Essays in biochemistry最新文献

Epigenetics, human imprintome, and chronic diseases. 表观遗传学、人类印记组和慢性疾病。

IF 5.6 2区生物学

Essays in biochemistry Pub Date : 2025-07-04 DOI: 10.1042/EBC20253015

Randy L Jirtle

{"title":"Epigenetics, human imprintome, and chronic diseases.","authors":"Randy L Jirtle","doi":"10.1042/EBC20253015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1042/EBC20253015","url":null,"abstract":"Two epigenetically labile subsets of genes that link embryonic environmental exposures with adult disease susceptibility are those that are imprinted and those with metastable epialleles. The expression of genes with metastable epialleles, like the agouti gene in Agouti viable yellow (Avy) mice, is highly variable between individuals but uniform in tissues within an individual. We used the Avy mouse to demonstrate that exposure to nutritional supplements, chemical toxicants, and low-dose ionizing radiation during embryogenesis alters adult disease susceptibility by modifying the epigenome. Genomic imprinting is a unique species-dependent epigenetic form of gene regulation that evolved approximately 150 million years ago in a common ancestor to Therian mammals. It resulted in monoallelic parent-of-origin-dependent gene silencing. Thus, imprinted genes are functionally haploid disease susceptibility loci, since only a single genetic or epigenetic event is required to alter their function. Expression of imprinted genes in the human genome is regulated by hemi-methylated imprint control regions (ICRs) in the human imprintome. Furthermore, human imprintome ICRs associated with chronic diseases (e.g., cancer, diabetes, and obesity) and behavioral disorders (e.g., autism, bipolar disorder, psychopathy, and schizophrenia) can now be identified with the use of cells from peripheral samples and the human imprintome array. The importance of metastable epialleles and imprinted genes in the etiology of environmentally induced human chronic diseases is discussed in this review.","PeriodicalId":11812,"journal":{"name":"Essays in biochemistry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144559540","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Oxidative stress - Alzheimer's disease - DNA methylation: the role of arsenic. 氧化应激-阿尔茨海默病- DNA甲基化：砷的作用。

IF 5.6 2区生物学

Essays in biochemistry Pub Date : 2025-07-01 DOI: 10.1042/EBC20253019

Daniele Antinori, Marco Lucarelli, Andrea Fuso

{"title":"Oxidative stress - Alzheimer's disease - DNA methylation: the role of arsenic.","authors":"Daniele Antinori, Marco Lucarelli, Andrea Fuso","doi":"10.1042/EBC20253019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1042/EBC20253019","url":null,"abstract":"Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease, representing the seventh cause of death worldwide and the first cause of dementia. Several pathogenic mechanisms have been connected to this pathology, including protein aggregation, oxidative stress, metabolic dysfunction, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, synaptic dysfunction, and cell death. The etiology of AD is multifactorial, suggesting that, in addition to a genetic component, the environment may strongly influence its onset and progression. Exposure to heavy metals, such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic (As), is known to be associated with AD, with As showing one of the strongest correlations, in relation to the epigenetic changes. The World Health Organization (WHO) set a very low limit for its concentration to 10 μg/l in drinking water. The possibility that As may induce epigenetic effects is a recent hypothesis. Evidence, so far, suggests that As may induce DNA hypomethylation in the brain, by mechanisms not yet completely disclosed. This minireview aims to provide evidence to support the role of As exposure in AD, maintaining a focus on oxidative stress and ferroptosis, with a perspective on DNA methylation.","PeriodicalId":11812,"journal":{"name":"Essays in biochemistry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144539605","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Optogenetic control of T cells for immunomodulation. T细胞免疫调节的光遗传学控制。

IF 5.6 2区生物学

Essays in biochemistry Pub Date : 2025-06-23 DOI: 10.1042/EBC20253014

Brendan McKee, Siyao Liu, Pauline X Cai, Zimo Yang, Tien-Hung Lan, Yubin Zhou

{"title":"Optogenetic control of T cells for immunomodulation.","authors":"Brendan McKee, Siyao Liu, Pauline X Cai, Zimo Yang, Tien-Hung Lan, Yubin Zhou","doi":"10.1042/EBC20253014","DOIUrl":"10.1042/EBC20253014","url":null,"abstract":"Cellular immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment by harnessing T cells to target malignant cells. However, its broader adoption is hindered by challenges such as efficacy loss, limited persistence, tumor heterogeneity, an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), and safety concerns related to systemic adverse effects. Optogenetics, a technology that uses light-sensitive proteins to regulate cellular functions with high spatial and temporal accuracy, offers a potential solution to overcome these issues. By enabling targeted modulation of T cell receptor signaling, ion channels, transcriptional programming, and antigen recognition, optogenetics provides dynamic control over T cell activation, cytokine production, and cytotoxic responses. Moreover, optogenetic strategies can be applied to remodel the TME by selectively activating immune responses or inducing targeted immune cell depletion, thereby enhancing T cell infiltration and immune surveillance. However, practical hurdles such as limited tissue penetration of visible light and the need for cell- or tissue-specific gene delivery must be addressed for clinical translation. Emerging solutions, including upconversion nanoparticles, are being explored to improve light delivery to deeper tissues. Future integration of optogenetics with existing immunotherapies, such as checkpoint blockade and adoptive T cell therapies, could improve treatment specificity, minimize adverse effects, and provide real-time control over immune responses. By refining the precision and adaptability of immunotherapy, optogenetics promises to further enhance both the safety and efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.","PeriodicalId":11812,"journal":{"name":"Essays in biochemistry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12228418/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144474334","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Modulating immune cells within pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma via nanomedicine. 通过纳米药物调节胰腺导管腺癌内的免疫细胞。

IF 5.6 2区生物学

Essays in biochemistry Pub Date : 2025-05-26 DOI: 10.1042/EBC20243001

Junyi Lin, Ying Li, Jingjing Sun

引用次数: 0

Immune activation and regulation mediated by immune cell-derived EVs (iEVs). 免疫细胞源性ev介导的免疫激活和调控。

IF 5.6 2区生物学

Essays in biochemistry Pub Date : 2025-05-20 DOI: 10.1042/EBC20253005

Fei Wang, Xinye Wang, Xuehao Zhang, Mengying Hu

{"title":"Immune activation and regulation mediated by immune cell-derived EVs (iEVs).","authors":"Fei Wang, Xinye Wang, Xuehao Zhang, Mengying Hu","doi":"10.1042/EBC20253005","DOIUrl":"10.1042/EBC20253005","url":null,"abstract":"Extracellular vesicles (EVs), secreted by all cellular organisms, are pivotal mediators of intercellular communication. By transporting biologically active cargos such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, EVs facilitate transfer of molecular signals, effectively reflecting the characteristics of their parent cells. Immune cellderived EVs (iEVs) play a crucial role in the activation and regulation of both adaptive and innate immune responses. In the context of immune activation, iEVs drive immune cell development and activation, as well as enhance antigen presentation through both direct and cross-dressing mechanisms. Furthermore, iEVs act as signaling entities within immunological synapses, significantly amplifying immune response efficiency. In immune regulation, iEVs modulate the expression of immune checkpoint (IC) molecules and sustain immune homeostasis by transporting immunosuppressive cytokines and microRNAs, thereby mitigating excessive immune reactions. Nevertheless, the mechanistic underpinnings of iEV-mediated immune cell activation, antigen presentation, and immunoregulation remain inadequately explored. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the functions of iEVs from diverse immune cell origins and underlying mechanisms. It also examines cutting-edge engineering strategies targeting iEVs and their parent cells, while discussing their promising applications in oncology and immune-related diseases. These insights lay the foundation for the rational development of next-generation immunotherapies. While promising, the clinical translation of iEVs is hindered by low yield, high batch-to-batch variability, and insufficient targeting efficiency. The final section discusses key challenges and potential solutions.","PeriodicalId":11812,"journal":{"name":"Essays in biochemistry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12224892/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144119054","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Immune-regulating extracellular vesicles: a new frontier in autoimmune disease therapy. 免疫调节细胞外囊泡：自身免疫性疾病治疗的新前沿。

IF 5.6 2区生物学

Essays in biochemistry Pub Date : 2025-05-13 DOI: 10.1042/EBC20253016

Hassan Shah, Zhengkun Liu, Weisheng Guo, Wenjie Ren, Yafang Xiao

{"title":"Immune-regulating extracellular vesicles: a new frontier in autoimmune disease therapy.","authors":"Hassan Shah, Zhengkun Liu, Weisheng Guo, Wenjie Ren, Yafang Xiao","doi":"10.1042/EBC20253016","DOIUrl":"10.1042/EBC20253016","url":null,"abstract":"Immune regulation is recognized as a cornerstone therapeutic strategy for the treatment of various autoimmune diseases. These disorders, driven by dysregulated immune responses, contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality. Although conventional immunosuppressive therapies provide symptomatic relief, their prolonged use is often associated with severe adverse effects, underscoring the need for safer and more effective treatment approaches. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), derived from immunoregulatory cells such as regulatory T cells, dendritic cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and neutrophils, have emerged as promising candidates for targeted immunomodulation. These nanoscale vesicles inherit the immunosuppressive properties of their parental cells, thereby facilitating immune homeostasis while mitigating the risks associated with other cell-based therapies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the application of immunoregulatory cell-derived EVs for autoimmune disease treatment, with a particular focus on their mechanisms of action within the immune microenvironment. Finally, we discuss the challenges and potential future directions in the development of EV-based therapies for autoimmune diseases.","PeriodicalId":11812,"journal":{"name":"Essays in biochemistry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12224888/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143959566","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Advancing mRNA vaccines for infectious diseases: key components, innovations, and clinical progress. 推进传染病mRNA疫苗：关键成分、创新和临床进展。

IF 5.6 2区生物学

Essays in biochemistry Pub Date : 2025-05-01 DOI: 10.1042/EBC20253009

Sha Li, Lu Zheng, Jingyi Zhong, Xihui Gao

{"title":"Advancing mRNA vaccines for infectious diseases: key components, innovations, and clinical progress.","authors":"Sha Li, Lu Zheng, Jingyi Zhong, Xihui Gao","doi":"10.1042/EBC20253009","DOIUrl":"10.1042/EBC20253009","url":null,"abstract":"Vaccination remains a cornerstone in preventing infectious diseases and managing outbreaks. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the revolutionary impact of mRNA vaccine technology, which utilizes pathogenderived genomic sequences to generate specific antigens. This process involves in vitro transcription of mRNA, encoding target antigens that are subsequently encapsulated within lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for efficient delivery into host cells. Once internalized, the mRNA enables antigen expression, triggering a robust immune response. This platform dramatically accelerates vaccine development timelines and offers unparalleled adaptability, making mRNA vaccines particularly advantageous in addressing emerging infectious diseases. The clinical success of BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) and mRNA-1273 (Moderna) has fueled broader applications, including influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Zika, and HIV. Notably, mRNA-1345 became the first FDA-approved RSV mRNA vaccine, while self-amplifying RNA and multivalent vaccines are advancing in trials. However, CureVac's CVnCoV failed due to lack of nucleoside modifications, and mRNA-1325 (Zika) showed poor immunogenicity. Additionally, mRNA-1365 (RSV) faced an FDA clinical hold due to safety concerns. These cases highlight the need for continued optimization in sequence design, delivery, and safety assessment. Despite advancements, a key hurdle persists, including mRNA instability, ultra-low storage requirements, and LNP liver accumulation. Innovations such as lyophilization and selective organ targeting technology are being explored to improve stability extrahepatic delivery. This review examines mRNA vaccine optimization strategies, clinical progress, and challenges, providing insights into future developments in this evolving field.","PeriodicalId":11812,"journal":{"name":"Essays in biochemistry","volume":"69 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12204004/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143958963","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Metal coordination polymer nanoparticles for cancer therapy. 用于癌症治疗的金属配位聚合物纳米颗粒。

IF 5.6 2区生物学

Essays in biochemistry Pub Date : 2025-04-10 DOI: 10.1042/EBC20253012

Zhengzheng Zhang, Isra Rana, Jutaek Nam

{"title":"Metal coordination polymer nanoparticles for cancer therapy.","authors":"Zhengzheng Zhang, Isra Rana, Jutaek Nam","doi":"10.1042/EBC20253012","DOIUrl":"10.1042/EBC20253012","url":null,"abstract":"Metal ions are essential elements in biological processes and immune homeostasis. They can regulate cancer cell death through multiple distinct molecular pathways and stimulate immune cells implicated in antitumor immune responses, suggesting opportunities to design novel metal ion-based cancer therapies. However, their small size and high charge density result in poor target cell uptake, uncontrolled biodistribution, and rapid clearance from the body, reducing therapeutic efficacy and increasing potential off-target toxicity. Metal coordination polymer nanoparticles (MCP NPs) are nanoscale polymer networks composed of metal ions and organic ligands linked via noncovalent coordination interactions. MCP NPs offer a promising nanoplatform for reshaping metal ions into more drug-like formulations, improving their in vivo pharmacological performance and therapeutic index for cancer therapy applications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the inherent biological functions of metal ions in cancer therapy, showcasing examples of MCP NP systems designed for preclinical cancer therapy applications where drug delivery principles play a critical role in enhancing therapeutic outcomes. MCP NPs offer versatile metal ion engineering approaches using selected metal ions, various organic ligands, and functional payloads, enabling on-demand nano-drug designs that can significantly improve therapeutic efficacy and reduce side effects for effective cancer therapy.","PeriodicalId":11812,"journal":{"name":"Essays in biochemistry","volume":"69 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12204019/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143970487","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Emerging strategies in lymph node-targeted nano-delivery systems for tumor immunotherapy. 肿瘤免疫治疗中淋巴结靶向纳米递送系统的新策略。

IF 5.6 2区生物学

Essays in biochemistry Pub Date : 2025-03-28 DOI: 10.1042/EBC20253008

Yaoli Zhao, Muzi Tian, Xin Tong, Xiangliang Yang, Lu Gan, Tuying Yong

引用次数: 0

Potential of bacterial outer membrane vesicles in tumor vaccine: characteristics, advancements, and future directions. 细菌外膜囊泡在肿瘤疫苗中的潜力：特点、进展和未来方向。

IF 5.6 2区生物学

Essays in biochemistry Pub Date : 2025-03-28 DOI: 10.1042/EBC20253004

Yizhe Yang, Yumin Wu

引用次数: 0