Influence of Zika virus on the cytotoxicity, cell adhesion, apoptosis and inflammatory markers of glioblastoma cells.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most common types of brain tumor in adults. Despite the availability of treatments for this disease, GBM remains one of the most lethal and difficult types of tumors to treat, and thus, a majority of patients die within 2 years of diagnosis. Infection with Zika virus (ZIKV) inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis, particularly in developing neuronal cells, and thus could potentially be considered an alternative for GBM treatment.

Impairment of adenosine signaling disrupts early embryo development: unveiling the underlying mechanisms.

Purinergic signaling has been implicated in many biological functions, including development. In this study, we investigate the functions of extracellular adenosine and adenosine receptors using a mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC) line and morula stages isolated from mouse embryos. Feeder-free mouse ESC was investigated in the absence and presence of the leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), configuring undifferentiated cells and cells undergoing spontaneous differentiation.

P2Y receptor antagonism inhibits proliferation, migration and leads to autophagy of glioblastoma cells.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive and lethal among the primary brain tumors, with a low survival rate and resistance to radio and chemotherapy. The P2Y is an adenosine diphosphate (ADP) purinergic chemoreceptor, found mainly in platelets. In cancer cells, its activation has been described to induce proliferation and metastasis.

High P2X6 receptor expression in human bladder cancer predicts good survival prognosis.

As alterations in purinergic signaling have been observed in bladder diseases, we aimed to assess the potential prognostic role of purinergic receptors in bladder cancer in a translational approach based on clinical databases and in vitro data. The prognostic role of purinergic receptors in the survival of patients with bladder cancer and the expression profile of the altered P2 receptors in normal and in tumor samples were determined using The Cancer Genome Atlas databank. In T24 and RT4 human bladder cancer cell lines, the P2 purinergic receptors were characterized by RT-PCR and RT-qPCR analysis including radiotherapy exposure as treatment.

AMP hydrolysis reduction in blood plasma of breast cancer elderly patients after different treatments.

Adenine nucleotides are important signaling molecules that mediate biological functions in many conditions, including cancer. The enzymes CD39 and CD73 produce adenosine in the extracellular milieu that has a very important role in tumor development. This study aimed to evaluate nucleotide hydrolysis in the plasma blood of breast cancer elderly patients.

P2Y receptor activation promotes esophageal cancer cells proliferation via ERK1/2 pathway.

Esophageal cancer is a prominent worldwide illness that is divided into two main subtypes: esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Mortality rates are alarming, and the understanding of the mechanisms involved in esophageal cancer development, becomes essential. Purinergic signaling is related to many diseases and among these various types of tumors.

Single exercise stress reduces central neurotrophins levels and adenosine A and A receptors expression, but does not revert opioid-induced hyperalgesia in rats.

Background: This study assessed the effects of an acute stress model upon the long-term hyperalgesia induced by repeated morphine administration in neonatal rats. We also evaluated neurotrophins and cytokines levels; expressions of adenosine and acetylcholine receptors, and acetylcholinesterase enzyme at the spinal cord.

Material And Methods: Male Wistar rats were subjected to morphine or saline administration from P8 to P14.

Hydrolysis of ATP, ADP, and AMP is increased in blood plasma of prostate cancer patients.

Prostate cancer is among the major malignancies that affect men around the world. Adenine nucleotides are important signaling molecules that mediate innumerous biological functions in pathophysiological conditions, including cancer. These molecules are degraded by several ectoenzymes named ectonucleotidases that produce adenosine in the extracellular medium.

Ecto-5'-nucleotidase/CD73 contributes to the radiosensitivity of T24 human bladder cancer cell line.

Purpose: Trimodal therapy is a reasonable bladder-preserving option to radical cystectomy. However, many tumors are radioresistive. In this sense, the identification of new prognostic and predictive biomarkers that allow the selection of patients with better responses to radiation therapy would improve outcomes.

Potential role of P2X7R in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma proliferation.

Esophageal cancer is an aggressive tumor and is the sixth leading cause of cancer death worldwide. ATP is well known to regulate cancer progression in a variety of models by different mechanisms, including P2X7R activation. This study aimed to evaluate the role of P2X7R in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) proliferation.

Bradykinin promotes neuron-generating division of neural progenitor cells through ERK activation.

During brain development, cells proliferate, migrate and differentiate in highly accurate patterns. In this context, published results indicate that bradykinin functions in neural fate determination, favoring neurogenesis and migration. However, mechanisms underlying bradykinin function are yet to be explored.

Ecto-5'-Nucleotidase Overexpression Reduces Tumor Growth in a Xenograph Medulloblastoma Model.

Background: Ecto-5'-nucleotidase/CD73 (ecto-5'-NT) participates in extracellular ATP catabolism by converting adenosine monophosphate (AMP) into adenosine. This enzyme affects the progression and invasiveness of different tumors. Furthermore, the expression of ecto-5'-NT has also been suggested as a favorable prognostic marker, attributing to this enzyme contradictory functions in cancer.

Characterization of ectonucleotidases in human medulloblastoma cell lines: ecto-5'NT/CD73 in metastasis as potential prognostic factor.

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumor in children and occurs mainly in the cerebellum. Important intracellular signaling molecules, such those present in the Sonic Hedgehog and Wnt pathways, are involved in its development and can also be employed to determine tumor grade and prognosis. Ectonucleotidases, particularly ecto-5'NT/CD73, are important enzymes in the malignant process of different tumor types regulating extracellular ATP and adenosine levels.

Perspectives of purinergic signaling in stem cell differentiation and tissue regeneration.

Replacement of lost or dysfunctional tissues by stem cells has recently raised many investigations on therapeutic applications. Purinergic signaling has been shown to regulate proliferation, differentiation, cell death, and successful engraftment of stem cells originated from diverse origins. Adenosine triphosphate release occurs in a controlled way by exocytosis, transporters, and lysosomes or in large amounts from damaged cells, which is then subsequently degraded into adenosine.

Alterations in the extracellular catabolism of nucleotides are involved in the antiproliferative effect of quercetin in human bladder cancer T24 cells.

Bladder cancer is the most prevalent tumor in the genitourinary tract and the current treatments are not efficient to prevent recurrence and progression of tumor cases. Studies have revealed evidence of the involvement of the purinergic system in bladder tumorigenesis, particularly ecto-5'-NT/CD73, the enzyme responsible for AMP hydrolysis. Quercetin (3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxyflavone) is a plant-derived flavonoid that has been shown to exert a broad range of pharmacologic properties, including potential anticancer activity.

Overexpression of NTPDase2 in gliomas promotes systemic inflammation and pulmonary injury.

Gliomas are the most common and devastating type of primary brain tumor. Many non-neoplastic cells, including immune cells, comprise the tumor microenvironment where they create a milieu that appears to dictate cancer development. ATP and the phosphohydrolytic products ADP and adenosine by activating P2 and P1 receptors may participate in these interactions among malignant and immune cells.

Involvement of ecto-5'-nucleotidase/CD73 in U138MG glioma cell adhesion.

Glioblastoma multiform is the most common and aggressive type of brain tumor. The overexpression of ecto-5'-nucleotidase/CD73 (ecto-5'-NT/CD73), an adhesion molecule and the main enzymatic source of extracellular adenosine, has been reported in tumor cells, and it is emerging as a component of glioma progression. Here, we evaluated the involvement of ecto-5'-NT/CD73 in cell adhesion through its interaction with different components of the extracellular matrix in the human U138MG glioma cell line.

The role of ecto-5'-nucleotidase/CD73 in glioma cell line proliferation.

Malignant gliomas are the most common and devastating primary tumors in the brain and, despite treatment, patients with these tumors have a poor prognosis. The participation of ecto-5'-NT/CD73 per se as a proliferative factor, being involved in the control of cell growth, differentiation, invasion, migration and metastasis processes has been previously proposed. In the present study, we evaluated the activity and functions of ecto-5'-NT/CD73 during the proliferation process of rat C6 and human U138MG glioma cell lines.