QINGYANG ZHANG, SHUXIAN HUANG, DAN WENG^*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.10, pp. 1443-1453, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.053794 - 02 October 2024

Abstract Huntington’s disease (HD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder caused by an abnormal expansion of CAG repeats (Cytosine, Adenine, Guanine) in the huntingtin gene (HTT). This mutation leads to the production of a mutant huntingtin protein, resulting in neuronal dysfunction and cell death. Current treatments primarily focus on symptomatic relief and do not address the underlying genetic cause. This review explores spliceosome-mediated RNA trans-splicing (SMaRT) therapy as an innovative and potential approach for HD treatment. SMaRT leverages the cell’s natural splicing machinery to correct mutant mRNA, thereby reducing toxic protein levels while restoring functional protein production. We More >

CARLOS ALBERTO-SILVA^*, BRENDA RUFINO DA SILVA

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.6, pp. 897-904, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.050443 - 10 June 2024

Abstract Venom snake-derived peptides have multiple biochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological profiles, allowing for the discovery of new medicinal products and therapeutic applications. This review specifically examines the fundamental elements of neuroprotection offered by different oligopeptides derived from snake venom. It also includes a brief evaluation of short peptides that are being considered as potential therapeutic agents. Proline-rich peptides and tryptophyllin family peptides isolated from the crude venom of Viperidae family snakes, specifically Bothrops atrox, Bothrops jararaca, and Bothrops moojeni, have been shown to have pro-survival properties, the ability to reduce oxidative stress, and the ability to promote cell viability More >

ZEHRA GÜL MORÇIMEN¹, ŞEYMA TAŞDEMIR², AYLIN ŞENDEMIR^3,4,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.1, pp. 79-96, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.045361 - 30 January 2024

Abstract Neurodegeneration is a catastrophic process that develops progressive damage leading to functional and structural loss of the cells of the nervous system and is among the biggest unavoidable problems of our age. Animal models do not reflect the pathophysiology observed in humans due to distinct differences between the neural pathways, gene expression patterns, neuronal plasticity, and other disease-related mechanisms in animals and humans. Classical in vitro cell culture models are also not sufficient for pre-clinical drug testing in reflecting the complex pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases. Today, modern, engineered techniques are applied to develop multicellular, intricate in vitro More >

YINGHUI GAO, DENGTAI WEN^*, SHIJIE WANG, JINGFENG WANG

BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.1, pp. 41-49, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.022689 - 26 September 2022

Abstract Presenilin (Psn) protein is associated with organismal aging. Mutations in the Psn gene may lead to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and many age-dependent degenerative diseases. These diseases seriously affect the quality of life and longevity of the population and place a huge burden on health care and economic systems around the world. Humans have two types of Psn, presenilin-1 (PSEN1) and presenilin-2 (PSEN2). Mutations in the genes encoding PSEN1, PSEN2, and amyloid precursor protein (APP) have been identified as the major genetic causes of AD. Psn is a complex gene strongly influenced by genetic and… More >

JU HYUNG LEE¹, IL-KWON KIM^2,3, SANG WOO KIM^2,3, SOYEON LIM^2,3, SEAHYOUNG LEE^2,3, KI-CHUL HWANG^2,3, BYEONG-WOOK SONG^2,3,*

BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.10, pp. 2231-2234, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.020179 - 13 June 2022

Abstract The complex mechanism of degenerative diseases and the non-specific modulation of regenerative targets are topics that need to be elucidated in order to advance the use of stem cells in improvement of neurodegenerative diseases. From pre-transplantation through post-transplantation, there are many changes in the conditions, both inside and outside of the stem cells that have not been carefully considered. This has hindered development in the field of cell therapy and regeneration. This viewpoint highlights the potential implications of intracellular and extracellular alterations of stem cells in transplanted areas at risk of neurodegenerative disease. More >

Claudia G. REIDES^1,2, Romina M. LASAGNI VITAR^1,2, Agustina PEVERINI¹, Natasha S. JANEZIC¹, Ailen G. HVOZDA ARANA¹, Sandra M. FERREIRA^1,2, Susana F. LLESUY^1,2*

BIOCELL, Vol.40, No.1, pp. 51-54, 2016, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2016.40.051

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the redox status changes of primary visual targets in the rat brain of a high pressure-induced glaucoma model. The animal model consisted of inducing ocular hypertension by cauterizing two episcleral veins on the left eye. The markers of oxidative damage and the oxidative balance evaluated in the brain seven days postoperative were: nitrites concentration, levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes activity.
The increase in the nitrite content, which could be the result of the enhancement in the production of nitrogen species, and in the activity of NADPH… More >