JUN FU¹, SAISAI ZHU¹, HAODONG TANG², KUI SHI¹, JIHUA YANG³, MENG WANG³, MENGGE WU¹, DUNFENG QI^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.32, No.12, pp. 1851-1866, 2024, DOI:10.32604/or.2024.055286 - 13 November 2024

Abstract Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a rich and complex tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). M2 macrophages are among the most extensively infiltrated immune cells in the TIME and are necessary for the growth and migration of cancers. However, the mechanisms and targets mediating M2 macrophage infiltration in pancreatic cancer remain elusive. Methods: The M2 macrophage infiltration score of patients was assessed using the xCell algorithm. Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), module genes associated with M2 macrophages were identified, and a predictive model was designed. The variations in immunological cell patterns, cancer mutations, and… More > Graphic Abstract

YUSHI YANG^1,#, CHUJIAO HU^2,#, SHAN LEI³, XIN BAO³, ZHIRUI ZENG^3,*, WENPENG CAO^4,*

Oncology Research, Vol.32, No.12, pp. 1921-1934, 2024, DOI:10.32604/or.2024.046191 - 13 November 2024

Abstract Background: The heterogeneity of prognosis and treatment benefits among patients with gliomas is due to tumor microenvironment characteristics. However, biomarkers that reflect microenvironmental characteristics and predict the prognosis of gliomas are limited. Therefore, we aimed to develop a model that can effectively predict prognosis, differentiate microenvironment signatures, and optimize drug selection for patients with glioma. Materials and Methods: The CIBERSORT algorithm, bulk sequencing analysis, and single-cell RNA (scRNA) analysis were employed to identify significant cross-talk genes between M2 macrophages and cancer cells in glioma tissues. A predictive model was constructed based on cross-talk gene expression, and… More >

JYOTHI B. NAIR^1,2, ANU MARY JOSEPH³, SANOOP P.⁴, MANU M. JOSEPH^5,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.11, pp. 1579-1602, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.054879 - 07 November 2024

Abstract Nanoparticles represent a heterogeneous collection of materials, whether natural or synthetic, with dimensions aligning in the nanoscale. Because of their intense manifestation with the immune system, they can be harvested for numerous bio-medical and biotechnological advancements mainly in cancer treatment. This review article aims to scrutinize various types of nanoparticles that interact differently with immune cells like macrophages, dendritic cells, T lymphocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells. It also underscores the importance of knowing how nanoparticles influence immune cell functions, such as the production of cytokines and the presentation of antigens which are crucial for… More >

YONGJIAN HUANG, JINZHOU WANG, JIUHUA XU, NING RUAN^*

Oncology Research, Vol.32, No.11, pp. 1765-1776, 2024, DOI:10.32604/or.2024.045564 - 16 October 2024

Abstract Background: Despite significant advancements in the development of anticancer therapies over the past few decades, the clinical management of colorectal cancer remains a challenging task. This study aims to investigate the inhibitory effects of cancer-targeting liposomes against colorectal cancer. Materials and Methods: Liposomes consisting of 3β-[N-(N′, N′-dimethylamino ethane)carbamoyl]-cholesterol (DC-CHOL), cholesterol (CHOL), and dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) at a molar ratio of 1:1:0.5 were created and used as carriers to deliver an apoptosis-inducing plasmid encoding the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (pTRAIL) gene, along with the toll-like receptor (TLR7) agonist Rsiquimod (R848). The rationale behind this design is that More > Graphic Abstract

MIN LIU^1,*, XIA LI², JUN LIU¹, YU LIU¹

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.10, pp. 1475-1487, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.053227 - 02 October 2024

Abstract Background: Alveolar macrophage pyroptosis exacerbates inflammatory lung diseases, and tanshinone IIA is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, understanding how tanshinone IIA affects alveolar macrophage pyroptosis is essential. Methods: NR8383 cells were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). We assessed cell viability, pyroptosis, and the expression of triggering receptors expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), p-β-catenin, β-catenin, and pyroptosis-related factors. We also examined the interaction between tanshinone IIA and TREM2. Results: Co-stimulation with LPS and ATP significantly reduced NR8383 cell viability, increased pyroptosis, and upregulated pyroptosis-associated factors. Treatment with tanshinone IIA mitigated these effects.… More >

Xiaozhuo Xu^1,2, Yilin Huang^1,2, Xu Han^2,*

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.19, No.2, pp. 233-246, 2024, DOI:10.32604/chd.2024.050231 - 16 May 2024

Abstract Background: Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is one of the most challenging congenital heart diseases in clinical treatment. In cardiac tissues, resident macrophages fulfill critical functions in maintaining a stable cardiac state and have strong regenerative capacity and organ specificity. However, the molecular mechanisms of macrophages in HLHS remained unclear. Methods: Single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) data of HLHS and healthy control (donors) samples obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were normalized and clustered using the Seurat package. The “FindMarkers” function was used to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the HLHS and donor… More > Graphic Abstract

HAO LV¹, BO ZHU^1,2, DEGAO CHEN^1,2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.3, pp. 363-378, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.046367 - 15 March 2024

Abstract Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are emerging as targets for tumor therapy because of their primary role in promoting tumor progression. Several studies have been conducted to target TAMs by reducing their infiltration, depleting their numbers, and reversing their phenotypes to suppress tumor progression, leading to the development of drugs in preclinical and clinical trials. However, the heterogeneous characteristics of TAMs, including their ontogenetic and functional heterogeneity, limit their targeting. Therefore, in-depth exploration of the heterogeneity of TAMs, combined with immune checkpoint therapy or other therapeutic modalities could improve the efficiency of tumor treatment. This review focuses More >

YANG XU^1,#, HONGYUN LI^1,#, GE YOU^2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.2, pp. 229-237, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.045030 - 23 February 2024

Abstract Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) constitutes the leading cause of death worldwide. Chemoresistance and tumor immune evasion are critical contributors to therapeutic failure in cancer patients. CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain-containing 6 (CMTM6) is aberrantly expressed in various cancers and can regulate tumor immunity. However, its role in chemoresistance and tumor immunity of CRC is not well understood. Methods: Online bioinformatics tools were used to analyze expression and prognosis of CMTM6 in CRC patients. CRC cells were transfected with si-CMTM6. Subsequently, the effects on CRC cell viability and chemoresistance were investigated by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometer.… More > Graphic Abstract

QI XIA¹, XING CHEN², QINGHUA MA³, XIANXIU WEN^2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.2, pp. 217-228, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.027414 - 23 February 2024

Abstract Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in women. Immune features play an important role in improving the prognosis prediction of BC. However, while previous immune signatures consisted mainly of immune genes, immune cell-based signatures have been rarely reported. Methods: In this study, we report that a novel immune cell signature is effective in improving prognostic prediction by combining M2 macrophages. We identified 17 differentially infiltrating immune cells between cancer and normal groups. Prognostic features of the four immune cells identified by LASSO COX analysis showed… More >

YUN ZHANG^1,2,#, SHALING TANG^1,2,#, YUBO GAO^1,2, ZHONGTING LU^1,2, YUAN YANG^1,2, JING CHEN³, TAO LI^4,*

Oncology Research, Vol.32, No.1, pp. 61-71, 2024, DOI:10.32604/or.2023.043481 - 15 November 2023

Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major global health problem with high morbidity and mortality rates. Surgical resection is the main treatment for early-stage CRC, but detecting it early is challenging. Therefore, effective therapeutic targets for advanced patients are still lacking. Exosomes, tiny vesicles in body fluids, play a crucial role in tumor metastasis, immune regulation, and drug resistance. Interestingly, they can even serve as a biomarker for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Studies have shown that exosomes can carry miRNA, mediate the polarization of M1/M2 macrophages, promote the proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells, and affect More > Graphic Abstract