Journal of Cellular Signaling

Commentary Open Access

Teaching an Old Drug a New Trick: Targeting Treatment Resistance in Genitourinary Cancers

Karina Aguilar , Anuj K. Sharma , Tianyu Yang , Dipen Mehta , Chandramukhi S. Panda , Vinata B. Lokeshwar

In the quest for improving the clinical outcome of patients with metastatic genitourinary cancers, including metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), the emphasis often is on finding new targeted therapies. However, two studies by Jordan et al. (Oncogenesis 2020) and Wang et al. (Cancer Cell Int 2022) demonstrate the feasibility of improving the efficacy of a modestly effective drug Sorafenib against mRCC by attacking a mechanism hijacked by RCC cells for inactivating Sorafenib.

Mini Review Open Access

Signaling Modifications Associated with Obesity and Dysbiosis and Their Impact on Metabolic Disorders

Ferah Armutcu , Eugene McCloskey

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in various physiological functions such as the production of essential compounds like short-chain fatty acids and vitamins, as well as in controlling inflammation, immune response, and maintaining intestinal barrier integrity. The imbalance in microbial composition, termed dysbiosis, is closely associated with both the pathogenesis of obesity and the development of obesity-related metabolic disorders such as metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Review Article Open Access

Navigating the Adipocyte Precursor Niche: Cell-Cell Interactions, Regulatory Mechanisms and Implications for Adipose Tissue Homeostasis

Devesh Kesharwani , Aaron Clifford Brown

Support for stem cell self-renewal and differentiation hinges upon the intricate microenvironment termed the stem cell 'niche'. Within the adipose tissue stem cell niche, diverse cell types, such as endothelial cells, immune cells, mural cells, and adipocytes, intricately regulate the function of adipocyte precursors. These interactions, whether direct or indirect, play a pivotal role in governing the balance between self-renewal and differentiation of adipocyte precursors into adipocytes. 

Commentary Open Access

Can Yerba Maté (Ilex paraguariensis A.-St.-Hil) and Its Constituents Affect Health and Obesity?

Alexander V. Sirotkin

The present commentary is a short narrative review of the available data concerning the influence of Yerba Maté, its relatives and constituents on health with special attention to its anti-obesity effects and their physiological mechanisms. The possible adverse side-effects of Yerba Maté, form and doses of its consumption are discussed.

Commentary Open Access

Targeting Lipid Metabolism for Better Management of Coronavirus SARS-COV-2 Infections: Intervention, Antiviral Drug Development, and Challenges

Yuting Wang , Peiran Chen , Ming-Liang He

The global pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), although has faded from public view, the virus itself remains highly active and continues to mutate, continuously causing infections. The population faces the risk of severe outcomes caused by virus infection (e.g., multi-organ tissue injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)). Furthermore, patients with chronic diseases (cardiovascular diseases, diabetes) are at risk of developing severe sequelae or even elevated mortality.