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Exploring the multifaceted role of dendritic cells in immune function and disease. Key Takeaways DCs are professional antigen-presenting cells that capture, process, and present antigens. They activate T cells and regulate immune responses by producing cytokines. DC markers help distinguish them from other cells. Different DC subtypes exist, each with unique functions. DCs play a vital role in immune surveillance and maintaining self-tolerance. They are involved in autoimmune diseases and cancer, both as protective and harmful factors. DCs have a crucial role in the development and regulation of immune responses. What is a Dendritic Cell? Dendrit …

Delving into TNF alpha's critical role in inflammation and its therapeutic targeting. Key Takeaways: TNF alpha is a crucial cytokine in inflammation and apoptosis. Its structure facilitates interaction with TNF receptors, influencing immune responses. Elevated TNF alpha levels are linked to various inflammatory diseases. TNF alpha activates distinct pathways through TNFR1 and TNFR2, impacting cell function. Its involvement in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis highlights its clinical significance. Therapeutic targeting of TNF alpha offers potential in treating inflammatory conditions and cancer. What is TNF alpha? Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) i …

Introduction Claudins are a family of proteins that play a critical role in the formation of tight junctions between cells. Tight junctions are the structures that seal the intercellular space between adjacent cells, preventing the free diffusion of molecules and ions. Claudins are responsible for the selective permeability of tight junctions, and they regulate the paracellular transport of ions and solutes. In addition, claudins have been implicated in various diseases, including cancer. In this article, we will discuss the different types of claudins, their role in disease, their poten …

Enhancing Cancer Research: Syngeneic Mouse Models and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors A quick guide to Syngeneic Mouse Models Syngeneic Mouse Models Cancer research has seen remarkable advancements in recent years, largely due to the development of novel therapeutic approaches such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Among the various preclinical models used in cancer research, syngeneic mouse models have emerged as indispensable tools for studying the tumor microenvironment and evaluating immunotherapeutic strategies. In this article, we will delve into the significance of syngeneic mouse models in cancer research, particularly focusing on their role in the study o …

Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) is a protein that stimulates cell growth and differentiation by binding to its receptor epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) which triggers ligand-induced dimerization which activates the intrinsic protein-tyrosine kinase activity of EGFR. This in turn initiates a signal transduction cascade that results in various biochemical changes within the cell being targeted by EGF. This ultimately leads to DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. Members of this protein family are all similar due to their shared structural and functional characteristics. Each member of the EGF family have at least one common structural motif, the EGF domain, which is character …

Spindle assembly checkpoint The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC), or mitotic checkpoint, is the main cell cycle control mechanism that governs mitosis. Incorrect spindle attachment causes the spindle assembly checkpoint to generate a wait anaphase signal that prevents the activation of the anaphase promoting complex (APC), an ubiquitin E3 ligase essential for progression of the cell cycle. Conserved components of the mammalian SAC include Bub1 (Cahill et al., 1998), BubR1 [Chan et al., 1998], Bub3 [Taylor et al.,ÿ1998], Mad1[Jin et al., 1998], Mad2 [Li and Benezra, 1996] and CENP-E [Weaver etÿal., 2003]. The checkpoint becomes activated as a …

Ovarian cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. Ovarian cancer is when the normal cells in the ovary change and grow to form a tumour. Because the ovaries are located deep within the pelvis, an expanding tumour there might harm neighbouring organs. This can include the bladder or the bowel. The ovaries are two tiny oval-shaped organs on each side of your womb in your lower abdomen (pelvis). The ovaries produce oestrogen and progesterone, two female sex hormones that regulate menstrual cycles. There are several types of ovarian cancer, but the most common is epithelial ovarian cancer. Types of Ovarian Cancer Epithelial ovarian cancer - Ovari …

Chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative haematopoietic malignancy, characterised by a karyotypic abnormality present in more than 95% of cases known as the Philadelphia chromosome (Lozzio et al., 1975). CML has its origins in a common myeloid progenitor cell, which differentiates into erythrocytes, megakaryoctes, or granulocytes/monocytes (Fialkow et al., 1977). The Philadelphia Chromosome The Philadelphia chromosome was first karyotypically characterised in 1959 (Moorhead et al., 1960). It was demonstrated to be the result of a reciprocal translocation between the long arms of chromosomes 9 and 22 (Rowley, …

Leukemia Inhibitory Factor and JAK-STAT Signalling Pathway Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a cytokine that belongs to the interleukin-6 (IL-6) family of cytokines. Other members of this family include IL- 11, oncostatin M, and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF). LIF was first identified in 1981 as a hematopoietic factor that could stimulate the growth of leukaemia cells in culture. LIF has been shown to be involved in the development, maintenance, and function of various tissues and organs, including the immune system, nervous system, endocrine system, and reproductive system. Leukemia Inhibitory factor signalling pathway overview LIF uses the JAK-STAT pathway to signal …

Esophageal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the esophagus, which is the tube that carries food and liquids from your mouth to your stomach. Esophageal cancer can cause many different symptoms, depending on the stage of the disease. Did you know that esophageal cancer is the sixth most common type of cancer in the world? In this blog post, we will discuss the symptoms, treatment, and prevention of esophageal cancer. Types of Esophageal cancer Esophageal cancer is classified according to the type of cells that are involved. The cancer begins within the inner layer of the esophagus and may spread to other layers of the esophagus and other parts of …

In this blog post, we will review prostate cancer markers and what you should look for in your results. Prostate antigen marker (PSA) and p63 are the most common markers found in prostate cancer patients. The p504s immunostain is a relatively new marker that has shown promising results in early detection of prostate cancer. What is prostate cancer ? Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men. It is a cancer that starts in the prostate, a small gland in the male reproductive system. The prostate is located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The prostate produces a fluid that helps to nourish and transport sperm during ejacu …

Our Cancer Research Club symposium series continued on Wednesday afternoon, at Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI), Dublin, Ireland. The Bouchier-Hayes lecture theatre was at maximum capacity with over 60 scientists from all major universities and Institutes in Ireland coming together to network around the theme of “The Tumor Microenvironment”.This event was organised by Dr. Tríona Ní Chonghaile & Dr. Helena Bonner from RCSI who provided a great series of lectures and invited guests.Our first speaker was Alessandra Di Grande who is a PhD student in Tríona Ní Chonghaile’s group in RCSI. Alessandra was our chosen PhD award winner. Alessandra provided a great insight into BH3 mimetic …

In 2006, upon completion of the Human Genome Project, it was discovered that nearly 8% of the human genome is made up of viral DNA. These viral remnants are composed of ancient germline infections known as human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) which are passed on to future generations in a Mendelian fashion1–4. Although these viral elements were previously thought to be ‘junk DNA’ or DNA with no functions in the body, research has slowly been emerging over the years that show that these viral sequences play a key role in many cancers including breast cancer. Structure of the Human Endogenous Retrovirus (HERV) …

Incidence rate of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is one of the most common malignant diseases diagnosed in children. It represents nearly one third of all paediatric cancers and 74% of leukaemic disease in children from age 0-19 years. In 2010 the American Society of Cancer (ACS) predicted that 5,330 new cases of ALL would be detected and that 1,420 of these cases would result in death [Society, 2010]. Causes of ALL The cause of ALL remains largely unknown, although potential risk factors include environmental factors, inherited genetic mutations and viral exposure, howev …

By Shane Houston, PhD Candidate Queen’s University Belfast Cancer is an age old adversary of the human race. This out-of-control growth of abnormal cells has been a shadow over human health throughout history. Some of the earliest evidence of cancer stretches back to Egypt and the time of the pharaohs [1]. As time has marched on, so has our understanding of the disease, a field which came to be known as Oncology [1]. Early attempts at treating the disease most often involved surgical removal, followed by the hope the disease would not return [1]. Invariably it did. The current trend of research in cancer therapy is now leaning towards personalized medicine, a treatment approach bas …

Cell Signalling Cell signalling pathways have an important role in integrating a plethora of extracellular and intracellular signals to produce a controlled optimal output of signals, and results in the regulation of specific cellular responses. This is crucial for the homeostasis of the cell, and the deregulation of signalling pathways has been related to a number of diseases including cancer (Choudhary and Mann 2010).  Receptor signalling Cells integrate signals from the extracellular matrix by expressing specific receptors on the plasma membrane that can be activated by a specific ligand. Receptors then transduce the ex …

Shane O’Grady, PhD student, RCSI Cancer is a disease that will, unfortunately, touch all of our lives at some point, directly or indirectly. Despite decades of gradual, hard-won incremental improvements to available treatment options, survival is still strongly associated with the stage at which a tumour is first detected: patients diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer have a 5 year survival rate approximately 4 times lower than those presenting in the clinic with a stage 1 tumour [1]. The ability to detect breast cancer at an early, more easily treated stage has been a significant contributor to improved survival rates observed in recent decades. Th …

I have been in the situation that I’m sure many of us have. I work on genes, which if you name to any right-minded individual, sound like a random string of nonsensical gibberish. So, maybe unsurprisingly, I have very little interest in writing a blog piece only about the particular genes I work on, so let’s look at AML in a wider context (and then maybe I’ll sneak in my research later). Acute myeloid leukaemia (or AML as it is more commonly known), is the most common form of acute leukaemia in adults (Eriksson et al. 2015). This disease involves the uncontrolled accumulation of progenitors, that give rise to myeloid-type white blood cells, within the bone marrow. The accumulati …

Platinum based cancer drugs Despite nearly 50% of all anti-cancer treatments being platinum-based, there is an urgent need to develop novel therapeutics beyond those currently in use.1 The first platinum-based anti-cancer chemotherapeutic, cisplatin, was granted clinical approval in 1978. Only two further platinum drugs have gained full global approval namely carboplatin and oxaliplatin.2 Although hugely successful, the widespread application and efficacy of platinum drugs are hindered by their toxic side effects, their limited activity against many human cancers and their susceptibility to acquired drug resistance.3 As a consequence, many …

By Zoe Angel, PhD Student, Ulster University Prostate cancer is now the commonest cancer in men and it is the fifth leading cause of death (1). Researchers have strived to understand its development and extraordinary progress has been made in the last 50 years. Better treatments for this disease have been developed and the outlook is steadily improving for prostate cancer patients. Despite this, significant challenges remain in prostate cancer therapy. It remains difficult to accurately predict which tumours are most aggressive and which will respond to treatment. Furthermore, chemotherapeutic approaches have mainly consisted of blocking sex ho …

Millions of people are afflicted with cancer each year. 2016 statistics for the USA alone show over half a million deaths attributed to cancer 1. We have come a long way from our early understanding of cancer, and now have highly sophisticated and personalized treatments available in the 21st century. One of the major challenges facing effective treatment is detection time. Cancer detected early has a higher chance of being cured compared to a late prognosis in most cases. Modern medicine uses several tests such as MRI and CT scans, ultrasound, pathology reports etc. to gather as much information as possible. According to American Cancer Society, it takes a minimum of a few weeks fro …

Mechanical forces are common in biological systems and dominate numerous perturbations that are relevant to human physiology and disease. Mechanobiology is a new field that evaluates the effects of physical forces on cell behavior, cell/tissue morphogenesis and diseases such as cancer. Most recently this field has matured in a way that it appears feasible to apply this approach for the identification of both disease-related signaling defects and of key determinants of chemoresistance.As a member of a group of investigators led by Elisa Giovannetti at the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and at Cancer Pharmacology lab, AIRC Start-Up Unit, University of Pis …

Myrna Hurtado, PhD Student, University of North Texas Health Science Center Advancements in modern medicine have resulted in significantly prolonging and also improving our quality of life. Diseases that were once major afflictions and wiping out vast populations have been almost eradicated. However, these advancements have also led us to realize how much we do not know. It is not improbable to call cancer as the plague of the 21st century. Cancer is a multifactorial disease and arises due to several characteristics acquired from DNA mutations, such as continuous proliferative signaling, resistance to cell death, and invasion and metastasis[1]. 1 …

Polo-like kinase (Plk1) Polo-like kinase (Plk1), is a serine/threonine kinase that is active during mitosis (Hamanaka et al., 1995). Its name is derived from its original characterisation as a homolog of a Drosophila mitotic kinase encoded by the Polo gene (Fenton et al., 1993; Martin et al., 2006). There are five Plk kinases identified in humans, although only Plk1 has been extensively characterised as a mitotic kinase (Martin et al., 2006; Lens et al., 2010). Polo-like Kinase family members Other members of the family have largely non-mitotic functions: Plk2 and Plk4 are involved in centriole duplication (Warnke et al., 2004; …