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Journal of Alzheimer's Disease : JAD 2024Aging is an intrinsic aspect of an organism's life cycle and is characterized by progressive physiological decline and increased susceptibility to mortality. Many... (Review)
Review
Aging is an intrinsic aspect of an organism's life cycle and is characterized by progressive physiological decline and increased susceptibility to mortality. Many age-associated disorders, including neurological disorders, are most commonly linked with the aging process, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the effects of aging and AD on the molecular pathways and levels of different proteins in the brain, including metalloproteins, neurotrophic factors, amyloid proteins, and tau proteins. AD is caused by the aggregation of amyloid proteins in the brain. Factors such as metal ions, protein ligands, and the oligomerization state of amyloid precursor protein significantly influence the proteolytic processing of amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP). Tau, a disordered cytosolic protein, serves as the principal microtubule-associated protein in mature neurons. AD patients exhibit decreased levels of nerve growth factor within their nervous systems and cerebrospinal fluid. Furthermore, a significant increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor resulting from the neuroprotective effect of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor suggests that the synergistic action of these proteins plays a role in inhibiting neuronal degeneration and atrophy. The mechanism through which Aβ and AβPP govern Cu2+ transport and their influence on Cu2+ and other metal ion pools requires elucidation in future studies. A comprehensive understanding of the influence of aging and AD on molecular pathways and varying protein levels may hold the potential for the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic methods for the treatment of AD.
Topics: Humans; Aging; Brain; Alzheimer Disease; Animals; tau Proteins
PubMed: 38339930
DOI: 10.3233/JAD-230801 -
Advanced Healthcare Materials Aug 2023The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex, dynamic network present within all tissues and organs that not only acts as a mechanical support and anchorage point but can... (Review)
Review
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex, dynamic network present within all tissues and organs that not only acts as a mechanical support and anchorage point but can also direct fundamental cell behavior, function, and characteristics. Although the importance of the ECM is well established, the integration of well-controlled ECMs into Organ-on-Chip (OoC) platforms remains challenging and the methods to modulate and assess ECM properties on OoCs remain underdeveloped. In this review, current state-of-the-art design and assessment of in vitro ECM environments is discussed with a focus on their integration into OoCs. Among other things, synthetic and natural hydrogels, as well as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) used as substrates, coatings, or cell culture membranes are reviewed in terms of their ability to mimic the native ECM and their accessibility for characterization. The intricate interplay among materials, OoC architecture, and ECM characterization is critically discussed as it significantly complicates the design of ECM-related studies, comparability between works, and reproducibility that can be achieved across research laboratories. Improving the biomimetic nature of OoCs by integrating properly considered ECMs would contribute to their further adoption as replacements for animal models, and precisely tailored ECM properties would promote the use of OoCs in mechanobiology.
Topics: Animals; Reproducibility of Results; Extracellular Matrix; Cell Culture Techniques; Microphysiological Systems
PubMed: 37018430
DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202203256 -
Biometals : An International Journal on... Jun 2024Cadmium (Cd) is an important environmental pollutant that poses a threat to human health and represents a critical component of air pollutants, food sources, and... (Review)
Review
Cadmium (Cd) is an important environmental pollutant that poses a threat to human health and represents a critical component of air pollutants, food sources, and cigarette smoke. Cd is a known carcinogen and has toxic effects on the environment and various organs in humans. Heavy metals within an organism are difficult to biodegrade, and those that enter the respiratory tract are difficult to remove. Autophagy is a key mechanism for counteracting extracellular (microorganisms and foreign bodies) or intracellular (damaged organelles and proteins that cannot be degraded by the proteasome) stress and represents a self-protective mechanism for eukaryotes against heavy metal toxicity. Autophagy maintains cellular homeostasis by isolating and gathering information about foreign chemicals associated with other molecular events. However, autophagy may trigger cell death under certain pathological conditions, including cancer. Autophagy dysfunction is one of the main mechanisms underlying Cd-induced cytotoxicity. In this review, the toxic effects of Cd-induced autophagy on different human organ systems were evaluated, with a focus on hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, respiratory toxicity, and neurotoxicity. This review also highlighted the classical molecular pathways of Cd-induced autophagy, including the ROS-dependent signaling pathways, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathway, Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, Beclin-1 and Bcl-2 family, and recently identified molecules associated with Cd. Moreover, research directions for Cd toxicity regarding autophagic function were proposed. This review presents the latest theories to comprehensively reveal autophagy behavior in response to Cd toxicity and proposes novel potential autophagy-targeted prevention and treatment strategies for Cd toxicity and Cd-associated diseases in humans.
Topics: Autophagy; Humans; Cadmium; Animals; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress; Signal Transduction; Environmental Pollutants
PubMed: 38277035
DOI: 10.1007/s10534-023-00581-y -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2024This review explores the 'gut-lung axis' in asthma with a focus on commensal fungal organisms. We explore how changes to the intestinal commensal fungal community... (Review)
Review
This review explores the 'gut-lung axis' in asthma with a focus on commensal fungal organisms. We explore how changes to the intestinal commensal fungal community composition alter lung immune function. We comprehensively review available studies that have profiled the composition of the gut mycobiome in adults and children with asthma, and discuss mechanisms of gut-lung interactions that have been described in animal models of asthma. Studies indicate that intestinal fungal dysbiosis, such as an increased abundance of certain fungi like , can elevate the risk of asthma in children and exacerbate it in adults. This effect is mediated through various pathways: the host immune system's sensing of dysbiosis via C-type lectin receptors (e.g., Dectin-2), the impact of pro-inflammatory fungal metabolites (e.g., 12,13-diHOME, prostaglandin E2), and the role of lung immune cells (e.g., group 2 innate lymphoid cells [ILC2], M2 macrophages). We also describe strategies for modulating the gut mycobiome as potential therapies for severe asthma. The review concludes by emphasizing the necessity for further research into the role of the gut mycobiome in asthma to deepen our understanding of these complex interactions.
PubMed: 38535201
DOI: 10.3390/jof10030192 -
Redox Biology Oct 2023Oxygen therapy is common during the neonatal period to improve survival, but it can increase the risk of oxygen toxicity. Hyperoxia can damage multiple organs and... (Review)
Review
Oxygen therapy is common during the neonatal period to improve survival, but it can increase the risk of oxygen toxicity. Hyperoxia can damage multiple organs and systems in newborns, commonly causing lung conditions such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia and pulmonary hypertension, as well as damage to other organs, including the brain, gut, and eyes. These conditions are collectively referred to as newborn oxygen radical disease to indicate the multi-system damage caused by hyperoxia. Hyperoxia can also lead to changes in metabolic pathways and the production of abnormal metabolites through a process called metabolic reprogramming. Currently, some studies have analyzed the mechanism of metabolic reprogramming induced by hyperoxia. The focus has been on mitochondrial oxidative stress, mitochondrial dynamics, and multi-organ interactions, such as the lung-gut, lung-brain, and brain-gut axes. In this article, we provide an overview of the major metabolic pathway changes reported in hyperoxia-associated neonatal diseases and explore the potential mechanisms of metabolic reprogramming. Metabolic reprogramming induced by hyperoxia can cause multi-organ metabolic disorders in newborns, including abnormal glucose, lipid, and amino acid metabolism. Moreover, abnormal metabolites may predict the occurrence of disease, suggesting their potential as therapeutic targets. Although the mechanism of metabolic reprogramming caused by hyperoxia requires further elucidation, mitochondria and the gut-lung-brain axis may play a key role in metabolic reprogramming.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Humans; Hyperoxia; Brain; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia; Infant, Newborn, Diseases; Oxygen
PubMed: 37659187
DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102865 -
Nanoscale Horizons Aug 2023Targeting nanoparticle is a very promising therapeutic approach that can precisely target specific sites to treat diseases. Research on nanoscale drug delivery systems... (Review)
Review
Targeting nanoparticle is a very promising therapeutic approach that can precisely target specific sites to treat diseases. Research on nanoscale drug delivery systems has made great progress in the past few years, making targeting nanoparticles a promising prospect. However, selective targeting nanoparticles designed for specific organs still face several challenges, one of which is the unknown fate of nanoparticles . This review starts with the journey of nanoparticles and describes the biological barriers and some targeting strategies for nanoparticles to target specific organs. Then, through the collection of literature in recent years, the design of selective targeting nanoparticles for various organs is illustrated, which provides a reference strategy for people to study the design of selective organ targeting nanoparticles. Ultimately, the prospect and challenge of selective organ targeting nanoparticles are discussed by collecting the data of clinical trials and marketed drugs.
Topics: Humans; Drug Delivery Systems; Nanoparticles
PubMed: 37427677
DOI: 10.1039/d3nh00145h -
Chembiochem : a European Journal of... Feb 2024Demand for biocompatible, non-invasive, and continuous real-time monitoring of organs-on-chip has driven the development of a variety of novel sensors. However, highest... (Review)
Review
Demand for biocompatible, non-invasive, and continuous real-time monitoring of organs-on-chip has driven the development of a variety of novel sensors. However, highest accuracy and sensitivity can arguably be achieved by integrated biosensing, which enables in situ monitoring of the in vitro microenvironment and dynamic responses of tissues and miniature organs recapitulated in organs-on-chip. This paper reviews integrated electrical, electrochemical, and optical sensing methods within organ-on-chip devices and platforms. By affording precise detection of analytes and biochemical reactions, these methods expand and advance the monitoring capabilities and reproducibility of organ-on-chip technology. The integration of these sensing techniques allows a deeper understanding of organ functions, and paves the way for important applications such as drug testing, disease modeling, and personalized medicine. By consolidating recent advancements and highlighting challenges in the field, this review aims to foster further research and innovation in the integration of biosensing in organs-on-chip.
Topics: Biosensing Techniques; Reproducibility of Results; Lab-On-A-Chip Devices
PubMed: 37966365
DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300560 -
Integrative and Comparative Biology Dec 2023Motility is an essential factor for an organism's survival and diversification. With the advent of novel single-cell technologies, analytical frameworks, and theoretical... (Review)
Review
Motility is an essential factor for an organism's survival and diversification. With the advent of novel single-cell technologies, analytical frameworks, and theoretical methods, we can begin to probe the complex lives of microscopic motile organisms and answer the intertwining biological and physical questions of how these diverse lifeforms navigate their surroundings. Herein, we summarize the main mechanisms of microscale motility and give an overview of different experimental, analytical, and mathematical methods used to study them across different scales encompassing the molecular-, individual-, to population-level. We identify transferable techniques, pressing challenges, and future directions in the field. This review can serve as a starting point for researchers who are interested in exploring and quantifying the movements of organisms in the microscale world.
Topics: Animals; Movement; Single-Cell Analysis; Models, Theoretical; Cell Movement; Bacteria
PubMed: 37336589
DOI: 10.1093/icb/icad075 -
Radiology and Oncology Mar 2024Oncological patients make up a large proportion of all surgical patients. Through its influence on the patient's inflammatory and immune system, the choice of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Oncological patients make up a large proportion of all surgical patients. Through its influence on the patient's inflammatory and immune system, the choice of anaesthetic technique has an indirect impact on the health of the individual patient and on public health. Both the specific and the non-specific immune system have a major influence on the recurrence of carcinomas. The pathophysiological basis for growth and metastasis after surgery is the physiological response to stress. Inflammation is the organism's universal response to stress. Anaesthetics and adjuvants influence perioperative inflammation in different ways and have an indirect effect on tumour growth and metastasis. studies have shown how individual anaesthetics influence the growth and spread of cancer, but clinical studies have not confirmed these results. Nevertheless, it is advisable to use an anaesthetic that has shown lesser effect on the growth of cancer cells .
CONCLUSIONS
In this review, we focus on the area of the effects of anaesthesia on tumour growth. The field is still relatively unexplored, there are only few clinical prospective studies and their results are controversial. Based on the review of new research findings we report on recommendations about anaesthetics and anaesthetic techniques that might be preferable for oncological surgical procedures.
Topics: Humans; Prospective Studies; Anesthesia; Neoplasms; Anesthetics; Inflammation
PubMed: 38378027
DOI: 10.2478/raon-2024-0012 -
Neurocritical Care Feb 2024Organ crosstalk is a complex biological communication between distal organs mediated via cellular, soluble, and neurohormonal actions, based on a two-way pathway. The... (Review)
Review
Organ crosstalk is a complex biological communication between distal organs mediated via cellular, soluble, and neurohormonal actions, based on a two-way pathway. The communication between the central nervous system and peripheral organs involves nerves, endocrine, and immunity systems as well as the emotional and cognitive centers of the brain. Particularly, acute brain injury is complicated by neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration causing multiorgan inflammation, microbial dysbiosis, gastrointestinal dysfunction and dysmotility, liver dysfunction, acute kidney injury, and cardiac dysfunction. Organ crosstalk has become increasingly popular, although the information is still limited. The present narrative review provides an update on the crosstalk between the nervous system and systemic organs after acute brain injury. Future research might help to target this pathophysiological process, preventing the progression toward multiorgan dysfunction in critically ill patients with brain injury.
Topics: Humans; Brain; Inflammation; Brain Injuries; Acute Kidney Injury; Gastrointestinal Diseases
PubMed: 37081275
DOI: 10.1007/s12028-023-01725-1