Bacterial products initiation of alpha-synuclein pathology: an in vitro study.

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a prevalent and escalating neurodegenerative disorder with significant societal implications. Despite being considered a proteinopathy, in which the aggregation of α-synuclein is the main pathological change, the intricacies of PD initiation remain elusive. Recent evidence suggests a potential link between gut microbiota and PD initiation, emphasizing the need to explore the effects of microbiota-derived molecules on neuronal cells.

Skin Telocytes Could Fundament the Cellular Mechanisms of Wound Healing in Platelet-Rich Plasma Administration.

For more than 40 years, autologous platelet concentrates have been used in clinical medicine. Since the first formula used, namely platelet-rich plasma (PRP), other platelet concentrates have been experimented with, including platelet-rich fibrin and concentrated growth factor. Platelet concentrates have three standard characteristics: they act as scaffolds, they serve as a source of growth factors and cytokines, and they contain live cells.

Inside anticancer therapy resistance and metastasis. Focus on CD36.

Despite recent advances in targeted cancer therapies, drug resistance remains an important setback in tumor control. Understanding the complex mechanisms involved in both innate and acquired drug resistance represents the first step in discovering novel therapeutic agents. Because of its importance in tumorigenesis, progression, and metastasis, lipid metabolism is increasingly garnering attention.

Platelet-Rich Plasma in Dermatology: New Insights on the Cellular Mechanism of Skin Repair and Regeneration.

The skin's recognised functions may undergo physiological alterations due to ageing, manifesting as varying degrees of facial wrinkles, diminished tautness, density, and volume. Additionally, these functions can be disrupted (patho)physiologically through various physical and chemical injuries, including surgical trauma, accidents, or chronic conditions like ulcers associated with diabetes mellitus, venous insufficiency, or obesity. Advancements in therapeutic interventions that boost the skin's innate regenerative abilities could significantly enhance patient care protocols.

SH-SY5Y Cell Line Models for Parkinson Disease Research-Old Practice for New Trends.

The SH-SY5Y cell line is a simple and inexpensive experimental model for studying Parkinson disease (PD). This experimental model is a useful tool for elucidating pathophysiological mechanisms of PD and in the development of new pharmacological therapies. In this review, we aim to summarize current protocols for SH-SY5Y cell culturing and differentiation and PD experimental designs derived from the SH-SY5Y cell line.

Lipid Handling Protein Gene Expression in Colorectal Cancer: CD36 and Targeting miRNAs.

The reprogramming of lipid metabolism has been highlighted in colorectal cancer (CRC) studies, suggesting a critical role for the scavenger receptor CD36 and fatty acid synthase (FASN) in this malignancy. In this study, we analyzed the gene expression levels of CD36, FASN, the cell surface glypican 4 (GPC4), and the two transporters SLC27A3 and SLC27A4 in 39 paired tumoral and peritumoral tissues from patients with CRC compared with 18 normal colonic mucosae. Moreover, the levels of seven miRNAs targeting CD36 and most of the analyzed genes were evaluated.

Dermal Telocytes: A Different Viewpoint of Skin Repairing and Regeneration.

Fifteen years after their discovery, telocytes (TCs) are yet perceived as a new stromal cell type. Their presence was initially documented peri-digestively, and gradually throughout the interstitia of many (non-)cavitary mammalian, human, and avian organs, including skin. Each time, TCs proved to be involved in diverse spatial relations with elements of interstitial (ultra)structure (blood vessels, nerves, immune cells, etc.

Application of Droplet Digital PCR Technology in Muscular Dystrophies Research.

Although they are considered rare disorders, muscular dystrophies have a strong impact on people's health. Increased disease severity with age, frequently accompanied by the loss of ability to walk in some people, and the lack of treatment, have directed the researchers towards the development of more effective therapeutic strategies aimed to improve the quality of life and life expectancy, slow down the progression, and delay the onset or convert a severe phenotype into a milder one. Improved understanding of the complex pathology of these diseases together with the tremendous advances in molecular biology technologies has led to personalized therapeutic procedures.

Transcriptomic Crosstalk between Gliomas and Telencephalic Neural Stem and Progenitor Cells for Defining Heterogeneity and Targeted Signaling Pathways.

Recent studies have begun to reveal surprising levels of cell diversity in the human brain, both in adults and during development. Distinctive cellular phenotypes point to complex molecular profiles, cellular hierarchies and signaling pathways in neural stem cells, progenitor cells, neuronal and glial cells. Several recent reports have suggested that neural stem and progenitor cell types found in the developing and adult brain share several properties and phenotypes with cells from brain primary tumors, such as gliomas.

Serum and Fecal Markers of Intestinal Inflammation and Intestinal Barrier Permeability Are Elevated in Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by alpha-synuclein misfolding with subsequent intraneuronal amyloid formation and accumulation, low grade neuroinflammatory changes, and selective neurodegeneration. Available evidence suggests that the pathology usually begins in the gut and olfactory mucosa, spreading to the brain via the vagus and olfactory nerves, by a prion-like mechanism. A causal relationship has not been established, but gut dysbiosis is prevalent in PD and may lead to intestinal inflammation and barrier dysfunction.

Macrophages and Stem Cells-Two to Tango for Tissue Repair?

Macrophages (MCs) are present in all tissues, not only supporting homeostasis, but also playing an important role in organogenesis, post-injury regeneration, and diseases. They are a heterogeneous cell population due to their origin, tissue specificity, and polarization in response to aggression factors, depending on environmental cues. Thus, as pro-inflammatory M1 phagocytic MCs, they contribute to tissue damage and even fibrosis, but the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype participates in repairing processes and wound healing through a molecular interplay with most cells in adult stem cell niches.

Sea-Buckthorn Seed Oil Induces Proliferation of both Normal and Dysplastic Keratinocytes in Basal Conditions and under UVA Irradiation.

Past decades demonstrate an increasing interest in herbal remedies in the public eye, with as many as 80% of people worldwide using these remedies as healthcare products, including those for skin health. Sea buckthorn and its derived products (oil; alcoholic extracts), rich in flavonoids and essential fatty acids, are among these healthcare products. Specifically, sea buckthorn and its derivatives are reported to have antioxidant and antitumor activity in dysplastic skin cells.

CD36 - A novel molecular target in the neurovascular unit.

CD36 is an integral membrane protein primarily known for its function as a fatty acid transporter, yet also playing other biological roles from lipid metabolism to inflammation modulation. These pleiotropic effects are explained by the existence of multiple different ligands and the extensive distribution in numerous cell types. Moreover, the receptor is related to various pathologies and it may prove to be a good target for prospective therapeutic strategies.

Gene expression profile of adhesion and extracellular matrix molecules during early stages of skeletal muscle regeneration.

Skeletal muscle regeneration implies the coordination of myogenesis with the recruitment of myeloid cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling. Currently, there are no specific biomarkers to diagnose the severity and prognosis of muscle lesions. In order to investigate the gene expression profile of extracellular matrix and adhesion molecules, as premises of homo- or heterocellular cooperation and milestones for skeletal muscle regeneration, we performed a gene expression analysis for genes involved in cellular cooperation, migration and ECM remodelling in a mouse model of acute crush injury.

Role of 5-HT1A and 5-HT3 receptors in serotonergic activation of sensory neurons in relation to itch and pain behavior in the rat.

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) released by platelets, mast cells, and immunocytes is a potent inflammatory mediator which modulates pain and itch sensing in the peripheral nervous system. The serotonergic receptors expressed by primary afferent neurons involved in these sensory functions are not fully identified and appear to be to a large extent species dependent. Moreover, the mechanisms through which 5-HT receptor activation is coupled to changes in neuronal excitability have not been completely revealed.

Oxidative Stress and the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis.

The gut-brain axis is increasingly recognized as an important pathway of communication and of physiological regulation, and gut microbiota seems to play a significant role in this mutual relationship. Oxidative stress is one of the most important pathogenic mechanisms for both neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, and acute conditions, such as stroke or traumatic brain injury. A peculiar microbiota type might increase brain inflammation and reactive oxygen species levels and might favor abnormal aggregation of proteins.

Age-related ultrastructural changes of the basement membrane in the mouse blood-brain barrier.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is essential for a functional neurovascular unit. Most studies focused on the cells forming the BBB, but very few studied the basement membrane (BM) of brain capillaries in ageing. We used transmission electron microscopy and electron tomography to investigate the BM of the BBB in ageing C57BL/6J mice.

Myokines as Possible Therapeutic Targets in Cancer Cachexia.

Cachexia is an extremely serious syndrome which occurs in most patients with different cancers, and it is characterized by systemic inflammation, a negative protein and energy balance, and involuntary loss of body mass. This syndrome has a dramatic impact on the patient's quality of life, and it is also associated with a low response to chemotherapy leading to a decrease in survival. Despite this, cachexia is still underestimated and often untreated.

Targeting CD36 as Biomarker for Metastasis Prognostic: How Far from Translation into Clinical Practice?

Metastasis requires cellular changes related to cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix adhesion, immune surveillance, activation of growth and survival signalling pathways, and epigenetic modifications. In addition to tumour cells, tumour stroma is also modified in relationship to the primary tumour as well as to distant metastatic sites (forming a metastatic niche). A common denominator of most stromal partners in tumour progression is CD36, a scavenger receptor for fatty acid uptake that modulates cell-to-extracellular matrix attachment, stromal cell fate (for adipocytes, endothelial cells), TGF activation, and immune signalling.

Heterocellular molecular contacts in the mammalian stem cell niche.

Adult tissue homeostasis and repair relies on prompt and appropriate intervention by tissue-specific adult stem cells (SCs). SCs have the ability to self-renew; upon appropriate stimulation, they proliferate and give rise to specialized cells. An array of environmental signals is important for maintenance of the SC pool and SC survival, behavior, and fate.

Keratinocyte Motility Is Affected by UVA Radiation-A Comparison between Normal and Dysplastic Cells.

UVA radiation induces multiple and complex changes in the skin, affecting epidermal cell behavior. This study reports the effects of UVA exposure on normal (HaCaT) and dysplastic (DOK) keratinocytes. The adherence, spreading and proliferation were investigated by time-lapse measurement of cell layer impedance on different matrix proteins.

Studies on the Synthesis, Photophysical and Biological Evaluation of Some Unsymmetrical Meso-Tetrasubstituted Phenyl Porphyrins.

We designed three unsymmetrical meso-tetrasubstituted phenyl porphyrins for further development as theranostic agents for cancer photodynamic therapy (PDT): 5-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-10,15,20-tris-(4-acetoxy-3-methoxyphenyl)porphyrin (P2.2), Zn(II)-5-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-10,15,20-tris-(4-acetoxy-3-methoxyphenyl)porphyrin (Zn(II)2.2) and Cu(II)-5-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-10,15,20-tris-(4-acetoxy-3-methoxyphenyl)porphyrin (Cu(II)2.

Skeletal muscle regeneration involves macrophage-myoblast bonding.

Regeneration in adult skeletal muscle relies on the activation, proliferation, and fusion of myogenic precursor cells (MPC), mostly resident satellite cells (SC). However, the regulatory mechanism during this process is still under evaluation, with the final aim to manipulate regeneration when the intrinsic mechanism is corrupted. Furthermore, intercellular connections during skeletal muscle regeneration have not been previously thoroughly documented.

Juxtacerebral Tissue Regeneration Potential: Telocytes Contribution.

It is well proved already that neurogenesis does take place in mammals' brain, including human brain. However, neurogenesis by itself is not able to compensate for brain tissue loss in serious neurological diseases, such as stroke, brain trauma or neurodegenerative disorders. Recent evidences show that neural stem cell niches are present not only in classical locations, such as subventricularor subgranular zones, but in other areas as well, including tissues contiguous to the brain (meninges and choroid plexus).

Claudin-1 and occludin expression in demyelinating peripheral neuropathies.

In the last years, only few studies focused on the role of tight junctions in human peripheral nerve. This type of junction is found between apposed membranes of myelinating Schwann cells, between perineurial cells and between endothelial cells (of the epi-, peri- and endo-neurium vessels). We investigated the presence of claudin-1 and occludin in peripheral nerve biopsy of patients with demyelinating peripheral neuropathies by immunolabeling (immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence) and Western blot.