apoptosis

Secosterol-B affects endoplasmic reticulum structure in endothelial cells

Oxysterols, oxidized derivatives of cholesterol found in LDL and atherosclerotic plaques, trigger several biological responses involved in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction, which occurs when vascular homeostasis is altered, plays a key role in the pathogenesis of several metabolic diseases. The contribution of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress to endothelial disfunction is a relatively recent area of investigation.

Human cachexia induces changes in mitochondria, autophagy and apoptosis in the skeletal muscle

Cachexia is a wasting syndrome characterized by the continuous loss of skeletal muscle mass due to imbalance between protein synthesis and degradation, which is related with poor prognosis and compromised quality of life. Dysfunctional mitochondria are associated with lower muscle strength and muscle atrophy in cancer patients, yet poorly described in human cachexia. We herein investigated mitochondrial morphology, autophagy and apoptosis in the skeletal muscle of patients with gastrointestinal cancer-associated cachexia (CC), as compared with a weight-stable cancer group (WSC).

Ion Channels in Glioma Malignancy

Brain tumors come in many types and differ greatly in outcome. They are classified by the cell of origin (astrocytoma, ependymoma, meningioma, medulloblastoma, glioma), although more recently molecular markers are used in addition to histology. Brain tumors are graded (from I to IV) to measure their malignancy. Glioblastoma, one of the most common adult primary brain tumors, displays the highest malignancy (grade IV), and median survival of about 15 months.

Thiotaurine:from chemical and biological properties to role in H2S signaling

In the last decade thiotaurine, 2-aminoethane thiosulfonate, has been investigated as an inflammatory modulating agent as a result of its ability to release hydrogen sulfide (H2S) known to play regulatory roles in inflammation. Thiotaurine can be included in the "taurine family" due to structural similarity to taurine and hypotaurine, and is characterized by the presence of a sulfane sulfur moiety.

Lactoferrin's anti-cancer properties. Safety, selectivity, and wide range of action

Despite recent advances in cancer therapy, current treatments, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, although beneficial, present attendant side effects and long-term sequelae, usually more or less affecting quality of life of the patients. Indeed, except for most of the immunotherapeutic agents, the complete lack of selectivity between normal and cancer cells for radio- and chemotherapy can make them potential antagonists of the host anti-cancer self-defense over time.

Thyroid hormones act as mitogenic and pro survival factors in rat ovarian follicles

PURPOSE: Thyroid disorders are clinically associated with impaired fertility in women, and these abnormalities can be improved by restoring the euthyroid state. The exact mechanisms of thyroid effect on female fertility are not well known; however, it is conceivable that thyroid hormones (THs) might act on ovarian physiology via receptors in granulosa cells. This work is aimed at evaluating the effects of THs on non-tumoral granulosa cells and follicles.

Survival pathways are differently affected by microgravity in normal and cancerous breast cells

Metazoan living cells exposed to microgravity undergo dramatic changes in morphological and biological properties, which ultimately lead to apoptosis and phenotype reprogramming. However, apoptosis can occur at very different rates depending on the experimental model, and in some cases, cells seem to be paradoxically protected from programmed cell death during weightlessness.

Novel Pyridine-Based Hydroxamates and 2'-Aminoanilides as Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors: Biochemical Profile and Anticancer Activity

Starting from the N-hydroxy-3-(4-(2-phenylbutanoyl)amino)phenyl)acrylamide 5b previously described by us as HDAC inhibitor, we prepared four aza-analogues of 5b (6-8, 9b) as regioisomers containing the pyridine nucleus. A preliminary screening against mHDAC1 highlighted the N-hydroxy-5-(2-(2-phenylbutanoyl)amino)pyridyl)acrylamide 9b as the most potent inhibitor. Thus, we further developed both pyridylacrylic- and nicotinic-based hydroxamates (9a, 9c-f, and 11a-f) and 2'-aminoanilides (10a-f and 12a-f), related to 9b, to be tested against HDACs.

VEGF inhibition alters neurotrophin signalling pathways and induces caspase-3 activation and autophagy in rabbit retina

This study sought to evaluate the prospective role exerted by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the modulation of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signalling pathways in the rabbit retina. To reach this aim, the anti-VEGF agents aflibercept and ranibizumab were used as a pharmacological approach to evaluate the putative consequences elicited by VEGF inhibition on neurotrophin signalling.

© Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza" - Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Roma