Effects of Isoxazolyl Steroids on Key Genes of Sonic Hedgehog Cascade Expression in Tumor Cells.

Activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is often associated with the progression of various types of cancer. The purpose of study was to search for inhibitors of the Hh signaling pathway among eight compounds belonging to the group of isoxazolyl steroids. The evaluation of the effectiveness of the compounds was based on the analysis of their cytotoxicity, effect on the cell cycle, on the expression of key Hh-signaling-pathway genes (Ptch1, Smo, and Gli1) and putative target genes MMP-2 and MMP-9.

The Impact of Glycosylation on the Functional Activity of CD133 and the Accuracy of Its Immunodetection.

The membrane glycoprotein CD133 (prominin-1) is widely regarded as the main molecular marker of cancer stem cells, which are the most malignant cell subpopulation within the tumor, responsible for tumor growth and metastasis. For this reason, CD133 is considered a promising prognostic biomarker and molecular target for antitumor therapy. Under normal conditions, CD133 is present on the cell membrane in glycosylated form.

Can CD133 Be Regarded as a Prognostic Biomarker in Oncology: Pros and Cons.

The CD133 cell membrane glycoprotein, also termed prominin-1, is expressed on some of the tumor cells of both solid and blood malignancies. The CD133-positive tumor cells were shown to exhibit higher proliferative activity, greater chemo- and radioresistance, and enhanced tumorigenicity compared to their CD133-negative counterparts. For this reason, CD133 is regarded as a potential prognostic biomarker in oncology.

Effect of an NGR Peptide on the Efficacy of the Doxorubicin Phospholipid Delivery System.

This study is a continuation of an investigation into the effect of a targeted component, a peptide with an NGR, on the properties of the previously developed doxorubicin phospholipid delivery system. The NGR peptide has an affinity for aminopeptidase N (known as the CD13 marker on the membrane surface of tumor cells) and has been extensively used to target drug delivery systems. This article presents the results of a study investigating the physical properties of the phospholipid composition with and without the peptide chain: particle size, zeta potential, stability in fluids, and dependence of doxorubicin release from nanoparticles at different pH levels (5.

Isolation of a Population of Cells Co-Expressing Markers of Embryonic Stem Cells and Mesenchymal Stem Cells from the Rudimentary Uterine Horn of a Patient with Uterine Aplasia.

More than 50% cells isolated from the endometrial cavity scraping and the myometrium of the rudimentary horn of an underdeveloped uterus removed from a patient with uterine aplasia and maintained under culturing conditions normal for mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) expressed embryonic transcription factors Oct4 and Nanog, embryonic cell membrane sialyl glycolipid SSEA4, and MSC markers. After 2-3 passages, the cells lost the expression of the early embryogenesis markers, but retained MSC markers. The presence of dormant stem cells in the underdeveloped endometrium and in the uterus indicates that this tissue has a regenerative potential that can be activated and used for completion of organ morphogenesis.