{"title":"Nanoparticles for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Therapy: Exosomes and Synthetic Nanoparticles, Challenges and Opportunities","authors":"Razieh Momen Mesgin, Vahid Nejati, Shabnam Pirnezhad Talatapeh, Zeynab Imani, Jafar Rezaie","doi":"10.1002/cbf.70114","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cbf.70114","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common endocrine syndrome in females, remains a human health problem worldwide. Nano-based drug delivery system has emerged as a novel therapy against PCOS. Recent developments in nanotechnology have led to the innovation of synthetic and natural-based nanoparticles (NPs) that deliver therapeutic agents to PCOS. The synthetic NPs, including Ag-NPs, selenium-NPs, Cu-NPs/Fe3O4-NPs, superparamagnetic iron oxide NPs, and chitosan-NPs, as well as natural NPs such as nanocurcumin and exosomes, are used to combat PCOS. Exosomes are cell-derived NPs that regulate cell-to-cell communication. Exosomes from stem cells showed promising results regarding the treatment of PCOS. It seems that the application of NPs in PCOS is not widely understood. Although the Nano-based drug delivery system showed beneficial effects against PCOS, this approach faces some challenges. Further innovation and investigations in clinical and preclinical platforms are needed for clinical translation. This paper is an overview of the application of synthetic and natural NPs in treating PCOS. In addition, the present paper aims to describe exosome-based therapy in PCOS while shedding light on the perspective of nano-based drug delivery systems.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":9669,"journal":{"name":"Cell Biochemistry and Function","volume":"43 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144927126","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Protective Effects of Hydrothermal Extract of Crassula “Buddha's Temple” on Oxidative Stress and Lipid Metabolism in 2D and 3D Adipocyte Models","authors":"Eun Hye Park, Sung-Jo Kim","doi":"10.1002/cbf.70117","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cbf.70117","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p><i>Crassula</i> “Buddha's Temple” aqueous extract (BTAE), prepared via an optimized, reproducible hydrothermal extraction, exhibits protective antioxidant and lipid regulatory effects in adipocyte models subjected to oxidative stress. The phytochemical profile of BTAE revealed a chemically diverse composition enriched in polyphenols (chlorogenic acid, quercetin, kaempferol, catechin) alongside sulfur-containing metabolites, tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates, nucleotides, and peptide-like compounds, indicating multifaceted biochemical activity. In both 2D monolayer and advanced 3D bioprinted 3T3-L1 adipocyte cultures exposed to <i>tert</i>-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP), BTAE pretreatment (5.7 ng/mL) significantly attenuated cytotoxicity, reduced intracellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species accumulation, preserved mitochondrial membrane potential, and suppressed lipid peroxidation. Concurrently, BTAE modulated gene expression by downregulating proapoptotic (Bax, CASP3) and lipogenic genes (GPAT1, ABHD5) while upregulating the antiapoptotic gene Bcl2. Notably, BTAE's efficacy matched or exceeded that of <i>N</i>-acetylcysteine, a standard antioxidant control. Enhanced bioactivity of BTAE in 3D adipocyte constructs suggests physiological microenvironment-dependent potentiation of its cytoprotective and metabolic regulatory functions. These findings support BTAE's potential as a natural, safe, and cost-effective candidate for mitigating oxidative stress and lipid dysregulation in adipose tissues, with implications for metabolic disease therapeutics including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":9669,"journal":{"name":"Cell Biochemistry and Function","volume":"43 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144915137","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"miR-125a Serves a Diagnostic Biomarker in Patients With Carotid Artery Stenosis and Predicts the Occurrence of Cerebral Ischemic Event","authors":"Qianjin Ding, Lijun Niu, Chenguang Tong","doi":"10.1002/cbf.70115","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cbf.70115","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The study was to evaluate the diagnostic significance of serum miR-125a in individuals with carotid artery stenosis (CAS) and its predictive capacity for cerebral ischemic events (CIEs). This study enrolled 116 healthy controls and 122 CAS patients. Serum miR-125a levels were quantified via RT-qPCR. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was utilized to evaluate the diagnostic value of miR-125a in differentiating CAS patients from healthy subjects. Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the association between miR-125a levels and the severity of CAS. Kaplan-Meier (K-M) survival analysis and Cox regression were employed to evaluate the predictive value of miR-125a for the incidence of CIEs throughout the follow-up period. Serum miR-125a level was upregulated in CAS patients compared with controls. ROC curve analysis showed AUC of 0.931 for miR-125a in distinguishing CAS patients. Logistic regression identified miR-125a and low HDL levels as independent risk factors for severe stenosis. Cox regression analysis showed that high miR-125a expression was an independent predictor of CIEs, along with severe stenosis and low HDL. Serum miR-125a serves as a highly specific biomarker for early CAS diagnosis and predicts the risk of CIEs, providing a novel molecular target for CAS risk stratification and clinical intervention.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":9669,"journal":{"name":"Cell Biochemistry and Function","volume":"43 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144915135","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yue Han, Dinghui Wang, Huiping Yang, Xiaodong Jing, Qiang She, Bin Liu
{"title":"The Extracellular Matrix Agrin Promotes Epicardial Cells Activation and Proliferation Post Myocardial Infarction in Mice","authors":"Yue Han, Dinghui Wang, Huiping Yang, Xiaodong Jing, Qiang She, Bin Liu","doi":"10.1002/cbf.70116","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cbf.70116","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The extracellular matrix protein (ECM) Agrin could facilitate cardiac regeneration and repair after myocardial infarction (MI), but its specific impacts on epicardial cells (EpiCs) remains unexplored. To investigate Agrin′s influence on the activation and proliferation of EpiCs, we observed dynamic changes of Agrin in the heart of mice during developmental and injury periods. We also evaluated the effects of intramyocardial administration of Agrin post MI. We found that Agrin exhibited high expression in embryonic and neonatal myocardium and gradually decreased postnatally. Agrin treatment could stimulate EpiCs activation, proliferation, and migration post MI in mice. Agrin facilitated EpiCs' proliferation primarily by binding to the membrane receptor α-dystroglycan (α-DAG), with Yes-associated protein (YAP) acting as the intracellular transcriptional factor. Inhibiting the binding of Agrin to α-DAG resulted in reduced EpiCs proliferation and decreased YAP expression. Blocking YAP-TEAD activation also reduced the effects of Agrin on EpiCs proliferation. In addition, we also demonstrated that Agrin increased the survival rate of mice and improved heart function post MI. In conclusion, Agrin has the potential to promote EpiCs activation and proliferation, making it a promising candidate for heart repair post MI. The α-DAG-YAP axis is a crucial signaling pathway in Agrin-mediated EpiCs' activation, migration, and proliferation.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":9669,"journal":{"name":"Cell Biochemistry and Function","volume":"43 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144905365","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Tanshinol: A Potential Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory Agent, and a Potent Apoptosis Inducer in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells","authors":"Ningwei Zhu, Xueying Yao, Lisuhang Guo, Shufang Yu, Jingjing Ying","doi":"10.1002/cbf.70113","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cbf.70113","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Advances in therapy have yet to substantially improve the 5-year survival metrics for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, underscoring a significant gap that necessitates novel and efficacious treatment solutions. In this study, we demonstrated that tanshinol significantly diminished A549 cell viability and disrupted their proliferative and metastatic capabilities, while simultaneously promoting apoptosis. These cellular responses were linked to suppression of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Moreover, tanshinol contributed to the reduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species via modulation of the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidative pathway. Simultaneously, it diminished the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. Taken together, our findings indicate that tanshinol combats NSCLC by promoting apoptotic cell death via suppression of the PI3K/AKT pathway, alongside alleviating oxidative damage and inflammatory responses. Our findings lay the groundwork for subsequent in vivo research aimed at validating tanshinol as a promising agent for NSCLC therapy.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":9669,"journal":{"name":"Cell Biochemistry and Function","volume":"43 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144881262","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"ATP-Citrate Lyase: A Prognostic Marker of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Dictates the Progression of Adenocarcinoma in Indian Population","authors":"Kanika Phutela, Navneet Singh, Amanjit Bal, Harkant Singh, Jyotdeep Kaur, Sadhna Sharma","doi":"10.1002/cbf.70109","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cbf.70109","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Tissue biopsies are routinely used for identifying driver mutations in tumors but limitations such as tumor heterogeneity have encouraged the use of liquid biopsies for the identification of new biomarkers. ATP-citrate lyase (ACLY) has been recognized as a potential target for tumor inhibition due to its overexpression in several cancers. However, the clinical significance of this enzyme remains unknown in liquid biopsies. In this study, 31 pleural effusion fluid samples were collected from patients suspected of malignancy for analyzing the gene expression of ACLY and associated metabolic enzymes. Gene expression profiling by RT-PCR revealed significantly increased ACLY mRNA levels along with other metabolic enzymes (FASN, ACC, CS, and ICD1) in malignant lung adenocarcinoma pleural fluid samples indicating that ACLY plays a critical role in the progression of lung adenocarcinoma. This study identified the potential of using metabolic enzymes as biomarkers in identification of lung adenocarcinoma patients. The observations highlighted the significance of lipogenic enzymes mainly ACLY and fatty acid synthase as diagnostic markers in lung adenocarcinoma liquid biopsies.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":9669,"journal":{"name":"Cell Biochemistry and Function","volume":"43 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144861781","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marek Samec, Ivana Baranova, Dana Dvorska, Kamil Biringer, Michal Kalman, Martin Pec, Zuzana Dankova
{"title":"Comparative Analysis of Two Digital PCR Platforms for Detecting DNA Methylation in Patient Samples","authors":"Marek Samec, Ivana Baranova, Dana Dvorska, Kamil Biringer, Michal Kalman, Martin Pec, Zuzana Dankova","doi":"10.1002/cbf.70112","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cbf.70112","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The choice of appropriate analytical methods for determining methylation patterns at specific loci across the genome is essential for identifying novel diagnostic and prognostic markers for subsequent clinical implementation. Various methods exist for determining methylation status using different technologies. In this study, we compared two distinct digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) platforms: the nanoplate-based Qiagen QIAcuity Digital PCR (dPCR) System and the droplet-based Bio-Rad QX-200 Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) System. By assessing their efficacy and other attributes, we aimed to elucidate each platform's strengths and limitations in the sensitive detection of DNA methylation, thus contributing valuable insights to the field of molecular diagnostics. We analyzed the methylation status of the <i>CDH13</i> gene in 141 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded breast cancer tissue samples using our in-house developed methylation-specific labeled assay. The specificity and sensitivity of the <i>CDH13</i> assay evaluated by dPCR were 99.62% and 99.08%, respectively; ddPCR analysis reached a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 98.03%. In addition, our data revealed a strong correlation between the methylation levels measured by both methods (<i>r</i> = 0.954). Although both methods are based on different technologies, they yielded comparable, highly sensitive experimental data in our study. Consequently, the main criteria for selecting an optimal digital PCR platform for methylation analysis may lie in other factors such as workflow time and complexity, instrument requirements, the possibility of temperature gradient, reanalysis, or offline options.</p>","PeriodicalId":9669,"journal":{"name":"Cell Biochemistry and Function","volume":"43 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/cbf.70112","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144869308","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"RETRACTION: Chrysophanol Exhibits Inhibitory Activities Against Colorectal Cancer by Targeting Decorin","authors":"","doi":"10.1002/cbf.70111","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cbf.70111","url":null,"abstract":"<p><b>RETRACTION:</b> M. Deng, Y. Xue, L. Xu, Q. Wang, J. Wei, X. Ke, J. Wang, and X. Chen, “Chrysophanol Exhibits Inhibitory Activities Against Colorectal Cancer by Targeting Decorin,” <i>Cell Biochemistry & Function</i> 38, no. 1 (2020): 47-57, https://doi.org/10.1002/cbf.3445.</p><p>The above article, published online on 11 November 2019 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement between the authors; the journal Editor-in-Chief, Robert Heath; and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. The authors contacted the journal requesting retraction of the article, while simultaneously a third party contacted the publisher with concerns about the figures. Further investigation revealed concerns with Figures 1, 2, 3, and 6, including unauthorized image reuse from previously published articles by different author groups and image duplication between the figures. The authors were unable to provide all of the original data. The retraction has been agreed because of concerns that the figures were duplicated from other sources, affecting the interpretation of the data and results presented.</p>","PeriodicalId":9669,"journal":{"name":"Cell Biochemistry and Function","volume":"43 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/cbf.70111","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144832652","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rosamaria Militello, Simone Luti, Tania Gamberi, Manuela Leri, Alice Santi, Matteo Becatti, Alessio Pellegrino, Pietro Amedeo Modesti, Alessandra Modesti
{"title":"The Role of Lactate in Mitochondrial Metabolism of DOX-Induced Senescent AC16 Cells","authors":"Rosamaria Militello, Simone Luti, Tania Gamberi, Manuela Leri, Alice Santi, Matteo Becatti, Alessio Pellegrino, Pietro Amedeo Modesti, Alessandra Modesti","doi":"10.1002/cbf.70110","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cbf.70110","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Senescent cells accumulate with age in organ and tissue causing the decline of functionality and various pathological conditions including cardiovascular disease. Regular exercise induces continuous exposure to lactate that contribute to adaptive process through mitochondrial biogenesis and improve of metabolic process. Lactate accumulation during exercise also appears to be associated with exercise-induced mitochondrial adaptation. Improvement of mitochondria function through lactate exposure could be a tool to prevent cardiomyocytes senescence and cardiac aging. The aim of the following article is to investigate the role of lactate in Doxorubicin-induced senescent AC16 human cardiomyocytes cell mitochondrial metabolism. We assessed the metabolic behaviour in senescent cardiomyocytes after chronic lactate exposure and provided a discussion of the effect of this metabolite in regulating mitochondrial physiology during cardiac aging.</p>","PeriodicalId":9669,"journal":{"name":"Cell Biochemistry and Function","volume":"43 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/cbf.70110","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144814818","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Suchittra Phoyen, Mathias Dahlmann, Pia Herrmann, Chanchai Boonla, Ulrike Stein
{"title":"MACC1 Expression in Colorectal Cancer Is Upregulated by Loss of Epigenetic Repression Under Oxidative Stress Condition","authors":"Suchittra Phoyen, Mathias Dahlmann, Pia Herrmann, Chanchai Boonla, Ulrike Stein","doi":"10.1002/cbf.70107","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cbf.70107","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause oxidative stress and contribute to cancer genesis and progression. Metastasis-associated in colon cancer 1 (MACC1) is a key metastasis-mediating transcription factor in colorectal cancer (CRC). Whether ROS epigenetically regulated MACC1 expression and increased tumor progression in CRC have not been elucidated so far. We applied oxidative stress in two CRC cell lines with differential MACC1 expression (HCT116 and SW480) and analyzed the distribution of the histone marks H3K4me3 (active) and H4K20me3 (repressive), as well as the expression of MACC1. Alteration in cell motility by ROS was assayed with Boyden chambers. Abundance of H4K20me3 on the MACC1 promoter was determined by ChIP-seq. Induced oxidative stress in SW480 and HCT116 cells increased MACC1 mRNA and protein expression and enhanced cell migration. In the low MACC1 expression SW480 cells, oxidative stress resulted in a higher abundance of the active histone mark H3K4me3, and a lower abundance of repressive mark H4K20me3, both overall and specifically on the MACC1 promoter, compared with the medium MACC1 expression HCT116 cells. Analysis of histological abundances of H3K4me3 and H4K20me3 marks in a small panel of human CRC tumors showed an inverse correlation of H4K20me3 with MACC1. Experimentally, inhibition of H4K20me3 formation caused increased MACC1 mRNA expression in HCT116 cells. Conclusions, we reported a potential ROS-mediated epigenetic regulation of MACC1 expression in CRC through altered histone methylation, as our data suggested an initial epigenetic silencing of MACC1, which was later partially reactivated under oxidative stress.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":9669,"journal":{"name":"Cell Biochemistry and Function","volume":"43 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144811277","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}