Journal: The Cell Surface

Article Title: Compromising UPD-sugar nucleotide biosynthesis attenuates Candida albicans viability, virulence and drug sensitivity ☆

doi: 10.1016/j.tcsw.2026.100170

Figure Lengend Snippet: Host cell damage and virulence capacity of mutants in sugar nucleotide biosynthesis. (A) Mutants grown in +/− 25 μg/ml Dox screened for epithelial damage using A-431 cells by LDH assay. The mean LDH released at 24 h post co-incubation is shown for repressed mutants (grown in presence of Dox; blue bars) and No-Dox controls (red bars). Red and blue horizontal lines indicate the mean LDH activity for wild type control (No-Dox) and wild type grown in presence of Dox respectively. Welsh t-test used for statistical analysis; error bars represent standard error of mean; p**** < 0.0001. (B) Survival plots of G. mellonella larvae infected with C. albicans mutants in: (I) GDP-mannose, (II) UDP-glucose and (III) UDP- N -acetylglucosamine biosynthesis in presence (solid lines) and absence (dotted lines) of Dox. No killing or improved survival was observed for a number of repressed mutants. No killing was observed in control larvae injected with equivalent volume of PBS. (For interpretation of the references to colour in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web version of this article.)

Article Snippet: Human epithelial cells derived from a vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (A-431 cell line; ATCC No.: CRL-1555) were cultured and maintained in DMEM medium supplemented with 10% ( v /v) heat inactivated foetal calf serum, 5% penicillin and 5% streptomycin.

Techniques: Lactate Dehydrogenase Assay, Incubation, Activity Assay, Control, Infection, Injection

Journal: Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports

Article Title: Dual knockdown of Alox15 and TGF-β1 by lipid nanoparticle-delivered siRNA in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis

doi: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2026.102534

Figure Lengend Snippet: LNP-mediated delivery of siRNAs into lung epithelial and fibroblast cells effectively reduces mRNA levels both in vitro and in vivo . (A, B) MLE-12 cells and murine lung fibroblasts were treated with negative control (NC), Alox15, or TGF-β1 siRNA for 24 h, followed by treatment with bleomycin for an additional 24 h, then subjected to real-time PCR assay. Fluorescence images of (C) MLE-12 cells and (D) murine lung fibroblasts treated with 50 nM naked siRNA-Cy5 or siRNA-Cy5 encapsulated with LNPs (siRNA@LNP) for 6 h, followed by staining with Hoechst 33342. Scale bar = 20 μm. (E) Flow cytometry analysis showing the mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) of Cy5 positive cells. (F) Mice were injected with saline, naked siRNA, or siRNA@LNP and sacrificed at 24 h after treatment. Cy5 fluorescence signal in the heart, lung, liver, spleen and kidney was measured by The PhotonIMAGER Optima system immediately. Fluorescence intensity in the lung expressed as total radiant efficiency. n = 3 per group. ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01, ∗∗∗p < 0.001. Scatter plots representing individual mice.

Article Snippet: Murine lung epithelial cells (MLE-12 cells) were obtained from ATCC (Manassas, VA, USA) and cultured in DMEM/F12 medium (Corning) containing 4% FBS, 0.005 mg/mL insulin, 0.01 mg/mL transferrin, 30 nM sodium selenite, 10 nM hydrocortisone, 10 nM β-estradiol, 10 mM HEPES, 2 mM l -glutamine, 100 U/mL penicillin G, and 100 μg/mL streptomycin.

Techniques: In Vitro, In Vivo, Negative Control, Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction, Fluorescence, Staining, Flow Cytometry, Injection, Saline

Journal: Materials Today Bio

Article Title: Biomimetic villi-crypt scaffold-on-chip with tunable mechanical properties for intestinal epithelium modeling

doi: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103134

Figure Lengend Snippet: Villi-crypt in vitro model. Resazurin reduction assay performed (a) over the Villi-(F)-Crypt and Villi-(R)-Crypt scaffolds in the presence and absence of gelatin to aid cell attachment ( n = 3 scaffolds for each condition). (b) Resazurin reduction assay performed for long-term cultures in the absence of gelatin (two independent experiments, n = 5 scaffolds for each condition of each experiment). Data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation. ∗p < 0.05; ∗∗p < 0.01; ∗∗∗p < 0.001. (c) Phalloidin (green) and DAPI (blue) fluorescence microscopy of Caco-2 cells grown for 21 days on the two compositions tested at two different magnifications. (c i ) Top and (c ii ) section view of the scaffolds. Scale bars represent 500 μm and 100 μm. Objectives are 4 × and 10 × , respectively. (d) Confocal images of Villi-(R)-Crypt scaffold cultured with the Caco-2 cells. (d i ) Schematic of the different confocal planes acquired. (d ii ) and (d iii ) details at two different magnifications of villi sections, scaffold baselines and crypt base; displaying the homogeneous covering of the scaffold and junctions formed between cells ( V = villi, C = crypt). Scale bars represent 200 μm (d ii , 10 × objective) and 50 μm (d iii , 20 × objective). (For interpretation of the references to color in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the Web version of this article.)

Article Snippet: Cell cultures over scaffolds: Human epithelial cell line Caco-2 (HTB-37, ATCC, USA) was cultured in 75 cm 2 tissue culture polystyrene flasks in complete DMEM high glucose (Sigma Aldrich, pc D6546) supplemented with 1% penicillin-streptomycin (Sigma Aldrich, pc P0781), 1% L-glutamine (Sigma Aldrich, pc G7513) and 10% FBS (Invitrogen, USA) in a humidified incubator set at 37 °C with 95% air and 5% CO 2 .

Techniques: In Vitro, Cell Attachment Assay, Standard Deviation, Fluorescence, Microscopy, Cell Culture

Journal: Materials Today Bio

Article Title: Biomimetic villi-crypt scaffold-on-chip with tunable mechanical properties for intestinal epithelium modeling

doi: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103134

Figure Lengend Snippet: (a) Fold change in gene expression with respect to undifferentiated cells and (b) quantification of produced proteins. Caco-2 cells were cultured for 14 and 21 days on the two compositions tested ( n = 3 scaffolds for each condition). Data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation. ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01.

Article Snippet: Cell cultures over scaffolds: Human epithelial cell line Caco-2 (HTB-37, ATCC, USA) was cultured in 75 cm 2 tissue culture polystyrene flasks in complete DMEM high glucose (Sigma Aldrich, pc D6546) supplemented with 1% penicillin-streptomycin (Sigma Aldrich, pc P0781), 1% L-glutamine (Sigma Aldrich, pc G7513) and 10% FBS (Invitrogen, USA) in a humidified incubator set at 37 °C with 95% air and 5% CO 2 .

Techniques: Gene Expression, Produced, Cell Culture, Standard Deviation

Journal: Materials Today Bio

Article Title: Biomimetic villi-crypt scaffold-on-chip with tunable mechanical properties for intestinal epithelium modeling

doi: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103134

Figure Lengend Snippet: Venn diagram showing the distribution of proteins identified in Villi-(F)-Crypt and Villi-(R)-Crypt scaffolds cultured with Caco-2 cells for the period of 14 and 21 days. The core proteins are shared across all conditions, while the exclusive proteins represent those uniquely identified in specific conditions. The 10 most abundant proteins are highlighted.

Article Snippet: Cell cultures over scaffolds: Human epithelial cell line Caco-2 (HTB-37, ATCC, USA) was cultured in 75 cm 2 tissue culture polystyrene flasks in complete DMEM high glucose (Sigma Aldrich, pc D6546) supplemented with 1% penicillin-streptomycin (Sigma Aldrich, pc P0781), 1% L-glutamine (Sigma Aldrich, pc G7513) and 10% FBS (Invitrogen, USA) in a humidified incubator set at 37 °C with 95% air and 5% CO 2 .

Techniques: Cell Culture

Journal: Regenerative Therapy

Article Title: WTAP stabilizes MMP12 expression to promote the malignant phenotypes of esophageal cancer cells

doi: 10.1016/j.reth.2026.101101

Figure Lengend Snippet: MMP12 was identified as a key gene and its expression was upregulated in EC cells. (A) Expression analysis of INHBA, MMP3, MMP12, and SPP1 in EC tissues and normal esophageal tissues through the GEPIA database. (B) Expression analysis of INHBA, MMP3, MMP12, and SPP1 in HEEC and KYSE150 cells. (C) MMP12 expression analysis in pan-cancer tissues and normal tissues through the GEPIA database. (D) qRT-PCR was performed to detect MMP12 protein expression in HEEC and KYSE150 cells. (E) The efficiency of MMP12 knockdown was determined by Western blotting in KYSE150 cells. ns: not significant, ∗ P < 0.05, ∗∗ P < 0.01 and ∗∗∗ P < 0.001.

Article Snippet: EC cell (KYSE-150 and TE-10), normal esophageal epithelial cells (HEEC) and THP-1 cells were provided by Procell (Wuhan, China).

Techniques: Expressing, Quantitative RT-PCR, Knockdown, Western Blot

Journal: Toxicology Reports

Article Title: Comparative toxicity of menthol- and tobacco-flavored electronic cigarette constituents inducing inflammation, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor modulation in the absence of nicotine

doi: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2026.102224

Figure Lengend Snippet: Menthol and tobacco flavoring chemicals caused BEAS-2B epithelial cell barrier dysfunction. BEAS-2B cells were grown in transwell inserts in complete medium. Once reached a monolayer and 80–85 % confluency, cells were serum deprived overnight. Around 90–95 % confluency, cells were treated with 100 μM (A) 98 % Menthone. (B) L -Menthone, (C). Carvone (D) WS-23 (E) Acetoin, (F) Vanillin, (G) PG/VG, and (H) Benzoic Acid. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and voltage (mV) data were collected pretreatment (0 hr), 6, 8, 20, and 24 hrs. following the treatments and the correlation of TEER and mV vs. time ± SEM are represented. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.0001 vs. untreated control., two-way ANOVA. N = 3 wells per chemical treatment.

Article Snippet: Human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) (ATCC) were seeded on the apical side of 12 mm diameter polyester membrane transwell inserts with 0.4 μM pore size and 1.12 cm 2 surface area (Corning #3460) in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium/Nutrient Mixture F-12 1:1 (Gibco, Cat# 11320033) supplemented with 5 % fetal bovine serum (FBS), 15 mM HEPES, 1 % L -glutamine, and 1 % antibiotic-antimycotic.

Techniques: Control

Journal: Toxicology Reports

Article Title: Comparative toxicity of menthol- and tobacco-flavored electronic cigarette constituents inducing inflammation, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor modulation in the absence of nicotine

doi: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2026.102224

Figure Lengend Snippet: Menthol and tobacco flavoring constituents elicited an interleukin 6 cytokine response in lung epithelial cells. BEAS-2B cells cultured in transwells in complete media, 80–85 % confluency, and serum deprived overnight. Around 90–95 % confluency, cells were treated with 100µM L -Menthone, 98 % Menthone, Carvone, WS-23, Vanillin, Acetoin, Benzoic Acid, and PG/VG. Apical conditioned media was collected after the 24-h time point and IL-6 was quantified. (A) control, PG/VG, and Benzoic Acid-induced response, and (B) L -Menthone, 98 % Menthone, Carvone, WS-23, Vanillin, and Acetoin response compared to untreated control. IL-6 concentration in pg/mL ± SEM is represented, *p < 0.05. vs. control, one-way ANOVA. N = 3 wells per treatment.

Article Snippet: Human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) (ATCC) were seeded on the apical side of 12 mm diameter polyester membrane transwell inserts with 0.4 μM pore size and 1.12 cm 2 surface area (Corning #3460) in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium/Nutrient Mixture F-12 1:1 (Gibco, Cat# 11320033) supplemented with 5 % fetal bovine serum (FBS), 15 mM HEPES, 1 % L -glutamine, and 1 % antibiotic-antimycotic.

Techniques: Cell Culture, Control, Concentration Assay

Journal: Toxicology Reports

Article Title: Comparative toxicity of menthol- and tobacco-flavored electronic cigarette constituents inducing inflammation, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor modulation in the absence of nicotine

doi: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2026.102224

Figure Lengend Snippet: Menthol and tobacco flavoring constituents elicited an interleukin-8 cytokine response in lung epithelial cells. BEAS-2B cells cultured in transwells in complete media, 80–85 % confluency, and serum deprived overnight. Around 90–95 % confluency, cells were treated with 100 μM l-menthone, 98 % menthone, carvone, WS-23, vanillin, acetoin, benzoic acid, and PG/VG. Apical conditioned media was collected after the 24-h time point and IL6 was quantified. (A) control, PG/VG, and Benzoic Acid-induced response, and (B) l-menthone, 98 % menthone, carvone, WS-23, vanillin, and acetoin response compared to untreated control. IL-8 concentration in pg/mL ± SEM is represented, *p < 0.05, and **p < 0.01 vs. untreated control. one-way ANOVA. N = 3 wells per treatment.

Article Snippet: Human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) (ATCC) were seeded on the apical side of 12 mm diameter polyester membrane transwell inserts with 0.4 μM pore size and 1.12 cm 2 surface area (Corning #3460) in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium/Nutrient Mixture F-12 1:1 (Gibco, Cat# 11320033) supplemented with 5 % fetal bovine serum (FBS), 15 mM HEPES, 1 % L -glutamine, and 1 % antibiotic-antimycotic.

Techniques: Cell Culture, Control, Concentration Assay

Journal: Toxicology Reports

Article Title: Comparative toxicity of menthol- and tobacco-flavored electronic cigarette constituents inducing inflammation, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor modulation in the absence of nicotine

doi: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2026.102224

Figure Lengend Snippet: Menthol and tobacco flavoring constituents caused minimum cytotoxicity in BEAS-2B cells. BEAS-2B cells cultured in transwells in complete media, at 80–85 % confluency, and serum deprived overnight. Around 90–95 % confluency, Cells were treated with 100 μM l-menthone, 98 % menthone, carvone, WS-23, vanillin, acetoin, benzoic acid, and PG/VG. At the 24-h time point, cells were collected and stained with acridine orange and propidium iodide and the live, cell, and total cells were counted using CellDrop automatic cell counter. Cytotoxicity ± SEM is represented. *p < 0.05 vs. control, one-way ANOVA, N = 3 wells per treatment.

Article Snippet: Human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) (ATCC) were seeded on the apical side of 12 mm diameter polyester membrane transwell inserts with 0.4 μM pore size and 1.12 cm 2 surface area (Corning #3460) in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium/Nutrient Mixture F-12 1:1 (Gibco, Cat# 11320033) supplemented with 5 % fetal bovine serum (FBS), 15 mM HEPES, 1 % L -glutamine, and 1 % antibiotic-antimycotic.

Techniques: Cell Culture, Staining, Control

Journal: Toxicology Reports

Article Title: Comparative toxicity of menthol- and tobacco-flavored electronic cigarette constituents inducing inflammation, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor modulation in the absence of nicotine

doi: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2026.102224

Figure Lengend Snippet: Menthol and tobacco flavoring constituents caused nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAchR) modulation in BEAS-2B lung epithelial cells. BEAS-2B cells cultured in transwells in complete media, 80–85 % confluency, and serum deprived overnight. Around 90–95 % confluency, cells were treated with 100 μM l-menthone, 98 % menthone, carvone, WS-23, vanillin, acetoin, benzoic acid, and PG/VG. At the 24-h time point, cells were collected, lysed, and after BCA protein estimation, 5 μg of protein were loaded to 10-well gel for SDS-gel electrophoresis. After cellulose membrane transfer and blocking, the membranes were probed with primary antibodies for nAchR1,4,5, and 7, with ß-actin loading control for normalization. The same membrane was sometimes re-probed up to 3 times with a different CHRNA. The blots with (A) Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors α1 expression with acetoin and PG/VG. (B) Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors α4 expression with carvone and WS-23. (C) Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors α5 expression with acetoin and PG/VG. (D) Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors α5 expression with l-menthone and 98 % menthone. (E) Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors α7 expression with carvone and WS-23. All respective CHRNA bands ß-actin are shown with their densitometry fold-change ± SEM. *p < 0.05 and ****p < 0.0001 vs. control, one-way ANOVA. N = 3 wells per chemical. Full blots are shown in the .

Article Snippet: Human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) (ATCC) were seeded on the apical side of 12 mm diameter polyester membrane transwell inserts with 0.4 μM pore size and 1.12 cm 2 surface area (Corning #3460) in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium/Nutrient Mixture F-12 1:1 (Gibco, Cat# 11320033) supplemented with 5 % fetal bovine serum (FBS), 15 mM HEPES, 1 % L -glutamine, and 1 % antibiotic-antimycotic.

Techniques: Cell Culture, SDS-Gel, Electrophoresis, Membrane, Blocking Assay, Control, Expressing