Zα domain proteins mediate the immune response.

The Zα domain has a compact α/β architecture containing a three-helix bundle flanked on one side by a twisted antiparallel β sheet. This domain displays a specific affinity for double-stranded nucleic acids that adopt a left-handed helical conformation. Currently, only three Zα-domain proteins have been identified in eukaryotes, specifically ADAR1, ZBP1, and PKZ.

Cigarette smoke-induced oxidative stress activates NRF2 to mediate fibronectin disorganization in vascular formation.

Cigarette smoke significantly induces oxidative stress, resulting in cardiovascular disease. NRF2, a well-known antioxidative stress response factor, is generally considered to play protective roles in cardiovascular dysfunction triggered by oxidative stress. Interestingly, recent studies reported adverse effects of NRF2 on the cardiovascular system.

Effects of smokeless tobacco on cell viability, reactive oxygen species, apoptosis, and inflammatory cytokines in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Smokeless tobacco products provide an alternative to cigarettes; however, smokeless tobacco is carcinogenic and harmful to human health. This study evaluated the toxicological effects of snus extracts and cigarette smoke total particulate matter (TPM) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Treated cells were examined for cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis, and inflammatory cytokines.

Establishment of rapid risk assessment model for cigarette smoke extract exposure in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Rapid risk assessment models for different types of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) exposure are critical to understanding the etiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The present study investigated inflammation of cultured tracheal tissues with CSE exposure. Rat trachea rings were isolated, cultured, then exposed to various concentrations of CSE from 3R4 F reference cigarettes for 4 h.

Analysis of methyl DNA adducts and metabolites in BEAS-2B cells induced by 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone.

The tobacco-specific nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) is classified as a Group 1 human carcinogen. It is metabolically activated by P450 enzymes to intermediate methylate and pyridyloxobutylate DNA, resulting in the formation of DNA adduct that is critical for the carcinogenicity of NNK. To directly and objectively examine the DNA adduct formation profiles without the complexity of factors , in the present study, five kinds of methyl DNA adducts were first identified in the incubation model of NNK established with human lung epithelial cells (BEAS-2B).

Syndecan-4 modulates the proliferation of neural cells and the formation of CaP axons during zebrafish embryonic neurogenesis.

Syndecan-4 (Syn4), a single-pass transmembrane heparin sulphate proteoglycan (HSPG), plays significant role in the formation of focal adhesions and interacts with many growth factors to regulate cell migration and neural induction. Here, we show the new roles of syndecan-4(syn4) in zebrafish embryonic neurogenesis. Syn4 is broadly and dynamically expressed throughout the early stages of embryonic development.

Stat3-Efemp2a modulates the fibrillar matrix for cohesive movement of prechordal plate progenitors.

Recently, emerging evidence has shown that Stat3 controls tumor cell migration and invasion. However, the molecular mechanisms by which Stat3 controls the cell movement remain largely unknown. Embryonic gastrula progenitors display coordinated and orientated migration, called collective cell migration.

TLR7-expressing cells comprise an interfollicular epidermal stem cell population in murine epidermis.

Normal interfollicular epidermis (IFE) homeostasis is maintained throughout the entire life by its own stem cells that self-renew and generate progeny that undergo terminal differentiation. However, the fine markers of the stem cells in interfollicular epidermis are not well defined yet. Here we found that TLR7 identified the existence of progenitors and interfollicular epidermal stem cells in murine skin.

Snail modulates the assembly of fibronectin via α5 integrin for myocardial migration in zebrafish embryos.

The Snail family member snail encodes a zinc finger-containing transcriptional factor that is involved in heart formation. Yet, little is known about how Snail regulates heart development. Here, we identified that one of the duplicated snail genes, snai1b, was expressed in the heart region of zebrafish embryos.