MiR-199a-3p was previously predicted to target tumor suppressor gene , which has been linked to cancer onset and therapeutic response. In this study, the effects of miR-199a-3p-mediated dysfunction on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) progression and chemosensitivity were assessed. The association between miR-199a-3p and expression was examined in TNBC tumors and verified with luciferase reporter and protein assays.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a global threat to human health. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we identified and validated the hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor simeprevir as an especially promising repurposable drug for treating COVID-19. Simeprevir potently reduces SARS-CoV-2 viral load by multiple orders of magnitude and synergizes with remdesivir .
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to threaten public health globally. Patients with severe COVID-19 disease progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome, with respiratory and multiple organ failure. It is believed that dysregulated production of proinflammatory cytokines and endothelial dysfunction contribute to the pathogenesis of severe diseases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIt is well-established that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play an important role in breast cancer development. Accumulating evidence suggested that human cathelicidin antimicrobial protein (), which is mainly expressed in host defense cells such as macrophages, is crucial not only in combating microorganisms but also promoting tumor growth. Here we report the interaction of with TAMs in breast cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDuring tumorigenesis and metastasis, integrins regulate localization and activity of proteolytic enzymes that remodel the extracellular matrix. Previous studies have demonstrated blocking of αβ to effectively inhibit proliferation, angiogenesis, and the survival of various cancer cell types. However, little is known about the functional role of the integrin subunit alpha-V gene () in metastatic breast cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRecent studies have described the bacterial community residing in the guts of giant pandas, together with the presence of lignocellulolytic enzymes. However, a more comprehensive understanding of the intestinal microbial composition and its functional capacity in giant pandas remains a major goal. Here, we conducted a comparison of bacterial, fungal and homoacetogenic microbial communities from fecal samples taken from two geriatric and two adult captive giant pandas.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn mammals, the neuropeptide galanin exerts a variety of physiological roles in the neuroendocrine system through its interactions with three galanin receptor subtypes (GalR1, GalR2 and GalR3). However, little is known about the characteristics of galanin receptors in birds, and it is only recently that avian GalR1 and a novel GalR1-like receptor were first identified in chickens. In this study, we report the cDNA cloning and characterization of the other two chicken galanin receptors, the galanin type II receptor (cGalR2) and a novel GalR2-like receptor (GalR2-L), which share high degrees of similarity in sequence identity, gene structure and signaling properties.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGalanin is a multi-functional neuropeptide that is widely distributed in the mammalian central nervous system and peripheral tissues. It exerts multiple physiological functions through interaction with 3 known G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR), namely, galanin type I, II and III (GalR1, 2 and 3) receptors, which have only been identified in mammals. In this study, we reported the cloning and characterization of chicken galanin type I receptor (GalR1) and a novel galanin receptor with considerable homology to chicken GalR1, which herein is designated as galanin type I-like receptor (GalR1-L).
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