PIEZO-dependent mechanosensing is essential for intestinal stem cell fate decision and maintenance.

Stem cells perceive and respond to biochemical and physical signals to maintain homeostasis. Yet, it remains unclear how stem cells sense mechanical signals from their niche in vivo. In this work, we investigated the roles of PIEZO mechanosensitive channels in the intestinal stem cell (ISC) niche.

Coadministration of auraptene and radiotherapy; a novel modality against colon carcinoma cells and .

Use of ionizing radiation (IR) is a common therapeutic modality for patients with colon carcinoma, although resistance of cancer cells and unintended toxicity reduce clinical outcomes. To enhance radioresponse of colon cancer cells, we designed a novel approach using auraptene (AUR) in combination with ionizing radiation (IR). For in vitro studies, CT26 cells were pretreated with AUR and irradiated at different doses.

Use of a genetically engineered E. coli overexpressing β-glucuronidase accompanied by glycyrrhizic acid, a natural and anti-inflammatory agent, for directed treatment of colon carcinoma in a mouse model.

Bacteria-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (BDEPT), is an emerging alternative directed and tumor-specific approach. The basis of this method is the conversion of a non-toxic prodrug by a bacterial enzyme to a toxic drug within the tumor-microenvironment (TME). In the present study, the therapeutic efficacy of BDEPT was investigated based on the ability of Escherichia coli DH5α-lux/βG in activation of glycyrrhizic acid (GL), a natural and non-toxic compound purified from licorice, to glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) only in TME.