Introduction: Actinic keratoses (AKs) are humans' most common keratinocyte-derived precancerous lesions. They can be observed predominantly in fair-skinned individuals on sun-exposed surfaces. Another name for AKs is solar keratosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExosomes are nanoparticle sized (100 ± 50 nm) extracellular vesicles (ECVs) that play important roles in cell-to-cell communication. They do this by utilizing their natural ability to shuttle signaling molecules across the cellular microenvironment and promote paracrine signaling. Currently, exosomes are being explored for their potential as therapeutic agents for various degenerative diseases including cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExosomes are nano-vesicle-shaped particles secreted by various cells, including cancer cells. Recently, the interest in exosomes among cancer researchers has grown enormously for their many potential roles, and many studies have focused on the bioactive molecules that they export as exosomal cargo. These molecules can function as biomarkers in diagnosis or play a relevant role in modulating the immune system and in promoting apoptosis, cancer development and progression.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe wide spectrum of unique needs and strengths of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a challenge for the worldwide healthcare system. With the plethora of information from research, a common thread is required to conceptualize an exhaustive pathogenetic paradigm. The epidemiological and clinical findings in ASD cannot be explained by the traditional linear genetic model, hence the need to move towards a more fluid conception, integrating genetics, environment, and epigenetics as a whole.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStudies conducted on Zebrafish embryos in our laboratory have allowed for the identification of precise moments of organogenesis in which a lot of genes are switched on and off, a sign that the genome is undergoing substantial changes in gene expression. Stem cell growth and differentiation stage-factors present in different moments of organogenesis have proven to have different specific functions in gene regulation. The substances present in the first stages of cell differentiation in Zebrafish embryos have demonstrated an ability to counteract the senescence of stem cells, reducing the expression of the beta-galactosidase marker, enhancing the genes , , , , and the transcription of Bmi-1, which act as key telomerase-independent repressors of cell aging.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStem cells undergo senescence both in vivo, contributing to the progressive decline in self-healing mechanisms, and in vitro during prolonged expansion. Here, we show that an early developmental zebrafish embryo extract (ZF1) could act as a modulator of senescence in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) isolated from both adult tissues, including adipose tissue (hASCs), bone marrow (hBM-MSCs), dental pulp (hDP-MSCs), and a perinatal tissue such as the Wharton's Jelly (hWJ-MSCs). In all the investigated hMSCs, ZF1 decreased senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA β-gal) activity and enhanced the transcription of , encoding the catalytic telomerase core.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSome yet unidentified factors released by both oocyte and embryonic microenvironments demonstrated to be non-permissive for tumor development and display the remarkable ability to foster cell/tissue reprogramming, thus ultimately reversing the malignant phenotype. In the present study we observed how molecular factors extracted from Zebrafish embryos during specific developmental phases (20 somites) significantly antagonize proliferation of breast cancer cells, while reversing a number of prominent aspects of malignancy. Embryo extracts reduce cell proliferation, enhance apoptosis, and dramatically inhibit both invasiveness and migrating capabilities of cancer cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHuman adult stem cells hold promise for regenerative medicine. They are usually expanded for multiple passages to increase cell yield prior to transplantation. Unfortunately, prolonged culture leads to cell senescence, a major drawback from successful outcomes in cell therapy approaches.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: In recent years, several biomarkers alternative to standard prostate specific antigen (PSA) for prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis have become available. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the current knowledge about alternative serum and urinary biomarkers for the diagnosis of PCa.
Material And Methods: A research was conducted in Medline, restricted to English language articles published between December 2014 and June 2018 with the aim to update previously published series on PCa biomarkers.
The human body constantly regenerates after damage due to the self-renewing and differentiating properties of its resident stem cells. To recover the damaged tissues and regenerate functional organs, scientific research in the field of regenerative medicine is firmly trying to understand the molecular mechanisms through which the regenerative potential of stem cells may be unfolded into a clinical application. The finding that some organisms are capable of regenerative processes and the study of conserved evolutionary patterns in tissue regeneration may lead to the identification of natural molecules of ancestral species capable to extend their regenerative potential to human tissues.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHistorically, antiestrogen is the first targeted therapy used in breast cancer treatment. In fact, its rationale lies in the molecular pathways elucidated by basic research. In estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha positive metastatic breast cancer patients, hormone-therapy remains the first option of treatment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe recent tumor research has lead scientists to recognize the central role played by cancer stem cells in sustaining malignancy and chemo-resistance. A model of cancer presented by one of us describes the mechanisms that give rise to the different kinds of cancer stem-like cells and the role of these cells in cancer diseases. The model implies a shift in the conceptualization of the disease from reductionism to complexity theory.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPrevious studies have shown that proteins extracted from Zebrafish embryo share some cytostatic characteristics in cancer cells. Our study was conducted to ascertain the biological properties of this protein network. Cancer cell growth and apoptosis were studied in Caco2 cells treated with embryonic extracts.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThere is no standard treatment for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We developed a product containing stem cells differentiation stage factors (SCDSF) that inhibits tumor growth in vivo and in vitro. The aim of this open randomized study was to assess its efficacy in patients with HCC not suitable for resection, transplantation, ablation therapy, or arterial chemoembolization.
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