Search results for "Gram"

Editorial: Cell Stress, Metabolic Reprogramming, and Cancer

2018

Cadmium-Associated Molecular Signatures in Cancer Cell Models

2021

Simple Summary The exposure of cancer cells to cadmium compounds may be associated with the acceleration of tumor progression. It is known that cadmium is a transcriptional regulator, and the study of differentially expressed genes has enabled the identification and classification of cadmium-associated molecular signatures as useful biomarkers that are potentially transferable to clinical research. This review recapitulates the studies that report the detection of such signatures in breast, gastric, colon, liver, lung, and nasopharyngeal tumor cell models, as specifically demonstrated by individual gene or whole genome expression profiling. Abstract The exposure of cancer cells to cadmium a…

Immunomodulatory activity of microRNAs: potential implications for multiple myeloma treatment

2015

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell neoplasm accounting for about 10% of all hematologic malignancies. Recently, emerging evidence is disclosing the complexity of bone marrow interactions between MM cells and infiltrating immune cells, which have been reported to promote proliferation, survival and drug resistance of tumor cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules with regulatory functions in the cell, whose expression has predictive and prognostic value in different malignancies. MiRNAs are gaining increasing interest due to their capability to polarize the immune-response through different mechanisms, which include the molecular reprogramming of immune cel…

Familial hypercholesterolemia: The Italian Atherosclerosis Society Network (LIPIGEN)

2017

Background and aims: Primary dyslipidemias are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by abnormal levels of circulating lipoproteins. Among them, familial hypercholesterolemia is the most common lipid disorder that predisposes for premature cardiovascular disease. We set up an Italian nationwide network aimed at facilitating the clinical and genetic diagnosis of genetic dyslipidemias named LIPIGEN (LIpid TransPort Disorders Italian GEnetic Network). Methods: Observational, multicenter, retrospective and prospective study involving about 40 Italian clinical centers. Genetic testing of the appropriate candidate genes at one of six molecular diagnostic laboratories serving as nationw…

MYC-driven epigenetic reprogramming favors the onset of tumorigenesis by inducing a stem cell-like state

2018

Breast cancer consists of highly heterogeneous tumors, whose cell of origin and driver oncogenes are difficult to be uniquely defined. Here we report that MYC acts as tumor reprogramming factor in mammary epithelial cells by inducing an alternative epigenetic program, which triggers loss of cell identity and activation of oncogenic pathways. Overexpression of MYC induces transcriptional repression of lineage-specifying transcription factors, causing decommissioning of luminal-specific enhancers. MYC-driven dedifferentiation supports the onset of a stem cell-like state by inducing the activation of de novo enhancers, which drive the transcriptional activation of oncogenic pathways. Furthermo…

Induction of cancer cell stemness by depletion of macrohistone H2A1 in hepatocellular carcinoma.

2017

Hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) contain a subpopulation of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which exhibit stem cell–like features and are responsible for tumor relapse, metastasis, and chemoresistance. The development of effective treatments for HCC will depend on a molecular-level understanding of the specific pathways driving CSC emergence and stemness. MacroH2A1 is a variant of the histone H2A and an epigenetic regulator of stem-cell function, where it promotes differentiation and, conversely, acts as a barrier to somatic-cell reprogramming. Here, we focused on the role played by the histone variant macroH2A1 as a potential epigenetic factor promoting CSC differentiation. In human HCC section…

L-carnitine protects C2C12 cells against mitochondrial superoxide overproduction and cell death.

2017

International audience; AIMTo identify and characterize the protective effect that L-carnitine exerted against an oxidative stress in C2C12 cells.METHODSMyoblastic C2C12 cells were treated with menadione, a vitamin K analog that engenders oxidative stress, and the protective effect of L-carnitine (a nutrient involved in fatty acid metabolism and the control of the oxidative process), was assessed by monitoring various parameters related to the oxidative stress, autophagy and cell death.RESULTSAssociated with its physiological function, a muscle cell metabolism is highly dependent on oxygen and may produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), especially under pathological conditions. High levels o…

Polyphenols from Pennisetum glaucum grains induce MAP kinase phosphorylation and cell cycle arrest in human osteosarcoma cells

2019

Abstract Osteosarcoma is the most common bone tumor with a high prevalence among children and adolescents. Polyphenols are widely investigated for their chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic proprieties. In the present study, we explored the pro-apoptotic effects of pearl millet, Pennisetum glaucum, phenolic compounds (PGPC) on osteosarcoma U-2OS cells. Our results show that PGPC induced U-2OS cells death, in a dose dependent manner, with an IC50 of 80 μg/mL. Annexin-V and 7-AAD staining show that PGPC induced cell death mainly through caspase-dependent apoptosis as shown by a decrease in cell death when co-treated with pan-caspase inhibitor, N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketon…

General Aspects of Metal Ions as Signaling Agents in Health and Disease

2020

This review focuses on the current knowledge on the involvement of metal ions in signaling processes within the cell, in both physiological and pathological conditions. The first section is devoted to the recent discoveries on magnesium and calcium-dependent signal transduction—the most recognized signaling agents among metals. The following sections then describe signaling pathways where zinc, copper, and iron play a key role. There are many systems in which changes in intra- and extra-cellular zinc and copper concentrations have been linked to important downstream events, especially in nervous signal transduction. Iron signaling is mostly related with its homeostasis. However, it is also …

Oxidative Stress and Vascular Dysfunction in the Retina: Therapeutic Strategies

2020

Many retinal diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular (AMD) degeneration, are associated with elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. ROS are important intracellular signaling molecules that regulate numerous physiological actions, including vascular reactivity and neuron function. However, excessive ROS formation has been linked to vascular endothelial dysfunction, neuron degeneration, and inflammation in the retina. ROS can directly modify cellular molecules and impair their function. Moreover, ROS can stimulate the production of inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) causing inflammation and cel…