ABSTRACT
A unique population of cells known as cancer stem cells (CSCs) is essential to developing and spreading cancer. Cancer initiation, maintenance, and progression are all believed to be significantly impacted by the distinct characteristics these cells exhibit regarding self-renewal, proliferation, and differentiation. Transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and translational processes are the only steps of gene expression that lncRNAs can affect. As a result, these proteins participate in numerous biological processes, including the repair of DNA damage, inflammatory reactions, metabolic control, the survival of cells, intercellular communication, and the development and specialization of cells. Studies have indicated that lncRNAs are important for controlling the increase in the subset of CSCs contributing to cancer development. The knowledge that is currently available about lncRNAs and their critical role in maintaining the biological properties of CSCs is highlighted in this study.
Subject(s)
Neoplasms , Neoplastic Stem Cells , RNA, Long Noncoding , Humans , RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics , RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism , Neoplasms/immunology , Neoplasms/genetics , Neoplasms/metabolism , Neoplastic Stem Cells/immunology , Neoplastic Stem Cells/metabolism , Animals , Gene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticABSTRACT
This article provides a thorough investigation of the essential role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in the context of COVID-19, emphasizing their impact on the complex molecular dynamics of the viral infection. By conducting a systematic review of existing literature, we identify key ncRNAs involved in different stages of the viral life cycle, modulation of host immune response, and disease progression. The importance of microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and other ncRNA types emerges as influential factors in shaping the interaction between the host and the virus. Additionally, the study delves into the effective signaling pathways linked to COVID-19 pathogenesis, uncovering intricate molecular cascades that govern viral entry, replication, and host cell response. This exploration encompasses established pathways such as IL-6/JAK/STAT signaling, highlighting their interplay within the context of COVID-19. By synthesizing this knowledge, our aim is not only to enhance our understanding of the molecular complexities of COVID-19 but also to reveal potential therapeutic targets. Through elucidating the interaction between ncRNAs and signaling pathways, our article seeks to contribute to ongoing efforts in developing targeted interventions against COVID-19, ultimately advancing our ability to address this global health crisis.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , MicroRNAs , RNA, Long Noncoding , Humans , RNA, Untranslated/genetics , RNA, Untranslated/metabolism , MicroRNAs/genetics , RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics , Signal TransductionABSTRACT
Cancer is becoming a global pandemic, and its occurrence is increasing rapidly, putting a strain on people's families, health systems, and finances, in addition to their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Many cancer types lack screening programs, and many people at high risk of developing cancer do not follow recommended medical screening regimens because of the nature of currently available screening tests and other compliance issues, despite cancer being the second leading cause of death worldwide. Furthermore, a lot of liquid biopsy methods for early cancer screening are not sensitive enough to catch cancer early. Cancer treatment costs increase with the time it takes to diagnose the disease; therefore, early detection is essential to enhance the quality of life and survival rates. The current status of the liquid biopsy sector is examined in this paper.
Subject(s)
Early Detection of Cancer , Neoplasms , Humans , Quality of Life , Liquid Biopsy/methods , Neoplasms/diagnosis , ForecastingABSTRACT
IL-21 is a multifunctional cytokine that regulates the functional activity of various immune cells. Initial studies have shown that IL-21 can influence the differentiation, proliferation and function of T and B cells, as well as promote the maturation and increase the cytotoxicity of CD8 + T cells and NK cells. During humoral immune responses, IL-21 has significant effects on B cell activation, differentiation and apoptosis. In addition, IL-21 promotes the differentiation of both naive and memory B cells, ultimately leading to the activation of plasma cells. The function of IL-21 in the immune system is complex, as it has the ability to either stimulate or inhibit immune responses. in addition, IL-21 facilitates the differentiation of naive and memory B cells into plasma cells. The functionality of IL-21 in the immune system is diverse, as it has the ability to stimulate or inhibit immune responses. This cytokine has been implicated in several diseases including cancer, allergies and autoimmune diseases. Research has suggested that this cytokine is involved in the development of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. Several studies have suggested that inhibition of IL-21 has a therapeutic effect on autoimmune diseases. Therefore, targeting both the cytokine's receptor and IL-21 in autoimmune diseases may be an effective approach to reduce the severity of the disease or to treat it. This review will examine the biological effects of IL-21 on various immune cells and the role of the cytokine in autoimmune diseases.
Subject(s)
Autoimmune Diseases , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic , Humans , Interleukins , Cytokines/therapeutic use , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/therapyABSTRACT
DCs have great promise for cancer immunotherapy and are essential for coordinating immune responses. In the battle against cancer, using DCs' ability to stimulate the immune system and focus it on tumor cells has shown to be a viable tactic. This study offers a thorough summary of recent developments as well as potential future paths for DC-based immunotherapy against cancer. This study reviews the many methods used in DC therapy, such as vaccination and active cellular immunotherapy. The effectiveness and safety of DC-based treatments for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and non-small cell lung cancer are highlighted in these investigations. The findings indicate longer survival times and superior results for particular patient groups. We are aware of the difficulties and restrictions of DC-based immunotherapy, though. These include the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, the intricacy of DC production, and the heterogeneity within DC populations. More study and development are needed to overcome these challenges to enhance immunological responses, optimize treatment regimens, and increase scalability.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung , Lung Neoplasms , Neoplasms , Prostatic Neoplasms , Male , Humans , Dendritic Cells , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/therapy , Neoplasms/therapy , Immunotherapy/methods , Tumor MicroenvironmentABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Several studies have highlighted the possible positive effects of soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) against obesity. However, due to their inconsistent results, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantitatively evaluate and critically review the results of studies evaluating the relationship between sRAGE with obesity among adult population. METHODS: In the systematic search, the eligibility criteria were as follows: studies conducted with a cross-sectional design, included apparently healthy adults, adults with obesity, or obesity-related disorders, aged over 18 years, and evaluated the association between general or central obesity indices with sRAGE. RESULTS: Our systematic search in electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Embase up to 26 October, 2023 yielded a total of 21,612 articles. After removing duplicates, screening the titles and abstracts, and reading the full texts, 13 manuscripts were included in the final meta-analysis. According to our results, those at the highest category of circulating sRAGE concentration with median values of 934.92 pg/ml of sRAGE, had 1.9 kg/m2 lower body mass index (BMI) (WMD: -1.927; CI: -2.868, -0.986; P < 0.001) compared with those at the lowest category of sRAGE concentration with median values of 481.88 pg/ml. Also, being at the highest sRAGE category with the median values of 1302.3 pg/ml sRAGE, was accompanied with near 6 cm lower waist circumference (WC) (WMD: -5.602; CI: -8.820, -2.383; P < 0.001 with 86.4% heterogeneity of I2) compared with those at the lowest category of sRAGE concentration with median values of 500.525 pg/ml. Individuals with obesity had significantly lower circulating sRAGE concentrations (WMD: -135.105; CI: -256.491, -13.72; P = 0.029; with 79.5% heterogeneity of I2). According to the subgrouping and meta-regression results, country and baseline BMI were possible heterogeneity sources. According to Begg's and Egger's tests and funnel plots results, there was no publication bias. CONCLUSION: According to our results, higher circulating sRAGE concentrations was associated with lower BMI and WC among apparently healthy adults. Further randomized clinical trials are warranted for possible identification of causal associations.
Subject(s)
Glycation End Products, Advanced , Obesity , Adult , Humans , Middle Aged , Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products , Cross-Sectional Studies , Body Mass Index , Weight LossABSTRACT
In spite of progresses in the therapy of different malignancies, melanoma still remains as one of lethal types of skin tumor. Melanoma is almost easily treatable by surgery alone with higher overall survival rates when it is diagnosed at early stages. However, survival rates are decreased remarkably upon survival if the tumor is progressed to advanced metastatic stages. Immunotherapeutics have been prosperous in the development of anti-tumor responses in patients with melanoma through promotion of the tumor-specific effector T cells in vivo; nonetheless, suitable clinical outcomes have not been satisfactory. One of the underlying causes of the unfavorable clinical outcomes might stem from adverse effects of regulatory T (Treg) cell, which is a prominent mechanism of tumor cells to escape from tumor-specific immune responses. Evidence shows that a poor prognosis and low survival rate in patients with melanoma can be attributed to a higher Treg cell number and function in these subjects. As a result, to promote melanoma-specific anti-tumor responses, depletion of Treg cells appears to be a promising approach; even though the clinical efficacy of different approaches to attain appropriate Treg cell depletion has been inconsistent. Here in this review, the main purpose is to assess the role of Treg cells in the initiation and perpetuation of melanoma and to discuss effective strategies for Treg cell modulation with the aim of melanoma therapy.
Subject(s)
Melanoma , Skin Neoplasms , Humans , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory , Treatment Outcome , ImmunityABSTRACT
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex, multifactorial and most prevalent progressive neurodegenerative ailment. Its multifactorial and complex nature causes the lack of disease modifying drugs. Hence, multi-target drug design strategies have been adopted to halt the progression of AD. In current research, we applied multitarget strategy to tackle multifactorial nature of AD. Rational design and synthesis of framework of hybrids containing Pyrimidine/pyrrolidine-sertraline scaffolds were carried out. The synthesized compounds were further evaluated for their in-vitro enzyme inhibition potential against cholinesterases, monoamine oxidases and ß-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme-1 (BACE-1). Compound 19 emerged as an optimal multipotent hybrid with IC50 values of 0.07 µM, 0.09 µM, 0.63 µM, 0.21 µM and 0.73 µM against AChE, BChE, MAO-A, MAO-B and BACE-1 respectively. After in-vivo cytotoxicity and in-vitro PAMPA blood brain barrier permeation assays, a number of widely used behavioral assessment tests were also performed for the evaluation of memory and learning.Determination of biochemical parameters showed low levels of acetylcholinesterase by the treatment with synthesized compounds. Furthermore, levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline were also analyzed. Increased neurotransmitter levels showed the improved short and long-term memory as well as enhanced learning behavior. Docking studies on the target enzymes showed correlation with the experimental in-vitro enzyme inhibition results.
Subject(s)
Acetylcholinesterase , Alzheimer Disease , Humans , Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism , Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Alzheimer Disease/metabolism , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemistry , Molecular Docking Simulation , Pyrimidines/pharmacology , Pyrimidines/therapeutic use , Sertraline/therapeutic use , Structure-Activity RelationshipABSTRACT
In the present study, the anti-diabetic potential of Ocimum tenuiflorum was investigated using computational techniques for α-glucosidase, α-amylase, aldose reductase, and glycation at multiple stages. It aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which phytocompounds of O. tenuiflorum treat diabetes mellitus using concepts of druglikeness and pharmacokinetics, molecular docking simulations, molecular dynamics simulations, and binding free energy studies. Isoeugenol is a phenylpropene, propenyl-substituted guaiacol found in the essential oils of plants. During molecular docking modelling, isoeugenol was found to inhibit all the target enzymes, with a higher binding efficiency than standard drugs. Furthermore, molecular dynamic experiments revealed that isoeugenol was more stable in the binding pockets than the standard drugs used. Since our aim was to discover a single lead molecule with a higher binding efficiency and stability, isoeugenol was selected. In this context, our study stands in contrast to other computational studies that report on more than one compound, making it difficult to offer further analyses. To summarize, we recommend isoeugenol as a potential widely employed lead inhibitor of α-glucosidase, α-amylase, aldose reductase, and glycation based on the results of our in silico studies, therefore revealing a novel phytocompound for the effective treatment of hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus , Oils, Volatile , Aldehyde Reductase , Eugenol/analogs & derivatives , Guaiacol , Molecular Docking Simulation , Ocimum sanctum , alpha-Amylases , alpha-GlucosidasesABSTRACT
Diabetes mellitus is a major global health concern in the current scenario which is chiefly characterized by the rise in blood sugar levels or hyperglycemia. In the context, DPP4 enzyme plays a critical role in glucose homeostasis. DPP4 targets and inactivates incretin hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) as physiological substrates, which are essential to regulate the amount of insulin that is secreted after eating. Since the inactivation of incretins occurs, the hyperglycemic conditions continue to rise, and result in adverse physiological conditions linked with diabetes mellitus. Hence, inhibition of DPP4 has been the center of focus in the present antidiabetic studies. Although few DPP4 inhibitor drugs, such as alogliptin, saxagliptin, linagliptin, and sitagliptin, are available, their adverse effects on human metabolism are undeniable. Therefore, it becomes essential for the phytochemical intervention of the disease using computational methods prior to performing in vitro and in vivo studies. In this regard, we used an in-silico approach involving molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and binding free energy calculations to investigate the inhibitory potential of Ocimum tenuiflorum phytocompounds against DPP4. In this regard, three phytocompounds (1S-α-pinene, ß-pinene, and dehydro-p-cymene) from O. tenuiflorum have been discovered as the potential inhibitors of the DPP4 protein. To summarize, from our in-silico experiment outcomes, we propose dehydro-p-cymene as the potential lead inhibitor of DPP4 protein, thereby discovering new a phytocompound for the effective management of hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus. The reported compound can be taken for in vitro and in vivo analyses in near future.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , Diabetes Mellitus , Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors , Hyperglycemia , Computers , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy , Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4/metabolism , Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors/pharmacology , Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide/metabolism , Humans , Hypoglycemic Agents/pharmacology , Incretins , Molecular Docking Simulation , Molecular Dynamics Simulation , Ocimum sanctum/metabolismABSTRACT
Fermented food plays a major role in gastrointestinal health, as well as possesses other health benefits, such as beneficiary effects in the management of diabetes. Probiotics are thought to be viable sources for enhancing the microbiome of the human gut. In the present study, using biochemical, physiological, and molecular approaches, the isolated Lactobacillus spp. from dosa batter were identified. The cell-free supernatant (CS), cell-free extract (CE), and intact cells (IC) were evaluated for their inhibitory potential against the carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes α-glucosidase and α-amylase. Then, 16S rDNA amplification and sequencing were used to identify the species. A homology search in NCBI database was performed that suggests the isolates are >95% similar to Limosilactobacillus fermentum and Lacticaseibacillus casei. Different standard parameters were used to evaluate the probiotic potential of strains RAMULAB07, RAMULAB08, RAMULAB09, RAMULAB10, RAMULAB11, and RAMULAB12. The strains expressed a significant tolerance to the gastric and intestinal juices with a higher survival rate (>98%). A high adhesion capability was observed by the isolates exhibited through hydrophobicity (>65%), aggregation assays (>75%), and adherence assay on HT-29 cells (>82%) and buccal epithelial cells. In addition, the isolates expressed antibacterial and antibiotic properties. Safety assessments (DNase and hemolytic assay) revealed that the isolates could be classified as safe. α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition of the isolates for CS, CE, and IC ranged from 7.50% to 65.01% and 20.21% to 56.91%, respectively. The results suggest that these species have exceptional antidiabetic potential, which may be explained by their use as foods that can have health-enhancing effects beyond basic nutrition.
ABSTRACT
Coumarin derivatives are proven for their therapeutic uses in several human diseases and disorders such as inflammation, neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, fertility, and microbial infections. Coumarin derivatives and coumarin-based scaffolds gained renewed attention for treating diabetes mellitus. The current decade witnessed the inhibiting potential of coumarin derivatives and coumarin-based scaffolds against α-glucosidase and α-amylase for the management of postprandial hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia is a condition where an excessive amount of glucose circulates in the bloodstream. It occurs when the body lacks enough insulin or is unable to correctly utilize it. With open-source and free in silico tools, we have investigated novel 80 coumarin derivatives for their inhibitory potential against α-glucosidase and α-amylase and identified a coumarin derivative, CD-59, as a potential dual inhibitor. The ligand-based 3D pharmacophore detection and search is utilized to discover diverse coumarin-like compounds and new chemical scaffolds for the dual inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase. In this regard, four novel coumarin-like compounds from the ZINC database have been discovered as the potential dual inhibitors of α-glucosidase and α-amylase (ZINC02789441 and ZINC40949448 with scaffold thiophenyl chromene carboxamide, ZINC13496808 with triazino indol thio phenylacetamide, and ZINC09781623 with chromenyl thiazole). To summarize, we propose that a coumarin derivative, CD-59, and ZINC02789441 from the ZINC database will serve as potential lead molecules with dual inhibition activity against α-glucosidase and α-amylase, thereby discovering new drugs for the effective management of postprandial hyperglycemia. From the reported scaffold, the synthesis of several novel compounds can also be performed, which can be used for drug discovery.