Cell biology international
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Ambroxol, a mucokinetic anti-inflammatory drug, has been used for treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF). The respiratory epithelium is covered by the airway surface liquid (ASL), the thickness and composition of which is determined by Cl(-) efflux via the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and Na(+) influx via the epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC). In cells expressing wt-CFTR, ambroxol increased the Cl(-) conductance, but not the bicarbonate conductance of the CFTR channels. ⋯ No significant effects of ambroxol on the ENaC subunits were observed by Western blot. Ambroxol did not significantly affect the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration. Upregulation of CFTR and enhanced Cl(-) efflux after ambroxol treatment should promote transepithelial ion and water transport, which may improve hydration of the mucus, and therefore be beneficial to CF-patients.
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Biography Historical Article
Homage to Rita Levi-Montalcini, the queen of modern neuroscience.
The first cell growth factor, nerve growth factor (NGF), was discovered by Rita Levi-Montalcini (RLM) in the early 1950s. Originally identified as neurite outgrowth-stimulating factor, later studies revealed that non-neuronal cells, including immune cells, endothelial cells, cardiomyocytes, pancreatic beta cells, prostate epithelial and adipose tissue cells, were also targets for and/or sources of NGF. Nerve growth factor is well recognised as mediating multiple biological phenomena, ranging from the neurotrophic through immunotrophic and epitheliotrophic to metabotrophic effects. ⋯ Recent studies have demonstrated the therapeutic potentials of NGF in these conditions, including ocular and cutaneous diseases. NGF TrkA receptor antagonists emerged as novel drugs for pain, prostate and breast cancer, melanoma and urinary bladder syndromes. Here, we briefly describe the 'unpredictable' ideogenesis of the discovery of NGF, a eureka in the neuroscience.
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Nucleus pulposus mesenchymal stem cells (NPMSCs) are a potential cell source for intervertebral disc (IVD) regeneration, but little is known about their response to IVD-like high osmolarity (400 mOsm). This study was to investigate the viability, proliferation and protein biosynthesis of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs), NPMSCs and co-cultured NPMSCs-NPCs under IVD-like high osmolarity conditions. NPCs and NPMSCs were isolated and cultured under standard and IVD-like high osmolarity conditions for 1 or 2 weeks. ⋯ The expression of SOX-9, aggrecan and collagen-II was measured by RT-PCR and Western blot analyses. IVD-like high osmolarity condition slightly inhibited cell viability and decreased the expression of SOX-9, aggrecan and collagen-II at the mRNA and protein levels in all groups compared with standard condition. NPMSCs could tolerate IVD-like high osmolarity, and NPCs-NPMSCs co-culture increased cell proliferation and the expression of SOX-9, aggrecan and collagen-II under both culture conditions, suggesting that co-culture of NPMSCs-NPCs has potential application for IVD regeneration.
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The number of adipocytes is relevant to the extent of differentiation from pluripotent stem cells into pre-adipocytes, whereas the size of adipocytes relates to the extent of differentiation from pre-adipocytes into mature fat cells and the accumulation of triglyceride. Investigation of the molecular regulatory mechanism of adipocyte differentiation is not only essential for understanding the physiological processes of adipogenesis, but it is also important for identifying new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for some metabolic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes. microRNAs (miRNAs) appear to play important roles in adipocyte differentiation. ⋯ In this review, the biological characteristics of miRNA and the adipocyte differentiation process are concisely discussed. Recent advances in our understanding of the role of miRNAs in adipocytes development or adipogenesis are discussed.
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Propofol is one of the extensively commonly used intravenous anaesthetic agents. The effects of Propofol on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth inhibition and apoptosis have been examined. The techniques used were the MTT assay, flow cytometry, real-time PCR to assess miR-199a expression, as also caspase-8 and caspase-9 activity in HepG2 cells treated with Propofol. ⋯ Anti-miR-199a reversed the effect of Propofol on apoptosis and activation of caspase-8 and caspase-9 in HepG2 cells. Propofol can effectively induce apoptosis of HCC cells and modulation of miR-199a possibly contributes to the anti-tumour action of Propofol. Hence, Propofol might be an effective drug for HCC.