Skin Regenerative Potential of Cupuaçu Seed Extract (Theobroma grandiflorum), a Native Fruit from the Amazon: Development of a Topical Formulation Based on Chitosan-Coated Nanocapsules

Scarless skin regeneration is a challenge in regenerative medicine. Herein, we explore the regenerative potential of a Cupuaçu seed extract (Theobroma grandiflorum) to develop an innovative skin regeneration formulation based on chitosan-coated nanocapsules. Cupuaçu seed extract significantly stimulated cell proliferation and migration. A reparative gene expression profile could be verified following extract treatment, which included high levels of MKI67, a cellular proliferation marker, and extracellular matrix genes, such as ELN and HAS2, which code for elastin and hyaluronic acid synthase 2. Formulations with Cupuaçu seed extract successfully entrapped into nanocapsules (EE% > 94%) were developed. Uncoated or coated nanocapsules with low-molecular-weight chitosan presented unimodal size distribution with hydrodynamic diameters of 278.3 ± 5.0 nm (PDI = 0.18 ± 0.02) and 337.2 ± 2.1 nm (PDI = 0.27 ± 0.01), respectively. Both nanosystems were physically stable for at least 120 days and showed to be non-irritating to reconstructed human epidermis. Chitosan coating promoted active penetration into undamaged skin areas, which were still covered by the stratum corneum. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated for the first time the biotechnological potential of the frequently discarded Cupuaçu seed as a valuable pharmaceutical ingredient to be used in regenerative skin products.

Download Full-text

The regulation of E3 ubiquitin ligases Cbl and its cross talking in bone homeostasis

Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy ◽

10.2174/1574888x15666200712191623 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

Author(s):

Xiaobin Yang ◽

Dingjun Hao ◽

Baorong He

Keyword(s):

Cellular Proliferation ◽

Bone Matrix ◽

Osteoclast Differentiation ◽

Ubiquitin Ligases ◽

E3 Ubiquitin Ligases ◽

Bone Homeostasis ◽

And Migration ◽

First Time ◽

Definite Role

: The E3 ubiquitin ligases Cbl has been found play an important role in regulating cellular proliferation and migration. Whereas the excessive differentiation of osteoclast and/or its over expressing of resorptive functions could lead the pathological bone homeostasis by overly bone matrix degradation. Since the first time of the important role of Cbl in the regulating osteoclast differentiation (also named osteoclastogenesis) has been reported in decades ago. The extensively studies have been conducted for in-depth exploring the Cbl’s definite role during osteoclastogenesis, as well as its cross talking with other signaling pathways (such as: Src and PI3K signaling) in bone homeostasis. Herein, our current study aim to briefly conclude the current studies of osteoclastogenesis and the regulatory role of Cbl, as well as its cross-talking in bone homeostasis.

Download Full-text

Wnt/beta-catenin and PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathways in Glioblastoma: Two Main Targets for Drug Design: A Review

Current Pharmaceutical Design ◽

10.2174/1381612826666200131100630 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 (15) ◽

pp. 1729-1741 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Seyed H. Shahcheraghi ◽

Venant Tchokonte-Nana ◽

Marzieh Lotfi ◽

Malihe Lotfi ◽

Ahmad Ghorbani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Signaling Pathways ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Cellular Proliferation ◽

Chemotherapy Resistance ◽

Wnt Signaling Pathway ◽

Therapeutic Interventions ◽

Beta Catenin ◽

Clinical Prognosis ◽

Invasion And Migration ◽

And Migration

: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and malignant astrocytic glioma, accounting for about 90% of all brain tumors with poor prognosis. Despite recent advances in understanding molecular mechanisms of oncogenesis and the improved neuroimaging technologies, surgery, and adjuvant treatments, the clinical prognosis of patients with GBM remains persistently unfavorable. The signaling pathways and the regulation of growth factors of glioblastoma cells are very abnormal. The various signaling pathways have been suggested to be involved in cellular proliferation, invasion, and glioma metastasis. The Wnt signaling pathway with its pleiotropic functions in neurogenesis and stem cell proliferation is implicated in various human cancers, including glioma. In addition, the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is closely related to growth, metabolism, survival, angiogenesis, autophagy, and chemotherapy resistance of GBM. Understanding the mechanisms of GBM’s invasion, represented by invasion and migration, is an important tool in designing effective therapeutic interventions. This review will investigate two main signaling pathways in GBM: PI3K/Akt/mTOR and Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathways.

Download Full-text

GENOTOXIC AND CARCINOGENIC STUDIES OF NORGESTREL IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research ◽

10.22159/ajpcr.2018.v11i10.27374 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 372

Author(s):

Abou-eisha A ◽

Adel E El-din

Keyword(s):

Somatic Mutation ◽

Cellular Proliferation ◽

Research Work ◽

The Body ◽

The Other ◽

Direct Stimulation ◽

Carcinogenic Activity ◽

Genetic Examination ◽

First Time

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate, for the first time, the possible in vivo genotoxic and carcinogenic activity associated with exposure to norgestrel (NGT) drug through employing the very recently established and adjusted genotoxic and tumorigenic methods in Drosophila melanogaster.Methods: Two in vivo genotoxic test systems were used; one detects the somatic mutation and recombination effects (somatic mutation and recombination test [SMART] wing-spot test) and the other detects the primary DNA damage (the comet test) in the body cells of D. melanogaster. On the other hand, the warts (wts)-based SMART assay is a vital genetic examination in Drosophila used to identify and characterize cancer potential of compounds.Results: Four experimental doses of NGT were used (ranging from 0.24 μM to 16 μM). NGT was found to be non-genotoxic at all tested concentrations even at the highest dose level 16 μM and failed to increase the frequency of tumors in the somatic cells of D. melanogaster.Conclusion: Our results strengthen the hypothesis that steroidal drugs might act through a non-genotoxic carcinogen mechanism where the carcinogenic properties occur by direct stimulation of cellular proliferation through a steroid receptor-mediated mechanism. In addition, the results obtained in this research work may contribute to highlighting the importance of NGT as a potent neuroprotective antioxidant drug.

Download Full-text

AC016745.3 Regulates the Transcription of AR Target Genes by Antagonizing NONO

Life ◽

10.3390/life11111208 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 1208

Author(s):

Yali Lu ◽

Xuechao Wan ◽

Wenhua Huang ◽

Lu Zhang ◽

Jun Luo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Transcriptional Activity ◽

Target Genes ◽

Cellular Proliferation ◽

Mechanisms Of Action ◽

Adenocarcinoma Cell Line ◽

Specific Mechanism ◽

Rna Immunoprecipitation ◽

Non Coding Rnas ◽

And Migration ◽

Proliferation And Migration

The androgen receptor (AR) and its related signaling pathways play an important role in the development of prostate cancer (PCa). Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the regulation of tumorigenesis and development, but their specific mechanism of action remains unclear. This study examines the function and mechanisms of action of lncRNA AC016745.3 in the development of PCa. It shows that dihydrotestosterone (DHT) results in the AR-dependent suppression of AC016745.3 expression in the LNCaP androgen-sensitive human prostate adenocarcinoma cell line. In addition, overexpression of AC016745.3 inhibits the proliferation and migration of PCa cells, and suppresses the expression of AR target genes. This research also demonstrates that the protein NONO interacts with AR and functions as an AR co-activator, promoting AR transcriptional activity. Furthermore, using RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP)-PCR experiments, the study demonstrates that both NONO and AR can bind AC016745.3. Moreover, cell phenotypic experiments reveal that NONO can promote cellular proliferation and migration, and that AC016745.3 can partially antagonize the pro-oncogenic functions of NONO in PCa cells. In summary, the results indicate that AC016745.3 can bind NONO, suppressing its ability to promote AR-dependent transcriptional activity. Furthermore, DHT-dependent suppression of AC016745.3 expression can enhance NONO’s promotion effect on AR.

Download Full-text

PIMREG expression level predicts glioblastoma patient survival and affects temozolomide resistance and DNA damage response

10.21203/rs.3.rs-322224/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rodolfo Bortolozo Serafim ◽

Cibele Cardoso ◽

Vanessa Arfelli ◽

Valeria Valente ◽

Leticia Fröhlich Archangelo

Keyword(s):

Dna Damage ◽

Nervous System ◽

Dna Damage Response ◽

Cellular Proliferation ◽

Patient Survival ◽

Glioblastoma Cells ◽

Damage Response ◽

Genotoxic Agents ◽

And Migration ◽

And Function

Abstract PIMREG expression strongly correlates with cellular proliferation in both malignant and normal cells. Throughout embryo development, PIMREG expression is prominent at the central nervous system. Recent studies have described high levels of PIMREG transcripts in different types of tumors and correlated with patient survival and tumor aggressiveness. Given the emerging significance of PIMREG in carcinogenesis and its putative role in the context of the nervous system, we investigated the expression and function of PIMREG in gliomas, the most common primary brain tumors. We performed an extensive analysis of PIMREG expression in tumors samples of glioma patients, assessed the effects of PIMREG silencing and overexpression on the sensitivity of glioblastoma cell lines treated with genotoxic agents commonly used for treating patients and assessed for treatment response, proliferation and migration. We show that glioblastoma exhibits the highest levels of PIMREG expression among all cancers analyzed and that elevated PIMREG expression is a biomarker for glioma progression and patient outcome. Moreover, PIMREG is induced by genotoxic agents and its silencing renders glioblastoma cells sensitive to temozolomide treatment and affects ATR- and ATM-dependent signaling. Our data demonstrate that PIMREG plays a role in DNA damage response and temozolomide resistance of glioblastoma cells and further support the PIMREG role in tumorigenesis.

Download Full-text

Abstract 2178: Sonic Hedgehog In Adult Hypoxic Cerebellum

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.116.suppl_16.ii_472-c ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽

Author(s):

Giuseppe Straface ◽

Andrea Flex ◽

Federico Biscetti ◽

Eleonora Gaetani ◽

Giovanni Pecorini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sonic Hedgehog ◽

Target Genes ◽

Positive Staining ◽

Lacz Gene ◽

Downstream Target ◽

Shh Pathway ◽

And Migration ◽

First Time ◽

Proliferation And Migration

Background: Cerebellar hypoxia is responsible for important aspects of cognitive deterioration and motor disturbances in neurological disorders, such as stroke, vascular dementia, and neurodegeneration. In the cerebellum, VEGF is significantly upregulated after hypoxia and is able to induce angiogenesis, reduce neuronal apoptosis, and regulate neuronal differentiation, proliferation, and migration. But, VEGF is not sufficient to provide neuroprotection. A crucial role is played by growth associated protein-43 (GAP43), for which important activities have been described. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the developmental Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway in postnatal hypoxic cerebellum and its relationship with VEGF and GAP43 expression. Methods: We used adult C57BL/6J mice, ptc1-lacZ mice, and GAP43−/− mice for these experiments. Ptc1-lacZ mice carry a non-disruptive insertion of the lacZ gene under the control of the ptc1 promoter. Ptc1 is a downstream-transcriptional target of Shh and its upregulation indicates activation of the Shh pathway. Mice were exposed to systemic normobaric hypoxia (6%O 2 ) for 6 hours and the expression of Shh, Ptc1, VEGF, and GAP43 were investigated. Results: After exposure to hypoxia, Shh-positive staining was detected in Purkinje cells (PCs). The same cells were also lacZ(ptc1)-positive, indicating that PCs are both Shh-producing and -responding elements. Also the cells of the internal granular layer (IGL) were lacZ(ptc1)-positive, indicating that these cells are Shh-responsive. LacZ(ptc1)-positive IGL cells were also immunopositive for VEGF and GAP-43. We also found that ptc1 expression is lost in PCs of GAP43−/− mice, indicating that Shh requires GAP43 to activate its downstream target genes in PCs. Finally, when cultures enriched in granular cells were stimulated with Shh recombinant protein, GAP43 phosphorylation was increased. This effect was inhibited by Shh-inhibitor cyclopamine. Conclusions: This is the first time that hypoxia is reported to activate the Shh pathway in the adult. Our data suggest that the Shh pathway might be important for the cerebellar response to hypoxia, through interactions with VEGF and GAP43.

Download Full-text

RGS12 Drives Macrophage Activation and Osteoclastogenesis in Periodontitis

Journal of Dental Research ◽

10.1177/00220345211045303 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 002203452110453

Author(s):

G. Yuan ◽

C. Fu ◽

S.T. Yang ◽

D.Y. Yuh ◽

G. Hajishengallis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Inflammatory Cytokines ◽

Alveolar Bone ◽

Osteoclast Formation ◽

Protein Signaling ◽

Micro Computed Tomography ◽

Promising Therapeutic Target ◽

Rgs Protein ◽

And Migration ◽

First Time

Periodontitis is a complex inflammatory disease affecting the supporting structures of teeth and is associated with systemic inflammatory disorders. Regulator of G-protein signaling 12 (RGS12), the largest protein in the RGS protein family, plays a crucial role in the development of inflammation and bone remodeling. However, the role and mechanism(s) by which RGS12 may regulate periodontitis have not been elucidated. Here, we showed that ablation of RGS12 in Mx1+ hematopoietic cells blocked bone loss in the ligature-induced periodontitis model, as evidenced morphometrically and by micro–computed tomography analysis of the alveolar bone. Moreover, hematopoietic cell-specific deletion of RGS12 inhibited osteoclast formation and activity as well as the production of inflammatory cytokines such as IL1β, IL6, and TNFα in the diseased periodontal tissue. In the in vitro experiments, we found that the overexpression of RGS12 promoted the reprogramming of macrophages to the proinflammatory M1 type, but not the anti-inflammatory M2 type, and enhanced the ability of macrophages for migration. Conversely, knockdown of RGS12 in macrophages inhibited the production of inflammatory cytokines and migration of macrophages in response to lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Our results demonstrate for the first time that inhibition of RGS12 in macrophages is a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of periodontitis.

Download Full-text

Serum miR-375 Levels Are Closely Related to Disease Progression from HBV Infection to HBV-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2020/5819385 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Weilu Zhang ◽

Ting Fu ◽

Zhenjun Guo ◽

Ye Zhang ◽

Lei Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Disease Progression ◽

Cellular Proliferation ◽

Hbv Infection ◽

Cell Counting ◽

Specificity And Sensitivity ◽

And Migration ◽

Proliferation And Migration

Background. There is an urgent need to identify ideal serological biomarkers that not only are closely related to disease progression from hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but also have high specificity and sensitivity. We conducted this study to analyze whether miR-375 has a potential value in the early prediction of the progression from HBV-related hepatitis or cirrhosis to HCC. Methods. A total of 177 participants were enrolled. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive capability of selected miR-375 for HBV-HCC. We upregulated the miR-375 expression in HepG2, HepG2.2.15, and HepAD38 cells to determine its effect on cellular proliferation and migration, in vitro using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays. Results. Serum miR-375 levels decreased in order from healthy controls to chronic hepatitis B (CHB) without cirrhosis, followed by cirrhosis, and finally, HBV-HCC patients. miR-375 levels were significantly lower in HBeAg-positive and HBV DNA-positive patients than negative (P<0.05) and significantly lower in patients with elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) than normal levels (P<0.05). miR-375 might be a biomarker for HBV-HCC, with a high area under the curve (AUC) of 0.838 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.780 to 0.897; sensitivity: 73.9%; specificity: 93.0%). The AUC (0.768 vs. 0.584) and sensitivity (93.8% vs. 75.0%) for miR-375 were higher than those for AFP. The overexpression of miR-375 noticeably inhibited proliferation and migration in HepG2, HepG2.2.15, and HepAD38, especially in HepG2.2.15 and HepAD38, which are stably infected with HBV. Conclusions. Serum miR-375 levels are closely related to disease progression from HBV-related hepatitis or cirrhosis to HCC.

Download Full-text

Chondroitin polymerizing factor (CHPF) promotes development of malignant melanoma through regulation of CDK1

Cell Death and Disease ◽

10.1038/s41419-020-2526-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

Author(s):

Wei Sun ◽

Fang Zhao ◽

Yu Xu ◽

Kai Huang ◽

Xianling Guo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Malignant Melanoma ◽

Pathway Analysis ◽

Normal Skin ◽

Over Expression ◽

Tumor Promotor ◽

And Migration ◽

First Time ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Chondroitin polymerizing factor (CHPF) is an important member of glycosyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of chondroitin sulfate (CS). However, the relationship between CHPF and malignant melanoma (MM) is still unknown. In this study, it was demonstrated that CHPF was up-regulated in MM tissues compared with the adjacent normal skin tissues and its high expression was correlated with more advanced T stage. Further investigations indicated that the over-expression/knockdown of CHPF could promote/inhibit proliferation, colony formation and migration of MM cells, while inhibiting/promoting cell apoptosis. Moreover, knockdown of CHPF could also suppress tumorigenicity of MM cells in vivo. RNA-sequencing followed by Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) was performed for exploring downstream of CHPF and identified CDK1 as the potential target. Furthermore, our study revealed that knockdown of CDK1 could inhibit development of MM in vitro, and alleviate the CHPF over-expression induced promotion of MM. In conclusion, our study showed, as the first time, CHPF as a tumor promotor for MM, whose function was carried out probably through the regulation of CDK1.

Download Full-text