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Keywords = transgenic snail

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14 pages, 2525 KiB  
Article
Pro-Angiogenetic Effects of Purified Extracts from Helix aspersa during Zebrafish Development
by Daniela Zizioli, Andrea Mastinu, Alessia Muscò, Sara Anna Bonini, Dario Finazzi, Rosaria Avisani, Giovanni Battista Kron Morelli, Sergio Pecorelli and Maurizio Memo
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2022, 44(8), 3364-3377; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb44080232 - 27 Jul 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2823
Abstract
Helix aspersa is a species of land snail belonging to the Helicidae family, widespread in the Mediterranean and continental area up to Northern Europe. In some areas it is appreciated as a food, but is mostly considered a parasite of gardens and cultivated [...] Read more.
Helix aspersa is a species of land snail belonging to the Helicidae family, widespread in the Mediterranean and continental area up to Northern Europe. In some areas it is appreciated as a food, but is mostly considered a parasite of gardens and cultivated fields. The mucus of Helix aspersa has found multiple applications in the cosmetic and health fields. In the present study, we investigated for the first time the angiogenetic properties of purified extracts from Helix aspersa using a transgenic zebrafish line Tg (kdrl:EGFP). The angiogenesis induced by purified snail extracts was demonstrated by their capability to increase the three well-established parameters of angiogenesis: generation of intersegmental vessels, modeling of caudal venous plexus, and formation of sub-intestinal venous plexus. The effects appeared to be mediated by the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway, being prevented by pretreatment of embryos with the selective VEGF receptor antagonist SU5416, and supported by the increased VEGF mRNA levels found in snail-extract-treated embryos. Insufficient vascular supply is underlined by low VEGF signaling, primarily because of its indispensable role in preventing capillary loss. Our findings might have a pharmacological impact by counteracting VEGF hypofunction and promoting angiogenesis to maintain adequate microvascular and vascular density in normal and suffering tissues and organs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food-Derived Bioactive Compounds in Health and Disease)
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23 pages, 5948 KiB  
Article
Suppressive Effect and Molecular Mechanism of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. Extract against Prostate Carcinogenesis and Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
by Subhawat Subhawa, Aya Naiki-Ito, Hiroyuki Kato, Taku Naiki, Masayuki Komura, Aya Nagano-Matsuo, Ranchana Yeewa, Shingo Inaguma, Teera Chewonarin, Ratana Banjerdpongchai and Satoru Takahashi
Cancers 2021, 13(14), 3403; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13143403 - 7 Jul 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5939
Abstract
Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (HCT) is a well-known Asian medicinal plant with biological activities used in the treatment of many diseases including cancer. This study investigated the effects of HCT extract and its ethyl acetate fraction (EA) on prostate carcinogenesis and castration-resistant prostate cancer [...] Read more.
Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (HCT) is a well-known Asian medicinal plant with biological activities used in the treatment of many diseases including cancer. This study investigated the effects of HCT extract and its ethyl acetate fraction (EA) on prostate carcinogenesis and castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). HCT and EA induced apoptosis in androgen-sensitive prostate cancer cells (LNCaP) and CRPC cells (PCai1) through activation of caspases, down-regulation of androgen receptor, and inactivation of AKT/ERK/MAPK signaling. Rutin was found to be a major component in HCT (44.00 ± 5.61 mg/g) and EA (81.34 ± 5.21 mg/g) in a previous study. Rutin had similar effects to HCT/EA on LNCaP cells and was considered to be one of the active compounds. Moreover, HCT/EA inhibited cell migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition phenotypes via STAT3/Snail/Twist pathways in LNCaP cells. The consumption of 1% HCT-mixed diet significantly decreased the incidence of adenocarcinoma in the lateral prostate lobe of the Transgenic rat for adenocarcinoma of prostate model. Similarly, tumor growth of PCai1 xenografts was significantly suppressed by 1% HCT treatment. HCT also induced caspase-dependent apoptosis via AKT inactivation in both in vivo models. Together, the results of in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that HCT has inhibitory effects against prostate carcinogenesis and CRPC. This plant therefore should receive more attention as a source for the future development of non-toxic chemopreventive agents against various cancers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Actual Preventive Drugs and Food Factors on Cancer)
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17 pages, 5279 KiB  
Article
MicroRNA-29a Suppresses CD36 to Ameliorate High Fat Diet-Induced Steatohepatitis and Liver Fibrosis in Mice
by Hung-Yu Lin, Feng-Sheng Wang, Ya-Ling Yang and Ying-Hsien Huang
Cells 2019, 8(10), 1298; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells8101298 - 22 Oct 2019
Cited by 85 | Viewed by 8718
Abstract
MicroRNA-29 (miR-29) has been shown to play a critical role in reducing inflammation and fibrosis following liver injury. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurs when fat is deposited (steatosis) in the liver due to causes other than excessive alcohol use and is associated [...] Read more.
MicroRNA-29 (miR-29) has been shown to play a critical role in reducing inflammation and fibrosis following liver injury. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurs when fat is deposited (steatosis) in the liver due to causes other than excessive alcohol use and is associated with liver fibrosis. In this study, we asked whether miR-29a could reduce experimental high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and liver fibrosis in mice. We performed systematical expression analyses of miR-29a transgenic mice (miR-29aTg mice) and wild-type littermates subjected to HFD-induced NAFLD. The results demonstrated that increased miR-29a not only alleviated HFD-induced body weight gain but also subcutaneous, visceral, and intestinal fat accumulation and hepatocellular steatosis in mice. Furthermore, hepatic tissue in the miR-29aTg mice displayed a weak fibrotic matrix concomitant with low fibrotic collagen1α1 expression within the affected tissues compared to the wild-type (WT) mice fed the HFD diet. Increased miR-29a signaling also resulted in the downregulation of expression of the epithelial mesenchymal transition-executing transcription factor snail, mesenchymal markers vimentin, and such pro-inflammation markers as il6 and mcp1 within the liver tissue. Meanwhile, miR-29aTg-HFD mice exhibited significantly lower levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), mitochondrial transcription factor A TFAM, and mitochondria DNA content in the liver than the WT-HFD mice. An in vitro luciferase reporter assay further confirmed that miR-29a mimic transfection reduced fatty acid translocase CD36 expression in HepG2 cells. Conclusion: Our data provide new insights that miR-29a can improve HDF-induced obesity, hepatocellular steatosis, and fibrosis, as well as highlight the role of miR-29a in regulation of NAFLD. Full article
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15 pages, 778 KiB  
Review
Treading the Path towards Genetic Control of Snail Resistance to Schistosome Infection
by Damilare O. Famakinde
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2018, 3(3), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed3030086 - 15 Aug 2018
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 8079
Abstract
Schistosomiasis remains the most important tropical snail-borne trematodiasis that threatens many millions of human lives. In achieving schistosomiasis elimination targets, sustainable control of the snail vectors represents a logical approach. Nonetheless, the ineffectiveness of the present snail control interventions emphasizes the need to [...] Read more.
Schistosomiasis remains the most important tropical snail-borne trematodiasis that threatens many millions of human lives. In achieving schistosomiasis elimination targets, sustainable control of the snail vectors represents a logical approach. Nonetheless, the ineffectiveness of the present snail control interventions emphasizes the need to develop new complementary strategies to ensure more effective control outcomes. Accordingly, the use of genetic techniques aimed at driving resistance traits into natural vector populations has been put forward as a promising tool for integrated snail control. Leveraging the Biomphalaria-Schistosoma model system, studies unraveling the complexities of the vector biology and those exploring the molecular basis of snail resistance to schistosome infection have been expanding in various breadths, generating many significant discoveries, and raising the hope for future breakthroughs. This review provides a compendium of relevant findings, and without neglecting the current existing gaps and potential future challenges, discusses how a transgenic snail approach may be adapted and harnessed to control human schistosomiasis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects for Schistosomiasis Elimination)
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16 pages, 1684 KiB  
Article
Role of the Slug Transcription Factor in Chemically-Induced Skin Cancer
by Kristine Von Maltzan, Yafan Li, Joyce E. Rundhaug, Laurie G. Hudson, Susan M. Fischer and Donna F. Kusewitt
J. Clin. Med. 2016, 5(2), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm5020021 - 3 Feb 2016
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5645
Abstract
The Slug transcription factor plays an important role in ultraviolet radiation (UVR)-induced skin carcinogenesis, particularly in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) occurring during tumor progression. In the present studies, we investigated the role of Slug in two-stage chemical skin carcinogenesis. Slug and the related [...] Read more.
The Slug transcription factor plays an important role in ultraviolet radiation (UVR)-induced skin carcinogenesis, particularly in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) occurring during tumor progression. In the present studies, we investigated the role of Slug in two-stage chemical skin carcinogenesis. Slug and the related transcription factor Snail were expressed at high levels in skin tumors induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz[α]anthracene application followed by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) treatment. TPA-induced transient elevation of Slug and Snail proteins in normal mouse epidermis and studies in Slug transgenic mice indicated that Slug modulates TPA-induced epidermal hyperplasia and cutaneous inflammation. Although Snail family factors have been linked to inflammation via interactions with the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) pathway, a pathway that also plays an important role in skin carcinogenesis, transient TPA induction of Slug and Snail appeared unrelated to COX-2 expression. In cultured human keratinocytes, TPA induced Snail mRNA expression while suppressing Slug expression, and this differential regulation was due specifically to activation of the TPA receptor. These studies show that Slug and Snail exhibit similar patterns of expression during both UVR and chemical skin carcinogenesis, that Slug and Snail can be differentially regulated under some conditions and that in vitro findings may not recapitulate in vivo results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition)
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14 pages, 3700 KiB  
Article
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Is a Critical Step in Tumorgenesis of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
by Volker Fendrich, Katja Maschuw, Jens Waldmann, Malte Buchholz, Johannes Rehm, Thomas M. Gress, Detlef K. Bartsch and Alexander König
Cancers 2012, 4(1), 281-294; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers4010281 - 8 Mar 2012
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 8374
Abstract
The transcription factors Snail, Slug and Twist repress E-cadherin and induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process exploited by invasive cancer cells. In this study, we evaluated the role of EMT in the tumorgenesis of neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas (PNETs) in vitro, [...] Read more.
The transcription factors Snail, Slug and Twist repress E-cadherin and induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process exploited by invasive cancer cells. In this study, we evaluated the role of EMT in the tumorgenesis of neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas (PNETs) in vitro, in vivo and human tumor specimen. Expression of EMT markers was analyzed using immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR. For in vitro studies, BON-1 cells were analyzed regarding expression of EMT markers before and after transfection with siRNA against Slug or Snail, and cell aggregation assays were performed. To asses in vivo effects, Rip1Tag2 mice were treated with vehicle or the snail-inhibitor polythlylenglykol from week 5-10 of age. The resected pancreata were evaluated by weight, tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis. Snail and Twist was expressed in 61 % and 64% of PNETs. This was associated with loss of E-cadherin. RT-PCR revealed conservation of the EMT markers Slug and Snail in BON-1 cells. Transfection with siRNA against Slug was associated with upregulation of E-cadherin, enhanced cell-cell adhesion and inhibition of cell proliferation. Snail-inhibition in vivo by PEG was associated with increased apoptosis, decreased tumor cell proliferation and dramatic reduced tumor volume in Rip1Tag2 mice. The presented data show that EMT plays a key role in tumorgenesis of PNETs. The activation of Snail in a considerable subset of human PNETs and the successful effect of Snail inhibition by PEG in islet cell tumors of transgenic mice provides first evidence of Snail as a drug target in PNETs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuroendocrine Tumors)
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