In the activation of HPV-specific human B cells HPV-VLP vaccines mimic membrane-associated antigens.

B cell responses to membrane-presented antigens appear to be strongly favored over soluble antigens in vivo suggesting that vaccines that mimic membrane-presented antigens may be highly efficacious. We recently demonstrated that human B cell responses to membrane-associated but not to soluble antigens in vitro depended on the expression and activity of the plasma membrane mechanosensitive ion channel, Piezo1. Here, we provide evidence that the efficacy of the current human papillomavirus virus-like particle (HPV VLP) vaccines may be due in part to their inherent ability to mimic Piezo1-dependent membrane presentation of antigens to B cells.

Effects of Curcumin and Its Analogue Desmethoxycurcumin on miR-133b and Its Target Gene GSTP-1 in Cisplatin-resistant Ovarian Cancer Cells.

Background/aim: Ovarian cancer, despite being the fifth most common gynecological malignancy, has the highest mortality rate. Recent clinical studies have explored the potential of natural products, like curcumin (CUR), to enhance conventional chemotherapy by targeting multiple cellular pathways. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of CUR and its analog, demethoxycurcumin (DMC), on human ovarian cancer and cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis.