Role of macrophages in cancer progression and targeted immunotherapies.

The vast complexity of the tumor microenvironment (TME) aggrandizes the underlying principles responsible for immune escape, therapy resistance, and treatment failure. The stromal and immune cell population circumjacent to the tumor cells affects the cancer cell cycle leading to tumor progression. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) exhibiting a unique M2 polarization state constitute a significant portion of the TME.

Assessment of Mitochondrial Health in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Isolated from 3D Multicellular Lung Tumor Spheroids.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are among the most abundant stromal cells present in the tumor microenvironment, facilitating tumor growth and progression. Complexity within the tumor microenvironment, including tumor secretome, low-grade inflammation, hypoxia, and redox imbalance, fosters heterotypic interaction and allows the transformation of inactive resident fibroblasts to become active CAFs. CAFs are metabolically distinguished from normal fibroblasts (NFs) as they are more glycolytically active, produce higher levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and overexpress lactate exporter MCT-4, leading to the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP).

Development of a Multicellular 3D Tumor Model to Study Cellular Heterogeneity and Plasticity in NSCLC Tumor Microenvironment.

Heterogeneity is a characteristic feature of solid tumors. Intra-tumor heterogeneity includes phenotypic diversity, epigenetic abnormalities, cell proliferation, and plasticity that eventually drives disease progression. Studying tumor heterogeneity in 2D culture is challenging as it cannot simulate the microenvironmental features, such as hypoxia, nutrient unavailability, and cell-ECM interactions.

Hypoxia-induced miR-210-3p expression in lung adenocarcinoma potentiates tumor development by regulating CCL2 mediated monocyte infiltration.

In most cancers, tumor hypoxia downregulates the expression of C-C motif chemokine 2 (CCL2), and this downregulation has been implicated in monocyte infiltration and tumor progression; however, the molecular mechanism is not yet clear. We compared noncancerous and lung-adenocarcinoma human samples for hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1A), microRNA-210-3p (mir-210-3p), and CCL2 levels. Mechanistic studies were performed on lung adenocarcinoma cell lines and 3D tumor spheroids to understand the role of hypoxia-induced miR-210-3p in the regulation of CCL2 expression and macrophage polarization.

Novel imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in non-small cell lung cancer by activating NADPH oxidase mediated oxidative stress.

Aims: Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-based analogues have recently gained significant interest because of their wide spectrum of biological activities including anti-cancer potential, however the development of targeted therapeutic candidates against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is of utmost need due to its high prevalence and poor prognosis. Herein, we have aimed to synthesized novel imidazo [1,2-a] pyridine derivatives (IMPA) by coupling with 2-amino-4H-pyran to enhance bioactivity against NSCLC.

Main Methods: We have designed and synthesized a series of fifteen novel imidazo [1,2-a] pyridine derivatives through molecular hybridization and studied their anti-cancer activity against in-vitro lung adenocarcinoma and 3D multicellular lung tumor spheroids.

Dexamethasone-loaded, injectable pullulan-poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels for bone tissue regeneration in chronic inflammatory conditions.

Chronic inflammation, infection, and fixation stability disrupts bone tissue regeneration by implants. The elevated levels of inflammatory markers and reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage tissues, inhibit osteoblastic differentiation, and promote bone resorption. Activation of local and chronic inflammatory responses due to the implantable biomaterial poses a high risk of implant failure and compromised bone repair in several pathological conditions.

Remodeling of Stromal Cells and Immune Landscape in Microenvironment During Tumor Progression.

The molecular understanding of carcinogenesis and tumor progression rests in intra and inter-tumoral heterogeneity. Solid tumors confined with vast diversity of genetic abnormalities, epigenetic modifications, and environmental cues that differ at each stage from tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. Complexity within tumors studied by conventional molecular techniques fails to identify different subclasses in stromal and immune cells in individuals and that affects immunotherapies.

A novel small molecule A adenosine receptor agonist, indirubin-3'-monoxime, alleviates lipid-induced inflammation and insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Saturated free fatty acid-induced adipocyte inflammation plays a pivotal role in implementing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Recent reports suggest A adenosine receptor (AAR) could be an attractive choice to counteract adipocyte inflammation and insulin resistance. Thus, an effective AAR agonist devoid of any toxicity is highly appealing.

Gene Editing and Crop Improvement Using CRISPR-Cas9 System.

Advancements in Genome editing technologies have revolutionized the fields of functional genomics and crop improvement. CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat)-Cas9 is a multipurpose technology for genetic engineering that relies on the complementarity of the guideRNA (gRNA) to a specific sequence and the Cas9 endonuclease activity. It has broadened the agricultural research area, bringing in new opportunities to develop novel plant varieties with deletion of detrimental traits or addition of significant characters.

Band gap engineering from Vis to NIR range in CdPbS nanoparticles synthesized by one-step low-temperature decomposition of xanthate compound.

In the present study, a generic method for the modification of optical band gap of CdS nanostructures material over a wide spectral range due to Pb doping and formation of Cd(1-x)Pb(x)S nanoparticles and its size confinement is reported. The composite investigated in this study was grown by thermal decomposition of metal xanthates and lead concentration was varied to obtain different lead doping. This is a direct decomposition one pot synthesis route that avoids use of toxic phosphine and injection of chemicals during the reaction.

Band gap engineered P3HT/CdPbS composites for utilization of low energy photons.

In the present study, CdPbS composite has been synthesized in the P3HT matrix in a single step. The synthesis has been carried out at a temperature of 120 degrees C by the decomposition of xanthate compound in the polymer matrix. This synthesis method helps in proper distribution of nanoparticles in the polymer matrix.